Waawaate Fobister Brings 'Omaagomaan' to Market Hall

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Experience the artistry of Dora-award winning contemporary dance artist Waawaate Fobister with Omaagomaan at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

photo courtesy of Public Energy.

Omaagomaan, created and performed by Waawaate Fobister, is described as a multi-genre exploration of ways to stitch a fractured landscape back together through the effects of mercury poisoning and clearcutting. The show is presented by Public Energy Performing Arts, and is set to take audiences on a journey of dance, storytelling, spectacle, surprise and a unique blend of original soundscapes and musical composition supported by a seasoned group of artists and designers.

Fobister embodies Omaagomaan, a two-spirit being, and a manifestation of the earth and man-made poisons that have seeped into the earth’s crust. A shape-shifter inspired by Anishinaabe cosmology, Omaagomaan forces audiences to reckon with the ways the maanaadizi (ugly) and the onizhishi (beautiful) collide.

First performed in 2019, Omaagomaan has now been remounted following the pandemic shutdown, beginning with performances in Munich, Germany, in Nov. and coming to Peterborough in Feb.

photo courtesy of Public Energy.

Waawaate Fobister is a proud Anishnaaben artist from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Waawaate trained and studied Theatre Arts Performance at Humber College, Indigenous Dance at Banff Centre for the Arts, Summer School Intensives at Toronto Dance Theatre, Intensives at Centre for Indigenous Theatre and Kahawi Dance Theatre.

The dancer currently resides in Shoal Lake, and most recently organized the establishment of Canada’s first ever 2SLGBTQ+ Council for an Indigenous governing body at Grand Council Treaty #3.

Tickets for Waawaate’s performance of Omaagomaan are pay-what-you-can between $5 and $30. For more information visit the Public Energy Performing Arts website.

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Voice of Business: Pharmacies Treating Common Ailments

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Pharmacists can now help treat some common ailments, saving you a trip to your doctor’s office. The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce helped make this happen.

The province announced a new healthcare initiative, expanding the role pharmacists play in patient care. The growing portfolio of pharmacists is something the Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying toward for some time.

In 2008, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber developed a Policy Resolution titled “Addressing Access Bottlenecks to Primary Health Care.” While the document suggested several strategies, the first outcome was the Provincial Government approving Pharmacists to administer flu shots in 2012. Now, Ontario pharmacists can renew prescriptions for most medications and offer prescriptions for common illnesses and conditions.

Last month, they began prescribing the COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.

Pharmacists can now offer prescriptions for:

  • hay fever (allergic rhinitis)

  • oral thrush (candidal stomatitis)

  • pink eye (conjunctivitis; bacterial, allergic and viral)

  • dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact)

  • menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

  • acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD))

  • hemorrhoids

  • cold sores (herpes labialis)

  • impetigo

  • insect bites and hives

  • tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease)

  • sprains and strains (musculoskeletal)

  • urinary tract infections (UTIs)

A recent study from the University of Waterloo stated, “more than one-third (34.8%) of avoidable visits could potentially be managed by a pharmacist.”

The Peterborough Examiner reported in 2021 that 11,000 people in Peterborough were without a family doctor and an additional 22 doctors were expected to retire over the next few years.

This expanded role could cut down on clinic and emergency room visits. With an alternative healthcare option for those in need with smaller ailments, this could cause offer some relief to the medical industry.

However, because of the time needed to deliver this service, some of the smaller independent pharmacies in Ontario with limited staff might find this challenging. Patient assessments take time and are not something all locations are equipped to deal with. With growing responsibilities and a worldwide drug shortage on the tail end of the pandemic, many pharmacists have reported staff shortages and burnout. To address this, each location can decide on how they will implement this service. Either a delayed start or on an ailment-by-ailment basis.

This service is free for Ontarians with a health card.

For the full news release from the Premier’s office, visit https://bit.ly/ONrelease

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

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Welcomes New Internal Medicine Specialist

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After a near-year-long search, Dr. Daanish Chippa has become the new internist and hospitalist for Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) announced on Monday.

Dr. Chippa completed an internal medicine residency at Detroit Medical Center and a geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Buffalo. Before starting with CMH. He worked in internal and hospital medicine at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire. Photo courtesy of the Campbellford Memorial Centre.

“Physician recruitment has been a key priority for CMH, and we are delighted to have Dr. Chippa join our physician team,” said Eric Hanna, CEH CEO and interim president. “Dr. Chippa brings internal medicine and hospitalist experience coupled with a patient-focused approach that is an excellent complement to the team and a great win for our patients and community.”

Dr. Chippa left his hometown Toronto in 2011 to start becoming a physician. He completed medical school at the Medical University of the Americas and moved throughout the United States for his training rotations, residency, fellowship, and staff positions.

“It was a challenge to be away from home, and after a long, hard journey, I am so pleased to be back in Canada and to have the opportunity to work with the Campbellford Memorial Hospital team,” shared Dr. Chippa, who started at CMH in December 2022. “The team has been welcoming and helpful, and I’m impressed with the collaborative approach to providing patient-centred care.”

Dr. Chippa is one of CMH’s hospitalists providing direct care to the admitted patients in the Inpatient Unit and offers internal medicine consultations to other CMH physicians when required according to a press release. He also is leading a new Discharge Clinic at CMH that will provide follow-up care and assessments for patients after they are discharged from the Inpatient Unit (mainly focusing on older adults who may not have a primary care provider).

“Part of my interest in CMH is that it’s a smaller hospital serving many geriatric patients. This allows me to cover all areas of medicine while also leveraging my internal medicine specialty and building on my geriatric medicine experience – I knew it would be a good fit,” said Dr. Chippa.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Chippa to CMH. These are the rewarding moments in physician recruitment, from initial contact to assisting with the licensing process to welcoming him on-site,” said Michele Haddow, CMH medical affairs coordinator. “Dr. Chippa will be an asset to our staff and the community, and I am thrilled that our hard work has now come together.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Packs Its Bags To Move Into the New Peterborough Animal Care Centre

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It’s moving day for the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) as they have begun shifting their operations from their Lansdowne Street location into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC) on Tuesday.

Roughly 100 animals were moved to the new location but the space is not yet open to the public. The Peterborough Humane Society closed its Lansdowne Street operation as of Saturday. It served as a holding facility for the animals. The new PACC features an animal adoption and education centre, a spay-and-neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre.

It has already been funded by almost $10 million in community donations but requires another $2.5 million to complete all projects and construction according to Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

“We're just doing some final finishes and final touching that need to be done to get us prepared for occupancy and allow the public to come on-site,” he said. “Staff can get into the space because a lot of them haven't been in this space yet, get to know the facility and experience it. We can test out all the bugs and make sure that it's ready to rock when we can open to the public.”

Individuals, organizations and groups have helped fund the animal care centre and Morey is grateful for the outreach and support of the new building.

“It just shows the pride that Peterborough has for their animals,” he said.

@ptbo_canada The Peterborough Humane Society has moved into the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre in Technology Drive! The new facility features an animal, adoption and education centre, a spay-and-neuter clinic and a dog rehabilitation centre! ##fyp##ptbo##ptbocanada##humanesociety##peterbroroughhumanesociety##journalism##journalismlife##journalist##journalistlife##animals##animal##animaltok##animaltiktok##animalwelfare##animalshelter ♬ Best background music for corporate CM, company description videos, etc. - harryfaoki

Services that were available at the Peterborough Humane Society are still provided during the move such as licensing (new or renewals) and appointment-only viewings and adoptions are available.

A soft opening is projected for mid-February with a grand opening planned in the spring.

Tuesday also marks ‘Betty White Day’ as she was renowned for her passion for animals and her acting career. The day was created shortly after her passing prior to New Year’s Day of 2022 and was an initiative to encourage the world to contribute to animal welfare. Last year, roughly $20,000 was raised for the PACC in honour of the late beloved actress. A count has not yet been released since the PHS is still awaiting a final count.

Donations can be made throughout the week and can be done online.

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‘The Meaning of Home’ National Student Writing Contest Returns in Support of Local Habitat for Humanity Organizations

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Local elementary students Grades 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to share what home means to them in ‘The Meaning of Home’ national writing contest to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

Founded by Sagen, the Meaning of Home contest has raised over $2 million to help local Habitats across Canada build decent and affordable housing since 2007.

Three grand prize winners will each receive a $30,000 grant to help a local Habitat for Humanity build a place to call home for a family in need of affordable housing. In addition, nine runners up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. Winners will be announced by June.

As housing continues to be an important concern for all Canadians, it is children especially who understand how housing can provide their family with a place to study, pursue their dreams and build a better life. Every student who enters the contest will help Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region build safe and affordable homes, because every entry earns a $10 donation towards their local Habitat for Humanity.

“It is so wonderful to see the enthusiastic response each year from parents, teachers and especially the children who enter this contest and share what home means to them in their own words,” say Habitat for Humanity Canada president and CEO Julia Deans. “We know that having a safe and affordable place to call home helps people build better lives and stronger communities.”

Last year over 13,000 entries were received, the largest number of submissions Habitat Canada has ever received for this contest and raised over $311,000. From entries in 2020 and 2021, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region had 3 runner-up winners in grades 5 and 6 which lead to $30,000 in grants towards the 41-unit condo project on Leahy’s Lane in the City of Peterborough, along with a class pizza party and a tablet for the student winners.

“The Meaning of Home contest provides an opportunity to engage youth in discussions around the current state of housing, and to feel inspired about our next generation of leaders,” says Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region communications & donor services manager Jenn MacDonald. “Not only do students have a greater sense of appreciation for home, but they actively participate in giving back to their community. It’s truly a win-win!”

Submissions for this years contest are being accepted by mail or online from Jan. 9 until Feb. 24.

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Former ECFC Captain Signs First Pro Contract With Islandic Soccer League

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Former Electric City Football Club (ECFC) captain Holly O’Neill is headed east as she signed her first professional soccer contract with Iceland’s Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyjar Football Club (IBV) of the Pepsi Max League announced on Tuesday.

O’Neill (left) was second in scoring for ECFC in their inaugrual year behind Kayla McQueen. PHOTO courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

The IBV women’s soccer team has won the Islandic Cup twice, in 2004 and 2017.

“Super excited to announce the signing of my first official professional football contract with IBV in the Pepsi Max League in Iceland Playing professionally had long been a dream of mine and I’m ecstatic to take this next step in my football career and see where it takes me,” said O’Neill in a tweet.

The 24-year-old attacker is from St. John’s, Newfoundland. As ECFC captain, she scored nine goals in 18 games, only second behind Kayla McQueen with 13.

In 2021, O’Neill led all scorers in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference with 12 goals— including six game-winners, the most in Canadian Universities — in 12 regular-season contests. Her performances led to O’Neill being named an AUS First Team All-Star and the Conference’s Most Valuable Player.

At the National U Sports level, O’Neill’s great 2021 season at Memorial University saw her finish 3rd in the country in scoring, was selected as a First Team All Canadian and was nominated for U Sports Female Soccer Player of the Year.

O’Neill played her youth soccer for the St. John’s Soccer Club from 2006-2016 and also represented the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial team from 2012-2016. She also played on Team Atlantic in 2013 and 2014.

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Peterborough DBIA Announces Holiday Shopping Passport Grand Prize Draw Winner

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) announces Noah Sloan as the grand prize draw Holiday Shopping Passport winner on Tuesday.

photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

Sloan’s completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn at the El (P) restaurant on George Street in downtown Peterborough on Jan. 11.

The winning passport came from Iceman Video Games, where Sloan purchased a new gaming console. The $1,500 Boro gift card grand prize was awarded by Iceman Video Games Store Manager Holly Butler on Jan. 14.

“I still can’t believe I won, it’s surreal. I think now more than ever, it’s important to support small businesses with the economy the way it is,” said Sloan. “I really appreciate our downtown and love that I can bring my dog along while shopping the stores. I’m still wrapping my head around winning and look forward to exploring all the new shops and restaurants with my gift card.”

The Holiday Shopping Passports ran from Nov. 14 to Jan. 11.

Throughout the program shoppers were rewarded with a passport stamp for every $10 they spent at a participating location. Each completed passport, or 20 stamps, was entered into a draw, including three early bird draws of $500 in Boro gift cards.

The Holiday Shopping Passport program generated just over 2.3 million dollars in local spending.

“What I love about this program is anyone can win when they shop downtown. Some past winners filled out dozens of passports while others complete just one,” says executive director of the Peterborough DBIA Terry Guiel.

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Peterborough Petes Fall to Kingston Frontenacs From Strong Goaltending, 2-1

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Peterborough’s offence couldn’t solve Kingston Frontenacs rookie goalie, Mason Vaccari twice with 45 shots as the Petes lost 2-1 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Monday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The game was a make-up game rescheduled from Dec. 17 due to the passing of London Knight’s player Abakar Kazbekov.

Peterborough peppered Kingston and Vacarri in the opening period with 19 shots but Kingston wound up on the board first as Christopher Thibodeau tipped a point shot past Petes goaltender Michael Simpson for a 1-0 lead into the second.

Vaccari continued right where he left off, stopping another nine shots, shutting out Peterborough for a second straight period. Gregory Soto scored the only goal of the period on the powerplay to put Kingston up 2-0 into the third.

Dallas Stars prospect Gavin White broke the shutout for Peterborough under four minutes into the third as he went end-to-end and scored from a sharp angle to cut the deficit in half (his first goal as a Pete). Peterborough tested Vacarri heavily in the third with 17 total shots but the latter stood tall and shut the door for a Frontenacs 2-1 win. The Kingston netminder received first-star honours for his 44-save performance.

The Petes’s next game is Thursday when they host the rival Oshawa Generals at the PMC.

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Government of Canada Invests in Flood Protection Upgrades in Peterborough

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$2.1 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements helping to protect people and property from flooding has been announced by Member of Parliament for Whitby Ryan Turnbull and Mayor of the City of Peterborough His Worship Jeff Leal on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the city of Peterborough

This funding will support a $5.44 million project aimed to increase capacity of the Armour Road sanitary sewer, complete storm sewer upgrades and rehabilitate the Curtis Creek channel. By rehabilitating the creek’s shoreline as well as completing sanitary/storm sewer upgrades, this project will improve the waterway’s health while reducing overland flooding, sanitary sewer back-ups and basement flooding in nearby areas.

“Flooding disasters impact municipalities across Ontario and climate change is expected to only bring more flooding. Projects like this help to protect our communities from damage during flooding events – safeguarding homes, businesses and residents,” says Member of Parliament for Whitby Ryan Turnbull, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Government of Canada’s continued partnership with provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous communities to mitigate the effects of natural disasters will ensure Canadians can continue to thrive in a changing climate.”

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada says it is growing the country’s economy and increasing the resiliency in Canadian communities, thus improving the lives of Canadians.

The City of Peterborough says that by making these investments now, the City will have major economy-wide benefits in the future, and that every dollar invested in adapting and preparing for climate related disasters returns $13 to $15 in benefits.

“Infrastructure improvements are essential as the City of Peterborough continues to mitigate impacts of climate change. Thank you to the Government of Canada for contributing to the City's investment in the Curtis Creek project which will reduce flooding for area residents and businesses, protecting against property damage, and more importantly, protecting the safety and wellbeing of our residents,” says Mayor of the City of Peterborough His Worship Jeff Leal.

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Local St. Peter's Secondary School Student Signs Commitment to Virginia Women's Hockey Program

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Lynchburg, Va. is the next stop for 18-year-old St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School (SPCSS) student Ava Flint this September as she signed a commitment to Liberty University and their hockey program on Monday.

Ava Flint (middle) fresh off signing her commitment to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. with her sisters Rhaea Flint (left) and Talia Flint (right) and her parents. She will be attending the university for the 2023-24 school year in September. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The signing was made at the SPCSS gymnasium in front of Flint’s family, friends and coaches.

“It's really overwhelming, it's been a long time coming,” explained Flint. “I've been playing hockey my whole life and this is what I always wanted to do, is go to university and play hockey.”

Flint has been playing hockey since she was three years old. She has played with the Central York Junior Panthers of the Ontario Women’s Hockey League for the past two seasons. She was a member of the Peterborough Novice Ice Kats up until Midget. In her final year (Midget) as an Ice Kat, she scored 13 goals and 17 assists in 59 games.

She plans to enroll in the University’s education program with being a physical education teacher as a possibility. She visited the campus in the fall and felt it was the best place to continue the educational and hockey phases of her life.

“I met with their team, all the players seem wonderful and I just think it'll be a great place to start my new pathway and I think it fits what's best for me,” explained Flint.

Flint is currently enrolled at SPCSS in Grade 12 on her victory lap.

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