KAWARTHA LAKES: During the Summer of 2015 the members of the Kawartha Lakes Cultural Centre Committee, a special project committee of the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and the Kawartha Lakes Culture & Heritage Network, had the opportunity to meet with our City’s Mayor, Councillors and Senior Staff to discuss three future goals of the Cultural Centre Committee:

1. To promote the adoption of the Cultural and Heritage Master Plans through a municipal task force
2. To ensure a permanent Arts, Culture and Heritage Development Officer position in Economic Development
3. To explore the feasibility of a shared Cultural Centre
As many of you reported back in March 2018, the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and the Kawartha Lakes Heritage and Culture Network received a $50,000.00 private donation towards a feasibility study to be done for a potential shared community Cultural Centre facility in the Kawarthas.
As we move forward into 2019 the City and the Cultural Centre Committee have achieved the third goal.
We would like to invite you to join us as we celebrate and share this exciting news with our community.
Mayor Andy Letham, City Councillors and members of the Cultural Centre Committee will be in attendance.
Please join us at the Kawartha Lakes Art Council's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday April 17th, 2019 at Coronation Hall in Omemee.
The AGM starts at 6:30pm with the Community Celebration at 7:00pm. Please RSVP to art@kawarthagallery.com

KAWARTHA LAKES: Local MP Jamie Schmale announced, on Tuesday, April 9th, that 14 organizations in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock will receive $256,753 in funding as part of the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), which ensures that seniors can benefit from an improved quality of life in their community and also contribute to it through participation in social activities and active living.
“It’s imperative to recognize the valuable contribution seniors have made to our society,” said Schmale. “By supporting New Horizons for Seniors Program projects, we are acting to ensure that seniors are able to maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.”

Projects receiving the funding include:

Project title: Family Roots in Haliburton County, Amount: $25,000
Organization: Supportive Initiative for Residents in the County of Haliburton

Project title: Kawartha Together 
Amount: $25,000
Organization: Fenelon Falls Museum
Project title: Keep Active Seniors Warmer
Amount: $18,650
Organization: Wilberforce Curling Club (WCC)

Project title: “Precious Memories:” Our Seniors Speak, Amount: $25,000
Organization: Victoria County Historical Society

Project title: Sunderland Legion Building Roof, Amount: $25,000
Organization: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 141

Project title: Social Room Safety Renovations and Entrance Accessibility
Amount: $25,000
Organization: Sir Sam Hughes Royal Canadian Legion Br 67

Project title: Seniors-to-Seniors (S2S) Volunteer Training Program Development, Amount: $12,256
Organization: Abbey Retreat Centre


Project title: Outdoor Art for Seniors
Amount: $5,000
Organization: Kawartha Trans Canada Trail Association

Project title: Seniors Helping Seniors Through Grief 
Amount: $25,000
Organization: Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes

Project title: Manilla Active Community Connection (MACC) Phase 2
Amount: $25,000
Organization: Township of Brock

Project title: Audio & Acoustical improvements for Seniors & Hearing Impaired, Increase Physical Activities for Seniors ,
Amount: $13,697
Organization: The Harry Brown V.C., Canadian Legion Branch 497

Project title: Senior Community Connection Initiative Pilot Program
Amount: $2,150
Organization: City of Kawartha Lakes

Project title: Replace Legion Kitchen Stove,
Amount: $5,000
Organization: Roy

CLAUDIA SYTSMA The Standard

On October 17th, 2018 cannabis use, and the possession of up to 30 grams of it, became legal in Canada. Since that time the Ontario government has made the sale of cannabis available through its online website, however as of April 1st, cannabis has been made available for purchase in licensed retail stores throughout Ontario.
According to the Cannabis Control Act of Ontario, the purpose for legalization of the substance was to: keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, keep profits out of the pockets of criminals, and to protect public health and safety by allowing adults access to legal cannabis.
Therapeutic use of medical marijuana (cannabis) has been legal in Canada since 2001, and regulations for its allocation have been managed by the medical community, but since accessibility to the drug has become open to the public, many leading Canadian mental health organizations in Canada warn of the possible serious side effects, resulting from the regular use of cannabis, but in particular warn of its dangers for adolescents who may use the substance regularly.
The 'Cannabis Control Act' allows the sale of cannabis to anyone, 19 years old and up, but as studies indicate, this could cause damage for those using the substance, at that age, as critical brain growth and development still occurs up to the age of 25.
In a study posted on the Canadian Pediatric Society's website, dated May 3rd, 2017, it states, “scientific research over the last 15 years has established that the human brain continues to develop into a person’s early 20s. Concern is rising that exposure to cannabis during this important developmental period causes greater adverse effects in adolescents compared with older adults, whose brains are fully developed...Structural changes on MRI have also been documented in youth who use cannabis regularly. They show lower brain volumes, different folding patterns and thinning of the cortex, less neural connectivity and lower white matter integrity, all of which indicate damage by THC.”
To further our knowledge of how this information should be of concern to the public, the study continues to say, “Cannabis is the world’s most widely used illicit drug. In 2010, Canadian youth ranked first for cannabis use among 43 countries and regions across Europe and North America, with one-third of youth (regardless of gender) having tried cannabis at least once by age 15...Marijuana use in this age group is strongly linked to: cannabis dependence and other substance use disorders; the initiation and maintenance of tobacco smoking; an increased presence of mental illness, including depression, anxiety and psychosis; impaired neurological development and cognitive decline; and diminished school performance and lifetime achievement...These effects are present in the entire population; however, the developing brain is especially sensitive to the negative consequences of cannabis use. Canadian youth are at significant risk for developing CUD, (Cannabis Use Disorder) and, possibly, for doubling their risk of having a psychotic illness.”
The Schizophrenia Society of Canada has created an information website, specifically geared towards youth, called 'Explore the Link', warning, “Research has shown that cannabis use impacts psychosis. Psychosis is a break with reality characterized by hallucinations, false beliefs (delusions), impaired thinking and lack of motivation. Cannabis use can cause a temporary psychotic episode in some people...Unfortunately, we now know that those who have had a bad trip on cannabis are at high risk for developing a psychotic disorder, which is a chronic condition such as schizophrenia.”
The World Health Organization, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health also issue warnings that cannabis use may cause problems in youth and adults with: thinking, memory or physical co-ordination; impairment, which can lead to serious injuries, including those from car accidents; hallucinations, such as seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling or feeling things that do not really exist; breathing or lung problems from smoking; cancer from smoking; problems during or after pregnancy, especially if cannabis is smoked. Using cannabis during pregnancy may affect the fetus, with research suggesting there may be a link between cannabis use during pregnancy and subtle cognitive problems in children. Chronic, heavy use of cannabis may impair people's attention, memory and the ability to process complex information for weeks, months and even years after they have stopped using cannabis, and [] illegal cannabis products are not subject to any health and safety standards, and may be contaminated with other drugs, pesticides or toxic fungi. 
To address these concerns, the Canadian Pediatric Society has made several recommendations to government, in their May 30th, 2017 study, some of which are: increase funding for research, prevention, and treatment of substance use in adolescents and young adults; increase funding for mental health promotion, and for treating mental illness in this age group; consider limiting the concentration of THC in cannabis, which 18-25 year olds can purchase legally; fund public education campaigns to reinforce that cannabis is not safe for children and youth, by raising awareness of the harms associated with cannabis use and dependence.   
For questions or concerns regarding cannabis use by yourself, a family member, or someone you know, call Telehealth Ontario toll free, at 1-866-797-0000 to speak to a registered nurse. They can help you with any health matters, including questions about depression, anxiety or other mental health or addiction concerns. You may also call the Drug and Alcohol Helpline toll free, at 1-800-565-8603. In Durham Region call Lakeridge Health Oshawa, at 905-576-8711.

SHIRLEY LOVE
Special to The Standard

SCUGOG: An excellent turnout of members, to enjoy the beautiful peony pictures and learn about the care of peonies from Mr. Heimbecker’s talk. Welcome, to the six new members who joined last night.
Pine Ridge will have a booth at the P.P. Home and Garden Show, April 13th and 14th. Please drop by and get more information on this very active club in the community.
Our May 7th meeting will feature Carol Pasternak, who will speak on “Drama in the Butterfly Garden”. Carol is also known as the Monarch Crusader and has written a book on Monarchs. This should be a very interesting evening, as we will learn how to help the Monarchs survive.
Our Spring flower show is also on May 7th and is judged by an accredited judge. Come out and get a whiff of Spring from the entries of Tulips, Narcissus and other flowering bulbs. The houseplant section is always great to view as are the entries in the Design Class.
May 18th is our Plant, Bake & Yard Sale, at 8:00 a.m., at the Nestleton Hall. This is a huge sale and donations are always welcome.
Please join us at 7:30 p.m., on May 7th, at the Nestleton Community Centre, 3971 Hwy. 7A, Nestleton. All will be most welcome. For more information call Shirley, at 905-986-5330, or email her, at shirlove@gmail.com.

EVE-LYNN SWAN The Standard

UXBRIDGE:  “If you’re going to go to the Foster Memorial, you’ll get more out of your visit if one of the Friends of the Foster shows you around,” advised Uxbridge Township CAO Ingrid Svelnis after Ward 3 Councillor Bruce Garrod proposed a visit “like the tour of facilities we did last fall. We should see the Foster.”
The Thomas Foster Memorial is a Byzantine-style stone building located on Concession Road 7, north of the town of Uxbridge. Bringing to mind India’s Taj Mahal, it was built in the 1930s as a memorial to the wife and daughter of Leaskdale-raised Thomas Foster.
The stone and copper building requires ongoing upkeep and repair, and fundraising is done by The Friends of the Thomas Foster Memorial, a committee of enthusiastic supporters. Friday evening concerts run from May to September and donations contribute to updates and maintenance. The site is also popular for weddings and other concerts and events add to its revenue stream.
Friends Secretary, Bev Northeast, wrote to Council, asking them to compare the Foster’s operating costs with other heritage and rental facilities in Uxbridge Township and to note the amount of financial assistance the Friends have given for repairs and advertising the Foster.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about this building over the past few weeks,” said Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, agreeing with Ms. Northeast’s suggestion of a financial review. “Let’s see the Friends’ financial statements and ask them to make a presentation to us in the near future.”
Wondering if all the Councillors had visited the “Diamond of Durham”, as the Foster Memorial is sometimes known, Councillor Garrod then made his suggestion. Council agreed with Ms. Svelnis and plans are underway to look more closely at the Foster Memorial.
For more information about the building, visit www.fostermemorial.com

KAWARTHA LAKES: Thanks to the encouragement and support of the Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon Chambers of Commerce, beginning April 30th, rural transportation will be available in Kawartha Lakes.
A twenty passenger bus, owned by Michael Bryant and Pauline Kiely, will be offering FREE Rural Transportation Service that was successfully tested last summer. This couple nicknamed their bus, White Lightning, and with their good friend, Mike Perry's support, they are realizing a dream, of being able to offer transportation and tourism to people who for various reasons don't drive.
White Lightning Bus Tours will be filling a void, for those looking to travel for tourism, shopping, attend medical appointments, visit family or the hospital, attend events, or join clubs. The initial bus service route will include stops at: Valentia, Little Britain, Oakwood, Lindsay, Cameron, Long Beach, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Dunsford, and Omemee. With future plans to expand and include: Woodville, Kirkfield, Coboconk, Pontypool, Janetville, and Bethany.
This Service is NOT Connected with any Municipal Transit or Agency, and is being organized and supported by local business, through advertising, donations, and by volunteer ambassadors. Bus Schedules, including pick-up and drop-off locations, will be available soon.
If you are interested in becoming a Community Volunteer Ambassador, to promote this in your area, please private
message us on Facebook, or if you have any questions call 1-800-979-2913, or email us at www.whitelightningbus.tours

Michael Bryant, President
White Lightning Bus Tours
598 Elm Tree Road
Little Britain, Ontario
K0M2C0

EVE-LYNN SWAN The Standard

UXBRIDGE: After a delay of eight months, GHD was awarded the contract for Planks Lane Engineering, at Monday’s Uxbridge Council meeting, following the recommendations of Ben Kester, Director of Public Works and Operations.
Mr. Kester brought forward his recommendation in August, 2018, but Council agreed, they could not approve the over-budget project so late in their term of office, and set it aside for the new Council. The lowest proposal, which included developing three concepts, to address traffic issues east of Third Avenue South, was valued at $108,274 plus HST. The budget was $75,000.
The new Council, with the document before them, had questions for Mr. Kester.
Mayor Dave Barton wanted to know if traffic issues had been resolved, as he hadn’t heard anything about it recently. Mr. Kester replied, a minor ‘baby boom’ of about 150 students had worked its way through the high school, reducing demand for parking. In addition, since Joseph Gould Public School and Uxbridge Secondary School offset their opening bell times, traffic flow didn’t seem to be as much of an issue.
Ward 3 Councillor Bruce Garrod told Council he gets plenty of calls about the road’s state of repair, but agreed with Ben Kester, the traffic issue had calmed.
Mr. Garrod, also the Chair of the Finance Committee, reminded Council, the additional funds for the engineering report were included in the 2019 budget. Council approved the motion and the study will get underway soon.

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: At a press conference event at the Little Britain Community Centre, on Thursday, April 4th, Bell announced the expansion of its Wireless Home Internet broadband service to communities in the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County.
The service is now available to residents in Buckhorn, Kirkfield, Lindsay and Little Britain, and Bell has plans to expand the service to Bobcaygeon, Bridgenorth, Burleigh Falls, Fenelon Falls, Havelock, Kinmount, Lakefield, Nephton and Omemee later this year.
According to a press release, in order to install Wireless Home Internet, Bell technicians place a small antenna outside a customer’s home, which connects to the Bell LTE network. Bell customers will additionally receive the Bell Home Hub modem to provide “fast Wi-Fi throughout the home.”
“Bell Wireless Home Internet is designed to provide affordable broadband access to residents in smaller towns and unserved and underserved rural communities. The 5G-capable technology operates in the 3500 MHz spectrum band on Bell’s advanced LTE wireless network,” read a press release from Bell.
Karen Neave, Bell’s senior product manager, said she’s happy Bell is able to provide this service to small communities. “This is the most exciting thing that I’ve been able to work on. I think, for me anyway, the reason it is so much fun and so exciting is, this is the first time for a lot of smaller communities that we actually have a really good option for a fast service that would be very similar to what I would get at home in the GTA,” she said.
Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham told The Standard this announcement is very important for those who live in the Kawartha Lakes area. “It’s very important. Rural Ontario has always struggled with consistent high speed internet, whether it is for personal use, or for running a business. People want to run a business from their rural areas, from their cottages, and this is something that has been long overdue. We appreciate Bell stepping up to the plate to bring that kind of capacity to our rural residents who haven’t always had that service,” he said.

DAN CEARNS The Standard

SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog is looking for feedback from residents about the potential design and location for a new dog park.
The construction of an off-leash dog park was approved by Scugog council in the 2019 municipal capital budget.
The proposed location for the dog park is in a wooded area between the Carolyn Best Softball Diamonds and the Scugog Soccer Fields.
The Township is holding a public information centre at the Scugog Memorial Public Library on Tuesday, April 16th from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
According to a press release, at the event, members of Scugog Township staff will “present examples of dog parks in neighbouring towns, considerations in the design of a dog park, options for Scugog, potential issues and proposed rules for the dog park.”
There is also an online survey at Scugog’s website at www.scugog.ca.

EVE-LYNN SWAN The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Taking a moment to write an email to Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton about a glimpsed moment in time may result in benches at bus stops all over the town of Uxbridge.
Michelle Lee wrote to the Mayor, and asked “if there’s any way to put a bench beside the bus stops at Douglas [Road] and Toronto [Street]? That’s right where the seniors’ residence is, and I noticed an elderly gentleman with a cane waiting there for a while… I typically see people waiting there, but it didn’t occur to me that seniors using the stop might need somewhere to sit and wait, until I saw the poor guy shifting back and forth on his cane, [and] leaning against the traffic pole.”
“Sidewalks are part of the site plan and will be installed by the developer,” said Ward 4 Councillor Willie Popp. “They’ll be coming soon. Let’s have the three township committees, Age-Friendly, Accessibility, and Active Transportation work on priorities and get in touch with Durham Region Transit about placing benches in the right places. And let’s be sure to thank Michelle Lee.”
Council agreed, with absent Ward 5 Councillor Todd Snooks providing written support for the idea. CAO Ingrid Svelnis added, Douglas Road might also get designated parking and boulevard improvements, she said “we’re looking at it.”