CO2 Monitors Available To Borrow For Free In Local Libaries

According to Peterborough Public Health (PPH), residents can borrow a CO2 Monitor at any library in Peterborough City, County and Hiawatha First Nation, effectively immediately.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In March last year, Peterborough Public Library in collaboration with PPH, —supported by devices donated by Prescientx and CO2 Check — was the first library in North America to offer CO2 monitors as part of their Library of Things lending catalogue.

As a result of cooler temperatures and rainy weather, people spend more time gathering indoors. An increased risk of spreading and acquiring respiratory illnesses stems from being indoors more often. Respiratory illnesses like RSV, Influenza and COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air we breathe according to PPH. Carbon dioxide (CO2), the air we exhale, can be monitored and used to indicate the quality of the air we breathe.

“As we enter cold and flu season, carbon dioxide monitors are one tool we can add to our suite of tools to help us stay healthy; CO2 monitors can act as a proxy for determining whether a space has adequate ventilation and fresh air,” said Keith Beecroft, PPH health promotor.

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37 Year-Old Lakefield Man Facing Impaired Charges From Monday Afternoon

A 37-year-old Lakefield man is facing several impaired charges after an incident Monday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Police received reports of a possible suspended driver in Lakefield. An officer conducted a traffic stop in the Queen Street and Regent Street area. During the stop, the officer noticed signs of impairment and confirmed that the driver was suspended.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

• Fail to surrender insurance card (Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act)

• Driving while under suspension (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was also issued a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5.

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Voice of Business: Quality Data Takes Local Input

Data is worth more than $100 billion globally, a figure that is quickly increasing.

That’s just the value of what we can directly monetize. Its value goes well beyond that, playing a critical role in life and business. We use data for everything from picking television shows to planning growth in our communities.

Good quality data can be priceless. The more detailed and the more local the information, the greater its impact. At the Chamber, we rely heavily on data to better understand business and economic challenges and create forward-thinking policy that will better position our business community for the future.

One way you can help is by completing the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Business Confidence Survey. This annual survey of businesses across Ontario offers a benchmark on the business climate. It’s your opportunity to have your voice heard on the issues that matter most, including priorities for economic growth, labour shortages, technology, climate change, and confidence in the economy and your own organization’s success.

Data from the Business Confidence Survey is used in the OCC’s annual Ontario Economic Report and its advocacy on policy priorities for the year ahead. As well, chambers, boards of trade, and other organizations use that data to inform their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses.

The more local participation we have in the survey the more local the data we access. Otherwise, we are relying on data aggregated from across Ontario. Please take five minutes and complete the Business Confidence Survey here. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 21.

Nearly two years ago, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) launched its quest to democratize data with the Business Data Lab (BDL). The BDL brings together the latest data from various sources to track evolving market conditions in user-friendly modules. It’s a powerful tool that makes accessing current data and analysis easy for businesses and organizations — and it’s free!

Last week, the CCC announced an expansion of the BDL Business Conditions Terminal. This tool offers up-to-date and historical data on:

• Sentiment and outlook

• Workforce

• Business activity

• Business dynamics

• Financial conditions

• Transportation and tourism

• International trade

• Environmental practices

It also includes an executive summary section offering a brief summary of each topic as well as a rating on its conditions.

Currently, the BDL is seeking renewed support from the federal government to keep this valuable tool functioning at its best. We have signed a letter urging the Government of Canada and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, to continue supporting BDL's mission and tools.

Locally, we need you to subscribe and read our weekly newsletters to get the latest information and find opportunities to offer your input on Chamber initiatives and priorities.

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

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Fleming Phoenix Roundup: Nov. 10 - 11

The Fleming Phoenix volleyball and basketball teams struggled and were unable to get in the winning column from their weekend games.

The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Both men’s and women’s Fleming Phoenix volleyball teams fell to the Seneca Stin on Saturday.

The men’s team lost all three sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18.

The women’s team lost all three sets to the Sting with scores of 25-9, 25-15, 25-20.

Both teams play again this Friday against the La Cite Coyotes at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. The women play at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m.

During this match, the name of the new Phoenix mascot will also be revealed. The name came from submission of a community contest held on Oct. 30.

The Phoenix men’s basketball team could not defeat the Georgian Grizzlies in a 92-78 losing effort at home at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Friday.

Tyler Murray had 23 points, Miyake Ugbogbo netted 16 points and eight rebounds, and Marcus Parnell and Jesean Wilson with 11 points each as the team’s top scorers.

The men hit the road this Friday to Ottawa to face the Algonquin Wolves with game time at 7 p.m. Fleming plays on consecutive road games as they will also play the La Cite Coyotes on Saturday with tip off for 2 p.m.

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'Be a Santa to a Senior' Program Launches For Fifth Year

The Be a Santa to a Senior program by Home Instead is encouraging Peterborough give a gift to older adults in the community who may not have anyone to celebrate with for a fifth-straight year.

Photo courtesy of Home Instead.

“The holidays can be hard for many older adults, especially those who may not have a companion to share them with,” said Glen Robson, Peterborough Home Instead owner. “Through Be a Santa to a Senior, we can help these seniors experience the happiness and togetherness the season can bring.” 

Thye program encourages shoppers to find ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ trees or displays with ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult and buy the requested gift with the ornament attached. Ornaments will be available until Dec. 8. to be delivered in time for Christmas.  

The program’s goal is to collect 1,400 gifts.

Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:   

• Salon Sorella and Day Spa: 42 Queen St., Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0 

• Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart: 745 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, Ont. K9J 1Z2 

• Sherwin-Williams: 950 Lansdowne St .W. #5, Peterborough, Ont. K9J 1Z9 

• Gentry Apparel: 377 George St. N., Peterborough, Ont. K9H 3R2 

• Lakefield IDA: 32 Queen St., Lakefield, Ont. K0L 2H0 

“Gifts aside, the true value comes in the connection Be a Santa to a Senior makes between the community and our older neighbors,” said Robson.

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The Chocolate Rabbit Hosting Grand Opening For East City Location On Dec. 2

East City is going to get a little sweeter next month as The Chocolate Rabbit is having a grand opening at the East City location on 72 Hunter St. E. for Dec. 2 at 10 a.m.

The shop’s signature item are ‘Mud Bugs.’ They are bite-sized chocolate with caramel and almond centers and lightly sprinkled with sea salt. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The shop started in Lakefield by Lois and Larry MacEachern in 2006. The Webster family took ownership August of 2021 and opened their second location in Bancroft at the old fudge factory location in June of 2022. The Websters own and operate all three locations.

The ceremony will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the chocolatier’s third location in the Kawarthas.

Customers can meet the Webster family, enter a draw to win a few personalized Chocolate Rabbit gift baskets and and taste test chocolate during the grand opening.

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Peterborough Theatre Guild Announced December Production 'The Enchanted Bookshop' For Eight Shows

Peterborough Theatre Guild is putting on a production of Todd Wallinger’s famed story of ‘The Enchanted Bookshop’ slated for eight dates in December.

Photo courtesy of Colton DeKnock and PeterborougH Theatre Guild.

Four matinee shows at 2 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m. are running throughout the first two weeks of December.

Show dates run on the follow dates: Dec. 1, 2*, 3*, 5, 7, 8, 9* and 10*.

*denotes matinee performances

The production is about the used bookstore ‘A Likely Story’ where characters inside the books come alive at night. Famed characters such as Dorothy Gale, Robin Hood, Pollyanna, Sherlock Holmes, Heidi and Tom Sawyer help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, save her struggling store. The come-to-life characters cannot leave the building or be seen by human eyes. A pair of smugglers comes looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books putting the characters in a dilemma.

The show features additional appearances that include Queen of Hearts, Long John Silver and Doctor Dolittle.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling (705) 745-4211 or visiting Peterborough Theatre Guild’s website.

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Peterborough Police Not Seeking Other Suspects From Lakefield Murder; No More Additional Information to be Released

Peterborough Police Service are no longer seeking suspects in connection with the 60-year-old Lakefield man that was died last Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:30 p.m. on Friday, officers were called to a residence in the Queen Street and Burnham Street area.

Police located the man with serious injuries, was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre by EMS. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after and was pronounced deceased.

A 26-year-old Peterborough woman was arrested and charged with first degree murder.

“The Peterborough Police Service recognizes that the tragic events in Lakefield on Friday, November 10, 2023, may have shaken feelings of safety for residents,” as stated in a press release.

Since the case is before the courts, the Police is releasing no further details.

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Water Sample Courier Service Paused For Winter Season

Peterborough Public Health (PPH), the Municipality of Trent Lakes and the Township of North Kawartha have paused their joint well water sample drop-off program for the winter.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The final date for county residents to drop off their samples at the North Kawartha Municipal Office and the Trent Lakes Municipal Office is Nov. 30.

The free well water sample drop-off service returns on the first week of April. During the winter months, residents can continue to drop off their samples at the following locations:

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays

• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Dr., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St., Havelock between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

PPH says it is essential to test well water several times throughout the year. It is recommended to test the water twice per year for a drilled well. For a dug well, the recommendation is four times per year.

“Even when the ground is frozen, contamination may be present. Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed,” said Chris Eaton, PPH public health inspector. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring so it’s easier for residents to submit well water for testing.”

Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli which indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water but the young, elderly and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.

After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426.

For interpretation of the test results or to find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms or E. coli, please call Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 240 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Third-Annual Darkness to Light Event Brings Community Members Impacted By Suicide Together In Sunrise Gathering

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting its third-annual Darkness To Light for community members impacted by suicide and overdose on Dec. 21 at Rogers Cove.

Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.

The outdoor sunrise gathering marks brighter days ahead after the solstice which is the day with the smallest amount of daylight.

Julie Brown — who led last year’s event — is returning to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The event will be rain, snow or shine and is free to attend thanks to the support of Seven Hills Developments. Those wishing to attend can show up the morning of the event but are encouraged to pre-register. Organizers ask guests to arrive by 7:30 a.m. as sunrise is expected at 7:45 a.m.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement. After feedback about how impactful the last two ceremonies have been, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “All are welcome to join us at Rogers Cove on the morning of December 21st and we would encourage people to come for 7:30 a.m., have a coffee and join us in a moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.”

Donations can be made to the event and proceeds support the Suicide Bereavement work at Hospice Peterborough.

“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,” said Julie Brown.

“We are very grateful to GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and Seven Hills Developments for enabling this event to take place again and offering the opportunity for people impacted by suicide and overdose deaths to come together in this meaningful, safe way,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice executive director.

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