Owner Judy Byrne believes jewelry is one of the easiest and fun ways to enhance your sense of style
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Judy Byrne remembers when she opened her jewelry store more than 20 years ago.
Stretching her arms out on either side of her body, Byrne describes the store that was then called Silver Moon.
“It was in Peterborough Square and it was unique because it was so tiny. It was about six feet wide by 14 feet long. We sold primarily sterling silver because that’s what everyone was wearing. Thank goodness we didn’t have a huge inventory. We didn’t have much room!”
When the store moved to George Street in downtown Peterborough and the name changed to Hi Ho Silver, Byrne’s vision — to create a memorable shopping experience for her customers — remained the same.
“The best part of what I do is getting to know and work with the people that come in to Hi Ho Silver,” says Byrne, who recently moved again to further expand operations. She is now closer to other fashion retailers in what is described as Peterborough’s Fashion District. They also wanted to “further invest in downtown – which is very important to us”.
Because we know our customers, we can intuit their needs and that allows us to continually evolve by bringing in new and exciting lines we know they’re going to love.
Featuring a variety of Canadian and international labels, custom design, vintage and estate style products, Hi Ho Silver tailors their inventory to fit the style and taste of a clientele that spans from young to old.
“Jewellery is very personal,” Byrne explains, choosing a pair of hammered-silver loop earrings for me when I tell her I don’t like to wear a lot of bling. “You’re wearing a blend of vintage with fresh, new Canadian design. These hoops will be perfect for your style and you can wear them day or night,” she says, fitting them on to my ears. “That’s why it’s so important to understand who your customers are, and what jewellery and accessories will complement their fashion sense.”
Manager Glenda Passmore loves helping customers venture out a bit when it comes to choosing jewellery
Buying lines they know clientele will enjoy, Byrne and her store manager Glenda Passmore admit to the odd indulgence when they see jewellery that excites and inspires them.
“We can’t help it, we buy what we love,” says Passmore. “When I see the UPS truck pull up and I know it’s a shipment of new Myka or Kameleon coming in, I can’t wait to open up the box,” she laughs.
“Both the Myka and Kameleon lines are so beautifully designed. Myka is interchangeable or what we describe as ‘convertible’ (mix and match), because you can switch it up and change it depending on what you’re wearing, or even how you’re feeling. Kameleon is designed to allow an endless number of combinations for the ultimate in personalization.”
Pyrrha is a line that embodies the time, care and commitment that goes into creating a shopping experience that’s as personalized as it is memorable at Hi Ho Silver.
Pyrrha is fast-becoming one of the hottest lines Hi Ho carries
“These pieces are exquisite,” says Passmore. “Pyrrha is handcrafted and cast from 19th century wax seals,” she says showing me some of her favourite talismans. “The mottos on the pendants and bracelets are as inspiring as they are beautiful. The line is very popular and we’re really excited because we’ve got new pieces coming in soon.”
While the focus has been primarily on jewellery, Byrne says when she sees beautiful, well-made hand bags, scarves and hats she feels will complement certain pieces, she incorporates them into the product they carry at Hi Ho Silver.
“It always comes back to helping someone enhance or even create their own personal sense of style.”
Hi Ho Silver once was a tiny store in Peterborough Square before it moved to George Street in the heart of the fashion district
Hi Ho Silver
392 George Street North
Peterborough, Ontario
K9H 3R3
Telephone: 705-742-8903
Hours
Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
An empty Peterborough Square, from the corner of Charlotte and Water Streets (photo: Google Street View)
On Thursday night, I braved the cold and headed out to downtown Peterborough. The goal of my little excursion was to take some night-time photographs of the Festival of Lights. I started at Peterborough Square and continued to Millennium Park, where I wrapped up and headed home.
As I stood in the courtyard area at Peterborough Square, something became painfully obvious: Peterborough Square sucks.
Helping people establish and realize their financial goals is extremely rewarding for Jamie (photo: Maggie Dee)
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Helping people establish and realize their financial goals is extremely rewarding for Jamie (photo: Maggie Dee)
Before joining TD Bank Group sixteen years ago, Jamie Tompkins was a drummer.
“While attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I performed throughout Ontario in a rock group, recorded with several groups and played in a Celtic band,” says Tompkins, who hails from Ottawa.
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Lori and Peer enjoy working and living in downtown Peterborough (photo: Carol Lawless)
The sun is pouring through the windows at Christensen Fine Art. The beautiful work of gallery artist Melanie Brown is illuminated by the warm, afternoon light. It’s a rare autumn day when the temperature skyrockets and everyone is suddenly wearing shorts again. “I remember my mother telling me the day I was born was a hot one, just like today,” says Lori Christensen. “I have a photo of her wearing this thin, cotton shift dress.”
At November 13's meeting, Peterborough City Council approved $1,325,000 in capital spending for the TASSS sport field project
This week, if you wanted to start a heated discussion in Peterborough, all you had to say is “AstroTurf”. Whether you call it AstroTurf or artificial grass, I call it a boondoggle and here’s why.
Carried Away performs at In From The Cold in 2004 (photo: Jeannine Taylor)
In From The Cold, Peterborough’s coolest Christmas concert, is back for its 13th year on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 at 8 p.m. at Market Hall. Tickets are $15 and are available at Moondance (425 George St. N.) or from the Market Hall website at www.markethall.org.
In From The Cold was launched in 2000 by a group of Peterborough musicians who came together to establish an annual Christmas concert that would be unlike any other. In a few short years, it has become the hot ticket of the Peterborough Christmas season, selling out The Market Hall for two nights every year. In the process, it has raised over $70,000 so far for Peterborough’s Youth Emergency Shelter.
When & Where
In From The Cold
Friday, December 14, 8pm
Saturday, December 15, 8 pm
The Market Hall (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough)
Tickets are $15 each, available at Moondance (425 George St., Peterborough) or online at www.markethall.org.
All ticket proceeds go to the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES). For more information about YES, visit www.yesshelter.ca.
For more information and ticket inquiries, call concert organizer John Hoffman at 705-748-2126.
Note: If you can’t make it (or you can’t get tickets before they sell out!), you can listen to Trent Radio’s broadcast of the recorded concert throughout Christmas Day on 92.7 FM and at www.trentradio.ca/stream.htm.
As always, this year’s show will be anchored by the acts that give In From the Cold its unique sound: folk/vocal group Carried Away, Enrique “Roy” Claveer (a.k.a. Curtis Driedger), The Convivio Chorus, fingerstyle guitarist Michael Ketemer, and Celtic harpist Tanah Haney.
This year’s special guest will be Beau Dixon, one of Peterborough’s best known and most talented performers.
“We are thrilled to have Beau with us as our special guest this year,” says organizer John Hoffman. “We’ve known and admired Beau for years, and we’re really excited about the new dimension he brings to In From The Cold.”
Dixon will be performing some contemporary seasonal songs with his trademark skill and flair.
Here’s a sneak peek at what else you’ll see and hear at this year’s In From The Cold concert:
Carried Away’s sweet, magical rendition of “O Holy Night”.
A new version of “The Little Road to Bethlehem”, set to the melody of an old Irish ballad.
“The Breton Carol”, a haunting Christmas air from Brittany.
Fresh takes on well-loved carols like “In the Bleak Midwinter”, “I Wonder as I Wander”, “Go Tell it on the Mountain”, “The Boar’s Head Carol” and “Gabriel’s Message”.
“Wintergrace”, a little-known but lovely Appalachian carol.
More Christmas originals from Curtis Driedger and new band of intrepid local youngsters.
The sounds of instruments rarely heard at Christmas concerts: harp, hammered dulcimer, banjo, bodhran, concertina, fiddle and bouzouki.
Carried Away performing at the 2009 In From The Cold concert (photo: Jeannine Taylor)
Past Comments About In From The Cold
“The Yuletide cheer was enhanced by a cadre of talented Peterborough musicians presenting a charming and laudable program for the capacity house … A great cause, a great crowd and another outstanding night for Peterborough, the Youth Emergency Shelter and our plentiful local talent.” – Jonothan Fiddler, The Peterborough Examiner
“In From the Cold is the start of the real Christmas season.” – Concert patron
Owners Kieran Andrews and Scott Murison aren't selling sporting goods as much as they are equipping people to have a better lifestyle.
About Wild RockScott's Must HavesLocation Map
Owners Kieran Andrews and Scott Murison aren't selling sporting goods as much as they are equipping people to have a better lifestyle.
They’re older, their hair is shorter, and their faces are now clean shaven. But despite the physical changes Scott Murison and Kieran Andrews have undergone in the past 20 years, their dedication to helping people experience and enjoy the outdoors has remained the same.
“It’s always been our goal to help people get the most out of their time outdoors, whether they’re cycling, skiing, running or snowboarding,” Murison says. “We’ve always believed we aren’t just selling sporting goods — we’re helping people have a great lifestyle where sport and physical activity are at the heart.”
In 1992, Scott and Kieren were 24-year-olds living in Ottawa, where Scott was pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Kieran was a self-described “professional ski and climbing bum”. Both were working at Blacks, a camping store based in Ottawa, when they decided to create their own business to help people enjoy the outdoors.
A blast from the past: Scott and Kieren in the 1990s (photo: Michael Cullen)
Leveraging Scott’s business acumen, they completed market research and decided that Peterborough would be the ideal location for their new business. Not only did the area lack a retail store serving the outdoors community, but it had the right demographics and was surrounded by a natural playground of lakes, rivers and granite.
They started out small, by purchasing a 900-square-foot location at the corner of Brock and George Street (at the YMCA). Within a few years, they outgrew the space and, in 1997, purchased an old bingo hall (previously an A&P grocery store originally built in 1929), gutted it, and renovated it. In the spring of 1998, they moved into their current 8000-square-foot location.
Wild Rock Outfitters is a popular destination for people seeking an active and healthy lifestyle
In the spring of 1999, Murison and Andrews expanded the business with an innovative concept for a world-class whitewater retail operation called Boat Werks. The new operation included a traditional store at the Wild Rock Outfitters location, an e-commerce website, and mobile seasonal stores located on the shores of the Ottawa River, Gull River, and Madawaska River.
The Boat Werks concept was so successful that, within three years, it was the largest retailer of whitewater kayaks in Canada. In the fall of 2002, Kieran and Scott sold the Boat Werks portion of the business to long-time employee Jeff Strano. It continues to thrive today.
In March 2003, Scott and Kieran took on two new partners in the business (Dave Woodfine and long-time employee Jonathon Moreno) and launched Bike Werks, a retail operation offering sales and expert service for mountain, road and hybrid bikes.
Using a newly renovated space within the Wild Rock store, Bike Werks offered a fantastic selection of bikes and accessories for anyone interested in two-wheeled adventure. The cycling operation is now fully integrated into the Wild Rock store and they’ve since stopped using the Bike Werks name.
Wild Rock is celebrating their 20th anniversary with in-store specials between November 10 and 18. Visit www.wildrock.net for details.
Not only is Wild Rock Outfitters a local success story, but it has a one-of-a-kind reputation in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and beyond. The continung success of Wild Rock reflects its owners’ passion and commitment — Scott and Kieran truly love where they live and what they do.
“It’s the people that live and work in this area that make it such a great place to be,” Andrews says. “We really believe we’re here to serve the community and to provide them with the best equipment, expert advice and quality service that a company can offer.”
“We could have moved to a larger city, but we love the life we have here in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Like a lot of people, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Must Have for Cycling
Arm and knee warmers help cyclists stay warm and they're easy to fold up and tuck away in your jacket.
“Arm and knee warmers. You just slip them on your arms and legs and they keep you warm, which is great for early morning or evening rides.
Once you get going and your body temperature warms up, you just slide them off, fold them, and tuck them away in your jacket pocket.
These are ideal and designed to extend the riding season for anyone who loves to cycle. Vests are great too, because they offer added wind protection and keep the upper body warm, wherever you are.”
Must Have for Nordic Skiing & Running
"When you're running outside, a nylon jacket with extra panels in the front, lighter weight and material in the back, will help you stay warm and dry."
“The majority of nordic skiers are faced with the challenge of keeping the front of your body dry and warm while wicking away the moisture from your back.
A nylon jacket with heavier panels in the front, and thinner material in the back and under the arms, helps to wick away sweat.
The bonus is it also provides added wind protection to help you stay warm, so you can ski for longer periods.
This is also great for running, especially during the winter months.”
Helmets are a Must for Snowboarding
"There's no reason not to wear a helmet. This one has ear flaps that you can adjust and remove, depending on temperature."
“If you want to go into any of the training parks, you have to wear a helmet. That’s just the way it is.
There are so many colours and styles to choose from, there’s no reason not to wear a helmet. I wear one all of the time.
I have one with flaps that detach when the weather gets warmer and I can put back in when it gets colder.
The helmets they manufacture today even have headphones built into them, so you can listen to your tunes while you’re snowboarding.”
Natural Fibers are Always Good
Clothing made from natural fibres last longer, help you stay dry, and smelling fresh. Even after 17 runs. Or trekking for 37 days in Peru.
“The biggest problem with the majority of clothing we wear is the fact it’s all man-made and, after we’ve stopped wearing it, it ends up in the landfill.
Clothing (IBEX, ICEBREAKER) that’s made from 100% Merino wool helps you stay dry, comfortable and fresh.
I wore the same shirt for 17 runs in a row and it still didn’t smell. Kieran was trekking in Peru and he wore the same pair of long underwear for 37 days and they kept fresh and dry.
Another reason it’s so soft and comfortable is because the wool isn’t bleached. You can buy shirts and briefs and long underwear and jackets for men and women that are made from Merino wool. And once you’re done with it, it goes back into the earth — not the landfill.”
Barefoot is Better
"If you're going to start running on what we call a barefoot shoe, we recommend starting out slowly to give your feet time to strengthen and adjust."
“There are a lot of opinions about barefoot running and the foot wear inspired by it. We carry a number of different styles of shoes suitable for running and casual, every day wear. I’ve grown accustomed to wearing both.
The key to wearing a Vibram FiveFinger shoe is to allow your body to get accustomed to the change of not wearing something that’s designed to build up the arches. You take it slow, maybe walk around the house in the shoes a few minutes at a time, until you feel really comfortable about wearing them and, more importantly, allow your feet to strengthen.
I can honestly say I live in these shoes. They’re that comfortable.”
Wild Rock Outfitters' 8000-square-foot retail store in downtown Peterborough (photo: Wild Rock Outfitters)
Wild Rock Outfitters
169 Charlotte Street
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 2T7
Telephone: 705-745-9133
Toll free: 1-888-WILDROC (945-3762)
Winter/Spring Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm
Friday: 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
CHEX Weather Analyst Mike Judson spent 48 hours living on the streets of Peterborough to help raise awareness about homelessness (photo by Pat Trudeau)
Walk through downtown Peterborough on any day of any week and you’ll see it. At the entrance of your favourite coffee shop or on the curb near a shopping mall, you’ll spot it: homelessness.
It’s a real issue for Peterborough and questions are often raised if we’re doing enough as a community or if we’re doing the right things to help people in need. Well, this past weekend, CHEX Weather Analyst Mike Judson spent 48 hours living on the streets of Peterborough to help raise awareness on the issue.
At Hour 24, actors are on stage performing five plays written in a mad frenzy of overnight creativity (photo by Ray Henderson)
The 24 Hour Project was brought to the Peterborough theatre scene as a seed of an idea back in 1998.
Local actor Ray Henderson planted that seed and it’s blossomed into what is the 27th event, which takes place around the city this weekend. The event culminates in a dynamic collection of performance at the Gordon Best Theatre on Saturday, November 3rd.
Bringing together a mix of some of the city’s brightest theatre stars, cross-pollinated with people new to the craft, The 24 Hour Project injects a hefty sense of the unknown into the theatre mix for a short but memorable journey from story inception to final performance before a live audience. Early in the morning of Day 2, actors are assigned by directors and start rehearsing (photo by Ray Henderson)
This is how the day “plays” out!
Friday at 8 pm is when a gaggle of writers gather to begin crafting the various pieces to be performed the following night. Working in teams, it’s anyone’s guess what will be cooked up. This process takes all night, and takes place in various homes and venues across the city. Imagine what the creative process is like, as the wee light of Saturday begins and tired writers find their third wind.
At 6 am, the directors meet at Showplace to coordinate who’s taking on what work. This group looks at the varied pieces that were created through the night and, in what must be a wild game of drawing straws, choose the selections and move forward to the task — choosing talent. On stage anything can happen ... "and usually does" says Ray Henderson (photo by Ray Henderson)
This brings us to 7:30 am when the actors meet for breakfast at the Spill Café. This is the pivotal moment where the casting takes place. People are sorted and given roles (which they likely had no concept they’d be playing the night before).
Throughout Saturday, the actors rehearse the works in a very compressed time frame, all with an eye to performing them before a live audience that very night. For each piece, all the players get to work with a crew on the stage of Showplace — giving stage folks a chance to lend their skills to what is being created before their eyes.
It’s a pretty gutsy event, both for the actors and for those behind the scenes. Literally anything could happen and, according to Ray, it usually does. There have been some pretty exciting moments over the years and this Saturday should prove to be quite memorable.
Billed as “5 Plays Written, Rehearsed and Performed in 24 Hours”, expect the unexpected. Add this fun night to your calendar and prepare yourself for a night to be remembered! The final performances of The 24 Hour Project – Edition #27 takes place at the Gordon Best Theatre this Saturday, November 3rd at 8pm; tickets are $10 at the door (see our event listing for details).
If you like what you see, and you want to get involved next fall for Edition #28 — consider the seed planted for you, find Ray and pass along your name for consideration next time.
Ray Henderson’s Top Five Reasons to Attend Saturday’s Performances
Not your typical theatre – It’s filled with people taking big chances, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing, always entertaining.
Improv – If you know Ray at all, you know he’s a big supporter of the local Improv Acting scene. He’s a member of regularly performing group The Citiots.
Energy – If you like your energy high or nervous, you’ll love the culminating process of The 24 Hour Project.
Surprise – Anything can happen and, as the saying goes, probably will.
Community – These are some of the Peterborough area’s greatest creative risk-takers, and the chance to see them letting it all hang out is not to be missed.
Industry Canada has approved the location of a new cell tower beside the Calvary Church flagpole (photo by Pat Trudeau)
You know, I’ve written in the past about politicians and governments operating in non-democratic ways, but this week a division of our federal government took things a step further.
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