Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament Raises $7,500 for Alzheimer's Awareness

The first annual “Golf for Loved Ones” tournament raised $7,464 for Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton (PKLNH) at The Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore announced Thursday.

Photo Courtesy of Alzheimer Society of Peterborough.

The tournament hosted 98 golfers on June 26. Lori Banks and her family ran the event in honour of her mother Edna Banks as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for a decade before passing away in 2017.

“The tournament was about raising money, but also about raising awareness,” said Lori. “I don’t think people realize how many people in our area have dementia.”

The intention was not just to raise money but to raise awareness about the 8,590 people living with dementia in PKLNH. Organizers gave each golfer a purple bracelet and purple ribbon to wear for their round to aid in the campaign.

The event was considered a great success according to both the Banks and Kevin Carter, Quarry Golf Club owner. The event has already been booked for next year.

“Lori and Ron ran a great event,” said Carter. “They were very organized and managed to get a great turnout. The golfers had a great day with excellent weather. Lori and her family raised a lot of money for the Alzheimer Society and the tournament will continue to grow and raise more money down the road. The Quarry was thrilled to be involved with such a great cause.”

“Hopefully we can make it bigger and better. We got a lot of feedback from the golfers saying they would be coming back next year,” said Lori. “We raised a lot of money, but we’d like to double it next time. We’ve already booked the course for next year.”

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Local Teacher Uses Running to Aid In Students' Mental Health Issues

Running not only maintained teacher Julie Vaillères’s physical health but her mental well-being and uses her story to help students with similar issues since 2015.

Vaillères has taught core and French immersion classes at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School. She has also taught drama, religion and science classes with some as part of the immersion program. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Vaillères suffered a major depressive breakdown in 2014 where she believed she could never teach again. During her time off work, her psychiatrist suggested running again, an on-and-off hobby throughout her life.

Since returning to St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in the fall of 2015 after having time off recovering, the French teacher shared her stories with students. Vaillères’s pupils were inspired to open up about their mental health problems to her as a result.

“I use running to explain how it manages my mental illness,” said Vaillères. “It helps you with self-confidence, energy and how physical health goes hand in hand. It’s my me time and my way of meditating. I love nature and it’s my way of grounding myself.”

The group was unable to run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with in-person learning returning in the fall of 2021, the “Change Your M;nd’s” revival is the plan for Vailleres. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Students would confide in Vaillères and then be redirected to professional help from the school board or a social worker for further treatment.

The group became known as “Change Your M;nd” for students to have weekly meetings to open up about their mental issues. They would do collaborations with organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and Peterborough Memorial Centre to raise money for mental health awareness.

Since forming the group back in 2015, Vaillères and students are helping erase the stigma of having mental health issues, creating awareness while promoting healthier choices.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Vaillères volunteers her time as the school’s cross-country and track and field coach and shares her story to inspire the student-athletes.

“The students that we get are so strong mentally and the perseverance they show and support that they give to one another is amazing,” she said. “We’re all in this to better ourselves.”

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vailleres.

Vaillères says when she was a child, mental health was highly stigmatized but when she was admitted for treatment, it was a huge relief. It is a message she wants to spread to anyone suffering from any issues.

“There’s a positive story behind painful times,” said Vaillères. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel when you reach out for help. We shouldn’t be feeling ashamed. Now I feel the need to share my story because if I’m able to help others, it’s the best reward I can get.”

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YMCA is Re-opening Soon

The YMCA of Central East Ontario is set to open earlier than planned on August 23, 2021.

Photo Courtesy of YMCA of Central East Ontario.

Initially the Peterborough branch had planned to re-open to the public on September 13 but with restrictions being lifted and members expressing excitement to come back that date has been moved.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the YMCA like many businesses has faced temporary closure and strict restrictions. They are currently operating their day camp program which will end on August 20.

The YMCA will be open Monday to Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be no membership fee withdrawal until September 15, 2021.

They will continue to follow health and safety protocols including COVID-19 screening questions upon arrival and online registration for building access, conditioning/lifestyle centres, fitness classes and the pool.

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Roadmap to Reopen: Highlighted Rules for Step Three

With the province moving to Step Three this Friday beginning at 12:01 a.m., the Ontario Government has released guidelines on their official website last week Friday.

Stock Photo.

The plan is based on the province-wide vaccination rate and if there were significant improvements made in key public health and health care indicators according to the Ontario Government.

Step Three focuses on expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions, including where there are larger numbers of people and where face coverings can’t always be worn.

The province wanted 70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses to be moved into Step Three.

Ontario will remain in Step Three for at least 21 days and until 80 percent of the eligible population aged 12 and over has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75 per cent have received their second, with no public health unit having less than 70 per cent of their eligible population aged 12 and over fully vaccinated.

Other key public health and health care indicators must also continue to remain stable. Upon meeting these thresholds, the vast majority of public health and workplace safety measures will be lifted.

The following are key highlights of eased restrictions going into Step Three:

• Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 100 people

• Indoor social gatherings and organized public events for up to 25 people

• Indoor dining with no limits to the number of patrons per table

• Retail with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing of two metres

• Indoor religious services, rites or ceremony gatherings with physical distancing up to two metres

• Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities with capacity limits

• Personal care services with capacity limited to ensure physical distancing

• Museums, casinos and bingo halls with capacity limits

• Cinemas, concert, theatres, and other performing arts venues with capacity limits

For a fully comprehensive list, please visit the Ontario Government Website.

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Ontario Accelerates Second-Dose Eligibility for Ages 12-17

As Ontario moves to Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen, the province has accelerated second dose eligibility to anyone aged 12 to 17 beginning Monday according to a press release on Friday.

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Bookings for the Pfizer vaccine can be done through the provincial booking system, directly through public health units that use their own booking system and through participating pharmacies.

“As the province enters Step Two of our Roadmap, all eligible Ontarians have the opportunity for a two-dose summer,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19 and variants and I encourage everyone to get their first and second shots as soon as possible.”

During the week of June 21, the province administered more than one million doses in four days which has been ahead of schedule of expanding eligibility. To date, the province’s public health units, mass vaccination clinics, hospital sites, pharmacies and primary care providers have administered over 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with more than 77 per cent of adult Ontarians having received their first dose and more than 42 per cent fully immunized.

“Expanding the eligibility for accelerated second doses to include youth aged 12 to 17 is another positive step in the rollout of vaccines across Ontario,” said Sylvia Jones, solicitor general. “With the continued support of our public health partners, we are on track to significantly increase the number of Ontarians who will be fully immunized this summer, helping to protect themselves and their community.”

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Fleming College Requires Student COVID-19 Vaccinations For Residence Living In Fall

Fleming College requires students in residence to have at least their first COVID-19 vaccine for the fall semester stated in a press release on Friday.

File Photo.

The campus mandatory vaccine policy claims it is based on scientific data and supported by Peterborough Public Health (PPH).

“The pandemic continues to be an evolving situation, and we have always emphasized that safety is everyone’s responsibility at Fleming,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming President. ”The vaccination requirement for those in residence will provide peace of mind to students and their families.”

The school recommends that residence students get the vaccine two weeks prior to their move-in date. Those unable to receive their first dose before moving in will have 14 days to get vaccinated. Fleming will provide support to students who require first and second doses and is working closely with PPH to coordinate access to vaccines.

The vaccine requirement applies only to the college-owned residences on campus and not the entire campus or to those living off-campus. Alternative off-campus housing is available with assistance and resources through Fleming’s off-campus housing services.

Safety measures such as masking and reduced capacity limits in shared spaces and enhanced cleaning and sanitation of all areas are in addition to the mandatory vaccine policy.

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Ontario Invests $4.5 Million to Support Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Peterborough Regional Health Centre will receive $4,525,000 to support ongoing operational needs and support specific services after a Zoom meeting Wednesday.

File Photo.

MPP Dave Smith and PRHC senior executives were in attendance to make the funding announcement.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus continues to be on addressing hallway health care. Increasing operational budgets and strategic investments continue to accompany our transformational reforms to how we deliver health care in Ontario,” said Smith. “One person receiving health care in a hallway is one too many. We will move forward with our efforts to end hallway medicine by putting the patient at the centre of care.”

The 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22. This includes an increase of $778 million in operating funding to meet current and future demands for services.

Additional support for hospitals as part of Ontario’s Action Plan includes $760 million to help hospitals continue to respond to COVID 19 and an additional $300 million to reduce surgical backlogs.

“This investment will provide much-needed support to PRHC in its dual role as a community hospital and a regional hub for a growing number of patients in the surrounding communities,” said Brenda Weir, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at PRHC. “As Ontario’s healthcare sector continues to face challenging and uncertain times in the months and years ahead, ongoing provincial support will be critical to ensuring we are positioned for continued success as we provide excellent care for the patients and families we serve.”

Through the 2021-22 hospital allocations, the government will provide each hospital with increases to their operating budgets as well as targeted funding towards key priorities. Initiatives include:

• Funding to recognize growth in the hospital sector as well as targeted funding towards key ministry priorities

• Additional funding for priority services in eligible hospitals to cover increasing volumes related to cancer, renal, cardiac, neuro-services, and stroke, as well as hip and knee surgeries and MRI scans

• Funding to Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario for cancer and renal treatment services in hospitals.

• Funding to eight hospitals to support lease costs associated with off-site dialysis units and align funding responsibility for all community-based off-site dialysis units.

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Trent University Requires First Vaccine For Students In Residence Living

Trent University has announced students living on campus in residence this fall will be required to have at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine according to a press release issued Tuesday.

Trent University in Peterborough is divided into five separate colleges: Lady Eaton, Gzowski, Champlain, Otonabee and Traill. File Photo.

“The University is committed to keeping our residences and communities safe as we plan to return to in-person terms this September,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Requiring vaccines for students living in residence will be an important way to ensure that we avoid residence outbreaks and are able to offer our residence students the transformative on-campus experiences students have learned to expect from Trent.”

With the support from Peterborough Public Health, the University will ask students to book and arrange their first-dose vaccine prior to moving into residences at both the Peterborough and Durham GTA campuses.

The University’s Housing Services will help students who are unable to receive a vaccine prior to arrival attain their first dose when they move into the residence. Residence students will also be asked to commit to a second dose of the vaccine on a schedule that will be subject to availability. Exemptions will be allowed in cases in which students require accommodation for medical or other reasons. 

Mandating vaccines for all residence students will safely allow for near-full occupancy of residences on both Trent campuses according to the release. As an added precaution, the University also plans to reserve a small number of residence spaces for isolation, if needed.

 “We know living in residence can be a valuable part of the first-year student experience at Trent,” says Dr. Nona Robinson, Trent associate vice president of Students. “We also know the health and safety of our campus and local communities is our shared responsibility. Congregate living areas, such as residences, are at higher risk for transmission due to people living closely together. We are delighted that vaccines are now available for the age group of most of our first-year students. This vaccine requirement will help minimize risk, as we offer a positive residence experience for new students this fall.”  

The vaccine requirement for residence students will be part of a wide range of the University’s COVID-19 health and safety measures to ensure a safe return to in-person learning on campus.

Other measures may include masking, physical distancing requirements and mandatory self-screening, as well as enhanced cleaning. On-campus testing, as well as vaccine clinics for students and employees in Peterborough, may also be implemented based on the recent success of pop-up clinics.

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Omemee Woman Gives Open Invite for Heart Health Awareness Fundraiser With Physical Activities

What started as a personal goal has developed into a worldwide movement and fundraiser for Annie Smith with the 3rd annual Annie's Pace Global Adventure (APGA) in a four-day event starting Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Annie Smith.

The event’s purpose is to raise heart health awareness, test people’s physical limits and promote activity with the motto, “Your heart is worth an hour a day.” Anyone is encouraged to do anything that gets them moving such as sports, walks or even as simple as gardening.

“Moving the body is number one,” said Smith.

Smith was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis in 2016; an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease. Since the diagnosis, her physical capabilities have become limited.

Merchandise such as t-shirts and wristbands were made in past events. T-shirts have sold out but wristbands still remain available by contacting Smith. Photo Courtesy of Annie Smith.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

Smith trekked 161 kilometres in 2019 through four days and 180 kilometres in 2020. This year, she will go an abridged distance on a treadmill due to her physical capabilities for Friday, Sunday and Monday. She will do a 26-kilometre walk with two friends starting from Jackson’s Park to Reaboro on Saturday.

“I don’t want it to be about me, I want it to be able to be about the people and bringing that awareness,” said Smith. “I want the world to unite for four days for heart disease awareness.”

Her inspiration came from her cardiologist Dr. Heather Ross who raised almost $1 million with Test Your Limits. She began APGA to aid in that goal for heart disease and heart failure research. Smith wants to raise $16,000 through three years where she already raised $10,875 in the first two ($5,500 in 2019 and $5,375 in 2020).

Not only has Canada partaken in the event, but it has also gained worldwide recognition including reaching countries as far as Hong Kong, Scotland, Greece, USA, Switzerland and Australia.

“I was crying the first day I started,” said Smith. I woke up and saw Hong Kong that already sent their video. It blew my mind. It was so much fun for me seeing them all doing it.”

Donations are accepted online or at Sunset Grill in Peterborough from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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