FYI Haliburton Story Archive

2004 Stories

• Winter Driving Tips (November, 2004)
• Art Adventures (November, 2004)
• The Economics of Staying in School (November, 2004)
• Artists - Count Yourself In! (Fall, 2004)
• More Funding for Small Municipalities (November 15, 2004)
• 10th Annual Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Conference 2004 (November 14, 2004)
• The Perfect Rhyme was the Perfect Way . . . (October 13, 2004)
• Late fall colours boost business for local resorts (October 12, 2004)
• First Annual Rail Trail Relay (September 1, 2004)

Winter Driving Tips

November, 2004 - According to drivers.com, proper winter tires and proper driving attitude make the most difference:

• Install proper winter tires
• Adjust driving style to compensate for slick roads, i.e. upshift to a higher gear the instant your tires begin to spin, allow plenty of time to stop (assume streets leading up to intersections are icy and not plowed or sanded).
• Hills: maintain momentum going UP hills and reduce speed as you go DOWN. Studies have shown that when people approach a hill, the tendency is to slow down. Unfortunately, if you don't maintain a reasonable momentum going uphill, you may get stuck on the hill and cause other motorists to get stuck behind you.

Art Adventures

November, 2004 - Art Adventures is an 8-week after-school program of Family Services of Haliburton County. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for children aged 9-12 to have fun doing art while promoting their social development and self-esteem. Each group is limited to 8 children and is facilitated by a local artist/artisan and the program coordinator, Sharon Lynch. The artist/artisan is reimbursed for the cost of supplies and given a small honorarium. (S)he is also promoted in the program brochure that is distributed to the children's families through the school. Art Adventures is currently looking for artists/artisans to facilitate the next session to be held at J.D. Hodgson Elementary School in Haliburton starting in early January, 2005 on Thursdays, 3:45 - 5:00 pm. For more information contact Sharon Lynch at Family Services, 457-5345 or sharonl@familyserviceshaliburton.ca.

The Economics of Staying in School

November, 2004 - During November and December, grade 8 students in the county will be learning about the importance of education and the financial realities of living on their own. The program, sponsored by The Workforce Development Board and Junior Achievement of Kawartha Lakeshore, uses volunteers to introduce four key messages to young teens. If you would like more information about this program, contact Jim Miners at 457-1223 or madison@on.aibn.com.

Artists - Count Yourself In!

Fall, 2004 - The Arts Council ~ Haliburton Highlands is spearheading an initiative called the Arts Community Skills Inventory Project and is encouraging all Haliburton County artists, artisans, arts supporters, creative enterprises and community animators to participate. Time is running out. More...

More Funding for Small Municipalities

November 15, 2004 - The governments of Canada and Ontario signed an agreement to each provide up to $298 million over the next five years to improve public infrastructure in small urban and rural municipalities throughout the province. This funding will allow communities to invest in areas such as water and sewage treatment; waste management; local roads and bridges; municipal energy improvement; cultural, recreational and tourism infrastructure; and connectivity. Read the Canada NewsWire article.

10th Annual Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Conference 2004

November 14, 2004 - This year celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Conference in Ontario. This two day workshop series drew approximately 50 delegates representing a wide range of industry stakeholders from across Ontario including Moose Factory, Walpole Island, Kingston, Killarney, Ottawa and Sudbury. Representation by the International Ecotourism Society from Washington D.C is also noteworthy as Fleming College continues to draw international attention to its unique Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Management program.

Delegates benefited from current information concerning practical and relevant tourism issues including water system management, insurance, volunteer management, community based tourism, internet marketing and "What is Ecotourism?" The first Gala Dinner, hosted by the Wigamog Inn, was a great success and celebrated ten years of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism information sharing and networking.

The Ontario Ecotourism Society formed its first Board of Directors and is excited to support a unified front as Ecotourism continues to develop in Ontario.

Thanks to the continued support from the Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council, Fleming College and the Students of the Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Management program who all contributed to the success of this event.

Watch for next year's workshop series in November 2005!!!

The Perfect Rhyme was the Perfect Way
to Help the Peterborough Arts Community

October 13, 2004 - A benefit performance of the Highlands Summer Festival’s production of The Perfect Rhyme has raised $2500 for flood victims in the arts community in Peterborough. The amount was raised at a special performance of the play presented October 2 at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton.

"We are delighted with the outcome of this effort," Craig Saunders, president of the Festival said. "With the support of theatre patrons, the generosity of local artists and donations from almost everyone and every organization involved, we were able to make this contribution to the recovery effort in Peterborough."

Highlands Summer Festival responded to a call for help from the Peterborough arts community after flooding July 17 inundated the offices of Peterborough Arts Umbrella, Artspace and destroyed the work and equipment of a number of artists.

The fund raiser was supported by the cast and crew, who donated their time, the author of the play, Barry Yzereef, who waived the royalties for the performance, Haliburton Highlands Performing Arts Society which provided the venue rent-free and numerous visual artists and businesses which donated items for the raffle held in conjunction with the presentation. A number of donations were also received from Highlands Summer Festival supporters, who were unable to attend the performance, but who purchased tickets to support the cause. A donation was also received from CUPE 997 Members of Trillium Lakelands District School Board. Highlands Summer Festival covered the incidental costs and rounded the donation up to the $2500 mark.

The money will be sent to the Peterborough Arts Umbrella and Artspace, co-ordinating arts agencies in the community. They will manage the distribution of the funds in the Peterborough arts community.

Late fall colours boost business for local resorts

October 12, 2004 - According to a Globe and Mail article on October 12, local resorts and Bed & Breakfasts are benefiting from the late fall colours. The leaves are about a week behind due to a mild, rainy summer. While Thanksgiving normally marks the end of the peak viewing season, this year we can enjoy fall's spectacular beauty a little longer. Owners of two local establishments - Sir Sam's Inn and Ogopogo Resort - are quoted in the article, which states that an extra week of full rooms can mean a 20-25 percent boost in business.

This is also good news for our local artists who took part in the Studio Tour. The Globe article states, "Studios in Haliburton have seen as many as 2,000 visitors the past two weekends."

In summer, chlorophyll provides leaves with their green colour by absorbing the sun's energy and turning it into food. With cooler temperatures, frost, and fewer hours of sunlight in the fall, the chlorophyll breaks down, fading greens into the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that delight our eyes.

First Annual Rail Trail Relay

September 1, 2004 - It's all about something we learned in kindergarten . . . story and pics.