City of Peterborough Giving Out Free "Celebrate at Home" Kits for Canada Day

The City of Peterborough will be handing out 500 free Canada Day “Celebrate at Home” kits on Tuesday announced on June 18 after the cancellation of the annual Canada’s Day parade.

Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough.

The cancellation occurred since it could not comply with step one of the Province of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap that restricts outdoor gathering to a maximum of 10 people.

The kits include Canada Day-themed decorations, crafts, activities, contests, scavenger hunts and fun giveaways to help celebrate the nation's birthday safely.

Families can participate in the contests and activities and share their photos online using #PtboCanadaDay2021. The kits are a way for the community to celebrate together.

“Brighter days are ahead and we look forward to celebrating future holidays together when it’s safe but we’re not there just yet,” said Diane Therrien, Peterborough Mayor. “The health and wellbeing of residents is our priority and it’s important that we follow the measures of Ontario’s Reopening Roadmap. We hope the ‘Celebrate at Home’ kits deliver some Canada Day fun to families.”

Peterborough’s Canada Day Parade runs on George Street from City Hall to Morrow Park annually. Photo Courtesy of City of Peterborough.

Peterborough families are invited to pick up one kit per family at one of the four pickup locations and celebrate Canada Day at home this year. Pick up locations are as follows:

• City Hall, 500 George St. N

• Peterborough Memorial Centre, 151 Lansdowne St. W

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N

• Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

Kits can be picked up starting at 10:00 a.m. on June 29 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Staff will be at City Hall to hand out the kits until 6:00 p.m. or until all kits are distributed.

Curbside pick-up and all COVID safety protocols will be followed. Residents are reminded that face coverings are mandatory and are asked to maintain physical distancing of two metres from people who are not from their household.

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Local Church Unveils Community Garden For Food Insecurity Awareness

All Saints' Anglican Church unveiled their community vegetable garden where their crops will be donated to several local communities and organizations to spread food insecurity awareness on Monday.

Reverend Suzanna McMillan (left) and Reverend Samantha Caravan (right) in front of one of five vegetable garden boxes that will continually grow crops for local communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at the south end of the church, the All Saints’ Peterborough Community Garden will supply vegetables to organizations such as Food Not Bombs, Kawartha Food Share, Prince of Wales School’s breakfast program and YWCA Nourish.

“We obviously love to distribute fresh foods to our member agencies so the fact that they’ve taken this to the next level and are willing to support their families with healthy nutritious food items, it’s so great,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager.

The garden was built not only as a way to help the community but inspire others to help fight against food insecurity and start their own initiative. Reverend Samantha Caravan said the church believes in food equity and that no one should have to worry about having food on their plate every day.

“We really want to engage with people to help them grow their own food in their own backyards,” she said. “It’s not about just filling empty bellies, it’s really building a relationship with people who live and work in this neighbourhood.”

McMillan helped plant, water, weed and caretake the garden since it was created in early June. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The garden was dedicated to Reverend Suzanne McMillan who serves as the church’s diaconate for over 15 years. The honour came as a surprise to McMillan when Caravan revealed the plaque to the public.

“The priest beside me (Caravan) is filled with wonderful surprises like this. Honouring the people for the work they do,” she said. “I was delighted but very surprised.”

“Suzanne has been the driving force around here for justice issues,” said Caravan. “With her energy and time, we wanted to honour that commitment to her fellow people with this.”

The five garden boxes are 6x25x3 inches in length. Rain barrels are used to help maintain the gardens to offset the cost of water. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The gardens were planted in the first week of June and contain crops such as onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash and lettuce. The church plans to grow enough tomatoes to hold canning sessions for community distribution.

The church plans to continually use the gardens to crops as long as possible for community distribution.

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List of City Services' Availability During Canada Day

Many City services will be closed or offering modified service this Thursday on Canada Day in a release issued Monday.

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City Hall

City Hall offices, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office, will be closed. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

Arenas Division

The Arenas division office will be closed.

The COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic will operate in the Evinrude Leon’s Pad for scheduled appointments only. Please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca for more information on booking a vaccination.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough's facility remains closed at this time, in compliance with the province's Roadmap to Reopening. Programs and services, including virtual camps for children, families and teens, continue online.

To stay up-to-date with what's happening online, and updates to hours of operation at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, please visit www.agp.on.ca, or visit their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Garbage, recycling and green waste

Garbage, recycling and green waste will not be collected on Thursday, July 1. Collections for this date will move to Monday, July 5.

Residents who normally have Thursday collection must have their garbage, recycling and green waste set out to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, July 5. All other collections that week will remain unchanged.

The Household Hazardous Waste Depot and the Peterborough County and City Waste Management Facility (landfill) will be closed on July 1.

The Pido Road Recycling Depot remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more details, please call the City of Peterborough Waste Management Division at 705-742-7777 ext. 1657.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives and gift shop will be closed on July 1.

Summer Discovery Camp begins July 12. Information is online at www.peterborough.ca/museum.

Peterborough Public Library

Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Thursday, July 1.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on July 1. Please visit the website www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules.

Sport and Wellness Centre

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre offices will be closed on July 1. The Centre remains closed in compliance with Province’s Reopening Roadmap.

Summer camp will operate July 5 through to September 3 at the Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr. and the Navy Club, 24 Whitla St. Registration is available online at www.peterborough.ca/summercamps or by calling 705-742-0050.

Marina

The Peterborough Marina office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 1. To contact the marina, please phone 705-745-8787 or email marina@peterborough.ca.

City Beaches

Lifeguards will be on duty at the two City-operated beaches at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove on July 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All visitors are required to follow public health guidelines. If the beach is crowded, consider visiting at another time.

Provincial Offences office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on July 1. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Social Services office

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed. Emergency shelter services remain open: call 705-926-0096 after hours, during weekends and on holidays.

Child care centres

City-operated child care centres will be closed on July 1.

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Fleming College Requires Student COVID-19 Vaccinations For Residence Living In Fall

Fleming College requires students in residence to have at least their first COVID-19 vaccine for the fall semester stated in a press release on Friday.

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The campus mandatory vaccine policy claims it is based on scientific data and supported by Peterborough Public Health (PPH).

“The pandemic continues to be an evolving situation, and we have always emphasized that safety is everyone’s responsibility at Fleming,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming President. ”The vaccination requirement for those in residence will provide peace of mind to students and their families.”

The school recommends that residence students get the vaccine two weeks prior to their move-in date. Those unable to receive their first dose before moving in will have 14 days to get vaccinated. Fleming will provide support to students who require first and second doses and is working closely with PPH to coordinate access to vaccines.

The vaccine requirement applies only to the college-owned residences on campus and not the entire campus or to those living off-campus. Alternative off-campus housing is available with assistance and resources through Fleming’s off-campus housing services.

Safety measures such as masking and reduced capacity limits in shared spaces and enhanced cleaning and sanitation of all areas are in addition to the mandatory vaccine policy.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Creative ResiNation, Kate's Foot Care Services, The Weekend Route and Dawn Hennessey

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Ashley Lamothe recently launched Creative ResiNation, an online store that features her unique art, drinkware and clothing. Lamothe is all about using modern creative tools to add some sparkle to the beauty of indigenous functional art.

You can purchase right from her website where you’ll find keychains, earrings, ribbon skirts, tumblers and cups, bookmarks and more. Her advice is to throw kindness like confetti so check out Creative ResiNation on social media or creative-resination.myshopify.com/

Kate’s Foot Care Services is Kate Cowan’s new business. Located in the Home Hardware Plaza in Bridgenorth, Kate is utilizing her RPN Certification, her Advanced Foot Care license and seven years of experience to provide Diabetic foot care and education, maintenance of corns, calluses and fungus nails, non-invasive ingrown nail maintenance and advice and assessment of proper fitting footwear. Find Kate’s Foot Care Services on Facebook or call for your first appointment at 705-868-4833.

The Weekend Route is new online platform developed by Innovation Cluster client Big Clic Inc. The Weekend Route is designed to profile unique off-the-beaten-track experiences, food and hidden gems that only the locals know about. Users can curate their own trips by searching and adding stops based on their interests. Check it out at theweekendroute.com.

Congratulations to Dawn Hennessey, the Business Centre Manager at the Peterborough and Durham Business Development Bank, who recently accepted the new role of Senior Client Partner. Dawn brings over 17 years of BDC market and client experience to her new position.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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PTBOLive Kicks Off Summer Concert Series With Opening Night

The PTBOLive Summer Concert Series opened its 20-show series at the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot Friday night.

Jeremy Giles, Market Hall Manager Chad Hogan, Coun. Keith Riel and Emily Martin on the Enbridge Energy Stage during setup of the opening night. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kicking off the series is Classic Albums Live performs Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon on the Enbridge Energy Stage.

“We’ve got a local stage, local production crew, a local food truck and local artists on the state throughout the summer as well,” said Jeremy Giles, PMC facility manager. “It’s really a good local feel and it’s nice to do this for the community.”

The Enbridge Energy Stage at the PMC parking lot. Two digital screens accompany the stage at each side. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Concert-goers attend the show in their parked vehicles in front of the stage to comply with COVID-19 health protocols.

The series is a collaboration presented by Peterborough Memorial Centre, Showplace Performance Centre and Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.

“We haven’t done anything for live music in a long time,” said Emily Martin, Showplace general manager. “Having an outdoor event is really easy to do in terms of being able to bring large numbers of people together.”

“The city has been waiting for something like this,” said Councillor Keith Riel. “It’s a night for the family and I think people need a break.”

Pink Floyd is one of three Classic Albums Live performances of PTBOLive. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The following is the current lineup of the series:

• June 25 Classic Albums Live performs Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

• June 26 The Jim Cuddy Band with special guest Express & Company

• June 27 Splash N Boots

• July 2 Big Wreck with special guest Heaps

• July 9 The Reklaws with special guest Jesse Slack

• July 10 The Trews with special guests Adam & Cale Gontier from Saint Asonia

• July 16 Classic Albums Live performs Led Zeppelin's Zeppelin II

• July 19 “The Father” Drive-in movie night

• July 23 Chad Brownlee with special guest SJ Riley

• July 24 Drive’N Queens, Peterborough’s first-ever drive ‘n drag show

• Aug 7 Shaun Majumder with Ali Hassan

• Aug 14 Sinatra with Matt Dusk

• Aug 15 Mini Pop Kids Live

• Aug 16 12 Mighty Orphans Drive-in movie night

• Aug 20 Classic Albums Live performs The Beatles' Abbey Road

• Aug 27 Jackson Delta with Emily Burgess & The Emburys

Tickets are on sale now at the PMC’s website or by phone at (705) 743-3561.

Tickets range from $100 per vehicle to $200 per vehicle plus fees (vehicle occupancy must be in accordance with the highway traffic act.) Fans are encouraged to get their tickets early as space is limited as stated in the press release.

Food is available on site but guests are permitted to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks for the event.

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Hometown PTBO: Rod McGillis Talk About PTBO Sports, Schools Under COVID and His Work With the Peterborough Petes

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with St. Peter’s Secondary School teacher Rod McGillis about Peterborough sports as a player and coach, schools under COVID-19, his work with the Peterborough Petes and favourite PTBO food spots.

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East City Gets a Sweet Tooth From Entrepreneur's Dream and Perseverance

Entrepreneur Danielle McIver has made East City a little more colourful and sweeter with her new candy store, Flossophy that opened in mid-June.

Danelle McIver holding one of most popular items, the cotton candy. Some of several flavours include unicorn, green apple and even dill pickle. Photo Courtesy of Flossophy.

McIver’s business features hand-spun cotton candy, popcorn, tempered chocolate bars, sundaes and jarred candies. All except the last option are made from scratch in the store.

“I have always just kind of been obsessed with candy and sweets in general,” explained McIver. “I wanted a throwback with the candy jars. A ’50 or ‘60s style crossed with a downtown LA look.”

New cotton candy flavours are regularly added and often sell out from the first two weeks the business has been open. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Despite the store opening this past month, it operated on a smaller scale back in March last year at the beginning of the pandemic.

McIver’s idea of selling cotton candy came while she attempted to start a party company where cotton candy was part of the business.

After noticing that the fluffy candy’s sales were sky-high, McIver got the idea to pursue it on a larger scale. She was selling tons of cotton candy from her home as curbside pickup and had the idea of opening her own shop.

“The perseverance is having the idea and just wanting to see it succeed,” said McIver. “We started branching out. We started tempering chocolate so we need a shop and a full kitchen.”

All popcorn seasonings are made and created in-house. Ingredients such as coconut oil have made it into some popcorn flavours. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Flossophy’s selection is notorious for its outrageous and unique flavours. Cotton candy can range from original to fruity flavours like apple and banana to strange ones like dill pickle and “hot mama”. Popcorn can range from savoury flavours like sushi roll and pizza to sweet like Nanaimo and churro.

Tempered chocolate bars have toppings embedded such as popcorn or pretzels fitting the theme of a “movie night” flavour.

Sundaes feature a wide variety of toppings, all with their own theme and a number unique toppings such as crushed cereal and cotton candy bits.

“I love change, I love variety and I love a challenge,” said McIver. “You find a new pivot. This is what I love about Flossophy, I get to explore this creative outlet.”

Flossophy often stocks rarer candies such as crème brûlée and chili pepper gummies that are typically not found at any big chain stores. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Since opening the store, Flossophy’s business has boomed with several items often selling out. The store is adapting to the sudden growth and demand of the customer base but it is a good problem to have noted McIver.

“(Business is) overwhelming but in the best way possible,” she said. “It’s good to know that people know that they like your product. The shop should feel like an experience when you go so that’s really important to me and the response has been amazing.”

The store is located on 75 Hunter St. E. next to Revive Hair Lounge. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

McIver wanted to put candy jars in front of her storefront counter for customers to pick our their own but has to keep them behind the counter for COVID-19 safety protocols.

Sour candy has been a huge request among customers including being incorporated with the cotton candy according to McIver. She plans to release a sour line of flavours in the near future she tells PTBOCanada.

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Lang Pioneer Village Museum Welcomes Visitors Back For Its 54th Season

As Lang Pioneer Village Museum kicks off its 54th season, they will be open to the public beginning on July 2 according to a press release on Wednesday.

A guided tour of the museum that complied with the COVID-19 protocols in 2020. Photo Courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village.

The Museum will be open Wednesday through Sunday for pre-booked guided tours until Labour Day weekend. A new feature to the historical site is a full-time First Nations interpreter at the village’s Aabnaabin Camp.

Under step one of the Ontario Roadmap to Reopen plan, the guided tours are required to be outdoors only. The museum is uncertain if step two of the plan will permit visitors to enter the historic buildings however outdoor-only tours will include additional trades demonstrations like blacksmithing or tinsmithing.

Interpreter guides will open doors for a peek inside while sharing the history of the historic home or business. Once the province moves to a stage that permits the opening of the historic buildings, visitors will be permitted to tour the lower levels of the Village buildings.

Staggered tours will begin every 15 minutes and must be booked in advance by visiting the Museum’s Shopify page.

Pre-booked guided tours are $40 for a group of four. Additional group members may be added to the tour at an additional cost, up to the current group maximum as regulated by Peterborough Public Health.

The museum’s snack shop will not be open but packaged traditional treats, drinks and museum shop items can be purchased at the time of booking.

Visitors will be required to self-screen prior to coming on-site, observe physical distancing with other groups and wear masks when in buildings.

The museum is offering special events this fall. they are also launching a new digital accessibility platform that will provide guests with mobility challenges the opportunity to sign out a tablet with access to a database of photographic and video footage of the inaccessible spaces within the village.

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Ontario Invests $4.5 Million to Support Peterborough Regional Health Centre

Peterborough Regional Health Centre will receive $4,525,000 to support ongoing operational needs and support specific services after a Zoom meeting Wednesday.

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MPP Dave Smith and PRHC senior executives were in attendance to make the funding announcement.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus continues to be on addressing hallway health care. Increasing operational budgets and strategic investments continue to accompany our transformational reforms to how we deliver health care in Ontario,” said Smith. “One person receiving health care in a hallway is one too many. We will move forward with our efforts to end hallway medicine by putting the patient at the centre of care.”

The 2021 Budget, Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People's Health and Our Economy, outlined a total of $1.8 billion in additional investments for hospitals in 2021-22. This includes an increase of $778 million in operating funding to meet current and future demands for services.

Additional support for hospitals as part of Ontario’s Action Plan includes $760 million to help hospitals continue to respond to COVID 19 and an additional $300 million to reduce surgical backlogs.

“This investment will provide much-needed support to PRHC in its dual role as a community hospital and a regional hub for a growing number of patients in the surrounding communities,” said Brenda Weir, Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at PRHC. “As Ontario’s healthcare sector continues to face challenging and uncertain times in the months and years ahead, ongoing provincial support will be critical to ensuring we are positioned for continued success as we provide excellent care for the patients and families we serve.”

Through the 2021-22 hospital allocations, the government will provide each hospital with increases to their operating budgets as well as targeted funding towards key priorities. Initiatives include:

• Funding to recognize growth in the hospital sector as well as targeted funding towards key ministry priorities

• Additional funding for priority services in eligible hospitals to cover increasing volumes related to cancer, renal, cardiac, neuro-services, and stroke, as well as hip and knee surgeries and MRI scans

• Funding to Ontario Health-Cancer Care Ontario for cancer and renal treatment services in hospitals.

• Funding to eight hospitals to support lease costs associated with off-site dialysis units and align funding responsibility for all community-based off-site dialysis units.

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