University Students Sarah Ross & Brianna Hamilton Raise Important Funds For PRHC's Adult Mental Health In-Patient

Two university students, both from Peterborough, have just made an huge impact on mental awareness and treatment.

Sarah Ross and Brianna Hamilton collaborated on a baseball tournament on August 26th—Hitting Back at Mental Illness: In Memory of Jake Stanley and Kathy Ross—that was a home run, raising more than $35,000 for PRHC's Adult Mental In-Patient Unit.

Dynamic duo: Brianna and Sarah at the ball tournament

Sarah, a Trent student going into her fourth year of Nursing, and Brianna, a 4th-year Criminology student at Carleton University in Ottawa, have been good friends ever since Brianna reached out to Sarah in January 2016 to ask her about her own experience in PRHC's Adult Mental Health In-Patient Unit.

Brianna Hamilton and Sarah Ross presenting the cheque to PRHC

"I had previously been a patient in December of 2014 and she knew that and wanted more information before getting help," Sarah tells PTBOCanada. "Since then, we have been very close friends. I have also lost my mother, Kathy Ross, who was the Principal of St. Peter's Secondary School, to mental illness in December of 2012."

"Earlier this year, Brianna mentioned to me about doing a fundraising tournament for PRHC's Unit and dedicating it to my mother and Jake Stanley, also a former St. Peter's student, who lost his own battle to mental illness in September of 2015."

Left to right: Lesley Heighway (Foundation Member), Sandra Hamilton, Brian Hamilton, Brianna Hamilton, Graeme Ross, Sarah Ross, Anne Ondercin (Foundation Member) and staff from PRHC's Adult Mental Health In-Patient Unit

With both of their deaths having such huge impacts on the community, Sarah and Brianna felt it was a great idea to be able to collaborate and honour their memories and raise money for a cause they would both be behind.

They ended up having a huge turnout at Norwood Community Centre ball diamond, with more than 20 teams in the tournament. In addition, they received an anonymous donation from a community member that covered the cost of the location.

On Friday (September 15th), the dynamic duo presented the PRHC Foundation with a cheque for $35,516.25 in support of Adult Mental Health In-patient services at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in the mental health courtyard.

"We were blown away by the amount we raised and we’re so grateful to everyone who donated, participated and sponsored," say the girls.

Members of Jake Stanley Baseball Team

All the proceeds will be used to support PRHC’s Adult Mental Health In-Patient unit and their efforts to create and facilitate a safe, therapeutic environment. The funds will be invested in supports that will enhance the patient experience and aid mental health patients in relaxation, a distraction from other stressors, and self-soothing while they receive treatment.

This includes investments in therapeutic furniture such as rocking and/or massage chairs, iPads with therapeutic applications, exercise equipment, self-regulation sensory items such as weighted blankets and self-harm prevention tools, reading materials and more.

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Fleming College’s Official Song Remastered For 50th Anniversary

"Let the Deed Show", Fleming College’s official song that was commissioned for the College’s 25th anniversary, has been remastered and updated for Fleming’s 50th.
 
The song details the life of Sir Sandford Fleming, the College’s namesake, and his contributions to society. Written by local performer Danny Bronson, Bronson returned to the studio recently at Haggarty Studios in Peterborough with some of the finest studio musicians in Canada to record the new rendition of the song.

Danny Bronson (at left) in the studio recording

Bronson, who has breathed new life into the classic song, performs "Let the Deed Show" every year at all of Fleming College’s convocation ceremonies at its Frost and Sutherland campuses.

Bronson, along with students, alumni and employees, will be in attendance at the college’s Sutherland Campus 50th Anniversary celebration on September 22nd from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Watch the awesome video below...

Written and performed by Danny Bronson Recorded at Haggerty Studios - Peterborough ON

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The Last Reusable Exchange Weekend Of 2017 Is This Weekend

This is your last chance this year to participate in a Reusable Exchange Weekend. These events are the perfect opportunity to pass along items you no longer want and give them to someone who can use them—all for free.  

The September Reusable Exchange Weekend runs from Friday, September 15th to Sunday, September 17th.
 
Place reusable items at the curb on Friday evening. If items have not been taken by Sunday at 7 p.m., bring them back in.

For more details, please call the Waste Management Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1891.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend, but unfortunately you can't recycle this weekend, too.

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Maryam Monsef On Her Inspiring Chat With Angelina Jolie At TIFF

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef and her mother Soriya Basir had an inspiring meet with actor/activist Angelina Jolie on Sunday (September 10th) at the TIFF screening of The Breadwinner, an animated film Jolie executive produced about an 11-year-old girl in Afghanistan living under Taliban rule.

MP Maryam Monsef and Angelina Jolie at TIFF screening of Jolie's The Breadwinner

The film, about a headstrong young girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family, is based on the bestselling book by Canadian writer Deborah Ellis.

Monsef says the book and movie speaks to her for many reasons: "It's the story of an 11-year-old Parvana's journey of survival in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and her attempt to help her family as the breadwinner. Breadwinner tells the story of Afghanistan through the eyes of a child. For years, Ellis has shined light on the struggles and resiliency of Afghan people and the strength of women and girls of Afghanistan. With the animation of The Breadwinner, we are all reminded once again to never underestimate the power of a girl."

Monsef tells PTBOCanada that she and her mom had a memorable few minutes with Jolie: "She is proud of Canada's role in the world as we progress gender equality and promote diversity. She also said that of all the places she goes to, she is happiest when she is surrounded by the women of Afghanistan. She doesn't know what it is about them, she just feels connected to them."

Monsef's mother even received this hug from Angelina...

Photo courtesy Maryam Monsef

Monsef, who says Angelina is beautiful inside and out, adds that she told the actress this at the meeting: "I thanked her for helping to tell the story of Afghan people, and she said she would continue to do so."

Monsef also "fan-girled huge" when she met the Breadwinner author Ellis (pictured 2nd from left below)...

Monsef came away very moved by her experience at the TIFF screening:

"Teachers in Peterborough often call me and Mom to come in and talk to their students after they read The Breadwinner," Monsef tells PTBOCanada. "The kids always had many questions and such compassion. Seeing all the kids in the audience yesterday and talking to Angelina and others involved made me appreciate the deliberate efforts to focus content like this on children as the audience. They will grow up to fix this broken world and it's never too early to teach compassion."

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How James Strath Students Had A Huge Impact On Classmate Saxon Guiel

Eleven-year-old Saxon Guiel had to take many months off from school last year because of issues related with his autism/Tourette's Syndrome and Aspergers.

His Grade 5/6 classmates from James Strath Public School in Peterborough sent him a pile of wonderful cards on the last day of school in June that made him feel special and looking forward to school and being with his classmates this year.

Here is the collection of cards they sent him...

This gesture with its words of encouragement by these James Strath students made a world of difference, and helped Saxon transition back to school this year.

His classmates affectionately named him "Saxor" the dinosaur...

Also, Saxon loves Sonic The Hedgehog and most of the cards included a picture of Sonic...

Of all the amazing cards, this was one of Saxon's favourite—"Keep Shining Even When The Sun Isn't"...

The initial idea for the students sending the cards was by his home room teacher, Mr. Gennings.

His teachers all signed their own card to Saxon as well...

Saxon tells PTBOCanada he will never forget the love and understanding his classmates showed for him:

"It made me feel good and I missed my friends at school."

Saxon read all his cards when he received them and again the night before school this year, and it got him really excited to return.

"I am so grateful the school puts such a great effort into understanding Saxon's autism and Tourette's, and working with him to help him cope," his father Terry tells PTBOCanada. "Our family and in particular Saxon has gone through a great deal as we struggled to find ways to treat him as medications always seemed to make things worse."

"I believe we have found an answer that allows him to return to school but it wouldn't have been possible without an understanding school and faculty, and certainly would not be possible without the love and support of these remarkable classmates."

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Peterborough Police Service Issue Counterfeit Currency Warning

The Peterborough Police Service is warning businesses and the general public to be watchful for counterfeit bills currently circulating in our area.
 
The bills, that may at first glance appear as Canadian currency, have identifiable Chinese characters marked on them. If your Canadian cash has Chinese writing on it, it’s a fake.

Three of these fake bills were recently seen at a Peterborough-based grocery store. The bills with Chinese lettering are apparently intended for training purposes and are not meant for circulation.
 
Police are advising businesses and residents alike to always carefully check bills during transactions and immediately report any suspicious bills to the Peterborough Police Service via the non-emergency line 705-876-1122.

A similar counterfeit bill, seized by the Northeast District RCMP in late August 2017, is now being seen in Peterborough. Some of the counterfeit bills being circulated have blue Chinese characters. 

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Fleming College Fire Combat Team Competing At National FireFit Championships

UPDATE: September 12th, 2017

-> The Fleming team won gold for the second year in a row for Top School overall.
 
-> The team also won a silver in the Relay event. The Relay members included:
Eric Fergonas
Danny Grant
Nathan Vanderpoel
Lucas Manders

------------------------

ORIGINAL POST

A team from Fleming College is taking on the “toughest two minutes in sport” September 6th to 10th, competing in the Canadian National FireFit Championships in Ottawa.

Fleming’s Fire Combat Team consists of 10 male and female Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training students, along with faculty coach Shawna Coulter. Another four Fleming alumni are competing with their respective fire departments.

2016 photo courtesy Fleming College

"Participation in this sport not only fosters a solid commitment to a very high level of firefighter fitness but also encourages our team members to approach any challenge with a newfound belief in their own capabilities,” says Coulter. 

“Training and competing at this level requires as much mental strength as it does physical, directly influencing career readiness and success rates of our past members in securing and excelling in firefighter careers.” 

2016 photo courtesy Fleming College

The Fleming team is hoping to build on a winning record: In 2016, they won a gold medal in the relay race as well as a silver in the co-ed two-person relay. In addition, the team had the second fastest rookie competitor in all of Canada.

2016 photo courtesy Fleming College

The FireFit Championships is a competition based on firefighting tasks commonly performed in emergency situations. A course comprised of six gruelling physical tasks tests the strength, endurance and overall fitness levels of firefighters.

Competition categories are available for men and women, offering both individual and team relay competitions.

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Wedding Guests Form Heart Shaped Love For Bride & Groom In Farmer's Field In Keene

Chris Bryan and Ashleigh Blinkhorn—who both grew up in Keene—married there on August 26th on Ashleigh's parents farm near Peterborough.

Ashleigh & chris

It was a beautiful day for a wedding on the Blinkhorn Farm.

What the made the day even more special was the idea for the guests to form a heart shape in the field after the ceremony to symbolize their love for Chris and Ashleigh.

Here are the guests taking their positions...

Aerial imaging photographer Mack Evenden captured the moment for the couple using his drone, and explains to PTBOCanada how it went down:

"The idea came sooner, but we didn't actually work on making the heart until two days before the wedding when my friend, and Chris's cousin, Mike Raymer (an engineer and now a full time firefighter in Ajax), actually calculated out the perimeter of the heart needed with roughly 150 guests with each person taking up roughly 3 feet of space sideways."

"Once they spray painted the heart with their calculations, they cut the grass so that it was easier for the guests to know where to stand and the spray paint wouldn't show up in the picture," Evenden tells PTBOCanada.

"I was given 15 to 30 minutes to round everybody up and take the shot. We made an announcement directing everybody where to go, and they all lined up. The photographs and video were taken in less than 20 minutes. Having the heart shape cut out of the grass greatly reduced the amount of time needed for people to get into position."

Here is what it looked like from the sky, with guests forming the heart around the bride and groom...

And here is a closer up view of the love...

Here is Evenden's drone capturing the wedding guests afterward as they ran into the heart to gather around Chris and Ashleigh...

One thing's for certain: This is one summer wedding these guests will never forget.

Watch the drone video footage here...

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12 Mallards In Peterborough Died Suddenly On Sunday

Local naturalist/writer Drew Monkman has posted on his blog "Our Changing Seasons" about the sudden, mysterious death of 12 Mallards in the North End of Peterborough on Sunday (September 3rd).

Photo by Barb Evett

Monkman writes on his blog that, "At around 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 3, residents in the Tobin Court and Evans Dr area in the north end of the city, reported the sudden death of 12 Mallard ducks. Earlier a group of 14 ducks was observed walking up Tobin from a local pond just south of that location, munching on grass. They did not display any distress at the time. Moments later 12 of these ducks lay dead on residents’ lawns and driveways."

The police were called as well as the MNR, Humane Society and the City of Peterborough, and an investigation has begun. As for the two surviving ducks, they are now being treated at a wildlife rescue hospital.

Monkman tells PTBOCanada he hopes we can get to the bottom of what caused the deaths: "Although we don't yet know for certain, I suspect some kind of pesticide explains the deaths."

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Peterborough Couple Hit This Robin Hood At Peterborough Axe Club

One of the best shots ever made at Peterborough Axe Club happened at the Thursday league night when Ken and Amy Smith hit this Robin Hood—and the Bull's Eye at the same time—while practising doubles.

Hitting a "Robin Hood" as Amy did—splitting the ax—is like getting a hole in one in golf or making a full court shot in basketball.

For Ken and Amy, this perfect shot will definitely be a moment they will never forget. You know what they say... the couple that throws together, grows together!

—post by Aaron Elliott

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