It’s never too early to begin planning for this coming summer’s good times and with the holiday season upon us it is easy to get a leg up on your summertime plans when you make it a dramatic Christmas! You can enjoy a great summer of drama, comedy and music and between now through January 15, 2012 you can do so for a great price! Pay just $11o for a season pass to all 5 shows at the Highlands Summer Festival and for just $67.50 you can take in the delightful offerings of the Highland Opera Studio with a season pass! Christmas gifting couldn’t be easier and your recipient is sure to be thrilled. Be sure to read about the many choices in entertainment in the Haliburton Highlands by scrolling below and clicking each graphic two times for full enlargement. Happy Holidays!

There’s still plenty going on this weekend if you’d like to make fun holiday plans for Sunday, December 18!

Personally, I’ve always dug brunch with Santa, though I concede that brunch itself is a big draw. Read on to find out the deets on tomorrow’s BRUNCH with SANTA, A Winter’s Night with Wendell and Wheat, and the Highlands Wind Symphony Christmas Concert!

Brunch with Santa:
December 18 2011
Santa’s Brunch – 18th of December $2.00 from every Brunch Sold will be donated to Point in Time Feast on a festive inspired Buffet that includes; Home-made Soup, Salads, Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese, Egg Benedict, Home fries, Sausage, Bacon, Cheddar Perogies with Chive Sour Cream, Pancakes, French Toast, Featured Pasta, Carved Baked Pineapple Ham, Fresh Rotisserie Sage and Rosemary Ontario Turkey. Our Dessert Table features Mincemeat Pie, Apple Crisp, Carrot Cake, Rice Pudding, Jell-O & Pudding Parfait and Fresh Fruit. Santa will be visiting for Photographs with the Children at 10:30 am and again at 1:00 pm Santa’s Mailbox will be Open till December 12th Bring your letter with you! Adults $20.95++, Children 12 and under $9.95 ++

Visit Website
Red Umbrella Inn 1075 Red Umbrella Road Minden
Contact: Michael or Richard Tel: 705-489-2462
Email: info@redumbrellainn.com

A Winter’s Night with Wendell and Wheat:
December 18 2011
This concert features the wonderful duo of Wendell Ferguson and Katherine Wheatley. They are best of musical pals. Her heartfelt lyrics and stunning voice and his honest yet irreverent humor make their show both moving and hilarious. One presenter said “An absolutely transcendent concert”. Another said “She didn’t leave a dry eye in the house. He didn’t leave a dry seat”. The very talented Sheri Hawkins and Shawn Chamberlin will open for Wendell and Wheat.

Come early for dinner at the Wild Moose Tickets: $23/person (HST included) $17 (HST included) – Folk Society members/ Youth

Available at The Photoshop in Haliburton and Organic Times in Minden.

Visit Website

Or call 705-754 -3655 to reserve Presented by the Haliburton County Folk Society, a part of the Haliburton County Community Cooperative

The Wild Moose

1701 Wigamog Road Haliburton
Contact: Barrie Martin Tel: 705-754-3655
Email: info@haliburtonfolk.com

Highlands Wind Symphony Christmas Concert:
December 18 2011

The Highlands Wind Symphony Presents Its Annual Christmas Concert “Around The World At Christmas” Also Featuring The Highlands Swing Band With Jerelyn Craden Sunday, December 18th 3pm Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion Haliburton

Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Family $25 Available at Master’s Book Store in Haliburton or Minden Pharmasave

For More Information:

Call Andy Salvatori 457-2100 or Kelly Moore 286-3377
Northern Lights Pavilion HHSS Haliburton

Gilmour Ontario Sunset (late November 2010)

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.

Dorset Recreation Centre

1051 Main Street Dorset

Contact: Melissa Alfano

Tel: 705-766-9968

Email: drc@algonquinhighlands.ca

www.ahrecreation.com

More after the jump!

Image Transfer Holiday Decorations

November 29 2011

Image Transfer Holiday Decorations Instructor: Erin Lynch Adult/Youth Thursday November 29th 7-9:30pm $30 includes all materials. Accent your home or tree with festive decorations you have created using an image transfer technique.

The Art Hive

10239 Hwy 118, between West Guilford & Carnarvon

Contact: Wendy Wood

Tel: 705-754-0021

Email: thearthive@live.ca

www.thearthive.com

Cool Things that have been going on so far this week:

Book Launch: “A Raccoon in Sheep’s Clothing”

November 23 2011

Donna Bisschop is better known in Haliburton County as a fine artist then as a writer but to her, weaving tales with a pen comes as naturally as it does with a brush. Her new adult novel, ‘A Raccoon In Sheep’s Clothing,’ will be launched at R.D. Lawrence Place on Wednesday, November 23 at 7pm. A Raccoon In Sheep’s Clothing’ features the type of symbolism and metaphors that Bisschop is known for in her paintings.

The story is about Mack, a raccoon running for ruler of the world, an insurance agent named Harrison and a shaman plus various underworld beings, including the Red Fire Dragon. Things ‘heat up’ when Harrison is reduced to a mere eighteen inches in height and asked to become the raccoon’s campaign manager. The focus is on Hermes Seven Laws of Relativity, how what we are doing on Earth is unsustainable, that timing is everything and magic most definitely exists. It is a love story about how one small and insignificant being in the guise of Agent Harrison leads life from a place of integrity because sometimes that’s all there is left to work with.

This sounds like such an awesome book. I think it’s really important that we visit and revisit the realities of living on Mother Earth as well as recognizing the responsibilities that are inherent in being a resident. I also totally dig knowing that ‘magic most definitely exists’!

R.D. Lawrence Place

176 Bobcaygeon Rd. Minden

Contact: Donna Bisschop, Author

Tel: 705-457-9509

Email: earthart@interhop.net

http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Raccoon-in-Sheep#!/pages/A-Raccoon-in-Sheeps-Clothing/268583206518889

Remembrance Flag (click for detail) CREDIT: Richard Johnson National Post (CA)

SOURCE: National Post Staff   Last Updated: Nov 10, 2011 6:29 PM ET

107,161 Canadian soldiers have died fighting for Canada and in peacekeeping missions. With this in mind, the National Post’s graphics team reflects on the scale of the sacrifices of our troops.

SOURCE: Postmedia News   Last Updated: Nov 9, 2011 11:13 AM ET

By Glen McGregor

There is one line from the poem “In Flanders Fields” that in recent times, above all, commands our attention with its call, from the dead to the living, to remember.

“If ye break faith with us who die,”  wrote Lt.-Col. John McCrae, “We shall not sleep.”

Starting Thursday and continuing well into the next decade, the Ottawa Citizen will keep the faith through Twitter: starting at 11 minutes after 11 a.m. the account “WeAreTheDead” will recite the names of Canada’s war dead, one each hour of every day.

The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars, when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.

During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem In Flanders Fields on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.

The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the United States, Britain and Commonwealth countries.

The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921.

Today, the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.

PHOTO: Makeshift memorial to Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

At a makeshift memorial to Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa, Nov. 11, 2006. (Tom Hanson/The Canadian Press)

Paying Tribute To Fallen Soldiers On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause in memory of the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service:

At public gatherings in Ottawa and around the country, Canadians pay tribute with two minutes of silence to the country’s fallen soldiers from the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and peacekeeping missions.

(This Veterans Affairs map shows the gatherings for 2010.)

Also known as Veterans Day in the U.S., Remembrance Day was first held throughout the Commonwealth in 1919. It marks the armistice to end the First World War, which came into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a year earlier.

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved: and now we lie
In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium

http://www.flandersfieldsmusic.com/thepoem.html

Read more: http://www.thetfp.com/threads/remembrance-day-11-11-11.2341/#ixzz1dTtcc6zA

Who wouldn’t want to meet Mrs. Claus at her ‘sweet treat cafe’ on Saturday?

I’d love it if someone took photos and shared them!

Thanks to alavery@county.haliburton.on.ca

August 27 2011 Maple Lake Ontario Canada Sunset

Obi - swam out and jumped on the raft and then... what?

The clouds are part of my favourite thing about Maple Lake...I'm aware that I'm supposed to worship sunny days but some clouds make for a prettier picture!

'Giant Water Bowl'

More to come!

Chris's 19th - Roger, Chris, & Jim - August 20, 2011

After tomorrow it is officially vacation for Roger and me:

Chris has to go to school and work and Jim has a still-new job clocking in 6 or 7 days a week–and a real-no-excuses boss. Fortunately, Jim had a trip back east my see his grandparents not too long ago. <3

Chris is flying into Buffalo, N.Y. –20 miles from the Falls– on Friday morning—leaving Sunday evening. My mom’s memorial is on Sunday August 28th …with folks coming in to the Haliburton Highlands so we decided to make it more vacation-y and stay overnight at a close to everything place in Niagara Falls. Three stars that my oldest son helped me very much in finding–for cheap–check out the topographic map of how easy it is to walk to the Falls! Excitement!

Niagara Falls Ontario--topographic & map view

… then the next morning at 11 a.m.–perfect-ish for a night owl like me…pick up Chris and do something by the Falls before heading back to Maple Lake  until Labour Day… is the plan.

PHOTOS: Chris’s birthday at Fridays’ tonight- He refused the singing. (boo):

Chris 19th birthday aug20-2011-fridays-schaumburg-il-by cyn-mccrackan

- Plus:  No one* takes my picture – further proof

*only me

August 19 2011 - Son's 19th birthday Fridays with entire nuclear family!

Some Friday's decor that made me nostalgic and I was already _in_ that frame of mind! * On another note: Was I the only chick that thought Linda Ronstadt was hot like 'this'--versus her hot pants-period (later)? I thought so. She's got really soulful eyes.

Happy 19th birthday, Christopher!

After dinner we saw this film:

It was just OK…not great. A couple of the science-based plot holes really distracted me from the film. Also, they wasted Frieda Pinto (sp?) other than as eye candy.

The winter gave the stone shore wall a good bashing

My spouse and son are at Maple Lake–without me (!) ( It is a bit of a long story involving too much ‘stuff’ including the dogs,and work being switched up for both my spouse and me this year).

Anyway, the guys made the long trek in great time!– 12 hours or less and they went easy on account of taking the old Malibu. They sent these shots and as you can see it Maple Lake, Ontario, CANADA looks awesome!

Personal note:  However, I would love to put siding on the rest of the cottage! Will be happy to do it but need Dad to supply the material! (We’ll see if he reads this.)

We have special folks/lifelong friends coming up for my mother’s remembrance service at the end of August. Roger and I could get the siding done the week prior.

Dad?

Click to enlarge the pics!

Maple Lake Ontario - beachfront July 27, 2011 That tall fellow is my son.

How the cottage looked on Day 1 ( July 25, 2011)

Spouse in fornt of our cottage, looking darn good for an 'old guy' LOL :kisses:

I Love Canada!!!!

Happy Canada Day!

Credit and thanks to the Haliburton Highlands Visitors Centre!!

 

I was born in Canada and despite moving to the United States as a kid, I will always be a Canadian (have the passport  to prove it). Part of the reason, probably a big part, is that I was raised by Canadians. My mother especially, was pretty hardcore Canadian. I’ll offer an example. I’d come home from elementary school after being taught American History. Mother would always remind me that there were two sides to the ‘history’ I was learning and I was being taught the ‘wrong’ side! Example phrasing: “It’s all lies.” A bit confusing, pretty much a guarantee that I wouldn’t exactly excel  in my history classes but her intent was pure–to help me stay true to my Canadian roots. I have to state that 1. It worked and two, in a slightly less adamant way (having struggled with American History, I wanted them to at least pass it!) I told both my kids the same thing– to at least to remember you should make up your own mind about what is true and what is not.

Second thing that kept me true to Canada was Maple Lake, Ontario. Spending  years, over time, on Maple Lake immersed in cottage country beauty, I knew that a little piece of heaven exsisted north of the border–one that I continue to savour to this day and plan to savour to my last.

Happy Canada Day!