Peggy Lamb, Jim McCrackan, summer 1955
This is my dad and mum at Maple Lake during the summer of their courtship.
Photographs preserve moments in time, many of them precious.
My father is now the patriarch of the family. He carries his father’s name, James McCrackan, and his son–my only sibling carries the same name. It is my last name too after giving it up for 6 years and then getting the name legally returned to me decades ago. I’m taking it to my urn (no grave for me).
I don’t think my grandfather had any time for pettiness, jealousies, vindictiveness–certainly none for gossip. My father is very much like his father and I learned from him at his knee that these traits are highly undesirable.
After a truly awful experience at Maple Lake of which I”m not sure what the end result will be ( though unless addressed in an honest way the repercussions will go on for years) I was astonished to hear of a genuine kindness that was extended towards my spouse on Labour Day. I shan’t name the person–it was “persons” actually, but one in particular who sat aside what might have got in the way of being a good neighbour, a decent person and just helped. It meant a lot even if it wasn’t intended that way. For all the snark that flew past this summer, one person managed to adjust the sails and set a course correction.
It starts with one person.
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
This series of courses is being offered as part of the County of Haliburton’s Broadband Outreach Program.
This program is made possible by general funding received through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farm, and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Rural Connections Broadband Program. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these reasonably priced, yet very interesting courses.
To register for the below courses, please contact Heidi Hudspith at the Haliburton Campus, 457-1680 ext. 6734Internet, Email, and You
This introductory level course is directed at individuals interested in learning about the exciting world of the Internet. Course content will include web browsing, email, social networking, accessing government services, and other uses of the Internet.
Section 1- Tuesday, September 15, 6:30pm- 9:30pm Section 2- Thursday, November 5, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3-Saturday, November 21, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Internet Safety and Security
This beginner-intermediate level course is directed at individuals seeking to understand and manage some of the perceived dangers of the internet. The first part of the course will address data and systems security in the face of spam, phishing, viruses, and junk mail. Secondly, the course will help in ‘webproofing’ systems and children from undesirable content and social interactions.
Section 1- Tuesday, September 22, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Section 2: Thursday, November 12, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, November 28, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Your Domain-Your Brand
This introductory level course is directed at small/medium business operators interested in raising a profile of their brand through a customized web domain. A customized web domain offers businesses a unique address on the internet. This brings businesses a high level of portability, visibility, and general perception of professionalism. The course will help in finding and developing a domain. Specific items to be touched upon will include business website and email basics.
Section 1- Thursday, September 29, 6:30pm-9:30pm Section 2- Thursday, November 19, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, December 5, 9:00am-Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00Understanding Web Design
This intermediate level course is directed at small/medium business operators looking to manage the development, or redevelopment, of a business website. The objective of the course is not to teach people how to program their own website, instead it is designed to help business operators effectively work with web designers. Essentially, the goal is to teach what is happening ‘under the hood’ of a business website. Topics to be covered include HTML, Flash, cgi scripting (php, ASP, Javascript, etc.), and database integration.
Section 1- Tuesday, October 6, 6:30pm- 9:30pm
Section 2- Thursday, November 26, 9:00am-Noon
Section 3- Saturday, December 12, 9:00am- Noon
Instructor: Peter Smith
Fee: $10.00
To register for the below courses, please contact Heidi Hudspith at the Haliburton Campus, 457-1680 ext. 6734
Fierce rain, wind and thunder and a weird, orange sky - Maple Lake August, 2009
Click thumbnails to embiggen
We had some notable weather whilst at Maple Lake plus I had some really intense storms go over when alone in the cottage for an additional week. My battery was charging on the new Panasonic Lumix point and shoot I bought specifically for this trip when the tornadoes hit the area and spouse had taken the other camera home with him so I was late to the picture-taking party of the crazy-orange skies. At least I’d finally gotten the hang of taking clear pictures. I’d been doing the stupidest thing or more correctly, not doing the most basic thing you do before taking a digital photograph.
Anyway I ran out of good weather and out of time prior to me getting very many shots off but spouse did ‘cos he gets up in the a.m. so I have many to post that he took and technically, he’s a better shooter than I am—not that I’m all that. :p
*These are all mine, tho’.
Cheers!
Cyn
Maple Lake between storms - August, 2009
It finally turned warm for the first full weekend this summer. It turned really warm. And humid.
In the early evening, prior to sunset I thought I’d go and snap a few photographs–which I did– but as soon as I got in the vicinity of the back field I started getting eaten alive–and I had bug spray on!
Big storms came in tonight. They came up so quickly that the screen blew in at the front of the cottage and quite a bit of water came in too through the upper window which I have to go outside to close. I was too late though. The winds were so strong I could barely open the front door, never mind play around with a 12 foot window closing stick (I usually love using it–so simple yet effective–a wonderful example of something made by my grandfather, who with my dad, built these cottages that we all enjoy). Anyway I got some plastic sheeting and *lightbulb,* a large umbrella and after the worst of the first storm passed I went out and closed up.
Right now, I’m alone here as we are driving back to the States in shifts.
Despite the rotten weather the first two weeks here were OK and then I really wanted to be done with it.
Cabin fever, I suppose.
Also, things are so different here now. It’s like party central every weekend. The guy across the way shoots off fireworks well into the late evening (meaning near midnight) every. single. weekend and that crew is incredibly raucous until 2, 3, 4 in the morning.
I work at night as you can see from the posting time and me and a bunch of party animals just don’t mesh well.
You were here and so was I and it’s the same as it ever was, isn’t it?
Cheers,
Cyn
The weekend weather forecast for the Haliburton Highlands is the best so far this summer!
It’s truly gorgeous–sunny, clear, humidity is tolerable. And it’s going to be nice on Sunday, too! Can you believe it? I need to pinch myself ‘cos it’s been so long since Maple Lake has had an entire weekend that was this nice.
My weekender neighbours are quite fortunate since they just need to pack an overnight bag and in a snap they can be in paradise. Not quite as fortunate are folks like my immediate family who left today to return to the States. 
Turning quite serious, folks, we are all on the same page on global warming now, right? We acknowledge it; it is happening right now. We have used and abused our poor planet and it does not have to be reflected as “warming” in certain spots. Here in the Haliburton Highlands, it’s been really cold and wet until this week. Pay attention to the excessive precipitation, especially.
Maple Lake, to be frank, has given me an eye infection simply by using lake water to wash my face. I know this because I wear goggles in the lake as I am unable to see without my contact lenses. The waters of Maple Lake have spewed up all kinds of garbage this summer–literally all kinds of plastic, coke cans. I’ve not ever seen it like this and it makes me really sad.
I’m sure I’m not the first but I feel that the year-rounders, the permanent residents should move forward to protect the lakes of Haliburton County. Obviously, we cannot change how Mother Nature is behaving right now but we can change human behaviour. Impose restrictions to protect our lakes and all nature that depend on the ecosystem, as people haven’t shown willingness to “reign it in” on their own.
First, I would like to see the obvious pollutants removed from the Lake. I would like to see a ban on motorboats that leak gasoline into the lakes and nearly drown swimmers like me with their huge waves (not kidding– HUGE waves).
Truly, I hate the noise too, but it’s the pollution that is sickening me. The boats are getting more powerful, ridiculously fast, and burning petrol at a time when I thought we were supposed to be practicing conservation. Our lakes are what make this area the paradise that it is. And we are doing our damnedest to destroy paradise.
Please, Haliburton Highland year-rounders, restrict the use of motorboats to the weekend and otherwise allow all the the other nonpolluting boats free and unfettered any time. The beautiful sailboats, the rowboats, canoes, paddleboats—all of them wind/man-powered and not harmful to our dying lakes.
If we don’t start reigning in our excesses and our abuse of the lakes of Cottage Country there is no doubt in my mind that we shall lose them. Nothing would be sadder if our unquenchable need for “things” and need to have the biggest, fastest motorboats and personal motorized vehicles hastened the death of our lakes–leaving nothing left for anyone.
I can only hope that the fine people that live year-round on Maple Lake and in the Maple Lake area take action this winter and next summer to deal with the craziness that breaks out every weekend here with ridiculous amount of polluting watercraft on what was what was once a clean lake. It’s not just here but throughout Cottage Country.
Also, as related to a lesser pollution, what the heck is with the unrestricted use of fireworks on Maple Lake every single weekend? Hey, I LOVE fireworks. They can be really special–but every weekend?! WTH? My poor dog is terrified. She shakes and glues herself to her people.
Ban fireworks on Maple Lake except for Canada Day, period. Stop the insanity, please.
/end preachy rant
Here’s the rest of the weather. If you can, stay up an extra day as Monday will still be beautiful:
As for the bugs, it has warmed up, they like warm, there are lots of them. Stay in the lake and otherwise slather on your insect repellent of choice.
Have a great week!
I must say I’m running into the same roadblocks that I did last summer in getting some good snaps of Maple Lake–it is just so rainy and windy–at least in the afternoons and early evening-to-sunset when I’d like to take photographs. We would have had a few more to share but both spouse and I are using the new camera and we are not quite adept yet at making sure the settings have not been fudged with.Taking snaps of loons on the “portrait” setting just does not get a good result. Here are a few photos just the same. We went to the Haliburton campus of Fleming College for the Arts and toured the Sculpture Forest which is adjacent to it. It was the nicest day that we’ve had thus far weather-wise. We each had fun and spouse, who took pictures on our older camera, really got some nice shots. He’s not cooperating however with sorting through them and believe me, going through 1oo’s of snaps like I’ve just done isn’t the fun part of photo-taking. Cheers! Cyn
“The sun will come out to-morrow..”
Maple Lake Cottage
–my son hummed this whilst we went for a very quick swim today–one I’d promised myself “no matter what.”
The sun made a couple of brief appearances today. I had “issues” with a bot trying to crash–well he “did” actually crash one of my sites that I do paid work on so I had lots of interesting discussions with my hosting company. I am putting it behind me and looking forward heading to the Haliburton Sculpture Forest on Friday. It’s not even going to reach 70 F but it’s supposed to be clear and sounds like a potentially perfect day for a walk in the woods checking out public art. Will report back with photos!
Cheers!
Cyn
Stormy Weather
The weather here gave us a brief respite yesterday so we took advantage of it as you can see in the photos.
The fire we made was neato and we roasted marshmallows. Downside was finding that I’d been thoroughly bitten from hairline and on my scalp. Ick.
Supposedly, it shall turn HOT in a few days which seems sort of hard to fathom given that the temperatures are struggling to reach 70F. We’ll be here so we shall see. Fingers crossed.
The sun came out long enough today to make the Lake enticing enough to swim in. It was really nice. The bugs here however are very thick and two horse flies set their sights on my son and me so we had to act as each other’s “watcher.” You know when a horse fly is nearby because they sound like small aircraft but they tend to dodge pretty well. I now have a huge lump just behind my left ear so something bit me–but I don’t think it was one of those guys.
The weather is as good as it’s going to get for our stay. The temps are never going to approach “normal” and more often than not there will be a chance of rain. I’ve found however that much like the spring rains in Southern California, just because it rains on any given day up here in the Haliburton Highlands, does not mean that half of that day won’t be just fine. Yes thanks, I would rather see the glass as half-full.
This is the long holiday weekend and I’m going to go over the weekend weather including Monday, and then let you read on for the full week’s forecast, plus the 14-day outlook as I too am on vacation. 
Tonight–Friday night is fairly mild with a low of 53F. Sitting here now in the unheated living room is quite comfortable as the sun stayed out for over half the day, warming up the cottage.
Tomorrow–Saturday will have a high of 78F, sun most of the day with isolated showers in the afternoon. Evening should be clear and about 71F.
Sunday– Might be a good day to catch a matinee at the newly reopened Beaver Theatre in Minden. The forecast calls for a soggy day with a high of 71F.
Civic Holiday Monday — will have a high of 68F and isolated showers. Make it a good one!
14-day forecast
July 28, 2009 Between Storms
Haliburton Issued at 8:16 PM EDT TUESDAY 28 JULY 2009
Update – midnight: Ever since this warning was issued and since I’ve battened down the hatches, there have been no severe storms. It’s a really big county laden with lakes. Small as they are (compared to the Great Lake I’m use to –Lake Michigan) they do influence how storms patterns play out so someone may have borne the brunt. Hopefully not.
The warning that went out just minutes before the one below mentioned tornadoes which being in this lakeside little wood structure gave me a bit of unease.
In good news, after tomorrow my family will have rejoined me and the weather is getting better–less wet, a bit warmer though it hasn’t felt cold to me, not even in the morning. Maybe because I sleep very late? Seems to make sense to me.
I’d like to get a set of sunrise photos which I can usually snag on the way in but we got here too early. Maybe I shall try for when I next come up which will be Labour Day or possibly something will shake out in the next 3-4 weeks.
Here’s today’s attempt at getting a photo with the new camera. I believe I had the correct settings this time. It was taken between storms though it was just starting up again and I dashed back in to save my precious from any raindrops. Lake level dropped. We have beach now!
SEVERE THUNDER
STORMS POSSIBLE THIS EVENING. THIS IS AN ALERT TO THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS..LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS. IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
Next Page »
