By Britney Pagliuca
“You are home where you feel loved.”
I have carried this quote with me from adolescence, holding onto the idea that a home is not merely the place you were born or a house, but a feeling of belonging, acceptance and love.
I grew up in a suburb in Toronto. A misfit amongst the city dwellers, I longed for adventure and more time spent outdoors, but also a sense of togetherness that I felt was lacking in the big city. After I graduated from high school, I spent years searching for these things. I lived in Australia, British Columbia, Alberta, Thunder Bay (ON), and eventually made my way back to Toronto to complete my bachelor’s degree in history at Toronto Metropolitan University.
There I met my best friend, a homesteader of Tory Hill and local to Haliburton County. The invitation to live with her and her mom on their farm in 2020 was my first introduction to what makes this county so magical. Not only its beautiful lakes and landscapes, but its welcomeness and unwavering devotion to community and to each other. Three years later, now living in Minden, I am still so grateful and proud to call Haliburton County my home.
It’s hard to find the words to express how honoured and excited I am to be taking on the role as a news reporter for The Haliburton Echo and Minden Times. For me, it is a chance to immerse myself into the community through your stories, events, ideas and passions. As a reporter, I recognize my unique opportunity and obligation, to amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard, to encourage collective engagement and collaboration, and to share stories that make each of us proud to be part of this community.
A Haliburton local once told me that you’re only a local if your family has been here for three generations. I laughed. My family hasn’t even lived in Canada that long. So where is my home? Well as I decided throughout my many years of searching… you are home where you feel loved.
I have found that here, and so much more. And I promise to try, through my work at The Haliburton Echo and Minden Times, to give back to you all of which you have shared with me. Thank you for inviting me into your home and letting me call it my home too.
While some of you may recognize me from my time spent working at Maple Avenue or the Kinark Outdoor Centre, I know that to many of you I am a new face in the community – but a friendly one at that! Please feel free to introduce yourself or reach out to me at britneyp@haliburtonpress.com.
I can’t wait to meet you all and delve into all the things that make Haliburton County such a magical place.