Five Counties Shares Tips For A More Inclusive Halloween For All Kids

With Halloween around the corner, Peterborough-area residents are being asked to help break down barriers to trick-or-treating by following the Tricks to Make Halloween a Treat for Kids of All Ages and Abilities from Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC).

File photo.

They are urging the community to consider the following when taking part in Halloween festivities:

1. Set up a trick-or-treating station that is accessible and barrier-free for every child to enjoy. For homes with stairs, consider setting up an accessible treat station on the front lawn, driveway or garage. If all else fails, be creative and use your vehicle’s trunk to hand out candy.

2. Clear the path for trick-or-treaters. Remove potential obstacles and ensure the way to your treat station is wide open and well lit, especially for trick-or-treaters with mobility challenges. Consider parking on the street or in the garage to create even more space.

3. Decorate for Halloween with care. While scary and spooky decorations are appealing, they can be frightening for some trick-or-treaters. Bright flashing lights and loud or frightening noises can cause problems for children with sensory processing issues, autism or epilepsy. Be thoughtful and tactful in how you decorate so more children can take part in trick-or-treating.

4. Communication counts. Some children may say “trick or treat” differently. Some may use sign language, assistive technology, speak slowly or be non-verbal. Be respectful whatever the circumstances. A smile and wave can say so much!

5. Seeing blue? That’s OK. Blue pumpkins have been informally adopted by some families as a way to indicate children have unique ways of behaving and communicating. If you see a trick-or-treater carrying a blue pumpkin, be understanding and adjust your interactions as needed.

6. Use some “show and tell” to hand out treats. If you encounter children with visual or hearing problems, describe or hold up the treat before placing it in the bag so they are aware of what they are receiving.

7. A sign of the times. If you want to make an even stronger statement, put up a sign on your front lawn indicating you are an accessible/inclusive trick-or-treating stop.

Five Counties is echoing the message of Treat Accessibly, a grassroots movement formed in 2017. Treat Accessibly promotes inclusivity and accessibility around trick-or-treating.

According to the Treat Accessibly organization, more than 400,000 children in Canada identify as having one or more disabilities which can prevent them from enjoying trick-or-treating with other children.

“Ask any child, and he or she will tell you Halloween ranks right up there as one of the best days of the year. We’re encouraging people to consider children of all ages and abilities this Halloween,” says Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “Halloween is one of those days or festivities that children of every ability should have the chance to experience and enjoy.”

To learn more visit https://www.fivecounties.on.ca.

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Trans Canada Trail Contributes $61,500 to the Revitalization of The Jackson Creek Trail

The Trans Canada Trail is contributing $58,500 towards the rehabilitation and revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail and an additional $3,000 for signage enhancements announced Tuesday.

File photo.

Funding for the revitalization of the trail includes addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges, resurfacing of the length of the trail and the addition of benches and educational signage.

Trail revitalization is funded in part by a grant from Trans Canada Trail to enhance our local section of Canada’s national trail, and a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).

The community has also raised over $20,000 in donations through the Your Metres Matter campaign for revitalizing the Jackson Creek Trail.

“Trans Canada Trail is proud to support the revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail, and we celebrate Otonabee Conservation’s dedication to expanding and improving its trails, in order to make them a welcoming place for all community members and visitors,” says Eleanor McMahon, president of Trans Canada Trail. “The Trans Canada Trail would not be what it is without the commitment of our local partners. National in scope and local in execution, Trans Canada Trail collaborates with provincial and territorial partners and over 500 local trail operators across the country, such as Otonabee Conservation, who are instrumental in the Trail’s past, current and future development.”

The Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest network of multi-use recreational trails, stretching more than 28,000 kilometres across every province and territory. The Jackson Creek Trail makes up 4.5 k.m. of the Trans Canada Trail, extending from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township to the concrete bridge at the entrance to Jackson Park in the City of Peterborough.

The Jackson Creek Trail is currently closed for construction and will re-open Dec. 16, with the possibility for an earlier opening dependant on weather.

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Mayoral Candidate Interview: Coun. Stephen Wright

David Tuan Bui speaks with mayoral candidate Coun. Stephen Wright for the upcoming municipal election occurring on Monday. Bui and Wright discuss the third economic wave, the drug addiction and homelessness issue and address community facilities.

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The Lang Pioneer Village Presents the Historic All Hallows’ Eve Halloween Celebration

Learn about spooky traditions and paranormal investigations this Halloween season at The Lang Pioneer Village’s 19th-century All Hallows’ Eve celebration on Oct. 28 and 29 at Lang Pioneer Village Museum.

Photo courtesy of The Lang Pioneer Village Museum.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening, discover the origins of trick-or-treating and rhymes for “soul-caking” at the Milburn House, or about coffins and body snatching at the Carpenter Shop.

Take a tractor and wagon ride and learn about paranormal investigations undertaken at Lang Pioneer Village Museum by the Paranormal Seekers, and see the ghost hunters’ specialized equipment that they use to make discoveries.

Museum goers can hear tales of the Michi Saagig people’s at Aabnaabin Camp, or visit the Print Shop for an 1800s fairytale. Witness a traditional 1890 Halloween party at the Town Hall, and learn about the history of candy corn at the General Store.

The Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building will have dinner covered with grilled cheese sandwiches, and the Keene Hotel will be serving hot chocolate and other treats to keep warm.

The all-ages event is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages two to 14) and free for children under two. Family admission is available for $40 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youth tickets. Children are encouraged to come dressed in a costume and are reminded to collect their treat bag at the end of the evening for the ride home.

Visitors can purchase admission in advance using the museum’s online shop, but advance purchase is not required.

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Year-Round Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market Moves Indoors at Peterborough Square

The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM) is continuing indoors to the lower level of Peterborough Square announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market.

The PRFM operates year-round, offering customers a variety of products from local artisans and farm products from third-party verified farmers and food prepared by local chefs and restaurants.

“Produce is so abundant at this time of year, especially greens and root vegetables. We are excited to continue offering local food at this time of year along with so many other amazing farmers at the market,” said Erin Bodashefsky of Foragers Farm.

The dining area and kids zone return to the indoor market space so families can bring their young ones to play in the space and enjoy a coffee, snack or lunch.

The market space is located on the lower level of the mall beside Princess Gardens retirement home.

“I love moving indoors to this space because it is so bright and friendly and not only a place to get amazing local products, but also a community hub to chat with friends and other vendors,” says Jillian Marshall of Bittersweet Botanicals. 

Underground mall parking (entrance off Charlotte Street, East of Water Street) is free every Saturday and City street parking surrounding Peterborough Square is also free of charge.

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Mark’s Peterborough and Lindsay Savings for our readers

Mark’s Peterborough and Lindsay Savings for our readers.

Download this ad and show at store to SAVE $30 When you spend $150 or more, full details on ad*

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Peterborough's Porter Martone Selected to 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge

Peterborough’s Porter Martone of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sarnia Sting has been selected to represent Team Canada Red at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, Nov. 3-12 in Langley and Delta, B.C. announced on Tuesday.

Martone has registered one assist in seven games with the Sarnia Sting this season. Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting.

The tournament, which returns for the first time since 2019, will feature three Canadian teams matching up against Czechia, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

All seven teams will play six preliminary-round games from Nov. 3-11, with the top four in the standings advancing to the medal round. The Langley Events Centre will host 16 games including three all-Canadian matchups and both medal-round games on Nov. 12.

The seven remaining games will be played at Sungod Arena in Delta, beginning with Team Canada White facing Sweden on Nov. 3.

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ARTISANity Show and Sale Returns to Peterborough Square For Nov. 4 and 5

ARTISANity Show and Sale returns to the Peterborough Square lower concourse for a two-day event on Nov. 4 and 5.

Photo courtesy of ARTISANity.

Nov. 4th runs from noon to 6 p.m. while Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hand-crafted artisanal gifts are available such as jewellery, gourd art, woven scarfs, quilted bags, knitted mitts, felted decorations, pottery mugs and bowl, wood turned platters and pens and more.

All items are made by members of the Artisans Centre Peterborough.

The free fundraising event in support of the Artisans Centre Peterborough.

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Voice of Business: Unemployment Declines As Jobs Increase But the Situation Remains Challenging

Unemployment declines as jobs increase, but the situation remains challenging.

Canada’s employment situation remains fickle.

We’ve added more jobs and the unemployment rate has declined, but people are working fewer hours and the overall labour shortage still sits at more than 1 million unfilled jobs.

According to Canadian Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Stephen Tapp:

“At first glance, it looked like we finally received good news from Canada’s Labour Force Survey for September: after three months of declines, employment was up by 21,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate dropped back to 5.2 per cent after unexpectedly spiking to 5.4% last month. Digging beneath the headlines, however, shows emerging signs of an underlying “cooling-off” period. First, hours worked are down over 1per cent since June. Second, labour force participation has sagged over the course of this year, and third, it’s the public sector, not the private sector, that continues to push up employment. That said, Canada’s labour market remains historically tight. It remains difficult for businesses to fill the nearly one million vacant positions they’re seeking. And, though, wage growth exceeded 5 per cent for the fourth month in a row, this still isn’t enough to boost workers’ purchasing power, as it’s below the highest rates of inflation seen in a generation.”

Overall, the public sector added 35,000 jobs, compared to 9,000 from the private sector while self-employment dropped by 22,000. The increase in employment is being driven by education and healthcare at 46,000 and 24,000, respectively. This offset declines from manufacturing (-28,000); information, culture and creation (-22,000); transportation and warehousing (-18,000), and public administration (-12,000).

Wage growth is being led by professional services, up 9.1 per cent year-over-year, followed by accommodation and food service at +8.7 per cent over last year. On average, wages are up 5.2 per cent over last year.

Adding further pressure to workforce challenges is the trend toward retirement shows no signs of slowing, with 1 million of the 5.2 million Canadians aged 55 -64 already retired.

Overall, Ontario and PEI are the only provinces seeing a decline in employment.

Locally, jobs in demand largely hit sectors that have struggled heavily over the last two years, especially the service industry. According to the Workforce Development Board, the top 10 local job postings are for:

1. Retail salespersons

2. Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers & related support occupations

3. University professors and lecturers

4. Home support workers, housekeepers & related occupations

5. Other customer & information services representatives

6. Retail & wholesale trade managers

7. Cooks

8. Social and community service workers

9. Post-secondary teaching & research assistants

10. Light duty cleaners

Employment data will continue to fluctuate, as it always has. But it reveals the harsh reality that some sectors are rebounding well while others are going to continue to struggle. Those who regularly had to cut staffing levels due to public health restrictions are struggling to hire enough staff despite being leaders in increasing wages. There is no large pool of workers waiting to return and fill the vacancies across the country. It’s going to take creativity, investment, and vision for local businesses to modernize, automate, and adjust how they operate to make do with less access to labour.

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

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