Tips for a Safe Halloween From Peterborough Public Health
/As Halloween approaches, Peterborough Public Health is sharing tips for how to plan fun and safe celebrations.
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Peterborough Blogs
Selwyn Couple and Local Charities Win Over $27,000 From Lions Club Raffle
/The Lions Club lived up to their motto of “We Serve” as the Fowlers Corners’ branch ran their “Catch the Ace” raffle where over $27,000 was given to a lucky couple and local charities on Tuesday.
(left to right) Brent Shepherd, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Peterborough; Lyn Giles, Five Counties Children's Centre; Alison Casey, Hospice Peterborough; Ria Nicholson and Kim Dolan of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton as the respective representatives for accepting the $14,400 cheque. Photo Courtesy of The Fowlers Corners Lions Club.
The Ace was caught at the end of September by Dave and Barb Edgerton of Selwyn, who won the jackpot of $13,333. Clients of four charities including Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Peterborough; Five Counties Children's Centre; Hospice Peterborough and YMCA Peterborough Haliburton won a share of $14,400.
The contest was launched in April to help local charities continue their work by supporting those in need in our community.
(left to right) Front row: Paul Ranger, Kristin Allen, Cathy Langlois, Bernie Baudisch and Carl Young.
Back Row: Chris Allen, John Dewar, Scott Mason, Brent Shepherd, Lyn Giles, Alison Casey, Ria Nicholson, Kim Dolan and Larry Franks. Photo Courtesy of The Fowlers Corners Lions Club.
Ticket sales will also support activities for children on the waiting list at Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough; treatment for children with physical, development and communication needs at Five Counties Children’s Centre; care for people who are at end-of-life at Hospice Peterborough; and, help local women and their children escaping gender-based violence at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
“Lions’ fundraising activities have been significantly impacted by Covid-19 the past two years so new opportunities were explored. In the absence of face-to-face fundraising, we turned to the internet and options for the public to participate in our fundraising from home,” said Chris Allen, Lions Club president “A Catch the Ace raffle seemed like a reasonable opportunity and fortunately it helped us raise funds for four very important local organizations. The support of the public in this fundraiser was both key to its success and appreciated.”
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Section of George Street to be Temporarily Reduced to One Lane
/The City of Peterborough has announced that emergency repairs to the storm sewer system under George Street North in an area just north of Simcoe Street will begin on November 8, 2021.
File Photo.
Vehicle traffic will be reduced to one lane on a section of George Street between Hunter Street and Simcoe Street.
The work is expected to be completed in about four weeks.
Access for local traffic and businesses in the construction area will be maintained at all times. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic may experience delays within the construction limits.
A paid duty officer will help to direct traffic at the intersection of George Street and Simcoe Street as required. Pedestrian traffic is expected to be maintained through the work zone.
Surface restoration of the affected areas on George Street North will be completed following the underground repairs.
The emergency repairs are required to restore capacity to the storm sewer after it was recently discovered that a section of the storm sewer had partially collapsed.
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Appplications for 2022 Community Grant Program Open Friday
/Peterborough City Council has announced that the application process for the 2022 Community Grant Program will open on Friday.
The Community Grants program provides financial assistance to non-profit, community-based organizations that provide direct programs, services or activities that enhance the quality of life for Peterborough residents.
Each year Peterborough City Council dedicates funds to be distributed to various community groups within the City. All grants are subject to evaluation and final approval by Council.
There are three streams of grants that groups can apply to:
The Community Project Grant offers $250 - $1,000 and is intended to be used to kickstart a project or special event.
The Community Investment Grant offers $1,000 - $15,000 to support larger projects or special events, specific programs of larger organizations, or operating budgets.
The Community Service Grant is not available through the application process. Eligible organizations will be identified by City staff and approved by Council. They will be required to enter into a Service Contract with the City in order to receive the funding. This grant will offer support for municipally mandated services for which the requested amount is more than $15,000.
For more information contact the Community Services department at 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or email communitygrants@peterborough.ca
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Son of Former MPP Elected As School Board Vice-Chairperson
/Peterborough Trustee Braden Leal, son of former MPP Jeff Leal, has been elected as vice-chairperson of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) on Wednesday.
Braden ran uncontested municipal election in the Peterborough city municipal elections in 2018 Photo Courtesy of PVNCCDSB.
The decision was made following the board’s meeting Tuesday night.
Braden was an elected trustee in the 2018 municipal election, replacing Kawartha Lakes trustee Michelle Griepsma, who resigned after moving from the jurisdiction. He will serve in the vice-chairperson role until the annual Board meeting on Dec. 1.
Former Kawartha Lakes Trustee Michelle Griepsma served with the PVNCCDSB board for 11 years before her resignation earlier this month. Photo Courtesy of PVNCCDSB.
The Holy Cross Secondary School alumnus studied environmental science at Trent University and has served the school board since Dec. 2018.
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Lindsay Creative Quilters' Guild and Five Counties Children's Centre are Hosting an Online Auction
/The Lindsay Creative Quilters' Guild and Five Counties Children's Centre are working together to present their online Fall Auction, which is live until Friday.
SCOTT STARTED COMING TO FIVE COUNTIES WHEN HE WAS A WEEK OLD. HE HAS MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS SINCE THEN. (PHOTO COURTESY FIVE COUNTIES)
There are over 100 items up for auction, with the majority of them being handmade.
Items available include hand knit sweaters and mittens, quilts, Christmas stockings and much more.
All items have been donated, meaning 100 per cent of the proceeds will support the treatment of children who attend Five Counties.
Five Counties provides therapy services that assist children who are delayed in their development to develop the skills they need in everyday life such as walking, talking, and activities of daily living.
Some of these services are speech therapy and physiotherapy. The centre also provides assessment for children suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder.
To view and bid on items click here.
Bidding closes at 6 p.m. on Friday.
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Local Sisters Encourage Peterborough to Get Spooked and Follow their Interactive Halloween Map
/Two sisters, Hayley and ‘Crash’ Gilpin, have created an online map pinning noteworthy Halloween displays in and around Peterborough.
Sisters Crash (Left) and Hayley Gilpin. Photo courtesy of Hayley Gilpin.
‘The Haunting of Peterborough map’ features over 200 houses and streets with Halloween displays.
The colour coded map highlights ‘spectacle houses’ with a purple ghost. ‘Spirit streets’, streets with three or more houses decorated, are highlighted with an orange ghost and black ghosts are houses decorated outside of the city but are worth the drive to see.
Hayley says when her sister Crash lived in Newcastle they did something similar, so when she moved to Peterborough this summer she wanted to recreate it.
“We drove around all month, with coffees in tow, and found all the most amazing ‘Spectacle Houses’ and ‘Spirit Streets’ that Peterborough has to offer,” said Hayley. “When we released the Halloween Map the Peterborough community was just so open and responsive, it made us feel really good to do something like this for the community.”
The pair says they will continue to add to the map until Halloween.
“We are just a couple of crazy mid age women who still love to celebrate the holidays. Especially during these times when the community needs it.”
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United Way and St. Vincent de Paul Team Up to Keep Peterborough Warm With Coats For Kids Program
/United Way Peterborough and The Society of St Vincent de Paul have teamed up and are distributing free coats to those in need through the annual Coats for Kids and Adults Too Program.
Group of Vinnie’s volunteers load up donations. Photo courtesy of United Way.
United Way Peterborough has been coordinating Coats for Kids and Adults Too since 1987. Community members donate clean, new and used coats on donation days at Vinnie’s thrift store.
Coats that are donated are sorted by volunteers who check for things like rips or broken zippers before they are given to people in the community that need them.
Following the same protocols they did last year the coats are left to ‘quarantine’ for at least 72 hours prior to distribution.
In 2020, the Coats for Kids program distributed close to 1,000 coats, snowsuits and snow pants to children and adults in Peterborough.
“The need is there. With the pandemic we think the need is even greater, we know there can be issues and if they have to give up something it might be a nice warm winter coat,” said Stephanie Levesque, Coats for Kids Coordinator, United Way Peterboroguh. “ We’ve considered in the past ending this program, but then we see the response and how many people are in need.”
Coats were collected Oct. 16 and 17 at Vinnie’s Peterborough and Lakefield Location.
Levesque says each year they rent a 15 foot truck to transport the donations and for the first time since she started the position five years ago it was filled by the end of the day.
Coats will be distributed on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Murray Street Baptist Church, 175 Murray St.
Mitts for Kids, a program that provides hand knit mittens and hats for kids, will also be there Saturday.
Those wishing to receive a coat need nothing but patience and a mask, says Levesque. Due to COVID protocols there is a limited number of people allowed in the building, so attendees should expect to wait in a line outside the building.
Masks will be available on site for those that need them.
Any coats left at the end of Saturdays distribution will be given to local shelters to distribute throughout the season. None of the coats will be sold for profit.
For more information contact Stephanie Levesque at 705-742-8839 X32 or by email at slevesque@uwpeterborough.ca.
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Local Organization Promotes Dress Purple Day Family Support Awareness
/The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies is running the Dress Purple Day campaign encouraging anyone to wear purple to raise awareness for support availability for Ontario families this Wednesday.
Brynn Clarke, communications specialist and provincial lead for the 2021 Dress Purple Day campaign. Screenshot.
Every October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about the role that people and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth and families through the campaign.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stressors for families with some cases having increased risk for the well-being and safety of children and youth according to Children’s Aid Societies.
“Help is available to anyone facing challenges,” said Brynn Clarke, Children’s Aid Societies communications specialist and provincial lead. “We are shifting our campaign message to really focus to making sure families across our province have access to the resources, information and support they need.”
The event initially had roots in child abuse prevention month. Photo Courtesy of Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.
The organization is encouraging anyone to make a video explaining why they will wear purple Wednesday and how they help children, youth, and families facing challenges. All videos are asked to have the hashtag #IDressPurpleBecause when posting to social media.
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board is a participating school board in Peterborough that is partaking in the event.
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Light the Way to 160k Receives $25,000 Donation to Assist Renovation of Opioid Response Hub
/Fourcast has announced a $25,000 contribution by the Brian and Lynne Kelly Family Fund of The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough to the Light The Way to $160K campaign, on Tuesday.
Site of the future Opioid Response Hub. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
