“Hope is good infrastructure” indeed when it comes to being able to create a commercial kitchen to feed those in need of a hot meal in Peterborough.

One City Peterborough has announced renovations for its existing kitchen at the Trinity Community Centre on Reid Street are underway, as a result of achieving its $204,000 fundraising goal. One City Peterborough expects the renovations will be finished by the end of the summer.

With the theme of the fundraiser being “Hope is good infrastructure,” One City’s fundraising coordinator Mackenzie Clark told kawarthaNOW, “our community has truly demonstrated that it is in fact, true. Each and every individual, group and business has given us so much hope.”

Trinity Community Centre offers year-round drop-in and winter overnight services for people who are marginalized and/or unsheltered, along with other supports and programs.

Trinity has been, with its partners including Kawartha Food Share and All Saints Church, providing 150-plus meals per day for the community. However, the lack of a commercially certified kitchen at the centre means One City has been limited with how it can prepare food in the space.

“We are so grateful for all of the churches, groups, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help us cook and prepare meals in off-site commercial kitchens over the last seven months,” Clark noted.

Being able to renovate the kitchen will enable Trinity to prepare hot and nutritious meals right on site, Clark said.

“We recognize how challenging it has been to cook and prepare 150 to 200 meals each day without having a commercial kitchen on site at Trinity. Having a renovated commercial kitchen will allow us to cook meals on site and bring in volunteers to prepare and serve meals like they once did at One Roof when the meal program was hosted there.”

“It will be such a relief for all of our staff, volunteers, and guests.”

Clark said One City Peterborough is “thrilled” to have already reached its financial goal.

“We didn’t expect to reach it so quickly, since we only began the fundraiser in June. It benefited us to have a significant amount of the funds already raised to begin with before making the fundraiser public, but we are blown away by the support that our community has given us to reach the goal in just under two months.”

“Capital campaigns are often daunting when the number to achieve is so high, but our community stepped up in huge ways to make it happen in such a short period of time.”

With the money raised, Trinity can now embark on larger and more challenging projects, such as having work completed on the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing components of the renovation. During this time, Trinity kitchen staff can still prepare food for the community under current guidelines, but with limited space due to the renovations.

One City Peterborough is a non-profit charitable organization that operates on the belief “that everyone belongs and it is together that we flourish.” The Trinity Community Centre is a collaboration between the City of Peterborough, One City Peterborough, the United Way Peterborough and District, and the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network (PPRN).

PPRN bought the Trinity United Church property in 2022 after the church congregation, experiencing low attendance numbers and facing severe repair costs for the building, voted to disband. While the property wasn’t publicly listed for sale, PPRN learned of its availability and entered negotiations to purchase it.

The United Way provided One City with $200,000 in federal homelessness funding for renovations to the building. One City Peterborough also received $50,000 from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough for the renovations, which included new washrooms and showers as well as a new HVAC system, with beds donated by Peterborough Regional Health Centre. The City of Peterborough is providing One City with $900,000 each year for three years to operate the winter overnight drop-in space and the year-round daytime drop-in centre.

Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) flew its Canadian flag at half-mast Wednesday (July 10) to pay tribute to members of the hospital’s auxiliary who passed away during 2023-24, including one woman who volunteered for 48 years.

The west Northumberland hospital, located in Cobourg, lowered the flag outside the facility’s main entrance to recognize the men and women — both active and past volunteers of the NHH Auxiliary — who died over the past year.

The hospital co-ordinated the initiative to coincide with NHH Auxiliary’s annual meeting, which was also held on July 10. The annual tradition recognizes the “exceptional commitment” of auxiliary volunteers throughout the hospital, NHH noted in a media release.

At NHH, auxiliary volunteers help in various capacities, such as greeting patients as they enter the building, helping them find their way to their destination, and delivering water to patient rooms. They also offer a comforting voice in the emergency department, provide a listening ear in NHH’s palliative, dialysis, cancer and supportive care areas and help patients occupy their time through the Hospital Elder Life Program, NHH said.

The hospital’s auxiliary also operates two retail operations — the Little Treasure Shop, located inside the main entrance of NHH, and Petticoat Lane (the Lane), a thrift shop on Munroe Street in Cobourg — which raise funds to support the hospital’s capital equipment needs.

“As a volunteer partner with over 100 years of service to this community, it’s important to honour the many dedicated individuals, both past and present, whose volunteerism has supported our hospital teams in delivering quality, compassionate care,” said Susan Walsh, NHH president and CEO, in a statement.

“The auxiliary’s commitment to NHH and generosity of spirit seems to grow stronger by the year. Your role is critical to our shared purpose of being a people-first organization. On behalf of everyone at NHH, thank you for all you do for NHH and the patients and families we serve.”

NHH joined the auxiliary in remembering 23 individuals with “gratitude for their service to this community.”

These are the NHH Auxiliary members who passed away in 2023-2024:

• Grace More, who passed away on September 28, 2023, served from 2009 to 2023.
• Dianne Grace Crutchley, who served from 2005 to 2023, passed away on January 10.
• Margaret “Marg” Godawa served from 2011 to 2023. She passed away on February 25.
• Elaine Churchill served on the auxiliary from 2018 to 2023. She passed away on June 7.
• Ronald “Ron” Brealey Sargent passed away on November 4, 2023 and served from 2009 to 2021.
• Marian F. Brawley volunteered from 1966 to 2014. She passed away on November 18, 2023.
• James “Jim” Vilda Russell Manning served from 2008 to 2012. He passed away on November 19, 2023.
• Linda Diane Graham volunteered from 2003 to 2013. She passed away on November 24, 2023.
• Robert Donald Shaw served from 2017 to 2020. He passed away on November 25, 2023.
• Doreen Elizabeth Jenkin volunteered from 2003 to 2020. She passed away on December 21, 2023.
• Blair McFadden served from 2008 to 2023 and passed away on February 4.
• Rayna Breton volunteered between 2004 and 2010 and passed away on February 29.
• Katherine “Kathy” Lynne Upper served on the auxiliary from 2000 to 2012. She passed away on March 27.
• Charles Frederick Lester Northeast volunteered from 2008 to 2020 and passed away on March 30.
• Margaret Elizabeth Harnden served from 2009 to 2013. She passed away on April 6.
• Audrey Lewella Bowman passed away on April 9. She volunteered from 1981 to 2010.
• Harry Oumke Knapper served on the auxiliary from 2015 to 2017 and passed away on April 20.
• Wellington “Rae” Waring volunteered from 2015 to 2023 and passed away on May 10.
• Margaret Francesca Fullerton passed away on May 14. She served on the auxiliary from 1990 to 2011.
• Helga Linde Witt served from 2005 to 2011 and passed away on May 15.
• Catherine Patricia Patty Crosbie volunteered from 2005 to 2010 and passed away on May 30.
• Beryl May Bridge served from 1992 to 2012. She passed away June 5.
• Ross Clifford Adams passed away on June 22. He volunteered from 2001 to 2011.

NHH prides itself for having one of the most active hospital auxiliaries in the province. The auxiliary’s mission is to provide effective and compassionate assistance to visitors, staff and patients, in an environment that promotes the dignity and well-being of all. The auxiliary also raises funds for the hospital, including a recent donation of $207,000 to support the purchase of four new fetal warmers for the hospital’s maternal child care unit.

With 250 active members of all ages, the NHH Auxiliary is growing, contributing thousands of hours of service to the hospital each year. Overall, the auxiliary has been active in helping provide health care in west Northumberland for more than a century.

For more information about the NHH Auxiliary and to join, visit nhh.ca/Volunteers/NHHAuxiliary.

Kawartha Wildlife Centre, a rehabilitation centre for orphaned, sick, and injured wildlife for Peterborough and the Kawarthas, served the community for over six years before permanently closing in June.

Previously operating in Omemee, Kawartha Wildlife Centre opened its Ennismore location in 2019. It is estimated that they cared for over 3,000 patients, inlcuding injured birds and orphaned mammals, since operations began at the Robinson Road location.

On top of their busy wildlife rehabilitation efforts, the organization worked to offer community education opportunities including Wildlife Hero Day Camp and Wildlife Wednesdays at the Peterborough Public Library. Hands-on learning with real fur pelts and skulls, birds nests, owl pellets, and more allowed learners to become uniquely acquainted with local wildlife and encouraged stewardship and environmental action in community members.

Caring for wildlife is incredibly costly, and wildlife rehabilitators are not entitled to any government funding as is stipulated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. As a result, Kawartha Wildlife Centre relied entirely upon donations to cover expenses like veterinary care, food, and the rehabilitation facilities.

Despite the fundraiser that began in November 2023 via CanadaHelps, Kawartha Wildlife Centre was unable to reach their fundraising goal of $200,000, which would have allowed them to reopen with a paid staff team.

The fundraising campaign brought in just a quarter of that goal. The small pool of funding raised will be allocated to other wildlife rehabilitation centres in the surrounding area, ensuring help and resources for the likely influx of patients that result from Kawartha Wildlife Centre’s closure.

In a statement on behalf of Kawartha Wildlife Centre’s Board of Directors, Thom Luloff said, “While we are facing a period of strategic planning and re-evaluation in the coming months, please know that our journey is not over. We are committed to working towards rebuilding a rehabilitation centre in the future with sustainable funding sources. In the meantime, we will continue to focus on our education and community programs.”

Those programs currently include Wildlife Wednesdays and Junior Biologist at the Peterborough Public Library.

Until a wildlife centre is re-opened in this region, it’s important to understand what individuals can do to help wildlife. If you believe you may have found a sick, orphaned, or injured animal, there are a few signs to look for that are usually quite specific to the species and situation. Animals that require human intervention often have visible external wounds, a deceased parent nearby, or may exhibit strained movement or uncharacteristic behaviours.

Citizens are urged to use the Ontario wildlife rehabilitators map (below) for assistance in finding facilities that can accept wildlife in need. The wildlife custodian you contact will give specific instructions and directions on next steps.

Please note that there are several types of wildlife rehabilitation centres. Some locations cannot accept certain animals due to potential diseases, including rabies vector species including bats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks, as well as birds that could carry Avian flu such as turkeys, geese, and quails.

Certain centres also cannot cater to larger animals, predatory carnivores, or other specific species for a variety of reasons including permits, vaccines, laws, and spatial capacity.

MAP: Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitators

Open a larger version of this map in a new window

If you find sick, orphaned, or injured wildlife, it is likely that wildlife custodian would recommend that you take the following steps:

1. Prepare a container to hold the creature in your care. A plastic tub, laundry basket or cardboard box can be suitable provided there is adequate security and ventilation.
2. Do not offer the animal anything to eat or drink.
3. Always wear gloves to protect yourself and the animal.
4. Cover the animal’s head with a towel or sheet if you can safely do so. This will help calm the animal and make handling them easier.
5. Gently place the animal in the prepared container. Scoop them up with the blanket or use a shovel, cardboard or plastic lid.
6. Secure the container to ensure the animal cannot escape. Make sure they can breathe. Remove the blanket or towel to prevent suffocation or entanglement.
7. Record your exact location GPS coordinates or closest intersection, as animals must be released back to the rescue site,
8. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling wildlife.
9. Contact your nearest wildlife centre for next steps or further instructions,
10. Feel good about helping Ontario’s wildlife!

As it is illegal to keep any Ontario wildlife in your possession, it is in the best interest of everyone — the animal, the wildlife rehabilitator, and yourself — to surrender the care of animals in need to the certified wildlife custodians with all the required training, vaccines, equipment, and certifications.

Kawartha Wildlife Centre recommends the three nearest rehabilitation centres to residents of Peterborough and the Kawarthas both to support by making a donation, and also to call upon if sick, orphaned or injured wildlife are found in the community.

The nearest centres are Shades of Hope in Pefferlaw (705-437-4654), Soper Creek in Bowmanville (905-442-1648), and Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary in Minden (705-286-1133).

With a downtown described as “the beating heart of one of Ontario’s best-preserved and most complete 19th century commercial streetscapes,” the Municipality of Port Hope is promoting its shop-local campaign that’s underway now through to the end of September.

Port Hope is encouraging residents and visitors to support merchants in the core of the west Northumberland town as major reconstruction continues on Walton Street.

In collaboration with local community partners, the “Be Walton” campaign aims to enhance the downtown experience with an ongoing series of free local arts, music, and cultural events in the core, aimed at making the downtown a bustling driver of the local economy.

“The Be Walton campaign is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support our local businesses during this transformative time,” said Municipality of Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky in a media release.

“By participating in the events and activities, and prioritizing our local merchants and services, we can all play a part in preserving the unique charm and vitality of our downtown area. Let’s show our love for Port Hope by shopping local, enjoying our vibrant arts scene, and making lasting memories in the heart of our community.”

The shop local initiative is a key component of a comprehensive business and community continuity program, the municipality noted.

“The Be Walton’ slogan is a rallying cry for residents to tap into their deep-rooted community spirit and support the businesses affected by the Walton Street reconstruction. It encourages Port Hope residents to embrace their local identity by shopping, dining, exploring, and utilizing the services in the downtown area. To Be Walton means immersing yourself in the local culture with all that makes our downtown vibrant and unique.”

The campaign includes the following:

A community arts activation hub

Art activities for all ages, curated by Critical Mass Art, are being held on Lent Lane every Saturday.

Light displays and public art

Residents and visitors can take in light displays and public art installations in and around the alleys, sidewalks, and the construction fencing on and off Walton Street.

Official Road To Cultivate after-parties

Community members and seasonal guests can head to local pubs and restaurants in the downtown core every Thursday evening in July and August for official after-parties for the Road to Cultivate concert series, featuring local artists straight from the bandshell in Memorial Park.

Capitol Theatre shop, dine, and show package

Port Hope’s non-profit Capitol Theatre is offering a “shop, dine, and show” package. The all-inclusive offer includes one ticket to a Capitol Theatre summer production, plus shop and dine vouchers redeemable at participating downtown restaurants and retail shops.

The package is being offered in partnership with the Port Hope Heritage Business Improvement Area (HBIA), the Municipality of Port Hope, and the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud to be a community hub for Port Hope — a home for hundreds of artists, and thousands of visitors throughout the year,” said Capitol Theatre managing director Erin Peirce in a media release.

“With Walton Street under major construction, it’s the perfect time for us to partner with our incredible local business community to keep our vibrant stages, shops, hotels, and restaurants thriving not only this summer, but for years to come.”

The package includes a $20 voucher for any one of the participating retail shops in downtown Port Hope, a $25 voucher for any one of the downtown participating restaurants, and one performance ticket to a Capitol Theatre summer season stage or music production. The package, which is valued at $93, costs $70 — a 25 per cent discount.

Meanwhile, Port Hope will also host scavenger hunts, window display contests, buskers, and offers shaded picnic areas throughout the downtown. A biweekly playbill flyer, detailing the arts and cultural events happening around Walton Street, Lent Lane, and Memorial Park, is being distributed at various businesses within the downtown.

“Now is the time for Port Hope to show their love and support for our local, independent business owners,” said Candice White, Port Hope’s CAO.

“Our downtown is the beating heart of one of Ontario’s best-preserved and most complete 19th century commercial streetscapes. Visit as often as you can to shop, eat, drink, explore, and enjoy all that these doers and dreamers of our community have to offer. Let’s Be Walton.”

The HBIA is the lead supporting partner for this project, and Critical Mass Art is the project’s primary arts and experience partner.

For more information about Be Walton and the Walton Street reconstruction, visit porthope.ca/Walton. For more information about the Capitol Theatre offering, visit capitoltheatre.com/shopdineshow.

A 21-year-old Peterborough woman is facing multiple charges following three incidents in downtown Peterborough early Wednesday morning (July 10), including one incident Peterborough police have classified as a hate crime.

At around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a report of an assault. When officers arrived, they learned the female victim had been walking in the Charlotte Street and George Street area when she was approached by a woman walking with two men. The woman ran at the victim with a knife, calling her names based on the colour of her skin. The victim began to run away but fell, at which point the woman caught up to her, punched her in the face, and pulled her hair.

The victim was treated at the scene by emergency medical services before being taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for further treatment. Police have classified the incident as a hate crime.

As officers were investigating this incident, police received another report of an assault involving three suspects who matched the description of those in the first assault. In the second incident, a male victim said he was approached by two men and a woman in the Hunter Street and Bethune Street area and was punched in the face and kicked by the two men.

While officers were investigating the second incident, police received a report of a third incident involving the same suspects. In the third incident, the female suspect verbally threatened a woman in the Brock Street and George Street area.

Officers investigating the third incident noticed a woman matching the description of the female suspect a short distance away. When the female suspect saw the officers, she began to run. The officers chased her on foot and took her into custody without incident.

As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old Peterborough woman with two counts of uttering threats to cause death, assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose.

The accused woman is bound by a probation order with the condition of keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, and has also been charged with two counts of failing to comply with probation.

The accused woman was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on August 20.

Police are also searching for the two male suspects in the three incidents.

They have been described to police as being Caucasian and possibly 16 to 18 years old, both with shaggy hair. One suspect was wearing a white shirt, dark-coloured shorts, a white hat on backwards, white shoes, and a blue backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at stopcrimehere.ca.