One Roof Community Centre Extends Hours For Monday

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One Roof Community Centre will have extended hours into Monday as temperatures are expected to drop below -15 Celcius announced Sunday.

Sunday was originally the only day One Roof was extending their hours this weekend. Photo Courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

The Centre is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the to-go meal provided between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., on Sunday and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Monday.

The Centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:

  • YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

  • Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

  • Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

  • Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

Emergency After Hours Services related to the emergency shelter are available through Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. Please visit the Social Services website for information regarding the After Hours program.

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Extended Hours at One Roof Community Centre On Sunday

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This Sunday, One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the to-go meal provided between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. announced Friday.

Photo Courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

The decision was due to temperatures expected to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.

The Centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A Year In Review By David Tuan Bui

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I started in the new era of PTBOCanada on Mar. 1 when owner Kirtus Evoy purchased it from Neil Morton. Since joining the team, I have got to experience what Peterborough has to offer. The stories, the community and the surprises that can come from a small town are things I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Bui (pictured) previously worked as a freelance sports journalist for Indigenous newspaper The Eastern Door prior to joining the PTBOCanada team. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

These are my top five stories — in chronological order — that I truly enjoyed being a part of in 2021.

Jorge Arroyo has expressed some interest in streaming video games like Fortnite or Spanish lessons on Youtube in the near future. Photo courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.

Yes, Jorge Arroyo cracked my list just as he made my colleague Angela O’Grady’s. If you ever talked to this young man — as I got to in June —, you will understand what an inspiring soul he is with a great attitude.

Arroyo was only six years old before immigrating to Canada from Mexico. He recorded a 12-minute podcast with The New Canadians Centre with his story of coming to this country. After hearing the podcast, I was moved and had to feature him.

He encourages others to open up their struggles rather than bottling them up to help overcome them. After adjusting to Canadian life for over five years of living here, Arroyo reminded me that no one is alone with their problems and creating awareness is one step towards solving them.

David Tuan Bui with Wadsworth Kulatungam in photos separated by 13 years (2008 and 2021). Bui first met Kulatungam as a Grade 6 student at Immaculate Conception School while the latter was a substitute teacher. Photos by David Tuan Bui.

I was invested deeply in this story emotionally. If you were in the Peterborough Catholic school system for the past 25 years, chances are that you know renowned substitute teacher Wadsworth Kulatungam, better known as Mr. Wadsworth.

Kulatungam retired in December last year rather quietly but I had a different agenda. When I heard that St. Peter’s Secondary School teacher Colleen Crawley was gathering testimonials for Kulatungam’s retirement, I immediately jumped at the chance and wanted to turn it into a story.

From my personal experience, no one ever had a negative thing to say about him and I believed was the consummate professional. I am honoured to have had him as my supply teacher on multiple occasions through the years.

Talking to Kulatungam 13 years later in July since I last saw him gave me a flashback of wonderful memories and seeing the community collaborate on highlighting his teaching impact was a heart-touching moment. Congratulations again Wadsworth on your retirement!

“Everyone has capabilities and goodness in them. That was my philosophy. Criticism doesn’t carry you anywhere.”
— Wadsworth Kulatungam

Jenn (left) and Braden Glasbergen (right) have had four different elaborate front-yard decorative displays such as Easter, dinosaurs, a ghost pirate ship and a gingerbread house. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It is hard to miss the setups Jenn and Braden Glasbergen of Ravenwood Drive in Peterborough have on their front lawn.

During the fall season, the couple has this awesome pirate ship on their front lawn open to the public to watch, explore and take pictures.

They have had other setups that they change quarterly such as an Easter setup, dinosaurs and a Christmas one to fit all four seasons.

If doing this was not enough to give back to the community, the Glasbergens collected non-perishable goods for St. Vincent de Paul for every display they put up.

The Stanley Cup had never gone down the Lift Lock prior to Mitchell Stephens’s boat parade. Photo by Pete Dalliday.

Yes, this story made both my list and PTBOCanada’s top 10 list but we are talking about the Stanley Cup being in Peterborough.

As a sports fan, I am excited to hear when a hometown person wins a major sports championship so I can only imagine what two-time Stanley Cup champion Mitchell Stephens felt when he brought it back to Peterborough on Aug. 25.

PTBOCanada was able to get a water parade arranged for Stephens as he took the Stanley Cup down the Lift Lock with friends in family. I was privileged to be on the same boat as him recording the parade and editing the video the same night.

This will be one of the most opportunistic experiences that I have ever had and am fortunate to be a part of it.

Callan Perks signed a one-day contract as the Peterborough Petes Next Gen head coach on Nov 28. Photo by Jenish Odigski.

There was no way Coach Cal was put off this list.

Callum Perks became an overnight sensation with a pre-game locker room speech for the Peterborough Petes for their Next Gen game on Nov. 28. The game allowed kids to play in executive roles for the hockey club for the day and Perks took absolute advantage of it.

When you talked to the young man, I was astonished by how developed his speaking and linguistic skills were for the seven-year-old. I have interviewed numerous amounts of children but none with better diction than Perks. I normally get one or two-word answers from kids but it was not the case with Coach Cal.

To see how well-developed since speaking with him now, I can only imagine what kind of potential he has when he grows up. The future for Coach Cal looks bright.

The Petes beat the Ottawa 67’s 3-2 if you are wondering how that game went before that speech. I would say the pre-game motivation worked.

This year has given me experiences I never thought I would ever get to do. I spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, rode in a boat with the Stanley Cup, be backstage for several live events and more.

Thank you Peterborough and the Kawarthas for granting me the opportunity and honour to be a part of your daily lives. Thank you to the PTBOCanada team to take me as one of them.

Cheers 2021 and Peterborough for giving me such a fantastic year! I hope 2022 will extend me the same courtesy.

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COVID-19 Numbers In Peterborough For December 31, 2021

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There are currently 746 active cases in Peterborough as of Dec. 31, 2021.

For more information visit: https://localcovidtracker.ca/

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David Tuan Bui


A Year In Review By Angela O'Grady

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In my six months with PTBOCanada, I have had the opportunity to speak with so many amazing members of the community. Each day I am given the chance to learn about someone’s passion, listen to their story or celebrate their success.

Here are my top five stories — in chronological order — that I had the pleasure of writing in 2021.

Jorge Escalera (far right), poses with his family at Monday’s book launch. Escalera is one of six children whose story inspired Building a Home. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

In September, The New Canadians Centre hosted a book launch to celebrate the release of a new book ‘Building a Home’ written and illustrated by local artist Cassandra Lee.

The book was inspired by the experiences of six immigrant children experiencing Canadian culture for the first time in Peterborough.

At the launch, the book was read to the crowd where the six young ‘authors’ beamed with pride.

For the last 12 years, Hirdes has been helping out at a local Cystic Fibrosis Benefit night. Photo Courtesy of Samantha Hirdes.

When COVID-19 put a pause on the annual Cystic Fibrosis that Samantha Hirdes volunteers at she took matters into her own hands.

She set up a website to sell her painted pumpkins, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. When interviewing her, I asked how long it took to paint each pumpkin and she said anywhere from one to four hours - all out of the goodness of her heart!

This year Hirdes was able to donate $1,005 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Dave Graham (left) had his last round of treatment on Dec. 1. Photo courtesy of Dave Graham.

When Dave Graham was diagnosed with cancer in March, he decided that something good had to come from it.

He decided to start ‘Dave’s Walk Against Cancer’ and raise funds to donate to the PRHC Foundation.

Initially his goal was to raise $5,000 and walk 7,000 steps each day until his cancer treatment was done in mid December.

On Dec. 17 PRHC Foundation announced that Dave completed his treatment and raised $11,111.

Arnold Graham (left, circa 1943) Royal Canadian Airforce (Photo courtesy of Lakefield War Vets) and current-day Graham (right) at the Buckhorn Community Centre at 95 years of age. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

I chatted with Arnold Graham over a bowl of soup at the Buckhorn Community Centre after attending a remembrance service.

He shared with me the story of his service during World War II. Graham joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was just 17 because he wanted to serve with his six older brothers. He eventually returned home to his mother along with all of his brothers.

Graham’s story is miraculous and I am so lucky to have heard it.

Chatting with veteran and nurse practitioner Lee-Anne Quinn was such an honour.

A woman with a lengthy list of accomplishments, Quinn did not make mention of any of them during our interview. Instead, she focused on how important it is to make a difference in other people’s lives.

2021 has been a year of meeting the best that Peterborough and the Kawarthas have to offer and I cannot wait for what 2022 has in store.

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Inspectors to Ensure Bars Comply to Health Requirements on New Year's Eve

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Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) compliance officials will visit bars and restaurants in Peterborough on New Year’s Eve to ensure compliance with health requirements announced Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Dec. 19, 2021, the Government of Ontario introduced public health measures in response to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

These measures include a 50 per cent capacity limit in restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments and strip clubs. Alcohol cannot be sold after 10:00 p.m. and must close by 11:00 p.m.

Violation of the restrictions can include a suspension or revocation of their liquor licence.

“As the countdown to New Year’s Eve approaches, anyone considering heading out to a bar or a restaurant should be aware of all public health measures in place, and not give establishment staff a difficult time for enforcing them,” said Tom Mungham, AGCO registrar and CEO.

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Ontario Government Reduces Fan Capacity To 1,000 For Indoor Performance And Sporting Venues

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The Ontario Government has reduced spectator capacity to 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity or 1,000 people (whichever is less) of certain indoor venues effective Friday.

The Healthy Planet Arena name was officially changed from the Evinrude Centre on Aug. 1. Photo Courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The decision was a response to Omicron and reduce opportunities for close contact as the province gets as many vaccines into arms as possible according to the release.

The following places are under the effect of the restrictions:

  • Spectator areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g., sporting events)

  • Concert venues

  • Theatres

The government and the Chief Medical Officer of Health say they will continue to monitor the data to determine when it is safe to lift capacity limits in these settings.

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David Tuan Bui


Foodie Friday: Champs Ownership Passed Down To a New Family Generation

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This week on Foodie Friday, we talk with Champs Sports Bar owner Meghan Lytle about how she continues the family legacy behind the downtown hotspot and their famous chicken wings.

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Dave Ellis: December Photography In Review

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Dave Ellis is an Omemee-area wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada often features his work in our Good Morning PTBO posts.

A mink ponders which way to go with its fresh-caught fish.

Ellis often captures series of photos, capturing a moment in time. Below, a Snowy Owl spots a vole in a field, swoops at its prey and catches some dinner.

Here, Ellis has captured a heron catching a bass and enjoying its meal.

A male hooded merganser takes a break on the ice.

A male hooded merganser takes a break on the ice.

A male hooded merganser takes a break on the ice.

Ellis allows the community to see local wildlife they may not otherwise. As the seasons change, so will the subjects of his photography - and PTBOCanada will continue to share with our daily ‘Good morning PTBO’ posts.

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Guest User


Province Delays School to Jan. 5, Isolation Period Reduced to Five Days and Limited PCR Testing

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Dr. Kieran Moore, chief medical officer of health and Ontario have updated its COVID-19 testing and isolation guidelines in response to the Omicron variant on Thursday.

Screenshot.

Moore also confirmed that schools will reopen on Jan. 5 for in-person learning.

“This will provide our schools with extra time to begin to put in place additional health and safety measures including deploying additional masking options for students and educators and further improving air ventilation in schools,” he said.

Key changes include the following:

  • Symptomatic testing will be available for high-risk individuals, and individuals who work in high-risk settings.

  • Individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are presumed positive and they should follow isolation and/or self-monitoring guidelines.

  • Testing for asymptomatic contacts of cases is generally no longer recommended, except for high-risk contacts/individuals that are part of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, as recommended by public health.

  • Positive rapid antigen tests will no longer require PCR confirmation.

  • Based on the latest scientific evidence, individuals with COVID-19 should isolate for five days if they are fully vaccinated or under the age of 12 and if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

Eligible Groups for PCR Testing

Effective Friday, PCR testing will only be recommended for individuals if they belong to the following groups:

  • Symptomatic people who fall into one of the following groups:

    • Hospitalized patients

    • Patients in Emergency Departments, at the discretion of the treating clinician

    • Patient-facing health care workers

    • Staff, residents, essential care providers and visitors in hospitals and congregate living settings, including long-term care, retirement homes, First Nation eldercare lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, temporary foreign worker settings, and correctional institutions

    • Outpatients for whom COVID-19 treatment is being considered

    • Underhoused or homeless

  • People who are from First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and individuals travelling into these communities for work

  • Symptomatic elementary and secondary students and education staff who have received a PCR self-collection kit through their school

  • People on admission/transfer to or from the hospital or congregate living setting

  • High-risk contacts and asymptomatic/symptomatic people in the context of confirmed or suspected outbreaks in high-risk settings, including hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, other congregate living settings and institutions and other settings as directed by the local public health unit

  • Individuals, and one accompanying caregiver, with written prior approval for out-of-country medical services from the General Manager, OHIP

  • Asymptomatic testing in hospital, long-term care, retirement homes and other congregate living settings and Institutions as per provincial guidance and/or Directives

If you have symptoms of COVID-19

Individuals who are vaccinated, as well as children under 12 who have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed.

Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for 10 days.

If you are someone who works or lives in a high risk-health care setting (i.e., hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, congregate living settings) you must notify your employer. Individuals who work or live in these settings should not attend work for 10 days from their symptom onset, or from their date of diagnosis.

To ensure sufficient staffing levels, workers in these settings may have the opportunity to return to work early on day seven of their isolation, with a negative PCR test or two negative rapid antigen tests on day six and seven. Speak with your employer or occupational health and safety department for more information.

All household contacts must also isolate for the same duration as the person with symptoms, regardless of their vaccination status. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should also consider informing close contacts beyond your household contacts by providing them with the link to Ontario.ca/exposed. Individuals who are eligible for a lab-based PCR test are encouraged to get tested.

If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your doctor, health care provider or Telehealth for more information and guidance. If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but are feeling unwell, isolate until symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

If you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

If you are fully vaccinated and you have no symptoms, and do not live with the positive case, you are advised to:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days since you last interacted with the positive case

  • Maintain masking, physical distancing and adherence to all other public health measures if leaving home

  • Do not visit any high-risk settings or individuals who may be at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors) for 10 days from your last exposure.

If you are not fully vaccinated, or are immunocompromised, you must isolate immediately for 10 days following your last contact. If you live with the positive case, you must isolate for the length of their isolation period.

Individuals who are eligible for testing are encouraged to get tested.

If you live, work, attend, volunteer, or have been admitted in a high-risk health care setting, you must notify your employer and should not visit the high-risk setting for 10 days since your last exposure or symptom onset, or from your date of diagnosis. To ensure sufficient staffing levels, workers in these settings will have the opportunity to return to work early on day seven of their isolation with a negative PCR test, or two negative rapid antigen tests on day six and seven. If you live in a high-risk setting, you should isolate regardless of vaccination status.

If you have COVID-19 based on a positive test result

If you test positive from a PCR, rapid molecular or a rapid antigen test and you are fully vaccinated or under 12 years of age, you must isolate for five days from the positive test result if you have no symptoms or from symptom onset and until their symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms).

If you are partially vaccinated, unvaccinated or immunocompromised, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from the date of your test (whichever came sooner).

In addition, household contacts of individuals who have tested positive must also self-isolate during this time. Individuals must isolate regardless of their vaccination status.

You should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.

Appropriate Use of Rapid Antigen Testing

Ontario currently has a limited supply of rapid antigen tests that are being prioritized for health care and highest risk settings. This includes rapid antigen test use for “test-to-work” in which asymptomatic staff in these sectors can return to work when they would otherwise be on isolation at home.

Focusing the use of rapid antigen tests for these sectors will help keep hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes and congregate settings operating as safely as possible. As of December 20, a total of 49.6 million rapid antigen tests have been deployed across more than 49,000 sites since the beginning of the pandemic, with the vast majority (approximately 41 million) deployed to these priority sectors.

Rapid antigen testing may be used to confirm if a symptomatic individual has COVID-19, with no requirement for a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.

In addition to Ontario directly procuring additional rapid tests where possible, the province is continuing to urge the federal government to make more rapid tests available to provinces as quickly as possible.

How to Access Supports While Isolating

If you require assistance while isolating, visit COVID-19: Support for people. People can also contact their public health unit for many isolation supports including:

  • Use of isolation facilities;

  • Referral to community supports and agencies;

  • Mental health supports;

  • Courier and delivery support for food and necessities;

  • Additional resources are available to support isolation through the High Priority Communities strategy.

Employers cannot threaten, fire, or penalize an employee in any other way because the employee took or plans on taking job-protected leave due to COVID-19 and doctors notes are not required for employees to use the leave. You can learn more about job-protected leave here.

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