Peterborough police have charged three people with drugs and weapons offences after seizing two loaded handguns, 177 grams of fentanyl, 55 grams of cocaine, 122 Dilaudid pills (hydromorphone), and over $3,000 in Canadian currency during a search of a Peterborough residence on August 9, 2024. (Police-supplied photo)
Three men, including a teenager, are facing multiple drugs and weapons charges after Peterborough police executed a search warrant on Friday (August 9).
None of the men are residents of Peterborough.
On Friday, officers with the drug unit and the emergency response team executed a search warrant at a home in the McDonnel Street and Rubidge Street area. During the search, officers seized two loaded handguns, 177 grams of fentanyl, 55 grams of cocaine, 122 Dilaudid pills (hydromorphone), and over $3,000 in Canadian currency.
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As a result of the investigation, police arrested a 23-year-old Pickering man, a 27-year-old Chatham-Kent man, and a 17-year-old Brampton man.
Each of the accused men was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking of a Schedule I substance – opioid (fentanyl), possession for the purpose of trafficking of a Schedule I substance – opioid (dilaudid), possession for the purpose of trafficking of of a Schedule I substance – cocaine, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.
All three men were held in custody and appeared in court on Saturday.
Retiring Kawartha Lakes police chief Mark Mitchell, Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie, and new Kawartha Lakes police chief Kirk Robertson at a formal change of command and swearing-in ceremony in Lindsay on August 9, 2024. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)
Kirk Robertson has been sworn in as the new chief of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, officially taking over the reins from former chief Mark Mitchell, who has retired after a 38-year career in law enforcement including six years as chief.
The police service and the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Services Board hosted a change of command and swearing-in ceremony at Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay on Friday (August 9).
In April, the police services board announced that Robertson — a Lindsay native who has been a member of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service for 22 years and has a total of 27 years of policing service — had been selected as the next chief of police after a nationwide search.
Robertson served in uniform patrol, criminal investigations, and the institutional investigation unit, and was promoted to the rank of inspector in 2019. He began in his new role as chief on May 18.
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Friday’s event was also an opportunity to recognize former chief Mark Mitchell, who began his law enforcement career in Pickering before joining the Lindsay police service in 1990. He was named chief in 2018 after serving 10 years as an inspector with the service.
“We are gathered together today to witness a change in command that is filled with excitement and anticipation as well as a touch of sadness,” said Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie at Friday’s event.
“Today we send our heartfelt thanks to Chief Mark Mitchell. He has served our city well, with courage, integrity, and a sincere devotion to our residents’ safety and well-being. Our communities have benefited greatly from his support and leadership and while we will miss his steady presence, we wish him well in his retirement.”
Elmslie also welcomed the new chief, who he said “is assuming a role that is both challenging and rewarding.”
“It is an honour to see him take the helm and carry on the duties so well-attended to by Chief Mitchell,” Elmslie said. “I have every confidence that Kirk will succeed and continue to make our police services and the city proud.”
Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman of Choir! Choir! Choir! leading the audience at Toronto's Massey Hall. The pair will be at Peterborough Musicfest in Del Crary Park on August 14, 2024 for an epic sing-along of some of the biggest hits of the 1980s. (Photo: Joseph Fuda)
There remains something special about sharing a live musical experience with strangers, be it in a pub, an arena or stadium, or an outdoor venue. For the duration, a rarity of sorts occurs in that all there are on the same page, with differences put on hold and social standing neither here nor there.
Imagine, however, if that shared music experience was wholly reliant on the audience’s participation, transcending the passive with emphasis on the interactive.
When:Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8 p.m. Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: Free admission
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent). VIP seating available for sponsors. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighbourhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.
In February 2011, Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (aka Dabu) — the latter a multi-credited Canadian television actor and writer — imagined just that, bringing people together twice weekly at Toronto’s Clinton Tavern to sing popular songs as a group. Since that humble beginning, Choir! Choir! Choir! has headlined at venues, large and small, around the world.
On Wednesday (August 14) at 8 p.m., Goldman and Adilman will bring Choir! Choir! Choir! to Del Crary Park for a free-admission concert, leading the Peterborough Musicfest audience in what’s billed as an Epic ’80s Sing-Along.
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There is no such thing as a bad singing voice at a Choir! Choir! Choir! session, as there’s a part for everyone. Those who want in on the choral fun receive lyric sheets, with Goldman and Adilman leading a rehearsal of the various harmonies and then, with Goldman on guitar and Adilman conducting, the rehearsed song is performed en masse. The effect is nothing short of uplifting, and the sense of achievement overpowering.
As Goldman and Adilman put it a February 2023 interview with Greg Stewart of Theatre Weekly, “Choir! Choir! Choir! is a party where singing is the excuse to hang out in a room full of strangers and connect.”
“You’re going to laugh, you’re going to dance, you’re going to find yourself sharing intimate details of your life, you’re going to meet people you would never have (met) before, and yes, you’re also going to sing harmonies to some of the greatest songs of all time,” Goldman and Adilman said.
VIDEO: “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey – Choir! Choir! Choir!
For the Musicfest gathering, the pair have handpicked some of the most popular hits of the 1980s, pledging to have Del Crary Park harmonizing in no time with songs like Toto’s “Africa,” Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon,” and more.
“Though it’s all about singing, you don’t need a perfect voice,” they told Theatre Weekly. “We’ll teach you everything you need to know at the show. You can be super young, super old, an extrovert, an introvert, a complete cynic … whoever you are, by the end of this you’ll be buzzing. Honestly, it’s almost embarrassing how joyful you’ll feel. But you’ll take that vibe with you into your week and you won’t be able to stop singing.”
“Every single person there is the show. The biggest hurdle for us is to light that match and everyone on board so they’ll naturally give all their energy: sing at full volume, yell at us, share, lose their minds.”
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The seeds of what became Choir! Choir! Choir! were planted in 2008 when Goldman and Adilman, with their friend Amanda Burt, got a small choir together to sing at a birthday party for a mutual friend, Canadian music and actor Matt Murphy.
In a March 2019 interview with Bailey Richardson of People & Company, Adilman said that, two years later, they asked via Facebook if anyone wanted to sing as a choir. Based on the response, they prepared some simple arrangements for The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man” and Pilot’s “Just A Smile.”
“We thought maybe some friends would show up and we’d just have a couple of beers. It was kind of extraordinary what happened. People we didn’t even know showed up.”
VIDEO: “Shout” by Tears for Fears – Choir! Choir! Choir!
That gathering was at a friend’s real estate office in February 2011.
“I got a phone call from Eye Weekly saying ‘We want to take a photo of what you guys are doing.’ I told that to Daveed and he’s like ‘We don’t even know what we’re doing. What are they coming for?’ But it was indicative of what was to follow because, at the end of the night, people were so happy. They were so into what we did, which was very little, but they loved it and they wanted us to do it again the next day.”
By 2016, Choir! Choir! Choir! was centre stage at bigger venues. A performance of Prince’s “When Doves Cry” drew close to 2,000 participants to Massey Hall. Another at Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square saw Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” performed at a memorial vigil following the Orlando nightclub shooting. And, in 2017, again outside Toronto City Hall, a tribute to the late Gord Downie saw several Tragically Hip songs performed.
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There is also a philanthropic side to Choir! Choir! Choir! In 2016, the Choir! Choir! Choir! Foundation was founded. That same year, its 25 Days of Charity! Charity! Charity! Campaign raised $50,000 for various local, national, and international causes.
Travelling the globe since to create harmony with strangers and friends alike, Choir! Choir Choir! has been joined by some very big pop music names, including Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, Sarah Harmer and, at New York City’s Lincoln Centre, Kermit the Frog.
“The thing about singing is it happens naturally, just like dancing happens naturally,” Adilman told Richardson. “You just start dancing with people and you feel a certain rhythm at different points. It kind of locks in step and the whole room is dancing to literally the same beat. You lock into it and it feels really, really good.”
VIDEO: “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club – Choir! Choir! Choir!
“It’s great when you can have those moments without having to explain anything to anybody,” Adilman added. “The over-intellectualization of feelings is the death of that feeling, so it’s nice when everyone feels it, but you don’t have to say it.”
“It doesn’t matter how tired we are, when we get on stage and we have such an incredible venue to perform with people who are so supportive and amazing and appreciate us so much, we appreciate them back just as fiercely. It’s a positive loop that just keeps on giving. It’s total euphoria.”
Asked by Theatre Weekly what the highlight of the Choir! Choir! Choir! experience is for them, Goldman and Adilman noted there are several, but narrowed it down to one.
“It’s the greatest when everyone has their parts down; huge smiles on their faces, dancing around and filling the room with harmonies. That’s when we know they’ve caught the Choir! Choir! Choir! bug that bit us.”
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Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 37th season, each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights until August 17th.
Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert or the 2024 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2024 season.
Hayley Hodges, client and family engagement lead at Five Counties Children's Centre, displays a poster for "Ready for School 101" sessions the children's treatment centre is hosting in August for children with disabilities or exceptionalities who are heading to school for the first time and their families. The sessions take place at Five Counties sites in Peterborough (Aug. 20), Cobourg (Aug. 21) and Lindsay (Aug. 22). (Photo: Five Counties)
Starting school for the first time can be especially daunting for children with special needs, and Five Counties Children’s Centre is hoping “to help reduce that anxiety.”
The children’s treatment centre, which serves kids and caregivers in the Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Hastings counties, is hosting three upcoming sessions that target preparedness for class.
Five Counties is hosting “Ready for School 101” family info fairs at its sites in Peterborough on August 20, in Cobourg on August 21, and in Lindsay on August 22.
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The goal of the sessions is to ease the transition to school for kids starting junior kindergarten, senior kindergarten, and Grade 1 — “making it less worrisome for families whose children may face greater challenges due to physical, developmental or communication needs,” Five Counties noted in a media release.
“Any time a child starts school is a big deal for families, but it can be even more nerve-wracking for parents and caregivers whose child has a disability or exceptionality,” said Hayley Hodges, client and family engagement lead at Five Counties, who is organizing the sessions. “We want to help reduce that anxiety for kids and parents by inviting families to attend our ready for school events.”
Each of the ready for school sessions run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The sessions are free for families, but advance registration is required. Child care will be available.
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Five Counties said attendees will be able to:
Gain knowledge and experience about going to school for the first time
Hear from other parents whose kids with disabilities or exceptionalities have successfully made the transition to school
Ask questions of Five Counties clinicians and other professionals who support students
Learn how to advocate for their child, while learning about school-based resources to support them
Get on board a school bus to see what the ride entails
Receive snack and welcome packages, including tools, toys, and tips
Access resources, including the “6Fs” of child development “that can help introduce a child with unique needs to their new school setting.”
As defined by McMaster University’s CanChild research centre, the 6Fs are six “F-words” (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future) that are grounded in the World Health Organization’s international classification of functioning, disability, and health framework. The F-words focus on six key areas of child development. Learn more on the CanChild website.
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The ready for school sessions organized by Five Counties are not meant to duplicate other school-preparation events, Hodges noted, but to provide additional support for children with special needs and their families.
“Our focus at Five Counties is to help kids and youth with disabilities and exceptionalities build their abilities for life,” she said. “One of the biggest life-changing events a child goes through is starting school, so it makes sense for Five Counties to be there for families who may need extra help and reassurance at this time. We hope families will see value in this and join us.”
Five Counties is a regional organization serving children with special needs. Centre staff works with kids and youth to support their communication, physical needs, developmental needs, and more. For more information and to register for a free ready for school session, visit fivecounties.on.ca/mt-event/ready-for-school/.
The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with the Peterborough Field Naturalists for an afternoon of learning and listening at the orchestra's first-ever Musical Nature Walk. On September 14, 2024, field naturalists will take guests on short walks through Buckhorn's Tecasy Ranch to learn about the area's flora and fauna while stopping for intermittent short performances from orchestra musicians. (Photo: Tecasy Ranch)
The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra might be taking a rest before the start of the 2024-25 season, but that doesn’t mean its musicians are taking a break from sharing their passion with those who will listen — and for their next outreach this fall, they’re bringing it outside.
With a stunning classical music backdrop and a trail walk along secluded woodland acres, the non-profit organization’s Musical Nature Walk will have you feeling like you’ve stepping into a National Geographic program.
On Saturday, September 14th from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the orchestra is joining forces with the Peterborough Field Naturalists for an afternoon of exploring, learning, and listening at Tecasy Ranch, just 40 minutes outside Peterborough between Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls.
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Encouraged to carpool, guests will meet at the 550-acre private property, where they will be divided into smaller groups of eight to 10 people. Led by a knowledgeable field naturalist, groups will learn about the flora and fauna that surrounds them while walking to four different stops and hearing performances from selected musicians with the orchestra.
“Nature is obviously a huge inspiration for art of any form,” says Peterborough Symphony Orchestra general manager Christie Goodwin. “As a musician, you’re aware that you’re playing music that’s been inspired by nature — birdsong, ocean events, or, for example, a great storm in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. Nature is always being imitated and represented in art and music.”
Performing on the main stage pavilion in intervals throughout the day will be principal oboist Tori Owen, violinist Laurie Mitchell, and cellist Andrew Randall. Guests can watch a performance prior to beginning the walk or take a break by getting the snacks and refreshments that will be for sale in the area.
“The main stage group will just play on and off throughout the afternoon, so there is always something to be heard — besides birds of course,” Goodwin says.
The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s principal flautist Jaye Marsh (bottom left) and principal oboist Tori Owen (bottom right) are two of the musicians who will be participating in the Musical Nature Walk on September 14, 2024. Owen along with violinist Laurie Mitchell and cellist Andrew Randall will perform on the main stage pavilion in intervals throughout the day. Marsh and concertmaster (lead violinist) Jennifer Burford are one of four ensemble duos who will perform along the trail. (Photo: Huw Morgan)
While much of the trail at Tecasy Ranch is marked as green (“easy difficulty”) for casual hikers, a small optional section of the Musical Nature Walk will cover a blue (“medium difficulty”) trail. Terrain is uneven with rocks and roots, and hikers typically needing hiking poles or other equipment are encouraged to bring them. The terrain also means the event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices.
After walking no more than 10 minutes at a time, where they can learn from and ask questions to the field naturalists, groups will stop for brief ensemble performances in the middle of the trails.
Concertmaster (lead violinist) Jennifer Burford and principal flautist Jaye Marsh will be one such duo performing together, and Goodwin notes their repertoire covers anything from Baroque to more modern compositions or even familiar show tunes.
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“We’ve left the musical choices up to the individual groups, so we’re going to get a huge variety,” explains Goodwin, noting that there will be wide range of participating musicians. “It’ll be a different combination of instruments and sounds at every stop.”
Goodwin is hopeful that combining music and nature will not only make both more accessible to new audiences — nature lovers who are new to symphony orchestras and vice versa — but that it will also work towards her mission of engaging music lovers beyond the City of Peterborough.
“It’s outside of Peterborough and that’s exciting because our outreach with the symphony shouldn’t always be in town,” she says. “Hopefully holding it in the fall means milder weather and fewer bugs too.”
Dogs are not allowed on the Musical Nature Walk. A rain date is set for the following day (Sunday, September 15th).
Tecasy Ranch is a 550-acre forested private property situated north of Peterborough between Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls. Trails on the property will be the site of the Musical Nature Walk held by the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and Peterborough Field Naturalists on September 14, 2024. (Photos: Tecasy Ranch
Tickets for the Music Nature Walk cost $45 and can be purchased online at www.thepso.org/musical-nature-walk-2024 or by calling 705-742-1992. Guests wanting to be grouped with friends are encouraged to email requests to marketing@thepso.org.
For more information about the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, including the orchestra’s 2024-25 season of five concerts, visit thepso.org.
For more information about the Peterborough Field Naturalists and other upcoming nature events, visit peterboroughnature.org.
Regional health units regularly test the quality of water at beaches in the Kawarthas region during the summer months. (Photo: Peterborough Public Health)
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
As of Wednesday, August 14, the following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton Township
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
As of 2024, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for only five designated public beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County. It no longer regularly samples another 13 beaches due to historically low occurrence of high bacteria levels.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Beavermead Park (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Rogers Cove (131 Maria Street, Peterborough) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Note: Blue-green algae has been sighted at Rogers Cove numerous times over the past few weeks. If blue-green algae is visible when you visit the beach, do not enter the water.
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)
Buckhorn Beach (12 John Street, Buckhorn, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Road, Trent Lakes) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Douro North Park (251 Douro Second Line, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 12 August – SAFE
Ennismore Waterfront Park (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Henry’s Gumming (150 Chemong Street S, Curve Lake) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Hiawatha Park (1 Lakeshore Road, Hiawatha) – sample date 12 August – SAFE
Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 8 August – SAFE
Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 12 August – SAFE
Lime Kiln Park (150 Whetung Street E, Curve Lake) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Sandy Beach (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 13 August – SAFE
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 8 August – SAFE
Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Road, South Monaghan) – sample date 12 August – SAFE
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (289 Caves Road, Warsaw, Township of Douro-Dummer) – sample date 29 July – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)
Belmont Lake Beach (376 Mile of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 6 August – SAFE
Chandos Beach (2800 County Road/Highway 620, North Kawartha) – sample date 18 July – SAFE
Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Havelock) – sample date 25 July – SAFE
Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview) – sample date 25 July – SAFE
White’s Beach (26 Clearview Drive, Trent Lakes) – sample date 22 July – SAFE
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City of Kawartha Lakes
Results updated August 14.
Riverview Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – UNSAFE
Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – SAFE
Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – SAFE
Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Burnt River Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Centennial Park West – Eldon – SAFE
Centennial Beach – Verulam – SAFE
Centennial Verulam Parkette – SAFE
Four Mile Lake Beach – Somerville – SAFE
Head Lake Beach – Laxton – SAFE
Lions Park – Coboconk – SAFE
Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – SAFE
Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – SAFE
Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – SAFE
Valentia/ Sandbar Beach – Valentia – SAFE
Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – SAFE
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Haliburton County
Results updated August 14.
Bissett Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Dorset Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Eagle Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – SAFE
Foresters Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Glamour Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Gooderham Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Paudash Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Pine Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden Hills – SAFE
Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills – SAFE
Sandy Cove Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Sandy Point Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Slipper Beach – Dysart et al – SAFE
Twelve Mile Lake Beach – Minden Hills – SAFE
Wilbermere Lake Beach – Highlands East – SAFE
Northumberland County
Results updated August 14.
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton Township – UNSAFE
Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – SAFE
Cobourg Victoria Park Beach – Northumberland – SAFE
Julie Grant, whose three-year-old son Jude has cerebral palsy and developmental delays, has partnered with the Ennismore Optimist Club to bring the first inclusive playground to Selwyn Township. (Photo: Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project)
Julie Grant is hoping to bring the first inclusive playground — with rubber surfaces to accommodate kids’ mobility devices and a musical feature ideal for seniors — to Selwyn Township.
Grant, whose three-year-old son Jude has cerebral palsy and developmental delays, has partnered with the Ennismore Optimist Club to form the Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project committee.
The committee is hosting its first promotional event on Friday (August 9) in Ennismore, in partnership with United Way Peterborough and District as a recipient of the United Way’s “neighbourhood fund” grant.
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The goal of the promotional event is ultimately to bring people together and highlight the importance of an inclusive playground close to home, Grant told kawarthaNOW.
“We were awarded some money to help put on a project promotional event to help promote the project as a whole, bring awareness to why we’re doing it, (demonstrate) what the accessibility barriers are at our local playground, and spread awareness about inclusion, what we’re hoping for, and what the goal is,” Grant said.
There will be reading aloud of inclusive books, an inclusive music session, a raffle for a free inclusive book, ice cream, and more.
Originally scheduled to take place at Ennismore Waterfront Park at 1053 Ennis Rd., due to inclement weather the “Tales & Treat” event has moved indoors to the lower level of the Ennismore Curling Club at 555 Ennis Rd. The by-invitation-only event runs from 6 to 8 p.m.
The inclusive playground would be constructed adjacent to the current play structure at Ennismore Waterfront Park. (Photo: Ennismore Inclusive Playground Project)
For Grant and her son and for other families who have children with special needs, it’s currently a 64-kilometre trek to the nearest inclusive structure, either in Port Hope or Port Perry, for playtime.
The committee is aiming to raise approximately $250,000 to construct the inclusive playground, named Jude’s Joy, at Ennismore Waterfront Park.
The playground design would incorporate rubber surfacing “for optimal accessibility” along with various inclusive play elements to engage those with and without exceptionalities, according to a statement on the Ennismore Optimist Club’s website.
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Dollars raised support the costs of preparing the site, pouring the rubber surface (which provides a safe and soft surface on which people of all abilities can play), and all the play components. The goal is to have the playground open during the summer of 2025.
“Through thoughtful planning and intentional design choices, we aim to build more than just your typical playground at the Ennismore Waterfront Park — providing play opportunities that promote multi-generational connections, ease of use for mobility aids, and play experiences for diverse abilities,” the club’s statement reads.
“One of the elements that we are extremely excited about, is the accessible merry-go-round (orbit), which sits seamlessly at ground level to offer a spinning experience without having to leave your mobility device.”
One element of the inclusive playground would be an “orbit”: an accessible merry-go-round that sits seamlessly at ground level to offer children a spinning experience without having to leave their mobility device. (Photo: Playdale Playgrounds)
The inclusive playground will be built adjacent to the current play structure, which will stay in place.
“This project is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a safe and stimulating environment to explore, play, and grow, regardless of their ability,” the club’s statement continues.
“With a commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and especially joy, we are dedicated to creating a space where children can be their true selves and unleash their full potential through the magic of play.”
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An inclusive playground goes beyond the minimum accessibility standards, by offering rubber surfacing and play elements that allow all children the opportunity to participate and by supporting equal access to diverse play experiences.
To date, the committee has raised $45,000 for the playground. Representatives will be fundraising and visible in the community in the weeks and months ahead.
The website, which features a directory of all accessible play structures in Ontario, was created by Grant.
She recently received a “High-Five Community Recognition Award” from Five Counties Children’s Centre for the initiative, as well as for her work championing the Ennismore project.
A motorcycle and a pickup truck collided at County Road 45 and Broadworth Road in Trent Lakes on August 8, 2024, killing the 18-year-old driver of the motorcycle. (Photo: Northumberland OPP)
An 18-year-old Hastings man is dead after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck northwest of Warkworth in Trent Hills on Thursday evening (August 8).
At around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency services responded to a report of a collision involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle in the area of County Road 45 and Broadworth Road.
The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old Hastings man, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no reported injuries to the driver of the pickup truck.
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County Road 45 was closed in the area of the collision for around six hours while police investigated and documented the scene.
The police investigation into the collision continues.
Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has video/dash cam footage or information and has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact the Northumberland OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
A detail from the new draft plan for Peterborough's Bonnerworth Park redevelopment, which will be presented to the city's arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee and the accessibility advisory committee on August 13, 2024. (Graphic: City of Peterborough / Landscape Planning Landscape Architects)
A new draft plan for the $4.4 million Bonnerworth Park redevelopment — which now includes 14 instead of 16 pickleball courts, noise reduction measures, fewer parking spots, and more greenspace — will be presented to the city’s arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee and the accessibility advisory committee on Tuesday (August 13).
While there are no public delegations at advisory committee meetings, the 5:30 p.m. meeting will be livestreamed at peterborough.ca/livestreams.
According to a media release from the city, the two advisory committees will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan before the city finalizes the document ahead of construction, which is expected to begin this fall.
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In advance of Tuesday’s meeting, kawarthaNOW compared the new “draft master plan,” which is dated July 5, 2024, with the original “preliminary facility fit” plan that was presented to the community in March. PDFs of both plans are included at the end of this story.
There are now 14 instead of 16 pickleball courts (including two accessible courts), arranged in a different configuration and located further north than the facility fit plan. The court are surrounded by an acoustic sound barrier on the north, south, and west sides.
There is now a single parking lot at Bonnaccord Street and Monaghan Road, with 44 parking spots and bike rings on a concrete base. The parking lot is oriented in a east-west direction instead of the north-south direction in the facility fit plan.
There is an open lawn area, measuring 32 by 53 metres (105 by 174 feet) and located south of the pickleball courts, that was not included in the original facility fit plan.
The pump track, which was located east of the Bonnaccord Street parking lot in the facility fit plan, is now located off McDonnel Street where a second parking lot has been located in the facility fit plan. There are grass areas between the bike paths of the pump track.
There is a 312-square-metre open plaza located between the two accessible pickleball courts, with two spectator benches.
There is no change to skatepark expansion from the facility fit plan. It will still be located to the south of the existing skatepark.
The shade shelter has been moved east of the new open lawn area, instead of west of the existing skatepark in the facility fit plan.
A landscaped berm with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees will be located west of the parking lot, the pickball courts, and the open lawn area on Monaghan Road and part of McDonnel Street.
Sod would be installed in all areas of the park not occupied by facilities, walkways, or trees.
Crosswalks on Bonnacord and McDonnell streets would connect to the north-south walkway running through the park.
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According to the city’s media release, around 275 new trees would be planted in the park, and around 63 per cent of the park would be greenspace consisting of grass and landscaped areas.
The proposed Bonnerworth Park redevelopment has raised concerns among neighbouring residents, primarily about the potential noise and traffic that would result from the large number of pickleball courts as well as the loss of greenspace in the park. Many of these concerns were prompted by the original facility fit plan.
Stay tuned for kawarthaNOW’s coverage of Tuesday’s committee meeting on the new draft plan.
Terra Lightfoot, a Juno and Polaris award-nominated singer-songwriter and guitarist from Hamilton now living in Haliburton County, makes her debut at the The Lounge in the Hollow Valley Lodge in Dorset on Saturday night. (Promotional photo)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, August 8 to Wednesday, August 14.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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