Port Hope's Capitol Theatre was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 2016. (Photo: Capitol Theatre / Instagram)
Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre is suspending all of its main stage live theatre and concert performances for the rest of 2020 due to continued uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.
Artistic director Susan Ferley and managing director Erin Peirce made the announcement on Friday (July 10).
“Every effort is being made to reschedule the affected performances and we remain very optimistic in our plans to announce programming and scheduling for the 2021 season in the coming months,” Ferly and Peirce write in the announcement. “At this time, future dates have not yet been confirmed.”
Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough made a similar announcement in early July.
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Live theatre shows on the Capitol’s main stage scheduled for the rest of 2020 included The Wizard of Oz, BOOM, and Disney’s The Lion King Jr.
Scheduled concerts included The Knopfler Effect (Dire Straits tribute), Jack de Keyzer, Lord of Song (Leonard Cohen tribute), Jukebox Jamboree (Elvis hits), The Legacy Rhythm and Blues Revue, Against the Wind (Bob Seger tribute), Motown Mania, and Abbamania & Night Fever (ABBA and Beegees tributes).
Ferly and Peirce are asking patrons to support the non-profit theatre’s financial sustainability by holding onto tickets as the theatre works to reschedule performances.
Alternatively, they are asking patrons to place the value of their tickets on a Capitol Theatre gift card can be used at any time in the future, or to donate the value of their tickets to the theatre in return for a tax receipt for the full value of the purchase.
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The announcement of the cancellation of live theatre on concerts for the remainder of the year comes on the cusp of the Capitol’s 90th anniversary. The theatre, which opened its doors for the first time on August 15, 1930, is planning how it can celebrate the anniversary.
“The Capitol Theatre family realizes that we are all affected by the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus and we want to offer our best wishes for the continued good health of you and your family,” Ferly and Peirce write. “We look forward to returning to the stage, after this now extended intermission.”
For more information about the Capitol Theatre, including updates on rescheduled performances and how to support the theatre by becoming a member or making a donation, visit capitoltheatre.com.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 95 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (93 resolved), 170 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (150 resolved), 21 in Northumberland County (21 resolved), 10 in Haliburton County (10 resolved), and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (37 resolved).
There are no new cases to report today in Peterborough; the last positive case was reported on June 20, and there are no current active cases. Reports are not available on the weekend for Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, Hastings County, or Prince Edward County.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 36,594 confirmed cases, an increase of 130 from yesterday’s report. A total of 32,422 cases (88.6% of cases) are resolved, an increase of 267 from yesterday. There have been 2,716 deaths, an increase of 6 from yesterday, with 1,728 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 4. A total of 1,665,693 tests have been completed, an increase of 29,522 from yesterday, with 22,083 tests under investigation, a decrease of 3,585.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 95 (no change, last positive case was on June 20) Active cases: 0 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 93 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 19,000 (increase of 100) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Note: The health unit is now only providing reports Monday to Friday, holidays excluded. These numbers are from July 10; the next report will be issued on July 13.
Confirmed positive: 201, including 170 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 10 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: No longer reported Hospitalizations: 13 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 181, including 150 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 10 in Haliburton (increase of 2, with 1 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Haliburton) Institutional outbreaks: None
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Note: The health unit is now only updating its report on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays. These numbers are from July 10; the next report will be issued on July 13.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change, last positive case reported on May 18) Probable cases: 181 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 37 (no change) Total tests completed: 13,110 (increase of 601) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 36,594 (increase of 130) Resolved: 32,422 (increase of 267) Hospitalized: 128 (decrease of 11) Hospitalized and in ICU: 31 (decrease of 3) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 18 (decrease of 6) Deaths: 2,716 (increase of 6) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,728 (increase of 4, 63.6% of all deaths) Total tests completed 1,665,693 (increase of 29,522) Tests under investigation: 22,083 (decrease of 3,585)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 10 – July 10, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from June 10 – July 10, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Environment Canada has just issued a special weather advisory that conditions will be favourable for the development of funnel clouds in the greater Kawarthas region on Saturday (July 11).
The advisory includes Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings, and Haliburton.
Funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms.
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This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado.
Environment Canada issued the advisory after receiving multiple reports of funnel clouds and waterspouts late on Saturday morning.
Treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously. Should a funnel cloud develop nearby, prepare to take shelter. These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning.
Julie Whiteman, owner of home décor shop River's Edge on Front, was one of the first retailers in Hastings to receive the Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly business certification from Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8). Businesses providing attractions, accommodations, retail, and food and/or beverages in one of the nine Trail Town communities can apply to RTO8 for the certification, which identifies to visitors that their business provides friendly customer service and can provide visitors with information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, area attractions, other businesses in the community, and more. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
If you’re a business owner along the Trent-Severn Waterway in Kawarthas Northumberland, you can now become certified as a “Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly Business” and help grow tourism and revenue in your community.
Want to become a Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly Business?
If you run a business that offers attractions, retail services, accommodations, or food and/or beverages in one of the nine Trail Town communities, you can apply for certification as a Trail Town Friendly Business by emailing partner@rto8.com.
Last August, Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) — the not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism in Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and Northumberland — launched the Trent-Severn Trail Town program.
The first of its kind in Canada, the innovative program aims to grow tourism in nine communities along the popular 386-kilometre waterway, which has been enjoyed by almost one and a half million visitors every year.
The Trent-Severn Trail Town program includes the communities of Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Rosedale, and Coboconk. And, with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic still playing out, the program has become an even more important tool to stimulate the economies of these tourism-dependent communities, by helping to promote local businesses along the waterway trail.
RTO8 is now seeking business owners who provide attractions, retail services, accommodations, and food and beverages in each of the nine communities to apply to become designated Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly businesses.
Hastings retailer Julie Whiteman, who recently redesigned and reopened her home décor shop River’s Edge on Front. As a certified Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly business, Whiteman’s store includes promotional material about the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, an initiative launched by Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) to promote tourism and grow the economies of communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway in the Kawarthas Northumberland tourism region. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Julie Whiteman was one of the first retailers in her community of Hastings to receive the Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly business designation. An avid boater and a local realtor, she understands what visitors are looking for — one of the crucial requirements for a business looking to receive the designation.
“When you arrive, you’re looking for food, where to stay, where to eat, the LCBO, places to visit,” Whiteman explains. “This program makes it easy to share information and, if I can’t provide what someone needs, I send them to other businesses.”
Whiteman operates River’s Edge on Front, where her love of staging homes grew into a décor shop that keeps expanding in the commercial building she has worked to restore. After visitors come to her shop, which features a Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly decal in the window, Whiteman encourages them to mark where they have travelled from on a map.
“This is such a great thing for Hastings, and it is bringing in people right now,” Whiteman enthuses. “I love meeting people.”
Mike Metcalfe is the owner of McGillicafey’s Pub & Eatery, another certified Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly business in Hastings. Certified businesses welcome boaters, paddlers, cyclists, hikers and motorists with warm hospitality and pride of place, supporting he needs of trail visitors by providing attractions, food and retail opportunities, activities, and overnight accommodations. To help promote the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, McGillicafey’s is offering the Trail Town IPA. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Whiteman’s enthusiasm and focus on customer service is exactly what the Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly Business program is about. And, less than a year after it was launched, the program is already working — despite the unexpected and devastating impact of the pandemic on Ontario’s tourism industry.
“I’m a real numbers’ person,” Whiteman says. “We’ve had 215 visitors last month and, for Hastings, that is amazing.”
Before the pandemic, Whiteman took her passion for the program to the next level by offering an off-season event that was geared to permanent residents. The Christmas celebration came complete with caroling and showed just how easy it was for local businesses to build on the Trent-Severn Trail Town brand.
“There is something big going on here,” Whiteman says. “This is a great way to promote your business, get on board, and be part of the excitement. That’s exactly what we all need right now.”
The Trent-Severn Trail Towns program includes an easy-to-navigate website at tswtrailtowns.ca as well as colourful brochures inviting visitors to explore the nine communities along the Trent-Severn Trail.
Nine communities in the Kawarthas Northumberland tourism region are participating in the Trent-Severn Trail Town program. Businesses offering attractions, accommodations, retail, and food and/or beverages in any of these communities can apply to Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) for the Trent-Severn Trail Town Friendly business certification, which identifies to visitors that their business provides friendly customer service and can provide visitors with information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, area attractions, other businesses in the community, and more. (Map courtesy of RTO8)
Each of the Trail Town communities welcome boaters, paddlers, cyclists, hikers and motorists with warm hospitality and pride of place. They support the needs of trail visitors by providing attractions and activities, retail opportunities, food and beverages, and overnight accommodations.
In the quaint village of Bobcaygeon, Ann Adare of Dunraven Cottage on Pigeon Lake says the program came along at the perfect time. As a new business starting up last year, her focus was on getting noticed. The Trail Town program helped with that and more.
“It helped us identify what would make us more attractive to visitors, allowed us to be associated with the network of Trail Town businesses, and to tap into a great marketing opportunity,” Adare recalls.
“Signing up for the Trail Town program is easy, free, and lets our visitors know that we are here, what we offer, and what other businesses have available too,” she adds. “Being part of the program provides a valuable networking tool to connect with fellow business owners both here and along the trail. There is no downside so why wouldn’t someone want to take advantage of the initiative?”
Ann Adare opened Dunraven Cottage on Pigeon Lake in Bobcaygeon in 2019. Among other things, the Trent-Severn Trail Town program helped promote her business and make it more attractive to visitors travelling along the Trent-Severn Waterway. (Photo courtesy of Dunraven Cottage)
Adare loves how visitors can plan their travel along the Trent-Severn Waterway using the Trail Town website, and how promotional materials showcase what her community has to offer. From local activities to where to find bike racks, the program helps visitors avoid wasting time precious vacation time searching for what they need.
While the pandemic means international tourists are currently not visiting the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Trail Town program has now become an effective way to promote the region to visitors from across Ontario.
“People are staying close to home and looking to travel within their own province,” Adare says. “The Trail Town program is helping us show them why the Trent-Severn Waterway Trail is the place to explore.”
In Campbellford, Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce executive director Nancy Allanson loves the impact the program is having, not only by connecting visitors to services offered by local businesses, but by inspiring creativity by business owners who are leveraging the Trail Town brand.
“Several businesses have added what we call a Trail Town Twist to their product offering, from Lock 18 Lager, to the Canoe Dog, to the Relaxin’ on the Trent socks,” she explains.
And because the Trent-Severn Trail Town program connects all nine participating communities along the waterway, each community’s efforts to increase local tourism can also benefit the other communities.
Nancy Allanson, executive director or the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce, says the Trent-Severn Trail Town program is connecting visitors to services offered by local businesses and inspiring creativity by business owners leveraging the Trail Town brand with unique product offerings such as the Trail Town IPA, the Lock 18 Lager, the Canoe Dog, and Relaxin’ on the Trent socks. (Photo courtesy of Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce)
“Challenging times like these call for an increase in partnerships and collaboration, and the Trent-Severn Trail Town program is the ideal scenario for that,” Allanson affirms. “Each community can share what make them shine as individuals, and yet we can all work together to attract visitors to all of our communities.”
Allanson also believes visitors will consider travelling the entire Trent-Severn Trail, which is unique in that it is a waterway trail rather than a land trail, as another challenge to complete. Like other established trails, the Trent-Severn Trail will provider visitors with both adventure and experiences to create lasting memories — and to encourage return visits.
Business owners in Trent-Severn Trail Towns that offer attractions, retail, accommodations, or food and/or beverages are encouraged to apply to become a certified Trail Town Friendly Business by emailing Patricia at partner@rto8.com for more details.
This story was created in partnership with Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8).
Ray Henderson, the former artistic director of Arbor Theatre in Peterborough, has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and exploitation as the result of allegations dating back to 2013. (Photo via Facebook)
Ray Henderson, the former artistic director of Arbor Theatre in Peterborough, has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation, according to a media release on Friday (July 10) from Peterborough police.
Police say they received information in June about a sexual assault that occurred in 2013 while Henderson was living in Peterborough and involved in the performing arts community.
It’s alleged that, at the time, Henderson sexually assaulted and exploited the female victim, who was under the age of 18 years at the time of the offences.
Police say Henderson was in a position of trust to the victim before and during the alleged offences. They did not identify in which capacity Henderson was working when the alleged offences took place.
On Monday (July 6), a warrant was issued for the arrest of Raymond Frederick Henderson, 49, of Grand River Avenue in Brantford, for two charges of sexual exploitation and one charge of sexual assault.
Henderson turned himself in at the Peterborough Police station on Thursday (July 9), where he was arrested on the warrant.
He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on September 9, 2020.
Henderson was well known in Peterborough’s theatre community as an actor and director. He also taught at Fleming College.
In 1995, he began directing for Arbor Theatre and subsequently became its artistic director. He continued to work with the young people’s theatre company throughout the 2000s, directing many children’s productions.
In 2008, he was involved in the improv show Impros Vs Joes and, the following year, founded the Citiots improv group, which has since disbanded.
In 2018, Henderson left Peterborough. He was most recently working as a sales consultant for an automobile dealership in Brantford.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 95 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (93 resolved), 170 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (150 resolved), 21 in Northumberland County (21 resolved), 10 in Haliburton County (10 resolved), and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (37 resolved).
There are no new cases to report in Peterborough; the last positive case was reported on June 20, and there are no current active cases. There are no new cases in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, or Haliburton, with 1 additional case resolved in Kawartha Lakes and 1 additional case resolved in Haliburton (Northumberland and Haliburton have no active cases). There are no new cases to report in Hastings County and Prince Edward County; the last positive case was on May 18.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 36,464 confirmed cases, an increase of 116 from yesterday’s report. A total of 32,155 cases are resolved, an increase of 178 from yesterday. There have been 2,710 deaths, an increase of 7 from yesterday, with 1,724 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes, an increase of 2. A total of 1,636,171 tests have been completed, an increase of 27,484 from yesterday, with 25,668 tests under investigation, an increase of 4,020.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 95 (no change, last positive case was on June 20) Active cases: 0 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 93 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 18,900 (increase of 350) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Note: The health unit is now only providing reports Monday to Friday, holidays excluded.
Confirmed positive: 201, including 170 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 10 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: No longer reported Hospitalizations: 13 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 181, including 150 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 10 in Haliburton (increase of 2, with 1 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Haliburton) Institutional outbreaks: None
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Note: The health unit is now only updating its report on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change, last positive case reported on May 18) Probable cases: 181 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 37 (no change) Total tests completed: 13,110 (increase of 601) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 36,464 (increase of 116) Resolved: 32,155 (increase of 178) Hospitalized: 117 (decrease of 6) Hospitalized and in ICU: 34 (increase of 3) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 24 (increase of 1) Deaths: 2,710 (increase of 7) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,724 (increase of 2, 63.7% of all deaths) Total tests completed 1,636,171 (increase of 27,484) Tests under investigation: 25,668 (increase of 4,020)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 9 – July 9, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from June 9 – July 9, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, going to the beach is a different experience this year. Public health officials recommend staying home if you feel sick, visiting a beach close to your home to avoid unnecessary travel, bringing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and maintaining at least two metres of physical distance from other beachgoers.
As of Thursday, July 16th, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Lakefield Park – Peterborough County (based on sample taken July 16)
Omemee Beach – Emily/Omemee – Kawartha Lakes (based on sample taken on July 7)
Hastings Waterfront North – Trent Hills – Northumberland (based on sample taken on July 6)
In adddition, the following beaches in Northumberland County are closed due to COVID-19:
Victoria Park in Cobourg (closed all summer)
Little Lake in Cramahe
Sandy Bay Beach in Alnwick Haldimand
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Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland 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.
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.
While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.
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Peterborough City/County
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date 16-Jul-2020 – SAFE
As part of 4th Line Theatre's ongoing programming this summer to stay connected with audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Millbrook theatre company is offering its new Monologue Series, where an actor will call you at no charge to deliver a dramatic reading of one of 27 monologues from 4th Line's archive of plays. Pictured is Sarah McNeilly in 2018 as switchboard operator Alice Cameron in "Crow Hill: The Telephone Play", written by Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow, which is one of the plays from which monologues are available. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
This morning I received a phone call from Reverend Bobby Angel.
The insidious evangelistic preacher from the play Gimme That Prime Time Religion, last staged at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook in August 2015, brought down the fist and fury of the almighty in a fiery sermon about the purity of the soul in the troubled times we live in.
It was passionate, persuasive and, at times, frightening to be sitting on the other end of the phone with one of local theatre icon Rob Winslow’s most vivacious and intense characters.
No, COVID isolation hasn’t made me start imagining conversations with theatrical characters from summers past. The phone call was part of 4th Line Theatre’s new @ Home Monologue Series.
Our writer Sam Tweedle received a call from Reverend Bobby Angel, a character created by and originally performed by Robert Winslow in “Gimme That Prime Time Religion”, a satire of the hypocrisy of televangelism. You can hear three monologues from that play performed by a 4th Line Theatre actor over the phone. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
With the tagline “It’s 4th Line Calling”, the series is the latest project by managing artist director Kim Blackwell and her team to keep the 4th Line Theatre experience alive despite losing its 2020 season to the pandemic.
Friends and patrons to 4th Line Theatre can call the box office and choose between 27 selected monologues from a wide range of 4th Line shows, and a participating actor will phone the patron at an agreed-upon time to perform the chosen piece — at no charge. A unique way to keep performance arts alive, the result is a very personal theatrical experience.
While theatres around the world have been forced to close their doors and dim their stage lights, Kim and her staff have been hard at work creating events and content to keep 4th Line Theatre thriving despite daunting restrictions and mass closures.
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“There was a grief and shock period around the end of March and everybody was working from home,” Kim recalls. “But after Easter I held a staff meeting about what we could do, and that’s where we started to come up with the artist talks, the play readings and, when we found out that we had summer students, we thought about what we could be doing with them.”
While creating online artist talks and play readings, Kim read a story that inspired her to arrange the 4th Line telephone monologues, which are sponsored by the outdoor theatre company’s long-time supporter Nexicom.
“A friend of mine sent me an article about a phone-in monologue series that was being done by a theatre in Massachusetts,” she explains. “So that’s where the idea of taking all the 4th Line plays and doing something like that came from.”
“A lot of older patrons aren’t always tech savvy to Zoom and online technology in terms of interacting, so this phone call is an ability to have an intimate conversation with an actor after the monologue.”
4th Line Theatre managing artistic director Kim Blackwell at the “Box Office” at Winslow Farm in Millbrook in 2018. Although 4th Line Theatre has postponed its entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre company is continuing to develop content to engage audiences this summer while planning for an eventual return to live theatre. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Shifting through the entire 29-year history of 4th Line programming, Kim put together a selection of 27 monologues for callers to choose from, including scenes from 4th Line classics like Cavan Blazers, Dr. Bernardo’s Children, and Crow Hill: The Telephone Play, as well as newer highly acclaimed shows like The Bad Luck Bank Robbers and Who Killed Snow White?.
“We picked over 50 pages of dialogue from all our shows over the years, and I whittled it down to 27 monologues,” Kim says. “I promised our general manager Lindy Finlan that I’d stick to only 20, but 27 was the best I could do. I tried to pick a wide variety of monologues, as well as ones that would work over the phone without a lot of explanation.”
All the monologues are directed by Kim Blackwell and are performed by Paul Braunstein, Tom McCamus, Chick Reid, Robert Winslow, Maude Rose Craig, Lindy Finlan, Tom Keat, Sara Mountenay, Madison Sheward, and Riley Tutert. Participants can choose from the list of monologues at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca/monologue-series and there is no charge for the performance.
“People can book as many as they want,” Kim says. “They an experience all 27 if they want to.”
The telephone monologue series is only the latest virtual event presented by 4th Line this summer, as the local performance company continues to find innovative ways to keep connected to the community throughout the summer.
Last Friday (July 3), 4th Line staff invited the public back to the Winslow farm in Millbrook for their first-ever outdoor farmers’ market, which gave people a chance to come to the theatre space and connect with the staff and community as Ontario slowly reopens.
“What was exciting about our first farmers’ market was that a lot of the people who came out were our audience members who are missing the theatre,” tells Kim. “It was a chance for them to come out and talk to us, and we are able to let them sit at the picnic tables and have coffee and water. It’s just a chance for people to be out in that space. Part of our success is how much our audience love the Winslow farm.”
4th Line Theatre is also connecting to its audience and the community by hosting a weekly farmers’ market every Friday morning at the Winslow farm in Millbrook. (Graphic: 4th Line Theatre)
The farmers’ market will continue on Fridays throughout the summer, and 4th Line plans to create more intimate outdoor events for people to come to the farm.
“We are hoping to do more things,” Kim reveals. “We’ve been talking about doing yoga and meditative walks out at the farm in August, and I think we will be proceeding with those plans.”
Kim will also continue her online business and arts, including a breakfast talk with Peterborough mayor Diane Therrien this Friday (July 10) and Andre Pyle of the Pyle Group next Friday (July 17). Then, through August, Kim will be hosting another three artist talks, whose guests are still being confirmed.
Although most theatre groups are still navigating the current situation, 4th Line Theatre is already creating content and finding ways to connect, perform, and entertain — and even prepare for the future when in-person theatre can resume. New shows have been written and will be workshopped throughout the summer.
The monologue series is an innovative and intimate experience that allows 4th Line’s public to revisit some of their favourite shows, have a taste of the ones that they missed, and to quench their thirst for the live theatre they are missing.
For more information on 4th Line’s Monologue Series, visit 4thlinetheatre.on.ca/monologue-series and phone the box office at 705-932-4445 (toll free at 800-814-0055) to book a performance.
Meanwhile, for information on all of 4th Line Theatre’s continuing summer programming, visit 4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
The splash pad in Victoria Park in Cobourg will be open daily effective July 10, 2020, but with new health and safety protocls in place due to COVID-19. Capacity will be limited to 10 people at a time, and wo staff from YMCA Northumberland will be on-site daily to assist splash pad users and ensure rules and procedures are being followed. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)
If you’re a Cobourg resident looking to beat the heat, you have another option beginning on Friday (July 10).
The splash pad in Victoria Park will reopen to the public at 9 a.m. on Friday, but with new rules and guidelines in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Victoria Park splash pad will operate seven days a week, Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (weather permitting).
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Staff will ensure the splash pad is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized three times daily and will wear personal protective equipment when required. The splash pad will be closed daily during opening hours between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. for cleaning.
The splash pad has been fenced off to control and limit the occupancy to a maximum of 10 people at a time. A roped entrance line has been created, and two staff from YMCA Northumberland will be on-site daily to assist splash pad users and ensure rules and procedures are being followed.
To ensure the health and well-being of staff, visitors, and the community, the following strict protocols will be enforced to help reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19:
Do not enter if you suspect you have COVID-19 or if you have any known symptoms.
All users must apply hand sanitizer prior to entering.
A physical distance of two metres must be maintained from other users and staff.
Do not spit or blow your nose in the water spray.
The only equipment allowed in the splash pad are goggles.
splash pad users must enter through the east side and exit on the west side.
Those who fail to adhere to the following rules and procedures will be asked to leave the splash pad immediately.
kawarthaNOW is providing a daily report of COVID-19 cases in the greater Kawarthas region.
Here’s today summary: there are 95 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (93 resolved), 170 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (149 resolved), 21 in Northumberland County (21 resolved), 10 in Haliburton County (9 resolved), and 43 in Hastings County and Prince Edward County (37 resolved).
There are no new cases to report in Peterborough; the last positive case was reported on June 20, and there are no current active cases. There are no new cases in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, or Haliburton, with 2 additional cases resolved in Kawartha Lakes. The next report for Hastings County and Prince Edward County will be available on July 10; however, the last positive case was reported there on May 18.
There has been a total of 39 deaths. The most recent death was reported on May 7 by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Province-wide, there are 36,348 confirmed cases, an increase of 170 from yesterday’s report. A total of 31,977 cases are resolved, an increase of 172 from yesterday. There have been 2,703 deaths, an increase of 3 from yesterday, with 1,722 of the deaths being residents in long-term care homes (no change). A total of 1,608,687 tests have been completed, an increase of 26,326 from yesterday, with 21,648 tests under investigation, an increase of 4,532.
This report is based on data supplied by the province’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS), as well as any additional information supplied by health units and hospitals. This information is at least 24 hours old, so it is not real-time data.
We publish the daily report, usually by late afternoon, with the most current information released by health units. Note that each health unit reports the information in a different way.
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
Confirmed positive: 95 (no change, last positive case was on June 20) Active cases: 0 (no change) Deaths: 2 (no change) Resolved: 93 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 18,550 (no change) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Note: The health unit is now only providing reports Monday to Friday, holidays excluded.
Confirmed positive: 201, including 170 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 10 in Haliburton (no change) Probable cases: No longer reported Hospitalizations: 13 (no change) Deaths: 32 (no change) Resolved: 179, including 149 in Kawartha Lakes, 21 in Northumberland, 9 in Haliburton (increase of 2 in Kawartha Lakes) Institutional outbreaks: None
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
Note: The health unit is now only updating its report on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, excluding statutory holidays. The numbers below are from July 8; the next update will be July 10.
Confirmed positive: 43 (no change, last positive case reported on May 18) Probable cases: 181 (no change) Deaths: 5 (no change) Hospitalized: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 0 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 0 (no change) Recovered: 37 (no change) Total tests completed: 12,509 (increase of 994) Institutional outbreaks: None (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 36,348 (increase of 170) Resolved: 31,977 (increase of 172) Hospitalized: 123 (no change) Hospitalized and in ICU: 31 (decrease of 4) Hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 23 (decrease of 3) Deaths: 2,703 (increase of 3) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 1,722 (no change, 63.7% of all deaths) Total tests completed 1,608,687 (increase of 26,326) Tests under investigation: 21,648 (increase of 4,532)
New COVID-19 cases in Ontario from June 8 – July 8, 2020. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from June 8 – July 8, 2020. The red line is the number of tests completed daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day moving average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
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