By Thomas Smith On Monday, my Dad woke up feeling off. There was a heaviness to his chest and something felt different to his breathing. He figured that his allergies were acting up, or perhaps…
Public health starts the year in the red
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The region’s public health unit has run a deficit so far this year. But Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit board members heard May 16 that the…
Porch Doctor aims to beautify Haliburton County
By Thomas Smith “We do deck, dock, and boat house coatings on plywood and concrete coatings on porches. That’s where the name Porch Doctor came from,” said Shannon Hulme, director of project services. “I moved…
Co-existing with Beaver
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. Those critters with the sharp buck teeth and hard flat tails are back and making their presence known. Beaver numbers were reported down in parts of the province…
A walk in the woods
From Shaman's Rock By Jim Poling, Sr. It’s been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the global COVID-19 emergency. Our world, however, still has far to go before celebrating…
Snowflake Meadows prepares for Magical Festival Fundraiser
By Thomas Smith “Snowflake Meadows has always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. It started after my parents unfortunately passed away.” said Kristyn Begbie, founder of Snowflake Meadows Animal Rescue.…
Marina sale stymies boaters’ access to lakes
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A marina that has served a number of Algonquin Highlands and Minden Hills lakefront property owners may be closing public access. And the property owners on three lakes…
A deer in the headlights
From Shaman's Rock By Jim Poling Sr. There are times when the political tribalism consuming us seems like a cancer that cannot be cured. Today, thankfully, is not one of them. I say this after…
Re-Open the Minden ER goes to Queen’s Park
By Thomas Smith On April 22, 2024, Patrick Porzuczek, founder of Minden Matters and Re-Open the Minden ER went to Queen’s Park to participate in the public hearings on Bill 180. “On April 20th, 2024…
The Mason Jar’s burgers a smash hit in…
By Thomas Smith Tara Schroeder and her husband Andrew moved to the county three years ago to help her parents’ cottage rental business on Hall’s Lake. Tara has many years of experience managing and working…
Life without bugs
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. This won’t come as a surprise: After a mild winter and wet spring it’s going to be a banner year for bugs. Experts say the mild winter allowed…
Hints that fishing season is here
By Steve Galea If you live with an angler, you probably have a sense that the fishing season is drawing near. This is very likely fueled by the clues that you might see in and…
My foxy friend
From Shaman's Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I’m opposed to feeding wild animals. They get to like human food, depend on it and stop foraging for their natural foods. However, I have a confession to…
MH Fire Department enacts S.A.F.E. program
by Vivian Collings Smoke Alarms for Everyone. That’s Minden Hills Fire Department’s new goal; to ensure households in the township are equipped with working detectors and educated about the importance of them. Thanks to Minden…
AH council seeks to name road
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Algonquin Highlands council wants a say in the naming of a road in a Kennisis River subdivision. But first, council will task the township’s museum committee for discussion…
Carbon tax and tribalism
From Shaman's Rock By Jim Poling Sr. Our federal government is running out of lipstick to put on the pig it calls its carbon pricing policy. But as the famous proverb notes – when you…
Minden Mercantile’s chicken day goes egg-cellently
By Thomas Smith Minden Mercantile’s first chicken day goes egg-cellently By Thomas Smith The Minden Mercantile & Feed Company had their first chick pick-up day of 2024 on April 3, 2024. An exciting day of…
ARC to launch new name at spring fundraiser
By Vivian Collings Soon, Abbey Retreat Centre will no longer be ARC. They’re getting ready to reveal a brand new organizational name during a spring fundraising concert, No One Dances Alone, on Friday, April 12…
Fourcast Addiction Centre breaks the stigma
By Thomas Smith Anybody in the catchment area of Fourcast’s five offices including Lindsay, Minden, Campbellford, Cobourg, and Peterborough can attend counselling and services offered. All of their services are offered 1-on-1. “All of our…
Ins and outs of ice
From Shaman's Rock By Jim Poling Sr. Many of us got fooled with ice out predictions this year. The mild, almost non-existent winter, had many predicting ice off the lakes in March. There just wasn’t…
Decriminalize possession and use of substances
By Thomas Smith Everyone has their vices, one way or another. Some people drink soda all day every day and have not had a glass of water in years. Some people eat a bowl of…