During "Tying the Knot: Early Wedding Traditions" at Lang Pioneer Village Museum on August 14, 2022, the museum's best and most fashionable costumes will be on display throughout the village as well as a few brides dressed for their big day. The event also includes a 19th-century fashion show presented in partnership with Pickering Museum Village. (Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village Museum)
Did you know that the decoratively carved “love spoon” was originally a way for a suitor to show a young woman his skill at woodworking and to demonstrate to her father that he was capable of providing for the family?
This is one of the early courtship and wedding traditions you can explore by visiting Lang Pioneer Village Museum in Keene for their “Tying the Knot: Early Wedding Traditions” event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 14th.
The event will delve into 19th-century traditions from courtship to marriage along with wedding fashion and décor, with the museum’s best and most fashionable costumes on display throughout the village as well as a few brides dressed for their big day.
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Along with learning about courtship traditions such as love spoons at the Carpenter Shop and courting candles in the Blacksmith Shop, you can find out what would be in a traditional trousseau (the clothes, household linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage) and experience a shivaree (a noisy mock serenade performed by a group of people to celebrate a marriage) in the Fitzpatrick House.
You can browse common 19th-century wedding gifts at the Milburn House, where you can also watch a demonstration of bobbin lace making. In the Keene Hotel, learn about wedding folklore and superstitions as well as 19th-century bachelor and hen parties. Upstairs at the Salesman’s room, you can also view the museum’s wedding clothing display.
You can experience what dancing was like at a 19th-century wedding by taking a lesson from a local English country dancer, and listen to traditional wedding songs played on the organ and harpsichord in the Glen Alda Church.
A 19-century wedding party. (Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village Museum)
You can also learn how to create a tussi mussi — a small flower bouquet that became a popular fashion accessory during the reign of Queen Victoria — with the Peterborough Master Gardeners on the Village Green. There will also be natural dyeing demonstrations, needlepoint demonstrations by the Cobourg Stitchery Group, and quilting demonstrations by the Kawartha Quiltmakers Guild.
At 12:30 p.m., the Peterborough Concert Band will perform a special concert outside of the Church featuring traditional wedding and love songs of the 19th century. At 2 p.m., a 19th-century fashion show presented in partnership with Pickering Museum Village will begin with music and an introduction to wedding attire from the Keene Hotel porch before proceeding to the Glen Alda Church.
For refreshments, you can enjoy an English tea in the Great Hall of the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building, or stop by the Keene Hotel for a cold refreshment and a slice of wedding cake (additional fees apply). The day also includes horse-drawn wagon rides and crafts for the kids.
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Lang Pioneer Village Museum encourages visitors to dress up for the occasion by wearing an old wedding gown, bridesmaid frock, or suits and suspenders.
Admission to “Tying the Knot: Early Wedding Traditions” is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors 60 and older, $7 for children and youth ages five to 14, and free for children under five. Family admission (two adults and up to four youth) is also available for $40.
Bibi Banh Mi offers made from scratch banh mi with a choice of lemongrass chicken or grilled pork every Saturday at the Peterborough Regional Farmers' Market in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bibi Banh Mi)
kNOSH News is currently on hiatus.
This month, food writer Eva Fisher has an authentic Vietnamese banh mi with Bibi Banh Mi in Peterborough, brings the farmers’ market to her doorstep with Orono’s Graze & Gather, learns about Haliburton’s local food hub in an unlikely location with Abbey Gardens, and celebrates with lobster at Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth.
Bibi Banh Mi brings homestyle banh mi to market in Peterborough
Connor McCracken and Aurora Nguyen serve their home-style Vietnamese banh mi every Saturday morning at the farmers’ market in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Bibi Banh Mi)
Aurora Nguyen and Connor McCracken didn’t set out to join the sandwich business, but with a push from some friends they began selling their homestyle banh mi this spring at the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market.
Aurora says that the idea started over a meal with friends.
“One day we invited our friends over to our house and I wanted to make Banh Mi, which is a Vietnamese sandwich, and I made it for them. I made the bread and made everything homestyle. And one of my friends said, ‘Why don’t you sell this? This is so good. This is the best banh mi I’ve ever had.’ And I said, ‘No way, no one’s going to like this.’ But she convinced us.”
It may have helped that those friends were Sam and Tom Thanomphan from Real Thai Cuisine.
“They’ve helped us out really a lot with everything,” Connor adds.
Bibi Banh Mi serves their grilled lemongrass chicken or grilled pork banh mi in a Vietnamese-style baguette, which is lighter than a French baguette with a crispier shell and is perfect for this classic sandwich. (Photo: Bibi Banh Mi)
Aurora and Connor offer two varieties of banh mi: grilled lemongrass chicken and grilled pork from Otonabee Packers. Each sandwich is topped with home-pickled carrots and daikon, homemade pork liver pate, and cilantro. The bread is also homemade — an airy Vietnamese-style baguette.
“It’s influenced by when Vietnam was a colony of France, but the Vietnamese baguette is lighter and crispier and not so chewy,” Connor explains.
You can purchase Bibi Banh Mi every week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saturday farmers’ market in the Peterborough Square courtyeard in downtown Peterborough. You can follow Bibi Banh Mi on Instagram @bibibanhmi.
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Graze & Gather in Orono brings 100 farms and producers to your doorstep
The team of Tina, Reggie, Brooke and Dave (not pictured is Russell) at Orono-based Graze & Gather, a virtual farmers’ market offering both delivery and pick-up. (Photo: Graze & Gather)
Graze & Gather is an online farmers’ market that makes it simple and convenient to order from 100 different farmers and producers, most of whom are based locally.
Founder Dave Kranenburg began the business in mid-March 2020, a few days after the first pandemic lockdown. Dave owns Kendal Hill Farms (8075 Maynard Rd., Orono, 416-824-1917) with his wife Emily.
“My farm was in a place of panic with all of the markets closing, all of the restaurants closing … facing all of the cancellations because of the pandemic. I was basically looking at the year ahead at the time and thinking, ‘If this thing lasts until the end of the year we’ve lost all of our revenue, so we need to find a different way to get our food to people.'”
Graze & Gather delivers farm-fresh produce, prepared food, meat and preserves directly to your doorstep in Peterborough, Port Hope, Cobourg, and some of the rural areas in between. (Photo: Graze & Gather)
Originally the business was called the Virtual Farmers’ Market, but they decided to rename it to Graze & Gather last summer as it became clear that this business was more than a stop-gap pandemic measure. Dave says that the concept is a convenient options for customers and farmers.
“We’re trying to make it easy for homes to enjoy the food from farmers’ markets. The team here takes on all the legwork of coordinating with farmers and producers on what they have available, picking it up from farms, and packaging groceries and doing home delivery.”
“It’s really meant for homes that might not be able to make it to the farmers’ market that week because of other commitments. It also really works for the farmers because there’s only so many markets that each of us can be at.”
Graze & Gather sources from local farms, including from Garlicloves in Bethany and Minden. (Photo: Graze & Gather)
With 100 different farms and producers on the roster, there are plenty of local options, but Dave also selects farmers with integrity.
“Our criteria is that we need to know that they’re the ones growing or making the food. That they have a really strong commitment to working with nature, treating their workers with respect, and just growing or making really high quality good-tasting food.”
You can place orders at grazeandgatherfood.ca. Graze & Gather offers home delivery into Peterborough, Port Hope, Cobourg, and some of the rural areas between. You can also opt for pickup from The Food Shop in downtown Peterborough or from Kendal Hills Farm in Orono.
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Abbey Gardens in Haliburton transforms a gravel pit into a “regreened” local food hub
The local food hub at Abbey Gardens in Haliburton celebrates local growers and producers. (Photo: Abbey Gardens)
An abandoned gravel pit doesn’t necessarily evoke a land of plenty, but the team behind Abbey Gardens (1012 Garden Gate Dr., Haliburton, 705-754-4769) have created just that in the footprint of an open-pit gravel mine.
Founded in 2009 by retired businessman John Patterson, the 380-acre “regreened” property includes a food hub, an 18-hole disc golf course, an off-grid event space and drive-in movie theatre, a two-acre vegetable garden, public trails, a natural playground for kids, a wood-fired pizza truck, and a craft brewery.
Director of operations and strategic initiatives Ashley McAllister says their main goal is to support and grow local food initiatives in the Haliburton area.
VIDEO: Abbey Gardens: Our Story (2016)
“It’s all centred around the food hub, a social enterprise that specializes in local food and supporting local growers and makers.”
Ashley adds that local food initiatives like these are vital.
“The food hub was created because supporting local food and small growers and producers is critical to food sustainability in Canada, particularly in rural areas like Haliburton County.”
Onsite commercial kitchen facilities allow Abbey Gardens to offer food made with local ingredients (like these wild leek offerings) served at the peak of freshness. (Photo: Abbey Gardens)
The food hub is a specialty grocery store that carries products from local artisans, beekeepers, and farmers. According to Ashley, 90 per cent of their products are sourced from within 200 kilometres, and about 30 per cent of the products are actually made right on site in Abbey Gardens’ commercial kitchen or vegetable garden.
“It’s not just shopping — it’s an experience with where your food comes from,” Ashley explains. “It’s really common for visitors to be shopping when a farmer drops off fresh meat, or our garden team brings in a new harvest, or you can smell the fresh-baked pies the kitchen team are bringing out into the cafe.”
“You can grab lunch at the Into the Blue pizza truck and watch our beekeepers harvest honey from the apiary. On Mondays, that air still smells like the freshly roasted coffee from County Coffee, who roast every Sunday in the hub. You just can’t find that kind of transparency around the food you’re purchasing at the grocery store or anywhere else.”
Abbey Gardens in Haliburton has transformed a former gravel pit into a place of bounty. Guests are invited to explore their vegetable garden during their visit. (Photo: Abbey Gardens)
Abbey Gardens has a commercial kitchen facility on site, which allows them to reduce food waste by taking products that are at their peak of freshness and creating shelf-stable staples like soups and preserves. They also operate year-round hydroponic community-supported agriculture (CSA), which ensures participants always have access to fresh local greens.
Looking for an excuse to go? After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, Abbey Gardens is hosting their 15th annual Garlic Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 28th. The event will feature both a food and artisan market, as well as live music, pizza and a classic car show. Admission is by donation, with tickets available at abbeygardens.ca/product/garlic-festival-admission/.
Abbey Gardens is also hosting the “Music & the Gardens” festival from August 12 to 14, featuring Susan Aglukark, Dizzy & Fay, John McDermott, and more, and screens drive-in movies on Wednesday and Saturday nights during August. For more information, visit abbeygardens.ca.
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Lobsterfest at Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth to honour ocean-loving “Con Man”
Con Man’s Lobsterfest takes place on Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth on August 28, 2022, and will raise money for nonprofit ocean conservation organization Ocean’s Initiative. (Graphic: Chemong Lodge)
Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth, 705-292-8435) is offering fresh east coast lobster at Con Man’s Lobsterfest, an event with live music, food, and premium beverages taking place on Sunday August 28th from noon to 8 p.m.
Adam Brown (who owns the business with his brother AJ and his father Ted) says they decided to do the event in honour of his late brother Connor (“Con Man”) Brown, who passed away in a commercial diving accident three years ago.
“It’s been a real challenge and a real loss and we’ve looked to do things to honour him at many different opportunities,” Adam explains. “Lobster was a passion of his — he went to school in PEI for diving.”
Part of the proceeds from the event will go to support Ocean’s Initiative, a Seattle-based nonprofit with a mandate to protect marine life and ecosystems.
Similar to Chemong Lodge’s recent Oysterfest, Con Man’s Lobsterfest on August 28, 2022 will be set up like a festival, featuring different beverage partners with tents set up in the Lakeview garden and food stations throughout the property. (Photo: Ralph Astorga)
The event will be set up like a festival, featuring different beverage partners with tents set up in the Lakeview garden and food stations throughout the property. Entry includes two beverage tickets and a choice of food for lobster lovers: a pound-and-a-half lobster with potato salad and corn on the cob, two lobster rolls with corn on the cob, or lobster mac and cheese.
For those who prefer their food raised on dry land, there will be ribs, brisket, and pulled pork from Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews (282 Aylmer St., Peterborough, 705-874-5717) and wagyu hotdogs from Primal Cuts (550 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, 705-775-6328).
For Adam, AJ and Ted, this is another way to inject some life into a place they’ve loved for years.
“The lodge has been a really special place for us growing up. I grew up down the hill. My parents are still there — they’ve been there 30 years. My wedding rehearsal dinner was here, and all sorts of great celebrations. There’s a lot of passion attached to the project and it’s really a revitalization project for us.”
Tickets are available in person at Chemong Lodge or on their website at chemonglodge.com.
"Autumn Wagi" by David Grieve, one of 29 artists and artisans in 12 studio locations participating in the 29th annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, taking place September 17 and 18, 2022 in the Apsley area in North Kawartha Township and in nearby Coe Hill in Wollaston Township. (Photo courtesy of the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
While many of us may be reluctant to say goodbye to summer, there’s a lot to look forward to in autumn — including, for art lovers, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour.
The annual free, self-guided tour is returning for its 29th year in 2022, running from 10 am to 5 pm. on Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th.
This year’s tour features 29 Ontario artists and artisans in 12 studio locations in the Apsley area in North Kawartha Township, midway between Peterborough and Bancroft, with one studio location in nearby Coe Hill in Wollaston Township.
Cobourg-based painter Stephen Gillberry is a new guest artist for the 29th annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, taking place September 17 and 18, 2022 in the Apsley area in North Kawartha Township and in nearby Coe Hill in Wollaston Township. (Photo courtesy of the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
The Apsley Autumn Studio Tour is renowned for the quality of the artists working in a variety of disciplines, including painting, jewellery, glass art, sculpture, fabric art, pottery, felting, and metalwork.
Not only will you be able to view new work created specifically for the tour, but you’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists in person as well as purchase their works.
The studio tour includes artists who live in the area as well as visiting guest artists. New artists are also admitted to the studio tour every year, through a juried process.
Jewellery by Toronto-based artist Vivienne Jones, one of 29 artists and artisans in 12 studio locations participating in the 29th annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, taking place September 17 and 18, 2022 in the Apsley area in North Kawartha Township and in nearby Coe Hill in Wollaston Township. (Photo courtesy of the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
New artists on this year’s tour include Cobourg painter Stephen Gillberry, Coe Hill painter Anita Murphy, and Selwyn visual artist Kelly O’Neill.
Many of the 12 studios on the tour are tucked away in scenic locations, made even more beautiful with the emerging fall colours.
To help you discover all the artists and their studios, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour introduced a new app last year, created by local software developer Brad Carson. This year, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour is part of Carson’s free Toureka! app, which you can download from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also download a tour map.
Based in Brantford, painter David Grieve and his wife have a cottage on Jack Lake south of Apsley, where he maintains a summer studio. He is one of 29 artists and artisans in 12 studio locations participating in the 29th annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, taking place September 17 and 18, 2022 in the Apsley area in North Kawartha Township and in nearby Coe Hill in Wollaston Township. (Photo courtesy of the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
You can take a day trip and stop in at one of the local eateries in the area for refreshments (including Woody’s in Apsley, Border Town Market & Cafe and The Grape & Wedge in Glen Alda, and The Barn Chefs in Coe Hil), or make it a studio tour weekend by staying at local accommodations such as the Burleigh Falls Inn or Viamede Resort.
For your convenience, here’s a summary in alphabetical order of the artists and artisans participating in the 2022 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, including their disciplines and the studios where you can find them, as well as a link to the studio tour map.
Rachel has introduced her artisan soaps to compliment the unique wools she’s been recognized for. She began experimenting with herbs from the garden and wild plants from her farm and woodland, blending them into the wholesome soaps. Rachel says creating artisan soaps along with novel wools is not only a manifestation of nature and colour, but also celebrates the charm of farm life.
Working from his home on the edge of the Canadian Shield, Brad maintains a successful practice as both a sculptor and a functional glass blower, often traversing the line between.
Jacques is a self-taught woodworker who uses only wood from dead or fallen trees. Gnarls, insect holes, and spalted wood are his materials of choice. He is always ready for a creative challenge of any size.
Valerie has been sewing for over 40 years starting with clothing for herself and her family, which eventually grew into a children’s clothing home business in Calgary. After moving to Saudi Arabia in 2000, she brought her seamstress skills into the practice of machine quilting. Valerie enjoys the mathematical aspects of quilting. She has grown to also love the practice of free motion quilting.
Since 2005, Valarie and her husband Ted have spent the bulk of her summers at Chandos Lake in Apsley. Valarie and Ted repatriated to their log home on Chandos Lake in 2015.
Mary Ellen Gerster sees the world according to shape, value, and colour, immersing the viewer in her bright and glowing watercolour paintings. Through the layering of transparent colours she creates photo realism in her still life, fruit, flowers and waterscapes. She is inspired and challenged by subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes, colours and is especially drawn to high contrast and bright colours.
A new guest artist at the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour this year, Stephen is an accomplished artist who has spent the past 30-plus years developing his own unique style of painting. He has experimented with colour and texture in an effort to capture the beauty and spirituality of natural elements. Currently living and working in Cobourg, Stephen studied at the Ontario College of Art and Wilfrid Laurier University and his work is widely shown and well represented in galleries and corporate collections.
First introduced to oil painting as a child, David has been painting ever since and has developed a unique distinctive style. He uses a multi-layered technique, applying thick swaths of oil paint to create images inspired by the Ontario landscape.
Anja works with broken china, pottery, porcelain figurines, and tile to give these elements a second life in her whimsical mosaic art pieces. She also incorporates forks, beads, buttons, bottle caps, and typewriter keys.
Dolores’ work includes quilts, using imported fabrics from England and Japan, as well as wall hangings, runners, and smaller items. Many of her pieces have wool felting incorporated into the quilting, as well as beads, silk, and quite a number of other interesting embellishments.
A member of Kawartha Potters Guild and Spirit of the Hills Art Association, Melanie enjoys creating personalized pottery, particularly clocks. She enjoys making one-off pieces and is currently experimenting with raku and smoke fire techniques.
Carolyn’s artwork includes hand-woven tapestry, acrylic painting, block printing, fabric painting, and painting on birch bark. As a tapestry artist, Carolyn has exhibited in Canada, United States, and England. Her paintings reflect her understanding of textile structures, her eye for colour, and her ongoing interest in geometry and pattern in art and nature.
Vivienne is a contemporary artist based in Toronto whose work is very much influenced by natural forms. She creates highly distinctive jewellery using both traditional and non-traditional materials.
Living in rural Apsley, Lisa paints the world around her. Jack pines, full maples, wild flowers, and rural homes, Lisa paints what is found outside her front door.
After a successful career both nationally and internationally in architecture, Barbara Miszkiel has returned to her original interest in fine arts, painting primarily in acrylics. Although Barbara has created new buildings most of her career, in painting she is drawn to old buildings, live subjects and landscapes.
The starting point for all of Molly’s work is the pristine landscape that surrounds her: the lake, forest, and uninterrupted skyscape are the foundation of every piece she paints. A visual artist whose primary focus is abstraction, she works primarily in acrylic and mixed media.
A new guest artist at the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour this year, Anita’s works of art are about emotion. Despite having spent her life in rural settings near Bancroft, her work is inspired by the interaction between people and nature rather than the wilderness itself. A member of the Canada Council for the Arts, Anita studied at the Toronto School of Art and has work in private collections across the world.
A new guest artist at the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour this year, Kelly is a multidisciplinary visual artist who enjoys the immediacy of dry materials in her drawing practice, and engages with found objects, natural materials, video, assemblage, and textile practices to create three-dimensional forms and installations. The Selwyn-based artist studied sculpture and installation at Toronto’s OCAD University and Her work has been shown in galleries in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Applying multiple patterns in a range of colours on clay, Cathy creates one-of-a-kind functional pieces of art or a whimsical collectible. New animal-themed mugs, piggy banks, and horse figurines add to the collection among a continuation of animated forms of snowmen, gnomes, Santas, and assorted critters.
After working for many years in the tech industry, Judy Ranieri retired and began to explore her creative passions. Many of Judy’s projects are inspired by nature and utilize natural fibres, fabric, colour, design, and textures to create one of a kind textile and fabric art pieces.
In her 30-year career as a glass artist, Susan has drawn inspiration from the landscape in which she lives. An avid gardener, she continues to explore the idea of garden through her vessel and sculptural works and is well known for her vibrant floral vessels.
Kathy has been a stained glass artist for over 25 years, using traditional techniques to produce stained glass art. Concentrating on the copper foil method, Kathy looks to nature for inspiration.
Catharine is a self-taught artisan who is inspired by the natural beauty of coloured gem stones, the ability to form and create meaningful pieces of art through wire working, and her own creative style of stringing that can be worn at any time of the day with any style of fashion.
Clare Scott-Taggart aka Rusty Girl (Metal Sculpture, Studio F)
Clare owns Rusty Girl metalwork studio in Toronto, where she designs and makes railings, furniture, arbours, limited-run production pieces for the garden, and sculpture.
David is inspired to create new works in watercolour, acrylic, and oil by the surrounding landscape. Painting full time following a career in advertising, graphic design, and colour retouching, he applies this knowledge and skill into his paintings.
Obsessed with the relationship between great food and handmade pottery, Judy believes eating from handmade pots elevates the dining experience. Her work is carefully hand crafted to be enjoyed as everyday art.
First launched in 1994, the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour creates public awareness of the arts by promoting and supporting artists in the community.
For more information on the 2022 Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, visit apsleystudiotour.com. You can also follow the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour on Facebook and Instagram.
Find the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour on the Toureka! app or download the tour map and watch for the black-and-white studio tour signs that mark each studio location. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
A woman has been seriously injured after crashing her motorcycle southeast of Little Britain in the City of Kawartha Lakes on Sunday afternoon (August 7).
At around 3:30 p.m., the City of Kawarthas Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency services responded to a single-vehicle collision on Little Britain Road near Beacroft Road, about four kilometres southeast of Little Britain.
The police’s initial investigation found the driver of the motorcycle failed to negotiate a turn and left the roadway.
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She was transported to a local hospital and subsequently airlifted to a Toronto trauma centre.
Police are continuing to investigation the crash and are asking any witnesses to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and would like to speak to victim services can call Kawartha Haliburton Victim Services at 705-878-5505.
Indie rockers The Strumbellas are performing at Peterborough Musicfest in Del Crary Park on August 10, 2022. Four of the members of the band are originally from Lindsay, including songwriter and lead vocalist Simon Ward, who has taken a step away from touring with the band. Jimmy Chauveau (Ascot Royals, Kadeema) is now lead vocalist with the band, pictured performing at Area 506 in Saint John, New Brunswick during Bash on The Bay in June celebrating the 2022 Memorial Cup. (Photo: Canadian Hockey League)
Fortunately for Canadian indie rock music fans, particularly those who have found The Strumbellas very much to their collective liking, what happened in Lindsay didn’t stay in Lindsay.
Peterborough Musicfest presents The Strumbellas
When: Wednesday, August 10, 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.
Four of the band’s members — Simon Ward (vocals/guitar), Jon Hembrey (lead guitar), Darryl James (bass), and Jeremy Drury (drums) — are from the town now that’s part and parcel of the City of Kawartha Lakes, having made the decision long ago to pursue their musical talents in Toronto. That was a very wise decision as things turned out.
Following the addition of David Ritter (vocals/keyboards) and Isabel Ritchie (violin), who came into the fold via a Craigslist call for help, The Strumbellas quickly found their voice and their rightful place on the crowded Canadian music landscape.
On Wednesday, August 10th, Peterborough Musicfest welcomes The Strumbellas to Del Crary Park as the festival’s 35th season winds down to its conclusion. Admission to the 8 p.m. concert, as always, is free.
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Formed in 2008, The Strumbellas wasted little time getting busy, releasing their self-titled debut EP the following year and subsequently performing at a number of legendary Toronto venues including The Horseshoe Tavern and Cameron House.
With the 2012 release of The Strumbellas’ debut full-length album My Father And The Hunter, it seemed everyone was talking about the band that mixed and matched elements of country, folk, and pop with a rock anchor. The Canadian music industry paid attention too, in the form of a 2013 Juno Award nomination for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year – Group.
But what was denied The Strumbellas in 2013 came its way at the 2014 Juno Awards when the band’s second album, We Still Move On Dance Floors, took home the statue in the same category.
VIDEO: “Spirits” – The Strumbellas
VIDEO: “In This Life” – The Strumbellas
Not content to rest on its laurels, The Strumbellas’ big breakthrough came in 2016 with the release of their third album Hope and, in particular, the album’s first single “Spirits.” The song topped the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for two weeks.
Having since been certified triple platinum in Canada and Italy, and gold in the United States, France, and Belgium, “Spirits” brought The Strumbellas their second Juno Award in 2017 for Single of the Year and earned the band not only a number of prominent festival dates but also an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Asked during an August 2017 interview with Cassandra Popescu of Canadian Beats Media if she and her bandmates saw beforehand the success “Spirits” would attain, violinist Isabel Ritchie was quick to answer “Absolutely not.”
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“We were excited about Spirits but we were excited about a lot of other songs. I don’t even remember how we picked Spirits (to be the album’s first single). We were just ‘OK, we’ll release that first and see what happens.'”
“It has just been amazing to see where it has gone and how it sort of moved across the world, and even in Canada, starting out on smaller stations and moving to rock stations and then moving to pop stations and just seeing that evolve.”
During the same interview, Ritchie touched on The Strumbellas’ modus operandi of interchanging high-energy songs with more emotional tunes that expose common vulnerabilities.
VIDEO: “We Don’t Know” – The Strumbellas
VIDEO: “Salvation” – The Strumbellas
“We love playing those upbeat songs live, especially in a festival environment,” she said. “It’s really fun, so we kind of always have this pressure on ourselves to make fun songs that people can dance to but, naturally, a lot of the songs we write start off a little more chill. I don’t think we’re doing anything that pushes us out of our comfort zone or is unnatural. Everything definitely comes from a natural place but we always have fun with the upbeat ones.”
In 2019, The Strumbellas released a fourth studio album, Rattlesnake, featuring the singles “Salvation” and “I’ll Wait” — the former performed on Late Night with Seth Myers, again exposing the band to a huge North American audience.
As the band’s fans await some word on new music coming down the pipe, last year’s release of the single “Greatest Enemy” has satisfied their thirst for now.
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However, fans also found out in March that frontman and principal songwriter Simon Ward would no longer be touring with The Strumbellas, with Jimmy Chauveau (Ascot Royals, Kadeema) joining the band as their new lead vocalist.
“I am just not cut out to tour to the same extent anymore, and as much as I love the band, I have decided I would like to put my focus on my first loves: songwriting and being at home with my family,” Ward said in a statement. “Stepping back from touring will let me focus on that and more, and I’m excited for everything to come.”
Ward’s decision to remain behind the scenes with The Strumbellas came after he opened up about his struggles with depression and anxiety in a February 2021 interview with David Friend of The Canadian Press — a difficult time that, early on, forced the cancellation of a 14-city Canadian tour in January 2020.
VIDEO: “I’ll Wait” – The Strumbellas
VIDEO: “Greatest Enemy” – The Strumbellas
“It’s so easy to isolate yourself when you’re having mental health issues,” said Ward, a reference to those times on tour when he would stay behind in his hotel room while his band mates got together for dinner. “All you want to do is not be with other people. So I would stay by myself. I’m still working my way through it and struggling. I’m better now but, you know, mental health is just such a tricky game. It seems to hang around, come back and float around.”
Ward wrote “Greatest Enemy” after he went through what he termed “the worst year of my life.” In November last year, Ward also released his debut solo album Simon and the Island — a nine-song record that he hopes “comforts and encourages others that are struggling with their own mental health that they’re not alone.”
“These songs are about my life,” Ward explained in a statement. “Some of them are about my struggles with mental health, some of them are love songs to my wife, who is my soul mate. This album is about being in a dark place but seeing the sliver of hope shine in.”
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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.
Hyland Crest is a 62-bed long-term care home located at 6 McPherson Street in Minden. (Photo: Google Maps)
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Hyland Crest in Minden, a 62-bed long-term care home operated by Haliburton Highlands Health Services.
The outbreak at the home at 6 McPherson Street was declared on Saturday (August 6) on the facility’s upper level, with three confirmed resident cases currently associated with the outbreak.
As a result of the outbreak, seven residents have been isolated and both levels of the home are now closed to any further admissions and general visitors. Essential caregivers may continue to visit.
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All outings will also be cancelled unless they are for a medical appointment. In addition, volunteers will continue to be restricted from entering the home at this time.
A media release from Haliburton Highlands Health Services states the organization will continue to maintain important infection prevention and control measures, including mandatory masking in all resident care areas, mandatory vaccination, regular surveillance testing, active screening before entry into all facilities, and enhanced cleaning at Hyland Crest Long-Term Care.
Services in the adjacent Minden Hospital are unaffected by the outbreak.
Emma Taylor's photo of manoomin (wild rice) growing in Chemong Lake was our top post on Instagram for July 2022. (Photo: Emma Taylor @justemmataylor / Instagram)
For the month that contains Canada’s national holiday, I don’t think we could have planned our top photos to represent July in The Kawarthas any better than this month’s collection.
These are the consummate images of summer. Wild rice in Chemong Lake, the Canadian flag on a farm road, a cedar canoe. A majestic heron, ducks in the sunset, and a loon parent and loonlet. And if that’s not enough, let’s add the perfect “land of reflections” island in the Canadian Shield and a perfect lily pad.
I think our local photographers have done us proud this month. As always, we thank them for tagging us and allowing us to share.
Do you want to get on our top photographers list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us using our hashtag #kawarthanow when posting your photo.
We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawarthas photographer).
To see our daily shares of photos, follow us on Instagram @kawarthanow and check out our feed’s highlight reels for recaps of every month in 2022.
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#1. Manoomin (wild rice) in Chemong Lake by Emma Taylor @justemmataylor
By donating items to one of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region's three ReStores in Lindsay and Peterborough, you are not only keeping items out of the landfill but are helping local families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. You also support the work of Habitat for Humanity when you shop at Habitat ReStores, non-profit home improvement and building supply stores that sell gently used building materials, furniture, appliances, and home décor items. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)
2022 marks the 20-year anniversary of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. Since 2002, the regional affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada has helped 82 local families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
One way the non-profit charitable organization supports its work is through their Habitat ReStores — non-profit home improvement and building supply stores that accept and resell new and gently used building materials, furniture, appliances, and home décor items.
Whether you’re decluttering a book collection, renovating a kitchen, or looking for a new home for furniture, donating to a Habitat ReStore is a socially conscious decision to support affordable housing.
Habitat ReStores sell furniture, appliances, home building materials including doors and windows, lighting, electronics and home decor, as well as books and media. Revenues from sales support Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)
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“The ReStores fund our operations,” says Communications and Donor Services Manager Jenn MacDonald. “That means any cash donations that come in directly support our build projects.”
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region operates three ReStores: one in Lindsay at 55 Angeline Street North and two in Peterborough at 550 Braidwood Avenue and 300 Milroy Drive. All locations are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We have appliances, furniture, home building materials, lighting, electronics, home decor, books, media — all that good stuff,” MacDonald says. “There’s a lot you can find at a Habitat ReStore.”
Habitat ReStore workers can remove your unwanted kitchen cabinetry or pick up your already disassembled cabinetry, free of charge. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)
You can donate to ReStores in ways you might not be aware of, such as through the Kitchen Salvage Program.
Residents of the City and County of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton Highlands who are doing renovations can arrange for a skilled team of experienced “salvagers” to come in to remove building materials such as windows, cabinets, and doors, for free.
“These larger items are often highly requested at the ReStores,” MacDonald explains. “They leave the stores quite quickly and are a good source of revenue for the organization.”
For people doing their own home renovations, having an experienced team come right into their homes to remove larger, unwanted items can be helpful. It is also a good opportunity to make sure the fixtures are removed securely and without damage, so they remain in good condition for resale at the ReStores. To arrange a salvage, please contact Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s Procurement Manager Mario Zambonin at mario@habitatpkr.ca or call 705-927-0312.
If you are renovating your home and have unwanted doors, windows, and cabinets, you can donate them to a Habitat ReStore. These items are often highly requested at the ReStores and are a good source of revenue for the organization. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)
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During the height of the pandemic, there was a fee for the pick-up service as Habitat had to outsource the service to a third-party company for health and safety reasons. However, the pick-up service is back to being free of charge now that Habitat workers are managing the service again.
MacDonald encourages people who want to arrange a donation pickup for larger items to call the Procurement Department at 705-874-3458 or email truck@habitatpkr.ca, as there are standards for what donations can be accepted.
People may also not be aware that Habitat ReStores also accepts donations of materials for recycling instead of resale.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be sold,” MacDonald explains. “We can offer recycling programs that also create revenue for us to put into our programs.”
ReStores accept and resell home appliances and electronics. They also accept electronic and textile waste as well as scrap metal for recycling, easing the burden on landfills while generating revenue to support the work of Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)
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ReStores can accept electronic waste as well as scrap metal. This waste is then recycled, easing the burden on landfills, and Habitat for Humanity uses the alternative form of revenue to further support their local build projects.
“Our main mission at Habitat is to help local families and now individuals have access to safe, decent, and affordable homeownership,” explains MacDonald. “We build and rehabilitate homes in the Peterborough and Kawartha Region, and invite those interested to apply to be a homeowner.”
If you don’t have items to donate to a Habitat ReStore, you can also support the organization by shopping there. For the rest of this year, Habitat ReStores are running a promotion to celebrate the organization’s 20-year anniversary. People who go into the store on the 20th day of the month and spend over $100 will get a $20 coupon for their next purchase.
Anyone who cannot make it to a ReStore in person is welcome to call or message a Habitat ReStore, and a worker will let them know what is in stock if they are looking for a specific item.
“We can help them virtually,” MacDonald says. “We can walk through the stores to find a desired item, and even send photos and dimensions. We offer that service for folks who maybe don’t want to come into the store directly.”
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s three Habitat ReStores are more than just home improvement and building supply stores. Whether you have items to donate or whether you are shopping for affordable items for your own home, you will know you are helping local families achieve their dream of affordable homeownership.
For more information about Habitat ReStores, visit habitatpkr.ca/restores/. For more information about Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, including volunteer opportunities, visit habitatpkr.ca.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
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, August 10, the following beaches are unsafe for swimming:
Back Dam Park, Warsaw (County of Peterborough)
Hiawatha Beach, Hiawatha First Nation (County of Peterborough)
Lakefield Park, Lakefield) (County of Peterborough)
Norwood Beach, Norwood (County of Peterborough)
Omemee Beach, Emily/Omemee (City of Kawartha Lakes)
Rotary Head Lake Beach, Dysart et al (County of Haliburton)
Harwood Waterfront & Dock, Hamilton Township (Northumberland County)
West Beach, Port Hope (Northumberland County)
Frankford Park, Trent River (Hastings County and Prince Edward 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.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for almost all of the greater Kawarthas region for Saturday (August 6) and Sunday.
The heat warning is in effect for Peterborough County, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Hastings County.
A two-day heat event is expected on the weekend, with maximum temperatures in the high twenties or low thirties. Humidex values are expected to reach the high thirties to low forties. Minimum temperatures overnight will be in the low twenties, bringing little relief from the heat.
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Cooler temperatures are expected on Monday.
Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high-risk category. The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.
Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. Check on older family, friends. and neighbours and make sure they are cool and drinking water. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place.
Environment Canada issues heat warnings when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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