From charitable events with an emphasis on support of communities in the Highlands, to a chance to meet real-time Iditarod adventurer Hank DeBruin to African Film Night and much more, there is always something happening in the Haliburton Highlands that appeals to a diverse range of interests. Speaking of ‘diverse’, that is one word to describe south eastern Ontario weather of late. I snapped some southern Ontario webcam shots today, April 24, which should give you an idea of conditions in the area right now. Pretty pictures/cold weather.
What’s Happening in the Haliburton Highlands NOW! November 23-30, 2011:
Festival of Trees:
November 25-27 2011
The Minden Hills Festival of Trees is a magical event for the entire family, filled with wonderful things to see, interesting shops to visit, and fun activities for children–all with a Christmas theme. Enjoy the lights and outdoor arrangements as you stroll throughout the grounds. Be sure to check out the children’s art & craft workshop in the Schoolhouse and don’t forget a visit to the Sugar Plum Candy Shop!
Minden Hills Cultural Centre
176 Bobcaygeon Rd. Minden
Contact: Sian Cox
Tel: (705) 286-2808
Email: culturalcentreinfo@mindenhills.ca
www.mindenculturalcentre.com
Community Care Haliburton County Christmas Bowling Party
November 26 2011:
Annual Community Care Haliburton County Christmas Bowl-a-thon.
All proceeds to benefit local residents accessing services provided by Community Care. Enabling seniors and adults with disabilities to remain at their place of residence and live independently. Two flight times, 1:30pm or 3:45 pm teams or individual registration welcome (Minimum $20.00 pledge to bowl for free) Great time, all ages welcome….see you there. To register call Hilary at 705-457-2941 or Val 705-286-3900
The Fast Lane Hwy 35 Minden
Contact: Val Lennox
Tel: 705-286-3900
Email: thefastlane@hotmail.ca
(Hope you made it to this! I really would have went!)
Haliburton Village Santa Claus Parade
November 25 2011
Theme: “A Pioneer Christmas” Spectacular Night Parade starts at 6:30pm Bands, Floats, Marchers, Horses. Join in the fun – to enter call Jim at 705-457-4031.
Haliburton Village Highland Street
Contact: Jim Frost
Tel: 705-457-4031
Email: frostdownhome@bellnet.ca
http://haliburtonbia.ca/haliburtonbia
Township of Minden Hills Santa Claus Parade:
November 26 2011
Parade start time 11:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Township of Minden Hills in partnership with its volunteers, local businesses and organizations. We will be commencing from the public parking lot across from the Fire Hall, please bring your float between 10-10:30 so we may organize all floats. Come and meet Santa after the parade, hot chocolate, free photographs with Santa, treats…lots of fun for the kids and kids at heart! Hope to see you there! Parade route from the public parking lot, Newcastle Street to Bobcaygeon Road, north on Bobcaygeon to Parkside and right to the Minden Arena.
Minden Village
Tel: 705-286-1936
Email: rcox@mindenhills.ca
Santa Day at Rails End SATURDAY!:
November 26 2011
Enjoy a visit with Santa from 1 – 3 pm at Rails End Gallery!
Volunteers will present a FREE seasonal craft activity and everyone is welcome. Bring a contribution for our non perishable FOOD SCULPTURE – and join in its creation.
The Photo Shop will be there taking Santa pics too! ($5). This event is presented by Rails End in partnership with the Haliburton Village BIA.
Rails Gallery and Arts Centre
23 York St. Haliburton
Contact: Laurie Jones
Tel: 705-457-2330
Email: info@railsendgallery.com
www.railsendgalley.com
Community Christmas Tree Lighting & Carol Sing!!!
November 27 2011 – Dorset
Community Christmas Tree Lighting, hot chocolate, hot dogs and carol singing at 4:30 p.m.
NOW is the time to give to The Fresh Air Fund—in any way you can:
Summer '94
Literally, all my life I’ve had a beautiful summer place to go.
Thanks to my grandparents, I grew up sometimes spending months on a crystal-clear lake in the breathtakingly beautiful Haliburton Highlands in Ontario, Canada. At the time however, my nuclear family had emigrated to Connecticut–just a stone’s throw from the great state of New York and where I spent the rest of my year. My dad kept the radio on especially in the morning and I’d hear PSA’s for The Fresh Air Fund. It was hard as a child to imagine what it would be like stuck in the suburbs all summer long–never mind the inner city! Later, TV adverts made an even more indelible impression on me that I was exceptionally fortunate as there were many kids who were not.
After over 130 years of giving inner-city children the joy of a summer vacation with volunteer host families and at Fund camps, ‘creating unforgettable memories and fresh possibilities,’ no one needs to remind the not-for-profit The Fresh Air Fund of what a fantastic difference spending some of the summer away from the city can make for children.
Read an excerpt from a recent news story on how summer resources for city youth are going to be even more scarce in summer 2011:
NEW YORK — A rising number of children can look forward to excruciatingly boring school breaks this year as budget crises in places such as New York, Washington, D.C., Houston and Detroit rob them of the activities and programs that have long defined summer in the city for urban youngsters.
Swimming pools are being closed. Recreation centers are locking their doors. Library summer reading programs are suffering. Openings for short-term jobs have evaporated.
Yet, with a shift in perspective, do the kids have to be on the losing end?
‘We can’t afford to have children who don’t have positive places to be during the summer’
In New Orleans, Mayor Mitchell Landrieu this year fulfilled a campaign promise to boost city funding for children’s recreation facilities and summer programs, despite the city’s economic difficulties. While last summer, about 700 children participated in sports and literacy activities through the city’s summer camps for children ages 5 to 18, this year the city is expecting to serve 5,000 campers with the help of local organizations, private partnerships and doubled city funds, said Gina Warner, the executive director of the city’s Partnership for Youth Development.
The city – where nine out of 10 recreation sites were damaged by Hurricane Katrina – will be opening 12 pools this year, up from seven the year before and three the year before that. And libraries will be coordinating with the city summer camps to keep children reading, Warner said.
Warner said that while her city faces the same economic struggles as its counterparts around the country, elected officials see the New Orleans summer programs as not only an investment in children, but also a crime-prevention tool.
“We’re a very tourism-dependent city, and so we can’t afford to have children who don’t have positive places to be during the summer,” she said.
Though the Haliburton Highlands weather during the transition between early and late spring can be less than delightful for outside activities, there is a virtual cornucopia of events being offered which should appeal to just about everyone!
Read on:
Haliburton Highlands - Easter Brunch Buffet
Just FYI, Easter is on Sunday April 24, this year. Yes, that is in just one week!
Get your ticket to Mother's Day Fun at Highlands Little Theatre!
Haliburton County Volunteer Fair
Everyone is welcome at the 2nd annual Volunteer Fair at the Minden Community Centre on Saturday May 14. And, lunch is provided! RSVP’s appreciated.
March break is in full swing in the Haliburton Highlands!:
I’ve got a big list of diverse activities to enjoy that including playing, creating, eating and more!:
Let’s start with activities that are scheduled for March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day).
Though some folks enjoy green beer on St. Paddy’s Day I’ve always been partial to a good hearty, Irish meal. If you enjoy eating, too here’s a great suggestion for where to enjoy such a meal on Thursday, March 17, 2011: Between 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Minden United Church (scroll down for location info.) dig in to St. Patrick’s Day Irish Stew and Biscuit Dinner.
St Patrick's Stew and Biscuits!
Earlier in the day on Thursday, March 17 there are several cool-sounding activities to take part in like:
Soapstone carving, wire sculpture, pillowcase sewing and design at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre through March 18 from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily!
Culture Club in Minden
Also on March 17th, don’t miss ‘Bend It, Bead It’ at the Art Hive! This activity is open to ages 7+. See below for more details.
Art Hive
There are two March Break Children’s Concerts slated for March 17th.At 10:30 p.m. check out Rick & Terry at 10:30 a.m. at The Minden Hills Branch of the Haliburton Public Library and at the Dysart Branch you can do the same at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Haliburton Public Library
Finally, on March 17 at the Art Hive is ‘Crafty Girls Playing with Paper’ in which you can learn to make paper beads and more. See below for all the deets!
The Art Hive
MUCH MORE after the jump including activities for March 18, 19 & 21!
