Paul Rellinger On Relly On The Roof & This Amazing Community

Relly On The Roof returns for a sixth year April 28th to 30th, again raising funds for Habitat For Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha under the Peterborough Cares fundraising umbrella.

At noon on Thursday, April 28th, Paul Rellinger (aka "Relly")—with the generous help of the Peterborough Fire Department—will be lifted onto the roof of The Brick (1200 Lansdowne St. W.). While Habitat For Humanity volunteers collect donations in the parking lot below, Relly will live atop The Brick until 5 p.m. on April 30th.

"Since I first took to the Brick roof in 2011, this event has reinforced something I was already well aware of—Peterborough residents always find a way to give something," Paul Rellinger tells PTBOCanada.

"We've raised thousands of dollars for Habitat For Humanity. Most of that has been in the form of loose change but it adds up in an awful hurry. Habitat For Humanity, through its partnerships, is able to make that money stretch to help fulfill its important mandate," Rellinger adds.

A highlight of the weekend will be a live music showcase outside The Brick on Saturday, April 30th starting at 1 p.m. Featured performers include Rick and Gailie Young, Jessie Morrissey and Adam Grills, Hilary Dumoulin, Missy Knott, Terry Guiel and Jan Schoute.

Dave Stanley, manager of The Brick, is volunteering his time and staff for Relly on the Roof. Also providing invaluable support is Sobeys, Canadian Tire, Boston Pizza, The Pizza Factory and Tim Hortons.

"I can't say enough about The Brick and its manager Dave Stanley," Rellinger tells PTBOCanada. "Also everyone at Habitat For Humanity and good friend Camille Parent, whose Peterborough Cares initiative gave birth to Relly On The Roof and remains its partner. It's going to be a great three days. I'm excited to get going."

We're excited to see the community get behind this again.

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PTBOCanada Profile: Peterborough Police 9-1-1 Communicator Christina Lake

If there is one thing Christina Lake wants people to know when they call 9-1-1, it’s that a real person is on the other end of the line. A person that cares. A person who tries to empathize and understand. A person that really wants to help.

“We’re not faceless people,” says Lake. “I try to put myself in their shoes."

Christina Lake

Born and raised in Peterborough, Lake is the newest member of the Peterborough Police Service’s Communications team and has been a part-time 9-1-1 Communicator with the Service since June 2014.

Following her graduation from Durham College in the two-year 9-1-1 Emergency Call Taker Communications Program, Lake knew that she wanted to put her knowledge into use by working for a Police Service.

The training to become a 9-1-1 Communicator is nothing short of intensive and includes a placement period along with a five-month shadowing period once hired.

Lake recalls sitting in the 9-1-1 Centre during her training period and watching in awe as the veteran Communicators handled an emergency call. She describes one Communicator staying on the line talking to the person in crisis while another Communicator was already dispatching two officers to the location while a third Communicator was running background checks and gathering other information on the parties involved.

“It’s amazing what they do,” she says of her more experienced colleagues. “Watching everything, I thought: I don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to do this. You have to be able to work with your team and take constructive criticism.”

Fast forward two years and while she is still learning every day, Lake is now a part of that finely-tuned machine run out of the Peterborough Police Station that handled 47,706 9-1-1 calls in 2015. Equal parts master-listener and talker—skills essential to her job—she has taken the meaning of multitasking to a whole new level.

Inside the 9-1-1 Centre at Peterborough Police

Lake describes one of the hardest parts of the job as trying to “read” each person that calls and make a correct assessment in a matter of seconds. While telling a person to take a deep breath and calm down may work on one call, that well-intentioned comment could only serve to aggravate and escalate a situation during another call.

Another very difficult part of her role is prioritizing calls as they come into the 9-1-1 centre and explaining to people how calls are placed on a queue, or triaged, depending on the emergency.

One of the best parts of Lake's job is helping find a resolution over the phone before an officer needs to be dispatched to intervene. Sometimes that means calling on her intensive training, and just being a good listener. Lake has had people tell her, “I just needed someone to tell me, It’s okay.”

When asked to describe her best day at work, her answer is not extravagant or extraordinary.

“The best day is when someone says a simple thank-you,” she says.

—article courtesy Lauren Gilchrist, Peterborough Police Service

[Related: The Vital Role Peterborough 9-1-1 Dispatchers Play]

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A Tim Hortons In Peterborough Wrote This Awesome Message To Peterborough Police

LOVE this community. Small gestures make a world of difference. Looking after each other. We have each other's back.

Look at what the Tim Hortons on Crawford Drive in Peterborough wrote on this coffee cup lid to a police officer...

Thanks to the awesome staff at @TimHortons on Crawford Dr for this. Totally made my night! *JB pic.twitter.com/YWy9VIU1Pc

— Peterborough Police (@PtboPolice) April 9, 2016

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GE In Peterborough Restored The Merry-Go-Round At Riverview Park & Zoo

General Electric in Peterborough originally donated the Merry-Go-Round to the Riverview Park and Zoo in 1986, and have refurbished it several times over the years.

The ride has grown a little rusty over the years from use—and weather—so it has been restored again, for free, by the great people at GE, Zoo Manager and Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. 

"Didn't they do a fantastic job?," Moloney says. "We can't wait to see it in use!"

We can't wait to use it!

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Then & Now: A Photo Tour Of The Majestic Mount In Peterborough

The former Mount St. Joseph’s complex is a huge part of Peterborough history. The iconic property dates back to the 1860s, when it was a private residence.

Our Scott Arnold was recently given a private tour of the majestic buildings and property, which sits on 10 acres and has 131,400 square feet of buildings including housing, a chapel, commercial kitchen and much more. Have a look at Scott's pictures below weaved together with historical pictures and information about this special building as its converts to an innovative, self-sustaining community project.

Photo courtesy The Mount

The property was acquired by the Catholic Diocese in 1895 and converted to a residence for the 12 Sisters of St. Joseph who were brought to Peterborough to support a Catholic hospital. As additional Sisters arrived, new wings were added to the complex. The last addition came in 1969.

1869. Photo courtesy The Mount

1895. Photo courtesy The Mount

1911. Photo courtesy The Mount

1934. Photo courtesy The Mount

1952. Photo courtesy The Mount

1969. Photo courtesy The Mount

With the declining population of nuns, the property was sold to private developers in 2009 but the downturn in the economy hindered redevelopment and the property was again put on the market in 2013.

Photo by Scott Arnold

The Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network (PPRN), originally formed by Past Mayor Paul Ayotte, was looking for a suitable property to create affordable housing and a food centre.

With thanks to generous donations and a few miracles, the PPRN acquired the property and turned it over to a newly formed non-profit organization called “The Mount Community Centre”. 

Photo by Scott Arnold

Today, the 10 member Board of Directors have ambitious plans to repurpose the facility for complementary “hubs”: Housing, Food, Health and Social Services and Arts and Culture. Work is well underway on 43 new apartment units.

Photo by Scott Arnold

The building is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act for both exterior and interior heritage features. This has posed a challenge to the renovations that need to respect the historic character of the building.

The Chapel. Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Chapel doors: Photo by Scott Arnold

The Board has engaged with numerous partners from students at Lakefield College to the Victorian Order of Nurses, to Trent University and Sir Sanford Fleming College. 

Chapel closet. by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

Confessional. Photo by Scott Arnold

There are between 30-35 contractors working full time on The Mount project, along with 16 amazing volunteers. The volunteers are actually doing a lot of the woodworking and refurbishing.

Dining Room. Photo by Scott Arnold

Original fireplace. Photo by Scott Arnold

The founders of this non-profit organization know The Mount will make a wonderful setting for a diverse self-sustaining village within the city.

Inside side entrance. Photo by Scott Arnold

Iron from old bed. Photo by Scott Arnold

With amazing momentum, community partners, volunteers and perserverance, The Mount Community Centre is well on its way to creating a new and exciting social hub within the City of Peterborough.

Multi-purpose space being refurbished. Photo by Scott Arnold

Old iron board. Photo by Scott Arnold

One of many long hallways. Photo by Scott Arnold

Original farmhouse on property circa 1860s. Photo by Scott Arnold

Stairway near entrance to The Mount. Photo by Scott Arnold

Old swimming pool. Photo by Scott Arnold

Old Tea Room. Photo by Scott Arnold

Activity Room. Photo by Scott Arnold

The attic: Photo by Scott Arnold

The attic: Photo by Scott Arnold

Trunk room where they kept their trunks. Photo by Scott Arnold

Photo by Scott Arnold

This incredible community project is another testament to the creative ingenuity happening in this city, and how far collaboration, ideas and imagination can take us.

Photo by Scott Arnold

Exterior shot courtesy The Mount.

Society members wishing to find out more about this important community project can check out the Mount's website here.

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New Startup Peterborough Tool Library Is Awesome

UPDATE: April 17th. The Indiegogo campaign is 67% of the way there in their final week. Click here to help them reach their goal.

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UPDATE: March 30th. The Indiegogo campaign to raise money for this amazing concept has gone live. Click here to check it out and give.

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ORIGINAL POST

This is awesome: Peterborough's first Tool Library is starting up. Think of the tool library as like a typical library but for tools instead of books. The not-for-profit Peterborough Tool Library provides community members access to hundreds of tools that they may need to make their projects happen.

Members of the Peterborough Tool Library will have access to a wide variety of household and construction tools. The founders take care of the purchasing, storage, maintenance and hassles of owning tools—and people simply borrow the tools they need when they need them.

Peterborough Tool Library founders: Jen Feigin, Chris Magwood, Tessa Nasca, Dave Hope, Pete Mack and Hillary Manion. (Absent: Lindsay Stroud) PHOTO By Tony Armstrong

The Peterborough Tool Library is comprised up of seven dedicated community members—Jen Feigin, Chris Magwood, Tessa Nasca, Dave Hope, Pete Mack, Hillary Manion and Lindsay Stroud—who came together around a shared vision of fostering creativity and self-sufficiency in our community, while contributing to a sustainable local sharing economy.

The committee also wants to provide access to tools for those that cannot afford them, as many folks do not have the money to invest in their own collection of tools. That is why their membership is so affordable.

For just $50 a year, members have access to hundreds of high quality tools. They even offer a reduced student rate ($40) and a sliding scale for folks that cannot afford the full membership.

The committee is currently creating an Indiegogo campaign—it should be live by mid-March—so that community members can show their support for the Tool Library by purchasing their membership in advance. If the campaign is a success, they will be opening their doors to members in May—and be housed at the Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school on High Street.

Meet the Tool Library committee! We're working hard to give access to hundreds of tools for $50/yr @Ptbo_Canada #DIY pic.twitter.com/dtc0PlMirb

— Ptbo Tool Library (@PtboToolLibrary) March 1, 2016

The Tool Library is a not-for-profit initiative, and all of the money they collect will go towards updating and maintaining their tool collection. Once they open their doors, they will be looking for volunteers to help staff the Tool Library.

For information on memberships and volunteering, get in touch with Jen Feigin at info@ptbotoollibrary.ca. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

—By Aaron Elliott

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Peterborough Together: A Celebration of Peace and Unity At PCVS

Service organizations, faith communities, local foundations, First Nations representatives and people from across the Peterborough Region will come together at an event at PCVS on Sunday, March 6th to deliver a message of inclusion.

"Peterborough Together – A Celebration of Peace and Unity will build on the remarkable outpouring of support to the Muslim community that was shown after the attack on the Masjid Al-Salaam building," says Rev. Eilert Frerichs from Mark Street United Church.

“Our hope is to counteract some of the fears of the Muslim community and other recent newcomers to our country that continue to be expressed and fueled by anti-Muslim rhetoric both at home and abroad," says Rev. Frerichs.

The event starts at 2 pm in the auditorium of PCVS, and includes special musical performances and guest speakers. Everyone is welcome to attend this free-admission event that is organized by Mark Street United Church. All faith communities are invited.

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Peterborough Community Trading Cards Introduced To Raise Money For The Warming Room

Kawartha Local—a company that sells locally produced products—has launched a fun community trading card project to raise money for The Warming Room.

Kawartha Local's Rob Howard explains that the collectable cards of "community heroes" are a tangible way to show a love of community, with after-cost proceeds going to The Warming Room—a safe place where Peterborough’s most vulnerable can spend a winter night when no other options are available.

Mike Judson

Each card depicts a different local community hero. According to Howard, “they are all people who make a difference every day—and, just as importantly, work to bring out the superhero in others.”

The cards feature caricature illustrations by local artist Jason Wilkins, with graphic design work by Jeff Macklin of Jackson Creek Press. Featured on the cards are MP Maryam Monsef, Mike Judson, Donald Fraser, Diane Therrien, Michelle Ferreri and our PTBOCanada co-founder Neil Morton.

Maryam Monsef

“There are dozens and dozens of people we could recognize this way in Peterborough,” says Howard. “But for this edition, we asked six to participate.” 

A reception and project launch is taking place Saturday, February 6th from 4 to 6 pm at Black Honey Coffeehouse, 221 Hunter. Cards will be available for sale with several “superheros” on hand at the event.

Donald Fraser

Cards are sold in packages of 3 for $17.70, and are available online at kawarthalocal.ca, and at Naked Chocolate and Black Honey Coffeehouse on Hunter Street. Collectors can complete their set by trading any “doubles” at Facebook.com/KawarthaLocal or by making contact with other collectors on Twitter with the #PTBOTradingCards hashtag.

Diane Therrien

Howard has plans to do a future edition with different personalities. "If we do another Peterborough Trading Cards edition, it will have a different theme and support a different local charity," he says.

Michelle Ferreri

For more information on the “Peterborough Trading Cards” project, contact Rob Howard at 705.791.0050 or email.

More deets on the official launch and reception here.

Neil Morton

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The President Of Kawartha Muslim Religious Association Wrote This Love Letter To Community

Kenzu Abdella, President of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association, posted a beautiful note to the Peterborough community on Facebook. Read it below...

"Dear Donors,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association (KMRA) to thank you for the heartfelt support you provided to us through the crowdfunding campaign for the restoration of the Masjid Al Salaam after the fire that occurred on November 14th, 2015.

While the tragedy of this hate crime has shocked and saddened our Muslim community, we are highly encouraged by the outpouring of support that people like you have provided to us at a time of great need for our community.

Although the perpetrator(s) of this crime intended to create fear, division and hatred it in fact had the opposite effect. We believe strongly that something remarkable has come out of this tragedy in the form of overwhelming community solidarity in Peterborough. We also believe that the crowdfunding campaign has had a mobilizing effect that has extended beyond Peterborough and we are deeply thankful to you for that. We feel that we are in the midst of special people who care about promoting tolerance, neighbourliness, and who respect diversity.

I am writing you this letter to advise you that the KMRA’s insurance will cover most of the restoration that your donation was intended to cover. The KMRA is proposing that the surplus funds be utilized to create a fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough – a charity that inspires giving to build a vital community for everyone. Through this newly created fund, initial grants will be made to two important charities that are addressing significant needs in greater Peterborough:

1. Five Counties Children’s Centre, which is dedicated to supporting and enriching the independence and general quality of life for children and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs, and;

2. YWCA Crossroads Shelter which provides emergency shelter and support services for women and their children who are escaping abusive situations (a problem that cuts across all economic and social aspects of society).

We hope you will agree to join with KMRA in supporting the needs of women and children in our community as an ongoing and lasting expression of gratitude for the outpouring of support extended to us in a time of need. On the other hand, if you feel that your donation was specifically for reparation of damages to the Mosque and you would like your funds to be returned to you, please send an email to kmra.pe@gmail.com no later than December 22.

And rest assured that whichever option you choose, our gratitude for your support will remain the same.

Once again we would like to thank you for your immediate and heartfelt response to our crisis in this difficult time."

—Kenzu Abdella, President of the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association

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