Time for a spit and polish… and trip to the garage

May 2, 2024

Located in the heart of town, Minden Auto Care has been a staple in the community for decades. Owners Dennis and Lori Pennie are no strangers to the auto care industry, having owned their own shop, Alcona Car Care, for more than 10 years as well as European Tech Automotive in Barrie.

Dennis apprenticed under previous owner, Dave Howell, before taking over the business a few years ago.

“Having worked under Dave as an apprentice, he was thinking of selling it and approached me to see if I was interested,” Dennis said. Howell sold the business to Pennie and his wife about three years ago.

Dennis is the lead mechanic while Lori shares reception duty. “Usually, around the beginning of April, is when we start getting the calls for changing tires over,” said Lori. “While we have the tires off, the mechanic checks the brakes and has an overall look.”

Before any of that happens, though, the mechanic takes the car for a test drive. “They listen for any unusual sounds, and get a feel for the general wellness of the vehicle,” Lori explained.

Obviously, this time of year the business of changing tires from winter to summer is what is foremost in everyone’s mind, and usually, an oil change accompanies the tire change, along with a few other things.

“We check the brakes as well as the rest of the front end to make sure everything that needs to be tight, is tight,” said Lori. “Winter driving and potholes take their toll.” They also check fluid levels and filters as part of the general going over.

A few tips that customers can keep in mind as the warmer weather comes, other than changing tires, include giving the car a good clean inside and out. Salt build-up on and under the car can cause rust and other damage to the body and the undercarriage. While in clean-up mode, make sure to wash the winter tires before storing them. This will help prevent corrosion from the winter road salt.

Tires aren’t the only thing that should be changed, windshield wipers can also get damaged during the winter months from the snow and ice. Spring is a good time to change them if they haven’t been in the past year.

Checking your lights is also a good thing to include on the list. Even though the days are getting longer and brighter, it is still important to be visible to other drivers on the road. Headlights, low and high beams, back lights, brake lights, running lights, signal lights, and don’t forget the license plate light.

So, a bit of spit and polish and a visit to the local shop will get your favorite ride ready for those long, snow-free roads ahead.

A little kombucha at the Castle

Lisa Gervais

May 2, 2024

Castle Antiques continues to morph, with Nectr Kombucha joining the Schleifenbaum family in downtown Haliburton.

Lucus Esson, of Nectr Kombucha, said The Nectr Hive (brewery) will relocate to the corner of Maple and Highland streets, where a new, dedicated space at Castle Antiques will not only brew, but also showcase the kombucha process to the public.

Esson and Anna Lowes (her married name), of Castle Antiques, said the collaboration brings together Nectr’s “innovative” kombucha brewing and Castle Antiques’ “rich heritage, blending a unique mix of vintage charm and modern wellness in a historic setting.”

Esson said, “partnering with Anna and Castle Antiques not only aligns with our vision, but also elevates our ability to craft exceptional kombucha.”

Lowes added, “integrating Nectr’s brewing operation into Castle Antiques provides a fantastic opportunity for visitors to engage with the art of kombucha-making. We’re thrilled to bring this experience to Haliburton and further enrich the health and vitality of our community.”

The two businesses are planning a future launch event but the date has yet to be determined.

At Castle April 23, work on the space on the parking lot side of the building is continuing. Lowes provides a tour, saying her former office is being converted into two areas; a fermentation room and a space where the boilers and finishing occurs. There are windows looking into the kombucha rooms.

“You’ll be able to see what’s going on as it’s happening,” Lowes said.

She said there will be different flavours available at only Castle, limited runs and seasonal runs, as well as flights of kombucha to try “and just have a lot of fun with it.”

Lowes said it fits in nicely, as Castle Antiques is now more than just an antique shop; combining vintage antiques with modern wellness via a vegan and gluten-free café. It is also now home to Paquito Loco and The Music Room.

Since its founding in 2020, Nectr Kombucha has grown from Haliburton County’s first commercial kombucha producer to a brand available in more than 40 locations.

Esson said they were moving over this week from Little Hawk Lake Resort. Then, it will take another couple of weeks to get up-and-running. “Within the next couple of weeks, we’ll be producing in there.

“I think it will be really good. I’ve always had an idea of having a central location. I think it will be really nice for the community to see inside the process. But also with Castle Antiques, there are so many people coming through here. When they’re able to see that it’s made right here by us… they’ll feel more of a connection and be more likely to try it out.”

Esson has done most of the work the last four years, with help from summer students, so he will welcome Lowes’ staff to help out. It will allow him to focus more on marketing.

Esson actually reached out to Lowes. She’s “loved his product since day one.” They were the first business to stock his kombucha. “It makes sense here,” Lowes said.

Esson and Lowes said the grand opening “promises to be a vibrant celebration of the partnership, featuring kombucha tastings, live music, and a look at the new facility. This event will be an excellent opportunity for the community to engage with the process behind Nectr Kombucha and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Castle Antiques.”

Francis Thomas Contracting blows out 90 candles

Lisa Gervais

May 2, 2024

Francis Thomas Contracting (FTC) has turned 90 years old, celebrating with a gathering at its Carnarvon headquarters April 25.

The business is the longest-running, family-operated, contractor in the Haliburton Highlands.

In 1934, the beginning of FTC was simple, customers needed access to building sites and their properties. The business quickly evolved to building foundations and septic systems.

In the mid-1980s, Francis’ grandson, Keith, joined and eventually took his position at the helm.

Today, FTC has 53 team members and supplies more than 150,000 tonnes of aggregate a year. The company also installs more than 50 sewage systems annually and provides snow removal services to more than 400 properties.

“We’re honoured to celebrate 90 years of business in the Haliburton Highlands this year,” Keith, who is president of the company, said.

“We are known for quality work, reliability and having a trusted team who not only work in the community but live here as well – the passion they have for quality work and the relationships the team has with our customers has been the key to our success.”

FTC has a deep-rooted, rich history.

“When my grandfather and great-grandfather founded the company in 1934, their collective vision was not only to support the family but also for the business to become integral to our local area,” Keith says. “I believe we’ve been able to carry on that tradition through regional involvement in a number of ways.”

Keith was a member of the Algonquin Highlands fire department for more than 35 years, and Keith’s son and team member, Brandon Thomas, has served with the department for more than 15 years. The business is also a member of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce and the Haliburton County Home Builders’ Association. The company is active with industry-specific organizations that assist in shaping the future of the building industry.

At the celebration last week, warden Liz Danielsen said starting a company in a small rural community, and having it grow and thrive into its 90th year, “is rather extraordinary.”

She added Algonquin Highlands loves having FTC within its borders, as does the County of Haliburton. She congratulated the Thomas’ and their employees, and brought greetings, and a certificate, from MPP Laurie Scott.

Keith added, “I’m sure when Francis started this, he didn’t expect it to do this. It draws on the heartstrings a little bit.”

Sound of music reverberates through Canoe

Mike Baker

May 2, 2024

For the past year, CanoeFM has been offering local musicians the chance to record new material in a professional environment without having to leave Haliburton County.

The non-profit community radio station has created a recording studio at its office on Mountain Street in Haliburton. People wanting to make new music, recording a keepsake for friends and family, or putting together a podcast, can rent out the space for $20 an hour.

Station manager Roxanne Casey said the studio has brought a whole new element to Canoe’s regular operations.

“There are lots of private recording studios up here, but there’s nothing like this. I feel we’re plugging a pretty sizable gap in the community. Musicians don’t necessarily need to leave our County to record their music,” she said. “We just want to get the word out, so people know this space is here.”

Since launching in February 2023, Casey said around 25 people have utilized the studio. It was also used to record The Importance of Being Earnest – which aired on Canoe’s Radio Playhouse last summer.

The project, which cost approximately $70,000, had been in the works for several years. The station’s former board chair, Paul Vorvis, floated the idea in early 2022, believing space in Canoe’s meeting room could be repurposed and better utilized. They secured $35,000 from the Community Radio Fund of Canada towards renovations and used proceeds from radio bingo to pay for the rest.

There are acoustic panels fitted on the walls, new speakers, and a new computer set-up, kitted with programs like Logic Pro, to streamline the recording process. Musicians should bring their own instruments. Laurie Sweig, one of the lead volunteers at the studio, said people have brought in guitars, a cello, viola, and a keyboard.

People looking to mimic sounds of a specific instrument can use a MIDI controller Canoe has purchased. It replicates sounds using online software, which can be layered within a final recording.

“My dream for this place is that anyone who is too shy to go to a professional studio, has a song they recorded in their basement on their phone, to come here and put a professional version together,” Sweig said. “There’s a lot of talented people in this community. I think this new space is providing opportunities for musicians to get their foot in the door at an affordable rate.”

Casey said there’s an option for musicians to record music at the studio and then submit it for broadcast on Canoe’s airwaves.

Bethany Houghton was introduced to the studio about a year ago. She and her husband, Ernie Demuth, have played there twice and plan to record an album.

“I really enjoy the atmosphere – Laurie is great, really encouraging. And knowledgeable. She makes it really easy for people to go in there and do their thing,” Houghton said.

Michele Swyer utilized the studio for an instrumental piece featuring piano, cello, violin, and viola, earlier this year.

“It was magical hearing it back for the first time. I didn’t think my song could get any better,” she said. “The studio is pretty impressive. Recording was fun because you can experiment with so many different things… we have a real treasure here with this new space.”

Sweig said more volunteers are needed if this studio is to grow. Training is provided for free.

“I’d like to see us busier, building our volunteer team, and getting more people comfortable enough to do recordings,” she said.

People looking to book a time to record need to fill out an application and schedule a pre-recording meeting. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Sweig at thestudio@canoefm.com.

Bringing a little Mustard to the stage

Kimberly Strong-Knight

May 2, 2024

Highlands youth theatre company, Ctrl-ARTDel, is bringing its second offering of 2024 – Mustard, to the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton May 2-4.

For those unfamiliar with the play, it is not about the condiment, but a dark comedy that blurs the lines between reality and imagination to save a family from its own destruction.

Kat Sandler is a Canadian playwright who won the 2016 Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding new play for this magical bedtime story about friendship, love, desire, growing up and moving on.

Mustard is an imaginary friend of Thai. The premise of the play is that we are all born with an imaginary friend that sticks around for a few years and then goes away. Thai is 16 and her imaginary friend, Mustard, is still around. The idea is she isn’t able to grow up because Mustard hasn’t moved on. The longer he stays, the more visible he gets, until one day Thai’s mother can see him too. The plot twist comes as Mustard is falling in love with Thai’s mom.

Amy Leis, co-founder of the theatre company, and producer for Mustard, said the play fits right in with the company’s mission to find and present more contemporary and edgy plays.

Leis outlined one of the biggest goals for the company is to provide opportunities for young people to be in positions of creative power.

“Our core six co-founders are in their 20s and 30s. We will be running the show for the next five years but, we are trying to replace ourselves right now so, a big emphasis is on providing education on-stage and behind the scenes,” she said. “This is so young people in this community can see themselves in producing-type roles and directing-type roles.”

They believe that young people need to see themselves, and their world, reflected on-stage. “There are other theatre companies in the area, however they primarily produce older, or more family-oriented content, and we felt there was a gap,” Leis said. “Especially content that was representative of the stories of young people, and teenagers, rather than stories of the past.”

Tim Nicholson is the company’s artistic, and this play’s, director.

“Everybody is saying they really are enjoying it, on-stage and behind the scenes.” He added it is important to have a good tech crew behind every production. “I can’t do anything without the people behind me, supporting me. It is a totally thankless job. People come in who are really interested and care, are dead keen to get it right, and do a good job.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance online at tickets.ctrlartdel.ca or cash purchase at the door. For ages 14 and up.

Walleye numbers trending downward

Lisa Gervais

May 2, 2024

Lake Kashagawigamog Chain walleye have completed their annual spawning run on the Drag River below the Emmerson Dam in Haliburton.

Once again, Haliburton Highlands Outdoor Association (HHOA) volunteers counted the spawning fish.

The effort is part of the HHOA’s Walleye Watch Program that was reinstated in 2021 to help rehabilitate the lake chain walleye fishery. This year, HHOA volunteers counted 1,007 walleyes over 29 nights. Last year, 1,438 were recorded.

Dan Smith, president of the HHOA, said, “unfortunately, spawning walleye numbers have declined in recent years. Prior to 2015, when the HHOA was actively assisting the spawn, as many as 6,000 fish were counted per year at the site. In the last four years, we’ve counted an average of around 1,450 fish per year. The walleye have a lot working against them.”

The original program began in the early 2000s and ran for 15 years. During that time, the HHOA worked with the MNRF to harvest Drag River walleye eggs from spawning fish and hatch them in the HHOA fish hatchery. Walleye fingerlings were then returned to the chain. This effort helped ensure more walleye survived the spawn. Unfortunately, said Smith, walleye stocking was stopped in 2015 and current Fisheries Management Zone 15 rules prohibit the HHOA from assisting the fishery. The Drag River site is considered one of the most important walleye spawning areas in the region.

The spawning walleye face many other challenges as well, Smith said. He noted Black Crappie were illegally introduced to the Kashagawigamog system and are known to feast on immature walleye. Additionally, after the walleye deposit their eggs, it is critical that water levels and flow below the private Emmerson dam remain consistent for at least two weeks after the spawn ends. Without proper water flow, the walleye eggs can be exposed and the spawn will not be successful. HHOA lobbies Parks Canada every year to maintain the water levels, but that effort has not always been successful.

The HHOA conducted an angling survey of the chain of lakes in 2021. Of those responding, 82 per cent cited a significant decline in walleye fishing on the chain.

The HHOA helps create, maintain, and enhance local fisheries. Its mission is to help residents and visitors to the Haliburton Highlands enjoy angling opportunities while practicing good conservation. Since 1998, the HHOA has raised and stocked over 800,000 fish in local lakes. For more information on the HHOA and the program go to: hhoa. on.ca/news.

Students celebrated for honouring vets

Mike Baker

May 2, 2024

Carolyn Millard has a lifetime of stories to remember her dad, many from his time as a submarine detector with the Canadian forces during the Second World War.

Speaking at the Haliburton Legion’s youth awards night April 26, Millard said her father, Jim, was one of the thousands to enlist with the Royal Canadian Navy volunteer reserve after war broke out in Europe in 1939. He documented his service in a series of memoirs that Millard still reads today.

“Accounts of the heroic acts of bravery of the men and women who served are plentiful, however, records written by youth telling their versions of growing up in war times are few in comparison,” Millard said, noting how people today would have a better idea of how children felt during the war effort.

“Although we may try to imagine it, children and youth lived through times during the wars that few of us can relate to,” she added.

With ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, Millard noted war is still rife. That’s why she feels it’s important for youth to embrace history and participate in these contests.

The tradition has been running for more than 20 years, with the legion encouraging students from Stuart Baker and J.D. Hodgson elementary schools and Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to honour the sacrifices of Canadian veterans through personalized works.

There were 61 submissions this year. Evelyn Vanderstarre won first place in the senior poem contest for Grades 10 to 12, with her submission also placing second in the zone competition. Mazey Robinson won the intermediate contest, for children in Grades 7, 8 and 9, with Valla Berry placing first in the junior category, covering Grades 4 to 6.

Brody Bolger won the local senior essay contest, with his piece also finishing first at zone and second at district. Annika Gervais won the intermediate award.

There were a lot of submissions for the colour photo contest, Millard said. Annabelle Borgdorff won the senior category, also placing second at zone; Alivia Brown won at the intermediate level, also placing second at zone; Jaime Holwell came tops among junior submissions, placing third at zone; and Eden Kuepfer won the primary competition, for Grades 1 to 3, also placing third at zone.

The black and white poster contest saw Jax Bradley win the local senior competition and place second at zone; Claire Lynch win at intermediate; Grace Wilson placing first in junior; and Pearl Mansfield winning primary and zone, while placing third at district.

Waller said it was a great night, with more than 50 people attending.

“It’s fantastic that so many young people are taking the time to do this – the veterans appreciate it so much seeing what they’ve done, the kids showing they still care. It’s a great thing,” Waller said. “I always say, if it wasn’t for what our veterans did, and are still doing now, we wouldn’t have the life we all do today. It’s important to recognize their sacrifices.”

Fly into spring with Stanhope airport bash

Mike Baker

May 2, 2024

Pilot Keith Francis says there’s a world of untapped potential in the aviation industry for County-based youth chasing a lucrative career, or hobbyists looking for a new adventure.

Stanhope Municipal Airport is hosting a public fly-in May 4, with Francis – a member of Algonquin Highlands’ airport advisory committee – saying the event is designed to educate the community about flying.

“It’s an amazing skill, to be able to fly – a lot of people assume it’s one of those things they’ll never be able to do, that it’s too complicated or too expensive. We want to dispel those myths a bit and show people what’s possible if you’re passionate and are willing to put in the work.”

There are lots of job opportunities, Francis said, with most major airlines hiring for mechanics and pilots. Apprenticeships are readily available for youth out of high school, he added.

“I like to tell people if they can fix a snowmobile or a boat, they can fix a plane,” he said.

Francis has had his flying license since he was 18. He remembers selling his first car to pay for some air time when he was starting out. The thrill he got from being in the cockpit, gliding through the sky, was unlike anything he’d experienced before. He was hooked.

Francis estimates it takes approximately 50 hours of training, and between $15,000 and $20,000, to secure a license. Those who want to fly commercially typically spend an extra couple of years perfecting their technique. The closest flight school is in Lindsay, though Francis noted the committee was working to bring one to Haliburton County.

The fly-in will see pilots bring all kinds of aircraft to the Highlands. Francis said there will be five to 10 classic planes available for people to tour, including a 1995 Antonov An-2, CT-156 Harvard II – used by the Royal Canadian Air Force for training during the Second World War, and old-school single engine planes such as the de Havilland Canada’s DHC-1 Chipmunk and DHC-2 Beaver.

Fisher said there will be model airplanes available for people to fly, volunteers will lead tours of parked aircraft, while anyone looking to get a taste of life in the sky can register for plane and helicopter rides. Algonquin Highlands public works and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff will bring equipment onto the runway for people to see.

Food will be available from Till Death BBQ, K Pub Chicken, and Into the Blue pizza food truck. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen said it will be a great day and encouraged the community to attend.

“Events at the airport are making a comeback after being on pause since the pandemic. We are committed to offering a welcome and fun space for local families and visitors to enjoy, while promoting aviation to our youth,” Danielsen said.

Housing now on Tim’s menu

Mike Baker

April 25, 2024

18 months ago, Paige Chapman had never heard of Haliburton County.

Now, she and her partner, Mike Garland, are spearheading an initiative in the Highlands providing affordable housing to approximately half their staff members at the Minden and Haliburton Tim Hortons restaurants.

The pair moved to the area from Saint John, New Brunswick in February 2023. Paige said she’s leaning into the family business, with her parents owning four Tim Hortons franchises on the east coast.

She told The Highlander a deal to take over the two local restaurants will be finalized next month.

They’ve already began immersing themselves in the Highlands community – renting a condo in Haliburton village. After experiencing first-hand how difficult it is to find somewhere to live in the County, and how expensive it can be, Chapman said she and Garland started to talk to her employees about their living arrangements. They were shocked by what they heard.

Smile cookie campaign for VDO

“We’re really passionate about housing and making sure people have a safe space to live that they can afford. We found out pretty quickly that wasn’t the experience some of our employees were having,” Chapman said.

As part of the deal for the two franchises, the pair are purchasing three properties from previous ownership, which have been used in recent years to house staff. Seeing the need, they’ve bought two additional homes for the sole purpose of offering living space to staff at less than market value.

Chapman says 30 employees are living in the homes at less than half market rent, with 10 more arriving next week. The couple are hoping to close on a sixth property next month.

“It’s impossible to run a business when you’re short-staffed, and just improving the culture about working somewhere like Tim Hortons, that has been important to us,” she said.

Garland said their goal is to have five houses each in Haliburton and Minden. While priority will be given to Tim Hortons staff, they want to help other businesses attract muchneeded workers to the area.

Devon Woodrow, manager at the Haliburton location, said having an affordable place to call home has been lifechanging for him.

“It’s like night and day difference in terms of stress, anxiety… I’m so grateful to have this opportunity,” he said.

Ang Lopez has lived in Haliburton for 11 months after moving from the Philippines. Because of the lower rent, she’s been able to save some money, and even send some home to her family.

“I just feel so blessed – if I had to pay normal rent here, there wouldn’t be much [leftover]. I feel so relaxed and it helps with my mood knowing I don’t have to worry [about housing],” Lopez said.

Chapman is also looking for other local causes to support. Earlier this year she gave money to Scott Stewart to help fund a lacrosse camp he’s hosting for youth in Haliburton. She has also committed money raised through Tim Hortons smile cookie campaign, running April 29 to May 5, to non-profit Volunteer Dental Outreach.

All proceeds from the sale of the cookies will go to VDO, with Chapman aiming to raise $20,000 between the two stores.

“We’ve seen firsthand what VDO has done for some of our team members – we had some people with dental problems, they didn’t have a dentist and, even with insurance, they couldn’t afford the costs they were quoted. So, they went to VDO and couldn’t speak any higher about the level of service and care they received,” Chapman said.

VDO has treated well over 1,000 patients and completed more than $3 million in free dentistry since opening in 2011.

Now that they’re here, Chapman said she and Garland are excited to lay down some roots in Haliburton County.

“We’ve already grown to love the community, everyone is so community-oriented, it’s exactly what we were looking for in a new home and place to invest in,” she said.

Job fair to showcase local jobs, careers

Mike Baker

April 25, 2024

With the County’s labour shortage still looming large, the Haliburton County Home Builders’ Association (HCHBA) is hosting a job fair at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to try and drive would-be workers towards a career in the trades and other underserviced sectors.

The event is taking place at the school May 8, providing an opportunity for employers to connect with youth about current and future opportunities.

Aggie Tose, past president of HCHBA, is the lead organizer. She noted this will be the first job fair the organization has hosted since 2019, when 32 businesses participated. The organization assisted with another event at the school in 2022.

“In the past, we had a great response from the students, especially with the companies that had interactive exhibits. Some of the students were ready with resumes in-hand and that was really helpful,” Tose said. “A number of students obtained summer employment.”

She said most employers will be looking for seasonal help over the summer, with others hiring for part-time and full-time positions.

While there will be trades-based operations in attendance, Tose said the job fair is open to all County businesses.

“We would like to include as many businesses as possible from across Haliburton County,” she said, noting anyone who wants to sign up as a vendor should do so by April 30.

The event will take place in the school’s cafeteria, though Tose said there will be space outdoors for participants who want to bring larger tools or equipment to showcase or stage an activity. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tose noted the job fair is free to everyone, including participating businesses, visitors, and students.

Staff from Fleming Crew will be available to assist students in building a resume and filling out applications.

“We’re hoping we can help students find jobs, co-op placements, volunteer work, and encourage them to look at their future career opportunities,” Tose said.

For more information, or to book your spot at the fair, contact Tose at 705-457-6901 or info@hchba.ca.

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