Rotary Club Of Peterborough Kawartha Commits $25,000 To A New Passenger Coach On Miniature Train At Riverview Park And Zoo

The Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha has committed $25,000 of support to sponsor a passenger coach of the new miniature train at Riverview Park and Zoo.

File Photo.

The passenger coach is one of three available for sponsorship as part of the Park and Zoo’s project to replace the existing locomotive and coaches.

The miniature train ride was first established in 1974 with the support of James Hamilton. After nearly 50 years and many kilometers of service, the existing locomotive and coaches now need to be replaced.

“This generous offer of support by the Peterborough Kawartha Rotary Club is just one more example of a long tradition of the club’s support of our community at large, and the Park and Zoo in particular,” said Jim Moloney, Manager Curator Riverview Park and Zoo. “Their commitment is a big step in putting us on track to meeting our fundraising goal of $300,000.”

"We are excited to once again work with Riverview Park and Zoo. We have committed $25,000 for the purchase of the new miniature train which has always been a major attraction for visitors at the zoo, Community partnerships are very important to our club as shown in our past contributions,” Carl Brown, Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha President. “In the past, Kawartha Rotary has financed park benches and in 2019 provided $30,000 for the purchase and installation of an Outdoor Musical Playground. We know that the new train will provide countless joy to the community.”

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Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch Returns With Full Season Schedule

There are no shortened seasons this year for the Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch League as their 21st season is back to its full schedule this year on their opening day at George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl on Wednesday.

The Archies (pictured) were defeated by Southcrest Farms 20-9 in their opening game of the 2022 season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The league operated on an abridged schedule with 12 regular-season games (from May 11 to June 24) and playoffs last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They postponed their 2020 season.

"A lot of ladies didn't come out last year because of Covid so it's nice to almost have a full slate again which is absolutely marvellous," said Darlene Charlton, league president.

The league is back to its 16-game schedule that runs from May 11 to Aug. 24 with games every Wednesday.

This year is operating with no Covid restrictions according to Charlton which helps with the bonding process the ladies share on and off the field. Any woman 50 or older can enjoy playing the game as it was designed as an inclusive, fun yet competitive atmosphere.

"I've only been doing this for six years and I've met some great friends and everybody just has fun," said Charlton. "Every year, you meet somebody new and it's great."

Outside of baseball, the ladies often join each other in golf tournaments, euchre tournaments, picnics, casino days and theatre visits.

The following are the eight teams in this year’s league:

• Crossman Excavating

• The Wellness Chef

• Crook & Coffer

• Trentview

• Archies

• Southcrest Farms

• Jack’s Restaurant

• Kristine Laufer

Charlton took over as the league’s president after Kathryn Woodbeck stepped down from a decade of service. Woodbeck still remains involved with the league as a player and volunteer.

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Local Journalist Releases New Book of Peterborough's 1974 Undefeated Lacrosse Season

Peterborough’s greatest hidden lacrosse story comes to light as journalist Ed Arnold unveils his new book, “Peterborough’s Perfect Season: With Benny and his Jets” regarding the Peterborough PCOs undefeated 1974 season on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Tim Barrie, Don Barrie, Ed Arnold and Jason Hinton. The Lakers won two additional exhibition games atop their 46-0 record in 1974. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 410-page book describes the 46-0 season the PCOs had en route to their third of four straight Minto cups. It depicts the team’s storm while reflecting on the city’s lacrosse history.

The title is a reference to PCO’s coach Ben Floyd when he and the team would walk out to the arena to Elton John’s hit song, “Bennie and the Jets.”

The season is a story that has not been talked about enough in Peterborough sports history according to Arnold.

“(It's) Not very well-recognized in Peterborough," he said. "There are no plaques and there are no banners. If someone says it would have happened in the States, they would have put it on a cereal box and would have made a movie about it."

The back and front of Arnold’s 410-page book. It took just over a year to research and write the book. Photo courtesy of Ed Arnold.

Lacrosse began on a cricket field in East City in 1972. Sullivan’s I.D.A. Pharmacy opened in the same year as the second oldest business that still exists in Peterborough. Arnold chose to celebrate the book’s release in front of the pharmacy.

He wants the book to create awareness of Peterborough’s accomplishments and the rich lacrosse history the city has to offer.

"That's one of the biggest reasons I did it," said Arnold. "To give them a legacy and hopefully someone will recognize it."

The book is available for $25 at Sullivan’s I.D.A. Pharmacy, Trent Valley Archives, and Happenstance in Lakefield. It is also on sale for at the Peterborough Lakers home opener at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on June 2 and on June 23.

Local orders can be made by emailing perfectseason46@gmail.com.

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Little Britain Man Returns To The Frontlines Of Ukraine

Zach England, from Little Britain, volunteered for the International Legion of Ukraine in March. He returned to Canada on April 12, then went back to Ukraine on May 4, to re-join the ILU as a Combat Medic.

England says currently his main job is extracting wounded civilians and military personel from the front lines so they can be better helped.

Previously, England has worked as a fire fighter. The medical training he received during that time is what qualifies him to now act as a combat medic.

In a post to his social media, England has shared a way for friends and family to send money that he has been using to purchase much needed supplies.

During his last trip to Ukraine, he posted a photo of what he purchased while there.

“ifaks are carried by the soldiers at the front when wounded ,these will save lives'“ Englad wrote. Photo courtesy of Zach England.

England says any donations he receives will be used to buy things like tourniquets, chest packs and individual first aid kits (Ifaks).

If interested, eTransfers can be sent to englandzach32@gmail.com.

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URide Peterborough To Donate Proceeds Collected On Thursday To Peterborough Shares

URide Peterborough announced that portions from each ride on Thursday will be donated to Peterborough Shares.

File Photo.

Peterborough Shares is a Facebook group that aims to help anyone in need. To date URide Peterborough has donated over $850 to the group.

The group provides those in need the opportunity to ask for things like groceries or household items, and provides those with excess the opportunity to offer it.

Recently, thanks to individuals in the group and donations from organizations like URide Peterborough, the group was able to purchase a young woman clothing for a new job.

On Thursday a portion of each ride will be automatically donated to the group.

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Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Receives Almost $800,000 For Expansion Of Safer Supply Program

The Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (360NPLC) has received $799,671 for expansion of Safer Supply Program from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).

Photo by Luke Best.

The Safer Supply Program (SSP) is part of a broader response to the drug poisoning crisis happening in Peterborough.

This amendment will fund a 50-person SSP located at the 360NPLC.

This program will increase the harm reduction options available to people who use drugs (PWUD) in the community. The SSP will provide an opportunity to engage participants in a new, innovative, and positive manner, with the participants’ individual goals at the centre of their care.

A team consisting of health, social, and harm reduction service providers will serve participants through a gradual enrollment process beginning May 2022. Participants will have access to primary healthcare and social services both internally and through partner organizations.

Throughout the year the SSP will refine their local approach, create a local community of practice, and share knowledge about how this emerging practice might be offered in other small communities across the province and country.

“Expanding access to safer supply, a key harm reduction strategy in the context of a toxic drug supply, is an incredibly important opportunity to support people who use drugs in the Peterborough region and decrease the harms of the evolving crisis,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Peterborough Public Health. “I commend the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic for their leadership in supporting this population.”

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Voice of Business: Hiring Persons with Disabilities

With employers across the country facing significant barriers to finding the skilled labour they need to thrive and expand, there’s one solution that we need to do better on — hiring persons with disabilities.

In a time when accommodating the health and safety of employees has risen to new priority levels and technology that has made it easier than ever to adapt and accommodate, there’s little excuse for not expanding our mindset on what the physical requirements of the job are.

According to the Discover Ability Network (DAN), 6.2 million Canadians have disabilities and it’s a group that anyone can be a part of, whether temporarily or permanently. More than 75 per cent of people with disabilities acquire them as adults.

Hiring persons with disabilities typically leads to cost reductions related to turnover, absenteeism, safety and improvements in productivity. In addition to finding a new talent pool, companies that hire persons with disabilities find that bringing people with different perspectives and experiences improves their products and services.

The DAN also has found that there is typically no or low cost to provide accommodations.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Discover Ability Network to help provide employers with the tools and resources they need to expand their workforce in a more inclusive manner. When it comes to hiring people with disabilities, the business opportunity is irrefutable.

The Discover Ability Network provides tools and supports through in-person workshops, webinars and online resources to help businesses understand the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, why and how to become a more inclusive employer, and how to hire and retain talent from the persons with disabilities labour pool.

Local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, industry associations, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses can request in-person and online training on a variety of topics related to accessibility, inclusion and hiring from the persons with disabilities talent pool. Training is also available to staff of organizations that support job seekers with disabilities, such as post-secondary institutions and employment service providers, as well as training targeted to persons with disabilities to help them become more confident job seekers. Find out more here: https://occ.ca/discoverability/

The DAN highlights proven advantages to employing people with disabilities:

• Increasing the size of its skilled labour pool

• Reduced costs associated with turnover, training and safety

• Improving the engagement of all your employees

• Harnessing the value of innovative processes and new perspectives

• Attracting an underserved consumer market worth $55 billion per year in Canada

If you’re an employer interested in learning more, join the virtual Discover Ability Network ROI Conference on May 25 and 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. This free conference will discuss the value of hiring inclusively, the tools and resources to support building disability-confident organizations, and the importance of inclusive hiring to workforce development and future economic prosperity.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/diversity-in-business-roi-conference-tickets-310056205457

Find out more about hiring persons with disabilities and what resources chambers of commerce have to offer on the OCC discoverability page: https://occ.ca/discoverability/

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Public Meeting On Heritage Conservation District Study Being Held At Market Hall

An in-person public meeting on the Heritage Conservation District Study for Downtown Peterborough will be held at Market Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on May 17.

Photo by Luke Best.

The City of Peterborough is considering creating a Heritage Conservation District to preserve the heritage features of the City’s historic downtown.

As the first step in the process, the City is doing a Heritage Conservation District Study for the downtown. Following the Study, a plan with guidelines for preserving the heritage features of the downtown would be created and go to City Council for its consideration for approval.

The Study will research and document the historic commercial core’s heritage character and assess its heritage resources. The information from the Study would be used to determine the suitability of a Heritage Conservation District designation for the area and other appropriate tools to preserve its heritage.

Historic areas or neighbourhoods form part of the City's evolution and identity. Their careful management and protection contributes to the quality of life for everyone in the community.

Heritage Conservation Districts are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and are a valuable tool for guiding change and managing growth in a way that is sensitive to an area’s heritage and history of development.

The Heritage Conservation District Study includes:

• A review and analysis of existing land use, zoning, planning and heritage policies

• A survey and research of the historical, architectural and landscape features of the study area

• An analysis of prevailing conditions (setbacks, building materials, tree canopy, height, etc.)

• An evaluation of the downtown’s overall historic character

The meeting on May 17 is the second of two public consultation meetings. The first meeting was held on April 6 to give an overview of the Heritage Conservation District Study process, present initial findings about the heritage survey and research work to date, and provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions and provide feedback.

Learn more at https://www.connectptbo.ca/downtown-heritage

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