County Closeup

Rick Whitteker's love of the natural world has shaped his career, his activism and even his leisure time. And it's that love and fascination that's led him to write his first book, fittingly entitled, ‘Nature Nuggets' and it focuses on all the wonders to be found here in Haliburton County in all four seasons by way of hiking, kayaking and snowshoeing.The book is a collection of past columns Whittaker wrote for County Life and was designed and printed by Parker Pad & Printing in the last few weeks, Now, Whitteker is on a kind of informal book tour, speaking at several events in the county. He took time out to speak to CanoeFM to talk about what inspired his foray into becoming a published author.

What started as a group of locals assisting the Ontario Genealogical Society in 1990, with the creation of a province-wide index of all cemetery headstones, eventually became the origin story for the Haliburton Highlands Genealogy Group, focused on local family history and genealogy.With more than 80 members, the local group meets five times a year, but for many members, including Espina, the day-to-day is usually spent sifting through websites and registries all aimed at connecting people with their roots.The job requires genealogists to be one part detective and other part researcher, but the process is a lot easier now that technology puts everything at your fingertips. In the early days, however, the work required trips to the Ontario archives and hours spent pouring over records of all kinds.Adele Espina, Chair of the group, sat down with CanoeFM recently to talk about how finding someone's ancestors is a voyage of discovery.

If you live and work in Haliburton County, owning a car is essential. But with the cost of living these days, including gas, insurance, and maintenance, a car can be out of reach for many people in the region. And that fact is creating pinch points for local businesses trying to recruit and retain employees. The same goes for anyone who has appointments or errands to run. Simply put, there is no alternative.Despite its best efforts to secure some kind of bus system that could operate between Minden Hills and Haliburton Village, Haliburton County is once again on a road to nowhere. At a recent County Council meeting, members were told that the cost to create a bus between the two centres is just too expensive.Earlier this Spring, Scott Ovell, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County, told councilors once again that a fixed route bus running between the two centres of Minden and Haliburton is financially impossible for the foreseeable future. He sat down with CanoeFM to explain why.

Mike Knight has been into music since he was a boy growing up in the UK. A lover of all kinds of music, he is also an accomplished bass player and sound engineer for local music events in Haliburton County, under the name Makk Sound. Now, Knight has realized another dream through the creation of his own recording space called Apple Tree Studio.Named after a beautiful apple tree that grows in his yard, Mike Knight planned and designed the entire studio's set-up, from the ground up, and included state-of-the-art features that guarantee the best sound recording quality possible. It took him 20 months to build the studio that had a soft opening in December of last year. That attention to detail is something Knight is justifiably proud of since he knows the little things do actually matter in a studio.Knight sat down with CanoeFM recently in his new studio to explain how it was built and why he was so passionate about creating it literally from the ground up.

The facts are staggering. According to the World Health Organization, one in six people experience loneliness with social disconnection linked to more than 871 thousand deaths each year. Roughly 52 per cent of Canadians report feeling lonely at least once a week.That's why, during Mental Health Week, May fourth through tenth, the Lakelands Pubic Health is aiming to combat loneliness head-on by creating ‘connection corners' in libraries across Haliburton County and Kawartha Lakes.Strong connections are vital for people of all ages. For seniors, having an active social circle can lower the risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease and depression. In youth, social isolation can trigger depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, lowered self-esteem and behavioral issues.Joanne Brewster is a Health Promoter with Lakelands Public Health. She sat down with CanoeFM to discuss how the health unit's campaign, in partnership with 18 libraries in the region, encourages residents to focus on social connections for improving mental health and overall well-being. She says doing so can reduce stress, improve your mood and foster a sense of belonging.

It's the fastest way to get medical assistance, but in the last few years more than half of the calls to 911 both here in Haliburton and across the province are for non-emergencies. CBC Radio recently played actual calls to 911 to highlight some of the frivolous reasons people call for help, including one where a woman called 911 because she dropped her phone in a snowbank.That's why Mike Slatter, who heads up the Haliburton County Paramedic Service, is urging local residents to understand that while the paramedic service is always ready to respond, calling 911 for non-emergencies hampers its ability to answer the call for more serious and urgent cases.In Haliburton County, people are calling for what Slatter refers to as ‘non-acute' reasons and in doing so, take away the resources intended for real emergencies. Slatter sat down with CanoeFM recently to discuss the problem and offer solutions.

When Jack Hutchison learned of the opportunity to lead Haliburton Highlands Health Services as its new CEO, he jumped at the chance to do so. Having grown up in Minden, Hutchison knew first-hand how vital triple H S is to local residents and seasonal visitors. So, this was his chance to give back to the community that helped shape him and his career.That's why his move from Moosonee back to Haliburton County to lead triple H S means so much to him. Hutchison sat down with CanoeFM recently to talk about his leadership approach and the hospital's priorities going forward.

Facing massive third-party costs in a largely tourism-based economy, Haliburton County Council is taking the proactive step to see what can be done to improve the financial sustainability of the County and its two-tier structure by hiring a consultant to look at its current governance model.At a recent special session, Gary Dyke, Haliburton County CAO, presented a report, entitled Exploring the Future of Haliburton County: An Affordability and Governance Structure Study, which focused on the fiscal strain placed on the county and the resulting impacts on the tax levy and infrastructure budgets.Dyke told councilors legislated payments to external bodies take up more than 50 per cent of the tax rate increases which divert monies from local priorities, including roads, bridges, and emergency response and permanent residents shoulder those costs.The County of Haliburton currently faces significant capital investment requirements of more than $70 million over the next 8-10 years for roads and large vehicle replacement. Meanwhile, Haliburton County's lower-tier municipalities face similar fiscal challenges. Dyke said current funding models in Haliburton's rural tourism-based economy do not meet the needs of the capital and operating realities.

Named in honor of a former Ontario Premier, The Leslie M. Frost Centre was, at one time, the first outdoor education center in Ontario. It was dedicated to environmental and resource managementeducation.Recently, it was announced that the long-defunct centre, located in Algonquin Highlands on the shores of Lake St. Nora had been sold for $3M dollars. Canoe FM spoke to a real estate agent who's assisting in the sale. Jonathan Weizel, of Royal LePage Terre Equity Realty, said the new owner plans to operate a substance abuse and mental health rehab facility there.Barrie Martin worked at the centre for more than 28 years and shared some of his thoughts on the centre and its recent purchase with CanoeFM.

The Town of Minden Hills declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon after heavy rain combined with melting snow to cause flooding in the municipality. Numerous roads have become impassable and a section of Bobcageon Road suffered a devastating washout, with the road collapsing under the rushing water.Bob Carter, Mayor of Minden Hills, made the declaration to ensure the town and its residents will have the support of the Province of Ontario, should the existing flooding get worse. And with more rain in the forecast, it feels like the entire town is holding its collective breath.Mayor Carter says staff, County officials, The Province, the OPP and Emergency Services are meeting regularly and continuing to track and update the public about road closures and restrictions. He recommends local residents visit the Town of Minden Hills website to check for updates.

Coming Full Circle is a new and innovative pilot project that was identified as a gap needing to be filled by Point in Time and the Haliburton County Connections Committee. The two organizations applied for a federal grant and pulled in the Canadian Mental Health Association who now oversees the program. It's a guest-led, peer approach that aims to overcome the barriers of access in communities and stigma.David Barkley knows that when you're struggling with substance abuse, the first step is often the hardest one to take. That's why, a new approach that focuses on the person, rather than the program, is gaining popularity in Haliburton.It's called Coming Full Circle, and while it's only been in the community since last fall, its impact is already being felt. What's different is the organization doesn't demand anything from participants, but rather, takes a gentle, welcoming approach, where help is offered as needed or requested. There's no set date and time for appointments, no demands made for counseling session timelines and best of all, no judgement.Barkley sat down with CanoeFM recently to talk about how the program works and how it's being received in the community.

Though you wouldn't notice it to look at him, Brandon Nimigon has the weight of more than 100 years resting on his shoulders. He's the new owner of Bernsteins – a building that has stood for more than a century and has a storied past, to say the least.Nimigon purchased the building that previously housed Bernstein's, but it's had a number of other identities; including a deli, a grocery store and a clothing store. Nimigon, a Century 21 broker, heard the building would be going on the market and jumped at the chance to put an offer in. The Century 21 office will move to the new space, and will be joined by two other offices and two apartments upstairs. Nimigon has big plans for the place and knows the importance of preserving its legacy while giving it a much-needed makeover.One of the most remarkable things is that the renovation project is employing a variety of local firms to get the work done, from design, to drawings, demo and construction. Nimigon says with his contacts, it was easy to build a dream team to re-imagine the space and put money back into the local community.

It's out with the old and in with the new – a state of the art x-ray machine at Haliburton Highlands Health Services. The new x-ray device will allow the old one, that's served the community since 2014, to be decommissioned. Its replacement, fully funded through a community campaign with the Triple H S Foundation, ensures quality care remains closer to home for residents and visitors to Haliburton County.The new unit replaces the previous unit which was reaching the end of its life cycle. It was becoming more expensive to repair as parts were becoming difficult to find. The hospital kept it functioning past its 10-year expected lifespan. The Triple H S Foundation's campaign, entitled "Here for You " raised six point three million dollars, far exceeding the campaign goal of four point three million dollars. The campaign originally aimed to fund a new CT scanner and mammography units, but thanks to the extra funds, triple H S was able to purchase and install the new x-ray suite as well. The new x-ray machine is expected to be a well used tool for doctors making diagnoses and subsequently in the treatment of patients.Gail Kennedy, Integrated Director of Diagnostics at the hospital sat down with CanoeFM recently to explain how the new x-ray machine will improve health care across the region.

The snow is melting and the temperatures are warming. For gardeners, this is the time to plan and plant seeds in anticipation of a good growing season ahead.SIRCH in Haliburton, which stands for Supportive Initiative for Residents in the County of Haliburton is inviting those with green thumbs to grow a row of vegetables to help supplement the organization's goal to feed those locally who struggle to put food on the table. By donating the vegetables to SIRCH, you help keep costs down while supporting those who are experiencing food insecurity, so it's a win-win for everyone.The Grow a Row program gives gardeners all they need to get started and great support along the way. Two local Master Gardeners will provide both growing tips and guidance to local gardeners and an upcoming welcome workshop will bring all the growers together to kick off the initiative and share best practices.

If you've been to the gas station lately to fill up, no doubt you've seen how much per litre prices are soaring. The pain at the pump we're all feeling these days has come from a perfect storm.The war in Iran, initiated by the US and Israel, and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz which supplies about 20% of the global oil, has caused markets to react negatively, driving per barrel prices to more than $100 dollars. That translates into Canadians paying more than one dollar and fifty-two cents per litre, with recent highs reaching up to one dollar and ninety-one cents in certain areas.Dan McTeague President of Canadians for Affordable Energy, says while Canadians no longer have to pay the carbon tax, two others have taken its place, namely the Clean Fuel Standard tax and the Industrial Carbon Tax than comes into effect later this week. McTeague says these energy taxes drive the per litre prices even higher than they should be. Another factor to consider, he adds, is the strain on the supply of liquified natural gas that will also pose problems and cause inflation to rise.

Tourism is Haliburton County's second largest industry, next to construction. That's why Angelica Ingram, Tourism Manager for the County of Haliburton wants to capitalize on the growth of the region and its many tourism partners by reigniting a former group that was dedicated to enhancing and promoting all the County has to offer for visitors here.That's also why Ingram is encouraging local businesses and anyone whose livelihood relies on attracting tourists to attend the inaugural Tourism Stakeholder Session happening Thursday, April 2nd at the Pinestone Resort from 10am-12pm.The COVID-19 pandemic did a number on local tourist destinations and local businesses. The prolonged lockdowns hit hard and the impact of those lost months continues to be felt locally, Ingram says. That, paired with political uncertainty, the impact of tariffs and changing ownership, has changed the local landscape and why, she says, there's renewed interest in reimagining the tourism stakeholder group.

After a prolonged hiatus, thanks to the pandemic and other shifting priorities, The Land Between is bringing back its talking circles in Haliburton County and beyond to offer first-hand accounts and discoveries and to build a stronger understanding of the changes taking place in the forests of Haliburton County, particularly those pertaining to wildlife.It's not the first time these talking circles have been held by the organization, but the impact of the pandemic and subsequent return to normal activities has taken time. Now, as The Land Between revisits these talking circles, Berman is excited to hear from a variety of voices, both first nations, local harvesters, (formerly known as trappers), and members of the public.The focus of these talking circles will be on the impact of Eastern Wolves on other species found in the forests here and what people are seeing first-hand. The interplay of one species on others can be profound, and Berman says she wants to create a compendium of data to then share with researchers and various government agencies.

This week the Highlands Little Theatre production ofCalendar Girlsbegins its four-show run in Haliburton. It's a play based on a true story about a group of ladies, members of the Women's Institute in Yorkshire, England.The play follows the story of how an enduring friendship between two women helps heal the pain the loss of a spouse to cancer and the subsequent eyebrow-raising fundraiser the women take part in.Six local women bring that touching and often humorous story to life, but what's even more remarkable is how real-life couple, John and Rita Jackson are bringing their own love story to the stage with art truly imitating life in this production. In Part three of this series, we meet the Jacksons and Director Jack Brezina as opening night draws ever closer.

Highland's Little Theatre production ofCalendar Girlsis only days away from hitting the stage at the Northern Lights Pavillion and the cast and crew are hard at work. There's a lot to do, but hopes are high that on opening night, Tuesday, March 24rth everyone will be ready.This is part 2 of the Back on the Boards series. Last time we met the director Jack Brezina, Kate Butler and Stage Manager Amy Brohme. This time we're hearing from a few more locals who are taking to the stage, a couple who've done it regularly and a senior citizen taking up acting in her 70's.Calendar Girlsis a play based on a true story about a group of ladies, members of the Women's Institute in Yorkshire, England. The play follows the story of how an enduring friendship between two women helps heal the pain the loss of a spouse to cancer and the subsequent eyebrow-raising fundraiser the women take part in. Six local women bring that touching and often humorous story to life. But behind them are the strong and loving men who support their efforts, despite all the headaches and attention they attract.

It's a part of growing old, they say. After childbirth and menopause, women usually suffer from weaker pelvic floors that can lead to incontinence and other issues. And for most women, they simply accept this as their new normal, bringing extra clothing, and wearing pads to cope. But a new technology at the Willow Organic Beauty Wellness & Laser in Haliburton called the Emsella Chair is giving locals with incontinence a new lease on life.Developed in Europe and brought to Canada in 2017, the Emsella Chair also helps men who've gone through prostate cancer and women who face challenges during menopause.The Emsella chair technology uses electromagnetic pulses to activate the pelvic floor. Over time, it is gradually strengthened. Guests usually notice a big difference in how they live their lives on a daily basis. Gone is the need to wear pads or bring a change of clothes wherever you go.

It might not seem like having a safe place to live makes that much of a difference, but ask Angie Wilson and she'll tell you it absolutely does.For most of her life, struggle has been one of the only constants Wilson has known. Born into a family where substance abuse was rampant and untreated, she eventually found herself growing up in foster care.Over time, Wilson too, became addicted to alcohol and her life was consumed with her addiction and barely getting by. Once she had her three children, the walls began to close in and the lies she told herself and others finally caught up with her. Unemployed, with bills piling up and no way to pay them, she literally dropped to the floor in full-blown panic attack. Then, on her sister's prodding, reached out to Places 4 People. Wilson applied for housing assistance with P4P.Wilson's story exemplifies what Places for People is all about and why the upcoming fundraising event, Sleeping in Cars on Friday, March 27th is so critically important to the organization.

James Raffan celebrated two prominent anniversaries last year. One was his 70th birthday and the other marked 50 years of exploring and documenting Canada's arctic and its people. Those two milestones inspired Raffan to write his one-man showThe Accidental Canadian, which combines storytelling and original music and is part love letter, part homage to the places and people who've shaped his life.Raffan is bringing his show to the Haliburton Legion on Wednesday, March 11th. He sat down with CanoeFM recently to share some of what he's learned through trekking in the arctic but more from the indigenous people living there. He's grateful for the life he's been fortunate to live and thinks the best lessons come from being on the edge.

Roger Trull considers his volunteer role with the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame to be one of the best in the world. After all, he gets to tell the newest group of inductees they're being honored. For the third time since its inception, the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting another slate of worthy individuals at an upcoming ceremony, those who've made their mark and those who've helped launch them on their way.For a county the size of Haliburton, this region has produced a surprising number of notable athletes in a variety of sports. But beyond the headlines and box scores, the region is rich with those who've been instrumental in making their dreams of sports excellence a reality.Trull came to the CanoeFM studio recently to talk about why the organization was created. Since the region is chock-full of various sporting organizations and talented athletes, picking potential inductees is relatively easy, Trull says. The hard part, he adds, is winnowing down the list to fit the four categories.

Like many other Ontario communities, the village of Kinmount has a doctor shortage. Now, the problem has been made worse as Dr. Mimi Van Der Leden recently announced she's closing up shop, leaving 500 local patients without a physician.Dr. Van Der Leden's patients were notified about the closure of her practice last week via phone messages and mailed letters, causing many to take to social media to express their frustration and anger. Dr. Van Der Leden accepted the position at the Kinmount District Health Centre in December 2024, and began seeing patients in February 2025. She has only been treating patients here for just over a year and patients were not told the reason for the closure of the practice.Canoe FM spoke with Lois O'Neil-Jackson, Chair of the Kinmount District Health Centre Foundation. She said the Foundation is saddened about Dr. Van Der Leden's departure but could not provide a reason, other than suspecting that it ‘was not a good fit' for her there.

Over the years, many have tried and failed to make Minden's downtown core a place people, and more specifically, shoppers want to be. Now, the creation of the Minden Business Working Group, formed under the umbrella of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce, to transform the downtown to reflect the unique character and pride of Minden and its residents.Matthew Renda, who owns Boshkung Social, says attempts have been made by business owners in Minden several times in the past to revitalize and re-imagine the downtown core, but all failed to make real change. Renda's role as First Vice President on the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce helped facilitate the timely formation of the working group and he's now the working group's Chair.At the first meeting, more than 42 business owners and interested parties were present. The interest, work ethic and passion of the group's members are turning naysayers into believers, and this time, the dream of creating an attractive, appealing and enticing downtown will come true, Renda says. And the cherry on top is Minden Hills council supports the initiative.

These days, with post secondary tuition on the rise, it's a good idea to be certain about one's future career path. That's exactly what the Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police is attempting to do with its new initiative, the OPP Youth Academy.The program, the first of its kind to be offered in the region, gives high school students a chance to learn more about the diverse roles within the OPP and gauge whether this is a career that interests them.The OPP Youth Academy is a six-week program beginning March 26th, where students in grades 9 through 12 spend two hours each week at the Minden detachment. It's a chance for students to get a behind the scenes look at the work the OPP carry out every day.

The true story of how a small Women's Institute in Yorkshire raised both eyebrows and funds by posing nude for a calendar is the central theme of the playCalendar Girls, set to take the stage of the Northern Lights Pavilion in Haliburton in late March. Since early January, the cast and crew have been hard at work, learning their lines, blocking and even some songs for the upcoming show.Most people who sit in the audience enjoying HLT's productions never truly know what goes into bringing a show to the stage; the long hours, memorizing lines and figuring out who their characters are both as individuals and as part of the greater cast. But for everyone involved, it's a labor of love.For a number of years in my 20's and 30's, I took part in a number of shows with a theatre company just east of Alliston. After having children and going through a divorce, I was unable to spare the time to pursue my love of acting and singing on stage. So, being cast in a show 27 years later, is both exciting and terrifying. Having been welcomed by this group is giving me the confidence I need as we edge ever closer to opening night.In this, the first of a series on bringing this show to life, you'll hear from the director, the stage manager and a few actors in the production. You'll hear how the show is progressing and meet more of the people working to bring a wonderful true story, filled with laughter and tears to the stage.

Barb Murphy has a new motto for living in Haliburton during snowy winters: Keep the snow low. Recently, the Ingoldsby resident had an unpleasant surprise when he carbon monoxide alarms went off one evening and the gauges measured dangerous levels of CO2 in her home.Murphy, who considers herself a capable and independent sort, was shocked the alarms went off, but immediately took action. She opened all her windows and doors then called 911. Minden Fire Chief Don Kruger arrived first, then another two fire trucks and crews came to investigate. After testing and re-testing the levels of CO2, they discovered the culprit — a huge snow wall that prevented the fumes from escaping the outdoor vents. While the vents were clear, the snow wall trapped the gas and it reentered Murphy's home.In the clear now, Murphy is grateful to the fire crews who kept her safe and recommends everyone go the extra mile in clearing snow around vents and keep nearby snow piles from getting too high.

It's been an important part of the community for both permanent residents and seasonal visitors, and now, after a fire that completely destroyed the main store, last Thursday, the owners are vowing to rebuild.CanoeFM spoke with Kevin Dyck, one of three owners of the Kingdon Timber Mart earlier today. Dyck said despite the shock and sadness of the fire, they are already making plans to rebuild the main building lost in the blaze. Although he couldn't provide a dollar value to the destruction, Dyck said they will be setting up temporary offices on site to continue lumber yard sales and will eventually begin construction of the new store.The fire broke out late Thursday evening last week, but by the time firefighters from three different municipalities arrived, the blaze was already well developed. 35 firefighters fought the fire but could not save the main building. The lumber yard out buildings did not sustain any damage. The Ontario Fire Marshall reported the fire's cause remains accidental and undetermined.Employees affected by the fire have been relocated to the Gooderham Timber Mart or working from home.

Dementia Widow – A Memoir of Love, Death & Survivalis Minden's own Fay Martin's first work, but it's her very own story of loss, acceptance and finding a way through. It is a personal story she knew she wanted to tell while experiencing her husband's journey with dementia. In it, she explores frustrating delays in diagnosing him, and the impact on their marriage, as Martin went from an equal partner to a different person altogether – someone, Martin made the choice to care for as the dynamics changed dramatically.CanoeFM sat down with Martin recently to learn more about how Martin felt compelled to write this very raw and real book about her husband Michael Fay's dementia and how it impacted her as well.Fay passed away in 2020 and not long after, Martin began her Masters Fine Arts in Creative Non-Fiction a year later. She had journalled about her experiences with her husband's dementia journey since its onset and Martin knew she had to do something with them. After several rewrites, it becameDementia Widow. Martin, now 82, confesses that while it was a difficult experience to go through, it was important for her to share it with others.

At more than 20 years old, the playground at Stuart W. Baker Elementary School is well past its prime. Within the next couple of years, it will most likely be decommissioned due to safety concerns.That's why Lauren Adelson, and the rest of the school's parent teacher council are busy organizing an upcoming fundraiser entitled ‘Pasta for Playground' to help get them closer to their dream of a safe, new and accessible playground.Between both Stuart W. Baker and J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary, who share use of the play structures, parents have raised $30K towards the goal of $300K. The Pasta for Playground fundraiser is the first of what is hoped to be an annual event until the full amount of money needed to tear down the existing structure and replace it with a new one.The Ontario Ministry of Education does not financially assist playgrounds, so the parent councils and the community must pull together to make it happen. Adelson recently spoke to CanoeFM about why this venture is so important.

It's been a tough year for Canada. Threats of annexation and geopolitical uncertainty have been difficult for most of us to deal with. That's why the Highlands Summer Festival in Haliburton is launching its summer season with a fitting prescription — laughs and lots of them from an all-Canadian season of plays and musicals.Dougie Walker, Artistic Director and Producer of HSF took time out of his busy schedule of auditions, callbacks, working, being a dad and studying for a new career to speak with CanoeFM recently. He says we all need a laugh and this season, audiences are going to be doing just that. This season's offerings feature beloved musicals and plays from Canadian playwrights that are sure to give everyone a boost of patriotism and pride.

The Healthy Democracy Project's Voices and Votes Speaker Series is attempting to educate and inform the public about the local political process. Coming this March, there are two new presentations entitled ‘Behind the Scenes of Municipal Leadership'and ‘Understanding Campaigns, How Success Happens'. The goal is to pull back the curtain and by doing so, inspire people to engage in the level of government that impacts everyone the most.CanoeFM sat down recently with Carol Moffat, a former Algonquin Highlands councilor, mayor and County Warden and Lauren Hunter, who has managed campaigns for many years. Both emphasized the importance of understanding and getting involved with local politics, boards of directors or not-for-profit organizations because of the potential for positive outcomes for communities.They encourage people come out to the upcoming sessions to learn more about how everyone can make a difference locally.

After six years of good fiscal management and meeting educational priorities, the Trillium Lakes District School Board, (TLDSB) announced recently that the Board's new Outdoor Education & Indigenous Centre will begin construction on its own property in Minden later this Spring.The new, three thousand square foot centre is expected to cost $1.2 million dollars which will come out of the Board's capital reserves and be used by students from kindergarten to Grade 12. Set on the Board's own 90-plus acres, beside Archie Stouffer Elementary School, the centre will provide Leadership and teambuilding, environmental learning, including orienteering, mapping, flora/fauna identification, and ecology, physical education like skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking, Indigenous teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers and activities such as collecting maple sap, studying animal tracks, and exploring the Canadian shield.CanoeFM spoke with Wes Hahn, TLDSB Director recently to learn more about next steps. Hahn says now that the Ministry has approved the plan, tenders will go out and construction won't be too far behind. He hopes to get shovels in the ground as soon as the snow melts.

The 2nd Annual Haliburton February Folk Festival is a delight for the senses and a perfect way to rid yourself of the winter blahs. There's a jam-packed schedule of local artists and top-tier talents in this year's festival that's already underway. Organizers are thrilled to build on their first year's success.Lizzy Clarke is the coordinator of the February Folk Festival – a month-long celebration of all kinds of musical genres at a number of local venues.A singer in her own right, Clarke dropped by the CanoeFM studios to give a glimpse into this year's musical offerings. She's encourages everyone to get out to as many shows as possible, both the ticketed events and the pop-up shows as well.

Darren Lum has traded in his notebook and camera for a completely different career. After decades of working as a journalist in Haliburton, he's working as a carpenter with a local homebuilder, Haliburton Crew. Now Lum is in an industry that's crying out to attract more people like him – those willing to pick up a power tool and work in the trades.With a can-do attitude and a seemingly fearless approach, trying new things is definitely part of Lum's make-up. After he ended his journalism career, Lum worked for two winters learning how to lead sled dog trips with Winterdance Dogsled Tours, northeast of Haliburton. A marathon runner, Lum continued to build up his strength and endurance. For a time, he even worked as a bike courier. Now, at 49, all that conditioning is paying off in the physically demanding world of the trades.CanoeFM recently spoke to Lum and his boss Andrew Brown to learn about how jumping into the skilled trades has been a great transition and why people like him are needed in an industry that's facing critical staffing shortages.

Over the last four years, Kathy Judson , a mother of twin 12-year-old gymnastics-crazed daughters has searched for a spot that would work for a gymnastics space in Haliburton. She was exhausted from having to drive her girls hours out of town to train and compete.After the last possible site fell through, she reached out to the Haliburton County Development Corporation, or HCDC for guidance. The organization gave her some great advice and possible locations to look at, then Judson secured the site located at 367 Industrial Road in Haliburton. Then, they sweetened the pot with a $100 thousand dollar loan to get Haliburton Gymnastics off the ground.While the space in Haliburton has been secured, she's now beginning her search for community donors or sponsors. Judson hopes to open the doors to the Haliburton Gymnastics in July to recreational users then ramp up from there.

The Haliburton Sled Dog Derby returns to The Pinestone on January 24rth and 25th — one of three remaining dog sled racing events still taking place in Ontario. It's a true team sport, where both the animals and humans must work together. This weekend's event will feature mushers competing in a number of different race classes from across the province, Quebec and the US. The event even attracted an international attention when the Jamaican Dog Sled team raced a few years back.In preparation for the weekend's event, CanoeFM ventured out into the woods northeast of Haliburton to learn more about dog sledding from a local expert, Tanya McCready of Winterdance Dog Sled Tours. We sat beside a woodburning stove as just outside, a group of dogs were being hitched up for an afternoon ride. Meanwhile, her young pup Sherlock tried to distract us from our conversation.

Balancing priorities, preparing for the future while keeping the taxpayers' burden as low as possible is what Minden Hills Mayor Bob Carter is trying to do with the 2026 budget process. That's why he chose to use his newly granted Strong Mayors' powers to veto eight amendments already passed by council during the budget deliberations.When Mayor presented the proposed budget to council on Dec. 15, the tax increase for residents was 3 point nine five per cent. Councilors then passed 27 amendments to this year's budget to include charges that were unknown or unavailable at the time of the original budget. Others were to correct errors or omissions.Carter spoke with CanoeFM to explain what amendments he vetoed and the rationale behind them. The majority of these involved adding back items that appeared in the first draft of the budget but had been voted out by councilors. Under the new Strong Mayors legislation, the budget process has much stricter timelines.

Under the guise of fast-tracking housing and infrastructure construction, consistent standards and better flood and hazard management across the province, the Ontario government is proposing to amalgamate 36 existing conservation authorities into seven larger regional bodies, with oversight from a provincial agency.The plan, announced in November 2025, has already received harsh criticism from several municipalities and conservation authorities through the public consultation or period, which ended in late December. Those in opposition have voiced concerns over the loss of local environmental knowledge, reduced community engagement, potential job losses, and disruption to critical flood management.When it comes to Haliburton County, only a small fraction falls under conservation authority jurisdiction, that being a tiny portion in Highlands East, managed by Crowe Valley Conservation. And yet, the Kawartha Conservation Authority manages Source Water Protection here.CanoeFM spoke with a number of local organizations who fear how the amalgamation of conservation authorities will impact the local environment and in turn, the county's economy.

As of yesterday, Sunday, January 11th, The Beer Store in Haliburton has officially closed. In June, the local store would've celebrated its 50thyear of serving locals and tourists and yesterday the last case of beer rolled out.When the store closed at 4pm, employees, former employees, friends and customers gathered in the parking lot to mark the occasion. They stood together in the blustery weather, and while impacted employees were prohibited from speaking to the media, several loyal customers openly shared their disappointment.The closure of the Haliburton location came from an agreement with the Ontario government, The Beer Store and the union representing 65-hundred full and part-time Beer Store employees, United Food and Commercial Workers, following the expansion of alcohol sales at grocery and convenience stores across the province.

It's Friday morning at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena in Minden and a group of men, all over 50 are out on the ice, to skate, sweat and swap stories on a sheet of ice. The main reason is obvious – everyone here has a deep love of the game of hockey and a desire to stay active.But it's about a lot more than that. The league gives retirees a chance to connect with each other and share some laughs and an occasional pint of beer. Last year, a group of players over the age of 83, retired from the group that was a staple in their lives.CanoeFM dropped into the Minden arena to learn why this league is so popular here.

According to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, more than 50 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year — the majority of which occur during fall and winter. That's why, as of January 1, 2026, changes to the Ontario Fire Code now require a working carbon monoxide alarm on every level of any residence with a gas-burning appliance, including a furnace, water heater or stove.The previous legislation required a carbon monoxide detector outside every sleeping area, but officials say the new law is aimed at providing better protection against a deadly gas that can't be seen, smelled or tasted.CanoeFM spoke with Don Kruger, Minden Hills Fire Chief, to learn why the change in legislation is necessary in providing another level of prevention.

The beauty of Haliburton County and the wonderful people who live there are the reasons a local couple has stepped up to double the impact of the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation's ‘Believe in the Magic of Giving' holiday campaign.Scott Pollard and his wife Suzanne Patmios have a four-season home on Mountain Lake that's become their favorite place to be. The beauty of the area, along with the kind-hearted residents and businesses are the reason why the couple will match all donations made during the holiday campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $100 thousand dollars to provide essential healthcare in the community.CanoeFM sat down recently with them to find out why giving back is so important.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium found in rocks and soil. You can't see, smell, or taste radon. When it enters confined spaces like a house, it can build up to high levels and become harmful.When radon is inhaled, radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs. This damages lung tissue and over many years, can develop into lung cancer. In Canada, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking.That's why, for the first time, the newly merged Lakelands Public Health is offering free Radon test kits to residents in Haliburton County as part of the Evict Radon dot CA National Study, to help collect data and build awareness about radon levels in the region.

Local Haliburton County fire departments are joining forces with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and other fire safety education organizations to deliver its annual ‘12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety' campaign.Don Kruger, Minden Hills Fire Chief, spoke with CanoeFM recently to explain that this time of year brings with it added fire risks and with some forethought and planning, local residents can stay fire safe this holiday season.

This week, [someone], [someone else] and [another person] cover [topic]..... Topics discussed: Topic A Topic B Topic C Links mentioned in this episode: http://example.com http://second-example.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week, [someone], [someone else] and [another person] cover [topic]..... Topics discussed: Topic A Topic B Topic C Links mentioned in this episode: http://example.com http://second-example.com This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Thirty-eight years ago, a lone gunman entered Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal with one goal — to kill as many females as possible. He walked into an engineering class, asked the men to leave and proceeded to shoot the female students. In what he described as ‘fighting feminism', he shot all nine women in the room, killing six.The shooter then moved through corridors, the cafeteria, and another classroom, specifically targeting women to shoot for just under 20 minutes. He killed another eight women before turning the gun on himself. A total of 14 women lost their lives that day.That horrendous attack and the violence that women still face all these years later is why the Haliburton Highlands Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women is hosting a vigil on Saturday, December 6 at 10:30 am. The event gives residents a chance to remember those women who died and to support those who have or are experiencing abuse.

Measles, a disease that can lead to serious health issues such as blindness, deafness and even death is easily prevented with childhood vaccinations. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation and outright lies regarding the necessity for them caused a dramatic drop in parents vaccinating their children. As a result, a serious outbreak of measles occurred in 2024, with more than 5,000 cases reported across Canada. Transmission of the virus for 12 consecutive months caused Canada's eliminated status of measles to be striped away.Dr. Natalie Bocking is Deputy Medical Officer of Health with Lakelands Public Health. Recently, she spoke with CanoeFM about what this means and her concerns for other diseases returning. She says as a physician, she's disappointed that Canada has lost its elimination status for measles because of all the efforts made to achieve it.