Critically acclaimed Canadian pianist Sheng Cai will be the soloist during the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra's performance of French composer Camille Saint-Saens' 1896 "Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103," popularly known as "The Egyptian." The orchestra's season-ending concert on May 25, 2024 at Showplace Performance Centre will begin with a performance of Felix Mendelssohn's "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage" and conclude with Johannes Brahms' "Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68." (Photo courtesy of Sheng Cai)
The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will take the audience on a romantic musical voyage from Egypt to Vienna with “Sea You”, the orchestra’s final concert of its 2023-24 season on Saturday, May 25th at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
With critically acclaimed Canadian pianist Sheng Cai as guest artist, the PSO will perform works by French composer Camille Saint-Saens and German composers Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms.
“This concert, designed to be a big thank-you and send-off for the summer vacation, will be a thrilling season ending featuring the entire PSO,” Michael Newnham, the PSO’s music director and conductor, tells kawarthaNOW.
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The evening begins with Felix Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, which the German composer wrote in 1828 when he was just 19 years old. The overture was inspired by two contrasting poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential writer in the German language.
“It describes a ship in the middle of the ocean which is not moving because there has been no wind for days,” Newnham explains. “This concert overture perfectly describes the peaceful but dangerous calm of the sea, followed by movement — first in the flute and then in the rest of the orchestra — giving the feeling of wind pushing on the sails and a joyful journey to the final destination.”
Goethe’s two poems were extremely popular at the time — they also inspired fellow German composer Beethoven’s 1815 cantata of the same name — and Mendelssohn’s audience would have been familiar with both poems and able to follow the musical progression of the overture.
German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s 1828 overture “Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage” was inspired by two poems by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Pictured is a detail of an 1864 painting by Moritz Oppenheim reconstructing an 1830 meeting where Mendelssohn (right) performed for Goethe. (Public domain)
For the second piece of the evening, Newnham says “We are welcoming pianist Sheng Cai to play a jewel of a piece by the late Romantic composer Camille Saint-Saëns.”
Cai will be the soloist in the PSO’s performance of Piano Concerto No. 5 in F major, Op. 103, the fifth and final piano concerto of French composer Camille Saint-Saens. Written in 1896 when Saint-Saens was 61, the piece is popularly known as “The Egyptian” for two reasons.
“It was begun during a sea voyage to Egypt and then finished in Luxor,” Newnham says, referring to the Egyptian temple city which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. “It has all kinds of exotic elements in it, where the piano and orchestra sometimes imitate sounds and instruments heard in Northern Africa during his trip. It makes me think of Jules Verne’s Phineas Fogg.”
Saint-Saëns, who frequently took winter vacations in Egypt, said the three-movement piece represented a sea voyage. The composer was himself the soloist for the 1896 premiere of the work, which was a popular and critical success.
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For the PSO’s performance of the piece, there could be no better soloist than the highly praised Canadian pianist Sheng Cai, who is making his first visit to the PSO.
When he was just 15 years old, Cai won the top prize at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) Competition and Toronto Symphony’s competition. He has since performed a broad spectrum of concerto repertoire, from Mozart to 21st-century composers, with invitations to over 50 orchestras worldwide as guest soloist. The 34-year-old pianist’s solo recitals are far too numerous to list, but he has performed at many prestigious venues and he is also a passionate recording artist.
Cai began his studies in Canada and U.S., where he was a student at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and the Juilliard School’s pre-college division in New York. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree under full scholarship at The New England Conservatory in Boston. His teachers and mentors include pianists Anton Kuerti, Gary Graffman, and Russell Sherman.
VIDEO: “The Egyptian” performed by Sheng Cai (2019, Qintai Concert Hall, Wuhan, China)
Following an intermission, the PSO’s final performance of the 2023-24 season — a season that Newnham describes as “unusually successful” — is “one of the most iconic and recognizable symphonies that exists.”
German composer Johannes Brahms wrote his Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 over two decades, finally premiering the four-movement work in 1876 when he was 43 years old. He was first inspired to write the symphony at the age of 21, after hearing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Brahms was a merciless self-critic, and he destroyed draft after draft of the symphony that did not meet his exacting standards. He also felt pressure from his friends and the public that he would continue “Beethoven’s inheritance” and produce a symphony of commensurate dignity and intellectual scope.
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Despite Brahms’ concern about the quality of the symphony, it was an immediate critical success, with distinguished German conductor Hans von Bülow calling it “Beethoven’s Tenth.”
The symphony has since become a perennial favourite of audiences and orchestra musicians alike, and sits at the very core of the Western orchestral music canon.
“Brahms’ First is music of strength, beauty, and tenderness, with some of the greatest melodies ever written,” Newnham says. “To me, this is one of the absolute pillars of the symphonic repertoire, combining to perfection the head and the heart.”
VIDEO: Except from Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 (2008, Berliner Philharmoniker)
“Sea You” begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25th at Showplace Performance Centre at 290 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
A pre-concert “Meet the Maestro” talk takes place at 6:45 p.m., where Newnham takes the Showplace stage for an intimate chat about the evening’s program.
Tickets for the concert — which are selling fast — are $33, $48, or $55, depending on the seat you choose, with student tickets costing $12 for all seats. Tickets are available in person at the Showplace Box Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, and one hour before the concert, or online anytime at showplace.org.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-24 season.
McHappy Day at McDonald's restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope on May 8, 2024 raised a record $30,000 to support kids' treatment services at Five Counties Children's Centre as well as services at Ronald McDonald House Charities. Pictured are Five Counties staff, volunteers, supporters (including the Cobourg Fire Department), and local McDonald's owner and operator Lisa Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
It was the happiest of McHappy Days to date for Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The children’s treatment centre, which serves kids and youth with special needs in Peterborough, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties and City of Kawartha Lakes, is celebrating the amount raised during the recent fundraiser in Northumberland County.
Held last Wednesday (May 8) at the McDonald’s locations in Port Hope and Cobourg, McHappy Day raised $30,000 for two charities, including Five Counties Children’s Centre.
It’s the best result ever locally for the annual event. Every year, McDonald’s restaurants across Canada support local children’s charities by collecting donations and dedicating a portion of sales on McHappy Day.
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Bill Eekhof, spokesperson for Five Counties Children’s Centre, shared with kawarthaNOW his thoughts on why the event was an unprecedented success.
“I think it was a combination of things,” Eekhof said.
“We were able to spread the word ahead of McHappy Day and on the actual day we had tremendous support from our volunteers, families, community partners and (Lisa Wilson, owner and operator of the two McDonald’s) and her entire McDonald’s team.
“I think something even more important is that we are fortunate to live in a very generous and supportive community,” Eekhof continued. “Despite how expensive everything seems to be these days, people still saw value in supporting two important kids’ charities in their community — Five Counties and Ronald McDonald House Charities — and came through in a big way.”
The sign says it all when it comes to a record-breaking total of $30,000 raised at the McHappy Day event at McDonald’s restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope on May 8, 2024. Around $22,500 of the funds raised will support Five Counties Children’s Centre, with the remaining $7,500 supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
For this McHappy Day, three-quarters of the money raised in Cobourg and Port Hope — about $22,500 — will go to support the “Building Abilities for Life Campaign” at Five Counties Children’s Centre. The campaign helps to cover high-demand services like speech and occupational therapies at Five Counties, ensuring more kids can get the care they need in a timely manner, the children’s centre noted.
The remaining McHappy Day proceeds — around $7,500 — will go to support Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides out-of-town families with a place to stay while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital.
“McHappy Day was an amazing success, and we want to thank the incredible generosity of everyone who came out to support our kids,” said Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties, in a media release.
“We had wonderful support from our staff, volunteers, kids, families, partners, and supporters on McHappy Day. We also want to thank Lisa and her entire team at McDonald’s for selecting Five Counties to be the local charity to benefit from McHappy Day. The McDonald’s team members were gracious and enthusiastic hosts for the event.”
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Meanwhile, Wilson said she is also “overwhelmed” by the results of McHappy Day.
“Every year, we look forward to McHappy Day, and once again our amazing communities in Port Hope and Cobourg have come through to show their support,” Wilson stated. “What a successful day, and we are so pleased to know that these funds will help Five Counties bring much needed treatment services to children and families in Northumberland County.”
Many supporters and organizations participated in McHappy Day. Those who took part included Five Counties families, staff, board members and volunteers, as well as representatives from Port Hope Police, Cobourg Police Service, Port Hope Fire Department, Cobourg Fire Department, Trinity College School, Bewdley Lions Club, area high school students, and many local residents.
Five Counties Children’s Centre has supported children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs for nearly 50 years. Last year, Five Counties provided treatment services for more than 1,615 children and youth in Northumberland County.
In total, across its entire region, more than 6,200 children and youth benefited last year from the centre’s programs, which include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and other treatment services.
Councillor Joy Lachica challenged councillor Andrew Beamer after the chair of Peterborough city council's general committee ruled her motion out of order on May 13, 2024. Lachica's motion had requested that city council have final approval of the site plan and technical studies of the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment. (kawarthaNOW screenshots of City of Peterborough video)
There was no opportunity for discussion about a motion by Town Ward councillor Joy Lachica on the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment plan at Peterborough city council’s general committee meeting on Monday night (May 13), after councillor and committee chair Andrew Beamer ruled the motion out of order and six of the 11 committee members supported his ruling.
Lachica’s motion had proposed that council be granted final approval authority for the controversial $4.4 million redevelopment plan, which includes the installation of 16 pickleball courts, an expanded skate park, a bike pump track, and an 80-vehicle parking lot.
A group of neighbourhood residents are concerned about the noise impact that the pickleball complex will have on their quality of life, the loss of their neighbourhood greenspace, and what they claim was a flawed process in terms of notification that the park was being considered for redevelopment and what the scope of the plan was.
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“The redevelopment project for Bonnerworth Park has generated significant concern over the loss of greenspace, its impacts on current park users, and its compatibility with surrounding residential neighbourhoods,” Lachica’s motion states, adding “the city has acknowledged that the public engagement process for the redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park could have been improved and been more inclusive of park neighbours.”
Lachica’s motion requested that city staff provide a report to council for approval that includes the recommended site plan, final technical studies (for traffic and parking, noise, stormwater management, and geotechnical items), a record of the input of stakeholder and community consultation on these studies as well as the final draft plan, a list of revisions made to the technical studies and the changes to the draft site plan as reflected in the site plan, and the assigned budget apportioned for each aspect of the work to be contracted for construction.
At city council’s April 8th meeting, a motion by Lachica to delay the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment plan for further consideration and consultation lost in an 8-3 vote, clearing the way for the project to proceed in the hands of city staff with no further council oversight. Only councillors Lachica, Alex Bierk, and Keith Riel voted in favour of delaying the project.
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At the May 13th meeting, a premonition that something was going to happen came with Beamer’s introduction of Lachica’s motion, which is printed in its entirety below.
“You can read your notice of motion and I will make a ruling, but you go ahead and read it,” Beamer said.
After Lachica read the motion, Beamer said he was making a ruling that “the motion in my opinion is contrary to the direction previously provided by council.”
“Council has debated this project and has voted to proceed,” Beamer said, adding that council has already voted to give staff direction to proceed and to establish a budget for the project.
“Once the chair rules a motion out of order, there is no debate. However, councillor Lachica, you can challenge the chair if you would like.”
Lachica was then offered the opportunity to “procedurally tell the council why she is challenging the chair,” which would followed by a vote on the challenge.
On a point of information, Bierk asked Beamer for a further explanation of the ruling and Beamer replied, “I have made my comments, councillor Bierk,” before yielding the floor to Lachica.
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“I don’t feel that there are grounds for this to be ruled out of order based on our procedural by-law,” Lachica began. “By no means is this a motion to rescind or to reconsider. It’s not asking for a pause, nor is it proposing a different redevelopment plan. This is a brand new motion, scaffolded upon the current approval and current direction of council on the existing Bonnerworth redevelopment plan, of the 16 pickleball courts and 80 parking spots.”
Lachica said council will not know the results of the final technical studies or the site plan unless they come back to council for review and approval.
“How is this responsible? How is this respecting our residents, our users, our taxpayers? For this to remain only with staff, and not reviewed by elected decision makers, is problematic. It’s our duty to listen, to learn, and be open to recommendations of the studies.”
“This new motion is calling for the site plan and the studies to come back to council, in order for us to responsibly authorize and budget for the work ahead. Will it cost more than expected for sound and lighting mitigation? If so, this is crucial to inform our upcoming budget talks. If 16 courts —”
At this point, councillor Lesley Parnell interrupted Lachica on a point of order.
“Mister chair, I do believe we are getting off the procedural reason for your ruling, sir, and getting into debate.”
Lachica replied that she had five minutes to speak, but Beamer said that did not apply to the procedural challenge, at which point Lachica asked if she “could finish my sentence.”
“If 16 courts were to be installed 50 metres from any of our own homes, we would want to know the measures that were in place to assuage our fear and our uncertainty of a new normal,” she continued. “If this is the will of council to see the site plan and technical studies before work commences, a motion to request this is absolutely in order.”
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After Lachica finished, Beamer said “I see the hands in the air,” referring to members of the public in the gallery showing their support for Lachica, before asking for a motion on his ruling to be put to a vote. An affirmative vote would support Beamer’s ruling that Lachica’s motion is out of order.
On a point of order, Lachica requested a verbal vote in addition to a recorded electronic vote.
“It’ll be in the minutes,” Beamer said.
“It will be in the minutes, but sometimes it disappears very quickly,” Lachica replied, referring to the display of the electronic vote on monitors.
“I don’t think we have that in our procedure right now, councillor Lachica, but this will be a recorded vote that everyone in the community will see, and it will be on the website, and it will be in our minutes — in three weeks.”
Courtesy of media coverage of council, you don’t have to wait three weeks to find out how councillors voted.
The motion to support the chair’s ruling was carried 6-5, with Mayor Jeff Leal and councillors Beamer, Gary Baldwin, Don Vassiliadis, Kevin Duguay, and Parnell voting in favour, and councillors Lachica, Bierk, Keith Riel, Dave Haacke, and Matt Crowley voting against the chair’s ruling.
The results of the vote on May 13, 2024 on councillor Andrew Beamer’s motion, as chair of city council’s general committee, that councillor Joy Lachica’s motion to bring the final site plan and technical studies of the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment before council for final approval. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
Notice of Motion – Bonnerworth Site Plan
WHEREAS, the Bonnerworth redevelopment project is multi-faceted in scope and has implications for a wide range of park users, neighbourhood residents, and the environment;
WHEREAS, the redevelopment project for Bonnerworth Park has generated significant concern over the loss of greenspace, its impacts on current park users, and its compatibility with surrounding residential neighbourhoods;
WHEREAS, the city has acknowledged that the public engagement process for the redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park could have been improved and been more inclusive of park neighbours;
WHEREAS, the City’s Strategic Plan promotes a corporate culture of transparency, engagement and openness, collaboration, and partnership;
WHEREAS, the City can foster public trust and confidence by adapting the current approval process for Bonnerworth Park;
WHEREAS, it is the fiduciary duty of members of Council to ensure that budget-approved resources are safely and responsibly applied to any approval of the redevelopment plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That Council be granted final approval authority for the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment plan after being provided with the following via a Report of the Commissioner which includes:
a) the recommended site plan
b) the final technical studies identified in the Invitation to Tender, for traffic and parking, noise, stormwater management, and geotechnical
c) a record of the input of stakeholder and community consultation, including First Nations engagement, on these studies as well as on the final draft plan
d) a list of revisions made to the technical studies and the changes to the draft site plan as reflected in the site plan presented for Council approval
e) the assigned budget apportioned for each aspect of the work to be contracted for construction.
An abandoned shopping cart. (Photo: Pam Lane / Flickr)
Cobourg police have announced a new initiative to reclaim abandoned shopping carts.
In collaboration with local businesses and apartment complexes, the “Cart Reclaim Project” will see shopping carts left on properties, other than the retail locations to which they belong, collected and returned to their owners.
“We are taking action to ensure that our streets, parks, and properties remain clean and safe for everyone to enjoy,” reads a media release from the Cobourg Police Service. “This initiative not only helps to beautify our community but also prevents potential hazards these carts can cause when left unattended.”
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Police are encouraging Cobourg residents to report any abandoned shopping carts they encounter by calling the Cobourg Police Service at 905-372-6821 or emailing Sergeant Janice MacDonald at janice.macdonald@cobourgpolice.com.
“Your vigilance and cooperation are vital to the success of this project,” the release states.
The collection of abandoned shopping carts is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 18th. Police are asking property owners who have abandoned shopping carts on their premises to ensure they are ready for collection by that date.
Lucky Strike Bait Works founder Frank Edgar and his son Bill. A passionate angler, Frank founded the company in his Peterborough garage in 1929. (Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike Bait Works)
Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough is celebrating its 95th year in business this year.
One of North America’s oldest and largest tackle and landing net manufacturers, Lucky Strike was founded in Peterborough in June 1929 by Frank “Rusty” Edgar and Elsie Edgar.
With a love of fishing, Edgar turned his hobby into a booming business from his garage. He began to improve wooden plug baits that he had previously fashioned out of broom handles.
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The plugs were quite heavy and ran deep in the Otonabee River where Edgar loved to fish. The interest of local anglers was quickly peaked, and Edgar began selling his lures from his tackle box.
In 1939, after expanding the business for a decade, Edgar established a new shop where he competed with major U.S. companies.
After World War II, during which time the Peterborough plant was switched to the war production of search light parts and machine work for armoured cars, an addition was added to the plant, expanding production once again.
Lucky Strike Bait Works president Dustin Rhodes, grandson of founder Frank Edgar, with his father Kim Rhodes, son-in-law of Frank’s son Bill. (Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike Bait Works)
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Today, the Canadian-owned family business located at 2286 Whittington Drive has a catalogue of over 1,800 products, including metal spoons, spinners, landing nets, and more, with global distribution and a U.S. head office in Niagara Falls, New York.
“The company attributes our longevity to its loyal staff and my family elders before me,” says Dustin Rhodes, Lucky Strike president and fourth-generation owner, in a media release. “We are really grateful that we’ve been able to do this for 95 years, while keeping the business in Peterborough.”
To commemorate its 95th anniversary, Lucky Strike will be releasing a limited run of one of their legacy wooden baits, “The Little Scamp Minnow,” this summer. For more information, visit luckystrikebaitworks.com.
The Teeny Tiny Summit on June 6, 2024 at the Minden Community Centre features keynote speaker Peter Kenyon, a social entrepreneur, author, economist, and community enthusiast who has worked with over 1,000 rural communities throughout Australia and overseas seeking to facilitate fresh and creative ways that stimulate community and economic renewal. He received the Senior Australian of the Year Award for Western Australia in 2017. (Photo via The Senior Australia)
It may be called a “Teeny Tiny Summit,” but Haliburton County’s tourism manager has big aspirations for the upcoming event in Minden.
“Teeny Tiny Summits” are organized by the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA). The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) introduced the initiative in 2016 as a forum for discussing scale-appropriate economic development strategies for Ontario’s smallest communities. Since then, more than 2,750 people have participated from across the province.
Angelica Ingram, manager of tourism for Haliburton County, is currently gearing up for the Minden summit, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6 at the Minden Community Centre, located at 55 Parkside St. The theme of the event is “creating community wealth and well-being.”
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“The Teeny Tiny Summit is an important event for Minden because it will showcase some incredible examples of economic development happening in a small, rural community in Ontario,” Ingram told kawarthaNOW.
“Small communities often face certain challenges that larger urban areas do not, and hosting a Teeny Tiny Summit will highlight some success stories that can be duplicated in other teeny tiny places throughout the province. We hope to share ideas, facilitate great discussion, and celebrate successes at this event.”
Teeny Tiny Summits share practical examples, lessons learned, and community economic development tactics that are scale-appropriate for Ontario’s smallest communities. This year’s edition will feature a series of virtual and in-person events featuring keynote speakers that will bring value to each of the topics as well as community examples, according to OMAFRA.
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In Minden, the agenda includes greetings from the OMAFRA, ROMA representatives, and local politicians.
Keynote speaker Peter Kenyon, a social entrepreneur and community enthusiast, will explore the topic of “what builds great communities.” He will speak about proactive leadership and how building a positive community mindset creates “a can-do community.”
He will also discuss how to strengthen community ownership, engagement, and collaborative actions. He will share examples of how to create opportunities that support the local economy, create diverse employment opportunities, and build local economic ownership.
Kenyon has worked with over 1,000 rural communities throughout Australia and overseas seeking to facilitate fresh and creative ways that stimulate community and economic renewal. He received the Senior Australian of the Year Award for Western Australia in 2017.
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During another session called “enabling housing in teeny tiny places,” Paces for People, a local charitable organization, will highlight the recent success it achieved with a community bonds fundraising initiative.
The afternoon includes a session called “Creating Community Wealth and Well-Being – Through Youth and Local Initiatives.”
“We have selected a number of dynamic guest speakers to showcase what a beautiful and dedicated community we have — one filled with active volunteers, enthusiastic entrepreneurs, and dedicated residents who all share a pride of place,” Ingram said.
The county’s economic development and tourism department has been working with OMAFRA and ROMA “to put together an engaging event that we hope will inspire other communities like ours,” she added.
“The best thing that could happen as a result of the Teeny Tiny Summit is guests leave feeling motivated and challenged to bring some of the ideas presented back to their communities and workplaces,” Ingram said. “We hope thoughtful discussion is had and best practices are shared. It’s a great opportunity for networking and for learning and we hope everyone has a great day.”
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ROMA has committed to multi-year support of the Teeny Tiny program. For additional information about the Teeny Tiny program, visit teenytinysummits.omafrabdb-events.ca.
Past delegates of the Minden event have included municipal officials and staff, members of business support organizations, representatives of community organizations, and community volunteers, such as economic development advisory group members.
Constructed from 1900 to 1905, the historic Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes. After the Peterborough Lift Lock, it is the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 feet). (Photo: Parks Canada)
Parks Canada is advising the public to expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week (May 13 to 17).
A crane will be on-site for final repairs at the Kirkfield Lift Lock in advance of the Trent-Severn Waterway’s navigation season, which opens on May 17.
“We expect to be able to maintain both lanes of traffic flow on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6), although traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as needed,” reads a Parks Canada media release.
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In September 2022, the Kirkfield Lift Lock site was closed due to a mechanical failure. While repairs progressed, Parks Canada implemented single chamber lockages during the 2023 season.
For the 2024 navigation season, new chamber gates have been fabricated and installed and major mechanical components are all in place. Final testing has continued throughout the month of May.
Constructed from 1900 to 1905, the historic Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield. After the Peterborough Lift Lock, it is the second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 feet). The lock is situated at the highest point along the Trent-Severn Waterway at 256.20 metres (840.5 feet) above sea level.
Left to right, top and bottom: Capitol Theatre's "A Year With Frog and Toad", The Electric City Player's "Macbeth", Bruce Cockburn, Sheng Cai, "Surrender, Dorothy" playwright Liz Best, Globus Theatre's "The Dating Game", Dan Hill and Andy Kim, and Joslynn Burford. (kawarthaNOW collage, with photo of "Macbeth" by Julie Anne Gagne and photo of Joslynn Burford by Andy Carroll)
encoreNOW is a bi-weekly column by Paul Rellinger where he features upcoming music, theatre, film, and performing arts events and news from across the Kawarthas.
This week, Paul highlights A Year with Frog and Toad at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, The Electric City Players’ inaugural production of Macbeth at Peterborough’s Market Hall, legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s concert at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s final concert of the 2023-24 season at Showplace, a staged reading of Surrender, Dorothy at the Guild Hall in Peterborough’s East City, the world premiere of British playwright Peter Quilter’s new comedy The Dating Game at Bobcaygeon’s Lakeview Arts Barn, and a double shot of pop music hit-making at both Market Hall and the Academy Theatre courtesy of Dan Hill and Andy Kim.
‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ is time well spent at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre
Joel Cumber will perform as Frog and Haneul Yi will perform as Toad in the Capitol Theatre’s production of the family musical “A Year with Frog and Toad”, sponsored by Furby House Books and running for 17 performances from May 17 to June 2, 2024 at the historic venue in downtown Port Hope. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
It has been a long school year. The kids have worked hard but now there’s a light at end of the tunnel. What better time to treat them to a fun time out on the town?
And what better town to do just that then Port Hope, where the historic Capitol Theatre is bringing Arnold Lobel’s beloved children’s book series to its stage from May 17 to June 2.
Written by Willie Reale, with music penned by his brother Robert, A Year with Frog and Toad was first produced in Minneapolis in 2002. It opened on Broadway the following year, breaking new ground as the first children’s theatre production to do so, earning three Tony Award nominations in the process.
The play chronicles the story of two friends — the very chipper Frog and the rather grumpy Toad — through four fun-filled seasons. Alongside other animals of the forest, they plant gardens, go swimming, rake leaves, go sledding and, most importantly, learn life lessons.
For this production, the very capable Fiona Sauder is at the helm as director. A multiple Dora Mavor Moore Award recipient, Sauder co-founded Toronto-based Bad Hats in 2015 “to champion artists with an appetite for collaborative working models and stories that implore our curiousity.” Close to 10 years on, mission well accomplished as classics like Peter Pan, Alice In Wonderland, and Narnia have received the full Bad Hats treatment.
There’s ample opportunity to take in this production with 17 performances scheduled. Ticket prices range from just $5 to $50, making a great time out for you and the kids even more palpable. For show dates and performance times, and to order tickets, visit capitoltheatre.com.
‘Something wicked this way comes’ as new Peterborough theatre company debuts
Eddy Sweeney as Macduff and Simon T.J.H. Banderob as Macbeth cross swords at a preview of The Electric City Players production of the Shakespeare classic during the First Friday Peterborough art crawl on May 3, 2024. (Photo: Julie Anne Gagne Photography)
If you’re a spanking new theatre company looking to stage your inaugural production, is it wise to tackle something as challenging and complex as a Shakespearean classic?
Perhaps, perhaps not, but either way that’s exactly the course that The Electric City Players community theatre arts collective has settled upon as it prepares to bring Macbeth to Market Hall for four performances from May 23 to 25.
There have been many Fleming College and Trent University partnerships that have born fruit, with the co-founding of this new addition to Peterborough’s cultural landscape by Fleming professor Jacqueline Barrow and Trent professor Andrew Loeb promising similar success.
For Macbeth, a large ensemble cast is in place, some of whom will be very familiar to local theatre audiences. For Peterborough’s MacQuarrie family, it’s a family affair, as mom Siobhán takes to the stage with her of her four kids. The long list of credits is as inclusive as it is impressive, with 12 noted for their portrayal of … dead bodies.
The Bard’s shortest tragedy, Macbeth tells the tale of a Scottish warrior-chief who meets three strange sisters on his way home from battle who tell him of a prophecy that could lead to unimaginable power. Aware of his duty but unable to ignore his ambition, he plots a murder with his brilliant wife. What follows may tear his fragile kingdom, and perhaps the world itself, apart.
Asked why The Electric City Players is staging Macbeth for its inaugural show, Barrow says “We wanted to choose a play that was accessible to a wide variety of audiences, and that could be reimagined for a modern audience. We think Macbeth was the perfect place to start.” Hey, who are we to argue?
Curtain is 7 p.m. on May 23, 24 and 26, with a 2 p.m. matinee May 25. Visit www.markethall.org to order tickets. Meanwhile, for more information about the company and to meet the cast, check out www.electriccityplayers.com.
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Yes, he’s a Canadian music legend, and Bruce Cockburn is coming to Lindsay
VIDEO: “Into the Now” – Bruce Cockburn
The word ‘legend’ is thrown around a lot — so much so that eventually its effect in terms of attracting our attention starts to fade.
But there are times when it does work perfectly. For example, if you’re talking about someone who has, over the course of five decades, written more than 350 songs, recorded 34 albums, and taken home 13 Juno Awards and an Order of Canada medallion, ‘legend’ has to be in the conversation.
At age 78, Bruce Cockburn is indisputably a Canadian folk/rock legend who is showing no sign of slowing down. Quite the opposite as he tours across Canada and the United States this year — a hectic pace that includes a May 24 performance at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre.
Cockburn made his first solo appearance in 1967 at the Mariposa Folk Festival and returned two years later as a headliner. The early 1970s brought Canadian music industry acclaim in the form of multiple Juno Awards, including three straight wins as Folk Singer of the Year.
In 1979, “Wondering Where The Lions Are” introduced Cockburn’s considerable talent to a wide U.S. audience. The following decade brought continued momentum, a trajectory fuelled by heavy radio play songs such as “Lovers In A Dangerous Time,” “If I Had A Rocket Launcher,” and “If A Tree Falls.”
But what earns Cockburn that ‘legend’ tag is his work off the stage. His work on behalf of organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders and Friends of the Earth has earned him unparalleled respect.
As he says, “We can’t settle for things as they are. If you don’t tackle the problems, they’re going to get worse.” Amen to that.
A romantic voyage sets sail in the form of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra’s “Sea You”
VIDEO: “The Egyptian” performed by Sheng Cai
Are you ready for the ultimate nautical romantic experience?
As it winds down its five-concert 2023-24 season, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra sure is, closing things out with a concert entitled “Sea You” on Saturday, May 25th at Showplace in downtown Peterborough.
Featuring multiple award-winning Canadian pianist Sheng Cai performing The Egyptian, French composer Camille Saint-Saens’ final piano concerto, the audience will journey from Egypt to Vienna in the program’s first half.
After intermission, the orchestra will perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 — heralded as an undisputed masterpiece in the realm of romantic symphony music.
As always, conductor Michael Newnham will seek to educate via his trademark pre-concert talk at 6:45 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.showplace.org.
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The pitfalls of online dating examined in ‘Surrender, Dorothy’
“Surrender, Dorothy” playwright Liz Best based her play on her own experiences with online dating in her 50s. (Photo courtesy of Liz Best)
While Peterborough Theatre Guild is in the midst of its final production of its 2023-24 season with Girl In The Goldfish Bowl, which runs for three more performances from May 16 to 18, the theatre company isn’t done quite yet.
On Sunday, May 26th, the Guild will present the last of six staged readings featured since November as part of its Beyond The Stage series.
Surrender, Dorothy by Liz Best tackles online dating — something most of us over 50 would never consider. Well, meet Ally, who, as a widow in her 50s, meets someone online. She insists on sharing her joy and online experience with four seasoned friends.
What follows is a hilarious and touching examination of the murky, ambush-laden search for connections, even love, as played out online. The result is five clever women supporting each other in taking risks, all while learning to live again, even when their hearts are broken.
Based on the playwright’s own online dating experiences, the play’s title is inspired by a scene from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, where the Wicked Witch of the West flies on her broomstick to write the two-word phrase across the sky.
Tickets to the 2 p.m. performance at the Guild Hall at 364 Rogers Street in Peterborough’s East City cost $12 and can be ordered online at www.peterboroughtheatreguild.com.
Step carefully: more dating landmines abound at the Lakeview Arts Barn
“The Dating Game” playwright Peter Quilter at the premiere of the Oscar-winning 2019 film “Judy” starring Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, which was adapted from his Broadway play “End of the Rainbow.” (Photo: Peter Quilter)
Ah, it’s spring and dating is again in air, this time at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon where Globus Theatre presents British playwright Peter Quilter’s new comedy The Dating Game from May 29 to June 8.
The tale centres around Richard and Julia, both recently divorced and in their 50s and 60s. As each begins the search for a new partner by going on blind dates, a series of unexpected, eccentric and volatile romantic liaisons where absolutely nothing goes to plan make their predictable appearance. Yes, it’s a familiar storyline but one that rarely fails to conjure up reminisces of the rocky road many of us travelled before finally meeting ‘The One.’
“Choosing new lovers can be like selecting deck chairs on the Titanic,” reads the play’s online description. Isn’t that what makes dating fun?
Evening performances take place at 8 p.m. May 29 to June 1 and June 4 to 8, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on June 1 and 6. An optional dinner is available at 6 p.m. before the evening performances.
Tickets are $50 for the show only, or $100 for dinner and theatre, and are available at globustheatre.com.
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Why settle for one classic Canadian pop star when you can have two?
VIDEO: “Sometimes When We Touch” – Dan Hill
We close out this edition of encoreNOW with more Canadian music nostalgia, this time a double shot in the form of Dan Hill and Andy Kim.
The pair is touring together, making an “In Story and Song” stop at both Lindsay’s Academy Theatre on May 29 and Peterborough’s Market Hall on June 1.
Hill had two major international hits with “Sometimes When We Touch” and “Can’t We Try” (with Vonda Shepard). He released his self-titled debut album in 1975 and 12 studio albums followed. Inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021, Hill received a Grammy Award five years earlier as co-producer of Celine Dion’s album Falling Into You.
VIDEO: “Rock Me Gently” by Andy Kim
Montreal-born Kim, meanwhile, had an earlier start in 1968 when he co-wrote “Sugar, Sugar” with Jeff Barry. It was the most successful bubblegum pop single of all time, and Kim sang on the recording as part of The Archies, a fictional band of studio musicians linked to the 1968–69 US Saturday morning TV cartoon The Archie Show. The international hit “Baby, I Love You” followed in 1969, before 1974’s “Rock Me Gently” solidified his standing as one of Canada’s premier pop music singers-songwriters.
This is a rare opportunity to enjoy the timeless music of two Canadian greats touring together. Odds are the stories exchanged are going to be as entertaining as the music, if not more.
Tickets to their May 29 show at the Academy Theatre cost $52, with the June 1 show at the more intimate Market Hall costing $65. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.flatoacademytheatre.com and www.markethall.org.
Encore
VIDEO: Joslynn Burford on YourTV Peterborough
You may know her as one-half of The Hippie Chicks duo (also featuring Tami J Wilde), but Joslynn Burford is a pretty good solo performer too. That’s being recognized with a summer residency at Bar Vita in Peterborough. Blues, rock, classic country, jazz, pop, alternative — Burford can handle them all, and typically with a huge smile and kind word for everyone. She’ll be at the George Street North restaurant June 22 to 28, July 20 to 26, and August 17 to 30. All are 7:30 pm starts.
The seventh edition of the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival returns to Del Crary Park May 31 to June 1. Yes, Virginia, there’s beer, but there’s also a generous offering of live music on the Friday evening (May 31) and all day Saturday (June 1). Among those performing are Pop Machine, Cheryl Casselman, Blue Hazel and, closing things out, Melissa Payne. Tickets and more information about the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company-sponsored festival can be found at kawarthacraftbeerfestival.com.
Staying with summer festivals, the Lakefield Literary Festival has released details of it 2024 program. Set for July 19 and 20 in the village, a number of renowned authors are in the mix, including local author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor. And back is the very popular free-admission Children’s Tent in Cenotaph Park. The festival was held as a one-off in 1995 and here we are close to 30 years later. Former Lakefield residents and authors Margaret Laurence, Catherine Parr Traill, and Susanna Moodie would no doubt approve. The full lineup and ticket information is available at lakefieldliteraryfestival.com.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region has announced the winners of 'The Big Flip', its inaugural furniture flipping contest intended to encourage people to repurpose old furniture rather than dispose of it in the landfill. Philip Feder won the People's Choice Award for his Superman-themed side table crafted from repurposed comic book covers. (Photos courtesy of Philip Feder)
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (PKR) has announced the winners of its inaugural furniture flipping contest, an initiative that rewards community members and helps the planet at the same time.
Sponsored by Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre and organized by Habitat for Humanity PKR, the event received 46 entries from people who reimagined and revived old furniture pieces, while keeping them out of landfills.
Called ‘The Big Flip’, the contest — which coincided with Earth Day on April 22 — challenged participants to transform used furniture in innovative ways, which could involve painting, restoring, or reupholstering pieces.
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“Congratulations to Philip Feder and Cass Stabler for winning The Big Flip contest, and special thanks to all participants, sponsors, and supporters for their contributions to promoting sustainability and creativity in the Peterborough and Kawartha region,” Habitat for Humanity PKR stated in a media release.
Feder, of Omemee, netted the People’s Choice Award for his Superman-themed side table crafted from repurposed comic book covers.
“As a comic book and toy collector, I frequently encounter damaged comics,” Feder said. “Rather than allowing them to be discarded in a landfill, I opted to repurpose them.”
He used a combination of materials and paint for his piece and added bar resin to seal the top. Feder said The Big Flip contest has inspired him to make more comic-themed creations.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region has announced the winners of ‘The Big Flip’, its inaugural furniture flipping contest intended to encourage people to repurpose old furniture rather than dispose of it in the landfill. Cass Stabler won the Designer’s Choice Award for her transformation of a child-sized wooden desk and chair into a gift for her young niece who loves nature. (Photos courtesy of Cass Stabler)
The Designer’s Choice Award went to Cass Stabler for her transformation of a child-sized wooden desk and chair into a “vibrant and functional piece of furniture.”
Stabler prepped the desk and matching chair and then painted a floral motif on the pieces, which are a gift for her young niece who loves nature.
“I already enjoyed finding nice, well-made furniture from sources like the (Habitat for Humanity) ReStore and I have recently started painting more often,” Stabler said. “Being able to combine these skills and make a perfect gift for my niece was a lot of fun.”
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Among the entries, 20 contestants sourced their items from a ReStore, five found furniture pieces on the side of the road, while six repurposed items they already had at home.
The People’s Choice category garnered more than 1,900 online votes. The Designer’s Choice winner was chosen by the interior designers at Birchview Design, who evaluated entries based on criteria such as creativity, originality, usability, and overall transformation.
Both winners received a Fusion Mineral Paint prize pack, a one-year membership to the Peterborough Tool Library, and a $500 gift card to Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (PKR) has announced the winners of ‘The Big Flip’, its inaugural furniture flipping contest intended to encourage people to repurpose old furniture rather than dispose of it in the landfill. Philip Feder (second from right, top photo) won the People’s Choice Award and Cass Stabler (left, bottom photo) won the Designer’s Choice award. (Photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity PRK)
Alaura Jopling, marketing coordinator for Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre, said it was a thrill to be part of The Big Flip.
“We encourage our customers to visit us anytime for guidance and supplies for their next DIY project,” Jopling noted. “Together, we can help you create, repurpose, and give life to old furniture while protecting our planet.”
In 2023, Habitat PKR’s three ReStores diverted 331,730 items from landfills as a result of its donations of new and gently used building materials, furniture, appliances, and home décor items. “Every purchase and donation at the Habitat PKR ReStores help build safe, decent, and affordable housing,” Habitat for Humanity PKR noted.
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When the contest launched, Natalie Raponi, sponsorship and events coordinator for Habitat for Humanity PKR, shared with kawarthaNOW her goal for the contest.
“The best thing that could happen from this event is that more people would start to consider giving new life to existing furniture pieces instead of throwing them away,” Raponi said. “There are so many incredible ways to restore, refinish, and reimagine used pieces in order to keep them out of landfills and contribute to a circular economy.”
Habitat for Humanity PKR is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting affordable homeownership.
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Edith Dumont (holding her paddle in the air, third from bottom on the right) was among the dignitaries who paddled one of the Canadian Canoe Museum's Voyageur canoes into Little Lake during a grand opening celebration on May 11, 2024 for the now-completed new museum at 2077 Ashburnham Drive. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
After two-and-a-half years of construction following a decade of planning challenges, the Canadian Canoe Museum celebrated the completion of its new lakefront location in Peterborough on Saturday (May 11) and, based on the reactions of the large crowd attending the grand opening, it was well worth it.
The world-class museum at 2077 Ashburnham Drive, which officially opens to the public on Monday, comprises 65,000 square feet over two storeys on a five-acre property on the shores of Little Lake and was purpose-built to house the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft, with exhibitions telling the story of the canoe and a lakefront campus offering on-water and outdoor education programming.
Streamed live on YouTube, Saturday’s afternoon opening ceremony was attended by an estimated 200 invited people, including dignitaries from all levels of government — Indigenous peoples, the Crown, and federal, provincial, and municipal governments — as well as the museum’s donors, partners, members, and volunteers.
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One of the dignitaries was Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont who, prior to the opening ceremony, participated in paddling a Voyageur canoe around Little Lake, which departed from one of the seasonal docks that are part of the lakefront campus.
During the opening ceremony introduced and emceed by museum curator Jeremy Ward, attendees heard a written message from Governor General Mary Simon, who is a patron of the museum, and watched a video message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in which he referred to the birchbark canoe owned by his father that now resides in the museum’s collection.
Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont, who represents the Crown in Ontario, was the first dignitary to speak at the podium.
The new Canadian Canoe Museum at 2077 Ashburnham Drive on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough, which officially opens to the public on May 13, 2024, hosted a grand opening celebration on May 11. Pictured is the main entrance to the museum with the feature window showing Hudson Bay and the Great Lakes and the museum’s sign in Anishnaabemowin, English, and French, representing the languages of those who share the canoe’s history. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
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“It was a long portage bringing everything here from the old location, but I think everyone will agree this stunning facility has made the journey worthwhile,” Dumont said, referring to the move of the museum’s collection from its former Monaghan Road home.
She continued by acknowledging the artistry and ingenuity of the Indigenous peoples who invented the canoe and used it to explore and navigate the waterways they have stewarded throughout their own history, along with the shared history of English and French settlers and Indigenous peoples when it comes to the canoe.
“This museum will make it abundantly clear that, when it comes to the water and the environment, we are all in the same boat,” Dumont added. “Each one of the crafts and artificats inside this giant canoe has its own story, and it’s wonderful that some of the boats are being made available for people to take out on the water so that the canoe’s stories and our own will be woven together.”
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The Lieutenant Governor congratulated museum executive director Carolyn Hyslop and her entire team for their “vision, dedication, and skill in steering through the low and high tides that are part of any project of this size.”
After the late Professor Kirk Wipper donated his immense watercraft collection in 1994 to the organization that would become The Canadian Canoe Museum, the museum opened its doors to the public in 1997 in the previous head office of the Outboard Marine Corporation at 910 Monaghan Road.
In 2014, the museum announced an ambitious plan to build a new facility on Parks Canada property beside the Peterborough Lift Lock and, the following year, launched an international design competition, selecting a winning design in 2016. A campaign to secure funds for the new museum followed. However, in 2020, a cancer-causing chemical was discovered at the intended site and the museum was forced to abandon both its plans for the location and the selected design for the new museum.
A canoeist putting in from one of the expansive seasonal docks that are part of the new Canadian Canoe Museum’s lakefront campus during a grand opening celebration for the new museum on May 11, 2024. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
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In 2021, the museum entered into an agreement with the City of Peterborough to purchase the Johnson Park property where the new museum has now been built. With a design by Unity Design Studio (formerly Lett Architects Inc.), construction began that fall but, because of labour and supply shortages due to the pandemic, the original opening date of summer 2023 was delayed by almost a year.
“Sometimes the journey we make is not the one we have planned, but it’s the one we discover we needed all along,” Dumont said, thanking the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who helped to create “this unique and remarkable place.”
“You offer living proof that there’s no destination we cannot reach when everyone is paddling together.”
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Via a recorded video, Ontario premier Doug Ford offered his congratulations on the opening of the new museum, recognizing museum founder Kirk Wipper and his passion for the canoe.
“I know he’s looking down on us today and he’s just so proud,” Ford said.
Other speakers included Curve Lake First Nation chief Keith Knott, Hiawartha First Nation chief Laurie Carr (via a recorded video), Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount MP Anna Gainey on behalf of federal heritage minister Pascale St-Onge, FedDev Ontario minister Filomena Tassi (via a written message), Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferreri, Ontario culture, tourism and sport minister Neil Lumsden, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Weston Family foundation chair Garfield Mitchell, and museum board chair Kevin Malone.
Canadian Canoe Museum executive director Carolyn Hyslop, Globe and Mail columnist Roy MacGregor, Canadian Canoe Museum curator Jeremy Ward, and broadcast journalist Shelagh Rogers at the grand opening celebration of the new Canadian Canoe Museum on May 11, 2024. MacGregor and Rogers are both members of The Canadian Canoe Museum’s National Council. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Malone noted that the Canadian Canoe Museum was named as one of the 20 best new cultural hot spots in the world for 2024 by National Geographic earlier this year, as selected by the brand’s global community of editors, writers, photographers, and explorers.
“One of the best things about visiting the world’s largest collection of canoes and kayaks?” reads the National Geographic story. “You can actually paddle up to it. The sleek, boat-shaped facility, which has its grand opening in May, is located lakeside in Peterborough (about 80 miles from Toronto by car). After goggling at the museum’s more than 600 watercraft or taking a lesson in carving paddles from Anishinaabe artists, visitors can embark from the onsite dock on a group boat tour of Little Lake.”
The final speaker at the podium was Canadian Canoe Museum executive director Carolyn Hyslop, who was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd.
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“There’s so much love in this room that I am humbled and feeling very moved,” said Hyslop. “This is probably one of the most incredible days of my life. There’s been a few, and I have joked that this (the new museum) is my third child.”
“This is a celebration of years of incredible work,” she added. “The goal was to build a home — a home for the canoes, a home for the people, and a home for the story — and, oh my goodness, I think we’ve done it. We’ve made it happen. We are in the most exquisite facility that couldn’t be more better, and this is where we are going to spend many, many more years. This is the beginning of the next chapter.”
Hyslop noted all the people who, prior to the opening ceremony, were paddling in canoes and kayaks at the lakefront campus of the museum — which was landlocked at its former location — “loving the land and loving the water.”
Attendees give a standing ovation for executive director Carolyn Hyslop during the grand opening celebration of the new Canadian Canoe Museum on May 11, 2024. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
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“I think those connections is where the Canoe Museum has potential for big change,” Hyslop said, before thanking the project team responsible for building the new museum, Indigenous peoples, those who contributed to the museum’s exhibitions, past and current museum boards, the museum’s staff, the museum’s volunteers, family members, and curator Jeremy Ward.
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this goal, this museum, if it weren’t for the transformational support at the government level, at the private level, at the individual five dollar level — it all as made this place come to reality,” Hyslop said, before sharing some “exciting news.”
“Our $45 million fundraising campaign to support this museum is fully funded. We did it. We get to start the museum with a clean slate and get going on all the work that we need to do, and there’s lots of work that still needs to be done.”
Dignitaries representing Indigenous peoples, the Crown, and federal, provincial, and municipal governments with Canadian Canoe Museum staff at the grand opening celebration of the new Canadian Canoe Museum on May 11, 2024. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Features of the new museum include:
An integrated Collection Hall that allows for the display of 100 per cent of the Museum’s watercraft in a Class “A” controlled museum environment, an artifact conservation standard.
A 20,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall featuring a brand-new suite of exhibits, with the local Michi Saagig dialect of Anishnaabemowin used in the exhibits alongside English and French.
The Lang Lakefront Campus with a canoe house, gathering circle, campfire pit, accessible boardwalk, a walk-in canoe launch, an adaptive canoe and kayak launch, and two expansive seasonal docks to accommodate on-water and outdoor education programming.
An accessible Library and Research Room with Class “A” archival storage.
An authentic Artisan Studio and Canoe-Building Studio to facilitate hands-on learning for adults and youth.
A premier event rental space featuring a sweeping view of Little Lake.
The Silver Bean Café with fireplace and adjacent Lakefront Terrace.
A wall at the new Canadian Canoe Museum recognizes donors, including kawarthaNOW. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
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