By James Matthews Talk about an impossible task. Trying to lure health care professionals to fill vacancies on the heels of the longest, most difficult days of a pandemic is difficult. Stress and the heartrending…
Thinking about wildfires
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. You can smell hints of summer in the air and the promise of sunny, worry-free times. A worrisome thing is present, however, but for now it’s something requiring…
Minden physicians speak out
By Emily Stonehouse The Minden ER physicians have spoken. “This shouldn’t have happened now,” said Dr. Bruno Helt of the Minden ER during a private media interview. “In terms of the physician resources in Minden,…
Out of control
By Emily Stonehouse I am seeing people refer to the Minden ER closure as a “done deal”. This has those rallying on the front-lines bent out of shape. Yes, decisions have been made, but since…
Scoring goals requires passion
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I have never been a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Probably because I was born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, where most folks disliked southern Ontario and anything to…
County finds their footing with economic development
By Emily Stonehouse Ontario celebrated their province-wide Economic Development (ED) Week from May 8 to 12, which was a timely coincidence for the County of Haliburton officially adopting their economic development strategy on April 26,…
HHHS releases ER consolidation plan details
By Vivian Collings Tensions were high in the Haliburton County Council chamber as CEO and president of Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) Carolyn Plummer and HHHS board chair David O’Brien met with council for a…
Adding fun to fitness
By Emily Stonehouse If you are looking for a way to get to know the area, meet new people, and dive into exercise, then the Haliburton Real Easy Ryders Cycling Club may be for you.…
Local group takes a stand on privatization
By Emily Stonehouse The Haliburton Highlands Long-Term Care Coalition hosted a privatization referendum press conference on May 4 at the Minden Hospital The intention of the conference was to kickstart the voting process for the…
What’s in store this summer?
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. So here comes the heat. And, the heavy rains, big thunderstorms and the wild winds that accompany them. That’s what the professional forecasters are telling us. Their climate…
Minden ER closure ensures Haliburton facility can continue:…
By James Matthews The shortage of medical staff is at the root of the decision to close the Minden Hills Emergency Department. Haliburton Highlands Health Services recently announced the facility would close June 1. The…
Old growth area in HF makes national history
By Vivian Collings Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve leads the way for other private forests by becoming the first commercially-owned forest to receive conservation status in Canada. After partnering with the Nature Conservancy of…
As the waters rise
By Emily Stonehouse As I watch the waters continue to rise on the day that the township declared an official flood watch in effect, I wonder what’s next. These past few weeks have been heavy.…
The trees of our lives
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. ’m in the woods looking for white spots that might be fuzzy pussy willow catkins, a true sign of spring. I see a couple of white spots, but…
Words
By Emily Stonehouse We see them all day every day. They can be big, small, fleeting, or significant. Words can make a difference. Last week, I was given the opportunity to sit in on a…
Covid on the brain
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I’m certain that the Covid virus has infected peoples’ brains, pulling them down to new levels of meanness and stupidity. I don’t have any medical evidence to support…
Council speaks out about ER closure
By Emily Stonehouse Minden council is not on board for the Minden emergency room closure, scheduled for June 1 2023, at which point all emergency services in the county would be permanently relocated to the…
Scott and Schmale weigh in on Minden ER…
By Emily Stonehouse MPP Laurie Scott recognizes that the decision to close the Minden emerg effective June 1 2023 is difficult news to process. “Minden is rightfully upset about it,” she told the Times, “it…
Around the Town: celebrating the life of Patti…
By Emily Stonehouse A guiding light, a welcoming smile, and one of a kind - those are just a few of the terms used to describe Patti Fleury. Many readers would recognize Fleury’s name from…
Yes, it is our business now
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. There are times when we must risk the consequences and tell a friend that he or she is doing wrong. Canada has reached one of those times. It’s…
Minden ER closing June 1
By Emily Stonehouse and Vivian Collings The Minden emergency room doors will be closing permanently on June 1, 2023. As of that date, all emergency services will be operating out of the Haliburton Hospital. “This…