By Jim Poling Sr. One positive aspect of climate change is the theory that it warms our northern reaches making them less hospitable to blackflies, the spring curse of anyone who spends time in or…
Morning pages
By Laurie Sweig Writing morning pages is a method of journaling. It was created by Julia Cameron. It’s part of the 12-week process that is outlined in her book The Artist’s Way. Initially the book was meant…
On a patio
By Chad Ingram It came with a sense of déjà vu, the surreal feeling of a dream, fragments of familiarity.I’m talking about sitting on a restaurant patio, something I did during the weekend, and I’m…
Racism that degrades us all
By Jim Poling Sr. The sorrowful story of Canadian residential schools, established to wipe away Indigenous languages and culture, is back in the headlines.What returned it to the forefront is the discovery of unmarked graves…
Bump
By Chad Ingram Like some other Haliburton County residents, I planted my vegetable garden this past weekend. Admittedly it was in violation of my own rule of thumb, which is to not put vegetables in…
America: One sick puppy
By Jim Poling Sr. It’s refreshing to hear a politician say what he or she is thinking, rather than just tonguing to lick up votes.“It begs the damn question: what the hell is going on…
Little souls
By Chad Ingram Last week another gruesome chapter in the dark saga of Canada’s residential school system was unearthed with the discovery of the bodies of 215 children in unmarked graves on the property of…
The plant we love to hate
By Jim Poling Sr. There’s a shortage of everything this COVID-19 spring. Everything from lumber to foodstuffs to ATVs and nursing home rooms.Everything is on back order; everything except - dandelions. There are billions and…
‘Leaf’ us alone
To the Editor, While we have been at home not being able to travel and spend our money to entertain ourselves, our council has been busy figuring out how to relieve us of some of…
COVID summer: The sequel
By Chad Ingram While the official start to summer may be a month away, it unofficially commenced with the Victoria Day weekend. The May long weekend is of course the traditional kickoff to cottaging season…
Across the board
By Chad Ingram Last week, Haliburton County councillors agreed that when it comes to the creation of regulations or a licensing system for short-term rentals in the county, that discussion should take place at the…
Return of the messenger
By Jim Poling Sr. I am standing at the kitchen window, sipping morning coffee, when he arrives.He is but a tiny bright flash flitting by, nothing spectacular or unusual on a clear and sunny morning.…
Council lacks communication skills
To the Editor, While we congratulate Minden Hills council on what appears to be a successful negotiation with the new Junior A hockey team, it is unbelievable that the Minden Sparks, Brownies and Guides weren’t…
Unfortunate and disappointing
To the Editor, Re: No notice for Scouts and Guides, Minden Times, May 12 This decision by the Minden Hills council is unfortunate and disappointing. As a taxpayer for the past 27 years and paying…
Reversing Type 2 diabetes
By Laurie Sweig Recently I have heard from three different sources that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed. I had always understood that once you had Type 2 diabetes you had it for the rest…
Guides shocked by news
To the Editor, As leaders of the Minden Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders unit, we were shocked and dismayed to find out last week, through an article in the newspaper, that our current meeting space…
Scout’s honour
By Chad Ingram A little communication goes a long way.As was reported last week, a Junior A hockey team to be called the Haliburton County Huskies is set to take up residency in the new…
Living with threats
By Jim Poling Sr. Life is full of contradictions. They are everywhere. Just look at our everyday catchphrases:“Silence is golden.” Yet, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”“The pen is mightier than the sword.” But, “Actions…
The great race
By Chad Ingram By now, many readers have likely received their first COVID-19 vaccination, and it seems likely that those of us who haven’t had our turn yet will at least be able to register…
A tulip under the oak canopy
By Jim Poling Sr. When the gates creak open on our pandemic prison I plan to take a long, peaceful road trip.When I think long road trip my mind usually swings south. Trips like Route…
Obstacle course
By Laurie Sweig We’ve been stuck at home for a long time now. Somehow over the past year the extra time we got back from not travelling to and from work has been sucked right…