County Closeup

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many families in Haliburton County, the holidays can be stressful. The Haliburton County Home Builders’ Association’s 29th Annual Christmas Challenge Toy & Food Drive ensures even more children and families in the region can share the fun of the season.

CanoeFM spoke with Aggie Toes, Executive Officer for HCHBA recently. She says this time of the year brings all their members together for a great cause. Started in the midst of a recession in the 1990’s, Aggie says members look forward to doing all they can to brighten a children’s life over the holidays.

Haliburton Highlands Secondary School handed out awards and recognition recently as part of its undergraduate awards ceremony.

The high school’s scholarship fund presents over 200 awards to the undergraduates and graduates. Eighty-five of those awards come from the Haliburton Highlands Scholarship Endowment Fund. Both individuals and organizations have contributed and the Endowment Fund continues to attract donations, often in memory of a loved one. The remaining awards are donated annually by businesses, service clubs and individuals throughout Haliburton County.

Scholarship Committee Chair Melissa Stephens says the awards take into account far more than marks alone.

CanoeFM attended the ceremony and spoke to two award recipients who were thrilled to receive recognition for their efforts.

The cold weather is on its way, and with it, a season of dread for those who struggle to afford home heating. Rising costs for food, gas and other necessities put a strain on many residents of Haliburton County.

That’s why the 11th Annual Highlands Christmas Shindig, taking place at the Haliburton Legion on Saturday, November 30th, supporting the Fuel for Warmth initiative, is such an important event. Fuel for Warmth is a not-for-profit organization providing immediate relief to families and individuals struggling to keep their homes warm due to financial hardships or unexpected crises. From emergency fuel, wood delivery or help with hydro, the group has been in operation for 14 years and is committed to providing warmth and security, free of judgement and stigma.

CanoeFM spoke with Fuel for Warmth officials recently about how the event supports the worthwhile initiative. The Highlands Christmas Shindig is a chance to have fun while assisting local residents who just need some help to stay warm this winter.

When you’re struggling with mental health issues, getting help is critical, but often it’s not an easy thing to do. Research by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CHMA) has found it is harder to access mental health support in rural communities than in cities. The Road Ahead Mobile Wellness Clinic could change that in Haliburton County. Run by the CMHA, mobile clinics connect those in rural settings with the care they might not otherwise receive.

In its four-year pilot program, The Road Ahead Mobile Wellness Clinic has already cared for more than 200 clients in Haliburton County – from direct inquiries or through other social service agency referrals. But stigma remains a huge barrier.

CanoeFM recently spoke with the CMHA team that visits communities in Haliburton County as well as a client whose life has been dramatically improved through the counseling program.

Across Ontario, an estimated 2.5 million people are without a doctor, and there is fierce competition between municipalities to attract doctors to their communities.

In Haliburton County, the quest to secure physicians to care for area residents is Wendy Welch’s job. As Physician Recruitment Coordinator for Haliburton Highlands Health Services, she says it’s a challenging task, but progress is being made.

Dr. Norm Bottum has been caring for patients in Haliburton for 37 years and is nearing retirement. He says while on the surface Haliburton might not appear to have a lot to offer, for the right physician, it can offer a wonderful lifestyle.

CanoeFM spoke with both Wendy and Dr. Norm Bottum recently on the obstacles that exist and why the reasons for optimism.

On the top of a hill in the forest surrounding Irondale in Haliburton County, a majestic white pine stands strong against the wind and the rain. At more than 100 years old and over 100 feet in height, the tree has survived several threats, including a devastating fire and the logging trade. The tree is the third tallest white pine tree in Ontario and a source of pride to many locals.

Long-time local resident George Simmons has taken many a curious soul to see the tree up close and on a rainy November day, he invited CanoeFM to see it firsthand. While its location is a well-kept secret, it really isn’t hard to find, but the impact of seeing it standing tall is truly breathtaking.

It’s been a long wait for the reopening of the Dorset Library. Though the completely renovated facility opened in August, the official ribbon cutting was on October 25.

The library is now a transformation of its former self, with an inviting feel, a wide selection of reading material and lots of places to sit down with a good book.

The building had been closed for four years — just as the recreation center had to close in 2020 due to the pandemic, the library had to shut its doors as well. Complicating the re-opening, the discovery of black mold in the library made it off-limits even longer while the space was being remediated.

Algonquin Highlands Township owns the building and paid a portion of the project. Mayor Danielson says the Dorset Library answers the needs of the community.

It’s been a few months since the Dorset Recreation Center reopened following a four-year wait and members couldn’t be happier. Originally shuttered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the center was then forced to close indefinitely because black mold was found on the premises. After project costs of $1.5 million, the centre opened once again in August.

CanoeFM visited the facility recently and spoke with members who couldn’t say enough about improvements made through the renovation. Now, the center boasts two gyms, a squash court, weight room and locker rooms and lots of people are taking out new memberships.

A Remembrance Day display in the small village of Irondale, Ontario in Haliburton County is having a big impact. The display, featuring 56 banners with the photos, names and details of men and women who served in wartime.

This is the third year that the display, entitled “Service, Courage and Sacrifice”, has been put on by Bark Lake’s Cultural Development and its popularity and community response continues to grow.

CanoeFM was on hand to ask the organizers what the display has come to mean both to them and for the families whose loved ones are featured in the display.

Deer wandering the streets of Haliburton isn’t new. After all, the town is built in deer habitat –

Whether because of several collisions on in-town roads and highways, or the devastation of