Fleming College Free Forestry Program Invites Students to Grow Their Future

Fleming College is inviting students to grow their future with their free Skills Advance Ontario Forestry program.

As the forestry industry in City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough, and Northumberland continues to grow there is becoming more of a need for skilled workers.

This four week, free program is designed to build skills and prepare students for entry-level jobs in the forestry industry.

The next intake of participants will begin at the Fleming College Lindsay campus on Jan. 3 and 31 2022 and Feb. 28, 2022.

In addition to essential workplace skills like resume writing, and health and safety training, this course includes:

• Introduction to the Forestry Industry

• Managed Forest Tour

• Introduction to Forestry in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Region

• Common Trees and Shrubs of Ontario

• Forest Navigation and Inventory

• Forest Measurement Techniques

• Introduction to Woodland Firefighting

• Introduction to Scaling and Milling

• Tree Felling

• Introduction to Forest Inventory and Analysis

• Introduction to Tree Marking

• Forestry Small Equipment Operation

“This might interest someone who is looking for a career change, or someone who has always been interested in the forestry sector but never been able to commit to a full time program,” said Tara Douglas, project manager.

Participants in the SAO Forestry program should be in good physical condition, and able to lift 12 pounds and walk across rough terrain.

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

Throughout the program participants will maintain contact with their designated Employment Consultant who will assist them in their job search.

Workers who are already employed within the forestry industry sector or within wood products manufacturing facilities can upgrade their skills through Algonquin and Fleming colleges. Both colleges have developed industry-recommended training programs.

Fleming is continuing to work with employers to identify skills gaps so that we can collectively build a stronger forestry workforce for the future.

This program is being offered in collaboration with Algonquin College.

SAO Forestry is an Employment Ontario program funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Canada-Ontario Job Fund Agreement.

To fill out an application click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring La Mesita, Comfort Keepers, Plan A Peterborough and Showplace

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. We at PTBOCanada would like to congratulate Stu Harrison as this is his 1000th edition of StoosNews. Here is this week’s edition…

La Mesita Restaurante closed its Hunter Street location last week and is busy getting set up in their new location at 247 George St. located just north of Sherbrooke.

Owner Martin Carbajal says the new location offers double the space with seating for 16 instead of six. They are shooting for a Dec. 1st opening but you can find La Mesita at the Farmers Market in the meantime. Watch their social media channels for updates or visit lamesita.ca.

Comfort Keepers Peterborough recently introduced a new program called “Mindful Movement Chair Yoga.”

Owner Alyssa Rowe says they have started at Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence and are looking for others who might be interested either in a group setting or individually in your home.

Comfort Keepers provides a wide variety of services in-home care to seniors and other clients who need help with the activities of daily living. comfortkeepers.ca/peterborough

Plan A Peterborough is a Long-Term Care Staffing and Recruitment agency, and they’ve just launched their Adopt-a-Senior campaign. Already a success with other Plan A locations in Canada, the program pairs you with a local senior and their Christmas list. It is an opportunity to spread a little Christmas cheer with simple gifts like some warm socks or a puzzle.

Everything is non-contact so if you are interested in finding out more, just email peterborough@jointheAteam.com or call 705-243-3659.

Two of Peterborough’s most cherished concert venues, The Market Hall and Showplace are taking their first tentative steps out of the pandemic.

The Market Hall has announced ticket sales for Sarah Harmer on Feb. 23 and 24 and Showplace. They are sporting new flooring, lighting, paint, brand-new seats and have several shows in December including The Veranda Society.

Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr welcome Irish Millie for two shows on Dec. 11 and 12. Gift certificates from either location would make great gifts, as they both try to find their feet after nearly two years in the dark. markethall.org and showplace.org

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Mason McTavish Reassigned to Peterborough Petes from Anaheim Ducks

Centreman Mason McTavish has been reassigned to the Peterborough Petes from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft recorded three points (2 goals, 1 assist) and a +3 rating in nine games with the Ducks this season. In the Ducks' season opener and his NHL debut, he became the youngest goal scorer in Ducks history (18 years, 256 days).

“It’s exciting to have Mason rejoin the team,” said Michael Oke, Petes General Manager. “He’ll be a great addition to our roster and we are looking forward to working with him to continue his development.”

"After careful consideration and deliberation, we have decided to loan Mason McTavish to the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League," said Jeff Solomon, Ducks Interim GM "While we are happy with Mason's development to date, we believe it is in his best long-term interests to continue his development playing in the OHL for the remainder of this season and, hopefully for Team Canada in the upcoming World Junior Championships.”

In addition to suiting up for Anaheim, the Petes fifth overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection suited up for the Ducks’ AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls, recording two points (1G, 1A) in three games. 

“Among other things, this move should afford Mason the opportunity to gain additional experience playing his natural center position, which we believe will be beneficial to Mason and the Ducks in the long run,” said Solomon.

Serving as alternate captain, McTavish helped Team Canada win gold for the first time since 2013, at the 2021 U18 IIHF World Championship in Texas. The centreman finished the tournament with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in seven games, ranking fifth overall in the tournament and tied second on Team Canada.

In his rookie season with the Petes, the Carp, Ontario, who was born in Zurich, Switzerland recorded 29 goals and 13 assists for 42 points, finishing second in the OHL rookie scoring race. He was also named to the OHL 2nd All-Rookie team.

McTavish is expected to return to the Petes lineup on Thursday, Nov. 25 when the Petes take on the North Bay Battalion at 7:05 p.m.

Peterborough is About to Get a Whole Lot Sweeter With New Kawartha Butter Tart Factory Location

The Kawartha Butter Tart Factory will be opening a new location on Lansdowne Street in January 2022.

Smith hard at work at the Douro location. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The Butter Tart Factory prides itself on making everything that leaves their doors from scratch.

“We don’t use pails of filling or bags of mixes that are pre-mixed. Everything’s flour, sugar, baking powder - we are making everything from scratch and I think that you can really tell that,” said Cathy Smith, owner. “We get a lot of compliments on our pies that they’re so fresh - that’s because we’re making that dough every morning, we don’t buy anything.”

Since 2015 Smith has been providing locals and cottagers with sweet treats from her bakery. What started in the restaurant attached to her home in Warsaw grew into The Butter Tart Factory now located at 17 Indacom Dr.

Now, almost two years after opening the new location, they are bursting at the seams with butter tarts.

“During the summer there’s just not enough room here to do all of the things we do, so we went looking for a new location,” said Smith.

Located just off Hwy. 28, during the summer months cottagers and locals line the outside of the Butter Tart Factory in hopes to get a sweet treat.

“The Peterborough location will be much bigger so hopefully that cuts down on the line-ups, they can be so daunting,” she said. “It might ease up on this location but that’s ok, there’s always lots to do. In the summer it was nuts trying to work side by side every day and it was just crazy all day, so it will be nice to ease up on the pressure.”

“It’s all thanks to a great team, it’s awesome to have a business like that. I’m really proud of everyone that’s worked here, even if it was just a stepping stone for them. If I didn’t have great people like that we wouldn’t have been able to keep growing.”

Smith is aiming to have the new location have the same ‘look and feel’ as the Douro location.

Renovations at the new location are currently underway and set to be complete in January.

For updates visit their Facebook and Instagram page.

As they gear up for this new venture The Butter Tart Factory will be hiring bakers for both locations. Experience is not necessary, though it is required that successful applicants are dependable, kind and respectful to co-workers.

To apply send a resume with references to thebuttertartfactory@gmail.com.

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First Local Case of Seasonal Influenza Reported by Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health reported the first local lab-confirmed case of seasonal influenza in our area on Friday.

File Photo.

“The case is lab-confirmed for influenza, and we now know that seasonal influenza is circulating in our community,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health. “Usually there are more cases of influenza in the community than are reported by the lab, so we strongly encourage residents to get their influenza vaccination to protect themselves and others, as it’s still early in the season.”

Dr. Gemmill noted that this year’s first lab-confirmed case is the influenza A strain. The flu shot protects against two types of influenza A and two types of influenza B strains.

This is the first lab-confirmed case reported by Peterborough Public Health since early 2020. A total of zero lab confirmed influenza cases were reported for the 2020-2021 surveillance season.

Zero influenza outbreaks were reported in long-term care facilities, retirement residences, and the local hospital for the same period, compared to three outbreaks in these settings the previous influenza season.

Flu shots are available at many local pharmacies (for individuals age 2 years and older) and physician offices.

Peterborough Public Health is holding flu shot clinics for children under 2 and their families without a primary healthcare provider on Dec. 18 and Jan. 13, 2021 for children that require a second dose.

To book an appointment call 705-743-1000, ext. 507.

For a listing of pharmacies offering free flu shots, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/flu.

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One Local Business Will Win $1000 With The Boro's Holiday Window Contest

Downtown businesses are being given the chance to win up to $1,000 cash with The Boro’s Holiday Window Contest.

Photo courtesy of The Boro.

Over the past few weeks, merchants in the downtown area have been hard at work decking the halls and walls for a chance to win big at the 2021 Holiday Window Contest. The business that gets the most votes will receive a $1,000 cash prize with second and third receiving $500 and $200 respecitvely.

Judging will take place online at theboro.ca. Participants can vote for their top three windows each day throughout the contest period from Friday to Dec. 6. The theme for this year’s contest is “Holiday Cheer.”

“I love seeing our shop windows illuminated with lights and holiday decorations. Our merchants always create top-notch displays that bring a wonderful festive spirit into the downtown core,” said Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “This year we’ve mapped out some of the best hot chocolate spots so folks can bundle up and come experience the charm of our historic downtown shopping district while touring this year’s holiday displays.”

Participants can view the Holiday Windows from home online or take a downtown tour and cozy up with a hot chocolate along the way.

To stay up-to-date on this year’s holiday window contest, follow The Boro on Facebook and Instagram.

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Peterborough Public Health Announces Free Healthcare Provider Consultations For Vaccine Questions

Questions about COVID-19 vaccines can now be answered by phone through a free consultation service announced by Peterborough Public Health (PPH) on Friday.

Stock Photo.

Residents with personal health questions or other concerns about COVID-19 vaccines can book a private phone consultation with either an Ontario physician or pediatric nurse to get answers.

 "We know there are many residents who just want clear and straightforward answers about COVID-19 vaccines especially if they have health conditions they want to discuss,” said Brittany Cadence, PPH communications manager. “We understand many are trying to weigh the risks and benefits to getting vaccinated against getting sick and spreading the disease itself."

These services are being offered by two provincial healthcare partners – the Scarborough Health Network and Toronto SickKids Children’s Hospital. Their contact information can be easily accessed by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/consultation.

“We want to ensure anyone with concerns about the vaccine knows about these services, especially parents of younger children, as we expect they’ll have lots of questions once the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by Health Canada,” said Donna Churipuy, director of public health programs.

"With the imminent authorization of pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, we expect parents and caregivers will have lots of questions to make an informed choice for their children,'“ added Cadence. “Youth over 12 years of age and over can also speak with a  pediatric nurse from Toronto Sick Kids Hospital."

The Scarborough Health Network provides private, non-judgmental phone consultations with a physician through their service called VaxFacts.

Toronto SickKids Hospital has a team of pediatric nurses available to speak with anyone over the age of 12 about the COVID-19 vaccine. Both services are available free of charge, by appointment.

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The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is Accepting Applications for Next Year's Event

Applications are now being accepted by Indigenous artists in all genres to perform in the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF).

File Photo.

NIFF is an unjuried, uncensored festival for independent indigenous performers.

Unlike the fringe movement, NIFF focuses specifically on local and regional Indigenous artists, mentorship, collaborative learning, knowledge sharing and skill development.

Performers are chosen by lottery and receive 100% of the box office proceeds.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 17.

Artists are chosen in January and selected artists perform at Trent University from June 21-26, 2022.

For more information on the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, click here.

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Canadian Cancer Society is Searching for Volunteers for Peterborough Relay for Life

The Canadian Cancer Society is searching for volunteers for the Peterborough Relay For Life organizing committee.

Photo Courtesy of Canadian Cancer Society.

Both leadership and committee positions are open for the 2022 event.

If you:

• consider yourself a leader.

• have experience in event logistics.

• have communication skills.

• know how to engage your community.

A leadership position may be the right fit.

In these positions, volunteers would contribute to delivering an extraordinary experience for hundreds of participants.

Volunteers with Relay for Life help fund innovative cancer research projects and support programs that make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

If you:

• consider yourself to be a people person and an empathetic individual.

• have social media skills.

• have experience in event logistics or project management.

• have or wish to develop a network with businesses in your community.

A committee position may be right for you.

Some open volunteer positions for the Peterborough Relay for Life are Social Media Coordinator, Community Outreach Lead, Food and Beverage Coordinator and Volunteer Engagement Lead.

To view all positions and apply click here.

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Foodie Friday: St. Veronus On Their Tap Room and the Belgian Influences In Their Menu

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This week on Foodie Friday, we talk owner with owner Roland Hosier of St. Veronus about their famous tap room and how Belgian traditions influence their menu.

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