Volunteers

I was sitting in my living room this morning catching up on newspaper articles (I tend to pile them up and get around to reading the papers slowly), and I was mesmorized by the article on the annual Business and Community Achievement Awards, put on by our Haliburton County Chamber of Commerce. As I read the description of each of the award winners and their accomplishments, I was completely taken by what one individual can do. I am sure people might disagree, but it seems that volunteerism is a bit stronger in country areas rather than urban. Perhaps this is my lack of living in an urban area that gives me this impression, but, wow - the people who live here are beyond amazing!
I dabble in volunteerism, have for many years, and raised our daughters to understand the importance of community involvement - but I could never begin to imagine the depth of involvement that many of our community members have.
Take John Teljeur for instance (not to leave out the other incredibly amazing award winners and nominees!) This gentleman has volunteered with several organizations such as FoodNet/Food Coalition, Haliburton Highlands Outdoors Association, SIRCH, Out to Learn, and Community Care, started three more community gardens growing over 1,000 pounds of organic produce for organizations such as the 4Cs, Minden and Cardiff Food Banks, Ontario Early Years Centre, SIRCH, Point in Time and Community Care - the list goes on.
Is volunteerism a learned state or something that just comes natural to people? I know we taught our children the importance of helping your community, but surely these "above the crowd" members of society take it so much further.
With my limited volunteer involvement, I find I am always stressed - when I am volunteering I am thinking about family and work - am I letting anyone down? When I am concentrating on family and work, I wonder if I am doing enough - it is a balance. Everything in life is a balance - exercise, work and play, eating and drinking habits - all in moderation, just the right amounts of everything. Luckily, the volunteerism in Haliburton County is OUT of balance! Extraordinary people live here, get involved here, and keep our communities going. I feel very blessed (and at times, somewhat inadequate) to live and work and play in this fabulous part of Central Ontario!

Hmmmm......

Once again I have been tardy in my blogging. Experts say that you should blog regularly or people will not read what you have to say. Well, I haven't had anything to say! My real estate blog goes steady - it's easy! But my personal life has been incredibly quiet, so family and friends - I apologize!

As empty nesters I thought we would have lots on the go, but it seems my first love is work - is that sad? Our daughters are grown and making their own mark on the world. Shannon will be starting an internship with Amnesty International in Australia on January 16. She is very excited and gets to work with Burmese (or Myanmar - depending on your political stance) refugees, as a processor and case worker. It is exactly what she wants to do as a career - it is too bad internships aren't paid, but that will come.

Christine has spent her first months out of university, in Ottawa on the Ottawa West School District's supply list - but she has not had more than 8 or 9 days work since September! This is not a good scenario and she has been to several interviews for temporary positions, with no success so far. The only thing that has gotten her as many days as she has had is that she is certified to teach French! She has an interview in Huntsville in a few days - so fingers crossed! If she gets that position, she will move back home for a while. If she does, I will have more to blog about again, as we will continue our quest of exploring different areas of the County - she is my partner in crime! We are both explorers at heart so I miss her being away from home! We are still patiently waiting for snow in the Highlands - snowmobilers, cross-country skiiers and snowshoers are getting anxious. We have a bit - but not near enough! At least Sir Sam's Ski Area is open! Ahhh, life in the Highlands - we are always waiting - waiting for snow, then waiting for warmth!

Cottage Life Show

Well - this year's Toronto Cottage Life Show was a huge success! Best attendance ever! Marilyn and I were at the RE/MAX booth on Sunday. The booth had a new look this year with more space for browsing and lots of people were checking out what Haliburton has to offer. It should be a great season! For the first time ever, Marilyn and I are going to have a booth at the Haliburton Home Show, the first weekend in June. It will be great to see people in this setting - past and current clients, and friends! Look us up if you come to show and say Hi!

Office Re-Opening/Commercial Seminar

We are getting excited! Our office is set to re-open on April 13 if everything stays on time! It will be great to be back. In this age of cell phones and email, real estate agents don't really need a central office - it is business as usual, but I miss seeing the public and chatting with people who wander in, curious about the area. On Wednesday I attended a commercial seminar in Huntsville. I got to learn about services the Bank of Montreal offers to people purchasing commercial businesses and to hear from OREA (Ont. Real Estate Assoc.) and what tools they have for commercial realtors. The number of commercial businesses available in the County of Haliburton has been slowly increasing over the years as the County grows and it is important for Realtors to be up on the latest tools and services to help them sell! I attended a commercial seminar last Fall that was sponsored by TD Canada Trust and it was fabulous!! I learned so much.....never stop learning!

Real Estate Update

It has been a long time since I posted on my blog! Alot has been happening and it is tricky some days to keep up - but busy is good! The Toronto Cottage Life Show is happening the last weekend of March, which means realtors are busy pricing properties and getting listings ready to kick off the season - for those who keep a close eye on what is available - expect to see a lot of new listings from March 1 forward! RE/MAX has a huge presence at the Cottage Life Show - come see us and get a colour brochure of what is currently on the market! The market has started off with a bang this year. One week into January and we saw buyers back - no more distractions by the holiday season, and they were serious! Who says that cottage country has few sales in winter? Our office has been bustling! If you are thinking about spring or summer listing, now is the time to phone our office and book an evaluation on your property - time flies.

Red Pine Lake

The long weekend was incredible! On Monday we went on our next excursion. With over 600 lakes in Haliburton County, there are not a lot I haven't been to yet, but Red Pine Lake was one! As a water-access only lake, the opportunity to see the lake is limited, so Christine and I loaded up our friends' canoe and off we went. North West of Kennisis Lake, it took 40 minutes from West Guilford by car, with the road ending at a boat launch at the dam between Kennisis Lake and the river. Lots of room for parking as there are several water-access cottages on the lake. We met a lady at the dock who said the lake has a fabulous sand beach for swimming, so we hoped to discover it! The river was surprising - there were several areas that were narrow and shallow, lots of driftwood, and you could see the bass swimming under the canoe. But there were also lots of quite wide spots with very deep water. The river was quite calm, so it was easy paddling. Once in a while we headed close to shore as weekend cottagers passed in their boats, heading home for the week. There is a sand bar as you get close to the lake which prevents boat travel in early spring and late fall, but the water is higher now and we had no problem. Arriving at the lake, we were taken back by how large the lake is. There are several small islands, a lot of beautiful rock outcroppings and downright stunning. By the time we got up the river, our time was running low (we should have left way earlier in the day!), so we headed for an island, rolled up our pants and enjoyed the water. It was so relaxing it was very hard to leave! Red Pine Lake is one of several hidden gems in the County....we are so lucky to have such fabulous lakes that provide the best canoeing and kayaking one could ask for. We didn't make it around the lake, it was too large, we were too tired, and the day was running short, but have vowed to make a full day of it. There are a few campsites on the lake for the public - as long as you purchase a permit, and we may attempt an overnight stay so we can find the beach and explore all the nooks and crannies the lake has to offer! I found out today from a colleague that the beach is on the far side, where most of the cottages are located so next time we bring our bathing suits!!

Friends of Rail Trail Update and Head Lake Park

Our second Rambles on Sunday set ANOTHER record! Over 50 people took part in a walk that left from Sedgwick Farm in Gelert. The response to this programme is phenomenol. Today Pamela Marsalles and myself pre-taped an interview with CANOE FM that will be played on April 30. I talked too much and they have to do some editing to fit it in the time slot - imagine that!

On a different note, kudos to Dysart Council for the announcement in last week's paper that they have been successful in receiving a $1.1 million grant for improvements to Downtown Haliburton. Effective almost immediately, work will be done around the Cenetaph area at the West end of Highland Street to open it up and parking, sidewalks, walkways, etc. on York Street (behind Highland Street) will be re-configured giving a more pleasing area around the Rails' End Gallery and 4C's area. The addition of the new library beside the 4C's has been great and these addition changes will definitely be exciting. As a local "walker", there is nothing better than going for a walk around Head Lake in the evening, and anything that makes an already pretty area even better is welcome!

What a fabulous day yesterday for our first Rambles of the season! The weather was perfect. We headed out at 11:30 from Rails' End Gallery and followed the rail trail to Barnum Lake and back. 27 people came out - from children to seniors. The dogs had a great time too! Some people had cameras and although there was no greenery yet or many birds to spot, the walk was simply refreshing after a long winter! Next Sunday (April 11) we head out from Sedgwick Farm in Gelert at 11:00 am. To get there take County Rd. 1 (Gelert Rd.) to the hamlet of Gelert. On the left is Sedgwick Road - follow until you cross the bridge - immediately across the bridge there is a sharp fork to the right and the farm is right at the Y in the road. After, for those who wish, we shall meet at the Wintergreen Pancake Barn in Gelert to enjoy some fabulous food! See you there!

Busy Spring!

Happy Easter! What a busy Spring it has been....the real estate season definitely started early this year and we are getting into seasonal properties earlier than ever. Marilyn (my colleague) and I were at the Toronto Cottage Life Show on the weekend. We had the Friday evening shift which was quiet but agents that attended on Saturday said it was great! We had collages of all our listings displayed and know that several of our past clients attended the show and enjoyed it.

This Sunday is the first "Ramble" of the season. Everyone meets at 11:30 at the Rails End Gallery in Haliburton. Departure for this week only will be at Noon. So take a look at the exhibits and say hello to everyone! For those who wish a chance to socialize and unwind afterward, we will convene at McKecks - The Blue Line for lunch. If you haven't been since the big renovations, come check it out (even if you miss the walk) - the more the merrier!

For those who know my family (don't wish to bore anyone!).....our daughter Shannon is doing fabulous in Australia. School is going well - she is finding the Masters' programme there easier than the Honours programme here (weird eh?) and she is working hard at a Cafe, plus has a casual position at a Thai Restaurant (they needed someone who could speak Thai and English). Our other daughter, Christine, was invited to speak at a conference at Nipissing last weekend to present her research. She received an award for Excellence in Research and we are incredibly proud of her! She is about to move out of residence and into her first apartment next week and just got her official acceptance at Teacher's College, so things are rolling along!

All for now everyone - I need to go sell some real estate! Happy, Happy Easter!