A front-line health care worker at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) takes a patient's blood pressure. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community leaders, donations to the PRHC Foundation's COVID-19 response fund will now be matched up to $190,000. (Photo: Michael Hurcomb)
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation announced on Tuesday (May 5) that donations to the organization’s COVID-19 response fund will now be matched up to $190,000, thanks to additional contributions from businesses and community leaders.
Local philanthropists David and Patricia Morton got the ball rolling in April when they helped donors double the impact of their donations to the fund by providing a matching gift of up to $50,000.
“More community leaders and businesses have come forward to join the Mortons with the hopes of inspiring others to stand behind our front-line health care workers as they respond to the COVID-19 crisis,” says PRHC Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway. “The additional $140,000 in committed funds brings our matching gift total to an incredible $190,000.”
Heighway says that the new donations were inspired by the dedication of PRHC’s health care professionals, the Mortons’ generosity, and the community’s “incredible response” to the crisis.
The additional $140,000 in matching funds were donated by Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers, The Staffing Connection/Level A Professional Group, and the combined support of other anonymous community leaders, Heighway says.
Donations to the PRHC Foundation’s COVID-19 response fund are supporting the hospital’s most urgent pandemic-related priorities. Heighway says gifts made to date are already helping protect front-line workers, prevent the spread of infection, and support vulnerable patients and their families.
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“Thanks to the community’s generosity, the foundation was able to immediately fund a crucial supply of additional scrubs for staff and physicians, as well as new plexiglass screening stations now installed throughout the hospital,” Heighway explains.
“We were also able to support PRHC’s new virtual visiting program by funding new iPads and supportive equipment, making it possible for palliative patients to connect with family members and friends who are unable to visit them due to the current restrictions.”
Heighway adds that, while PRHC’s front-line workers and leaders have been preparing to respond to COVID-19 for months, an urgent need still exists for the technology and supplies required to equip, support, and maintain the “extraordinary changes” undertaken at PRHC in a short period of time.
“We’d like to thank the Mortons, Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers, The Staffing Connection/Level A Professional Group, our anonymous donors, and everyone who has already donated to the COVID-19 response fund,” she says. “Your generosity is ensuring PRHC’s doctors, nurses and health care support workers can continue to save patients’ lives while protecting their own.”
For more information about the PRHC Foundation and to make a donation, call 705-876-5000 or visit www.prhcfoundation.ca, where you can also share a message of support with PRHC’s front-line health care workers and staff. Donations will also be accepted by mail care of PRHC Foundation, 1 Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6.
A rendition of the reconstructed Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 on the Trent-Severn Waterway in Peterborough. Construction resumes on the dam in May 2020 which, once completed, will include a pedestrian walkway. (Graphic: Parks Canada)
Construction on the new Scotts Mills Dam at Lock 19 on the Trent-Severn Waterway is set to resume shortly — as early as this week, according to a media release from Parks Canada.
The good news for Peterborough residents where the dam is located, south of Lansdowne Street where it crosses the Otonabee River, is that pile driving won’t resume until June.
The loud pounding of the pile driving, which could be heard from kilometres away, was a regular feature of the construction before it was temporarily halted to accommodate heavy water flows associated with the spring melt, as well as in-water work restrictions outlined by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
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Construction will be resuming on the first two sluices and completion of the secant retaining wall on the eastern shoreline. Demolition and excavation are almost complete, with construction of the pier, base slab, and stilling basin to follow.
Local residents can expect additional construction noise when construction resumes, especially in June when pile driving resumes.
According to Parks Canada, the new dam will respect the historic look of the site and will have a life expectancy of more than 80 years.
It will optimize hydraulic capacity, increase the safety of water management operations, and be constructed in a way that allows improved access for maintenance activities.
In addition, the project will be the first step in creating a more public-friendly lock site. Once restored, the dam will include pedestrian access onto the dam itself.
This story has been corrected to indicate that the temporary break in construction was previously planned and was unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A community garden in the City of Peterborough. Public health units have released guidelines for the safe operation of community gardens, which include instructions such as maintaining physical distancing between gardeners. (Photo courtesy of Nourish Project)
All three public health units in the greater Kawarthas region have now released guidelines and instructions for the safe operation of community gardens in their respective areas.
On April 25th, the Ontario government announced that emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act will be amended to permit the use of allotment gardens and community gardens across the province. The gardens, which are a source of fresh food for people including those who face food insecurity, were previously not considered an essential service.
With the growing season approaching, many advocates for food security and community gardens had raised concerns that the gardens were forced to remain closed under Ontario’s state of emergency.
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The province also announced that local medical officers of health would be providing advice, recommendation, and instructions that the gardens must meet to operate, such as physical distancing, and cleaning and disinfecting commonly used equipment and surfaces.
The guidelines recently released by Peterborough Public Health, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit, and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health share some common instructions, including maintaining physical distancing of at least two metres (six feet) between gardeners, providing a hand-washing or hand sanitizer station at the garden with instructional signage, avoiding the sharing of tools between gardeners, and regularly disinfecting tools and high-touch surfaces.
Other instructions vary, but frequent ones include avoiding the community garden if you feel sick, prohibiting public guests in the garden (members, staff, and volunteers only), limiting the number of people in the garden at any one time to five, bringing children to the garden only on an as-needed basis, prohibiting pets (except for service animals), limiting the amount of time spent in the garden, and prohibiting social gatherings, workshops, and similar group events.
Detailed guidelines and instructions are available from each health unit’s website:
Due to COVID-19, Hospice Peterborough made the decision in early March to restrict entry to its London Street location to essential resident visitors and staff only. Creative solutions like this one have allowed families to visit with residents while protecting the safety of both residents and staff. (Photo: Hospice Peterborough / Twitter)
All 20 staff members of Hospice Peterborough have tested negative for COVID-19, including the facility’s medical director Dr. John Beamish, according to a media release issued by the facility on Tuesday (May 5).
Last Tuesday (April 29), the palliative care facility revealed that a resident with cancer had tested positive with COVID-19.
The resident showed no symptoms of COVID-19 and the positive test result is now believed to have been one of the false positive results resulting from a technical error at Bio-Test Laboratories in Ottawa.
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Hospice Peterborough continues to accept new admissions to the palliative residence and will continue to screen residents, essential visitors, and staff to its London St. location.
In accordance with Hospice Peterborough’s COVID-19 outbreak management plan, the building has undergone deep cleaning and disinfecting.
To minimize the risk of community transmissions and for the safety of residents, their families, clients, volunteers, and staff, Hospice Peterborough made the decision in early March to restrict entry to its London Street location to essential resident visitors and staff only.
Lakefield Farmers' Market opens for the summer season on Thursday, May 21st. Asparagus is in season in May and June. (Photo: Lakefield Farmers' Market / Facebook)
The Lakefield Farmers’ Market is set to open on Thursday, May 21st.
The market will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday in the Lakefield arena parking lot beside Isabel Morris Park in Lakefield.
“During COVID-19, the market is adapting to ensure customer and vendor well-being, health, and safety under the guidance of Peterborough Public Health,” says market manager Jenny Ross.
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The following measures required by Peterborough Public Health will be in place to ensure a safe shopping experience:
only one person per family will be permitted to shop
physical distancing requirements will be in place for vendors and purchasers
one-way customer traffic flow measures will be in place
the number of customers in the market area at any one time will be limited
there will be just one entry point for customers to the market area
hand sanitizer stations will be available
advance online ordering will be encouraged (information coming soon).
The Lakefield Farmers’ Market has been a verified local market since it launched 10 years ago. Each agricultural vendor is verified under the MyPick program of Farmers’ Market Ontario.
“During this difficult period, people are concerned about food security and one way to accomplish that is by supporting local producers at this market.” says Jennie MacKenzie, board member and owner of The Lakefield Pantry.
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Here’s a list of confirmed vendors at the market:
Cedar Grove Organic Farm – vegetables
Garden Hill Market – vegetables
Leahy Stock Farm -beef, pork
McLean Berry Farm – berries, vegetables, preserves, maple syrup
Pillitteri Estates Winery – VQA wine
Otonabee Apiary – honey and honey products
Yellow House Bees – honey and honey products
Wagner Maple Products – maple syrup and maple products
Sara’s Plant Stand – vegetable seedlings and annual/perennial seedlings
Chaga Health and Wellness – chaga mushroom products
Belly of the Beast Craft Kombucha
Jam Cupboard – jams and jellies (starting June 4th)
Fenton Farms – chicken and prepared chicken sandwiches, beef burgers (starting June 25th)
La Mesita – Mexican Food (starting July 2nd)
Tipsy Willow Farm – lamb, pork, goat meat and duck eggs (starting July 2nd)
14th Line Flowers – cut flowers (starting mid-July)
A resident catching up on the news at St. Joseph's at Fleming, a 200-bed long-term care home in Peterborough. As of May 1, 2020, the home has one resident who is positive for COVID-19. (Photo: St. Joseph's at Fleming)
kawarthaNOW has put together this list with information on the status of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and retirement homes in the greater Kawarthas region.
This information is current as of May 6th and is based on data from the individual homes, local public health units, and the Ontario government.
New COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared at Caressant Care Lindsay and Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton.
COVID-19 outbreaks are ongoing at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, Case Manor Care Community in Bobcaygeon, St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough, Extendicare Lakefield, Peterborough Retirement Residence, Hastings Manor in Belleville, and Moira Place in Tweed.
COVID-19 outbreaks that have been declared over are Empress Gardens Retirement Residence, St. John’s Centre in Peterborough, Adelaide Place in Lindsay, and Belmont Long Term Care Facility in Belleville.
A COVID-19 outbreak at Caressant Care Lindsay was declared on May 4th after one asymptomatic resident tested positive for COVID-19 following enhanced surveillance testing conducted on April 30th.
This individual is in a private room, but residents living in the same wing have been sharing a common dining room and share common areas such as halls.
All residents have now been isolated to their rooms and will receive meal tray service. More test results for this facility are still pending.
Caressant Care Lindsay is a 124-bed long-term care home.
Maplewood Nursing Home in Brighton – Declared
A COVID-19 outbreak at Maplewood Nursing Home was declared on May 4th after one symptomatic resident tested positive for COVID-19. The resident became symptomatic and was tested on May 1st with test results received on May 4th. There are 41 residents living in the home that consists of one floor with ward and semi-private rooms.
The facility has isolated the individual in a room by themselves. As well, tray service for resident meals has been implemented and staff have been using personal protective equipment and will now be limited to working in specified areas to help reduce any potential spread. Enhanced surveillance testing for Maplewood will take place.
Maplewood is a 49-bed long-term care home.
Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon – Ongoing
Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, which experienced one of the first and largest COVID-19 outbreaks in Ontario and one in which 28 residents died, is “cautiously optimistic” that the outbreak will finally be declared over in the near future, according to an email from the home’s administrator Mary Carr on May 4th.
The majority of Pinecrest residents have now tested negative for COVID-19 twice, and the remaining residents were retested for their second time on May 4th.
Pinecrest Nursing Home is a 65-bed long-term care home.
Case Manor Care Community in Bobcaygeon – Ongoing
An outbreak was declared at the facility on April 26th after enhanced surveillance testing found six asymptomatic residents and six asymptomatic staff members had tested positive for COVID-19. All residents were isolated in their rooms, and they were monitored for signs and symptoms. As well, enhanced cleaning practices were implemented, staff were using personal protective equipment, and additional screening measures were put in place for staff members starting their shifts.
On May 1st, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit was notified that a lab error may have resulted in false-positive test results for the 12 individuals at Case Manor. The individuals were retested and the swabs sent to another lab. As of May 5th, the tests for five of the residents have returned as negative. The remaining test results have not been returned and so the outbreak has not been lifted pending those results.
Case Manor Care Community is a 96-bed long-term care home.
Case Manor Care Community is a 96-bed long-term care home located at 28 Boyd Street in Bobcaygeon. (Photo: Sienna Living)
Adelaide Place in Lindsay – Rescinded
A COVID-19 outbreak declared at Adelaide Place Retirement Community in Lindsay on May 1st was lifted on May 5th.
The resident was a new addition and has been placed in strict isolation since arriving as per Ministry of Health guidelines. The resident is asymptomatic, has had no contact with any other residents, and has only had contact with staff members who are wearing full droplet/contact personal protective equipment.
The same day the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit declared the outbreak, it was notified that a lab error may have resulted in the false-positive test result for the resident Adelaide Place. The resident was reswabbed and on May 5th the results were returned showing the resident does ot have COVID-19.
Adelaide Place is a 125-unit retirement home.
St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough – Ongoing
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at St. Joseph’s at Fleming in Peterborough on March 21st.
One resident has tested positive for COVID-19. That resident is in Hilltop D and is being closely monitored.
The results for other residents who tested positive for COVID-19 were false positives due to a technical error at Bio-Test Laboratories in Ottawa. Those residents are now off isolation.
A resident who has since died had tested positive for COVID-19, but she was already in palliative care when she contracted COVID-19 and her death was not related to COVID-19.
St. Joseph’s at Fleming is a 200-bed long-term care home.
Extendicare Lakefield – Ongoing
A COVID-19 outbreak at Extendicare Lakefield was declared on April 26th.
According to data from the Ontario government, at least one staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
No other details are available.
Extendicare Lakefield is a 100-bed long-term care home.
Peterborough Retirement Residence – Ongoing
A COVID-19 outbreak at Peterborough Retirement Residence was declared on April 26th.
No other details are available.
Peterborough Retirement Residence is a 105-bed retirement home.
Empress Gardens Retirement Residence in Peterborough – Ended
Empress Gardens Retirement Residence in Peterborough is no longer in outbreak as of May 3rd.
A single resident had tested positive for COVID-19, but that result has been confirmed as a false positive. A technical error at Bio-Test Laboratories in Ottawa was the cause of the false positive test result.
Once the case was identified, all residents and all staff members were tested for COVID-19. While not all the results have been received, so far every result for residents and staff has been negative.
Empress Gardens Retirement Residence is an 87-bed retirement home.
Members of the community made and donated more than 700 non-medical masks for the non-work use of staff members at long-term care facilities at homes operated by AON in Peterborough. (Photo: AON / Twitter)
St. John’s Centre in Peterborough – Ended
St. John’s Centre in Peterborough is no longer in outbreak as of May 3rd.
All staff members and tenants have tested negative for COVID-19 as of April 29th.
A part-time staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in April. That employee finished her shift on April 17th and was instructed to stay home on April 20th when she reported symptoms of COVID-19.
St. John’s Centre is a 102-unit retirement home.
Belmont Long Term Care Facility in Belleville – Ended
Belmont Long Term Care Facility in Belleville is no longer in outbreak as of May 4th.
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at the home on April 28th. According to data supplied to the Ontario government, a total of 12 residents had tested positive for COVID-19.
However, on May 4th, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health declared the outbreak over on the basis that “evidence deemed insufficient.” No further details are available; it is possible that these tests results were false positive.
Belmont Long Term Care Facility is a 128-bed long-term care home.
Hastings Manor in Belleville – Ongoing
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Hastings Manor in Belleville on April 2nd, after two staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
A total of five staff members and 10 residents had tested positive for COVID-19 as of April 28th. Two residents who were COVID-19 positive have since passed away due to complications from the disease.
Hastings Manor is a 253-bed long-term care home operated by the County of Hastings.
Moira Place in Tweed – Ongoing
A respiratory outbreak at Moira Place in Tweed was first declared on April 16th and COIVD-19 was confirmed on April 22nd.
A single staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on April 22nd after coming into work on April 12th and failing screening. That person is recovering in self-isolation at home.
Once the positive test was identified, all residents and all staff members were tested for COVID-19.
As of May 1st, with 259 test results received, all resident tests have come back negative and most staff member results have been negative (a handful of test results are still to be received).
Moira Place is a 128-bed long-term care home.
This story has been updated with the most recent information available.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are now 69 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area, 142 in the City of Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Northumberland County, 7 in Haliburton County, and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
That’s a net decrease of 11 cases from yesterday’s report, with 15 cases in Peterborough identified as false positives due to a lab error at Bio-Test Laboratories in Ottawa. There are 3 new cases in Kawartha Lakes and 1 new case in Hastings and Prince Edward.
Outbreaks at Empress Gardens Retirement Residence and St. John’s Senior Centre in Peterborough and Belmont in Belleville have been declared over.
There have been 38 deaths, a decrease of 1 from yesterday’s report (Peterborough Public Health has reduced the number of deaths; no information is yet available on why). The most recent death was reported on April 30 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 17,923 confirmed cases, an increase of 370 from yesterday’s report. There have been 1,300 deaths, an increase of 84 from yesterday’s report (this is the largest one-day increase in recent weeks). A total of 342,060 tests have been completed, an increase of 14,555 from yesterday’s report, with 6,265 tests under investigation.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 69 (decrease of 15 from May 3)* Confirmed negative: 2,798 (as of April 28)** Results pending: 829 (as of April 28)** Deaths: 2 (decrease of 1 from May 3)*** Resolved: 47 (no change from May 3) Total tests completed: 3,713 (as of April 28)** Institutional Outbreaks: St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Extendicare Lakefield, Peterborough Retirement Residence (decreasse of 2 from May 3)****
*The total number of positive cases may no longer be accurate. On May 3, the health unit advised that 22 positive cases reported between April 22 and 29 may be false positives due to a technical error at an Ottawa laboratory.
**Due to increased testing in long-term care facilities, there is a delay in reporting these numbers.
***The health unit has decreased the number of deaths by one. Information on the reason for the change is not yet available.
****Outbreaks at Empress Gardens Retirement Residence and St. John’s Senior Centre have been declared over.
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Confirmed positive: 162, including 142 in Kawartha Lakes, 13 in Northumberland, 7 in Haliburton (increase of 3 from May 3)* Hospitalizations: 10 (no change from May 3) Deaths: 32, including 28 in Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon (no change from May 3) Resolved: 123 (no change from May 3) Institutional Outbreaks: Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Case Manor in Bobcaygeon, Adelaide Place in Lindsay**
*The total number of positive cases may no longer be accurate. On May 3, the health unit advised that 13 positive cases at Case Manor in Bobcaygeon and Adelaide Place in Lindsay may be false positives due to a technical error at an Ottawa laboratory.
**An outbreak at Adelaide Place in Lindsay was declared on April 30th when a single resident tested positive for COVID-19. However, that test may be a false positive due to a technical error at an Ottawa laboratory.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Confirmed positive: 43 (increase of 1 from May 3) Probable cases: 195 (decrease of 3 from May 3) Deaths: 4 (no change from May 3) Hospitalized: 1 (no change from May 3) Hospitalized and in ICU: 1 (no change from May 3) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change from May 3) Recovered: 20 (no change from May 3) Total tests completed: 3,202 (increase of 51 from May 3) Institutional Outbreaks: Hastings Manor in Belleville, Moira Place in Tweed (decrease of 1 from May 3)*
*The COVID-19 outbreak at Belmont in Belleville was declared over on May 4th due to insufficient evidence of COVID-19.
Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 17,923 (increase of 370 from May 3) Hospitalized: 984 (decrease of 26 from May 3) Hospitalized and in ICU: 225 (decrease of 7 from May 3) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 175 (increase of 1 from May 3) Deaths: 1,300 (increase of 84 from May 3) Total tests completed 342,060 (increase of 14,555 from May 3) Tests under investigation: 6,265 (decrease of 3,520 from May 3) Resolved: 12,505 (increase of 500 from May 3)
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario by public health unit, January 15 – May 3, 2020. (Graphic: Public Health Ontario)
A 25-year-old Quinte West woman totalled her car when she crashed into a cemetery just west of Brighton on May 2, 2020. She has been charged with impaired driving and driving while under suspension. (Photo: OPP Central Region / Twitter)
A 25-year-old Quinte West woman faces impaired driving charges after crashing her car into a cemetery just west of Brighton on Saturday morning (May 2).
Just before 7 a.m., Northumberland OPP responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on County Road 2 near Branscombe Road.
Officers arrived on scene and found a severely damaged grey Chevrolet four-door sedan on the north side of County Road 2, within the perimeter of a cemetery at that location.
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The driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was transported to a local area hospital to be treated for injuries sustained as a result of the collision.
Taylor Elizabeth Haryett was arrested and charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), and driving while under suspension.
She was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on June 24, 2020.
Greenhouse manager Kyle Griffin at Griffin's Greenhouses in Selywn, one of many locally owned independent garden centres in the Kawarthas that are ready to open to the public for gardening season once the Ontario government gives them the green light. Currently, they can only offer curbside pickup and delivery instead of allowing customers to browse plants. (Photo: Griffin's Greenhouses / Instagram)
Premier Doug Ford has promised “good news” later this week for independent garden centres and nurseries in Ontario.
Although garden centres and nurseries were among a shortlist of selected businesses that the Ontario government announced on Friday (May 1) would be allowed to open on May 4th, they can only provide curbside pick-up and delivery — which many have already been doing.
Ford made the comment at a media briefing on Monday (May 4) after a reporter asked the Premier why standalone garden centres are not on a level playing field with grocery stores, which are allowed to sell plants in store and in their parking lots.
“I agree it’s unfair,” Ford replied. “Stay tuned, we’re going to have some good news for these folks this week. We’re going to get moving on that.”
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Although garden centres and nurseries were not explicitly named as essential businesses under Ontario’s previous emergency orders, many have already been operating with curbside pick-up.
Others that can afford to do so have implemented online shopping and delivery, which was allowed under the emergency orders.
However, this method of doing businesses has limited sales for these businesses, as most gardeners prefer to browse and select plants themselves in person.
Unlike grocery stores and big box stores, locally owned independent gardening retailers often grow their own plants, have a much wider variety of plants to choose from, and have experienced and knowledgeable staff.
May is a critical month for garden centres and nurseries as people begin planting in earnest around the Victoria Day weekend.
A resident of Extendicare Cobourg greets Obi-Wan Kenobi, an alpaca from Haute Goat in Port Hope. Haute Goat owner Debbie Nightingale brought Obi and his mom Bella to the 69-bed long-term care home to entertain residents and workers. (Photo: Extendicare Cobourg / Facebook)
Last Tuesday (April 28), residents and workers at Extendicare Cobourg had a special experience when Haute Goat arrived with two alpacas for “window visits”.
The 200-acre specialty farm located just outside Port Hope specializes in raising Nigerian dwarf goats, but also has Huacaya alpacas, Icelandic horses, and more.
Haute Goat is usually open to the public to offer goat yoga, alpaca walks, team-building experiences, farm-life workshops, a farm gate store, a cafe, and the ever-popular “goat shmurgle”, where you can cuddle with a goat. However, the farm has been closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Haute Goat co-founder Debbie Nightingale (right) and her team brought the farm’s two Huacaya alpacas to Extendicare Cobourg on April 28, 2020 for window visits with residents. (Photos: Extendicare Cobourg / Facebook)
That didn’t stop co-owner Debbie Nightingale from bringing her two alpacas — Bella and her son Obi-Wan Kenobi (appropriately named for this May the 4th story) — to Extendicare Cobourg, a 69-bed long-term care home at 130 Densmore Road.
“It was wonderful to bring some smiles to residents and staff,” Haute Goat writes on its Facebook page.
This isn’t the first time the Haute Goat alpacas have visited a seniors’ residence. Back on March 31st, Haute Goat made an offer to visit seniors’ homes within 50 kilometres of Port Hope.
Bella (left) and her son Obi-Wan Kenobi (right) visiting with residents of Extendicare Cobourg on April 28, 2020. (Photos: Extendicare Cobourg / Facebook)
Some of the other homes Bella and Obi-Wan have visited so far include Roseglen Village for Seniors and Empire Crossing Retirement Community in Port Hope.
Debbie Nightingale founded Haute Goat in 2013 with her husband Shain Jaffe when the Toronto couple decided to buy a farm in Campbellford and move there.
Two years later, they sold the Campbellford farm and moved to the current location at 1166 5th Line outside Port Hope to be closer to family in Toronto.
Debbie Nightingale and Shain Jaffe, owners and operators of Haute Goat in Port Hope. (Photo: Haute Goat / Facebook)
While the farm is closed due to COVID-19, Nightingale and Jaffe and the Haute Goat team are offering regular Facebook Live events, and you can still shop online for goat and alpaca-related products at hautegoat.com for delivery or contactless pickup at the farm.
They are also offering “Goats Go Zoom”, a virtual experience with the farm’s animals.
And you can always watch the goats at Haute Goat for free 24/7 via one of three live webcams at hautegoat.com/live-goat-cam/.
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