Fleming College Offers Support to Ukraine By Selling Medical Kits

Fleming College is selling medical kit packages throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas in support of Ukraine beginning this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The first event is at all Peterborough Shoppers Drug Mart stores where customers can purchase a medical supply kit for $10 (retail value worth $40) to send to Ukraine. The College has a goal of at least 500 packages to send overseas.

The College has issued a statement regarding the situation in Ukraine:

“So many of us are concerned and unnerved by the events currently unfolding in Ukraine. Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian population in the world outside of Ukraine itself and there is no doubt that this would include many of our fellow colleagues, friends, neighbours and students. The struggles faced by the Ukrainian community are certainly difficult to comprehend, as people worry for the safety and well-being of their loved ones back home. We join the international community in denouncing this hostile and illegal invasion of a sovereign country.”

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Fleming has given a list of places you can donate to online in case you cannot visit a local Shoppers Drug Mart:

• Canadian Red Cross: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

• Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

• UNICEF: Emergency Response to Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR): Ukraine Emergency

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Hometown PTBO: Kate Suhr On Her Path to Becoming a Performer and Returning to the Stage After a Two-Year Hiatus

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with songstress and storyteller Kate Suhr about her journey to being a performer and her return to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on March 25.

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Consumption and Treatment Services Site Renovations Six Months Ahead Of Schedule

The recent announcement by the Province of Ontario to fund Peterborough’s application for a Consumption and Treatment Services Site (CTS) has paved the way for local addiction treatment agency Fourcast to take the next steps to prepare the site for service delivery.

File Photo.

This long-anticipated funding, which amounts to $1,357,100 annually from the province, is the culmination of a lengthy approval process that has involved the efforts of several local agencies.

“Fortunately, we’re six months ahead of schedule thanks to the community’s generous contributions during the Light The Way campaign this past autumn,” said Fourcast Executive Director, Donna Rogers.

The Light The Way Campaign raised more than $160k and allowed for renovations to prepare the site at 220 Simcoe St.

“It’s important to recognize that, while it has been a long road to get us to this point, we still have to make upgrades to the space to adhere to the guidelines detailed in the federal exemption and by the Ministry of Health,” she said.

“The aim is to provide a full scope of wraparound services and supports, including referrals to relevant community services,” said Jessica Penner, Coordinator with the Peterborough Drug Strategy (PDS). “The pandemic has highlighted how devastating the drug poisoning crisis has been for our community, so we’re eager to provide a service that will enhance safety, connection, and access to lifesaving supports.”

As renovations to the CTS are completed, Rogers points out that a Safe Supply program is now launching through the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic.

“Now that we can move ahead with the CTS, we look forward to providing support and serving our community as best we can while bringing the facility up to federal and provincial standards,” said Rogers, who clarifies that Consumption and Treatment Service Sites do not provide drugs.

Consumption and Treatment Service sites offer a safe, sterile environment overseen by trained staff and health professionals. Within these inclusive and accessible facilities, staff conduct drug testing for fentanyl and other drugs while equipping service users with harm reduction supplies.

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Local Man Jon Thurston Takes Home Bronze Medal With Canada's Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team

Team Canada Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team, with Jon Thurston of Dunsford, cinched a Bronze medal against Slovakia on Friday.

In an intense game aired Friday at 6:30 a.m. local time, Canada triumphed over Slovakia 8-3 to secure a spot on the podium.

With Canada leading 4-3 after seven ends and Slovakia lying two, Thurston, who belongs to the Peterborough Curling Club, knocked both Slovakia stones out on his first throw to leave Canada lying three.

Slovakia put up a good fight, though in the eighth and final end Thurston delivered two near perfect shots to secure the win.

This is a first Paralympic Medal for Thurston, who played as an alternate.

Canada has reached the podium in all five wheelchair curling tournaments since the sport was added to the Games in 2006.

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Otonabee Conservation Releases New Floodplain Mapping Studies To Better Predict Flood Paths In The Area

Otonabee Conservation has undertaken extensive floodplain mapping projects in seven high priority areas within the Otonabee Region watershed.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Floodplain mapping has been created in study areas within Meade, Curtis, Jackson, and Baxter Creeks, North and South Kawartha Lakes, Ouse River in Norwood, and for several tributaries around Lakefield.

The objective of floodplain mapping is to identify the areas expected to be inundated during extreme high-water events.

Floodplain maps use data and technical models to predict the path of floodwaters—the area known as the floodplain. A floodplain map does not create a flooding hazard, it simply shows where the flooding will occur.

A map of the floodplain helps to determine where new buildings may be located and if a property is at risk during a flood or storm event.

“We will use the new floodplain maps to help protect property and human life,” explains Don Allin, acting manager of Plan Review and Permitting Services at Otonabee Conservation, “Our eight partner municipalities will also use floodplain maps to help direct future development outside the floodplain and by integrating them into municipal official plans we will all help to mitigate the risks of developing inside areas that are prone to flooding.”

Property and homeowners can also use floodplain maps to see if they may be affected by the floodplain. By searching their address, anyone can see if the property in question is at risk during a flood or storm event and in some cases, property owners may need to take measures to protect existing buildings from flooding.

Otonabee Conservation is hosting a Virtual Floodplain Mapping Public Information Centre (PIC) is from March 9 to April 9, to encourage questions and feedback from watershed residents about new floodplain mapping projects. To participate in the PIC

• View Otonabee Conservation’s Floodplain Mapping Story Map

• Search by address on the online Interactive Floodplain Map

• Review Frequently Asked Questions

• Submit any further questions or comments to Otonabee Conservation

Visit otonabeeconservation.com for more information about the new 2022 floodplain mapping.

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Séan McCann The Shantyman Will Take To The Stage At Market Hall For A Night Of Irish Celebration

Séan McCann, dubbed The Shantyman, will take to the stage at Market Hall on March 20 for a celebration of Irish song.

“I love Peterborough,” said McCann. “I’ve always had a great time at Market Hall. I really look forward to coming back, it’s a great little room.”

McCann, who co-founded the band Great Big Sea with Alan Doyle, recalls playing at Market Hall both with the group and as a solo act.

McCann released his album ‘Shantyman’ on Sept. 6, 2021, labor day.

“Sea shanties are historically songs designed to help people do difficult things, by working hard and by working together,” he said. “I’ve been The Shantyman my whole life, I’m very fluent in these songs and I felt like they really had a place today. There’s no way we’ll get through the pandemic, hopefully we’re almost there, but the only way to get it done and to get through it is to do it together. And that’s what sea shanties were meant for.”

On March 20 McCann will be celebrating St. Patrick’s day at Market Hall with both Great Big Sea hits and his own shanties.

“Expect a high energy performance,” he said. “"St Patrick’s day is really St Patrick’s month where I’m from in Newfoundland. The bands are born during St Patrick’s celebrations.”

McCann, who is 10 years sober, notes the heavy presence of alcohol that surrounds both ‘Newfie’ culture and Irish culture, especially during St. Patrick’s day.

“We loose sight of how great Irish music can be. For many years I stayed away from this date, but I feel strong enough now. Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I can’t sing these great songs. The songs are beautiful, and I’m coming armed with some great Irish songs and some Great Big Sea hits and my own. It’s going to be a great night.”

‘The Shantyman Sings for the Saint: A Celebration of Irish Song with Séan McCann’ is a solo two set acoustic performance featuring traditional Irish singalongs and stories.

Tickets are available online at tickets.markethall.org.

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March Declared "Easter Seals Month" In Celebration Of Peterborough Telethon's 50th Anniversary

Ahead of the 50th Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon, March has been declared “Easter Seals Month” in a virtual media conference held on Thursday morning.

Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO on the virtual meeting telling his experiences of having cerebral palsy and using a walker to navigate. Screenshot.

The declaration was made by Coun. and deputy mayor Kemi Akapo shortly after the meeting had opened.

The Telethon will be broadcasted on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on YourTV and Global News but the campaign is currently seeking donations with a goal of $80,000.

They can be made online, phoning in on the Telethon or by emailing Coralie Jacobs, Easter Seals manager of development at cjacobs@easterseals.org.

The raised funds from the telethon provide financial assistance for communication devices, mobility equipment and summer camp opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals will virtually announce their goal on Thursday and check in with past ambassadors and local notables.

Guests include Akapo; Kevin Collins, Easter Seals president and CEO; Stu Harrison; Graham Hart; Mike Melnik; Teresa Kazsuba; Catherine Hanrahan and Caley Bedore.

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Daylight Savings Time Returns This Weekend And Peterborough Fire Services Is Reminding Residents To Check Smoke Detectors

Daylight Savings Time is back this weekend, which means residents will loose an hour of sleep on Sunday.

Stock photo

This ‘spring ahead’ will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday and means that we will get more daylight and the sun will set later.

The sun is expected to set at 7:17 p.m. on Sunday.

It is common practice to change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during daylight savings time to ensure they are in working order for the rest of the year.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their job, they need to be working,” said Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. "Check the expiry date and test every alarm. Be sure to change the batteries if you do not have a wired or 10-year battery sealed alarm.”

It’s the law to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all homes.

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Uride Donating All of Thursday's Profits For Ukrainian Efforts

Rideshare company Uride is donating all profits to support the people of Ukraine from all of Thursday’s fares.

Photo courtesy of Uride.

“What is happening in Ukraine is devastating, and we want to support people that have been forcibly displaced from their homes, their lives, and their families in any way we can,” said Cody Ruberto, Uride’s CEO. “This Thursday, March 10th, we are donating all profits to support Canada Ukraine Foundation and their work in Ukraine. ”

Passengers can support the cause by using Uride’s services. The rideshare company encourages those who cannot ride to look for other ways to support Ukraine.

The Uride app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Donations can be made directly by clicking here.

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