I am catching up on blogs - so many things to talk about as the Long Weekend approaches! Town is humming, there are already lots of extra people on the streets, and in real estate - we are working day and night! I love the excitement of the first long weekend of the season - promise of boating, canoeing, hiking, fairs, craft sales, and special events! I am getting excited to attend my first Haliburton Highlands Land Trust Gala on May 28 - I even bought a new dress! This amazing group of volunteers work to preserve our natural areas through donations of land and awareness programmes. At the Gala they award Enviro Heroes each year for their outstanding efforts in protecting our environment. And as a proud Haliburtonian, I love that there seems to be a large list of people to choose from each year for the award!

The Sunday Rambles on different parts of our Rail Trail continue to be a huge success this year! Last Sunday they had a special event after the walk in Donald, with a lunch held at Camp Wanakita, and a presentation prepared by Ute Wright of Friends of the Rail Trail. Ute provided an interesting history of the community of Donald - one of many of our small communities that was once a "hub" of activity with a very rich beginning. I could not make it but have heard nothing but great kudo for the lunch and Ute's presentation. Great job! I hope we can target another community next year such as Gelert or Tory Hill.  The upcoming walk on the long weekend will be in Kinmount (May 23 - 11:00). The walk will start at the Kinmount Railway Station and heads out to Joe's Black Rock. Check out the model railway station while you are there, and if you'd like, join other walkers with a bag lunch afterward at the Kinmount Community Hall above the Artisan's Marketplace.