Canada’s Minister of Seniors Kamal Khera visited Activity Haven Senior Centre in Peterborough on Thursday (January 19) to announce $116,881 in funding for six community-based projects to support seniors in Peterborough.

The funding was a result of a 2021-22 call for proposals under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, a federal grants and contributions program for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and in their communities. Under the program, community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding.

“The funded community projects in Peterborough are making a real impact on the lives of seniors,” Khera said. “Our government is committed to support such initiatives so they can continue to provide seniors with engaging activities to stay active, as well as increase their social participation so they can maintain a strong presence in their communities.”

For the 2021-22 call for proposals under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, more than 3,000 community-based projects across Canada received $61 million in funding, including 1,036 projects in Ontario that received over $21.94 million in funding.

Activity Haven received $23,500 for its Activity Haven in Motion program that provides seniors with guided exercises, yoga sessions, and lunch-and-learn events that promote health and well-being.

“The New Horizons for Seniors Program has enabled us to partner with Trent Health in Motion to provide our members with a unique experience,” said Activity Haven executive director Janet Buchanan. “The benefits of this program include improved strength, flexibility, endurance, mental health and socialization.”

The other five projects in Peterborough that received funding are:

Ageing in Place: Helping VON Clients Maintain Optimal Health at Home ($19,782) – Victorian Order of Nurses, Peterborough, Victoria and Haliburton Community Corporation

Seniors involved with the organization will deliver social experiences through haircuts, foot care, and adult day program visits to increase socialization.

Dementia Friendly Communities ($24,765) – Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton

Seniors involved with the organization will engage with local organizations and provide training to help them become dementia-friendly, to promote the social inclusion of seniors with dementia.

Seniors in Motion ($23,500) – Trent Health in Motion

Seniors involved with the organization will participate in health and fitness activities like yoga, stretching, and strength and conditioning classes to support social participation and healthy living.

Bridges Peterborough Bridging Team ($7,334) – Bedford House / Bridges Peterborough

Seniors involved with the organization will mentor under-resourced individuals living in poverty by teaching leadership skills and building social capital, while also promoting social participation.

Improving Accessibility at a Community Centre in Peterborough ($18,000) – The Mount Community Centre

The organization will install electric doors on its premises so that it can continue to host public meetings while promoting the social inclusion of seniors.

Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal also attended the funding announcement.

“I am glad to see how the New Horizons for Seniors program is empowering seniors right here in Peterborough,” Leal said. “It’s our duty to support older adults and I encourage everyone in our community to get involved with Activity Haven Senior Centre to connect with other seniors, learn new skills and stay active.”

Seniors are one of Canada’s fastest-growing population groups. They will represent a quarter of the population by 2051 and could reach close to 11 million people within 15 years.

The Rotary Club of Peterborough’s annual spelling bee for children in Peterborough County is returning in 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Rotary Spelling Bee will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th in the Whetung Theatre at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough and will also be broadcast on YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.

The fun and friendly competition includes a junior division for children in grades 4, 5, and 6 that will compete at 9 a.m., and a senior division for children in grades 7 and 8 that will compete at 1 p.m. There will be trophies and prizes for participants. There is no cost to participate.

According to a media release, while several local schools have already committed to participating in this year’s event, there is still room for more participants.

The Rotary Club of Peterborough is also seeking local businesses that can sponsor the event and contribute prizes. Funds raised through sponsorships will help the Rotary Club’s literacy committee provide young people with materials and opportunities to develop their reading, writing, and communication skills.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or participation in the spelling bee, email literacy committee chair Catherine Legault at spellingbee@peterboroughrotary.ca.

Kawartha Lakes police are investigating the theft of video games from a Lindsay business on Tuesday (January 17).

According to police, a suspect entered the Kent Street West store where he broke into a locked video game cabinet.

He removed numerous video game cartridges, concealed them in his clothing, and left the store without paying.

Police say the stolen video game cartridges are valued at around $5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252.

If you prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit khcrimestoppers.com.

Continuing a grant program for local artists and enhancing homelessness support services are two of the changes made to the City of Peterborough’s draft 2023 budget during a series of meetings held by city council’s finance committee this week that concluded on Wednesday night (January 18).

Other significant changes include providing no increase for transit expenses, deferring a water and sewer service upgrade project for the Peterborough Airport, and deferring the city’s contribution to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network cell gap initiative.

The changes will reduce the originally proposed increase to the city’s all-inclusive property tax rate from four per cent to 3.15 per cent, which would add $53.24 per year for each $100,000 of residential assessment. For example, a home assessed at $600,000 would see an additional $319 annually in property tax. This compares to a 2.87 per cent property tax increase approved in the 2022 budget.

Some of the changes made by city council’s finance committee to the draft budget include:

• Holding Peterborough Transit expenses at the 2022 level, reducing the 2023 net requirement by $951,000.
• Deferring an $800,000 project to upgrade water and sewer service to the Peterborough Airport, until a land deal is reached to bring the airport property within city boundaries.
• Using $200,000 from the social services reserve to add a third worker at the overflow shelter program and Brock Mission to provide better support for referrals to services, assist with housing searches, develop more of a harm-reduction focus, address service restrictions differently, and other functions.
• Deferring a proposed $150,000 project for the next stage of the development of a Downtown Heritage Conservation District Plan.

• Deferring a $140,900 contribution to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) cell gap initiative.
• Establishing a permanent annual individual artist grant program at $50,000 a year through a three-year agreement with Electric City Culture Council, using funding from the capital budget in 2023 and including the program in the operating budget in 2024 and 2025.
• Removing a plan to provide $55,000 a year to the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) for three years for a new “systems navigator” staff position that would help downtown businesses navigating social issues.
• Contributing up to $10,000 from the capital levy reserve for the creation of a monument recognizing the impact of occupational disease on individuals and families.

Finance committee will meet on Monday (January 23) to consider the Peterborough Police Service budget, and the city’s 2023 draft budget will be considered for approval by city council the following Monday.

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for the northern Kawarthas region for Thursday afternoon and evening (January 18).

The winter weather travel advisory is in effect for northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, Hastings Highlands, and Haliburton County.

A Colorado low is expected to bring snow beginning Thursday afternoon, with total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm.

The snow will transition to light flurries Thursday night.

Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the southern Kawarthas region for Thursday afternoon and evening (January 18).

The freezing rain warning in in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County.

Freezing rain, which may be mixed with ice pellets and snow, is expected to begin Thursday afternoon. Ice accretion up to a few millimetres is possible on untreated surfaces.

Freezing rain will transition to light flurries, possibly mixed with freezing drizzle, early Thursday evening.

The risk of freezing drizzle will end Friday morning.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break. Utility outages may occur.

Cobourg-based financial management services company Part Time CFO Services LLP has donated $25,000 to the Northumberland Backyard Project, which would transform the property behind Five Counties Children’s Centre in Cobourg into an outdoor green space for treatment, recreation, cultural awareness, and education programs.

The Northumberland Backyard Project is being led by Five Counties, a charitable organization providing therapy services that assist children who are delayed in their development to build the skills they need in everyday life such as walking, talking, and activities of daily living, in partnership with Northumberland County, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, YMCA Northumberland, and the local EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

The outdoor green space, which would be available to clients, families, and visitors of the project partners and other community program providers, would include the installation of fencing and an accessible playground — the first of its kind in the area — along with sensory play equipment, an accessible garden area, a gazebo, storage space, and eventually a track. The 25,200-square-foot property at 800 Division Street in Cobourg currently cannot be used because of safety, traffic, and accessibility concerns.

The $25,000 donation from Part Time CFO Services LLP represents around 10 per cent of the remaining funds needed to develop the Northumberland Backyard Project, and brings the initiative almost halfway to meeting its fundraising goal of $255,000.

“We appreciate the significant investment Part Time CFO Services LLP is making in our kids, families, and community by supporting the Northumberland Backyard Project,” says Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin in a media release. “Agencies in our community have seen growing waitlists due to increased need and the pandemic. We recognize the importance of this outdoor project to create more space and opportunities for our kids and families. We’re very grateful for supporters like Part Time CFO Services LLP that see value in this project.”

Northumberland resident Darryl Goodall, the founder and president of Part Time CFO Services LLP, is an active sports enthusiast who has been a long-time volunteer for organized outdoor recreation activities, including as coach and head referee of the Port Hope Minor Soccer Club.

“Our staff believe in giving back to Northumberland, and that’s why Part Time CFO Services LLP is proud to support Five Counties and its partners on a project that will provide life-changing opportunities for kids,” Goodall says. “Our investment in the backyard project will help kids get the treatment and support they need that benefits them for the rest of their lives.”

For more information about the Northumberland Backyard Project, and to make a donation, visit fivecounties.on.ca/northumberland-backyard-project/.

Environment Canada has issued a freezing drizzle advisory for much of the greater Kawarthas region until Wednesday morning (January 18).

The freezing drizzle advisory is in effect for Peterborough County, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.

Periods of freezing drizzle, at times mixed with snow, will continue into Wednesday morning. There is also a risk of freezing rain overnight. There is a risk of freezing drizzle in the City of Kawartha Lakes, but it is currently not included in the advisory.

Precipitation is expected to taper Wednesday morning.

Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Watch for taillights ahead and maintain a safe following distance.

Freezing drizzle can produce thin, hard-to-detect layers of ice. Slow down driving in slippery conditions. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.