Observed on the third Monday of February, Family Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario so all provincial and municipal offices and services are closed, although some municipal recreation services are open (with many hosting Family Day events). All liquor and beer stores are closed, as are most shopping malls and big box stores. All grocery stores in Peterborough are closed, but some grocery stores in rural communities are open. Since Family Day is not a federal statutory holiday, federal government offices and many federally regulated businesses remain open. Regular collection and delivery of mail occurs on Family Day.

For your convenience, we provide this list of holiday hours for 287 selected businesses, services, and organizations across the Kawarthas. This information comes from their websites and social media accounts, which may or may not be up to date, so please always call them first to confirm their hours (we’ve included phone numbers), especially where you see “call” or “call to confirm” (which means the business did not indicate specific holiday hours) or if you are travelling any distance.

If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form. We do not have the hours for restaurants in this list as there are far too many to include.

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Habitat for Humanity Northumberland (HFHN) hopes an upcoming Cobourg event that brings residents to the Sunday dinner table will prove to be fruitful for local housing projects.

HFHN is hosting on Sunday, April 7 its popular Sunday Dinner at the ReStore, located at 764 Division St.

Through ticket sales from Northumberland County residents and the event’s sponsors, a silent auction, an online raffle and a 50-50 draw, the organization aims to raise $30,000 to support local housing initiatives in Cobourg and Baltimore.

Melissa Morrison, HFHN’s community and fund development co-ordinator, and Cathy Borowec, HFHN’s CEO, shared their thoughts and aspirations for the event with kawarthaNOW.

Morrison said the event was the brainchild of the organization’s former CEO, and HFHN hosted its first Sunday dinner event in 2019.

“We needed to raise money, but we wanted to do something different,” said Morrison. “The Sunday ReStore dinner is all about slowing down. It’s a time to share and connect with our amazing community through a delicious meal in a warm and inviting atmosphere.”

“We often take for granted that a Sunday dinner in a home is a universal experience, but rather it is a privilege that not everyone can enjoy. And with the help of our community, we want to help to create the opportunity for experiences like this for more people in our community through our programming.”

The event is being is catered by Prep Food Co. and features a three-course meal, including cocktails and wine. HFHN said the dinner is a unique and important event.

“Unlike other fundraisers, it’s not a gala. In fact, we go to great lengths to make participants feel as comfortable as possible in our space,” said Borowec and Morrison in collaboration.

“At the heart, we want to bring community members together to enjoy a meal. It is a come-as-you-are event, where we can celebrate the successes of HFHN and our current projects.”

While the tickets sold out on February 14 — the first day they went on sale — HFHN will be launching an online raffle and 50-50 draw at the beginning of March. One raffle prize is a one-room makeover provided by Breed Design. More prizes will be announced in the coming weeks, HFHN noted.

“This year we hope to raise $30,000,” Morrison said. “All proceeds will go towards our current build projects, which include a seven-unit net zero build in Baltimore, and a single-family dwelling in Cobourg.”

Visit the HFHN website at www.habitatnorthumberland.ca to learn more about the Sunday dinner fundraiser and related activities. To be placed on a wait list for the sold-out dinner, email mmorrison@habitatnorthumberland.ca.

The Workforce Development Board (WDB) has just released its 2023-24 Local Labour Market Planning Report, which provides an in-depth look at regional labour market challenges and opportunities from a demand and supply perspective in the city and county of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.

An Employment Ontario project funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, the 96-page report was written by WDB Labour Market Analyst Consultant Sandra Wright. At her disposal was input provided by 66 stakeholders in WDB’s catchment area, with information and feedback gathered through a series of consultations, surveys, and focus groups.

The 2023-24 Local Labour Market Planning Report is available to view and download at www.wdb.ca/local-labour-market-planning-report/.

In her report-opening executive summary, WDB’s Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lamantia provides an overview of some of the report’s key findings:

• With many currently in the workforce expected to retire over the next five to 10 years, many employers are focusing their efforts on the retention of current employees as well as ramping up recruitment.
• With Canada planning to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and 500,000 more in both 2025 and 2026, many employers are looking at hiring a more diversified workforce as a labour shortage mitigation strategy.
• While the labour shortage due to an aging population is creating a significant workforce challenge, it’s also creating an opportunity for employers to explore new initiatives around workplace culture, new technology adoption, and increased employee diversity.

In addition, the report notes that sectors reporting labour shortages include health care, construction, education, tourism and hospitality, and retail.

On the flip side, the list of specific in-demand occupations is long, including nurses, personal support workers, early childhood educators, electricians, millwrights, carpenters, labourers, truck drivers, salespersons, school educators and custodians, cooks and kitchen staff, and administrative and support workers.

As well as an aging and retiring workforce, there are other challenges affecting access to the labour pool, including available and reliable transportation services, adequate childcare services, and affordable available housing. From a job-seeker perspective, mental health challenges, combined with limited financial means, present a challenge in securing gainful employment.

As employers look for workers who have skills in areas such as computer literacy, interpersonal communications, and customer service, and who are reliable with a strong work ethic, many have taken measures such as increasing wages, offering more flexible working hours, and implementing hybrid workplaces.

Even so, that hasn’t been enough for some to overcome the labour shortage challenge, with the result being a reduction in operation hours and services offered, and in some cases, outright closure.

Among the employment service providers and business attraction and retention organizations involved in the consultation process for the report — and anxious to make good use of its myriad of statistics and related findings to the benefit of their respective clients — are Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services, a division of Fleming College, and City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development.

Both Rebecca Mustard, economic development manager at the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Sarah Haase, director of workforce development for Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services, are on the same page when it comes to the 2023-24 Local Labour Market Planning Report. Each says there’s no such thing as too much information when it comes to having an up-to-date and accurate fact-based overview of regional labour market realities, needs, and challenges at their fingertips.

“It pulls from a number of different data sources and aggregates it all into one place to tell a story,” assesses Mustard, adding “It’s a great tool for us.”

“When we’re doing our planning and working with the business community, this report is very helpful for us to be able to see trends — particularly what’s changing over time when we’re looking at businesses, when we’re looking at jobs, and when we’re looking at demographics. It helps us understand the dynamics of what’s going on in the community, giving us specific information for questions to ask.”

Haase couldn’t agree more.

“The ability to draw into various communities is incredibly useful,” she says. “Muskoka needs this kind of information, as does Haliburton, Northumberland, and Peterborough.”

“Having the different regions incorporated is very useful when we’re looking at localized solutions for jobs seekers and employers. It really helps us drill down. We have so many different pots of information we can access through Statistics Canada and other areas. What this report does is bring it all together in one spot.”

Haase points to the report’s detailed migration information as an example of the report’s practical use for her agency.

“We very often hear big scope stories in the news about influxes or outgoings in our community, but getting into this really detailed information allows us to make detailed decisions,” she says.

“I’m always keen to see where our shifts in industry have happened. When we’re looking at where we see activity in our industries for job seekers, and where we see employers needing support through employment services, being able to have an industry-by-industry look — and what that can mean as we try to help clients make decisions about training they might want to do or educational steps they’re taking — is invaluable.”

Mustard adds the report helps set priorities for City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development, answering key questions in the process.

“Where do we need to be putting our time and effort? What’s an industry that might need some stabilization support from a local perspective? How do we then layer that in with what’s going on in the labour force?”

The report, adds Mustard, is even more essential post-pandemic.

“We’ve all heard a lot of stories that are very true for individual people. This gives us a factual, studied base to weigh those stories and figure out how much of what we are hearing or witnessing is true across the entire population, or whether we are seeing certain experiences in different pockets that aren’t reflected everywhere. It’s helping us make better decisions based on the evidence in the report.”

While praising the assistance provided by WDB’s Labour Market Information (LMI) Help Desk, Mustard says the report “brings information to us without us having to go and ask for it all the time. You might be choosing a section of this information when you ask the help desk, but this report gives a broad overview. We’re getting a very holistic view of what’s going on in the labour force.”

For her part, Haase notes the report is “one of the few sources in the community that everybody can access” and says employers should take advantage of the up-to-date information and numbers that speak directly to their respective industries.

“It’s one thing to look at data on a spreadsheet, but it’s another thing to know what do we do with that data. An employer can read this report and ask ‘What does my industry look like? Where do I see growth? Where do I see possibilities? If I have a challenge with recruitment, is it because of some of these things that are happening?’ The report gives context and setting along with the data, which is really helpful.”

The bottom line, according to Haase and Mustard? As a resource to help employment service providers and business attraction and retention organizations do their work effectively, nothing tops having up-to-date date and insights close at hand.

“Part of its usefulness is the fact that it’s there and available,” Haase points out.

For those who want an overview of the report, WDB will be hosting a half-hour presentation on Zoom at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (February 21), when WDB Labour Market Analyst Consultant Sandra Wright will provide an overview of key changes in local workforce characteristics, including population, employment, unemployment, participation rates, migration and immigration, and education attainment. The session is free, but advance registration is required at eventbrite.ca/e/810369616337.

WDB is also encouraging people to provide feedback about the report by completing a brief online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/2023LLMPFeedback.

Founded in 1996, WDB is a not-for-profit organization located in Peterborough and serving Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton. WDB is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to provide labour market information, coordinate employment and training services, and engage employer communities. For more information, visit www.wdb.ca.

This story was created in partnership with the Workforce Development Board. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Northumberland County residents can lace up their boots or walking shoes later this month in support of Green Wood Coalition.

People can register now to take part in the Coldest Night of the Year event in Port Hope.

The Coldest Night of the Year is a national family-friendly two-kilometre or five-kilometre walk on February 24 in support of local charities serving people who are experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

“Join us in downtown Port Hope as we unite to bring awareness to the challenges of homelessness, hunger, and hardship in Northumberland County,” said Green Wood Coalition in a statement.

The event begins at 10 Robertson Street in downtown Port Hope on Saturday, February 24th with a check-in time of 4 p.m. After a kick-off speech and zumba warm-up with Tanya from Epic Gymnastics and Dance, the walk gets underway at 5 p.m., with rest stops at Queenies Bake Shop and Ganaraska Financial.

After the walk at 6 p.m., a snack from Happenstance Roastery and Bakery will be provided, along with hot chocolate, tea, and coffee.

Residents can register a team, sign up to walk, or make a donation to raise funds for Green Wood Coalition’s outreach programs.

Green Wood programs include street outreach services, harm reduction supports, a community garden initiative, an art “hive,” and community education, along with its “High-Fidelity WrapAround” program that it offers in partnership with Wrap Canada.

As of the date of this story, $40,071 of the $95,000 Coldest Night of the Year fundraising goal in Northumberland County had been raised by 216 walkers and 54 teams.

Along with community sponsors, local businesses supporting the event include Olympus Burger, which will donate 10 per cent of all meals purchased by walkers on February 24 (just say you’re a walker) and Ganaraska Brewing Company, which is donating a portion of its sales from February 19 to 25.

Organized by the registered charity Blue Sea Foundation, The Coldest Night of the Year take place in both Canada and the United States on February 24, with local activities being held in various communities. Since 2011, the event has raised over $75 million across Canada in 190 communities.

For more information about the Port Hope walk including route maps, and to register or donate, visit cnoy.org/location/porthope.

Peterborough real estate agent Mark Sokolski and his team at The Sokolski Real Estate Group recently donated $41,952 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to support the non-profit organization’s services for women and children experiencing gender-based violence.

Sokolski raised the funds by participating in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Ecuador Challenge for Shelter in November, when more than 100 Canadian Royal LePage staff members travelled to Ecuador in South America where they spent five days trekking to Mount Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world.

To prepare for the challenge, Sokolski spent significant time training throughout 2023 while he also fundraised a total of $52,440, with 20 per cent of the proceeds going to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and the remainder going to the YWCA. The entire group of Canadian Royal LePage staff who travelled to Ecuador raised $1.7 million, the most ever raised by a single Royal LePage Shelter Foundation event.

“We are absolutely thrilled by how successful Mark’s efforts have been, both in raising money for such a critical need in our community but also in preparing for and enduring one of the most physically gruelling treks possible,” says Tina Thornton, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s director of philanthropy, in a media release.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to The Sokolski Real Estate Group and to all of the community members who donated to Mark’s campaign for helping to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing gender-based violence.”

The Sokolski Real Estate Group’s donation will support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs and safe spaces, including Crossroads Shelter in Peterborough, the START program, Transitional Housing and Outreach program, the Family Court Support program, the Women’s Well-Being counselling and peer support program, and basic necessities and food for women and children staying in safe spaces.

Following a mischief investigation, Cobourg police have identified two young teenagers who participated in a TikTok challenge that involves banging on residential doors and running away without getting caught.

Participants in the “door-knock” or “door-kick” challenge record themselves as they use their hands or feet to hit or kick doors and then post the video on social media. The mischief usually happens at night, frightening any occupants who may be at home and often causing property damage.

“Online challenges often target youth and can pose serious risks,” Cobourg police state in a media release. “Some challenges encourage harmful and sometimes criminal behaviours. Kids and teens may unknowingly put themselves in dangerous or illegal situations driven by the desire for online recognition.”

While the door-knock challenge has been around since at least 2021, there have been recent reports of incidents in local municipalities including Peterborough. In other jurisdictions, the challenge has resulted in dangerous confrontations between youth and homeowners.

In Cobourg, police received a number of calls in late January and early February from homeowners about two youths kicking their front doors and running away. In each instance, there was property damage. Using footage from CCTV cameras and residential doorbell cameras, police identified two 13-year-old youths.

In lieu of criminal charges, the teens will be subject to extrajudicial measures and sanctions that may include volunteer work, compensating victims, or participating in specialized programs.

The federal Youth Criminal Justice Act requires police to consider the use of extrajudicial measures where they are adequate to hold a young person accountable, especially a first-time non-violent offender.

These alternatives to the court system aim to promote learning and rehabilitation, reintegration into the community, and prevention of further offences by youth. Failure to adhere to extrajudicial sanctions would reengage the youth in the normal court process.

“As chief, I expect all our investigations to be victim centred,” says Cobourg Police Service chief Paul VandeGraaf in the release. “I am proud of all our frontline staff who did great work identifying the responsible youths and ensuring they are accountable within the principles and conditions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. I am confident that the extrajudicial measures, managed by Rebound Child and Youth Services, will be successful.”

One Million Meals Peterborough (OMMP) is calling on community members to support Peterborough’s largest annual food packing event in support of Kids Against Hunger Canada.

OMMP is currently striving to raise $24,000 before Saturday, April 6th, when volunteers will gather to assemble 50,000 meals using the money raised between now and then.

The event is an important one for Peterborough, said Tanya Nabein, a long-sitting committee member for OMMP.

“It brings together people of all ages, working together, to accomplish a mission of helping others in need,” Nabein told kawarthaNOW.

“There is a spirit of camaraderie that happens at these events that is very fulfilling, to know that you’re a part of the solution of helping people in need.”

While the event takes place annually on the first Saturday in April, OMMP also hosts many other events throughout the year.

Peterborough residents can help by becoming a monthly donor, raising money to host their own private event, and by raising awareness.

As for the upcoming meal packing day and what’s possible, Nabein said, “The best thing that we could expect from this year’s event would be that we raise the funds necessary to pack and ship 50,000 meals and that everyone who participates has a great time while doing good.”

According to its website, OMMP strives to inspire Peterborough residents to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

“By becoming a part of this event, not only will you contribute to a united cause, but you will also enjoy a fun and hands-on experience that promotes teamwork,” the group noted.

The event takes place at Rhema Christian School, which is located at 29 County Road 4 (just east of the Parkhill Road East and Television Road intersection).

Those who take part have the option to participate in one or more shifts with Kids Against Hunger Canada and assist in packing food for those who require nourishment.

OMMP invites residents to create their own fundraising pages and share the links with others through social media and email.

“It’s a simple yet rewarding way to witness the generosity of your family and friends as they contribute to this worthy cause.”

Kids Against Hunger Canada is a humanitarian food-aid organization which focuses on feeding children in need, both here in Canada and around the world. It is a registered charity and its head office is located in Peterborough. To learn more about Kids Against Hunger Canada, visit www.kahcanada.org.

For more information about One Million Meals Peterborough, to make a donation, or to register for the April 6th event, visit www.onemillionmealspeterborough.com.