Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Will Host First-Ever Environment And Climate Change Expo In September
/The City of Peterborough will hold its first Environment and Climate Change Expo on Sept. 23 with displays and demonstrations on City services and projects showcasing the progress the City has made toward achieving corporate Greenhouse Gas Emission reductions and other environmental action.
Photo by Luke Best.
The inaugural PtboEnviroX will be an opportunity to share and celebrate these achievements on the third anniversary of City Council’s declaration of a municipal Climate Change Emergency, said Councillor Kim Zippel, Council’s Chair of Environment and Climate Change.
“This exciting event will help the City build momentum to continue its critical work in the years ahead,” said Councillor Kim Zippel, Chair of the Environment and Climate Change portfolio. “We know there is so much more to do, and we invite the community to come learn about the progress to date and future initiatives that are already taking shape.”
Under the Climate Emergency Declaration, the City of Peterborough is committed to protecting the community, its economy, and ecosystems from the damaging impacts of climate change.
“Taking time to reflect on and celebrate the work being done since our declaration September 23, 2019 is important. This event will help showcase the work of the City and also provide inspiration and reenergize us to keep up this most important work,” said Councillor Kemi Akapo, who is co-chairing the event with Councillor Zippel.
PtboEnviroX is a way for the City to showcase some of the City’s actions on climate change and the environment. It will include displays and demonstrations by different City departments and will have a family-friendly atmosphere. Public health measures will be in place, and the event will happen rain or shine.
Details on the Environment and Climate Change Expo will be posted over the next few months as they are finalized, including confirmed demonstrations and displays that will be showcased at the event. Information will be posted at peterborough.ca/environment or subscribe to updates at peterborough.ca/subscribe to receive news releases.
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Fleming College Celebrates Schools Top Leaders At Annual Award Ceremony
/Fleming College students celebrated some of the school’s top leaders at their annual awards ceremony held in the Steele Centre on April 22.
This was the first in-person leadership celebration since the pandemic.
“Students are still struggling with transitioning between online and in-person learning. We are happy to be a conduit to help celebrate their accomplishments and demonstrated success,” said Joel Willett, General Manager.
Student Council Awards
Student Administrative Council President’s Award (dedicated in memory of Bill Johnson) – Rajat Patel
Selected by the SAC President and Board, this award is given to a student who exemplifies school spirit.
Iain Steele Leadership Award – Jess Watson
Awarded to a student who demonstrates great ambition, is innovative and has a high degree of moral standards and integrity.
Iain Steele Community Service Award – Logan Wills
Awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to serving the community and has a high degree of integrity.
Renie Steele Award – Amanda Coote
Awarded to a student who displays citizenship, understanding and compassion towards fellow students.
Environmental Stewardship Award – Sudeep Pathak
Given to a student who displays a responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.
Fleming SAC Advocacy Award – Emilie Tabet
Given to a student who demonstrates advocacy and a strong passion for invoking change.
College Awards
Indigenous Student Leadership Award- Adrianne Sutherland-Gagnon & Jacques Graveline
Recognizes student leaders whose dedication and commitment have had a positive influence on the Fleming Indigenous community.
International Student Services Leadership Award- Rachelle Labbao
Presented to a current full-time international student who, through their leadership and initiative, has assisted and supported the successful transition and integration into campus life for their fellow international students.
Diversity & Inclusion Award- Kayla Dupuis, Jay (Edward) Mullen, Eileen Starkman & Michael Vance
This current full-time student has shown compassion and leadership and has supported initiatives and campaigns in support of diverse communities on campus. The recipient of this award has demonstrated commitment to the ongoing development of creating a safe and inclusive learning environment at Fleming College.
The Greg Riddle Emerging Student Leaders Award- Alissa Churchill
Presented to a current full-time Fleming College student who successfully completed the Emerging Student Leaders program sponsored by Student Life. This student’s actions enhanced individual and group experiences for fellow students during the program, through outstanding leadership, communication, teamwork and commitment.
Residence Life Leadership Award – Lindsay Lacroix and Jacob Neill
Presented to a student who role models how to be a successful and well-balanced student. Recipients take initiative and demonstrate leadership within the Residence Life Services team and are seen as leaders within Residence.
Residence Life Engagement Award – Ashleen Finbow and Nicole Smith
Presented to a student who is involved in and promotes residence life to others. They go above and beyond to support residents and they demonstrate a true passion for residence life. Recipients are successful at implementing programs that helped to create a great residence experience.
Awards are given as bursaries in varying monetary values and have been donated by key partners and long-time supporters of student success at Fleming College.
Community COVID-19 Risk Remains Very High According To Peterborough Public Health
/Peterborough Public Health’s (PPH) Community COVID-19 Risk Index remains at the “very high” level for a third week as the virus circulates widely and impacting residents across the region, PPH reported on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of PRHC.
“While most indicators continue to register above the threshold for “very high risk” level, there are early signs that local transmission is starting to plateau,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “I urge residents to keep taking personal precautions because the pandemic is still causing a surge in our hospital system as many vulnerable residents are still getting quite sick, and high levels of staff absenteeism in many sectors is affecting service levels.”
Dr. Piggott emphasized the importance of the Community COVID-19 Risk Index as a tool to help individuals make personal decisions around their health as we learn to live with fluctuating transmission levels. Current guidance recommended under the “very high risk” level is to wear a mask, avoid indoor social gatherings and high-risk settings, and get all vaccination doses you are eligible to receive.
“With third-dose vaccination rates at only two-thirds of those eligible, there is lots of room for improvement as this is an effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19,” said Dr. Piggott.
Dr. Piggott also reminded residents that a negative rapid-antigen test (RAT) does not automatically rule out COVID-19 infection. Current guidance from the Ontario Science Table noted RATs are less sensitive in detecting the Omicron variant, and recommends when symptomatic people take at least two RATs separated by 24 hours to be confident they are not infected.
City Celebrates National Youth Week With Free Events From May 1-7
/National Youth Week events will be hosted throughout Peterborough during the week of May 1 to 7.
Stock Photo.
These events are organized in partnership between the City of Peterborough, Otonabee Conservation, Council for Persons with Disabilities, the New Canadians Centre, and the Camp Kawartha Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship, and open to youth between the ages of 13 and 19 years old
“This weeklong calendar of events is organized by young people in our community for the young people in our community,” said Councillor Kemi Akapo, chair of the City’s youth portfolio. “I’m proud of the Youth Council for their efforts putting this together. Along the way they gained new skills and built new relationships. National Youth Week is a win-win for our local youth.”
Events include a community clean up at Jacksons Park, free swim at the Wellness Centre, a food festival at the New Canadians Centre, a Murder Mystery at Peterborough Museum and Archives, and many more.
A full schedule of events is online at peterborough.ca/youthweek.
Peterborough’s events for National Youth Week will be featured on social media @downtownyouthspace on Instagram and Tik Tok. Participants can tag @downtownyouthspace and use the hashtag #NYW2022 when sharing pictures of themselves enjoying the events.
PVNC School Board To Fly The Pride Flag During Pride Month
/Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board will fly the Pride flag at its board facilities commencing this June during the celebration of Pride Month.
Stock Photo.
Trustee Kevin MacKenzie brought forth the following motion, which passed with a majority vote during Wednesday’s board meeting:
The Board of Trustees authorizes the Director of Education to fly the Pride flag at school board facilities during the month of June, to further the promotion of an environment of inclusion, diversity and equity in our community.
“I want to set the same example to my children that Jesus did, and that’s to love all people,” MacKenzie said. “I want (students) to feel proud of their school board and their school. I want them to feel proud of themselves. I want them to be filled with pride because I can tell you that I am proud of every student in our board. Let them be proud and let’s raise the Pride flag.”
Board Chairperson Braden Leal quoted Pope Francis in his support for the motion.
“Time and time again, Pope Francis’ message is explicit – we must always consider the person. The doors of our Catholic schools must be clearly open to all people,” Leal said. “We have an opportunity to physically and symbolically demonstrate full inclusion, to welcome each and every member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community by flying the Pride flag during Pride Month.”
Director of Education Joan Carragher said the raising of the Pride flag complements the Board’s commitment to equity and the day-to-day work our schools undertake to make all students feel included.
“We will continue our commitment every single day to equity, diversity and inclusion in a focused and strategic way so that our students will continue to understand that we are accompanying them in their realization of their own unique story. The raising of the Pride flag will be one more way that we demonstrate this accompaniment,” Carragher said. “I will now work towards implementation of this passed motion from our Board of Trustees and pray that in doing so, all of our students and staff feel like they belong in our wonderful PVNC Catholic community.”
Pride month begins June 1.
The Pride flag is used to represent the LGBTQ community and to express pride and acceptance in that community.
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Electric City Football Club Adds Three Players To Finalize the Woman's Roster Including a Hometown Player
/The Electric City Football Club (ECFC) have added Abby Hunt, Mariah Shaw and Madicynn Harnish to round out their women’s team announced on Wednesday.
(From left to right) Abby Hunt, Madicynn Harnish, Mariah Shaw are the final signings of the women’s team but were not part of the roster on the team’s first match. The women’s team won their inaugural match against Alliance United 2-1 on Sunday. Photo courtesy of ECFC.
27-Year-old Abby Hunt, from Cheshire, England joins ECFC after most recently playing with Football Club United of Manchester. The former Stoke City midfielder grew up playing for Everton Football Club Centre of Excellence and featured for their reserve team before moving on to Bradford City and Stoke City.
“Abby is a great addition into our team for this season. She brings in a lot of experience playing at the next level in England,” said Randy Ribeiro, ECFC Women’s head coach. “We will look for her to bring a level of maturity and composure into our team combined with her leadership skills both on and off the pitch. She is a technical, box-to-box midfielder that possesses strong ability on both sides of the ball.”
Hunt spent three years as a U Sport Student-Athlete playing for the University of Windsor Lancers.
“As soon as I spoke to Coach Randy, I knew that ECFC was an organization that I wanted to be a part of. His enthusiasm and the Club’s ambitions for female footballers are what made me truly believe that this is the right decision for me and my career.” Hunt explained, “Fans will see a committed, determined and attacking-minded style of football from me alongside an understanding of defensive responsibilities and hard work.”
Trent Excalibur player Mariah Shaw is a Peterborough native and earned her spot on the roster through attending the open tryouts and impressing at training camp. The 19-year-old grew up playing in Northumberland before moving on and playing for Darlington Soccer Club.
“Mariah is a player that attended our open tryouts and was a player that stood out immediately. She brings a lot of energy into the team and is a pleasure to work with,” said Ribeiro. “She is a versatile player that I can see playing in a number of roles for us throughout the season. She is a fantastic addition to our team this season and we are really excited to watch Mariah grow and develop in our environment.”
During her time with Darlington, she was a consistent call-up to League 1 side Darby FC and was later signed to the team in 2021.
“I joined ECFC because I wanted to take my game to the next level and I knew as soon as I started following the ECFC franchise that this club was going to be something special,” said Shaw. “I never want to feel comfortable with my skill level. Knowing I have the opportunity to be coached by someone that has been successful in League 1 was something I simply could not pass up.”
Acadia University captain, Madicynn Harnish. The 23-year-old was a U Sport standout and Atlantic University Sport All-Star this past season. The Lower Sackville, NS native played and started in all 12 matches for Acadia University leading the team along with another ECFC signing Lauren Jodrey to an AUS Championship.
“Madicynn is another top player that we have brought into our program here at ECFC. She is a technically gifted midfielder that is always looking to get on the ball,” said Ribeiro. “Her ability to dictate the tempo of a match is what really attracted us to sign Madicynn for this season and we are excited to see what she can bring to our club.”
Harnish originally committed to Jacksonville University in NCAA Division 1 in 2017 and was selected to the ASUN Division 1 All-Freshman team.
“Being part of Electric City FC means levelling up and playing with and against some of the best players in Canada,” said Harnish. “To be part of a new franchise that is working so hard and doing so much to grow recognition for women's soccer in Canada is really special to me.”
Both teams have pair of road matches begninng Saturday with the Women travelling to play Pickering at 6 p.m. and the Men playing North Toronto Nitros at 8 p.m.
ECFC’s home openers on May 7 for the Men and May 14 for the women at Fleming College.
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3,000 Fish Released Into Canal To Launch 33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby
/The Peterborough Lift Lock canal got more lively as members of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) dumped 3,000 fish into the water to launch the 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Wednesday.
Top-prize fish ‘Walter’ is being released into the Lift Lock Canal by David Ryrie, OFAH director of communications (left) and Gordon Bowley, fishing derby chairman (right). Walter is a rainbow trout weighing from eight to 10 pounds. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The derby begins this Saturday with the youth event — for children 15 and under — at 9 a.m. and the all-ages kicking off Sunday at 9 a.m. This is the first Derby in two years to run due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The OFAH is thrilled to host this showcase community event, which provides a great outdoors experience for children to create memories alongside their family and friends,” says David Ryrie, OFAH Supervisor of Outreach Programs. “After two years of the pandemic impacting our ability to host this great event, we are thrilled to be able to provide this fishing derby again and can’t wait to see kids win hundreds of prizes and have a lucky angler catch Walter.”
The 500 trout are tagged for instant prizes with a chance to win one of four grand prizes. The ’big fish’ grand prize of $1,000 goes to the angler that catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 lbs.
The all-ages derby runs from May 1-8 and includes 18 tagged fish, each with a $200 cash prize sponsored by local businesses.
Registration is required for all participants: $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults.
You can purchase tickets online at ofah.org/underthelock, at the event or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations.
“It really is about a family experience whether you’ve fished for years or you want to come with your kids/grandkids and put a line out there,'“ said Ryrie. “It’s a fantastic way to start spring now that the snow, knock-on-wood, is gone.”
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CMHA HKPR Accepting Nominations For Annual Mental Health Awards
/The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is now accepting nominations for the Annual Mental Health Awards and Tam Grant Bursary.
Photo by Luke Best.
