Women light way against gender violence

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September 28, 2019

The people of Haliburton protested gendered violence and lit their way through the darkness with the annual Take Back the Night event Sept. 19.

Dozens of people gathered in Haliburton in solidarity with those across the region to speak out against sexual and domestic violence. They marched through the streets of Haliburton village by candlelight, accompanied by Haliburton Highlanders Pipes and Drums.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton clinical therapist Denise Morton-Sayles told the crowd they are all a part of ending that violence.

“Many of us are here tonight who have lost and are on a journey to reclaim ourselves due to being victims of gendered violence and we need to continue to march and we need to continue to be a voice for change,” she said.

Morton-Sayles cited local stats. The YWCA in Minden has seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of women seeking services between 2018 and 2019. Over the same time, 38 per cent more women are accessing YWCA’s Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace.

“It could tell us that people know how to reach out,” she said. “But also the numbers of violence are not dwindling. Violence against women is not diminishing the way we want.”

Jean Coates said she has attended Take Back the Night for years with her mother and children.

“Both me and my mother have had abusive relationships and we just feel it’s good to support and make sure it’s well known there is help out there,” Coates said.

“It’s a great cause,” attendee Lorraine Evans said. “It’s not only for survivors today but also for future survivors.”

The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, Fleming College and partner organizations organized the evening. Clinical counsellor Diana Primavesi said she was pleased by how it went.

“We had a great turnout from people in the local community,” she said.

Primavesi said Take Back the Night, which began in the 1970s, remains important to help those working to address gender-based violence.

“As someone who is a survivor and works in the field, it is helpful to be in solidarity with others who care about this issue,” she said. “It can be very isolating. So, I think that, for me, the biggest thing about Take Back the Night is for us to come together and raise up our voices to be heard.”

New faces add to The Studio Tour palette

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Lisa Gervais

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September 26, 2019

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Nothing says ‘autumn’ in Haliburton County quite like The Studio Tour.

As the iconic event enters its 32rd year, organizers have rebranded and launched a new logo.

Also for 2019, there will be seven new artists and some non-resident guest artists for the first time – all offering a variety of mediums and techniques.

The tour goes the first two weekends in October.

Chair Cathy Taylor said the thinking behind the repositioning as The Studio Tour-Haliburton Highlands (formerly known as the Haliburton County Studio Tour) “is that of all the tours across the province … it’s “The” tour that visitors don’t want to miss.

“We’ve worked through the repositioning and rebranding process with our tour members and the County of Haliburton’s tourism department over the past several months,” Taylor said.

“Crystal Image Studio brought our vision to life and we feel we have a fresh, reinvigorated logo to enter into our 32nd year. The pictorial logo is the loon design by Peter Hood.

“In addition to the rebrand, we’ve also launched a sponsorship program for the first time ever,” Taylor said.

The Studio Tour members thanked the Haliburton County Development Corporation for their financial support of the rebranding initiative.

“For more than 30 years, The Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands has drawn an eclectic group of visitors each year,” Taylor said. “Thousands of guests – residents, cottagers and tourists alike – have experienced the entire Haliburton Highlands region visiting the artist studios along the tour.”

This year, there are a total of 40 artists opening the doors of 25 studios. It is a self-guided driving tour that promises beautiful fall colours; a chance to watch artists and artisans create; and shop.

Taylor said that each year, The Studio Tour – Haliburton Highlands generates an average of $1.75 million for the local economy, benefitting the entire region.

“The Tour is proud to contribute to such a vibrant arts and culture scene in #MyHaliburtonHighlands,” she said.

For more, see the studiotour.ca .

Dysart mayor right about roads

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Lisa Gervais

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September 26, 2019

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It’s a common scene in council chambers across the county. From about May to October every year, irate cottagers make delegations to councils demanding one thing or another.

They are quick to remind elected officials they pay hefty waterfront taxes, and have invested millions of dollars in the area. I think we would all acknowledge the importance of cottagers to our local economy.

However, sometimes the tone of these delegates is a bit troubling. Take for example the folks from Redkenn Road who jammed Dysart et al’s council chambers earlier this week.

They came armed with a petition requesting their road be hard-surfaced after the municipality made it a gravel road last year.

They said they represented 60 owners along a 1.2 km stretch of road along Redstone Lake. They were angered after having had a paved road for 30 years.

They said it affected their quality of life, with one spokesperson saying the pain is real.

They pointed out a neighbouring road was paved in 2017. They broached the have and have not argument.

Not to be unsympathetic, but we need to put these concerns into context. A quality of life issue is a decades-long boil advisory for drinking water in a northern Indigenous community. The difference between a paved and gravel road is hardly a have versus have not argument.

Having your road go to gravel, from paved, is annoying, irksome even. It means you have to slow down for fear of rocks hitting your windshield and fishtailing. But if you slow down, it should ease the wear on your vehicle. Sure, you might have to wash your vehicle more often because of the dust. You’ll have to slow down for safety reasons too. But is it really life-altering?

Not only did the delegation ask for paving, they wanted it before winter.

Not many cottagers are around every winter for budget talks at council. They should be. They would hear how councils grapple with decisions around roads when they have a finite amount of tax dollars coming in. The Redkenn folks would have learned that Dysart et al has to take care of not only their 1.2 km of road, but an additional 303.3 km across the township, some 280 km of hard-topped and 24.5 of gravel. Each and every person on each and every one of those roads wants better.

On top of that, the public works department is levelling out gravelled roads, ditching, cleaning out culverts, mowing and brushing, controlling dust, repairing shoulders, maintaining bridges and catch basin, street sweeping and providing traffic control.

At budget time, townships such as Dysart et al have to triage the worst of the roads and put those to the top of their roads needs list. The decision is often made around public safety.

Mayor Andrea Roberts was completely right in telling the delegation she and her council have to consider the entire municipality, not just the squeaky wheel.

“It’s many, many, many other roads we have to take into consideration,” she said.

So, with all due respect to the 100 people who signed a petition, and to those who spoke out at Dysart council, things have changed. Our townships now do comprehensive roads studies to figure out what roads need to be done and in what order. They’re not about to change plans just because a few angry people show up at the council chambers. And that’s the way it should be.

Community rallies for climate

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Lisa Gervais

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September 26, 2019

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Environmentalists gathered outside Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to support a worldwide rally for climate change action Sept. 20.

Approximately 60 people attended the local protest done in solidarity with youth-led events around the world, with students striking from school. The local strikes are a continuation of protests last spring. The Sept. 20 event attracted more students than previous but more than half the contingent were adults.

Organizer and HHSS student Jurgen Shantz said it remains important for youth to send a message.

“If nothing’s done then life will be a lot worse for a lot of people,” Shantz said. “I don’t want that to happen.”

Shantz struggled to attract peers for his spring strike outside the Dysart et al municipal office, where only a few high school students attended. About 20 HHSS students participated this time according to organizers.

“It’s better but not incredibly better,” Shantz said, adding he hopes to do a longer promotional campaign leading into the next event.

Grade 10 student Nick Phippen said many peers he spoke with did not feel like their protest could make a difference.

“Sadly, most of the kids I was talking to thought that ‘no one’s going to listen if we go out,’” Phippen said. “I’m out here to prove the point that us young generation, it is important and it is important for us to stand here and let people know and politicians know that climate change is happening.”

The protests were originally inspired by Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who has gained international acclaim for striking from school to protest inaction on climate change.

Haliburton School of Art and Design also joined the local demonstration.

“It’s hard to ignore the fate of our planet,” ceramics student Hasmita Alimchandani said. “It’s really important for more people to really lean in and show their support, especially young people.”

Bonnie Roe has regularly attended the protests started by Shantz. She said many adults have joined because they recognize how serious climate change is.

“Maybe a demonstration doesn’t change anything at the moment but it brings awareness to the issue and awareness is what we need,” Roe said. We need people to get on board.”

Shantz commented on the upcoming federal election.

“Vote for people that will help climate change action.”

Cottagers outraged after municipality pulverizes road

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Lisa Gervais

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September 26, 2019

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Redkenn Road cottagers confronted Dysart et al council Sept. 24 with a petition to request their roadway be hard-surfaced after the municipality pulverized it to gravel in 2018.

A delegation presented to council representing 60 owners along a 1.2 kilometre stretch of road along Redstone Lake, from the Pelaw River Bridge to the edge of Boice Bradley Drive. Residents expressed outrage that the municipality made their road gravel, when it was hard-surfaced for 30 years.

Keith Beard told council this had a significant negative impact on the quality of life for the people there. He argued the gravelling was not justified.

“Our lifestyle has been taken away from us,” Beard said. “The pain is real and we want our hard surface.”

The association brought a 32-page report noting that the neighbouring section of road, approximately five kilometres long with 51 properties, was paved in 2017. That’s created division, Beard said.

“Divided our road into have or have not,” Beard said. “A real sense of going backwards.” Council made no decisions regarding the issue.

Mayor Andrea Roberts said it would be brought up in the 2020 budget process.

“This was a decision made some time ago,” Roberts said. “That comes to a budget discussion and philosophy discussion. I know you’re here to represent Redkenn but we have to consider the whole municipality.”

Director of public works Rob Camelon told The Highlander the road stretch had long outlived its service life and was not identified in the municipality’s six-year capital plan. The decision to remove it was primarily due to resources, he said.

“Consistently sending two people to patch, in some areas ‘rebuild’ the surface, on Redkenn was not felt to be a good use of labour or resources,” Camelon said. “Reverting roads back to gravel is not a new idea for our department.”

The delegation’s report acknowledges gravel roads are often used in low-traffic rural areas to save costs.

But Beard argued the road’s use justifies paving and maintenance costs for gravel add up.

“Gravel roads are not for snow plow routes, school bus routes or where there is a possibility for emergency routes and wouldn’t you know it, we have all three,” Beard said.

The issues associated with gravel roads versus paved ones, such as wear on vehicles, dust and pedestrian experience have harmed residents, Beard said.

He added there should be emergency funds allotted to address the situation before winter.

“That will not happen this year. Tenders are set,” Roberts replied. “It’s many, many, many other roads we have to take into consideration.”

The delegation also presented a petition with over 100 signatures.

“We stand here shoulder to shoulder with 100 of us,” Beard said. “We want our road back.”

4Cs celebrates 40 years of growth in Haliburton

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Lisa Gervais

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September 25, 2019

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The vision of Haliburton’s churches to unite to better help people in need remains strong and in place after 40 years.

The Christian Community Concern Centre, knowns as the 4CS, celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Lily Ann Thrift Store Sept. 14. The organization recounted its history as dozens of patrons made their way through the doors to shop and show support.

Board chair David Ogilvie said it is remarkable how much the 4CS has grown over its four decades.

“Try to imagine, 40 years ago, a handful of ladies connected with the different churches in Haliburton started what is now the 4CS,” Ogilvie said. “I can’t imagine what they would think now to see what this has all turned into.

“It’s the community that makes it happen, it’s not us. It’s all the people that donate.”

The ministers of the local Anglican, United, Baptist and Full Gospel Lighthouse churches founded the 4CS in 1979. The ministers began offering counselling and providing some food gathered from donations, according to the organization. Since then, the group has grown to run Haliburton’s food bank, the Lily Ann Thrift Store and an array of other service programs, such as fire victim relief.

“It’s wonderful that we’ve actually been in business this long,” food bank manager Judy MacDuff said. “We’re giving back to the community.”

Angela Haedicke has volunteered with the thrift store since it opened in 1985. She said the store, which raises money for the food bank, is valuable to the community and offers a friendly atmosphere.

“Everybody’s very helpful and you can feel the spirit in here. It has something to do with sharing, giving and being there for each other,” Haedicke said. “That makes it the best place.”

Peter Markle said he has shopped there since it opened.

“This place has just risen its profile over the years and it’s a valuable service to the town and to the cottagers,” he said. “They fill a niche because they see what people want and they provide it.”

Ogilvie said the board’s future vision is to find sustainable solutions so fewer people rely on the food bank. But he added the 4CS remains committed to providing food and support to the people who need it.

“Our desire is to eliminate the need for a food bank,” Ogilvie said. “Sadly, that’s probably not a reality.”

Legion starts new vets decoration tradition

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Lisa Gervais

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September 24, 2019

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The Haliburton legion brought families and students together to honour the sacrifices of veterans with its first annual Veterans Decoration Day Sept. 16.

Branch 129 Haliburton invited veterans’ families and Haliburton Highlands Secondary School (HHSS) students to St. Anthony Cemetery and Evergreen Cemetery. Attendees placed approximately 180 crosses on veterans’ gravesites.

Public relations officer Linda Heeps said she is pleased by how the event went. She added it is important to recognize veterans through initiatives like this.

“We need to rethink about how lucky we are to live in a world that’s free,” Heeps said. “We have it all because of these people.”

The legion hopes to make the new event an annual tradition. The day stems from Heeps work over two years creating a database for veterans buried in Haliburton. Through that, the legion plans to get federal funding to place new tombstones and refurbish old ones.

Heeps said other organizations donated to support the event, including the Haliburton Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Haliburton and District Lions Club.

Sandra Oakley attended to place markers on the graves of her father, Russel Woodcock and uncle Neil Woodcock.

“It’s great that they honour the veterans because we wouldn’t have the country we have today if it wasn’t for them,” Oakley said. “I’m thankful to the people who have done all the work for this occasion.”

The Haliburton legion partnered with the HHSS’s leadership class last year to help with the research for the database. Teacher Paul Longo said it is important for students to make connections with their local community.

“It’s a wonderful way for them to connect with our past here in the county,” Longo said. “It really means something to them.”

“It’s really special that we were asked to be a part of it,” student Sydney Churko said. “It’s good for us as students to do something nice.”

Heeps said the day was held in September to ensure students could be involved.

“I want them to know how important the veterans are.”

Animal lovers give back to Feed Co.

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Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2019

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After 24 years serving people and finding thousands of homes for animals, Maureen Adams is ready to close down the Great Haliburton Feed Co. Sep. 27.

The business struggled through tumultuous years, with a destructive fire in 2014, difficulty finding a facility in 2018 and the sudden passing of Adams’ husband and store co-owner Charles McAleaney in January. Adams sought a buyer for the business for months, but no sale came together.

The shelves of the store are clear. The last of the pet supply – a trio of older cats – have found good homes, Adams said.

“It makes me very sad that I’m leaving,” she said. “I’m proud because I’ve heard back from people how either my helping them with their animal, or them adopting an animal, had an impact on so many people’s lives. I’m very proud of that.”

The store spent decades uniting stray and rescued animals of all kinds with people who loved them. Now, those people are sharing that love with Adams.

Famed designers and television hosts Collin McAllister and Justin Ryan are two of the people to get pets from the Great Haliburton Feed Co; their cats Beamer and Brutus Small. The pair started a GoFundMe Sept. 20 to help Adams as she closes her doors and enters what may be retirement.

“We’re a business of two as well,” McAllister told The Highlander. “The thought of my partner not being there to support me … we really felt for Maureen.

“We decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign to try and give her a bit of a send-off.”

The campaign started with a $7,000 goal and raised more than $5,000 in three days. Dozens of people have left messages to Adams about her work and the impact of the pets they got from the store.

“Maureen was our black cats’ godmother and has protected and cared for so many furry loving souls. She’s made an impact in so many Hali hearts and homes! She deserves so much,” wrote Claudia and Steven Bekker.

The impact of the business on Haliburton is evident, McAllister said.

“This is a really good, feel-good story, which is why it should have a really good, feel-good ending,” he said.

Adams said caring for animals never made her rich and she appreciates the support.

“I don’t have words to express how grateful and thankful I am,” Adams said. “Those words don’t sound like enough to express feelings. I’m very humbled. They’re very kind, kind people.”

The closure of the store now leaves a gap in coverage for animal care in Haliburton County, which has concerned neighbouring groups like Minden’s Cat Angels.

Adams said she’s shared many laughs and tears with people over the years who she will miss. But she added there are many people out there helping issues like animal welfare without recognition.

“Civilization boils down to lots of people doing small, good deeds,” she said. “There’s many millions that do small things on their own that improve the lives of animals or children or people. We just never see it.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/f/animal-saviour-desperately-needs-your-help.

Minden debates insurance “red tape”

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Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2019

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Minden Hills council remained at an impasse after a debate about how onerous the township’s insurance requirements are for running events.

Staff presented a report on liability and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) insurance requirements during a committee of the whole meeting Sept. 12. The municipal events committee raised concerns that first-party insurance requirements are impeding event organizers.

Coun. Jennifer Hughey, who serves on the events committee, said this is giving the township a bad reputation.

“There are certain risks I feel we need to take to improve our reputation in the county for being a place where people can do things and there won’t be as much red tape,” Hughey said.

Hughey said the township’s insurance requirements are causing vendors and artists to turn away, creating hurdles for organizers.

“Events in our community have not been as successful and I know there are many vendors who have chosen not to work in Minden anymore,” Hughey told The Highlander.

Into the Blue Bakery is one of those vendors. Owner Janine Papadopoulos said after a lengthy back-and-forth this past summer trying to adhere to the township’s specific insurance requirements, despite years of having her insurance in place, she opted to stop attending Minden events for now.

“I love going to Minden and I would continue to go to Minden. However, as a small business owner, it wasn’t the easiest process,” Papadopoulous said.

She added for years, the township has required more liability from her than neighbouring Haliburton townships. She’s required $5 million coverage in Minden, compared to $2 million elsewhere in Haliburton, which amounts to an additional $250 per year.

Chief administrative officer Lorrie Blanchard spoke about how the municipality seeks proof of insurance from independent operators, contractors and service providers. When it comes to liability, Blanchard said the municipality generally seeks assurance by being named as an additionally insured on other people’s policies.

Blanchard said the township could cover these independents under its own general liability coverage but their provider has advised against it.

“It’s about council setting that level of risk,” Blanchard said. “It’s okay to take on that risk, it’s just knowing you are taking on the risk.”

Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said council should consider reducing insurance requirements for low-risk independents.

“I for one highly recommend those kinds of things that are obviously extremely low risk, in my opinion, that council would have a discussion,” Schell said. “We’re just pushing stuff away.”

Not all vendors have minded the township’s requirements. Boshkung Brewing event co-ordinator Kasara McKay said getting insurance for events in Minden is not an issue for them.

“It’s a pain in the butt, anything bureaucratic is, but if you want to get it done, you do it,” McKay said.

No motion came forward from the council discussion.

Hughey said if nothing else, the township needs to be consistent and communicate. She recommended an information sheet be created to tell people about insurance requirements.

“We need to work together as an organization to make both pitching events and running events a little bit easier and a little bit more attractive.”

Haliburton Dance Academy expands for new season

By

Lisa Gervais

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September 23, 2019

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Haliburton Dance Arts founder Terri Matthews is returning to a studio much different from when she left it.

Renamed the Haliburton Dance Academy, the studio has doubled to approximately 150 students since Matthews departed in 2012. That has prompted the studio to hire three new instructors, including Matthews, to help with the workload.

“I’m excited after having some time to recharge to come back,” Matthews said. “(Owner) Chyna (Schell) has some world-class instructors coming up to Haliburton. I don’t think people realize how fortunate we are. These teachers are really high in demand.”

The academy held an open house Sept. 4, inviting new and returning dancers to get ready for the season. Schell credited passion for the group’s growth, which allowed it to bring on more staff.

“I really think that the kids thrive when they’re shown how much we care about it and how much our heart is in it. This is home to us and it always will be,” Schell said. “This entire space just absolutely is fuelled by love.”

With growth comes other changes. Schell said the studio plans to run more day classes this year to accommodate different schedules. She is also in search of new studio space for the 2020/21 season to provide more room for the larger number of students.

“We’re looking for something that’s really going to accommodate our growth,” Schell said. “We really want to give them what they deserve.”

Current instructor Shay Hutchings said she looks forward to having new instructors on the dance floor, who can garner more focus than older teachers.

“We’re like the ‘mom voice,’ when they hear us, but they kind of tune us out a little bit,” Hutchings said. “I feel like having new faces and new styles in will be really good and push them.”

Her brother, Wyatt Hutchings, is in his last year as a student at the academy. He said he is excited for the season ahead and reuniting with his classmates.

“It’s like a huge family. There’s going to be some times where we butt heads but that’s just because we love each other,” he said. “Once you’re connected with us, even if you leave, you’re still going to be connected forever.”

“Chyna’s really looking to the future, to expand the studio,” Matthews said. “So that kids, local kids in the Haliburton County area, have the same kind of advantages as if they lived in a bigger city.”

The dance season started Sept. 16