In 2021, the City of Peterborough is again offering subsidies of up to $500 to eligible homeowners who install rain gardens on their properties. Many trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and flowers are well-suited to rain gardens including a number of native species such as blue flag iris. (Photo: Hayley Goodchild)
After one of the driest springs on record, July was 150 per cent wetter than average, with rainfall recorded every two of three days. This kind of weather-related volatility will become more common as climate change intensifies.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s column is Hayley Goodchild, Neighbourhood and Residential Programs Coordinator at GreenUP.
The good news is that installing a rain garden on your property can help manage these extremes.
In 2021, the City of Peterborough is once again offering subsidies of up to $500 to eligible homeowners who install rain gardens on their properties.
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Why rain gardens?
A rain garden is a bowl-shaped garden that collects water from your roof, driveway, or other hard surface, and allows the water to drain into the ground instead of entering the stormwater system. Rain gardens are an important part of green urban infrastructure that keeps our waterways healthy.
“Currently, only 25 per cent of the City of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” explains Curtis Mei, the city’s stormwater systems coordinator.
Cup plant, dogwood, and other water-loving and drought-tolerant native plants soak up the rain at the rain garden in the Jiimaan’ndewemgadnong Pocket Park in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Geneviève Ramage)
“When it rains, urban runoff (stormwater) carries sediment and pollutants from vehicles, fertilizers, road salt, animal waste, and grass clippings into these waterbodies, which pollutes natural habitat and our source of clean drinking water,” Mei adds.
By diverting rainfall away from roads and sewers, rain gardens also reduce pressure on the municipal stormwater system, which in turn lowers the risk of localized flooding. This will become more important as rain events intensify.
All rain gardens share certain features, such as an inlet where water enters the garden and an outlet that allows for the safe overflow of rain during extremely heavy storms. Rain gardens also include a variety of plants. Beyond that, rain gardens come in all sizes, shapes, and styles.
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Many trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and flowers are well-suited to rain gardens, including a number of native species. Moisture-loving plants — such as blue flag iris (iris versicolor) or river birch (betula nigra) — should be placed toward the centre of your garden, where conditions are wetter.
Plants that can tolerate longer periods of drought should be placed around the perimeter of the garden, where conditions are drier. Many of my favourite drought-tolerant species — such as butterfly milkweed (asclepias tuberosa) and prairie dropseed (sporobolus heterolepis) — work well on the edges of rain gardens.
If you’re concerned about mosquito habitat, don’t be. Rain gardens are not the same as ponds or bogs. They are designed to absorb water within about 24 hours, which isn’t enough time for mosquito larvae to develop. In fact, rain gardens are often quite dry.
A rain garden between the sidewalk and pathway on a property in Peterborough’s The Avenues neighbourhood, installed with the support of GreenUP’s Ready for Rain program in 2017. To qualify for the City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, a rain garden must be installed at least three metres (10 feet) from any building foundations. (Photo: Ben Hargreaves)
So how does the City of Peterborough’s rain subsidy program work?
“A rain garden subsidy is a simple and effective way of providing financial support to residents of the City of Peterborough who provide stormwater management at the source, reducing the negative impacts of urban runoff,” Mei explains.
The first step is to complete a pre-application questionnaire through the City of Peterborough website at peterborough.ca, which will determine your eligibility and provide an estimated subsidy amount based on the roof area you intend to capture and your proposed garden size.
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Rain gardens aren’t suitable for all properties. You need a location at least three metres (10 feet) from any building foundations. The area should also be free of tree roots and underground utilities. Rain gardens can be installed in either in front or back yards.
Next, applicants attend a design workshop hosted by GreenUP. The final design workshop of the 2021 season will be held on Zoom from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24th. For more information or to register, visit greenup.on.ca/event/rain-garden-subsidy-program-design-workshop-2/.
Finally, applicants must draft their design, submit it for approval, and install the garden before the end of this fall.
A rain garden designed and installed by a Peterborough resident as part of the City of Peterborough’s 2020 Rain Garden Subsidy Program. (Photo: Kat Tepylo-Murphy)
If this sounds like a lot of work, keep in mind that GreenUP and city staff are available to assist residents throughout the process. Homeowners can also put the subsidy amount toward the cost of hiring a qualified landscaper to design and install a garden on their behalf.
“Building our rain garden was a great experience from start to finish,” explains Kat Tepylo-Murphy, one of last year’s subsidy recipients. “We enjoyed learning about the plants, building it, and talking to all our interested neighbours as we put it together.”
“The rain garden looks so much nicer than the grass we had before and we’re happy knowing that it helps the environment too,” Tepylo-Murphy adds. “We love watching it fill up on rainy days.”
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Interested applicants and landscape contractors should plan to attend the August 24th workshop. Those who cannot attend but still wish to apply should contact program coordinator Hayley Goodchild at hayley.goodchild@greenup.on.ca.
Looking for further inspiration? Check out these demonstration rain gardens installed by GreenUP at the following locations: the Jiimaan’ndewemgadnong Pocket Park at the corner of King and Water streets (Euphoria Spa and the Depave Paradise rain garden at the corner of Brealey and Lansdowne streets.
Chantel Coyle, co-owner of Modern Makers Market, at the Chamberland Street location of the creative retail hub. Before opening the shop in November 2020, Modern Makers Market was an events-based business promoting local makers. They are returning to their roots by hosting a welcome back pop-up event on August 14 and 15, 2021. (Photo: Rejeanne Martin)
Modern Makers Market is holding a welcome back pop-up event on the weekend of August 14th at their retail shop at 651 Chamberlain Street in Peterborough.
The welcome back event is a momentous occasion for co-owners Chantel Coyle and Sarah McCarley, who originally founded Modern Makers Market with Laura Kasperlik in 2017 as an events-based way to promote local makers to the Peterborough community. It’s their first event of the year due to the pandemic.
The pop-up market — which runs indoors and outdoors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 14th and Sunday, August 15th — features 16 local guest vendors along with the 30-plus makers from across Canada and the world already in the store.
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“We’re going to be celebrating small business as a ‘You did it — you got through this pandemic’ event,” says Chantel. “It’s an event of love for small businesses in the community.”
Makers at the pop-up market will include A Bee’s Closet, Dawn Moon Studio, Blue Oasis, Honest AF Mom, Grey Willow Creations, Dragon Fly Design Studio, Dwyer Art, Perfectly Beaded Evelyn PearlBow Co., Pipher Blooms, Church House Studio, and Dog Rags, along with food vendors Hanoi House Peterborough, Taste of Russia, Lisa Bakes, and Sweet & Stuff’d Cookie Co.
The Modern Makers Market shop has been reconfigured for the welcome back event to allow for physical distancing, and the doors will be open to allow for traffic flow between indoor and outdoor markets.
After meeting five years ago at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market, Chantel Coyle and Sarah McCarley decided to collaborate and launched Modern Makers Market, an events-based company promoting local makers. In November 2020, they opened a retail location. Chantel and Sarah are still business partners today, although Sarah is currently working on the business remotely from Australia due to COVID-19. (Photo: Rejeanne Martin)
“We’re spreading everyone out to make sure that there’s enough room to be COVID compliant,” explains Chantel, adding the shop is located in a residential area with a park just down the street. “You won’t have to worry about parking issues or the congestion of other places in the city. It’s a unique space to be in.”
According to Chantel, the pop-up market will be a great COVID-safe option for people looking for something fun and social to do on the August 14th weekend after months of restrictions, while also supporting local makers.
“It’s something to do in the middle of the month when you might not have plans because COVID has cancelled a lot of them,” Chantel says. “That’s the one thing people have been missing throughout the pandemic — human connection.”
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At the welcome back event, guests can learn about various local businesses all in a single setting. Even if guests don’t necessarily make a purchase from every vendor, the event will expand their knowledge of different local options for the future.
“Local businesses are the backbone of the community,” Chantel points out. “I hope the businesses who come feel supported and the community comes out for them. I hope the people who do come are thoughtful and come with the intent to support the vendors.”
The first in-person Modern Makers Market event for 2021 is also a return to their roots. Before the pandemic, Chantel and Sarah regularly held pop-up markets events where local artisans could sell their products. The pandemic transformed the Modern Makers Market, with Chantel and Sarah offering makers a way to sell their products while still keeping their staff and customers safe.
When the pandemic hit, shutting down Modern Makers Market’s events-based business model, owners Chantel Coyle and Sarah McCarley shifted by opening an in-person retail location and improved their website for online shopping. Now that events are allowed again, the pair hope to make up some of the revenue they and their vendors have lost during the pandemic. (Photo: Rejeanne Martin)
Last November, the pair opened the Modern Makers Market retail location on Chamberlain Street for restricted in-person shopping, carrying products from over 30 different small businesses from across Canada and worldwide. Products in the store vary from week to week, depending on which vendors are currently on contract.
When the province locked down again at the end of 2020 and in-store shopping was prohibited, Chantel and Sarah adjusted again by moving entirely online. In addition to online events and giveaways, they hired a local web designer to restructure their e-commerce website. Now, through their multi-vendor online platform, each vendor has their own digital space.
“When businesses sign up and pay for their spot, they can set up what looks like their own store on our website,” explains Chantel. “Vendors can also link to their own shop on their page. It’s really easy and user friendly.”
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The investment into improving their online store was worthwhile, according to Chantel, since 40 per cent of their sales are still online even after reopening the physical store.
Modern Makers Market has also recently teamed up with SwiftPost to offer easy shipping throughout Canada and the U.S. Businesses can sign up for a SwiftPost account, package their goods, and drop the package off at Modern Makers Market for SwiftPost to pick up and deliver.
“We’re cutting out steps and turning into a one-stop-shop for businesses,” Chantel explains. “I’m proud to say we thrived and evolved into something that we wouldn’t be now if the pandemic hadn’t happened.”
Chantel Coyle, co-owner of Modern Makers Market, working at the Chamberland Street shop. For their welcome back pop-up event on August 14 and 15, 2021, the shop will be configured to provide a COVID-safe shopping experience, with an indoor and outdoor market featuring traffic flow control and enough room for physical distancing. (Photo: Rejeanne Martin)
That includes a partnership with Hudson’s Bay, with Modern Makers Market offering a pop-up shop in the Hudson’s Bay location in Oshawa Centre until January 2022.
According to Chantel, it has taken a combination of hard work and community support to get Modern Makers Market to where it is right now.
“We have a lot of support but also we’ve worked a lot of hours,” says Chantel. “Sarah lives in Australia due to COVID, so she’s up all night answering emails and I’m up all day operating things. It’s a cool team dynamic that we have going on — but I’m hoping she comes home one day.”
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While Modern Makers Market has done relatively well despite the pandemic, they’ve also faced challenges. The return to in-person events is an important step towards recovering lost revenue.
“These events coming up are strategies to make back financials because we do have a lot of catching up to do,” says Chantel.
“We’re going to be working hard to turn that around for the vendors in our store — and for us.”
The Modern Makers Market pop-up event takes place at 651 Chamberlain Street in Peterborough from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 14 and Sunday, August 15, 2021. (Graphic: Modern Makers Market)
In terms of how the community can support the Modern Makers Market and the vendors they carry, Chantel asks everyone to keep local businesses in mind when shopping. You can also support Modern Makers Market and their vendors by following and engaging with them on social media.
“It doesn’t cost anything to follow and share,” Chantel notes.
To learn more about Modern Makers Market, their vendors, their welcome back pop-up event, and future events, visit modernmakersmarket.ca and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Modern Makers Market also has a second Instagram account @modern.makers.shop dedicated to the retail shop.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
For the third day in a row, Ontario is reporting fewer than 200 new cases, with 139 reported today. The seven-day average of daily cases has decreased by 2 to 199.
Of Ontario’s 34 health units, 7 are reporting double-digit increases — Toronto (26), Waterloo (19), Peel (18), York (15), Hamilton (12), Durham (11), and Windsor-Essex (10) — and 17 are reporting no new cases at all.
The number of hospitalizations has risen by 41 to 112, but some of this increase may be a result of underreporting by more than 10% of hospitals over the long weekend. The number of ICU patients has increased by 2 to 108 and the number of patients on ventilators has decreased by 2 to 76.
Ontario is reporting 11 COVID-related deaths, but 7 of these deaths occurred between December and February and are being reported now as part of a data clean-up. The number of new deaths yesterday is 4.
Over 19.6 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 60,094 from yesterday, with more than 9.1 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 48,008 from yesterday, representing almost 62% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 4 – August 3, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 4 – August 3, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 4 – August 3, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 6 new cases to report, including 3 in Kawartha Lakes and 3 in Hastings Prince Edward. There are no new cases in Peterborough, Northumberland, or Haliburton.
An additional 8 cases have been resolved, including 5 in Kawartha Lakes, 2 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton.
The number of active cases has increased by 3 in Hastings Prince Edward, decreased by 2 in Kawartha Lakes, decreased by 2 in Northumberland, decreased by 1 in Haliburton, and remains the same in Peterborough.
There are currently 42 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 2 since yesterday, including 19 in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Hastings Prince Edward (9 in Quinte West, 3 in Central Hastings, and 1 in Prince Edward County), 5 in Northumberland, 4 in Peterborough, and 1 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,643 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,617 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,185 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,121 resolved with 58 deaths), 954 in Northumberland County (932 resolved with 17 deaths), 126 in Haliburton County (124 resolved with 1 death), and 1,161 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,136 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is Canada's premier outdoor theatre company. (Photo: 4th Line Theatre / Facebook)
Eleven festivals and events across the greater Kawarthas region are collectively receiving more than $900,000 in one-time funding from the Ontario government — including the Lindsay Exhibition, Globus Theatre, 4th Line Theatre, Peterborough Musicfest, and ReFrame Film Festival.
The funding is part of $43 million for 439 festivals and events across Ontario through the province’s Reconnect Festival and Event Program (known as Celebrate Ontario before the pandemic)
Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries minister, made the funding announcement in Toronto on Wednesday (August 4).
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“For more than a year, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted tourism and culture — two major industries that bring people together and our communities to life,” MacLeod said. “Increasing our annual support for festival and events will give the sector a much-needed boost as we continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19.”
The government developed the Reconnect Festival and Event Program to help festival and event organizers adapt to new public health measures with virtual events, drive-through events, and other COVID-safe activities.
In the greater Kawarthas region, the following 11 festivals and cultural organizations hosting events are receiving a total of $904,386 in funding:
2020/21 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (Kawartha Lakes) – $250,000
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef and David Britton, director of Ontario waterways for Parks Canada, with the first of 4,000 trees to be planted along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada, which is celebrating its 101st anniversary of through navigation this year. (Photo: Parks Canada)
Parks Canada is planting 4,000 trees along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada this year.
On Wednesday (August 4), Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef and David Britton, director of Ontario waterways for Parks Canada, broke the ground near the Peterborough Lift Lock for the first of the trees to be planted.
“This beautiful tree is just the start of a project that will see greener spaces and cleaner air from Trenton through to Port Severn,” Monsef said.
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The Trent–Severn Waterway comprises 386 kilometres of canals that connect Lake Ontario at Trenton to Lake Huron at Port Severn. The tree planting also commemorates the 101st anniversary of through navigation on the waterway.
The project is part of an initiative by Parks Canada to plant 150,000 trees in 2021 in up to 18 national parks across the country, to help fight climate change, clean the air, and protect biodiversity.
The trees will be planted as part of the federal government’s commitment to plant two billion trees, projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050.
Brenda Ibey, owner of The Avant-Garden Shop, is donating $1,000 towards Dave McNab's campaign to bring Rashid, an 18-year-old Syrian refugee, to Canada. McNab met Rashid after the teenager posted in a Facebook birding group about his dream to come to Canada and received abuse from some members. Ibey's shop has done well during the pandemic based on the increased demand for birding supplies and her bird seed and feeder supplier, Newmarket-based Wild Bird Trading, has even offered Rashid a job when he comes to Canada. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Ibey)
When Brenda Ibey learned about the plight of a 18-year-old Syrian refugee and a Peterborough couple’s efforts to bring him to Canada, she decided to step up and help — and she’s calling on others in the community to join her.
Ibey owns The Avant-Garden Shop in downtown Peterborough, a home and garden store that also specializes in birding supplies. Unlike many businesses, Ibey says her shop has done well during the pandemic, largely because of her loyal customers coupled with an increased interest in birding and gardening.
“The Avant-Garden Shop has done well during the pandemic with many customers intentionally buying and supporting local,” Ibey tells kawarthaNOW. “This has been so great to see and to feel the support of the birding and gardening community.”
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While her business regularly donates to various fundraisers, Ibey says she has been trying to decide on what to donate to this year to show how thankful she is for her supportive community.
Then she learned about Rashid, an 18-year-old Syrian refugee currently living in Turkey who wants to come to Canada. Dave McNab, a retired police officer, recently connected with Rashid when the teenager was subjected to some hateful and racist comments after posting about his dream to come to Canada in a Facebook birding group.
Along with his wife, veterinarian Kristy Hiltz, McNab has begun the process of sponsoring Rashid to come to Canada. Part of the sponsorship process includes raising $18,000 in costs to support Rashid in Canada for a year.
After social advocate Michael VanDerHerberg, who is helping with the sponsorship process, offered $5,000 towards the cost, McNab and Hiltz contributed another $5,000 and have created a GoFundMe campaign to raise the remaining $8,000.
Rashid’s plight and the connection to birding has prompted Ibey to donate $1,000 to the cause — which is also close to her heart because her own family was sponsored to come to Canada in 1955. Ibey’s parents, in turn, sponsored another family to come to Canada.
Since Rashid’s call for help began on a birding Facebook group, Ibey is hoping members of the birding community will also step up and contribute towards the costs of supporting Rashid during his first year in Canada.
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That’s already happened in the case of The Avant-Garden Shop’s bird seed and feeder supplier, Newmarket-based Wild Bird Trading. After learning about Rashid, the company’s president Mark Bennett and his wife Laura have offered to give him a job when he comes to Canada.
“When I got into business I never would have thought about how wonderful gardeners and birders are,” Ibey says. “They are so supportive — Kristy and Dave included.”
Along with her donation, Ibey says she will be contacting some of her customers and other businesses who may be willing to donate.
“We’ll do as much as possible to help Rashid,” Ibey says.
Two 10-by-10 inch mini-paintings by Jennifer Gordon, one of the 28 artists and artisans participating in the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour on September 18 and 19, 2021. This is Gordon's first year participating in the studio tour. Her lifelong family log cottage on Chandos Lake is the inspiration for many of her paintings. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
With the province gradually reopening after 16 months of the pandemic, this fall is a great time to get outside and safely reconnect with some of the most talented artists of the Kawarthas region during the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour — and there’s a new free app available this year to help you get the most out of the tour.
The renowned studio tour is returning for its 28th year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 18th and Sunday, September 19th with COVID-19 protocols again in place, including physical distancing and mask requirements, so you can safely experience the work of regional artists and artisans in their studios.
This year’s free self-guided tour features 28 artists in 13 studio locations across North Kawartha Township in Peterborough County, with an additional studio located in nearby Wollaston Township in Hastings County.
A shawl created by Judy Ranieri, one of the 28 artists and artisan participating in the 2021 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. Ranieri is a new artist to the tour this year. Her love for natural fibre, fabric, colour, design and textures are major factors in creating one of a kind pieces like this shawl-which was inspired by nature. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
As always, the studio tour includes artists who live in the area and guest artists from out of town, all presenting new works created specifically for the tour. New artists are also admitted to the studio tour every year, through a juried process.
This year’s artists cover the gamut of the visual arts, including painting, jewellery, glass art, stained glass, mosaics, woodworking, sculpture, fabric and fibre art, pottery, photography, and metalwork.
By attending the tour, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with each welcoming artist, view their arts, and purchase works if you wish. Several studios on the tour will also be hosting demonstrations of the artists at work.
A wrapped silver heart brooch by artist Vivienne Jones, one of the 28 artists and artisans participating in the 2021 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. Based in Toronto, Jones is a guest artist on this year’s tour whose highly distinctive jewellery is influenced by natural forms. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
To participate, hop in your vehicle along with the tour map (see below) or download the brand new Apsley Autumn Studio Tour app, available for iOS and Android devices.
Replacing the traditional full-sized brochure, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour app augments your ability to enjoy the tour by allowing you to view event details, artist profiles, and selected artwork. It includes an interactive map so you can easily explore while touring and save your favourite locations.
And you don’t have to worry about spotty cell service when you’re in the rural locations of the tour — the app will continue to function even if you don’t have an internet connection. The free app is available for download now on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Screenshots from the Android version of the brand new Apsley Autumn Studio Tour app, also available for iOS devices. (Screenshots from Google Play)
You can take a day trip and stop in at one of the local eateries in the area for refreshments (including Calm N Ground in Apsley, Border Town Market & Cafe and The Grape & Wedge in Glen Alda, and The Barn Chefs in Coe Hil) or make it a studio tour weekend by staying at local accommodations such as the Burleigh Falls Inn.
For your convenience, here’s a summary in alphabetical order of the artists and artisans participating in the 2021 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, including their disciplines and the studios where you can find them, as well as a link to the studio tour map.
Rachel has introduced her artisan soaps to compliment the unique wools she’s been recognized for. She began experimenting with herbs from the garden and wild plants from her farm and woodland, blending them into the wholesome soaps. Rachel says creating artisan soaps along with novel wools is not only a manifestation of nature and colour, but also celebrates the charm of farm life.
Working from his home on the edge of the Canadian Shield, Brad maintains a successful practice as both a sculptor and a functional glass blower, often traversing the line between.
Jacques is a self-taught woodworker who uses only wood from dead or fallen trees. Gnarls, insect holes, and spalted wood are his materials of choice. He is always ready for a creative challenge of any size.
Valerie has been sewing for over 40 years starting with clothing for herself and her family, which eventually grew into a children’s clothing home business in Calgary. After moving to Saudi Arabia in 2000, she brought her seamstress skills into the practice of machine quilting. Valerie enjoys the mathematical aspects of quilting. She has grown to also love the practice of free motion quilting.
Since 2005, Valarie and her husband Ted have spent the bulk of her summers at Chandos Lake in Apsley. Valarie and Ted repatriated to their log home on Chandos Lake in 2015.
Mary Ellen Gerster sees the world according to shape, value, and colour, immersing the viewer in her bright and glowing watercolour paintings. Through the layering of transparent colours she creates photo realism in her still life, fruit, flowers and waterscapes. She is inspired and challenged by subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes, colours and is especially drawn to high contrast and bright colours.
Ever since she was a small child, painting has been Jennifer Gordon’s favourite thing to do. Her family log cottage on Chandos Lake has been the inspiration for many of her paintings. Jennifer paints large renderings on canvas of her favourite places, peaceful settings, and places that depict happiness. She works with bold strokes, large brushes and thick acrylic paint. Her style is a combination of impressionism and realism.
First introduced to oil painting as a child, David has been painting ever since and has developed a unique distinctive style. He uses a multi-layered technique, applying thick swaths of oil paint to create images inspired by the Ontario landscape.
Anja works with broken china, pottery, porcelain figurines, and tile to give these elements a second life in her whimsical mosaic art pieces. She also incorporates forks, beads, buttons, bottle caps, and typewriter keys.
Expressive colour and evocative themes of nature are Susan’s hallmarks. She layers crushed and sheet glasses, sometimes with metal inclusions, and then kiln fires them. Susan strives to create engaging imagery in plates, bowls, and freestanding glass art.
Dolores’ work includes quilts, using imported fabrics from England and Japan, as well as wall hangings, runners, and smaller items. Many of her pieces have wool felting incorporated into the quilting, as well as beads, silk, and quite a number of other interesting embellishments.
A member of Kawartha Potters Guild and Spirit of the Hills Art Association, Melanie enjoys creating personalized pottery, particularly clocks. She enjoys making one-off pieces and is currently experimenting with raku and smoke fire techniques.
Vivienne is a contemporary artist based in Toronto whose work is very much influenced by natural forms. She creates highly distinctive jewellery using both traditional and non-traditional materials.
Living in rural Apsley, Lisa paints the world around her. Jack pines, full maples, wild flowers, and rural homes, Lisa paints what is found outside her front door.
After a successful career both nationally and internationally in architecture, Barbara Miszkiel has returned to her original interest in fine arts, painting primarily in acrylics. Although Barbara has created new buildings most of her career, in painting she is drawn to old buildings, live subjects and landscapes.
The starting point for all of Molly’s work is the pristine landscape that surrounds her: the lake, forest, and uninterrupted skyscape are the foundation of every piece she paints. A visual artist whose primary focus is abstraction, she works primarily in acrylic and mixed media.
Applying multiple patterns in a range of colours on clay, Cathy creates one-of-a-kind functional pieces of art or a whimsical collectible. New animal-themed mugs, piggy banks, and horse figurines add to the collection among a continuation of animated forms of snowmen, gnomes, Santas, and assorted critters.
After working for many years in the tech industry, Judy Ranieri retired and began to explore her creative passions. Many of Judy’s projects are inspired by nature and utilize natural fibres, fabric, colour, design, and textures to create one of a kind textile and fabric art pieces.
In her 30-year career as a glass artist, Susan has drawn inspiration from the landscape in which she lives. An avid gardener, she continues to explore the idea of garden through her vessel and sculptural works and is well known for her vibrant floral vessels.
Kathy has been a stained glass artist for over 25 years, using traditional techniques to produce stained glass art. Concentrating on the copper foil method, Kathy looks to nature for inspiration.
Catharine is a self-taught artisan who is inspired by the natural beauty of coloured gem stones, the ability to form and create meaningful pieces of art through wire working, and her own creative style of stringing that can be worn at any time of the day with any style of fashion.
Clare owns Rusty Girl metalwork studio in Toronto, where she designs and makes railings, furniture, arbours, limited-run production pieces for the garden, and sculpture.
David is inspired to create new works in watercolour, acrylic, and oil by the surrounding landscape. Painting full time following a career in advertising, graphic design, and colour retouching, he applies this knowledge and skill into his paintings.
Obsessed with the relationship between great food and handmade pottery, Judy believes eating from handmade pots elevates the dining experience. Her work is carefully hand crafted to be enjoyed as everyday art.
First launched in 1994, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour not only creates public awareness of the arts by promoting and supporting artists in the community, but it supports young artists as well. The tour sponsors the Arts Award at Apsley Central Public School.
For more information on the 2021 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, visit apsleystudiotour.com. You can also follow the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour on Facebook and Instagram.
Download the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour map (or the new Apsley Autumn Studio Tour app coming this summer) and watch for the black-and-white studio tour signs that mark each studio location. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
This story was created in partnership with the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
After 4 straight days of increases over 200 in the last week of July, Ontario is reporting 332 new cases over the past 2 days, with 168 on Sunday and 164 on Monday. The seven-day average of daily cases has increased by 12 to 201.
Of Ontario’s 34 health units, 8 have reported double-digit increases over the past 2 days — Toronto (88), Peel (41), York (39), Hamilton (21), Waterloo (19), Halton (18), Windsor-Essex (17), and Durham (14) — with 10 reporting no new cases at all yesterday.
The number of hospitalizations has dropped by 34 to 71, but more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for the daily bed census yesterday so the actual number of hospitalizations may be higher. The number of ICU patients has decreased by 4 to 106 and the number of patients on ventilators remains unchanged 78.
Ontario is reporting 2 new COVID-related deaths over the past 2 days, including 1 in a long-term care home.
Almost 19.6 million vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 72,136 over the past 2 days, with more than 9 million people fully vaccinated, an increase of 60,059 over the past 2 days, representing over 61% of Ontario’s total population.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from July 3 – August 2, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from July 3 – August 2, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, and the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario from July 3 – August 2, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered and the green line is the cumulative number of people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.co
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 25 new cases to report over the past 3 days, including 14 in Kawartha Lakes, 8 in Hastings Prince Edward, 2 in Peterborough, and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has declared an outbreak related to a bonfire and indoor party at a property on Hearns Road, Frankford in Quinte West held on the evening of July 24. A person who tested positive for COVID-19 attended the gathering while they were contagious with the virus. The health unit advises that everyone who attended the party who has not been fully vaccinated is considered a high-risk contact and must self-isolate immediately until August 7.
An additional 16 cases have been resolved over the past 3 days, including 10 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Peterborough, 1 in Northumberland, 1 in Haliburton, and 1 in Hastings Prince Edward.
The number of active cases has increased by 7 in Hastings Prince Edward and by 4 in Kawartha Lakes, and has decreased by 1 in Peterborough, by 1 in Haliburton, and remains the same in Northumberland.
There are currently 44 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, an increase of 9 since July 30, including 21 in Kawartha Lakes, 10 in Hastings Prince Edward (6 in Quinte West and 4 in Central Hastings), 7 in Northumberland, 4 in Peterborough, and 2 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,643 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,617 resolved with 22 deaths), 1,182 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (1,116 resolved with 58 deaths), 954 in Northumberland County (930 resolved with 17 deaths), 126 in Haliburton County (123 resolved with 1 death), and 1,158 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,136 resolved with 12 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Hastings Prince Edward on July 28.
On Tuesday (August 3), the Ontario government quietly released its back-to-school guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year — one which will see all elementary and secondary school students returning to the classroom, with remote learning remaining an option.
The guidelines include a requirement for face masks for students and staff, as well as self-screening before coming to school. However, the guidelines do not require mandatory vaccinations and provide no details on how schools will manage and monitor COVID-19 cases and outbreaks.
While there was no official announcement about the guidelines, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore responded to many questions from reporters during a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon — including under what circumstances schools would be closed.
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“I really can’t envision or see any closure of any schools in Ontario, or colleges or universities,” Dr Moore said. “We must maintain them open going forward,” comparing the management of COVID-19 to other viruses like influenza.
“I think we have to normalize COVID-19 for schools, and have an approach that’s prudent, that’s cautious, but that realizes we’re going to have a rise in cases, but we’re going to adhere to best practices to minimize the spread and keep our communities safe.”
Those best practices include requiring all students in Grades 1 to 12 to wear non-medical face masks while indoors at school, including in hallways and during classes as well as on school vehicles (which can operate at full capacity).
However, students will be allowed to remove masks indoors during low-contact physical activities and while eating and drinking, and will not be required to wear masks outdoors. Students in kindergarten are encouraged to wear masks but they won’t be required.
All school staff and visitors will be required to wear medical face masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes.
All staff and students must also self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms every day before attending school, along with visitors.
Elementary students will be cohorted for the entire school day, with a single teacher if possible. For secondary schools, school boards are instructed “to timetable students with no more than two courses at a time in order to preserve the option of reverting to more restrictive measures, if needed.”
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Vaccinations are not mandatory for staff and students to attend school, with the guidelines only stating “School boards are encouraged to work with local public health units to reach out to families to promote vaccination.”
School assemblies or other gatherings will be permitted, along with clubs, sport teams, extra-curricular activities, and bands (but without wind instruments). Community use of schools will also be permitted.
Students and staff from different schools will be able to interact outdoors, where high-contact activities will be permitted without masks. However, only low-contact activities without masks would be permitted outdoors for inter-school sports.
School boards are expected to continue optimizing air quality in classrooms and learning environments through improving ventilation and filtration, and all ventilation systems must be inspected and be in good condition before the start of school year.
The guidelines are scant on details for how schools will manage COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. In the section called “Management of COVID-19 in schools”, the guidelines state “This section is forthcoming” and that it will build on operational guidance provided for the previous school year.
A 61-year-old kayaker drowned Monday night (August 2) after being swept under turblent water on the Rosedale River in Fenelon Township in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
At around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Kawartha Lakes OPP report that emergency services received an urgent call about a kayaker who was caught in and then swept into the undertow of the dam, located near Coldstream Road on the river, which runs between Balsam Lake and Cameron Lake.
Witnesses were able to get the kayaker to shore and administer first aid, until Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Services arrived and took over the life-saving efforts.
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Leonid Kazantsena, 61, of York was pronounced dead at the scene.
The OPP encourages the proper use of PDFs when using watercraft. Most marine drownings happen unexpectedly when small boats capsize or someone falls overboard. The PFD left behind is not much use, especially in cold water.
Parks Canada also advises that getting too close to dams can be dangerous. Calm water can quickly and without warning become a surge of fast-moving water. This fast-moving water creates strong undercurrents that cannot always be seen from the surface and can drown even the strongest swimmer.
The Ontario government also warns personal watercraft and boats should always stay clear of dams.
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