Peterborough Author Collaborates With North Carolina Author To Compile Mail Art From Around The World Documenting COVID-19

Local artist and author Erica Richmond of Open Sky Stories, will release a new book ‘The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19’ on April 20.

Erica Richmond and Shannon Fitzgerald. Photo’s courtesy of Open Sky Stories.

From April 2020 - August 2021, Richmond and Shannon Fitzgerald (Hillsborough, NC, USA) collected 119 pieces of decorated envelopes from a total of 52 people living across 11 countries.

Now compiled together, this book tells the story of individuals experience living within the pandemic.

“In all the stories that were shared, there was an overwhelming cry for connection that often felt met by this simple act of sending mail to complete strangers.” says Richmond.

The youngest participant was 7 years old. Many had never created mail art before, while others were well-experienced, starting their journey through the art form as early as the 1970s.

There are submissions from pen pals (one from Sri Lanka and one from Spain) who met during Covid19 and chose to participate together. There are submissions from a young boy and his Nana who were missing each other. There is a submission from a family who chose to complete this project as a team.

The Mail Art Stories Project will be available for sale on April 20 via Amazon, through openskystories.com or boldmovesstudio.com and can soon be ordered through any bookstore via Ingram Spark.

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Fleming College To Host Annual Spring Open House

Fleming College is hosting their annual spring open house for perspective students on April 23.

File Photo.

The Open House runs from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. This year’s event will be in-person, with events taking place at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, Frost Campus in Lindsay and at the Haliburton School of Art and Design.

Representatives from Fleming’s career-driven programs will be on hand to meet with prospective students and answer questions. Visitors can take a tour of the campuses and find out relevant information on making the transition from secondary school to life at Fleming College. Guests can also get information about residence life, financial aid options, the application process and accessible education services.

Anyone who registers for the Open House is automatically entered into the Cash for College contest where they are eligible to win $5,000 toward their Fleming College tuition. In addition, those who confirm their offer by 11:59 p.m. on April 23, at ontariocolleges.ca, will be entered in the Cash for College contest and also entered to win one of 25 $100 Amazon gift cards.

Fleming is covering the application cost for the first 100 applicants at the Sutherland campus, the first 50 at the Frost campus and the first 10 at the Haliburton campus.

A complete schedule of events at each campus can be found here.  

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Tilly Stimpson Raises Over $8,000 For Type 1 Diabetes Research

Tilly Stimpson, a grade 9 student at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, has raised over $8,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) after being chosen as one of their 100 Ambassadors of History.

2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the first injection of insulin.

To mark the milestone JDRF is hosting the ‘Lets Make History Again Campaign’ which aims to raise money that will fund valuable research to fund a cure for Type One Diabetes.

The 100 Ambassadors of History, which is the group Stimpson is a part of, is a special group of Canadians who will each host their own fundraiser to contribute to the campaign.

Stimpson decided that this year she would fundraise online and climb the 100 steps of the Lift Locks for every $100 raised.

“Initially our goal was $1,000,” said Jo, Tilly’s mother. “When we broke that we just kept upping the goal. And now $8,000 - that’s unbelievable. Every other time we’ve fundraised we usually tapped out around $2,500, we are just blown away.”

Stimpson noted how grateful she was to those that donated, especially with everything going on in the world.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve raised, especially during COVID and the war. I know people have been struggling through that so I just really cannot believe how much I’ve raised.”

As one of the 100 Ambassadors of History, Stimpson had the opportunity to visit one of the five ‘Leaders in History’ a top a flagpole in Toronto.

The Leaders in History are five chosen Canadians living with Type 1 Diabetes that camp a top flagpoles in five different cities, for 100 hours, or until $15 million is raised.

Stimpson was lifted into the 40-foot flagpole and had the chance to talk to Vanessa Oliver, Toronto’s Leader in History, who’s father started the tradition of the flagpole campout 32 years ago, when his daughter was diagnosed with T1D.

Stimpson will continue to accept donations to her campaign until the end of May.

She says while the money raised will contribute to valuable research, she mainly wants to raise awareness about the disease she lives with daily.

“I want to raise awareness, obviously people know about diabetes - but they need to know more - especially kids at school,” said Stimpson.

Both Tilly and Jo agree that people often think Type One Diabetes and Type Two Diabetes are the same thing. Though in reality, T1D has nothing to do with lifestyle or diet, it’s simply due to the pancreas’s inability to create insulin, they say.

“Research needs money,” said Jo. “This amount of money they’ve raised is significant. I feel like we’re close. I know everyone always says that, but I really think we are. Lives are being improved. It may not be a cure yet, but lives are being improved for sure.”

To donate to Stimpson’s cause, click here. To follow along on Tilly’s journey on Instagram follow her @diabetes.the.bully

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Peterborough's Humour On Display From "Sign Wars" One-Year Anniversary

One year has passed since Peterborough and the surrounding area playfully poked fun at each other with the “Sign Wars” phenomenon that began last April.

The original friendly feud started as Anden Kitchen & Bath Centre called out Friendly Fires and Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre. Both businesses responded to Anden and the trend took off in Peterborough.

Businesses such as Trent Valley Honda, Whelan’s Flooring and Trent Security Systems Ltd., Peterborough Police Service and Pete & Dani of 100.5 Fresh Radio quickly joined in on the teasing among hundreds of participating businesses.

The trend began in Christiansburg, Va. where Jim Bohan, owner of music store Bridge Kaldro put up a sign challenging Super Shoes — the next-door shoe store — to a sign war on April 16 last year with a message, "Hey Super Shoes! Wanna start a sign war?"

Hundreds of photo submissions were given to PTBOCanada to showcase over eight days since the war began.

A running gag of “Aisle 15” being a party at Home Hardware was sparked by Whelan that inspired a fundraising t-shirt containing the same reference.

There was $6,360 raised that went towards the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCF) to fund their “Soaking Up Summer” program.

“When the call came through was just so thrilled that it’s going towards helping kids who are in need of our community,” said Deb Aben, Executive Producer of KHCF.

Anden was voted the best sign of all the wars with Home Hardware as the runner up and Franz's Butcher Shop & Catering as the third-best.

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Peterborough Public Health Reminds Community Members Of The Importance Of Drug Safety Ahead Of The Long Weekend

Ahead of the holiday long weekend, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is reminding community members about the importance of drug poisoning prevention, not using drugs alone, and carrying a naloxone kit.

“If you or a loved one uses drugs, practicing harm reduction, planning ahead, and connecting to available supports can help you and your community stay healthy and as safe as possible,” said PPH in a media release.

When using drugs, please remember these prevention tips:

• Do not use drugs alone.

• If you using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.

• Have a plan – Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.

• Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.

• Avoid mixing drugs.

• Test your drug by using a small amount first.

• Call 911 immediately if someone starts to show signs of an overdose and/or cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.

• Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.

Community members are encouraged to know the signs of opioid poisoning and how to respond. An opioid poisoning may look like the following:

• Skin is cold and clammy;

• Fingernails or lips are blue or purple;

• Body is very limp;

• Cannot wake the person up;

• Deep snoring or gurgling sounds;

• Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped; and/or

• Pupils are very small.

If you suspect an overdose, respond quickly by calling 911 right away. Give naloxone if available, and stay with the person until help arrives.

Where to Get Supplies Over the Holiday Long Weekend (April 15-18)

Naloxone and emergency overdose response

• Peterborough County-City Paramedics

• All paramedics carry naloxone for distribution. When attending a drug-related 911 call, paramedics can provide naloxone kits to the patient whether or not naloxone has already been administered.

Naloxone and other Harm Reduction Supplies

• One Roof Community Centre

• 99 Brock Street, Peterborough, ON o 705-874-1812

• Participating Pharmacies

• ontario.ca/naloxone

Crisis Response

• Four County Crisis

• If you are in crisis, please call 705-745-6484 or toll-free 1-866-995-9933. By phoning these numbers, you can access 24-hour, free, confidential crisis support.

• Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough

• Call 705-745-2273 for free, non-judgmental, and confidential crisis support available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Peterborough Public Health is also encouraging members of the public to use the recently launched ‘Drug Reporting Tool’. This tool is an anonymous survey to report overdose incidents and harms in the community. Any information shared through the survey supports Peterborough Public Health and community partners in responding to and preventing overdoses in the Peterborough Area. The Drug Reporting Tool can be accessed by clicking here.

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Lindsay Man Has Great Start To Long Weekend With $100,000 Scratch Ticket Win

Michael Tran, 39, of Lindsay has won $100,000 on the Instant Crossword Tripler scratch ticket game.

Photo courtesy of OLG.

“I checked my ticket using the OLG app and I was in shock,” he said. “I’m still in shock and I feel so blessed. It doesn’t feel real.”

Tran says he will use his winnings to purchase a new truck, pay some bills and save some for his son’s education.

The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Lindsay Street in Lindsay.

According to OLG, an Instant Crossword Tripler costs $5 per play and the odds of winning any prize is one in 3.61.

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Dave Ellis Photography Captures a Blue Heron Snaring a Muskie From The Water

Dave Ellis is an Omemee-area wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada often features his work in our daily ‘Good Morning PTBO’ posts. What follows is a Blue Heron trying to get a muskie as a tasty meal.

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Fleming College To Celebrate The Accomplishments Of Applied Research Teams At Annual Expo

Fleming College is highlighting the accomplishments of their applied research teams, faculty, students, and industry partners on April 20, virtually, during the Annual Applied Research Expo.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The one-hour event celebrates Fleming’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI). The OARI is committed to strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem through applied research initiatives, which aims to find real-world solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow.

“This event acknowledges our research, our innovation and everything that makes Fleming College a world-class learning facility,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “We are very proud to recognize the partnerships, faculty and students who are making a difference now, and in the future.”

Applied research success means continuing to support local and regional businesses, industries, and institutions in their efforts to innovate and improve products, processes, and communities. In addition, success means providing the space, guidance, and opportunities for students to enhance their research skills, and for researchers and faculty to leverage and expand their expertise through innovative projects.

The Expo runs from 10 to 11 a.m.  Register Here.  

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Family-Owned Downtown Restaurant "Rare" Is Up For Sale

After three years of owning Rare, owners Kassy and Tyler Scott have put the business up for sale announced on their social media on Tuesday.

Two couple rebranded the restaurant to “Rare” in less than one year after purchasing the business. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The husband and wife are selling the business since taking over from previous owner Brad Watt — who owns Publican House Brewery — in the summer of 2019. Tyler was hired as a sous chef by Watt in 2013 at the previously named “Rare Grill House” before becoming the executive chef.

Two couple rebranded the restaurant to “Rare” in January 2020.

They are selling Rare to spend more family time with their two daughters and take care of their mental health. The pandemic was an influence on the decision but ‘not in ways most people would think’ according to the couple. It gave them time to reflect and meditate to recognize what means the most to them.

The two work tirelessly in the restaurant. Kassy works social media, marketing and in-house duties for the restaurant. Tyler worked roughly 80-hour weeks in a six-day span which barely affords him any time to see his children.

“Being able to have evenings, for now, to be able to spend with them as they grow is going to be really refreshing and really important,” said Tyler.

"Our kids are so involved in what we do here," said Kassy. "We look around this space and there's a memory that somebody can't see. Our kids have never known a relationship with their dad outside of their dad being a chef and working super hard in this industry doing super cool things."

The couple wanted to shift their professional focus and rekindle their love for nature in their new “outdoor guided culinary experience” venture called Rare Escape.

They started this endeavour to help tell stories of local food systems including how nature plays a role in getting what you eat to a table.

"A restaurant is a great place to experience each other and experience company and intimacy," said Tyler. "It's a bit of a different setting where you can go and experience your own thoughts and own connections to nature. It's about experiencing nothing else but your own feelings."

The two have stressed that they are not leaving the community since the restaurant’s mandate and philosophy is to support local as much as possible. Their new venture gives them a new outlet to support the surrounding area while leaving behind an outlet for someone to continue that motto.

"We are engraved in this community,” said Kassy. ‘We are going to continue supporting local and to find special ways to implement our community and in our next step and adventures.”

The couple has received inquiries about the business’s sale however they will provide updates on if and when it gets sold.

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