Peterborough Blogs
Fleming Improves to 28th In Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges List
/Fleming College has climbed to the 28th position on Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges list as they were listed 35th in last year’s placement.
Photo by Keegan Beekers.
The annual ranking, published by Research Infosource Inc., recognizes colleges that drive research initiatives and contribute to Canada's knowledge economy. Rankings are based on research income through research grants, contracts and contributions from third parties. Data were obtained through surveys of publicly funded colleges and from 2022-2023 financial statements. During that time, Fleming had $4.858 million of sponsored research income, up 66.7 per cent from the previous year and a record-high amount for the college according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to see such a substantial increase in research funding and the tangible results of our strategic expansion into new areas of applied research at the college,” said Maureen Adamson, Fleming College president. “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and strong community collaboration to prepare our partners and students for the challenges of the future.”
Fleming College was also ranked fifth overall for industry research income between 2018-2023 amongst all medium-sized colleges.
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Photos: Grievers Seek Comfort and Reflect at Hospice Peterborough's 'Stars For a Dark Night'
/Grievers of lost loved ones could come to reflect and have their stories heard at Hospice Peterborough’s ‘Stars For a Dark Night’ held at Peterborough Square on Tuesday evening.
The event allowed anyone who had lost a loved one to share their story with Hospice staff, volunteers or other grievers (either privately or on an open mic). It also had expressive arts, quiet reflection and a live performance from the Hospice Singers.
Hospice volunteer Sarah Lewis said this event could not have happened at a more perfect time. She had lost her father to cancer in 2021 and felt the holidays last year were not the same without him.
“Because I had lost my father around Christmas time, it was a time of grieving and I wasn't in the Christmas spirit,” she explained. “I think this can be such a difficult time for a lot of people who have lost somebody important to them so having a community gathering where we're allowed to grieve together, not hold that in and share through art, I think, is absolutely beautiful.”
The drop-in event had anyone who stopped by write a name on a star (paper or wooden) of someone they commemorated and remembered. It was placed on a window at Peterborough Square with other stars.
“This is a celebration of honouring and remembering our loved ones, our people who have passed on,” said Lewis. “(It’s nice) Just to gather to share stories, strengthen hope, poetry, art and song together and grieve as a community.”
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Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign Raises Over $33,000 For Kawartha Food Share
/The Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign raised $33,645.48 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) in a cheque presentation at the latter’s facility on Tuesday morning.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The campaign ran from Nov. 13 to 19, when KFS was announced as the fundraiser recipient in early November.
“In the past, we have donated at Christmas to Kawartha Food Share,” said Erika Rowe-Gallagher, Tim Hortons owner and operator. “It becomes a little more special and a little more meaningful at Christmas when we think of family.”
The proceeds were split 50/50 between the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps for youth aged 12-16 with disadvantaged circumstances. The other half was for KFS to help them fill their food bank.
“Hopefully this will stretch us a couple months into the new year. We're busy right now filling up our Christmas orders and getting things out before the year's end,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “Come January, the need is just as high so this will help us ensure that we can purchase food items for that time of year as well.”
The money came in time to help meet KFS's increasing demand over the holiday season.
“In the last couple of years, we have our numbers have significantly risen,” said Aitken. “Pre-pandemic, we were feeding anywhere from 7,500 to 9,000 people a month. Now we're feeding close to 12,000 people a month at food banks. Sometimes that number increased as high as 15,000.”
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City to Host Tree Lighting Ceremony At Quaker Foods City Square This Friday
/The City of Peterborough is getting into the holiday spirit by hosting a community tree lighting ceremony at Quaker Foods City Square at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
The Peterborough Singers Choir will perform seasonal songs before Mayor Jeff Leal flips the switch to turn on the lights illuminating the 35-foot-tall tree.
Weather pending, the Square skating rink will be open for skating for the first time this season.
“Quaker Foods City Square brought a tremendous amount of energy to the downtown last winter with thousands of people enjoying the new outdoor skating rink,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The tree will add to the festive spirit and vibrancy. I look forward to celebrating the season with the community at the upcoming tree lighting event.”
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Peterborough Police Provide Tips For Safe Holiday Shopping
/The Peterborough Police Service has provided tips to the public for safe holiday shopping.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Here are a few tips provided from the police:
If you are out shopping, make sure any purchases or valuables in your vehicle are out of sight.
Be aware of distraction thefts. This happens when one person distracts you with a question while another takes your valuables such as phones, wallets or gifts. It can occur in a store or even in a parking lot.
If packages are being delivered to your house, make sure you have a plan for when they arrive. Perhaps a neighbour will pick them up for you or plan to be home if possible. Or ask that delivery requires a signature.
If you have a camera installed, ensure it is in good working order and connected to your phone to notify you of movement on your porch.
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A Cappella Chorus Group The Aces of Harmony to Serenade Downtown During Late-Night Shopping Event
/Local award-winning a cappella chorus group, The Aces of Harmony, is serenading downtown streets from 5 - 7 p.m. during The Boro’s late-night shopping event this Thursday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
The Aces of Harmony has been part of Peterborough’s music scene for over 50 years. The a cappella chorus sings close harmony in the barbershop style. During the late-night shopping event, they will sing classic holiday tunes to create a cheery atmosphere downtown for seasonal shopping.
“We love Peterborough and really wanted to do something for the downtown business community this holiday season,” said Diane Martin, director of the Aces Harmony. “We’re so excited to partner with the Peterborough DBIA to bring our harmonies (and holiday cheer) into the downtown core and to bring smiles to people’s faces as they enjoy a night out shopping and dining.”
Over 35 businesses are participating in the late-night shopping events. A map has been created to locate the participating retailers. When purchasing at participating locations, shoppers will receive double the stamps on their holiday shopping passports.
Parking is also free in Downtown Peterborough after 6 p.m. and holiday shopping is free for two hours prior to that time.
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Local Pedorthist Publishes New Book Highlighting Peterborough Petes 67-Year History With 101 Short Stories
/Local pedorthist Nick Caravaggio Jr. recalls the Peterborough Petes 67-year history in a new book he published called ‘Petes 101: The Unofficial History of the Peterborough Petes.’
Nick Caravaggio Jr. is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist at the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic. He took over the business from his late father, Nick Caravaggio Sr., a founding member of orthotic therapy in Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The 300-page book contains 101 short chapters throughout the team’s 67-year tenure including the recent 2022-23 OHL Championship title.
“I've always wanted to write a book. It's been on my bucket list for a long time and I've just been a big sports fan my entire life,” explained Caravaggio. “There's a lot of books out there about the Canadiens, the Leafs and whatnot that are similar to this book and I thought it would be cool to try for the Petes.”
The book pays homage to his late father and Petes fan, Nick Caravaggio Sr. Before the father’s passing, Caravaggio Sr. was able to read most of the book. He took Caravaggio Jr. — when he was six at the time— to his first Petes game on Nov. 3, 1990. To commemorate the occasion, Caravaggio Sr. bought his son a puck that bears the book's cover.
The late father ran the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic and could not spend much time with his son. The Petes game became the foundation for the close bond between both Nicks and they made a concerted to attend games more frequently to spend more time together.
“He's the main reason why we have such a good relationship with the Petes because he took me to my first game,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “We had such a good connection and it just strengthened our whole bond. I have to thank the Petes because they're the reason why my dad and I had such a good relationship.”
The book contains interviews with Petes’ players, coaches, staff and more throughout the team’s 67-year span. Interviews for the book included Don Barrie, Pat Casey, Scotty Bowman, Terry Doyle and several others.
He credits former Petes general manager Jeff Twohey with getting him closer to the world of junior hockey than he ever imagined according to the book. He also mentions local author, journalist, and former editor Ed Arnold for being his mentor and helping him write the book. Caravaggio Jr. only had a few people to talk to for the book but the aforementioned helped establish more connections for interviews.
“It just kind of snowballed,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “This whole community, they're so tight. They're such nice people and very welcoming to me. I'm not a hockey guy, I never played at a high level so they're very welcoming to accept me and actually talk to me.”
The book is available on Amazon, the Petes store (at the Peterborough Memorial Centre) and Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic for $25. Caravaggio Jr. is signing book copies before the Petes game at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at 6 p.m. this Thursday.
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'One in Five Households Struggle to Afford Food' Says Peterborough Public Health
/Food security has become an increasing issue as nearly one in five Peterborough City and County residents worry about running out of money for food according to a new report from Peterborough Public Health (PPH) announced on Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The 2023 Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough Report says that inadequate incomes result in the highest rates of food insecurity our region has ever seen as stated by PPH.
“It is no secret that the cost of food has gone up,” said Lauren Kennedy, PPH registered dietitian. “Many people are really struggling to afford food, a basic human need. No one should have to choose between shelter or food but this is a reality that is negatively impacting their physical and mental health.”
Although food prices have increased dramatically over the past year, insufficient income remains the critical issue behind rising food insecurity said Kennedy.
“This report documents the lived experience of too many members of our community,” she said. “It is disturbing that nearly 20 per cent of households worry about running out of money for food. This is the highest level we have ever seen.”
Joan DiFruscia, Peterborough Food Action Network member and Chair of the Otonabee-South Monaghan Food Cupboard, says she has supported emergency food programs for over 40 years.
“Food banks work hard to serve community members in need. But they are meant to be a temporary fix, not the solution,” she said. “They do not address the root cause of food insecurity. Systemic change is urgently needed and increasing income is key.”
“We encourage everyone in our community to speak up for more money for food,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH Medical Officer of Health. “Raising incomes is the only way to prevent food insecurity. Now is the time to stand up for more money for food.”
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Winner of First Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird Draw Announced
/Tony Jeffery has won a $500 Boro gift card from the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) first Holiday Shopping Passport early bird draw, announced on Monday.
Holiday Shopping Passport Early Bird winner Tony Jeffery (left) celebrating his win at Gentry Apparel with store owner Andrew Damiany (right). Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
