Peterborough Blogs
Lakefield-Based Instagram Sensation Owen The Griff Raises $20,660 For Our Pet Project Campaign
/Lakefield-based Instagram sensation, Owen the Griff, has raised $20,660 for Our Pet Project, the campaign to build the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, through a recent crowdfunding campaign.
Owen and his parents, Lisa Besseling and Marlon Hazlewood, have been longtime supporters of the Peterborough Humane Society, and particularly the Our Pet Project campaign. Owen launched his crowdfunding campaign late in October and encouraged his nearly 110,000 Instagram followers to help him raise $10,000 for his Owen’s Pet Project campaign.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
On American Thanksgiving, one of Owen’s American friends, Omar, inspired an anonymous donor to match all donations 3:1. This encouraged several other animal lovers to donate, including Cathy Mann & Associates' Fundraising Lab, who pledged to match all December donations up to $2,500.
With Owen’s fundraising campaign having such a snowball effect, Lisa and Marlon raised his fundraising goal to $20,000 and pledged to donate 100 percent of his Holiday Cameo proceeds towards his efforts. The Cameo app lets fans book a personalised video shout-out from their favourite celebrities, which is then emailed directly to a friend or family member. Well-known Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden is a huge animal lover and one of Owen’s loyal fans and was inspired to also donate $1,000 of her Holiday Cameo proceeds towards Owen’s Pet Project.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
Lisa and Marlon are particularly excited about the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre, which will be part of the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre.
The Dog Rehab Centre will be a Canadian first and will mainly focus on behavioural rehabilitation for dogs who have suffered abuse, neglect or who need extra care before being ready for adoption. Physiotherapy will also be offered to animals that need it in the pool and aqua treadmill.
“As Owen gets older, it is good to know that there is a facility that can help senior animals like him live life to the fullest,” says Lisa. “The new Centre will be game-changer for animal welfare in Ontario and will put Peterborough and the Kawarthas on the map through the services it will offer, and we are excited to be a part of that.”
Owen posted on his Instagram channel thanks to his fans…
Owen and his parents are particularly excited about the potential of the regional Dog Rehab Centre at the new PHS, which will be a Canadian first.
Our Pet Project has built momentum over the last year, with just over 66 percent of the $10 million fundraising target raised. The new Centre, designed by local firm, Lett Architects, will be located on Technology Drive and is shovel-ready.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring D.M. Wills, Blue Shoes PTBO & More!
/PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Bruce Bonner recently stepped down as President of D.M. Wills Associates after 10 years in the role. Michael Lang is the new President and will continue to build their engineering, environmental and planning services. Bruce will continue with the firm as a senior level team member. Gord Krieger replaces Michael Lang as the Manager of Transportation. Congratulations to all.
Michael Lang, at left, succeeds Bruce Bonner (at right) as the new President of D.M. Wills.
Nufas Media is a full-service digital marketing brokerage made up of a team of young entrepreneurs and freelancers dedicated to offering a one-stop shop for new businesses for web design, branding, content creation and writing services. Partners Sean Thornton and Jordan Porter bring years of experience in the business and can cater to the specific needs of your business. Located at 144 Hunter Street, check them out nufasmedia.com.
Just getting to this now, but a shout-out to Pensieri Shoes owners Joseph Saraceni and Silvia Ferreri on the refresh and rebrand of their iconic George Street shoe store to Blue Shoes PTBO. Same owners, same staff, same great brands, just a fresh new name. Celebrating 30 years of retail, stop in to 373 George Street or find them on Facebook.
The Reframe Film festival, the annual festival of social justice documentaries, runs January 23 – 26. Tickets are available now at the GreenUP store, Watson and Lou or Happenstance in Lakefield, or online at reframefilmfestival.ca.
The Chamber of Commerce monthly ChamberAM goes Tuesday morning (January 14) from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Venture North. Stop in for a free coffee and a secret guest speaker.
”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!
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UPDATE: The Alert Sent Regarding Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Sent In Error
/BREAKING: According to Ontario Power Generation, which runs the station, the alert was sent in error.
The Pickering Fire Chief confirms to CP24 that the mass alert was sent out erroneously by the Ontario government on Sunday morning, and a retraction alert (see below) went out about 9 a.m.
This updated non-emergency alert was sent out updating the alert…
———————————————
ORIGINAL POST…
Many Ontarians woke up to this alert on their phones regarding an incident at the PIckering Nuclear Generating Station in Pickering.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the station to the deal with the unspecified situation.
The power plant, run by Ontario Power Generation, has been in service since 1971 and is slated to be decommissioned in 2024, CP24 reports.
“The province said an incident was reported at the station, off of Montgomery Park Road in Pickering, sometime on Sunday and emergency crews are at the power plant,” CP24 reports.
While the alert said no one is in danger, it was disconcerting to Ontarians to wake up to as you can see in this Twitter thread…
CBC reports that Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is one of the largest nuclear generating stations in the world and produces 14 percent of the province's electricity.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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New Pete Akil Thomas Just Made One Of The Kindest Gestures A Hockey Player Has Ever Made
/The Peterborough Petes not only landed a star player in Akil Thomas but also a kind, compassionate person.
The World Juniors hero—he who scored the winning goal in the Gold winning game over Russia—has immediately ingratiated himself in the Peterborough community and beyond for his heartwarming gesture in reaching out to the family of the late Steve Montador (he died in 2015 at the age of 35) to ask if he could wear No. 44, the jersey number Akil has been wearing throughout his hockey career—and the number Montador wore when he was a Pete.
Akil Thomas making the call to Montador family with Petes GM Mike Oke
In a tweet that has gone viral put out by the Peterborough Petes, here is what Steve’s brother, Chris, had to say when Akil called him after practice to ask permission to wear No. 44…
“We’re honoured and humbled young man for you to wear that number,” Chris said to Akil in the phone call. “Very respectful to do this.”
Longtime Petes fan Jason Stabler had this to say on Twitter about Akil’s gesture…
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Peterborough Petes Making Run At Memorial Cup, Land Star Player Akil Thomas
/The Peterborough Petes, one of the top teams this season in the OHL and nationally ranked in Canada, just got even stronger in their run to the Memorial Cup.
Peterborough Petes General Manager Michael Oke announced Thursday that the team has acquired centre Akil Thomas from the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for forward Cameron Butler and OHL Priority Selection Picks. Thomas, a 2000-born centre, was selected in the second round—51st overall by the LA Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft—and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club in March 2019.
Thomas is the World Juniors hero, scoring the game winning goal in the Gold medal game against Russia in their 4-3 victory…
Thomas waived his no-trade clause on Thursday to complete the deal.
“We’re really excited to be adding a player of Akil’s calibre—he’s a player with a high level of skill that plays a 200-foot game,” says Oke. “He is capable of playing in all situations, has played in big games, and comes through in big moments. He’ll be heavily counted on in Peterborough as we move forward in the second half and into the postseason.”
The Petes are currently the No. 10 ranked team in Canada, and will only be stronger with the addition of Thomas…
In 27 games so far this season for the Ice Dogs, Thomas has 15 goals and 29 assists.
Thomas will not dress for Peterborough’s game against Owen Sound on Thursday night, but is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday when the Petes host the Ottawa 67’s.
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Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Raises Some Serious Dough For PRHC Foundation
/PRHC Foundation has announced on their Facebook page that the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre-Compass Canada location raised $2,341 from the sale of their deliciously happy cookies this year.
Photo via PRHC Foundation Facebook page
PRHC Foundation thanks Tim Hortons, Compass Canada and all the cookie lovers who supported this initiative and through it, the equipment and technology that form the backbone of patient care at the hospital.
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Heavy Rain, Freezing Rain & Snow Are All Possible With Major Storm Expected To Hit Saturday
/A special weather statement has been released for Saturday, and this storm could bring with it a not so lovely mix of heavy rain, freezing rain and even snow to the area.
While there is uncertainty to which areas will be most impacted and what type of weather it will bring, travel is expected to be impacted. For Peterborough, there is a possibility of between 50 and 75 mm of rain on Saturday (that could change to freezing rain and/or snow), and ice pellets for Sunday.
The Ontario Storm Prediction Centre will be closely monitoring the situation, and warnings may be issued as the event draws nearer.
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Innovative Pet Licensing Solution Brings New Value To Mandatory Pet Tag Program
/Peterborough’s pet licensing season is officially upon us, with renewals due by January 31st. Peterborough Humane Society is reminding the community that this year the licensing process is much easier thanks to its partnership with DocuPet, a social enterprise and the country’s leading provider of pet tag, lost pet recovery, and pet licensing services.
“Peterborough residents no longer have to visit the Humane Society to purchase their pet licences, as the whole process can now be done online by simply visiting peterborough.docupet.com or by calling 1-855-249-1370,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
Licensing dogs and cats is mandatory in the City of Peterborough. When licensing, pet owners can choose a standard city tag or, for an additional fee, they can select from any of more than 25 designer tag options. They can also choose to add their pet’s name and their phone number to each tag.
The fee for an annual pet licence varies, depending on whether the animal is a dog or cat, and intact or altered, as well as time of year the license was purchased. Senior discounts are also available for residents over the age of 60. Licences are valid until January 31st of the following year.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
“Pet licences are really important for the provision of animal welfare and public safety here in Peterborough,” adds Morey. “Properly identified animals are five times more likely to be returned home safely, reducing the number of stray animals that enter our shelter and keeping families together.”
Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society
Peterborough pet owners can license their dog or cat online at peterborough.docupet.com, or by calling 1-855-249-1370 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.
They may also visit to purchase a license in person. DocuPet will mail tags and an information package to pet owners within two business days, regardless of how the licence is purchased.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Jolley Painters, K9 In Motion Wellness & More!
/PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Doug Jolley has over 20 years in the painting business, working in Peterborough, Calgary, Toronto, and now returning to Peterborough to start his own business. Jolley Painters offers interior and exterior painting, complete drywall repair, disaster cleanup, textured ceiling repair and more. Born and raised in Peterborough, Doug provides free estimates and no job is too small. You’ll find Jolley Painters on Facebook.
Doug Jolley
Diane Richard is a Peterborough-based consultant covering everything from project management, strategic planning and product development to food safety systems, continuous improvement plans and more. She recently helped the Toronto-based etee company, well-known for their wax-coated food wrap and bags, to develop a new dish soap product—a concentrate delivered in a wax pouch. The unique plastic-free product was just listed as one of the Top 10 favourite green products on treehugger.com, one of the largest and most credible sustainability blogs in North America. Check it out at shopetee.com.
Diane Richard
etee soap
