YMCA Welcomes The Ontario-Federal Child Care Agreement

The province of Ontario and the federal government have signed a $13.2-billion agreement to lower the cost of child care in the province to an average of $10 a day by September 2025, on Monday.

File Photo.

“This is a historic moment for children and families across Ontario. Thanks to this agreement child care will be more affordable and more accessible to working families,” said David Allan, president and CEO of YMCA Central East Ontario. “The federal provincial child care agreement will benefit our children and communities for generations to come.”

In a press release, the YMCA notes that access to licensed, high-quality child care gives parents, and women in particular, a choice to enter or return to the workforce while ensuring their children are in safe environments.

“And now the work of rolling this out begins, and it won’t be easy. It will be worth it though as we lower the cost of care for our families and raise wages for staff. Both of these groups richly deserve it,” said Allan. “Our YMCA is looking forward to working with all levels of government and our community partners to bring this agreement to life.”

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Peterborough Kinsmen Raise $20,000 For YWCA Crossroads Emergency Shelter For Gender-Based Violence

The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough donated $20,000 in support of Safe Nights at YWCA Crossroads Shelter this month announced on Thursday.

Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president (left) and Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director (right).

The emergency shelter is for women and children experiencing gender-based violence.

"The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is very fortunate to be in a position to provide financial assistance to the YWCA Crossroads Safe Nights program,” said Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club of Peterborough president, “This donation is a result of the tremendous community support we have experienced with the Kinsmen Super TV Bingo recently.”

YWCA Crossroads Shelter has remained open throughout the pandemic.

The need for violence against women services has risen by approximately 30 per cent since the onset of the COVID-19 according to the YWCA.

“This wonderful demonstration of support will provide just over 300 Safe Nights for women and children in our community who have no safe place to turn,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director. “We’re immensely grateful for the Kinsmen’s support and continued dedication to our local community.”

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33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby Is Back After A Two Year Hiatus

The 33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby is back and bigger than ever, after a two year hiatus.

Photo courtesy of OFAH.

Formerly known as the Peterborough Greenwing Fishing Derby, this year’s event will feature several new elements.

“We have listened to angler feedback from past years, and added two extra days of fishing, early bird registration prizes, goody bags for participants, and sponsored tagged fish with cash prizes for anglers of all ages to win,” said David Ryrie, OFAH Youth Education Manager.

The youth derby begins on April 30, for children 15 and under. It includes 500 tagged Trout for instant prizes, and a chance to win one of four grand prizes. The big fish prize is $1000 cash and will go to whoever catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.

The all ages derby runs May 1-8 and for the first time ever will include tagged fish with cash prizes sponsored by local businesses.

“We still have fish in need of a local sponsor that will both challenge anglers and offset the cost of the stocked Trout for the youth derby,” said Ryrie.

Registration is required for all participants.$15 for one child, $10 for siblings, and $25 for adults.

Purchase tickets online at ofah.org/underthelock or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations.

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March Declared "Easter Seals Month" In Celebration Of Peterborough Telethon's 50th Anniversary

Ahead of the 50th Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon, March has been declared “Easter Seals Month” in a virtual media conference held on Thursday morning.

Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO on the virtual meeting telling his experiences of having cerebral palsy and using a walker to navigate. Screenshot.

The declaration was made by Coun. and deputy mayor Kemi Akapo shortly after the meeting had opened.

The Telethon will be broadcasted on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on YourTV and Global News but the campaign is currently seeking donations with a goal of $80,000.

They can be made online, phoning in on the Telethon or by emailing Coralie Jacobs, Easter Seals manager of development at cjacobs@easterseals.org.

The raised funds from the telethon provide financial assistance for communication devices, mobility equipment and summer camp opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals will virtually announce their goal on Thursday and check in with past ambassadors and local notables.

Guests include Akapo; Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO; Stu Harrison; Graham Hart; Mike Melnik; Teresa Kazsuba; Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

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Easter Seals Hits Two Milestones For Upcoming Telethon

On their 100th anniversary, the 50th Easter Seals Telethon kicks off its fundraising campaign to provide support for children and youth with physical disabilities beginning Thursday.

Easter Seals Telethon hosts from 2019. Photo courtesy of Easter Seals Peterborough.

The Telethon will be broadcasted on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on YourTV and Global News but the campaign is currently seeking donations.

Easter Seals will virtually announce their goal on Thursday and check in with past ambassadors and local notables. Guests include Deputy Mayor Kemi Akapo; Kevin Collins, Easter Seals CEO; Stu Harrison; Graham Hart; Mike Melnik; Teresa Kazsuba; Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

The raised funds provide financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.

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Norwood Woman Receives 4-H Ontario’s Most Distinguished Volunteer Award

Cathy Stockdale from Norwood is one of three recipients of the 2022 4-H Ontario Arbor Award, 4-H Ontario’s most distinguished volunteer award.

Cathy with her daughter Rebecca at a 4-H judging clinic . Photo courtesy of Cathy Stockdale.

4-H is a non-profit youth development organization that allows young people to learn about selected topics through fun, hands-on activities and mentorship.

The Peterborough 4-H association has several clubs across the county that teach about life skills.

“I’ve done it all from poultry to outdoors to crafting clubs, quilting, sewing, cooking, gardening, square dancing, even a giant veggie club,” she said.

All clubs are able to operate because of volunteers like Stockdale.

“I am getting close to 30 years of volunteering. It’s something that I did as a kid, then it eventually evolved into a leader position.”

Stockdale says that even though her own children are no longer participating in 4-H clubs, she continues to lead them because of how rewarding it is.

“Teaching kids a new skill and having them grasp that new skill, seeing the light go on when they figure it out is a very big reward. It's like watching the light bulb come on like ‘oh I can do this!’,” she said. “Watching that satisfaction of them completing that task is very rewarding for me as a leader.”

She notes that teaching young people life skills is something that does not seem to happen as often as it did years ago. Looking back to when she was in school she remembers learning basic skills like sewing, cooking and basic car maintenance.

“It's starting to come back - teaching these skills, we lost that for a while. 4-H has picked that up. Where else can you learn how to cook something and then have a meal at the end of the meeting? Or you grow a pumpkin and then see how big you can get them?”

Peterborough County 4-H ‘adopted’ a road in Peterborough County. Stockdale’s son spearheaded this idea. Here a group of members are cleaning up litter. Photo courtesy of Cathy Stockdale.

Recipients of the Arbor Award are nominated by their local Associations, and recipients are chosen by a committee of past recipients.

“Some girls got together and apparently nominated me for this award,” said Stockdale. “They got a bunch of letters together from people that I've worked with and volunteered with, they all wrote beautiful letters and they saved them for me so I could read them afterwards.”

According to the 4-H Ontario website, nominees must have shown significant leadership, initiative and made a positive impact on 4-H at various levels.

“You don’t know your self worth until you hear it from someone else's mouth. I am very blessed.”

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Peterborough Sport And Wellness Centre Launches New Website Ahead Of Summer Camp Registration

Registration for summer camps is now open and instructional sport camps are returning for the 2022 season in The City of Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“We are excited to work with our community partners to offer instructional sport camps again this summer,” said Jennifer Bell, Sport and Fitness Coordinator.

The City of Peterborough has launched updated webpages for recreation services to provide residents a convenient online location for all recreation programs, activities, events, and facility information. The site features online services to register for programs, request facility rentals, view drop-in schedules, and learn about memberships and upcoming events. Visit the website at www.peterborough.ca/recreation.

Spring programs begin the first week of April, with the aquatics facility at the Sport & Wellness Centre scheduled to re-open.

“We look forward to seeing our members and participants return to swimming lessons and public swimming this Spring”, said Andrea Pade, Aquatics Coordinator.

Registration for spring programming opens online, on March 8, 2022. View program offerings at www.peterborough.ca/recprograms.

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Next Gen Kids Sign One-Day Contract With Peterborough Petes

Kids of the Peterborough Petes Next Gen program have signed one-day contracts as staff members for various positions ahead of a matinee game against the Barrie Colts on Monday afternoon.

(From left to right) Callan “Coach Cal” Perks, Next Gen General Manager; Michael Oke, Petes General Manager; Chase Savage, Next Gen Head Coach; Khaiden Kidd, Next Gen Radio Broadcaster; Emerson Malloy Next Gen PA Announcer and Ella Perks, Next Gen In-Game Host. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Next Gen game allows children to shadow staffing roles such as general manager, public address announcer, a new role as a radio broadcaster and many others.

“I think this is a type of event that gives everybody an opportunity to be involved,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “Whether you are someone that is a strong player or somebody that doesn't play as all but wants to be a fan and enjoy the various aspects, it gives everybody a chance to be involved and participate.”

The Petes accepted applications and auditions from the public earlier this month for the Family Day game. Essays and/or videos were accepted as entries.

The following is a list of the Petes Next Gen staff:

• Callan Perks, General Manager

• Chase Savage, Head Coach

• Abby Docherty, Assistant Coach (not present)

• Emerson Malloy Next Gen PA Announcer

• Ella Perks, Next Gen In-Game Host

• Khaiden Kidd, Next Gen Radio Broadcaster

Coach Cal went viral in a pre-game speech that went viral in November. His twin sister Ella (far right) was the Next Gen In-Game Host for Feb. 21 game. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Callan “Coach Cal” Perks became a viral sensation with a pre-game speech for the Petes in late November as part of the Next Gen game. Oke says this program is meant to help develop younger generations with several life skills on and off the ice.

“We may be developing future players for the National Hockey League but we're definitely developing future members of our community,” he said. “I think this is a perfect example of an event like this in a special game like this allows us to work with young people and help development for life but not only on the ice but off the ice as well.

@ptbo_canada @coachcalofficial telling the @petesohlhockey to get the W tonight! Be careful @Barrie Colts. #gopetesgo #ohl #petes #coachcal #familyday #gettheW ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The Peterborough Petes defeated the Barrie Colts 4-3. Emmett Sproule, Jax Dubois, Chase Stillman and J. R. Avon were the Petes goal scorers.

Stillman and Spoule were the first and second stars respectively with Declan McDonnell of the Colts as the third.

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Organizations, Parents And Kids Celebrate As Youth Sports Resume In Peterborough

As of Monday youth sports may resume in Ontario, as part of the provinces slow ease in restrictions. Sports have been put on hold since Jan. 5.

Photo courtesy of Time 2 Hoop.

Leagues, studios, teams and coaches in Peterborough are ready to resume for in person play.

“We are thrilled to be able to open our doors to our students again,” said Robyn Carter, owner at Premiere Dance Peterborough. “Youth sports and extra curricular activities are so important to the mental and physical health of all children. At Premiere we go above and beyond the safety measures required, and know we can provide our dance lessons in a safe environment.”

Time 2 Hoop Basketball Academy is excited to be able to train athletes again and believes that their mental health will improve in doing so.

“We are getting back to an environment where children can be active while they are developing competence, confidence and having fun,” said Joshua Williams, founder of Time 2 Hoop. “Learning new skills, getting exercise, interacting with peers and learning to play with others in a team setting. Being involved with sports also helps develop life skills and deal with the challenges that life brings.”

Jef Dueck, president of the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council, AAA Peterborough Petes, sayd that although the league has lost about a month of ice time, they are ready now more than ever to skate together.

“We are very happy to be back at the rink and playing the sport we love,” he said. “Physical activity and team play are very important to the physical and mental health of our youth. For kids involved in high-level competitive sports programs like AAA hockey, there’s really no substitute for the intensity that comes with their practices and games. We’ve lost a month, some games and a couple of tournaments. But now that we can skate together again, we won’t waste any time getting back to work and chasing after the Provincial Championships.”

Shelbi Kilcollins, assistant coach of the U15AA Ice Kats, says the team is buzzing and ready to get back on the ice.

“Now that we know what a month without hockey looks like we’re ready to capitalize on our excitement,” she said. “The team is focused and ready for success.”

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Norwood Boy Gets A Birthday Surprise From Local Fire Department

Jayden, a 4-year-old from Norwood, who lives with a rare genetic disorder called Coffin-Siris Syndrome, got a special birthday surprise from the Asphodel Norwood Fire Department (ANFR) on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Fraser.

Ashley Fraser, Jayden’s Mom, says that while he is non-verbal he has always shown an interest in big trucks and lights so she thought he may like firetrucks.

“We noticed when we went to the Santa Clause parade in Norwood and he was just amazed when he saw the firetruck,” she said. “He sits in our window and he loves to watch cars go by and big trucks, that’s his thing - he’s not interested in toys.”

Because of his interest, Jayden’s mom reached out to the local fire department in hopes that they would drive by in their truck on Jayden’s birthday.

ANFR Fire Chief Daryl Payne and firefighter James Jordan arrived with a firetruck in tow to Jayden’s house to celebrate.

“James got right down to his eye level, Jayden was just so comfortable with him, it was just amazing that he was so drawn to him and was able to have that connection.”

Fraser says that the department blew her away with their kindness and how they treated her son.

@ptbo_canada Happy Birthday Jayden! Someone’s day was made and we don’t know if it was Jaydens our ours ❤️ #PTBOCanada #firefighters #firedepartment ♬ today was a good day - ✗

Living with coffin-siris syndrome, Jayden is non-verbal. His mom says his squeals of delight showed her just how happy he was when he saw the fire truck pull up to their home.

“He doesn’t get excited like the average little kid gets excited on birthdays or Christmas, it just doesn’t do it for him like a regular little kid, so it was so awesome to see him enjoy this.”

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