Roses and Thorns

In an extraordinary year of loss, year of loss, restrictions, and restrictions, and most of just trying most of just trying to do our best, the to do our best, the Advocate offers all Advocate offers all roses this year — roses this year — and just one thorn and just one thorn

John Ireland and his Urban Canopy Project team. Tree-planting at the Boys & Girls Club of Kawartha Lakes? What better way to signal faith in a better future? Eleanor Plewes, Barb and John Rose and all the others who contributed, in total, thousands of face masks to Ross Memorial Hospital. Jamie Anderson and his library staff for nimbly refocusing on digital resources to ensure access to books, videos and other resources during the pandemic. The “Home for Coronavirus” webpage was genius. All staff at A Place Called Home for meeting the urgent needs of triple the normal number of homeless in our community during this pandemic. Also to Lorrie Polito, outgoing executive director, and David Tilley, who has taken over the same role. Selina Reevie, Peyton Caldoza, Abigail Jardine and the other organizers of the June 7 Black Lives Matter rally, which attracted hundreds more supporters than they expected. A second rose goes to Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Mark Mitchell for taking a knee along with the crowd and keeping the dialogue going afterward. Small business owners for doing what they needed to do to survive, which was a mix of innovation, choosing a hand up from the federal government, and staying adaptable. The health unit’s Dr. Lynn Noseworthy and Andrew Rafton, chief of the city’s paramedics, as they retire after overseeing local response to an unprecedented public health crisis. Countless kind people who check in on neighbours, buy groceries for seniors and generally look out for each other. They are the heart and soul of our communities. The federal government for its quick response to help people and businesses stay afloat during extraordinary times. While far from perfect it was integral for millions of citizens. Everyone involved in creating the stunning new Logie Street Park in Lindsay. The amazing efforts of many local faith communities in not only shifting to online services in fairly short order, but also mobilizing to support their communities through box lunches, care packages and other creative forms of outreach. The new disc golf course at Memorial Park. Spearheaded by enthusiasts of the pastime and supported financially by the city and the Optimist Club, the course allows players to keep their distance while getting exercise and having fun … for free!

The clerks at the checkout counters in grocery stores for their patient, affable, and courteous manner in what were surely stressful circumstances. Overlooked folks like the cleaners, kitchen workers, laundry staff etc. in hospitals and long-term care facilities. The executive of the Lindsay Community Gardens, for providing such a nice oasis in which to de-stress by cultivating the soil and planting a garden. Globus Theatre and the Lakeview Arts Barn for finding creative ways to safely stage play readings for a public starved for theatre. United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes for donating more than 5,400 kilograms of food it produced to social service agencies across our area. The fresh, healthy food was much needed by vulnerable community members during this extremely challenging year. Teachers at all levels, along with principals and school board staff for making plans, then changing, then changing again, to give kids a sense of normalcy as they returned to learning. The veterinary offices, home reno companies and stores that responded overwhelmingly to a call by the city’s paramedics for donations as their PPE supplies ran low.

COVID-19 for taking loved ones, contributing to other health issues, and forcing us indoors and to be apart from one another.