Where has summer gone? A busy season at work, along with a move, has put a crimp in my blogging! But as the seasons change, I must catch up. The real estate market has been "interesting" in the Highlands this Spring and Summer - the residential market has been ominously quiet, to the chagrin of sellers, but cottage sales have been steady but not exciting. There was an abundance of listings this Spring which slowed down buyers as they found it hard to make a decision, and many never bought in the end! But Fall promises to be a busy one as people get back to their lives and realize they still want that perfect cottage - we are also optimistic that the residential market will pick up.
York Street in Haliburton (the "back" street) that has the Rails' End Gallery, entrance to the park, the Lilly Anne and the brand new, beautiful Library, has become complete chaos this week as it undergoes a face lift. Although the official start date is September 7, workers got a head start this week and parking in the town is now at a premium. The construction is to last into November as we receive new sidewalks and curbs to make the back street more user friendly and more an extension of the main street, upgraded sewers, new paving, etc. - it will also make the street safer for the many visitors that cross that busy curb to get to the park and the gallery! It will be a tough couple of months but I am looking forward to seeing the end results!
For those Kushog Lake cottagers - did you see the news last week? The boat launch and access point by Noah's Landing is being closed permanently this month by the MNR. They will be erecting a gate and closing off a great spot where the public has traditionally put in their boats, canoes and kayaks and even taken a swim or two. It is a shame but they are obligated to deal with the illegal use as they have received a complaint by a member of the public. There is also docking there for water-access-only cottagers on the far side who will now have to make other arrangements.
On Wednesday I attended a meeting at the Minden Arena where the public are being asked for their "vision" for recreational facilities and programmes in Minden Hills over the next 15 years. Where are we going - what are we lacking? It is all part of the municipalities strategic planning to meet the public's needs. There is another meeting in the evening on September 13. You are asked to fill in questionnaires and you also participate in group discussions - I enjoyed it! Of course I was there wearing my "Friends of the Rail Trail" hat, my "Save the Gelert Hall" hat, AND my "we desperately need an indoor pool" hat! I will be preparing a proposal to council regarding the Gelert Hall and it's future possible uses, which I believe will also tie into our vision for an enhanced Rail Trail. Wish me luck - and if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please let me know! The Gelert, Lochlin and Irondale Community Halls are all slated for closer in the future, which will finish off these all-but-ghost towns - it will plummet real estate values even more, and be the final act in the disintegration of these communities.
Well - enough of my ramblings for today! Lots to catch up on, but not all at once - no need to put anyone to sleep!
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