Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is advising the public that mosquitoes in the City of Peterborough have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The mosquitoes were trapped from July 17th to 19th.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELVES FROM BITES
-> Remember to wear: a long-sleeved shirt or jacket and long pants (tucked into your socks for extra protection)
Lansdowne Place Has A Silent Train On Sunday Mornings For Kids With Sensory Sensitivities
/Lansdowne Place has launched a train at the mall this summer, and it's already been a hit with kids and their parents as Engineer Rick leads rides throughout the mall.
But those with sensory issues can also now enjoy "Lansdowne Place Station", as it's been fondly called by passengers. The mall has added a "Silent Train" to its trackless train inside the Shopping Centre on Sunday mornings before it opens for those with sensory sensitivites.
As many mall-goers know, the innovative mall has been running a "Silent Santa" as well for years during the Christmas season, and the mall wanted to offer the same experience to those families who want to use the train.
"There are many families in the community that benefit from our Silent Santa program so when we were asked by a parent if the mall would also host silent train rides, the answer was YES," says LP's marketing director Emily Dart. "We understand that the mall can be very overwhelming for an individual with sensory sensitivities, which is why the Silent Train runs each Sunday morning before Lansdowne Place opens. This will allow families to enjoy the train without the distraction of busy crowds and loud noises."
The "Silent Train" runs Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 10:45 am. on the upper level of the mall until August 27th.
For more details about the train, including a listing of the train’s operating hours, visit lansdowneplace.com.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Humane Society Looking For Forever Homes For More Animals Transferred From Big Trout First Nation
/The Peterborough Humane Society has partnered again—you may recall our post from last October—with the Provincial Animal Transfer Team and a team of amazing volunteers to find new homes for 18 dogs and cats that have recently travelled down from Big Trout Lake First Nation.
As part of their community animal management program, the Elders and Band Council from Big Trout Lake First Nation invited the Ontario SPCA, Canadian Animal Assistance Team, Beat the Heat Kenora, Petsmart Charities, North Star Air Lts. and the Peterborough Humane Society to their community to provide a spay/neuter clinic to all of their resident pets and to then transfer south some of their community dogs and cats looking for new homes.
Peterborough's Jeff Day pictured in Big Trout Lake First Nation (Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society)
The Peterborough Humane Society was pleased to join in on this initiative by opening its doors to the 18 animals needing new homes. Peterborough’s own Jeff Day of Community Futures of Peterborough and his wife, Susie, joined the group up North to assist with the Spay/Neuter clinic.
“The community members of Big Trout Lake were most welcoming," says Jeff Day. "The opportunity to be a part of this collaborative effort was priceless. We would both relive this experience again and are excited for these animals to find their new forever homes.”
Members of animal transfer team and volunteers (Jeff Day is pictured at far right) at Big Trout First Nation (photo courtesy Peteborough Humane Society)
The Peterborough Humane Society says the pets that made their way down here will be ready for adoption as of Wednesday, July 5th, at 10 a.m.
Drop by the Humane Society between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. this week to adopt one. Pictures of the animals will be posted on the Humane Society website on Wednesday.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Lakefield Animal Welfare Society Needs Your Help With Food For Kittens
/The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society is in dire need of wet food for their 30-plus kittens in care right now.
Empty cupboards: Photo via LAWS Facebook page
They made this post below to their Facebook page reaching out to the public for help...
LAWS uses more canned food for kittens as they like it better at this stage of growing. They use a lot of Friskies, Whiskas in the plastic trays and Fancy Feasts, and try to stay away from the salmon cans because of the red dye that often makes them sick.
Photo via LAWS Facebook page
Peterborough Humane Society PSA About Leaving Pets Unattended In Vehicles
/“I left the window down for him.” “I wasn’t going to be gone long.” The Peterborough Humane Society has heard all the excuses, they say in a release. To educate the public on the dangers of leaving pets unattended in vehicles during the summer months, they are launching their 2017 "No Hot Pets" campaign in partnership with the OSPCA, the OPP and the Peterborough Police.
The issue of owners leaving their pets in vehicles during the hot summer months is an ongoing problem across Ontario and puts animals at risk. There is no excuse for leaving a pet unattended in a vehicle and this summer the Peterborough Humane society is seeking the public’s help to share this important message.
“Leaving your pet unattended in a vehicle is one of the most irresponsible things an owner can do," says Susan Dunkley, Manager of Development and Outreach with the Humane Society. “Leave your pet at home, and if you must take your pet make sure that someone is with it at all times.”
DOGS CAN DIE QUICKLY IN UNATTENDED VEHICLE
Parked cars can quickly reach deadly temperatures, even on relatively mild days with the car parked in the shade and the windows slightly open. Dogs have a limited ability to sweat, so even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening. A dog's normal body temperature is about 39°C and a temperature of 41°C can be withstood only for a very short time before irreparable brain damage or even death can occur.
If a dog is showing signs of heat stroke—excessive panting and drooling, listlessness or unconsciousness— prompt veterinary medical attention is vital. In the meantime, wet the fur immediately with lukewarm to cool water, not cold water. Bring the pet into the shade and offer drinking water.
The Peterborough Humane Society along with the Peterborough Police, the OSPCA and the OPP, will be on site at Costco on Wednesday, June 21st from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. educating people about how quickly it can get hot in a car and how important it is to leave your pet at home. If you would like more information, stop in to see the Humane Society there or at Lansdowne Place Mall on Friday, July 7th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you observe an animal suffering in the heat, call Animal Control at 705-745-4722, ext 656, 310-SPCA (7722), or your local police (911).
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Grade Three Students From Edmison Heights Help Reunite Family Members From Syria
/On Saturday, June 17th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a dedicated group of Grade 3 students from Edmison Heights Public School will host a yard sale to help raise funds to reunite a Syrian family displaced by war.
The yard sale will take place in the Adam Scott parking lot and there will also be a silent auction featuring donations generously gifted to the class by local artists and businesses.
Safe Haven for Refugees Peterborough is excited that teacher Laura Smith and her students have taken the initiative to help reunite family members from Syria.
In January 2016, Safe Haven had the privilege of welcoming the Alftih family from Aleppo Syria. Mohammad and Randa and their four children have now been settling into their life in Peterborough for over a year.
While the family has done very well, opening a successful family business—Oasis Mediterranean Grill (OMG) this year—the family has left behind most of their close family members. Reunification of families can often be the missing piece toward successful integration in a new country and community.
This Grade three class at Edmison Heights is determined to help get the family back together, and “be the change they want to see”. “They had such a beautiful life in Aleppo before the war," says 8-year-old student Rielle MacDougall. “They have lost all of that now.”
This year, Safe Haven is anticipating the arrival of the Alftih children’s grandmother, grandfather, their aunts and their cousins on their mother Randa’s side. Laura Smith and her students hope that the community will support their efforts by coming out to the sale this coming Saturday.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
An Unforgettable Night At Showplace For Neave And A Community That Loves Her
/Move N' Grooove Dance Studio ended their season in a beautiful way on Monday night (June 5th) at Showplace, with an amazing tribute to 9-year-old Neave Alderson by the studio's owner Julie Fallis—aka Miss Jules.
Jules has joined Neave, who is battling cancer, as a team member for the Great Cycle Challenge, which raises money for the Sick Kids Foundation. Jules has pledged to ride 300 kilometres in the month of June and said if she raised $3,000, she'd shave her head.
Megan Murphy on stage with her niece Neave and Miss Jules
Well sure enough, more than $3,000 was raised—$3,970 to be exact—and so in front of a sold-out crowd of 600, she made good on her promise!
A beaming Neave even got to make the first shave...
It was a powerful moment for spectators to watch Jules do this for Neave...
Neave, a Grade 4 student at Immaculate Conception school, just finished treatment last month—she's been through 14 rounds of chemo, 28 days of radiation and a 16 hour limb salvage surgery. But this resilient child is doing well and has just started back to school for the first time this year her Aunt, Megan Murphy, tells PTBOCanada.
"Recently we went to the park and she was determined to climb up the slide, pulling with her arms and using her legs as best she could until she made it to the top. The smile on her face broke my heart wide open! She’s a warrior."
"What Jules did for my niece Neave was just such a lovely gesture of support," Megan, who was on stage for the big moment, tells PTBOCanada. "She's an incredible role model for young girls." And that includes Neave's younger sisters, Tily, 8, and Poppy, 5, both of whom dance with Miss Jules.
This hug between Neave and Jules after the shave was complete said it all...
"She has a pretty cool wheelchair that she's quite proud of," adds Megan of Neave, whom she describes as a kindred spirit who lives in the moment. "The wheels light up when she rolls! And she's starting to bear some weight on her reconstructed leg. She is starting to ride her bike that we've outfitted with stability wheels. This time next year, she'll be dancing!"
We have no doubt.
[Pictures via Showplace Facebook page]
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Kawartha Food Share Collected 16,200 Pounds Of Food On Saturday, Documented Day On Twitter
/Once again, the Peterborough community stepped up in a huge way on Saturday (June 3rd) for those in need, filling Kawartha Food Share bags with more than 16,000 pounds of food in their latest food drive.
Kawartha Food Share tweeted this thanks from their warehouse..
Kawartha Food share also thanked all the volunteers that made this food drive so successful...
They also put out these tweets documenting the amazing amount of food donated and momentum from the day, showing the power of community to mobilize...
To learn more about Kawartha Food Share—which currently assists more than 8,100 men women and children every month through their member agencies—click here.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat (ptbo_canada). Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Faith Dickinson Just Received A Legacy Award From Prince Harry & Prince William
/Faith Dickinson was one of 20 young recipients from around the world who was at St. Jame's Palace in London, England on Thursday (May 18th) to receive a Legacy Award established in memory of Princess Diana.
Faith (Far Right) Pictured With Will (Photo via @DianaAward)
The Grade 9 student at TASSS in Peterborough met Prince William and Prince Harry, who presented her with the award, which goes to children making a monumental impact on society. Faith, 14, was recognized for her Cuddles for Cancer initiative, a charity she started when she was 9-years-old that gives personalized fleece blankets to cancer patients, veterans and soldiers.
Among many other accolades in recent years, Faith was also winner of a Me To We Youth In Action Award in 2015, and is the Youth Ambassador (a newly created role) on the United Way Peterborough campaign cabinet this year.
Here she is pictured with Will and Harry...
Picture via @KengsingtonRoyal
