Maple Lake Ontario

Bear’s Lair Competition in Peterborough features Haliburton’s Brandi Hewson!

Ξ March 1st, 2011 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, Canada, Contest, cottage country, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, news, Ontario |

I’m kicking myself that I didn’t start following the Haliburton Creative Business Incubator on FaceBook sooner. They have great up-to-the minute news on people who keep Haliburton vital business-wise. My opinion is that it is crucial to have a balance of business and beauty in the Haliburton Highlands! From  a FB ‘wall posting’ today:

Brandi Hewson of Wai Products

‘Tonight Brandi Hewson of Wai Products will be one of the four finalists at the Bear’s Lair competition in Peterborough. Having won the regional competition in Haliburton, Brandi goes onto the big stage in search of prizes and recognition for her business. Robert Herjavec, from The Dragons’ Den will participate at the Grand Finale as the keynote speaker and guest judge. ‘ -Good Luck Brandi!

Haliburton Creative Business Incubator – Haliburton County – A Year-round Destination

Ξ April 19th, 2010 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, art/crafts, business, Canada, community, cottage country, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, news, NON paid Post, Ontario |

Haliburton County - A year-round destination

I’ve blogged about some of the many resources and activities on this blog throughout what some people might think of as the Haliburton “off-season” but there really is no off season in Haliburton County any longer.

Since the area was settled, there has of course been “year-rounders”–those folks that took up permanent residence while the rest of us returned to our city or suburban lives. No so anymore.

There is a plethora of activities indoor and out throughout the year in Haliburton County–just skim back through my winter months posts to get an idea (though I documented but a small portion due to time constraints).  The car racing on ice was an activity that really tickled my fancy having never seen such a thing but the creative and crafty goings on at the Rails End Gallery and The Art Hive are two destinations that I could and would appreciate year-round.

But the fact is there is plenty of room for more business in Haliburton–and Haliburton has the resources to help businesses, especially smaller or start -up businesses take root. Both the year-rounders and the permanent residents can benefit by taking part in new and exciting endeavors or become patrons of new businesses that have found their way to Haliburton County. Here’s a short, informative, nicely-written article from the Haliburton County Echo on just how crucial efforts like this and others can be to the livelihood of Haliburton County.

Now for the details of the Haliburton Creative Business Incubator–a great opportunity for the many types of businesses in the creative business arena.

An announcement forwarded by the County of Haliburton, Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Marketing:

Four spaces will soon be available to emerging entrepreneurial businesses in the Haliburton Creative Business Incubator, located in one of Ontario’s most beautiful and vibrant locations. Renovations to the former Haliburton Public Library building are now underway and we anticipate that we will be ready for clients to move in by mid June.

Our application package provides

* Information on our program
* Details of work spaces available and costs
* Steps for selection and the selection process
* Minimum qualifications for eligibility
* Evaluation criteria
* Application form

Get your applications in as soon as possible. Applications received by April 30th, 2010, will receive priority consideration. Successful Candidates will be contacted in early May and invited to come to Haliburton for a personal interview.

This is a wonderful opportunity for young businesses looking to establish in a location that offers a beautiful natural environment, a vibrant community and a “relaxed” business style.
Our low monthly costs include a dedicated space for each business, broadband services, access to training seminars and a mentoring program which will provide experienced business people to our clients as advisors. We will also assist clients in their search for suitable living space.

We invite you to do business with the world while enjoying the wonders of the Haliburton Highlands. Contact us right away for your ticket to a “business life with lifestyle”.
If you’re not a candidate for the Creative Business Incubator but know of a creative business that might be the right fit, please pass this news to them. It just might be one of the best recommendations you make.

Important Dates:

*
April 30th, 2010 for applications to receive priority consideration
*
Early May contact for successful candidates
*
Personal interviews in May
*
Facility availability mid to late June

Examples of Creative Businesses:

* Arts administration and education – development and curation, visual art appraisal.
* Architecture design and planning – commercial, residential, landscape architecture and landscape planning, environmental planner, land use planner, community and urban planner.
* Business service consultant – human resources, business management, research, marketing.
* Communications – advertising, public relations, media relations, publicist, promotions, fundraising, consultant, photo journalist.
* Craft – artisans working in: clay, fibre, glass, leather, metal, paper, wood, decorative painting, mixed media
* Culinary – work in the styling and presentation of food
* Cultural Heritage – restoration, conservation, preservation, research, presentation of artifacts, information and buildings of cultural and/or historical significance, archiving, archeology
* Dance – choreography design
* Design Arts – interior and kitchen design, landscape, graphic design, furniture design, fabric design, fashion design, jewelry design, pattern design.
* Illustration – commercial or medical illustrator.
* Information Technology – IT consultant, computer/informatics consultant, management information systems, geomatics.
* Writing, Editing and Publishing for the Performing Arts, Literature & Business – in any medium, including advertising, and technical writing.
* Media Arts – video, film, web, and multi-media development including animation, and illustration – Web and application programmer, computer game developer, computer programmer, e-business software, developer, interactive media developer, software developer/programmer
* Music – composing, performing, recording
* Photography – commercial, industrial, portrait or as a fine art, also framing and restoration.
* Research – in any area including, but not limited to business, the arts, culture and heritage
* Theatre – teaching, directing, producing, coaching
* Visual Art – those involved with painting, sculpture, drawing, or creation of visual art in any medium.
* Defies Description – is a combination of any disciplines above.

Mail Your Application To:
Haliburton Creative Business Incubator
P.O. Box 210
c/o Haliburton County Development Corporation
49 Maple Ave, Unit 4
Haliburton, ON. K0M 1S0

Or Contact: Mike Jaycock, Project Consultant
Email: hcbi@bell.net
Phone: (705) 754-9996
Blog: http://hcbi.wordpress.com

County of Haliburton – Broadband Outreach Program Internet Courses For $10!

Ξ September 2nd, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Algonquin Township, Haliburton Highlands, business, Canada, community services, computer, cottage country, Haliburton, Haliburton Highlands, Internet, Lecture, Maple Lake Ontario, news, NON paid Post, Ontario, personal, service(s) |

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

Minden Lecture: The Wonderful World of Genealogy June 10-11

Ξ June 4th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, family, Haliburton Highlands, Lecture, Minden Hills Township, NON paid Post |

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.

The Art Hive: I Found It at the Dump

Ξ May 6th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ art/crafts, business, Canada, cottage country, events, fun activity, Haliburton Highlands, jewelry, Maple Lake Artisans, Maple Lake Ontario, NON paid Post, opinion, personal, shopping |

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

Ontario to hit record $14.1B deficit in 2009(!)

Ξ March 27th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, Canada, financial, government/politics, Maple Lake Ontario, me, news, Ontario, opinion, Travel/Vacation, United States |

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.

Ontario, Canada Photos – Spring 2009 Emerging – Haliburton Highlands, Southern, Central Ontario

Ξ March 19th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, Canada, cottage country, Haliburton Highlands, Internet, marine/marina, Ontario, opinion, personal, Photography, Travel/Vacation, webcam, winter |

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

Barack Obama: Pretty Cool Guy/Short Term Weekend Weather for Haliburton Highlands/Maple Lake

Ξ February 20th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, Canada, financial, government/politics, Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, United States, weather, winter |

I was quite tickled by a number of photos taken in Ottawa yesterday.

In re: the maple cookies which Obama tried to buy for his daughters, Sasha and Malia: He must be freaking the Secret Service right out.

Take a look at the looks on their faces  when Obama wanders into a shop  to buy a souvenir–they are intensely staring at the arms/hands of every person that is near Obama.
CLICK to enlarge!

Several Canadain News Reports:

Why are they not scanning the room? Because there’s more guys just
steps away. The Secret Service hardly make a secret of their Now the weather. 

From having the blues to getting gator bitten

Ξ November 9th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ blogging, business, Internet, Ontario, personal, Photography, technical |

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.

Why I’m Frustrated

Ξ September 23rd, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ business, Haliburton, image, Internet, marine/marina, opinion, Photography, webcam |

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