City Accepting Applications For Peterborough Youth Council
/The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Peterborough Youth Council 2022 term.
Stock photo.
Peterborough Blogs
Michael Papadacos Appointed Interim Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services
/Michael Papadacos, Manager of Infrastructure Management for the City of Peterborough, will serve as the City’s Interim Commissioner for Infrastructure and Planning Services effective Jan. 5, 2022 while the City conducts a recruitment to fill the senior position.
Papadacos is a professional engineer and a member of the Project Management Institute. He has a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Studies from Trent University. Papadacos joined the City in 2019 after over 15 years in the private sector managing projects and operations.
As the Manager of Infrastructure Management, Papadacos leads the division that coordinates and manages programs focused on ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the City’s infrastructure, such as watershed planning, low-impact development, conveyance sewer system performance and capacity analysis, corporate asset management, sustainability and climate change, GIS technology and mapping services, and urban forestry.
The Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services has a broad range of responsibilities with the department encompassing the City’s Planning Division, Building Inspection and Protective Services, the Peterborough Airport, Engineering, Construction and Public Works, Transportation, Environmental Services, Infrastructure Management, and Real Estate/Business Development.
The Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services is one of three Commissioner positions that are part of the senior administrative team at the City of Peterborough. Each Commissioner manages a department. The Commissioners report to the City’s Chief Administrative Officer.
The open recruitment process to fill the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services position is expected to take four to six months.
The current Commissioner of Infrastructure and Planning Services, Cynthia Fletcher, is resigning from the City effective January 4, 2022 to take a Chief Administrative Officer position with the Township of Georgian Bluffs.
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The David And Patricia Morton Family Foundation Gives $50,000 In Support of YWCA HERS
/A $50,000 donation from The Morton Family Foundation is helping to ensure that women and children experiencing gender-based violence continue to have a SafeSpace to call home in Haliburton County.
Photo courtesy of YWCA Peterborough.
“We are deeply moved by Patricia and David’s positive impact in the Haliburton County community,” said Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. “The Morton’s compassion for others is helping to ensure that women and children have ongoing access to our Emergency SafeSpace, nutritious food, basic necessities, and 24 hour support when home is the most dangerous place to be.”
YWCA HERS provides safe and supportive temporary accommodations for women, with and without children, who are fleeing abuse in Haliburton County. This innovative service, designed to be available on an as-needed basis in order to help reduce costs, offers space for up-to two families at a time so that women can move away from the abusive situation in their home, without leaving their support systems, jobs and schools, families and friends behind.
For safety reasons, the YWCA ensures 24 hour staffing during evenings, nights and weekends when the units are occupied.
The COVID-19 crisis has created a toxic combination of increased stress, isolation and job losses that is leading to a dramatic rise in violence. This is especially true for rural women, whose physical distance from police services and lack of resources to assist in accessing safety and support greatly increases their vulnerability to gender-based violence.
HERS has been fully occupied since January 2021 and rural women in Haliburton County have reported abuse that is far more serious and complex throughout the pandemic. Like women’s organizations across the province, the YWCA is facing heightened demand and increasing costs.
“We are so happy to give this donation to such a worthy cause!” said Patricia Morton on behalf of The Morton Family Foundation. “We have been greatly inspired by the expertise and tremendous dedication which the YW’s Haliburton staff bring to their work, both in providing women with safety and security to plan how to build better lives for themselves and their children, and in providing expert professional support services to assist their healing from trauma.”
“As a man I am just appalled and disgusted by violence against women and children. I am grateful at least to have this opportunity to extend a helping hand to the brave women who, with the wonderful support of our YWCA, are striving hard to empower themselves,” said David Morton.
Members of the community who wish to donate or find ways of supporting YWCA services in Haliburton County are encouraged to visit www.ywcahaliburton.org or contact Ria Nicholson directly at 705-743-3526 x113 or rnicholson@ywcapeterborough.org.
Donations made before Dec. 31 will be doubled during the YWCA’s holiday season matching gift campaign.
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Local Partnerships Turns 24 Free Meals Into 72 To Those In Need For the Holidays
/UPDATED: Dec. 14, 2021 at 12:27 p.m.
After seeing Capra Toro’s announcement of 24 free meals to anyone in need for Dec. 19., car dealership Auto Connect Sales and J&L Services has footed the bill for an extra 24 meals each totalling 72.
The decision was made after Cheryl Watson saw the news from Capra Toro and told her husband Martin Templeman and owner of Auto Connect.
Templeman reached out to the Italian restaurant and will pay for an additional 24 meals to be handed out.
“This is a tough time of year for a lot of people so when you see someone do something nice, you want to participate,” said Templeman. “Someone that’s spreading joy or magic, it’s nice to be a part of it.”
The community outreach continued with J&L services as they added another 24 meals announced on Monday.
The meals are going towards individuals or families who are in need or going through rough patches.
The restaurant is encouraging anyone to contact them through Facebook or Instagram to write a brief message of anyone deserving of a meal.
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Holiday Shopping Passport Second Early Bird Winner Donates to YWCA
/Gabi Hintelmann was announced the winner of the second Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw of 2021, and donated her winnings to YWCA Peterborough.
Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird winner Gabi Hintelmann shows off her winning passport at John Robers Clothiers with shop owner John Martin. Photo courtesy of The Boro.
Hintelmann’s completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn on Dec. 8 at the Maple Moose Pub located at 331 George St. by The Boro, who is hosting the campaign.
Hintelmann will be using her $500 Boro card to purchase toys from The Toy Shop to donate to the YWCA.
“It’s the season of giving and I wanted to pass this gift on. Helping children is something I’m very passionate about and I hope this donation will help brighten the holidays for quite a few children in our community,” said Hintelmann.
Hintelmann’s winning passport came from John Roberts Clothiers, where she purchased some Christmas presents for her family.
“Gabi is a wonderful customer who frequently supports the downtown core and our small business community. I’m so pleased that she won. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person,” said John Martin, shop owner of John Roberts Clothiers.
Holiday Shopping Passports are still available at any one of the 150+ participating shops, boutiques, salons, restaurants, and cafes in downtown Peterborough. Each completed Holiday Shopping Passport increases your chance to win up to $1,500 in Boro gift cards.
The next early bird draw is Dec. 15 and the grand prize draw is Jan. 12, 2021.
How it works:
During Holiday Passport season shoppers receive a stamp every time they spend $10 at a participating downtown business. When a passport is filled (20 stamps), Passport holders simply complete the contact form located at the bottom of their passport and drop it off at a ballot box at any participating business to be entered into the draw.
Stamp collectors eager to finish their passport cards before the next draw can collect one free stamp at the following locations: Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre, and the Boro Holiday Hub, 373 George St.
Shoppers can take advantage of the free 2-hour parking now available in the downtown until the end of December courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers.
Check out www.theBoro.ca/holiday-shopping-passport/ for the full list of participating passport locations.
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Hospice Peterborough Is Bringing Back Dove Tradition For Those Grieving a Loved one
/Community members who are grieving the death of a loved one are invited to join a special holiday event that involves placing a paper dove, with the name of a loved one, on the Hospice Peterborough fence to help honour the memory of loved ones during a difficult time.
Photo courtesy of Hospice Peterborough.
Any community member can print and decorate a dove using this template on Hospice Peterborough’s website, and then hang the dove on the fence outside of our building at 325 London St. Hospice Peterborough has lit the evergreens outside of the building to remind us all that, even in times of grief, there is shared light and peace from the community.
“The holidays can be a time of great sorrow for those who have lost a loved one and our doves honour the special memories that those who have died leave with each of us,” said Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős. “Hospice welcomes everyone who would like to bring a dove for the fence – this is not just for Hospice clients.”
Hospice Peterborough staff are thinking of all those who are grieving a death whether it was recent or in the past. Grief changes over time but many feel it strongly over the holidays, whether their person died recently or many years ago.
“Grief, like love, is a human emotion that unites us,” said Julie Brown, supportive care counsellor at Hospice Peterborough. “And the trees and doves are Hospice’s way of acknowledging the memories and sharing the peace and light felt throughout this community during the holiday season.”
Anyone seeking further support can watch the Grief and the Holidays 2021 video, call 705-742-4042 or visit hospicepeterborough.org for more information.
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The Boro Announces Wild Rock Outfitters As Holiday Window Contest Winner
/The Boro announced on Wednesday that Wild Rock Outfitters placed first in their annual Holiday Window Contest.
Wild Rock Outfitters staff members Bridget Moore (left) and Rachel Dean (right) celebrating their winning window. Photo courtesy of The Boro.
“This holiday season has been all about community, getting outdoors, and supporting each other. Our staff brought their fabulous ideas and talents together to create a beautiful expression of just that, and we're so happy they'll be rewarded for their efforts. We are so grateful to have a team filled with so much enthusiasm, skill, and love,” said Tori Silvera, Wild Rock General Manager. “Thanks Peterborough, and have a wonderful holiday, whatever you're celebrating."
This year’s winners are:
1st place — Wild Rock Outfitters, 169 Charlotte Street
2nd Place — Statement House, 378 Water Street
3rd Place — Green Street, Shop, 237 George Street
The top three winners will be receiving $1,000, $500, and $200 for their winning windows. Locals voted online for their top three holiday window displays throughout the contest period from November 19 to December 6.
“It feels very festive downtown right now thanks to the creativity of our brilliant shop owners. This year’s theme was Holiday Cheer and our businesses curated wonderfully cheery holiday window displays this season,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “It’s incredible to see the community rally behind our small businesses. Over 2,400 votes were cast throughout the contest, and we are just blown away by the local enthusiasm for this program.”
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Bobcaygeon Brewing Company is getting in The Christmas Spirit and Supporting Other Local Businesses With Their Custom Gift Baskets
/The Bobcaygeon Brewing Company is celebrating the holidays with their Petes Fan Pack and custom gift baskets featuring their brew and other local goods.
Photo courtesy of Bobcaygeon Brewing Company
