Local Couple Gives $100,000 To Build Peterborough Humane Society’s New Animal Care Centre

Judy and Gord Atkins, a local couple who reside on Chemong Lake, are giving $100,000 to help build the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre.  

Judy—a retired educator who knows first-hand the importance of teaching young people about animal welfare—and Gord, a local business owner who along with his brother previously owned the Peterborough Hyundai and Subaru dealerships as well as the Kia franchise, are proud to call Peterborough County home and give back to their community.

Judy and Gord Atkins (Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society)

When they were first approached by Chris White, a long-time volunteer board member with the Peterborough Humane Society as well as Chair of their Capital Campaign, the Atkins knew that this was a worthy project.

“We knew it was something we could get behind,” says Gord. “We have both always been close to animals, growing up with pets in our families, and having had three amazing golden retrievers since we’ve been married.”

In recognition of this tremendous gift, the Humane Society will name the Humane Education space in their new Adoption & Education Centre the “Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education Room”.

Maggie & Ruby, two of the three dogs that have been a big part of Judy and Gord’s family over the years (Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society)

“We’re so grateful for Gord and Judy’s generous support,” says PHS Executive Director Shawn Morey. “With their $100,000 contribution, we will be able to expand our educational programming and create the Judy and Gord Atkins Humane Education room to host educational workshops, summer camps, corporate retreats, and even birthday parties for young animal advocates.”

This gift combines the Atkins’ passion for both education and animal welfare. Judy was a principal for 15 years and led her school’s annual fundraiser which would always cumulate with three lucky children helping to purchase items off of the Humane Society’s Wish List and delivering it to the shelter where they would learn how to care for animals and meet the dogs, cats and bunnies available for adoption.

With over $6.6 of their $10 million goal secured for the Animal Care Centre, this gift gets PHS one step closer to building this much needed Centre. Construction on the 20-acre plot of land they own at 1999 Technology Drive was slated to start this Fall, but in light of the pandemic they’re now planning to start as soon as funding and government regulations allow.

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Innovation Cluster Launches Groundbreaking Women Breaking Barriers Accelerator Program

Statistics show that only 6% of tech companies have a female CEO, and only 8% of Directors on boards of Canadian tech companies are women. As well, only 4% of VC funding goes toward women-led companies and founders who are women of colour get less than 1% of venture capital each year. The Innovation Cluster is working to change their numbers through a groundbreaking new accelerator program.

They have officially launched Women Breaking Barriers, a six-month cohort acceleration program designed specifically for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and social innovation.

The program will allow participants to fast track their companies and will reduce barriers for female founders including the unique opportunity to pitch to angel investors at the end of six months. This program has been made possible by a $75,000 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 

Funds will be used to hire professionals, purchase supplies, as well as to operate workshops and events. The overall program will be one year long, consisting of two separate cohorts of up to 10 women that will last six months each.

The fully virtual program has opened applications for the first cohort August 5th, with a start date of September first. Applications are due August 27th at noon. 

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

Participants (aged 18 or older) will have every opportunity to accelerate their company during the program, which includes specific and advanced training sessions, weekly mentorship with advisors, peer-to-peer learning, community networking and more.

“Our goal with this program is to increase opportunities and improve the support for women entering a career path in STEM and social innovation,” says Rosalea Terry, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist with the Innovation Cluster. “After completing the program, these women will leave with the skills and knowledge to achieve success in their startup.” 

The program ends with each participant guaranteed to pitch to the local Peterborough Region Angel Network, which currently has over thirty investors. The group has invested over $6 million in companies over the years.

To learn more about the unique program, click here.

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Meet Johnny Arnold, The Cat With A Unique Heart Marking Who Has Filled Huge Void In Peterborough Woman's Life

When her rescue dog Jake died tragically in his 14th year on June 7th, Peterborough’s Anne Arnold wasn’t sure whether she would bring another pet into her life. “I wasn’t in a position to bring in a new puppy or dog and wasn’t even sure at the time if I wanted a new pet in my life,” Arnold tells PTBOCanada.

See, Jake had filled such a huge void for Arnold after her late husband Gord passed away and had become an amazing buddy to her. How could she possibly replace her beloved Jake with another pet? How could that pet fill the void and live up to Jake?

After a few weeks, Arnold began to have a change of heart. “I kept looking online for a kitten and during Covid they were very hard to find. I saw Johnny on Friday, July 3rd on the Peterborough Humane Society website and just had to have him. He was so cute and looked like he could use a friend.”

So Anne adopted him, or more like perhaps he adopted her. Whatever the case, serendipity is a beautiful thing and they have quickly become best friends.

Johnny Arnold has filled a special place, a void, in Anne’s heart. “He has definitely stolen my heart,” she says. “He is such a sweetie, loves being cuddled and is very inquisitive.” He is also incredibly playful: “He loves to play hide and seek, and loves to hide his toys so I can seek to find them.”

Anne and Johnny

What also makes Johnny Arnold unique is his heart marking, which is getting more and more prominent—some might suggest from all the love he gets from Anne. (It all depends on how you look at life and love.)

“You can see that he does have a few different markings and it wasn’t till a week or so later after I adopted him that one started developing into a heart, and it continues to grow and be prominent,” Arnold says.

The way Anne see it, “Johnny’s heart could be from Jake or even part of Gord to make sure I am alright.”

One thing’s for sure: The world needs a lot of love right now, and Johnny Arnold and his bestie Anne give us some sense of hope that love and empathy wins.

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Peterborough Humane Society’s Strutt Your Mutt Event Goes Virtual This Year

The Peterborough Humane Society’s Strutt Your Mutt event is going virtual this year. It is being re-branded as PTBO PAWlympics where participants are challenged to stay active and try new activities with their pets, all the while fundraising to support the Peterborough Humane Society.

To ensure the safety of the community during these uncertain times, the Peterborough Humane Society is challenging individuals and teams to set a walking goal of 50, 75, 100, 150 or 200 kilometres to achieve over the month of September.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

This goal will help participants to stay active with their pet and explore Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Participants can choose a goal that suits them and take part in fun activities and weekly challenges with their pet along the way.

Those interested in accepting this challenge can register here. All participants will receive a toolkit to help them on their journey and to reach their fundraising goals. Prizes are available for participants to help reach their fundraising goals as well as great prizes for their top distance walked and highest individual and team fundraiser.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Humane Society

All funds raised will go directly to the Peterborough Humane Society to help them care for the more than 1,600 animals they help each year.

“We are thrilled to be able to run this fun and engaging PAWlympics event to encourage our community to safely get out, stay active with their pets, and discover some of the amazing places we have in Peterborough & the Kawarthas,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director, Peterborough Humane Society.

Registration has begun, with the walking challenge taking place from September 1st through September 30th. More details including fun challenges, prizing, and sponsors will be announced soon. For more details, visit the Peterborough Humane Society website at peterboroughhumanesociety.ca.

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Local Community Agencies To Distribute Thousands of Face Coverings To Clients Thanks to New Joint Initiative

A joint City-County-Peterborough Public Health initiative to provide reusable face coverings for people who may not be able to buy them is being supported by local community groups.

With face coverings now mandatory in various public settings, Kinsmen Club, Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, and Kawartha Food Share are making donations to support the bulk purchase of face coverings. The United Way of Peterborough and District is accepting financial donations for the project through its COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Peterborough Public HEalth Medical Officer of Health Dr. ROSANA Salvaterra took to the streets to hand out cloth masks to those who need them in downtown Peterborough. (Photos by Peterborough Public Health)

With the support of these groups, Peterborough Social Services will be providing about 5,000 face coverings to community agencies for distribution to clients. Anyone who wants to contribute new, unused face coverings, including homemade face coverings, can drop the items off at the Peterborough Public Health office at 185 King St.

”Working together has kept our numbers down,” says Warden J. Murray Jones. “I am so proud of our full community for following the new policies and procedures Peterborough Public Health has put in place.”

“We’re working with our community partners to make sure that anyone who needs a face covering can get one,” adds Mayor Diane Therrien. “Once again, community groups such as the Kinsmen Club and organizations such as Kawartha Food Share are stepping up to help our fellow residents through this pandemic.”

“I’m extremely proud and grateful to see community members help each other stay safe by not only wearing face coverings, but ensuring those who need one are getting one,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health for Peterborough Public Health. “Evidence shows that this kind of collective action helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 when we can’t keep two metres apart.”

Wearing a face covering is an added measure to the other public health measures that are in place, including:

• Physical distancing
• Staying home if sick
• Washing your hands
• Coughing and sneezing etiquette
• Not touching your face
• Cleaning commonly touched surfaces

To make a financial donation toward providing face coverings for people in the community, donate to the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund online here or by calling 705-742-8839.

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The Peterborough Singers Re-Imagine 2020-21 Season Due To Pandemic

What does a choir do when it can’t be a 100-voice performing choir during a pandmemic? Well the Peterborough Singers answer this question by re-inventing the 2020-21 season.

Instead of typical concert offerings, the choir is focusing the combined energy and imagination of its members and its conductor, Syd Birrell (pictured below), on a “bridge year” in order to safely traverse the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Photo by Jason Ryan

Choir members will come together in small groups (observing all COVID-19 safety protocols) to sing a variety of repertoire, from madrigals and Broadway to opera choruses and music of the Renaissance.

Some of these sessions may find a digital home for audience enjoyment, but the primary consideration is the emotional wellbeing of choir members—well that and ensuring the 27-year history of the Peterborough Singers continues in future.

Cancelling a concert season is not a decision taken lightly. In the past four months, the choir held Zoom rehearsals and created virtual performances, such as their stirring rendition of the Tragically Hip’s “Bobcaygeon”…

The Peterborough Singers were proud to be part of the Bobcaygeon (By the Tragically Hip) sing along in support of Bobcaygeon, Ontario and The Pinecrest Nursi...

During this time, it became clear that rather than risk disappointing both choir and audience members by announcing a typical concert season—only to face likely cancellations—a fresh approach was needed.

They will put all our energy and imagination into what they are calling a Bridge Year. This fall, their focus will be the emotional well-being of choir members. Social-distancing protocols permitting, the choir will meet in small groups in diverse locations to perform.

For now though, the Peterborough Singers brings you a virtual recording made by members of the choir, one that speaks to the challenge and rewards that lie ahead.

Indeed, their just-released version of “Bridge Over Trouble Waters” is so appropriate to the times…

Choirs all around the world have been forced to stop doing what they love due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We created this virtual choir video to remind us and ...

To learn more about the Peterborough Singers, click here.

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The Bondar Challenge Summer Camp Goes Virtual With Riverview Park & Zoo And Otonabee Conservation

The Riverview Park & Zoo (RPZ) and Otonabee Conservation have announced that they are collaborating to bring The Virtual Bondar Challenge Summer Camp during July and August.

The Bondar Challenge, developed by The Roberta Bondar Foundation, teaches youth about their natural environment through the art of photography. Over the course of twelve days, participants will learn a variety of photography techniques, ranging from basic to advanced, through the Google Classroom online forum.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

Participants will then have the opportunity to apply these skills as they explore the scenic environments in their own backyard, neighborhood, on local trails, in parks, or conservation areas with their friends and family.

A series of weekly challenges and prizes encourages participants to spend time outside capturing the beauty of flora and fauna in our local environment. At the end of this program, participants will choose their best photograph for submission to The Roberta Bondar Foundation.

A panel of judges will evaluate photographs submitted by youth from across Canada, to select winning photographs for the summer of 2020. Winners will have their photograph featured on The Roberta Bondar Foundation’s website and will be awarded a variety of prizes.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

This year, they have developed an online format for the Bondar Challenge Summer Camp to keep kids active and keep them safe as we all work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This summer camp program can be completed over the course of 12 days, and includes approximately 3 hours of computer time and 3 to 6 hours of outdoor photography and exploring nature on your own schedule.

Registration for the Bondar Challenge Virtual Summer Camp Program is now open. Register here, email connect@riverviewparkandzoo.ca or call us 705.748.9301 ex: 2304.

Learn more on the zoo’s Facebook page post below…

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Trent Health In Motion, Bennett's Lawn Maintenance & 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…  

Dr. Joan Himann, a sports medicine physician, is now accepting new patients at Trent Health in Motion. Sports medicine physicians provide treatment for injuries that limit your ability to be active. Dr. Himann joins the Trent Health in Motion team, which includes physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, an athletic therapist, kinesiologist, hydrotherapy, and a dietitian. Whether your goal is to be able to garden without pain, walk after knee surgery or train for a triathlon, check out trenthealthinmotion.ca online, in store at 1600 West Bank Drive Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8 Canada. or call 705-741-4758.

Kim and Jeff MacDonald run The Stonehouse Hall, located in the Peterborough Curling Club on Lansdowne Street West. During the Covid shutdown, their kids, Hannah and Jailea got bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, so the family started Roadside Greetings, offering everything from special occasion lawn signs to boat graphics, custom business signs and car decals. Now that The Stonehouse Hall can start to reopen, the kids are taking over the business, and Kim and Jeff are busy preparing frozen dinners, and a Thursday special for take-out or delivery. All the details are at roadsidegreetings.ca or thestonehousehall.ca.

Bennett's Lawn Maintenance is Mitchell Bennett’s new business. Mitchell is ready to serve the community with grass cutting and trimming, help around the garden with weeding, general clean up and garden maintenance, and winter sidewalk and driveway snow shoveling. Covering the City of Peterborough, Mitchell is another young hard-working entrepreneur, so give him a call at 705-927-0970.

Finally, this Saturday, August 1st, the mandatory face covering policy comes into effect. I personally am 100% in favour of it, simply because it helps. Support for the Policy in Canada is 80% in favour, 20% against. Here is my take on it. If you can’t wear a mask, you should be accommodated. If you simply won’t wear a mask, you shouldn’t be. It’s the business owners and their employees who will be on the front line of this come Saturday, and you can thank those same businesses who have been providing a safe service, and the public health policies that have resulted in pretty much a month with zero new cases… If we don’t keep our distance, don’t follow advice, party it up, and not wear a face mask, we’ll get a second wave and a second shut down. So, let’s not screw it up….

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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The Peterborough Sport And Wellness Centre Is Slated To Reopen July 27th

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre is expected to reopen for members and community use starting July 27th, the City of Peterborough says in a media release.

They will be implementing a phased approach for the centre hours, activities and programs, including new protocols to help create a safe experience for visitors and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To support provincial guidelines and enhanced cleaning activities, the hours of operation are being adjusted at the facility:
-> Monday to Friday – 7 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
-> Saturday and Sunday – 7 a.m. to noon

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

During this phased reopening, visitors will have access to the Aquatic and Fitness Centres—including changerooms—on a first-come, first-served basis, but that will not include fitness classes, personal training, child minding or registered programs such as swimming lessons and aqua fitness.

SOME OF THE MEASURES & PROTOCOLS PUT IN PLACE INCLUDE:

• Self-screening before entering the facility
• Patrons required to use hand sanitizer before using the facility
• Directional floor markers for patrons to follow to support physical distancing
• Enhanced cleaning of the facility, including exercise equipment, both during the hours the facility is  open to users and during the time it is closed
• Physical barriers (plexiglass), signage, and personal protective equipment
• Restricting the maximum number of people in the facility at one time 

The Wellness Centre continues to monitor direction from health officials and modify service plans accordingly.

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The Canadian Canoe Museum Is Reopening July 25th

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced it is reopening its galleries to the public starting this Saturday, July 25th. Work has been underway to implement new safety protocols while ensuring the museum’s engaging, welcoming, and inspiring atmosphere remains.

Notice anything new? We have added plexiglass (thanks @signaramaptbo) to our admission desk & store for an extra layer of protection when we reopen on Saturday! Please note we won't be accepting cash.

More info: https://t.co/JYfj9c29i5 #PTBO #theKawarthas #TourismCounts pic.twitter.com/TetvmoKXAJ

— Canadian Canoe Museum (@CndnCanoeMuseum) July 20, 2020

“When visitors walk through our doors, they will still be greeted by our stunning array of canoes and kayaks, the rushing waterfall, and sounds of nature—just as they have always been, although they will notice the new protocols we have put in place to help keep our community safe,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director.

NEW PROTOCOLS AT THE MUSEUM INCLUDE:

• Requiring all visitors, volunteers, and staff to wear a face mask or covering in the museum’s galleries and store.

• Requiring hand sanitization upon entrance to the museum and promoting sanitization throughout your visit with newly installed hand sanitization stations.

• Limiting visitor capacity and staggering entrances to the galleries to promote physical distancing.

• Implementing a defined route through the museum’s galleries with reminders to keep your distance from other visitors.

• Encouraging contactless forms of payment at the admissions desk and store. Cash will not be accepted.

• An enhanced and increased cleaning schedule.

• Changes have also been made to the museum's hours of operation. The museum will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until further notice.

Recognizing that not everyone will be able to or feel comfortable returning to public places at this time, the museum is continuing to provide engaging virtual CCM From Home content online here.

At this time, all additional events, programs, and workshops remain cancelled for the remainder of summer 2020.

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