Podcast
County Closeup
Hosted by Elizabeth Oakley | Canoe FM · EN
At more four thousand kilometers in size, Haliburton County is home to just as many
stories. Every person living here has issues, interests and life lessons and CanoeFM is
here to share them. County Close-up. Bringing the stories in Haliburton County to life!
19episodes
Episodes
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Town Crier declares July 4th as CanoeFM Day
3w ago00:08:20Tap to summarizeBruce Kruger came to Haliburton recently, to make a special public proclamation and to celebrate a remarkable achievement. Kruger, surrounded by CanoeFM staff and volunteers, declared this Saturday, July 4rth as CanoeFM Day in Haliburton County in the lead-up to the station's upcoming fundraiser, the annual CanoeFM Radiothon, taking place July 3rd, 4rth and 5th.For 30 years, Kruger worked with the OPP in a variety of roles, including supervising the Tactical Response Unit, or TRU Team, until his retirement. But Kruger didn't just ride off into the sunset. No, this man, passionate about helping connect communities and celebrate significant initiatives, has been appearing as the town crier for Bracebridge for two decades and says it's his way of giving back.But it's not all ribbon cuttings and special events. The art of being a town crier can be a competitive activity as well. Kruger has been all over the world representing Bracebridge and his country with pride in so many competitions – too many to count, in fact both in North America and internationally. And the competition, at least during the events, is fierce. Kruger says it takes four judges to decide whose cries win from the field of competitors.
Transcribe →Ojibwe Spirit Horses Fundraiser at Abbey Gardens
3w ago00:09:04Tap to summarizeOjibwe Spirit Horses, also known as the Lac La Croix Indigenous Ponies or Indian Ponies, are the only known horse breed developed by indigenous people. Critically endangered, there are only 200 remaining in the world. They're shorter than other horse breeds, standing on average 13 hands. They have hard hooves and therefore do not require shoeing. The have fluffy ears and an extra nose flap to protect them from harsh Canadian winters.The breed met their demise when the settlers arrived in the early 1900's and culled them in order for agriculture to take hold on the land. By 1977, only four mares remained and were slated to be euthanized. A group of daring indigenous men smuggled the remaining horses out of the country to Minnesota to save the breed. Out of that the Ojibwe Horse Society was born. The organization aims to preserve, protect and raise awareness of the breed.Abbey Gardens was selected by Rare Breeds Canada as a suitable site for Chase and Sika, a Spirit horse pair who came to live there in 2012. Not long after, Maple was born and his parents taken elsewhere. A small white pony named Flapjack was brought in to keep him company. Sika's second colt, Sammy, came to live at Abbey Gardens as well. Now the three live a life of riley, with food, room to run and devoted caregivers. The horses are part of the curriculum for students of the Forest School and visitors can come by to spend time with them as well.But the truth is, feeding and caring for these unique animals doesn't come cheap. The cost of hay, medications and other essentials are rising just as they are for us humans.That's why Abbey Gardens is hosting a special fundraising concert on Saturday, July 4rth with local musician Carl Dixon playing in support of the horses. Angela Kruger, the Executive Director of Abbey Gardens Community Trust explains how the fundraiser came together and why it's a good cause.
Transcribe →Terry Fox Award
3w ago00:06:48Tap to summarizeIn April, Aurora Wesley finally heard the news she's been hoping for. Wesley became one of 15 Canadian students to receive the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and a $30 thousand dollar scholarship she'll use this fall at the University of Western Ontario.Caring for others runs deep for Wesley. When she was just 11 years old, she organized a fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society in support of her godmother who died after battling cancer. As part of the event, aptly called "Wig Out", Wesley and a group of her friends cut off their hair that later became wigs for patients who've lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. And every two years since, Wesley cuts her hair for the same purpose.Gifted with a personality that seems to draw people to whatever cause she's working on, Wesley began as an active member of 4H. Since grade 9, she's been a member of Haliburton Highlands High School's Interact Club and taken on a number of campaigns that benefit both the school and broader community, including the high school's twinned school in northern India.Wesley will be studying Business Administration at Western this fall then will enter the prestigious Ivy School of Business there. Though still young, she feels the responsibility of living up to the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award. It's something she feels will help guide her future and she appreciates everyone who's had a hand in helping her become who she is.
Transcribe →Moorelands Camp
3w ago00:10:42Tap to summarizeSince 1917, the not-for-profit Moorelands Camp has been offering opportunities for children from low-income neighborhoods to realize their potential to succeed. The camp, rooted in positive youth development, allows kids to develop leadership skills in a safe and fun environment.Colette Halferty is the director of Development and Communications for Mooreland Kids & Community Services, the parent organization that runs both the summer camp and year-round programs throughout Toronto. She says the camp is a magical place that's changed and improved the lives of kids living on the margins.That's why she's excited to announce the organization's recent decision to expand their reach, inviting marginalized kids from Haliburton County to come experience the camp through the Join my Journey campaign.
Transcribe →Green Burials
3w ago00:12:36Tap to summarizeAfter the death of their son Kyle in 2019, Terry Moore and his wife Shirley launched the Haliburton Highlands Green Burial Society seven years ago with the hope of establishing a green burial site here. Sadly now both Shirley and Kyle are buried in St. Stephens Cemetery in Algonquin Highlands, the first green burial site in the region. It's a bittersweet accomplishment but one Moore takes comfort in.A green burial—or natural burial—is an eco-friendly approach to death care that allows a body to decompose naturally and return to the earth. It eliminates the use of embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, and non-biodegradable caskets, instead utilizing sustainable materials to minimize environmental impactMoore recently invited CanoeFM to visit the cemetery where his wife is the first person to be buried in the green burial site.
Transcribe →The Reid House
3w ago00:12:33Tap to summarizeThe moment one steps into Reid House, it hits you. It's no longer 2026, it's entirely 1882. To the left of the front door is the more formal parlor, complete with an ornate woodstove and furniture reflective of the period. A staircase to the right leads to the upstairs bedrooms and the hallway leads to the kitchen, where families would spend most of their time together.There's a quiet here, a reverence, as though you've been granted the privilege to be there, to explore and see how people lived more than one hundred and forty years ago. Kate Butler , is the Director of the Haliburton Highlands Museum. She takes pleasure in explaining the home's unique character and the family that lived there. For her, Reid House reflects the story of Haliburton and the creation of the museum.That's why Butler invited CanoeFM to tour the recently reopened Reid House, which had been closed for its roof to be repaired. As summer approaches, tourists, cottagers and locals will soon flock to the museum and now Reid House is ready for its close-up.
Transcribe →Best Before Dates
3w ago00:10:18Tap to summarizeAccording Second Harvest, Canada's largest food rescue organization, Canadians waste approximately $58 billion dollars' worth of food each year, an estimated 13 hundred dollars per household due to confusion of best before dates and the fear of consuming inedible food. And at a time when the staggering cost of food is putting the squeeze on consumers, understanding the difference between expiry dates and best before dates is vitally important to protect your health and save money.Matt Faris is an environmental health manager with Lakelands Public Health, specializing in food safety and health hazards. He said the most important thing consumers need to know is that best before dates have nothing to do with food safety. He spoke to CanoeFM recently to say the confusion surrounding best before dates is causing consumers to throw food out that is still safe. In doing so, given the growing cost of food, they then spend more on groceries than they need to.
Transcribe →Beer Store Empties Returns
3w ago00:06:27Tap to summarizeSince May 2024, the Beer Store has closed one hundred and ten retail locations across the province. The original agreement stated that grocery stores were obligated to take back empty alcohol containers. But now, after numerous grocery chains lobbied against the policy, they are no longer responsible for doing so. The result? People in rural communities have to drive out of their way to return their empties if they want the deposit payout.But, increasingly what's happening is those empties are more likely to end up in a recycling bin at the landfill instead. The closure of Beer Store locations across Ontario has severely hampered the Ontario Deposit Return Program. Ontarians lost an estimated $60 million in unredeemed deposits as rural residents face longer travel times to reclaim their $0.10 or $0.20 fees.The Beer Store in Haliburton closed earlier this year and the only remaining official Beer Store retail outlet is in Minden. Grocery stores like both Foodland and Todd's Independent do not accept empties.CanoeFM spoke to a number of local residents and cottagers who are having to find alternative solutions to deal with their empties.
Transcribe →Lorne VanSinclair Wins CRABO Award
Jun 800:08:47Tap to summarizeLorne VanSinclair has been fascinated by the power of radio and music since he was a little boy. And it's that fascination that's led him to carve out a career in both radio and music that's won the appreciation of both listeners and radio associations.Though not formally trained, VanSinclair found creative ways to get on air. He worked at CBC in Toronto as a technician and would suggest program ideas that would lead to him running with them. Over the years, VanSinclair worked at CHFI as a regular guest on Don Daynard's Saturday Night Oldies show. He was on CKLN, and CUIT both in Toronto, as well as CFOR in Orillia.But it was Haliburton County's own CanoeFM where VanSinclair launched his internationally syndicated show Backbeat in 2019. That show is broadcast on nearly 30 campus and community radio stations across Canada, the US and web streams in Germany.Recently, VanSinclair was awarded his second Community Radio Award in Broadcast and Online, otherwise known as a "CRABO" for his vintage music show in the Best Blues or Similar Music Show category. In 2024, he won a CRABO in the Best Music Variety category. VanSinclair credits CanoeFM for taking a chance on him and nurturing his show along the way.
Transcribe →Minden Foodland Celebrates 70 years
Jun 800:05:29Tap to summarizeWhen Joe and Peter Dollo came home from World War II, the brothers decided to go into business. Together, with the support of their wives Florence and Christina, the Dollos opened a small grocery store on Minden's main street. It was 1946, and the small store became the family business, with everyone pitching in to make it a success.That's the origin story of Minden's Foodland, now celebrating 70 years in business and the four generations who made it a valued part of the community. Through all the years, the store and the family behind it, are looking back with pride and looking forward to a special reunion event that takes place Saturday, June 13that the Minden Hills Community Centre.John Davis was 14 when he started working at the Dollo's family grocery store in 1966. He bagged groceries and then carried them out to customers' cars or even their boats. He moved into the produce section, then the meat department and eventually he became the Meat Manager. Little did he know at the time that the experience would lead to his own career in the grocery industry. And all these years later, Davis is excited to join family, friends and Foodland co-workers together to celebrate how a dream by two brothers has grown into a Minden staple.
Transcribe →