Did You Know

Lock 32, the planting of 30 trees at Bobcaygeon Beach Park, the repair of the Bobcaygeon bike share bikes, the launch of the heritage walking tour, the completion of the Edgewood wall project and the installation of the first Level 3 Electric Vehicle charging station in Bobcaygeon.

Environmental Hero

Emily Harper works in early childhood education in Lindsay. During Earth Week she spent the majority of the week teaching her childcare kids about Earth Day and why maintaining a healthy planet and environment is important. Instilling these important values in the next generation is invaluable.

Environmental Hero

Husband and wife team, Richard and Sandi Gauder, are on a mission to plant forests all around Kawartha Lakes. The Gauder’s founded the Plant a Forest initiative in 2019 originally as a way to balance out their carbon footprint from a work trip they took to Belize. The Gauder’s work with landowners, farmers and conservation areas to help create biodiversity on their land by planting trees and shrubs in bulk. They fundraise in the community to purchase the plants and they organize large groups of volunteers to help plant the trees and shrubs. Thank you Richard and Sandi for making Kawartha Lakes a greener place to live and visit!

Environmental Hero

Wil James is a Lindsay local that goes out of his way to organize groups of people to do litter and waste clean-ups around Kawartha Lakes. Wil and his friends make Kawartha Lakes a cleaner place to live. Thank you Wil for organizing these clean ups and for inspiring the people around you to help to keep Kawartha Lakes beautiful!

Winners received a certificate acknowledging their contribution to Kawartha Lakes as Environmental Heroes, along with red maple saplings from award sponsor Pineneedle Farms in Pontypool and gardening magazines from Kawartha Conservation.

Tl Library Presents Cbc Corner

Submitted by Stephanie

McPherson

Trent Lakes Public Library is very happy to announce that we’ve added a new digital resource to our website! Developed especially for public libraries, CBC Corner is a digital portal that brings CBC’s audio, video, and news content together in one place for a more streamlined experience.

Have a few minutes? Not sure what you are looking for or just want to browse around? With trusted news, local stories and radio shows, entertaining TV shows, documentaries, movies, award-winning podcasts, latest sports news and special reports, and much more, CBC Corner has something for everyone and every taste!

Do you have children? CBC Corner has tons of safe, educational, and entertaining content for children and youth of all ages including tv shows, free online games, fun quizzes and activities as well as news articles made by kids for kids. As a parent, you will also find cool and simple crafts ideas, healthy recipes, and easy ways to learn through play!

Interested in other languages? CBC Corner offers, through the daily multilingual service RCI, news in five of the most commonly spoken foreign languages in Canada (Mandarin, Punjabi, Tagalog, Arabic, Spanish).

CBC Corner is also a very valuable resource for those looking to learn or refine their French, or even their English skills, through our free Canadian language learning app, Mauril! And if you’re looking for French content, CBC Corner also allows you to explore all this en français with audio, video, and news from RadioCanada!

These are just a few examples of all the great content you can find! Don’t wait any longer... go to https://cbccorner.ca/trentlakes to explore this new feature! For more information, please drop by your local branch of Trent Lakes Public Library.

“An Exciting Volunteer Opportunity” BOARD MEMBERS

Kawartha North Family Health Team (KNFHT)

The KNFHT is a community-led team providing primary health care to patients of all ages and working collaboratively to keep patients healthy through prevention, maintenance and health education. As a community health provider, we are committed to providing accessible, high-quality, team-based primary health care and wellness promotion.

We have offices in Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon with a dedicated team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, mental health workers and administrators.

The current Board of Directors continues to focus on the team’s future and how to best meet the medical needs in our area. We are currently looking for new directors who represent the different communities across the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Trent Lakes and who bring a range of diverse skills and experiences (including health care, nonprofit, business and finance.) If you are interested in making a difference, want to help us achieve our goal to become one of the healthiest communities in the province, and can commit your time to regular attendance at board and committee meetings through the year, we would like the chance to meet you.

For further details and to apply, please contact:

Marina Hodson, Executive Director

Phone: 705-887-3535, ext. 29

Email: mhodson@knfht.ca

Deadline for application is June 30, 2023.

Hhhs Delivers Consolidation Plan

Following the public announcement that Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) would be consolidating its emergency services at its Haliburton site as of June 1, 2023, staff and leadership have been diligently working to confirm the technical elements of the transition.

The decision to consolidate was based on severe and on-going shortages of physicians and nurses at both the Haliburton and Minden sites, with HHHS needing to bring together its services and staffing at one site in order to maintain any emergency services in Haliburton County. The Haliburton site was chosen because it is the location of the only in-patient (acute care) beds in Haliburton County, which require physician coverage from the Emergency Department in case of a medical emergency. The organization fought as hard and as long as it could to keep both Emergency Departments open, but with no long-term solutions to the staffing shortages, it couldn’t go on any longer. Additional details about the rationale to consolidate are available at www.hhhs.ca/news.

The detailed consolidation plan is based on the comprehensive HHHS Emergency Department Closure Protocol that was initially developed in the fall of 2021, when the organization was first faced with the prospect of multiple, temporary, short-notice closures of one, or more likely, both Emergency Departments due to staffing shortages. The staff most directly impacted by consolidation have now had an opportunity to confirm which options would work best for patient and work flow.

The Consolidation Plan includes an increase in spaces in the Emergency Department, additional nurses and physicians, and more resources for patient care. An overview of the Emergency Department Consolidation Plan is available on the HHHS website.

“HHHS is grateful for the incredible work of our hospital, clinical, facilities, IT, and support teams and managers, as well as our other partners, in confirming the detailed consolidation plan,” said Carolyn Plummer, President & CEO of HHHS. “Our staff are the experts when it comes to patient care and their working environment, so it was important that they were able to be part of this process.”

Work will continue to implement the Emergency Department Consolidation Plan, under the guidance of a Transition Task Force. HHHS will also continue to explore options for short-term and long-term use of the Minden Emergency Department space, with conversations with the community to be initiated after the transition has been completed.

CHORISTERS’ CORNER

Submitted by April Scott

It has been quite a while since we had any news of any kind. Unfortunately this does not bring good news.

Our Director, Bob Plummer, has recently resigned from his post. This, along with our pianist resigning at the start of the pandemic, has left the Choristers in limbo. A survey has shown that a number of us will not be returning for various legitimate reasons.

In order for the Choristers to continue the search is on for a new director, a new pianist and new people to join the choir. If anyone out there is interested in either of these positions please contact the group on Facebook.

We are really hoping that the choir can carry on in some capacity, we hate to think it will fold completely

Welcome Back Summer

The town of Bobcaygeon is opening its arms on Saturday, May 27 to welcome folks back for the season!

Organizers say there will be entertainment for kids and the adults, a face painter, an evening boat parade and, of course, local retailers and restaurants will have some great deals!

The fun family event kicks off at 10am.

Outstanding Service Recognized

Submitted by Heather Kirby

In 2022, there were many volunteers that went above and beyond to support the mission of Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS). One of those volunteers has been recognized with the 2022 Barb Truax Volunteer Award.

Joanne Sutherland, a volunteer since 2018, has become a master sorter with her speed and accuracy of checking best before dates and categorizing the food we receive in our distribution centre. It is because of her dedicated work and her help with icing Tim Horton’s Smile Cookies, tracking inventory, and helping with the Easter Dinner initiative that she has been given this award.

Joanne is exceedingly reliable in her volunteer tasks. She is always tells amazing stories about the trails she’s recently hiked and is a joy to work with. Congratulations and thank you to Joanne for all that she does to help KLFS support those who feed our communities’ hungry.

Kawartha Lakes Food Source relies heavily on volunteer support, as the jobs are many and the number of staff is small. Without volunteers, we would not be able to achieve as much as we do. Volunteer tasks include food sorting, food pick-ups, distribution centre/inventory organization, Lindsay Community Food Bank operations support, office support, garden work and so much more.

The Barbara Truax Volunteer Award was established in 2017 and is awarded each year to volunteers of the Kawartha Lakes Food Source who: have been an active volunteer for more than three years; are a positive force within the community; and are committed to the cause of combatting hunger within the City of Kawartha Lakes. The award honours the contributions, dedication, and positive energy of our longest serving volunteer, Barbara Truax.

Walk For Guide Dogs

The Fenelon Falls Lions Club is hosting their annual Walk for Guide Dogs on Saturday, May 27.

Registration opens at 9am at the Highland Propane Parking Lot on the main street in Fenelon Falls with the walk starting at 10am. Coffee, treats, cool prizes and gift bags will be offered for participants.

There are two walks available – a 3km walk and a shorter 1km walk. Bring your furry friend and take the walk to help others.

You can find out more on their Facebook page at Fenelon Falls Lions Club. Flyers will be posted around Fenelon and donation forms can be sent to you.

Swing Bridge Petition

A petition to express the concerns about the Swing Bridge being closed without a firm reopening date, has been placed at the Service Ontario office (located at 21 Canal St.) in Bobcaygeon. The office is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. It is closed daily from 1pm to 1:30pm.

The Bridge has been closed since May 8, 2019. This has restricted the flow of traffic to our downtown core causing hardship to the businesses and the citizens.

If you would like to sign the petition, please come to the Service Ontario office. Business owners are invited to place a copy of the petition at their location. You can either pick one up at the Service Ontario counter or email manager.chamber@bobcaygeon.org if you want one sent to you by email.

Buckhorn Lions Host Yard Sale

The Buckhorn & District Lions Club is hosting a yard sale extravaganza on Sunday, May 28 from 10am to 4pm at the Sports Pad beside the Buckhorn Community Centre.

If you want to have a table, book it soon by calling 705-313-6064. There’s no fee for Vendor spaces but a donation of 10 percent of total sales income is requested. Funds collected will go towards supporting local community projects.

There’s no entrance fee for the public and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Follow the Lions on Facebook for up-to-date information.

Be Responsible With Fireworks

Residents and visitors are reminded to check out the rules for setting off of any Fireworks within the City of Kawartha Lakes this long weekend, while in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, fireworks are NOT

Share your photos

You could see your image on our cover or in the pages of The Kawartha Promoter. E-mail (only) your images along with name, address and phone number to editor@thepromoter.ca permitted this weekend.

Be courteous. Let your neighbours know you’ll be setting off fireworks. Fireworks can trigger posttraumatic stress disorder episodes and emotional flashbacks for our military service veterans and also children/adults with autism or other sensory stimulation disorders.

Fireworks also frighten pets that might resort to unpredictable “flight” escapes, risking becoming lost and hurt. Take extra precautions to ensure they are in a safe place indoors or securely on a leash when outdoors.

Local Students Wins Prestigious Award

Lindsay resident and St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School student, Siobhán Marie, has received the 2023 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award for her continued impact within the community.

This award honours the legacy of one of Canada’s greatest heroes, Terry Fox. With over 840 applicants, 15 people are granted the award with a monetary scholarship up to $28,000. This award is to recognize young individuals across Canada that exhibited outstanding courage and perseverance when faced with a difficult challenge and have made a positive difference in society, along with strong academics and athletics.

At 13 years old, Siobhán was diagnosed with Lyme disease. The disease affected her physical and mental health but she didn’t let that adversity stop her from learning and growing as an individual. She has dedicated herself and her time to many different humanitarian acts within her school and her community.

Siobhán is the Student Trustee for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington District School Board and the Policy Coordinator for the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. From excelling in her academics holding an average of 98.4% in grade 11 and 12, she also advocated for free menstrual products in schools. This led to a provincial level change that established a three-year grant program. Her passion for school improvement continues to be shown as she volunteers at a local elementary school in the Special Education Resource Department.

Outside the classroom, Siobhán founded ‘Stepping Stones’ a healthy living program promoting physical and mental wellbeing including the prevention of substance abuse. She was able to provide grant-funded recreational opportunities and donations to local breakfast facilities which helped countless families. She is also an employee in the Parks and Recreation division at the municipality. She plans to continue her education at Queen’s University in the Concurrent Education program starting in the fall.

Siobhán will be acknowledged at the Regular Council meeting on May 23, 2023.

“I want to thank Siobhán Marie for her inspiring impact and the dedication she has shown within our community,” commented Mayor Doug Elmslie. “With people like Siobhán leading the next generation in Kawartha Lakes, the future is bright. Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment. I look forward to seeing where your future takes you and the accomplishments you achieve.”

S iobhán shared, “Let your dreams be your driving force in all that you do. No matter what adversity you face, it is always possible to persevere with a positive mindset. The impact of your work will leave a mark of kindness on the world and on your community.”

Restrictions For Kirkfield Lock

Repairs are progressing at the Kirkfield Lift Lock (Lock 36 on the Trent-Severn Waterway) after a mechanical failure shut it down last fall. However, work continues and heading into the long weekend, Parks Canada is advising boaters that expedited singlechamber lockages will be in place for the beginning of the 2023 season.

These single-chamber lockages will operate on demand and are estimated to take approximately 60 minutes. This timing will be finalized upon the final commissioning of a new pump installation. In addition, short delays may be experienced as vessels are grouped for each transfer. Boaters are being requested to remain on their vessels during the transfer and listen carefully to all instructions provided by lock staff.

Given the current conditions and with construction activities expected to continue outside of regular hours of operation, overnight mooring is not recommended at this time, and boaters are encouraged to moor at adjacent lockstations. If boaters should decide to moor at the Kirkfield Lift Lock site, they will be placed on the upper reach of the Lift Lock but will be able to access the grounds and public washrooms via the south stairs from the upper reach.

For land-based visitors, due to the requirements of the construction project, the public parking lot at the lockstation will be closed until further notice. Visitors to the site are also asked to respect any temporary restrictions to the grounds that may be in place for the construction project.

Tick Talk

As temperatures start to climb, the Ontario government is encouraging people across the province to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses when enjoying the outdoors.

Lyme disease is a potentially serious infection that comes from being bitten by an infected blacklegged tick, commonly known as a deer tick. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and an expanding circular rash that resembles a bulls-eye. Ticks commonly live in wooded areas, tall grasses, and bushes and can be found almost anywhere in Ontario, including city gardens and parks.

“As we head outside to start enjoying the warmer weather, it is important to protect ourselves from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “With tick populations expanding every year, the number of people at risk of tick bites is increasing. By taking simple precautions, Ontarians can protect themselves and their families when enjoying time outdoors in our beautiful province.” You can protect yourself from tick bites by:

• wearing light-coloured clothing, so it’s easier to spot ticks

• wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into your socks, and closed-toed shoes

• using an insect repellent with DEET or icaridin in it

• checking yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after being outdoors. Any ticks found should be removed promptly

• putting clothes on high heat in a dryer for at least 10 minutes before washing clothing after spending time outdoors

“We are seeing an increase in cases of Lyme and other diseases transmitted by ticks in line with other jurisdictions,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Simple, precautionary measures can reduce the risk of getting bitten by a tick. This includes being vigilant in wooded or grassy areas, even in your backyard, and doing routine tick checks after enjoying the outdoors.”

Ticks are very small and hard to see. When a tick is found, it should be removed immediately using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Once the tick has been removed, wash the area with soap and water and then disinfect the area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.

If you have any health concerns after a tick bite, consult a health care provider as soon as possible. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

Made In Kawartha Lakes

The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is delighted to announce the return of the 5th annual Made in Kawartha Lakes (MIKL) show and sale. Visitors are invited to attend May 27 and 28 at Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon from 10am to 4pm.

MIKL is hosted by the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council (KLAC) with partner the Kawartha Art Gallery.

“The setting at the village is perfect for a juried show and sale, as it offers indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate a wide variety of artistic mediums, while creating a pleasant backdrop for visitors of the show to explore at their leisure,” says Lesley Drummond, KLAC Board member and MIKL Artist Coordinator. “With food vendors and music, it’s an enjoyable setting for local artists and artisans to connect with consumers of their work.”

Kawartha Settlers’ Village is located at 85 Dunn St, which is just off of Highway 36. Visitor parking is directly opposite of the main gate and there will be overflow parking just beyond the main gate if public parking is full. Admission to the event is by donation. While some vendors can accept debit and credit cards, cash is preferred for shopping at the vendors. This full weekend event happens rain or shine!

Susan Gail Drew

Passed away peacefully at Wynfield LTC in Oshawa on Monday May 8th 2023 after a year long battle with dementia. Predeceased by her parents Marion and John A McDonald, sister Betty Lu Peck, niece Jennifer Garvin and beloved husband Steven Drew. Survived by her nieces Diane Peck and Bonnie Drew, great nieces Abigail Peck, Katherine and Madison Drew, and some cousins.

Sue married the love of her life Steven on February 17th 2006 and they spent their lives together living on Kenissis Lake in Haliburton and then Port 32 in Bobcageon. After Steve passed away suddenly in September 2021 she never was the same. I’m glad to know they are together again.

Celebration of life will be on Friday June 16 in Pickering email peckster_99@yahoo.com for more information

GORDON'S BOBCAYGEON

Looking for a unique and charming waterfront accommodation option in Bobcaygeon? The 'River Bunkies' are just what you need. Built locally and registered as vessels by Transport Canada these compact and adorable units float in boat slips located beside the Gordon Yacht Harbour Marina, along the Bobcaygeon River. The 'Jelly Bean Row', a nod to Newfoundland, includes 11 units, each capable of accommodating up to five people. Each bunkie offers beautiful views from waterside, grab your coffee and walk out onto your private patio complete with comfortable chairs and a swim platform. The interior is cozy with a fully equipped kitchen, a private main bathroom with a shower, a living area with a couch/sofa bed, a gas fireplace, a flat-screen TV and a loft bedroom area with an ensuite bathroom.

Outside, each unit has their own BBQ and picnic spot - a great place to meet people or do your own thing. Wi-Fi is available and reliable, and there is even a business center for those who want to get some work done. Additionally, the River Bunkies are pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

The bunkies are located only steps away from the town's lovely shops and restaurants. Take a stroll and enjoy the sights. Or rent a kayak or a stand up paddle board from a nearby rental outfit and get out on the water!

If you prefer a land based option, there is also a log cabin built in the 1890's or a 2 bedroom, recently renovated cottage with a large deck and space for children to play.

For more information call 705-731-9446 or visit www.gordonsbobcaygeon.com