Ontario To End Mandatory Masking In Most Settings March 21
/Ontario will end mask requirements in most public indoor settings, and schools, on March 21, sources say.
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Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Artist Averie Wilkins Follows In Her Dad Jason Wilkins Footsteps With Her First Sale
/Averie Wilkins, 16, is celebrating selling her first piece of art, following in her dad Jason Wilkins footsteps and pursuing a career as an artist.
Averie with a piece she did for her brother.
Averie says she has been drawing since she was young, and has memories of drawing beside her dad when she was four.
Now at 16, she draws inspiration from anime and other shows she likes. She practices different mediums like water colours, gouache, and pen and also enjoys drawing digital pieces on her dads iPad.
Jason, Averie’s dad, is a professional illustrator, live event artist, muralist and workshop instructor located in Peterborough.
Etsy is an e-commerce site usually tailored to handmade products like art, jewelry and crafts.
Averie set up her online shop a few months ago and until recently had been yet to make a sale. Until someone named David purchased a piece on March 6.
“It was really a relief. I thought no one was going to buy anything especially since I had been waiting for months,” she said. “But I got a notification on my phone and it was from Etsy. I read it and someone had purchased an item at my shop. Just a really happy and uplifting moment for me.”
Jason says he’s proud to see his daughter succeeding as an artist already at such a young age.
“I’ve always expressed to all of my kids that as long as they’re happy with what they do for a living, then I’m happy. Whatever that might be. You have to love what you do,” he said. “But it is really cool to see Averie as passionate about art as I was at her age. She’s got talent but I’ve told her that’s only half the battle - patience and work.”
While as a dad, seeing his daughter do what she loves is encouraging, as an artist seeing another artist succeed is a different level of admiration.
“I’m so proud of her for putting herself out there. It’s not an easy thing to do,” he said. “I remember George Elliott coming to speak in my high school art class. He said ‘You’re not a career artist until you sell your first piece.’ It just validates all your efforts and really makes you feel like you’re doing what you were meant to do.”
Averie says while seeing her Dad succeed as an artist has influenced her decision to pursue art, his technique is not something they share.
“He has really proven that you can be very successful and support yourself through doing something you love,” she said. “However I definitely don’t think he has had much influence on my technique, since our styles are both different. I think it’s because we are both from different times. If anything my oldest brother Sam had a big impact because he’s the one who got me into anime.”
Averie’s art can be viewed on her Instagram and purchased on her Etsy shop.
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Local Reporter Makes All-Female Broadcast Team For Women's Hockey Game
/Global News reporter and anchor Katrina Squazzin is going from the newsroom to the broadcast booth for a night on an all-women’s commentary team announced Tuesday.
Squazzin (pictured) joined Global News Peterborough in 2019 is from the Chatham area. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Peterborough Petes announced Squazzin as the colour commentator for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) regional game between Team Sonnet and Team Harvey held on March 26, at 7:05 p.m.
She is joined by fellow Global colleague and sideline reporter Meaghan Roy and play-by-play commentator Julia Tocheri of TSN.
"The fact that we're able to bring a PWHPA game here to Peterborough as someone who grew up playing hockey most of my life, I think of how excited young Katrina would have been to be able to come and see a game in her hometown so I'm just so happy to be a part of it,” said Squazzin.
Squazzin became the first female colour commentator in Petes' history with Freq 90.5 on Feb. 10.
"It's definitely been a step outside of my comfort zone but I'm very thankful for the Petes for giving me the opportunity to call the Petes games and have another opportunity to grow and continue to develop this new skill," she said.
Squazzin previously did colour commentary for basketball with Mustangs TV shortly after graduating from Carleton University (majoring in journalism and law). She has worked several sports gigs such as Homestand Sports, TSN 1150 and CFL.ca both behind the scenes and as an on-camera personality.
The PWHPA broadcast will include a 30-minute pre-show featuring interviews with players, additional sports media figures, PWHPA general managers and hockey influencers from the Peterborough area.
Fans can tune into YourTV Channel 700 to catch the pre-show and entire in-game broadcast on March 26.
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Community Foundation Of Greater Peterborough Vital Signs Report Highlights Need To Advance Gender Equality
/The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough’s newly released Vital Signs report highlights the need to advance gender equality in our community.
CFGP board of directors. Photo courtesy of CFGP.
“The Kawartha World Issue Centre received a grant from the Foundation last year to conduct research into how our region is fairing on the issue of gender equality,” said Jennifer DeBues, executive director of CFGP.
Vital Focus: Gender Equality highlights some of the ways local women and gender diverse individuals have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and how many are being left behind when it comes to accessing services and supports.
“The work of organizations and institutions locally needs to be informed by the voices of those left behind,” said Shaelyn Wabegijig, KWIC project coordinator. “There needs to be more accessible and flexible ways for those most impacted by inequalities to be heard and supported.”
KWIC executive director Sam Rockbrune says everyone has a role in advancing intersectional gender equality, and in order to address it we must address racial, social and economic inequalities.
The Vital Signs report ad grants to organizations like KWIC are ways CFGP spotlights these voices.
To get involved visit www.cfgp.ca or email info@cfgp.ca.
YWCA Announces the Hazel Education Bursary Call for Applications Opens on International Women’s Day
/YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Education Awards Committee has opened the applications for the 2022 Hazel Education Bursary, on Tuesday, International Women’s Day.
Photo courtesy of YWCA Peterborough Halliburton.
YWCA Hazel Education Bursary is intended to help women who have experienced gender-based violence reach their goals through education or training.
The Hazel Education Bursary was created by friends the friends and family of Hazel, a local woman who had a vision of helping women pursue their dreams and overcome barriers related to their experiences of violence and abuse.
“While battling the bout of cancer, she took us — my brother, sister, and I, from a life of domination and violence. We were faced with nothing, but what we were leaving behind posed such a threat that ‘nothing’ was better than how we had lived,” Hazel’s daughter noted on the YWCA website. “Alongside Mum, many have faced overwhelming battles and carried on. Rebuilding our lives through such hurdles as court, lawyers, house seeking, and remaining safe, she found ways to deal with her own pain on the side and showed us how to live this new life. These experiences she used later to give a chance to friends, colleagues and acquaintances.”
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Board of Directors, through the Education Awards Committee, and with the generosity of donors in our community, offers bursaries of $1,500 or $2,500 to women who:
have experienced barriers related to the impact of violence and abuse;
have a dream to strengthen their economic security;
are a resident of Peterborough or Haliburton County;
seek to further their formal or informal education, or develop skills.
Women from rural areas will be given special consideration for this award, as per Hazel’s request.
Application must be submitted by email to Yvonne Porter by May 8.
two references (non-family members preferred) must submit a completed 2022 Reference Form by email to Yvonne Porter by May 16.
Application forms can be found here.
Local Country Star's Sixth Annual Charity Golf Tournament For Youth Mental Health a Go
/Country star Tebey is back with his sixth annual Tebey Golf Classic in support of youth mental health announced on Tuesday.
Last year’s event was on June 24 at the Black Diamond Golf Club. Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.
Over $125,000 has been raised over the past five years towards youth mental health that includes:
Covid-19 Response Drop In Centre - YES Youth Emergency Shelter for Youth and Families
YES Homelessness Prevention Program partnership with Peterborough Youth *Services and YES Year one and Year two Funding
211 Awareness Campaign – Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter
Ongoing education for Mental Health Clinicians of the Peterborough Family Health Team to support free patient mindfulness programming
Funds raised through the event will go towards Youth Mental Health programming through Peterborough Youth Services and YES Shelter For Youth and Families.
“It’s going to be great to be back this year raising money for Peterborough Youth Services and the YES Shelter,” said Tebey. “They have provided so much support to those struggling and have had a huge impact on the lives of youth and families in the Peterborough area.”
The tournament is scheduled for June 2 at Wildfire Golf & Country Club with a shotgun tee-off at 1 p.m. An outdoor acoustic performance will happen at 7 p.m.
Foursome tickets are available on Eventbrite for $1,000 where a $200 tax receipt will be provided to each group. The tournament includes a meet-and-greet with Tebey, acoustic performance from him and special guests (to be announced), activities, contests, meals, prizes and professional photos of your group.
“All of us at PYS (Peterborough Youth Services) are so grateful to the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation and Tebey for their joint fundraising efforts to improve youth mental health, said Heather Holland, PYS executive director. “Community donations are integral to expanding our reach and impact as an agency and every dollar will be directed to reducing wait times and providing more timely access to service.”
“What we are seeing at the tail end of the pandemic is young people and families left with fewer community supports and available housing options more than ever,” Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director. “Participating in the Tebey Golf Classic is an incredible and fun way to help YES continue helping young people and families in Peterborough out of homelessness."
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City Of Peterborough Community Safety And Wellbeing Plan Survey Now Open
/A survey has been launched to gather public input for the creation of a Community Safety and Well-being Plan on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, along with five local townships (Trent Lakes, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and North Kawartha).
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The purpose of the Plan is to develop collaborative actions to build a community where everyone is safe and included. To achieve this, the community will need to work together in new ways to address safety and well-being issues through programs and services that are available to all who live, work and play in the City and County of Peterborough.
“It is important that the Community Safety and Well-being Plan is shaped by the community,” said Chris Kawalec, Community Development Program Manager for the City of Peterborough. “We want to know how people feel about safety and well-being in their neighbourhoods, and we hope they’ll share their thoughts and experiences with us.”
A page on the City’s public engagement website Connect Peterborough provides background on the development of the Plan, including the interim Plan, results of engagement with local service providers, and plans for additional public engagement opportunities.
The survey asks about perceptions and experiences in the community, and suggestions for how to improve safety and well-being. The consultation also includes a map, so community members can identify specific areas where they feel safe and unsafe.
The survey is open to all residents in the City and County of Peterborough, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation, including all permanent and seasonal residents, as well as those who are living unhoused. It is being administered by the City of Peterborough on behalf of the partner municipalities, and is open until April 1.
A paper copy of the survey can be found at local libraries in the City and Townships or by calling 705-748-8830 ext. 3815.
Little Britain Man To Join Ukrainian Soldiers On The Front Lines
/Zach England, a Little Britain resident, is heading to the frontlines of Ukraine on Monday to join the International Legion of Territorial Defence, and help defend Ukraine against Russian invasion.
Before leaving, Zach visited friends in Edmonton to pick up some gear. Here he poses with Bohdan Dan Marfei, a Ukrainian community organizer. Photo courtesy of Mike Thomas.
The International Legion of Territorial Defence was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 1. Visa requirements have been temporarily lifted for foreign volunteers who wish to enter the country to join the fight against Russian forces.
“I’ve been watching it on the news and the government can’t get involved, so the people are getting involved - you know?,” said England. “It just doesn’t make any sense, why can’t anything be done? If there’s children over there fighting I’ll gladly take one of their places.”
England, who lives in Kawartha lakes but works as a pipeliner in the Edmonton area, previously worked as a firefighter in western provinces and hopes his medical training will be helpful in Ukraine.
“I’ve done forest firefighting, oil field firefighting, natural disaster response - I’ve survived things I shouldn’t have survived countless times,” he said. “You learn how to control your fears. I am nervous absolutely I’m going to an active combat zone, it’s normal to be nervous.”
Before leaving on Monday, England picked up supplies like a bulletproof vest, ammunition holster, medic kits and army helmet. In hit kit he also included a box of tampons, which he says work well for plugging bullet wounds before bandaging.
England leaves on his journey on Monday, flying from Edmonton to Toronto, then to Warsaw, Poland where he will meet volunteers from America, Ireland, Scotland and England.
“We all have similar views, we’ll help the people as much as we can, we’ll be smart and pick our fights.”
He has been in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa, filled out the paperwork, and meets the requirement of having some sort of medical, police or military background. He does not know what he will be doing when he arrives.
Englands Facebook post before he heads to the front lines. He writes ‘Ready to go plus a gift for the boyz. Slava ukraine."‘ Photo courtesy of Zach England.
England leaves behind his nine year old daughter, who he says understands only some of what her father will be doing while away.
“I don’t think she quite understands what war is and I don’t want her to know everything, if she think I’m just over there helping people that’s fine.”
He says in a way what he is doing is for his daughter, or rather for young people just like her.
“I told her I’m going to help little girls just like you.”
England has no family or friends in Ukraine and no Ukrainian heritage. He doesn’t know when he will return, but says as of now he should have access to WIFI and cell service to keep in touch with home.
While England did acquire some of his equipment in Canada he is welcoming donations so he can purchase much needed equipment and medical supplies when he lands in Poland. Those interested in doing so can send donations to his online fundraiser, or e-transfer him directly at englandzach32@gmail.com.
New Canadians Centre Continue To Monitor Ukraine Crisis And Potential Refugees Says Peterborough Residents Are Already Offering To Help
/The New Canadians Centre (NCC) is monitoring the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and ready to accept refugees when Canada announces initiatives.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Kaczmarczyk says the Canadian government is currently focusing more on getting Ukrainians to Canada on a temporary, short-term basis.
According to a government press release, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, available to individuals fleeing Ukraine. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply. This is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians to come to Canada and eliminates many of the normal visa requirements, according to the release.
“For us, our staff will likely help local folks who maybe have family members in Ukraine navigate those applications,” said Marisa Kaczmarczyk, director of client services at the NCC Peterborough agency. “Some of these applications can be confusing, they may need someone to hep them walk through the process.”
Currently, Canada is focusing on Ukrainians already located in Canada. For example, Kaczmarczyk says an international student that may have to return to Ukraine soon because of a soon-to-be expired visa will be given the opportunity to stay past the expiration of their visa.
Kaczmarczyk says the NCC is already getting phone calls from Peterborough residents wondering what they can do to help.
“People have offered their time, spaces in their house, they’re ready to house a refugee,” she says. “At the moment because there isn’t a refugee program there is not a need for that - yet.”
She says anyone that calls is being put on a list and will be contacted when applicable.
The NCC is also directing people to established organizations that are accepting donations and providing help directly on the ground in Ukraine.
Donations directed to the Red Cross will be matched by the Canadian government until March 18. The NCC also suggests donating to UNICEF, which is helping children affected.
NCC continues to support refugees from around the world and have an ongoing need for refugee support team members. Those interested in helping can sign up here.
The crisis in Ukraine is ongoing, and ever changing. The NCC will continue to update the public as new information arises.
Monster Spectacular To Roar Into The Memorial Centre This June
/Monster Spectacular, Canada’s sports and entertainment spectacle - mixing the thrills and spills of motorsports, showmanship and the ultimate fan experience into incredible, action-packed live shows will perform at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on June 4 and 5.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.
