James Strath Intermediate Students Got Hands on Experience with Take TECH! Week

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Intermediate students at James Strath Public School participated in Take TECH! Week, a program that encourages youth to explore careers in tech, on Thursday.

Students work together to build an outdoor chalk board. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

19 schools in the Kawartha Pine Ridge School District applied to participate in Take TECH! Week, presented by the Pathways Team, and three were chosen.

Prior to ‘Build Day’ on Thursday, students at James Strath identified a need in their classroom or school, brainstormed ideas to help meet that need, then built a prototype.

On Thursday, with the help of construction teachers from high schools in the board, the parking lot at James Strath was transformed into a construction zone.

Students brought their prototypes to life on a full-size scale, using drills, power sanders, table saws and some elbow grease.

Their creations included a compost cart to wheel between classrooms, outdoor first aid kit boxes, water bottle holders and outdoor chalk boards.

“We’re learning how to be resourceful,” said grade eight student Akshila Amarasinghe. “Every moment is a moment where we’re learning, whether it’s math, tools or just how to be a good team.”

Students learned how to scale up their prototypes into life sized creations, used fractions when measuring and cutting wood as well as angles when creating joints.

“Usually at school it would be getting the textbooks and then listening to what the teachers says. Teachers often say that math is really important but we never see that, we never see math in real life so correlating that into building has really helped us see why math is really important and I think it’s also really helped us understanding it better than just using a text book.”

A student from each class was chosen to be the media person and take pictures at Build Day, which will later be uploaded to a website. Students will vote on the winning creation.

“This is a fantastic opportunity,” said Eric Bloomke, a construction teacher with KPR. “We need to expose more of our students to the skilled trades, there’s a skilled trade shortage in North America and the sooner we can introduce the thought of skilled trades as a viable career the better.”

Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Take TECH! Week was funded by the Ministry Expansion Funds.

When students reach grades 11 and 12 they have the option to take a Specialist high Skills Major Course, which allows them to focus on a specific industry like construction, transportation, computer science and more.

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LOVE YOU Shoppers Drug Mart Campaign to Support YWCA

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Proceeds from the 20th annual LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart campaign in Peterborough will support local YWCA services for women experiencing gender-based violence.

File photo

Until Friday, Nov. 5, customers have the opportunity to purchase and personalize a $1 leaf, $5 butterfly, $10 apple, or a $50 bird in support of the YWCA. Icons will be displayed in each store’s front window for the duration of the campaign.

“We’re honoured and grateful to have been selected as Shoppers Drug Mart’s charity of choice again this year,” said YWCA’s Ria Nicholson. “Unfortunately, violence against women tends to increase leading up to the holiday season. Our community’s compassionate support will ensure that emergency shelter and crisis supports continue to be available for women in need.”

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton offers an array of women-centred programs, including Crossroads Shelter, which provides 24 hour emergency shelter, meals and support to women, with and without children, who are fleeing abuse of any kind (physical, emotional, sexual or financial), 365 days a year.

“Our community’s response so far this year has been truly heartening,” said Mohan Joshi, Pharmacist/Owner of the Shoppers Drug Marts on Lansdowne Street and Chemong Road in Peterborough. “It’s a pleasure to partner with the YWCA and to be able to raise awareness about such an important local resource for women.”

The LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health is a four-week program held across Canada each fall. In support of leading women’s health organizations, customers, staff and Associate-Owners at over 1,360 Shoppers Drug Mart/Phamaprix/Wellwise locations raise funds through the purchase and personalization of the fall program paper icons.

Since 2011, LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart™ has supported more than 450 women’s charities annually across Canada.

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J. Tuzo Wilson Medal Awarded to Leading Canadian Hydrologist at Trent University

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Dr. Jim Buttle from the Trent School of the Environment is being recognized for his cumulative academic achievement as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious J. Tuzo Wilson Medal.

Photo courtesy of Trent University

The national honour is awarded annually to recognize scientists who make outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge in any research area of the Canadian Geophysical Union.

Professor Buttle, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the study of water in changing natural landscapes, is the first faculty member at Trent University to receive this award.

“I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Dr. Jim Buttle who is a world expert in hydrology and has worked tirelessly to promote Geography at Trent University,” said Dr. Shaun Watmough, director, Trent School of the Environment. “This award recognizes his career achievements as a modest, globally-recognized scientist whose achievements are far-reaching.”

Prof. Buttle is revered as an expert in forest hydrology. He began his teaching and research career at Trent University immediately after completing his Ph.D. and to-date has published more than 100 papers. Most recently, Prof. Buttle has studied the consequences of changes in land use and changes in land cover on water. In particular, he has examined the consequences of forest harvesting and forest restoration, and what that means for amount and timing of stream flow, which has major implications for water supply and aquatic ecology.

“This award is named after the most important earth scientist this country has ever produced. John Tuzo Wilson was fundamental in advancing the whole field of plate tectonics. He was a legend so to have my name affiliated with his is hard to get my head around,” said Prof. Buttle. “I have always taken the work seriously, so I am happy that it speaks for itself, and I am grateful to be at a place like Trent that has allowed me to pursue research that I find intellectually interesting.”

In addition to recognizing Prof. Buttle’s research contributions, this award honours his commitment to training the next generation of Canadian geoscientists. He has supervised more than 35 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, who have gone on to senior positions in the provincial and federal governments and on to academic careers in university.

“As an instructor, I have tried to model myself on the people who impressed me when I was a student,” said Prof. Buttle. “My professors showed me how to excite students, how to get them engaged, how to challenge them intellectually. Over time, I found that I could help students engage with the subject material by appealing to their sense of humour. Seeing students walk out of my classroom having learned something, seeing the light go on when they grasp a key concept, it’s one of the most gratifying parts of the job.”

Almost four decades into his career, Prof. Buttle is now working with researchers across Canada studying issues related to drinking water quality.

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Foodie Friday: The Pizza Factory On Its 40th Anniversary, Importing Greek Ingredients and Their Line of Famous Products

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We talk with Kenny Bouzinelos of The Pizza Factory about his father Peter starting the restaurant over 40 years ago, importing their own olive oil from Greece and their own line of products including their famous Caesar dressing.

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Peterborough Public Health Highlights What Exiting Step-3 Means for Residents

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Peterborough Public Health is reminding local residents that continuing to follow public health measures is more important than ever as capacity limits ease in certain settings under the Plan to Safely Reopen Ontario and Manage COVID-19 for the Long-Term.

File Photo

“By and large, our community has done a great job adhering to public health measures, and this commitment is a major reason why cases aren’t increasing,” said Donna Churipuy, Director of Public Health Programs. “If we keep up with these practices, such as screening for COVID-19 symptoms, providing proof of vaccination and wearing a mask, we can expect case counts to remain stable even with more social contacts.”

Churipuy noted that the latest Ontario Science Table report included a warning based on the experience of Nordic countries in Europe: lifting public health measures can drive a new wave, even with strong vaccine coverage because there are still too many people who are unprotected, and the virus can still circulate.

“We need to remember that this reopening plan has to be gradual. Even though many venues have increased capacity limits, which we all want, the entry requirements for clients and user groups remain the same,” said Churipuy.

“The relaxation of capacity limits within certain settings is a development made possible by our community’s collective hard work,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Local businesses and organizations must remain highly compliant with other workplace and sector-specific public health measures such as COVID-19 screening, masking, recording contact information and confirming proof of vaccination, so that we can enjoy increased social interaction over time.”

“Masks remain key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 both indoors and outdoors whenever physical distancing isn’t possible. It’s one of the measures that is going to help to keep us on the province’s proposed reopening timeline, and until we have a high vaccination rate among our five to 11-year olds, it will help protect them too,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health.

The province has made further amendments to O. Reg. 364/20 under the Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 to remove capacity limits for outdoor organized public events, such as parades, outdoor memorial services and other similar events. This amendment was published on Wednesday, October 27 and updates to appropriate sectors will be communicated over the next several days.

The latest information is always available on Peterborough Public Health’s website www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Ontario Expands Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Program For Peterborough and Surrounding Area

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The province’s community paramedicine for long-term care program is being expanded announced by the Ontario Government at the Peterborough County-City Paramedics on Thursday.

As of June 2021, more than 38,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Seniors in our community deserve a patient-centred health care system; one that offers excellent, high-quality care in their homes, hospitals and long-term care facilities,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This new program will enable offer health care services in their homes, reduce emergency room visits and improve quality of life before they find a spot in long-term care.”

The program is already operational across 33 Ontario communities. It is being expanded to an additional 22 communities including Northumberland County, Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes. The program was first piloted across five communities in October 2020.

The program works alongside primary care and home and community care to provide the following services to eligible seniors: 

  • Access to health services 24-7, through in-home and remote methods, such as online supports

  • Non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures

  • Ongoing monitoring of vital signs to prevent escalation of chronic medical conditions

  • Assessments, referrals, diagnostic procedures and point-of-care testing

“To have this program be fully funded is great news”, said Warden, J. Murray Jones. “We have been strongly supporting this for a very long time. Our seniors community are our family members, our parents, our grandparents, and they deserve the best. We have the talent and skill and infrastructure that can provide access to 24-7 healthcare service that is second to none. Our seniors deserve to be able to stay home and have access to a health care system that puts them first.”

Early feedback from participating communities indicates a reduction in rates of hospital admissions and an increased integration with primary care according to the press release.

The program is fully funded by the provincial government and is operated in partnership with municipalities and District Social Services Administration Boards.

“Community Paramedic programs have demonstrated that they are scalable and sustainable solutions which bridge identified gaps in care locally,” said Paramedic Chief Randy Mellow. “This investment will support seniors by providing quality care and service needed to live longer and in the comfort of their homes. It will provide our seniors, their families and caregivers comfort and peace of mind they deserve while potentially delaying the need for long-term care.”

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First Mobile Clinic For Mental Health and Addiction Coming to Peterborough Area

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A custom-built retrofitted bus for mental health and addiction services is coming to Peterborough and the surrounding area announced by the Ontario Government at the Knights of Columbus Doyle Hall on Thursday.

Hon. Michael Tibollo (left), Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has previously spent a decade as an addiction counsellor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The setup will have a team of nurse practitioners, social and service workers to provide resources, support — including psychiatric — with follow-ups as necessary. The bus is expected to be operating by roughly Jan. 1.

“The first mobile health unit to be deployed in the province of Ontario is being funded by the Ontario government,” Hon. Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. ”The unit will provide support and services to individuals to their local communities without having to have them come into the hospital or go to one of the other cities to get support for mental health and addictions.”

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA-HKPR) will be responsible for overseeing the development and operation of the mobile mental health clinic in Peterborough. They provide programming and services to the counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes,

The mobile unit reduces the need for people to travel to find services and can meet more clients in more places.

“Through our government’s Roadmap to Wellness we are committed to breaking down barriers to accessing high-quality mental health and addictions services where and when it’s needed,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This innovative partnership will help to bring needed mental health and addictions services directly to individuals living in Peterborough and the surrounding areas.”

“Since the release of Roadmap to Wellness last year, our government’s top priority has been to continue making critical investments that will fill urgent gaps in mental health and addictions care, reduce waiting lists and address extensive wait times,” said Tibollo. “Through the development of the mobile mental health clinic, clients and families in Peterborough and the surrounding region will have greater access to high-quality, evidence-based care in a setting where they are fully supported on their journey towards recovery.”

A second bus will be added through fundraising efforts from the CMHA. One for Peterborough and Northumberland County and the other for Haliburton and the City of Kawartha Lakes. The Ontario government will help fund the operation of both mobile units.

"Mental health is a pandemic,” said Hon. Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “We have to remember that people's mental health is fundamental to any recovery."

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Band 'I, The Mountain' Returns to Their Old Stomping Grounds for Last Leg of Tour

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Pop/folk band I, The Mountain has returned from their East Coast Tour and has one final local show at The Garnet, on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of I, the Mountain.

While the band is based in Kitchener they got their start at Trent University, where three of the five-member band had classes together.

Matt Rappolt, drummer, and Matt Lamers, lead singer and acoustic guitar, began busking around Peterborough when they met.

They played at Peterborough favourites like The Spill, The Red Dog and The Garnet.

“We’re a little biased to Peterborough because it’s where we started, it feels like home,” said Lamers. “The Spill, we played there too many times, it was like a second home. Sometimes we were there three nights a week, occasionally we were just playing to the bartender.”

Rappolt and Lamers met Matt Morgan and recorded their first EP, before parting ways after University.

After many moves and working for a few years, the three got back together, along with Allison Dyjach and Rory McLachlin, to form ‘I, the Mountain’.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic they had few opportunities to play live shows, and did a lot of online performances.

While this allowed them to keep performing, Lamers says nothing compares to performing live.

The band released their debut album ‘Little Wild’ early in 2020, before the start of the pandemic.

They, fittingly, began their tour at Trent University on Sept. 9, and travelled to Ottawa, Halifax and PEI throughout September and October.

“It was euphoric in a lot of ways,” said Lamers. “We’re in a band to perform, our favourite part is the performance and the interaction from the crowd. The online shows were fun in their own way, but it’s nothing compared to feeling that live energy and getting that natural high of people singing your songs with you.”

The band will play with RedFox, a band out of Montreal, at The Garnet on Thursday at 8 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door at 7 p.m. for $10.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association Announces New Board Members

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) has announced Garnet Northey will be the new President, on Thursday.

Garnet Northey(left) and Rick Coker. Photo courtesy of PKHBA.

After navigating PKHBA through the pandemic, as the 2020 and 2021, president Rick Coker is stepping down as president.

Coker provided PKHBA with steady leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and worked tirelessly with Executive Officer Danica Logan to provide information, support and leadership to PKHBA members.

Northey brings experience to the office of PKHBA president, having served from 2014-2018. Garnet will be focusing on member and community engagement for his 2022 term with support from PKHBA’s new Executive Officer Rebecca Schillemat.

PKHBA is a non-profit association for Home Builders, Renovators and Associates interested in the Residential Construction and Renovating Industry. PKHBA’s mission is to provide the following for its members:

  • Facilitate the development of sustainable businesses

  • Advocate for effective government policy

  • Maintain positive consumer experiences

  • Exchange experiences, information and best practices

PKHBA 2022 Board of Directors

Garnet Northery, Spotlight Home and Lifestyle

Rick Coker, LG Home Comfort

Paul Dietrich, Parkview Home and Dietrich Homes

Don Armitage, Enbridge

Sandy Sillaots, Hickory Lane Kitchens

Mike Kingdon, Chemong Home Hardware

Susan Zambonin, Habitat for Humanity

Mitch Cleary, Century 21 United, Tamer Kamar/Mitch Cleary Team

Jennifer Hurd, Reliance Home Comfort

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Fleming Offers Free Construction Program For Sutherland Campus

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A new free construction program is available at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough beginning in November and the application deadline for the next intake is approaching fast.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The program is being offered by the Eastern Ontario Colleges Consortium through SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO). The two sessions begin on Nov. 8 and Jan. 10 in Peterborough.

The construction industry in Peterborough, Haliburton, and Northumberland County continue to grow. They need trained workers to grow with them. Take advantage of this free Job Seeker Training program, which includes multiple certificates and can open up new employment opportunities within the construction industry.

The program builds your skills progressively for entry-level jobs with four weeks of hands-on training followed by a two-week paid placement.

Photo Courtesy of Fleming Colllege.

Construction skills

  • How to handle basic construction tools

  • How to handle and move construction materials

  • How to use power tools

  • Framing walls

  • Installing and removing roof shingles

  • Installing vinyl siding

Health and safety training

  • Personal Protective Equipment and Personal Safety

  • WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)

  • Propane Handling

  • Aerial Platform

  • Confined Spaces

  • Construction Site Safety

  • Working at Heights

  • First Aid / CPR

  • Lockout/Tagout

  • Hoisting and Rigging

Essential workplace skills

  • Succeeding in the workplace – resilience, conflict resolution, personality types

  • Job search preparation and strategies

  • Job search strategies

  • Preparing for the workplace

  • Getting ready to give a great interview

Throughout the six-week program, participants will maintain contact with their designated Employment Consultant including one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.

Employment transitions may include job trials, job placements or direct job matching. Job retention activities including placement monitoring will be ongoing based on identified level of participant need.

Participants must be:

  • 18 years of age or older

  • Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident

  • Residents of Ontario

  • Currently unemployed or under-employed (less than 20/hrs a week);

  • Not currently in education or training

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