New Canadians Centre Launches Children's Book Inspired by Newcomers to Peterborough

Author and illustrator Casandra Lee has brought six children’s stories to life in her new book, “Building a Home” during a book launch at the New Canadians Centre (NCC) on Monday.

Jorge Escalera (far right), poses with his family at Monday’s book launch. Escalera is one of six children whose story inspired Building a Home. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The book draws inspiration from children experiencing new cultures for the first time after immigrating to Canada.

Bhisham Ramoutar, NCC communication and engagement specialist, had the idea for a book two years ago when a newly immigrated family was served pizza for the first time.

“We got thinking about all the big things and the small things that children have to face when they come to a new country,” said Ramoutar. “We wanted to find a way to share those unique experiences.”

When Lee began volunteering at the NCC, Ramoutar knew he had found the perfect candidate to bring his idea to life.

Lee met with the six children that were from Syria, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Pakistan. They currently live and attend school in Nogojiwanong–Peterborough.

“Writing ‘Building a Home’ was really a dream come true for me,” she said. “Working directly with children and then translating that into a written, illustrated children’s book was really special.”

Casandra Lee reads Building a Home at the launch on Monday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Over the course of five weeks, Lee met with the children over Zoom. They spoke about shared experiences they were faced with when coming to Peterborough. A recurring theme was their love for their mothers cooking, opposed to new foods they were offered in Canada.

Jorge Escalera, 11, came to Canada from Monterrey, Mexico in 2016 when he was six after his father received a job opportunity at Quaker Oats Peterborough. He was one of the six children that shared his story.

“I was very excited when my mom told me I could participate,” said Escalera. “I was so happy, it felt amazing.”

There are free 400 copies of “Building A Home” available from the David Goyette & Victoria Pearce Arts Fund at the United Way of Peterborough and District. Copies can be ordered here and picked up at the NCC office in Peterborough and Cobourg. A digital copy of the book is available for free online.

Educators are invited to book a reading of “Building a Home” by Lee or other newcomers associated with the New Canadians Centre depending on the timing of the reading. To book a reading email bhisham@nccpeterborough.ca.

“Building a Home” is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, French, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish.

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Hometown PTBO: Four-Year-Old Jaxon Croft's Journey From Beating Cancer And Supporting Sick Kids

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Jesse Croft and his four-year-old son Jaxon about being in remission from Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, that inspired the “Cancer is Poopy” campaign to benefit Sick Kids.

Support the cause by visiting their website where 20 per cent of the proceeds go towards Sick Kids Foundation.

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Five Counties Children's Centre Receives Government Funding For Rehab and Speech Services

Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) has received $1,487,968 from the Ontario Government to enhance the centre’s services in an announcement made Thursday afternoon.

(left to right) Ashley Parsons, occupational therapist; MPP Dave Smith; Kristy Hook, board chair; Scott Pepin, CEO gathered in a colourful treatment room at the FCCC. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The press conference was held at FCCC with centre members and MPP Dave Smith as the government ambassador.

The Ontario government is investing $240 million over four years to increase access to critical rehabilitation services for children and youth with special needs and help them live happier and healthier lives.

This investment is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.

When children in Ontario begin school, almost 30 per cent have at least one developmental vulnerability that could pose a risk to their lifelong health, learning, and behaviour. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

With this investment, $60 million in new funding will be provided annually starting this year to build additional service capacity and increase access to preschool speech and language services and community-based and school-based rehabilitation services across the province.

“We know when our kids thrive, our communities thrive. It’s incumbent on all of us to ensure we invest in our children and youth by providing the support they need,” said Smith. “Children with exceptionalities deserve every opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Today’s investment will build on our government’s existing support so children in our community can live fulfilling and productive lives.”

In 2019-20, more than 53,000 children received services through Ontario’s Preschool Speech and Language Program. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

As part of the $60 million in new annual funding, Five Counties Children’s Centre will receive $1,487,968 to support the following:

Preschool Speech and Language New Budget Allocation:

• $311,723 – 2021/22 new investment (including annualization) representing a 37% increase

Community-Based and School-Based Rehabilitation Services New Budget Allocation:

• $664,286 – 2021/22 new total annualized investment for School-Based Rehab

• $511,959 – 2021/22 new total annualized investment for Community-Based Rehab representing an 18.2% increase

The total new annualized investment is $1,487,968.

Children’s Treatment Centres also provided School-Based Rehabilitation Services for 71,000 students in publicly funded schools in 2019-20. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Part of this is targetted for early intervention,” explained Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “By the assessment, we can help parents guide them in the most appropriate service. Sometimes we have parents coming to us asking or not knowing if this is normal or not.”

These investments will improve service experiences and outcomes for children and youth with special needs and their families across the Peterborough-Kawartha.

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Kawartha Lacrosse Receives Donated Lacrosse Sticks From Peterborough Lakers Alumni

Girls participating in the Kawartha Lacrosse camp received lacrosse sticks donated by the Peterborough Lakers Alumni Association at Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute on Wednesday.

Peterborough Lakers Alumni Association was established in 2018 as a non-profit organization to promote lacrosse within the Peterborough area community through communication, outreach and strengthen ties between past and present players. Photo by PTBOCanada.

Pete Dalliday and Bruce Oglivie represented the Lakers Alumni, presenting the sticks to the club. Lakers player Zach Currier and Warrior Lacrosse donated 44 heads to the Alumni while the Alumni locally purchased 44 lacrosse shafts to support the camp programs of Kawartha Lacrosse and Trent Women’s Lacrosse.

“Their generosity is invaluable,” said Oglivie. “We’re just a supporter and that’s what the Alumni is about. These organizations are doing excellent jobs of getting more youth and young athletes involved in lacrosse.”

The week-long camp runs for girls aged 4-11 that teaches them the basics of field lacrosse. They also participate in several activities such as soccer, arts and games.

It is run by the camp director and head instructor Jocelyne Lemay and Kawartha Lacrosse alumna Sage Darling.

“A lot of these girls are brand new,” said Lemay. “They’ve never played before. We teach them all the necessities and how to play the game.”

“You’re trying to get them immersed in the sport so they can enjoy it with their friends,” said Fred Blowes, Kawartha Lacrosse president. “Hopefully they can continue playing down the future for us.”

Twenty sticks were donated to Kawartha Lacrosse while the rest went to Trent Women’s Lacrosse who run similar programs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Over 600 alumni members support local athletes and organizations through fundraisers and donations.

The annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni Golf tournament is hosted at Keystone Links on Sept. 24. Anyone is eligible to participate.

Monthly open euchre tournaments are held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 on Lansdowne Street.

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Ice Cream Parlour Serving Up Smiles for Children's Charity

Central Smith Ice Cream served charity ice cream cones for Five Counties Children’s Centre’s “Do It For The Kids” campaign on Saturday.

(Left to Right) Allison Zomer, Central Smith server; Jennifer Scates, Central Smith co-owner; Linsay Kampf, Five Counties communications coordinator and Olivia Stevenson. Central Smith server. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The creamery was selling $2.50 single-scoop vanilla ice cream cones with blue and green sprinkles — the Five Counties’ colours — where proceeds go towards the charity. They also sold $2 donation cards as another method to raise money.

The one-day event is a wrap-up of a campaign that the creamery runs monthly. The events were organized by the creamery staff including a cakewalk, bake sales, 50/50 draws and a “Do It for Dad” ice cream day.

“It’s really been a grassroots organization and it’s been driven by the staff,” said Jennifer Scates, Central Smith co-owner. “It’s been phenomenal.”

Central Smith has over 60 flavours of ice cream, sherbet or sorbet that are available in cones, cups or sundaes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ice cream parlour has raised roughly $1,800 towards their $5,000 goal to be donated on Halloween. Central Smith has unaccounted funds in the past month that has yet to be counted toward the total.

The staff chose Five Counties as their charity of choice back in September. The creamery runs a charity campaign every two years where Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Team55 and Terry Fox have been past recipients.

Central Smith began exclusive production of premium ice cream in 1952. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store plans to run future campaigns until September such as charity walks, 50/50 draws and bake sales. Several of the events run have been organized and initiated by the staff.

“We’ve just been slowly building momentum through the year,” said Scates.

Central Smith was founded in 1896 and celebrates its 125th anniversary in mid-July.

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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.

Stock Photo.

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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OPP Handing Out Positive Tickets to Kids For Positive Community Behaviour

This summer, the Ontario Provincial Police has begun “Operation Freeze” handing kids “positive tickets” for demonstrating positive behaviour for the community announced Tuesday.

A child receiving a '“positive ticket” from a local OPP officer. Deeds such as wearing bicycle helmets, picking up trash or obeying school crossing rules will earn tickets for children. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

Kids will receive coupons for a free small “Froster” in a partnership with Circle K convenience stores.

Reasons may vary but the OPP is out looking out for the following positive behaviours:

• To recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets

• Doing various good deeds

• Participating in community activities

• Demonstrating community pride (eg. picking up trash)

• Deterring crime or observing school crossing rules

• As an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area

Operation Freeze and Operation Heat are campaigns in a partnership between the OPP and Circle K convenience stores. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

"This is a great initiative and allows officers the opportunity to interact with youth in a positive manner," said Terry Ward, Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander. "These interactions with police can open dialogue with the youth and leave a good lasting impression."

The OPP will run a similar campaign this winter called “Operation Heat” for a free hot beverage.

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Local Boy Shares Inspiring Immigration Story After Five Years In Canada

Life changed at a young age on a whim for Jorge Escalera Arroyo immigrating to Canada but the 11-year-old shared his story in a podcast by New Canadians Centre Peterborough (NCC) last Wednesday.

Arroyo has expressed some interest in streaming video games like Fortnite or Spanish lessons on Youtube in the near-future. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.

Arroyo moved from Monterrey, Mexico when he was six after his father received a job opportunity at Quaker Oats Peterborough.

The grade 5 student received an invitation from the NCC to record a 12-minute podcast of his experience living in Canada. He talks about his struggles, adjusting to a new culture and eventually expresses his love for living in Canada.

“I like the community because they’re so kind,” said Arroyo. “People are generous too. I also like the school because I understand it more than Mexico.”

Arroyo highlights his early struggles in school from learning both English and French and being bullied by other students. He credits his teachers for helping him learn them quickly.

He initially had a difficult time since he was learning three languages at once (including his native language of Spanish) and says kids were teasing him for not knowing them well right away.

The Westmount Public School student wanted to share his story to inspire others while the world is under a pandemic.

“I know we’re going through a very rough time,” he said. “I thought if anyone is moving or having a rough time, I wanted to share them my story so they could feel a bit better and know what everybody else is going through.”

Gym is one of Arroyo’s favourite school subjects. He is a big fan of the Canadian dessert, Nanaimo bars. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.

He also wanted to spread the message of anyone being open to others about their struggles rather than bottling them up.

“I wanted to let people know if they have something bad (experiences) to say, they should say it to get that pressure off your mind,” he said.

Arroyo says his favourite Mexican food is tamales and is fan of their street food. Photo Courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.

Arroyo often keeps in contact with friends and family in Mexico and helps children learn English he said. He is the oldest of three with a brother Roberto, 5, and sister Sofia, 3.

He is no longer bullied in school and overcame his initial shyness when he came to Canada. Arroyo’s hobbies include karate, video games and drawing.

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PTBOCanada Donates Sign Wars Funds to Children's Foundation

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCF) received a cheque of $6,360 from PTBOCanada on Thursday morning.

Deb Aben (left) recieves the cheque of $6,360 from PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy (middle) and Pete Dalliday (right). Photo by David Tuan Bui

The funds came from the Peterborough Sign Wars campaign PTBOCanada ran in late April, selling “Meet me in Aisle 15” t-shirts.

The PTBOCanada team including owner Kirtus Evoy, Fresh Radio 100.5’s Pete Dalliday and editor David Tuan Bui arrived at the charity to donate the proceeds.

Fresh Radio and The Wolf were one of several businesses that were highly active in the #PTBOSignWars. File Photo.

Deb Aben, Executive Producer of KHCF was there to accept the money on behalf of the charity and could not be happier to receive the donation.

“When the call came through was just so thrilled that it’s going towards helping kids who are in need of our community,” said “It’s going to make a huge difference this summer.”

“It was amazing to see the community come together over a quick period handing out thousands of smiles through the sign wars and raise money for a great cause,” said Evoy. “I’m proud to be part of an amazing community.”

KHCF sends kinds either for one or two weeks of summer camp every year with the exception of last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money will go towards sending kids to summer camp and their “Soaking Up Summer” program. Developed last year, the program purchased athletic equipment, toys or anything designed for kids to play outside and be active. The campaign was created as an alternative to sending kids to day camp due to the pandemic.

“I felt I’d won the lottery,” said Aben. “How lucky these kids are to be the beneficiaries of something that engaged the community and made us smile, laugh and made us feel like a kid again.”

KHCF supports children in activities that are not government funded, provides money for families newly caring for extended family members, post-secondary bursaries and gift cards for youth transitioning to independent living who were formerly in youth care.

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Local Boy Breaks Guinness World Record with Longest Milk Tooth

Peterborough, meet your newest Guinness World Record holder.

Nine-year-old Luke Boulton of Peterborough officially has the Guinness World Record for the longest milk tooth extracted of 2.6 cm.

The tooth was extracted on Sept. 17, 2019, by dentist Dr. Chris McArthur of Liftlock Family Dentistry when Boulton was eight years old at the time.

Luke Boulton (left) with dentist Dr. Chris McArthur (right) after getting their official measurement to submit to Guinness. Photo courtesy of Craig Boulton.

The tooth broke the previous record of 2.4 cm held by 10-year-old Curtis Baddie of Columbus, Ohio set on Feb. 18, 2019.

“It was a bit disturbing at first to think that was in someone’s mouth,” said Craig Boulton, Luke’s father. “It was pretty impressive.”

The adult tooth was growing behind the milk tooth which is why it needed to be extracted according to Craig.

Luke currently has his world-record tooth stored in the blue case. Photo Courtesy of Craig Boulton.

After the tooth extraction, Luke’s oldest sister, Leah, remarked that it could be a world record. That inspired the family to submit an application to Guinness World Records.

The application process took 12 weeks between each submission. An initial application had to be accepted then a formal one had to be submitted. Video evidence, witness accounts and a small biography were elements requested as part of the application process.

The tooth (2.6 cm) is barely shorter than a Loonie’s diameter (2.65 cm). Photo Courtesy of Craig Boulton.

Luke gained immediate fame from his peers and teachers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Elementary School where they announced his world record over the public address system.

He is honoured to be in a with several other great people who are in the world record book according to the submitted biography. Luke wants to open the world record book and show his family and friends his record-breaking achievement.

The official certificate has yet to be issued to Luke however he plans to incorporate the encased tooth with the award once he receives it.

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