Attendees at the Niibing N'kweshkodaadida ("let's meet and greet in summer") on June 22, 2023, the first social gathering organized by Indigenous-led organizations Lovesick Lake Native Women's Association, Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and Trent University's First Peoples House of Learning with financial support from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
With the first day of fall this Saturday and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation the following Saturday, four local Indigenous-led organizations are inviting members of the Peterborough-Nogojiwanong community to a free social gathering from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday (September 21) in the Peterborough Square courtyard.
“Dagwaagig N’kweshkodaadidaa” — which means “let’s meet and greet in autumn” in Anishinaabemowin, the Obijwe language — will feature drumming, dancing, food, local Indigenous vendors, and language learning opportunities.
All Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members are welcome to join the event, which is being presented by Lovesick Lake Native Women’s Association, Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and Trent University’s First Peoples House of Learning.
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“Dagwaagig N’kweshkodaadidaa is an opportunity to connect with the Indigenous community of Nogojiwanong during a time where we have so much to celebrate,” says Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre executive director Ashley Safar in a media release, mentioning both the autumnal equinox and Peterborough Pride.
“It is also a day leading up to a time of reflection, mourning and healing as we approach the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. My hope is that this event will be an opportunity to come together as a larger community to learn and connect.”
This is the second social gathering organized by the four organizations, with the first — Niibing N’kweshkodaadida (“let’s meet and greet in summer”) — taking place on June 22. The gatherings came out of “Virtual Cup of Tea” sessions organized by Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough executive director Jennifer DeBues and representatives of each of the four organizations.
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“For the Community Foundation, we are learning about our responsibilities as treaty people,” DeBues says. “After the discovery of the unmarked graves in Kamloops (in 2021), the Foundation decided to set aside a portion of our annual budget for reconciliation activities. As we built relationships with Indigenous-led organizations in the community, we invited them to make the decisions around how to use that money. The idea of a series of social events came from that.”
More Indigenous-led social gatherings are planned for the future.
“It has been so exciting working together on this initiative to bring community together,” says Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle executive director Angela Connors. “With the support of the Community Foundation, we have been able to share perspectives and resources, build better relationships, and see the potential for future collaborations. We are stronger together.”
As part of its 30th anniversary season from November to April, Public Energy Performing Arts is presenting "Izzie M: The Alchemy of Enfreakment" by Indigenous artist collective Chocolate Woman Collective, created by and featuring Monique Mojica (pictured) along with Barry Bilinsky. It will be performed at Nozhem: First Peoples' Performance Space at Trent University on March 8 and 9, 2024. (Photo: Jillian Sutherland)
Public Energy Performing Arts announced its 30th anniversary season on Wednesday (September 20) at a media event at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, featuring a dramatic aerial dance performance from visiting artist Diana Lopez Soto whose completed work will be presented at the venue next April.
Soto’s work Nomada is being developed through a two-week residency at the Market Hall with Public Energy, which has partnered with some of Canada’s most prestigious dance presenters to commission this new work, including Canadian Stage and Danceworks in Toronto and the PuSh Festival in Vancouver. Nine years in the making, the finished work will be on tour in Canada later this season and will be performed at the Market Hall on April 5 as the penultimate event in Public Energy’s 2023-24 season.
According to Public Energy’s executive director Bill Kimball and managing director Eva Fisher, a theme running through much of the 2023-24 season sees artists using dance and song to heighten awareness of the importance of our connection to the land.
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Public Energy’s history is rooted in Peterborough New Dance, an organization founded in 1994 that inherited a discontinued dance presenting program operated by Peterborough’s artist-run centre Artspace. Supporting both new and existing work from independent choreographers, Peterborough New Dance’s founding director was Kimball, who had curated Artspace’s dance program from 1980 to 1994. In 2001, Peterborough New Dance became incorporated as a charitable organization under the name Peterborough New Dance and Performance.
In 2003, Peterborough New Dance adopted a second name, Public Energy, under which it expanded the organization’s activities beyond dance into related disciplines of contemporary theatre and performance. The second name came from an early mandate adopted by the Peterborough New Dance to “create a kind of public energy around the presentation, creation, and touring of contemporary dance.”
The words “Performing Arts” were added to Public Energy’s name in the 2019-20 season to reinforce the multi-arts mandate and alleviate ongoing confusion among some members of the public that the organization was a utility company.
A poster for the first-ever event produced by Public Energy, back when it was known as Peterborough New Dance. “Apogée” by Le Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown was performed at Peterborough’s Market Hall in November 1994. (Photo: Public Energy)
Over the past 30 years, Public Energy Performing Arts has worked with more than 2,000 artists — including dancers, actors, choreographers, directors, designers, visual artists, filmmakers, sound artists, writers, and theatre technicians — and mounted more than 500 shows, classes, workshops, talks and other events seen by over 50,000 audience members and participants. A significant portion of Public Energy’s programming is with Indigenous artists, with the organization taking both a local and provincial lead in Indigenous arts programming.
Running from November until April, Public Energy’s 30th anniversary season showcases the best of the world of dance, theatre, and performance, including projects with connections to Norway and Mexico, as well as two artists with strong local connections (Jon Hedderwick and Charlie Petch). This year, Public Energy is also deepening its partnership with Trent University’s Nozhem First Peoples’ Performance Space, which continues to attract some of the country’s best Indigenous artists.
Below is a list of the performances for the 2023-24 season. Advance tickets for all performances are available via the Public Energy Performing Arts website at publicenergy.ca.
Zaagi’idiwin: Our Mothering Heart (November 3 and 4)
Sophie Dow, Samantha Sutherland, and Olivia C. Davies. (Photos: Chris Randle and Rose Bennett)
From Vancouver’s contemporary Indigenous performance company O.Dela Arts, Zaagi’idiwin: Our Mothering Heart includes three performances that together run for around 50 minutes.
“Journals of adoption,” a solo created and performed by Sophie Dow, extends a choreographic exploration through two journals of origin: one text from Sophie’s birth mother’s experience of pregnancy and process of offering her up; the other text from Sophie’s own reflections, queries and rumination as an adopted child.
“Slip away,” a solo created and performed by Samantha Sutherland, explores themes of loss and hope relating to the endangered state of the Ktunaxa language, shares accounts of the current efforts toward preservation of the endangered language, and showcases dreams of how it may continue enlivened in the future.
“Rematriate XX23,” a new work in development by Olivia C. Davies, is conceived as a love letter for the experience of motherhood, honouring the one who carries us in her womb, nurturing and nourishing, and who will live forever in our hearts.
Zaagi’idiwin: Our Mothering Heart will be performed at Nozhem: First Peoples’ Performance Space (Room 101, Enwayaang Building, 1 Gzowski Way, Peterborough) at 7 p.m. on November 3 and 4 with a 3 p.m. matinee performance on November 4. Tickets are sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $5 to $25.
Bubie’s Tapes (January 17 to 21)
Peterborough spoken word artist Jon Hedderwick in “Bubie’s Tapes.” (Photo: Andy Carroll)
While preparing a pot of matzo ball soup for his daughter, Peterborough spoken word artist Jon Hedderwick recounts personal and family experiences from the Russian Revolution, through the Holocaust and beyond, as told by his Bubie Sarah in cassette tape recordings she left behind.
Through these stories, Bubie’s Tapes reveals much about the history and ongoing impacts of antisemitism in Canada and around the world.
Bubie’s Tapes will be performed at The Theatre on King (171 King St, Peterborough) at 8 p.m. from January 17 to 20 with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on January 21. Tickets are sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $5 to $25. All shows will be presented as relaxed performances, with ASL interpretation to be available for one of the performances (to be announced).
Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land (March 3)
Performers in Norwegian choreographer Elle Sofe Sara’s “Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land.” (Photo: Knut Aaserud)
From Norwegian choreographer Elle Sofe Sara, Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land is a 90-minute performance about community and kinship between people, with nature, and with the land we all share. The choreography is inspired by demonstrations, spiritual practices of the Sámi people in northern Europe, and formation dance.
“Seven black-clad women, fists raised, brandish megaphones above their heads, in front of Esplanade Tranquille,” reads a description of the performance. “They start dancing to ask the land for permission to gather on it. Then, walking with heads held high, they lead the audience into the depths of the theatre for Vástádus eana: a galvanizing choreographed concert that amplifies the long-repressed voices of the Sámi people.”
“Through their polyphonic chants and their movements, the performers draw us into an a cappella story of resistance and healing. Their voices are rooted in joik, the captivating Sámi music sung while travelling across the land. Embodying memory, they celebrate the alliances between all living creatures and the land, between nature and the community. Inspired by socio-ecological movements and Sámi spirituality, this hymn pays tribute to all those who fight injustice.”
Vástádus Eana – The Answer is Land will be performed at 2 p.m. on March 3 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough). As the description implies, the performance will begin outdoors, at an accessible location very near the theatre to be determined (guides will be on hand to provide assistance). Tickets are sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $10 to $20.
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Izzie M: The Alchemy of Enfreakment (March 8 and 9)
Monique Mojica and Barry Bilinsky in Chocolate Woman Collective’s “Izzie M: The Alchemy of Enfreakment.” (Photo: Jillian Sutherland)
From Indigenous artist collective Chocolate Woman Collective in Toronto, Izzie M: The Alchemy of Enfreakment uses the circus freak show as an allegory to examine the tension between the sacred and the profane and the ways in which things that are sacred in Indigenous societies became profaned for entertainment and profit.
This theme also relates to the underlying structure of Indigenous effigy mounds and earthworks, because some of them were not only brutally excavated and looted but also used as race tracks and amusements parks.
Formerly known as Side Show Freaks & Circus Injuns, Izzie M: The Alchemy of Enfreakment was created by Chocolate Woman Collective founder Monique Mojica (Guna and Rappahannock) and features Mojica and Barry Bilinsky (Metis/Cree). It will be performed at Nozhem: First Peoples’ Performance Space (Room 101, Enwayaang Building, 1 Gzowski Way, Peterborough) at 7 p.m. on March 8 and 9, with tickets sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $5 to $25.
Nomada (April 5)
Mexican-Canadian artist Diana Lopez Soto in “Nomada.” (Photo courtesy of Public Energy)
Created and performed by Mexican-Canadian artist Diana Lopez Soto, Nomada is a solo performance that brings together aerial dance, rigging design, installation art, and contemporary Mexican dance.
Representing a journey inspired by personal stories of displacement, rituals of water, cycles of sustainability, and the connections of our bodies to land, Nomada is the result of extensive collaboration with some of Canada’s most talented composers, designers, and projection artists, as well as family and knowledge keepers from the community of Michoacan, Mexico.
Nomada is supported by the CanDance Network commissioning program with five presenters across Canada taking part, including Peterborough’s Public Energy Performing Arts, Toronto’s Canadian Stage and Danceworks, Nanaimo’s Crimson Coast Dance Society, and Vancouver’s PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
Nomada will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on April 5 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough). Tickets are sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $10 to $20.
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No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart (April 24)
Award-winning playwright, author, and spoken word performer Charlie Petch. (Photo: Coconutkiss Images)
Written and performed by award-winning playwright, author, and spoken word performer Charlie Petch, No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart tells true stories from their past as a 911 operator, hospital bed allocator, emergency room clerk, and street worker.
Directed by Adam Lazarus and supported by dramaturg Donna Michelle St. Bernard, No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart is filled with busking performance, novelty instruments, clown, tragicomedy, lessons in de-escalation technique, and a deep appreciation of street communities.
No One’s Special at the Hot Dog Cart will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on April 24 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough). Tickets are sold on a sliding pay-what-you-can scale from $5 to $25.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a long-time media sponsor of Public Energy Performing Arts.
The new Canadian Canoe Museum's lakefront location along Little Lake in Peterborough will open over winter 2023-24 featuring new visitor experiences and programming, with grand opening celebrations taking place on the weekend of May 11, 2024. Pictured is a portion of the new boardwalk that will make it easier for museum visitors to enjoy the on-water programming that will be offered at the new museum. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced its new facility under construction on Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough will open over the winter, with an official grand opening celebration set for the spring.
According to a media release issued by the museum on Wednesday (September 20), the museum’s originally scheduled fall opening date has been delayed due to nationwide construction industry issues.
“Material and labour availability, supply chain disruptions, and scheduling and sequencing complexities have caused unavoidable delays in completing the impressive two-story, 65,000-square-foot museum and its five-acre lakefront campus,” reads the media release.
Construction delays have shifted the new Canadian Canoe Museum’s opening timeline from fall 2023 to winter 2023-24. Once open, the two-story 65,000-square-foot museum and its five-acre lakefront campus is projected to welcome 87,000 visitors annually. Grand opening celebrations will take place on the weekend of May 11, 2024. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
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The new museum is now scheduled to open over the winter once it is completed, with an official grand opening planned for May.
“I am thrilled to announce that we will welcome our supporters to the new museum and campus the weekend of May 11th for our grand opening celebrations,” says the museum’s executive director Carolyn Hyslop. “While the pandemic and its impacts on the construction industry have affected our timeline, it has not affected the spirit and enthusiasm for this project. It will be worth the wait when visitors can explore this beautiful facility and our many new offerings and then continue to the lakefront for a memorable paddling experience.”
The grand opening weekend — which coincides with the start of the paddling season — will see donors, partners, members, volunteers, and dignitaries gather to celebrate the new building and Lang Lakefront Campus. It will also mark the launch of the museum’s full visitor experience with on-water activities to honour Canada’s paddling legacy. A schedule of events will be released closer to the grand opening date.
The new Canadian Canoe Museum’s atrium will welcome visitors and the public to refresh and refuel before their next adventure. It features a reception area, store, café, fireplace, and an artisan workshop to witness the art of canoe-making and restoration first-hand, and a view into the Collection Hall. (Rendering: Lett Architects)
When the new facility opens over the winter, the museum’s entire collection of over 600 paddled watercraft and artifacts will be under one roof and accessible to visitors for the first time in the museum’s history. A portion of the collection will be on display in the 20,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall, with the remainder held in the similarly sized Collection Hall.
In the Exhibition Hall, visitors can explore new exhibits at their own pace or through a guided tour and learn new skills in an artisan workshop. Food and drink from the Silver Bean Café will be available in the museum’s café, with the facility and its multipurpose room available to rent for community and corporate meetings, conferences, events and weddings.
All programming at the new museum will offer hands-on indoor and outdoor experiences connecting visitors and locals to the land, water, and canoe. A host of customizable and curriculum-linked programs will build on inspiration found in the exhibits and use the outdoor Lang Lakefront Campus year round. Workshops will include fire building, outdoor cooking, camping, plein air painting, and paddling skills.
The Canadian Canoe Museum has already moved more than 100 canoes and kayaks from its previous Monaghan Road location into the Exhibition Hall of the new facility, including Blue Bird, the longest canoe in The Canadian Canoe Museum’s collection at 16.36 metres. The remaining 500 watercraft will be relocated to the new museum over the next two to three months, with the help of official mover Peterborough-based McWilliams Moving & Storage. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
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In the spring, the Lang Lakefront Campus will offer on-water programming, daily 90-minute Voyageur canoe tours, and canoe and kayak rentals. Children’s day camps, adult paddling courses, and backcountry canoe trips will also run throughout the summer months.
While the originally scheduled opening date of the new museum has been delayed, The Canadian Canoe Museum has already moved more than 100 canoes and kayaks from its previous Monaghan Road location into the Exhibition Hall of the new facility, with the remaining 500 watercraft to be relocated to the new museum over the next two to three months.
“Moving this first portion of the collection into its new home was an incredible moment in this organization’s history,” says museum curator Jeremy Ward. “This collection is unlike any other worldwide and has been recognized for its national significance to this country. Now it finally has a home befitting it. It was certainly an emotional moment for myself and our team.”
All hands have been on deck, including The Canadian Canoe Museum’s executive director Carolyn Hyslop, to help museum move the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft into its new lakefront facility, will open over winter 2023-24. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
Peterborough-based McWilliams Moving & Storage is the official mover and lead sponsor of the museum’s “Move the Collection: The Final Portage” campaign, which is continuing to raise awareness and funds for the collection’s move to the new facility.
As for the museum’s $40-million “Inspiring Canada – by Canoe” fundraising campaign to support the cost of building the new facility, the museum has now raised 97 per cent of its goal, with fundraising events held this summer in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and Peterborough.
Along with community donations, the museum is being funded by lead donor and government partners including the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Weston Family Foundation, the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, and the Province of Ontario.
The Canadian Canoe Museum’s curator Jeremy Ward inspects the 100 canoes and kayaks recently moved into the new museum’s Exhibition Hall. The remaining 500 watercraft will be relocated to the new museum over the next two to three months, with the help of official mover Peterborough-based McWilliams Moving & Storage. (Photo: The Canadian Canoe Museum)
Canadians from across the country and beyond who want to support The Final Portage of The Canadian Canoe Museum’s collection to its new home can make a donation at canoemuseum.ca/final-portage.
Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities for The Final Portage can email Megan McShane at megan.mcshane@canoemuseum.ca.
Peterborough Police Service headquarters on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Pat Trudeau)
Police have charged a 31-year-old Peterborough man with mischief and obstructing a peace officer in connection with several incidents related to antisemitic flyers being distributed in neighbourhoods throughout Peterborough — and are consulting with the provincial government on an additional charge of wilful promotion of hatred.
Between May and July, antisemitic pamphlets were reported in the area of Parkhill Road West and Crowley Crescent, in the Medical Drive and Weller Street area, in the Lansdowne Street and George Street area,in East City, and the Wolsely Street and Chemong Road area. In total, police received 19 reports of the antisemitic flyers from residents.
“There is no room for hate in our community at any time,” said Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts in a media release in July. “The number one goal of the Peterborough Police Service is public safety, and the service is committed to this goal.”
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After a four-month investigation, last Friday (September 15), officers with the Peterborough Police Service’s Investigative Services Unit conducted a search warrant of a residence and located items connected to the distribution of the antisemitic flyers. During the investigation, the suspect in the case provided police with a false name and address.
As a result, a 31-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with mischief and obstructing a peace officer. The accused man was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on September 26.
“I would like to thank the investigators and officers involved in this investigation,” says Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts in a media release issued on Tuesday (September 19). “It was important to do a thorough investigation into the origin of this disturbing material and speaks to our continued commitment to public safety.”
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Police say they are consulting with the Ministry of the Attorney General to have the incidents deemed as a wilful promotion of hatred under Canada’s criminal code, which is an indictable offence punishable with a prison term of up to two years.
“Police must balance constitutional rights with the Criminal Code of Canada which makes investigations very complicated,” reads a police media release. “Before laying some hate-motivated or bias-motivated criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, police are required to conduct an investigation and then turn the file over to the local Crown Attorney’s office and get consent from the Attorney General’s Office.”
There are several charges under the criminal code that require the Attorney General’s consent before charges are laid: advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred, wilful promotion of hatred, and wilful promotion of antisemitism. Advocating genocide is punishable with a prison term of up to five years, with the other charges each punishable with a prison term of up to two years.
Police and emergency vehicles at the scene of a serious single vehicle collision on Highway 28 between Eels Lake Road and Dyno Road in North Kawartha Township on September 19, 2023. (Photo: Roger Cormier)
Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews are at the scene of a serious single vehicle collision that occurred on Highway 28 in North Kawartha Township on Tuesday afternoon (September 19).
The collision occurred between Eels Lake Road and Dyno Road, just south of Silent Lake Provincial Park.
Police have not released any information about injuries.
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Highway 28 is closed in the area while police and emergency crews deal with the collision scene, with traffic being diverted.
Police say to expect delays. The Highway 28 closure will remain in place for several hours while police investigate.
Hydro One is also reporting a wide power outage in the area as a result of a motor vehicle accident, with more than 5,000 customers affected.
British comedian Chris Gibbs will perform as Barnaby Gibbs, the bumbling chronicler of brilliant Victorian London detective Antoine Feval, in "The Case of the Mysterious Mystery: A Not Quite Sherlock Mystery" at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon on September 23, 2023. (Supplied photo)
Fresh from the 2023 Winnipeg Fringe, British comedian Chris Gibbs returns to the Globus Theatre stage in Bobcaygeon for one night only on Saturday (September 23) to perform the latest instalment in his critically acclaimed Not Quite Sherlock series.
The Case of the Mysterious Mystery: A Not Quite Sherlock Mystery continues the hilarious story of brilliant Victorian detective Antoine Feval and his not-quite-so-clever assistant Barnaby Gibbs.
Under its original title Antoine Feval, Not Quite Sherlock premiered at the 2005 Winnipeg Fringe, where it won Best of Fest. Set in 1896 London, it introduced audiences to the incurable optimist and Sherlock Holmes fan Barnaby Gibbs, a man who knows he’s not good at anything — until he has a chance encounter with famous detective Antoine Feval.
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While Feval is “not quite Sherlock,” Barnaby becomes his Dr. Watson, chronicling Feval’s genius while proving to be considerably less sharp than Holmes’ astute companion.
Not Quite Sherlock went on to win the Just For Laughs Best Comedy award at the Montreal Fringe in 2009 and was performed all over Canada and beyond. In 2020, Gibbs returned to Winnipeg Fringe with a sequel Not Quite Sherlock 2 (The Further Adventures of Antoine Feval), where Barnaby and Feval encounter a deadly conspiracy, an evil mastermind, and a plot that could change the fate of the British Empire.
In The Case of the Mysterious Mystery: A Not Quite Sherlock Mystery, Barnaby confronts the troubling question of why the brilliant detective Feval needs a bumbling fool as his sidekick. The mystery is solved by telling the story of the original case that first brought the crime-fighting duo together.
VIDEO: “Not Quite Sherlock” (2017) by Chris Gibbs
“Chris Gibbs always delivers a fabulous show with clever twists and turns and great physical theatre,” writes Murray Hunter for The Jenny Revue. “This show continues on in that tradition. He also throws in enough backstory for those who have not seen any of the previous shows in the series to not feel left out.”
“This is a very funny show,” writes Terry Moor of UMFM 101.5 in Winnipeg. “The very well-written script is filled with plenty of Gibbs’ characteristic zingers, absurdities and ad-libs … His delivery is second to none, with his dry wit and deadpan style of humour on full display in this show.”
Chris Gibbs began his comedy career in 1991, working as a street performer in London’s Covent Garden, where he combined comedy with acrobatics, while also performing in stand-up and improv shows around London. In 1993, he teamed up with clown genius Peter Mielniczek to form the physical comedy duo Hoopal, which perform in theatre, street, and comedy festivals throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
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Chris moved to Canada in 2002 and immediately began writing and performing his one-man shows, including the Not Quite Sherlock series, the stand-up comedy shows A Legal Alien and Like Father, Like Son? Sorry, and the spoof motivational seminar The Power of Ignorance co-written with fringe legend TJ Dawe. Chris has also performed with Globus Theatre over the past 20 years, appearing in their very first season as well as in many murder mysteries and original shows since then.
A Globus audience favourite, Chris will perform The Case of the Mysterious Mystery: A Not Quite Sherlock Mystery at 8 p.m. on Saturday (September 23) at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon. An optional dinner is available at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the show only, or $80 for dinner and the show, and are available by calling the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037 or online at globustheatre.com.
The show will be followed by a question-and-answer session led by Globus Theatre’s artistic producer James Barrett, where audience members will have the opportunity to ask Gibbs about his career, the creation of his characters, and all the hilarity within his show.
Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough executive director Jennifer DeBues (left) with Jacob Rodenburg, executive director of outdoor and environmental organization Camp Kawartha, during the Foundation's June 2023 community celebration of local non-profit organizations, agency fund holders and designated fund holders, donors, supporters, and Foundation board members past and present. For the past 10 years, DeBues has worked to help the Foundation fulfill its purpose of inspiring giving to build a vital community for everyone. (Photo: Wayne Eardley courtesy of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
Founded nearly 15 years ago in 2009, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough was created by a group of visionary community leaders including John Martyn, Beth McMaster, Helene Lowry, and Bill Lockington.
The Foundation emerged from the Peterborough Affordable Housing Foundation (PAHF), which was winding down at the time. Eager to expand beyond PAHF’s limited scope, the Community Foundation adopted a broader vision: to help build a vibrant community for everyone.
Bill Lockington, the Foundation’s inaugural board chair, fondly recalls an early initiative.
“Around our third or fourth year, the New Canadians Centre approached us with an intriguing idea,” he reminisces. “They wanted to create a welcome pass program, similar to a coupon book, that would help introduce new Canadians to various aspects of the community such as the YMCA, museums, and other services. It required a modest $2,500 investment, and they ended up distributing over 100 passes. We got to see first hand how our support helped families discover their new home. It was pretty great.”
Andrea Dicks, the Foundation’s first executive director, played a pivotal role in its growth. Under her leadership, by the end of 2012 the Foundation distributed nearly $150,000 to various charitable agencies, including Habitat for Humanity, Kinark Child and Family Services, the New Canadians Centre, and Market Hall. Today, Andrea leads Community Foundations of Canada, the national organization for over 200 local Community Foundations.
Now celebrating her tenth anniversary with the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, Jennifer DeBues initially joined the organization as a part-time administrative assistant, gradually expanding her role to include bookkeeping and financial management, then becoming co-executive director and eventually sole director. (Photo courtesy of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
Now celebrating her tenth anniversary with the Foundation, Jennifer DeBues initially joined as a part-time administrative assistant. With experience in education, administration, and the non-profit sector, Jennifer gradually expanded her role to include bookkeeping and financial management.
As John Good, the Foundation’s second executive director, approached retirement, the team proposed a shared-leadership model to the board. John transitioned into part-time fund development, while Jennifer and Nicole Gagliardi took on co-executive director roles, with John’s support. Later, Nicole pursued consultancy, leaving Jennifer as the sole director.
Founding board member Kate Ramsay applauds Jennifer’s leadership.
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“Jennifer blends passion and patience in her role,” Kate says. “She mindfully weaves together the contributions of multiple stakeholders — our staff, donors, volunteers, as well as the agencies and the community members we serve — to create an ever stronger, ever more responsive and resilient social fabric in Peterborough.”
Under Jennifer’s direction, the Foundation has sought to shift the power dynamics of grant-making by inviting representatives of organizations who are most affected by an issue or cause to join a granting circle and share the work of grant-making.
“For the Community Foundation,” Jennifer says, “participatory grant-making is an expression of our values of trust, inclusivity, collaboration, and community vitality.”
On June 19, 2023, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough hosted a community celebration of agency fund holders and designated fund holders, donors, supporters, Foundation board members past and present, and local non-profit organizations including 4th Line Theatre, Camp Kawartha, Five Counties Children’s Centre, GreenUP, Hospice Peterborough, Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation, Kawartha Land Trust, Kawartha Youth Orchestra, New Canadians Centre Peterborough, Otonabee Conservation, Peterborough Field Naturalists, Peterborough Historical Society, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, Telecare Peterborough, YMCA of Central East Ontario, and YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. (Photo: Wayne Eardley courtesy of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
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Moreover, the Foundation is quick to respond to urgent community needs. It led the “Light the Way to $160K” campaign to fund Peterborough’s first opioid response hub. It helped fund the StopGap Drop-in Centre, which was operated by One City Peterborough in the former Trinity United Church during winter 2023. It has also worked with the federal government to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis and advance gender equality.
The Foundation’s reach extends across the City and County of Peterborough, supporting organizations addressing homelessness, food security, the arts, social services, and environmental stewardship. Their deep-rooted connections with donors and charities, combined with knowledge of community issues, allows staff to expertly direct funding to the areas that need it most.
Jennifer stands at the heart of this work.
“She leads by example with her passion and dedication to community shining through in everything she does,” says Jenn Harrington, the Foundation’s current board chair. “Jennifer is a strong role model. She cares about people’s well-being and about the organizations that deliver front line services. She inspires us all to build a community that provides opportunities for everyone to belong and thrive.
Eleven ways to get involved with the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. (Graphic courtesy of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
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As the Foundation approaches its 15th anniversary, Jennifer looks ahead to highlight ongoing priorities.
“I often say I have the best job in town, which is true, but it’s not without its challenges,” she notes. “Affordable housing remains a top concern, as does the opioid crisis. I’m proud of the work the Foundation continues to engage in to help with both, and would also like to see that same energy go into mitigating the climate crisis and addressing other emergent issues as they arise.”
One thing is for certain, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough has positioned itself to be a catalyst for long-term, systemic change with the aim of creating a vital community for everyone. Since beginning nearly 15 years ago, the Foundation has attracted over $12 million in endowed and long-term funding and has granted more than $6 million to 180+ charities.
If you’re inspired by the work of the Foundation, you are invited to get involved by visiting their website now at cfgp.ca.
This branded editorial was supplied by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
While the family cottage a treasure trove of beloved memories, it is also a valuable piece of real estate. When a seasonal property is sold or passed down to the next generation, it is subject to a taxable gain. It's never too early to consult with a financial planner like executive financial consultant Adam McInroy of Bobcaygeon-based McInroy and Associates Private Wealth Management for advice on how to reduce the impact of the impact of that taxable capital gain. (Stock photo)
If you own a family cottage, you already know about its sentimental value as a treasure trove of beloved memories. You are also no doubt aware of its financial value, especially in today’s real estate market. But you may not be aware of the tax impact of that financial value when you pass the cottage on to the next generation.
As financial consultant Adam McInroy CFP, CLU of Bobcaygeon-based McInroy and Associates Private Wealth Management explains, when an owner disposes of a seasonal property, there will be a taxable capital gain owed on the “deemed disposition” of the property — the fair market value of the property minus the adjusted cost base. It’s not uncommon for this capital gain to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The good news, Adam says, is there are proven strategies around how to plan now for passing on the family cottage in a way that reduces the impact of that taxable capital gain. Noting that vacation properties — specifically cottages — have seen a decrease in market value this year, he cites a conversation he recently had with a client.
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“He has a cottage not too far from here and has seen the real estate prices on his lake drop by 25 per cent,” Adam recalls. “The end of cottage season could be a great time to pass ownership to the next generation and have a lower taxable liability, rather than holding on to it for another decade or two when the value is likely to increase again.”
If a decision is made to pass ownership of the cottage to the owner’s children, “the biggest component” of succession planning may not even come down to the numbers.
“Becoming the owner of a cottage is very different than having memories of time at the cottage,” Adam points out.
“The expectation of the parents who passed it down, whether spoken or unspoken, might be they’re still going to be able to go the family cottage and enjoy it. Or, if it’s passed down to one child, the siblings might assume they have the right to use the family cottage as well.”
While one option is putting the cottage in a trust, Adam cautions this can lead to further issues if they aren’t worked out in advance.
“Simple things that you don’t think about, such as who will be responsible for to the day-to-day operation of the cottage? Who’s going to get the cottage for which weeks of the summer? How are those weeks going to be decided? Who’s going to be responsible for taxes and property maintenance?”
In his experience facilitating discussions around the passing of family cottage ownership to family members, Adam has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, the latter two typically arising from not having a conversation around what the particulars of what the joint ownership would look like.
“I’ve seen it work well, where all the siblings are on really great terms and can work through conflict in a mature manner and they’re all of the similar socio-economic standing,” Adam says. “But I’ve seen other cases where there’s a very wide discrepancy in socio-economic standing and it’s not an even split as far as cottage costs go. That really needs to be fleshed out if the plan is to pass the cottage down.”
Well before its time to pass the family cottage to the next generation, executive financial consultant Adam McInroy of Bobcaygeon-based McInroy and Associates Private Wealth Management suggests having open discussions with family members to address questions that may cause future discord such as who will get use of the cottage and when, who will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the cottage, and who will pay for taxes and property maintenance. (Stock photo)
Adam says consulting with a financial planner can help identify succession planning issues in advance, well before they can potentially cause rifts in the family.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat with clients and asked the simple question, ‘Who’s going to get the Canada Day long weekend at the cottage every year?’,” he explains. “The answer is ‘I don’t know.’ Then I ask, ‘How are you going to figure that out?’ The answer is ‘I don’t know.’ It’s simple things like this that can really create a massive conflict.”
Beyond relationship factors, Adam explains there is a financial impact to transitioning cottage ownership, including the tax liability that may be created.
The most important factor in reducing the taxable capital gain, he says, is to track expenses since the property was purchased, especially those that have increased the value of the property.
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“What did you pay for the property and what were the lawyer fees and the real estate fees at that time? What major upgrades have you done since then? All these things add to the adjusted cost base of the property. Photocopy your receipts — the originals fade over time — or store them digitally. That gives you a hard record of what you put into the property.”
“By increasing your adjusted cost base, you reduce your overall tax burden when you sell. The capital gain is determined by subtracting the adjusted cost base from the fair market value.”
Like all discussions around estate planning and the disposition of assets, Adam adds, open and regular communication with family members is vital.
“Keeping your will or your desires for your property a secret isn’t really part of a good estate plan,” he advises. “It shouldn’t come down to everyone sitting in the lawyer’s office after you’re gone and then figuring out what they get or what they don’t get.”
According to executive financial consultant Adam McInroy of McInroy and Associates Private Wealth Management (pictured), open and regular communication with family members is vital for any disucssion around estate planning and the disposition of assets, including the family cottage. Adam says consulting with a financial planner can help identify succession planning issues in advance, well before they can potentially cause rifts in the family. (Photo: McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management)
Instead, Adam suggests you have conversations with your family members well before the time comes to pass on the cottage.
“Sitting around at the cottage and talking about the cottage is never a bad idea,” he says. “Having conversations in advance with family is really important.”
Those conversations can include who will be responsible for maintaining the cottage, who will pay for what and when, and how the family will decide who gets to use the cottage for which weeks during the season.
Adam adds something else to consider during estate planning is flexibility if your current situation changes. For example, what happens if you need to sell the cottage for income instead of passing it down to the family? The situation for your family members may also change.
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“The child that wants the cottage today may not want it in 20 years. The child that doesn’t want it today may want it in 20 years. Building an estate plan with some flexibility to give them options is a great opportunity. You’re not locking anything in stone. You’re giving them options.”
Equally important, Adam says, is building liquidity into the estate plan so that all family members are treated fairly.
“If there are three children and they’re each entitled to a third of the cottage, the one who wants the cottage can buy out the other two,” Adam says. “Everyone walks away happy. That’s a great scenario.”
Meanwhile, for those who think gifting the cottage to the kids — or selling it to them for a dollar — is a way to avoid the taxable capital gain, think again. The capital gain is based on the fair market value of the property when it is disposed. What’s more, gifting at no cost or selling for below fair market value can result in double taxation.
McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management is located at 21 King Street West in Bobcaygeon. For more information, visit www.mcinroypwm.com. (Photo: McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management)
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When all is said and done, helping clients navigate the conversation around their cottage property is “often where our value lies,” says Adam.
“It’s not just about the dollars and cents. It’s how we can help create a harmonious environment that allow our clients the time to digest information, reflect on it, and make informed decisions. This gives our clients peace of mind and also allows for a smooth transition, regardless of what that transition looks like for them and their family.”
McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management is located at 21 King Street West in Bobcaygeon. You can email Adam at adam.mcinroy@igpwm.ca or call 705-748-1950. For more information about McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management, visit www.mcinroypwm.com.
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal, or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Adam McInroy is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Consultant.
This is one of a series of branded editorials created in partnership with McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Five Counties Children's Centre has launched the new SmartStart Hub that aims to more easily connect local families to services to support their child's developmental needs. Here, Five Counties staff members help to promote the different ways families can click and connect to care. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)
Every month, Five Counties Children’s Centre provides a story about the work of the charitable organization. This month’s story is by Alex Cranfield, Program Manager, Five Counties Children’s Centre.
September is the start of a new school year, and for families with busy lives, it may feel like ‘New Year’ as they get back into routines and fall activities.
This time of year, it’s always good to reflect on your child’s growth and development, something that may be evident as they have grown into bigger clothes or shoes. It may be obvious in a new skill they learned over the summer.
Whatever the case, parents with questions about a child’s development and how well they may be moving, speaking, doing day-to-day activities, or socializing with others have an easy first step to get answers and connect to services.
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The newly launched SmartStart Hub at Five Counties Children’s Centre helps parents and caregivers with concerns about child development more easily connect to the help they need close to home.
Navigating the system is challenging at the best of times, but more so if families are worried about a child’s ability to speak, move around, or get along with others.
SmartStart Hub is available to families in Peterborough, Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County who have children or youth up to age 19 (or age 21 if still in school).
Families may find it challenging to connect to the right services, especially if they have concerns about their child’s development. The SmartStart Hub at Five Counties Children’s Centre is designed to simplify the process so that kids get the help they need. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
SmartStart can find support for any child development concerns relating to:
Moving around
Performing daily tasks like feeding and eating
Speaking with and being understood by others
Getting along with other people
Taking part in routine activities
Families can visit the SmartStart Hub at fivecounties.on.ca/smart-start-hub/ to register a child and select services from which they think their child could benefit.
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All information shared through SmartStart is confidential and secure; no referral or diagnosis from a physician or other professional is needed.
Once a request for services is submitted, Five Counties staff will follow up with the parent/guardian to do an intake assessment to see if their child is eligible and, if so, what the right service is for their child. From there, a referral is sent to the appropriate agency and treatment goes from there.
Services provided through the SmartStart Hub include infant-child development, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, parent coaching, assessments, and much more. All services are provided in a friendly, supportive, and culturally safe environment that includes the family as a full partner in the care being provided.
The SmartStart Hub at Five Counties Children’s Centre helps parents and families find and access developmental services for children and youth in Peterborough, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. After a parent or guardian registers at SmartStart Hub either online, by phone, or by email, Five Counties will connect them directly to services and supports that their child or youth needs. (Graphic courtesy of Five Counties Children’s Centre)
Families aren’t the only ones being encouraged to use SmartStart. Online referrals for help can also be made by schools, health care providers, and other community agencies.
SmartStart Hub is being spearheaded by Five Counties, but we’re grateful for the support of our partners. They include: Peterborough Public Health; Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit; Point in Time Centre for Children, Youth and Parents; BGC Kawarthas; Oak Valley Health System (Infant Hearing Program/Blind-Low Vision Program); Kinark Child and Family Services; Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services; and Northumberland Child Development Centre.
Consider SmartStart the front door to support for a child’s developmental needs. We’ve rolled out the welcome mat, so be sure to drop by for an online visit at fivecounties.on.ca/smart-start-hub/.
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