Peterborough Blogs
Hometown PTBO: Roy Bateman's Legacy and Retirement Party From the Evinrude Centre
/This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Roy Bateman celebrates retirement from working as an arena staff during his retirement party. His friends speak about his legacy left behind throughout all his years of service.
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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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Local Family Spreads Kindness to Those in Need
/A family in Peterborough is spreading viral kindness in their neighbourhood by offering assistance to those self isolating due to COVID-19.
The Hurlington family. According to Alvea, the most cookies they have ever made and delivered in one day is 8,000. Photo Courtesy of Alvea Hurlington.
The Hurlingtons are known in their neighbourhood as “The Cookie People” after years of distributing homemade cookies to their neighbours in the Marsdale Drive area near Beavermead Park during Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Alvea Hurlington, the oldest sibling, says that ever since the family moved to Peterborough 16 years ago, they have made an effort to get to know their neighbours and delivering cookies has helped them do that.
When COVID hit in March 2020, the Hurlingtons felt that they needed to do something.
The family quickly put together a flyer letting their neighbours know that if they needed help picking up groceries or urgent supplies, temporary childcare or even just a friendly phone call, they would do their best to make that happen.
Alvea Hurlington says the #ViralKindness project was spearheaded by her father. Photo Courtesy of Alvea Hurlington.
Since distributing the flyers, the family has received a few phone calls from seniors living nearby needing assistance and even calls from people that do not need help but who are thanking them for their kindness.
Baking cookies and offering grocery deliveries are not the only things the Hurlingtons do says Alvea.
“We do lots of stuff in the community,“ she explains. “Every Saturday morning through our church organization, Mom and I deliver packages of crafts to young children.”
On Friday evenings the Hurlingtons prepare food for families that are in need of an extra meal.
“Everything we do we do it as a crew,” Hurlington said.
Nobody is more or less deserving of support, she explains. The Hurlingtons hope that through their viral kindness movement they are able to build their community and make some friends while they do so.
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Local Peterborough Businesses Donate Canada Day Sales For Indigenous Issues
/Peterborough businesses have donated proceeds during Canada Day and the following weekend in support of Indigenous causes.
Mohawk children cheering for Team Haudenosaunee at the 2019 World U19 Women's Field Lacrosse Championships at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Planet, Silver Bean Café, KitCoffee, The Night Kitchen, Le Petit Bar and St. Veronus were participating restaurants that have donated a portion of their earnings made on Canada Day or the following weekend.
The inspiration came after the trending hashtag #CancelCanadaDay surfaced as a part of truth and reconciliation for Indigenous people. Community members would not celebrate the country’s anniversary and reflected Canada’s involvement of Residental Schools’ treatment towards Indigenous people until the 1980’s.
The Planet and Silver Bean Café have donated 25 per cent of their Canada Day proceeds to Legacy of Hope Foundation; an Indigenous charity to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residental School System according to their website.
“The recent news of more mass graves being discovered at residential schools is so upsetting,” said The Planet on a Facebook post. “We can't change the past but we can work towards a better future.”
Mohawk children ran across the stands flying the Six Nations flag after every Team Haudenosaunee goal. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
KitCoffee is donating all its Canada Day profits to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS); an organization that provides services to Indian Residental School Survivors.
Le Petit Bar and St. Veronus are donating 15 percent of all their weekend sales towards IRSSS. In addition to them, The Night Kitchen donated all their Tuesday proceeds to Mnoominkewin festival held in Curve Lake during the month of September.
Donations to Legacy of Hope Foundation and IRSSS can be made on their official websites.
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City of Peterborough Giving Out Free "Celebrate at Home" Kits for Canada Day
/The City of Peterborough will be handing out 500 free Canada Day “Celebrate at Home” kits on Tuesday announced on June 18 after the cancellation of the annual Canada’s Day parade.
Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough.
The cancellation occurred since it could not comply with step one of the Province of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap that restricts outdoor gathering to a maximum of 10 people.
The kits include Canada Day-themed decorations, crafts, activities, contests, scavenger hunts and fun giveaways to help celebrate the nation's birthday safely.
Families can participate in the contests and activities and share their photos online using #PtboCanadaDay2021. The kits are a way for the community to celebrate together.
“Brighter days are ahead and we look forward to celebrating future holidays together when it’s safe but we’re not there just yet,” said Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor. “The health and wellbeing of residents is our priority and it’s important that we follow the measures of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap. We hope the ‘Celebrate at Home’ kits deliver some Canada Day fun to families.”
Peterborough’s Canada Day Parade runs on George Street from City Hall to Morrow Park annually. Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough.
Peterborough families are invited to pick up one kit per family at one of the four pickup locations and celebrate Canada Day at home this year. Pick up locations are as follows:
City Hall, 500 George St. N
Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.
Kits can be picked up starting at 10:00 a.m. on June 29 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Staff will be at City Hall to hand out the kits until 6:00 p.m. or until all kits are distributed.
Curbside pick-up and all COVID safety protocols will be followed. Residents are reminded that face coverings are mandatory and are asked to maintain physical distancing of two metres from people who are not from their household.
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Local Church Unveils Community Garden For Food Insecurity Awareness
/All Saints' Anglican Church unveiled their community vegetable garden where their crops will be donated to several local communities and organizations to spread food insecurity awareness on Monday.
Reverend Suzanna McMillan (left) and Reverend Samantha Caravan (right) in front of one of five vegetable garden boxes that will continually grow crops for local communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at the south end of the church, the All Saints’ Peterborough Community Garden will supply vegetables to organizations such as Food Not Bombs, Kawartha Food Share, Prince of Wales School’s breakfast program and YWCA Nourish.
“We obviously love to distribute fresh foods to our member agencies so the fact that they’ve taken this to the next level and are willing to support their families with healthy nutritious food items, it’s so great,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager.
The garden was built not only as a way to help the community but inspire others to help fight against food insecurity and start their own initiative. Reverend Samantha Caravan said the church believes in food equity and that no one should have to worry about having food on their plate every day.
“We really want to engage with people to help them grow their own food in their own backyards,” she said. “It’s not about just filling empty bellies, it’s really building a relationship with people who live and work in this neighbourhood.”
McMillan helped plant, water, weed and caretake the garden since it was created in early June. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The garden was dedicated to Reverend Suzanne McMillan who serves as the church’s diaconate for over 15 years. The honour came as a surprise to McMillan when Caravan revealed the plaque to the public.
“The priest beside me (Caravan) is filled with wonderful surprises like this. Honouring the people for the work they do,” she said. “I was delighted but very surprised.”
“Suzanne has been the driving force around here for justice issues,” said Caravan. “With her energy and time, we wanted to honour that commitment to her fellow people with this.”
The five garden boxes are 6x25x3 inches in length. Rain barrels are used to help maintain the gardens to offset the cost of water. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The gardens were planted in the first week of June and contain crops such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash and lettuce. The church plans to grow enough tomatoes to hold canning sessions for community distribution.
The church plans to continually use the gardens to crops as long as possible for community distribution.
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United Way Delivering “Day of Caring” Donations For Students and Shelters
/Local shelters and students will receive more than 100 kits each donated by the community and collected by United Way’s “Day of Caring” announced on Wednesday.
School supplies such as backpacks, pencil crayons, markers, notebooks, paper and more were school supply items donated to the United Way. Photo Courtesy of United Way.
More than 120 local residents donated 275 kits worth of items (135 for local shelters and 139 for students) at the United Way office in downtown Peterborough last Wednesday. Brant Office Supply contributed more than 200 facemasks to be included in all kits.
Personal hygiene and care product kits are for the local shelters. Backpacks filled with school supplies are for the students of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board as part of the United Way’s “Backpacks For Kids” program.
The community collection drive was a departure from past “Day of Caring” events that had volunteers working on local projects and instead focused on meeting the immediate needs of those in our community who are financially insecure, precariously housed or homeless.
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, body wash, sanitizer, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, bandages and more were in the personal care kits. Photo Courtesy of United Way.
Jim Russell, district C.E.O. was overcome with pride at being part of such a generous and giving community.
“To hear stories from so many people as to what inspired them to give to this initiative really served to bring home to me that we are lucky to live, work and play in such an empathetic and caring community,” he said. “One young girl heard the call to action on the news and spent her allowance to create a kit… … She said that when she first came to Peterborough, she received a backpack through her school and will never forget how proud and lucky that made her feel so was excited for the chance to pay it forward.”
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City of Peterborough Hires First Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
/Reem Ali has become the City of Peterborough’s first diversity, equity and inclusion officer announced on Monday.
Ali has a certificate in Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues from Saint Paul University. Screenshot.
Her position will assist Peterborough with addressing racism, discrimination, and the prevention, identification and removal of barriers to access in opportunity. The new role will provide expert advice and guidance, strengthening the City’s ability to serve diverse communities.
“The new position reflects the City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. For our community to thrive, we need to be open and welcoming to all people,” said Diane Therrien, Peterborough mayor. Diversity of experiences, backgrounds and cultures makes us a better, stronger, more vibrant community.”
City Council approved creating the position through the City’s 2021 Budget as Ali will start her role in July.
“As we see the historical and present-day experiences of discrimination and hate that have destroyed lives, we have a responsibility to learn, to understand and to take action to improve our City and our country,” Therrien added.
Ali has a Master of Science degree in biochemistry from McMaster University, Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from Carleton University. Photo Courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Ali is currently the interim executive director of the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre and has taught International Studies at Trent University. She currently serves on non-profit boards including the YWCA, the Kawartha World Issues Centre, the Peterborough Field Naturalists and the Clean Slate Enterprise.
She is also the chair of the Peterborough Regional Farmers Market Steering Committee and has previously worked at the New Canadians Centre.
“I am very honoured to have been trusted with this new and important role in my home City of Peterborough,” said Ali. “(I) look forward to advancing this challenging but much-needed DEI work within the City and our local community.”
In 2018, Ali received the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s 4 Under 40 award and the Inaugural Women's Leadership Award by Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MP.
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Peterborough Giving Out Free "Celebrate at Home" Kits for Canada Day
/The City of Peterborough will be handing out 500 free Canada Day “Celebrate at Home” kits for June 29 announced Friday after the cancellation of the annual Canada’s Day parade.
Peterborough’s Canada Day Parade runs on George Street from City Hall to Morrow Park annually. Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough.
The cancellation occurred since it could not comply with step 1 of the Province of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap that restricts outdoor gathering to a maximum of 10 people.
The kits include Canada Day-themed decorations, crafts, activities, contests, scavenger hunts and fun giveaways to help celebrate the nation's birthday safely.
Families can participate in the contests and activities and share their photos online using #PtboCanadaDay2021. The kits are a way for the community to celebrate together.
“Brighter days are ahead and we look forward to celebrating future holidays together when it’s safe but we’re not there just yet,” said Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor. “The health and wellbeing of residents is our priority and it’s important that we follow the measures of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap. We hope the ‘Celebrate at Home’ kits deliver some Canada Day fun to families.”
Peterborough families are invited to pick up one kit per family at one of the four pickup locations and celebrate Canada Day at home this year. Pick up locations are as follows:
City Hall, 500 George St. N
Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W
Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N
Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.
