Credit: flickr photostream
How we celebrate St. Paddy’s Day near just south of where I live:

Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois - St. Patrick's Day - Dyed Green. This is nothing, really. About 80 or so years ago, engineers were hired to make the river run backward. Permanently. For sanitation reasons, I believe.
Above: Not the Haliburton Highlands–though very St. Patricks’ Day in terms of hue.
St. Paddy’s Day – Black Feather Band at Mckecks Restaurant, Haliburton, Ont.
Photo: Canada, eh?

Black Feather Band
March 17 2010 – St. Patricks’ Day
Featuring the incredible local “Black Feather Band”…6-9 pm, free admission, Come early to get a seat and a green pint…..:)

Mckecks Restaurant Photo credit: Canada, eh?
Mckecks Restaurant Recent News
McKecks opens stage to students (recent McKeck’s news – 1.27.10)
Everyone has a little rock star in them and it’s hard to get out of the garage or basement band mode when you live in a small town.
On Jan. 27, at ac: The Blue Line, from 4 to 6 p.m., students from the local schools are invited to the After-School Open Stage Program.
For two hours, kids can come and play their instruments, sing their hearts out and just rock out.
The idea was originally brought to Carl Dixon when he was informed that the local high school had stopped doing their coffee houses that allowed students to show off their talents. There was only one open stage but only a couple students showed up, so Dixon and McKecks decided to hold it off, and try to start the program back up later after renovations and the holidays were finished.
With those two issues out of the way students are allowed to come and show their stuff. Already a few students have contacted McKecks asking if they could come and do an act and no one has been turned down. There will be a $2 fee for each person’s act they would like to do with all the proceeds going towards The Blue Line – a charity run by the restaurant.
If you’re worried about limited space, and would like to reserve a spot for yourself or for your band, you can email Sean Carthew at bookwithsean@gmail.com. If you don’t play an instrument and would just like to sing, you can bring some karaoke music to accompany you and get everyone in the swing of things.
So come on out and show this town what you’ve got. Even if you’re a bit nervous come and see what the action is all about, you might just get motivated enough to jump up on stage.”
Mckecks Restaurant
207 Highland Street
Contact: Sean Carthew or Karen Frybort
Tel: 705-457-3443

Terri and Rick Performa on March 18, 2010 in the Highlands
March 18, 2010
Terri and Rick will be performing two concerts in Haliburton County on March 18th. The first is at the Minden Hills Branch of the Haliburton County Public Library at 10:30am and the second is at the Dysart Branch at 1:30pm. These concerts are free and everyone is welcome.
Contact: Sue Robinson
Tel: 705-457-2241
Email: srobinson@haliburtonlibrary.ca
www.haliburtonlibrary.ca
Food and Fellowship with a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Stew and Biscuit Dinner at the
Minden United Church
March 17, 2010
Come and join us for an evening of food and fellowship! Adults $12, Children, 6-12 yrs. $5, Pre-schoolers free. $30 for Family of 4 or more. Tickets available at Minden PHARMASAVE in advance, or at the door, or by calling 286-2136 or 457-1424.
Minden United Church
21 Newcastle Street Minden

St. Patrick's Day Irish Stew and Biscuit Dinner at the Minden United Church
Contact: Janet Heffer
Tel: 705-286-2136
Email: janet.heffer@gmail.com

Maple Lake Haliburton Highlands Short Term Weather 3.12.10
Haliburton Highlands Weekend Weather 3.12.10
Welcome to your weekend!
It seems that the not-spring-yet thaw is going to continue through next week. If you take a look at a number of the photos above (be sure to click through for the full size) you’ll see substantial melting of lakes and rivers as well as some very soggy-looking ski areas.
Today- Friday started with a bit of sun but as the day wore on showers moved in. They are forecast to continue overnight though only a ‘trace’ of precipitation will accumulate. The high today was 50°F and the low tonight will be 30°F.

Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Long Term Weather 03.13–03.18.10
Looking at tomorrow–Saturday expect isolated showers and a high temperature of 45°F. Overnight the low will be to a rather warm 37°F. Only a ‘trace’ of precipitation will accumulate on Saturday.
On Sunday, March 14, expect cloudiness and showers, a high temp of 37°F and an overnight low of 36°F. There may be 0.1 inch of rain accumulated.
For the start of the traditional work-week on Monday there is variable cloudiness in the forecast with a high of 50°F. The overnight low is expected to drop to 29°F.
Tuesday looks like a bright, sunny day with a spring-like high temperature of 52°F. Overnight, expect a low of 27°F.
Wednesday brings another sunny day with a high of 50°F. The low overnight is expected to be 27°F.
Thursday is expected to have cloudy periods though no rain with a high temperature of 50°F. The overnight low should be 27°F.

Four thousand-two hundred trees will be planted throughout Haliburton County through the partnership of Patient News Publishing with Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council through the Council’s Tree Planting Program. Patient News Publishing…is committed to environmental stewardship in all facets of their business operations. In addition to their current use of 100% FSC certified paper, Patient News Publishing has made a further commitment to planting trees with HHSC. The Haliburton Highlands Stewardship Council, a community organization comprised of generous local volunteers, dedicate themselves throughout the year to promote and support responsible stewardship of natural resources in Haliburton County, and deliver programs such as the Tree Planting Program.
The Tree Planting Program is designed for Haliburton landowners who are interested in reforesting their properties, restoring or enhancing biodiversity, preventing shoreline erosion, or simply creating wildlife habitat in their woodlots and shorelines with trees native to Haliburton’s seed zone. Patient News Publishing, in a generous effort to contribute to the stewardship of Haliburton’s natural resources while offsetting their environmental costs, is – in addition to planting trees – subsidizing 50% of every landowner’s tree order!
If you would like more information, or would like to apply by the deadline of March 15th, please contact Tracey with the Stewardship Council at 705-286-5205 or or hhsc.intern@gmail.com or to download the application online visit www.ontariostewardship.org/haliburton.

The Dorset Recreation Centre has announced a new day for it’s FREE Moms & Tots Playgroup.
The Moms and Tots Playgroup is now meeting on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm.
All infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children and their caregivers are welcome to to participate in this free weekly program.
Playgroup is a time for some fun and socializing with other kids & adults. Toys, books, crafts and more are provided free of charge by the Dorset Recreation Centre. The Moms and Tots Playgroup is self run so please bring your own beverages and snacks.
For more information, call Cheryl at 705-766-0874.
Dorset Recreation Centre
1051 Main Street, Box 99 Dorset
Email: drc@algonquinhighlands.ca
This is a non-sponsored post done as a community service for the Haliburton Highlands.
Special thanks to the fine folks who author the What’s Happening This Week! newsletter.

Photo courtesy of the Haliburton Highlands Tourism Dept.

Weekend Winter Trail Report Haliburton Highlands (CLICK to enlarge)

Weekend Winter Trail Report Haliburton Highlands Pt. 2 (CLICK to enlarge)

Ski Conditions defined (CLICK to enlarge)
Working on weekend and long term weather forecast–will be posted soon!

Haliburton Highlands Weekend Weather 2.20.10
The weather for West Guilford/Haliburton Highlands Saturday morning will be cloudy with sunny breaks with a temperature of 22°F. By Saturday afternoon expect mainly cloudy skies and temperatures rising to 29°F. Saturday evening will have cloudy periods with a temperature of 15°F and overnight Saturday it will be clear with a low temperature of 11°F.
Expect a 30% chance of precipitation throughout Saturday.
Scattered flurries continue through Sunday morning and afternoon with a high temperature of 18°F.
Sunday will be a mainly sunny day with the high forecasted to be 29° F . Overnight Sunday, expect mainly clear skies with a low temperature of 6°F.
Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Long Term Weather 02.21–02.26.10 (below)

Haliburton Highlands Long Term Weather Forecast 2.21-2.26.10
Looking at the traditional workweek on Monday you can again look for a partly sunny /variable cloudy day with a high of 26°F and a low temperature of 6°F. Overnight snow accumulation should be 1 -2 inches.
Tuesday, expect light snow with a high temperature of 29°F. The low temperature overnight will be 20°F. Snow accumulation should be close to 2 inches.
Wednesday brings a few flurries and a high of 34°F. The overnight low will be 18°F. Snow accumulation should be less than one inch.
Thursday, expect scattered flurries with a high temperature of 24°F. The low will be 15°F. Snow accumulation should be 1 -2 inches.
Friday brings more snow–expect 2-3 more inches– with a high of 24°F and an overnight low of 15°F.
Have a great week!
Please click the thumbnails for full size Haliburton Highlands Weekend Winter Trail Report – Feb.19-21, 2010

Please click the thumbnails for full size photos.

(Above) Blue Mountain Ontario – 2.19.10

Calabogie Ski Resort- 2.19.10

Kincardine Harbour sunrise

Reach Harbour, Lakefield – 2.19.10

Chapleau River Sunset (2.17.10)

Indian River, Port Carling

Niagara Falls – 2.19.10

Chicopee Ski and Summer Resort

Weekend Weather - Short Term, Haliburton, Ontario 02.13.10
The weather for West Guilford/Haliburton Highlands Saturday morning will consist of scattered flurries with a temperature of 11°F. Scattered flurries continue into Saturday afternoon with temperatures rising to 18°F. Flurries continue into Saturday evening with a temperature of 17°F. Overnight Saturday, look for clouds with clear breaks and a low temp of 11°F.
Variable cloudiness is expected Sunday with a high temperature of 20°F. Sunday evening temperatures are expected to be about 17°F with scattered flurries developing . Overnight, expect variable cloudiness with a low temperature of 13°F.
Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Long Term Weather 02.14–02.19.10 (below)

Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Long Term Weather 02.14--02.19.10
Looking at the traditional workweek on Monday, you can again expect scattered flurries with a high of 22°F and a low temperature of 17°F.
Scattered flurries continue on Tuesday with a high temperature of 22°F. The low temperature overnight will again be 17°F.
Wednesday expect a cloudy day with sunny breaks and a high of 20°F. The overnight low will be 13°F.
Thursday, the scattered flurries return with a high temperature of 24°F. The low overnight will be 18°F.
Friday will again bring scattered flurries with a high of 24°F and an overnight low of 18°F.
Have a great week!
Update/ Didn’t get a chance to post these webcam shots before–there are a couple of really nice ones. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: http://skihaliburton.com
Haliburton County Winter Trail Report – February 12-15, 2010
Updated: February 11, 2010 7 am
All HCSA Top trails are being groomed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights along with some of the other main club trails.
Snow is thin in some areas and that combined with extremely heavy traffic can quickly make the trails seem like they weren’t groomed. Please use care and caution when out riding, there are a lot of sleds out there and the trails get beat up in some of the main areas. The groomer operators are doing commendable work.
Moose and Eagle Lakes are now staked and Open.
The floating bridge is now installed. Signage is in place and the reroute of the trail through Minden north to the #2 and #4 trails has been done as well.
As you probably know, there must be a minimum of 10 inches of ice on any lake crossing before we will stake it. Please be careful and stay off lakes even though they look safe. Warmer conditions may have changed the status of the ice, so please be careful.


OPEN - Trails are groomed and open for snowmobiling
LIMITED- Trails may or may not be groomed. Expect marginal conditions and use extra caution.
CLOSED – Trails are Closed. Please remain off them.
Click to enlarge the Trail Report.
Thanks to the County of Haliburton Tourism Department for this report!

Miss Canada International 2010 - Canadian Ambassador to the Teddy Bears of Hope Campaign
(February 12, 2010, Haliburton, ON) The County of Haliburton is excited to announce that Bridget Nickerson, Miss Canada International 2010 will be in the Haliburton Highlands this Family Day Weekend!
A native of Nova Scotia, Miss Nickerson is currently touring across Canada. Miss Canada is strong supporter of giving back to her community and as such, she is the Canadian Ambassador to the Teddy Bears of Hope Campaign.
The Teddy Bears of Hope bring smiles and hope to children all over the globe who are lonely, underprivileged and caught in a web of poverty and despair.
Miss Canada International will attend the Haliburton Highlands Dog Sled Derby at the Pinestone Resort & Conference Centre on Sunday, February 14 where she will be available for media interviews and photos between 10 am and noon. She will also attend the Blue Line Charity Auction at McKeck’s on Sunday from 4 to 6pm. On Monday, she will enjoy some of the great winter activities the Haliburton Highlands has to offer before continuing her journey across Canada.
Thanks to the County of Haliburton, Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Marketing!
This is a non-paid post in support of the County of Haliburton and the Haliburton Highlands.

Ice racing - Minden, Ontario, 2010
Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Short Term Weather Forecast 2.06.10 (below)

Weekend Weather - Short Term, Haliburton, Ontario 02.06.10
The weather for West Guilford/Haliburton Highlands Saturday morning will be mainly sunny with a temperature of 0°F. By Saturday afternoon expect sunny skies and temperatures to rise to 15°F. Saturday evening will be clear with a temperature of 8°F and overnight Saturday expect a low temp of 2°F.
include cloudy periods and a few flurries with a low temperature of 0°F.
Scattered flurries continue through Sunday morning and afternoon with a high temperature of 18°F.
Sunday evening temperatures begin the downward slide to 13°F and variable cloudiness. Overnight will be mainly clear with a low temperature of -2°F.
Haliburton Highlands – Maple Lake Long Term Weather 02.07–02.12.09 (below)

Sunday will be a mainly sunny day with a high temperature of 13°F and a low of 2°F.
Looking at the traditional workweek on Monday you can again look forward to a bright, sunny day with a high of 18°F and a low temperature of 4°F.
Tuesday continues the sunny skies trend with a high temperature of 20°F. The low temperature overnight will be 0°F.
Wednesday brings scattered flurries and a high of 18°F. The overnight low will again be 0°F.
Thursday, the sunny skies return with a high temperature of 17°F. The low will be 4°F.
Friday will again be mainly sunny with a high of 18°F and an overnight low of 4°F.
There will be no significant snowfall for the entire week.
Make it a good one!
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