Opportunity looks like hard work

July 16, 2026

SIRCH awarded its ‘opportunity looks like hard work’ award last Tuesday (July 7).

This year’s recipient is Emma McGregor. Marketing manager, Laurie McCaig, said that while attending Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, Emma balanced school with a customer service role at Shoppers Drug Mart, “demonstrating the kind of work ethic, kindness, and commitment that makes a difference both in the workplace and in our community.”

The award recognizes students who show up, work hard, and make a positive impact through customer service.

This year, SIRCH, along with Stacy McLean and Steve Todd of Todd’s Independent, presented one $500 award to support a local student as they pursue their future goals.

Nystedt golf fundraiser swings for the green

Mike Baker

July 16, 2026

The second Eric Nystedt Memorial Golf Tournament took over Pinestone Resort July 3, with 90 golfers and more than 100 attendees at a lunch function collectively raising around $19,000.

Organized by the Haliburton Highlands OPP and staff from the local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) office, the proceeds will support some of the organizations they work with – including the three County food banks, two heat banks, Special Olympics, Places for People and Born Again Bargains in Minden.

The event honours Nystedt, an OPP constable who was killed in the line of duty in Minden on July 3, 1993. Nystedt’s former sergeant, Mike Landry, was among the guests, said OPP cadet Victoria Preddy, who noted it was a great event.

“Times are hard right now, so pulling in $19,000 is amazing,” Preddy said. “We had 25 volunteers who all wanted to be there to help. Everyone was there to have a good time.”

While the idea was to run golf tournaments every two years, with the inaugural event happening in 2024, Preddy said the organizing team is reassessing things for 2028.

“There has been talk of postponing things a little bit further. We’re looking into other alternatives for the future – maybe even doing a baseball game, or something else that anyone can do,” Preddy said.

Art on the Dock readies for annual tour

Lisa Gervais

July 16, 2026

Art on the Dock celebrates its 12th year in 2026 with 23 confirmed artists taking part in the Kennisis Lake Cottage Owners Association (KLCOA) creative extravaganza.

This year’s event runs Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at nine studios.

There will be a total of eight artists at Phyllis Walton’s place at 3520 West Shore Rd. this year. Walton does acrylic painting on canvas and wood.

“As a retired nurse, I took up painting six years ago. With lots of encouragement from fellow artists and courses at the Haliburton School of Art + Design, I’m enjoying painting our beautiful scenes,” she said.

Joining her are Lynda Henry, who does original paintings. Henry said her art journey began nearly 15 years ago, with an evening art class. “Little did I know at the time, that I would develop a passion to create joyful landscapes, florals, and abstract paintings, as well as meeting so many wonderful people along the way.” Her artwork can be found in homes across Canada.

Nicole Bezdikian will be there with her ceramics. She works in stone wear and porcelain and throws the majority of her work on the wheel, but also enjoys handbuilding pieces out of slab. Her work is food safe and fired to 2,200 degrees. She learned the art in 2019 after taking classes at a County studio. She has since built a studio at her home in Burlington.

Meghan Joncas and Brittany Crago will have their decorative paddles in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Christine Gowland does hand-thrown and hand-painted functional pottery, including mugs, bowls, serving platters and appetizer sets. “I use speckled or white stoneware that is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. Most of my work has a water/coastal theme, as well as flowers. I love taking a basic form and adding custom finishes to it for a one-of-a-kind piece of pottery,” she said.

Barbara Larcina brings her acrylic paintings. She describes herself as an impressionist artist “who is in awe of the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands in all four seasons.” She added the bold colours she finds in nature inspire her to paint and continuously enhance her passion for art.

Megan Marsiglio is a mixed media creator; doing acrylic paintings, and pen and ink with watercolour. She likes florals, nature and animals.

Another stop is 1033 Winkler Rd, with Brian Kalanda and his handcrafted bowls, boxes, charcuterie boards, spoons and more; and photographer Dana McCullen.

Usually behind-the-scenes, Janis Parker will have photos on display at 1622 West Shore Rd. “I took photography as a minor at York University and enjoyed developing my own prints in the Parker Pad and Printing darkroom,” she said. “Travelling has ignited my passion for photography and has allowed me the opportunity to capture some spectacular images from around the globe.” She said it’s a hobby she enjoys and looks forward to sharing with the community.

She will be joined by painters, Janet Trull and David Kerr.

At 2258 Wilkinson Rd, folks can see Jeanette Kling’s paintings alongside Mary Coulson’s paintings and bird carvings.

Carolyn Jones brings her acrylic paintings, woodburning and pillows and scarves to 1009 Wilcox Trail. She’ll be joined by Darren Poncelet, who does wood turning and wood carving.

The remainder of the Art on the Dock tour this year sees Marleen Campbell (oil paintings), and Leslie Fagan (hand-thrown pottery) at 5137 Kennisis Lake Rd. Maryna Lehman, who does vintage crafts, and Ian Ball, a watercolour painter, will be at 1017 Forget Me Not Lane. Rachel Charyk, a landscape oil painter, is on her own at 1007 Baffin Trail. Finally, coloured pencil and acrylic painter, Lynn Miller, and jewellerymaker and encaustic art creator, Marilyn Clayton, are at 1247 Watts Rd.

The AOTD initiative has donated more than $40,000 for Artists in the Schools and Community Haliburton County. For more information on this weekend’s event, go to KLCOA.org

Hello sunshine

July 16, 2026

Consultants with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) are now reviewing information they gathered from the townships of Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills, as well as the County of Haliburton.

They are also looking over the feedback they received from the community during open houses and from a public survey. They are expected to come back to County council at the end of this month with an interim affordability and governance report.

One thing we’ve heard for years from taxpayers is why we need five chief administrative officers (CAOs), five treasurers, five planners, five heads of public works, and four fire chiefs. Reviewing the 2025 sunshine list – which shows public servants earning more than $100,000-a-year, it is hard not to agree with the public that a lot of our tax dollars go towards highly-paid staff at the upper and lower-tier governments.

The County has 35 folks on the list, but many of them are paramedics. It is hard to take exception with the folks literally saving our lives getting paid well to do it. However, there are a number of managers making well over $1 million combined.

In Algonquin Highlands, there are seven on the list, costing ratepayers nearly $900,000. In Highlands East, there are another eight, with a payroll of about $929,000. In Minden Hills, there are eight highly-paid staffers, raking in more than $919,000. And, in Dysart et al, nine have made the list, at about $1.2 million.

Those are just the bosses. By the numbers, then, we see nearly $5 million just for top municipal staffers – before even getting into the rank and file.

Payroll is the number one cost to the County and our four municipalities. And that is for a permanent population of 23,000 people, growing to 45,000 to 60,000 in the summer. Those numbers simply don’t add up to me. I wonder if they add up for the EORN consultants?

Some have argued we have far too many politicians as well. We do have 24, with eight of them also sitting on County council, so technically 32 political positions. I don’t worry so much about that because at the end of the day, political salaries are quite low, combined often less than one per cent of a township’s budget.

So, how does EORN find affordability in this study? It has to look at how the County and the townships are working – or in some cases not working – together to find the answers. Is it feasible to see more roles being shared? For example, could the County take on the planning portfolio? It makes sense since some developments have to go through townships and the County before being approved. Could that eliminate the need for five heads of planning?

EORN will no doubt be looking at other efficiencies. For example, how about hiring a mechanic or lawyer for all five municipalities, versus each contracting the work out?

We anticipate the EORN consultants are asking these types of questions as they place all five townships on their version of a military map and begin to move the pieces around.

We look forward to seeing what they come up with.

Just saying yes

Mike Baker

July 16, 2026

I’ve always been impulsive, but my decision last week to drop everything to hop on a plane and tick something off the ol’ bucket list was crazy even for me.

A couple of weeks back, I used The Highlander to wax lyrical about the ongoing FIFA World Cup. I spoke about the connections I’ve made taking in games at local establishments, preaching how easy it is to spark new friendships when bonding over a common cause or interest.

Well, I took things to the next level last Wednesday (July 1), flying to Atlanta, Georgia to watch my very first England World Cup game live.

I didn’t think it was in the cards. Despite saving for the better part of six years, I was still short of being able to afford a game ticket, flights, a hotel and all the other costs that quickly add up. I wrote in that last column how I’d made peace with the fact I wouldn’t be able to go, encouraging folks to attend watch parties, or form their own, to get that atmosphere all footie fans crave.

That changed late Monday (June 29) when my childhood best friend told me he’d bought two tickets to the game and wouldn’t charge me for his spare, providing I could pay to get there.

That was no small feat. The game kicked off at noon local time, meaning I had to catch an early flight out of Toronto. With a two hour and 20-minute flight time, my options were limited. I couldn’t fly out on Tuesday (June 30) as we were putting together our July 2 edition a day early, due to Wednesday’s holiday. That meant there were about four possible flights I could get.

I won’t tell you how much I spent, but it was pretty close to how much it cost to fly myself, my wife and daughter to the UK for two weeks in April. Again, crazy. But this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I simply couldn’t pass up.

We secured seats on the first direct flight from Toronto to Atlanta that morning, at 6:15 a.m. Knowing we would be going directly to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we couldn’t take a bag – so I fit what I could carry into four pockets in a pair of cargo shorts. There was no room for deodorant, a toothbrush, or spare clothes. I felt like a teenager again, only this time with all the angst of a 35-year-old.

We were only there 26 hours, though. Surely not a big deal. Then we left the terminal building – and air conditioning – to go out into sweltering 43-degree Celcius southern heat. After 10 minutes on a bus, I looked and felt like I’d just gotten out of a swimming pool.

I spoke to dozens of fellow Brits en route to the stadium. My friend and I met someone who went to the same high school as us just outside of Manchester. Within about an hour, I’d made 20 new Facebook friends.

The game was a blur. I was pretty emotional as it was something my friend and I had wanted to do for the better part of 20 years.

It wasn’t a pretty game. It looked like we were going to be there for, perhaps, the darkest hour in the history of the English men’s team. But two late goals from captain Harry Kane won the game for England, sending us fans into delirium. I lost my voice serenading the players with Oasis’ Wonderwall alongside thousands of other fans at the end of the game.

We replenished at a pub outside the stadium with what felt like hundreds of other England fans before making our way to the fanfest in downtown Atlanta. I spoke to people from all over the U.S., Mexico, Ecuador, the Netherlands, Senegal, Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Football was the language that connected us.

We stayed at the park until almost 11 p.m. before retreating to our hotel room for a quick nap before heading back to the airport.

The whole experience was one of the craziest, most hectic, and cathartic of my life. Don’t let your dreams be dreams, people. Sometimes the best things happen just by saying yes.

Win-win all around

Mike Baker

July 16, 2026

Kudos to Haliburton County council for putting its money where its mouth is last week.

The upper-tier municipality has agreed to go to bat for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region, applying for $15.5 million in construction financing through Infrastructure Ontario to help the non-profit bring 57 new affordable housing units to the Highlands.

Habitat has committed to building 35 one and two-bedroom condos on Peninsula Road, overlooking Grass Lake. They’ve partnered with County-based non-profit Places for People on that project, which has committed to purchasing 15 units and offering them at below-market rent, per their housing model. The rest will be sold to prospective homeowners.

Habitat is also proceeding with a deal to purchase the old Haliburton Heights timeshare on Wigamog Road. CEO Susan Zambonin said the plan is to repurpose the property into 22 condos – six studios, six one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units.

There’s a fairly aggressive timeline for both projects, with Habitat committing to repaying the loan back within three years. Zambonin said the money will be recouped from selling units to people through Habitat’s homeownership model.

Contrary to what some may believe, Habitat doesn’t simply give away the homes it builds. It sells them to people who can’t get a traditional mortgage. To qualify, applicants require a household income that supports homeownership, Zambonin said, but is less than $95,000 a year; no outstanding debt; and a credit score of 600 or more. People must secure an initial mortgage through an eligible credit union,with Habitat making up the difference with a second mortgage.

Through Habitat’s model, Zambonin said people never pay more than 30 per cent of their income towards housing costs – which includes insurance, condo fees and property taxes.

These projects are a major win for the community and it’s a step in the right direction to see our councils working closely with Habitat to make these builds a reality. Dysart et al council has also been involved, though hasn’t committed any financial support.

We know there’s been discussions between Habitat and Algonquin Highlands, too, about building on vacant land the township owns along Hwy. 118. While there’s nothing immediately forthcoming there, it’s encouraging to see so many coals on the proverbial fire.

While the County deal won’t actually cost the upper-tier a dime, with Habitat committing to paying all interest charges for the duration of the loan, it would have been easy for council to play it safe and turn this proposal down, citing too much liability.

But, if we’re going to make any headway into diminishing the region’s housing crisis, it’s bold projects like this one that our municipalities have to get behind. With a depleted economy and uncertainty over raw materials such as steel and timber – both in terms of cost and availability – there aren’t too many developers stepping up to the plate to make housing happen right now. So, it’s on our councils and municipal staff to get creative.

There are other tangible benefits to all of this too. Zambonin said anyone who purchases a Habitat property will be required to complete 500 hours of community service in Haliburton County. With many of our service clubs and volunteer-driven efforts in need of additional manpower, this could create a groundswell of much-needed support and activism in our community.

A win-win all around, if you ask me.

HHHS progressing plans for more beds

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2026

Despite a year of significant staff changes at Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), the organization said it’s still full steam ahead for planning an expansion of long-term care in the County – as well as acquiring more hospital beds.

New president and CEO Jack Hutchison, along with outgoing board chair, Irene Odell, talked about the master planning process at the annual general meeting June 25.

Odell said following the departure of Veronica Nelson, interim CEO Jennifer Burns-West, who has since left, and Hutchinson had ensured progress on their vision. They plan to move all Highlands’ longterm care (LTC) beds to Minden.

They have applied to the Ministry of Long-Term Care to expand from 62 beds at Minden’s Hyland Crest to a 160-bed facility. If approved, HHHS will close the 30-bed Highland Wood home in Haliburton.

The project would be a significant expansion of the rebranded Minden Health Hub site, with a new LTC wing to be built on the eastern portion of the property, connecting to the existing Hyland Crest.

It’s estimated the project will cost at least $49 million, with a general rule of $500,000 for each new LTC bed.

The current Highland Wood site would be retrofitted as an extension to the Haliburton hospital and be used to build the capacity of acute care and inpatient services.

Worker satisfaction ‘improvement’

Hutchison said, “the ministry of health has endorsed our stage one submission, and we’re moving forward with our master plan. This is a complicated long-term project, which requires us to engage two separate ministries with two distinct capital processes.

“Our efforts are currently focused on securing funds needed to make this project a reality. And we remain committed to building a small care home model and incorporating elements of the green care farm and partnering with academic institutions on learning and research opportunities and building hospital facilities, and delivering services that meet the needs of our community today and into the future.”

A green care farm is a therapeutic care model that combines activities with social care and support. Designed primarily for individuals with cognitive decline (such as dementia), these farms offer things such as outdoor work, sensory engagement, and community building. HHHS representatives visited green care farms in the Netherlands in 2025.

Odell added, “projects of this scale unfold over many, many, years, and we are encouraged by the ministry support and pleased to be moving forward with our planning process. This work represents an important investment in the future of care for our community and reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of residents and families across Haliburton County.”

In 2025, Nelson told The Highlander, “we haven’t had many changes [to acute care] and we need to make some to give us the capacity we need for the next 10 years.” Nelson added with the population in HHHS’ catchment area expected to increase by 22 per cent over the next 20 years, “this is the way we step back and think about what services and programs are needed in the County now and in the long-term. It’s a long process, but an important one.”

Diagnostic imaging and ER upgrades

Odell told attendees at the 30th AGM it had been a year of “growth, transformation, and collaboration.”

She said they achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the diagnostic imaging renovation project.

“This investment has modernized diagnostic services, strengthened patient care, and improved access to high quality imaging closer to home,” the chair said.

Odell added HHHS is looking forward to the completion of emergency room renovations, which she called, “another important investment in creating safer, more modern care environments for our patients and our teams.”

Hutchison said ER changes have relocated the x-ray space to a former corporate office, allowing for two additional stretchers, three procedure chairs, better flow, privacy and more efficient use of resources. It’s also home to a new mental health crisis room. The department now has volunteers as well.

Odell said the achievements would not be possible without the generosity of the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation, Minden Health Care auxiliary, and community supporters.

Speaking to a year of significant staffing changes, Odell said the organization is looking forward to the leadership and vision Hutchison brings.

“Throughout these transitions, the thing that struck me the most is how our team at HHHS was able to continue to provide exceptional service to our community, and has remained focused on advancing our many initiatives. This continued momentum is a testament to the strength, dedication, and resiliency of the incredible team we have in place. Their commitment to our patients, residents, clients, and one another has ensured we continue to move forward with confidence and purpose.”

Hutchison said 78 per cent of survey respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied to work at HHHS – “a dramatic improvement” from a few years ago. They now have an expanded employee recognition program as well.

Diana McNiven and Mark Bell were reappointed to the board with Rev. Dr. Connie Phillipson, John Oliver, Doris Stamml, Dale Patterson and Connie Wood appointed.

McKechnie wants all hands on deck

Submitted

July 9, 2026

Shortly after being appointed Dysart et al mayor on Tuesday (July 7), Walt McKechnie tried to rally the rest of council and township staff by calling on them to do former mayor Murray Fearrey proud by finishing this term “in the right way.”

The now-former deputy mayor will spend the next four months as head of council, seeing out this current term. The move was confirmed six weeks after Fearrey’s death, on May 28.

“This is such an honour for me to sit in this chair that Murray sat in for so many years, giving service to our community,” McKechnie said. “I think it’s our turn now to take the ball and run with it. We need to work very hard as a team over these next few months to get some things accomplished.”

McKechnie referenced three key projects he wanted to see progressed as much as possible between now and the Oct. 26 election – the expansion of the sewage treatment plant, development of the County Road 21 property, and finalizing a deal with Extendicare to bring a new long-term care home to town.

“Those are three things that Murray was so adamant about getting closer to finished so the next council would be ready to carry them on. That’s a great goal for us, I believe,” McKechnie said.

He was the only person to put his name forward for the temporary position. Ward 1 coun. Pat Casey considered opposing, though opted to go for the now-vacant deputy mayor position instead. He’ll face competition from Ward 2 coun. Nancy Wood-Roberts. Carm Sawyer, the Ward 4 representative, is now backing Casey rather than running himself.

CAO Tamara Wilbee outlined the process. She said anyone interested in filling the deputy mayor position must file their paperwork by noon July 21. Only current members of council are eligible to apply.

At its July 28 meeting, council will review any submitted correspondence from the public, with candidates given five minutes to state their case. Elected officials will be allowed to ask each candidate one question before placing their votes. Wilbee said voting will be done by show of hand.

Council will then have to declare that council seat vacant – though, because the election will be less than 90 days away, they won’t have to fill it, Wilbee confirmed. If a seventh member is wanted, she said council can appoint someone who ran in the vacant ward in the 2022 election, put out a call for nominees, or ask a former councillor who isn’t seeking re-election to step in.

Reflecting on Tuesday’s ceremony, McKechnie said he had lots of emotions and memories swirling within. He rode a wave of nostalgia as he reminisced on some of Fearrey’s accomplishments over the years – advocating for facilities such as J.D. Hodgson Elementary School, the Haliburton School of Art + Design, and the Haliburton hospital; bringing the Gardens of Haliburton retirement residence; and playing a key role in securing the land that today houses Head Lake Park.

“One thing Murray sure wouldn’t want was us being stuck in the past, though. We’ve got a job to do and we have to be professional and keep pushing forward,” McKechnie said.

“My position is only temporary, and I know that, but I’m really honoured and excited to be working with this council and to sit in that chair, seeing things through for the next little while,” he added.

McKechnie has confirmed he will seek re-election as deputy mayor in October’s election. There are three names vying for the top seat – Casey, former Ontario land surveyor Greg Bishop and businessman Andrew Nowell. Potential candidates have until Aug. 21 to submit their papers with Dysart township.

No plans to stop accepting construction waste in Harcourt

Mike Baker

July 9, 2026

Dysart et al’s environment manager, Ashley Dembinski, confirmed at a recent meeting that the township has no intention of stopping accepting construction and demolition (C&D) waste at the Harcourt landfill.

In May, Dembinski told council that JP2G, the consultant that oversees waste disposal site activities in the township, is recommending Dysart stop accepting C&D materials at Harcourt. The consultants felt there is limited space and lack of infrastructure to properly support the collection and disposal of loose C&D materials, Dembinski added.

The Highlander reported in its June 4 edition that Dembinski and council were on board with that move, which the environmental manager said sparked a petition in the Harcourt community.

“I want to clarify that we are continuing to accept C&D materials and we have not considered terminating acceptance,” Dembinski said at a June 23 meeting.

She noted the petition, which was signed by 51 people, carried a clear message.

“The petition itself states it ‘opposes any proposal that would require residents to transport C&D waste exclusively to the Haliburton landfill site and request that council maintain or develop a local and reasonably accessible disposal option,” Dembinski said in her report.

At last month’s meeting, Dembinski also confirmed the township would retain bins for textile waste at the Haliburton and West Guilford landfills, with Diabetes Canada to take over collecting materials.

Under the previous agreement with Cornerstone to Recovery, signed in 2022, the township had bins at all five landfill sites. Dembinski said Cornerstone “abruptly terminated” its agreement with Dysart earlier this year.

In 2025, the township collected almost 40,000 pounds of textile materials at its locations.

Planning for all-candidates’ meetings

Lisa Gervais

July 9, 2026

The Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project (HHHDP) is continuing with its work to strengthen local democracy and promote more civic engagement in the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 26.

Lauren Hunter, chair of the HHHDP steering committee, said this week, “we had a great response to our initial speaker series, with more than 300 people attending in person and another 200 watching our videos online afterwards.

“We heard from attendees that the sessions were very helpful in increasing their knowledge and understanding of our local government, which was one of our goals.”

Hunter said that, recognizing there is more work ahead to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in municipal government, local politics, and elections, the HHHDP is moving into a new phase of work.

It will include at least four in-person allcandidate sessions held in the fall, with one in each municipality, to allow for residents to hear from and interact with candidates. Sessions will be moderated, non-partisan, and free to attend.

They are scheduled for: Highlands East on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Cardiff Community Centre; Minden Hills on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Minden Community Centre; Dysart et al. on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Haliburton Legion and Algonquin Highlands on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Stanhope Firefighters Hall.

In addition, they are doing a series of digital and mailed postcards about running for local office, a ‘candidate menu’ with information on every candidate seeking office across the municipalities, and a final card with information about voting to encourage people to cast their ballots.

HHHDP committee member, Jessica Slade, said, “we know each of the municipalities is also working hard to share information about getting involved in the election. We want to help boost their efforts, try to do things in new and different ways, and work to make this election as accessible as possible to our whole community.”

The HHHDP also encourages every resident of Haliburton County – seasonal, permanent, and renters – to make sure their voter registration is up to date. If someone owns or rents property in a municipality, they can qualify to vote in that location – even if that means they vote twice (once in their ‘home’ municipality, and once in their seasonal or renting municipality). Visit registertovoteon.ca to confirm voter registration with Election Ontario before Aug. 12. After that date, registration can be confirmed with individual municipalities.

The HHHDP is a project of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative, financially supported by HCDC (Local Initiatives Program) and the Telling Our Stories Speaker Series. More information, videos from the initial speaker series, and other resources are available at www.hhhdp.ca.

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