Peterborough actress Kelaiah Guiel has the lead role in a new promotional video for an online mental health support service in Ontario.

The video is part of a campaign to raise awareness of www.bigwhitewall.ca, a digital mental health support service that launched this past June.

Available 24/7, the website is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly.

Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) and Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care commissioned Big White Wall — a UK company founded in 2007 by social entrepreneur Jen Hyatt — to offer its service to Ontario residents.

In the video, the 19-year-old Guiel portrays an art student or an artist who, while walking down a city street, notices a large white brick wall with a single message written in black marker: “Its scary what a smile can hide” (sic).

Using her own red marker, she writes “You don’t have to hide how you feel” beside it, and then leaves.

Either intentionally or accidentally, she leaves her kit of art supplies behind.

Other people then notice the messages on the wall and, using the markers and chalk from the kit she left behind, add their own messages to the wall.

Days or weeks later, she walks by the wall again and notices all the messages that people have added to the wall.

Her initial shock turns to tears of happiness, and the final scene shows the wall covered with messages with “You’re not alone” the largest message of all.

Guiel — who is the daughter of Terry Guiel, the executive director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area — began her acting career in 2015 at the age of 16, when she starred in an international BMW advertisement.

She has since worked on I’m On It (2015), Degrassi: The Next Class (2016), and has starred in leading roles including Rhiannon in Paranormal Witness (2016) and Jen in The Day Grunge Died (2017).

As for the video, it’s very effective at communicating the concept behind Big White Wall: a community where you can anonymously share your feelings and thoughts without stigma and receive the support of other members of the community.

VIDEO: Big White Wall starring Kelaiah Guiel

The Big White Wall website is intended for any Ontario resident over the age of 16 who is experiencing emotional distress, including anxiety, stress, feeling low, depression, feeling out of control, trauma, and more.

All of these may be triggered by life events such as the loss of a loved one, relationship breakdowns, employment related issues, financial crisis, sexuality, isolation, or alcohol- or drug-related problems.

Features of the website include “Talkabouts”, a forum where you can interact with a supportive community, and “Bricks”, a virtual canvas for you to creatively express yourself with words and images and then share them on “The Wall” for other members.

The Wall is moderated by clinically trained mental health professionals 24/7. The “Wall Guides” also provide additional support for members to ensure safety and anonymity, and monitor the website for members who express ideas of self-harm.

But Big White Wall is more than just a website to express your innermost feelings and read those of others.

Guided support is also available, including multi-week interactive group courses to help your manage stress and anxiety, cope with grief and loss, manage anger and negative thinking, and more. Each course is based on current evidence and guided by a team of health professionals.

There are also other resources, including assessment tests where you can measure things such as your depression and anxiety level.

The website is currently only available in English.

It’s free to register and use, but you have to re-confirm your membership every six months.

According to the company behind Big White Wall, which has been available in the U.K. since its launch and in the U.S. since 2016, 67 per cent of members report improved well-being from using the service, such as reduced isolation, improving coping skills, and improved emotional health.

For almost half of the members, Big White Wall was their first step in accessing mental health support outside of professional intervention, and was where they shared an issue for the very first time.

To register for Big White Wall in Ontario, visit www.bigwhitewall.ca.

On Sunday, September 30th, Cobourg’s Victoria Hall hosted a VIP launch gala for Armistice 18 — a two-month commemoration by the Town of Cobourg of the signing on November 11, 1918 of the armistice that ended fighting in World War I (WWI) between the Allies and Germany.

Historian and featured playwright Hugh Brewster was among the many people to address the crowd regarding the exciting things Armistice 18 has planned for the community.

Event attendees included Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Cobourg Deputy Mayor John Henderson, and Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson.

Guests were given a preview of scenes from two Armistice 18 theatrical productions (including the unique drama Last Day, Last Hour, set in the very room where it will be performed), an introduction to the exhibit of artist Charles Pachter (currently on display at the Art Gallery of Northumberland), and a general overview of everything else the Town of Cobourg has planned for visitors in the coming weeks.

“My goal is to get school kids to come here [to Armistice 18 events] they need to experience this,” says Last Day, Last Hour playwright Hugh Brewster.

Education and awareness are at the forefront of the initiative. A major goal of the program is to help new generations understand and appreciate the significance of Canada’s WWI soldiers and what was sacrificed in the name of freedom as we ramp up to November 11th, Remembrance Day 2018.

VIDEO: Armistice18 – Canada’s Largest Commemoration of the WWI Centennial

“You have to understand how the world totally shifted during 1914 to 1918,” Brewster explains.

“The modern age was jumpstarted by this horrible war and at a huge cost. Canada became a nation — there were many sacrifices including from Cobourg. Before we bid the 100th anniversary farewell, we’re doing the biggest thing in Canada for the commemoration of the Armistice.”

A Town Steeped In History, United In Remembrance

Cobourg is rightfully proud of the program its developed for the centennial and, with a rich historical connection to the Great War, it’s the perfect town to honour the lives of fallen Canadian soldiers.

“What began as something much smaller, quickly grew to become the largest armistice event in the country,” says Deputy Mayor John Henderson, referring to Armistice 18.

“Our council did not hesitate to put up $50,000 towards this. When you allow innovation in terms of the arts, culture and history, it’s amazing what can be done. It’s okay to make your community important with cultural events.

“I hope that people from other communities will come and experience Armistice 18 with the hope that they may also decide to focus on the unique historical aspects of their own towns.”

Theatre: Last Day, Last Hour – Canada’s Great War on Trial

One of the most unique experiences included in Armistice 18 will be Hugh Brewster’s play, Last Day, Last Hour – Canada’s Great War on Trial, about the 1928 libel suit brought forward by Sir Arthur Currie, Canada’s most illustrious general of WWI.

After a front-page editorial in the Port Hope Evening Guide in 1927 charged that Currie needlessly wasted lives by sending troops into battle on November 11, 1918, the last day of the great war, Currie sued the newspaper for libel.

Not only is this a newly penned play, but you can experience this historical exploration of the trial in the very courtroom where it all took place: the drama is staged in the Old Bailey Court Room at Victoria Hall where the Currie libel trial actually took place 90 years ago.

Dean Hustwick, Director of Community Services for the Town of Cobourg, explains how Brewster’s play was the launching point from which Armistice 18 grew:

“It all started with a discussion with Hugh Brewster about his play Last Day, Last Hour. Hugh was originally going to stage the play in Whitby, but the thought of having a reenactment of the trial that actually occurred in this building was very profound. It was one of Hugh’s dreams to see his play performed in this building.

“We also realized that we wanted to build a much bigger commemoration for Armistice so we brought in the Northumberland Players, council members, and we began creating opportunities and adding experiences more in line with the idea of a theatre festival.”

Art: Works by Charles Pachter at the Art Gallery of Northumberland

Gallery Director Olinda Casimiro will be showcasing the work of one of Canada’s leading contemporary artists, Charles Pachter, at the Art Gallery of Northumberland (AGN).

“The exhibit is called Lest We Forget: Commemorating the First World War,” Casimiro says. “The exhibition consists of 12 works of art and the gallery was thrilled to invite Charles Pachter to display his works here.”

Vibrant and colourful, Pachter uses flat colours to create bold, simplified images with his paintbrush — without infusing his war-themed paintings with the violence of war itself.

“I’m most interested in my work to reduce an idea to its simplest pure form,” Pachter says. “I’m into clarity, even an image that seems so simple can be very difficult to paint.”

Pachter, a historian himself, wanted to capture the First World War without focusing on the obvious violence of war itself. In one painting, a simple aircraft is flying high up in the sky on a field of blue — emblematic of the war, but very far from the trenches.

Paintings such as “The Healers”, “Tank Top” and “Cortege” will be on display at the AGN during Armistice 18. Pachter will be leading a discussion on his work at the gallery on Saturday, October 20th at 2 p.m.

Historical Exhibits: War Photographs and More

Canada’s Hundred Days is a remarkable exhibit of war photographs and one of the most interesting Armistice 18 anecdotes. The discovery of more than 40 panoramic photographs taken by Canada’s most prominent war photographer, William Rider-Rider, happened just months before Armistice 18 as set to kick off in late September.

“This exhibit is one of the centerpieces of Armistice 18,” says the Town of Cobourg’s Dean Hustwick.

“This photograph collection hasn’t been seen since the late eighties. Official war photographer William Rider-Rider’s photographs have been sealed up in a crate in the basement of this building since 1989 when they were last displayed. A month or two ago the crate was discovered and these remarkable photographs were found inside. All of these photos are from the National Archives.”

The Great War in Colour, sponsored by The Vimy Foundation, showcases colourized WWI photos that can be viewed at Victoria Hall or purchased as a book. If you find colourized war photos interesting, The Vimy Foundation is always looking for support to work with the National Film Board of Canada to create more colourized archival photos and film. If you would like to donate and support the Vimy Foundation, please visit www.vimyfoundation.ca.

Trench Art and Trench Life is a fascinating exhibit that showcases objects created and owned by WWI soldiers from the collection of Garnet Barber, the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and family archives.

How Can You Experience Armistice 18?

During the months of October and November, there are many events scheduled in Cobourg. Whether you are interested in seeing a play, hearing a speaker, or taking a self-guided walking tour, Armistice 18 has something that should appeal to everyone.

If you’re looking for something to do that is free and can be done at your own leisure, the Poppy Trail is a self-guided WWI walking tour in historic downtown Cobourg. You can obtain your free printed guide at Victoria Hall on weekends between October 14th and November 4th.

History and art exhibitions at Victoria Hall are ongoing from now until November 11th, and are open to the public Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 4pm. You can also attend a talk with Charles Pachter on Saturday, October 20th at 2 p.m. at the AGN.

The Armistice 18 Speakers Series includes esteemed war historian Jack Grandstein on October 14th, Canadian War Museum historian Tim Cook on October 21st, and popular historical writer Charlotte Gray on November 4th.

Theatrical productions include Mary’s Wedding at the Firehall Theatre, The Stars On Her Shoulders at Victoria Hall, and Last Day, Last Hour, also at Victoria Hall.

For dates and ticket availability, please contact the Victoria Hall box office by phone 1-855-372-2210 or online at www.concerthallatvictoriahall.com. The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall is located at 55 King Street West in the heart of downtown Cobourg. Ask the box office about theatre/speaker packages while booking your theatre tickets.

Armistice 18 runs in Cobourg from now until November 11th. To learn more and plan your itinerary, please visit www.armistice18.ca.

Port Hope’s first railway station is on its way to becoming a creative hub for the community.

Critical Mass, the not-for-profit arts organization in Port Hope that’s leading the transformation of the “Little Station House”, invited VIA Rail employees to paint the interior of the former railway station during Ontario Culture Days this past weekend (September 29 and 30).

Currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, VIA Rail has launched its “40 sustainable actions in 40 Canadian communities” initiative, where employees work closely with members of communities from coast to coast.

In addition to the volunteer painters, local businesses — including Kingsmill Kitchens and Baths, Benjamin Moore, and Olympus Burger — donated supplies and food for the volunteer painting effort.

Critical Mass is partnering with the building’s current owner, Architectural Conservancy Ontario Port Hope (ACO), to lease the former railway station and transform it into a creative community art space for exhibitions, workshops, and more.

Although the early history of the Little Station House is unknown, the small one-story building was built in the mid 1850s, with its frame construction, diagonal match board cladding, and low-pitched gable roof typical of a 19th-century railway station.

One theory is that the station was originally a whistle stop for the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railway Company. Another theory holds that it was the original railway station for the Grand Trunk Railway in Port Hope.

When the former Grand Trunk Railway Station was built in 1856, the building was moved east and became a baggage shed. After it was no longer needed, the building was donated to a railroad employee and moved to his private property.

The municipality of Port Hope recognized the building for its heritage value in 1980.

Later acquired by ACO, the building needed to be moved or else it would be demolished as part of the Port Hope Area Initiative to relocate historic low-level radioactive waste. ACO approached the municipality to approve permanently relocating the Little Station House to Lent Lane, the original location of the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railway’s waiting room for passengers from the downtown hotels to board the train.

The building was moved in June 2018, with the cost of relocation and a new foundation funded by ACO, the Port Hope Area Initiative, and the municipality.

For Critical Mass, the moving of the Little Station House has sparked an interesting and timely reflection around the idea of migration, and how the theme of migration has played a role, both past and present, in the shaping of Port Hope’s identity.

The organization will explore contemporary visual art interpretations of migration and shared dialogue through a series of artist-led workshops, installations and exhibits, and through social connections and art happenings at and around the little station.

For more information on Critical Mass, visit criticalmassart.com. For updates on the transformation of the Little Station House, follow the organization on Instagram @criticalmassart.

Peter Adams, who served as both a federal and provincial politician in the riding of Peterborough, died Friday night (September 28) at the age of 82.

Born William Peter Adams in the United Kingdom, he studied at the University of Sheffield in Yorkshire where he earned his B.A. He moved to Canada at the age of 23, where he earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. at McGill University.

He subsequently was appointed director of the McGill Sub-Arctic Research Laboratory in Schefferville, Quebec, where he studied and taught students for three years.

In 1968, he came to Trent University in Peterborough where he founded the university’s geography department. He was chair in the department from 1968 to 1977, and remained a professor while also serving as dean of Graduate Studies, associate dean of Science, and associate vice-president from 1977 to 1987. He was also the executive director of the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies.

Adams served as Liberal MPP for Peterborough from 1987 until 1990, when the Ontario Liberal government led by former Premier David Peterson called an early summer election and was defeated by the NDP.

He returned to Trent University before being elected federal Liberal MP from 1993 until his retirement from politics in 2006. Although Adams never served in the federal Cabinet, he was active on many committees and served as parliamentary secretary to three ministers.

Adams authored many books and articles, and co-edited the regional history Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

In 1981, he was named as Peterborough’s Citizen of the Year. In 2012, he was made a member of the Order of Ontario.

In 2014, Adams was diagnosed with bladder cancer. After undergoing surgery to remove his bladder, he was cancer free.

Adams leaves behind his wife Jill and four adult children.

Maryam Monsef, Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha, made the following statement today (September 29) after learning of Adams’ death:

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Peter Adams. To me, Peter has been an inspiration, mentor, and above all else, a dear friend. We have shared many conversations and I am truly appreciative for all of the time and guidance he shared with me.

“Peter served Peterborough admirably, not only as an elected official, but as a contributing community member and neighbour to us all. He loved Peterborough, and worked tirelessly to represent the interests of the people who live here. Peterborough was his favourite word. Anyone who met him would know his willingness to speak openly and honestly was matched only by his intelligence, humour, and kindness.

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to Peter’s wife, Jill, his family and friends, and to all of Peterborough as we come together to mourn at this time.”

This story will be updated as more details become available.

Peterborough musicians and businesses are coming together on Sunday (September 30) to help the family of a five-year-old Lakefield boy who is undergoing brain surgery in October.

The “Helping Addi Concert & Silent Auction” takes place from 2 to 11 p.m. at the Historic Red Dog Tavern (189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough).

Addison “Addi” Beauclerc has been suffering from seizures ever day since he was three, caused by a tumour deep in the left side of his brain.

As medications haven’t helped, he will be undergoing brain surgery at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital on Tuesday, October 16th to remove the tumour and hopefully stop the seizures.

The musicians who are donating their time and talent to play at the concert are True Confessions (at 2 p.m.), Bridget Foley and the Gospel Girls (at 3 p.m.), Ken Tizzard (at 4 p.m.), Canuck Rocks (at 5 p.m.), Al Black and the Steady Band (at 6 p.m.), Bowie Lives (at 7 p.m.), Bailien with Terry Guiel (at 8 p.m.), and Broken Harmony (at 9 p.m.). An open jam will follow at 10 p.m.

Items for the silent auction have been donated by Long & McQuade, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, Taylor’s Country Store, Zap Records, 6IX MMA, Gotta Havva Pizza, Fandango, Rocky Ridge, The Wire, The Avant-Garden Shop, and other businesses.

All proceeds raised from the concert and silent auction will be used to help Addi’s parents with travel costs and expenses while in Toronto, as well as with unpaid time off work before and after Addi’s surgery, which will involve a long recovery.

If you can’t make it to the benefit but still want to help the Beauclerc family, you can donate via Paypal at paypal.me/AddisonBeauclerc or GoFundMe at gofundme.com/AddisonBeauclerc.

If you’re planning to skip work on October 17, 2018 to celebrate Canada’s first Cannabis Day with a dime bag of legal green — don’t bother.

That’s not how things are going to roll.

First, there’ll be no retail stores until next April 2019, so you have to order online from the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), the only legal dealer in Ontario for now. The OCS website — which will be at ocs.ca once it launches — will offer dried and fresh cannabis, cannabis oil, and a selection of cannabis accessories … but no edibles.

And the website’s retail services don’t launch until Wednesday, October 17th. There are no pre-sales.

So party plans might need to be delayed for as long as it takes to set up an online account, place an order, and wait for your product to ship and deliver.

How do I order legal weed online?

Assuming the OCS website can handle the rush of Ontario residents creating accounts when it launches on October 17th, you’ll need to verify you are at least 19 years old when you create your account — the minimum age to legally purchase weed.

The age-verification process will likely involve some initial extra time and effort. And, when your stash finally arrives, you’ll need to sign for it and verify your identity.

You will be able to purchase up to 30 grams at one time for personal use. This is about one ounce, or enough for around 30 slim joints. It’s also the legal carry limit.

While legalization will bring with it a downer of rules and regulations, at least consumers will have verified details and quality assurance from OCS for the product that they will be vaping, smoking, or dumping in their morning smoothies.

Daffyd Roderick is the Director of Communications for OCS and he says consumers will be able to read a description of the product on the OCS website that includes price, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content, plant type and terpenes (flavour and aroma).

Seriously — bud can taste like lemons!

Customers will also be able to browse the OCS cannabis product category using these filtering options.

This is great news for consumers who want to for sure know whether they are going to chill with an indica or get some problems solved with a sativa.

Having access to product with guaranteed amounts of cannabidiol (CBD) is also something to get excited about. While CBD does not get you high, it’s the ingredient that the medical community is excited about when it comes to its ability to reduce pain, inflammation and help with anxiety — to name a few of its unique selling features.

Roderick also confirms that Health Canada regulated packaging, including the company name and brand name, will be available at OCS so that consumers will be aware of which one of the 32 licensed producers of marijuana has supplied the product.

Where can I legally smoke legal weed?

Once you make your purchase and your weed finally arrives, you can smoke and vape your legal green in the same places where you are allowed to smoke tobacco cigarettes.

This is a big change from what the previous Ontario Liberal government proposed: that pot smoking would be restricted to private residences only — something the current Progressive Conservative government also supported only a couple of months ago.

Now, under new legislation just proposed by the Ontario government, you will also be able to smoke legal weed in the same public places where cigarette smoking is allowed.

This means you can light up a joint while you are walking down the sidewalk or in a public park (unless municipal bylaws prohibit smoking). Or if a hotel or a motel provides designated smoking rooms, you can pack your bong in your suitcase.

As before, you can smoke weed inside your home or outside your home on your property, or in your unit or on your balcony if you live in a multi-unit building like an apartment or condo (keep in mind, all of this could depend on your building’s rules or your lease agreement).

But you can’t smoke weed in enclosed workplaces (including bars and restaurants), enclosed public spaces, outdoor patios, or near places with children (like school grounds or playgrounds). See the Smoke-Free Ontario Act for a complete list of smoking restrictions.

And, unlike cigarettes, you can’t spark one up in a vehicle or a boat that’s going to be operated. If you’re caught enjoying a spliff while in either one, you will face a $1,000 to $5,000 fine if convicted.

But maybe you might not feel the need to go anywhere for a few days. Just grab some chips, your fav kombucha, and get ready to chill — now without the paranoia of having the cops knocking on the door of your hot-boxed home.

What do I need to know as a first-time pot smoker?

With pot being legal as of October 17th — as long as you buy it from OCS — there are going to be some law-loving folks who might be tempted to toke.

But, if you’re not a career chronic, or if it’s been forever since you “didn’t inhale,” it’s tough to know where to start.

So here’s a bit of weed wisdom to make your new recreational pursuit a pleasant one.

First, there are four terms you need to know: indica, sativa, THC, and CBD.

Indica and sativa are plant types, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the chemical components found within cannabis that interact with your body and mind.

What’s the difference between indica and sativa?

Let’s start with indica and sativa — the plant types. They look different and they do different things.

Basically, indica gets you stoned and sativa gets you high.

Indica strains of weed tend to be associated with a full-body feeling of heaviness or relaxation. They might make you feel tired, or you might feel like chilling out with some great music or food. Physical sensations will be heightened, but you’re not really going to be excited about it — you’ll be more, like — cool, right?

Sativas deliver the cerebral experience that is associated with creativity, problem solving, and having the greatest ideas all the time. So, keep a notebook handy and grab some friends because sativas make you feel more social and chatty. You’re less likely to feel sleepy with a sativa and sometimes the experience can be psychedelic.

To make it more complicated, there are also hybrid strains — mixes of indica and sativa that produce both effects in different measures. You’ll likely want to try different strains to find the ones that work best for you.

What’s the difference between THC and CBD?

The amount of each sensation is determined by the THC content which, according to Health Canada, it’s the most researched cannabinoid. In basic terms, it is responsible for the way your brain and body respond to cannabis, including the high and the feeling of intoxication.

When you buy legal weed it will have the potency listed as a percentage, which is often shown as a percentage of THC by weight (or by volume of an oil).

Back in the 70s and 80s, THC potency was sitting around 3 per cent. These days, it can get as crazy as 30 per cent. So, when you’re choosing your weed, think about this like you would think of alcohol content. Start low and go slow. But we’ll come back to this.

Quick side note: cannabis that contains very low amounts of THC in its flowers and leaves (less than 0.3 per cent) is classified as hemp. So please stop sucking on the sleeve of your hemp hoodie — it’s not going to work for your wake and bake.

Cannabidiol (CBD) counts will also be listed. CBD does not get you high but it’s what more and more people are using for chronic pain, to ease anxiety, and to reduce inflammation. With street weed, much of the CBD was bred out of the plants over the years in exchange for higher THC counts. With the increase in medical users and those who want to plant benefits without being impaired, CBD has made a comeback.

To be clear, CBD will not get you high but it’s like making chocolate pudding with avocados (yes, you should do this, especially if you are high). It tastes great and it’s got health benefits — so why not?

How should I choose what to buy?

From the OCS website, you will be able to choose your dried bud or oil based on the plant type, THC and CBD count as well as terpene profile — which is a way of describing the aroma and flavour of the plant. And this can get just as fancy as what you hear at wine tastings.

If this is something new for you, stay away from really high THC products. Look for something in the single digits. And if you’re smoking or vaping, take a hit or two and wait.

Seriously — start low and go slow.

The same is true for oils. Take your time. Oils take much longer to notice. You want to have fun — you don’t want to be melting into your floor freaking out about everything you’ve ever freaked out about. That just gives weed a bad name.

If you’re trying pot for the first time, plan a night in. Stock up on some chips, don’t try to drive (just like with alcohol, it’s illegal), stay away from power tools and — if you don’t want to have to explain yourself later — probably stay off social media and turn off your phone.

If you do get paranoid or feel crappy (THC can do that for some people), don’t worry — it will pass, and you’ll have a great story to laugh about the next time you get high.