Fleming Collage, Haliburton Campus (Photo: Roger Corrao)
Hey there!
I’m spreading the news about the Internet Outreach Program’s series of courses through Fleming College that is being offered to folks in the Haliburton County. It’s been a long time coming but with the funds from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farm, and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) finally released Haliburton County can finally join the information age with the Internet. I’ve supplied all the information you should need (below) no matter if you are an absolute beginner, beginner through intermediate, or perhaps a business person building a brand on the world wide web.
I’m truly impressed with the diversity of offerings and the token fee involved for each series that should make this endeavour one that anyone can undertake.
It’s my understanding that broadband service is now or soon will be available to 95% of Haliburton County residents and the cost is extremely low.
I’m looking forward to taking advantage of this service next summer. Unfortunately, since the funding was held up and I needed to work from the cottage my spouse and I committed to a 2-year contract with a satellite Internet provider and the cost is ridiculous. I’ve been told by a Broadband Outreach Program representative that this provider will need to lower his rates to be competitive but I’m not holding my breath as he’s made no offer yet.
As my cousin’s spouse remarked, this guy should be paying us as we agreed to be the point of origin for his satellite dish so he could offer services to the folks on Maple Lake.
I thought he’d put some effort into marketing as we were promised a lower fee when 5 more people signed up. He never did much–at least not via his website–and he certainly won’t now and it’s become a real pain. Lesson learned. I simply wanted to spend more time at the Lake but the reality was I couldn’t afford to do so without working. Now I’m paying over two years many times more than I made in the sum total of two months using the service.
But back to you smart people for whom the waiting is now paying off. All the info on the almost-free Internet classes is below.
Enjoy!
County of Haliburton- Broadband Outreach Program
Internet Courses for individuals and businesses
at Fleming College for only $10
This series of courses is being offered as part of the County of Haliburton’s Broadband Outreach Program.
This program is made possible by general funding received through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farm, and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Rural Connections Broadband Program. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these reasonably priced, yet very interesting courses.
To register for the below courses, please contact Heidi Hudspith at the Haliburton Campus, 457-1680 ext. 6734Internet, Email, and You
This introductory level course is directed at individuals interested in learning about the exciting world of the Internet. Course content will include web browsing, email, social networking, accessing government services, and other uses of the Internet.
Section 1- Tuesday, September 15, 6:30pm- 9:30pm Section 2- Thursday, November 5, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3-Saturday, November 21, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Internet Safety and Security
This beginner-intermediate level course is directed at individuals seeking to understand and manage some of the perceived dangers of the internet. The first part of the course will address data and systems security in the face of spam, phishing, viruses, and junk mail. Secondly, the course will help in ‘webproofing’ systems and children from undesirable content and social interactions.
Section 1- Tuesday, September 22, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Section 2: Thursday, November 12, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, November 28, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Your Domain-Your Brand
This introductory level course is directed at small/medium business operators interested in raising a profile of their brand through a customized web domain. A customized web domain offers businesses a unique address on the internet. This brings businesses a high level of portability, visibility, and general perception of professionalism. The course will help in finding and developing a domain. Specific items to be touched upon will include business website and email basics.
Section 1- Thursday, September 29, 6:30pm-9:30pm Section 2- Thursday, November 19, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, December 5, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Understanding Web Design
This intermediate level course is directed at small/medium business operators looking to manage the development, or redevelopment, of a business website. The objective of the course is not to teach people how to program their own website, instead it is designed to help business operators effectively work with web designers. Essentially, the goal is to teach what is happening ‘under the hood’ of a business website. Topics to be covered include HTML, Flash, cgi scripting (php, ASP, Javascript, etc.), and database integration.
Section 1- Tuesday, October 6, 6:30pm- 9:30pm
Section 2- Thursday, November 26, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, December 12, 9:00am- Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00
To register for the below courses, please contact Heidi Hudspith at the Haliburton Campus, 457-1680 ext. 6734
In my ongoing effort to boost exposure for local businesses in the Haliburton Highlands I’m going to share with you something that I would love to take part in (but cannot, due to geographic obstacles).
One of the benefits it seems of growing older is that we grow more reflective. We are not in such a hurry and with any luck we’ve have grown wiser as well. From my observations it is generally mature folks who, lacking a number of specifics about the roots of their family tree, set out in search of knowledge that answers sometimes questions that they didn’t even think to ask. I’ve heard that the process of uncovering and discovering your heritage can be quite enjoyable. Certainly it must be rewarding after investing time and energy to finally come upon the answers that you sought and often information that you did not know was “out there” yet there it is.
Historical Reflections – The Wonderful World of Genealogy
June 10-11 Tammy Tipler-Priolo from North Bay’s www.ancestorinvestigator.com gives us three incredible talks. Wednesday night: “Where Can My Ancestors Be in Ontario? Birth, Marriage & Death Records” Thursday morning “Basics of Starting Genealogical Research” and Thursday afternoon “You Were Told You Have a Native Ancestor, What Now?” Pre-registration advised. Wednesday’s talk is FREE. One discussion on Thursday is $20 with both talks on Thursday $35. Free tip card for HHGG members. Door prize. For more information- Visit Website: www.mindenculturalcentre.com Minden Hills Cultural Centre Minden Contact: Minden Hills Museum Tel: 705-286-3154 Email: museum@mindenhills.ca
- Sharon Lynch’s Pottery Bowl
In an effort to freely support local business I’m giving a shout out to The Art Hive, a business that is mostly woman-run. If you have not visited yet I strongly urge you to do so.
I came across The Art Hive late in my stay at Maple Lake last summer and went inside to find a lovely and talented artist who welcomed me warmly and told me of the the many artists and craftspeople involved in “The Hive.” Many pieces representative of these artists are on display in the store.
My initial interest and reason for stopping by was not the art but the building in which The Art Hive is housed. Decades ago, it was a general store and I have clear memories of tagging along with my cousins–all of us barefoot–in hopes of getting some penny candy if we behaved. In the ensuing years the store has had a number of incarnations but I hope this particular one ’sticks.’ This is wonderful showcase for cottage country local talent that wholly deserves the support of their community as well as visitors who truly want to take home a beautiful piece that represents the Highlands.
Please read more below and clear your calendar Saturday afternoon on May 30. You’ll be glad you did!
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 9, 3-5pm
A recycled art exhibition and partnership fundraiser
Fundraising Auction will be held on Saturday, May 30th.
A recycled art exhibition and partnership fundraiser. Includes at least one component which has been reused, scavenged, found or repurposed. Entries can be sculptural, functional, decorative, wearable.
Visit Website: www.thearthive.com
The Art Hive, 10239 Hwy 118, 4 km east of Carnarvon
Phone: 705-754-0021
Email: thearthive@live.ca
1 Canadian dollar = 0.813008 U.S. dollars
Ontario will rack up a record $14.1-billion deficit in 2009
Ontario will rack up a record $14.1-billion deficit in 2009 as it commits billions to infrastructure projects and job retraining aimed at pulling the province out of a recession, provincial Finance Minister Dwight Duncan revealed on Thursday in the tabling of his $108.9-billion budget.
The fiscal plan also proposes corporate tax cuts to ease costs for struggling businesses and stimulate investment in Ontario’s sagging economy, which has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs in recent years.
The budget forecasts a deficit of $3.9 billion in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, followed by a deficit of $14.1 billion in 2009-2010. It anticipates Ontario will run deficits for the next seven years, with a proposed return to balanced books no later than the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
The province and the federal government have also agreed to harmonize the provincial sales tax and GST into a single 13 per cent sales tax by July 1, 2010, which Duncan called the “next essential step” in growing the province’s economy and improving competitiveness.
It also allocates a $3.4-billion contingency fund, from which an unspecified amount can be directed toward a bailout package for the province’s beleaguered auto industry once negotiations with automakers are completed.
You know what alarms me about Ontario’s fiscal situation? Just last summer the Canadian dollar was worth more than the American. For the first time ever we spent more to vacation in Ontario at the cottage that in my entire life! And I was completely happy to do so. Happy for Canada, happy for Ontario. But in less than nine months time the Canadian dollar has plummeted to be worth roughly 80 cents on the American buck! Call me fiscally naive but that seems really out of whack. What the heck happened?! And so quickly.
Here in the States we are up a creek with no paddle but this has been building for many years. I have to think that the Canadian economy was in a fix 9 months ago but something was over-inflated and it appeared you all were fine. Best of luck. We’ve got a long slog too so at least you are not alone. Hate to consider this but I’ve been told that as the US goes so goes Canada about 6 months later and darned if it’s not happening.
Second point. What is with the word “harmonize” when describing the fusing of the provincial sales tax and GST into a single 13 per cent sales tax? Harmonize? Really? The politicians really know how to spin.
And 13%? Oi! Even with socialized medicine as a benefit and that silly baby supplement that families get– a 13% tax? We have the highest sales tax in the United States and it’s 10.25%. Honestly, when I really start comparing the two countries I have to believe that Canada is not better off than the States. What’s next? Your infant mortality rates going up and life expectancy going down? Do you really want to follow the muddy path that the States has followed– or is it too late? I hope not. On both counts.
Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst, Ontario - March 19, 2009
Yesterday, whilst we were taking our dog Raven for her nightly walk, my husband remarked that “the snow is melting off the docks on Lake Muscoka.” He’d been looking at the webcam shot available on the Internet as he made the assessment. Since “the melt,” as I’m calling it seems to be underway (I’m never certain that there is not going to be another freeze of any duration–is anyone?) I thought it best to see what I could pull up on the Ontario webcams.
As much as I hate sounding curmudgeonly there remains only a couple of public webcams in the entire province of Ontario that give access to a nice scene. Otherwise webcams , especially those that are sponsored by business’s like oh say, the Toronto webcam by CBC television are absolutely unremarkable. The shot CBC shows could be of “any city” and it’s any city of not great beauty. Conversely, a second shot of Toronto Island sponsored by The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, though a long shot, is in focus and gives a wonderful view of the magnificent vista.
Toronto Island - March 19, 2009
It still flabbergasts me that a province like Ontario that depends so on income from tourism does not take advantage of the ever-burgeoning use of the Internet and strategically install tourism-inducing webcams in some of Ontario’s most gorgeous areas. I’m sure if the province put a bit of money into this and found some competent people to periodically make sure that the camera was pointed in the right direction, in focus, not obscured by dirt, debris, etc. that the pay-off over time would more than outweigh the initial cost of installing the cameras and the recurring cost of bandwidth that allows the showcasing of the picture pretty Ontario webcam shots.
If I sound discouraged, I am, mostly because it’s such a wasted opportunity for the province and frankly, that sharp minds in Ontario haven’t already thought to do this when so many residents have been industrious enough to do so, despite the fact that they are almost always selling something. I don’t mind adverts but in the case of Haliburton’s webcam shot “sponsored by Halcom Communications,” one must go to their site, which many of us are reluctant to do as doing so as a practice makes one vulnerable to cookies attached to one’s browser. I’ve actually written to Halcom asking it they could adjust/clean the lens of their webcam–got no reply. So they get free advertising and they give us next to nothing in return.
Kincardine Harbour, Lake Erie
Indian River, Port Carling, Ontario - March 19, 2009
Lake Kawagama, Dorset, Courtesy Mountain Trout House
Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst, Ontario-10-31-08
Sincere apologies to the small group of folks who read Maple Lake Ontario that the site has been unpredictable in it’s availability over the past couple of weeks.
I was using a host company that became increasingly less dependable and after trying to work with them to resolve the difficulties only to have them suggest ultimately that I take down most of this blog _permanently_ to “fix it,” I opted for another host for the website that had been recommended by a number of fellow bloggers.
It’s understandable now if you are wondering, “Was it her own fault?”
Nope. Don’t worry, I triple checked on that myself but the giant fumble in forgetting to fully transfer Maple Lake Ontario over to the new sever was not my doing. Being a brand new customer I should have had as my new host trumpets, them “do all the file transferring” for me. It should have been as simple on my end as essentially plugging in in a new address to send the Maple Lake Ontario name to it’s new host. “Should” being the operative word here.
They forgot to move the Maple Lake Ontario files and I ended up dealing with a succession of people at the new host, two of whom told me it was not their responsibility to help with that. One, I caught when he “found something” on his end (duh!) and he let out an involuntary “oh-oh.” With that he said he’d put in a ticket–but failed to get complete information so my website languished yet another day.
Again, I apologize to anyone that may have come back here after getting essentially nothing for two days.
As you may have noticed, in order to make some pocket money and pay hosting fees (and this year buy myself my first full-length winter coat in a decade–50% off at Old Navy) I do some posts for which I am paid well, pocket money.
I choose who advertises here and believe me, I turn down far more than I accept. But my point is the advertisers have a right to have their posts that I wrote on their behalf be accessible and my new hosting company prevented that, too.
I’m not sure what to do. At this point I’m adopting a wait and see attitude because there’s not too many other options.
Please wish me luck.
Montreal River Harbour Sunset
Even though my link says “Most Awesome Ontario Webcams!”, in truth, many of the webcam shots available are nowhere near awesome. I find this both puzzling and disappointing. I’m puzzled because when used correctly webcam shots of your area whether they be of an area of interest like a traffic cam or an area of beauty like the ones I showcase on this website can be very valuable tools. The benefits of a good traffic cam are obvious in alerting commuters to traffic situations. But the aesthetically pleasing ones have the potential to draw people to visit your area. Why, as in the case of Haliburton, is there an offering of a scene that is fuzzy and does not showcase the more attractive areas of town (and, for that matter, why is it the exact scene shown on one of their postcards for sale in town)?! This is a question I cannot answer. Haliburton is not the biggest offender–not by a long stretch. There are others in which the webcam shot is so distorted that one can never make out what the shot is supposed to be of! But here’s the rub. Someone is paying to host these webshots be they privately or publicly sponsored. If you are hosting a webcam shot of a blob–you are throwing away money.
My goal of sharing the webcams shots that are quite spectacular is to share the beauty of Ontario with whomever wishes to see it. I’m frustrated however because in a great many cases I can’t do so even though the link is there and the camera is turned on. I get nothing and therefore cannot share anything. No one benefits and it seems like such a waste and with that I’ll end my rant and show you some extraordinary shots of the sun setting tonight in Ontario.
No one expects perfection from a webcam shot but all of the shots below give a nice feel for the scenes that they’ve captured.
Mulligan's Bay
Parliament Hill, Ottawa
NW View of Penetangore River, Lake Huron
Silver Lake, Parry Sound
Sault Ste. Marie
The Minden Branch of the Haliburton County Library has announced that construction will soon start on a new 5,000 sq ft library. The Minden Branch will still be open during construction though it’s important that patrons obey all fencing and signs around the Cultural Centre.
If you are curious about what to look forward to when the project is complete you can do so now as the plans for the new addition are available to the public at the library.
I’ll keep tabs as the project progresses so you can know exactly what happening, when.
Maple Lake~ 06.09.2008
Amy Brohm, the Tourism Marketing Coordinator for the County of Haliburton, Ontario is a font of information about the Haliburton Highlands. I’ve included her newsletter sign-up addy below along with her contact info:
705-286-1777; 1-800-461-7677
abrohm@county.haliburton.on.ca
She sends out a newsletter weekly that is just jammed-packed with every happening you could possibly imagine–and it’s all right in the Highlands. Click the link that follows this sentence to get on the email mailing list:
What’s Happening In The Haliburton Highlands This Week
I cannot wait to get back up there. I will be pouring over what is going on every week. This is the year that I rediscover the Haliburton Highlands. My mom duties are keeping me here and that’s OK. One truly neat thing is when I do return, shortly thereafter my son and spouse and little dog Raven will join me. 
My son is currently taking Driver’s Education classes that he will have completed upon coming to the Lake. But he’ll be far from done. He must put in hundreds of hours over a nine-month period before our state will grant him a driver’s license. Until then he will drive using a learner’s permit and with an adult driver in the car with him. This will give us all the more reason to venture out beyond our little Maple Lake paradise.
Ms. Brohm has also included some great links in this week’s newsletter that I thought I’d share with you:
Haliburton Holidays
Haliburton County
Experience Haliburton
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