Peterborough Humane Society Receives $25,000 Donation From Leask Family For Their Our Pet Project Capital Fundraising Campaign

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Our Pet Project—the Peterborough Humane Society’s campaign to build its first-of-its-kind Animal Care Centre—has received a $25,000 donation towards the new Centre, which will set a new standard for animal welfare in Canada.

The Leask family was inspired to give by their son, Todd (pictured below), a dedicated supporter of the Humane Society who has been walking dogs at the Humane Society for more than five years.  

Todd Leask and PHS dog, Baxter

The Leask family did a tour of the existing facility this summer and were impressed with the work and dedication of the staff and volunteers—despite the limitations of the building.

“Even under these conditions, they do a yeoman’s job of caring for the many animals they take in, care for and then re-home into suitable homes,” says Bob Leask. “We were pleased they spay and neuter all animals prior to putting them up for adoption, thus controlling the pet overpopulation in our region. It is obvious the present quarters are over-crowded and proper animal care is a challenge.”

Rendering of new facility

Designed by Peterborough-based Lett Architects, the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre will sit on 20 acres of land on Technology Drive and will be a Canadian first—setting the standard for animal shelters in Canada. The purpose-built facility will be home to the Humane Society’s new Adoption and Education Centre, which is designed with animals’ well-being in mind, providing more space, natural light and reducing stress.

In addition to the Provincial Dog Rehab Centre, the Peterborough Animal Care Centre will also be home to the region’s only accessible Spay/Neuter Clinic. The Humane Society anticipates that over 5,000 pets and their owners will benefit from this service each year, reducing the number of unwanted pets in the province.

Rendering of new faclity

Fundraising for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre is now well over the halfway mark. “We are excited to be one step closer to building our greatly needed new Centre,” says Executive Director Shawn Morey. “The philanthropic leadership of the Leask family and others will help us to reach our goal and make this vision to lead the way in animal welfare, a reality. I encourage people to join us and make this their Pet Project.”

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PRHC Foundation Mombassadors Raise Amazing $115,504 For PRHC Babies In Need

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The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation Mombassadors, a group of local mothers inspired by their own children's experiences at PRHC, presented PRHC Foundation with a cheque for $115,504 to purchase lifesaving equipment for PRHC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

"The PRHC Foundation Mombassadors took on a huge goal in only our second year of $102,000," says the group's 2019 chair Marcy D'Alessandro. "We were motivated by the continuous stories that parents would tell us of their babies using the very equipment we were trying to replace. We constantly heard about the wonderful staff of the NICU. We know without their unwavering drive for excellence in care, the community would not be so receptive in helping us achieve our ambitious goal."

After receiving a matching donation of $32,000 from the Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament in the spring, the group adjusted their original target of $70,000 to be bigger and bolder.

"The partnership of the Liftlock Atom Hockey Tournament was a game-changer for our campaign this year," adds Sarah McDougall Perrin, who founded Mombassadors along with her sister Erin Marshall. "The support of these incredible community partners allowed us to dream bigger, to surpass $100,000 this year and together make a greater impact."

Over 1,600 babies are born at PRHC each year, and the Mombassadors’ 2019 fundraising target was designed to fund a new ventilator and a radiant heater/warmer for those babies who need extra support after birth. Through the group’s successful fundraising efforts, they will be able to fund both pieces of equipment for the hospital.

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Fleming College Honours Rights Of Indigenous Peoples With Newly Passed Policy

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Fleming College recently passed a policy, approved by the College’s Board of Governors, that honours the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Titled Honouring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this is the first policy of its kind for the College and was officially launched on Wednesday, September 25th, as Fleming staff and students were joined by members of the Indigenous community to celebrate at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus.

Natural Semaa wrapped in Tobacco Ties by Ashley Safar, Indigenous Student Services, Kylie Fox-Peltier, Manager, Indigenous Student Services and Elizabeth Osawamick. (Photo courtesy Fleming College)

The event included a ceremonial hanging of tobacco ties with Fleming College President Maureen Adamson, members of Fleming’s Board of Governors, Elder Shirley Williams and Elizabeth Osawamick.

“Fleming must continue to carve a path to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and experience into our curriculum and do our part to educate all our staff and students,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “We must play our integral role as a community college toward Truth and Reconciliation by ensuring all staff and students are part of the process.”

The new policy is intended to meet the requirements of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), as well as the CiCAN Indigenous Education Protocol. Fleming College believes in and promotes the rights of all First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis peoples. The College recognizes the unique histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

Hanging of Tobacco Ties signifies a renewed commitment and contract between Fleming College and the Indigenous Community (photo courtesy Fleming College)

“I am excited to see and hear that this is happening for Fleming College,” says Elder Shirley Williams, Fleming Indigenous Education Council. “Committing to an Indigenous rights policy ensures that the Anishinabeg‎ get their education as part of reconciliation. I am thankful for Fleming making this commitment with an eagle feather present, as this will symbolize the commitment of truth.”

The policy affirms the College’s commitment to equity and inclusion, and providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples and their ways of knowing. The policy will support the College community in the process of Truth and Reconciliation via education, training and acknowledgement, with the formation of an Honouring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Committee (HRIPC).

It will also ensure that the College makes every reasonable effort to ensure Indigenous peoples, languages and ways of knowing are represented in all College operations and spaces.

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Mayor Therrien Shuts Down Rumour Mill In Best Way About Her Body With Funny, Powerful Tweet

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People in public positions often have to deal with a lot of gossip and conjecture about them—oftentimes in regards to their body. Sometimes the only way to deal with that is to confront it head on. Take this case of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien as an example.

Mayor Therrien

On Monday (September 23rd), Mayor Therrien posted a tweet about her having to miss City Council due to illness.

She followed it up with this mic drop of a tweet hours later in regards to her pregnancy status (which, of course, is no one’s business but people make it such).

The responses were overwhelmingly positive in regards to her honesty in confronting the gossip head on…

“I’ve heard it through the grapevine about six times now,” Mayor Therrien tells PTBOCanada in regards to her rumour mill tweet. “So no not pregnant, just fat LOL.”

Oh, and she often bikes to work, too, for those that don’t see her car at City Hall and think she’s not working hard. But we’ll leave that up to her to say in another tweet ;)

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PTBOCANADA


The Peterborough Chamber’s Annual Power Hour Event Wins National Award

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The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has won the “Canadian Chamber of Commerce Competition” at the Canadian Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, which was held in Saint John, New Brunswick this year.

Each year the competition is focused on a different aspect of the Chamber operation. This year, the competition was titled “Influence in Action - Advocacy through Events”, with an emphasis on events that create profile for the fundamental advocacy work of the Chamber Network. The Peterborough Chamber’s annual Power Hour event was chosen as the 1st Place Winner by some 300 delegates from across Canada.

Left to right: Stu Harrison and Sandra Dueck from Peterborough Chamber of Commerce with Dawn Hennessey, Vice Chair of the Peterborough Chamber Board

The Power Hour is an annual event bringing together the business community and our elected officials. Attendees hear from elected officials at all four levels of government: the MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the Warden for the County of Peterborough, and the Mayor for the City of Peterborough. Also invited as guests are the elected councils for the City and County of Peterborough, First Nations Chiefs and the City and County CAOs.  

The event features a Q&A session, moderated by Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Policy Analyst, Sandra Dueck, with questions provided by the audience. The questions and the discussion further inform the advocacy direction for the Chamber moving forward.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and volunteers of the Chamber,” says President and CEO Stu Harrison of the award. “To have the opportunity to not only showcase our Chamber at the national level, but to be judged the best, is truly an honour.”


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Team 55 Announces Details For 7th Annual Friday Night Lights

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The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.) and Team 55 announced details for the 7th Annual Friday Night Lights event happening on October 4th at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.

Friday Night Lights is a Team 55 football event supporting suicide prevention through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. Funds raised through Friday Night Lights this year will once again go towards C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention (A.O.S.P.) program.

Team 55 Founder Dave Pogue at press conference

“When we took this on, we pledged $40,000 a year for two years,” says Dave Pogue, founder of Team 55, noting the total cost of the position is approximately double their pledge. “We’ve come on board to pledge another $40,000 for the fourth year. All the funds raised will go to this program.”

In addition to seeing some of the best high school football in the province, attendees can expect engaging opening ceremonies with special guest speaker, Richard Clune of the Toronto Marlies.

“The opening ceremonies are your chance to hear from our guest speaker and listen to impactful stories that will inspire you to support mental health in any way you can,” says Pogue. “We hope if any audience members are still reluctant to talk about mental health that this will encourage them to seek help.”

Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education for C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.

A barbecue will also be running from 12 p.m. when games start until the end of the event. Team 55 merchandise will be for sale and everyone there will have the chance to chat with a representative from C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. about their programs and services and the A.O.S.P. program in particular. 

“We are so grateful for the support of Team 55 as well as all donors who make this program possible,” says Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education for C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. “Their dedication to mental health and suicide awareness has had an incredible impact on the lives of so many in our community,”

“That said, in order for this remarkable program to be truly sustainable, we cannot continue to rely on members of our community to raise or donate the funds. The A.O.S.P. program is changing lives throughout Haliburton, Kawartha, and Pine Ridge and we believe it could change lives across Ontario, should government funding be made available.”

THE DETAILS (Friday, October 4th)

-> 12 p.m. Games and Barbecue Begin
-> 6 p.m. Opening Ceremonies,
-> 7 p.m. Main Event Kick-off
-> Location: Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, 1009 Armour Rd., Peterborough

For more info, see Team 55 on Facebook.

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100 Women Peterborough Raises $10,000+ In Under One Hour For Casa De Angelae

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On Tuesday (September 17th), the 100 Women Peterborough group raised $10,000+ in under one hour for Casa De Angelae.

Casa De Angelae Chair Kim Aubin and a resident of Casa De Angelae, Katie Galloro, presented on behalf of the organization to the women at the meeting, which was held at The Venue in downtown Peterborough. Casa De Angelae was selected to receive the donations by a majority vote that evening.

Photo courtesy 100 Women Peterborough

Casa De Angelae’s mission is to provide a permanent home for women with developmental disabilities, allowing them to live in a safe, supportive family environment. They provide the women with a combination of supervision, family support and independence that they need to grow as contributing members of their community. The funding they received from 100 Women Peterborough will be used to install chair lifts in the home.

“We want to thank the 100 Women Peterborough group for this amazing donation,” says Kim Aubin. “This money will go a long way in ensuring that the Casa De Angelae home will be accessible and safe for not just the four women but any future women that have the opportunity to call Casa De Angelae their home.” 

Photo courtesy 100 Women Peterborough

“We’re excited about this contribution,” says Katie Galloro, who has been living at Casa De Angelae since July 2011. “I think it will help us a lot.”

Four women currently reside at Casa De Angelae. The families of the women share a vision of transitioning their daughters out of their family homes before age or ill health prevents them from providing the necessary support. The organization works to help the women achieve the dream to live independent, meaningful lives.

"We are excited to see our membership grow every meeting to contribute to deserving organizations like Casa De Angelae," says Rose Terry, a Founding Member of 100 Women Peterborough. “It is important to show women that they don’t need to have millions of dollars to participate, we can work together collectively to make a huge impact." 

Women that are interested in joining the group are encouraged to reach out via the website here.

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Fleming Celebrates Pride Week With Ceremonial Raising Of Pride Flag For First Time In College History

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Fleming College kicked off Pride Week with the ceremonial raising of the Pride Flag at Sutherland Campus on Monday (September 16th).

Students, faculty and staff gathered outside to celebrate diversity and inclusion on campus by raising the Pride Flag for the first time in the College’s history.

“This was a great opportunity to reinforce the vital commitment that Fleming is making to be a welcoming place for all,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “While the flag is about diversity and inclusion, it is also about equality—nothing more, nothing less. The pride flag flying over Fleming sends a strong signal that everyone is welcome here.“

Fleming College will celebrate Pride Week with festivities throughout the week, including:

Tuesday, September 17th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pride in the KTTC (D-Wing)

Wednesday, September 18th, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. BBQ(ueer) (Steele Centre Patio) 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Queer Sex workshop (Library)

Thursday, September 19th, 7 p.m. Dirty Bingo (Steele Centre)

Friday, September 20th, 12 – 2 p.m. Decorate Fleming Pride Float (Main Foyer) 4:30 p.m. Trans Day of Resiliency March (Seeds of Change)

Saturday, September 21st, 1:30 p.m. Pride Parade (Peterborough City Hall)

Watch some video from the pride flag raising at Fleming here…

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Warsaw Caves Closed September 17th & 18th To Allow Canadian Armed Forces To Conduct Training

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Otonabee Conservation says that Warsaw Caves Conservation Area will be closed on September 17th and 18th as members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be conducting routine training in there.

All training will be limited to the caves area and therefore public access to this area will be restricted during this time period.

Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation

People in the area of the park may see members of the military carrying weapons as they undergo training activities.

Live ammunition will not be present, but blank ammunition may be used during training, which will be done in accordance with Canadian Armed Forces safety measures.

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Five Counties Children's Centre Chosen As Recipient Of Tim Horton's Smile Cookie Campaign

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Five Counties Children’s Centre—which is dedicated to supporting children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs—has been chosen as the recipient of the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign this year.

The campaign runs at participating locations from September 16th to 22nd, and the Centre is hoping that supporters will help Five Counties kids during the campaign by participating. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP FIVE COUNTIES DURING CAMPAIGN

-> Go to any Peterborough, Lakefield or Bridgenorth Tim Horton’s location and purchase some Smile Cookies! 

-> You can place your order ahead of time for your workplace, club or get together (go here for an electronic form), or stop by you nearest Tim Hortons location.

-> Put up the information poster in your office, staff room or place of business to let your co-workers and the community know how they can help.

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