The Simcoe Parking Garage is located above the Peterborough Transit Terminal at 190 Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
After almost 13 months of being closed, the Simcoe Parking Garage in downtown Peterborough will reopen at 6 a.m. on Monday (July 18).
As part of the rehabilitation work on the garage, the City of Peterborough has installed a new automated parking control system, expected to be operational on August 2. Parking at the 190 Simcoe Street structure will be free for all customers between July 18 and August 2.
The new automated parking control system includes gates controlling entry and exit from the garage. Customers will receive their ticket upon entry and need to have the ticket validated before exiting the parking garage. Validated tickets inserted into the machine at the exit will raise the gate arm for the vehicle to leave the parking garage.
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Customers have a number of options to pay for parking and get their ticket validated.
They can pay by debit or credit card at the machine at the exit by inserting their ticket at the exit gate. They can also pay before proceeding to the exit gate by using payment machines located in the parking garage (there is a 15-minute period after validating a ticket to allow customers to return to their vehicles and proceed to the exit gate). New signs are being installed to guide customers to pay stations, which are fully accessible.
Customers paying by cash can insert their ticket at the new pay station located on the lower level by the elevators and the walkway to the transit platform (the pay station also accepts payment by debit or credit). There is also a new pay station on Level 2A, near the rear stairwell, that accepts only debit or credit for paying for parking and validating parking tickets prior to exit.
Customers can also pay for their parking using their HotSpot account. HotSpot readers are provided on all pay stations for customers to activate the gates using their phones.
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Monthly pass holders will be issued a new proximity card or be able to obtain an RFID tag to install on their windshields, which will automatically open the gates upon entry and exit from the garage, as long as their monthly permit is active and is renewed prior to the start of the next month.
A deposit will be required for the new proximity cards or RFID tags, which will be refunded when the customer no longer requires a monthly parking pass. Parking staff will be reaching out to current monthly pass holders to arrange for issuing the new cards or customers can call the Parking Division at 705-742-7777 extension 2802 to purchase a monthly parking pass.
After the period of free parking between July 18 and August 2, parking rates remain unchanged and the first hour of parking is free of charge.
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Work began in June 2021 for an extensive rehabilitation of the Simcoe Parking Garage and the culvert that supports Jackson Creek under the garage.
Work on the garage included replacing the waterproofing system on all levels, repairing deteriorated concrete, painting the entire garage, replacing asphalt on the ground level to the east of the parking structure, replacing damaged parking railings, and completing contrast painting of the stairwells for improved accessibility.
The Simcoe Parking Garage was built in 1974 and last went through a major rehabilitation program between 2002 and 2005. A structural review in 2013 identified the need for repairs, and the first phase of this was completed in 2016. An updated structural review in 2017 confirmed the second phase of repair work to replace the waterproofing system and repair deteriorated concrete.
The project was deferred to 2021 to allow the project to be coordinated with work on the Jackson Creek culvert under the parking garage to realize cost savings and minimize disruptions to the parking garage.
Work on the garage and culvert was completed by Brook Restoration Ltd. at a cost of $4.5 million.
A view of Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
As of Wednesday, July 20, the following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Lakefield Park, Lakefield (Peterborough County)
Bond Street, Fenelon Falls (City of Kawartha Lakes)
Sandy Bay Beach, Alnwick-Haldimand (Northumberland County)
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health provides weekly testing results for beaches in Hastings County and Prince Edward County.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
Please note: Although a beach may be open or posted as safe, we recommend avoid swimming for at least 48 hours after recent heavy rainfall or if you cannot see your feet when standing in the water. Water quality can change quickly each day and high bacterial counts may be harmful to your health.
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Roger’s Cove (131 Maria Street, Peterborough) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Beavermead Park (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled weekly)
Back Dam Park (902 Rock Road, Warsaw, Township of Douro – Dummer) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Buckhorn Beach (12 John Street, Buckhorn, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 14 July – SAFE
Crowe’s Line Beach (240 Crowe’s Line Road, Trent Lakes) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Lance Wood Park, Curve Lake (150 Whetung Street E, Curve Lake) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Henry’s Gumming, Curve Lake (150 Chemong Street S, Curve Lake) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Douro North Park (205 Douro Second Line, Township of Douro – Dummer) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Ennismore Waterfront Park (1053 Ennis Road, Ennismore) – sample date 13 July – SAFE
Hiawatha Beach (1 Lakeshore Road, Hiawatha) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Jones Beach (908 Jones Beach Road, Bridgenorth) – sample date 13 July – SAFE
Lakefield Park (100 Hague Boulevard, Lakefield) – sample date 19 July – UNSAFE
Norwood Beach at Mill Pond (12 Belmont Street, Norwood) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Sandy Beach (1239 Lakehurst Road, Municipality of Trent Lakes) – sample date 14 July – SAFE
Selwyn Beach Conservation Area (2251 Birch Island Road, Selwyn) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Squirrel Creek Conservation Area (2445 Wallace Point Road, South Monaghan) – sample date 19 July – SAFE
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area (289 Caves Road, Warsaw, Township of Douro – Dummer) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Peterborough County Beaches (sampled monthly)
Belmont Lake (376 Miles of Memories Road, Belmont) – sample date 12 July – SAFE
Chandos Beach (2800 County Road/Highway 620, North Kawartha) – sample date 7 July – SAFE
Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Havelock) – sample date 7 July – SAFE
Quarry Bay (1986 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview) – sample date 8 July – SAFE
White’s Beach (26 Clearview Drive, Trent Lakes) – sample date 4 July – SAFE
City of Kawartha Lakes
Beach Park – Bobcaygeon – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Birch Point – Fenelon Falls – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Bond Street – Fenelon Falls – sample date July 12 – UNSAFE
Burnt River Beach – Somerville – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Centennial Park West – Eldon – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Centennial Beach – Verulam – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Centennial Verulam Parkette – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Four Mile Lake Beach – Somerville – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Head Lake Beach – Laxton – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Norland Bathing Area – Laxton – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Omemee Beach – Emily/ Omemee – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Riverview Beach Park – Bobycaygeon – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Sturgeon Point Beach – Fenelon Falls – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Valentia/ Sandbar Beach – Valentia – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam – sample date July 12 – SAFE
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Haliburton County
Bissett Beach – Minden Hills – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Dorset Parkette – Algonquin Highlands – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Eagle Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Elvin Johnson Park – Algonquin Highlands – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Forsters Beach – Minden Hills – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Glamour Lake Beach – Highlands East – sample date July 05 – SAFE
Gooderham Lake Beach – Highlands East – sample date July 05 – SAFE
Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Paudash Lake Beach – Highlands East – sample date July 05 – SAFE
Pine Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Rotary Head Lake Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Rotary Park Lagoon – Minden Hills – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Rotary Park Main – Minden Hills – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Sandy Cove Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Sandy Point Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Slipper Beach – Dysart et al – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Twelve Mile Lake Beach – Minden Hills – sample date July 18 – SAFE
Wilbermere Lake Beach – Highlands East – sample date July 05 – SAFE
Northumberland County
Caldwell Street Beach – Port Hope – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Crowe Bridge Park – Trent Hills – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Harwood Waterfront & Dock – Hamilton Township
Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – sample date July 11 – UNSAFE
Hastings Waterfront South – Trent Hills – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Little Lake – Cramahe – sample date July 8 – SAFE
East Beach – Port Hope – sample date July 11 – SAFE
West Beach – Port Hope – sample date July 11 – SAFE
Sandy Bay Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – sample date July 11th – CLOSED
Victoria Park – Cobourg – sample date July 12 – SAFE
Wicklow Beach – Alnwick-Haldimand – sample date July 11 – SAFE
The May 21, 2022 derecho storm resulted in more than 600 acres of tree blowdown in the Ganaraska Forest, affecting main trail access points and systems mainly in the west and central areas of the forest. (Photo: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority)
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) has announced the Ganaraska Forest will remain closed until September 30, due to damage sustained from the May 21, 2022 derecho storm.
The Ganaraska Forest is southern Ontario’s largest forest at 11,000 acres (4,452 hectares), straddling Northumberland and Peterborough counties, Kawartha Lakes, and Durham Region. May’s derecho storm was the largest natural disaster to affect the Ganaraska Forest since it was established in 1947.
According to the GRCA, the storm resulted in more than 600 acres (250 hectares) of tree blowdown, affecting main trail access points and systems within the West Forest next to Boundary Road and Porter Road, as well as the Central Forest trailhead located at the Ganaraska Forest Centre.
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There are also isolated blowdown locations scattered throughout the West and Central forests affecting various trail systems, which are popular destinations for ATV and dirt bike riders.
“The GRCA knows how much the Ganaraska Forest means to the local community and recreational users that come from across Ontario and out of province,” says Linda Laliberte, GRCA’s chief administrative officer and secretary-treasurer, in a media release.
“The GRCA is committed to reopening recreational trails in the Ganaraska Forest to recreational use. Everyone’s continued cooperation, understanding, and patience is appreciated.”
Many of the 600 kilometres of trails in the Ganaraska Forest remain impassable, with hazards along the sides of trails including overhead hangers. (Photo: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority)
While GRCA staff continue to clear affected areas along the 600 kilometres of trails in the forest, many trails remain impassable with hazards along the sides of trails including overhead hangers. The GRCA says it cannot open certain trail sections while others remain closed because of various recovery operations taking place throughout the forest.
Additional high-wind events have also occurred since the storm, causing more downed trees on trails already cleared. Because of the unstable environment in the forest, high-wind events are causing more trees to fall than is normal.
While the East Forest was not as severely affected by the storm, it will remain closed as the East Forest does not have the capacity or the parking areas to accommodate the pressures of recreational use. Tree Top Trekking Ganaraska, whose courses are in a small area on the southern edge of the forest, continues to operate as does the Ganaraska Forest Centre, which is operating by appointment only.
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Another reason for the ongoing forest closure are multiple logging operations in the West and Central Forests that began mid-July and will continue into the fall.
Along with regular annual harvest operations, salvage harvest operations of storm-damaged trees will be taking place along trails. As is normal practice, trails within and near logging operations are closed or restricted for recreational use.
Recovery efforts are being managed by the GRCA’s five full-time staff and four summer contract staff, assisted by staff from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and Northumberland County Forest.
Recovery efforts are being managed by the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority’s five full-time staff and four summer contract staff, assisted by staff from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and Northumberland County Forest. Because most of the trail-clearing work is dangerous and complicated, the GRCA is currently not seeking volunteers from the public to assist with the recovery. (Photo: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority)
Because most of the trail-clearing work is dangerous and complicated, the GRCA is currently not seeking volunteers from the public to assist with the recovery.
“Many of the downed tree situations include very dangerous spring poles, cracked, and/or unusually compressed trees,” explains GRCA forest recreation technician Ed Van Osch. “GRCA staff and contractors are highly trained professionals with many years of experience and are equipped to deal with hazardous forestry situations.”
The GRCA says it will consider volunteer opportunities as recovery efforts continue.
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Due to the forest closure, the GRCA will extend Ganaraska Forest memberships purchased between June 1, 2021 and May 21, 2022 for an additional 12 months from the original membership expiry date.
Those with cross country ski memberships that expired during the closure (between May 21, 2022 and the reopening date) will receive a six-month hiking membership.
Along with trail-clearing recovery work, there will be multiple logging operations in the west and central areas of the forest, including salvage harvest operations of storm-damaged trees taking place along trails. As is normal practice, trails within and near logging operations are closed or restricted for recreational use. (Photo: Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority)
There may still be a few tickets left to see Brooks & Bowskill (Brittany Brooks and Jimmy Bowskill) perform with Bowskill's band The Hometown Beauts at Jethro's Bar + Stage in downtown Peterborough, with two shows on Saturday, July 16. (Publicity photo)
Every Thursday, we publish live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, July 14 to Wednesday, July 20.
If you’re a pub or restaurant owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
While it’s strongly recommended that those aged 60 and up — and those medically at risk for COVID-19 — receive a fourth vaccine dose as soon as they’re eligible, the second booster shot recommendation for those aged 18 to 59 isn’t as cut and dry.
That’s the word from Peterborough’s medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott who, on Thursday (July 14), convened a Peterborough Public Health media briefing — the first since April 6 — on the same day when eligibility for second booster doses expanded to all adults in Ontario.
While the COVID-19 risk index for the Peterborough region is currently at moderate and local wastewater surveillance — a very accurate barometer of the virus’s presence in the community — isn’t showing a dramatic increase, Dr. Piggott suggested this may change.
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“We had a small bump over the last couple of weeks that has plateaued, but we are anticipating this will increasing in the next couple of weeks,” he explained.
While the current situation is steady for now, Dr. Piggott, like his colleagues across the province, is looking ahead to late summer and fall as an expected seventh pandemic wave, fed by the highly transmissible BA.5 Omicron subvariant, takes firmer hold.
With that in mind, Dr. Piggott focused his comments on vaccine doses and, in particular, who should get their booster shot and when. As Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore pointed out on Wednesday, five million eligible Ontarians have yet to receive their first booster dose.
“Unfortunately, our coverage for third doses is not where we’d like it to be,” said Dr. Piggott, noting that, while 81 per cent of the region’s eligible population have received two doses, just 54 per cent have received the first booster shot — a gap of 27 per cent “we hope to close. Almost a third (of those eligible) are lagging behind and don’t have full protection.”
VIDEO: “Deciding to get a 4th dose if you are young and healthy — Dr. Thomas Piggott”
Turning his attention to fourth dose eligibility, Dr. Piggott noted it provides “important protection” for those aged 60 and up, First Nations residents, and immunocompromised individuals. As such, he explained, it’s strongly recommended that those in these groups — who have already been eligible for a fourth dose since April — get their fourth dose five months after they received their third dose.
However, the fourth dose recommendation for healthy people aged 18 to 59 “is more discretionary or conditional,” according to Dr. Piggott.
“If you had a recent infection, the recommendation is to wait three months before your next dose — your immune system will a have a better and more robust response to the vaccine,” said Dr. Piggott.
“A key consideration that people are asking about is ‘If I get a fourth dose now, how long will that add protection for me?’ We don’t have a lot of evidence on this, but the evidence we do have says the benefits against prevention of infection with a fourth dose is probably only for two to three months’ time. It’s a short-lived transient protection.”
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Dr. Piggott noted with the expected development and rollout of the next generation vaccine, a bivalent one providing protection against multiple variants, that may change.
“Generally, a longer gap between doses gives a better immune protection overall but, at the same time, we are headed into a seventh wave,” he said. “It (getting a fourth shot if you’re 18 to 59 years old) is not a simple, clear decision. This is the first time during the pandemic where I’m not able to say I strongly recommend this.”
“It’s not that it’s unsafe. Rather (the benefits that different people get) may not be as significant as we’ve seen before. As a result, it’s a more nuanced conversation and decision that individuals should be thinking about as they try to make decision whether to get a fourth dose now or wait.”
Asked if not being able to provide clearer direction for those 18 to 59 considering a fourth shot is somewhat frustrating, Dr. Piggott said not at all.
“There genuinely is the need for people to consider their personal circumstances and make the best decisions that they can,’ he said. “This is a little bit different than other points in the pandemic, but not all that different than other things we do in public health.”
“For example, we often tell people to quit smoking. People may or may not listen to that advice. That doesn’t mean I bang my head against the wall — it means I continue to communicate the evidence. The reality is there’s some uncertainty here (around the benefits of fourth doses for those aged 18 to 59). It’s my job to be honest about that.”
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With the current active case count in the region at 200, the prognosis is that number will rise as the seventh wave takes hold.
“Risk (of infection) is increasing,” noted Dr. Piggott. “Exposure risk is an important individual consideration. Some people are frontline workers. Other people may be travelling in airplanes or in poorly ventilated areas more often, so their risk going into a seventh wave may be higher.”
“Some people may be around those who are elderly, not yet vaccinated, immunoompromised, or medically at risk of severe COVID-19,” he added. “Those people may want added protection (from a fourth dose), even if that added protection is smaller (than previous doses).”
Part of the complexity in advising people whether or not to get a second booster dose now, according to Dr. Piggott, is uncertainty about the potential severity of the seventh wave and how the situation will look in the fall.
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“What were trying to do is ensure the public has the information and protections it needs in place and that, if things do change, and the context worsens and is more severe, we’re prepared to respond,” he said. “I’m quite confident we’ll continue to meet needs, and continue to protect the public’s health.”
Those who wish to get a first or second booster dose can book an appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, and through participating pharmacies.
Jill Artibello with her $1 million Lotto Max prize. (Photo courtesy of OLG)
Peterborough resident Jill Artibello won $1 million in the June 7th Lotto Max draw.
The retiree says she has been playing the lottery since Lotto Max launched.
“I always play Quick Pick and this is my first big win,” she said at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto where she claimed her winnings, a Maxmillions prize.
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An avid sewer and crafter, Artibello said she checked her tickets at home when she discovered she won big.
“I kept looking and double checking the numbers online,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe it. I told my sister and she said, ‘Stop — you’re lying!’.”
Artibello plans to share her win with family.
“I will share with my sister, nieces, and nephews and my good friend,” she says. “I will also enjoy a more comfortable retirement and do some work around the house. I’m so happy. I never dreamed I would win.”
Artibello bought her winning ticket at the Shoppers Drug Mart on Charlotte Street at Aylmer in downtown Peterborough.
Two Project Safe Trade parking spots are available at the Haliburton OPP detachment's parking lot at 12598 Highway 35 in Minden,, providing a public location to complete property transactions arranged on the internet. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton OPP)
Meeting an online buyer or seller in the Haliburton area? How about doing it in a police parking lot?
That’s the idea behind Project Safe Trade, a program from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) that creates “community safe zones” at an OPP detachment parking lot to facilitate property transactions arranged on the internet.
Online classified and auction sites are often used as tools to sell stolen property to unknowing victims, and they can also present a safety threat. Only five per cent of internet or telephone scams and frauds are reported, largely due to shame or embarrassment on the part of the victim.
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The parking spots, which are identified by signs, provide a public space for people meeting strangers to complete an online sales transaction. The hope is that internet fraud will be reduced by moving online transactions away from secluded parking lots, personal residences, or other areas and bringing them to a public place associated with the police.
Residents of the Haliburton area are invited to use the two designated parking spaces at the Haliburton OPP detachment’s parking lot at 12598 Highway 35 in Minden, which are available at all times with no appointment necessary. However, the OPP does not monitor the spots, mediate transactions, or check serial numbers of items being exchanged.
The OPP also recommends bringing a trusted friend or family member as a witness during the meeting, to keep transactions to daylight hours, and to not erase emails, texts, or voicemails between you and the seller or buyer.
Project Safe Trade was also launched at the Kawartha Lakes OPP detachment in Lindsay in 2019 and at the Bancroft OPP detachment in 2021.
Toronto music collective Dwayne Gretzky returns to perform unique covers of classic hit songs at Peterborough Musicfest for the third time on July 16, 2022. (Publicity photo)
What started as a lark in 2012 remains so in 2022, and therein lies the success of the pop-rock time machine that is Dwayne Gretzky.
Peterborough Musicfest presents Dwayne Gretzky
When: Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 8 p.m. Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: Free admission
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent). VIP seating available for sponsors. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighbourhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.
Sharing a love of the hit music that defined decades past, each member of the energetic Toronto-based music collective brings to the table not only extraordinary talent but also an unselfish willingness to allow any one of their number to grab the spotlight.
But then that’s what friends do, right?
On Saturday, July 16th, Dwayne Gretzky returns to Del Crary Park for the third time since 2018 as part of Peterborough Musicfest’s ongoing 35th season.
As always, admission to the 8 p.m. concert is free.
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Hailed as “Canada’s reigning champs of nostalgia,” Dwayne Gretzky injects exhilarating new life into each of the 700-plus songs in its repertoire, all the while as much fun to watch as it is to listen to. As the band itself puts it, a typical performance is akin to turning a radio tuning dial and being surprised by the familiar.
According to Lindsay-raised original member Nick Rose, Dwayne Gretzky’s evolution began with a residency at Toronto’s famed Dakota Tavern, followed by a regular gig at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, another of the big city’s live music landmarks.
In an October 2019 interview with Jamie Lawlis of The Spill Magazine, Rose noted that while each band member has had his or her own creative projects on the go since, Dwayne Gretzky “is this fun thing, and we all come together in the sense of it being more our day job.”
VIDEO: ABBA’s “Waterloo” performed by Dwayne Gretzky
“It sort of pays the bills and it’s the thing we spent a lot of time and energy on, but it’s important that everyone in the band have their own creative outlets, whether it’s writing and arranging music and so on,” Rose says.
A typical set list, explains Rose, features “music that was in our parents’ record collection, everything from Fleetwood Mac to Paul Simon to The Bee Gees.” As the years passed, the band set its sights on performing music from more recent decades.
While Dwayne Gretzky’s live performance schedule was severely affected by the pandemic-related restrictions, two shows it did perform did much to bring the band to the appreciative attention of a much wider audience.
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On New Year’s Eve in 2020, and again in 2021, the band livestreamed via YouTube a marathon performance from its rehearsal space in Toronto. For a huge audience of live music-starved viewers, it was a ‘night out’ in the pandemic-safe comfort of their homes.
Dwayne Gretzky released its debut self-titled album pre-pandemic, in 2019, with tracks ranging from The Beatles’ “Please Please Me” to ELO’s “Livin’ Thing’ to The Cars’ “Just What I Needed.”
“The Cars are one of my all-time favourite bands,” reveals Rose. “Their debut record is the perfect pop album. We recorded Just What I Needed because it may be one of the best pop songs of all time. We love doing pop from the ’80s.”
VIDEO: Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” performed by Dwayne Gretzky
“We started out doing Van Morrison, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen. We started with the roots rock artists that we love. We still perform songs by them. We just try to push the envelope and try things different — Don’t Stop, and Bohemian Rhapsody from Queen, to Whitney Houston, to Toto, and wild ’80s stuff that is difficult to pull off. It forced us to challenge ourselves.”
While Dwayne Gretzky is commonly referred to as a cover or tribute band, that description does a grave injustice to the band’s interpretations of classic songs — a process that sees slower chord arrangements at its core.
“That was all very deliberate,” explains Rose. “We feel very fortunate that we stumbled into this something that there’s a demand for, and we do it well within the confines of being a cover band.”
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In an April 2013 interview with Sara Harowitz for She Does The City, band members Allie Hughes and Robyn Hatch note that the band’s sound aside, the dynamic is the game changer.
“It’s fun because it’s all your best friends,” says Hatch, with Hughes adding, “It’s such a good hang. I’m such a hermit that it’s like my social time. We all get along really well. And it’s so informative, as a music writer, learning new songs; you learn so much about writing good music.”
“I know there are some musicians who are like ‘A cover band?’ but all of us have no shame,” Hughes says. “It’s a lot tougher than people think. These are pop songs but a lot goes into them.”
VIDEO: Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run” performed by Dwayne Gretzky
In a July 2018 interview with The Pop Break, Rose explains what he loves about being in Dwayne Gretzky.
“We’re very fortunate that we get to do this as a full time gig — play our favourite songs with our best buds,” he says. “We’ve got a really great group of people in this band and I’m very grateful for that. They’re all a bunch of sweethearts and there is never a shortage of dumb jokes to go around.”
Of note, Dwayne Gretzky is being presented on Invest In Musicfest Night that will provide attendees the opportunity to make a donation, of any amount, with all proceeds going toward the securing of premier artists for future concerts.
But rest assured that, as has been the case since 1987, admission to all concerts is free, and will remain so, thanks in no small way to the generous support of all levels of government and numerous loyal sponsors including kawarthaNOW.
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Win VIP passes to MusicFest!
As a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest, kawarthaNOW.com is giving away VIP seats to every one of this summer’s concerts.
While the concerts are free to all, VIP seats are not available to the general public — only to festival sponsors. You are guaranteed a chair near to the stage for the best view.
The giveaways are exclusive to subscribers to our weekly e-news. For your chance to win, sign-up to our weekly e-news at k-n.ca/subscribe.
Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its milestone 35th anniversary season, each staged Wednesday and Saturday nights at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough.
Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert or the entire 2022 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
Jeff Leal with the late Peter Adams during the 2018 provincial election, when Leal was defeated in his bid for a fifth term as Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. (Photo: Jeff Leal / Facebook)
Former Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Jeff Leal has ended months of speculation, taking the first step toward winning election as Peterborough mayor this October.
On Thursday (July 14), the Peterborough native filed his nomination paperwork at City Hall, entering the race for Peterborough’s top elected post. In doing so, he joins current city councillors Henry Clarke and Stephen Wright on the mayoral ballot.
On July 21, Leal will make his nomination official via a media announcement at the Lions’ Community Centre on Burnham Street in East City.
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In making a bid to become Peterborough’s 39th mayor since 1905, when the Town of Peterborough and the Village of Ashburnham amalgamated to form the City of Peterborough, Leal is eyeing a return to his political roots.
In 1985, Leal was first elected to Peterborough city council, continuing on to represent Otonabee Ward until 2003. From 1993 to 2003, he served as deputy mayor, first under Mayor Jack Doris and then Mayor Sylvia Sutherland.
Under the Liberal banner, Leal first ran for a Queen’s Park seat in 1999 but narrowly lost to Progressive Conservative frontrunner Gary Stewart. Four years later, in 2003, Leal entered the provincial election fray again, this time winning election by a comfortable margin over incumbent Stewart.
When he was Peterborough-Kawartha MPP, Jeaf Leal dropped in for a tour of Tiny Greens in downtown Peterborough on April 18, 2018 after announcing up to $430,000 in downtown revitalization funding for the City of Peterborough and municipalities within Peterborough County. (Photo: Tiny Greens / Twitter)
Subsequent provincial elections — in 2007, 2011, and 2014 — saw Leal emerge victorious.
During his time at Queen’s Park, Leal served as parliamentary assistant to several ministers. In 2013, then-premier Kathleen Wynne named Leal to her Cabinet as Minister of Rural Affairs. In June of the following year, his Cabinet responsibilities expanded with his appointment as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
In 2018, Leal sought his fifth term as MPP but — reflecting the unpopularity of the Wynne government — he placed well back behind the winner, Progressive Conservative Dave Smith, and second-place finisher Sean Conway of the NDP.
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In April 2019, at a dinner held to honour his 30-plus years of public service, Leal made it clear that he had no intention to again enter politics.
However, Liberal supporters have pressed him to run municipally this year — a behind-the-scenes push that increased following current Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien’s November 2021 announcement she would not be seeking re-election.
With the nomination period for the October 24 municipal election set to close August 19, Leal joins current Northcrest councillor Stephen Wright and longtime Monaghan Ward councillor Henry Clarke as mayoral hopefuls. For all three, this is their first mayoral bid.
Jeff Leal and his daughter Shanae voting in the 2018 provincial election. After his defeat, Leal said he had no intention of pursuing political office in the future but Liberal supporters have pressed him to run municipally in 2022. (Photo: Jeff Leal / Facebook)
Born and raised in Peterborough’s south end, Leal graduated from Kenner Collegiate before attending Trent University where he attained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science, and three years later, a degree in Business Administration from the University of Windsor.
Before entering politics, he was employed as a health and safety representative for Coyle Corrugated Containers in Peterborough.
Leal and his wife Karan have two adult children, Braden and Shanae, the former being the current chair of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as bee balm, has clusters of flowers that look like ragged pompoms. A member of the mint family, oil from the plant's leaves was once used to treat respiratory ailments. A favourite of bumblebees, wild bergamot is a great addition to a pollinator garden. The seed heads will also attract birds in the fall and winter. (Photo: Jessica Todd)
Maybe we’re biased, but we think plants are gosh darn sexy.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s column is by Lucy Martin-Johnson, Coordinator of GreenUP’s Ecology Park Nursery, and Jessica Todd, Communications and GreenUP Store Associate.
That’s especially true for the native plants that have adapted to life in Ontario and developed all sorts of neat relationships in our beautiful ‘neighbourwoods’ and gardens.
We’d like to introduce you to some of the beautiful and fascinating plants that call Ontario home, and the benefits they can bring to your yard and garden.
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1. Wild Columbine
Wild Columbine. (Photo: Jessica Todd)
I am Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). I am a native, perennial wildflower. I grow up to two feet tall. I am happiest in partial shade, but I can survive in full sun or almost full shade.
I am naturally found in woodland areas. I have large, showy red flowers that bloom from April to July and attract a wide range of species including hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and moths.
2. False Sunflower
False Sunflower. (Photo: Lucy Martin-Johnson)
My name is False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), but you can also call me Smooth Oxeye. I am a multi-stemmed upright wildflower with showy yellow flowers that bloom from June to August. My flowers reach around 1.5 metres in height!
I love sun, and I tolerate drought, and I can grow in heavy clay soil. A wide variety of insects enjoy the nectar from my cheerful blooms, including long-tongued bees, halictine bees, bee flies, and butterflies.
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3. Virginia Waterleaf
Virginia Waterleaf. (Photo: Lucy Martin-Johnson)
I am Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum). I am a native perennial found in moist forests. I am a low-maintenance groundcover that prefers part shade to full shade, and rich moist soil.
Many bees drink my nectar, including the native waterleaf cuckoo bee, who exclusively feeds on plants in the waterleaf family.
4. Red Osier Dogwood
Red Osier Dogwood. (Photo: GreenUP Ecology Park)
I am Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea). I am an adaptable native shrub that is often found in part shade and in moist soils. My vibrant red stems stand out, particularly in winter.
My clusters of white flowers bloom in late spring. I am a larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly, and used by many birds and mammals.
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5. Meadow Sundrop
Meadow Sundrop. (Photo: Lucy Martin-Johnson)
I am Meadow Sundrop (Oenothera pilosella). I’m a fantastic choice for prairie and meadow gardens as I prefer full sun. I reach about two feet in height, and spread through rhizomes (rootstalks).
My yellow fragrant flowers bloom during the daytime in June and July, and are primarily pollinated by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers.
6. Carolina Rose
Carolina Rose. (Photo: Lucy Martin-Johnson)
I am Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina). I’m a native shrub that produces fragrant, pink blooms in mid-spring. I grow up to 1.5 metres in height and spread through rhizomes, which makes me useful in the garden as a hedge or barrier.
Many bees visit my flowers, and wildlife use me for cover. I enjoy being in full sun to part shade, often on the edge of woodlands and prairies, and in thickets.
7. Purple Cone Flower
Purple Cone Flower. (Photo: Jessica Todd)
I am the Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea). I am a hardy, long-blooming perennial that thrives in full sun and normal to dry conditions. My blooms of purple flowers in late July to August are colourful and interesting and attracts loads of pollinators.
Drought-tolerant and pest-free. I will grow up to four feet in the right conditions.
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8. Mountain Ash
Mountain Ash. (Photo: Jessica Todd)
I am the Mountain Ash tree (Sorbus americana). I am found almost all across Ontario. I’m an adaptable tree. I can grow in normal, moist, or dry conditions. I’m also a a smaller tree, growing up to 10 metres tall. I am able to grow in a variety of soils, including poorer soils.
I produce bright orange berries that attract many bird species, including cedar waxwings. The birds love to eat my berries, especially in winter when food is more difficult to find.
9. Northern Catalpa
Northern Catalpa. (Photo: Lucy Martin-Johnson)
I am the Northern Catalpa tree (Catalpa speciosa). I am a unique, fast-growing heritage tree with show-stopping features. My large blooms appear in dense clusters in June. In late summer, I grow long seed pods.
My leaves are heart-shaped and up to 30 centimetres in length because I love soaking up the sunshine. I prefer full sun in a location sheltered from harsh winds.
Every Thursday we share a plant profile via @ptbogreenup on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We hope you’ll follow us to meet more plant friends with benefits!
Visit the GreenUP Ecology Park Nursery to bring home some plant friends with benefits! Proceeds from sales support GreenUP’s programs across the Peterborough region. For hours and more information, visit greenup.on.ca/nursery.
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