This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey there. Here’s news about a super deal that is available for a very limited time only–from February 5 through February 8, 2012 where you can acquire Nexus S™ 4G for yourself the for FREE!

All you need to do is open a new line of Sprint service or add to your account. This is an online only offer in which you get the Nexus S™ 4G for FREE when you open a new line of service or add to your account ($50 MIR converts to instant + $99.99 web only savings). Not quite what you had in mind? How about this? Again, it is an online-only super deal: Get the HTC EVO™ 3D for just $49.99 when you open a new line of service or add to your Sprint account ($50 MIR converts to instant + $50 web only savings).
Both of these eye-popping offers are only available online through Wednesday, February 8, 2012 so do not wait! Click through on any of the Nexus or EVO images or links and act now!

As if all this great stuff were not enough, you will also get a waived activation fee for new lines of service and free shipping on sprint.com!

Gowganda Lake Lodge

***MAKE SURE TO CLICK THROUGH to my Picasa Photo album TO SEE THE FULL SIZE IMAGES & TEXT***

Haliburton Highlands Weekend & Long Term Weather February 4 – Feb. 9 2012

 

This week’s Haliburton Highland’s weather remains slightly warmer than normal with no snow at all before Thursday, February 9. The week’s temperatures will see-saw somewhat with variable clouds, cloudy periods, and cloudiness with sunny breaks all on the menu through Thursday.

Nighttime temperatures will be cold and well below freezing.

Minden CAR RACES ON ICE!!! this weekend!

Sir Sam's Ski Resort, West Guilford, Ontario, CA Jan 27, 2012 - Courtesy: TheWeatherChannel.com

Haliburton Highlands Weekend & Long Term Weather January 28 - Feb. 2 2012

Courtesy of the Haliburton Highlands Visitor Centre

Haliburton Highlands SNOW REPORT Jan 28 - Jan 29 2012 *ABOVE* - CLICK THROUGH

Haliburton Forest Snow Conditions January 28 - 29 2012

MAKE SURE TO CLICK THROUGH TO SEE THE FULL SIZE IMAGES & TEXT.

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Over the past year Walgreen's has worked diligently to retain it's ability to provide service to customers using the Express Scripts program–for a new contract between Walgreens and Express Scripts to continue as part of it's pharmacy provider network. If you take prescription medication this recent hit that Walgreen's and it's customers is taking should be of great interest to you.

Despite Walgreen's diligent efforts, they were were unsucessful in negotiations with Express Scripts. Walgreen's offered to make a number of concessons including holding rates for a new contract flat and, regarding Express Scripts’ client Tricare, which is the health and prescription drug program for America’s military, Walgreens offered to contract separately with Express Scripts for Tricare from other Express Scripts commercial business to no avail. And still, Express Scripts refuses to negotiate a separate contract for the benefit of the Tricare program and its beneficiaries–the men and women of the American military. During negotiations, Walgreens reached out and offered Express Scripts an 'ironclad guarantee' that Walgreens prices would match or beat the average costs (per adjusted prescription) of ALL other pharmacies in the Tricare network. Tricare gave this generous overture the thumbs down as well.

Having your own local pharmacy is truly important. Many people consult with and trust their pharmacist and stay with them for years as a pharmacist provides a truly vital face-to-face service.

Folks who are covered by an Express Scripts plan now must change pharmacists, often driving out of their way to secure their medication to pharmacies that unike Walgreen's, do not offer the convenient hours of 24-hour and drive-thru pharmacies.

Of course folks are upset about this action by Express Scripts as it was not in any way done in their best interests. Express Scripts wishes to drive more sales to their own mail order 90-day prescription business that they profit from.

What can you do as a Walgreen's customer 'stuck' using Express Scripts? You can make some noise by contacting your local news outlet and sharing details of this situation. Social (online) media is a good place to voice your dissatisfaction, too.

Despite the loss of valued customers Walgreen's is trying to ease the burden and keep disruption to a minimum by offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. A single person can join during a special January promo for just $5 or for $10 a family membership enables savings on more than 8,000 brand name medications and ALL generics. More than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1 a week! Regular annual membership is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family so be sure to inquire about this generous offer before the end of this month!

Finally, you can voice your support of Walgreen's in a couple of ways as well as staying on top of the latest announcements: 'Like' Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter. Go ahead. I just did!

Chapleau River, Ontario, Canada - 01.03.12

Snow enthusiasts: it is time to head to the Great White North! Details on dog-sledding in the Haliburton Highlands coming right up!

*CLICK ALL PHOTOS TWICE TO SEE DETAIL/THEIR FULL SIZE* Maple Lake Ontario, Canada 1956 (spring)

All extended or immediate McCrackan family at Maple Lake Ontario Canada - 1956. My parents are at extreme right.

The 1956 McCrackan family compound on Maple Lake. Our (current) cottage is not shown and don’t look for ‘these’ cottages as they don’t, technically, exist.  In 1956 at McCrackan’s cottages there was no lake-bank to speak of and the trees looked really different than today–way more sparse.

Mom at Maple Lake Ontario - 'front' of the property - 1956. She was Mrs. Peggy (Jim) McCrackan by this time.

  My mom took this Maple Lake summer photo of me, my dad in the middle, and my bro at right. in about 1969. I don’t think it was posed but I like the composition, if not the pukey look on my face.

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

Gooderham, ONTARIO, CA - WeatherNetwork.com - Credit: Lance Coulthard // November 15, 2011

The weather in the Haliburton Highlands is mild and wet. It’s barely hitting freezing during the overnights, with the days quite moist. Next Friday looks to be a bright and sunny day though, with seasonable temperatures.

Some Fun Things To Do in the Haliburton Highlands:

Check out the name of this store, The Maple Moon. I love it! My boys brought me (I stayed home with the pooches for the season inaugural trip) a really cool pressie this summer past here. I'm making a point to visit The Maple Moon next summer when we should be there upwards of 2-3 weeks straight.

Festival of Trees November 25, 26 & 27, 2011

Make sure to click each announcement to be able to view it  full-size.  The Christmas sale begins this weekend, the Festival of Trees, next weekend as the Christmas sale at the Maple Moon continues.

Hey everyone!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I would so love to be able to visit right now. The colours must be spectacular. One day…

Anyway, Roger took these shots.* He is so much more talented than I with the scenic ones.

*Except the ones of Obi on our raft.

If you’d like a full size copy or copies email me–I’ll zip them up and send them to you.

Cheers!

Cyn