Nobody can get things done quite like a group of like-minded, determined, and generous women. That’s why Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) is teaming up with the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) to host the inaugural “Women Build Retreat” in Haliburton County in October.

A combination of a relaxing fall getaway to stunning cottage country, a hands-on fundraiser for Habitat PKR’s upcoming multi-unit build in Haliburton, and an opportunity to learn to build and connect with women in the community, the retreat will offer participants with an unforgettable experience.

The Women Build Retreat is running from Friday, October 4th to Sunday, October 6th at Haliburton’s Camp Timberlane. Thanks to the support of sponsors, the price of the event has now improved to $400, with tickets available at www.womenbuildretreat.ca. The price includes two nights accommodation, all food and snacks, and activities and swag (the only thing not included is transportation to and from Camp Timberlane).

“We know that women build businesses, they build communities, they build families — they’re the backbone of a lot of places,” says Natalie Raponi, Donor Impact Manager at Habitat PKR. “We want to get those minds in the same group, in the same area, and what better place to do that than to bring everyone together at the most gorgeous time of year in the most beautiful place?”

Throughout the weekend, guests will be staying in the staff cabins on Camp Timberlane’s 1,100-acre site on the edge of Two Islands Lake, located in the heart of Haliburton Highlands near the southern boundary of Canada’s famous Algonquin Park.

Participants will enjoy the rustic charm of the cabins — many of which overlook the private lake — with single and queen-sized beds available, as well as private showers and restrooms. The property includes a sauna, high ropes course, kayaks and other watercraft, sandy beaches, and so much more.

“Camp Timberlane is known for their incredible food and beautiful location with wonderful accommodations,” says Raponi. “They have a private lake, so it’ll combine a really incredible atmosphere with what we know will be an incredible group of women.”

Between organized activities, women will be working together to build garden planters to be donated to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to offer therapeutic gardening activities for women staying at the Haliburton Emergency SafeSpace (HERS), which provides temporary housing for women and families moving from abusive home situations — a mission closely aligned with that of Habitat PKR.

“Safe and affordable housing is the crux of so many larger issues,” says Raponi. “When you don’t have options, when you don’t have the ability to make changes, when you feel you’re stuck in one spot, that’s just the most dangerous place to be. Having affordable housing gives people options, and having a safe place to call home is absolutely fundamental to grow and thrive.”

Habitat PKR’s all-female trade staff will be leading participants through the build, offering construction techniques and teaching them to use power tools.

“We have a lot of women at Habitat PKR who are represented in the trades — whereas in the construction world, conversely, that’s not always the case,” Raponi explains. “Sometimes, to get women participating and to feel comfortable in construction and building, having a safe space is what’s needed.”

“This will be that super safe place where we’re actually going to put a power tool in your hand. You can ask questions, you will be taught with respect and gentleness, and we’ll meet whatever level of skill you are at and hopefully just take you to the next level.”

After a delicious and hearty breakfast while enjoying the stunning array of fall colours to start the day, half of the group will join the tradespeople for building while the other women will engage in a range of other fun activities — and then the groups will swap places in the afternoon.

Guided activities will range from yoga instruction to games of pickleball, hiking trails, and art workshops.

The groups will then come together for scheduled activities, including a wine tasting experience with expert Leah Spooner, an extravagant gourmet s’mores bar sponsored by Hickory Lanes Kitchens, themed dinners, a bonfire on the beach, and more.

“We are meticulously curating the perfect blend between relaxing and adventuring, introverting and extroverting, and just bringing people together,” Raponi says.

“There are lots of things that women can choose from that will be guided for you with plenty of moments where you can just disappear, read a book on the beach or on the dock overlooking the water, and then join us all for a delicious dinner and a movie on the beach after.”

Habitat PKR has set a goal to raise $15,000 in support of its upcoming multi-unit build in the Haliburton region. By participating in the retreat, women will directly contribute to organization’s mission to help families and individuals reach affordable home ownership through lower-than-market interest and geared-to-income mortgages with no downpayment.

“Haliburton is experiencing a really intense housing crisis and, because it’s considered cottage country, those exorbitant housing costs are just going up and up,” says Raponi, adding that the Women Build Retreat is much more than just a fundraiser.

“We can ask for money to support the build, but if we can also talk to you and have a shared experience with you and create those meaningful connections, that’s going to go so much further than just accepting a cheque.”

With the goal of forming connections through the retreat, Habitat PKR is leading by example by using the event to also support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and by combining forces with the WBN, whose 2024-25 theme is “collaboration over competition.”

“We know the WBN is filled with a powerhouse of women who get things done and want to see good in our community and beyond,” says Raponi. “It’s a win-win-win to bring different organizations together, and different women, to work on things that are even beyond the scope of Habitat.”

Raponi acknowledges that the support of female-led businesses sponsoring the event — including Lakeshore Designs, ACM Designs, and Abbott Construction Group — are all prime examples of what happens when women come together with one goal in mind.

“The more affordable options we can give people, the more choice they have, and the more they will be able to thrive,” says Raponi. “Let’s link arms with every organization that is working towards these goals, and let’s link arms with the companies and individual women who want to come along for the ride, and let’s support the community.”

To view the full Women Build Retreat schedule and to register, visit www.womenbuildretreat.ca. For more information on Habitat PKR, visit www.habitatpeterborough.ca.

A fire has closed the historic Doube’s Trestle Bridge, a popular spot along the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail between Peterborough and Omemee that is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Reports of the fire on the decking of the 175-metre bridge, which stands just over 21 metres high over the Buttermilk Valley, were shared on social media on Wednesday afternoon (September 4).

The Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association website includes a notice that the bridge, which is also known as Orange Corners Trestle Bridge, is closed and “impassible.”

According to the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, it took multiple fire crews over an hour to bring the fire under control. Several metres of the bridge’s decking were destroyed, and underlying structural beams were also damaged.

The cost of the damage is unknown, as is the cause of the fire. However, Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the fire as possible arson.

The fire comes five years after the original wooden decking of the bridge, which was rotting, was replaced with composite lumber at a cost of $140,000. The project was funded by the National Trans Canada Trail office, private donations, Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association supporters, and federal grants.

Doube’s Trestle Bridge was constructed in 1883 for the Midland Railway’s route between Peterborough and Lindsay. Originally made of wood and 1,500 feet long, the central part of the trestle was later converted to a steel bridge with nine spans totalling 572 feet long.

In 1921, Canadian National Railways took over the route, which was initially used by both passenger and freight trains. Eventually, only freight trains used the route until trains ceased using the route in 1978. The rails were then lifted and the route became the property of the provincial government’s Ontario Realty Corporation.

It was eventually leased to Kawartha Rail Trail as a recreational trail that became the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, and is a popular route for cyclists, hikers, and runners with Doube’s Trestle Bridge being the main attraction with its scenic views.

The bridge has also become an increasingly popular destination for visitors, again because of its scenic views.

Doube’s Trestle Bridge is featured in Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie, a sequel to the critically acclaimed mystery comedy-drama television series Monk starring Tony Shalhoub at the titular character — a former San Francisco homicide detective turned private police consultant who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and multiple phobias.

Last May, the film’s production crew and cast were at the bridge to shoot several scenes involving bungee jumping.

In the movie, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Monk comes out of retirement to solve a case involving his stepdaughter’s journalist fiancee.

It’s not a secret that flooding is one of the greatest impacts that the Peterborough area feels from climate change. This is a result of the increased intensity of storms that are forecasted to occur as a result of increased moisture in the atmosphere.

When rainwater lands on a hard surface, such as a rooftop or asphalt, it will immediately run off into the closest stream or river. If too much water is allowed to enter a creek at the same time, it can overtop and cause flooding.

Recognizing this problem, when we build new buildings, subdivisions, or parking lots, we ask developers to make sure that they build in a way that will retain as much stormwater as close to where it lands as possible.

Worth considering is the impact that many stormwater management strategies have on our municipal carbon footprint and the surrounding environment.

In the past, the way that developers have accomplished their stormwater management requirements was to build a stormwater pond. You can see many of these ponds around the city — behind shopping malls, at the edge of subdivisions, or near parking lots.

These ponds are effective at controlling stormwater but require a great deal of concrete and gravel fill, and can even release methane gas from decomposing plant material in the pond. To build them and maintain them, they can release a great deal of carbon emissions.

Over the past decade, designers and regulators have started to embrace green stormwater facilities such as rain gardens, green roofs, or bioretention cells. These are smaller structures that can be spread more evenly throughout a development to capture water close to where it lands.

The change to “low-impact development” was prompted by the desire to decrease the negative impact of stormwater on water quality in lakes and rivers. A hidden benefit to these facilities can be the decreased carbon footprint as well.

Information on the carbon footprint of stormwater facilities is limited, but a review of what is available suggests that a stormwater pond can release as much as 108 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre over a period of 30 years. A green roof, on the other hand, releases on average of 42 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre — less than half of a stormwater pond.

The real climate hero, though, is the humble but mighty (and beautiful) rain garden. Some studies suggest that a rain garden is actually carbon negative, absorbing as much as 12.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide per square metre over a 30-year lifetime.

Considering this amazing news, companies or homeowners that are looking to decrease their carbon footprint can make a great start by constructing rain gardens on their property, while increasing their resiliency from flooding at the same time.

Due to the many benefits of rain gardens, the City of Peterborough offers subsidies for both commercial landowners and homeowners to install rain gardens on their property. If you ever need to build some stormwater management at your home or business, here’s just one more reason to go green. Green stormwater design is already great news for the environment, and this is just one more benefit to these amazing new ideas.

Dylan Radcliffe is a water resources technician with Engage Engineering, a Peterborough-based business and Green Economy Leader with GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) hub.

GEP is for the business community. With membership, organizations commit to taking a comprehensive inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions, set reductions targets, and are coached towards achieving their own sustainability goals. To learn more, visit www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.

GreenUP works with the City of Peterborough to provide eligible homeowners with educational resources and assistance in applying for the Rain Garden Subsidy, including on-site consultation and rain garden design. To learn more, visit greenup.on.ca/rain-garden-subsidy-program.

Three teens residing in the Kawarthas are buzzing with excitement as they train to represent Canada at an international beekeeping competition at the end of the year.

The International Meeting for Young Beekeepers (IMYB) is an annual meeting and the world’s largest gathering of young beekeepers aged 12 to 18 years old. Both a competition and a diverse social and cultural program, the meeting consists of practical and academic testing of knowledge and skills.

Held for the first time outside of Europe, the 13th annual meeting takes place Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Wednesday, December 18 to Sunday, December 22.

“It’s an opportunity for young people to interact and meet peers and form friendships that last forever,” says John MacFarlane, one of the Team Canada chaperones leading the youth to the event. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and we are thrilled to get invited back and be the only team from North America.”

MacFarlane, who is one of the founders of Kawartha Junior Beekeepers program, will be joined by fellow founder Lenka Petric and Northumberland beekeeper Dana Petrillo as chaperones. This year will mark the third time Team Canada has made an appearance at the event, but the first time each team member hails from the Kawarthas region.

One of the team members who will be representing Canada is Ben Marshall of Trent Hills, who began beekeeping as a way to keep busy during the start of the pandemic and hasn’t stopped since. On top of running his own swimming lesson company and selling freeze-dried food, the 17-year-old serial entrepreneur also sells his own honey.

“It’s always been about the learning for me,” Marshall says. “I love the new information and new ideas that are always shared within the bee community. The theme for Dubai is Beekeeping in Arid Lands, so it’s a really neat perspective I’ve never actually thought about … I’m really looking forward to learning more about it.”

Joining him in Dubai will be 15-year-old Heidi Westbye of Cavan, who has been beekeeping since 2017. Her passion led her to do a project on honeybees which won her third place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences class of the 2024 Peterborough Science Fair. She is already looking forward to pursuing further education for a career in honeybee research.

“I’m really excited for the experiences I’ll have in Dubai and getting to work with so many other people from so many different places,” Westbye says. “Working with kids from Europe and Asia is just really inspiring, because one competition can bring so many people together.”

The third member of Team Canada is Rebecca Wood of Pontypool, whose trip to Dubai will be her first time outside of Ontario. She began beekeeping at 10 years old because she lived on a farm and was afraid of bees. Not only did she get over her fear, but she found a passion in studying pollinators.

Now 17, Wood sits on the Kawartha Pollinator Action Committee and created the Bee Friendly Pollinators and the Seed Library program at her school. She was recently a recipient of a 2023 Kawartha Lakes Environmental Student Hero Award.

“It was the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers that just planted that seed in me and made me want to continue seeking out more information and learning more about pollination in our area,” Wood says. “I always like to say the best way to combat fear is through education and I really think what I was taught by John and Lenka, and what I’ve learned on my own over the years, has helped with that.”

Each of the three young beekeepers learned what they did by joining the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers, a hands-on program for children and youth interested in beekeeping. Following a bee’s year from equipment managing to harvesting, participants aged eight to 12 years old meet monthly to put into practice concepts learned in class and through guest speakers and field trips.

MacFarlane and Petric founded the program years ago because they noticed most beekeepers in the region were of older generations.

“We were looking towards helping to develop or initiate and encourage a new generation of beekeepers, and no one was doing that,” says MacFarlane.

“Beekeeping, for some people, is their first education about pollinators, so they learn about bees and then they also learn about all the other pollinators that are so important to our environment,” adds Petric. “That’s another really important reason for continuing this program, as it’s one way of immersing kids through hands-on learning where they can see about how important pollinators are for our environment.”

The duo notes it’s been very “gratifying” and “rewarding” to watch youth first become engaged and continue their studies, and then pass on their knowledge and passion. All three youth are now mentors for current students of the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers.

“The fact that I still have such like a great memory and a great passion for what I was taught in Kawartha Junior Beekeepers really speaks to how well they’ve crafted this program,” says Wood. “With the impact it had on me and the change that I am trying to make in my community, it just means the world to be attempting to do that for other kids. Honestly, I think everyone should have the opportunity to be in a program like this.”

Over the four-day event in Dubai, there are two days of competition linked to specific tasks where the youth will have to show their knowledge about beekeeper tools, putting a colony together, building hives, the anatomy of a bee, honey tasting, and more. The group will be competing individually and as a team, and there will also be some components wherein the participants are paired with beekeepers from other countries and must work together.

Like the Olympic Games, the meeting is bookended with extravagant opening and closing ceremonies. Throughout the week, there will also be opportunities for excursions, and each team will be required to do a presentation — like a song or dance — to introduce their country.

“The aspects of the whole meeting, the whole get together — they are so far reaching for these kids, and they all come back with something that they can bring back to their community,” says MacFarlane. “For us it’s one of the most important things, and we work on that and that’s one of the main goals other than education.”

While the participants undergo “intense” training in preparation for Dubai, Team Canada is also hosting fundraisers, including a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise $12,000. The team is also selling notebooks, gift packs of honey, beeswax candles, and handmade bee kitties. Purchases can be made by emailing kawarthajb@gmail.com.

The teens are also available to lead presentations for local communities and beekeeping clubs to let them know about their trip and the knowledge they will be collecting to bring back to their communities.

“We want to show that this is important — here are three young people from this geographic area who are going to be highly educated in this whole beekeeping process,” says MacFarlane.

“They’re among the best in Canada and they are local … they need the support of our local community as well, because what they’re going to bring back is only going to enhance and create more of an environment for education, and it’s an investment in the future of these communities.”

For her part, Petrillo notes that representing Canada puts the Kawarthas on the map when it comes to beekeeping, and opens opportunities for future local beekeepers.

“I’ve dreamed since I was in grade four of becoming a beekeeper, but it wasn’t accessible until fairly recently,” she says. “That accessibility is now going across Canada and Northumberland and Kawarthas is definitely a hub for that. Really trying to get out there and spreading that message across Canada is huge. These kids are going to have that opportunity, and they’re spreading it out to kids all over, so if we can get more programs starting all across Canada, it’ll be fabulous.”

For more information on the Kawartha Junior Beekeepers, visit jjrbeekeepers.ca. Follow the IMYB Team Canada Facebook group to keep up to date with the team’s preparations for Dubai.

A Grade 8 teacher in Port Hope is facing multiple sexual offence charges as a result of an ongoing police investigation.

On August 21, Port Hope police received a report of a sexual assault involving a youth victim.

Due to the allegations, Port Hope police began an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Kelly-Anne Jennings, a Grade 8 teacher at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Port Hope. On August 29, police arrested Jennings on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference. She was released on a undertaking with a court appearance schedule for October 9.

While conducting an extensive investigation, the Criminal Investigation Branch of the Port Hope Police Service began to identify additional alleged victims who had previously attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School.

After speaking to several witnesses and additional victims, officers applied for and were granted several search warrants for supporting evidence in relation to the offences. These warrants were executed by the Port Hope police with the assistance of the Peterborough Police Service’s Technological Crimes Unit.

Based on the investigation, Jennings was arrested again on Wednesday (September 4) and faces 16 additional sexual offence charges in relation to three additional youth victims identified as her former students.

The additional charges include three counts of distributing sexually explicit material to a person under 16 years of age, seven counts of luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication, two counts of accessing child pornography, two counts of invitation to sexual touching of a person under 16 years of age, and two counts of making, printing, publishing, or possessing child pornography for the purpose of publication.

Jennings is being held in custody for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg.

“The Port Hope Police would like to thank all the current victims and witnesses for coming forward as well as the cooperation of their guardians,” reads a media release.

Any further victims or witnesses are encouraged to contact the Port Hope Police Service in person, by phone at 905-885-8123, or by email at phps@phps.on.ca.

A recent concert in Haliburton has garnered a standing ovation for Haliburton County’s Places for People.

Minden-based Places for People (PFP) says its August 31 event at Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Logging Museum raised $2,500 through ticket sales and raffles in support of local affordable housing efforts.

The fundraiser, featuring the music of Charlie Angus and The Grievous Angels, drew a crowd of 150 for the event that was spearheaded by the Highlands Summer Festival, the Haliburton Speakers Series, and the Haliburton County Folk Society.

Fay Martin, P4P founder and board member, said the evening was a grand success.

“It was a marvellous response,” Martin told kawarthaNOW. “It was much more than I thought we’d make, because that was a six-piece band so the overall cost for the event was pretty high but the community that came out … was a very generous audience.”

The 50/50 draw and toonie auctions were also “very graciously supported,” Martin added.

“It was one of those incredible outflowings of support that are quite common in Haliburton County for issues that people feel strongly about.”

P4P provides affordable housing across Haliburton County and recently purchased 12 additional units allowing all tenants to remain in their homes at an affordable rent. P4P uses fundraising dollars to cover expenses related to its volunteer-run board, maintain its rental units, and pay down capital debt.

Angus, who leads the six-member alt-folk country band Grievous Angels, is also the MP for Timmins-James Bay and champions social issues, including the dire need for affordable housing.

“We were honoured to play for such a great audience in such a great venue,” Angus said in a media release. “We will have really great memories of Haliburton’s hospitality.”

Also on the agenda for the night were the toonie auctions, that featured various items up for grabs including a Haliburton Forest gift certificate, tickets for a “Telling our Stories Speaker Series” event, and tickets for a Haliburton County Folk Society concert.

Founded in 2007, PFP has provided homes for more than 100 people in the community since 2010. Its mission statement is to create and manage quality affordable rental housing in Haliburton County, “fostering an environment in which our tenants can thrive.” P4P has rental units in all four municipalities of Haliburton County.

For more information about Places For People and to volunteer or donate, visit www.placesforpeople.ca.

One might think of reading as a solitary activity but, with the return of the “One Book, One Ptbo” shared community reading experience, the Peterborough Public Library is proving it doesn’t have to be.

This fall, the program is returning for its second year with even more thought-provoking and educational events lined up, all linked together by the emotional 2023 novel The Story of Us by award-winning author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez.

From book clubs and conversations led by local organizations to workshops and a visit from the author herself, “One Book, One Ptbo” offers no shortage of opportunities to connect with other readers and learn about the issues and themes discussed in the book.

“One Book, One Community” events are held across North America, with the first Peterborough event held last year featuring Anishinaabe writer Waubgeshig Rice’s bestselling novel Moon of the Crusted Snow. Hernandez’s novel was selected by community vote to be this year’s book from a community-chosen shortlist of three finalists that also included Omar El Akkad’s What Strange Things and Zalika Reid-Benta’s River Mumma.

Narrated through the perspective of the protagonist’s baby, The Story of Us follows an overseas Filipino worker named Mary Grace Concepcion who leaves home and her husband to first be a caregiver in Hong Kong before travelling even further to Toronto. After navigating careless employers and unruly children, she then cares for Liz, an elderly transgender woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and the two form a surprising and heartbreaking bond.

“There’s a lot to discuss here about caring for the elderly, about respect and the struggles faced by the trans community, and about overseas workers,” says Karen Bisschop, Community Development Librarian at the Peterborough Public Library. “There are a lot of important and serious discussions in the book, but there’s a little bit of humour in it as well and even recipes. There’s a lot that can be done with a story like this.”

The Story of Us author Catherine Hernandez is a queer woman of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese, and Indian descent who married into the Navajo Nation. Having just released her fourth novel Behind You, she is most known for her acclaimed debut novel Scarborough, which was a 2022 Canada Reads finalist and adapted into an award-winning film.

This year’s “One Book, One Ptbo” culminates on Monday, November 4th when Hernandez will be at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to read from her work and participate in an on-stage interview.

“Hernandez has been getting a lot of attention, so we’re really excited that she’s coming to Peterborough,” notes Bisschop.

With more than 70 copies of The Story of Us available for check out from the Peterborough Public Library, including audio book and e-book formats, there is ample opportunity for interested readers to read the book and participate in the events in advance of the Hernandez’s visit.

“There’s serendipity that happens when you see someone reading the same book that you just read, whether that’s someone you know or a neighbour on the bus, and it encourages opportunities for spontaneous conversation,” says Bisschop.

“One of the things something like this or a book club does is encourages you to read a book that you wouldn’t otherwise. Sometimes you learn something new from it and it can open up worlds.”

Bisschop adds that, having studied the novel in the library’s general book club earlier this spring, she witnessed in-depth conversations surrounding topics of which readers had no previous knowledge.

“These shared reading experiences open a door into further discussion and oftentimes the more we talk about something, the more people are interested to dive deeper and learn more on their own,” she explains.

“It’s the fiction that draws readers in, but the truth behind it will invite them to explore something in more detail, so we’re hoping to see that happen again.”

Those looking to start their own book clubs with friends, neighbours, and co-workers can also check out the “Book Club in a Bag” kit from the library. The sets come complete with copies of the book, a tracking sheet, discussion guides, and other articles and background information.

Alternatively, interested readers who already have their own book clubs can ask Bisschop and other library staff for guidance. Email libraryprograms@peterborough.ca for more information.

“It can be very helpful to have a standard set of questions and draw people into those themes to create conversations that stem from having read the book,” Bisschop says. “And I’m always happy to learn about other book groups in the community as well.”

VIDEO: Catherine Hernandez on CBC’s Q with Tom Power

New this year, the library has started a “One Book, One Ptbo” public Facebook group which anyone can join to share their thoughts, reviews, and questions about The Story of Us. The library is regularly posting quotes from the book along with guiding questions to invite discussion and engagement.

“It gives readers a space to discuss something or interact with others anytime,” Bisschop says. “Not everyone is able to make it out to the events, so the Facebook group lets them still be involved.”

Further encouraging engagement from readers, the Peterborough Public Library will soon be uploading the Beanstack Reading Challenge. The digital platform incentivizes reading by providing “badges” for various reading achievements and for attending the in-person events. The more badges earned, the more chances for readers to win prizes from the library.

Below is the full list of events relating to this year’s One Book, One Ptbo program. Note that most events require advance registration; visit calendar.ptbolibrary.ca to register.

One Book, One Ptbo Book Club – Pride Week Session

Wednesday, September 25 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Main Library

During “One Book, One Ptbo,” the library will be hosting extra book club meetings featuring The Story of Us, with the first held during Peterborough Pride Week with an LGBTQ+ focus. Book club copies are available at the check-out desk on a first come, first served basis.

Advance registration is required.

Aging with Pride

Thursday, September 26, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Main Library

In partnership with Age-Friendly Peterborough, this event during Peterborough Pride Week spotlights current issues older 2SLGBTQIA+ adults face as they age. The discussion will help listeners understand challenges to healthy aging and engage in discussion about promoting mental, physical, and social well-being. A presentation will be followed by a refreshment break and discussion.

Advance registration is required.

Preserving Your Heirlooms

Thursday, October 3, 2 – 3 p.m., Peterborough Museum & Archives

Since The Story of Us features some precious historical items that are stored in a damp and dark basement, the Peterborough Museum & Archives will be teaching participants how to properly preserve family heirlooms. Using examples from its collection, the museum will share the best techniques and practices for protecting important artifacts for years to come. Questions regarding specific heirlooms are welcome.

“We sometimes don’t appreciate the older objects that our family will want to look at and enjoy later, so we thought this was a good twist to bring in more topics of discussion,” says Bisschop.

Registration is not required.

One Book, One Ptbo Book Club – General Session

Saturday, October 5, 2 – 3 p.m., Main Library

During “One Book, One Ptbo,” the library will be hosting extra book club meetings featuring The Story of Us. Book club copies are available at the check-out desk on a first come, first served basis.

Advance registration is required.

Let’s Talk About Dementia

Tuesday, October 15, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Main Library

The Story of Us follows a caregiver who works with a client suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why the library is hosting a general discussion and question-and-answer session led by the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton for guidance and resources to help those affected.

Registration is not required.

Cookbook Club: Lemongrass and Lime

Thursday, October 24, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Main Library

Each month, the Peterborough Public Library picks a cookbook and invites novice and seasoned cooks to pick up a recipe to test out for a community potluck. In October, the club is exploring Filipino and Southeast Asian recipes inspired by foods mentioned in The Story of Us.

Advance registration is required.

Grand Finale featuring author Catherine Hernandez

Monday, November 4, 7 – 9 p.m., Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

The “One Book, One Ptbo” program culminates in a grand finale visit from The Story of Us author Catherine Hernandez. The evening will feature readings, a live interview, book signings, and the opportunity to purchase the book from local independent bookseller Take Cover Books.

“Invited authors read from the work we studied, but they also usually read from their other work as well, so it’s always nice to get that sneak peek,” says Bisschop. “It’s a nice opportunity to hear directly from the author, but also to gather in person with other readers.”

Advance registration is required. Registration will open on Tuesday, October 1 and close when full.

Community Conversation: Exploring Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Program

Tuesday, November 19, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Main Library

VIDEO: “Becoming Labrador” trailer

The Story of Us highlights the vulnerability of temporary foreign workers in Canada. That’s why the Peterborough Public Library and the New Canadians Centre are inviting readers to explore issues surrounding Canada’s temporary worker permits by viewing the documentary Becoming Labrador, about a group of Filipino workers living in Happy Valley. The screening will be followed by refreshments and a panel discussion and conversation.

“It’s an ongoing topic in Canada, and highly relevant to the book,” explains Bisschop. “We’re hoping people will be interested, wanting to know the rules, the ways people are exploited, and how they can help overseas workers when they’re here.”

Advance registration with New Canadians Centre is required. Registration opens in September.

For more information on “One Book, One Ptbo” and to register for associated events, visit www.ptbolibrary.ca. You can also follow the Peterborough Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) .

This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Peterborough Public Library. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Job seekers who think a career in the aerospace sector means flying planes or working as flight attendants or baggage handlers or air traffic control crew will be surprised to learn the extent of employment opportunities that are actually available, some of which don’t even require aviation education or experience.

“We have a full pipeline of work and are looking to employ workers from a diverse set of industries to strengthen our workforce,” explains Kate Ahrens, who manages community and government relations for Flying Colours Corp. “Many of the skills we seek are transferable from other industries, such as the automotive trade, interior decorating, boat fitting, woodworking, and construction fields. For some roles, we are not looking for experience, just willingness to join a dynamic business.”

Flying Colours Corp. is one of the 22 businesses operating out of the Peterborough Airport and specializes in maintaining, refurbishing, and overhauling (MRO) business jets. The magic happens in spacious hangars large enough to house Airbus A220 or Boeing 737 aircraft types. It requires a diverse range of skills, including repairing, restoring and upgrading cabinetry and soft furnishings, cabin installation, and quality paint finishing. For those plying their trade at Flying Colours, no two days are the same.

“The aircraft we work on fly a varied set of passengers,” Ahrens says. “The aircraft are used by captains of industry to keep their businesses growing, music stars and sports celebrities to enable their demanding schedules, and government leaders needing to fulfill complex itineraries in the shortest time possible. Our work contributes to driving the global economy, keeping us entertained, and forging and maintaining international relationships.”

This international influence originates in the variety of jobs available to those seeking work in the aerospace sector. Recent graduates, skilled craftspeople, or those willing to learn new skills in a highly buoyant industry that spans the globe could all be qualified to join Flying Colours.

“We’re aware that too often those seeking work think that aviation employment is limited to pilots, flight attendants, baggage handling, or air traffic control — the complete opposite is true,” Ahrens explains. “If you can think of a career outside of aviation, there will certainly be an equivalent within the sector.”

Ahrens says Flying Colours recruits are well-paid and have the option to follow defined career progression paths. Some roles require specialist knowledge, but an aviation background is not an essential requirement, as the company looks for enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to learn when recruiting.

“The potential is limitless,” Ahrens says. “We understand that our workforce needs to be stimulated and rewarded, and we aim to promote from within as we develop career trajectories. We think it’s important to encourage career growth and are always willing to support a colleague who is keen to evolve.”

According to Ahrens, evidence of this commitment is demonstrated by the longevity of Flying Colours employees — many of whom have worked at the facility for more than 10 years, with some celebrating more than 30 years of employment.

Ahrens says Flying Colours’ central location in Peterborough was “integral” to the developments and accomplishments of the business. Today, the company’s facility boasts three dedicated paint shops, avionics workshops, four maintenance hangars, a design centre, and dedicated cabinetry and upholstery workshops.

“We’ve evolved in tandem with the airport and work closely together to make it a successful proposition,” Ahrens notes.

As the Peterborough Airport has continued to grow since the launch of the airport development program in 2010, more and more businesses have joined the local aerospace sector, doubling the number of jobs from 251 to more than 500.

“Peterborough is an ideal location for the aerospace sector due to several strategic advantages,” says Kyle Bruce, the Manager of Airport Administration at the Peterborough Airport. “Firstly, its proximity to major urban centres like Toronto and Ottawa makes it accessible, yet removed from the congestion and high operational costs associated with larger airports. This balance provides a more cost-effective and efficient environment for aerospace businesses.”

“For visitors to YPQ, it’s effortless to fly in, have a meeting, and fly back out in a day,” Ahrens says. “There aren’t the same limitations as at busy hub airports, which streamlines our business and makes us more efficient.”

“The presence of a vibrant business hub at the Peterborough Airport stimulates the local economy, encouraging the development of ancillary services,” says Bruce. “This economic growth translates into a broader range of employment opportunities and supports overall career progression across different industries.”

Ahrens points out that Flying Colours provides employment directly to hundreds of residents and, by extension, to suppliers, shops, hotels, real estate, and more.

“It all adds to the local economy,” she adds.

“We started as a family business, and that family culture remains today and has contributed to our success. This is why we value our team so much. They have helped us develop our reputation for high-quality work, an innovative spirit, and a strong collaborative culture.”.

This has not gone unnoticed by the industry. In 2023, the company joined the Flexjet family, one of the world’s leading private aviation companies with more than 2,200 employees worldwide, 12 business divisions, and a fleet of over 250 aircraft that regularly need MRO services. Integrating with Flexjet brings many new opportunities, translating into more jobs in Peterborough while ensuring Flying Colour’s longevity and sustainability.

“We are part of an incredibly exciting sector — aerospace is buzzing right now,” Ahrens says. “Every day brings new opportunities, ideas, and thoughts, which is why we source the best workforce possible to support us and the global business aviation industry. It makes Flying Colours such a dynamic, interesting, and attractive workplace.”

For more information about Flying Colours Corp., visit www.flyingcolourscorp.com.

Explore more employment opportunities at the Peterborough Airport at peterborough.ca/en/doing-business/airport-services.aspx.

This supplied branded editorial is one of a series published in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.