Millennium Park Art Installation Marks Completion of The Nogojiwanong Project

“Gathering,” a new public artwork by Michael Belmore is unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Millennium Park as part of the Nogojiwanong Project on Thursday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

“Gathering” consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems.

Michael Belmore’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, represented in numerous private collections and in the permanent collections of various institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. Photo by Felicia Massey

“This work at the water’s edge is a kind of collaboration between human and rock, between human lifetime and geological time, or deep time. These stones were moved and rounded by glacial forces a millennia ago,” said Michael Belmore, Anishinaabe artist. “I am deeply honoured that through this project, Gathering can speak to our continued journey.”

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

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Hometown PTBO: Matthew Wilson On Playing In the Special Olympics and DREAMS Gala for Down Syndrome

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Matthew Wilson who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome about his love of Elvis Presley, playing basketball at the Special Olympics and the DREAMS Gala by the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough happening on Nov 18th.

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United Way Launches New Initiative to Support Local Women and Girls

The United Way Peterborough and District launched ‘Women United’ on Wednesday, an initiative that aims to drive social and economic change, break down barriers and improve the lives of women and girls in the community.

Former Peterborough-Kawartha Maryam Monsef (middle) founded ‘ONWARD’, a venture that connects, inspires and empowers female leaders in early July of this year. Photo by Felicia Massey.

They offer mentorship and allyship for women and girls in vulnerable circumstances through financial support and advocacy.

“Women and children in our community are hurting. We saw through the pandemic that single moms, black, Indigenous radicalized folks, those with disabilities, particularly women, were going to be hit hardest,” said Maryam Monsef, Women United founding chair. “Women felt more vulnerable and were more vulnerable and so were their children.”

Members and donor support help the United Way to fund programs through the Culinary Collective and Elizabeth Fry Society.

The United Way says a significant portion of investments goes towards their 20 partner agencies, 14 led by women.

“The pandemic showed us that all that hurt, all that pain and all that suffering, that women’s leadership is key to recovery,” said Monsef. “When women are doing well, the multiple organizations in our community including United Way and other agencies led strongly by women are better off.”

Every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her domestic partner according to statistics presented by the United Way. Emergency housing for these women and their children is often less accessible than housing for men, says Betsy Farrar, United Way manager of community impact.

She notes that the current Point In Time count of those experiencing homelessness proves that women are less likely than men to seek these services.

“The research shows that women avoid co-ed shelters due to past experiences of violence within those settings and locally, there’s just not enough options for women to access emergency shelters,” said Farrar.

Farrar says there are 32 beds designated to men, 32 co-ed beds, and seven women-exclusive beds in local emergency shelters.

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Peterborough Public Health's Andy Michell Steps Down As Board of Health Chair

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) Board Chair Andy Mitchell is stepping down from his role as a member of the Board of Health after three years of services announced on Thursday.

Dr. Thomas Piggott (left) with Andy Mitchell (right) in from of the PPH office located on 185 King St. Piggott assumed PPH’s medical officer of health role on Dec. 1 last year. Photo courtesy of PPH.

“Andy stepped up to chair our Board during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic response in 2020,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health, “His leadership through the pandemic and his support for our Board, our Executive and our entire PPH team have been inspiring.”

In 2018, Mitchell joined the Board of Health after being elected as Mayor of Selwyn Township. Since being appointed Board Chair in 2020, he has chaired 32 Board of Health meetings and several committee, working group and internal meetings.

“It has been an honour to serve the public for the past 30 years and to finish my career in public service working with the Staff at Peterborough Public Health,” said Mitchell. “I want to thank the Staff for their dedication and personal sacrifices for the health of our community. Lives have been saved because of the work of public health employees. I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for their advocacy for the health of our community and commitment to public service. And to the community, stay safe, be well and in all things, be kind.”

Councilor Henry Clarke who has served as a Board of Health member and two-time Board chair since 2004 is also stepped down from his role.

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Trillium Grant of $75,000 Gives Yes Shelter Research Funding to Bring Host Homes Program to Peterborough

The YES Shelter is researching if a Host Homes Program is feasible in Peterborough to prevent youth from entering the shelter system and provide supportive housing after receiving a $75,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant.

YEs Shelter reports that a consistency of roughly 50 youth expereince homelessness in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project goal is to determine whether it is viable and ideal to have a Host Home Program for Peterborough City and County. The grant was originally awarded in 2019 but delayed over COVID-19 until last year. Host Homes Program helps youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness have a safe, home-like environment while repairing their relationship with natural supports according to a press release. Youth experiencing trauma that can come with homelessness can be supported through the cause of their housing instability.

The funding aids in staff, research, travel, an ethics board and labour.

“This grant of $75,000 has allowed the YES Shelter for Youth to continue supporting youth and families and addressing youth homelessness,” said MPP Dave Smith. “It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child and the YES Shelter and other community partners have been able to lessen the burden on these youth by providing a safe shelter and other supports they need.”

The program helps prevent anyone aged 16 - 24 from entering the shelter system in Peterborough and gives access to community support. Typical causes of youth homelessness can include family conflict, poverty, and family rejection due to gender identity or sexual orientation according to Aimeé Le Lagadec, YES Shelter executive director.

“There are currently very few supports in place for young people who need to leave home prematurely to maintain their safety and wellbeing,” she said. “This program connects community members with the ability to keep youth safe while they access supports, continue going to school and avoid having to worry about their survival on the streets.”

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“Darkness To Light” Invites Sunrise Watching For Anyone Impacted By Suicide and Overdose

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting the second annual ‘Darkness To Light Winter Solstice Gathering’ that invites those impacted by suicide and overdose to Rogers Cove to watch the sunrise on Dec. 21, announced Thursday.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

GPHSF encourages those attending to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and join the moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” says Julie Brown, last year’s host.

Brown is returning this year to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The rain or shine event is free of charge, though donations to support suicide bereavement work through Hospice Peterborough can be made through GPHSF’s website.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement,” says Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “After feedback about how impactful last year’s event was, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community.”

Register online here.

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Online Parking Ticket Payments Temporarily Unavailable For Maintenance Work Starting Friday

Online parking ticket payments are not available starting Thursday at 5 p.m. until Monday at 6 a.m. for maintenance work.

Payments for parking in Peterborough can be made online by downloading the HopSpotMobile app. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Other online payments available including recreation program registration, tax certificates, building permits and traffic ticket payments are not affected.

The City of Peterborough has apologized for any inconvenience this may cause.

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Ennismore Man Puts His 1,659-Pound Pumpkin On Display At Toronto Fair

It may be one of the biggest pumpkins Peterborough County has ever seen as Ennismore’s Norman Kyle grew and displayed his 1,659-pound pumpkin at the 2022 Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto from Nov. 4 to 13.

Kyle has grown a slightly smaller pumpkin that weighed 1,490 lbs. which was his then-biggest grown. Photo courtesy of the Ennismore Garden Club.

“If you did a circumference (measurement) on my pumpkin, it was 16 feet, eight inches,” recalls Kyle. “It’s a huge veggie no question.”

Kyle is no stranger to growing larger-than-life vegetables as he has grown a pumpkin that weighed 1,490 lbs. His four-pound tomato and 35-pound rutabaga are two other grown produce that accompanies his massive pumpkin.

The Ennismore man has grown giant vegetables for fifteen years. It started as a retirement project that quickly turned into a passion.

He belongs to the Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario, a non-profit group of vegetable growers.

Kyle says this year’s prized pumpkin grew from a seed which came from a pumpkin grown within the group.

“One thing about our organization is that they share everything. All kinds of information. What’s working good, we pass it along.” he explained. “I can’t honestly tell you that there are any secrets. If you ask a question to another grower, he is only too happy to provide the answer to you.”

For beginners growing their own giant vegetables, Kyle says to remember that soil is a major component.

“I use compost. I probably add to my garden between five and ten cubic yards of compost every year. Everything is pretty well organic that we use,” says Kyle. “Get some good soil, get a good seed and away you go.”

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Lakefield Collaboration Creates Gift Boxes To Support Local Businesses and Charity

Online marketplace FriendLilySHOP has teamed up with small businesses to support Lakefield Youth Unlimited (LYU) and local retailers by selling gift boxes of locally-sourced items announced on Wednesday.

Chris Jones, Lakefield Youth Unlimited (left) with Jim Riches, FriendLilySHOP (right) with the gift boxes to support Lakefield Youth Unlimited with items from several local businesses. Photo courtesy of LYU.

The gift boxes contain items from The English Potter, Angle Iron Kitchen, The Nutty Bean Cafe, Reclaimed Garden Co. and Kyoto Coffee. The boxes are available beginning on Saturday at the aforementioned retailers or online.

A portion of the proceeds is donated to LYU to aid and support Youth Unlimited programs that build community within the village and provide key opportunities for the personal and spiritual development of our youth according to a press release.

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