Around 400 people gathered during a community watch party at Quaker Foods City Square in downtown Peterborough on May 19, 2023 to take in game five of the best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League championship final between the hometown Peterborough Petes and the London Knights, livestreamed from Budweiser Gardens in London. Additional community watch parties will take place at the square on May 27 and 28, 2023 so fans can cheer on the OHL champion Peterborough Petes from afar as they take on the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds and then the Kamloops Blazers at the Memorial Cup championship series in Kamloops, B.C. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
The Kamloops-bound Peterborough Petes will feel the love again this coming weekend with community watch parties confirmed at Quaker Foods City Square in downtown Peterborough for the club’s Saturday and Sunday games.
On Saturday (May 27), the Ontario Hockey League champion Petes begin their bid for the second Memorial Cup, taking on the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds to open the round-robin portion of the 103rd Canadian junior hockey championships. The following day, Sunday (May 28th), the Petes will do battle with the host Kamloops Blazers in game two of tournament’s opening round.
Both community watch parties, featuring TSN’s broadcast screened on a 16-foot video wall provided by Porter Sound, begin at 5 p.m. with puck drop for both games at 6 p.m.
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According to the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Association (DBIA), which is partnering with the City of Peterborough and sponsors including kawarthaNOW to present the weekend events, a plan to have a community watch party for the Petes’ third round-robin game versus the Québec Remparts on May 30th has been scrapped due to the late 9 p.m. EST start time and a related concern over the volume of crowd noise at a late hour.
The watch parties will also feature a kids’ fun zone, a small vendors market with food and snacks, and a beer garden provided by Bobcaygeon Brewery in partnership with Sandbagger Seltzer. Fans are asked to bring their own chairs and cash if they would like to purchase from any of the vendors Those who can’t make it to the square this weekend to take in the on-ice action fans can catch the Petes’ Memorial Cup games on OHL Live, TSN, Freq 90.5, Oldies 96.7, and Classic Rock 107.9.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Quaker Foods City Square filled with fans, watching the games together, cheering on their Petes,” says Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal in a media release. ” The community spirit has been brilliant. Thank you to the Downtown Business Improvement Area for organizing and hosting these family-friendly watch parties with support from the City of Peterborough. By partnering, we’re able to bring together our community to cheer on our Petes.”
Around 400 people gathered during a community watch party at Quaker Foods City Square on May 19, 2023 to take in game five of the best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League championship final between the hometown Peterborough Petes and the London Knights, livestreamed from Budweiser Gardens in London. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
The weekend watch parties are being organized based on the success of a like event that was held May 19th for game five of the Petes’ OHL championship series against the London Knights that drew close to 500 fans to Quaker Foods City Square.
The Petes lost that game 4-1 but rebounded two nights later with a 2-1 win to claim their 10th J. Robertson Cup as OHL champions.
That was followed on May 22nd by a community celebration of the Petes’ championship win, again attended by about 500 people, most sporting the club’s maroon-and-white colours. At that event, Petes players, coaches, and management received a raucous welcome.
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Afterwards, DBIA executive chair Terry Guiel praised the square as a location for such events.
“It makes a city a livable, enjoyable place,” he said. “We have diehard fans of the downtown but there’s also a large demographic that’s new to Peterborough. We need to introduce them to the downtown as well as reintroduce people who haven’t come downtown in awhile.”
Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal echoed that sentiment.
“This is exactly the kind of event that we want here,” he said,” adding “It’s the perfect venue for something like this.”
Why fight the crowd when you can sit right up front? This young Peterborough Petes fan got up close and personal with the 16-foot screen during the Peterborough Petes community watch party held held May 19, 2023 at Quaker Foods City Square in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
Completed in fall of last year at the site of the former Louis Street parking lot, the Quaker Foods City Square hosted ice skating throughout the winter season and recently became the new home of the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market that will operate every Wednesday and Saturday until October 28th.
Key funders of the project included the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) which provided $750,000, the City of Peterborough which contributed $677,909, and the DBIA with a $50,000 donation.
Last September, Peterborough city council approved a naming rights agreement with PepsiCo Foods which, through its Quaker brand, will pay $240,000 over 15 years for the city square’s name.
This story has been updated with additional information from a Peterborough DBIA media release.
As well as encouraging literacy by providing mobile library services, the Peterborough Public Library's Book Bike is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gas-powered bookmobiles. (Photo: Mark Stewart / Peterborough Public Library)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s column is by Ashley Burnie, Program Coordinator, GreenUP.
After a long Canadian winter and a rainy spring season, it can be difficult for individuals to get back outside, let alone start biking to work. Local businesses and organizations are setting the bar for sustainability by taking part in the Shifting Gears May Challenge and doing business by bike in all sorts of weather.
During the Shifting Gears May Challenge, residents of the city and county of Peterborough are encouraged to walk, cycle, take transit, carpool, or telecommute for essential trips instead of driving in a personal vehicle. Participants who track these active and sustainable trips online are eligible to win prizes. Participants also receive access to bike equipment, bike audits, educational workshops, and advice that makes active travel easier until the end of May.
Shifting Gears would like to highlight three businesses and organizations that have not only accepted the challenge, but have gone above and beyond to make the choice to do business by bike, making the case for Shifting Gears far beyond the month of May.
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Three Sisters Natural Landscapes
Carlotta James, cofounder of Three Sisters Natural Landscapes, speaks eloquently about everything she experiences from her bicycle when she rides to work.
“I can see which flowers are blooming in people’s gardens,” she says. “I can meet friends along the way and have an uplifting exchange. I can use the power of my legs to get me places. I can arrive to work feeling happy to be alive and ready for the day.”
Three Sisters Natural Landscapes cofounder Carlotta James with her bike and her husband Tim Haines. Three Sisters uses bike power to arrive at consultations and for fall clean-up services, thereby lowering the emissions of the business. (Photo: Three Sisters Landscaping)
Three Sisters is an eco-landscaping social enterprise that is dedicated to creating pollinator-friendly gardens and re-wilding urban spaces. Three Sisters uses bike power to arrive at consultations and for fall clean-up services, thereby lowering the emissions of their enterprise.
“Small changes like cycling to work make a big environmental impact if more and more people get involved,” James explains. “Shifting Gears amplifies the message to get outside and to use different modes of active transportation.”
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Peterborough Public Library
Lower barriers and fewer emissions go together for the Peterborough Public Library’s Book Bike, a full-service little library on wheels that takes books to communities outside the downtown core.
“This summer, the Book Bike will be making regular visits to Peterborough parks every week,” says library services manager Mark Stewart. “It’ll also be showing up at Story Times in the Park and other events around the city.”
The Peterborough Public Library is working towards weaving sustainability into everything they do, and this pedal-powered mobile little library is just one example. (Photo: Mark Stewart / Peterborough Public Library)
At the Book Bike, patrons can sign up to get a library card and then check out books to take home. Stewart says the library wanted to provide a bookmobile service, and using the book bike was a way to achieve this without the use of fossil fuels.
The Peterborough Public Library is working towards weaving sustainability into everything they do, and this project is just one example.
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Very Important Pet (VIP) Peterborough
For Hailey Finlay, owner and operator of Very Important Pet (VIP) Peterborough that offers dog-walking and pet-sitting services, doing business by bike is a choice she is happy to make.
After an ankle injury left her unable to use a longboard, Finlay found herself at B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop, learning about maintenance, four-season riding, and route planning — all of which helped to build her confidence as a cyclist for her business.
Hailey Finlay, owner of Very Important Pet (VIP) Peterborough, uses her bicycle as a low-cost and environmentally friendly method of increasing her business’s service area while also helping reduce her stress and anxiety before she meets with her clients. (Photo: Hailey Finlay / VIP Peterborough)
One of the main benefits of offering services by bike can be the low overhead which enables an entrepreneur like Finlay to increase their service area without increasing fuel costs. According to Finlay, biking also allows her a moment of mindfulness so she can arrive to work with her clients with less stress and anxiety.
Apart from dressing for the weather and carrying an extra set of clothing, Finlay encourages cyclists to also scout routes in advance using city cycling maps or apps like Strava or Google Maps. She says preparing in this way can help ease nerves and allows new cyclists to get to know road conditions along the way. Importantly, Hailey encourages new cyclists to stay within their physical limits and get to know local amenities when choosing to ride to their workplace.
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For many years, the Shifting Gears May Challenge has been helping Peterborough residents and businesses get outside and take fewer daily trips by car. The challenge’s goal is to benefit personal wellness, the environment, and the community.
Whether this is your first season on a bike or you are looking for some accountability to keep you riding this season, the Shifting Gears May Challenge is for you.
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) stars in the third episode of the sixth season of British dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror, which is coming to Netflix sometime in June. "Beyond the Sea", which is set in an alternative 1969, follows two men on a perilous high-tech mission as they wrestle with the consequences of an unimaginable tragedy. (Photo: Netflix)
Every month, kawarthaNOW is the only local media source to bring you a list of what’s coming to Netflix Canada. Here are a few highlights of what’s coming to Netflix in June.
The British dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror returns for its sixth season in June. Netflix describes it as “the most unpredictable season yet”, the season’s five episodes — all written by series creator Charlie Brooker — are named “Joan is Awful”, “Loch Henry”, “Beyond the Sea”, “Mazey Day”, and “Demon 79”. Netflix has announced a specific premiere date in June, so you’ll just have to keep an eye out.
VIDEO: “Black Mirror” season six trailer
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For fans of the Netflix fantasy drama series The Witcher, the first volume of the third season premieres on Thursday, June 29th. The third season is Henry Cavill’s final turn as Geralt of Rivia as he traverses the continent alongside trusty bard Jaskier (Joey Batey) and volatile mage Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra). The second volume of the third season will be released on July 27.
VIDEO: “The Witcher” season three trailer
The comedy-drama series Never Have I Ever, created by comedian Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project) and Lang Fisher and loosely based on Kaling’s childhood experiences in the Boston area, returns for its fourth and final season on Thursday, June 8th. Senior year has finally arrived. Between college conundrums, identity crises, and crushes that won’t fade, are Devi and the gang ready to face the future?
VIDEO: “Never Have I Ever” final season trailer
Other returning series include part two of season four of Manifest (Jun. 2), season three of Love is Blind: Brazil (Jun. 7), season two of Human Resources (Jun. 9), season six of Animal Kingdom (Jun. 19), season three of Catching Killers (Jun. 23), and season nine of Alone (Jun. 30).
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Netflix’s 2020 action-thriller Extraction was the most-watched original film in Netflix’s history, with over 99 million viewers during the first four weeks. The sequel Extraction 2 sees Chris Hemsworth (Thor) reprise his role as Tyler Rake, a former Australian SAS operator turned black ops mercenary. Golshifteh Farahani and Adam Bessa also reprise their roles from the first film, with Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, and Tinatin Dalakishvili joining the cast. Extraction 2 premieres on Netflix on Friday, June 16th.
VIDEO: “Extraction 2” trailer
Other new Netflix films include Rich in Love 2 (Jun. 2), The Perfect Find and Through My Window: Across the Sea (both on Jun. 23), Run Rabbit Run (Jun. 28), and Nimona (Jun. 30).
The new docuseries Arnold follows Arnold Schwarzenegger’s multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician. The three-part series, which chronicles never-before-seen footage and stories of Schwarzenegger’s journey from rural Austria to the highest echelons of the American dream, includes candid interviews with Schwarzenegger, his friends, foes, co-stars, and observers. The joys and the turbulence of his family life are unveiled in a tale that matches his larger-than-life persona. Arnold debuts on Netflix on Wednesday, June 7th.
VIDEO: “Arnold” trailer
Other Netflix documentaries include Tour de France: Unchained (Jun. 8), Our Planet II (Jun. 14), Take Care of Maya (Jun. 19), Break Point: Part 2 (Jun. 21), King of Clones (Jun. 23).
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New Netflix series include Tex Mex Motors and This World Can’t Tear Me Down (both on Jun. 9), Glamorous (Jun. 22), and Is It Cake, Too?! (Jun. 30).
Theatrically released movies include Miss Congeniality, The Italian Job, Mean Girls, and Starsky & Hutch (all on Jun. 1), The Campaign (Jun. 3), Boss Level (Jun. 4), Baby Driver (Jun. 11), L.A. Confidential (Jun. 15), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (Jun. 22), and King Richard (Jun. 24).
VIDEO: New to Netflix Canada in June 2023
Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in June, along with what’s leaving.
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Coming in June (no release date specified)
Black Mirror: Season 6 (Netflix series) – The Emmy-winning sci-fi drama series returns for a new season.
Celebrity (Netflix series) – Fame. Money. Power. One young woman fights to become the next hottest celebrity in the glamorous yet scandalous world of influencers in Seoul.
Delete (Netflix series) – A man and woman entangled in an affair attempt to start a new life together after they stumble upon a device that can make other people disappear.
Thursday, June 1
Astérix & Obélix: The Middle Kingdom (Netflix film) – Gallic heroes and forever friends Asterix and Obelix journey to China to help Princess Sa See save the Empress and her land from a nefarious prince.
The Days (Netflix series) – Blamed by some, hailed as heroes by others, those involved with Fukushima Daiichi face a deadly, invisible threat — an unprecedented nuclear disaster.
A Beautiful Life (Netflix film) – When a young fisherman with a hidden talent gets discovered by a music producer, he must decide if he’s ready to open himself up to stardom — and love.
LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising (Netflix family) – Two teenagers from different worlds use their newly discovered Ninja powers to defend dragons from villains who want to use their life-force for evil.
Cooties
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Enough
Fear
First Knight
Girls5eva: Season 2
Girls5eva: Season 2
The Italian Job
Mean Girls
Miss Congeniality
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Muster Dogs
Nanny McPhee
Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang
Ride Along
Savages
Starsky & Hutch
The Substitute
Friday, June 2
Manifest: Season 4 Part 2 (Netflix series) – As the Death Date looms, the Flight 828 passengers and their loved ones race to fulfill their Callings and prevent the terrifying future that awaits.
Missed Connections (Netflix film) – After an unforgettable encounter, a hopeless romantic turns to an app to seek out a man she just met — but is he really what she’s looking for?
Rich in Love 2 (Netflix film) – When Paula leaves Rio de Janeiro to resume her work as a volunteer doctor in the Amazon, Teto hatches an impulsive plan to follow her — and chaos ensues.
Scoop (Netflix series) – The shocking murder of a journalist thrusts a leading crime reporter into a nexus of police, media and the Mumbai underworld as she fights for justice.
Valeria: Season 3 (Netflix series) – New love triangles. New life stages. Birthdays welcoming a new decade. The same four friends to navigate through it all together.
Saturday, June 3
The Campaign
Sunday, June 4
Boss Level
Monday, June 5
Barracuda Queens (Netflix series) – When they fall deep into debt, a group of young women in an affluent Stockholm suburb turns to robbing their neighbors’ houses. Inspired by true events.
November
Tuesday, June 6
My Little Pony: Make Your Mark: Chapter 4 (Netflix family) – The evil Opaline is on a mission to steal the ponies’ Cutie Marks and become the most powerful Alicorn — unless the Mane 5 can stop her in time!
Wednesday, June 7
Arnold (Netflix documentary) – This three part documentary series chronicles Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey from the countryside of Austria to the highest echelons of the American dream. In a series of candid interviews Schwarzenegger, his friends, foes, co-stars and observers cover everything from his days pumping iron to his triumphs in Hollywood, his time governing the state of California and both the joys and turbulence of his family life in a tale that matches his larger-than-life persona.
Love Is Blind: Brazil: Season 3 (Netflix series) – Can true love flourish inside the pods? Camila Queiroz and Klebber Toledo guide a new batch of Brazilian singles through their search to find the one.
Thursday, June 8
Never Have I Ever: Season 4 (Netflix series) – Senior year has finally arrived. Between college conundrums, identity crises and crushes that won’t fade, are Devi and the gang ready to face the future?
Tour de France: Unchained (Netflix documentary) – Through tears and triumph, this series follows several cycling teams as they compete in the 2022 installment of the world’s most grueling bike race.
Friday, June 9
A Lot Like Love
Bloodhounds (Netflix series) – Three friends working for a benevolent moneylender band together to take down a ruthless loan shark who preys on the financially desperate.
Human Resources: Season 2 (Netflix series) – From one-night stands to office romances, the creatures working at Human Resources have their hands — and claws — full with a new batch of humans.
The Playing Card Killer (Netflix documentary) – A playing card left at a murder scene connects a string of killings in this docuseries tracking a notorious serial killer who terrorized Spain in 2003.
Tex Mex Motors (Netflix series) – Junkers turn into jewels when they’re in the hands of these pros, who bring cars from Mexico to El Paso for radical restorations in this lively series.
This World Can’t Tear Me Down (Netflix series) – When an old friend returns to the neighborhood, Zerocalcare wants to help him find his place back in the world. But what’s the right thing to do?
The Wonder Weeks (Netflix film) – Three modern couples juggle relationships and demanding careers while navigating the unpredictable terrain of parenthood.
You Do You (Netflix film) – Merve chose the bohemian life, but it didn’t choose her back. Faced with eviction, she starts a new job — and stumbles into a spicy setup with her boss.
Saturday, June 10
Dune (2021)
The Girl Next Door
Sunday June 11
Baby Driver
Tuesday, June 13
Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact (Netflix comedy) – In Amy Schumer’s newest comedy special Emergency Contact, she delivers another hilariously relatable and uncensored commentary about her life.
Wednesday, June 14
Blindness
Our Planet II (Netflix documentary) – From the Emmy Award-winning team behind Planet Earth and Our Planet comes Our Planet II. At any given moment on planet Earth, billions of animals are on the move. Captured with spectacular and innovative cinematography, Our Planet II unravels the mysteries of how and why animals migrate to reveal some of the most dramatic and compelling stories in the natural world.
The Surrogacy (Netflix series) – When a woman of humble origins is coerced into surrogacy, she becomes entangled with an affluent family who will protect their reputation at all costs.
Thursday, June 15
Dirty Grandpa
L.A. Confidential
Life or Something Like It
Friday, June 16
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King (Netflix anime) – As a lionhearted boy who can’t wield magic strives for the title of Wizard King, four banished Wizard Kings of yore return to crush the Clover Kingdom.
Extraction 2 (Netflix film) – Back from the brink of death, highly skilled commando Tyler Rake takes on another dangerous mission: saving the imprisoned family of a ruthless gangster.
Saturday, June 17
King the Land (Netflix series) – Amid a tense inheritance fight, a charming heir clashes with his hardworking employee who’s known for her irresistible smile — which he cannot stand.
See You in My 19th Life (Netflix series) – Ban Ji-eum can endlessly reincarnate. But when her 18th life gets cut short, she dedicates the next one to finding her now grown-up childhood love.
Sunday, June 19
Animal Kingdom: Season 6
Not Quite Narwhal (Netflix family) – Curious little Kelp’s been living his whole life as a narwhal… until he finds out he’s actually a unicorn. Now he’s got two worlds to explore!
Take Care of Maya (Netflix documentary) – When nine-year-old Maya Kowalski was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in 2016, nothing could have prepared her or her family for what they were about to go through. As the medical team tried to understand her rare illness, they began to question the basic truths that bound the Kowalskis together. Suddenly, Maya was in state custody – despite two parents who were desperate to bring their daughter home. The story of the Kowalski family – as told in their own words – will change the way you look at children’s healthcare forever.
Tuesday, June 20
85 South: Ghetto Legends (Netflix comedy) – Comedy trio DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean make their Netflix comedy debut in 85 South: Ghetto Legends. Staying true to their roots, this freestyle comedy event leaves nothing and no one off limits.
Wednesday, June 21
Break Point: Part 2 (Netflix documentary) – The most promising players in tennis see dreams realized and hopes dashed as the second half of the 2022 season takes them from Wimbledon to the US Open.
Thursday, June 22
Devil’s Advocate (Netflix series) – In Kuwait City, a determined defense lawyer defies popular sentiment and takes on a polarizing client: a footballer accused of murdering his wife.
Glamorous (Netflix series) – Marco Mejia, a young gender-nonconforming twentysomething, seems to be stuck in place until landing a job working for a former supermodel-turned-cosmetics mogul. Can Marco navigate a cutthroat new workplace and messy dating scene?
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Let’s Get Divorced (Netflix series) – When a seemingly happy supercouple decides to divorce, things quickly get complicated in this romantic comedy series.
Skull Island (Netflix series) – Shipwrecked in the South Pacific, a group of explorers encounter a menagerie of fearsome creatures — including the giant ape who rules the island: Kong.
Sleeping Dog (Netflix series) – A former detective now living on the streets searches for the truth after a new death raises unnerving doubts about a supposedly settled murder case.
Friday, June 23
Catching Killers: Season 3 (Netflix documentary) – Real-life investigators recount stories of cold-blooded killers, the desperate efforts to stop them and the brave people who brought them to justice.
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold (Netflix film) – When a jaded undercover cop is tasked with unraveling a historic gold heist in Johannesburg, he’s pushed to choose between his conscience and the law.
King of Clones (Netflix documentary) – From groundbreaking human cloning research to a scandalous downfall, this documentary tells the captivating story of Korea’s most notorious scientist.
Make Me Believe (Netflix film) – A pair of meddling grannies dupe their grandchildren into a meet-cute that rekindles childhood crushes — and past quibbles.
The Perfect Find (Netflix film) – After a high-profile firing, Jenna’s (Gabrielle Union) fashion career comeback hits a snag when she falls for a charming, much younger coworker (Keith Powers) — who happens to be her boss’s son. As sparks fly, Jenna must decide if she’ll risk it all on a secret romance.
Through My Window: Across the Sea (Netflix film) – After a year apart, Raquel and Ares reunite for a steamy beach trip. Faced with friendly flirtations and new insecurities, can their love conquer all?
Saturday, June 24
King Richard
Sunday, June 25
Titans: Season 4 (Netflix series) – The road back home is paved with obstacles for the Titans as they face a powerful and deadly cult in Metropolis bent on destroying them — and the world.
Wednesday, June 28
Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate (Netflix documentary) – A glittery nightclub in 1920s Berlin becomes a haven for the queer community in this documentary exploring the freedoms lost amid Hitler’s rise to power.
Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (Netflix documentary) – Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators chronicles the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the ’90s. Told first hand from the stars who lived through it, this five part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame.
Run Rabbit Run (Netflix film) – A single mother grows increasingly unsettled by her young daughter’s claims to have memories of another life, stirring up their family’s painful past.
Thursday, June 29
Ooku: The Inner Chambers (Netflix anime) – In an alternate history where the male population is nearly decimated, eligible men serve as concubines to the woman shogun inside the walls of the Ooku. Based on the acclaimed manga series.
The Witcher: Season 3 Volume 1 (Netflix series) – The Emmy-nominated fantasy drama returns for a new season.
Friday, June 30
Alone: Season 9
Is It Cake, Too?! (Netflix series) – Deception is the name of the game for the world’s most talented bakers who will compete to create hyper-realistic cakes that look exactly like everyday objects – with cash on the line. But are they good enough to deceive a panel of celebrity judges and you? You’ll be asking yourself ‘Is it real?’ or “Is it cake?”
Nimona (Netflix film) – When a knight in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
Award-winning Canadian blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Matt Andersen will be performing with his band The Big Bottle of Joy at Peterborough Musicfest on July 8, 2023. (Photo: GRAG Studio)
Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle of Joy, Five Alarm Funk, Jesse Cooke, Melissa Payne, British Legend Tribute, Glass Tiger, and Tim & The Glory Boys will be performing at Peterborough Musicfest this summer, in the series of free-admission concerts at Del Crary Park on Saturday and Wednesday nights from July 1 to August 19.
The non-profit organization’s new board chair Tracy Condon (replacing past chair Paul Rellinger), general manager Tracey Randall, and emcee Vince Bierworth revealed much of the remaining line-up for the music festival’s 36th summer season at an event at the Silver Bean Cafe in Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough on Wednesday morning (May 24).
Concerts previously announced include Celtic music superstars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, who will open the season with a Canada Day concert on Saturday, July 1st, Toronto-based music collective Dwayne Gretzky who are performing on Wednesday, July 5th, and Little River Band who are performing on Wednesday, July 26th.
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Here’s Peterborough Musicfest’s summer line-up, with performers still to be announced for five dates (July 15 and 22 and August 2, 12, and 16).
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy – Saturday, July 1
Dwayne Gretzky – Wednesday, July 5
Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle of Joy – Saturday, July 8
Five Alarm Funk – Wednesday, July 12
Jesse Cooke – Wednesday, July 19
Little River Band – Wednesday, July 26
Melissa Payne and Friends – Saturday, July 29
British Legend Tribute (Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, and Freddy Mercury) – Saturday, August 5
Glass Tiger – Wednesday, August 9
Tim & The Glory Boys – Saturday, August 19
This season’s concerts will be performed on a brand new stage at Del Crary Park, replacing the previous Fred Anderson Stage that was found to be structurally unsafe one week before the start of last year’s season and was demolished earlier this month. Last season’s concerts were performed on a temporary stage.
According to the City of Peterborough, the new stage will allow for better lighting and sound and will be mobile for potential use for events at other locations.
Launched on July 1, 1987 under the name Peterborough Festival of Lights with concert series founder Fred Anderson at the helm, Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest-running free-admission outdoor summer concert series.
VIDEO: “Let It Slide” – Matt Andersen & the Big Bottle of Joy
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Dallas Green, Our Lady Peace, Serena Ryder, Gordon Lightfoot, 54-40, and Blue Rodeo are just a few of the many musical acts that have performed over the years.
Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and a board of directors, Peterborough Musicfest is able to offer free-admission concerts thanks to corporate sponsorships (most of whom, including kawarthaNOW, are locally owned businesses) along with multiple levels of government funding, fundraising initiatives, and private donations.
Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring the festival can email sales@ptbomusicfest.ca or call 705-755-1111.
Peterborough Musicfest’s summer 2023 line-up, with performers still to be announced for five dates: July 15 and 22 and August 2, 12, and 16. (Poster: Peterborough Musicfest)
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2023 season.
Located on County Road 19 between Chemong Road and Hilliard Street just north of the Peterborough city limits, Northview Gardens is an outdoor wedding and event venue featuring a lush garden of greens and perennials, an outdoor ceremony area with a natural wooden archway, a 150-seat reception hall, a rustic outdoor patio and bar, a cozy garden house, and everything else needed for a picturesque wedding or special event. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
Saturday, June 3rd will mark a cause for celebration as outdoor wedding and event venue Northview Gardens celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Located in Selwyn Township just north of the Peterborough city limits, Northview Gardens is a hidden oasis on County Road 19 between Chemong Road and Hilliard Street that locals have lovingly labelled ‘the secret gardens’.
Tucked behind an unassuming sign and trees and down a narrow road, you’ll find a lush garden of greens and perennials, an outdoor ceremony area with a natural wooden archway, a 150-seat reception hall, an AGCO-licenced rustic outdoor patio and bar, a cozy garden house, and everything else needed for a picturesque wedding or special event.
Though this is what the property looks like now, it wasn’t the original plan for the space when owners Rose Farthing and David Quist purchased the property over two decades ago.
The 150-seat reception hall at Northview Gardens offers spacious yet cozy ambiance with natural lighting, cathedral ceilings, and fairy lights. With a large dance floor and plenty of rental options, guests can customize the space to suit their event. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
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“We bought the property basically a fixer-upper,” Rose says. “We’re big gardeners so we were drawn to the two and a half acres of garden space. It was a beautiful location and we wanted to make a nice home.”
Everything changed for the husband-and-wife duo years later when the couple’s niece asked if they would host her wedding. It was an intimate family-only wedding that led to a massive change for Rose and David.
“At the end of the night, that little voice on my shoulder said ‘You should do this, Rose.’ And the following week I was at the township office asking what comes next.”
The outdoor ceremony area at Northview Gardens features a natural wood archway decorated with unique hanging lanterns, ivy, and white flowers, or couples can choose their own décor. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
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After starting small by using temporary tents to host weddings and events, Rose says the “real fork in the road” was when the couple found their tents “blown to smithereens” in an afternoon storm. Rose and David had two options: go big or go home.
They decided to go big. In 2012, Rose quit her day job and the couple began construction on their 2,000-square-foot venue. All the unique finishing touches, from the ceremony grounds to the iron carriage and double swing, continued to expand from there.
“The whole theme is really whimsical vintage,” Rose explains. “All the settings on the grounds — all the white iron, the glass tops, and every cushion — are meticulously placed.”
Avid gardeners, Rose Farthing and David Quist purchased their two-and-a-half acre property over two decades ago and were inspired to create Northview Gardens after hosting an intimate family-only wedding. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
On June 3, 2013, Northview Gardens held its grand opening and Rose and David have never looked back.
Joking that David calls her “headquarters,” Rose explains she and David have very different roles in the business: she’s the creative one who envisions the ideas, and David is the handyman who brings them to life.
“We make a really great team,” she says.
From bartenders to housekeepers, the staff at Northview Gardens are dedicated to helping every event be a success. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
For a while, Northview Gardens was a full family affair, with the couple’s son Nigel the venue’s original bartender. While Nigel has since moved on to other things, the business has continued to grow and succeed thanks in part to the venue’s dedicated staff.
“I have really good and strong staff that are proud of what we’re doing,” Rose says. “I have a working network of people, including bartenders and housekeepers, that I’m very grateful for. They make Northview Gardens what it is today.”
After 10 years of hosting other people’s events, Rose and David will finally be holding their own celebration from May 26 to 28 to thank everyone who has contributed to Northview Gardens’ success over the past decade, from vendors and contractors to friends and past and future clients.
In honour of their 10-year anniversary, Northview Gardens is hosting a weekend of celebrations from May 26 to 28 for nearly 300 invited guests from vendors and contractors to friends and past and future clients to thank them for the venue’s success over the past decade. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens.)
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“We want to show our gratitude,” Rose says. “It’s our way of giving back and saying look at how far we’ve come.”
With an invited guest list of close to 300 people, the three days of anniversary celebrations represent the past, present, and future of Northview Gardens.
Kicking off the celebrations on the evening of Friday, May 26th will be an invite-only VIP event for the contractors, builders, vendors, friends, family, and others who have collaborated and worked alongside Northview Gardens throughout the last decade. The evening will begin from 4 to 7 p.m. with sliders and appetizers cooked on the barbeque and live music by Peterborough singer-songwriter SJ Riley, before the dance floor opens up for live music from local blues musicians Al Black and the Steady Band from 7 to 10 p.m.
Co-owner Rose Farthing describes the grounds at Northview Gardens as “vintage whimsical,” with details like the iron carriage, double swing, and wooden archway. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
On Saturday, May 27th, the venue will be hosting the future bride and grooms who have already secured their wedding dates at Northview for the 2023 or 2024 seasons. The day will begin with a brunch and charcuterie from Lisa’s Catering, one of Rose’s long list of local vendors, while DJ Shawn Hurd will provide on-site music all day long. Then, throughout the afternoon, the venue will be set up like an open house, allowing the guests to browse samples and vendors.
“The room and ground will all be staged at that point to just really awaken their ability to see what their wedding’s going to be like,” Rose says.
For the final day of celebrations on Sunday, May 28th, Rose and David have invited couples from the past decade to return to Northview Gardens. With help from long-time sponsor 96.7 Oldies, on-air personality Roger Ashby will be on hand to provide an afternoon of entertainment.
Northview Gardens offers a fully licensed bar with bartending service. Guests can drink both inside the reception hall and on the outdoor patio. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
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“We’ve made some nice connections with couples and their families,” Rose says, explaining that some former brides have already shown excitement at seeing how the venue has changed since their own wedding.
As Northview Gardens has since first opening, Rose and David continue to support other local businesses during their anniversary weekend celebrations.
“I really prioritize supporting the community where I can,” says Rose, noting that pieces from Katherine’s Flower Shop, a new floral shop in Bridgenorth, will be on display for the weekend.
The vintage garden house and parlour at Northview Gardens is the perfect place for a bridal party to prepare for the big moment. Filled with yesteryear items, the calming quiet space features white iron furnishings, a soft pink wicker love seat and chairs, and more. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
In the future, Rose and David plan to use their beautiful venue to offer even more support back to the community. Once a month or so, they hopes to host live music events to give a stage to local performing artists.
Though she’s already planning the next 10 years, Rose holds closely all the memories of the previous decade. One of her most memorable moments, she recalls, was hosting a Habitat for Humanity event with royalty in attendance. As an ambassador for the organization, Canadian Autumn Philip — the wife of Queen Elizabeth II’s oldest grandchild Peter Philip — spoke at the event.
“I met royalty right here at Northview Gardens,” Rose says, joking that she always kept the house tidy since that day in case the Queen herself stopped in for a visit.
Guests can customize the décor at Northview Gardens for any occasion, with available rentals including mirrors, centre pieces, table runners, bird cages, easels, and more. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
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Even when Northview Gardens isn’t catering to royal dignitaries, Rose is grateful for all the couples she has been able to support. Couples have come from across Canada and from around the world — including England, Europe, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Korea, and South America — to celebrate their special day. She recalls a couple who drove five days from the Yukon to have their wedding, without ever having seen Northview Gardens in person before.
“The important thing for us is making sure we create lasting memories for people,” Rose says, adding their three-day anniversary celebrations are sure to do the same. “This is one of those proud moments where we get to look around at what we’ve accomplished and see the kind of support we have. I’m just so grateful.”
While Northview Gardens is primarily a wedding venue, they also host other special events including life celebrations, parties, milestones, anniversaries, corporate events, vow renewals, photo shoots, and more. The venue, including the grounds and gardens, are also available for artists, church and community groups, and local entrepreneurs and businesses for their event needs.
Northview Gardens is located at 994 County Road 19 in Selwyn Township just north of the Peterborough city limits. Look for the sign on the north side of the road between Chemong Road and Hilliard Street. (Photo courtesy of Northview Gardens)
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Northview Gardens. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Tabetha Wells, Kerry Griffin, Sandy Jobin-Bevans, and Dave Pearce performing at Slap Happy's 10th anniversary show. The award-winning improv comedy troupe reunites for a one-night-only performance at Globus Theatre's Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon on May 27, 2023. (Photo: Hope Baker)
There will be a comedy homecoming in Bobcaygeon on Saturday night (May 27) when the award-winning improv comedy troupe Slap Happy reunites on the Lakeview Arts Barn stage at Globus Theatre for one night only.
The quartet of Dave Pearce, Sandy Jobin-Bevans, Tabetha Wells, and Kerry Griffin first came together in 1997 as an ad hoc group for the now-defunct Peterborough Fringe Festival.
“We were all students together at The Second City, looking for places to play, when Sandy found out that the Peterborough Fringe Festival had a ridiculously low entry fee,” Pearce told Brianne Hogan of the Streets of Toronto in 2012. “We didn’t have to work to connect or be funny. Improv should feel easy, and we could relax onstage.”
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The troupe soon found success and began performing across North America and Europe in the early 2000s. During that time, Slap Happy won three Canadian Comedy Awards for “Pretty Funny Improv Troupe,” with individual members also winning awards as writers, directors, and performers.
“We tried a lot of different things over the years — bigger production values, costumes, a DJ, or duelling guitarists as musical directors — but we always come back to telling a story, playing at the absolute top of our intelligence, and open-mouthed kissing,” Pearce joked when asked about Slap Happy’s brand of comedy.
According to a media release from Globus Theatre, the professional theatre company asked the quartet to reunite for Globus’ 20th anniversary season.
Slap Happy is (left to right, top and bottom) Dave Pearce, Sandy Jobin-Bevans, Tabetha Wells, and Kerry Griffin. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)
“Slap Happy were a regular fixture in early seasons of Globus before the four parted ways to have excellent individual careers on the comedy circuit and on TV,” says Globus Theatre’s artistic director Sarah Quick. “They’re excited, we’re excited, and you won’t want to miss it.”
Dave Pearce is no stranger to Globus Theatre, having performed at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Meet My Sister, Making a Move, and countless murder mysteries, including last November’s Murder at the Match: A World Cup Murder Mystery. A former senior writer on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and regular contributor to The Beaverton and CBC Radio’s The Irrelevant Show, Pearce moved from Toronto to Bobcaygeon eight years ago.
Sandy Jobin-Bevans, a Second City veteran and a nine-time Canadian Comedy Award winner, is the host of HGTV’s Great Home Giveaway, host of Deal With It on the W Network, a star of YTVs Life With Boys and co-host (with his wife Kylee) of Yes TV’s game show Just Like Mom and Dad.
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Tabetha Wells, Slap Happy’s lone female member, is a former member of Second City’s Touring Company in Toronto. Now living in Chicago, Wells has worked for many years with Second City as a director and instructor.
Kerry Griffin, a past member of the mainstage cast at Second City Toronto, has been performing in the Toronto improv scene for over 20 years. Along with being an instructor and director at Second City, Bad Dog Theatre, and The Social Capital, he has appeared in over 100 television and radio commercials as well as appearances on numerous television shows such as CBC’s Schitt’s Creek, Murdoch Mysteries, and Baroness Von Sketch Show, Amazon’s The Expanse, and ABC’s Designated Survivor.
Slap Happy performs at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 27th. An optional dinner is available before the show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 for the show only, or $90 for dinner and the show, and are available by calling the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037 or online at globustheatre.com.
Entrepreneur Brad Bourrie (left) has purchased White Electric from Gord White (right), who founded the company in 1978. Bourrie, whose mother is from Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, apprenticed with White for almost eight years before obtaining his electrician license. Community Futures Peterborough provided Bourrie with financing and support so he could take over the business from the retiring White. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
With the help of Community Futures Peterborough and Kagita Mikam Employment Services, young Indigenous electrician and entrepreneur Brad Bourrie has taken over the reins of a Peterborough-area electrical company that’s been in business for more than four decades.
Founded by Gord White, White Electric has been providing construction, electrical, and special trade services to area residents since 1978. Bourrie, who has worked for the soon-to-be-retiree for nearly eight years, purchased the company from White in April.
“I thank Gord for building the company to what it is and for trusting me to take over and proceed forward with his name,” Bourrie says, who intends to keep the company’s original name in White’s honour.
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Becoming a business owner wasn’t necessarily part of Bourrie’s original career plans when he enrolled in the Electrical Techniques program at Fleming College. Although pandemic restrictions prevented him from completing the required number of hours of in-class training, Bourrie logged more than enough hours of on-the-job training by apprenticing with White to make up for it. He was able to complete his Skilled Trades Equivalency Assessment and challenge the Certificate of Qualification, which he passed on his first writing last September.
With his electrician license in hand and an offer from White to take over the business, the only thing that stood in Bourrie’s way was obtaining financing.
Fortunately for Bourrie, Community Futures Peterborough was there to help. As a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough provides both financing and advisory support to small- and medium-sized businesses.
Brad Bourrie will continue to operate White Electric under its existing name in honour of the original owner Gord White, who is retiring after running the company for 44 years. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
According to Bourrie, taking over White Electric would not have been possible without Community Futures’ support.
“I’d probably still be trying to find financing,” he says.
Since White had been holding out on offers from other potential buyers, it was important for Bourrie to arrange for financing as soon as possible — something that wasn’t going to happen when he applied for financing with other lenders.
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“Community Futures is great,” Bourrie says. “They made things happen on a very fast and very prompt schedule.”
The support from Community Futures went well beyond financing, he adds. Recognizing Bourrie’s Indigenous status (his mother is from Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie), Community Futures connected him with Kagita Mikam, a service that assists with the recruitment, training, and employment of Indigenous peoples in the region. Kagita Mikam not only provided Bourrie with additional financial assistance, but will also be guiding him through his first year of ownership through their self-employment program.
According to business and loans manager Braden Clark, the Community Futures board was impressed by Bourrie’s dedication to both White Electric and its clientele.
Impressed both by Brad Bourrie’s passion and his dedication to White Electric and its clientele, Community Futures Peterborough provided Brad Bourrie with financing so he could purchase White Electric from retiring owner Gord White. The not-for-profit organization also connected Bourrie to Kagita Mikam Employment Services, which provided him with additional financial assistance and will also guide him through his first year of ownership through their self-employment program. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
“One of the key things the board saw in Brad was his character and his passion for the business,” Clark notes.
That passion is clear from Bourrie’s commitment to keep the company running in the same way it has for the past 44 years. As White moves into retirement, he is helping Bourrie adjust to his new ownership role by advising him on the company’s technical aspects, assisting with quotes, and referring customers.
Continuity of business ownership is something Community Futures supports, and not only from an economic development perspective.
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“This is a well-established business in the community,” says Clark. “It’s important for us that when someone retires, they don’t just close up shop, because it negatively impacts the existing clients who have come to depend on them.”
Bourrie attributes these clients as the reason he wanted to take over the company.
“I’ve enjoyed taking care of clients while working for Gord and I’ve built quite a few friendships along the way,” he explains. “I just want to continue serving the same people and uphold Gord’s good name.”
As White Electric’s original owner Gord White (right) moves into retirement, he is helping Brad Bourrie (left) adjust to his new ownership role by advising him on the company’s technical aspects, assisting with quotes, and referring customers. Along with supporting new entrpreneurs like Bourrie, Community Futures Peterborough encourages existing entrepreneurs like White who are approaching retirement to connect with them to help develop a succession plan. (Photo: Heather Doughty Photography)
Clark says the Community Futures board is always eager to support successions like this because it allows the owners to easily move into retirement without affecting existing clients.
“It’s important within our community that retiring business owners have a succession plan in place,” he says. “We were thrilled to fund Brad’s purchase of White Electric, in tandem with additional funding through Kagita Mikam — an amazing resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs.”
“It’s a win for Gord, a win for existing clients, and a win for Brad. With the older population in our community growing, we anticipate seeing more retirements in the near future. We encourage all entrepreneurs who are approaching retirement to connect with us to help develop a succession plan.”
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As for Bourrie, his plan is to continue White’s success.
“For the future, I hope to get a few good crew members working with me,” he says. “We’ll proceed forward and take on as much work as we possibly can, and then we’ll go home with a happy smile.”
White Electric is located at 2104 Deer Bay Road in Lakefield. For more information on their services or to make an appointment, call 705-740-4467.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Community Futures Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Kawartha Settlers' Village in Bobcaygeon will host more than 50 local artists and makers, along with food and beverage vendors, live music, and more during the Made in Kawartha Lakes show and sale on May 27 and 28, 2023. (Photo: Kawartha Settlers' Village)
You can browse and buy the works of more than 50 local artists and makers at the Made in Kawartha Lakes show and sale this Saturday and Sunday (May 27 and 28) at Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon.
Presented by the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and the Kawartha Art Gallery, the fifth annual event runs rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and features artwork and fine crafts including paintings, photographs, fabric arts, furniture, wood carvings, clothing, jewellery, pottery, and more.
Along with the vendors, there will be food and beverages available including charcuterie boxes from Muster Point, ice cream from Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream, snacks from Snack Shack 2 Go, butter tarts from Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, beer from Lindsay Brewing Company, and smoked meat sandwiches from Back 40. North Country Express will be providing live music throughout the weekend.
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“The setting at the village is perfect for a juried show and sale, as it offers indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate a wide variety of artistic mediums, while creating a pleasant backdrop for visitors of the show to explore at their leisure,” says Lesley Drummond, Kawartha Lakes Arts Council board member and the show’s artistic coordinator, in a media release. “With food vendors and music, it’s an enjoyable setting for local artists and artisans to connect with existing and new consumers of their work.”
The artists and makers at the event include:
Ann Shier
Anne Garron
Beke Design Jewellery
Brad Haley
Brushstrokes
Carolyn Showler-Lee
Cedar Dance Designs
Conrad Stewart
Deborah Read
Elizabeth Popham
Ella Oliver
Emma Couette
Esther Van Halteren
Haliburton Clothing Co.
Jacqueline Hope Raynor
Janet Reeds
Jennifer Churchill
Jill Artibello
Julie Wilkin
Kawartha Arts Network Inc.
Kay Gregg
Kelly Denneny
Kelly Whyte
Kyla Vitek
Lesley Hamilton
Lynn Cragg
Margaret Seaton
Marilyn Clayton
Mary Ellen Gerster
On Point Pottery
Paul and Beverley Williams
Rachelle Richard Photography
Rosalee Griffiths
Sarah Weisflock
SKK Fine Art
Stefan Ellery
Suzanne Brown
Thurston Honey Bee Co.
Walpeg Studios
Wendy Cho
Wise Roots Wood Turning
Your Dreams in Wood
The 5th annual Made in Kawartha Lakes show and sale featuring local artists and makers takes place May 27 and 28, 2023 at Kawartha Settlers’ Village in Bobcaygeon. (Poster: Kawartha Lakes Arts Council)
The weekend will also feature two workshops for children and youth.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, “Kids Making Music in Kawarthas” will help children ages four to nine explore percussion and rhythm, with instruments provided by Maryboro Lodge. Participants will recreate a simple song using a colour system during this two-hour workshop and perform for parents at the end.
On Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, “The Stage is Yours” will teach children and youth ages 10 to 17 how to use a stage, how to perform with and without a microphone, how sound equipment works, and ways to manage stage fright. Fenelon Live will demonstrate setting up a performance and then the participants will have a chance to try it themselves.
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“The Stage is Yours” will include an open mic segment where each participant will have the opportunity to perform for an audience. They can dance, sing, play an instrument, read a poem or story, or help with sound for a performance.
Kawartha Settlers’ Village is located at 85 Dunn Street, just off of Highway 36. Visitor parking is directly opposite of the main gate and there will be overflow parking just beyond the main gate if public parking is full. Admission to the event is by donation. While some vendors can accept debit and credit cards, cash is preferred.
For profiles of the artists and makers participating in Made in Kawartha Lakes, visit the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council on Facebook at facebook.com/KawarthaLakesArtsCouncil/.
Peterborough's Dan Duran, Megan Murphy, and Lisa Devan get in the spirit to prepare for the seventh Porch Pirates for Good porch food drive on May 27, 2023. On Saturday morning, people are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch, which will be collected by volunteers to deliver to the Kawartha Food Share warehouse. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share)
Peterborough’s Porch Pirates for Good are back on Saturday (May 27) for their seventh semi-annual porch food drive to help restock the dwindling shelves at Kawartha Food Share.
On Saturday morning, people are asked to leave a bag of non-perishable food items on their front porch. Beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will drive around the city, collect the donated items, and deliver them to the Kawartha Food Share warehouse.
In keeping with the ‘porch pirates for good’ theme, many of the volunteers will be dressed in pirate garb. Organizers ask people to mark their bag of donated items as being for Porch Pirates for Good so volunteers can easily spot it from the street.
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While any non-perishable food items are appreciated, items in the greatest demand include canned tuna, pasta noodles and sauce, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, and individually packaged school snacks for children such as apple sauce, fruit cups, and chewy bars.
Other needed non-perishable food items include breakfast cereal, rice, canned soup or stew, and baby formula. Non-food items including feminine hygiene products and diapers are also needed.
Kawartha Food Share assists more than 7,600 people every month through 36 member agencies, with all 51 schools in the community using Kawartha Food Share to help with their breakfast and nutrition programs that feed over 17,000 children daily.
The Kawartha Food Share warehouse before and after the previous Porch Pirates for Good porch food drive last November, which collected 16,000 pounds of food donated by the community. (Photos courtesy of Kawartha Food Share)
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According to a recent report from Food Banks Canada, food banks across the country are straining under historically high demand due to inflationary food costs, low provincial social assistance rates, and housing costs. Seniors and students on fixed incomes and the working poor are increasingly turning to food banks to put food on the table for themselves and their families.
Instead of donating food, you can also help by making a monetary donation at kawarthafoodshare.com/donations.html. For every $1 donated, Kawartha Food Share can purchase up to $4 worth of food.
Porch Pirates for Good has held six spring and fall porch food drives since the pandemic began, bringing in 177,340 pounds of food for Kawartha Food Share, including 16,000 pounds during the previous porch food drive last November.
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