A Porch Food Drive Launches As Peterborough Rallies Behind Kawartha Food Share

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A citywide food drive to restock the dwindling shelves at Kawartha Food Share has begun.

On Monday, March 23rd starting at 9 a.m., citizens throughout Peterborough (not Peterborough County at this time) are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch to be picked up by volunteers.

This ask is made of anyone who is not ill or in self-isolation to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on your front porch that morning. Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will drive around the city and collect the items, and deliver them to the warehouse.

Kawartha Food Share

The shelves at Kawartha Food Share are perilously low, and need to be restocked for those in need. Many people have stocked their pantries with ample stores of canned goods and washrooms with excess rolls of toilet paper. The idea is if we all give one bag back, we’ll be doing a little bit that will go a long way.

WHAT ORGANIZERS NEED

Please place one or two rolls of toilet paper in a ziplock bag if you have one, or another bag that keeps it separate. Add the TP to a larger bag of canned goods. Leave it at your door and volunteers will do the rest!

Helpful Items Include:

·      Canned tuna

·      Pasta and pasta sauce

·      Alphagetti, Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee, (things that are easy and that kids like)

·      Breakfast cereal – a lot of children will be without school breakfast programs for the foreseeable future

·      Peanut Butter – there are currently zero jars on the shelf

·      Any non-perishable fruit and vegetable items

·      Rice

·      Canned soup/stew

·      Feminine hygiene products

·      Baby formula

Kawartha Food Share

Consider Donating An Old Cellphone

 If you have an unused cellphone with a charger that you could donate, that would also be helpful. Greenwood Coalition is distributing cell phones to our vulnerable neighbours to keep an open channel of communication with people most in need.

As public buildings have closed, access to computers, internet and information is limited for many people. If we can provide a person with a free phone so they can text service providers (through free wifi), it is an important first step in making sure our neighbours are safe. If you can help, please leave the phone and charger in the donation bag and we’ll make sure it gets to Greenwood Coalition.

 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

* Our fellow citizens need to eat, we cannot abandon them. This method limits exposure for all, but still meets the needs of our most vulnerable.

* It is safer than shopping at a grocery store. There will be no face-to-face contact between those donating and those picking up.

* Volunteers will be on their own in their own vehicles. They will be wearing gloves and will observe all necessary and suggested safety protocols.

* The warehouse is empty of agencies on Monday afternoon. There will be limited staff to accept the donations.

*  If you are ill, please do not leave a bag outside of your home.

* Putting the toilet paper inside a ziplock bag minimizes touching of the product.

* This method limits the number of visitors to the Food Share warehouse, thus limiting exposure.

If you’re self-isolating, you can donate online here. If you’re a business and want to help for larger donations email here to arrange for a bulk pick up.

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The PTBOCanada Boredom Buster List

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Need a break from binge-watching the latest Netflix series and a reprieve from social media during this vital “social distancing” phase of the COVID-19 pandemic when you’re at home? Here are some ideas…

Cooking/Baking Since you’re not as rushed during meal times, take the time to make a twist on a normal meal with the kids. Just for fun, we followed this super simple recipe to make Baked French Toast. It turned out crispier and far tastier than the regular pan fried method.

Seeds Get a jump start on the season’s gardening. Even through Seedy Sunday was cancelled, you can still purchase seeds through many local vendors (and check out the seed swap page on Facebook).

Go for a hike Head to Jackson Park (and bring the pooch, if you have one) for some fresh air while still being able to socially distance yourself from everyone. Fresh air and some sunshine will really boost your mood. The Trans Canada Trail isn’t too icy, but grab your YakTracks for the side trails.

Restaurants/cafes Don’t forget to support local. You can purchase gift certificates from them for when they re-open, and many restaurants are still offering take-out/curb-side pickup as well as delivery.

Games Dust off those board games out of the closet for family night or test your memory by turning our Fun Facts About Peterborough into a quiz show.

To-Do List Check one thing off your Spring-To-Do list like finally clean out the garage or basement. You don’t have to go all Marie Kondo on your pantry, but purging is good for the soul.

Watch a locally made movie Check out local filmmaker Adriano Ferreri’s movie E.M.P. 333 Days on Amazon Prime.

What ideas can you add to the list? Go to our Facebook page post, or email us at tips@ptbocanada.com.

—by Evan Holt, PTBOCanada.com

 

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Restaurants & Cafes Are Making Amazing Donations To Kawartha Food Share During COVID-19

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Many local restaurants, cafes and other businesses have been donating to Kawartha Food Share in this time of crisis, as this powerful #caremongering phase shows the love and support this community is providing to each other.

Look at what Berc’s Steakhouse dropped off…

And Publican House…

And the Starbucks at Trent University…

And thanks to East City Coffee Shop, Kawartha Food Share is delivering these home fries down to their friends at One Roof to serve for dinner…

Shorelines Casino stepped up in a big way as well…

Many more are doing so as well! Well played Peterborough!!

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Opens COVID-19 Assessment Centre, Will Move To Mobile Unit Soon

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To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in Peterborough City and County, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre (the assessment centre will be moved to a mobile unit outside of the main hospital building on Monday, March 23rd).

If you suspect you might have COVID-19:

1. Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page

2. Based on the results of your self-assessment, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000 x. 401

3. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms

HOW THE COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE AT PRHC WORKS

The Assessment Centre is currently located within a dedicated area inside the hospital’s Emergency Department at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough.

Assessments are available by appointment only after following the steps outlined above. Patients should attend the assessment centre only as directed by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario. 

Members of the public who come to the Assessment Centre without an appointment will not be seen. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PRHC’s COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

  • Patients who have had an assessment scheduled by Peterborough Public Health or Telehealth Ontario should present to the entrance of the Emergency Department at least 15 minutes prior to their appointment time and follow the direction provided by the person screening patients and visitors.

  • Patients coming for assessment should clean their hands and apply a face mask as directed when entering the hospital. From there, they will be redirected to the COVID-19 assessment area, where hospital staff will complete the assessment. Testing will be administered according to Ministry of Health guidelines according to the results of the assessment; not all patients who are assessed will be tested for COVID-19.

  • Following their assessment, patients will be directed on next steps, which may include self-monitoring instructions, returning home to self-isolate while waiting for test results, or remaining in the Emergency Department for further assessment.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring Watson & Lou, 100 Kids & More!

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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…

Thomas Elmourne recently launched his own company. Called LT Contracting and Services, Thomas specializes in repairs, renovations or installations of bathrooms, tile work, kitchens, drywall, painting, as well as building maintenance and cleaning. Thomas brings over 20 years of broad experience and covers Peterborough City and County. Call 705-772-1197.

100 Kids Peterborough was launched last week. The organization mirrors the 100 Women and 100 Men organizations, who both do great work supporting local charities and not for profits. Organizer Faith Dickenson and her advisory team want to build future leaders in the community by engaging young people between the ages of 5 and 13 in philanthropy. Check it out online at 100kidspeterborough.ca.

Watson and Lou owners Erin Watson and Anna Eidt recently introduced a cool new concept called an Economic Nutrition Label. Modelled after the typical nutrition label you’ll find on food packaging, the Economic Nutrition Label breaks down where the money goes when you buy something at their downtown store. It’s a great idea, that demonstrates the importance of buying locally… LoveLocalPtbo! Check it out at 383 Water Street or watsonandlou.com.

And congratulations to Seana Collins Mander and Marie Claire Ruttan, the owners of RMT Ptbo. Formerly 360 Wellness, the new location of the business is 150 Lansdowne Street, inside Fandango, across from TSC. They focus on expert, effective registered massage therapy care, through a clinical approach. They can also direct bill their clients and you can book your appointment online. Rmtptbo.ca

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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PTBOCANADA


UPDATED: The First Positive Case Of COVID-19 In The Peterborough Area Confirmed

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This is a developing story… Check back for updates.

[UPDATE (March 16): The confirmed case of COVID-19 has been associated with Trent University's Peterborough campus. Read the message sent to all students, faculty and staff by Trent President & Vice-Chancellor Leo Groarke here.]

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On Sunday (March 15th), Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health, confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19  in the Peterborough area. 

Peterborough Public Health reports that on March 12th, a male in his 30s presented himself at Peterborough Regional Health Centre's emergency department with a travel history to Spain and Portugal. As per established infection prevention and control protocols, the patient was cared for at the hospital using all appropriate precautions, including being isolated as he was tested for COVID-19. The man was discharged home the same day and, per protocols, went into self-isolation where he remains with follow-up from Peterborough Public Health. The patient experienced fever, dry cough, and headache.

Peterborough Public Health is actively engaging in contact tracing and case management, including following up with the individual and his close contacts.

“Having a confirmed case in our area is not unexpected given the transmission of this virus around the world,” says Dr. Salvaterra. “As a community and as a health system, we have been preparing for COVID-19. Hopefully this news about the first local case helps reinforce the importance of public health measures in place such as school closures and event cancellations, as well as personal precautions like social distancing and regular handwashing.”

HOW PRHC RESPONDED

"The team at PRHC responded quickly and professionally with the appropriate precautions and protocols to ensure the safety of those in the Emergency Department and the hospital," adds Dr. Lynn Mikula, Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Officer of PRHC.

"Beginning Monday, March 16th, patients and visitors will see additional active screening measures, limited hospital entry points and restrictions for visitors and volunteers, and we continue to ask people to delay coming to the hospital for any non-urgent appointments, procedures or visits. Thank you in advance to the people of our community and region for their cooperation and diligence, including practicing excellent hand cleaning and social distancing, as we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep our patients, visitors, healthcare professionals, staff and volunteers safe."

IMPORTANT: If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have recently travelled, contact Peterborough Public Health at 705-743-1000, ext. 401 or covid19@peterboroughpublichealth.ca Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For medical advice after these hours, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).

Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history, including the countries you visited. If you are ill and must visit a health care professional, call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. If you need immediate medical attention, call 911 and mention your travel history and symptoms.

Visit peterboroughpublichealth.ca to learn more about COVID-19 and how you can prepare. Future positive cases of COVID-19 will be reported on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca as well.  

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PTBOCANADA


Ross Memorial Hospital In Lindsay Just Opened A Drive-Thru COVID-19 Assessment Centre

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To respond to the increasing need for COVID-19 assessment in the City of Kawartha Lakes—the first positive case, a woman in her 60s, has been reported in the region—Ross Memorial Hospital opened a COVID-19 Assessment Centre on Sunday morning (March 15th). 

If you suspect you might have COVID-19, do the following before going to the Assessment Centre…

  1. An individual who has recent travel history outside of Canada AND symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should, complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment on the Ontario.ca/coronavirus page.

  2. Contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or the HKPR District Health Unit (hkpr.on.ca) at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 5020.

  3. If symptoms are severe, please call 911 and alert the dispatcher to your travel history and symptoms. 

HOW THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE WORKS

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at the hospital, 10 Angeline St. North, in Lindsay, within the Ambulance Bay.

It is a “drive-thru” centre, with marked entrance from Angeline St. N. The hours of operation are between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. At this time, patients seeking assessment at the centre are not required to make an appointment. Patients should attend the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre only on the advice of Telehealth or Public Health.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE RMH COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRE

  • Patients must enter by vehicle in the marked entrance from Angeline St. N and follow direction from staff or security to enter “Lane 2” (Lane 1 is reserved for Ambulances).

  • Remain in vehicle at all times, unless instructed to exit the vehicle by staff.

  • An assessment will be completed by clinical staff, with patients remaining in vehicle.

The RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre will assess and direct patients on next steps. For more info on the drive thru centre, click here.

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Kawartha Food Share In Desperate Need Of Food Donations During COVID-19 Crisis

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Kawartha Food Share says many of their clients do not have the means to buy extra food items and are turning to their food banks for support.

“Our numbers are usually higher during the winter, but we’re seeing such an increase this past week,” General Manager Ashlee Aitken tells PTBOCanada. “Plus we’re seeing a decrease in volunteers, so it’s crazy times at the food banks.”

Indeed, the health of both Kawartha Food Share’s clients and volunteers on the front lines is very important to them, and they are encouraging anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and call their warehouse (705-745-5377) if they are in need of emergency food.

”We are also concerned for parents who rely on their children using our breakfast and nutrition programs at school,” says Kawartha Food Share’s General Manager Ashlee Aitken.

“They now have to access extra food from our services during the extended March break and we expect to see client numbers rise in the next couple weeks because of this.”

Kawartha Food Share is also in need of any and all perishable food donations, such as soup, pasta, pasta sauce, Mac and Cheese, and canned vegetables.

Donations can be made at their collection bins located at all local grocery stores, at their warehouse at 665 Neal drive, or online here.

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Riverview Park and Zoo Announce The Death Of Montana, Their Female Bobcat

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It is with great sadness that the Riverview Park and Zoo announce the death of Montana, their female bobcat. Montana came to Peterborough from the Toronto Zoo in the summer of 2004. With her beautiful colouring, expressive face and inquisitive nature, Montana was a favourite with many of the zoo’s visitors.  

Montana had been treated for kidney disease for approximately two years and unfortunately she took a turn for the worse on Friday morning (March 6th). Although the Park and Zoo’s Consulting Veterinarian and Animal Health Team responded promptly to provide treatment and care, Montana died later Friday afternoon. Although not unexpected, her death is still a difficult loss for staff as they had formed a close bond with her.

Montana was a very friendly and social animal, and she greatly enjoyed when the Animal Care Staff interacted with her in her exhibit.

She would also often “stalk” Park and Zoo visitors as they approached her exhibit and would frequently preen for attention from the Animal Care Staff.

Montana died during the later afternoon on Friday as a result of complications resulting from end-stage kidney failure. She was almost twenty years old.

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Local Realtor Linz Hunt Trekked The Sahara Desert In Support Of YWCA Crossroads Shelter

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Peterborough Realtor Linz Hunt met with respresentatives at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton recently to present a cheque for $17,820 in support of YWCA Crossroads Shelter.

Hunt’s generous gift in support of women and children fleeing abuse was raised through an incredible 5 day, 100 kilometre trek through the Sahara Desert late last year. She was among 120 real estate agents who participated in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter.

Photo of Linz Hunt in Sahara Desert

“As a Realtor, my job is to sell people homes and I can't imagine associating a home with fear and danger,” says Hunt.

“I chose to contribute more intentionally to the YWCA by taking part in the Sahara Trek because of the people I know and love who have experienced gender-based violence.”

“Every day throughout the trek, we read letters from women and children who had escaped their abusers thanks to the shelters we were supporting,” adds Hunt.

“These letters were heartbreaking but they reaffirmed that our journey was nothing in comparison to what these families have gone through. I truly had the experience of a lifetime supporting such an important cause.”

To learn more about the YWCA Peterborough and how you can get involved, click here.

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