Eleven local arts and culture organizations in Kawartha Lakes are receiving a total of $117,924.02 in one-time municipal grants.

Earlier this year, Kawartha Lakes city council approved $120,000 in the 2023 budget for an Arts and Culture Resiliency Fund to help non-profit organizations cover fixed operating costs such as rent and utilities, as well as fixed staffing costs, that were incurred last year.

With applications open during June, the fund offered grants in three tiers: up to $2,500, up to $10,000, and up to $20,000. Thirteen applications were received and reviewed, with 11 organizations deemed eligible for the funding.

Four eligible organizations were approved for the maximum grant of $20,000: A. Sheila Boyd Foundation in Bobcaygeon, Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon, The Academy Theatre Foundation in Lindsay, and The Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls.

The other seven organizations receiving grants are:

• Kirkfield Historical Society Museum in Kirkfield ($16,824.56)
• Ottawa Huron Tract History Association in Bethany ($6,175.63)
• Maryboro Lodge – Fenelon Falls Museum in Fenelon Falls ($6,174.13)
• Kinmount Management Committee in Kinmount ($5,608.76)
• Fenelon Station Gallery in Fenelon Falls ($2,500)
• Kinmount Artisan Marketplace in Kinmount ($2,500)
• Manvers Historical Society in Bethany ($2,500)

An application from Kawartha Art Gallery was deemed ineligible as that organization was already receiving city funding separately through the 2023 budget, and an application from Pinnguaq was deemed ineligible for not being an arts and culture organization.

The Peterborough Petes have announced the second of three pre-season exhibition home games taking place at local community rinks.

At 7:05 p.m. on Friday, September 22nd at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre (88 Alma St., Norwood), the Petes will face off against the Kingston Frontenacs — the same team they will play at the 2023-24 season home opener on Thursday, September 28th.

The Norwood game will also feature raffles, Chuck-A-Puck, and appearances from Roger the Petes mascot. General admission tickets are $20 cash only, and are only available in person at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre and JJ Stewart Motors (2239 8th Line, Norwood) while supplies last.

Attendees can choose seating in the arena or seating in the LLBO-licensed Millennium Room, which will have a live stream of the game (attendees seated in the Millennium Room will not have access to arena seating).

The first of the three pre-season exhibition home games takes place on Labour Day (September 4) at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope, where the Petes will take on the Oshawa Generals. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The final pre-season exhibition home game will take place in Millbrook on Saturday, September 23rd, with details to be announced.

4th Line Theatre founder Robert Winslow is writing a play about the former Millbrook high school, and the outdoor theatre company is inviting members of the community to a special reminiscence event this fall.

Managing artistic director Kim Blackwell will join Winslow at the October public gathering, which will aid in the development of Winslow’s forthcoming play Millbrook High, an exploration of the stories of the high school located on County Road 10 from its 1960 opening until its closing in the early 1980s.

Members of the public are invited to attend to share stories and memories of the history of the high school. According to Blackwell, community reminiscences are central to 4th Line Theatre’s play development program and its historical research.

“Reminiscences give us first-hand accounts of the history we are researching and are an essential part of developing our plays,” she says in a media release. “Without this, our productions would not have the authenticity and realism our patrons have come to expect.”

Past 4th Line Theatre productions developed through reminiscences include Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Doctor Barnardo’s Children, Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse. and Maja Ardal’s The Hero of Hunter St.

The community reminiscence takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. place on Saturday, October 14th at Centreville Presbyterian Church (574 County Road 28, Bailieboro), which is fully accessible. The event is free-of-charge and registration is not required to attend.

For those unable to attend in person, 4th Line Theatre is providing a virtual option. Register in advance at eventbrite.com/e/709667553757 and you’ll receive an email prior to the event with a link to the meeting on the Zoom video conferencing platform.

After a summer of low risk of COVID-19 transmission, Peterborough Public Health has moved the risk up to moderate.

However, the transmission risk of other respiratory viruses such as influenza remains low.

“We are seeing an increase in local COVID-19 indicators, including per cent positivity of PCR tests and wastewater signal,” says Peterborough’s medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott in a media release issued on Wednesday afternoon (August 30).

Dr. Piggott says an increase in respiratory virus activity is anticipated as we head into the fall, and members of the community — especially those at an increased risk for severe symptoms — should monitor the health unit’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index updated every Wednesday at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-risk-index/.

“As new variants continue to emerge globally, like BA.2.86, it is important to remember that guidance for prevention of COVID-19 infections remain the same,” Dr. Piggott says, adding that the health unit is continuing to monitor dominant strains of COVID-19 in the community and will keep the public updated if there are any emerging variants of concern.

Peterborough Public Health’s director of health protection Donna Churipuy says the health unit will soon be providing guidance on fall vaccines, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

“Peak circulation of both COVID-19 and influenza is expected in the fall during respiratory virus season,” Churipuy says. “Receiving both vaccinations will provide maximum protection against these viruses.”

When the Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index is at the moderate risk level, the health unit recommends wearing a well-fitted KN95/N95-style face mask in high-risk indoor settings, and gathering outdoors or in spaces with proper ventilation.

The health unit also recommends that anyone who feels unwell should stay home to prevent further spread of infection and should practice respiratory etiquette, such as coughing or sneezing into your sleeves or a tissue, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and cleaning your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or with 60 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Representatives of Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough gathered on Wednesday afternoon (August 30) to celebrate the results of a $149,100 capital grant received late last year from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The six-month grant allowed the non-profit charitable organization to purchase and install a state-of-the-art projector for film and theatre performances, as well as new state-of-the-art lighting elements.

Along with Market Hall’s general manager Chad Hogan, board chair Joe Grant, and board member Jennifer Cavanagh, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith spoke at the event on behalf of the Ontario government.

“It is great to see the results of the work that Market Hall has been able to do thanks to this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” Smith said in a media release. “These funds have allowed Market Hall Performing Arts Centre to advance their facility and continue to serve the community by providing a space for everyone to enjoy.”

According to the Market Hall, the capital upgrades that were completed in May will help extend the life of the Charlotte Street venue and provide the community with more flexibility for arts-related performances.

“We want to say thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of the arts and culture in Peterborough,” general manager Chad Hogan said. “Filmmakers and community groups alike will be able to screen their films with the highest quality available, and the lighting will improve the visual aesthetic for performances. So, overall, it’s a tremendous visual upgrade for the space.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario that has been providing grants for 40 years. Last year, the agency provided more than $110 million to 1,022 community projects and partnerships.

With a new wave of Trent University students arriving in Peterborough, an interactive scavenger hunt during September will help them become familiar with the campus and city while also supporting local businesses.

“Explore the Boro” — an initiative of Trent University, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism — will encourage both new and returning Trent students to install the Goosechase app on their phones to learn more about their community and to qualify for prizes.

From September 2 to 21, students can complete a variety of activities at a number of locations in downtown Peterborough and on the Trent campus, earning points by completing different missions, such as taking selfies at specific shops and landmarks or answering trivia questions.

“The energy in our city ramps up each fall when Trent students move back to Peterborough,” says Alison Scholl, senior manager of community and external relations at Trent University, in a media release. “They add so much to the cultural, social, and economic vitality of the city in so many different ways. Partnering with the DBIA and PKT to host Explore the Boro is a fun and unique way to help our incoming and returning students get to know and feel at home in Peterborough.”

Along with Trent swag, the three students who earn the most points on the Goosechase app will receive a Boro gift card worth $1,250 (first place), $750 (second place), or $500 (third place). Boro gift cards can be redeemed at downtown businesses.

“The Boro comes alive when Trent students return to the city with curious minds and vibrant energy,” says DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “We’re thrilled to continue this impactful partnership that creates opportunities for students to discover and re-discover our downtown core and support local businesses.”

Trent University’s economic impact represents around nine per cent of the local gross domestic product. Helping students become familiar with the city and discover new favourite shops and restaurants will benefit the local economy, according to Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

“We look forward to seeing Trent students back for a new academic year and seeing all of the ways that they discover their favourite spots in Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” Rees says. “Students and alumni of Trent University add to the cultural vibrancy, creative collaboration, and collective success of businesses and the community at large in the region. Their significant economic influence cannot be emphasized enough, as they occupy pivotal roles that drive our economy.”

Students looking for more information about Explore the Boro, including instructions on how to participate, can visit trentu.ca/exploretheboro.

Pablo, the capybara at Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough, has passed away.

The 10-year-old rodent recently began experiencing deteriorating health, according to a media release issued by the zoo on Wednesday morning (August 30), and was being monitored by the zoo’s animal health team.

Despite efforts by the zoo’s consulting veterinarian and animal health team to provide treatment and care, Pablo died on Tuesday morning “from complications arising from several age-related conditions.”

Pablo came to the Riverview Park and Zoo from the Toronto Zoo in 2015.

“With his friendly nature, Pablo was loved greatly by both our visitors and staff,” reads the media release. “We were very fortunate as Pablo had a long life with many years of good health … We would like to thank our staff and Dr. John Sallaway for their assistance with Pablo’s ongoing treatment and care. Pablo will be greatly missed by our community.”

Native to South America, the capybara is the largest rodent in the world at over a metre (39 inches) in length and weighing as much as an adult human.

A highly social species that lives in groups of 20 to 30 in the wild, the capybara inhabits savannas and dense forests and lives near bodies of water, with several adaptations for a partly aquatic lifestyle. The capybara can swim with only its nostrils, eyes, and short rounded ears protruding out of the water and is naturally buoyant.