"Rock the Docks" Event Raises $2,000 For Bridgenorth United Church Food Bank

The Bridgenorth United Church Food Bank received a donation of $2,000 raised from the Rock the Docks event in a cheque presentation at Bridgenorth United Church on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The donated money will help the food bank purchase perishable foods to distribute to their clients based on what has already been donated to them.

“We shop every week. Whatever we don't get from our membership with Kawartha Food Share and what we don't have for donations from neighbouring organizations and our congregation goes to the fresh produce,” said Rev. Cathy Gradante of Bridgenorth United Church. “So it's cheese, eggs, juice and things that are more easily spoiled so we have to purchase them on a regular basis.”

Rock the Docks was put on by the Bridgenorth Beautification Commitee at Great Outdoors Landing on Aug. 12. The event featured food (by Chemong Lodge), live music, door prizes, 50/50 draw, dancing, a silent auction and kids activities. Adam Brown, Chemong Lodge owner was happy to contribute especially after learning the increasing number of families that rely on food banks such as Bridgenorth Food Bank.

“It is somewhat discouraging when you see how many families need it but it’s great that the community is there so I’m really encouraged by that side of things,” he said.

The church on average feeds 75 families monthly in the Selwyn township, a number that has been alarmingly increasing according to Patta Latour, church co-chair.

“We used to be able to help people from Peterborough but we just got over capacity and we couldn’t,” she said. “The number of people that we helped just from Selwyn Township last month was the same number from Selwyn and in Peterborough.”

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Peterborough County OPP Funded Over $60,400 to Deploy Trained Mental Health Crisis Workers From Emergency Calls

Peterborough County OPP has received $60,401.08 from the Ontario government to provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, announced at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Branch (CMHA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Andrew Reynolds of the CMHA (left) hs been dispatched with OPP officer Roy Maddan (right) to address mental health calls. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding goes towards the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program that has police utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.

“Our police are increasingly confronted with the need to assist vulnerable people in a mental health crisis,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This funding will assist the Peterborough County OPP deliver appropriate services focused on de-escalation. Meeting the unique needs of an individual who is in crisis will help ensure a better outcome for everyone involved.”

Anyone calling 9-1-1 can request a mental health crisis worker and they will be accompanied by an OPP officer.

“Our unit will make our best efforts to make it out there in a timely manner and get you the help that you need,” said Roy Maddan, OPP officer.”

In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

“We will be working with community partners to deliver a MCRT that will meet the unique needs of the communities,” said Mark Graham, CMHA CEO. “The team responds to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health crisis that will provide immediate support and follow-up.”

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Community Care Peterborough Receives $74,243 From Federal Government's Community Services Recovery Fund

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) received $74,243 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund to hire a one year contract Program Coordinator and to enhance their existing Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

The fund is a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations including charities, non-profits and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations for pandemic recovery according to a press release. It is administered by the Canadian Red Cross, Community Foundations of Canada and United Way Centraide Canada. They provide funding to Community Service Organizations including non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governing Bodies or Registered Charities located in Canada.

“As of long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we welcome the Government of Canada's push for a more inclusive model of economic growth that creates opportunities for everyone in Canada,” said Danielle Belair, CCP executive director.  “We have seen an immediate improvement in our ability to respond to the growing needs of our community as we adapt to the long-term impacts of the pandemic.”

Hope Robbins joined the Community Care Peterborough team in May and took on the role of Program Coordinator of Brokered Services and Grocery Shopping and Delivery for the City of Peterborough. 

“As a result of her efforts, Hope has reduced the waiting time for our clients needing Home Help and Home Maintenance programs from three months to one month,” said Belair.  “We also had on average five to 10 clients waiting for Grocery Shopping & Delivery services each month and now there is no waiting list.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Grocery Shopping & Delivery program is for clients who can cook meals for themselves but help in getting groceries. Volunteers can either shop for a list of groceries needed or simply pick up orders prepared by the grocery store for clients who do not drive. It is an option in their food security program of Meals on Wheels that also offers prepared hot and frozen meals to residents not able to cook on their own.

“With more medical professionals now conducting their appointments in person, this funding is also helping us build back our Specialized Transportation and Access to Primary Care programs for clients,” said Belair.  “The demand remains high but our wait times are also decreasing from these services too.”

Community Care Peterborough’s Specialized Transportation program uses their accessible vans for clients whose physical needs cannot be met through their volunteer driving service.  Their Access to Primary Care program employs Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to provide transportation and accompaniment for people who require support to attend primary care and other medical appointments.  The service is for those who require assistance beyond what is offered by a volunteer driver due to mobility or cognitive limitations. PSWs can take notes during the appointment.

“We are grateful for the additional funding that we were able to access through the United Way of Peterborough & District,” said Belair.  “We didn’t stop our services during the pandemic and as we, like all health support agencies, feel the impact of increased demand and we want our clients to be able to access the services they need to remain safe and independent in their own homes and out of hospitals and long term care facilities.” 

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Peterborough Police Seeking Two Suspects Involved In a Saturday Morning Assault

The Peterborough Police Service is looking for two suspects involved in an assault early Saturday morning. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly, 2 a.m., officers went to the George Street and King Street area regarding a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers found a male with stab wounds and was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was approached by a woman asking for help/ There was an altercation when he attempted to help and he was struck. 

The suspects are described to police as:

Suspect #1:

• Shorter male, wearing a Raptors jersey and a black hat

Suspect #2:

• Taller male, wearing a black hoodie

The suspects were last seen heading along King Street toward Millennium Park. Officers and K9 unit searched the area but could not locate the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Precision Medical Aesthetics, Sullivan Law, Jo Anne's Place and Community Futures Peterborough

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…

Precision Medical Aesthetics is a nurse practitioner-led clinic offering cosmetic injectable enhancements, laser skin resurfacing and laser hair removal.

They recently launched SKINTHETICS Collective Studios which hosts multiple beauty and wellness businesses offering everything from permanent make-up, eyelash extensions, hair-cuts and styling to counselling and psychotherapy, gel manicures and design, spray tans, and hormone replacement therapy. Check out the Open House this Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 169 Lansdowne St. E., or online at precisionptbo.ca.

The team at Sullivan Law Ptbo reopened last week in their new location at 362 Queen St. in Peterborough.

They also added a new member to the team. Barry Lynn is a lawyer who practices Family Law and brings 13 years of experience to the firm. Sullivanlawptbo.ca

Jo Anne’s Place recently launched the third pillar of their free online wellness program.

Called The Wellness on Purpose Program and lead by their Nutritionist, Marissa Laughlin, the program is a free educational resource designed to offer accessible and accurate wellness information on topics such as Nutrition, Sleep, Stress and Movement. The third pillar focuses on stress, the different types, and how to manage it, and features collaborations with several Peterborough wellness businesses including Sweat Happy Pilates, Salti Yoga, Mental Wealth Counselling, and more.

Community Futures Peterborough has partnered with BDC to bring together professionals from the local business community to discuss business valuation and succession.

They have planned a free breakfast event on Oct.17. at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. The event is intended to provide you with a space to learn more about the steps required to evaluate, buy, sell or transition your business. For details visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca

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RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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Three Artists Selected For City’s New Change Makers Artist Residency Program

Three artists-in-residence have been selected for the Change Makers Artist Residency Program which will create opportunities for artists to innovate and contribute to municipal projects, particularly Climate Change Awareness, Adaptation and Sustainability-related initiatives, announced by the City of Peterborough on Friday.

Ox and the Fox and the Kangaroo by Ann Jaeger. Photo courtesy of Ann Jaeger.

Ann Jaeger, Dimitri Papatheodorou and Josh Morley have been selected as the artists-in-residence. During their three-month residency, each artist will be provided an artist fee as they explore the work in the City’s Asset Management and Capital Planning Division and develop project proposals according to a press release.

“An Artist Residency Program is envisioned to amplify communication around climate-related vulnerabilities, especially those due to flooding but also to begin earnest conversations about climate change risks in general,” said James Byrne, thee City’s climate change Coordinator. “Artists help us to think, to remember and to see things in different ways. What changes can we make by facing challenges together?”

Jaeger is a multi-disciplinary artist whose eclectic work intersects literary, theatre and visual arts. An honours graduate of OCAD, she has presented solo exhibitions of painting and sculpture in the Peterborough area, most recently at Evans Contemporary and the Arts and Culture Centre of Warkworth.

Her textile art was featured in the 1982 Visual Arts Ontario publication Art in Architecture. In addition to writing articles on regional arts and culture for her blog Trout in Plaid and for local media, she has published poetry in the League of Canadian Poets, Cornell University's Epoch Magazine, and the Capilano Review.

Papatheodorou is an artist pursuing hybrid forms of expression through painting, sculpture, music, and architecture. Born in Toronto, he is an Adjunct Faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University and operates from a rural studio in Warkworth.

Morley is an Anishinaabe artist working in screen printing and mural work in Peterborough. His work explores regional ecological issues, his relationship with nature and his ancestral connection to the land. 

The Change Makers Artist Residency Program is administered by the City’s Public Art Program and developed in partnership with the Asset Management and Capital Planning Division.

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Peterborough Man Charged After Allegedly Waving a Firearm

A 25-year-old Peterborough man is facing a possession of weapon charge after an incident early Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:24 a.m., police received a call about a man waving an alleged gun in Clonsilla Avenue and The Parkway area. When police arrived, the man was staggered and refused to comply with the police. The officer took the man into custody and found a black BB Glock-style handgun during a search.

The 25-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 24.

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James A. Gifford Causeway to Reopen at Noon After Last Friday's Emergency Closing For Repairs

The James A. Gifford Causeway is reopening at noon after emergency repairs have been completed, announced on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Peterborough County announced last Friday that emergency repairs had to be done and had closed the Causeway for a week.

One lift of asphalt has been applied to the roadway however, intermittent lane closures are still occurring due to the remaining required work.

Lane closures and traffic flagging are in place until mid-November. Peterborough County says drivers should expect continued delays due to high traffic volumes.

“Peterborough County would like to thank the community for its understanding and patience during this emergency closure and the ongoing construction rehabilitation,” as stated in a press release.

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Peterborough Petes Drop First Game of the Season In 4-0 Loss to the Sudbury Wolves

The Peterborough Petes suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Sudbury Wolves in a 4-0 loss at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Owen Beck (left) returned to the Petes lineup after returning from the Montréal Canadiens camp. Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

It only took 2:51 for the Wolves to strike first as Owen Protz just crossed the blue line, wristed it past Liam Stutzka and made it 1-0. Roughly 7:30 later, Jakub Chromiak received a pass and took a shot from the point. It was tipped by Nick Yearwood and it got by Stutzka again for a 2-0 lead for Sudbury.

The second period saw Peterborough struggle to get shots on net as they only had eight to Sudbury’s 21. Tommy Purdeller had a chance on a tight angle but Jakub Vondras made the save, hanging close to the post. The Petes were trying to break out from their own zone but Kieron Walton pickpocketed Carson Cameron shortly after receiving a pass from Samuel Mayer and rifled it for a 3-0 Sudbury lead.

The Wolves struck quickly again to start the period as under three minutes in, Andre Anania took a point shot and was deflected to Sudbury players David Goyette and then Evan Konyan to slip it by Stutzka for the 4-0 lead. The Petes were unable to solve Vondras and the Petes took their first loss of the season 4-0.

The Petes are going to see a familiar face in their next game on Thursday as they host the London Knights. This marks the return of 2023 Playoff MVP and former Petes goaltender Michael Simpson. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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