Ceramic trilliums drying at the Kawartha Potters Guild. Created by volunteers, 600 of the finished trillims will be placed at Peterborough Cenotaph for a ceremony on April 9, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Some trilliums are still available for sponsorship or purchase from the City of Peterborough, with proceeds going to support restoration of the War Memorial and to enhance treatment services for veterans and their families. (Photo: Kawartha Potters Guild)
The City of Peterborough Cenotaph will soon be adorned with 600 ceramic trilliums, created by volunteers at the Kawartha Potters Guild, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
A finished ceramic trillium (photo: Kawartha Potters Guild)
The trilliums, part of a city initiative to honour area citizens who sacrificed their lives during the First World War, will be placed at the mound of the cenotaph in Confederation Square for a ceremonial service on Sunday, April 9th at 1:30 p.m.
“I am thrilled with the community’s support of this important commemoration,” says Deputy Mayor Henry Clarke, who is a Lieutenant Colonel with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and Chairman of the Vimy 100 Committee. “We want to provide a visual vestige for people to be able to see at the cenotaph and remind them of what Canadians did 100 years ago.”
The Battle of Vimy Ridge is considered a defining moment for Canada as a nation, as it was the first time the four divisions of The Canadian Corps fought together as a unified fighting force.
Canadian soldiers going “over the top” at Vimy Ridge. More than 15,000 Canadians successfully captured the ridge from the German army, with 3,589 Canadians killed and another 7,104 wounded. (Photo: Canadian War Museum)
The German army held the seven-kilometre ridge, located in northern France, which was heavily fortified with tunnels, artillery, machine-gun nests, barbed wire, and three rows of trenches. Previous attempts by British and French forces to seize the ridge had failed, resulting in more than 100,000 casualties.
Beginning on Easter Monday on April 9th, 1917, more than 15,000 Canadian infantry soldiers attacked the ridge. While the assault was meticulously planned, soldiers displayed incredible bravery and discipline as they moved forward 4,500 yards (4,115 metres) under heavy fire, even when their officers were killed. Canadian soldiers single-handedly charged machine-gun nests or forced the surrender of Germans in protective dugouts. By April 12th, 1917, stunned by the Canadians’ success, the Germans retreated and the Canadians held the ridge.
Canadians soldiers advancing through German wire entanglements at Vimy Ridge in April 1917 (photo: Canadian Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001087)
However, the victory came at a great cost, with 3,589 Canadian soldiers killed and another 7,104 wounded during the battle. During the entirety of the First World War, more than 60,000 Canadian soldiers were killed, including 11,285 in France who have no known graves.
As of April 6th, all 600 trilliums have now been sold. However, trilliums may still be sponsored for $30 each. Those who sponsor trilliums will get a tax receipt, however the ceramic flower will not be theirs to keep. Donations are also welcome. Those who purchased a trillium will be able to pick it up at the Peterborough Armoury, 220 Murray Street on the following Saturdays: April 15, 22 and 29, 2017 between 9 a.m. and noon.
Of the 600 ceramic trilliums to be placed at the Peterborough Cenotaph, 16 will be painted red to symbolize local lives lost at Vimy Ridge. The remaining 584 trilliums will be painted white to represent the number of people from the city and county of Peterborough and local First Nations who were killed during World War I.
The trilliums are available for purchase, or may be sponsored for $30 each. Those who sponsor trilliums will get a tax receipt, and the flower will remain available for others to purchase.
While many of the trilliums are already purchased, you can still sponsor one by calling City Hall at 705-742-7777 extension 1860 or emailing Bernadette Lawler at blawler@peterborough.ca.
Some of the volunteers at the Kawartha Potters Guild who have created 600 ceramic trilliums for the Peterborough War Memorial (photo: Kawartha Potters Guild)
Proceeds from ceramic trilliums will benefit two causes: half of the proceeds will be used to repair the masonry base at the war memorial, and the remainder will be used to enhance government treatment resources for veterans and their families.
The ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge will take place at the War Memorial in Confederation Square at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 9th.
Confirmed participants in the service include MC Graham Hart, representatives of local cadet and reserve units, representatives from First Nations, and local dignitaries including Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, City Mayor Daryl Bennett and County Warden Joe Taylor.
VIDEO: volunteers with the Kawartha Potters Guild working on ceramic trilliums
Citizens will also read from letters and diaries of the Great War during the ceremony, and Deputy Mayor Clarke encourages people to email personal stories for the service to hclarke@peterborough.ca.
“We want to tell the story through living history of people who were there,” Clarke says. “Please look through your belongings for letters, diaries, scrapbooks or photos of the First World War.”
As well as the Peterborough ceremony, events will be held in France and in Ottawa to mark the 100th anniversary. A delegation of government officials will travel to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, located in northern France, to participate in the commemorative events there.
Prince Charles and his sons Prince William and Prince Harry will attend a ceremony for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France on April 9th.
Cancer survivor Tessa Smith, shown here meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last October as the Terry Fox Foundation Ambassador for 2016, will be the guest speaker at the Kawartha Chamber Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on April 19 (photo: Justin Trudeau / Twitter)
B.O.S.S. Business Owners Sharing Solutions – March 30th
Jeannine Taylor, Publisher at kawarthaNOW.com, will speak with a panel of Chamber members who will share practical tips and strategies for websites and effectively using social media for business.
Jeannine has owned and operated kawarthaNOW.com since 1996. With 200,000+ unique monthly readers and a minimum of 300,000 weekly impressions on social media platforms, kawarthaNOW.com has a proven track record of internet success!
On March 30, kawarthaNOW publisher Jeannine Taylor will moderate a panel of four Chamber members on how businesses can use digital platforms
The Chamber is Hiring! Summer Staff Positions
Do you know a college or university student looking for a summer job? The Chamber is hiring for three positions in Lakefield, Buckhorn and area.
The Chamber is now inviting applications for the following positions:
Marketing & Tourism Assistant (Lakefield)
Special Event & Tourism Assistant (Lakefield & Other Communities)
Tourism Outreach Assistant (Buckhorn)
Application deadline is Monday, April 10th. Read more
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
The Kawartha Chamber’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast takes place on April 19 at Beachwood Resort & Frederick’s Restaurant
Join the Chamber at Beachwood Resort & Frederick’s Restaurant as they honour their volunteers! The annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast is being held on Wednesday, April 19th from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
There is no cost for Chamber volunteers and $20 (inclusive) for other guests. All are welcome! Register Now.
This year’s guest speaker is 18-year-old Tessa Smith, a published journalist, motivational speaker, model, and poet. She is also a two-time cancer survivor, which has resulted in the loss of her right eye and left leg. Tessa was named the Terry Fox Foundation Ambassador for 2016 and continues to inspire others daily.
Available Space: Partnership Opportunity – Lakefield Intermediate School
Leasing opportunities are available for the intermediate wing of Lakefield Intermediate School (photo: Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board)
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board had previously made it known that it was their intent to demolish the Intermediate Wing of LDISS. After discussions with the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, they have extended the deadline for expressions of interest from potential tenants.
If you are interested in obtaining more information regarding this Facility Partnership please contact Greg Kidd at KPR DSB (Greg_Kidd@kprdsb.ca). If you are comfortable doing so, a confidential message to the Kawartha Chamber’s General Manager (generalmanager@kawarthachamber.ca) would also be appreciated — particularly so if you are looking for partner/s with whom to share the space.
Parties interested in this opportunity would need to submit a firm expression of interest in writing by March 24th, 2017, with resolution agreement by March 31st, 2017.
If you are concerned about the possible demolition of the Lakefield District Intermediate School, then consider attending the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) Trustee’s meeting on Thursday, March 23rd.
Selwyn Township Council recently passed a resolution requesting that KPR DSB extend the period to accept ‘Expressions of Interest’ for partnership opportunities for the space to one year. There will be some delegations at the meeting speaking in support of this resolution. A good showing of community and business people in attendance will reinforce this request.
The Open Session of the meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the KPRDSB Board office, 1994 Fisher Drive, Peterborough.
Peterborough Chamber presents Seniors Showcase
The 5th Annual Seniors Showcase takes place on June 14 (graphic: Peterborough Chamber of Commerce)
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce presents the 5th Annual Seniors Showcase, a full-day tradeshow event aimed solely at seniors and their families.
The Senior Showcase is being held on Wednesday, June 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre.
In 2016, over 1,000 people attended. To reserve your booth space, contact Karen August at 705-748-9771 ext 200 or see the Exhibitor Guide and learn more (booths are 65% sold, so don’t delay).
March Break at Indian River Reptile Zoo
The Indian River Reptile Zoo is open for March Break! Come and explore the Zoo with its many snakes, lizards, turtlesand& tortoises, and brave the Croc-Walk with over 100 crocodilians … if you dare!
Open March 10th to 19th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, admission is $20 for adults (19-59), $15 for youth (13-18) and seniors (60+), and $10 for children (4-12). Children under 3 are free.
Buckhorn Maplefest at McLean Berry Farm
There is nothing quite as sweet as springtime and Mclean Berry Farm proves this every year at their annual Maplefest!
At Maplefest, there are a tons of fun activities for the entire family. Whether it’s going for a wagon ride, eating pancakes with fresh maple syrup or seeing how the sweet stuff is made, there is something to do for everyone.
Maplefest is running every Saturday and Sunday in March. Don’t miss it!
Performing Arts Lakefield: Micah Barnes’ New York Stories on March 24th
Micah Barnes (photo: Juan Palacio)
Performing Arts Lakefield pays homage to the rich musical history of The Big Apple with songs that describe a long -distance romance using the rhythms of The Cotton Club, The Brill Building, The Apollo Theatre and classic Broadway.
A free Income Tax Clinic takes place on Thursday, March 16th at Community Care, 40 Rabbit Street in Lakefield.
Sponsored by Community Care, St. John the Baptist Lakefield, and Lakefield Youth Unlimited, the clinic is for individuals with income less than $30,000 or families with income less than $40,000.
Free Income Tax Clinics are also being held on April 6th and April 21st.
March for Meals at Community Care on March 22nd
Enjoy entertainment and sample Meals on Wheels with Peterborough County Warden Joe Taylor and Selwyn Township Mayor Mary Smith.
Visit The Lounge at Community Care, 40 Rabbit Street in Lakefield, between 11 a.m. and 12 noon on Wednesday, March 22nd.
Welcome new members
Brant Basics www.BrantBasics.com, 296 George St. N, Peterborough, 705-748-2291
Brant Basics has been offering office furniture and everyday office products to businesses for over 50 years.
Locally owned and operated, Brant Basics creates engaging and functional work environments which strengthen productivity for our customers with our current technology, expert team members, and service.
Upcoming Events
Buckhorn Maplefest at McLean Berry Farm – March 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th
Performing Arts Lakefield – Micah Barnes’ New York Stories – March 24th
Douro & District Optimist Club Annual Euchre Tournament – April 8th
Taste of Canada at the Buckhorn Community Centre – April 8th
For more information about the businesses and events listed above, please visit the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website at kawarthachamber.ca.
All photos supplied by Kawartha Chamber of Commerce except where noted.
New dessert bar Sweet Spirits, opening in downtown Peterborough in May, offers elegant desserts with a kick (photo: Sweet Spirits)
This month, Eva Fisher finds a local source for alcoholic ice cream and desserts, learns more about life at the farm with Chef Kevin McKenna, tries filling yet budget-friendly food at Sophia’s Kitchen, and learns more about an exciting plant-based business opportunity in downtown Peterborough.
New patisserie and bar to feature alcohol-infused desserts
Gin and rosemary macarons, alcohol-infused ice cream, margarita layer cake … Hannah Howey’s upcoming dessert bar Sweet Spirits (261 George St. Unit #130, Peterborough, 705-745-4540) offers desserts with a twist — and you might want to make yours a double.
For the past year Sweet Spirits has been selling baked goods at farmers’ markets and events, but Hannah is opening a new dessert bar in downtown Peterborough this May.
“We’re selling alcohol, mostly locally sourced, and we’re pairing it with made in store homemade desserts,” Hannah says. “We’re patisserie style: a little bit more elegant but super fun.”
The new bar will be located on George Street beside Riley’s, at the location previously held by Subway.
Sweet Spirits staff member Carlisle Froese and owner Hannah Howey show off the new downtown Peterborough location opening this May (photo: Sweet Spirits)
Many of the desserts will be infused with spirits after baking, so they will retain their alcoholic content. That means that treats like chocolate raspberry tarts with Bailey’s mousse and Oreo-inspired sandwich cookies will also pack a boozy punch. The menu will include a scale to show how much alcohol is in each dessert.
Sweets and Spirits also plans to offer brunch, with a menu including crepes and waffles with berry compote and rum caramel sauce.
Chef Kevin McKenna joins the team at South Pond Farms
Kevin McKenna is the new chef at South Pond Farms in Pontypool (photo: Agatha Rowland)
South Pond Farms (1020 Gray Rd, Pontypool, 705-277-1649), owned by Danielle French, is both a scenic farm and a popular wedding and event venue that hosts regular culinary events.
Recently Chef Kevin McKenna has been added to the South Pond Farms staff. Kevin has an impressive resume. His recent experience includes a three-year tenure as Executive Chef at Viamede Resort. He also is one of the Tres Hombres, a culinary team that stages innovative culinary events throughout the Kawarthas.
South Pond Farms was a good fit for him.
“My philosophy is to be as local as possible,” he says.
According to their website, South Pond Farms derives over 65 percent of all of its food for its menus from its own and neighbouring farms.
“My style is farm to table and South Pond Farms is not your standard restaurant or hotel. It’s exciting.”
Downstairs at the farm they have preserving and drying facilities.
“We have so many things going: Danielle’s farm flavours retail line, her spice blends, and her preserves. I’m really excited to be a part of it and to learn from Danielle and to help grow these lines.”
Lately, Kevin has been experimenting with brisket.
“We’ve been smoking brisket over cherry wood and I’ve been using Danielle’s Manvers Station spice blend. It’s a meat seasoning that she created herself and named it after the area of Manvers Station.”
Kevin added sumac, an ingredient which can be found growing along side roads and fields throughout the Kawarthas. Kevin says that it has a nice citrus flavour and a pretty colour.
VIDEO: Chef Kevin McKenna makes a South Pond Farms sandwich
Kevin originally left Viamede Resort to start a restaurant in downtown Peterborough, Hunter County Cuisine, but that project has been put on hold indefinitely. “It was not my time to open a restaurant.”
He was happy to find an opportunity locally with South Pond Farms.
“I have a strong connection and roots that I’m building and growing in Peterborough. I’m very proud and supportive of the town. I didn’t want to leave.”
You can find South Pond Farms online at www.southpondfarms.ca, where you can learn more about their upcoming culinary events.
Sophia’s Kitchen brings budget-friendly flavour to the corner of Parkhill and Water
Sophia’s Kitchen offers inexpensive and filling food. Owner Pat Nelson says that she loves to watch students leave happy and fed. (Photo: Eva Fisher)
Pat Nelson’s mission is to provide affordable food to students and the community. Her restaurant Sophia’s Kitchen (724 Water St., Peterborough, 705-741-1911) serves what she calls “fast casual” food from the corner of Parkhill and Water, previously the location of the Delta House and the Original Greek.
Pat says that her favourite part of running a restaurant is watching the students leave happy and fed.
“They have a sandwich or burger, they have fries and a beverage, they get change from $10, and I know these kids have eaten well. That makes me so happy because they’re somebody’s kids. They may not be my kids but they’re somebody’s kids and to function well at school they need affordable food.”
Pat previously owned a restaurant in Mississauga. Her mother Sophia would watch her two daughters while she worked into the early morning — her restaurant was open until 4 a.m. When her mother died in 2008 she had a tough choice to make.
“My kids had never been with a babysitter. I chose to sell the restaurant instead.”
But once her daughters got old enough to go to university she was ready to start again, so she bought her new location in Peterborough.
Sophia’s Kitchen is offering a new mini poutine for $3.50 (photo: Eva Fisher)
Sophia’s Kitchen offers souvlaki, steak sandwiches, burgers, salads and veggie burgers. They also sell old-fashioned milkshakes and floats, and plan to offer ice cream sundaes and desserts shortly.
The gyros on a pita with feta is their number one seller. They serve it with their homemade tzatziki, which Pat says is very popular.
“We make with two different yogurts and grated cucumber. We made four batches this past week. People in Peterborough absolutely love our tzatziki.”
Other popular items include the poutine and the onion rings.
“We have people coming here just for our onion rings. They look like huge huge doughnuts.”
Sophia’s Kitchen is open from Monday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can see the menu on their Facebook page.
The Food Forest is for sale (but isn’t closing)
Owners Katie Tuma and Adam Deck are planning to sell The Food Forest when they find the right buyer (photo: Jessieh Slezak)
Plant-based foodies take note: The Food Forest (135 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-1888) is for sale. After three years in the business, owners Katie Tuma and Adam Deck are looking to start their next chapter. The Food Forest will stay open until they find a buyer.
Katie and Adam started the business without much restaurant experience, but they knew that they had something important to add to the Peterborough restaurant scene: a delicious plant-based and gluten-free option.
“The more delicious the food, the more apt people are to choose that type of food. So that’s really important to us, because we’re obviously trying to steer people away from eating animal products and to care more about their health.”
Katie and Adam will continue to keep the restaurant open while they look for a buyer who shares their passion for plant-based gluten-free food (photo: Jessieh Slezak)
During their time at The Food Forest, Katie and Adam have been very successful. In April of 2015 they moved into a larger location in downtown Peterborough to accommodate the demand for their food.
“Jumping into this endeavour without any previous experience and seeing the success of it is super humbling. We’re very proud of that.”
They are also proud of their environmental awards. The Food Forest operates on a zero-waste model: with compostable takeout containers and entirely plant-based foods, everything can be composted.
Katie says that they are looking for a buyer who shares their ethics and ideals: “Someone who would keep it plant based. Someone who cares about the environment and cares about animals and people and nutrition. Someone who could be passionate about it and likes cooking, who likes all of the things our business stands for, and is looking for a challenge.”
Until they find that person they will continue to operate The Food Forest indefinitely.
“We’re not closing. We’re willing to stay open and run it, because we’re still enjoying it. It’s amazing. We just wanted to passively put it out there because we’d like to find the right person.”
The world's best-known fictional Chief Science Officer. The Government of Ontario is hiring its first Chief Science Officer and is seeking public feedback by March 27. (Photo: Paramount Pictures Corporation, CBS Studios Inc.)
The Government of Ontario plans to hire its first Chief Science Officer and is seeking public feedback.
“Everyone in Ontario can help decide the mandate of our province’s first Chief Science Officer,” says Reza Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science. “Not only is it important the search be open and transparent, but everyone should have a voice on how a Chief Science Officer would best serve the science community and Ontario.”
Last June, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that Ontario would establish an Office of the Chief Science Officer, a senior executive who would advise the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, as well as other areas of government, on research and science matters.
The Chief Science Officer would work with research communities — including in hospitals, universities, and research institutes — to champion high-quality science in government and education and to help the government make decisions on science-based policy issues.
The Chief Science Officer would also advise the government on how to support future research and innovation projects and would publicly promote Ontario as a hub for research across Canada and the world by attracting global research talent.
Before recruiting a person for the position, the government is consulting with the public and research partners to help determine the skills needed for the job.
The government is also looking for feedback on what the priorities for the Chief Science Officer should be, such as climate change, food safety, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, autonomous (self-driving) cars, and the use of blockchain technologies (such as Bitcoin).
You can provide your feedback by visiting ontario.ca/chiefscienceofficer and completing a feedback form or sending an email. The consultation deadline is Monday, March 27th.
The Ontario government will use the results from the public consultation to help during the candidate search and selection process, and expects to announce the Chief Science Officer in the spring of 2017.
The federal government is in the process of also hiring its own Chief Science Officer who will report to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science. That competition closed in February 2017.
Police are looking for this black pickup truck, captured on a security camera, that was involved in the theft of $60,000 worth of equipment from Tucker's Marine in Apsley
The Peterborough County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the theft of more than $60,000 of power sports equipment from a marina in Apsley last week.
On Friday, March 10th at around 10:30 a.m., OPP officers were called to investigate a theft from Tucker’s Marine on Highway 28 in Apsley.
Between 3:15 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. on Friday morning, two suspects were captured on security cameras moving trailers around the boat yard. The suspects stole the shop truck and hooked onto a side by side on a trailer. In this vehicle, thieves also loaded two outboard motors and a power washer.
A second suspect in another vehicle backed into the property and hooked onto an enclosed snowmobile trailer containing two snow machines.
The thieves stole the following items, valued at well over $60,000:
a grey 2008 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with an attached silver Snow Dog snow plow
a black 2016 Yamaha Wolverine 700 side by side
an open deck 2017 Advantage galvanized trailer
a black 2011 Yamaha Venture GT 900 snowmobile
a silver 2016 Yamaha Apex 1000 snowmobile
a black dual-axle 7×17 enclosed trailer
two outboard motors
a power washer.
Suspects in this black pickup truck were captured on security footage towing an enclosed black trailer, one of several items of equipment stolen from Tucker’s Marine in Apsley overnight on March 10
In addition to the pickup truck stolen from the marina, police are also looking for a black 2008 to 2013 Chevrolet/GMC four-door pickup truck involved in this incident, which may also be responsible for other thefts in the region.
If you have any information that may assist police in their investigation, call the Peterborough OPP at 705-742-0401, the non-emergency line at (888) 310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at www.stopcrimehere.ca or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
River and Fisher Stevenson are big supporters of PTBO Needs, a local group founded by Jennine Hadfield and Amy McLeish that collects donations for a different charity every month. The two brothers were inspired to get involved in January after they saw a person in downtown Peterborough asking for spare change and their mother Sherry told them about the PTBO Needs Facebook campaign for The Warming Room.
Two local businesswomen have teamed up for an initiative that’s having a big impact on charities throughout the Kawarthas. PTBO Needs connects with the community to collect donations for the local charities that need them the most.
Amy McLeish of County Home Inspection and Jennine Hadfield of Mortgage Intelligence get a lot of requests for charitable donations directed to their businesses. They wanted to help the community, but like most businesses they couldn’t afford to support every charity that came to their door.
That’s when they came up with an idea: they would advocate for a different charity every month, making it easier for everyone in the community to support local charities directly.
Jennine says that involving the community meant that their efforts could have more impact.
“You can do a donation every month, but it’s not going to be as significant as getting the community to work together.”
Jennine Hadfield of Mortgage Intelligence and Amy McLeish of County Home Inspection are the founders of PTBO Needs. Together, they advocate for a different charity each month.
Every month, PTBO Needs posts a list of items needed by a local charity. People can drop donations at one of three drop boxes:
Blushed Beauty Makeup & Aesthetics (464 George St N, Peterborough, 705-772-5987)
Euphoria Wellness Spa (290 Water St, Peterborough, 705-741-4772)
That’s A Wrap Catering (840 Armour Road, Peterborough, 705-768-7168)
If you want to make a donation but can’t access a drop box, you can contact PTBO Needs for a pickup.
Amy says that removing obstacles to charitable donation has brought forth incredible generosity from the community.
“It’s amazing how it took, how people grabbed hold of it and went for it. I think it’s because most people want to do something to help people, but you just assume it’s going to cost you a lot of money, or it’s going to take up a lot of time, or you can’t get to places to donate stuff.”
In their first month (December 2016), PTBO Needs supported YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. Amy says that she was surprised with the huge response. “It really amazed me the amount of stuff that came in.”
Jennine tried to take a photo of all of the donations they collected. “We put it all on my staircase and tried to take a picture. We couldn’t fit it all in.”
In January PTBO Needs dropped off all these items, donated by members of the community, at The Warming Room
For their campaign for The Warming Room in January, they requested food, bedding and cleaning supplies. They collected enough fleece blankets to cover every cot in the Warming Room. Amy remembers one particularly generous donation.
“A lady contacted me to say that she had a couple of things for the warming room. I drove up to her house to go and get them and her husband told me ‘you’ll have to reverse your car up.’ They opened their minivan and it was just full: 36 juice packs, bleach, all of this stuff. It was so lovely.”
Last month they collected donations for the Peterborough Humane Society, including old blankets and towels, pet food, and treats.
In March 2017, PTBO Needs is collecting donations for YES Shelter for Youth and Families. If you are able to donate any of the items needed, you can drop them off at one of PTBO Needs’ three drop-box locations, or contact them to arrange for pickup.
This month, PTBO Needs is supporting YES Shelter for Youth and Families. Recently they posted a request for suitcases and Amy was surprised by the flood of responses.
“I thought people probably wouldn’t bother with that one, but now everybody seems to have suitcases!”
Switching charities each month allows Jennine and Amy to reach out to a variety of causes. In April, they will be supporting cancer charities — including Cuddles for Cancer — to coincide with the Canadian Cancer society’s fundraising month.
In May, they are working with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. They also have plans to assist the Brock Mission and the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
Amy and Jennine both make monthly donations with their families. They have had a great response not only from their own children, but from other youth in the community.
Fisher and River Stevenson, aged 7 and 9, also donate monthly. They became involved when PTBO Needs was advocating for The Warming Room. According to their mom, Sherry Stevenson, an experience downtown inspired them to get involved.
“In January, we were driving downtown and passed a man sitting on the curb asking for money. We were right beside him at a red light and I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Fisher looking at him. I told him not to stare or say anything.
“So he waited and when the light turned green and we left he asked me why the man was there. I explained that he was probably homeless, and he was asking for money. Fisher immediately asked why I hadn’t given him anything and stated ‘maybe his mother has died and that’s why he’s homeless’. He mentioned it a few times that evening.”
Some of the items donated to PTBO Needs in February for the Peterborough Humane Society
That evening Sherry saw PTBO Needs’ Warming Room campaign on Facebook and showed the boys, suggesting that the man they had seen might use The Warming Room’s services. Sherry thought PTBO Needs was a great way to get her sons more involved in charity.
“My boys have a comfortable life. We aren’t rich, but they have beds and clothing and Pokémon toys, and eat McDonald’s more often than they should. I just think they need to realize that there are so many people needing help for different reasons. It seemed like time to do more.”
Jennine says that at this point they are looking to get more of the community involved. “Our major goal is to get the word out there.”
She appeals to local businesses to consider donating. “It’s a way to help the community and get good exposure for your business.”
Amy stresses that any donation, no matter how small, will have an impact.
“You don’t have to bring a great big ton of stuff. Just bring one thing and that one thing, with everyone else’s one thing, could be huge.”
The interior of the new P.J.'s Diner location in the Brookdale Plaza on Chemong Road
P.J.’s Diner
P.J.’s Diner is opening this Wednesday (March 15) in the Brookdale Plaza on Chemong Road.
P.J.’s is already an established name in Peterborough, with two other locations on Sherbooke Street and Highway 7 East. Owner Paul McDonald has completely gutted the space, located in the former Starlight Dining location, finishing it in the chain’s trademark black-and-white checkerboard style.
PJ’s is a traditional ’50s-style diner, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stop in or visit them on Facebook.
Great Drone Videos from Inspirtainment
An exterior aerial drone tour of a secluded New Brunswick century-old farmhouse from Great Drone Videos by Inspirtainment
Inspirtainment is an award-winning graphic design, video, and indie publishing company owned by Mary Giuffre and Paul Clark. They’ve just launched a new division called Great Drone Videos, offering high-definition aerial videography and photography using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Paul is UAV-certified by Transport Canada, and both Paul and Mary bring extensive broadcast TV and advertising background to their new division.
Skyhands American Sign Language Services is now offering classes in Peterborough through Jennifer Endicott
Jennifer Endicott, owner of Skyhands Peterborough, is helping people learn American Sign Language (ASL). The third most-studied language, Canada just officially made ASL a recognized language.
Jennifer provides group classes, up to 20 students, or individual classes, providing a full-immersion opportunity for people who are eager to learn, or have family members who are deaf or mute.
Find out more about the Peterborough Chamber’s 11-day trip to China on March 14
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is doing its annual trip to China.
It’s an opportunity for you to see some of the leading cities in China, witness their centuries old customs and their rapidly growing economy, as well as attractions such as Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors.
It’s an 11-day trip, from October 11 to 21, for just $2,599. Merit Travel is hosting a one-hour information night tomorrow night (March 14) at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce on George Street. Contact Merit Travel Peterborough for details at 705-743-1635.
Magician Spidey, who performs at the Market Hall in Peterborough on March 25, has even impressed famous magicians Penn & Teller with his mentalism tricks
Three years ago, the magician and mentalist known as Spidey was standing on a sound stage in Las Vegas. The occasion was Episode 10 of the first season of the acclaimed reality series Wizard Wars.
Market Hall presents Spidey: Make Believe – Magic Of Your Mind
When: Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $25 ($20 students) general admission, $30 assigned table seating
Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org. Tickets also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Spidey and his partner had just killed it in an involved demonstration of mentalism in front of a studio audience and two audience members in particular: the famed magician duo of Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller, better known as Penn & Teller.
The audience was on their feet, cheering. But the true highlight for Spidey was when Teller — who never speaks when he performs — leapt to his feet in the front row, looked directly at Spidey, and repeatedly said “Bravo!”
“It was one of the most iconic moments of my career,” Spidey says from his home in Montreal. “That was huge for me.”
Since then Spidey has appeared on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us! television series, and they keep in touch.
In the meantime, Spidey keeps busy in his 10th year as a professional, touring the world wowing friendly audiences and skeptics alike with his unique feats of mentalism. He brings his show to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, March 25th.
VIDEO: “Make Believe – Magic of your Mind” – Spidey
“Mentalism is magic of the mind,” he says, referencing the title of his critically acclaimed one-man show, “Make Believe: Magic of Your Mind.”
Then again, there are more performers besides him: members of the audience who are recruited to be part of the show.
“I’ll ask them to focus on a happy memory, without sharing it,” Spiday says, after which “I start revealing details of where they were and who they were with” — even going so far as to pull out a specific object from the audience member’s innermost thoughts.
This is something you may have seen before, but perhaps not with the kind of “wow” factor that Spidey has been known to illicit from audiences the world over (he’s been on America’s Got Talent, to name just one of dozens of media appearances).
But here’s something that may come as a surprise: it’s not a gift or some kind of innate ability.
“It’s technique,” says the university graduate, who holds a degree in Social Psychology from Concordia University. “It’s something you learn and develop, akin to learning to play a music instrument.”
He started with card tricks while in high school and he keeps up his chops with sleight-of hand, more as a hobby now than anything. But an increasing fascination with the mental aspect of magic took him down a different path that is best illustrated by the inner workings of what appears, on the surface, to be a simple card trick.
“Sometimes you need someone to pick a certain card,” he reveals, “so you have to guide them to pick the card you need them to pick.”
Aha! But as to how he does that, he isn’t saying.
VIDEO: Joel Meyers & Spidey on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us!
What he will tell you is that his technique is sufficiently refined to make a believer out of Penn, who is not generally fond of mentalists.
“Penn is on record for not liking mentalists,” Spidey explains, “because they typically say that they’re (actually) reading your mind, or your aura, or they’re psychic — and Penn really hates false claims like that. He likes magicians who say what it is: it’s a trick, it’s technique.”
And Spidey tells in like it is, so Penn is a fan. Spidey paraphrases what the imposing Penn said about his act at the end of that Wizard Wars show in 2014:
“Mentalism is very hard to do. Mentalism, as an art form, sucks. But I’ll tell you, if this is where mentalism is headed, THAT is amazing!”
Spidey’s stage name, by the way, comes from his days as a camp counselor while a high school student in Montreal. The Spiderman movie was coming out in theatres and Spidey is a fan of comic books, so he picked that as a camp name for his young charges. The name stuck.
At his show at the Market Hall, Spidey promises to amaze as well as entertain.
“There are things that happen in my show that people would describe as supernatural,” he says, adding that he will also briefly address an interest he has, which is the study of séance — and he will demonstrate something along those lines.
“I describe my show as an emotional rollercoaster. There are very intense moments, extremely happy moments, really funny moments, and deeply emotional moments.
The popular Legendary Icons Series returns to the Nexicom Studio in June with "Carol Burnett: This Time Together", which tells the story of Carol Burnett through story and songs performed by local musicians
This spring, Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough continues to present an eclectic range of shows in its 20th year.
There’s alt-rock, Celtic music for the entire family, iconic Canadian folk, classic ’60s rock, tributes to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Carol Burnett, and more.
Here’s a selection of upcoming shows this spring at Showplace:
The Piano Men starring Jim Witter on Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.
Jim Witter in The Piano Men
The Piano Men is a critically acclaimed musical show that takes you on a time machine through the 1970s.
While pianist Jim Witter and his band play the classic hits of Billy Joel and Elton John — year by year and hit by hit — the era’s news headlines, people, fashion, cars, TV, movies, and pop culture memorabilia are displayed on a giant screen behind the performers.
VIDEO: The Piano Men starring Jim Witter
In this fundraiser for Showplace, you’ll hear tunes such as “My Life”, “Candle in the Wind”, “Rocket Man”, “Just the Way You Are”, and many more. Jim’s personal memories and easy-going on-stage presence add to a remarkable evening of nostalgia.
Tickets are $45, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Matthew Good on Tuesday, March 14th at 8 p.m.
Matthew Good
Canadian rock musician Matthew Good comes to Showplace to celebrate the release of his new EP, I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.
Matthew was the lead singer of the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada’s most successful alt-rock bands of the 1990s (they broke up in 2002). In 1999, the band released Beautiful Midnight, their most commercially successful album. It sold over 300,000 units in Canada alone and won the 2000 Juno Award for Best Rock Album.
VIDEO: “Suburbia” – Matthew Good
In the years since, Matthew has pursued a successful solo career and established himself as a political and mental health activist. Recently, he recorded new versions of selected songs from Beautiful Midnight and has released them as an EP. On his current tour, he’ll be performing Beautiful Midnight in its entirety.
Tickets are $49.50, available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
As an added bonus, when you buy a ticket, you’ll receive an email with a code to download a digital copy of I Miss New Wave: Beautiful Midnight Revisited.
Next Generation Leahy on Sunday, March 19 at 3 p.m.
Next Generation Leahy
Most people have heard of Leahy, Lakefield’s famous Irish-Canadian musical family who have been recording and touring since the 1980s (originally The Leahy Family, they rebranded as Leahy in the late 1990s and subsequently won two Junos, for Best New Group and Best Instrumental Artist, in 1998).
Next Generation Leahy is, as the name implies, the next generation of the musical family. One of the original members of Leahy, Doug Leahy, together with his wife Jennifer and six of their eight children, are keeping the family’s musical traditions alive through music, song, and dance.
VIDEO: Next Generation Leahy at the 2016 Mariposa Folk Festival
In a Next Generation Leahy show, fiddle, cello, french accordion, piano, singing and (of course) French-Canadian step-dancing all find a place on stage. With their parents leading the action on stage, the children — ranging in age from 5 to 13 — bring to life the high-energy and infectious Celtic music people associate with the Leahy heritage.
The Leahy children are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists with a level of musical mastery rarely seen in a group so young, and they have the remarkable ability to enamour audiences of all ages — making this the perfect show for the entire family.
Tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors, and $30 for students. You can get them at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Danny Bronson presents The Essential Lightfoot on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m.
Danny Bronson performs the music of Gordon Lightfoot
Peterborough’s own Danny Bronson has been a professional musician and entertainer for over 39 years. A regular with The Citiots Improv troupe, as a musician he’s performed with the likes of Colleen Peterson and Sylvia Tyson — not to mention his work as an actor, musical director, jingle writer, studio musician, teacher, and much more.
On Friday, April 7th, Bronson will be celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary with a concert of tunes from Gordon Lightfoot, one of our country’s best-loved folk singer-songwriters.
Along with Bill Crane, Barry Haggarty, John Roynon, and Alison Porter, Bronson will perform the classic songs of Lightfoot that have helped define our Canadian identity, including “If You Could Read My Mind”, “Sundown”, “Rainy Day People”, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, and many more.
Tickets are $28 and are available at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Classic Albums Live: The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Are You Experienced on Saturday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, and Noel Redding) released “Are You Experienced” in 1967
On Saturday, April 8th, the popular series Classic Albums Live returns to Peterborough with a note-for-note re-creation of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s seminal album Are You Experienced.
Are You Experienced was the debut studio album by the English-American rock band led by electric guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Released in 1967, the record was an immediate critical and commercial success. Music critics widely regard it as one of the greatest debut albums in the history of rock and roll.
Guitarist Clifton David Broadbridge is considered one of the best performers of Jimi Hendrix’s music
The professional musicians of Classic Albums Live will perform the entire record live on stage, cut for cut and note for note. Guitarist Clifton David Broadbridge has worked extensively to perfect the electric feedback and distortion technique emblematic of Hendrix’s playing.
You will hear some of Hendrix’s best-known tunes, including “Manic Depression”, “Hey Joe”, “The Wind Cries Mary”, “Fire”, “Foxy Lady” and, of course, the iconic “Purple Haze”.
VIDEO: Clifton David Broadbridge plays Jimi Hendrix
Tickets are $35.50 and can be purchased at the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
“Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” on Monday, June 12 at 2 p.m.
Hear the songs by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber performed by local musicians while Beth McMaster presents the story of his career
The Legendary Icons Series is back for 2017 with a restaging of “Broadway Bound with Andrew Lloyd Webber” in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 12th.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the most prolific musical theatre icons of all time, and Peterborough’s Beth McMaster will take you on a musical journey through many of his accomplishments and music. Beth will tell the story of the young British upstart who crossed the pond to take Broadway by storm and establish record breaking runs with his hit shows, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats and more.
Local performers Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more will sing the songs of the legendary composer, including favourites such as “Memory” from Cats, “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita. The show will also feature selections from Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and other shows.
The music will be intertwined with the history of the times and the songwriters who influenced Andrew Lloyd Webber’s story, supported with images selected by Stuart McMaster.
This show sold out quickly in 2016, so don’t wait to get your tickets. Tickets are $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
“Carol Burnett: This Time Together” on Tuesday, June 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Carol Burnett, Lyle Waggoner, and Vicki Lawrence from The Carol Burnett Show (photo Tony Esparza / CBS)
The Legendary Icons Series continues the very next day with “Carol Burnett: This Time Together”, with performances in the Nexicom Studio at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13th.
In this new show, Beth McMaster tells the remarkable story of Carol Burnett, the American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, whose career spans six decades of television.
Burnett is best known for her variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which premiered in 1967 and ran for 11 seasons. The show, which won 25 primetime Emmy Awards, featured performances by regulars Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, Tim Conway, and Dick Van Dyke.
With images selected by Stuart McMaster, Beth will lead you on Burnett’s journey from her childhood home in Hollywood, through the magic and memories of her fabulous variety show, to her continued popularity today. Burnett’s best-loved songs will be performed by Kate Suhr, Bob Trennum, Wayne Robinson, Gillian and Paul Wilson, and more.
You’ll hear “The Impossible Dream”, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”, “Send in the Clowns”, “The Way We Were” and many more songs intertwined with the history of the times and the people who influenced Carol’s amazing career.
Tickets are only $20, and are available from the box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone 705-742-7469, or online.
Other upcoming shows this spring at Showplace
Jason Petty sings the songs of Hank Williams at Showplace on April 4
If you’re looking for something different at Showplace, there are a lot more performances happening this spring. Here are links to buy tickets to other upcoming shows at Showplace:
Foley’s Irish Pub: Part 2 in the Nexicom Studio on Sunday, March 12th at 3 p.m. (sold out)
If you run across one of these rocks in Peterborough, painted by St. John Catholic Elementary School students, make a donation to Habitat to Humanity and pass the rock to someone else
Young students at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough have started a project to help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity thr
Led by their teacher Kim Meekin, the Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students have been busy painting more than 150 rocks with bright, smiling sunshine images, after being inspired to perform a ‘random act of kindness’ as part of the religion class.
“After coming up with different random acts of kindness within our classroom, we were inspired to extend this to our community and beyond”, Mrs. Meekin explains. “Everyone in the class agreed that having a place to live was very important. This is why we chose to support Habitat for Humanity as the organization helps local families who are in need of decent and affordable housing.”
During March Break, students will be placing the rocks around the community at various locations, including churches, arenas, parks, and other public venues. Students hope to continue running the project until the end of the school year.
The purpose of the Spread the Sunshine project is to encourage people to donate to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that brings volunteers and community partners together to build affordable housing and promote home ownership as a way to break the cycle of poverty.
Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, led by teacher Kim Meekin, have painted more than 150 rocks for their Spread the Sunshine project
Small rocks will serve to create interest and stir curiosity, while larger rocks will include special instructions to go to the Spread the Sunshine Project website at spread-the-sunshine-project.weebly.com and make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
The donor is then encouraged to pass the rock along to someone else to increase awareness and to inspire an act of kindness in someone new. The goal of Spread the Sunshine is to see how far the rocks and go and how much money can be raised for Habitat for Humanity.
Proceeds from Spread the Sunshine will go towards Habitat for Humanity’s 2017 build projects, including the construction of a single detached home in Peterborough this spring.
“The students are excited to see how far the rocks will travel and how much money we can raise,” Mrs. Meekin says.
To learn more about the Spread the Sunshine project, visit spread-the-sunshine-project.weebly.com, which includes a direct link to make a donation to Habitat for Humanity.
Donors can leave the message “spread the sunshine project” and include the location where the rock was found, which will help Mrs. Meekin’s students track the progress of the rocks.
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