Trent U Delegation Has Great Series Of Meets In Kenya And Rwanda

With a goal to further strengthen Trent University’s growing connections to institutions and students in Africa, a delegation of faculty led by Dr. Neil Emery, Vice President of Research & Innovation, attended a series of meetings and events in Kenya and Rwanda. 

“The visit generated dynamic discussions about our common strengths and interests, as well as collaborations on common areas of programming and research,” says Professor Emery, “We were impressed with the focus in Rwanda and Kenya on sustainable development—particularly as it relates to wildlife conservation, water quality, and agriculture.”

Left to right (front row): Trent’s Dr. Holger Hintelman, Dr. Neil Emery & Dr. Shaun Watmough (picture courtesy Trent University)

Prof. Emery was joined on the excursion by Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Arts & Science, Science, and Dr. Shaun Watmough, director of the Trent School of the Environment. In Kenya, the Trent delegation met at the Canadian High Commission with Nancy Bernard, regional senior trade commissioner, and Charity Kabaya, trade commissioner assistant, to discuss opportunities for Kenyan students interested in pursuing international education in Canada and at Trent.

Meetings in Kenya followed up on discussions started by the previous Trent delegation at Strathmore University and University of Nairobi. At Strathmore University, the Trent team met with the University’s vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor and with other academic leaders to explore synergies between academic programs and research areas, and toured of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, which highlighted green and sustainable technologies.

Photo courtesy Trent University

At the University of Nairobi, the delegation met with the vice-chancellor-designate, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, and other academic leaders to discuss a potential memorandum of understanding on research with the Wangari Matthau Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies with a view to collaborating on future academic programming.

In Rwanda, the Trent team met with the Canadian High Commission trade commissioner, Marcelline Mukakarangwa, and officials from the Rwandan Development Board (Conservation Dept.) and the United Nations Development Program to discuss ties to the country’s government and industry initiatives.

Photo courtesy Trent University

They also visited the University of Rwanda, where the delegation met with vice-chancellor, Dr. Philip Cotton, and his senior team members. Discussions emphasized an overseas articulation that would build collaboration between Rwanda’s richness in wildlife resources and Trent’s faculty expertise in wildlife and conservation biology, as well as learning opportunities for Trent’s Bioenvironmental Modelling and Assessment and Conservation Biology field courses.

This Trent in Africa visit also included opportunities to connect with high school students at events in Nairobi and Kigali, where more than 100 prospective students were in attendance.

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Peterborough Utilities Group To Host Job Fair For Summer Students, 18 Positions Available

On Saturday, February 8th, Peterborough Utilities Group (PUG) will be hosting a job fair for summer students.

Candidates interested in summer employment within their group of companies are invited to attend the Rotary Education Centre at the Riverview Park and Zoo, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

PUG will have Human Resources staff on hand to answer questions and provide guidance on the hiring process. Candidates must be available for full-time work from April 27th until August 28th, and have a valid “G” class licence.

Students must also be currently enrolled in full-time post-secondary education and returning to full-time studies in the fall. Visit their career section here to view their 18 summer student openings for 2020 and to apply online.

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Here Are Some Of The Most Popular Books Reserved At Peterborough Public Library

Inquiring minds want to know, what are the most popular books being checked out at the Peterborough Public Library over the last year?

Thanks to Becky Waldman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the library, for taking us between the covers to give us insights on local reader habits when it comes to cracking the spine. (The list includes a novel by Peterborough-bred Jennifer Robson.)

Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Library

ADULT FICTION

1.  Kingdom of the Blind, by Louise Penny -> 205 checkouts

2.  Clockmaker’s Daughter, by Kate Morton -> 200 checkouts

3.  Past Tense, by Lee Child -> 189 checkouts

4.  Dark Sacred Night, by Michael Connelly -> 173 checkouts

5.  The Reckoning, by John Grisham -> 170 checkouts

6. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris -> 169 checkouts

7.  Long Road to Mercy, by David Baldacci -> 161 checkouts

8.  Washington Black, by Esi Edugyan -> 152 checkouts

9.  A Spark of Light, by Jody Picoult -> 139 checkouts

10. The Gown: a Novel of the Royal Wedding, by Jennifer Robson -> 135 checkouts

ADULT NONFICTION

1.  Becoming, by Michelle Obama -> 217 checkouts

2.  Educated, by Tara Westover -> 116 checkouts

3.  12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by Jordan B. Peterson -> 73 checkouts

4.  Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone, by Brené Brown -> 69 checkouts

5.  The Library Book, by Susan Orlean -> 61 checkouts

6.  Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward -> 57 checkouts

7.  Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know, by Malcom Gladwell -> 48 checkouts

8.  Homes: A Refugee Story, by Al Rabeeah, Abu Bakr, Winnie Yeung -> 47 checkouts

9. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo -> 46 checkouts

10. The Woo-Woo : How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family, by Lindsay Wong -> 45 checkouts

YA FICTION

1.  The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas -> 39 checkouts

2.  A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle -> 34 checkouts

3.  The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins -> 32 checkouts

4.  P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han -> 32 checkouts

5.  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han -> 29 checkouts

6. The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline -> 26 checkouts

7.  Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins -> 24 checkouts

8.  The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green -> 24 checkouts

9.  The Giver, by Lois Lowry -> 23 checkouts

10. Four: A Divergent Collection, by Veronica Roth -> 20 checkouts

KIDS FICTION

1.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling -> 89 checkouts

2.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 6, by Jeff Kinney -> 85 checkouts

3.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling -> 81 checkouts

4. The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan -> 80 checkouts

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling -> 73 checkouts

6.  Playing with Fire, by Yannick Grotholt -> 73 checkouts

7.   Dance Class. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, by Crip Béka -> 72 checkoutes

8.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin -> 72 checkouts

9.  The Titans Curse, by Rick Riordan -> 67 checkouts

10. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Willems -> 65 checkouts

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Take A Drive Around Peterborough In 1987 And Reflect On What's Changed (And What Hasn't)

A neat video shot in 1987—definitely not on an iPhone—shows how much has changed in Peterborough in 32 years… and how much it hasn’t.

Downtown (screengrab via video)

The video was taken on a family trip to Peterborough.

It takes you through the outskirts of Peterborough, then past the Historic Lift Lock, in the tunnel, into East City, over the bridge, and into the downtown, down to Little Lake and then back toward the North End and the zoo.

East City (screengrab from video)

One person in the YouTube comments of the video said “So who volunteers to drive the same route and take the same video.” Now that would be neat!

Downtown (screengrab via video)

Have a watch below—maybe accompany it with some background music on that was released that year (samples include U2’s The Joshua Tree, REM’s Document, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction, Depeche Mode’s Music for the Masses and Def Leppard’s Hysteria—and add your Spot the Difference comments on our Facebook page post…

Watch it here…

From a family trip to Peterborough home video. Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

[Related: Pictures From 1980s At Riverview Zoo In Peterborough]

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Tree House Timber Works, Optimize Wellness Solutions & 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…

Tree House Timber Works owner Mike Adams recently announced a business expansion to a 4000 sq ft shop at 111 Robinson St in East City. Tree House uses traditional timber frame techniques—no screws, nails or other fasteners, just mortise and tenon construction. They've built everything from timber frame porches, cabins, trusses, and braces, to smaller buildings. The shift to a larger space will give Mike and his crew the capacity to cut, test-fit and store complete structures, even for large structures such as timber accents, buildings and barns. Check out thetimberworks.com for more info.

Home Instead Senior Care recently opened their office at 241 Charlotte Street. Home Instead has been in the community in a different location for over a decade. The new owners Glen and Nadine Robson both have a passion for enhancing the lives of seniors and look forward to providing personalized care, specialized support services, and education. Home Instead also advocates on behalf of seniors through national, provincial and local community initiatives including Age-friendly Peterborough. There is an Open House and ribbon cutting on Tuesday (January 28th) at 11:30 a.m. Home Instead is currently hiring caregivers and PSWs. Go to homeinstead.com to apply or call the office at 705.243.5697.

Optimize Wellness Solutions provides employee wellness consulting and programming. Owners Dana Burtt and Rochelle Malley work with companies to provide employee wellness consulting and customized wellness programs such as ergonomic assessments, fitness testing, smoking cessation, injury prevention, workshops, lunch and learns, one-on-one consultations and lots more. Visit their website for full details.

Dick Crawford is a well known local building consultant, but he is also the developer of the PKA SoftTouch Micro-Needle. The device delivers medication in a painless, safe and cost-effective way, and Dick envisions the SoftTouch system replacing the traditional needle/syringe system for many typical medications in both humans and animal healthcare. They are at the clinical trials stage and you have an opportunity to buy into the company through equity crowdfunding. Details are online at pkasofttouch.com.

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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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's faculty, staff and retirees have come together to raise a record-breaking $132,000 for @UnitedWayPtbo #LocalLove. Did you know #TrentU is the region's largest corporate sponsor of United Way? pic.twitter.com/rl8vXZEnAB

— Trent University (@TrentUniversity) January 21, 2020

“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.”

Wow!! So grateful ⁦@TrentUniversity⁩ surpassed their goal and raised over $132,000 for our community. An amazing campaign. #LocalLove ⁦@trentfaculty⁩ #CUPE3908 #OPSEU365 THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/Ns586bfGzf

— United Way Ptbo (@UnitedWayPtbo) January 21, 2020

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.

Our communications centre just received a 9-1-1 call from a person reporting the end of their driveway needs to be cleared as a snowplow just went by. Please keep
9-1-1 for emergencies ONLY. These types of calls tie up the lines. For snowplow issues kindly contact @CityPtbo! -LG pic.twitter.com/KPykExYOn2

— Peterborough Police (@PtboPolice) January 21, 2020

“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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