Local Family Hikes for Hospice to Honour Late Mother

After Lenore Shiels was admitted to end-of-life care at Hospice Peterborough, her children say they had no idea that what they had thought would be a very difficult time would end up creating so many beautiful memories.

Photo courtesy of the Shiels family.

From having the ability to be with her family, to candlelit baths and homemade quiche, to singing songs, laughing and sharing stories, the 92-year-old Peterborough woman was at peace, in comfort and surrounded by love and expert professional care.

After her death, the family was profoundly touched that staff had gotten to know the mother-of-five so well that they placed in her hands a single yellow rose – her favourite flower and one that was symbolic of her deceased son.

“I honestly cannot think of a single thing that would have made her time there any more special,” says her daughter Sheila Crook. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful hospice in Peterborough.”

In a nod to Mrs. Shiels’ favourite slot machine, the family created the ‘Lenore’s Blazing 7s’ team and is supporting this year’s 19th annual Hike for Hospice fundraising event from September 11-17, 2021.

The event is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and supports 26 programs and services. It is a way to connect families, friends, neighbours and co-workers to support and recognize this community’s palliative and bereavement struggles.

Last year’s Hike brought in $56,538 to keep the programs and services running throughout COVID-19 and at no cost to the recipients. One hundred per cent of the proceeds stay in the community.

“We are so thankful to Lenore Shiels’ family, and all of our supporters, for continuing to generously support us throughout yet another unique and challenging year due to the pandemic,” says executive director Hajni Hős. “Our programs and services are all offered free of charge and we depend on the generosity of the community, and events like Hike for Hospice, to help us continue to do so.”

Registration is open for this year’s Hike. Those wanting to donate can find a form here.

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Hometown PTBO: Cody Caldwell Speaks About Attending the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Cody Caldwell about going to Tokyo’s Paralympics for wheelchair rugby, having his father with him as part of the team and what Peterborough means to him.

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Hatching Chickens and a Dream for Local Teen Entrepreneur

Local teen Drew McFadden launched his business, Drews Chicks, in October and hasn’t slowed down since.

Drew stands in front of some of his flock. Photo courtesy of Drew McFadden.

McFadden got his first few chickens at 13-years-old from the Millbrook Fair. He had never had chickens before but was excited to learn more about the animal.

A visit from McFaddens two-year old cousin who was quite intrigued with the chicks eventually lead to ‘Drews Chicks’ being born.

McFadden said provided his cousin with some supplies and let them take a few chicks home with them for a few days.

“He loved it. It was a great experience,” McFadden said. “My uncle said maybe there’s something behind this and I could start renting them out to people, make a business out of it.”

McFadden officially started Drews Chicks in October 2020.

Customers are supplied a kit that includes food, pine shavings, a water container, a heat lamp, a cage and two chicks. They keep the animals for two weeks and then return them to the farm.

An example of a kit provided by Drews Chicks

When it comes time to return the chicks, some people have a hard time leaving them at the farm, according to McFadden.

“Some people keep them longer but then it’s even harder for them to return them,” he said.

He says that there have been times customers end up buying the chicks to keep, but that can only happen if they live in an area with certain by-laws that allow chickens in yards or if they live on a farm.

The majority of his customers come from the Whitby area, so they are unable to keep chickens in their yards due to city by-laws.

Since he began this venture his business has been very sucessful and he has been able to expand his flock to offer a few different types of birds. Customers can now chose between chickens, ducks or quail.

Drews Chicks Facebook page suggests customers provide chicks with fresh water and cuddles daily. Photo provided by Drew McFadden.

This year McFadden earned a spot in Peterborough & the Kawarthas’ Economic Development’s Summer Company program, which provided him with mentoring and a $3,000 grant.

“It’s been a great experience with some great people too, they walked you through all of the behind the scenes things, basically the things that most people don’t see in a business,” he said.

To inquire about taking home a kit and chicks click here.

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Three Trent University Researchers Receive over $300,000 in Federal Funding through John R. Evans Leaders Fund

Three Trent University researchers, Dr. Huy Dang, Dr. Marguerite (Maggie) Xenopoulos, and Dr. Carlo Bradac, received a combined $328,351 in funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Photo courtesy of Trent University

The CFI, through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), awarded Professor Dang $146,553 for his project titled Unravelling the emerging environmental risks of pollution from the High-Tech Industry.

They awarded $54,257 to Professor Bradac for a project titled Quantum-enabled nano-transducers for (bio)nanotechnologies.

Recently, Professor Maggie Xenopoulos, Trent’s newly appointed Canada research chair in Global Change of Freshwater Ecosystems, received $127,541 towards infrastructure associated with her new position.

“Our researchers have always thought big. Now, more than ever, they need state-of-the-art labs and equipment to turn their visions into reality,” said Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Investing in our university research infrastructure is key to our continuing role as an innovation leader in wide-ranging fields, from Indigenous research to quantum computing, from neurobiology to advanced robotics. These investments will not only support our ground-breaking contributions to science and research but also improve our economy, environment and quality of life.”

The CFI, through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund will support 332 new research projects at 50 institutions across Canada.

It also supported 29 Canada research chairs at 19 universities through its infrastructure support funding. The funding aims to help universities attract and retain top research talent from around the world and provide the specialized infrastructure they need to excel as leaders in their field.

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Maryam Monsef Announces 3000 Trees To Be Planted In Peterborough

82,700 trees will be planted in Peterborough, Grey-Bruce, Chatham Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin and Cornwall as part of Canada’s plan to plant 2 billion trees by 2030.

Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada

Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef announced $232,325 in funding on Tuesday to plant 82,700 trees in eight rural Ontario communities.

Alus Canada, an organization that works with farmers to establish ecologically beneficial projects on their properties, will receive the funding and oversee the planting of about 3,000 trees in Peterborough.

This project is part of the federal government’s commitment to plant two billion trees over 10 years. It will create 79.4 hectares of forest on marginal or environmentally sensitive parcels of farmland.

According to a press release from the federal government, up to $ 3.2 billion will be invested in this project over the next ten years.

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PSW Amy Bursey Recognized as the Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Amy Bursey, personal support worker (PSW), has been named the winner of this week's Frontline Worker Drop the Puck program.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes

Bursey has been working as a PSW at Springdale Country Manor throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

She has dedicated time and effort to help her community through the pandemic while simultaneously being enrolled in the BScN program at Trent University where she is working towards becoming a registered nurse.

“This young lady worked through the pandemic, often short-staffed, double shifts or overtime, to help the residents have a great day of care,” said Sandra Eberhardt who nominated Bursey. “She always went to work with a smile under her mask and took time to go the extra mile to ensure the residents were happy. She would do things like brush a senior's hair, paint their nails, shave a resident's face, or just sit and listen to a story or two.”

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes welcome all members of the community to nominate deserving frontline workers by filling out an online form.

The frontline workers chosen will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the Petes home opener which will take place on October 14 at 7:05 p.m against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Local Man Andrew Parnell Is On a Mission To End Nation Wide Hunger With Panda Feeds Canada

Peterborough local, Andrew Parnell, has his sights set on ending nation wide hunger - and he is going to do it on Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Panda Feeds Canada.

In early March of 2021 Parnell started the Instagram page PandaFeedsCanada.

The name comes from the nickname ‘Panda Parnell’ given to him in elementary school.

The goal is to gain enough followers to have the ability to present advertisements and sponsorships via the social media platform. Once he is able to do so 100 percent of revenue generated on Instagram will be donated to food shares across the country, he says.

Before he started on this journey a close friend of his passed away and he was laid off from his construction job for the winter.

“I just decided ‘you know what, I need to do something more productive with my time,” Parnell said. “ I figured this was the best way I could possibly make an impact of my community, follow in my parents footsteps and be a hardworking volunteer.”

Parnells parents, Don and Lesley Parnell, spend much of their time volunteering around the community. Lesley represents the Otonabee Ward on City Council and plays a major role in the Festival of Lights. She is a recipient of a Peterborough Volunteer of the Year Award.

Don is a recent inductee into the Peterborough Pathway of Fame having played a major role in the staging of the annual Victoria Day fireworks presentation over Little Lake and serving as a full-time member of the Pedal For Hope support team.

Amanda Shaw from Real Canadian Superstore, Ashlee Aitkins from Kawartha Foodshare and Andrew Parnell from Panda Feeds Canada. Parnell often stands outside of grocery stores accepting monetary and food donations for Kawartha Food Share. Pictures is Aitkins accepting a $1000 donation to Kawartha Food Share on June 10, 2021. Photo courtesy of Panda Feeds Canada.

“Most donations to this point have been my close friends and family really wanting to help out and launch the name Panda Feeds Canada,” said Parnell.

Panda Feeds Canada does not currently accept donations, but Parnell directs those interested in donating to Kawartha Food Share and will celebrate the donor on his Instagram page.

“If a small business wants to make a donation to the Food Share, I can do a little write up and post their business on my page,” he said. “I’m starting small but I’d love to get some bigger companies on board when I gain more followers.”

Panda Feeds Canada also hosts giveaways and raffles on Instagram with any monetary proceeds going directly to the Kawartha Foodshare.

In June Parnell hosted the first annual Panda Feeds Canada Golf Tournament at Keystone Links Golf and Country Club and donated $6100 to Kawartha Food Share.

Parnell presents the Kawartha Food Share with $6100 raised at the first annual Panda Feeds Canada Golf Tournament. Photo courtesy of Panda Feeds Canada.

“I’d love for people to put some energy into this, and encourage their friends to follow us on Instagram,” said Parnell.

While Parnell’s main goal right now is building his following on Instagram to help launch his idea, he hopes if anything he is able to inspire others to pursue their own aspirations.

“Try and make a difference. You might put some hard hours into it but you’ll feel good about what you’ve done, even if you only make a minor change and help one person it’s worth it,” said Parnell. “There’s too much negativity in this world right now so any kindness and compassion that we can put out into the universe is only going to help everyone in the long run.”

To donate to Kawatha Food Share click here. To be featured on Panada Feeds Canada send a screenshot of your donation via direct message.

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Stony Lake Private Island Concert Raises $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity

A local couple, Bruce and Susan Hodges hosted Spoons, a JUNO award winning band, and Images in Vogue, at their island property on Stony Lake to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House charity on Saturday.

Spoons and Images in Vogue pose with Bruce and Susan Hodges. Photo by Andrew Clowater.

The Spoons perform at an annual concert for the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) but had to cancel in 2020 due to COVID.

“They needed to raise money for Ronald McDonald House and couldn’t. So we wanted to help out,” said Hodges.

RMHC gives families with sick children a place to stay closer to the hospital their child is receiving care at. According to their website over 26,000 families received assistance last year.

A recent study found that RMHC programs saved families a total of $48.3 million in out-of-pocket expenses like lodging, food, and other essentials in 2019.

In 2020 Hodges contacted the band and hosted them at their island on Stony Lake. Due to COVID restrictions at the time it was a small event and they were able to raise a few thousand dollars, according to Hodges.

Because of the success of last years concert the Spoons returned for a second concert this year.

“People had a great time, so this year we decided to do it again - make it the second annual,” Hodges said.

In hopes to make this years concert bigger and better Hodges brought in an opening band, Images in Vogue. He also invited guests to watch from a second island while both bands played on a barge in the lake. This allowed more ticket sales, while still complying with the provinces COVID restrictions.

Hodges announced on Saturday that this will be an annual event, and has already booked the band Honeymoon Suite for next year.

This years concert raised $10,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charity and Hodges hopes that they are able to maintain that donation every year.

Spoons pose with Bruce and Sandy at Saturdays concert. Photo by Andrew Clowater.

“As you get older you want to do things that matter, and this seemed to be a really good cause,” said Gord Deppe, lead singer of Spoons.

Both Deppe and Sandy Horne, vocalist and bass player in the band, said last years event was the first show they have played on an island and they were happy to be back.

Spoons also used Saturday night to celebrate their 40th anniversary and a new album release.

‘Echoes’ features different bands covering classic Spoons hits. The funds generated from this album will be donated to the Unison Fund, an organization that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community.

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Two-Spirit, Indigenous Artist Caeleigh Lightning Featured at Watson and Lou

Prints by local artist Caeleigh Lightning are now available at Watson and Lou located in downtown Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of Caeleigh Lightning

Lightning is a 21-year-old, two-spirit, indigenous artist who came to Peterborough to attend Trent University.

“I have mixed ancestry,” said Lightning. “On my moms side we’re am Samson Cree Nation from Maskwacis, Alberta and on my dads side we’re from Dublin, Ireland.”

“I try to communicate a lot of my experiences as a mixed person with those two cultures in my art,” she said.

Lightning hopes that her art shows different identities and bodies, and allows people to accept the beauty in individuality and uniqueness.

Photo courtesy of Caeleigh Lightning

She recently graduated from Trent University’s Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences program and is now heading to Concordia University to complete her Masters of Design.

Art was never considered a realistic career path for her.

“I started incorporating art into a lot of my projects at Trent,” she said. “Anything that I wouldn’t really know how to put into words, I would ask if I could communicate it visually instead.”

She says that by her professors giving her that opportunity she began to consider herself an artist by trade.

Photo courtesy of Caeleigh Lightning

Copies of her prints are now available to purchase at Watson and Lou, a shop located downtown Peterborough that carries locally made goods.

“Having my work in a shop with other local artists I admire has been surreal,” she said.

“When I was younger I didn’t see this as a possibility, I didn’t think people would be interested in my art,” she said. “My sister always used to tell me to take myself more seriously. I used to not even call myself an artist.”

Lightning’s art can be found at Watson and Lou or on her art account on Instagram.

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Selwyn Township Office Receives $100,000 in Funding

The Township of Selwyn has received $100,000 through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan to support upgrades to improve the customer service entrance to the Selwyn Township Municipal Office.

Image courtesy of Selwyn Township

The COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream, implemented in response to the pandemic, allows the Government of Canada to invest up to 80 percent of total eligible costs for projects in provinces. The Ontario government will invest 20 percent of the eligible costs for projects across the province.

“The health and safety of our ratepayers, particularly during these uncertain times, is of the utmost importance,” said Andy Mitchell, Mayor of Selwyn Township. “This funding will allow the Township to retrofit its Administrative Office to provide a safer, more reliable atmosphere while ensuring the highest level of customer service now and in the future.”

The pandemic brought to light challenges that exist with the Municipal Office as it relates to adequate separation for customers to enter and exit the building. This funding will be used to retrofit the entrance of the Selwyn Municipal Office to support adequate physical distancing, and ensure that accessibility is maintained.

The Government of Canada is investing $200 million in municipalities through the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing $50 million.

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