From Shaman’s RockBy Jim Poling Sr. No matter what calamity the world suffers, the only really important news in the United States these days is Donald Trump. News networks feverishly report his limo leaving Trump…
Another one gets fried
From Shaman’s RockBy Jim Poling Sr. It’s disturbing to see how intelligent people who get close to Justin Trudeau get burned.The latest scorched victim is David Johnston, the former governor general who Trudeau appointed his…
The end
By Emily Stonehouse It’s felt like the closing of a chapter lately. The season of goodbyes. The nearing of the end. We are getting emails preparing us for graduations, end-of-year dance recitals, and retirement parties.…
A nation of contradictions
From Shaman’s RockBy Jim Poling Sr. I don’t get out much, spending most of my time among the birds and squirrels who dance in the woods surrounding my place. So my recent trip to the…
Orange County?
By Emily Stonehouse Will Haliburton County go orange? It’s a question I’ve asked myself as I’ve watched the ER closure saga wage on. On May 25, Marit Stiles, the leader of the Ontario New Democratic…
It’s a dogs life?
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I’m in California visiting my American granddog Rusty. Rusty has had a rough year or so health wise. Breathing problems and fatigue that appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.…
A letter from Schwarz Law Partners re: ER…
By JAYSON B. SCHWARZ Let me begin this letter by saying how blessed I feel in being part of the community in Minden Hills and Haliburton County. My wife and I have lived, enjoyed and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
What would it take?
By Emily Stonehouse I’ve always been an early riser. The opportunity to watch the sun come up over a new day, that first cup of coffee before the rest of the house wakes up, a…
Advertising needs rethinking
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. My cell phone has one of those cute puzzle apps that help to keep my mind and fingers busy whenever I have a minute or two to spare.…
Maple magic
By Emily Stonehouse The County of Haliburton shared that they are diving head first into the world of maple. To no one’s surprise, the summer and winter seasons are taking a hit. Between unpredictable weather…
Standing up and speaking out
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I’m starting to see why Canada is a racist country, and why it will continue to be. It’s us, the people. We do little to stand up and…
Worrying about the Frost Centre
From Shaman’s Rock By Jim Poling Sr. I’m getting dark, worried feelings about the Frost Centre on Highway 35 just south of Dorset. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) bought the 40-acre site and…