Otonabee Conservation Offering Spring Water Awareness Program Resources to Help Keep Children Safe During Spring Melt

Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer Spring Water Awareness children’s program (SWAP) resources for parents to help keep children safe during the spring melt.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with OPG to offer SWAP to local schools, helping children understand and recognize the dangers around creeks, streams and rivers during the spring.

The spring melt, also called the spring freshet, occurs this time of year when temperatures increase, melting snow and ice, causing water volume and flows to increase in local watercourses. At this time of year, it is important to remind children to stay clear and stay safe around dams, hydroelectric stations and waterways.

Otonabee Conservation staff will be delivering the SWAP program to many local schools over the next several weeks, and digital SWAP Activity Booklets are available for parents to download from the website to share with their children. The 11-page booklet includes colouring sheets, activities and worksheets that help children to understand the rules for being safe around watercourses. The OPG Kid’s Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe is also available for download.

“Fast flowing, cold, deep water, slippery streambanks and unsafe ice present real dangers for everyone this time of year,” says Meredith Carter, manager of Watershed Management Programs at Otonabee Conservation. “We would like parents to talk with their children about avoiding watercourses this time of year, especially if they are outdoors playing during the March Break.”

Children and youth should also be reminded to obey all cautionary signs around waterways and dams, and stay safe by playing with a friend, letting an adult know where they are going and when they will return and dressing properly for the weather.

For further resources, including and a short video by OPG, visit the website.

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Easter Seals Kick Off The 51st Peterborough Telethon; Announcing New Regional Ambassador

The 51st annual Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon kicked off at the Lansdowne Place Mall on Thursday; announcing Sawyer Grace Growden as the new regional ambassador.

the growden’s: dan (left), sawyer (middle) and tara (right). photo by Felicia Massey.

After a couple of virtual years, Easter Seals were able to gather again in-person to launch the 2023 Telethon.

The annual Easter Seals Telethon celebrates success stories, showcases Easter Seals kids and their families, recognizes donors and sponsors, and raises funds for children and youth with physical disabilities for the last 51 years. For the past 101 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals continues to offer programs to enable kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. Easter Seals helps by providing financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities.

Jeff Richards from Country 105 / Move FM emceed the kick-off event; announcing this year’s goals and sharing updates on past ambassador Ryerson Beardmore. The month of March was also declared Easter Seals Month by Mayor Jeff Leal.

Telethon host Catherine Hanrahan introduced new regional ambassador, 6-year-old Sawyer Grace Growden. Growden has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome.

“She is missing the part of her chromosome that affects all the things we take for granted on a daily basis. Things like walking, eating, and all those self-care things,” said Sawyer’s mom Tara Growden. “She works so hard everyday to overcome all those challenges, she is just such a happy little girl.”

Sawyer uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility. Her dad, Dan Growden, says that she is learning to use an iPad to help communicate.

The Growden’s mentioned that they are looking to attend the Easter Seals Family Camp.

“(We’re excited) to go to a place and be around people who get it, and to not have to worry about accessibility for a hot minute,” said Tara.

This year the Easter Seals will be visiting with familiar faces, past ambassadors, and local celebrities of the past 51 telethons as part of the March 26 fundraiser.

The 2023 Easter Seals Telethon will be broadcasting live on March 26 on YourTV and Global Peterborough from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supporters can donate online and local residents are encouraged to select the Peterborough webpage.

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Local Students Receive Career Advice From Mentors In World of Choices Program

165 elementary school students were left with words of wisdom as they attended Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) and Peterborough Petes’ World of Choices (WOC) program listening to various mentors about career paths on Thursday morning.

Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations (left) addressing the 165+ students in grades 7 and 8 about his career experience with the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre hosted grade 7 and 8 students from Crestwood, Chemong Public School, Prince of Wales and Immaculate Conception. They listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges in the professional sports and entertainment industry. Mentors included organizations from the Peterborough Petes, Rawscoe's Sport Collectibles, RBC, YourTV Cogeco, Corus Entertainment and more that spoke to the pre-teens.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

“We’re excited to partner with The Peterborough Petes to help local students understand and explore a wide array of career options,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “Following the completion of today’s program, students will feel empowered to continue their education towards a chosen career and be better equipped to meet the challenges of today’s working world.”

All participating students received a ticket to attend the Petes’ game that night with a family member against the Kingston Frontenacs.

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Five Counties Children’s Centre’s Winterfest Raises Thousands of Dollars for Children’s Treatment Services

Local residents, donors and corporate sponsors stepped up to support Winterfest 2023, helping to raise over $30,000 to cover treatment services for kids at Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Catching the Spirit of Winterfest – Chloe (right) was one of the kids who attended Winterfest activities at Lansdowne Place mall on Feb. 18. photo courtesy of five counties.

Winterfest is an annual ‘fun’draising event for Five Counties that, this year, was held over the recent Family Day long weekend with a series of virtual and in-person festivities. The $30,125 raised this year surpasses the nearly $20,000 raised at Winterfest in 2022.

“We want to thank the support of the community, especially our staff, volunteers, families, donors and businesses who contributed to this year’s success,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties. “We know our community is very generous, and once again, that has shone through!”

Canadian Tire stores in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Fenelon Falls again stepped up as the lead sponsor of Winterfest.

photo courtesy of five counties.

There were a number of highlights from Winterfest 2023, including:

• Hundreds of children and families attended fun, family-friendly events at Lansdowne Place in Peterborough (on Feb. 18) and at Lindsay Square Mall (on Feb. 19).

• A sold-out Peterborough Petes game on Family Day Monday (Feb. 20) saw many Five Counties kids and families attend and play different roles at the game. For instance, some of Five Counties kids and their siblings took on roles as GM, coach and PA Announcer, shadowing the real people who do these jobs during Petes games. Five Counties client Scott, and his entire family, also were featured in the pre-game ceremonial puck drop.

• Approximately 125 children entered the Thank You card contest, in which they drew, coloured or created artwork that depicted thanks and appreciation.

• Various virtual activities attracted online users to take part in a workout with the Peterborough Petes, winter scavenger hunt, story times, baking demo, snow creature contest, magic show and more.

• An online auction saw more than 90 people sign up for and make bids on a variety of hand-made quilts, artisanal wood items, gift cards, kids’ toys, and more.

Proceeds from Winterfest go to support Five Counties’ Building Abilities for Life Campaign, which helps ensure kids can get essential therapies so they can be their best.

“The Building Abilities For Life Campaign is important because it helps address current wait lists for services like occupational therapy and speech-language therapy,” Pepin says. “We know the earlier a child can receive treatment, the more likely it is they can reach their full potential.”

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'Peppa Pig's Adventure' Musical to Hit the Peterborough Memorial Centre on July 25

A live musical of ‘Peppa Pig’s Adventure’ is hitting the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on July 25, announced on Monday.

Online Image.

The performance is about Peppa Pig going on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. Lunchboxes are packed and Daddy Pig is driving the bus, Peppa and her friends are excited about their outdoor adventures, full of singing, dancing, games and surprises. 

After the show, the Peppa Pig's Adventure Photo Experience is available for ticketholders to ‘jump in a mud puddle’ alongside Peppa Pig & Friends. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets go on sale on March 17 at 10 a.m. with presales beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. exclusively online. PMC Scoop members can purchase tickets starting Tuesday, at 10 a.m. to March 16 at 10 p.m. 

When tickets go on sale, they can be purchased online, over the phone at 705-743-3561 or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. 

For group sales of nine or more, the PMC asks you contact First Class Group tickets at lori@firstclassgrouptickets.com or 647-201-3349.

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YMCA Launches Buckhorn As New Camp Day Location for 2023

YMCA of Central East Ontario has Buckhorn as one of their new day camp locations for this summer 2023 announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the YMCA.

The camp is in partnership with the Buckhorn Community Centre and offers it to children ages 4 to 12 for six weeks. Each week has a new theme which is highlighted in games, songs, arts and crafts, creative play, sports, adventures and more according to a press release.

Camps will run from July 3 to Aug. 11 at the Buckhorn Community Centre located at 1782 Lakehurst Road.

“The YMCA is excited to add Buckhorn to our summer camp programs,” said Shannon Hunter, regional supervisor of aquatics and camp. “The Buckhorn Community Centre is a beautiful location with so much potential for experiential programming in stunning natural surroundings.”

Registration is now open online or in person at the YMCA Balsillie Family Branch.

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Peterborough Petes Introduce Free Ball Hockey For More Than 2,000 Local Students

The Peterborough Petes have launched the Petes Ball Hockey Program for grade 4-6 students in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, providing equipment, training, and support required for the sport for free announced on Friday.

Petes Coordinator, Marketing & Community Engagement Morgan Blaind does the faceoff for players Quinton Pagé and Sam McCue. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The program is meant to help the grassroots development of hockey in Peterborough. The Petes want to eliminate all barriers to participation in hockey according to a press release.

A launch assembly will be run by the team for each participating school including the schools’ educator ambassadors, Petes’ business staff and current players.

The students regardless of their background, level of hockey experience or physical and cognitive abilities can participate in the program. The students can also meet Petes players, get an autograph and get their first official hockey photo taken after the assembly. They will also receive an official Petes t-shirt and equipment bag, ball hockey rules guide and a letter from Peterborough-born Chase Stillman in addition to free equipment and time each week to play ball hockey in school as part of one of their school’s teams.

“The Petes Ball Hockey Program is an innovative, systematic approach to eliminating barriers to hockey participation, which will help toward our goal of ensuring everyone in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and beyond, has the chance to enjoy the sport of hockey,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “Whether it be cost, time, accessibility, knowledge, culture or another factor preventing a kid from trying hockey, we believe the Petes Ball Hockey Program will be a solution.”

The first phase of the program starts with 11 schools including:

• St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough

• St. Paul Catholic Elementary School, Lakefield

• Kaawaate East City Public School

• Terry Fox Public School

• Burnham Public School

• St. Anne Catholic Elementary School

• Edmison Heights Public School

• Bobcaygeon Public School

• CR Gummow Public School

• Alexandra Public School

• Rhema Christian School

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Make Everyday Family Literacy Day with Five Counties

Five Counties Children’s Centre is encouraging literacy everyday of the year, recognizing the life-long benefits of reading through Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27.

Five Counties’ Communicative Disorders Assistant Lynne Cooke (front left) reads with Dominic, as (back from left) Speech-Language Pathologist Ida Lloyd and mom Kimberly tout the benefits of reading. Photo courtesy of Five Counties.

As the day to promote literacy approaches, Five Counties wants families to make reading, language and literacy part of their everyday routine.

The staff at Five Counties believe the lessons from Family Literacy Day should be encouraged and embraced 365 days of the year.

“We can’t talk enough about the importance of literacy and speech skills for a child’s future success in life,” says Speech-Language Pathologist at Five Counties Ida Lloyd. “Reading, singing, listening, talking and playing with your child every day is not only fun, but supports literacy. It’s one of the most valuable things we as parents and caregivers can do for our kids.”

As part of its work in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides therapy and support services for hundreds of children with speech, language and communication needs. They say developmental milestones, like those listed here by the Ontario Government, can be a good tool to measure the progress a child is making to communicate. Five Counties also offers tips, milestones and resources on its KidTalk website for families to support children’s speech skills.

“There are many fun ways that families can encourage literacy skills, without children even realizing they are learning. Reading a book at bedtime, visiting the library, playing a board game together or swapping jokes while doing the dishes can all be great options,” says Lloyd. “Engaging a child for 15 or 20 minutes every day by reading and promoting literacy skills is worth every minute, especially given the life-long rewards it has for everyone.”

Five Counties has shared 12 tips (as compiled by the Start Early organization) that families can use to support literacy for young children:

• Start early. Reading to babies is important for healthy brain development and lays the foundation for language and writing skills.

• Make reading part of the daily routine. Reading or sharing a story every day is ideal. Create a set time during the day (like just before bed) to which parents and children can look forward.

• Try board and cloth books for babies. By age one, babies can grab books. Board and cloth books are great options for youngsters who like to touch things and put them in their mouths.

• Take turns with your toddler. At their second birthday, most toddlers can hold a book and point at pictures. Let your toddler turn the pages of a board book and respond to her when she points or reacts to the story.

• Ask your child questions while reading. Make the reading experience interactive. Ask them questions, like: “what do you think will happen next?,’ or “What was your favorite part of the story?”

• Reread favorite books. Most three-year-olds can complete sentences in familiar stories. Read their favorite books over and over to help them learn through repetition.

• Point out similar words. By age four, children begin to recognize letters. Pointing out words in a book that start with the same letter can help preschoolers become familiar with the letter, helping them recognize certain words that start with that letter.

• Count objects on the page. If reading to a child, count objects on the page together to help strengthen early math skills.

• Get a child to tell the story. After their fifth birthday, children can sit still for longer books and create their own stories based on the pictures. Ask a child to share the basic plot of the book or make up stories based on what is seen on each page.

• Read with passion! Using inflection and maintaining the same highs and lows in your voice at the same point in a story helps your child begin to remember the words.

• Set an example. Let your child see you reading books to help them develop their own love of reading.

• Read, read, read and repeat. Reading to your child helps develop a love of stories and books, while taking you to new worlds and on new adventures. Read to a child early and often!

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Winterfest 2023 Fundraiser In Support of Five Counties

Join Five Counties Children’s Centre for family-friendly, in-person and virtual fun during their Winterfest 2023 fundraiser.

Five Counties Children’s Centre staff members Linsey Kampf, Lyn Giles and Lisa Graham are ready to hop aboard Winterfest. Photo courtesy of Five Counties.

Winterfest 2023 is set to include virtual and in-person activities which will offer lots for families to do as the event transitions back to ‘normal’ since the pandemic. In-person events will happen on the Family Day weekend at malls in Peterborough and Lindsay, ending with a Peterborough Petes’ home game on Family Day Monday. There will also be an online auction, a variety of fun, family-friendly events and a ‘thank you card’ contest for kids starting Feb. 1.

In 2022, Winterfest raised nearly $20,000 to support the programs and services provided by Five Counties to more than 6,000 children and their families in Peterborough City-County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County and Haliburton County.

“If you suffer from the winter blahs, Winterfest 2023 is a great way to celebrate the season with fun, in-person and virtual activities for the entire family,” says CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre Scott Pepin. “Taking part in Winterfest also helps support the life- changing work provided by Five Counties to help kids with physical, communication and development needs in our communities.”

Winterfest 2023 festivities include:

• Feb. 1 to Feb. 28 – Winterfest kicks off with the first-ever ‘Thank You Card Contest’ for Kids. Show appreciation to Five Counties supporters by writing words, creating a drawing or colouring a picture that says ‘thank you.’ Kids can enter to win prizes, and one child’s artwork will be selected and featured on Five Counties thank you cards. Find contest rules and colouring sheet samples on the Five Counties website.

• Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 – Check out the many Winterfest Virtual Events available, including a workout with the Peterborough Petes, winter scavenger hunt, story times, baking demo, snow creature contest and magic show.

• Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 – Winterfest’s Online Auction featuring a selection of hand-made quilts, artisanal wood items, gift cards, kids’ toys and more. Register online to join the bidding. 

• Feb. 18 – In-person, family-friendly fun Winterfest activities at Lansdowne Place mall (645 Lansdowne St. W) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Feb. 19 – Winterfest festivities coming to Lindsay Square Mall (401 Kent St. W) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Feb. 20 –  Cheer on the Peterborough Petes as they host the Sudbury Wolves. Take part in a raffle and have a chance to win prizes, all while supporting Five Counties.

Canadian Tire stores in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Fenelon Falls return as Winterfest’s lead sponsor in 2023.

“Winterfest is a great way to embrace the season, while supporting the valuable work being done by Five Counties,” says Canadian Tire Peterborough South owner Ralph Moulton. “We’re proud and pleased to again be able to assist a great community event and organization.”

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28 TASSS Students Became Budding Entrepreneurs, Hosting a Shareholders Meeting As Part of Business Class Curriculum

There were 28 students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) who turned a profit as they created and sold a business, hosting a shareholders meeting as part of their curriculum that was held on Friday afternoon.

Several roles were bid on by the students to claim during the entrepreneurship such as production, human resources, health and safety, marketing and more. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students were tasked to become entrepreneurs by creating and running a business, assigned by TASSS business teacher Blaine White throughout the semester. Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) partnered with the program by providing weekly advice with guest speakers.

“At the beginning of the semester, we have students learn about planning a business and then they start their own business,” explained White. “They're responsible for all of the production, all of the marketing, all of the sales and all of the finances.”

“Youth will have the opportunity to learn and experience skilled trades and entrepreneurship by creating, managing and liquidating a business,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “All with the guidance and support of experts from across our community.”

TASSS students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and report to the media and public. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students founded the company ‘Encompase Eco’ which created eco-friendly firestarters that were available to purchase at the Kawartha Buttertart Factory & Bakery.

The students held a final shareholder meeting to disclose all of the earnings and share prices. They had over a 381 per cent return in selling the business according to White.

“It's amazing to me to set the bar and watch students rise to the occasion,” he explained. “I couldn't be happier that they've learned all these really awesome skills that they are going to go and carry out into their own lives and perhaps starts their own businesses in our community but I'm also proud of them as people who have developed over the last five months.”

The students were excited to receive hands-on education instead of learning solely through a textbook according to grade 10 student Aiden Budd, who served as the company’s vice president of production.

“I've never experienced anything like this, the textbooks get so boring but now that I got the opportunity to do something like this, it really feels great,” he exclaimed.

During the semester, students had to bid and campaign for roles within the company before starting the business. The students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and a report before the media and public. The whole process had its bumps but became an instant unforgettable experience for the students.

“I know a lot of people were nervous to get up here but I actually did enjoy it a lot, I'm proud of myself and my team for doing a great job. Mr. White, I thanked him so much for having the opportunity to be able to run this business because there are not a lot of kids that get the opportunity to do stuff like this.”

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