Celebration of Life for Local Leafs Fan Mike Davy at Peterborough Square On Friday

A celebration of life honouring Toronto Maple Leafs fan Mike Davy is being held at the Connex Program Space of Community Living Trent Highlands at Peterborough Square from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Friday.

Maple LEafs’s Mitch Marner scored the overtime walk-off goal at Davy’s first game. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy passed away overnight from cardiac arrest after returning from his first Maple Leafs game last Wednesday.

The 65-year-old had the time of his life witnessing the Maple Leafs get a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers. His social worker Craig Meridith said he leapt up from the goal and almost ‘fell out of his wheelchair.’

His death garnered national attention and was recognized by the Leafs organization the following Friday.

We were honoured to have Mike in the building on Wednesday💙

Our hearts go out to his family & friends. Leafs Nation is thinking of him. https://t.co/3oxFH6Hy8U

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 27, 2023

Davy was diagnosed with ‘global development delay’ that affects his physical and cognitive development. He has had a history of heart complications, undergoing a number of surgeries. He was supposed to get x-rays of his heart the following morning of his death.

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Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal Proclaims February As Black History Month

City of Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal has proclaimed February as Black History Month, issuing the below statement on Wednesday.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

“On behalf of the City of Peterborough, it is my pleasure to recognize February as Black History Month,” begins Mayor Leal.

“Black Canadians have made significant contributions to the development and betterment of our community throughout our City’s history. During Black History Month, we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of these residents to the economic, cultural, and political life of our community and our country,” he says.

“Peterborough is a growing and increasingly diverse community. In 2021, almost 10 per cent of our residents identified as a member of racialized group, up from 6 per cent in 2016, with about 1.5 per cent identifying as Black. This diversity is a source of strength. Inclusive communities that embrace their diversity are more innovative, creative, dynamic, resilient, and prosperous,” says Mayor Leal.

“In 2019, City Council approved the City of Peterborough becoming a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities. Member municipalities must advance initiatives to improve their practices for social inclusion, establish policies to eradicate racism and discrimination, and promote human rights and diversity,” he continues.

“Throughout February and all year long, I encourage all residents to learn more, to recognize, and celebrate the many important contributions of Black Canadians to the growth and development of our community and country,” Mayor Leal concludes.

For more on Mayor Leal’s statement, visit the City of Peterborough website.

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INSPIRE Announces First Annual International Women’s Day Event in Peterborough

INSPIRE is hosting their first annual International Women’s Day event on March 8 at the Waterfront Holiday Inn in Peterborough; seeking to inspire local women through the theme of equity.  

Photo courtesy of INSPIRE, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of INSPIRE, Facebook.

The six workshops at this event will be facilitated by inspiring female community leaders Angie Ross, Anne Taylor, Erica Richmond, Rose Terry, Rebecca Turland and Lindsay Dixon. An Artisan’s Market, featuring the works of 25 local makers, will be set up to give participants the opportunity to connect with local artisans. Megan Murphy; talented Peterborough Actor, Filmmaker, Author and Comedian will have the reins as the Emcee and Host for the day. 

The event features talks by Ashley Lamothe; winner of the PKCC 2022 President’s Award and CEO of Creative Kwe, Keynote Speaker Susan Aglukark, O.C., LL.B, Award Winning Inuk singer-songwriter and will be Emcee/Hosted by Peterborough actor, filmmaker, author and comedian Megan Murphy.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 of ‘equity’ is one of INSPIRE’s core values. Building on this theme, INSPIRE has created a unique and purposeful event which encourages participants to celebrate themselves and the strong women, young girls and nonbinary individuals in our communities.

INSPIRE says that tickets have been shared with local community partners, ensuring that all who wish to join have the opportunity to participate. Tickets can be purchased online at an Early Bird Price of $60 until Feb. 18.  

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Otonabee Conservation Launches 2023 Seedling Program Encouraging Landowners to Enhance Their Property With Trees

Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2023 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change announced on Wednesday.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager.“Last year, 115 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted over 14,000 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately, 2.5 million kg of sequestered Carbon over the lifetime of these trees.”

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry and Buttonbush, along with some unique species such as Tulip Tree, Bitternut Hickory, and Serviceberry. The minimum order is 25 seedlings of a selected species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”

Pickups are scheduled for spring 2023 with an order deadline of March 20.

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Peterborough Police Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson Announces Retirement After 36-Year Tenure

After more than 36 years of service, Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson announced his retirement from the Peterborough Police Service announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

His retirement will be effective on March. 1. He is assuming the role of Chief of Police for Port Hope.

“The Peterborough Police Services Board acknowledges and thanks Tim Farquharson for his exemplary dedication to serving the citizens of Peterborough, Township of Cavan-Monaghan and Village of Lakefield over the past 36 years,” said Mary ten Doeschate, Peterborough Police Service board chair. “His commitment to the service members and community was most recently noted as he took on the role of Acting Chief during the past year.”

Farquharson began as a Constable with the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service (now Peterborough Police Service) in 1986. During his 36-year tenure, he has worked Front Line and Community Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Intelligence, Drug Unit and Support Services, at all ranks - most recently as Deputy Chief of Police. He became Acting Chief after former chief Scott Gilbert abruptly retired on Feb. 7 last year. He has then been relieved by new chief Stuart Betts.

Farquharson has been recognized as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Services for his role in the Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force and received several honours of exemplary service and leadership in policing.

He has been an advocate of helping issues such as homelessness, mental health and addiction. He has developed support and raised awareness on those issues such as his ‘Stand With Tim’ campaign.

“The Board wishes Deputy Farquharson all the best on his upcoming retirement,” concluded Doeschate.

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Voice of Business: It’s Time to Take a New Look at Getting Goods to Market

When all is running well, supply chains operate largely invisible to consumers.

Most of the time the massive choreographed dance of production, ships, ports, rail, trucks, planes, warehouses, couriers, border crossings, delivery systems, and 820,000 Canadians works relatively seamlessly, moving $1 trillion in goods. Your local business either already has the product you’re after or is able to get it to you in short order.

But all that changed in recent years as the words ‘supply chain’ entered our common lexicon as we talked with businesses, friends, and co-workers. We shared the common frustration of not being able to get the products we want when we want them.

Some of what led to these challenges has largely been resolved, like public health shutdowns and closed borders. Like many things, the pandemic accelerated issues the industry was already facing. Meanwhile, the world changed dramatically.

A report titled ‘A time of renewal for Canada’s supply chains’ from KPMG and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce delves into the challenges facing the industry and how it can get back to invisibly running in the background.

The report notes that current risks for governments and businesses include:

• Chronic underinvestment in supply chain modernization

• Continued risk-laden dependence on single suppliers

• The need to innovate amid soaring goods and services costs

• Evolving and ever-increasing consumer expectations

• Ongoing labour shortages and skills gaps

KPMG’s 2022 Global CEO Survey reveals a total of 55 percent of leaders agreed or strongly agreed that supply chain risks will have an impact on their business over the next three years.

One key area they highlighted is that governments need to collaborate with each other in new ways to reshape supply chain capabilities and mitigate risk in the global digital economy. This includes innovative trade agreements, investments in infrastructure, and the re-orienting of supply chains amid over-reliance on individual nations such as China.

Nearly three quarters of global CEOs agreed that access to capital for new investments in their supply chain is having an impact on their business. The report makes continued references to the need to spend time and money on innovation. Rather than putting band-aids on the current system, we need to take a hard look at new ways to provide consumers with the goods they want.

The industry is moving away from a ‘just-in-time’ to a ‘just-in-case’ mindset. Saving money through single-supplier relationships has made the supply chain rigid, resulting in inefficiency and vulnerability.

The report pushes the need to foster and accelerate digital technology adoption to increase supply chain visibility, become more efficient, manage rising costs, and meet consumer expectations.

There are also issues around people’s expectations. Without some serious investment and innovation, our supply chain is struggling with the flexibility, speed, and reliability necessary to meet the standard that Infinite choice and instant delivery have set.

Like many sectors, the supply chain network is struggling to attract and retain workers with the skills they need. Answers lie in upskilling, reskilling, and automation.

Our economy and the standard of living we have come to enjoy require that the public and private sectors modernize our supply chain through innovation and strategic investments. These issues aren’t going away on their own. The time to invest is now.

Read the full report online.

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

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Fleming’s Bid to Host Ontario’s First Bird Friendly College Campus Takes Flight

Inspired by the Conservation Biology program at Fleming College’s Frost Campus and motivated by an international effort to save native bird populations in North America, Fleming is working towards becoming Ontario’s first official bird-friendly college campus.

stock photo.

It is estimated that up to one million birds die in North America each year due to window collisions, making it one of the leading causes of bird population decline in Canada and around the world. Finding a way to address this issue is a big part of avian conservation.  

With the help of Conservation Biology students, the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences launched a pilot program aimed at bird conservation. That program evolved into the Fleming Bird Conservation Committee (FBCC).   

Composed of students, faculty and college representatives, the FBCC’s goal is to transform the Frost Campus into Ontario’s first Bird Friendly college campus. While many Canadian universities have embraced becoming bird-friendly campuses, Fleming says that few colleges have followed the same route. 

There is a specific certification process for a bird-friendly designation. Administered through FLAP Canada, it involves threat reduction, habitat generation and the implementation of policy that mitigates harm to birds.   

The FBCC is already hard at work, installing Feather Friendly window protection and protecting and enhancing the natural habitat around Frost Campus.  

In November the Frost Student Association was awarded a plaque from Feather Friendly, recognizing the efforts it and the FCBB have done to make the Frost Campus Auk’s Lodge Frost’s first bird-friendly building.  

Conservation Biology students have also embarked on a multi-year research project at the campus, with the help of Feather Friendly. Students are currently designing a research program which will monitor the effectiveness of bird-deterrent decals, comparing treated and untreated windows. The project will help accomplish the FBCC’s goal of making Frost Campus windows bird friendly, while providing an amazing research opportunity for students.  

The FBCC is also actively involved in conducting education outreach through the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. It has already hosted two highly successful community public awareness events focusing on what can be done to mitigate bird window collisions.  

For more information, check out the Fleming College website.

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Photos: Meet, Greet and Eat With the Peterborough Petes at Dr. J's

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Photos by Samantha Bianco.

Petes hockey fans enjoyed dining with their favourite players Tuesday afternoon at Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews Meet, Greet and Eat with the Peterborough Petes event. After a hearty lunch provided by Dr. J’s, they capped the event off with a Q&A with Pete Dalliday and photo opportunities with the players.

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