Haliburton County musician, Terra Lightfoot, is going through a bit of a whirlwind at the moment.

She has just come off tour with Colin James, saying, “it was amazing to go across the country with those guys. We had such a good time. Lots of great music, lots of great people. It was just a beautiful time.”

Next up, she and husband John are headed to Peru for a charity trip with Canada’s Great Kitchen Party. “We’re going to see Machu Picchu,” she said.

The next day, they will fly from Lima, Peru to Vancouver – as Lightfoot has been nominated for a Juno Award, with the ceremony taking place March 30 at Rogers Arena.

Lightfoot is up for adult alternative album of the year for Healing Power. She is up against Inuktitut by Elisapie, Revelation by Leif Vollebekk, We were born here, what’s your excuse? by The Secret Beach and Never Better by Wild Rivers.

While not her first Juno nomination, Lightfoot said this one is special.

“It means a lot to be nominated for this record because this is a record that I wrote in the Highlands. And the Highlands is a place where I started feeling like myself for the first time in my life.

“My husband and I found this house and we feel so lucky to live here, and be influenced by nature, and so to have an album that, it feels like my truest representation of me and my music getting nominated for a Juno feels really good.”

Healing Power is Lightfoot’s fifth album. “This just feels right because this is the first place I’ve ever felt like home.”

She recalled how the last time she was nominated, she was up against Gord Downey, “and so that was an easy one.”

However, she is looking forward to a great dinner, and free massage for nominees Sunday morning, “so I’m feeling good no matter what.”

It will also be the first-time seeing host Michael Bublé live.

“I’ve never seen him perform or anything, so I think this will be really fun.”

Kathy Rogers and the rest of the Wilberforce FUNraisers group are doing what they can to put their favourite rural community on the map.

For years, even amongst locals, the running joke has been that anyone unfamiliar with the area, who blinks while passing through the downtown, will miss it completely. Or, even worse, keep their eyes wide open, yet still have no idea where they are.

That’s all changed in recent months though, Rogers said, with a group of volunteers raising money to install lights on the ‘Welcome to Wilberforce’ sign along Hwy. 121 and placing a new custom bench outside the Highlands East township offices. Created by Wayne Quibell of Highland Creek Builders, the decorative piece is inscribed with ‘Wilberforce’ in big bold letters alongside a red maple leaf.

“One of our members was saying at a recent meeting that there’s nothing here in town that says ‘hey, you’re in Wilberforce’, so we decided to do something about that and bring a bit of dazzle to our downtown,” Rogers said.

The bench was installed in December and is the latest reminder of the work the FUNraisers do in the community.

With about a dozen active members, Rogers said its mandate is to bring families together and take pride in their community.

Launched about a decade ago as an offshoot of the now-defunct Monmouth Township recreation committee, the FUNraisers are responsible for annual Wilberforce events such as the Maple Syrup Festival and Penny Raffle. They also regularly assist with the Highlands East fire department’s First Responders’ Day.

“Our goal is to see our local town, businesses and municipality thrive,” Rogers said.

Born and raised in the community, Rogers said she was brought up on volunteerism. Her mom was involved in the curling club and first brought Brownies, a sub-section of Girl Guides for those aged seven to 10, to town. Her dad was a volunteer chief with the fire department.

“I guess you could say it was in my blood – being involved has always been very important to my family,” Rogers said. “Being in such a rural small town, the reason we have most of the things we do is because people stepped up to make them happen… FUNraisers are just carrying on the tradition.”

Maple Syrup Festival, taking place April 19, is celebrating its 44th anniversary this year. Planning for the Penny Raffle, a celebrated summer-time tradition for many years, is also on the go.

It was through the raffle that Barb Schofield was introduced to the group in 2016. Another who has spent her entire life in Wilberforce, she enjoys the social interactions with FUNraisers most.

“I just like doing something to enhance the social atmosphere of the town – the whole point is to get people out so they can meet other people and have a good time,” Schofield said. “A lot of what we do is very kid-centric. We’ll be giving away bunny ears to kids at Maple Syrup Festival. We have a lady who dresses up in a costume and hands out chocolate eggs. It’s all about the smiles.”

She also enjoys raising money for the school bursaries program, with the FUNraisers replicating a program in Gooderham that gives money to students pursuing a post-secondary education. The group has distributed six grants since 2017, totalling $3,000.

Rogers said she hopes to receive at least one bursary application this year, while saying the FUNraisers is also planning to invest in Herlihey Park.

To donate, or become a member, contact wilberforcefunraising@gmail.com.

Colt Taylor credits the Haliburton Army Cadets program with moulding him into the man he is today.

Local troop 1129, for youth aged 12 to 18, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. Taylor, a volunteer instructor with the corps, has been involved for 16 years – seven as a cadet and nine as a mentor and coach to the County’s next generation of recruits.

“Cadets promote citizenship and help kids develop values and traits such as responsibility, leadership, courage, discipline, and accountability,” Taylor told The Highlander.

The group, which boasts about 30 active members, meets Tuesday evenings at the Haliburton Legion for training nights. Taylor said cadets also participate in specialty assignments some weekends.

There’s no cost for youth to attend, with the program funded by the federal government and receiving further support from the County’s legion branches, the Haliburton Highlands Resource Centre, and the Minden Lions and Lioness’ club.

Taylor said sessions are split into three periods, featuring some form of physical training and instruction. Youth are challenged to develop their fitness, critical thinking, and outdoors-based abilities. He said they’ll have the chance to experience rock climbing and mountain biking, learn first aid, and camp out under the stars while learning how to use a map and compass, GPS technology, and basic survival skills.

As cadets gain more experience, they may be selected for parachuting and national expedition programs. There will also be chances to learn how to handle firearms through regular marksmanship classes.

That’s Taylor’s forte. For years, he’s coached the cadet’s marksmanship team. Respect and discipline are the aim of the game, he said, working with selected youth sporadically throughout the year, but weekly in the lead up to competitions.

Taylor said the troop utilizes a Daisy 853C air rifle, with cadets taking turns shooting 20 targets roughly three centimetres in size from distances of 10 metres and beyond. Shots can be taken in prone and standing positions.

The Haliburton team performed well at a competition in Belleville Feb. 23, placing third out of 10 teams in the Central Ontario zone competition. Taylor said five cadets represented the County at the event.

“The team woke up as early as 3:30 a.m. to meet the bus at the Haliburton Legion for pick-up at 5… they were at a disadvantage as other teams got a lot more sleep, and some other cadet corps have additional gear such as competition marksmanship jackets, but they exceeded expectations.

“The cadets were very happy with their results and are already excited to start practicing for a first-place finish next year,” Taylor said. “They should be very proud of their accomplishment and for representing Haliburton.”

Taylor said cadets also get involved in the community, attending ceremonial military events and volunteering time to worthwhile causes. Last summer, the group assisted with the rehabilitation of ‘The Haliburton’ M4 Easy Eight Sherman tank.

“I love the program – it’s taught me a lot over the years,” Taylor said. “It turns people into leaders… the Haliburton cadet corps is always looking for new recruits.”

Meetings are Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Haliburton Legion. For more information, contact haliburtonarmycadets@gmail.com, or call 705-457-8002.

After securing a seventh term as MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Laurie Scott told The Highlander she believes the Progressive Conservatives, led by Doug Ford, were the best option to lead Ontario through choppy, tariff-infested waters.

With U.S. president Donald Trump implementing 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports March 4, Scott said
following her Feb. 27 win that the PCs have a plan to hit back.

On Tuesday, Ford ripped up Ontario’s $100 million deal with Starlink, an internet provider owned by Elon Musk, and said U.S. companies will be banned from provincial procurements projects as part of his response to the tariffs. He also said Ontario will place a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity flowing from plants this side
of the border into the U.S.

“We’re in a world we’ve never experienced before – all I heard on the campaign trail was about Trump, the tariffs
and what’s going to happen to Ontario and the economy,” Scott said. “We will be strong, and we will make the necessary moves to protect Ontario.”

Scott win ‘foregone conclusion

Scott recieved 51.9 per cent of the riding’s vote. Turn out was 49.8 per cent up marginally from 48.14 per cent in
2022, with 51,027 of 104,325 registered electors casting a ballot.

County issues

With basic living costs spiralling, Scott was asked what she would do to make life more affordable for people in
Haliburton County.

“The provincial government has given lots of tax cuts to low-income earners and made different increases to things like ODSP… we cut and give back what we can, like the 10 cents per litre in the gas tax,” she said.

In 2022, the province temporarily reduced the gas tax rate by 5.7 cents per litre, and the diesel tax rate by 5.3 cents per litre. The move was extended to June 30 of this year last October. Since July 2023, people living on ODSP have had their rates increased 11 per cent.

After touting a major focus on affordable housing following her 2022 election win, Scott claims she followed
through on that promise after a Jan. 28 announcement that Minden will receive $2.4 million to bolster the local rental supply.

That build will be headed up by the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation, Scott said, though she
offered no timelines for when the money will be paid out, when shovels will hit the ground, or how many affordable units will be created.

With Haliburton Highlands Health Services planning a 98-unit $49 million expansion to Hyland Crest long-term
care home in Minden, Scott indicated she is supportive of the proposal.

“I like to see the progression – it would mean more beds. I’ve been talking with [HHHS CEO] Veronica Nelson, the
ministry is involved to look at that whole bigger picture of evolution of LTC in the County… we’ve been looking at that for a while,” Scott said, noting she’s also had recent discussions with Extendicare over their future build in the County.

The province announced a $41 million investment with the for-profit care provider in February 2022 for a new
128-bed facility.

“They’ve chosen to build Peterborough first. They tell me Haliburton is next… I think they want to be assured of
staffing. There’s a lot of issues they’re looking at,” she said. “Not exactly a date [for start-up], but very soon. It’s still in the future; their plan is to build there.”

In January, Extendicare told The Highlander it has yet to determine a location for the new facility.

Other candidates respond

Liberal candidate Alison Bennie, who recieved 11,688 votes, said she is “the happiest loser in Ontario” after
coming in a surprise second-place in HKLB.

“I really am speechless… I said if I got over 1,000 votes that I’d be happy,” Bennie said. “One of the reasons I ran
was because I didn’t want to see the party go downhill to nothing in this riding. I spoke to a lot of people and
provided a different choice – I’m not your standard, polished person. I’m more ‘let’s get together and work this
out’, bit of an underdog, and I think that resonated with people.”

Barbara Doyle, a repeat runner for the NDP after finishing second in 2022, was a distant third, with 6,993 votes.
Speaking to The Highlander an hour before polls closed, she said she had a good feeling after a month on the
campaign trail.

“The day-to-day affordability was really what people were talking about… things felt different than 2022. So many
people told me they’re voting NDP for the first time ever,” Doyle said.

County resident Tom Regina, representing the Greens, took home a lesser split of the vote this time around, down
from seven per cent in 2022, but finished in fourth place – ahead of New Blue candidate Jacquie Barker.

Speaking after results were confirmed, he said it was a “forgone conclusion” Scott would reclaim her seat though
was surprised by a strong Liberal performance.

In what was his second Ontario election, Regina said he was unsure if he would run again in future.

“I can’t look much past tomorrow, let alone three or four years down the road,” he said.

After doubling up on efforts to enhance student literacy across Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) in recent years, superintendent Jay MacJanet says the school system is starting to see the fruits of its labour.

During a visit to Haliburton last month for a screening of the documentary The Truth About Reading, MacJanet said the board has seen improved statistics for reading and comprehension at the primary level, with students tested in Grades 3 and 6 performing above the provincial average.

For the 2023-24 school year, 76 per cent of Grade 3 students in TLDSB were reading at or above the expected level – five per cent higher than the provincial average, and nine per cent more than in the 2018-19 school
year, when the board started beefing up on staff professional development and adapting instructional practices, MacJanet said.

The superintendent noted 81 per cent of Grade 6 students are reading at their age level, on par with the provincial average of 82 per cent, but a five per cent increase board wide from six years ago.

“In the past five years, when you look at our progress we have changed for the better,” MacJanet said, noting provincial averages have dropped about three per cent over the same period. “I think the biggest thing we’ve done is focus on the early interventions in our primary grades, starting in Kindergarten, and giving our teachers
more research, more practical applications to help them understand reading strategies they can pass on to kids in the classroom.”

The results are even better when narrowing in on the County – for the past three years, Grade 3 reading levels at Archie Stouffer, Cardiff, J.D. Hodgson, Stuart Baker and Wilberforce elementary schools had increased 12 per cent, with Grade 6 statistics improving three per cent.

There have been improvements in writing, too, MacJanet said – up 13 per cent for Grade 3s and five per cent for Grade 6s.

At the secondary level, the number of students passing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test at Hal High has
increased 11 per cent.

While instruction took a hit during the virtual learning years, MacJanet said TLDSB continued to send staff for training on new teaching methods and initiatives.

Then, in 2023, the board shifted its focus to “more of a research-based assessment using evidence-based resources” to analyze student performance data. He said this more clearly shows the board what’s working and
what isn’t.

A new literacy advisory panel has been established to guide decision making, with instructional coaches hired for all elementary schools in the system.

“What that means is teachers have someone with specific training working side-by-side with them on strategies
that have the biggest impact with kids, MacJanet said.

He feels establishing a high base level in reading is the most important aspect of early-years education.

“If you can give kids a solid foundation and get them to a solid reading level by Grade 3, that sets them up for success,” MacJanet said. “If our kids become better readers, it helps them with all levels of instruction whether it be math, science, or any other subject.”

Making a difference

Haliburton mom Tiffany Walt said her seven-year-old daughter Ruby, a Grade 1 student at Stuart Baker (SBES), is thriving under the new system.

“We did stuff before she started school, but in Kindergarten we saw a lot of progress. She was starting to understand the two letter sounds, when there’s a silent ‘e’ – she learned all those little tools to the point that
she’s now thriving in Grade 1 and can very fluently read,” Walt said.

Ruby is enrolled in French Immersion at SBES, where she does 60 per cent of her work in French and 40 per cent in English. Having no French background herself, Walt said her daughter is now teaching her different aspects of the language, using songs she’s learned in school.

Walt runs a home daycare, where she looks after 10 school-aged children from Kindergarten to Grade 4. She said all but one are reading at or above their age level.

“We play a lot of board and card games, things like headband where someone wears a band with a word on it and the other kids have to try and not say that word and have their friend figure it out – they’re all doing really well with their reading and talking.

“Ruby absolutely loves school, no questions asked… what they’re doing, at least with Ruby and some of these other kids, seems to be working,” Walt said.

To the future

While saying the board is “ahead of where we thought we’d be” moving into 2025, MacJanet said there’s still work to be done. This year, TLDSB has expanded its literacy focus group to students from Grades 6 to 8.

“We’re branching into junior intermediate for those who continue to have difficulties or different learning styles – it’s important we find ways for teachers to support them in various ways in the classroom so that nobody gets left behind.

“We’re working with our different curriculums and portfolios, like specialized services and Indigenous studies, to make this reading focus cross-curricular,” he said.

MacJanet said the board is also working with parents to access resources and implement methods at home to help with their child’s development. “It could be as simple as reading with them before bed.”

One area Walt said she’d like to see improved is communication with teachers.

“They send home report cards twice a year… but if we had more in terms of letting us know where our child is at, if
they’re ahead in their reading, doing OK, or behind – that would be helpful. That would give parents a baseline, something we can use to see how much more work our kids should be putting in when they’re not at school,” she said.