Class 1: 3rd place Haliburton County Echo September edition by Ontario Community Newspapers Association

County adopts focus on nurse practitioner recruitment

Staff Reporter

Soup’s on: Empty Bowls event sells out

Michelle Anton recognized the overwhelming demand on organizations tackling food insecurity like the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton County. After hearing about a similar fundraising event in Peterborough, Anton approached Haliburton Legion President Mike Waller about running an Empty Bowls fundraiser in Haliburton. The ticketed event would include a handcrafted bowl that guests will have filled with soup, then be able to take home at the end of the night.

As a potter, Anton had connections with other potters throughout Haliburton Country. They were all ecstatic to participate in the event and donate their artwork to the cause.

“It’s bringing awareness to people that people in our community are going hungry. We can show that as a community we need to come together to help everyone,” said Waller.

“I am so excited about the amount of people that have come up and said that they want to come out. It has completely blown me away,” said Waller.

Tickets for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser quickly sold out. Anton and Waller were flabbergasted by the overwhelming demand. The event had 200 tickets priced at $35 each. Tickets were sold out nearly two weeks before the event.

The Empty Bowls fundraiser event will be taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Haliburton Legion, located at 719 Mountain Street. The event will include door prizes, a silent auction, a plethora of soup, and live music. Doors for the event will open at 4 p.m. and soup will be served at 5 p.m. Musicians will include Albert Saxby, Drew Allen, Gord Kidd, Rich Anton, and Shannon Roszel.

The funds raised during this event and from the tickets sold will be divided three ways to directly support the SIRCH Community Kitchen, 4Cs Food Bank, and Fuel for Warmth. Representatives from each of the organiza-

tions will also be assisting with serving the soup.

The Haliburton Legion would like to thank the potters that have donated their time and talent including April Gates of Blackbird Pottery, Barbara Joy Peel of BJ Peel Pottery, Bernie Nicholson of Pottery in the Forest, Cathy Taylor of Cathy Taylor Mosaics and Clay Works, Charlene McConnell of The Purple Door Pottery Studio, Debbie and Grahame Wales of Earth and Fire Pottery, Isabel Neveu-Greene of ING Studios, Jacqueline Rattan of Mae’d of Clay, Kim Rose, Lisa Barry of Homestead Pottery, Loree Lawrence of the Wildewood Gallery, Lorrie King, Lyn Lawrence of Revolutions Woodworking and Pottery, Marlene and Brett Elliott, Michelle Anton of Anton Pottery, Renee Woltz of Halikash Pottery, Susanne James, Sylvia and Wayne Rose of Studio Rose, and the Haliburton School of Art and Design.

The Haliburton Legion would also like to thank the restaurants that provided their time and resources including Death By BBQ, Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Culinary Arts department, Hook Line &

Incentives will draw nurse practitioners

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few jurisdictions in the province that actually going in this direction so it’s great to be a first adopter,” Ovell said.

According to a report presented to county council, that change to incentives will help the county be viewed as a leader in health care recruitment across the province.

The incentive for a nurse practitioner is a $10,000 onetime payment. The total amount of the incentive available for physicians is unchanged at $12,500 and would be pro-rated based on part time service.

Currently, there is $185,905.78 in the physician recruitment reserve.

“At this time it is difficult to estimate how many NPs

will be recruited on a yearly basis but, if a successful recruitment takes place, these funds will need to be taken into account when setting the annual budget contributions for the Physician Recruitment Reserve,” Wendy Welch, the county’s physician recruitment coordinator, said in the report to council.

Staff are setting a goal of recruiting one NP every year, which would require an annual contribution of $10,000 back into the Physician Recruitment Reserve. Over the next three to five years, this could lead to $30,000 to $50,000.00 having to be placed back into the reserve fund to ensure long-term sustainability.

Different recruitment/marketing tactics will need to be explored when looking to attract NPs. Staff will reallocate existing marketing and or programming dollars to

Sinker, Kate’s Burger Counter, The Maple Tap & Grill, Mulligans Pub and Patio, Nourished by Raisin the Root, Post House Haliburton Highlands, Rhubarb Restaurant, SIRCH Bistro, and Tamarack Lodge.

Due to the outstanding success and voracious desire for tickets, Waller and Anton both agree that there will be multiple Empty Bowls events next year.

help support this second target market.

“As we did with the development, the expansion of some of our overall physician recruitment marketing we’ve seen some good synergies in the work that’s been done with our tourism marketing,” said Ovell, who is also the county’s tourism director.

Due to the synergies between tourism marketing, recruitment staff will continue to work with the tourism division to support the development of new marketing opportunities for the new nurse practitioner recruitment program.

“Moving forward you’ll probably start seeing some slightly different advertising or marketing coming from the corporation,” he said.

THOMAS SMITH Staff Reporter

Gord Kidd and Rich Anton will be performing at the fundraiser.

Pottery made by Debbie and Grahame Wales of Earth and Fire Pottery. /Submitted

Lyn lawrence of Revolutions Woodworking and Pottery.

Hike Hali puts their best foot forward

For 21 years now, the Hike Haliburton Festival has been blazing trails across the county.

“Hike Haliburton provides a wonderful opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience nature and enjoy their own backyard,” said manager of tourism for the county, Angelica Ingram. “It is always an opportunity to learn about the Haliburton Highlands, whether it’s your first festival or your 20th.”

The four-day festival, which kicks off Sept. 19 and runs through to Sept. 22, is the only county-run event. “We are excited that we have been able to successfully lead an award-winning festival for a number of years, largely in part because of the wonderful volunteers who make the event possible,” said Ingram.

This year, with the county officially turning 150 years old, the organizers have an extra level of excitement in the planning process. Thom Lambert, the social media coordinator for the County of Haliburton, noted that there are both cultural and economic advantages to the festival.

“We know from the Destination Management plan that people want to visit a place that is a great place to live, and that residents are our best ambassadors,” he said. “Many of the participants on the hikes are residents who gain an increased knowledge of the culture, history and natural beauty of the Highlands, In turn, they become better informed ambassadors for the destination.”

The festival attracts hundreds of peo -

ple from all over the country to explore the many trails across the county, with a wide range of skill levels and experiences offered. Ingram noted that many of the hikes include specific themes or interests, such as a storybook hike for kids, making medicine with wild plants, a hidden history of the woods at Haliburton Forest, or a stroll around the Frost Centre. Many hikes incorporate history, knowledge, and fun. “This event truly is available for the young and old, and young at heart,” she said. “With hikes offered at all levels, there is something for everyone.”

While there may be something for eve-

ryone, Ingram encourages folks to be sure to register in advance, so that the hike leader is properly prepared, and so that no one gets left behind. She also noted that if you are unable to attend a hike you had previously registered for, the organizers would appreciate it if you could cancel your spot, so that someone else can get in. While the majority of hikes are free of charge, a few experiences come with a cost. All experiences can be found at www.festival.hikehaliburton.com.

While hiking, participants are encouraged to share their experiences with their audiences, providing additional cover -

age of the community. “The press coverage and the social media engagement give increased exposure to the Haliburton Highlands,” noted Lambert, which he said in turn, helps boost our local economy; particularly as we wade into the shoulder seasons of the year.

Ingram noted that while spots are filling fast, there is still some availability on the website, and encourages everyone to check out Hike Haliburton this year. “It has many physical benefits and tourism opportunities,” she said, “and we’re thrilled with the interest and exposure it brings to the county, year after year.

EMILY STONEHOUSE Staff Reporter

Hikers have a lunch break at Ritchie Falls last year as part of the Hike Haliburton Festival./FILE

From left, Grace Alder, Elizabeth Matthew and Jaylynn Bull, students from Paul Longo’s Grade 11 Independent Study Group class place a cross at one of the graves of a local Veteran at the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Veterans Decoration Day held Sept. 16.

Industrious beavers wreak havoc on trail corridor

JAMES MATTHEWS Staff Reporter

Those blasted beavers are always at it.

Sylvin Cloutier, the county’s public works director, told Haliburton County council during its Sept. 11 meeting that the Rail Trail had three major washouts this year.

County Public Works Operations is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Haliburton County Rail Trail corridor. Trail surface maintenance incorporates grading, dust control, washout repairs, and removal of debris.

County looks for opportunity to improve trail access which this year’s improvement is the construction of

a parking area at Geeza Road and the trail off County Road 1.

Councillor Bob Carter, the mayor of Minden Hills, said there’s been a washout on the Rail Trail since the last Cloutier appeared before council.

“Have there been more since then, even?” Carter said.

“We’ve have completed the washout repair,” Cloutier said. “We had three major washouts this year on the Rail Trail and they were due to beaver dams breaking upstream.”

That debris creates washouts that need to be repaired.

“Now everything is looking good,” Cloutier said. “We did the final grading for the season and we just continue doing miscellaneous repairs.”

Tackling hunger with apples

There is an abundance of apple trees throughout Haliburton County that go to waste. Yards throughout the county can be seen littered with rotting apples. SIRCH’s Applesuace Project seeks to use these apples that would otherwise go to waste to combat food insecurity in the county. SIRCH’s Applesauce Project began in 2014 when U-Links matched Kyla Macdonald, a Trent University student with Community Care Haliburton County to research seniors and food insecurity.

According to the Rural Ontario Institute, the proportions of seniors living with low income in Haliburton County is 34 per cent. The research from Macdonald showed that one 1 per cent of seniors surveyed accessed fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their daily diet. Of that 1 per cent, none received the recommended serving to stay healthy.

Since the project began, community members are asked to donate any apples they have growing on their property to SIRCH. The apples are peeled, cored and made into applesauce. This applesauce is then frozen and stored to serve to seniors through SIRCH, Community Kitchen meals, and through HHHS Meals on Wheels.

“Most applesauce servings were distributed along with our Community Kitchen frozen meals through partner organizations (health and community services),” said Gena Robertson, executive director of SIRCH. “The meals are for people who are struggling

Fatal ATV collision

The Haliburton Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a fatal All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) collision involving one occupant in the Municipality of Highlands East On Sept.13, at approximately 6:53 p.m., the Haliburton Highlands OPP and Highlands East Fire responded to a report from Haliburton EMS regarding a single ATV collision on Bryans Road. The ATV reportedly collided with a tree resulting in serious injuries.

The driver, a 44-year-old male from Lindsay, was pronounced deceased prior to police arrival.

The Central Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) Team and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario attended the scene and assisted with the investigation.

Members of the Haliburton Highlands OPP are committed to delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information that may be helpful, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.khcrimestoppers.com.

Submitted

with food insecurity, or, to a lesser extent to individuals who need meal support due to having a disability, health or mental health issue, being precariously housed, or other similar reasons.”

“To date we have distributed over 10,000 servings of

applesauce,” said Robertson.

9 for their

“We will be doing another call out for late apples, and people can drop them off at the Bistro on Oct. 1 and 2,” said Robertson.

From left, Sam Vanderwyst and Laurie McCaig accept apple donations at SIRCH Bistro. Apples were collected on Sept. 4 and 5 and were made into applesauce on the

Applesauce Project. /THOMAS SMITH Staff

THOMAS SMITH Staff Reporter

points of view

DAVID ZILSTRA

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Forever in our memories: Creighton Feir

AS OF SEPT. 5, you can officially purchase alcohol at convenience stores and gas stattions across the province.

Like any change, the response to this initiative was met with mixed reviews. While our local establishments were approached but denied interviews until they had a clearer idea of logistics, there seemed to be an air of excitement around the development. Would a new offering garner some additional profit? Or would it come with a wealth of grey areas and red tape, like many provincial government decisions?

On a larger scale, the decision has continued to spark debate. While removing the governmental chokehold on liquor sales could provide small businesses with a boost they need -- particularly as they stumble out of pandemic-laden uncertainty -- it also presents questions around the safety and structure of selling alcohol.

The love that guides us Thirsty?

ping Centre and the Eagle Lake Country Market, who have LCBOs attached to their places of business; blurring the lines between liquor and grocery sales. And those establishments seem to be just fine.

Time will tell how the option to have alcohol available at a gas station will impact consumption issues. Some may say that the ready access may dwindle interest, while others fear for a spike in accidents moving forward.

My one question though, is why? I understand that small businesses may need a boost in sales these days, but surely there are other ways the provincial government can provide some relief?

Alcohol is certainly one of the vices that stigma seems to have softened around. While many turn up their noses to cannabis dispensaries around the county, alcohol is readily present at everything from fairs to funerals.

While the dos and don’ts of alcohol consumption seem to be common knowledge, there are still issues around underage drinking, drinking and driving, and addiction. The solution around many of these concerns isn’t just further knowledge - it’s an element of control.

Something we are suddenly removing.

The Ford government assured concerned citizens that appropriate precautions for selling booze in corner stores will be implemented. Currently, there are select grocery stores that have sold alcohol for quite some time, following strict protocols and guidelines.

There are even some local retailers, such as the West Guilford Shop-

Funded by the Government of Canada

And this may be a simplified stance on the many idiosyncrasies of government, but aren’t there bigger fish to fry?

Our medical system is failing, public schools are struggling, food bank usage is at an all-time high, and the world is quite literally burning around us.

As someone who just brought a child into this world, should I be rehearsing “sorry son, we can’t get to a hospital to heal you, but shall we stop at the corner store for a beer?”

Premier Doug Ford paid the Beer Store $225 million to sign a new agreement that allows other establishments to sell alcohol. I wonder what else we could have done with $225 million in Ontario?

Now, this isn’t me being critical of the many folks who make our community and province tick. Teachers, hospital staff, and retail workers are the heart and soul of any story. But so many have their hands tied. Funding cuts left, right, and centre are posing very real threats to the sanctity of our day to day, and while I have no major qualms (yet) with opening up the monopoly on liquor sales if done properly, I do see a red flag with Conservative priorities in our province. And that’s something a drink won’t fix.

FALL IS A festival for our senses. Quietly watching the early morning mist rising off of a lake or the spider webs that are everywhere in the meadows. Cool mushrooms are popping up. The leaves are starting to change colour. The earth has new smells. The sounds of geese flying overhead and feet crunching on the leaves that are falling. Feeling the earth as we dig in our gardens and start to prepare them for winter. The mornings are cooler and the air is fresh. The late afternoon sun feels so warm. The days are slowly getting shorter. The smell of fall foods starting to cook on the stove like chilli or pumpkin pie or soup. It is easy to pay attention to our senses and take in the life that is happening all around us.

What I love about practicing yoga, meditation, and qigong is the focus that these traditions have on our senses. The idea is that it is easy to get stuck in our mind and ruminate about things, judge, criticize, worry, doubt, be fearful, and be negative and this can contribute to feelings of loneliness, separation, and negativity. The antidote to this is to give our attention to our senses.

The senses are where the love is. In these wisdom practices, we regularly practice giving our full attention to our senses as we move and sit. We listen to the sounds that are around us without trying to fix or change anything. There are always sounds in the moment. Or we soften our gaze and pay attention to our inner spaciousness, our inner aliveness. We feel our breath breathing us and we breathe with all of life. Sometimes

we pay attention to the air touching our skin, or our clothing against our skin. We teach ourselves again and again to stay in the present moment and sense the life that is happening right then. It is a practice and some days it is easier than others. But we don’t give up. And then we take these practices off the mat into our daily lives. When we find ourselves lost in thought, we remember to engage our senses. I listen to what is around me right now. The sounds of fall. Or maybe I put on some beautiful music that I love and just listen. Sometimes I dance and listen. Or maybe I pause and take some time to look at the beauty that is all around me. The leaves are changing colours. The lake on a calm or windy day. The garden. Clouds in the sky. Maybe a piece of art. Or I watch children playing and laughing and exploring. Our sense of touch is a wonderful way to become present and feel love. Holding hands with someone. Petting my dog or cat. Hugging someone or getting a massage. Digging in my garden. I took my dad a delicious orange the other day and we both just sat quietly savouring the taste, the juice, and the beautiful colour of the orange. We ate slowly and with so much gratitude. Totally present with the delicious taste.

When we are practicing being mindful of our body, of our senses it can take us from worrying, doubting, fearing, judging ruminating, and being negative into loving the moment. When we are in that love, we feel connected and that we belong and matter. We are loving awareness. And that love is what guides us.

Morning sunrise on Pine Lake

by David Zilstra

lynda shadbolt

Tales from the great

Wiped out

ONEMORNING LAST week, I successfully turned off the windshield wipers of my car. I know what you’re thinking, but I assure you that I’m not pulling your leg. I did turn off the front and the back windshield wipers of my new car.

I understand this sounds like an unlikely, if not impossible, achievement for a person of my age. But perhaps you’ll find it easier to believe, if I describe the sequence of events that led to this minor miracle.

It began when I tapped what I thought was the signal lever to make a right turn. This turned on my front windshield wipers instead.

Normally, I would just accept this as an irrevocable act of God and then pray fervently for rain. But that morning, I was feeling kind of lucky. So, I turned a knob on that same lever in a random direction.

Regrettably, this activated the rear windshield wipers. This was not good. For, up till that point, my prayers had been unanswered. Plus, I was now in danger of being hypnotized by the mesmerizing motion of wiper blades. And, the last thing I wanted when I arrived at the hardware store was to be acting like a chicken.

points of view Loon Tales

The last time that happened, I almost got banned from the store. That’s why I decided to roll the dice again.

This time, by pushing the lever up and turning the knob in the opposite direction.

This turned the front wipers off. The back wipers turned off too, but only for a couple of seconds. Then they just continued at a slower interval.

At times like this, you ask yourself, “Can I live with this?”

I should have said yes.

Instead, I fiddled with the knob and lever again. Suddenly, I had windshield wiper fluid spray the rear window while the back wipers began moving faster. At the same time, the front wipers re-activated. Worse still, I was beginning to inexplicably crave chicken feed.

I briefly considered pulling over and selling the car. But then I thought, why not blindly play with the controls some more. This led to an awkward situation where I was simultaneously signaling a left turn, while my front windshield wipers were going so fast that I thought I might get airborne, and my rear wipers cycled about every three minutes or so.

Again, I prayed for rain.

Since it did not come, however, I kept trying various iterations of lever and knob positioning – and soon found myself in cruise control with my windshield washers doing their finest impression of a metronome.

Another attempt turned off the cruise control, while also turning off the rear wipers. This caused me to believe I was onto something. And I was too.

After playing with the lever a couple of more times and learning about previously unknown speeds that my front windshield wipers could attain, I also turned them off.

I can’t describe the way it felt. The nearest thing I can liken it to is when you accidentally solve a Rubik’s Cube. Which is to say I was elated and very pleased with myself, but knew deep down it would never happen again.

I mean I had finally joined the ranks of those who have mastered the windshield wipers of a late-model car.

Sadly, I was not able to rest on my laurels. Because that’s when it started to rain …

WOPP

raises awareness about

off-road vehicle safety

In 2023, half of the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) fatalities in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) jurisdictions occurred during the end of the year. As a result, the Central Region of the OPP is raising awareness about ORV safety.

The OPP investigated 26 ORV fatalities in 2023, in which 13 occurred between September and December. Lack of helmet use, alcohol and/or drug consumption, and failure to maintain control of the vehicle remain the leading factors.

With your help, we hope to spread the word about ORV safety. Here are some critical safety guidelines and best preparation for enjoyable riding:

• Driving an ORV while impaired by alcohol or drugs is as unlawful as driving any other vehicle and carries the same impaired driving penalties that apply to driving a motor vehicle

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet with a secure chin strap. ORV drivers and passengers who do not wear their helmets are at a much higher risk of serious injury or death if

they crash, lose control, or their vehicle tips over

• Always carry your registration and proof of insurance

• Ensure proper display of licence plate according to the ORVA

• Have a valid trail pass where applicable

• Exercise caution when riding on permitted roadways, adjusting to the difference between dirt and pavement

• Drive cautiously and familiarize yourself with the required speeds for ORVs

The Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicles is a great resource. Please see the link for more information and safety tips: Tips for the Riders | OFATV - Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs.

The OPP is responsible for patrolling more than 99,000 kilometres of water ways and trails, and over 130,000 kilometres of roadway throughout Ontario.

Submitted

steve galea

illiam and Catherine Barnum farm end of Pine Lake, West Guilford. /File

pic of the past

The Beat Goes On and on and on

The Beat Goes On event at the West Guilford Recreation Centre, hosted by Aging Together As Community, was a sold out event. It was the kick off to a new project, Bridging the Gaps and an exciting new partnership with the County of

Haliburton, funded by The Government of Ontario.

It was a fun, outdoor event, bringing together all ages to enjoy singing along to local talent, dance, participating in the drumming circle or just enjoying the

music. The eclectic line-up of talent was: Jodi Timgren and Friend, The Ukuladies, Yasmine Schoenke, Gord Kidd, Bazza and Joe Truss and the Drum Circle and 13 year old Ella Gooly, wowed the audience over dinner. For more information about

upcoming events please email: agingtogtherhc@gmail.com

Submitted

Highlands Summer Festival appoints new artistic producer

On the heels of another incredible season, the president of Highlands Summer Festival board of directors, Brian Kipping, is pleased to announce the appointment of Douglas, “Dougie” Walker to the position of artistic producer of the community’s summer theatre company. Walker follows Scot Denton who stepped down from the post in August after 17 years with the company.

“We are delighted to have Dougie join our team in this important position,” Kipping commented in making the announcement, noting that Denton had worked with the board on the appointment. “Dougie brings multiple theatre talents and experience to the job. The board and our many volunteers look forward to working with him.”

Just this past summer, Walker directed and choreographed the Festival’s musical comedy presentation of The Twentyfifth Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Patrons will also be familiar with his one person show from 2022 Every Brilliant Thing, and his lead role in the 2017 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also brings with him extensive experience and training from Great Britain.

Dougie recently moved to Haliburton with his wife, Jocelyn Regina, and their son Lachlan. Jocelyn has been a part of numerous Highlands Summer Festival productions as an actor and crew member dating back to 2002.

“I am looking forward to working with this company,” Walker commented. “Especially following on the work of Scot Denton, who has successfully guided the Highlands Summer Festival artistically for 17 years.”

Denton, who moved on to other projects, stepped down as artistic producer in August. He joined the company is 2005 as a director and was appointed artistic producer in 2008. “Over the years he has directed numerous productions and mentored other directors and actors, enriching the presentations of the Highlands Summer Festival,” Kipping commented. Denton wished the new artistic producer well, noting that he brings a great deal of talent and experience to the post and that he is available to consult with the board of directors during the transition. “I was pleased to see him appointed to the position and I am sure he will continue to nurture the high standards that the company has achieved over the years.”

Walker will hit the ground running this fall as an immediate task is to create a line-up of productions for the coming 2025 season, which will be announced later this fall. For updates on the season please visit www.highlandssummerfestival.on.ca

“We welcome Dougie to Highlands Summer Festival in his new capacity and look forward to exciting things to come,” Kipping concluded.

Submitted

The drum circle at The Beat Goes On event put on by Aging Together as Communtiy. /Submitted

Right, Jodi Timgren and Greg Roe perform at The Beat Goes On event put on by Aging Together as Community. /DAVID ZILSTRA Staff

HHLT host trail building 101 workshop

The business of trail building was the theme of the second in a series of workshops offered by the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust for landowners participating Partners in Conservation program. Funded by a HCDC Local Initiative Program grant and open to the public, a group of interested landowners gathered at Barnum Creek Nature Reserve to learn about and discuss the art and science of trail building.

Starting with a short hike on the Waterfall Way trail, participants were asked to note anything about the trail that they might change. The spin off benefit of this time was that workshop participants had an opportunity to connect with each other about their interest in trails.

Returning to the cozy cabin at the trail head, guest presenter Dave Naulls came equipped with a quiver full of knowledge and experience about trail design and construction which he shared in slide presentation. Focusing on non-motorized use, Dave covered a range of topics including the use of mini excavators for trail construction as well as building trails with hand tools and sweat equity.

The science of trail building included concepts that focused on keeping one thing off your trails and another on your trails. Keeping water off your trails will make them less prone to erosion and more sustainable and keeping the users on your trails will keep them safe and protect the environment from unnecessary damage. Explanation of concepts such as fall line, the half rule, grade reversal, out slope and sheet flow all addressed

the challenge of water damage and had participants scribbling like mad in their notebooks.

The art of trail building is more subjective. The presentation turned to the importance of knowing the interests of the trail users. Finding positive control points or areas of interest is considered essential for the biker or hiker experience. Lookouts, glacial erratics, rock outcrops, historical sites, creeks, waterfalls and lakes all will add value to the outdoor experience. Including variety of trees or plant species or examples of evidence of wildlife adds learning opportunities for trail users.

Negative control points are areas that would be best to avoid like low-lying wet areas, steep side slopes, fall lines, environmentally sensitive areas and private prop-

erty.

Exploring the more subtle component of how a trail feels to the user, a trail builder should consider environmental harmony, playfulness and efficiency of the trails they are building. Finally, Dave introduced the subject of risk management and trail user liability which led to plenty of discussion as the group came to the workshop with knowledge and experience in this area.

Back out on the trails, participants were able to engage in trail design discussions armed with the knowledge they obtained from Dave’s presentation. Watching people hike the trails while participants discussed potential design changes created interesting reflections on the importance

of allowing public access to the creek beside the trail while still protect it from environmental damage.

The workshop ended with many thanks to Dave for sharing his knowledge with the group. Talk of a Trail Building 201 workshop came up, a planned handson experience combining the knowledge gained from Trail Building 101 while applying it with trail tools in hand. Look for this and other workshops on the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust website under the News & Events tab. The next in the Partners in Conservation workshop series will look at terrestrial invasive species focusing on identification, monitoring, prevention and control.

RICK WHITTEKER Special to the Echo

Trail specialist, Dave Naulls, educates a group of Highlanders on the basics of sustainable trail building, trail risk management and liability at Barnum Creek Nature Reserve on Saturday. /ADAM FRISK Special to the Echo

Highlands East approves ARO Policy

Over the past few months Amrit Pannu, a certified public accountant and financial management advisor at PSD Citywide has been working with Highlands East’s finance department on creating the Asset Retirement Obligation Policy (PS 3280) as well as the municipality’s plan to adopt the new policy. The Asset Retirement Obligation Policy is a new public sector accounting board standard that has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2023.

Highlands East council received a presentation from Pannu regarding this new policy at their Sept. 10 meeting.

For those unaware of what PS 3280 is, Pannu opened by describing it as “a guiding document that will address how the municipality will recognize the AROs, not only in the year of compliance, but on a go forward basis.” Explaining its function, he said it deals with the asset retirement obligations for all the tangible capital assets that a municipality may own, which will have some sort of obligation at the end of its useful life. Some examples of these assets include: abatement of asbestos; decommissioning wells; remediation of gravel pits; and, closure of landfills.

According to Pannu, PSD’s involvement in developing the ARO Policy and plan to implement it began with scoping the entire inventory of Highlands East’s tangible capital assets. Upon conducting this evaluation of the municipality’s inventory, he said they came up with a concrete list that they sent over to Cambium, the environmental firm Highland East employed to inspect, as well as value, all of the retire-

Amrit

ment obligations that exist within the facilities.

From there, Pannu said PSD took all the evaluations from Cambium and aided the municipality with some of its decision-making regarding the transitional approach; which he described as more of an accounting approach to how Highlands East will recognize these assets every time an obligation appears on their financial statements. In addition, he said they are preparing the journal entries and financial statement notes which will be incorporated into the 2023 financial statements and ARO Policy.

When it comes to determining which tangible capital assets possess retirement obligations for the municipality, Pannu told council there are four reasons an ARO liability is to be recognized on their financial statements.

“First, there has to be a legal obligation to incur the cost. So, for wells there is a legal obligation through the Groundwater Act; as well as for asbestos abatement. That is obviously a legal obligation

because in Canada it is banned … in 2015. There’s also cases where there’s lease obligations. Gravel pits have a legal obligation if they are licensed; as well as landfills once they are closed there is a legal obligation to remediate the land.”

Next, Pannu said the municipality must own said asset. Third, there has to be future economic benefits that will be given up or a cost to the municipality at the end of an asset’s useful life. Lastly, he said they must appear in the municipality’s financial statement if a reasonable estimate can be made.

“These costs on a go-forward basis will increase the cost base of those assets in 2023,” Pannu said. “And on a go-forward basis you may see a new line item on the financial statements in the form of an ‘Accretion Expense’; which basically accounts for the time [and] the increase in value of the obligation over time as you know inflation and other factors towards the end of the useful life of said asset. These costs will obviously be assessed over time and any changes in estimates on a go

forward basis will be recognized; and will have to be assessed for that specific year’s financial statements.”

In terms of council’s role and responsibilities stemming from the ARO Policy, Pannu said they are required to approve a policy in order to ensure they remain compliant; and, each year they must review and monitor the municipality’s audited annual financial statements. The finance department’s responsibilities include: maintaining current and accurate TCA inventory records with associated AROs; reviewing TCA inventory to identify AROs and estimate the costs (collaboration with operational departments); ensuring proper accounting; reporting ARO’s in the financial statements and other financial documents; processing TCA and ARO accounting entries; reviewing legislation and contractual agreements in relation to AROs; and, monitoring the application and compliance of this policy.

Highlands East’s operational department’s responsibilities include: providing cost-effective projections of AROs; collecting and providing relevant information to the finance department; communicating ARO changes to the finance department, including TCA condition or retirement timelines; and, assisting and validating cost estimates of AROs; and, informing the finance department of any legal or contractual obligations at inception of any new obligation.

Following a brief discussion where Pannu answered questions from council members regarding his presentation. Before wrapping up the meeting, council voted unanimously in favour of the proposed ARO Policy.

Leaves & Yard Waste

As autumn begins, look after your leaves and yard waste.

Manage leaves and yard waste on your own property for free:

Or for a fee, drop -off leaves and yard waste at the Haliburton, Harcourt, and West Guilford Landfills during regular operating hours:

NATE SMELLE Staff Reporter

Pannu, a certified public accountant and financial management advisor at PSD Citywide spoke with Highlands East council at their Sept. 10 meeting, regarding the Asset Retirement Obligation Policy (PS 3280) he has been working on with the municipality’s finance department. /NATE SMELLE, Staff

The Salt Cellars prepare for release party

Hailing from the south side of Algonquin Park, The Salt Cellars, founded in 2016, radiate authenticity and heartfelt storytelling. The duo, Virginia deCarle and Rob Bersan, embodies a fusion of Folk, Americana, Blues, Jazz and Pop, delivering a sound that resonates deeply with their listeners. Their journey from individual musicians to a harmonious partnership is a testament to their shared passion for music and unwavering dedication to their craft.

Virginia’s musical journey began at the age of 14, amidst the backdrop of a life-altering diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her throat. Faced with the challenges of illness, she found solace in the catharsis of songwriting. Inspired by many musical artists and genres, she embarked on a creative journey fueled by raw emotion and introspection. Rob’s musical evolution was similarly selfdirected, beginning with a guitar teacher who threw away his books and taught Rob to play by ear alone.

The two friends originally met at an open mic. in Perth, On. in 1999 and continued to perform together for almost four years. Life led them in different directions for a decade, when a chance meeting on New Year’s Eve brought the friends into each other’s lives once again. Their distinct styles have converged, creating the unique sound that defines The Salt Cellars.

The duo’s musical exploration often delves into themes of social justice and the enduring beauty of nature. Rooted in a background in forestry, and a mutual love of the outdoors, their lyrics paint vivid portraits of the wilderness, serving as a reminder of humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural world. Their advocacy for social justice is equally fervent, driven by a shared belief in empathy, equality and equity. Through their music, they strive to spark meaningful conversations and inspire positive change

in the world.

The Salt Cellars have released three full length albums with recording engineer and bassist Richard Joudrey (Anaxjunius Music Studios, Maynooth, On.) to date: Truth, Crooked Tree and Inside These Walls . Their newest album, Sky Compass will have a release party at The Dominion Hotel on Oct. 19.

The Salt Cellars will be playing with a full band for this event, with Robe Foreman playing bass, and Brandon Hum -

phrey playing drums. A special surprise guest will be playing keyboard.

As they continue to navigate the everchanging landscape of the music industry, The Salt Cellars remain steadfast in their commitment to authenticity and connection.

Sky Compass was recorded this past spring and summer at SkyLark Park Studio with Jordon Zadorozny at the controls. “Down The Road,”a new song from Sky Compass can be listened to on their

18. Indigenous Tibetan religion

19. Tease

20. J.M. __, Irish dramatist

22. Pounds per square inch

23. Surrendered

25. Notable Dallas Cowboy Leon

26. Dash

27. Man who behaves dishonorably

28. British Air Aces

30. Data executive

31. Spiritual leader

33. Flower cluster

35. Of the cheek

37. Tears down

38. Uncoordinated

40. Touches lightly

41. Soak

42. Founder of Babism

44. Not good

45. Inches per minute (abbr.)

48. Type of casino game

50. Skills assessments for adults

52. Check

53. Gives a job

55. Fifth note of a major scale

56. Small, faint constellation

57. Thou

58. Reduce

63. Another recording

65. Removes for good

66. Jill and Catherine are two

67. Cruise

CLUES DOWN

10.

1. Greenwich Time 2. Metropolis 3. Complete 4. Scheduled 5. One who obeys

YouTube channel @thesaltcellarsband. The video was recorded in the Bonnechere Caves near Eganville, Ont. Space for the release party is limited and can be purchased at The Dominion Hotel or through their website.

Submitted

6. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects

7. Days (Spanish)

8. Unsaturated hydrocarbon radical

9. Region of the U.S. (abbr.)

10. Tributary of the Alabama River

11. One who eliminates

13. Ballroom music

15. Officer in the Book of Mormon

17. Denies

18. Barrels per day (abbr.)

21. Make vital

23. Former NFLer Newton

24. Kashmiri tribe

27. Indigenous S. American person

29. Capacitance unit

32. MLB great Scherzer

34. Taxi

35. Boggy

36. ArtistÕs workroom

39. Feline

40. Prosecutors

43. Freshwater perches

44. Young ladies

46. Whittles

47. Licensed for Wall Street

49. Type of gene

51. Express displeasure

54. Fly high

59. Norwegian krone

60. Investment account

61. Chinese surname

62. Language

64. By the way (abbr.)

Answers on page 15

CLUES ACROSS

Wrest

Russian river

Grupo Montparnasse founder 12. One who quits prematurely 14. Related to the nature of being 16. Early multimedia

The Salt Cellars is a duo comprised of Virginia deCarle and Rob Bersan. /Submitted

Taking control

Markham Royals Niagara Falls Canucks

Haliburton Huskies score big with a 5-1 win over New York Rangers in Minden at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial arena on Saturday, Sept. 14. Huskies Adam Smeeton carries the puck up the ice. /ADAM FRISK Special to the Echo

Ryan Gosse faces-off against the North York Rangers in first-period action.

Sam Black vies for the puck.

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Celebrate autumn at ColourFest

Celebrate the beauty of autumn at the Municipality of Dysart et al’s free, family-friendly ColourFest!

Take part on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Head Lake Park, Haliburton, for a day filled with fun, entertainment, and community spirit!

This year’s ColourFest promises to be more exciting than ever, with a variety of activities for all ages:

• Face painting by Pockets the Clown

• Inflatable games, including axe throwing and basketball

• Classic carnival games like cornhole and more

• Activities offered by Fleming College and the MNRF

• A scarecrow mask craft hosted by the Haliburton Highlands Museum

• A bustling local vendor market

• Storytime and craft at the Dysart Branch of the Haliburton County Public Library

• Treats for the sweet tooth, cotton candy by the Rotary Club of Haliburton

• Hot dogs and drinks for sale by the Rotary Club of Haliburton

• A showcase of classic cars by the Haliburton Highlands Time Travellers

• A showing of Plien Air art at Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre

The crowd-favourite pumpkin rolling contest brought to you by the Rotary Club of Haliburton: register and pick out your pumpkin between 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., the roll starts at 2:30 p.m. on York Street

Andrea Mueller, Manager of Programs and Events for

the Municipality of Dysart et al, shares her excitement: “ColourFest is truly a highlight of our fall season. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and enjoy the beauty of autumn in our community. We’re thrilled to offer such a diverse range of activities that everyone can enjoy.”

Whether you’re a local resident or visiting the area, ColourFest is the perfect way to embrace the fall season in the heart of Haliburton. Don’t miss out on this day of fun and festivities in Head Lake Park.

For more information and updates, please visit www. dysartetal.ca/colourfest.

Submitted

Clear out your closet and make a difference

Participate in the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap

Cleaning out your closets? Looking to get rid of gentlyused clothing? Want a wardrobe refresh?

The Municipality of Dysart et al and Fleming College Haliburton School of Art + Design are thrilled to announce the inaugural Great Haliburton Clothing Swap on Saturday, Sept. 28. This exciting new event will take place in the Great Hall of the Haliburton School of Art + Design, 297 College Drive, Haliburton.

The Great Haliburton Clothing Swap makes it easy for everyone to reuse clothing while promoting sustainability, reducing waste going to landfill, and supporting the circular economy.

Participants are encouraged to drop off clean and gently-used clothing and accessories at the Haliburton School of Art + Design between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday, Sept. 23 through to Friday, Sept. 27.

Accepted items include clothing in good condition (free of odours, tears, or missing buttons), as well as accessories like shoes, jewelry, bags, and hats. If you wouldn’t be excited to give it to a friend, it probably shouldn’t be swapped. If you have extra clothes hangers, these would be greatly appreciated.

Items not accepted include undergarments, bed linens, household goods, helmets, and sports equipment.

“In Dysart, textiles make up 2.49 per cent of our household garbage,” said John Watson, Environmental Manager at the Municipality of Dysart et al. “While residents can donate gently-used clothing to Haliburton 4Cs Lily Ann Thrift Store, SIRCH Community Services’ Thrift Warehouse, and the purple bins at Dysart’s waste disposal sites, the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap is another opportunity for residents to reduce textiles going to landfill.”

The Great Haliburton Clothing Swap takes place on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering participants the chance to pick up clean and gently-used clothing at no cost, on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last. Participants are encouraged to make conscien-

tious decisions about the clothing they take to avoid creating extra waste.

In addition to the clothing swap, attendees can enjoy demonstrations:

• sewing repair with volunteer fixers from SIRCH Community Services’ Repair Café

• visible mending with Sandi Luck

• thrift fashion by students in Haliburton School of Art + Design’s Fibre Arts program

“We’re dedicated to fostering a community that values sustainable practices,” added Erin Lynch, Operations and Programming Manager from Fleming College

Haliburton School of Art + Design. “This event not only encourages environmental stewardship but also celebrates creativity and innovation in fashion.”

Any clothing remaining at the end of the swap will be responsibly collected by Dysart’s textile recycler for reuse or recycling. Participation in the Great Haliburton Clothing Swap is free of charge. For more information and updates, please visit www. dysartetal.ca/clothingswap.

Submitted

Join SIRCH in celebrating 35 years of community impact

SIRCH Community Services is turning 35 on Oct. 1. For over three decades, we’ve been inspired by the incredible community of Haliburton County, (with North Hastings and City of Kawartha and North Hastings, and this celebration is just as much about you as it is about us.

Every day at SIRCH, we witness the ripple effect – how one small action can create waves of positive change. For 35 years, your support has amplified our ability to impact individuals and families, creating ripples that spread throughout our community.

We approach everything with a can-do attitude, believing that no challenge is too big when we work together. Whether tackling obstacles or turning difficulties into opportunities, we›ve been driven by the belief that positive change is always possible.

Out-of-the-box thinking has fueled our ability to adapt and innovate, finding new ways to address the evolving needs of our community. With fresh ideas and forwardthinking solutions, we’ve been able to, and continue to, make a lasting difference.

At SIRCH, levelling the playing field is one of our core values. We strive to remove barriers and create a fair, inclusive environment where everyone has the opportu-

nity to thrive. This belief has been at the heart of our mission for 35 years.

We believe in the power of collaboration – working side by side with our supporters, volunteers, businesses, and partners. Together, we’ve been able to accomplish more than we ever could alone. It’s your trust, loyalty, and dedication that have carried us this far.

To celebrate these achievements, we’re hosting a birthday celebration at the SIRCH Bistro & Bakery – and we’d love for you to be part of it. The event is taking place on Tuesday Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the SIRCH Bistro and Bakery in Haliburton.

Join us for a slice of birthday cake and a moment to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished together over the last 35 years. As part of the SIRCH family, your loyalty and unwavering commitment have helped us make a real difference – and we can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you.

Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. See you on Oct. 1. If you’re looking for more information, call SIRCH at 705-457-1742 or visit www.sirch.on.ca.

Submitted

Online Auction sale

Moving away auction in Cardiff ON

Bidding opens September 21/2024

Bidding closes September 27/2024

Good selection of Toys, Tools and Household items. New Snowblower, Lawn Tractor.

For catalog and registration go to dalyauction.hibid.com.

Pickup Sep 28 -29 10am-6pm

Revive memories from your VHS-C, miniDV, 8/Hi8 cassettes and also 8mm/Super 8 Kodak reels by converting to updated digital media. Fair Competitive Pricing. Now located in Haliburton. Call Greg: 416-706-8110 Cell

A detailed job description is available at dysartetal.ca/careers.

Interested applicants may submit their resume and cover letter to Sonja Marx at smarx@dysartetal.ca.

Applications must be submitted via email and will be accepted until 12:30 pm on Friday, September 20th, 2024.

/week).

We thank all of those who apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request. The Municipality of Dysart et al is an equal opportunity employer. Personal information is collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used only for employment purposes.

MOVING SALE, Kitchenware, Furniture, Building Materials, some Tools and more. September 21, 22 and 28, 29. 9am - 4pm. 1287 Hamilton Road, Minden. Rain or Shine

VENDORS WANTED for Craft Sale in Burnt River Community Centre October 26. $22 per table. Call 705454-3887

One bedroom fully furnished above ground basement apartment available November 1st. Separate entrance, immaculate, quiet country setting, lake view, screened porch. Perfect for single/couple. $1,900 per month all inclusive. Pets welcome. References required. Call 705-457-0861

Responsibilities will include

• Preparing documents for our three paid circulation newspapers

• Working with our distribution and labelling staﬀ on a weekly basis

• Selling classiﬁed and in paper features in our local newspapers

• You must feel conﬁdent working on computers and diﬀerent computer programs

Please forward your resume to Jennifer McEathron by Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. jenniferm@haliburtonpress.com

Thanks to all who apply. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted. at our Minden Times oﬃce This is a

In Loving Memory of a Dear Son Merreit McNeil Jr.

Merreit McNeil Jr.

In Loving Memory of a Dear Son Merreit McNeil Jr.

"Softly the leaves of memory fall, Gently I gather and treasure them all.

Unseen, unheard, you are always near... So missed, so loved, so very dear.

Always in my heart, Love your Mom, Mary McNeil

Always in my heart,

Love your Mom, Mary McNeil

Always in my heart,

Love your Mom, Mary McNeil

In loving memory of a Dear Daughter who passed away September 14, 2017

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path, God lit for me I took his hand, when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all I could not stay another day

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path, God lit for me I took his hand, when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all

Perhaps my time, seemed all too brief

Don't lengthen it now, with undue grief

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path, God lit for me I took his hand, when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all I could not stay another day

I could not stay another day

Lift up your heart, and share with me

God wanted me now, he set me free

Perhaps my time, seemed all too brief

I love and miss you Geraldine so much

Don’t lengthen it now, with undue grief

Perhaps my time, seemed all too brief

Don't lengthen it now, with undue grief

Love Mom, Mary McNeil

Lift up your heart, and share with me

God wanted me now, he set me free

Lift up your heart, and share with me

God wanted me now, he set me free

I love and miss you Geraldine so much

Love Mom, Mary McNeil