GreenUP's Ecology Park manager and resident tree expert Vern Bastable helps customers choose the right tree. The annual autumn tree sale takes place at Ecology Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th. (Photo: Karen Halley)
They’re quiet, they’re helpful, and they mind their own business. Does this neighbour sound too good to be true?
For all they do for us, being a tree in Peterborough is a darn tough job.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Vern Bastable, Manager of GreenUP Ecology Park.
Let’s take a quick look at the issues facing trees in our city, and what exactly our leafy neighbours do for us.
Like the frog said, it ain’t easy being green. Urban life puts a lot of stress on trees. This makes it much harder to become long-lived giants like their forest cousins.
City trees are commonly planted in areas that restrict their root growth. Most folks think of a tree’s root system as an upside-down mirrored image of the tree, with many large deep roots shooting straight down, deep into the earth — but wait!
While trees do have some deep roots, the majority of a root system is found within the top foot of soil. You read that correctly: almost all of a tree’s roots grow right below the surface.
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Excessive foot traffic, cars, and heavy equipment can compact the soil. This removes the air pockets in the soil that allow trees to breath and absorb water and nutrients.
Our urban trees also have a harder time collecting water and nutrients. Our paved city surfaces rush rainwater quickly into our storm sewers and away from thirsty roots. Added to that, the water is often contaminated by road salt, air pollution, and litter.
Furthermore, nutrients normally found in rich topsoil are commonly removed during the construction of our homes and businesses before trees are planted. Important nutrients found in fallen leaves and decaying organic matter are often raked up and carted far away from our leafy friends.
The uniquely shaped leaves of the tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifeSra), a Carolinian forest species that adds beauty and biodiversity to our region but needs to be sheltered form bitter winter winds. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
And if that is not enough stress, we commonly damage trees with lawn mowers, weed-whackers, bike locks, and vehicles. These open wounds can be exploited by native and exotic pests and diseases.
So what? With so many other things to worry about in Peterborough today, why should we care about our leafy neighbours?
Our trees provide an enormous amount of benefits to us on a daily basis!
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Trees have been proven to increase property values, sometimes up to 25 per cent. Boom.
Trees are good for business. Shoppers tend to enjoy the shopping experience more, and spend more, when leafy landscaping is involved. I’m not making this up.
Dollars can be saved in heating and cooling costs just by having trees strategically placed around our buildings. Trees reduce noise and air pollution, which can reduce or eliminate the need for built sound barriers or expensive air filtration systems.
Should I keep going?
The beautiful leaves of the silver maple (Acer saccarinum), a native species that grows well in moist conditions. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Urban forests help prevent flooding. They slow down run-off, holding water in leafy canopies while sipping roots drink up the rainwater before it hits our already stressed storm sewers, saving untold amounts in flood damages.
And there’s more …
Trees soak up sunlight and fight climate change by pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and transforming it into sugar and oxygen. You can breathe a bit easier with a sweet trade like that helping to resolve our current climate crisis.
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Trees are also vital sources of food and providers of habitat for the birds, bees, and other critters we share our environment with.
Finally, trees enhance our lives just by being present. The beauty of the flowering eastern redbud, the autumn colours of the maples, or the smile gained from watching two squirrels chasing each other around the trunk of a tree — these experiences make our lives more vibrant.
Trees help us reduce stress and to heal faster. Trees create a sense of place, a feeling of home, and a reason for poetry and song.
Fall is the best time to plant a tree, as the soil conditions become perfect for tree roots to establish themselves. Ecology Park manager Vern Bastable is happy to offer advice on choosing the right tree, tree planting, and general tree care. GreenUP’s annual autumn tree sale takes place at Ecology Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th. (Photo: Karen Halley)
Despite the stressors, urban trees do a great job at overcoming the odds and — in great neighbourly fashion — they do so without complaining at all.
If you are considering a great neighbour for your yard, keep in mind that spring and fall are the best times to plant a tree. In the spring and fall, the weather is cooler, the soils are moist, and trees are “dormant” (like trying to move a child to bed, sometimes, while they are sleepy, the disruption is reduced … sometimes).
At Ecology Park, we are proud to have a great variety of trees available for sale and are happy to offer advice on choosing the right tree, tree planting, and general tree care. Until Sunday, October 13th, Ecology Park is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Our annual one-day Annual Autumn Tree Sale is on Saturday, October 5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ecology Park (1899 Ashburnham Dr., Peterborough), where you can save money on select trees and shrubs, and rub elbows with other tree-treasuring folks.
"Trophy" is a free outdoor art installation where audience members visit illuminated tents to listen as storytellers share their true stories of life-changing moments of change and transformation. Presented by Public Energy Performing Arts, "Trophy" takes place on October 4 and 5, 2019, at Fleming Park in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Allison O'Connor)
When you hear the word “trophy”, the first thing that probably comes to mind is an award for a victory or achievement.
But for artists Sarah Conn and Allison O’Connor, a trophy is also a turning point in our lives, whether good or bad or somewhere in between — reflecting the word’s origins from a Greek word meaning “to turn”.
That’s is the concept behind Trophy, a free outdoor interactive art installation coming to Fleming Park in downtown Peterborough on October 4th and 5th, where local residents share their own true stories of transformation and change.
After listening to true stories of transformation and change during “Trophy”, audience members can write down their own stories of life-changing moments and affix them to the illuminated tents. (Photo: Allison O’Connor)
During Trophy, audience members casually travel through a series of illuminated greenhouse-like tents where they can sit and listen to storytellers recount a significant moment in their lives where everything changed.
If they want, audience members can write a story about a moment of transformation in their own lives, and affix it to the wall of a tent.
Over the course of the performance, the pop-up tents transform into multi-coloured translucent structures, covered in new stories brought forth by audience members, serving as temporary beacons in a world filled with change.
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Sarah Conn is a producer of award-winning theatre and live art projects and is Artistic Associate for the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund. Her Trophy collaborator Allison O’Connor is an Ottawa-based sculpture and installation artist and a social art practitioner. The two artists first organized Trophy in 2014.
“When I started working on Trophy, I was trying to figure out how people navigated change,” Conn says. “I was hungry to hear from people outside my usual circle.”
“I realized that, no matter our life experiences, we could find commonalities in the turning points in our lives, even if it was just how different these moments had been for us.”
The artists behind “Trophy”: Sarah Conn and Allison O’Connor. (Photos courtesy of Public Energy)
Trophy has been presented at festivals across Canada including National Arts Centre’s Canada Scene in Ottawa and OYR’s High Performance Rodeo in Calgary, as well at internationally at the Prague Quadrennial in the Czech Republic, the Lift Festival in London U.K., and the Dublin Fringe Festival in Ireland. More than 2,000 people have shared their stories during Trophy.
“One of my favourite parts of Trophy is the moment after the story is shared,” Conn explains. “Listening in from outside the tents, I hear incredible conversations and realizations being exchanged by people who just met. It’s the type of community-building connection that drives me artistically and personally.”
Presented by Public Energy Performing Arts and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, Trophy is a free event taking place at Fleming Park (427 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough). You can visit the installation anytime between 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday October 4th, and anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th.
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Trophy is also being featured as a part of [in]sites, presented by Public Energy, Artspace. and the Art Gallery of Peterborough, which is a series of art and performance events happening outside of traditional art and theatre spaces.
Conn and O’Connor will be joining other artists from the [in]sites series (Aylan Couchie, Chris Ironside, and Anne White) for an artist talk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 6th at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St., Peterborough).
Comedian Peter Wildman returns to Peterborough to perform his "40 Years of Funny Songs" show at The Theatre on King on October 5, 2019. As well as being a member of the comic troupe The Frantics, Wildman played Buzz Sherwood on "The Red Green Show" and has appeared in other television series and films. (Publicity photo)
On Saturday, October 5th, comedian Peter Wildman returns to Peterborough with a brand new retrospective of his career, 40 Years of Funny Songs, at The Theatre on King (TTOK) in downtown Peterborough.
Peter Wildman – 40 Years of Funny Songs
When: Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough) How much: $15 at the door or pay what you can
Starring Peter Wildman of The Frantics with Tim Burns on guitar and keyboard and Josh Broadbent on drums. To reserve tickets, email contact@ttok.ca or call 705-930-6194.
The comedian, musician, and voice actor is probably best remembered as a member of the comedy troupe The Frantics, who were CBC mainstays in the 1980s and still have a cult following today.
“I’ve got my binder and I’m coming to town,” Peter says during a phone interview from his home in Oakville.
“I did some math, and I started writing music with The Frantics in 1979, and realized that’s 40 years,” he explains. “40 years of funny songs. There’s the title of our show. There it is right there.”
“I started compiling a list and it goes on forever. There are a lot of songs. So I put it on a poster and did the show in Oakville and it sold out. So I thought that was good and decided to bring it to Peterborough.”
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Born and raised in Peterborough, Peter left after high school to pursue comedy in Toronto, where he joined forces with Paul Chato, Rick Green, and Dan Redican to form the sketch comedy group The Frantics in 1979.
The group became nationally famous when CBC Radio made them regulars on Variety Tonight in 1981, before graduating to their own show, Frantic Times, from 1981 to 1984.
A predecessor to The Kids in the Hall, The Frantics attempted a go on television in 1986 with Four on the Floor, but only lasted 13 episodes. However, their comedy found continued popularity via their 1987 comedy album Boot to the Head, whose title track has remained a hallmark of Canadian comedy even today.
VIDEO: “Boot To The Head” – Peter Wildman
“It was eight years of working with three of the brightest minds in Canada,” says Peter of The Frantics. “You’d tell a joke and do the punch line, and all three of the other Frantics would come up with a bigger punchline. It was done with so much laughter. We wrote over three thousand sketches and songs, and we only used the top third.”
“We did radio, stage, and TV. It gave me an opportunity to act and perform and play for nine hundred people. I found that if you don’t blow it and pay the gig, at the end of the night you’d walk away a little bit smarter.”
Another generation of Canadian comedy fans knows Peter in the role of stoner bush pilot Buzz Sherwood on The Red Green Show between 1993 to 1997. Doubling as a performer as well as a writer on the still-popular series, not all of Peter’s musical ideas were loved by star and creator Steve Smith.
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“I tried unsuccessfully to get Red Green to form a band on the show,” Peter recalls. “I could play, Steve Smith could play, we had Ian Thomas in the cast, and we could put Harold (Patrick McKenna) on a washboard. Everybody could carry a tune.”
“But Steve was a very clever man, and he knew what he wanted. Every time we were throwing out ideas, I’d throw out the band idea, but he always took a pass on that one.”
After four decades of writing comedy, Peter has become an expert at writing funny songs, which is a difficult task within itself — not everyone is going to find the same thing funny. But Peter offers a few tips to budding comedians in the art of writing comic songs.
VIDEO: “Head Up My Ass” – Peter Wildman
“The best approach is to know the punchline,” Peter says. “Then you know how the song is going to end, and then you work backwards. In other words, you don’t put your funniest joke in the first line of the song, because then what are you going to sing about for two and a half minutes?”
“The other way is to come up with a goofy expression, like ‘I’ve got my head so far up my ass I can see most of my colon,'” Peter adds, referring to one of his recent compositions, which can be found on YouTube along with more of his music.
“I don’t know where that came from and I thought ‘That sounds like a song.’ I wasn’t sure what it’d be about, but then I realized that I just described a Conservative. But songs like that are rare. That’s lightning in a bottle.”
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Although Peter hasn’t made Peterborough his home in decades, he has been a presence on the Peterborough comedy scene for the last number of years. However, this is his first performance in the city since 2017.
“I have dabbled with comedy in Peterborough,” Peter says. “I am good friends with people who were part of the Citiots and every month or so I’d appear on stage with them at the Gordon Best. I’d do some improv and a couple of songs before the second act. I boldly suggested that I do the Gordon Best myself, so I did a show there, as well as the Nexicom Studio at Showplace.”
“Every so often I get restless and think ‘I should play Peterborough.'”
Peter Wildman will perform at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough on October 5, 2019.
Accompanied by Tim Burns on guitar and keyboards and Josh Broadbent on drums, this will be Peter’s first time performing at TTOK.
“The Theatre on King is a neat space,” Peter says. “I didn’t know what to expect, but after walking in and talking to Ryan Kerr, it looks like a good space. I prefer venues like that where people will come and listen.”
“I don’t like sitting in the corner and competing with the cash register and the hockey game,” he adds. “You need to listen to the lyrics, because they’re jokes. I’m not doing the Best of the Eagles or Tom Petty tunes.”
VIDEO: “You Can Do Anything” – Peter Wildman (explicit lyrics)
40 Years of Funny Songs is a fantastic opportunity to see a Canadian comic favourite in an intimate setting for a night of stories, songs, and laughs. The show will be presented at TTOK (171 King St., Peterborough) on Saturday, October 5th at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 or pay what you can and can be reserved in advance by contacting Ryan Kerr at antispam]contact@ttok.ca[/antispam] or call 705-930-6194.
'Nervous System' by Michelle Bellemare, part of her "Enough, is enough, is enough" exhibit on display at the Art Gallery of Peterborough beginning October 5, 2019. (Photo: Isaac Applebaum)
This October, the Art Gallery of Peterborough hosts two exhibits by artists Chris Ironside and Michelle Bellemare that reflect on technology and contemporary life, as well as the non-profit gallery’s annual fundraiser, It’s All About Art.
Artspace celebrates its 45th birthday and hosts a free party at the Market Hall, the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington presents an interesting show by Toronto-based Z’otz* Collective, and the Art Gallery of Northumberland displays recent additions to their permanent collection.
The Singing Horse Gallery hosts a show of lovely watercolours by Joan Zageris and the Whetung Ojibwa Centre is having a Thanksgiving Art Show with live demonstrations and artists in attendance. And another First Friday will be in full swing in downtown Peterborough on the night of Friday, October 4th.
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington presents ‘Waiting Outside of My Hand’ by Z’otz* Collective
The Z’otz* Collective, three artists of Latin American heritage, is showing ‘Waiting Outside of My Hand’ at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington until November 3, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Visual Arts Centre of Clarington)
‘Waiting Outside of My Hand’, a collaborative show by the Z’otz* (Mayan for ‘bat’) Collective, explores the notion of a space, a niche that is thought of as a shadowbox or recess, which contains elements within a larger configuration — a space ‘in which to nest’.
The Z’otz* Collective, made up of three artists of Latin American heritage (Nahúm Flores, Erik Jerezano, and Ilyana Martinez) works with drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation. The group has exhibited across Canada, Mexico, Europe and the United States, and has been based in Toronto since 2004.
Don’t miss this latest exhibit of interesting work, which will be on display until Sunday, November 3rd.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is located at 143 Simpson Avenue in Bowmanville. Hours of operation are 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Admission to exhibits and artist talks is free. For more information, visit www.vac.ca.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents Chris Ironside’s ‘Living for the Fame’
‘Boo Boo’ by Chris Ironside (2019, graphite, glitter and archival glue on paper, 48″ x 36″), part of the artist’s ‘Living for the Fame’ exhibit at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
‘Living for the Fame’ by Chris Ironside is an installation that explores gay images from social media platforms. Examining ideas of self, identity, desire, and the ironies of social media, Ironside has sifted through these images, which are often almost disposable in nature, and created a series of delicate drawings from them.
The drawings are then framed and presented to us, alongside words in pink glitter, referencing the post-internet age and making poignant comments on the nature of social media platforms. To do this, Ironside uses out-of-context Hole lyrics from the album Doll Parts such as ‘I fake it so real I am beyond fake’. In this re-contextualised setting, we ponder the multifaceted nature of the gay scene and the influence social media has over people’s lives and ideas of self.
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The opening reception is coming up on Saturday, October 5th from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be a corresponding artist talk on Saturday, November 2nd from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibit runs until January 5, 2020.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents Michelle Bellemare’s ‘Enough, is enough, is enough’
‘Retreat’ by Michelle Bellemare (cast and sculpted polymer clay, metal prongs, light switch, 6.75″ x 7″ x 2.25″), part of the artist’s ‘Enough, is enough, is enough’ sculptural exhibit at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
Michelle Bellemare’s ‘Enough, is enough, is enough’ is a sculptural exhibit looking at our modern world of technology and round-the-clock opportunities for work and play, as we become overloaded with information and demands made on our time and attention.
For example, Bellemare’s work ‘Retreat’ (pictured above) is an overwhelmed little power bar, switched off and curled up in an attempt to retreat from it all. The power bar, used as a metaphor for us as we become overtired and overburdened with information, is apt and in a way humorous.
Each sculpture in the show plays with the idea of physical and emotional burnout, anxiety, and the need to step away and care for ourselves in this contemporary world.
The opening reception is coming up, in conjunction with the opening for the Chris Ironside show, on Saturday, October 5th from 2 to 5 p.m. The exhibit runs until January 5, 2020.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
Art Gallery of Peterborough’s Annual Art Auction Fundraiser ‘It’s All About Art’ on October 26th
The Art Gallery of Peterborough’s annual “It’s All About Art” fundraiser includes a live auction, along with a silent auction and more. (Photo: Matt + Steph)
“It’s All About Art”, the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s annual art party that raises funds for the not-profit public gallery, features the work of many artists from the region for auction.
Featuring both a live and a silent auction, music, snacks, drinks, and fun, there are also a series of 10″ x 10″ pieces made by select artists specially for this event.
“It’s All About Art” begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough). Tickets are $45 for gallery members and $50 for non-members, and are available at agp.on.ca/events/all-about-art/.
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Whetung Ojibwa Centre hosts Thanksgiving art show
‘Emergence’ by Rick Beaver, one of the artists participating in the Thanksgiving art show at Whetung Ojibwa Centre in Curve Lake First Nation. (Photo courtesy of Whetung Ojibwa Centre)
On Thanksgiving weekend, Whetung Ojibwa Centre is hosting a Thanksgiving art show.
Rick Beaver, whose work is pictured above, has shown at Whetung Ojibwa Centre for a number of years and is one of the artists participating in the Thanksgiving show.
Come out, enjoy the fall colours, and meet artists from the region. With live demonstrations and lots of art to see, it’s fun for the whole family!
The show will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Whetung Ojibwa Centre is located in Curve Lake First Nation at 875 Mississauga Street in Curve Lake. For more information, visit www.whetung.com.
Singing Horse Gallery presents ‘Recent Watercolours’ by Joan Zageris
“Cosmos” by Joan Zageris. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Drop in to Singing Horse Gallery in Peterborough to see this new collection of striking watercolour paintings by Joan Zageris.
Joan is an elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour as well as the Society of Canadian Art.
An opening reception will be held on Thursday, October 3rd from 2 to 5 p.m., with the artist in attendance. All are welcome.
Singing Horse Gallery is located at 686 Crown Drive in Peterborough.
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Artspace hosts a 45th anniversary celebration at Peterborough’s Market Hall on October 18
Artspace is celebrating its 45th birthday on October 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Artspace)
It’s Artspace’s 45th birthday! In celebration of this milestone, Artspace has organized ’45: Speculative Histories and Possible Futures of an Artist-Run Centre’, with a panel discussion featuring five panellists from the community who will reflect and reminisce over the last 45 years. They will also discuss ways in which artist run centres benefit the community and support professional arts practices.
This discussion is to be followed by a party! Music, dancing, and revelry will ensue. DJ Billy the K, Johnny Q , musical guests the Ceedees and Susan Newman and Rob Fortin will help you to dance the night away.
Come, join in the fun, and celebrate Artspace’s birthday on Friday, October 18th, starting at 7 p.m. and running till late. The event will be held at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), located at the intersection of George and Charlotte Streets under the clock tower. The theatre is located on the second floor and is elevator accessible.
Art Gallery of Northumberland presents ‘2019 New Acquisitions’
‘Rosé’ by Darlene Cole (10/15, 2017, etching 30″ X 22″), one of eight new works of art donated to the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Northumberland. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Northumberland)
‘New Acquisitions’ presents eight works of art recently donated to the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Northumberland, featuring artists Darlene Cole, Frances Gage, Jiri Ladocha, Andris Leimanis, and Kenneth Lochhead.
The works will be on display Thursday, October 3rd until January 5, 2020. There will be an opening reception at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 3rd.
The Art Gallery of Northumberland is located at on the third floor of the west wing of Victoria Hall (55 King St. W., Cobourg). Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit www.artgalleryofnorthumberland.com. Entry is free or by donation.
First Friday in downtown Peterborough
‘The Foragers’ by JoEllen Brydon, who will be showing at Atelier Ludmila during October and will have her opening in conjunction with the upcoming First Friday on October 4, 2019. (Photo courtesy of the artist)
Join the monthly First Friday festivities kicking off in downtown Peterborough at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 4th.
There will be art exhibits, open studios, events, sales and workshops around downtown Peterborough, including at Acme Art and Sailboat Company, Atelier Ludmila, Watson & Lou, Meta4 Contemporary Craft Gallery, Mike’s Tattoo, The Garnet, and much more!
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Tuesday (October 1) for all of the Kawarthas, including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings, and Haliburton.
Severe thunderstorms with local damaging wind gusts are possible on Tuesday afternoon and early evening.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of a cold front in areas near Lake Huron and Georgian Bay by early afternoon.
These storms are then expected to track southeastward across southern Ontario during the afternoon and early evening hours.
The storms will likely move through the GTA late this afternoon.
Damaging wind gusts may be associated with some of these storms as well as torrential downpours, frequent lightning, and hail. There will also be the risk for an isolated tornado.
Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
Brad Katz of Millbrook bakery Pastry Peddler, which won first place overall in the Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour Top Tart Taste-Off, held on September 22, 2019 at the Cultivate Festival in Port Hope, for their 'Peddler Saloon' butter tart with a whiskey-infused filling loaded with pecans and topped with candied whiskey pecans. (Photo courtesy of Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour)
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
This week’s business and organizational news includes Millbrook’s Pastry Peddler winning first place in the 2019 Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour Taste-Off, Peterborough’s Artspace marking its 45th anniversary with celebratory event on October 18th, applications now open for FastStart Peterborough’s Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition, and local game developer Canuck Play releasing its third Canadian football title.
New regional business events added this week include the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on October 8th, Small Business Week events in Port Hope from October 21st to 25th, and a disability and accessibility in the workplace information session in Lindsay on October 29th.
Millbrook’s Pastry Peddler wins first place in the 2019 Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour Taste-Off
The Pastry Peddler of Millbrook won first place overall for its Peddler Saloon’, with a whiskey-infused filling loaded with pecans and topped with candied whiskey pecans. (Photo courtesy of Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour)
The Pastry Peddler of Millbrook won first place overall in the Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour Top Tart Taste-Off, held on September 22nd at the Cultivate Festival in Port Hope.
Their winning butter tart was the ‘Peddler Saloon’, with a whiskey-infused filling loaded with pecans and topped with candied whiskey pecans.
Second place was claimed by Antonia’s Bistro of Campbellford for their maple honey butter tart.
Antonia’s Bistro of Campbellford won second place and The Bakery Warkworth of Warkworth won third place. (Photos courtesy of Kawarthas Butter Tart Tour)
The Bakery Warkworth of Warkworth won third place for their maple tart.
The annual Butter Tart Taste-Off competition is hosted by the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour, Ontario’s largest food tour dedicated to butter tarts with over 50 bakeries, restaurants, and cafes located throughout Kawarthas Northumberland.
Peterborough’s Artspace marks its 45th anniversary with celebratory event on October 18
The original location for Artspace, Peterborough’s artist-run centre, at 440 Water Street at Brock Street, a building that no longer exists. (Photo courtesy of Alex Bierk)
Artspace, Peterborough’s artist-run centre, is marking its 45th anniversary with a special celebratory event beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 18th.
“Speculative Histories and Possible Futures of an Artist-run Centre” takes place at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), a site of historic significance both in the history of Artspace and in the city’s cultural landscape.
Five panelists — Lori Beavis, Andrea Fatona, Bill Kimball, Fynn Leitch, and Jeff Macklin — will reflect on the history of Artspace and consider the ways artist-run centres have supported and continue to support professional arts practices in Canada.
Following the panel discussion, the celebration will continue with musical guests The Ceedees, Susan Newman and Rob Fortin, and Deejays Billy the K and Johnny Q.
Artspace was founded in 1974 by Dennis Tourbin and David Bierk, along with a collective of local artists. (Photo courtesy of Artspace)
Artspace was founded in 1974 by Dennis Tourbin and David Bierk, along with a collective of local artists, and received non-profit incorporated charitable status in 1977. Originally located at 440 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, it was also located for several years on the second floor of 188-190 Hunter Street West (where La Hacienda and Sam’s Place are now).
It relocated to, and operated, the Market Hall in the early 1980s, after the venue was converted from a gymnasium into a performing arts centre. In all, Artspace had six locations in Peterborough before opening at its current site at 378 Aylmer Street North in 2006.
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Applications now open for FastStart Peterborough’s Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition
The winning teams and judges of the 2018 Pitch It! student entrepreneurial competition held at Fleming College on November 15, 2018. Four student teams from Trent University, Fleming College, and a local high school each took home $500 for their winning business idea. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
Applications are now open for FastStart Peterborough’s firth annual Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition, where students from Trent University and Fleming College pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges in hopes of winning up to $350.
Styled after the CBC television reality series Dragons’ Den, the competition culminates at a free public event held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22nd at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Interested Trent University and Fleming College students can apply at innovationcluster.ca/programs/pitch-it/. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 11th.
FastStart Peterborough is a collaboration between Trent University, Fleming College, and the Innovation Cluster.
Local game developer Canuck Play releases its third Canadian football title
Canuck Play president David Winter, a client of the Innovation Cluster in downtown Peterborough, announcing the official release of the game developer’s third Canadian football title, “Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019”. (Supplied photo)
Last Friday (September 27), Peterborough-based video game development startup Canuck Play released Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019. its third title that celebrates Canadian football, for the PS4 and Xbox One game consoles.
“The response for Maximum Football 2018 was phenomenal, and this title brings even more elements of Canadian Football to life, including having Doug Flutie as a character in the game,” says Canuck Play president David Winter. “Many players have expressed their enthusiasm to try it out and our team has been very excited for this moment to come.”
As a client of the Innovation Cluster, Winter has worked in its downtown incubator to make Canuck Play a reality, officially launching the company’s first game instalment Canadian Football 2017, followed by Maximum Football 2018.
“Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019” is available now for the PS4 and Xbox One game consoles. (Supplied photos)
Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019 features multiple game options between Canadian, college, and US pro football. Gamers will also have the ability to play full seasons, hone skills in practice mode, customize team and players, full post-play replay with free camera control, multiple player body styles and game weather that impacts game play.
As with the two titles the company has released before, Winter says he will continue to add updates to the game as needed.
Venture13 hosts TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge in Cobourg on October 5
The TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th at Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
This event is part of the global CyberLympics, sponsored by SiberX, Durham College AI-Hub, and Venture13. The purpose of the event is to encourage developers to bring forward innovative ideas for cybersecurity applications that are technically feasible and commercially viable.
Teams will have one day to advance their concepts and pitch them to a panel of experts. Mentors and advisors will be available to help teams rapidly iterate their concepts and prepare a pitch presentation to the judges. The winner of the TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge and the $1,000 cash team prize will be announced at the Cyberlympics finale at Durham College on October 26th, 2019.
TechXpo is sponsored by Venture13 VentureZone Members Eagle Aerospace and ConnexHealth Inc. and the Cobourg Police Service.
Venture13 presents cyber security tech talk in Cobourg on October 5
Venture13 is presenting a tech talk called “I to Eye : Thinking Like A Hacker” from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
Keynote speaker Mahdi Raza, co-founder of SiberX, will be speaking on cyber security. SiberX is a roaming customized platform for training, events, and skills development in the cyber security field.
Venture13 presents Fireside Chat on Technology Adaptation and Healthcare in Cobourg on October 7
Venture13 is presenting its next Fireside Chat, on the topic “Technology Adaptation and Healthcare”, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 7th in the Innovation Commons at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg)
Sponsored by ConnexHealth, the free event features a keynote by Dr. Mukesh Bhargava (Chief of Staff, Northumberland Hills Hospital) and a panel discussion with Dr. Bhargava, Ryan Doherty (President and Founder, Empower Health), and Medha Saraiya (Founder and CEO, ConnexHealth), moderated by Rhonda Cunningham (Director, Northumberland CFDC and Executive Director, Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation).
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on October 8
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast orders taken at The Edison at 7:30 a.m. At 7:45 a.m., you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by a mystery guest speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10
The second annual Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Presented by Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, Destination Ontario, and Kawarthas Northumberland, the one-day high-level business growth conference is designed to educate, motivate, and promote collaboration.
Keynote speakers include Ron Tsang on the topic “Influential Communication for Entrepreneurs” and Andrew Patrico on the topic “How to Cost and Price Your Products and Services Profitably”.
The cost is $45+HST, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence and Social Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield).
There will be a silent and live auction, light hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a social hour for networking in Upper Hadden Hall before the presentation of the awards in the Bryan Jones Theatre.
IBM Lunch and Learn seminar in Cobourg on October 15
Venture13 is presenting Lunch and Learn session with Sarmad Ibrahim, Tech Evangelist at IBB, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
Find out about the IBM I3 program, discover IBM’s artificial intelligence, internet of things, and blockchain opportunities, network with entrepreneurs and innovators, and more.
Peterborough Chamber hosts 2019 Business Excellence Awards in Peterborough on October 16
Awards in 20 categories will be presented at the 2019 Business Excellence Awards at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Peterborough Chamber of Commerce)
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2019 Business Excellence Awards at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Awards will be presented in 20 categories, including Business Citizen of the Year.
The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. on the Nexicom Studio followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. in the Erica Cherney Theatre.
Tickets are $50+HST, available at excellencepeterborough.ca/tickets. Your tickets includes one complimentary beverage and light hors d’oeuvres catered by The Imperial Tandoor.
Small Business Week events in Kawartha Lakes from October 21 to 25
Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week takes place the week of Monday, October 21st, culminating with the presentation of the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 25th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (292 Lindsay st. S. Lindsay).
Nominations are now open for the awards, which feature a first prize of $750, a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $250.
For a list of all the events during Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week and to submit a nomination for the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards, visit www.smallbizweek.net.
Small Business Week event in Port Hope from October 21 to 25
On Tuesday, October 22nd from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber and the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) are offering a bus tour for local businesses and contractors. (Graphic: Port Hope Chamber)
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is presenting a series of events during Small Business Week in Port Hope the week of Monday, October 21st.
On Monday from 12 to 2 p.m., the Port Hope Chamber is hosting “Ask a Professional” at the Port Hope Town Hall Council Chambers (56 Queen St., Port Hope). At this free event, local professionals in the fields of accounting, finance, and law will be on hand to answer questions you may have about business. Professionals include John O’Keefe of O’Keefe Accounting Group, Scott McCracken of Schmidt Law Legal Services, and Adrian Pepper of the Bank of Montreal.
On Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber and the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) are offering a bus tour for local businesses and contractors from a perspective of the PHAI project and cleanup. Space is limited to 18 registrants.
On Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber and the Business Development Bank of Canada are hosting “Women in Business” at Jack Burger Sports Complex (60 Highland Dr., Port Hope). The workshop features a presentation for local women in business from the Business Development Bank of Canada on the topic “Supporting your growing business with flexible financing and practical advice”. Light refreshments will be provided.
On Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., the Port Hope Young Professionals group is hosting a trivia night at The Thirsty Goose (63 Walton St., Port Hope). There will be a cash prize for the winning team.
On Friday at 11 a.m., the Port Hope Chamber is hosting “Coffee Break with David Piccini” at the Port Hope Town Hall Council Chambers (56 Queen St., Port Hope). This event, open only to Chamber members, offers an opportunity to talk business with Northumberland-Peterborough MPP South David Piccini.
Disability and accessibility in the workplace information session in Lindsay on October 29
In collaboration with the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce and My Lindsay Downtown, the Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting “Employer Education Series – Disability & Accessibility Information Session” from 8 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29 at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
Guest speaker Barbara Condie, accessibility coordinator with the City of Kawartha Lakes, will be sharing best practices for employers to navigate the issue of disability and accessibility in the workplace. Condie has extensive experience with research and resource information, development of policies, corporate procedures, and communications pertaining to disability and accessibility.
Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Steve Poltz, founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns and co-writer for singer Jewel, performs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on October 19, 2019. He has been described as "part busker, part Iggy Pop, and part Robin Williams, a freewheeling folkie with a quick wit and big heart". (Photo: Laura Partain)
October is a lovely time to get out for some live music, with the cool fall evenings making an outing to a warm cozy venue all the more pleasurable. Peterborough and the Kawarthas are full of music for fans of all genres. Here are just a few of the concerts happening in the area in October.
Evangeline Gentle at The Theatre on King in Peterborough on October 4
Peterborough singer-songwriter Evangeline Gentle continues to make waves in the Canadian music scene with their amazing voice and songs that strike chords with all ages.
On Friday, October 4th at The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough), Gentle and band will celebrate the release of their debut self-titled album. The album was produced by Ottawa-area producer/songwriter Jim Bryson in his Stittsville studio and was released on Rae Spoon’s COAX Records in September.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.. Mike Teevee (a.k.a. Cormac Culkeen) will be opening.
VIDEO: “Sundays” – Evangeline Gentle
Rick Fines at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 4
Award-winning local singer-songwriter and bluesman Rick Fines has written a new collection of songs for his upcoming eighth album, and he’ll be performing them an intimate concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) on Friday, October 4th at 8 p.m.
Fines’ new album is an all-acoustic one, featuring his Dobro and National guitars along with his trusted six-string. He’s written a couple of songs with Matt Anderson and local poet PJ Thomas.
Fines will also be asking the audience at the Market Hall concert how they want to purchase songs from the new album (streaming, CD, LP, etc.).
Tickets are $35 for general admission ($25 students or artists) or $40 for cabaret table seats, available at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
Sean Burns at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 5
Sean Burns, originally from Oshawa but now residing in Winnipeg, is one of the hardest-working musicians in Canada. He is almost always criss-crossing Canada with his old-time country stylings.
On Saturday, October 5th, he returns to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) along with pedal steel player Skinny Dyck.
Also on the bill are Peterborough’s favourite country-rockers Diamond Dave and the Smoke Eaters.
The show begins shortly after 9 p.m. and will cost $10 at the door. Put on your best Western shirt and cowboy boots and get ready for a country-filled hootenanny!
VIDEO: “Invitation to the Blues” – Sean Burns & Lost Country
Breabach at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 6
On Sunday, October 6th, check out contemporary folk band Breabach from Glasgow, Scotland at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146).
Breabach’s music shifts from traditional folk stylings to contemporary tunes and original compositions that expand on exactly what it means to be a ‘folk group’. The award-winning group’s latest record is entitled Frenzy of the Meeting and continues to show an expanding and developing sonic space for them.
The show is a matinee beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 for a regular seat and $38 for a cabaret table spot. You can get them at the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Knees Up” – Breabach
Long Range Hustle at the Tweed Kiwanis Pavillion on October 11
The Tweed and Area Arts Council presents up-and-coming roots-rock band Long Range Hustle on Friday, October 11th at the Tweed Kiwanis Pavillion (137 Victoria St. S., Tweed).
The Tweed/Stirling area band — featuring Paul Brogee (vocals, guitar, violin), Jay Foster (vocals, piano), Mike Brogee (bass, vocals), and AJ Fisico (drums, vocals) with Ryan Pritchard (guitar) — brings an infectious energy to the stage, along with catchy songs that have been lighting up audiences in Canada and the U.S.
The show costs $15 and is an all-ages licensed event. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show runs from 8:30 to 10 p.m. It’s a great way to start your Thanksgiving weekend.
Carolyn Mark at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 15
Vancouver Island’s Carolyn Mark is a songwriter who is always worth seeing live. Her tunes range from quirky to relatable to downright sad.
On Tuesday, October 15th, Mark returns to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) to play my birthday party!
Come and share a few laughs, some pints, and check out one of Canada’s best-kept secrets in Carolyn Mark’s excellent music.
Tickets will be $10 at the door and the show begins at 8 p.m.
VIDEO: “Miles from Nowhere in a Valley Off The Highway” – Carolyn Mark
Steve Poltz at the Market Hall in Peterborough on October 19
There’s no one quite like singer-songwriter-madman Steve Poltz.
Although Poltz may be best known for co-penning “You Were Meant for Me”, a huge hit by Jewel in the mid-90s, his career is much more broad and interesting than that. His tunes and his performance are always full of laughs and twists.
Poltz comes to Peterborough on Saturday, October 19th at 8 p.m. at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146). Tickets are $35 and you can get them the Market Hall Box Office or online at markethall.org.
VIDEO: “Ballin’ On A Wednesday” – Steve Poltz
Jimmy Bowskill at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 20
Bailieboro’s Jimmy Bowskill has been a professional musician since before he was a teenager. His solo career began with the blues, and has evolved through bluegrass and beyond as his influences have broadened.
Beyond his own fantastic music, Bowskill has been playing with a couple bands you may have heard: The Sheepdogs and Blue Rodeo. On Sunday, October 20th, he will bring his own band, The Hometown Beauts, to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) for a pair of intimate shows: a matinee at 3 p.m. and an evening show at 8 p.m.
Jim Cuddy at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on October 24
Two words: Jim Cuddy! That’s right, fans of the long-time Blue Rodeo co-founder, he is coming to the Academy Theatre (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay, 705-324-9111) on Thursday, October 24th.
Cuddy just released a brand new record called Country Wide Soul and his voice and tunes continue as strong as ever. He’ll be performing a show as The Jim Cuddy Trio along with guitarist Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy Band) and fiddler Anne Lindsay (Jim Cuddy Band, The Skydiggers, John McDermott).
Tickets are $79.50 plus taxes and fees. Tickets are available at the Box Office, by phone at 705-324-9111, or online at www.academytheatre.ca.
VIDEO: “Back Here Again” – Jim Cuddy
Death By Art School at The Garnet in Peterborough on October 31
Head to The Garnet (231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-0107) on Thursday, October 31st for a rocking Halloween party with Death By Art School.
The group is an outrageous high-energy mix of rap, rock, and glam electro music. There will be costumes, guns shooting fake money, and enough music to make it a super-fun night. Guests to be announced soon.
Mentalist and magician Spidey will mess with your mind (but in a good way) at his show "Make Believe - Magic of your Mind" at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on October 18, 2019. (Publicity photo)
Showplace Presents Spidey: Make Believe – The Magic of Your Mind
When: Friday, October 18, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $35
Advance tickets are available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online. Note: This show has been moved to the Nexicom Studio with cabaret seating.
Promising to deliver “an emotional rollercoaster,” acclaimed mentalist and magician Spidey returns to Peterborough this fall, this time spinning his mind-blowing web at the Showplace Performance Centre.
“There are things that happen in my show that people would describe as supernatural,” he says in a March 2017 interview with kawarthaNOW that precluded his last visit to the city.
“There are very intense moments, extremely happy moments, really funny moments, and deeply emotional moments.”
For most, those ingredients are at the centre of pure entertainment, and entertain Spidey will when he takes to the stage of the downtown Peterborough venue on Friday, October 18th.
VIDEO: Spidey: Make Believe – Magic of your Mind
He promises to bring his popular magic and mentalism tricks to the Showplace stage, from playing a heart-racing game of Russian roulette and ‘mind Pictionary’ to tapping into someone’s happiest memories and revealing impossible details.
Spidey (his real name is Bedros Akkelian) has entertained and amazed millions via North American and international tours, numerous television appearances, and several viral YouTube videos — including one clip that sees him exercise the power of suggestion to dodge getting a speeding ticket. He also appears as a guest star in three episodes of the 2018 Netflix original series, Brainchild, which is available in 21 countries.
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A Canadian Magician of the Year nominee and a Canada’s Got Talent finalist, Spidey has performed for, and been consulted by, numerous celebrities, the famed magic duo Penn and Teller among them.
In 2014, performing in front of a studio audience for a taping of the reality TV series Wizard Wars, Spidey’s mentalism skills caught the full attention of the duo, including a rare vocal outburst from the typically silent Teller. Leaping to his feet, he cried ‘Bravo!’ repeatedly.
“It was one of most iconic moments of my career … that was huge for me,” recalls Spidey, noting it led directly to his appearing on Penn and Teller’s television series Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
VIDEO: Spidey and Joel Meyers on Penn & Teller Fool Us
A graduate of Montreal’s Concordia University with a degree in social psychology, Spidey practised card tricks while in high school. His eventual stage name can be traced back to his time as a camp counsellor. A fan of comic books, and with the Spiderman film big in theatres at the time, he adopted that handle as his camp name.
Spidey’s increasing fascination with the mental aspect of magic took him in a new direction. In a June 2018 interview with Lindsay Carlton of Fox News, Spidey recalls “That was when the real spark hit where I got really into the more mental stuff”..
“I thought it (mentalism) was a really great way to connect with people, to break the ice, and it’s something that I just became so passionate about.”
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According to Spidey, mentalism has at its heart four subcategories: prediction, clairvoyance, telekinesis, and telepathy. That said, he adds mind reading isn’t what most think it is.
“It’s not like we look at the person and we see or hear their thoughts,” he says. “Through a combination of deductive reasoning, magic, and psychology, we know what they’re thinking.”
He adds using psychology to manipulate people’s minds shouldn’t be confused with being psychic.
“When people see mentalism, their first guess typically is that it involves some sort of psychic ability, but it’s not,” Spidey explains.
“I think that even psychics are using trickery and deceptive methods. The only difference is what they claim it is. They say it’s real — ‘I’m tapping into your energy, and I’m reading your mind, and I can see your aura’ — whereas for me, it’s ‘I’m just entertaining you with this’.”
VIDEO: Spidey uses the power of suggestion to get out of a speeding ticket
Spidey makes it clear he doesn’t view his talent as a gift. Rather, he says, it’s all about technique.
“It’s something you learn and develop, akin to learning to play a music instrument.”
That in mind, he advises to aspiring mentalists to practice over and over.
“Because mentalism is so much about connecting with someone, the best way is just to get out there and do it as often as you can, for as many people as you can. You’re going to mess up at first — it’s going to happen — but then, as you get more comfortable with it, you get better.”
For more information about Spidey, visit his website at www.spideymagic.com.
These Grade 2 students harvested 122 pounds of onions at Edwin Binney's Community Garden in Lindsay on September 27, 2019, pushing the total weight of produce harvested in the garden's first year of operation to more than two tons. The fresh produce was donated to local social service agencies, food banks, shelters, and children's programming agencies. (Photo courtesy of United Way City of Kawartha
United Way City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) has announced Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay has now produced more than two tons of fresh produce in its first year of operation, with all food donated to the community.
The milestone was reached on Friday (September 27) with the help of a Grade 2 class that harvested 122 pounds of onions, pushing the total weight of fresh produce harvested to 4,109 pounds.
Edwin Binney’s Community Garden comprises 30,000 square feet of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land that the United Way and Fleming College staff have developed into a fully operational community garden. The garden is maintained by staff from both United Way CKL and the Sustainable Agriculture program at Fleming College Frost Campus, as well as several volunteers from Crayola Canada, Farm Credit Canada, and the community.
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The main goal of the garden is to provide fresh produce to people who need it in the City of Kawartha Lakes through social service agencies, food banks, shelters, and children’s programming agencies. In the garden’s first year, 11 different agencies received fresh produce.
FoodRescure.ca — operated by Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization — was instrumental in distributing the fresh produce.
“Thanks in large part to United Way City of Kawartha Lakes, we are seeing 95 per cent of all donations going through FoodRescue.ca be fresh and nutritious produce — items which such non-profits might not often come by or which can be expensive to purchase for their programming,” says FoodRescue.ca coordinator Jessica Topfer.
“This has helped non-profits immensely by saving them some of their already limited financial resources, but most importantly, it has given members of our community an opportunity to access good food which can provide them the nutrition and energy they need as they work toward strengthening their future.”
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A partnership with Frost College’s Sustainable Agriculture program at Fleming College has meant that the garden uses a science-based crop rotation plan, which will allow even more produce to be grown in future years. Students in the Sustainable Agriculture course are also able to receive practical experience that will count towards their diploma while working on site at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden.
Along with college students, children of all ages have enjoyed learning at the garden. Through a grant from TD Friends of the Environment, United Way CKL was able to hire an educator to create curriculum-based workshop materials. Fifteen school classes and summer camps, with children ranging from 3 to 17 years old, were able to visit the garden this year. A total of 300 young people gained hands-on experience in food literacy, numeracy, agriculture and biology through plant identification, scavenger hunts, crafts, and various other activities.
Pictured is 456 pounds of fresh produce harvested from Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay. The garden is located on 30,000 square feet of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land that the United Way and Fleming College staff have developed into a fully operational community garden. In the garden’s first year of operation, 11 different agencies received fresh produce from the garden.(Photo courtesy of United Way City of Kawartha Lakes)
“This is an amazing accomplishment, way beyond any expectation we had when this project started,” say representatives from Crayola Canada. “It is a result of a combined effort from so many local partners. Crayola is very proud to be a part of such a significant community initiative.”
Plans for the second year of Edwin Binney’s Community Garden are underway, with the goal of increasing produce yields and student involvement.
Anyone interested in getting involved in Edwin Binney’s Community Garden can contact Elly Millington, projects and communications coordinator at United Way CKL, at office@ckl.unitedway.ca or at 705-878-5081.
It is legal in Canada to grow up to four cannabis plants for personal use. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Although you can now legally grow up to four cannabis plants, you might want to think twice about growing them in an area where they are visible from the street.
A Lindsay man was arrested on Thursday (September 26) after he was caught with stolen cannabis plants.
At around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, a resident of Melbourne Street West in Lindsay contacted Kawartha Lakes Police Service to report that a man had just entered their backyard and stole a cannabis plant that was growing on the property.
A short time later, officers located a man walking in the area with several mature cannabis plants in his possession. The man was arrested for the theft.
Further investigation revealed the man had also stolen two cannabis plants from two other properties.
Police have charged 44-year-old Matthew Cork of Lindsay. with three counts of theft under $5,000, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and three counts of failing to comply with the conditions of his probation order.
The accused man will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at 440 Kent Street West in Lindsay on October 31, 2019.
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