Peterborough Blogs
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…
Community Foundation Of Greater Peterborough Has Granted $2.7 Million To Local Charities Since 2011
/The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough hosted its Giving Gala on Saturday, January 25th at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, and more than 170 community-minded leaders and philanthropists attended the event.
The Community Foundation inspires giving to build a vital community for everyone. Working with donors and charitable organizations, the Foundation invests in the people, ideas and activities that support community vitality.
Community Foundation Board Chairs past and present gathered at the 2020 Giving Gala Peterborough on January 25th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (left to right: Alan Thomas, Diane Richard, Bill Lockington, Betty Morris and Janice Green).
“In 2019, the Foundation issued 95 grants with a value of more than $650,000,” says John Good, Director of Fund Development. “That’s a 10-fold increase from the $60,000 made in 2011, bringing the cumulative total of charitable grants made by the Foundation to over $2.7 million!”
The Foundation maintains 70 different charitable funds—a growing pool of endowed and long-term funds with a collective value in excess of $10 million. These funds address particular fields of interest or benefit particular charities, while others enable broad-based granting in the community from support for affordable housing, food security, health and well-being and education to arts, culture, recreation and the environment.
“The Foundation is relentlessly pursuing a future where everyone belongs,” adds Good. “Research indicates that this matters because when we feel like we belong we are healthier, we are more likely to step up and help others, our neighbourhoods are safer, and our community is more resilient in times of crisis.”
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Peterborough Humane Society's New State Of Art Animal Care Centre Is Almost Shovel Ready
/Our Pet Project, the Peterborough Humane Society campaign to build the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre, is much closer to being a reality. They have announced in an update letter that over $6.6 million has been raised to date. Riding a wave of momentum, over $400,000 was raised in the last few months alone.
“The Peterborough Animal Care Centre is a shovel-ready project with all planning approvals, permits and tender documents in place,” says Shawn Morey, Exective Director, Peterborough Humane Society. “Construction will begin once we have secured a minimum of 80 percent of the $10,337,000 required to build, which is a best practice in capital campaign fundraising. We are excited that we are on target to meet these goals.”
According to the building schedule prepared by Lett Architects, it will take 12 to 18 months to complete the project, and the goal is to start construction in the fall this year, with construction anticipated to be completed in winter 2021.
A feasibility study conducted demonstrated a significant need for an Animal Care Centre that acts as both a community hub and centre of excellence for best practice in shelter health and wellness, and accessible veterinary services for vulnerable populations. The new Centre will serve 946,666 people across the City and County of Peterborough and surrounding areas (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, & Haliburton).
In addition, the Centre will stimulate community economic development through increased tourism and the creation of 20 new, full-time equivalent positions, and positively impacting over 50 jobs throughout the design and construction phase.
The majority of new positions will be in the Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic, including veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, animal care staff, and customer service specialists.
“This is an opportunity to create new learning opportunities to attract and retain talent in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, as the Centre will attract leaders in veterinary care and animal medicine research to the region,” Morey adds.
[Related: How The New Peterborough Humane Society Will Be A Gamechanger For Animal Welfare]
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Trent University Raises Record-Breaking $132,000 For United Way Of Peterborough
/Trent University’s faculty, staff and retirees came together to exceed the University’s previous records for both fundraising goal and total funds raised for the annual United Way campaign, raising a whopping $132,028 for those in need locally.
“This year, the Trent United Way committee set an ambitious fundraising goal of $125,000—our largest yet by far,” says Alison Scholl, manager, Community Relations and United Way campaign coordinator. “I’m overjoyed by the Trent community’s response to our campaign. I’m always impressed by the commitment our retirees, faculty and staff show to the Peterborough region, and I’m proud of the role Trent plays in supporting our community.”
Photo via United Way of Peterborough Facebook page.
Trent’s campaign launched in October with a kick-off BBQ, and was supported by many employee-led special events—including a chili cook-off, white elephant tables, and a gift basket raffle before the holidays.
These special events were paired with donations from retirees and employees, the Trent University Faculty Union, CUPE 3908 and OPSEU Local 365.
“Trent set an inspiring goal this year and that they blew past it is amazing,” says Jim Russell, CEO, United Way of Peterborough & District. “We are thrilled with the dedication and leadership provided by the employees at Trent. We are so grateful to the Trent University community.”
Trent’s campaign committee is made up of Linda Smith, retiree co-chair, Dr. Susan Wurtele and Marcus Harvey, faculty co-chairs, Adele Devlin and Debbie Lietz, staff co-chairs.
Marcus Harvey, executive director of the Trent University Faculty Association, also served as the United Way campaign cabinet’s Labour representative.
Photo via United Way of Peterborough Facebook page.
Trent University has been a long-time supporter of the United Way dating back to 1965, has raised more than $2 million for the organization, and is currently the largest corporate sponsor in the region.
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Peterborough Police Receive 9-1-1 Call From Person Reporting End Of Their Driveway Needs To Be Cleared Of Snow
/Peterborough Police Service reports that their communications centre just received a 9-1-1 call from a person reporting that the end of their driveway needs to be cleared after a snowplow went by.
Snow at the end of your driveway is a pain in the butt but not an emergency (PTBOCanada file photo)
Police remind the public to keep their calls to 9-1-1 for emergencies only.
So for example, snow at the end of your driveway doesn’t qualify as an emergency. It sucks but it’s not an emergency. Hashtag #WhenNotToCall911.
“These types of calls tie up the emergency lines. For snowplow issues kindly, contact The City of Peterborough,” the police say.
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4th Line Theatre In Millbrook Hosting Special Hockey-Themed Event With Eye Toward Creating Hockey-Themed Play
/4th Line Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell is inviting members of the community to join her for an afternoon of hockey-themed stories, memories and reminiscences on Sunday, February 2nd, with an eye to creating a hockey-themed play in the near future.
Canadian actors and playwrights Paul Braunstein (4th Line’s The Shadow Walk of Millbrook) and Courtenay Stevens are excited to be working with 4th Line to create a play about hockey derived from local stories and memories. 4th Line asks you to join them and bring your best hockey-related stories, memories of teams and games past, personal experiences, recollections and photographs.
Left to right: Ken Houston, Paul Braunstein and Josh Butcher in 4th Line Theatre's 2015 production of Alex Poch-Goldin's The Bad Luck Bank Robbers directed by Kim Blackwell. (Photo by Wayne Eardley-Brookside Studio.)
“Reminiscences give us first-hand accounts of our history and are an essential part of developing our plays,” says Blackwell. “Without this research, our productions would not have the historical authenticity and realism our patrons have come to expect from us.”
Past productions developed through reminiscences include Beau Dixon’s Bloom: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fable, Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Doctor Barnardo’s Children, Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse, Alex Poch-Goldin’s The Right Road to Pontypool and Poch-Goldin’s The Bad Luck Bank Robbers.
The public reminiscence will take place on Sunday, February 2nd, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Dorothy Stevens Room at the Old Millbrook School, located at 1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Merrett Home Hardware, Robert Gauvreau & 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…
Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre is undergoing a significant renovation, expanding their store by 8,000 square feet. Owner Drew Merrett says the renovation includes an expansion of their retail sales area at the front of the store, and an additional 60 feet of retail space to the East of the store. The store remains open throughout the process. Merrett Building Centre sells everything from lumber, windows, doors, kitchens, and house wares, to paint, tools, plumbing and electric.
Shout-out to Nash and Jordan Struk, the owners of the now open Hampton Inn by Hilton Peterborough (1400 Crawford Dr.). It’s a beautiful hotel, offering a number of room options, a salt water pool, free hot breakfast, free wifi, and free parking. Located right beside the new Shorelines Casino, stop in and check it out, the staff will show you around.
Congratulations to Robert Gauvreau, who just launched his new book The Wealthy Entrepreneur. Gauvreau owns the accounting firm Gauvreau and Associates, and is a partner in the Venture North Building. His book offers The Formula for Making Money and Gaining Financial Clarity in your Business. You’ll find The Wealthy Entrepreneur on Amazon, or connect with Robert Gauvreau on Facebook.
Trent Valley Honda is celebrating 45 years in business this month. The brother sister team of Monika and Frankie Carmichael carry on the legacy of their parents who opened the dealership.
And Lester Awnings is also celebrating a milestone this year—60 years in business! Joe Lester and his dad Dennis carry on the tradition started by Gerry Lester in 1960. Located at 1582 Chemong Road, visit their website here.
Federal Government Contributes $25,000 To Support Construction Of New Sustainable Health Centre At Camp Kawartha
/On Friday (January 17th), Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, was at Camp Kawartha on Clear Lake near Peterborough to announce the Government of Canada’s $25,000 contribution through Farm Credit Canada’s AgriSpirit Fund towards the development of a new Health Centre for Camp Kawartha.
The Health Centre will feature a series of sustainable elements such as net-zero utility costs, zero toxins, zero carbon footprint, as well as zero fossil fuel use and zero waste output.
Left to right: J. Murray Jones, Peterborough County Warden and Mayor of Douro-Dummer Township; Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha; and Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha, at Camp Kawartha
“Camp Kawartha is a leading environmental steward in our community,” says Monsef. “Our government recognizes the importance of sustainable development and supports Camp Kawartha’s innovative vision for their new Health Centre.”
The original Centre, built in the 1950s, has a sagging foundation and is in dire need of replacement. The Centre serves as a hub where the camp’s healthcare team looks after the health needs of campers during the summer. It also acts as extra sleeping quarters throughout the fall, winter and spring. The new Centre will be approximately 1,200 square feet in size and will cost about $325,000.
Maryam Monsef announces a $25,000 contribution from the Federal Government for a new Health Centre at Camp Kawartha
"Camp Kawartha is thrilled to receive support from Farm Credit Canada's AgriSpirit Fund for a new Health Centre,” says Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha.
“With this generous contribution we will be able to construct a zero-carbon building, which will allow our healthcare team to look after the well-being of both campers and staff. “
Maryam Monsef and Jacob Rodenburg with attendees at Camp Kawartha
NEW CENTRE IS EXAMPLE OF NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Showcasing the use of natural materials and incorporating natural elements such passive solar design, the Health Centre will:
-> Be an example to health professionals of how a Health Centre or Health Clinic can be sustainable and integrate nature into its design.
-> Serve as a teaching building for the thousands of guests, campers and participants in Camp Kawartha’s programming.
-> Help campers and students understand carbon-neutral design, carbon sequestration, alternative energy generation, natural building materials, product life-cycle and green waste management systems.
Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2020 and be completed by June 2021.
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Fleming College Offering Two FREE Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
/Fleming College is partnering with Community Employment Resource Partnership to offer two free programs at the Sutherland Campus: Pre-apprenticeship Carpenter and Pre-apprenticeship Electrician.
Both programs are full-time, Monday to Friday, 30 hours per week. They start with in-class academic studies, job readiness, and secondary trade training for eight weeks. Students then progress to primary training for 12 weeks before concluding the program with a paid work placement.
These two programs are offered completely free to successful candidates, including tuition, books, safety equipment and trade specific tool kits. The Pre-apprenticeship Carpenter program will start March 15th, while the Pre-apprenticeship Electrician program will start March 30th.
Photo courtesy Fleming College
All interested individuals are required to register for and attend a mandatory information session, and you must register to attend. Attendees are asked to bring a copy of a current resume, a cover letter outlining the individual’s interest in the program, and a copy of a high school, college or university transcript.
Online registration will be available for the Pre-apprenticeship Carpenter program here from January 20th to 26th, and Online registration for the Pre-apprenticeship Electrician program will be available here from February 17th to 23rd.
Seats for the sessions fill up quickly. Register early to avoid disappointment.
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Peterborough Transit Drivers Kept More Than 3,000 Customers Safe On Roads On New Year’s Eve
/Peterborough Transit drivers kept over 3,000 customers safe on the road this New Year’s Eve, as free transit was provided for a fifth consecutive year thanks to the sponsorship of Wolfe Lawyers.
"Peterborough Transit is a safe, reliable way to get to where you’re going and then back home, which is why it’s such a great service on New Year’s Eve,” says Councillor Don Vassiliadis, Co-chair of Transportation. “I would like to thank the transit drivers, staff and transit riders for helping to make the transit service so successful.”
File photo
