Five years

By Emily Stonehouse Five years ago today, I was toying between the idea of shutting down my computer, or letting it sleep. I am notorious for letting my computer drift to sleep; leaving the steady…

Elbows up

By Emily Stonehouse It’s been a weird few years. I think we can all agree on that. A pandemic and natural disasters and political fraught. And all of it, coming to us faster than we…

Try

By Emily Stonehouse When I was in high school - yes, our very own Haliburton Highlands Secondary School - not so long ago, we held a mock election. It was a good opportunity to understand…

Decisions, decisions

By Emily Stonehouse I like choices. Options. They’re nice to have. We all like a little variety in our day-to-day. Some say it’s the spice of life; keeps things fresh. Choices and options are what…

Flags

By Emily Stonehouse I have to say it. I feel like someone does. And trust me, I hummed and hawed on this one. A few weeks ago, I wrote an editorial about how Dysart et…

Engineering

By Emily Stonehouse My husband is an engineer. I remember asking him once what his dream job would be.  “I’m doing it,” he replied, with confidence. He works hard and enjoys the challenges and wins…

Aluminium houses

By Vivian Collings Housing, housing, housing How many times is that word in today’s paper? Short-term rentals, transitional housing, affordable housing, a lack thereof. Council’s approval to allow additional dwelling units on some developed lots…

Share your light

By Lynda Shadbolt It was a cool Saturday. I pulled on my Long Johns, my work pants, wool socks, a couple of layers of tops and a sweater, an old coat, mitts and a hat.…

Words to live by

By Steve Galea The other day, I was perusing through the 1960 issue of Sportsman’s Guide, a defunct magazine once mailed out by the people who also produced Sportsman Cigarettes. OK, I’m a little behind…

Farm life

By Steve Galea Like a lot of people, Jenn and I recently agreed to make an effort to lead a more simple life and to get back to the land in 2024. Her exact words…

A slice of my life

By Steve Galea In my short career as an old man, I have pretty well mastered the standard repertoire of old man skills. I can drive for miles with my right hand turn signal on.…

Restaurante Gazcilda

By Lynda Shadbolt We all love times when we feel looked after. That we matter and belong. When we are welcomed with open arms. I often contemplate how I can go into my day with…

The ones who made it home

By Vivian Collings Remembrance Day is a time for us to honour those who served in the armed forces and lost their lives in the line of duty. Physically, we wear a poppy and attend…

A farewell to Haliburton County

By Chris Stephenson At the recent September library Board meeting, I announced my resignation from Haliburton County Public Library (HCPL.) This was a tough day for me, and I had spent the weekend before calling…

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

By Steve Galea I think most people know that Thanksgiving isn’t for everyone. It is very unlikely that turkeys, for instance, are big fans of the holiday. In truth, I have never put a lot of…

Colour the world

By Sharon Lynch The world had turned grey. Monika and Jim were in the city for Jim’s medical appointment and Monika, good friend and neighbour that she was, had offered to drive him to the…

Every Child Matters

By Vivian Collings National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was on Saturday. It’s also known as Orange Shirt Day, a time to wear the vibrant colour to honour Indigenous children who never came home safe…

Monkeys in the middle

By Vivian Collings Timing is really incredible sometimes. Or should I say ironic? If Head Lake Park actually had a head with a thinking brain, I wonder if it would be reeling like mine after…

Henry

By Lynda Shadbolt Jim and I were in Orillia on the weekend for his brother’s wedding. It was such a happy occasion. Rob has had a lot of tragedy in his life, and we were…

Oh yes, we have no bananas

By Steve Galea I’m not entirely certain we have entered the end times yet, but I do know almost all the signs are there. For instance, I went to the grocery store the other day…

Let’s hear it for the boys in blue

I was never a hockey fan. I started the CanSkate program at age 4 or 5 in Minden. Efforts to convince me to play hockey bounced right off my pink helmet. I had my heart…