County Closeup

For the second year in a row, the Haliburton Legion, Branch 129 will be hosting its Empty Bowls fundraiser, that serves up both soup and support for SIRCH Community Services and other local food banks.CanoeFM spoke with both Michelle Anton, the Legion Secretary and Mike Waller, President of the Haliburton Legion Branch #129 about the event, who are thrilled to host the Empty Bowls fundraiser. Anton, a potter herself, borrowed the idea from another community and then organized the first Empty Bowls event here last fall. She's thrilled to invite the community to take part in the event that brings handmade bowls made by local potters, delicious soup donated by local restaurants and the community together for a great cause.The Empty Bowls fundraiser takes place on Sept. 20 with two sittings offered.

For the second year in a row, Haliburton's Youth Unlimited has partnered with the owners of Home Hardware to provide free backpacks and school supplies for another school year.CanoeFM spoke with Leanne Young of Youth Unlimited. She says it's just one way to take the financial burden off parents who might be struggling to make ends meet, and it also aligns with the organization's mission to nurture the potential of all kids in our region.Last year, Home Hardware supplied 200 backpacks and this year another 100 to ensure all kids have what they need for school. There are still a selection of backpacks and supplies available, so parents are urged to visit Youth Unlimited soon before they're gone.

Based on responses to the Canadian Income Survey, an estimated 18 per cent of households in Haliburton County are experiencing food insecurity. In fact, one in four cannot afford to buy the food they need to maintain good health. Food insecurity, a direct sign of poverty, has doubled in recent years, with more people turning to food banks to fill the gaps.Since late 2024, five Ontario communities – Toronto, Mississauga, Kingston, Smiths Falls and Cochrane have declared food emergencies. While symbolic, the declarations are aimed at raising awareness and advocacy at the provincial and federal government levels to address food insecurity.CanoeFM recently spoke to a number of local officials and organizations to learn more about food insecurity and food emergencies. In Part One of our series, we learned about what factors contribute to declaring a food emergency and the impact of food insecurity on adults and children. In Part Two, we'll learn what's being done locally to address the issue and what the future may hold in Haliburton County.

For many young people, it's the obstacle that's the hardest to overcome — to get a job, you need experience, but how do you get it? The Ontario Summer Company program gives youth a chance to confidently start and run their own business.Beau Harnois, started up Clean Force Power Washing in Haliburton this summer, thanks to the grant which allowed him to purchase his equipment and learn all about the life of an entrepreneur. Hands-on experience was paired with instruction and coaching on invoicing, cash flow and marketing.CanoeFM visited Harnois on a job and learned more about his experiences this summer.

Rising rent, soaring grocery prices and other essentials are putting a strain on Ontarians and forcing them to make some difficult decisions. The reality? More households are experiencing food insecurity — the inability to afford nutritious food for optimum health.In Haliburton County, 18 per cent of households are living with food insecurity, with demand for assistance at food banks and social service agencies trying to fill the gaps.Six Ontario communities have already declared food emergencies — Toronto, Mississauga, Cochrane, Kingston, Brockville and Smiths Falls, and the growing issue locally might mean Haliburton County joins the ranks of those struggling communities.CanoeFM recently spoke to a number of local officials and organizations to learn more about food insecurity and food emergencies. In Part One of our series, we'll learn about what factors contribute to declaring a food emergency and the impact of food insecurity on adults and children. In Part Two, we'll learn what's being done locally to address the issue.

Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Center in Haliburton is a nationally recognized safe place where people will be listened to and supported in the midst of a cancer experience. An upcoming fundrasiser is aimed at encouraging local residents to sweat to raise funds to ensure more people living with cancer can take advantage of the transformative care that Brooksong offers. The Sweat for Support event takes place on Saturday, August 23rdat SWEAT Social in Haliburton.Brooksong is hosting a summer fundraiser entitled the Haliburton Highlands Challenge which allows everyone to contribute to Brooksong in both active and creative ways. The SWEAT Social event will feature pairs workouts that will get the blood pumping.The goal is to raise $100K to enable more people with cancer to take part in a variety of in-person retreats and online programsintended to provide rest and renewal, companionship, soothe, strengthen and restore the body, mind, and soul in the midst of a cancer experience.CanoeFM visited SWEAT Social to speak to the organizers for the event and learn why it means so much to them and the broader community.

It's a practice that might not be policy, but for the more than 700,000 rural mailbox customers served by Canada Post raising the red flag to signify a delivery has been made has ended. Canada Post made the announcement in early August and its mail carriers, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, (CUPE), are disturbed by the removal of the time-honored practice since it weakens the crown corporation's reputation and customer service.CanoeFM spoke with both rural mailbox customers and the regional CUPE director to dig into the issue and learn how it impacts customers. While Canada Post refused an interview, they did provide a statement explaining the decision.

Just a short drive from Minden is a river that offers the kind of paddling challenges for kayak and canoeing enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Minden Whitewater Preserve is a natural river that's been modified to provide some of the best whitewater to be found in Ontario. Nestled in the forest on the Gull River, the Preserve has everything; 800 meters of twists and turns, eddies and holes, as well as campsites nearby, all managed by Whitewater Ontario.CanoeFM took a trip to the Minden Whitewater Preserve recently which hosted the International Canoe Federation's kayak cross and slalom competition. The event attracted paddlers from across Canada, Europe and even New Zealand. Officials and participants alike say the Preserve is one of the favorite paddling sites on the tour.

A drastic lack of rain and tinder-dry conditions have resulted in a county-wide fire ban across all four municipalities in Haliburton County. Local fire officials made the decision as a preventative measure, to decrease the risk of wildfires.So what is a fire ban and why is it necessary? CanoeFM spoke with Michael French, Fire Chief for Algonquin Hills and the county fire coordinator just hours after the ban was initiated. He said all four fire chiefs from the county's municipalities made the joint decision to protect the region from man-made wildfires.As soon as outdoor conditions permit, the restrictions ll be lifted. In the case of the Haliburton County-wide fire ban, it will last seven days and then officials, dependent on conditions having changed, then decide whether to extend or end it. French says the daytime burning ban has helped prevent fires in Haliburton County. He added he and the other municipal fire officials will reassess conditions and make the decision to remove or continue the county-wide ban in seven days.

Baz Conlin has spent much of his life rehabilitating landscapes. As a biologist trained in restoration, he's passionate about the power of native plants. That's why he's taken all he knows and turned it into Haliburton Micromeadows — a native plant nursery in Lochlin.Conlin encourages gardeners to use plants and shrubs native to the region and he sells 140 varieties of them at his nursery. He says incorporating native plants is not only smart, it helps preserve what is found here, rather than being squeezed out by often invasive cultivated plant species.CanoeFM visited Haliburton Micromeadows recently to discover what's on offer there and to learn more about the benefits of native plants.