Stay The Heck Home, Mayor Therrien Says, Declaring State Of Emergency For Peterborough

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“Stay the heck home Peterborough.” That’s the message from Mayor Therrien, who along with Peterborough County, declared a State of Emergency on Monday (March 23rd).

The declaration was made after careful consideration of the increasing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding need for people to take necessary precautions. This decision follows declarations made by the Province of Ontario for the entire province as well as numerous other municipalities that have declared local states of emergency.

Mayor Therrien declaring State of Emergency

“By declaring an emergency, we are clearly stating as a community that our efforts are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic for the health and safety of everyone,” says Therrien.

“For the safety of yourself and everyone, you need to stay home except for essential outings, follow social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of illness; and if you’re asked to self-isolate—you must do so. If you have returned from travel outside of Canada, you are, and everyone you live with is, required to self-isolate for 14 days. Refusing to do so is irresponsible and places our community at increased risk. Do your part to flatten the curve.”

The declaration of an emergency is available to municipalities under the Provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. It may provide access to provincial funding for actions related to the emergency and relief, should funding become available.

EMERGENCY SERVICES CONTINUE TO OPERATE

Emergency services including Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Fire Services, and Peterborough County-City Paramedics continue to operate. The City continues to provide core services with some adjusted service levels.

For questions about COVID-19, people are encouraged to refer to health officials for up-to-date, reliable information. Peterborough Public Health provides information and links to provincial and federal resources at peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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How Community Can Support Patients & Frontline Healthcare Workers During COVID‐19 Crisis

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The PRHC Foundation has announced that effective immediately, anyone wishing to support Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) patients, frontline healthcare workers and staff during the COVID‐19 crisis can now do so with a dedicated donation.

PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway says that the COVID‐19 crisis will bring unprecedented challenges to PRHC. “Your hospital needs you now more than ever,” says Heighway. “We must ensure our frontline healthcare professionals and staff have the tools, technology and supports they need to care for their sickest patients—and themselves—during this difficult time.”

Photo via PRHC Foundation

With key needs ranging from lifesaving equipment and technology, to supports for patients and frontline healthcare workers and staff, critical funds are required now to ensure PRHC can respond quickly to their fast‐evolving needs as the impact of this virus is felt.

“PRHC’s expert healthcare professionals, staff and leaders are on the frontline of this crisis and they’re mobilizing,” adds Heighway. “They’re ramping up to ensure the right resources are in place, getting ready to take care of us and the people we love with the same expertise, compassion and dedication they demonstrate every day.”

“In the same way that PRHC’s teams are mobilizing to support you, we’re mobilizing now so we can be ready to support them as soon as help is needed,” she adds. “We must act quickly and do whatever we can to lessen the impact on our community, our hospital, its patients, and our frontline healthcare professionals. By making a donation and/or sharing a message of hope and thanks, you’ll be standing behind our frontline healthcare workers as they respond to the challenge ahead, helping to ease their burden.”

For more information or to donate over the phone, call (705) 876‐5000. To donate online, send a Grateful Hearts message, or send a message without a donation, visit prhcfoundation.ca. Donations will also be accepted by mail c/o PRHC Foundation, 1 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6.

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A Porch Food Drive Launches As Peterborough Rallies Behind Kawartha Food Share

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A citywide food drive to restock the dwindling shelves at Kawartha Food Share has begun.

On Monday, March 23rd starting at 9 a.m., citizens throughout Peterborough (not Peterborough County at this time) are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch to be picked up by volunteers.

This ask is made of anyone who is not ill or in self-isolation to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on your front porch that morning. Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will drive around the city and collect the items, and deliver them to the warehouse.

Kawartha Food Share

The shelves at Kawartha Food Share are perilously low, and need to be restocked for those in need. Many people have stocked their pantries with ample stores of canned goods and washrooms with excess rolls of toilet paper. The idea is if we all give one bag back, we’ll be doing a little bit that will go a long way.

WHAT ORGANIZERS NEED

Please place one or two rolls of toilet paper in a ziplock bag if you have one, or another bag that keeps it separate. Add the TP to a larger bag of canned goods. Leave it at your door and volunteers will do the rest!

Helpful Items Include:

·      Canned tuna

·      Pasta and pasta sauce

·      Alphagetti, Kraft Dinner and Chef Boyardee, (things that are easy and that kids like)

·      Breakfast cereal – a lot of children will be without school breakfast programs for the foreseeable future

·      Peanut Butter – there are currently zero jars on the shelf

·      Any non-perishable fruit and vegetable items

·      Rice

·      Canned soup/stew

·      Feminine hygiene products

·      Baby formula

Kawartha Food Share

Consider Donating An Old Cellphone

 If you have an unused cellphone with a charger that you could donate, that would also be helpful. Greenwood Coalition is distributing cell phones to our vulnerable neighbours to keep an open channel of communication with people most in need.

As public buildings have closed, access to computers, internet and information is limited for many people. If we can provide a person with a free phone so they can text service providers (through free wifi), it is an important first step in making sure our neighbours are safe. If you can help, please leave the phone and charger in the donation bag and we’ll make sure it gets to Greenwood Coalition.

 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

* Our fellow citizens need to eat, we cannot abandon them. This method limits exposure for all, but still meets the needs of our most vulnerable.

* It is safer than shopping at a grocery store. There will be no face-to-face contact between those donating and those picking up.

* Volunteers will be on their own in their own vehicles. They will be wearing gloves and will observe all necessary and suggested safety protocols.

* The warehouse is empty of agencies on Monday afternoon. There will be limited staff to accept the donations.

*  If you are ill, please do not leave a bag outside of your home.

* Putting the toilet paper inside a ziplock bag minimizes touching of the product.

* This method limits the number of visitors to the Food Share warehouse, thus limiting exposure.

If you’re self-isolating, you can donate online here. If you’re a business and want to help for larger donations email here to arrange for a bulk pick up.

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Restaurants & Cafes Are Making Amazing Donations To Kawartha Food Share During COVID-19

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Many local restaurants, cafes and other businesses have been donating to Kawartha Food Share in this time of crisis, as this powerful #caremongering phase shows the love and support this community is providing to each other.

Look at what Berc’s Steakhouse dropped off…

And Publican House…

And the Starbucks at Trent University…

And thanks to East City Coffee Shop, Kawartha Food Share is delivering these home fries down to their friends at One Roof to serve for dinner…

Shorelines Casino stepped up in a big way as well…

Many more are doing so as well! Well played Peterborough!!

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Kawartha Food Share In Desperate Need Of Food Donations During COVID-19 Crisis

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Kawartha Food Share says many of their clients do not have the means to buy extra food items and are turning to their food banks for support.

“Our numbers are usually higher during the winter, but we’re seeing such an increase this past week,” General Manager Ashlee Aitken tells PTBOCanada. “Plus we’re seeing a decrease in volunteers, so it’s crazy times at the food banks.”

Indeed, the health of both Kawartha Food Share’s clients and volunteers on the front lines is very important to them, and they are encouraging anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and call their warehouse (705-745-5377) if they are in need of emergency food.

”We are also concerned for parents who rely on their children using our breakfast and nutrition programs at school,” says Kawartha Food Share’s General Manager Ashlee Aitken.

“They now have to access extra food from our services during the extended March break and we expect to see client numbers rise in the next couple weeks because of this.”

Kawartha Food Share is also in need of any and all perishable food donations, such as soup, pasta, pasta sauce, Mac and Cheese, and canned vegetables.

Donations can be made at their collection bins located at all local grocery stores, at their warehouse at 665 Neal drive, or online here.

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Local Realtor Linz Hunt Trekked The Sahara Desert In Support Of YWCA Crossroads Shelter

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Peterborough Realtor Linz Hunt met with respresentatives at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton recently to present a cheque for $17,820 in support of YWCA Crossroads Shelter.

Hunt’s generous gift in support of women and children fleeing abuse was raised through an incredible 5 day, 100 kilometre trek through the Sahara Desert late last year. She was among 120 real estate agents who participated in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Sahara Desert Challenge for Shelter.

Photo of Linz Hunt in Sahara Desert

“As a Realtor, my job is to sell people homes and I can't imagine associating a home with fear and danger,” says Hunt.

“I chose to contribute more intentionally to the YWCA by taking part in the Sahara Trek because of the people I know and love who have experienced gender-based violence.”

“Every day throughout the trek, we read letters from women and children who had escaped their abusers thanks to the shelters we were supporting,” adds Hunt.

“These letters were heartbreaking but they reaffirmed that our journey was nothing in comparison to what these families have gone through. I truly had the experience of a lifetime supporting such an important cause.”

To learn more about the YWCA Peterborough and how you can get involved, click here.

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Five Counties Children’s Centre Opens Newest Smilezones At Cobourg Location

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Five Counties Children’s Centre has announced the opening of their newest Smilezones at their Cobourg Site (800 Division Street), which serves more than 1,000 children and youth each year.

Generously donated by Smilezone Foundation, the bright, fun Smilezones include murals, sensory toys, and drawing boards—improving the experience for children and families visiting the Centre.

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

“We are very happy the children and families in the Northumberland area can now enjoy this warm, welcoming environment,” says Kristy Hook, Vice Chair Five Counties Children’s Centre Board of Directors.

“The change is incredible,” adds Diane Pick, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “The work of the amazing volunteers who transformed our space over one weekend has created an inviting, friendly place for our clients and families to spend time while they are here for therapy and appointments.”

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

“Each Smilezone at the Site has been created to represent a different aspect of Northumberland County life,” says Elizabeth Carmichael, Program Manager at the Cobourg Site.

“In addition to the Welcome Message in our reception area, the extremely talented Smilezone artist has created murals depicting the neighbouring farm community, beach, rolling hills and forest.”

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Peterborough Public Health Advises That Now Is The Time To Prepare For Possible Arrival Of COVID-19 In Area

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While there are still no local cases and the risk of severe illness remains low, Peterborough Public Health is advising organizations and local residents that now is the time to get ready for the arrival of COVID-19 in our area.

As such, Peterborough Public Health has updated its website with clear steps residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus.

“Since there isn’t a vaccine developed yet, we will be mostly relying on behaviour changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “We are just now at the tipping point where non-travel related transmission may start to occur in Ontario. Peterborough-area residents are known for their ability to pull together in demanding situations, so we are counting on everyone to do their part and protect their families and our most vulnerable groups from COVID-19.”

Some of the steps Peterborough Public Health recommends residents and local organizations can take to prepare for COVID-19 and prevent spreading the virus include…

  • For individuals and families, their focus should be on personal practices such as proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, not sharing water bottles, straws, etc., and staying home when sick. If you get sick with respiratory symptoms and think you may have COVID 19, call Peterborough Public Health at 705-743- 1000, ext. 401 to speak with a nurse, or after business hours, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

  • For businesses and organizations, now is the time to complete Continuity of Operations plans in case of high absenteeism, consider cross-training staff for essential roles, and increase cleaning of workspaces. Please read Information for Workplaces on the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

  • For those considering travel abroad, please visit the Government of Canada website for current travel advisories.

“Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are the ones at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID- 19,” adds Dr. Salvaterra. “With our high population of seniors and many local residents suffering the effects of poor health due to low-income, we will be working closely with the partner agencies who support them to put in place as many protective factors as possible.”

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 webpage on peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call 705-743-1000.

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The Amazing Impact Five Counties Children's Centre Has Had On 4 Kids Participating With Peterborough Petes On Family Day

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Seven-year-old Daniel’s training at Five Counties Children’s Centre has honed his skills to the point where he has been drafted to skate with the Peterborough Petes on Family Day this year.

As the Petes’ Canadian Tire Seventh Skater, Daniel will represent Five Counties Children’s Centre, which is benefitting from partial ticket proceeds and several activities at the Peterborough Memorial Centre at their game against the Sudbury Wolves.

Left to right: Lois Tuffin (Five Counties Children’s Centre), Mitchell M., Mitchell F, Daniel (shooting ball) Peterborough Petes' group sales co-ordinator Drew Nascimento and Elliot. (Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre)

“Five Counties has made a huge impact on Daniel’s life,” says his mother Tina. “He went from being an observer in social settings, to confidently becoming a participant.”

When Daniel first came in for treatment at age 2, he was choking on his food and could only say a few words. His therapists helped him learn to eat and identified his apraxia (disconnection) of speech. Now he is an active, healthy child who communicates more clearly and plays hockey for the Ennismore Eagles.

 “As his therapist said at the beginning of our journey it was, and still is, like preparing for the Olympics,” his mom adds. “Although we did not see huge changes following each session, the growth has been steady. After many appointments, and perseverance from Daniel, he is able to express his thoughts and ideas through speaking.”

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

Daniel and his teammates will have additional coaching help on Family Day from Mitchell and Mitchell, two hockey-loving teenagers who are also clients at Five Counties.

Mitchell F., 16, started coming for treatment as a baby, but needed more intensive and varied therapies after having a stroke at 18 months. “Mitchell, defying the odds, learned to walk at three-and-a-half years of age,” his mother Anita says. “Despite being told he may never walk or talk, he is a confident and kind 16-year-old, credit earning, Grade 10 student.”

Mitchell is active in two school clubs and volunteered with the football and baseball teams. He has been playing sledge hockey for the past seven years and won the award for Most Dedicated Player for three of those years.

Meanwhile, Mitchell M., 18, began treatments at Five Counties at age one and has tapped into services for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy—not to mention support from therapeutic recreation, social work and Augmentative Communication Services.

 “They have been on this great journey of developing his speech, encouraging activities of daily living, and assisting with appropriate mobility devices,” his mother Yvonne says. “Five Counties has been an integral part of Mitchell’s quality of life by participating in the increase of his skill level and his mobility.”

The staff have helped him try sledge hockey, borrow an accessible bicycle and try out walkers and wheelchairs until he found the right fit.

Up in the announcer’s box, Elliot, 8, will show how he has found his voice, thanks to his treatments at Five Counties. He will shadow announcer Gord Gibb in announcing the game’s opening lineup.

Born with Weidemann Steiner Syndrome, he initially came in for treatments to get him to crawling to walking just in time to start kindergarten. Due to his autism and intellectual delay, he also needed help to find the proper words to describe items and his feelings.

 “Now, it is almost inconceivable to think that at one time Elliot wasn’t able to express his dissatisfaction or happiness about situations, properly through his speech,” his father Ben says. “The speech sessions help kick-start Elliot’s ability to express himself in a way that the people around him will understand what he is trying to say.”

On Family Day, the game begins at 2:05 p.m. with activities in the lobby for the hour beforehand. Petes’ fans can get their faces painted, play tabletop hockey and build with giant Lego blocks. All proceeds from these activities, plus Chuck a Puck at a Truck, will help more children like Daniel, Mitchell, Mitchell and Elliot to get life-changing therapies at Five Counties Children’s Centre. 

Tickets are available at the reception desk at the Five Counties Children’s Centre at 872 Dutton Road in Peterborough or by contacting Fund Development Co-ordinator Lois Tuffin at 705.748.2337, ext. 380 or by email here.  

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Trent U Delegation Has Great Series Of Meets In Kenya And Rwanda

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With a goal to further strengthen Trent University’s growing connections to institutions and students in Africa, a delegation of faculty led by Dr. Neil Emery, Vice President of Research & Innovation, attended a series of meetings and events in Kenya and Rwanda. 

“The visit generated dynamic discussions about our common strengths and interests, as well as collaborations on common areas of programming and research,” says Professor Emery, “We were impressed with the focus in Rwanda and Kenya on sustainable development—particularly as it relates to wildlife conservation, water quality, and agriculture.”

Left to right (front row): Trent’s Dr. Holger Hintelman, Dr. Neil Emery & Dr. Shaun Watmough (picture courtesy Trent University)

Prof. Emery was joined on the excursion by Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Arts & Science, Science, and Dr. Shaun Watmough, director of the Trent School of the Environment. In Kenya, the Trent delegation met at the Canadian High Commission with Nancy Bernard, regional senior trade commissioner, and Charity Kabaya, trade commissioner assistant, to discuss opportunities for Kenyan students interested in pursuing international education in Canada and at Trent.

Meetings in Kenya followed up on discussions started by the previous Trent delegation at Strathmore University and University of Nairobi. At Strathmore University, the Trent team met with the University’s vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor and with other academic leaders to explore synergies between academic programs and research areas, and toured of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, which highlighted green and sustainable technologies.

Photo courtesy Trent University

At the University of Nairobi, the delegation met with the vice-chancellor-designate, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, and other academic leaders to discuss a potential memorandum of understanding on research with the Wangari Matthau Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies with a view to collaborating on future academic programming.

In Rwanda, the Trent team met with the Canadian High Commission trade commissioner, Marcelline Mukakarangwa, and officials from the Rwandan Development Board (Conservation Dept.) and the United Nations Development Program to discuss ties to the country’s government and industry initiatives.

Photo courtesy Trent University

They also visited the University of Rwanda, where the delegation met with vice-chancellor, Dr. Philip Cotton, and his senior team members. Discussions emphasized an overseas articulation that would build collaboration between Rwanda’s richness in wildlife resources and Trent’s faculty expertise in wildlife and conservation biology, as well as learning opportunities for Trent’s Bioenvironmental Modelling and Assessment and Conservation Biology field courses.

This Trent in Africa visit also included opportunities to connect with high school students at events in Nairobi and Kigali, where more than 100 prospective students were in attendance.

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