By Emily Stonehouse
Through the years, the colours, sights, and sounds of downtown Haliburton have shifted and changed.
Kosy Korner changed locations, Sharpley’s became Algonquin Outfitters, a variety of restaurants and boutiques have shifted gears and changed hands.
But one little sight that has stood the test of time, was seeing Linda Coneybeare at the travel agency, right in the heart of Haliburton. “I’ve been on that main street in Haliburton for over 20 years,” said Coneybeare, “I have fond memories of my kids walking in after school, asking for a toonie to buy some candy in town before we went home.”
As of the end of October, the seasoned travel advisor has decided it’s time to officially retire, after countless trips, and even more happy customers. “I’ve had lovely letters and emails from clients when I announced I was retiring,” said Coneybeare, “I’ve helped make a lot of memories.”
Coneybeare has called the Haliburton Highlands her home for her whole life. “Born and raised here,” she chuckled, “I’m a country mouse.”
But even growing up in a small town, she knew she wanted to see the world. “I knew in high school that this is what I wanted to do,” she recalled. “Originally, I wanted to be a flight attendant, but then I found out there was a way to get all the perks of traveling, while keeping your feet in one place.”
After working at an airport in her 20s, Coneybeare returned to the Haliburton Highlands in the early 1980s to bring the world of travel to the community. “And that’s when the first travel agency started in the Highlands,” she said.
Since then, she has truly traveled the world; Europe, China, South America, and more. Each experience nestling its place into her heart and mind. Coneybeare noted that many often ask about her favourite place she’s visited, to which she surprisingly replied is Jordan in the Middle East. “It’s truly the most welcoming country,” she shared. “Great education system, amazing artifacts. I am so fortunate that I got to see that.”
And her love for travel was contagious. From a young age, Coneybeare brought along her two kids, Patrick and Chloe, on many of her trips, fostering a love and interest towards different cultures their whole lives. “Being able to travel myself was amazing,” she noted, “but to be able to instill that love of travel in my own kids, that was the greatest part of the job.”
Coneybeare believed in the importance of working with an agent when planning a trip. “We always said that without a travel agent, you’re on your own,” she chuckled. She noted that it isn’t always the logistics that travelers need a helping hand with; sometimes it’s simply the confidence to believe that they can take the trip, that they can travel the world.
This support was particularly necessary when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020; changing the nature of travel around the world. “We were appreciated through covid, we helped a lot of people get home,” she said.
Once the brunt of the lockdowns were past, Coneybeare then worked with individuals to safely travel again, often navigating a mental barrier and opening up the world to new possibilities for travelers. “Last year was very busy, there was a boom,” she said. “It has never been busier than it was last year.”
But Coneybeare has gradually been winding down her career. When the pandemic first hit, she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer, and then she was required to work from home, closing down her beloved little office in the heart of Haliburton.
“I thought to myself, ‘okay, this is the end of it all,’” she reflected. “I worked from home, and it was successful, but it just wasn’t the same.”
But suddenly, after recovering from her breast cancer diagnosis and finding her footing from working remotely, Coneybeare said that her “stars aligned.”
Coneybeare reconnected with an old friend, Rob Freeman, a helicopter pilot and fellow avid traveler. “I’ve been to places that he hasn’t been, and he’s been to places I haven’t been. It’s a perfect fit,” she shared. “Wonderful things happen when you’re not making plans.”
The two are set to be married next year, and, after nearly 34 years as a travel agent, Coneybeare is going to retire from the industry, and the two plan on exploring more of the world together. “Never give up,” she said. “It’s never too late.”
Air Transat will continue to operate remotely in the Haliburton Highlands, now with Machenzie Vasey at the helm. A lifelong Haliburton County resident herself, Vasey looks forward to continuing on the legacy that Coneybeare has built in the community.
Vasey shared that it was an absolute pleasure working alongside Coneybeare the past few years. “We have shared many laughs, tears, and great memories over the years, and now a lifelong friendship,” Vasey said.
And while Coneybeare intends to travel and see more of the world with her new husband and a lifetime of memories from her career, she knows that she will always call Haliburton home. “To be able to live in the most beautiful place, but to be able to travel the world,” Coneybeare mused, “it doesn’t get any better than that.”
