North Frontenac Telephone Company's crew foreman Ben Belanger monitors a machine on Wednesday morning on Independence Street in Haliburton as part of efforts to bring ultra high-speed internet and digital cable TV service to the area./DARREN LUM Staff

New year new you

By Cindy Campbell

Column – BIA In the Village

Published Jan. 15 2019

On behalf of our 120 downtown Haliburton businesses led by our volunteer board of management I would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year. Each January we all think of ways to be better whether it is mentally physically or emotionally or all of them. Some people declare resolutions or some people quietly make different lifestyle choices that will help them achieve their goals.

Regardless of the change wanted just keep moving forward and you will see the results you desire.

January also resets the clock on all of the downtown Haliburton promotions and activities. We also take the time to look back on our 2018 accomplishments at our annual general meeting scheduled for Tuesday Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Dysart et al council chambers. We will celebrate our businesses that won window decorating contests and the winner of the 2018 BIA VIP award. Mayor Andrea Roberts will also present an address and the board of management will present the 2018 financial statements and 2019 budget. Please know that this AGM is open to the public and we welcome your attendance to learn more about what we do to promote downtown Haliburton as the only shopping destination that you need. See you on Feb. 5!

Frost Fest is just around the corner and we are excited to celebrate our winter activities with you on Saturday Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides pony rides and the famous Polar Bear Dip at 1 p.m. co-ordinated by the Haliburton and District Lions Club. Jim Frost is the contact for the Polar Bear Dip and he can be reached at 705-457-4031. Pledge forms for the dip can be picked up at the Foodland or Cranberry Cottage both conveniently located in downtown Haliburton Todd’s Independent Grocer in Haliburton and the West Guilford Shopping Centre. Proceeds from the Polar Bear Dip will go to Sick Kids Hospital and our local hospital – both great service providers.

There will be many more great promotions throughout the year – some you have enjoyed year after year and some new ones. We welcome your ideas and thoughts and would love to hear your suggestions so please email them to haliburtonbia@mail.com.

Everyone in downtown Haliburton is committed to the #BuyCloseBy campaign to encourage you to purchase everything you need right here at home in Haliburton. Remember that every dollar you spend locally is actually more than $5 invested in the community. It is your local retailers that support your sports teams hospital and charities.

So as we enter the new year what will you be doing to help make your community of Haliburton a better place to live? Will you be volunteering to help out a local charity? Will you be reducing your household garbage to help save our environment? Will you be taking better care of your health so that you can get out and enjoy all of the great Haliburton activities? Will you commit to #BuyCloseBy to ensure that your Haliburton remains vibrant?