Parents Stephen and Victoria are grateful for the speech treatment they received at Five Counties Children's Centre for their four-year-old son Ollie. While Five Counties employs
highly skilled clinicians for speech treatment services, parents and caregivers are often a child's best therapist. As they spend the most time with their child, their role in following through at home with the treatment tips and strategies learned through Five Counties is vital to help their child succeed. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties)
Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Darlene Callan, Director of Clinical Services, Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Four-year-old Ollie isn’t afraid to tell you what toy dinosaurs he has at home. His ability to share and speak words is something for which Ollie’s parents Stephen and Victoria are very grateful.
“We’re so glad we could get help as early as we did for him,” says Victoria. “When we drop Ollie off at any kind of program, we aren’t afraid because we know he can ask for help if he needs it.”
Ollie’s speech success — forged in treatment sessions at Five Counties, and just as importantly at home — illustrates the power of partnerships. While Five Counties employs amazing highly skilled clinicians, parents and caregivers are often a child’s best therapist.
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In Ollie’s case, around the age of one, Victoria noticed he was missing language milestones. This led to Ollie’s diagnosis for a motor-speech disorder called childhood apraxia of speech and the start of his speech therapy at Five Counties in early 2023.
“Five Counties really empowered us to know how to help Ollie and how we could get that practice done at home in a way that he loved,” Victoria says.
By asking questions during treatment sessions, and utilizing the resources and strategies provided by Five Counties, Victoria and Stephen were able to support Ollie’s language development in everyday activities at home.
“It was hard at times,” Stephen admits, “but we look back and it’s such a special memory to us that we got to invest in Ollie in a way that was so important to him.”
VIDEO: Parent’s Role in Child’s Treatment Success
Victoria and Stephen did this by incorporating speech activities with Ollie into everyday activities — at nap time, before bed, or while in the car.
“We did our word repetitions with Ollie, our practice and activities, and we tried to make it as much fun as possible,” Victoria says. “When you are getting to personally see the growth of your child as you’re helping them day-to-day, there’s nothing more rewarding than that. It’s truly the best way to spend your time.”
This investment at home has paid dividends for Ollie. While Five Counties staff work diligently with kids and families to support communication, physical, and developmental needs, treatment sessions are typically less than an hour each week for defined periods of time. As parents and caregivers spend the most time with their child, their role in following through at home with the treatment tips and strategies learned through Five Counties is vital to help their child succeed.
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Diane, a speech-language pathologist at Five Counties, has seen the change over time.
Where once there may have been a belief that progress only occurred during therapy at Five Counties, there is now much better understanding that this process is enhanced at home and in the child’s natural settings working together with parents and other caregivers.
“At one time when I was first working, we would’ve done those strategies during therapy and children would be able to come in quite frequently,” Diane says. “Now what we’ve learned is that if we can coach the parents in these strategies, the children will make faster progress because those strategies are very portable and parents can then use them, not only in play-based activities with their child, but in everyday routines, everyday activities.”
Monica and her daughter Paisley catch the spirit of teamwork during a therapy session with Five Counties Children’s Centre clinician Katie (right). Paisley works on her ability to control movement by stepping up and off different surfaces, in an obstacle course that also challenges her to see if she can ‘catch’ more fish than her mother. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties)
Diane offers the example of a child whose speech goals may include working on the ‘sh’ sound. If the child likes shopping, this becomes an excellent target word and everyday activity by which to work on articulation. The sound can be reinforced during grocery shopping, or in play routines at home where the child sets up a pretend store. As parents and caregivers follow the child’s lead, they can encourage ‘sh’ sounds within that activity such as using the words shop or shopping.
“The more that can be done at home, and the more natural and fun it can look, the better,” Diane notes.
Five Counties believes in a family-centred approach to care that sees clients and families actively engaged and playing a central role. It’s apparent the strength of families is essential for achieving the best treatment results for kids, but only possible when it involves a parent.
Five Counties Children’s Centre is encouraging parents to complete a family experience survey, available online until March 31. The survey asks for parent input on how Five Counties can improve its services and support for children and families. Families who complete the survey can submit their names to win one of three $25 grocery gift cards.
Located south of Westwood Park in Cobourg, the 14-acre parcel of land Northumberland County has purchased from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is currently a mix of forest and grassland. The county intended to develop a portion of the land for affordable housing, subject to standard zoning and environmental reviews. (Photo: Google Earth)
With a land sale now finalized, Northumberland County is moving ahead with the next steps towards increasing the supply of affordable and attainable housing in the county.
Northumberland County announced March 15 the conclusion of a successful negotiation process with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) to acquire a 14-acre parcel of land located at 699 Westwood Drive and 637 Burwash Street in Cobourg.
The property, previously owned by KPRDSB, was declared surplus by the board and placed on the market under the requirements of Ontario Regulation 444/98. Northumberland County purchased the property for $1.5 million, with another $250,000 per developable acre of land — up to 10 acres — to be paid following environmental assessments, for a total investment at or below $4 million.
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The county bought the land with the intent of building more affordable and attainable housing.
“The next steps include planning, zoning, and environmental studies to assess the exact amount of developable land,” Kate Campbell, Northumberland County’s communications director, told kawarthaNOW. “Studies will begin in the next few months.”
Campbell said timeframes for developing the land “will be dependent on the findings of these studies and funding being secured.”
The negotiation process, which began in October 2023 following direction from county council, involved planning and consultation between the county and the school board to evaluate the land’s potential for housing development. The process also encompassed detailed consultation with the Town of Cobourg and the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority.
“This acquisition underscores our commitment to meeting the housing needs of residents by creating the conditions to actively increase the local stock of affordable housing,” said Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander in a media release.
“By strategically acquiring this property, we are taking proactive steps to build a stronger, more resilient community. As new affordable housing projects are proposed and funding is secured, having this land at the ready will expedite progress to make more affordable and attainable housing options available.”
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The future development of the 14 acres, adjacent to Westwood Park, is subject to standard zoning and environmental reviews.
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Northumberland County for the sale of the Westwood Drive property at fair market value,” said Jaine Klassen Jeninga, chair of the KPRDSB.
“This transaction not only furthers our shared goals of community development but also ensures that the land will be utilized to benefit the residents and community of Northumberland.”
Northumberland County is the sole shareholder of Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC) — the primary provider of affordable housing services in Northumberland. The NCHC currently manages 373 geared-to-income and market rate affordable housing units.
The county said the acquisition of 699 Westwood Drive presents a significant opportunity for future partnership between the county and NCHC to further address housing affordability and accessibility in Northumberland.
Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for the entire greater Kawarthas region for Wednesday (March 20).
The winter weather travel advisory is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
A sharp cold front is expected to move south through the area late Wednesday morning or afternoon. Narrow bands of heavy flurries combined with gusty northwest winds associated with the front will lead to a relatively short but sudden drop in visibility.
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Total accumulations of 2 to 4 cm of snow are expected.
Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
The front and associated bands of heavy snow are expected to clear the region later in the afternoon or early evening.
A 27-year-old Lindsay man is dead following a serious collision on Highway 7 east of Oakwood in Kawartha Lakes on Tuesday evening (March 19).
At around 6:08 p.m., Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency services responded to a head-on collision on Highway 7 east of Taylors Road. Four motor vehicles were involved in the collision.
The driver of one of the vehicles, a 27-year-old man from Lindsay, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A 65-year-old person from North Bay was transported to Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay with minor injuries.
Highway 7 was closed from Opmar Road to Taylors Road until around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning while police investigated the collision.
On Tuesday morning, a 49-year-old man was killed in a collision between his vehicle and a tractor trailer on Highway 7 east of Peterborough.
Shannon McCracken and Kim Curry have founded the new Theatre Arts Training Academy in Peterborough to offer training and performance opportunities to local artists. (Graphic courtesy of Theatre Arts Training Academy)
Triple threat – a performer who excels at acting, singing, and dancing.
A new “triple threat” performance training company in Peterborough will be hosting auditions in April for a new summer intensive program at the Peterborough Theatre Guild.
According to a media release, artistic director Shannon McCracken and program coordinator Kim Curry founded the Theatre Arts Training Academy (TATA) to offer training and performance opportunities to local artists.
“We recognized the need for more performing opportunities in Peterborough, and are thrilled to introduce Theatre Arts Training Academy to our local talent pool,” McCracken says in the release.
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Led by McCracken, The Summer Intensive is an audition-based training and performance intensive focusing on singing, acting, and dance/movement. Over the course of two weeks, participants will delve into vocal training, acting techniques, and movement sessions.
Scheduled to run Mondays to Fridays from July 8 to 20, mornings will feature classes and master classes led by active industry professionals and afternoons will be dedicated to rehearsals, culminating in a fully staged production at the Peterborough Theatre Guild on July 20 featuring songs and scenes spanning Broadway classics to pop hits.
Tuition for The Summer Intensive is $450, but financial aid is available.
Theatre Arts Training Academy founders Shannon McCracken, artistic director, and Kim Curry, program coordinator. McCracken will be leading the company’s summer intensive program along with industry professionals. (Photos courtesy of Theatre Arts Training Academy)
“Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, we’re able to offer financial assistance to aspiring performers who may otherwise find it challenging to participate,” McCracken says. “We firmly believe that talent knows no financial boundaries, and it’s our mission to ensure inclusivity within our community.”
The Summer Intensive is open to artists aged 12 to 35. Auditions are scheduled to be held on April 9, 10, and 14 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, with callbacks on April 22.
For more information about the Theatre Arts Training Academy and to register for an audition for The Summer Intensive, visit www.theatreartstrainingacademy.com.
For nine years, the Peterborough Peace Council has held a monthly peace vigil at noon at the corner of George and MacDonnel streets. The vigil will begin its 10th year on March 25, 2024. (Photo: Peterborough Peace Council)
The Peterborough Peace Council will host the ninth anniversary of its monthly peace vigil at noon on Monday (March 25) in downtown Peterborough.
Founded by nine people from diverse faith groups to foster compassionate non-violent direct action and conflict resolution through information sharing, the Peterborough Peace Council began holding a vigil for peace at the corner of George and MacDonnel streets the last Monday of every month starting on March 30, 2015.
Since then, the group has never missed holding a monthly vigil, even during the pandemic.
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“For nine years, one hour per month has held a call for peace,” the Peterborough Peace Council states in a media release. “We bring signs about the peace issues on our hearts, we walk, we hand out peace doves. In a circle, we share concerns for peace in our community, Canada, and the world.”
“As we mark the beginning of our 10th year, the issues remain urgent, especially with the carnage in ongoing wars. We will hold space for the suffering in Gaza and in Israel, in Ukraine and in Russia, in the Sudan, with the Wet’suwet’en, Indigenous Rights, our local housing crisis, the global climate crisis, drug deaths, and resulting conflicts in our own homes and in our streets.”
According to the media release, the monthly peace vigil grew from two separate vigils.
The Peterborough Peace Council’s monthly peace vigil has been held on the last Monday of the month ever since March 30, 2015, regardless of the weather. (Photo: Peterborough Peace Council)
One peace vigil was called by the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough to respond to the fatal shootings on Parliament Hill on October 22, 2014 when a mentally ill man killed a Canadian soldier on ceremonial sentry duty at the National War Memorial and was subsequently killed by RCMP officers inside the Parliament Buildings. The other peace vigil was hosted by the Abraham Festival in 2015 in response to violence and suffering in the Middle East.
Recently, the Peterborough Peace Council has on occasion combined its monthly vigil with the weekly Monday vigil outside Peterborough City Hall calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
“The vigil’s ongoing message is the challenge to move to a world without war, that violence never resolves conflict but makes it worse, and that the human species can find better ways to settle our differences,” reads the media release.
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The peace vigil will begin its 10th year on March 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the corner of George and MacDonnel streets.
After the peace vigil, participants will be invited to attend a potluck at one member’s home to reflect on the past nine years, after which they will attend the Israel-Gaza ceasefire vigil outside Peterborough’s City Hall at 4:30 p.m.
Peterborough's newest school, Kaawaate East City Public School is located at 250 Hunter Street East near the top of Armour Hill and the Peterborough Museum & Archives. It opened in 2021 and serves students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8. (Photo: Google Maps)
When her daughter began attending junior kindergarten at a recently built Peterborough school, parent Tara Joyce was surprised to learn the provincial government doesn’t provide funding for a school playground.
Joyce wants her daughter, other students, and ultimately everyone in the East City community to have a playground at Kaawaate East City Public School (KECPS).
She and other parents are calling on the community’s support as they embark on a $200,000 fundraising campaign for an accessible playground at the public elementary school on Hunter Street East that opened in 2021.
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“I was surprised and disappointed to learn when the Ministry of Education builds and opens a new elementary school, its funding doesn’t include the school playground,” Joyce, a member of the parent committee spearheading the fundraising campaign, told kawarthaNOW. “It’s up to the new school community to raise funds for it.”
When it opened in 2021, Kaawaate East City Public School was designed with a capacity for 675 students. The projected student population in September 2024 is 847 students.
“Having a playground for the students seems critical to the healthy functioning of any elementary school,” she said. “With our student body and new building already overcrowded in its third year of existence, creating more interactive spaces outdoors for our students is critically needed, and will have a long-term positive impact on their learning and growth.”
On March 18, KECPS announced its intent to raise the money needed to build an accessible playground for its student population of almost 800 children from the East City area of Peterborough and surrounding communities. It has raised $25,000 to date.
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Joyce said making the playground inclusive of children who have varying abilities is important.
“Our vision is to create an outdoor space that allows children of all abilities and developmental stages to play together and that creates a nurturing environment for all,” she said.
“We have students with walkers and other mobility issues and our school is built on a drumlin. Equipment that includes ramps so all children can reach elevated play components such as slides, and enjoy the view up high is critical, as well having ground-level play activities.”
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing disorder often feel either over-stimulated or under-stimulated, and either need a quiet place to escape to, or the option to engage in activities that stimulates their senses, Joyce noted.
“We’d like the playground to include a mix of both calmer areas and sensory-rich activities that may involve music, lights, or spinning motions.”
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Having an accessible playground is a priority for all members of the KECPS playground committee. It’s this shared concern for inclusion among parents of the East City community that’s driving them to raise funds for an accessible playground that caters to all students, including those with special mobility and sensory needs, a media release noted.
“The KECPS yard is located adjacent to a forest and offers a beautiful view from the hill overlooking the Trent-Severn waterway. It is truly a special location in the East City and one KECPS is proud to share with its community.”
“With our student body and new building already overcrowded in its third year of existence, creating more interactive spaces outdoors for our students is critically needed, and will have a long-term positive impact on their learning and growth,” said Robin Koshurba, member of the KECPS playground committee, in the release.
The committee is asking local businesses and organizations, families, and any interested donors for help to meet their fundraising goals.
Those who wish to donate can do so through School Cash Online at kprdsb.schoolcashonline.com or by cash or cheque. For more information about making a donation, contact the KECPS office at 705-745-2591.
The KECPS student population encompasses children from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 and includes students from the former King George Public School and Armour Heights Public School. “Kaawaate” is Ojibwe for “shining waters.”
A 49-year-old man is dead after a serious motor vehicle collision on Tuesday morning (March 19) on Highway 7 east of Peterborough.
At around 6:40 a.m., Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews responded to the scene of the collision, which happened on Highway 7 at David Fife Line between Highway 28 and County Road 38.
Police report a westbound passenger vehicle and an eastbound tractor trailer collided. The 49-year-old man driving the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Highway 7 was closed in both directions between Highway 28 and County Road 38 while police and emergency crews dealt with the collision scene and police conducted an investigation.
The highway was reopened at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
Anyone who may have dashcam footage of the collision or witnessed it and has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact the Peterborough County OPP at 705-742-0401 or the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122.
The original version of this story has been updated with details about the fatal collision and the highway reopening.
Gordie Johnson, front man for the Juno-nominated blues and reggae rock band Big Sugar. The band's "500 Pounds Theatre Tour", which sees the entire 1993 album played live in the first set followed by hits and favourites in the second set, makes a stop at Lindsay's Flato Academy Theatre on March 23, 2024. (Photo: Marc LePage)
encoreNOW is a new 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 Steve Paikin’s talk for the Lakefield Literary Festival, the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of Willow Quartet, Lindsay Little Theatre’s production of Bunny, Big Sugar’s concert at Lindsay’s FLATO Academy Theatre, the Billboard In Concert: 1973 show at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, the Peterborough Museum & Archive’s TIFF film screening at Galaxy Cinemas, Victoria Yeh and Mike Graham’s residency at the Black Horse Pub in Peterborough, Trent Radio’s latest “Radio From The Stage” episode at Dreams of Beans in Peterborough, and more.
Lakefield Literary Festival welcomes Steve Paikin’s insights
Canadian journalist, author, documentary producer, and podcaster Steve Paikin. (Photo via Speakers Spotlight website)
When you want to catch people’s attention, it’s never a bad idea to welcome an influential and respected heavyweight to the ring.
On Friday, March 22, the Lakefield Literary Festival will do just that, hosting A Conversation With Steve Paikin at Lakefield College School’s Bryan Jones Theatre. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. event, moderated by festival chair and author John Boyko, cost $30 at Happenstance Books and Yarns in Lakefield and online at lakefieldliteraryfestival.com/.
Paikin is best known as the longtime anchor of TVO’s flagship current affairs program The Agenda, but the Hamilton native has also produced a number of feature-length documentaries and is an accomplished author. His latest book is 2022’s critically acclaimed John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister.
At the Lakefield event, Paikin will share his thoughts on the current state of Canada’s political leadership as well as take questions from his audience. In addition, he’ll host a book-signing session.
And here’s a bonus — those in attendance will learn details of the author lineup for this year’s Lakefield Literary Festival July 19 and 20. The festival began in 1995, now paying annual homage to the village’s literary heritage of which Catherine Parr Trail, Susanna Moodie, and Margaret Laurence were very much a part of.
Choices, consequences and forgiveness at the Guild Hall
Tristina Haines as Kim, Laine Williams as Marjorie, and David Adams as Ben (not pictured is Peter Cain as Jim) during a rehearsal of “Willow Quartet” by Joan Burrows at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Directed by Tami Whitley, the drama completes its run from March 21 to 23, 2024 at The Guild Hall at 364 Rogers Street in Peterborough’s East City. (Photo: Peterborough Theatre Guild)
This coming weekend will mark your last chance to catch the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of Willow Quartet at the Guild Hall on Rogers Street in Peterborough.
The curtain rises on award-winning Canadian playwright Joan Burrow’s drama on March 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $27 for seniors and $20 for students. Call 705-745-4211 to reserve or order at www.peterboroughtheatreguild.com.
The fifth presentation of the theatre company’s six-play 2023-24 season, the story centres around Kim (Tristina Haines) who moves back to her childhood rural farm home in the aftermath of a family tragedy three years earlier.
As she struggles through her grief and eventually begins to explore her buried feelings, her interactions with her mother Marjorie (Laine Williams), her estranged husband Ben (David Adams) and an interloper in the form of visiting violinist Jim (Peter Cain) serve to, well, complicate matters.
Directed by Tami Whitley, this is a tale of connection, healing, love and forgiveness — a much more sombre offering following the company’s rollicking presentation of Fiddler On The Roof back in February.
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Lindsay Little Theatre’s gives a stage to one woman’s desires
Sandra Hallford in the lead role of Sorrel and Reece David as Justin during a rehearsal for “Bunny” at Lindsay Little Theatre. The play also stars Em Legate as Maggie, Collin Dusome as Angel, Julie Robichaud as Lola, Will Bowyer as Carol, and Brian Rump as the Professor. (Photo: Lindsay Little Theatre / Facebook)
This weekend also marks the final presentations of Lindsay Little Theatre’s production of Bunny, with performances March 22, 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m., at its 55 George Street East home in Lindsay.
Written by Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch and directed by Logan Gerzymisch, Bunny offers an intimate look into the sexual life of a young woman, Sorrel (Sandra Hallford). Her relationships with men, and her connections to them and sex are explored. Hence the warning that this production is for those aged 18 and up.
Sorrel must ultimately make a difficult choice between desire and love, discovering who she is deep down in the process. In the meantime, her ‘bestie’ Maggie (Em Legate) is an anchor in her life that she keeps returning to.
Often lost in the hype attached to larger local theatre companies, Lindsay Little Theatre is one the oldest troupes in the region, dating back to the early 1960s. Yup, they know what they’re doing and do it well.
Spoonfuls of rock sweetness in Lindsay courtesy of Big Sugar
VIDEO: “Ride Like Hell” – Big Sugar (1993)
If there really is a resident ghost at Lindsay’s historic Flato Academy Theatre, he or she won’t get much rest Saturday, March 23rd as Big Sugar breaks the silence, and then some, for it’s 8 p.m. concert.
Billed as An Evening With Big Sugar, Gordie Johnson’s power trio, which dates back to its Toronto founding in 1988, will perform a generous selection of its many hits, including selections heralding the deluxe vinyl release of 1993’s smash Five Hundred Pounds.
Johnson says “The theatre setting gives us the opportunity to explore a much wider range of styles but it is still a Big Sugar rock and roll show.” Translated? If your heart is in need of a thumping, this is the place to be. Tickets are available at www.flatoacademytheatre.com.
The music of 1973 at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre
Billboard In Concert: 1973 at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre at March 22 and 23, 2024 features performances from Jeff Biggar, Michaelle Bouey, Nathan Carroll, The Colton Sisters, and Kaylee Harwood. (Graphic: Capitol Theatre)
Those who claim the 1970s brought forth the best popular music of any decade before or since will see their case strengthened March 22 and 23, 7:30 p.m., at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre in the form of Billboard In Concert: 1973.
Conceived by Jeff Newberry and Rob Kempson, and featuring local and regional artists, the concert offers a generous playlist of the top Billboard hits of that year. Songs by Carly Simon and Gladys Knight and the Pips and any one of the year’s other hit makers will make for some serious flashbacking. While bellbottom jeans and halter tops are optional, they are in no way discouraged, so style away.
TIFF film screening series continues at Galaxy Cinemas
VIDEO: “Ru” trailer
Bringing TIFF To You, a partnership between the Peterborough Museum and the Toronto International Film Festival Circuit Groups, continues Monday, March 25th with a screening of Ru at Galaxy Cinemas in downtown Peterborough.
Based on the Governor General’s Award-winning novel by Kim Thuy and directed by Charles Olivier-Michaud, the film details the arduous journey of a wealthy family fleeing Vietnam and settling in Quebec. Filmed in 2022, it premiered last year at the festival.
While passes are sold out for the series, ‘rush’ tickets at $20 each will be available at the museum on the day of the screening and 30 minutes prior at the movie theatre (credit card only).
Victoria Yeh and Mike Graham return to the Black Horse
Violinist Victoria Yeh and guitarist Mike Graham perform regularly around Peterborough. (Photo: Trevor Hesselink / Groundswell Photography)
As musical duos go, it doesn’t get much better than Victoria Yeh and Mike Graham.
On Wednesday, March 27th, she of the electric violin and he of the acoustic guitar will work their music magic at the Black Horse, 452 George Street North in Peterborough. They’ll take to the stage at 6:30 p.m.
New takes on classical jazz standards, modern fusion, and original music is on the menu. There’s no cover but the tip jar will be open for business, so show your appreciation.
Radio From The Stage presents Episode Six at Dreams of Beans
The next episode of Trent Radio’s Radio From The Stage series takes place on March 31, 2024 at Dreams of Beans in downtown Peterborough and features musicians Taylor Abrahamse, Joslynn Burford, and David Newland. (Graphic: Trent Radio)
The next episode of the ongoing Radio From The Stage series from Trent Radio is set for Sunday, March 31, 1:30 p.m., at Dreams of Beans, 138 Hunter Street West in Peterborough.
Staged before a live audience as well as aired by Trent Radio, this episode, titled “Dreams,” features musicians Taylor Abrahamse, Joslynn Burford, and David Newland. Admission to attend is free but, if you can’t make it and want to enjoy, tune in to 92.7 FM or visit www.trentradio.ca.
Funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and curated by Charlie Glasspool, the series debuted last October. Among the local audio artists featured to date have been Kate Story, Benj Rowland, Victoria Yeh, and Peterborough poet laureate Ziysah Von Bieberstein.
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Encore
VIDEO: “Ghosts” by Irish Millie
More than a few are rooting for Millie Shadgett a.k.a. Irish Millie as she prepares to head to the Canadian Folk Awards in early April in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The 17-year-old fiddle master, who just released her new single “Ghosts,” is nominated for a third time, this time in the Young Performer(s) of the Year Category. “Ghosts,” which sees Millie stretch her musical legs as a vocalist, pianist, and guitarist, is available for download on Spotify and Apple Music.
The 78th annual Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival will take place March 25 to 28, with the final showcase concert set for April 1st, 6:30 p.m., at the Salvation Army on Simcoe Street.
Four years ago this month, everything we knew changed as COVID became a thing. Everything was shut down for an extended period, including pubs, entertainment venues, theatres ,and other homes of local entertainment. It’s true. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
On March 14, 2024, Selwyn Township officially celebrated a $60,000 provincial grant to help make the Lakefield waterfront more accessible for people with disabilities. Pictured from left to right: Selwyn Township Smith Ward councillor Brian Henry, Selwyn Township deputy mayor Ron Black, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Selwyn Township Lakefield Ward councillor John Boyko, Ontario Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Selwyn Township mayor Sherry Senis, and Selwyn Township Ennismore Ward councillor Mary Coulas. (Photo: Selwyn Township)
Selwyn Township will be improving the accessibility of the Lakefield waterfront this summer for people with disabilities, thanks in part to a grant from the Ontario government.
The $60,000 grant from the provincial government’s Inclusive Community Grants Program was announced as part of the township’s budget earlier this year, with a formal announcement last Thursday (March 14) attended by Ontario’s minister of seniors and accessibility Raymond Cho, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Selwyn Township mayor Sherry Senis, and township representatives.
The “Creating an Inclusive Waterfront in Lakefield” project includes the purchase and installation of an assistive canoe and kayak launch at Isabel Morris Park and a fully accessible canoe and kayak launch at the Lakefield Beach.
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“There remain considerable barriers to participation in recreation and cultural activities for people with disabilities,” Mayor Senis said in a media release. “This is also true for seniors, people with limited mobility, and/or health-related issues. To achieve inclusivity for all, parks and recreation services must be accessible to residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. This is a goal that the township strives towards.”
According to the township’s 2024 budget, the total cost of the project is estimated at $72,904 and is scheduled to be completed by July 31.
“Those with disabilities and limited mobility are often faced with obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces,” MPP Smith said. “This funding will allow individuals to have access to waterfront that will enable them to enjoy activities with their friends and families for years to come.”
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The province’s Inclusive Community Grants Program provides local governments and not-for-profit organizations with funding for projects that enable older adults and people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of community life.
Since 2020, the program has supported 87 projects in Ontario communities, including $740,859 for 15 projects in 2023-24.
“Our government proudly supports Selwyn Township in removing barriers to recreation through the Inclusive Community Grant,” Minister Cho said. “The addition of an accessible and assistive canoe and kayak launch at Isabel Morris Park will go a long way in ensuring more people can enjoy the beautiful Lakefield waterfront.”
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