Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Receives $6,000 from "Lids For Kids" Campaign

More smiles on kids’ faces and more heads are covered after the “Lids for Kids” campaign raised $6,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) donated by PTBOCanada on Wednesday.

Members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and PTBOCanada at the cheque presentation.

The proceeds support weekly virtual programs to keep children on the waiting list connected to the agency. Examples include weekly trivia games and craft nights, including painting pictures and decorating pots in which they plant seeds.

Each hat purchased had $10 go towards the charity. They were available on PTBOCanada’s shop page in five different styles.

“It was great to have an opportunity to get behind the cause that simultaneously builds community through the PTBOCanada hats but also works for charity, said Thomas Jenkins, Peterborough Bigs board member. "We were absolutely honoured to be the charity choice for this."

"It's amazing to have people that are so supportive both with their time and energy and with their dollars," said Brent Shepard, Peterborough Bigs executive director. "It makes a big difference."

PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy presented the check at their studio in East City to Peterborough Bigs. The campaign originally raised $5,000 from 500 hats sold but Evoy threw in an extra $1,000 totalling $6,000.

The campaign began back in late April with several local celebrities and notables showing their support such as WWE wrestler Bobby Roode, sports broadcaster Dan O’Toole, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce president Stu Harrison and more.

Activities were limited with COVID-19 between the brothers and sisters but with the donated money, the organization is hoping to do more with the mentorship program.

"This is going go a long way to help us pull out of that (COVID-19 pandemic) and build on the good stuff that we've already seen happen in the history of Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough," said Shepard.

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Community Fridge in Peterborough Pops Up To Battle Food Insecurity

The fight for food insecurity takes one step forward as volunteers have launched a stocked community fridge that is open to the public in Peterborough.

The Community Fridge fully stocked. Photo Courtesy of Community Fridge PTBO.

The fridge and pantry are located in front of a private residence at the corner of Dublin and Aylmer.

At a community fridge, food is provided by people who drop off fresh fruits and vegetables, unexpired non-perishables, menstruation products, pet food and personal protective equipment. Restaurants can drop off pre-made meals that list all ingredients contained inside.

Community members are encouraged to “leave what you can, take what you need.” Anyone can drop off or take items at any time with no restrictions.

The project models itself on a growing movement of community fridges across the globe including sites in Toronto, Calgary, Kitchener, Hamilton and cities across the USA.

Volunteers have been working towards launching the Peterborough/Nogojiwanong Community Fridge since the winter of 2020.

After unsuccessfully asking several local businesses and organizations to host the fridge on their property, one of the core volunteers named Sunny, agreed to host the fridge on the front lawn of their house.

“The project has only brought smiles to people’s faces,” said Sunny. “Lots of people from the neighbourhood have already been filling up the pantry and fridge space and the past few weeks the only advertising for the fridge is the pantry itself.”

The newly established community fridge is looking for local citizens and businesses to support the project by dropping off fresh food and dried goods. Dedicated volunteers are also needed to help stock and clean the fridge on a regular basis.

For more information or to get involved, click here.

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City of Peterborough Announces 2022 Community Grant Program

Peterborough City Council that the application process for the 2022 Community Grant Program will open in October announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough

The Community Grants program provides financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide direct programs, services or activities that enhance the quality of life for Peterborough residents in the areas of social services and health, arts, culture, heritage, recreation or the environment.

Each year Peterborough City Council dedicates funds to be allocated to various community groups within the City. All grants are subject to evaluation and final approval by Council.

There are three streams of grants available.

The Community Project Grant offers $250 - $1,000 and is intended to be used to kickstart a project or special event.

The Community Investment Grant offers $1,000 - $15,000 to support larger projects or special events, specific programs of larger organizations, or operating budgets.

The Community Service Grant is not available through the application process. Eligible organizations will be identified by City staff and approved by Council. They will be required to enter into a Service Contract with the City in order to receive the funding. This grant will offer support for municipally mandated services for which the requested amount is more than $15,000.

For more information contact the Community Services department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca

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Clean Slate For Peterborough Public Library Users With Eliminated Fines

All outstanding late fees from the Peterborough Public Library are no more as they have been eliminated according to a press release on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Public Library.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the library stopped charging late fees and forgave outstanding fines on people’s accounts.

“We were happy to discover that library items continued to be returned regularly,” says Jennifer Jones, Library CEO. “There were no noticeable changes in people’s returning habits with or without the late fines.”

Late fines have been shown to create feelings of shame and embarrassment, keeping people from returning to the library according to the press release.

The Library also noted that outstanding fees can also create financial barriers that prevent people from ever using the library in the first place. By eliminating late fines, the library can better support literacy efforts in the community and reduce barriers to accessing library materials and services.

“If you’ve been avoiding the library because you think you might have fines, we want to welcome you back to the library with a clean borrowing record and a fresh start,” said Jones. “Technology isn’t perfect so if you notice fines on your account after September 21, please reach out to library staff. We may have missed something or you may have fees for lost items on your account.”

The move to a fine-free library service will allow 11,927 members to have late fines removed from their accounts. In addition, 1,694 members will have their library accounts unblocked.

Items will still have due dates and need to be returned. An item is considered lost when it has not been returned for more than 44 days past the due date. At that point, the member’s account is charged a replacement and processing fee for the item.

Any member with more than $10 in fees will be blocked from using their account. Visit ptbolibrary.ca/borrowing for full details on how the Library handles lost and damaged items.

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Peterborough Challenger Baseball Hits a Home Run In Their Season Finale Return

There was no shortage of smiles and fly balls as Peterborough Challenger Baseball concluded their comeback season with the final game of the year at Kinsmen Park on Thursday.

The Senior division kicked off the final game of the season for the non-profit organization. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Challengers squeaked a 16-13 win over the PTBO Rockstars in the championship game of the senior division.

The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevents them from playing an organized sport.

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has 24 volunteer coaches that are all mentored and instructed by the Jays Care Foundation, the charity arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. There were 76 active players this year with several regulars who sat out for safety reasons.

The Challengers were made up of members who benefit from the non-profit organization while the Rockstars are pick-up players that vary week-to-week as their opponents. The games are casual but the competitive spirit resides in every player that walks onto the field according to Bernie Daynes, Peterborough Challenger Baseball president.

“It's all about learning for them as well as some of them can hit a ball. Tonight (Thursday) was quite competitive but it's all about having fun as well,” he said. “They’re still learning some fielding fundamentals and that's what we do here.”

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has several divisions of all ages including Little League Juniors, Martinez Intermediates and Barfield Seniors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization last year was able to have a season from the COVID-19 pandemic but got the thumbs-up for this summer. Weekly play typically begins in May but was delayed until mid-June through September.

Playing baseball was an activity both the players and staff were aiming for after coming off a forced hiatus of 16 months.

“We started planning for a return to play in January of this year. As soon as we got the go-ahead from the province and the local health board, we had our plan in action and we put the players back on the field very quickly,” said Daynes.

The PTBO Rockstars during their final game of the season. The team welcomes all skill levels to participate against the Challengers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mission of Daynes’s organization is not only to provide an inclusive outlet for baseball and have fun but to teach life lessons and develop as human beings.

”Also within playing the baseball as a game, it's also as a social network for these players and we also help teach them some social skills as well as how to accept failure as a learning device and not a failure,” he explained. “That's all failure is, that it's an opportunity to learn and these guys here are very quick to learn.”

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Sustainable Fashion Comes to Lansdowne Place With Second-Hand Clothing Store

The Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region sells a lot of second-hand items and can add clothing to that list by opening a ReStyle store in Lansdowne Place mall last Friday.

(left to right) Christina Skuce, Habitat director of Philanthropy and Communications; Debbie Hinze, Operations Lead and Beth Burke, Logistics Supervisor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In addition to second-hand clothing, they also sell purses, shoes, hats, scarves and accessories with some items that have never been used.

"We are so excited to bring a sustainable fashion option into Lansdowne Place,” said Cristina Skuce, Habitat director of Philanthropy and Communications. “This provides a great thrifting option for men's, women's and kids' clothing for members of our community and another affordable shopping option for every member of your household."

The store took over the property during Labour Day weekend and took less than a week to prepare its opening. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ReStyle store is the first second-hand clothing store in Lansdowne Place according to Skuce.

The idea of the store came back in April last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic after the city ask Habitat to start accepting clothing donations since other places that accepted them were closed.

“If you think back to that time, people are at home, more times on their hands, people were doing a lot of organizing and decluttering and they had nowhere to drop stuff off because everything was closed,” explained Skuce. “So that's when we started opening our ReStores to accept those donations.”

Over 60,000 pounds of clothing was donated after the first three months of the Habitat accepting them.

The ReStyle store is outfitted with change rooms so customers can try out clothing before making a purchase. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store was able to hire new staff and accept new volunteers to aid in the ReStyle’s opening.

Habitat is always looking for new volunteers to help in their ReStyle or ReStore facilities especially for high school students wanting to fill their mandatory 40-hour community service. High school co-op programs are also available through the non-profit organization.

“People have really embraced the second-hand shopping option and sustainable fashion and thrifting,” exclaimed Skuce. “It’s really exciting to see customers coming in and say, ‘I can't believe this is available second hand!’”

Proceeds from the ReStyle store support the Habitat’s home-building efforts in the Peterborough and Kawartha region.

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Peterborough's Pathway to Fame Adds Eight New Names In Induction Ceremony

Eight names are immortalized into The Pathway of Fame after an induction ceremony of the 2021 class at the Nexicom Studio at Showplace on Saturday.

The private event hosted no more than 50 people due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo Courtesy of The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District.

The eight inductees were nominated for their contributions to the community in various areas. Their names will be engraved on stone markers at Del Crary Park’s Pathway of Fame. The class of 2020 was also recognized during the ceremony.

The private event is typically open to the public however due to COVID-19 restrictions, spacing was limited to 50 people.

The first Pathway of Fame names were placed back in 1998. Photo Courtesy of The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District.

David Goyette (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Selflessly donating his time and resources to a variety of community organizations and causes, remains at the heart of Goyette’s existence. His skills as a musician, artist, painter and writer serve to augment a life that has contributed much to the local landscape.

Graham Hart (Media)

As the decades-long ‘face’ of CHEX Television prior to his retirement, Hart achieved a broadcast legacy in this community without equal. His selfless community service to countless organizations as an active board member, event host and ambassador has brought him countless honours and accolades.

Brian MacDonald (Dramatic Arts)

MacDonald’s unbridled passion for theatre has brought him numerous acting roles and directorial opportunities – but his co-founding and chairmanship of Arts For Awareness has exemplified his belief in the power of The Arts as a vehicle for raising awareness of social issues.

Dr. Ramesh Makhija (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Chemist Makhija’s research into environmental challenges has earned him local, as well as national distinction and has led to a number of related initiatives, Peterborough’s blue box collection program among them. But he has always made time to give back.

John Mariasine (Media)

As the warm, and inclusive morning voice of 1420 CKPT radio for 20 years, Mariasine’s stellar broadcast career served as an inroad to his involvement with a variety of local initiatives and causes, together with his unwavering commitment to his audience and to his community.

Megan Murphy (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Blessed with a spark and quick wit that endears her instantly to others, Murphy’s talents as an actress, filmmaker, musician and radio personality are surpassed only by a giving nature that has benefitted a number of community causes.  Megan joins her late father, Marty Murphy, a lawyer and respected community Samaritan, who was inducted to The Pathway in 2014.

 Paul Rellinger (Cultural/Community Betterment)

From camping out on the roof of The Brick to raising funds for Habitat For Humanity, helping an adult learner attain reading skills to emceeing a benefit for someone in need, Rellinger’s inability to say ‘No’ guarantees he is rarely seen on the sidelines.  

David Sutherland (Community Builder)

As the founding president of Sir Sandford Fleming College, the late Sutherland’s nurturing of the College’s connections with the community it serves laid the groundwork for the future, including Fleming’s ongoing association with Trent University.  

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1997 to honour community citizens and individuals in the Arts and Humanities.

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Residents Advised of Potential COVID-19 Exposure at Canoe and Paddle Restaurant in Lakefield

Peterborough Public Health is advising patrons of the Canoe and Paddle Restaurant of a potential exposure to COVID-19 that occurred there from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.

Photo courtesy of the Canoe and Paddle

The restaurant is located at 18 Bridge St. in Lakefield, Ontario.

Peterborough Public Health considers anyone that dined at the restaurant between Aug. 30 and Sept. 3 to be a high-risk contact and recommends:

• If you are a fully vaccinated individual (at least two weeks has past since your second dose) and: Do not have symptoms*:

Get tested immediately and self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days from the last date you attended the restaurant.

• If you are a fully vaccinated individual (at least two weeks has past since your second dose) and: Do have symptoms*:

Self-isolate and get tested immediately. o If your test is positive you must continue to self-isolate for 10 days; Peterborough Public Health will contact you. o If your test is negative you can discontinue self-isolation once symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours for gastrointestinal symptoms). \

• If you are an unvaccinated or a partially vaccinated individual:

Get tested immediately and self-isolate for 10 days from the last date you attended the restaurant.

Please visit https://www.prhc.on.ca/about-us/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/ for testing options in Peterborough.

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Survivors Abreast Storage Locker Broken Into With Items Stolen

The Survivors Abreast Dragonboat team is asking for the public’s help in locating items stolen from their storage locker on Thursday at approximately 5:30 p.m.

EACH YEAR, THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL MEETS AT LITTLE LAKE OFF CRESCENT STREET. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETERBOROUGH DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Among the stolen items were a dragon head that is placed on their boat, a drum, two wooden drum seats that fasten on the front of the boats, a box of safety kits and a camping tent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Peterborough Police service at 705-876-1122.

For more information, contact Kathryn MacKinnon, Survivors Abreast Vice President, 705-927-3233 or jkmackinnon231@gmail.com

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Local Soap Company Keeps Firefighters Clean and Places First at Clean Beauty Awards

SootSoap Supply Co., a company out of Port Hope, has won first place at the 2021 Clean Beauty Awards.

K.Dee Howards poses with SootSoap products. In the wake of COVID-19 SootSoap released a line of hand sanitizer to combat germs while keeping skin healthy. Photo courtesy of SootSoap Supply Co.

SootSoap Supply Co. was started by K.Dee Howard. It is a line of personal care products like body wash and shampoo designed for firefighters.

“I developed SootSoap for my husband initially, who is a firefighter in Brampton,” said Howard. “I discovered after he came home smelling like fire even after showering numerous times that it was contaminates and toxins causing the smell,” she said.

Howard did some research and found there was no products to help combat this. She also found that cancer is the number one cause of death in firefighters, and these toxins are the cause of it.

Her products are designed to absorb and discard of both the smell and the toxins that firefighters often come into contact while on duty.

SootSoap launched their first product line in 2019 and is now Howards full time job.

Since launching Howard has found that it’s not only firefighters that come into contact with toxins and hard-to-get-rid-of odors at work.

“Lot’s of people can benefit. People that experience environmental toxins, every day things like fuel and grease, kitchen smells, we even have customers that are pig farmers,” she said. “We’re finding more and more uses for our products.”

This year SootSoaps shampoo was the first place winner in the hair wash category of the Clean Beauty Awards.

The Clean beauty Awards recognize the best performing beauty and personal care products, manufactured without the use of known harmful chemicals, from across the globe.

“In a year and a half to go from a firefighter, industrial shampoo to a shampoo recognized by clean beauty influencers, it’s pretty amazing,” Howard said. “Being clean, all natural, and biodegradable is very important to me. Our core challenge is to get rid of toxins so the last thing I want to do is add in more chemicals.”

Photo courtesy of SootSoap Supply Co.

Howard says her aim with SootSoap is to create products that will solve a problem.

“Innovation comes from our customers saying ‘I don’t have a solutions to this particular challenge’,” said Howard. “My challenge is to find solutions that don’t exist currently.”

To view SootSoap’s full line of products click here.

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