Local Business Owner Garners Support From Community After Break In

Treasures and Memories, a custom engraving business in Brookdale Plaza, was broken into on Saturday though encouragement from the community is helping the business to recover.

Photo courtesy of Treasures and Memories.

“When we received the call from Peterborough Police in the early morning hours, I was panicked.,” said Barb Smith, owner. “When we arrived and saw the amount of destruction and damages, I was completely overwhelmed and a feeling of bleak, desperate defeat came over me.”

Smith opened the shop in late 2019 right before the pandemic hit. Like other business owners she has been struggling to navigate the changing restrictions, though with perseverance she has been able to grow her business.

When the thief broke in they smashed the main window, and merchandise in the store causing about $2,500 in damage that will not be covered by insurance.

“As the day wore on, sitting in the freezing cold, waiting for the window to be replaced, I was ready to give up, call it quits,” said Smith. “Then I started receiving calls from concerned customers. They lifted me up and encouraged me to persevere.”

Smith started a GoFundMe in hopes to recover from this loss.

“It is the wonderful customers we have and the support of our beautiful community that is making it easier to persevere, regroup and carry on,” she said. “The community we live and work in, is overall, very supportive and this is what will allow us to pick ourselves up, dust everything off and be the successful business I know we can be.”

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ReFrame Film Festival Announces Schedule For Upcoming Virtual Festival

The ReFrame Film Festival announced over a dozen Live Events and pre-recorded talks, on Tuesday.

Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe musician, artist and writer Ansley Simpson created the soundtrack for Talaga's film, and joins Opening Night with a special musical performance. Photo courtesy of ReFrame Film Festival.

The second virtual edition of the festival features over 70 documentary films and an extensive list of Q&As and live events with filmmakers from around the world.

The festival is running from Jan 27 - Feb. 4.

ReFrame’s Opening Night event Thursday at 7 p.m. includes a keynote address by celebrated journalist Tanya Talaga and a performance by musician Ansley Simspon, who created the soundtrack for Talaga’s film Mashkawi-Manidoo Bimaadiziwin: Spirit to Soar. This event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday at 2 p.m. Mars Pendleton will be in conversation with their parent, celebrated author Karleen Pendleton Jiménez to discuss their film My Life With Rainbows, which is part of the shorts program, “The Kids Are Alright: Queer Families Talk Back.”

Local, award-winning filmmaker James Cullingham will take part in a live panel discussion Sunday at 2 p.m. to talk about his powerful film, The Cost of Freedom: Refugee Journalists in Canada. James will be joined by the journalists in the film: Abdulrahman Matar, Arzu Yildiz Arzu, and Luis Horacio Nájera.

The full lineup of events and pre-recorded talks can be found at reframefilmfestival.ca. Virtual Festival Passes, Festival 5-packs, and Pay-What-You-Can tickets for single films are available now.

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Extended Hours for One Roof Community Centre On Tuesday and Wednesday

One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service on Sunday and Monday due to temperatures anticipated to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.

One Roof Community Centre began extended hours on select days this year on Jan. 2. Photo courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

They are open from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 pm on Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, due to temperatures anticipated 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.

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 is 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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Flood Warning Issued In Peterborough Area

Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch for Otonabee River, Jackson Creek and all other flowing watercourses in the Region

File Photo.

Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills, and ORCA’s other partners in flood emergency management are included in the flood watch.

The current extreme cold air temperatures can combine with a lack of ice cover and turbulent flows in area rivers, streams, and creeks to cause the generation of frazil ice which can lead to flooding. Extreme cold weather causing flooding has historically been observed in Jackson Creek and the Otonabee River but is possible anywhere that watercourses are uninsulated by ice cover and where flows are turbulent due to rapids or water falling over dams or waterfalls

Frazil ice – a kind of slush ice - can form when cold air temperatures and wind chill combine to cause surface water temperature to be super-cooled (i.e., cooled below the freezing point), but the super-cooled water is unable to form a solid cover of ice because of fast moving water. As frazil ice flows downstream it will eventually come to rest against obstructions (e.g., islands, bridge piers and abutments), in low velocity areas (bends and slope reductions) or in areas of channel constrictions. Where it comes to rest, it will accumulate.

Where frazil ice accumulates, it is likely to cause a restriction of water flow downstream, thereby resulting in a rise of water, and possibly flooding, behind the frazil ice jam.

Water levels can be monitored on-line at:

1) Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

2) Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data

3) Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website

This Flood Watch will expire on Feb. 1.

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Trent University and Fleming College Partner in Conservation Biology Transfer Pathway Program

Graduates of Fleming College’s Conservation Biology program can now transfer into Trent University’s conservation biology or biology programs in a new agreement between the two institutions announced Monday.

Trent University has been ranked number one in Canada for sustainability education and research by the 2021 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Trent’s Conservation Biology program is among the first of its kind in North America. Students benefit from the mentorship of faculty experts,” said Dr. Erica Nol, Trent biology professor. “The new Conservation Biology transfer pathway between Trent and Fleming allows us to together build on the rich higher education opportunities available in the Peterborough region.”

With 11 on-campus nature areas, state-of-the-art laboratories and one of Canada’s top 20 Biology programs, the opportunities to explore innovative solutions to counteract the growing loss of wildlife and habitat are virtually endless at Trent. Students also benefit from the department’s unique on-campus partnership and connection with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, enhancing interactions in teaching and research, as well as hands-on working experience through various field courses and placements with groups like provincial and federal ministries, local conservation authorities Nature Conservancy Canada, Toronto Zoo, and Parks Canada.

“Fleming’s Conservation Biology diploma is the only program of its kind in Ontario as it focuses on conservation efforts using the latest research and technology, including genetics and environmental DNA,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming president. “Transitioning from our unique diploma program to the bachelor’s degree at Trent will provide students access to the latest tools and practical knowledge and give students a competitive edge when entering the job market.”

Through this agreement, graduates of Fleming College’s Conservation Biology diploma program can obtain either their B.Sc. (Honours) in Conservation Biology or B.Sc. (Honours) in Biology with an optional Specialization in Conservation Biology through Trent – graduating with both their diploma and degree in as little as five years.

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Socks For Chad Donates 605 Pairs Of Socks To One Roof Community Centre

Socks for Chad, a Peterborough organization, made their annual donation to One Roof Community Centre in December, giving them a total of 605 pairs of socks.

Photo courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

Socks for Chad was started by Tammy Ruffo in honour of her son, Chad, who passed away in 2015.

Ruffo collects socks all year round to donate in December, in time for cold weather an Christmas.

Friends, family and community members donate socks as well as money to purchase socks.

In 2021 Socks for Chad collected a record breaking 605 pairs to donate to One Roof Community Centre who will distribute them to those in need.

Ruffo hopes that 2022 will garner even more socks than last year and be able to keep even more people warm.

In a post to the Socks for Chad Facebook group Ruffo wrote ‘Thank you so much for helping this grieving mom reach and surpass my goals to beat last year’s. I could not have done this without each and every one of you! Between all the sock donations a e-transfers we did it!’

For more information on how to donate visit Socks for Chad on Facebook or email tammyruffo@hotmail.com.

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City Of Peterborough Releases 2019 Civic Award Ceremony

The City of Peterborough has released the virtual presentation of the 2019 Civic Awards, now available on their website.

Nominations for the annual Civic awards were received in 2020 for achievements in 2019. As an alternative to an in-person event due to COVID-19 restrictions, Council approved a video celebrating the contributions of the winners.

“Congratulations to all of the citizens being recognized for their outstanding contributions to Peterborough in 2019. While we wish we could be together to celebrate the outstanding recipients of the 2019 Civic Awards, this video tribute is meant to show our appreciation for all that they have done to make Peterborough a special place,” said Mayor Diane Therrien.

There were 33 awards presented to individuals and groups who made significant contributions to the community. The winners have received a certificate signed by the Mayor and the City Clerk, and winners of the special trophies also have their names engraved on the trophy.

 Special trophy winners are as follows:

• Volunteer of the Year - Rotary Clubs of Peterborough

• Senior Athlete of the Year – Lynne Faught

• Junior Athlete of the Year – Sophia Lu

• Lifetime Achievement – Ian Attridge

The Holnbeck Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to improve the lives of people with disabilities, was awarded to Lynda Todd.

The Mayor’s Youth Awards recognized Faith Dickinson, Evelyn Robertson and Grace Murphy.

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City To Host Meeting To Highlight Transportation Needs On East Side Of Peterborough

Planning for how people travel around the City and planning for transportation needs on the east side of the City will be the subject of public information meetings being held at noon and 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 3.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The meetings are being held as part of the development of the new city-wide Transportation Master Plan and the separate Eastside Transportation Study for the area east of the Otonabee River and north of Lansdowne Street East. The meetings will include a presentation about future transportation projects that could be recommended in the two studies as well as a question-and-answer period.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public information meeting is being held online. People who cannot participate online can join by phone. To register, visit www.connectptbo.ca/moveptbo or call 705-742-7777 x 1749.

The presentation materials will be available for review and comment on the study websites at www.connectptbo.ca starting Jan. 28.

The new Transportation Master Plan will include recommendations for all modes of travel to accommodate population and employment growth to the year 2051.

The City Council-approved vision of the Transportation Master Plan is: As the City grows, Peterborough’s transportation network will be enhanced to create a low emissions, responsive system where people of all ages and abilities can move safely, sustainably and efficiently, no matter how they choose to travel, today and in the future.

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Carl Oake Rotary Swim To Make A Splash In February

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Century 21 United Realty Inc. are teaming up again to present 36th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim on Feb 25. at the YMCA.

Firefighter sprays participants at the Carl Oake Rotary Splash Challenge. File Photo.

To date, the Carl Oake Rotary Swim has raised over 1 million dollars for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects.

In September 2021 the Carl Oake Rotary Splash Challenge raised over $45,000 for Easter Seals and The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The swimathon is about fun and welcomes professional swimmers and those there for fun.

Teams or individuals can sign up to participate and start raising funds for The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Easter Seals by going to www.CarlOakeRotarySwim.com

Those interested in participating can join the event at the YMCA at 7 a.m on Feb. 25 or participate at home virtually.

Organizers are monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and hope that this event can go forward as planned.

Updates will be posted to the events Facebook page.

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