By Christine Carr
I have been known by many things in my 34 years: Terry’s daughter (if you are in real estate); Johnny’s daughter (if you are from West Guilford); Shannon’s sister (most of my High School life); Ms. Carr (if you are at HHSS), and now I am adding one more thing to the list: summer reporter.
This ever-growing list is representative of why this community means so much to me, and why I am so excited to share my love of this community with the audience of The Echo and The Times.
Growing up in the Haliburton Highlands, community has always been an integral part of my life.
Coming of age in the same town as my mother, a Gelert native, and seeing my family’s history in the buildings around me taught me the importance of cherishing how lucky we are in this county for what we have.
Seeing the town’s history in the crumbling houses that no longer stand, but once stood testament to Gelert’s proud history, awakened my love of history and my desire to learn more about our proud community.
Attending the same high school as both of my parents, where I now teach, flamed my desire to one day return and help teach the youth in the county.
All of these things helped shape me into who I am today. They helped give voice to my love of my local community and my desire to give back to the region that raised me and my parents.
Although I moved away after high school, attending Nipissing University and obtaining degrees in English Literature and History, as well as my Bachelor of Education, I always planned to one day return home.
After University, I had the unforgettable opportunity to teach in Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario and Quebec, most notably the Cree community of Eastmain, Quebec.
These experiences helped shape me as a teacher and an individual, as I learned the importance of Indigenous People on the landscape of Canada, as well as the crucial role all Canadians play in promoting reconciliation within Canada.
Growing up in the Haliburton Highlands has helped shape who I am and my passions.
I love exploring the outdoors, whether by kayak or on foot, and escaping into the wilderness, exploring the forests and lakes of the County.
I love giving back to the community through my work with Rotaract Haliburton Highlands. This love for the area is why I am so excited to join the Times and the Echo for the summer and experience and share everything this County has to offer.
I look forward to the adventures we can have together over the summer and all of the amazing events and moments that we can share.
You can contact me by email at christine@haliburtonpress.com.