Peterborough Public Health Issues Second Heat Warning of the Season

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has issued the second heat warning of the season that started Monday and is expected to continue into Thursday.

Daytime temperatures could reach between 29 – 34C according to PPH. Tuesday and Wednesday have an expected humidex near forty on both days. Slightly cooler temperatures are expected overnight.

PPH reminds the public that while extreme heat can put everyone at risk, health risks are greatest for people experiencing homelessness, older adults, infants and young children, those taking certain medications or with certain conditions such as respiratory, cardiac and psychiatric conditions and outdoor workers.

Anyone taking medication or having a health condition is urged to ask their healthcare provider if it increases their health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations.

Community Services:

One Roof Community Centre will extend its hours of service on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. One Roof Community Centre provides services on behalf of the City of Peterborough and is located at 99 Brock St. 

Peterborough Public Health continues to test beach water at the two beaches located within the City of Peterborough. Splash pads are extending operations until Monday.

Outdoor water bottle filling stations are available at City facilities in the following locations:

• Quaker Foods City Square, 215 Charlotte St.

• Eastgate Park, 2150 Ashburnham Dr.

• Peterborough Marina, 92 George St. N.

Members of the public are also able to refill a water bottle inside the following City facilities during hours of operation:

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

• Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Kinsmen Civic Centre, 1 Kinsmen Way

Health Risks:

According to the PPH, people suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises, and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, PPH urges anyone to call 911 or go to the Emergency Department.

Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), heat rash, and heat cramps.

Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which may include:

• heavy sweating;

• muscle cramps and/or headache;

• weakness, dizziness, or fainting;

• nausea or vomiting;

• paleness, tiredness;

• rapid breathing and heartbeat;

• extreme thirst; or

• decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.

If you experience any of these, you should immediately move to a cool place and drink water.

How to Protect Yourself During Hot Weather:

• Drink lots of water even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.

• Avoid going out in the direct sun or heat when possible. If you go outside, rest frequently in green spaces with lots of shade and plan to go out early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler.

• Use an air conditioner if possible, and if you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.

• Wear loose-fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

• Keep lights off or turned down low.

• Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cold, wet towels.

• Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.

• Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.

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Peterborough Petes Drop Second Preseason Game 5-3 To Oshawa Generals In Port Hope

It was a sold-out crowd of over 1,200 at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope but the Peterborough Petes came out in a losing effort 5-3 against their rival Oshawa Generals on Monday night.

Oshawa Generals Ethan Tomms (left) and Peterborough PEtes Carson Cameron (right) jostling for position in Port Hope. Cameron was the first pick for the Petes in the last OHL Priority Selection. Photo courtesy of Jessica van Staalduinen and the Peterborough Petes

Chase Lefebvre scoring twice for the Petes while Tommy Purdeller also found the back of the net. Connor Lockhart and Jonathan Melee both got an assist. Carson Cameron and Dylan Woulds also had an assist each, getign their first points as Petes.. Michael Simpson stopped 19/23 shots in two periods while Easton Rye made six saves on seven shots in the third period. 

Scoring Summary

First Period: 

• Oshawa Goal - Owen Griffin (1), Assist - Luca Marrelli (1)

• Peterborough Goal - Tommy Purdeller (1), Assists - Connor Lockhart (1), Dylan Woulds (1)

• Oshawa Power Play Goal - Tyler Graham (2), Assists - Luca Marrelli (2), Owen Griffin (1)

• Peterborough Goal - Chase Lefebvre (1), Unassisted

Second Period: 

• Oshawa Goal - Beckett Sennecke (2), Assist - Dylan Roobroeck (1)

• Oshawa Goal - Owen Griffin (2), Assist - Stuart Rolofs (1)

Third Period:

• Peterborough Power Play Goal - Chase Lefebvre (2), Assists - Jonathan Melee (1), Carson Cameron (1)

• Oshawa Goal - Dylan Roobroeck (1), Unassisted

The game was the first of three Petes preseason home games to be held at local arenas. The other two taking place in Norwood and Millbrook on Sept. 23, and 24.

The Petes continue their preseason on Friday as they hit the road to Sudbury to take on the Wolves at 7:05. Fans can follow the action on the Petes Twitter Page.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ken Currie, Right Up My Alley, Sanctuary Flower Fields and Mark Million

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Ken Currie recently launched his own business, specializing in residential design and construction consulting.

Currie has a long history including in the construction trades, as a Chief Building Official and as a Director of Planning and Building. Add Residential Designer and you have someone who can handle all forms of residential permit drawings, planning applications for Minor Variances, and Re-Zonings. From drawings to permit applications, Ken Currie is the guy to call at 705-977-5561.

Tweed has a new bowling alley. Called Right Up My Alley, the new business also includes a restaurant with a farm-to-table approach, featuring locally sourced organic meats, produce and dairy.

The menu is a reflection of the seasons but you can count on everything from complex to comfort food, pub grub, with gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher options. For details on the bowling leagues and schedules visit rightupmyalleytweed.com

After 14 years as a Peterborough County/City Paramedic, Kelly Convery is switching from the frontline to flower farming.

Called Sanctuary Flower Fields, Kelly offers a variety of services including floral design, U-Pick and Photography opportunities. Located in Ennismore, Kelly’s seasonal flowers are started from seed, thoughtfully picked and creatively arranged and the Flower Field is a big hit with local Photographers. For details visit

Congratulations to Mark Million, the new Director of Merchandise for the Peterborough Petes.

Million takes over from Don Sharp who built the Petes Store into a thriving entity at the Memorial Centre. Million is a graduate of the Fleming College Sporting Goods Business program and operates his own sports apparel-related store in Downtown Peterborough called The Capital PTBO.

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Local Realtors Hold Second-Annual Lemonade Stand To Benefit Sick Kids Hospital

Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti brought back an old classic in a lemonade stand to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.

Brothers Dan Gemmiti (left) and Dion Gemmiti (right) sharing an ice-cold lemonade with 20-year-old Manny Frew-Clarke (middle). visitors could get photo ops in a sports car or in front of a trailer with posters of the lemonade stand. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The stand began at 8 a.m. and people were lined up to get a delicious summer drink and donate money prior to the opening. All proceeds went towards Sick Kids Hospital. Visitors could ‘donate what you wanted’ while they got to enjoy lemonade, baked goods and candy that were available at the stand.

Aside from the snacks and refreshments, the public was invited to share their Sick Kids’ stories and take pictures for this one-day event. Hearing the various experiences that visitors told the Gemmitis was rewarding and inspirational when they put on the lemonade stand.

“We're hearing all kinds of amazing stories from people that have been there and people that are currently there who are joining us at our lemonade stand,” he said. “Even strangers are putting in large amounts of money so it's just an incredible day.”

”It's pretty hyped up the whole time but there are a few moments where we met a girl today that's in and out of Sick Kids and you can't help but get a little emotional hearing it,” said Dan. “It's a very powerful day.”

The brothers have had a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but know several people who have benefitted from it.

“We're blessed to have a big community here but there's so many family and friends that we know that have been there and have benefitted from that great hospital so it really is a great place,” explained Dion. “It's where miracles happen and Peterborough's been great to support it.”

The jar of donations was almost full in the last hour of the lemonade stand but there was no goal for the fundraiser according to the Gemmitis.

“It's not goal-driven by the money, it's goal-driven by the feel-good stories,” explained Dion. “Our heart is full and it will be for a long time. The money is secondary to bringing everybody together.”

The fundraising lemonade stand was the second consecutive year the brothers ran it. They aim to continue it annually for as long as possible.

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Darling and Sentinel Risk Insurance Fundraises To Food For Kids With Revival Of Golf Tournament After Three-Year Hiatus

After three years on the shelf, Darling Insurance and Sentinel Risk Insurance has come back with their annual charity golf tournament at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club on Thursday.

Mitch Ahrens of Darling Insurance playing the putting game as he practices for the tournament in support of Food For Kids. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The last tournament was in 2019 where proceeds were split between Community Care Peterborough and The Peterborough Humane Society. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the annual event from launching for the past three years.

“It's been something we've been doing for over 25 years,” said Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance owner. “What we do is try and give back to a community that's been awfully good to us.”

Roughly over 100 golfers hit the links in a tournament to support of Food for Kids Peterborough and Food for Kids Kawartha Lakes.

“With what's going on in the world these days and the economic scenarios that we deal with in this community, we just felt that doing something for kids was just a worthwhile effort,” explained Blodgett.

A count has yet to be fully tallied for money raised but Darling Insurance in its last outing raised roughly $20,000 in 2019.

Darling Insurance wanted to thank the following organizations for helping put on the tournament:

• Wawanesa Insurance

• CAA Insurance

• The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group

• Intact Insurance

• Aviva Canada

• Gore Mutual Insurance

• LLF Lawyers

• Heartland Farm Mutual Insurance

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City Splash Pads Extend Operations Until Sept. 11

With the City of Peterborough expecting temperatures expected to climb into the 30s next week, splash pads remain open until Sept. 11, announced on Friday morning.

File Photo.

Splash pads were originally scheduled to close for the season on Tuesday.

“Local families will be looking for ways to cool off during this mini heat wave and we are thrilled to be able to offer our splash pad facilities for an extended season,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell.

There are seven splash pads in City parks, open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the following locations:

• King Edward Park at 455 George St. S.

• Nicholls Oval at 725 Armour Rd.

• Rogers Cove at 131 Maria St.

• Kinsmen Park at 1 Kinsmen Way

• Barnardo Park on Barnardo Avenue north of Sunset Boulevard

• Turner Park at the corner of Chamberlain and High streets

• Hamilton Park at 575 Bonaccord St.

Splash pads are typically closed before fall when temperatures tend to drop at night according to the City. The water systems including the pipes, need to be prepared to avoid freezing and damage through the cold weather between fall and spring.

Beaches at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove are no longer supervised at this time since the City’s summer lifeguard program ended on Sunday.

Peterborough Public Health’s seasonal water testing at beaches is scheduled to end on Friday. Residents are reminded to use extra caution around the water if visiting the beaches.

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Hometown PTBO: Mark Million in His New Role As the Peterborough Petes Director of Merchandise

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Mark Million, the new Peterborough Petes Director of Merchandise about getting the role, his love for the team as a child and what possibilities could be in store for this upcoming season.

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Voice of Business: Assisting Small Business With Protecting Their Data and Business From Cybercrime

The cost and maintenance of cybersecurity measures is prohibitive to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors of the Canadian economy.

There are a few very simple things that can be done to minimize the risk and enhance recovery procedures. Many SMEs lack the detailed knowledge to make informed decisions and the financial support to contract professionals to handle it for them.

We at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce have put together a policy resolution on this topic with input from our fellow chambers and industry experts. This policy resolution will go to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and be discussed at our annual policy debate in October. If approved by the membership, it will become part of the CCC’s advocacy program for the next three years.

The issue of cybersecurity is even more relevant today as bad actors begin to use Artificial Intelligence to produce even more invasive ways to trap their victims.

The internet is the road on which the majority of business is conducted in the 21st century and while business is responsible for its own portion of that road, help is needed to make sure it is maintained. Many businesses still feel cybersecurity is an optional extra, yet it is just as important as locks on our doors. Protecting digital assets requires at least a basic cybersecurity strategy and should be part of the business strategy for all SMEs.

The Canadian economy is comprised primarily of SMEs. By incentivizing the adoption of cybersecurity solutions, the federal government can ensure that small and medium-sized businesses are not only protected but can recover quickly and effectively if attacked.

As of December 2021, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in Canada. Of these, 1.19 million (97.9 per cent) were small businesses and 22,700 (1.9 per cent) were medium-sized businesses. Small businesses employed 8.2 million individuals in Canada, or 67.7 per cent of the total private labour force, with medium businesses employing another 2.5 million people. Together, SMEs represent about 51 per cent of Canada’s GDP.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada:

• 40 per cent of small business owners are spending at least $100,000 to resolve a cyberattack

• 1 in 5 small businesses have been affected by a cyberattack or data breach

Cyber risk insurance is also a contributor to a business’ ability to survive a cyber incident. However, many SMEs lack the minimum requirements to qualify for cyber risk insurance and are not able to implement needed protocols due to the financial burden.

According to an annual report from IBM, the average data breach cost about $5.5 million globally in 2022, up from $3.92 million in 2019. Canada is ranked the third highest for cost per data breach with an average of $7 million, up from $4.44 million in 2019. In a 2023 study conducted by MasterCard, cybercrime has increased by 600% since the pandemic.

It is clear the need for SMEs to protect themselves is important to the Canadian economy. In November 2018, the CRA implemented the Accelerated Investment Incentive proposals which, under Chart 3.

Purchase of Equipment, allow a business to deduct up to $4,400 in the first two years after the purchase. While this was welcomed, under the current economic situation it is not enough.

Ideally, SMEs need support from professional cybersecurity businesses. This should come through an initial assessment, typically around $100 per system user. Additionally, grants, tax rebates, and tax deductions will support investments in training, support from third-party experts, and getting up-to-date software.

Furthermore, as businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Business Resilience Network (www.cbrn.ca) Roadmap to Recovery document suggests government introduce programs, funding and incentives for technology adoption in businesses of all sizes and across all sectors to improve Canadian productivity.

Our recommendations are that the Government of Canada:

1. Broaden the scope of the existing Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) or create a similar grant program focused on cybersecurity which will allow SMEs to access comprehensive cybersecurity products and services;

2. Provide specific annual tax credits for the ongoing support and maintenance required from third-party vendors for SMEs that have satisfied the grant program to assess their technology;

3. Allow SMEs to write off 100% of their business investments in preventative cybersecurity-related software, equipment and other costs (support services and outsourcing costs) in the year those investments are made;

4. Provide a subsidy for training of staff on cybersecurity awareness programs; and

5. Create a SME Cyber Defence Fund that provides SMEs with the necessary support to improve their cyber resilience and close the cybersecurity investment gap.

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

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Art Gallery of Peterborough Starts Preparations For 50th Anniversary

The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) is marking its 50th anniversary next year as preparations are underway for celebrations and recruiting a paid intern to aid with several special projects.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough was established in 1974 and opened the doors to its current facility in 1979 on the shore of Little Lake, the Otonabee River. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The gallery received funding from Canadian Heritage through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage Program for the celebrations. This internship program is geared towards unemployed or underemployed college or university graduates and supports emerging professionals in making the transition from post-secondary education to the workplace and allows them to hone their skills in a professional setting.

“As the gallery prepares to celebrate fifty years of compelling and groundbreaking exhibitions in 2024,” explained Celeste Scopelites, AGP director. “We’ll work with the Curatorial and Special Programs Intern on several exciting projects that engage our audience in a dialogue between the gallery’s past, present, and future.  Our goal is to reconnect with our founding members and share the stories of those who contributed so much to ensure we remain a vital and relevant cornerstone of the arts in our community for years to come.”

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Sign-a-fied Becomes New Sponsor of Healthy Planet Arena Pad

Full-service sign and print shop Sign-a-fied is the new official sponsor of the north pad at the City of Peterborough’s Healthy Planet Arena, announced on Friday morning.

File Photo.

The new Sign-a-fied name for the ice pad will be in place next week.

Healthy Planet Arena includes two ice pads and a large multi-purpose space.

“As a company that is directly reliant on the continual development of business in Peterborough, we understand the importance of giving back to our city in ways that will make a lasting impact,” said Steve Daynes, Sign-a-fied owner. “Sign-a-fied is honoured to be involved in supporting such an integral aspect of the community through our sponsorship with Healthy Planet Arena. Together we hope to assist in providing the public with an environment to safely compete, exercise and come together.”

Earlier this year, the City invested in a renovation project that included the replacement of the refrigeration plant, dasher boards, arena glass and lighting system on the north pad according to a press release.

“The City of Peterborough is pleased to welcome Sign-a-fied as the naming rights sponsor for an ice pad at Healthy Planet Arena – one of our premier recreation facilities in the community,” said Heather Stephens, City of Peterborough recreation programs and partnerships manager.

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