A police investigator at work during Project Peacehaven, a joint investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Peterborough Police Service into online child sexual exploitation that has resulted in charges against eight people, including an Omemee resident and a Selwyn Township resident. (Photo: OPP)
Eight people — including an Omemee resident and a Selwyn Township resident — have been charged with 36 criminal offences during a joint investigation conducted by the OPP’s Child Sexual Exploitation Unit and the Peterborough Police Service.
The joint investigation, named Project Peacehaven, focused on how popular social media applications are used by those looking to sexually abuse children.
Trained investigators used online undercover techniques to access online chat rooms and social media applications designed for youth to proactively identify, locate, and arrest persons looking to sexually exploit children in Peterborough.
VIDEO: Project Peacehaven
The following people have been charged as a result of the investigation:
Leonard Razon, 21, of Scarborough, Ontario has been changed with possession of child pornography, making sexually explicit material available to a child, and five counts of luring a person under 16.
Danny Depew, 52, of Abbotsford, British Columbia has been charged with three counts of luring a person under 16, and breach of 161 prohibition order.
Steven MacDonald, 36, of Delta, Ontario has been charged with three counts of luring a person under 16 and making sexually explicit material available to a child.
William Bell, 55, of Shannonville, Ontario has been charged with two counts of luring a person under 16 and making sexually explicit material available to a child.
Chris Parish, 49, of Selwyn Township, Ontario has been charged with four counts of luring a person under 16.
Joshua Burgoyne, 40, of Courtice, Ontario has been charged with four counts of luring a person under 16.
Jordan Cobb, 36, of Simcoe, Ontario has been charged with five counts of luring a person under 16 and two counts of sending sexually explicit material to a person under 16.
Nathan Johnson, 38, of Omemee, Ontario has been charged with luring a person under 18, making sexually explicit material available to person under 18, and communicating with anyone under 18 years for purpose of obtaining sexual services.
The joint investigation took place over three days.
“The importance of police services working together cannot be understated,” says Inspector Tina Chalk of the OPP Counter Exploitation and Missing Person Section. “We share our resources and our knowledge to identify those who seek to harm our children. There are no borders or jurisdictions in our fight against child exploitation.”
In a media release, the OPP included several results of the investigation:
Investigators communicated with 36 suspects beyond simple introductions. The communications established ages which were well outside the consensual parameters established by the Criminal Code and included inappropriate sexualized content.
Approximately 30 per cent of these suspects were identified, located and arrested after committing criminal offences.
Six of the suspects were arrested when they arrived at a set location to meet the child for sexual purposes.
Two suspects were identified solely through online investigations and arrested outside of a set meeting location.
One suspect drove over 290 kilometres to meet a child for sexual purposes.
A repeat offender was arrested who had just completed his 10-year term on the Ontario Sex Offender Registry.
To learn how to keep children safe, visit the Canadian Centre for Child Protection at protectchildren.ca . If you have information related to child sexual exploitation, contact your local police or visit cybertip.ca.
Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for the southern Kawarthas, including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland, for Tuesday morning and afternoon (December 31).
Snow is affecting much of southwestern Ontario this morning and is advancing eastward. There may be brief bursts of heavier snow with very poor visibility at times.
Accumulations should be limited to a few centimetres at most. However, strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h are also anticipated.
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will result in reduced visibility.
Canadian space robotics company MDA Corporation built the Canadarm robotic arm for NASA's space shuttle program. Peterborough-raised billionaire Jim Balsillie is one of a consortium of Canadian investors acquiring MDA Corporation, headed by Peterborough native Mike Greenley, from its American parent company. (Photo: NASA)
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 news features two Peterborough natives — Jim Balsillie and Mike Greenley — who are involved in a $1-billion deal to repatriate MDA Corporation (the Canadian space robotics company that built the Canadarm), two farmers’ markets in downtown Peterborough announcing a new partnership, and Scotiabank Port Hope employees, clients, and customers donating five boxes of items for The Rose Project.
Also featured this week is Publican House Brewery marketing director Kim Cranfield launching her own marketing and events company, the opening of applications for the next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
New regional business events added this week include Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosting a new venture session in Peterborough on January 7th, the Haliburton Chamber hosting a breakfast session on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on January 14th, the Innovation Cluster and and Cleantech Commons hosting Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14th, the Trent Hills Chamber hosting a Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16th, Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosting Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28th and 29th, and more.
Two Peterborough natives involved in $1-billion deal to repatriate Canadian space robotics company that built the Canadarm
Peterborough-raised Jim Balsillie (left), the former co-CEO of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, is one of a consortium of Canadian investors acquiring MDA Corporation, headed by Peterborough native Mike Greenley (right), from its American parent company. MDA Corporation built the Canadarm used by NASA’s space shuttle program and the Canadarm2 used on the International Space Station.
Two Peterborough natives are involved in a $1-billion deal announced on Monday (December 30) that will bring back into Canadian hands MDA Corporation — the space robotics company behind the Canadarm.
A consortium led by Toronto-based Northern Private Capital — with financial backing from Jim Balsillie, the former co-CEO of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (who was raised in Peterborough) — are buying MDA Corporation, returning the company to Canadian control and bringing the company’s headquarters back to Canada.
“Once its acquisition by Northern Private Capital closes, MDA will become a private, Canadian-owned and controlled business, continuing to be the leading space technology company in Canada, serving domestic government and international customers,” writes MDA group president Mike Greenley (who was born and raised in Peterborough) on his LinkedIn.
As well as building the Canadarm for NASA’s space shuttle program, Canadian space robotics company MDA Corporation also built the Canadarm2 robotic arm for the International Space Station. Unlike the Canadarm on the shuttle, Canadarm2 is not permanently anchored at one end. This design gives Canadarm2 the ability to “walk” around the International Space Station on its own. (Photo: NASA)
MDA was founded in 1969 as MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, and became part of Colorado-based Maxar Technology Holdings as part of a merger in 2017. As well as building the Canadarm robotic arm for NASA’s space shuttle program and the Canadarm2 for the International Space Station, MDA is also known for developing the Radarsat Earth-observation satellites and other advanced space technologies.
“Over its 50-year history, MDA has grown from a B.C.-based start-up into a world-class space technology company and an anchor of Canada’s space program,” says John Risley, a Halifax billionaire who is a principal along with investor Andrew Lapham in Northern Private Capital, in a statement.
“We are thrilled to partner with Mike Greenley and the rest of the MDA team and are excited about the significant growth potential we see for the company,” Risley adds. “As a Canadian, I am so proud this iconic Canadian company will once again be owned and controlled in Canada.”
As part of the deal, which will be financed through a combination of equity and debt, MDA’s corporate headquarters will return to Canada, where it employs more than 1,900 people.
Northern Private Capital says its acquisition of MDA is expected to close in 2020 following regulatory approvals.
Two farmers’ markets in downtown Peterborough announce new partnership
The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market, which runs every Wednesday during the summer on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough, has announced it will be joining the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network, which launched a second downtown farmers’ market running on Saturdays during the summer. (Photo: Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market / Facebook)
The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market (PDFM) has announced it will be joining the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network (PRFN).
PDFM has been operating a farmers’ market on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough on Wednesdays every summer for more than 20 years. PRFN was formed in 2018 after the Saturday Peterborough Farmers’ Market, operating at Morrow Park, refused to approve applications submitted by seven returning vendors who were concerned about the presence of non-local producers at the Saturday market.
PRFN subsequently established its own farmers’ market, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, which runs on Saturdays during the summer at the Citi-Centre Courtyard off Aylmer Street and on Saturdays during the winter in the lower level of Peterborough Square. Sixty per cent of the vendors at the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market are primary producers who have gone through a third-party inspection process to verify they grow 100 per cent of what they sell.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to build on our successful downtown Wednesday market,” says Trevor Riel of the PDFM’s board. “I believe that together we can be a key part of the identity of downtown Peterborough.”
A number of vendors participate in both the Wednesday and Saturday farmers’ markets. In a media release, both markets say they share a vision of branding downtown Peterborough as a market destination, with the PRFN’s commitment to transparent business practices through third-party farmer verification a key feature of the partnership.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the PDFM,” says PRFN chair Julie Fleming. “Working to implement a shared vision will result in a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.”
PDFM says it will be working with PRFN on the specific terms of the relationship well in advance of the summer 2020 market season.
Scotiabank Port Hope employees, clients, and customers donate five boxes of items for The Rose Project
Scotiabank Port Hope manager Heather Hennings with The Rose Project founder Rose Wilson, who visited the branch on December 27, 2019 to pick up five boxes filled with 59 pairs of mittens, hats, scarves, toiletries, small gift cards, and granola bars. Branch employees, clients, and customers donated the items to support The Rose Project, which collects donations for the less fortunate in Northumberland County. (Photo: Cassidy Dawson)
When Cassidy Dawson and her colleagues of Scotiabank in Port Hope read kawarthaNOW’s story about The Rose Project, an initiative founded by Rose Wilton to collects donations for the less fortunate in Northumberland County, they decided to support the cause this year for their holiday donation campaign.
Throughout December, the branch ran a campaign that produced five boxes filled with 59 pairs of mittens, hats, scarves, toiletries, small gift cards, and granola bars. Not only did branch employees contribute to the campaign, but many of the branch’s clients and customers donated as well.
Rose Project founder Rose Wilton visited the branch last Friday (December 27) to pick up the donations and to thank Scotiabank employees and everyone who donated. She plans to use the donated items to create kits to give out in January.
Publican House Brewery marketing director Kim Cranfield launches her own marketing and events company
South Bay Marketing and Events is a new company launched by Kim Cranfield, who has worked as marketing director at Publican House Brewery for the past six years and established the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival in 2015. (Photo: South Bay Marketing and Events)
After six years as marketing director with Publican House Brewery in downtown Peterborough, Kim Cranfield has announced she is starting her own marketing and events company, called South Bay Marketing and Events.
In 2015, Cranfield established the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, which has grown from a one-day event attended by 1,500 people to a two-day celebration drawing 5,000 attendees.
Cranfield will continue to lead the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival independently, and will also be taking on new clients requiring for marketing, communication, or events services.
Kim Cranfield named her new marketing and events business after the bay on Chandos Lake where her family cottage has been located for more than 65 years. (Photo courtesy of Kim Cranfield)
A Peterborough resident for the past six years, Cranfield named her new business after the bay on Chandos Lake where her family cottage has been located for more than 65 years.
Cranfield will continue working with Publican House until the end of January.
For more information about South Bay Marketing and Events, visit southbaymarketing.ca.
Applications opening for next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program on January 1
The entrepreneurs behind six new businesses launched at the Starter Company Plus Showcase on December 5, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre each received a $5,000 grant to support growth in their business. From left to right: Madeleine Hurrell (Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre), Sonja Martin (Rooted Lavender), Nicole Cooke (Organized by Design), Katelin Turcotte (Wilde Beauty), Kristin Cole (Kawartha Complete Care), Anna Perry (Your Second Family), and Brett Pritchard and Brian Pritchard (B & B Game Designs). Applications for the next intake of Starter Company Plus open on January 1, 2020. (Photo: Alyssa Cymbalista)
Applications for the next intake of Starter Company Plus, a program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario, open on Wednesday, January 1st.
The program is designed to provide business training for aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough, who are either launching a new business or expanding an existing business that has been operating for five years or less.
VIDEO: PKED Starter Company Plus Introduction
Applications close at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 20th. All successful program participants must be able to attend a series of five workshops taking place in February and March.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
The ground-breaking ceremony for the Hampton Inn hotel to be built in Port Hope, with an expected opening in early 2021. (Photo: Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce / Facebook)
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Thursday, December 19th for the new 80-room Hampton Inn hotel to be built at 80 Henderson Street in Port Hope. Construction of the new hotel will begin in 2020 with an expected opening in early 2021.
A new Canadian sports pub, Maple Moose Pub, is opening in early 2020 in the location of the former ARIA nightclub at 331 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
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Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts new venture session in Peterborough on January 7
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a New Venture Session from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
Intended for entrepreneurs starting a new business, the session will provide an overview of the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, how to work with the Business Advisory Centre to build a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist
Peterborough Chamber hosts networking event in Peterborough on January 7
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) of 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7th at the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
The wellness-themed event will be about goals and resolutions, from physical to mental wellness for staff and for business.
The free event is open to everyone.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on January 9
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a strong foundation in business planning and to emphasize the importance of a comprehensive business plan. Tools will be made available for creating a business plan as well as top tips for creating a plan ready to share with banks and funding agencies to secure financing.
Farms at Work hosts egg grading discussion in Peterborough on January 9
Farms at Work is hosting “Egg Grading for the Local Market”, a discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th at VentureNorth (270 George St., Peterborough).
The this evening discussion will share the issues and conclusions from Farms at Work’s feasibility study for a local community-based egg grading facility, egg grading options in this region, and information on a new egg grading facility in southwestern Ontario and how they propose to help producers across the province.
Haliburton Chamber hosts breakfast session on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on January 14
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at Maple Avenue Tap & Grill (172 Highland St., Haliburton).
Jack Veitch of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge will speak on the topic “Mental Health and the Workplace”.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on January 14
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th 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).
Northumberland Chamber hosts networking event in Cobourg on January 14
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next “Meet and Greet” business networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at MASS Environmental Services (210 Willmott St., Unit 5B, Cobourg).
MASS Environmental Services will share information about reducing the environmental footprint of your business and related subjects.
Innovation Cluster and Cleantech Commons host Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Cleantech Commons are hosting “Electric City Talks: An Evening with Jason Wight” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough)
Jason Wight is director of engineering at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and founder of for Ontario Power Generation’s only accelerator X-LAB. He will discuss nuclear energy, its role in the current climate crisis, and how innovative technologies are changing to adapt to a world that emphasizes clean and sustainable energy.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with introductions at 6:30 p.m. and the keynote at 6:45 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Port Hope Chamber hosts a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson in Port Hope on January 15
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Railside Restaurant (112 Peter St., Port Hope).
Mayor Sanderson will provide an update on municipal affairs, strategic planning, and business within the municipality of Port Hope.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members or $30 for non-members (includes breakfast and tax and gratuity). Registration is required by January 10th by emailing admin@porthopechamber.com or calling 905-885-5519.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session on the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16th at the Hastings Civic Centre (9 Albert St., Hastings).
Presented by the Hastings and Campbellford Trail Town Committees, the session will provide information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative — designed to increase regional tourism — and the “Trail Town Friendly” business certification program.
This event will benefit businesses in the designated Trent-Severn Trail Town communities of Hastings and Campbellford. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Peterborough Chamber hosts lunch seminar on international students in Peterborough on January 22
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next “Lunch Box Learning” session takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tracey McConnery (Manager of English Programs & International Student Services, Fleming College) and Paul Longhurst (International Student Advisor, Trent University) will present on how international students can help you meet your labour needs and will discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The free event is open to Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
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Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28 and 29
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting information sessions on the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28th at the Lindsay Recreational Complex (133 Adelaide St. S., Lindsay) and from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at Fenelon Falls Community Centre (27 Veteran’s Way, Fenelon Falls).
Kawartha Lakes CFDC will be accepting applications for projects that support small and medium-sized enterprises to foster innovation, technology adoption and digital connectivity in Kawartha Lakes. Priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean tech, digital industries, and agri-food and food processing. Minimum project size is $50,000, with the ability of participants to provide a 50 per cent ($25,000) matched cash contribution.
Hydro One crews on site after an ice storm. (Photo: Hydro One / Facebook)
On Monday (December 30), Hydro One is advising that freezing rain and high winds are affecting the province’s electricity distribution system, resulting in power outages across Ontario.
While the freezing rain warning has now ended for the Kawarthas, Hydro One reports more than 200 active outages affecting more than 30,000 customers — including more than 12,000 customers in central and eastern Ontario — as of 11 a.m. on Monday morning.
Hydro One says crews are responding to outages as quickly and safely as possible.
If outages occur, Hydro One determines an estimated time of restoration for each incident once damage has been assessed, and prioritizes emergencies and restoration in a way that brings power back to the largest number of customers in the shortest period of time.
Most restoration times are estimated for late Monday afternoon.
For detailed information on outages and estimated restoration times, visit stormcentre.hydroone.com or download the Hydro One free mobile app.
Outage tools are updated every 10 minutes as information comes in from the crews on-site.
Hydro One advises people to stay clear of any fallen power lines. If you spot a fallen line, keep at least 10 meters back, even if it does not appear to be live. Report it to the police and call Hydro One at 1-800-434-1235.
This capture of a magnificent snowy owl by Robert Metcalfe was the top post on our Instagram for January 2019 and the third most popular of the year, with almost 11,000 impressions and 837 likes. (Photo: Robert Metcalfe @robert.a.metcalfe / Instagram)
It’s been a banner year for @kawarthanow on Insta this year! Just last week, we achieved over 15,000 followers. Not only that, but we’re the first local media company to achieve that level and we’re also the longest running media company on Insta — since early 2012. But as you may know, it’s engagement that really counts, and we are fortunate to have a strong fan following who engage with each and every post. Thank you all for your loyalty.
It’s that time of year again for the “top nine” compilations to be popping up on Instagram. If you’re a regular Instagrammer, you know it’s common practice to post your top nine photos of the past year. These top nine are shared across many profiles at this time of year, and they’ve been popping up in my feed for the past few weeks. While we post the top nine photos from our Insta account for every month, there have been just too many amazing images from local photographers in our feed over the past year to just post the top nine of the year — so I’ve decided to expand our list to the top 19 of 2019.
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Even so, there are some not on this list who deserve to be there, including several talented photographers in our top 19 to 50 posts who have generouslyed allow us to share their work. We appreciate all of the local photographers who tag us regularly and allow us to share their photos — it promotes us and it promotes them. It’s a win-win all year long and we appreciate their faith in us to represent them.
Want to get on the list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us at #kawarthanow. We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
Without further ado, here are the top 19 from 2019:
Posted September 19, 2019. 8,432 impressions, 585 likes
Photos of monarchs by local photographers in honour of the launch of The Monarch Ultra Project, where ultra-marathon relay runners follow the 4,300-kilometre migratory path of the monarch from Peterborough to Mexico.
Posted July 22, 2019. 8,618 impressions, 240 likes
Yes, our real estate editorials were popular in July: this top story was for our editorial about a $1.7 million estate at 3133 Peterborough County Road 36 in Buckhorn on the edge of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.
#11. 124 Lily Lake Road by The Galvin Team RE/MAX @galvinteamremax
Posted July 9, 2019. 8,889 impressions, 221 likes
Our followers obviously love local real estate! Our top-viewed story for July was our editorial about this $2.7 million luxurious century-style estate at 124 Lily Lake Road in Selwyn.
We love trillium season in the Kawarthas! It’s not surprising that our top post for May is also one of our all-time favourites. Our photographers had been tagging us in their trillium photos for a few weeks and we wanted to share the beauty of trilliums in the Kawarthas in all their variations. The photographers are Robert Metcalfe @robert.a.metcalfe, Barry Killen @theburleighridge_beareh, Jo Pearson @glass.forest.art, Linda McIlwain @lindamac11, Chad Miller @miller.photo, Miss Amy G. @missamyeg, Karen Suggitt @karen_suggitt, Emily Provincial Park @emilyprovpark, Jen Mackenzie @foodworxjen, and Mariola Daher @marioladaher.
The 1.4 km torch-lit ice trail at Balsam Lake Provinical Park was a popular article and post for us in January 2019. The ice trail was open for one weekend only during the annual Frostival celebration. Fred took this photo for @balsamlake_pp and @explore_kl.
Posted January 26, 2019. 9,919 impressions, 685 likes
#2. Lighting Up The Night by Justen Soule @justensoule
Posted August 25, 2019. 11,973 impressions, 1,649 likes
Paddlers in lighted canoes and kayaks fill up the Peterborough Lift Lock on August 24, 2019 for the annual Lock & Paddle event, held in the evening for the first time this year. The event was presented by the Trent-Severn Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site and the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Posted October 31, 2019. 13,665 impressions, 1,009 likes
Our top Instagram post of 2019 was this clever Halloween photo that posed a chilling question: what if the character of Jason from the Friday the 13th film franchise enjoyed the great outdoors?
Environment Canada has now issued a freezing rain warning for all of the Kawarthas beginning Sunday afternoon (December 29).
Freezing rain is expected to develop on Sunday near noon or in the early afternoon and continue through Sunday night into Monday morning.
In the northern Kawarthas (including northern Peterborough County and Haliburton and Hastings counties), the freezing rain is expected to develop Sunday afternoon. The freezing rain may taper off briefly Sunday night but will redevelop early Monday and continue through the day. The freezing rain will finally transition to flurries Monday evening.
In the southern Kawarthas (including Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County), freezing rain or rain is expected to develop on Sunday near noon or in the early afternoon and continue through Sunday night into Monday morning.
In the southern Kawarthas, temperatures are expected to remain near the freezing mark, resulting in precipitation falling as either freezing rain or rain. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing near midday Monday, changing any freezing rain into rain.
Ice accumulation of 10 to 15 mm is possible and widespread power outages are expected, especially in the northern Kawarthas.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate Sunday afternoon and continue Monday.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
Lynn Zimmer (left), former executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, has been named to the Order of Canada. Here she is pictured with Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef at a March 2019 announcement of $1 million of federal funding for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton to support survivors of gender-based violence in Peterborough. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)
Lynn Zimmer, a founder of Canada’s first crisis shelter for women fleeing domestic violence and the former long-time executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, has been appointed to the Order of Canada.
She was one of 120 appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General Julie Payette on Friday (December 27). Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.
Zimmer was named as a Member of the Order of Canada, which recognizes outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity.
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Zimmer is being honoured for her contributions to protecting victims of violence and for her advocacy of women’s rights over the past 45 years.
The Kitchener native began her work career in 1969 as a reporter for the Peterborough Examiner’s “women’s page” which, at the time, was more about brides and social events. In her early twenties, Zimmer soon discovered and embraced feminism, and began writing about issues of real importance to women.
Her next move was to Toronto, where she tried law school for a year before dropping out (one professor would regale the primarily male students with stories of “funny” cases of sexual assault). With no immediate prospects for work, she began volunteering for Women’s Place, an organization for women.
Lynn Zimmer (second from right) with Joice Guspie, Darlene Lawson, Billie Stone, and Martha Ireland, the original founders of Toronto’s Interval House, Canada’ first crisis shelter for women fleeing domestic violence. The shelter was established in 1973. (Photo: Chris Young / Canadian Press)
The organization determined there was a demand for a temporary place for economically disadvantaged women (often with their children) who wanted to escape from unhappy marriages. Zimmer posted a note on the wall of Women’s Place, proposing a meeting to discuss the creation of a women’s crisis shelter. Eleven women came together to open Interval House in 1973.
After opening Interval House, the founders soon realized domestic violence was the real reason women were fleeing their marriages, with every woman entering the shelter reporting both physical and emotional abuse. Interval House not only became Canada’s first shelter for abused women, but laid the foundation for bringing the issue of violence against women to the attention of both government and the public. By 1987, there were 264 shelters in Canada for women fleeing domestic violence.
While Zimmer and her husband moved to Peterborough in 1981, she continued to commute to her job in Toronto. Three years later, after the Peterborough YWCA changed its mandate to focus on women fleeing violence and opened the Crossroads women’s shelters, Zimmer was hired as executive director.
In November 2019, Lynn Zimmer retired as executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton after 35 years with the organization that supports local women facing violence, poverty, and oppression. (Photo courtesy of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton)
She remained at the helm of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for 35 years, strengthening and expanding the organization’s support for local women and their children.
Today, the organization operates the Crossroads Shelter for women and children fleeing abuse, crisis support and outreach services, Family Court Support, START (Support Team for Abuse Response Today), Nourish, Homeward Bound, GirlSpace/BoySpace, Education Awards for abuse survivors, Centennial Crescent second stage housing community, and a crisis ‘safe space’ called HERS in Haliburton County.
In June, Zimmer announced she would be retiring from YWCA Peterborough Haliburton at the end of November. Kim Dolan, former executive director of PARN, has since been named as the organization’s new executive director.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of the Kawarthas advising of freezing rain or the potential for freezing rain on Sunday afternoon (December 29) into Monday.
An intense low from the southwestern United States will bring a freezing rain storm to a large portion of central and eastern Ontario on late Sunday and into Monday.
For the northern Kawarthas (including northern Peterborough County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands), freezing rain is expected to develop on Sunday afternoon. The freezing rain may taper off for a period Sunday night, but will redevelop early Monday and continue through the day.
The freezing rain will finally taper to flurries Monday evening. Significant ice accumulation will be possible and widespread power outages are expected. Travel is expected to deteriorate Sunday afternoon. Travel conditions could be very poor on Monday.
For the southern Kawarthas (including Peterborough and southern Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County), there is a potential for freezing rain on Sunday afternoon and into early Monday morning.
Periods of rain are expected to develop Sunday afternoon and continue into Monday morning. Temperatures will be very close and even just below the freezing mark in some areas. As a result there will be the threat for areas of freezing rain.
Local icy roads and sidewalks are expected. In a few areas, temperatures may be just cold enough to allow for ice to accumulate on trees and wires. This could produce power outages.
Broken Harmony frontman Brandon Humphrey will be performing with Dylan Ireland, Hillary Dumoulin, Rob Foreman, and Tony Silvestri as "Fred Hot Chili Penner" at a 1920s-themed New Year's Eve party at The Black Horse in downtown Peterborough on Tuesday, December 31st. (Photo: Brandon Humphrey / Facebook)
Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, December 26 to Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.
3-6pm - Cindy & Scott; 6:30-9:30pm - Keith Whiteduck
Monday, December 30
7-11pm - Rick & Gailie's Crash & Burn
Tuesday, December 31
5pm - A Gatsby NYE 2020 ft Lance Isaacs (5pm) and Fred Hot Chili Penner (Brandon Humphrey, Dylan Ireland, Hillary Dumoulin, Rob Foreman, Tony Silvestri)
Wednesday, January 1
7-9pm - Nicholas Campbell & Friends
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 2 7:30-11:30pm - Rob Phillips Trio w/ Marsala Lukianchuk
Friday, January 3 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm - The Doozies
Saturday, January 4 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 9pm - House Brand
10pm - Country Night hosted by DJ Bill Porter ($5 cover)
Tuesday, December 31
10pm - New Year's Eve Party hosted by DJ Bill Porter and including party favours and champagne toast at midnight ($10 at http://junctionptbo.com/nye)
Keene Centre for the Arts
12 1st St., Keene
(519) 993-0079
Tuesday, December 31
7pm - New Year's Eve Dinner Party ft folk music by Shane Eyers & Maylen w/ gourmet dinner by Natalie McNeil ($10 show, $10 dinner, $10 shuttle bus, available at http://bit.ly/2rw3jXF)
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 9 1-4pm - Open stage hosted by Sharon Marie Doughty w/ backup band Nepthton Ridgerunner
Friday, January 10 7pm - Funhouse open stage/open mic/jam
8pm - New Year's Eve w/ Cindy & Scott ($10 in advance, $15 at door)
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Thursdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Tony Silvestri and Greg Caven
Fridays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Saturdays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Sundays
8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon
Mondays
9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green
Wednesdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Kevin Foster
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 9 7pm - Two Strangers
Next Door
197 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(647) 270-9609
Tuesday, December 31
8pm - Roaring 2020 New Year's Eve Speakeasy Party ft burlesque and live music ($65, includes hors d'oeuvres, treats, & champagne toast at midnight)
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Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, December 27
7-9pm - Shai Peer
Saturday, December 28
7-9pm - Mike Graham
Tuesday, December 31
8pm - New Year's Eve ft. Doug Horner
Puck' N Pint Sports Pub
871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
(705) 741-1078
Tuesday, December 31
8pm - New Year's Eve ft. High Waters Band
Red Dog Tavern
189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400
Thursday, December 26
10pm - Tequila Jay Swinnerton's 6th Annual Boxing Day Revue ft Kayla Howran, Benj Rowland, Nathan Truax, Dylan Ireland, Chris Culgin, & more (no cover)
A collage of photos from 16 of our 19 most-read and most-shared stories of 2019.
In 2019, kawarthaNOW published almost a thousand stories, including quite a few breaking ones. As a locally owned independent online media company, we strive to cover stories from across the Kawarthas that the traditional media don’t.
We did this with the help of our pool of talented writers from Peterborough and the Kawarthas (Amy Bowen, Josh Fewings, Eva Fisher, Paula Kehoe, Paul Rellinger, April Potter, Barb Shaw, Shannon Taylor, Sam Tweedle, along with myself and our publisher Jeannine Taylor) and several guest writers.
We also maintained a monthly inventory of around 1,000 local events, thanks in large part to events editor Marie Miller of Trent Hills, who joined our team in 2019.
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In addition to breaking news and community stories, in 2019 we published four weekly columns (businessNOW, nightlifeNOW, Peterborough GreenUP, and The Beach Report during the summer) as well as five monthly columns (artNOW, musicNOW, kNOSH News, our top Instagram photos, and what’s coming to Netflix).
Below we’ve selected our 19 most-read and most-shared stories of the past year, ranging from good news stories to not-so-good-news stories, culminating in our most popular “story” of the year.
Hospice volunteers have hand crafted this large Canadian flag of poppies, which is hanging at Vintage on Hastings, the shop operated in downtown Bancroft by Hospice North Hastings. In previous years, hospice volunteers have used their skills for other large-scale projects to commemorate Remembrance Day. (Photo: Barb Shaw)
In November, volunteers with Hospice North Hastings hand crafted a large Canadian flag of poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day.
The flag was hung at Vintage on Hastings, the shop operated in downtown Bancroft by Hospice North Hastings.
Hospice volunteers have created different poppy-based art installations over the past years, including the Station Street poppy “yarn bomb” as well as Canada’s largest poppy consisting of thousands of hand-crafted poppies.
Dooher’s Bakery in Campbellford, known for delicious baked goods including its famous cream-filled crueller, was named “Sweetest Bakery in Canada” for the second year in a row in an online competition sponsored by Michigan-based Dawn Food Products. The family-owned bakery won a grand prize valued at almost $7,000. (Photo courtesy of Dooher’s Bakery)
In October, Campbellford bakery Dooher’s was named the Sweetest Bakery in Canada for the second year in a row in an online competition sponsored by Michigan-based Dawn Food Products.
Dooher’s Bakery, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019, was founded in 1949 when Muriel and Harry Dooher opened a small bakery in Madoc, using a small wood-fired oven and a manually pumped water tank to bake their goods. The bakery eventually relocated in Campbellford.
Muriel and Harry’s granddaughter Corey now owns the bakery, which she operates with the help of her three children, making it a fourth-generation family-owned bakery.
Dooher’s receives a prize package valued at $6,721, which includes an all-expenses paid trip for two to participate in a workshop with Dawn Food’s senior bakery application chef, where they will create custom bakery items and learn about the industry’s latest trends to incorporate new ideas into their offerings.
Huge Shops Ontario Inc. has been selected to apply for a retail operator licence for a cannabis store at 566 Frank Hill Road in Fowlers Corner. Huge Shops is a Toronto-based cannabis retailer that has a strategic alliance with Chairman’s Brands, parent company of Coffee Time, and Cobourg-based cannabis grower FSD Pharma of Cobourg invested $14 million in Huge Shops to acquire at least 10 Coffee Time stores as recreational cannabis suppliers. (Photo: Google Maps)
In August, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario announced the results of the province’s second cannabis store lottery — and a proposed store on the border of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County made the list.
Huge Shops Ontario Inc., one of the seven successful applicants in eastern Ontario, will be opening a store at 566 Frank Hill Road in Fowlers Corners. This is the plaza at the northwest corner of Highway 7 and Frank Hill Road that contains a Coffee Time store.
Huge Shops is a Toronto-based cannabis retailer that has a strategic alliance with Chairman’s Brands, parent company of Coffee Time. The store will be located beside the Coffee Time location.
Update: A sign is currently posted in the window advertising for employees for the new store.
Layaly in an Egypt animal rescue shelter where she had been recuperating from her physical and psychological health issues for seven months. She was brought to Canada on July 15, 2019 to receive additional medical treatment and escaped from her foster home near Cavan three days later. (Photo: Facebook)
In July, Egyptian rescue dog Layaly escaped from the Cavan-area foster home where she had been staying.
After being missing for a week, a team of volunteers successfully trapped the lab-malinois mix.
In Egypt, Layaly was a stray dog who had had a string tied around her neck for so long it caused her neck to swell, creating serious damage to her throat and lymph nodes. It took Egyptian rescuers 10 nights to rescue her, so they named her Layaly (her name in Arabic is the plural form of “night”).
She was treated for her health issues while at the Egypt shelter and, while her wounds healed, she needed additional medical treatment unavailable in Egypt. She also had severe emotional and psychological issues as a result of the cruelty she suffered.
Through the efforts and donations of volunteer organizations including Omemee’s Furry Family Animal Rescue, founded by Anette Targowski, Layaly was brought to Canada in July to receive medical treatment.
Between July 14 and 15 in 2004, as many as 240 mm (9.5 inches) of rain fell on Peterborough, with much of the rain falling in a five-hour period on July 15. In all, 14 billion litres of rain fell on Peterborough in a single day: the same amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 40 minutes.
July 15th was the 15th anniversary of the Great Peterborough Flood of 2004, when 14 billion litres of rain fell on Peterborough in a single day — the same amount of water that flows over Niagara Falls in about 40 minutes.
The city’s outdated drain and sewer system was unable to cope with that much storm water, resulting in sudden and severe flooding. The City of Peterborough declared a state of emergency after the storm, which stayed in effect for two weeks.
In the end, the flood resulted in $95 million in insured losses in Peterborough, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Costs of repairs and restoration (including roads, bridges, culverts, and buildings) equalled $21 million.
Since the 2004 flood, the City of Peterborough has completed numerous projects — including studies, diversion projects, storm sewer retrofits, and culvert replacements — to help reduce the impact of any future floods.
Jonathan “Jonny Trash” Hall DJing at The Twisted Wheel in October 2018. (Photo: Jack Martin)
On March 22nd, well-known Peterborough resident Jonathan Hall passed away after suffering a heart attack — less than a week after celebrating his 44th birthday.
In 2018, Hall opened The Twisted Wheel in downtown Peterborough bar with co-owner Mike Judson. As a DJ, he was known as “Jonny Trash”.
Hall was also the former owner of Spanky’s, Splice, and Trasheteria and was the founder of the annual Hootenanny on Hunter Street music festival.
Earlier in March, Hall and his partner Kayley Duggan has just purchased Nostalgic Journey, an antique and collectibles store on Highway 7 at Drummond Line.
Due to a lapse in infection prevention and control practices at Kawartha Endodontics in downtown Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health is advising patients who received treatment at the dental clinic prior to July 16, 2019 to make an appointment with their healthcare provider to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (Photo: Google Maps)
In September, Peterborough Public Health held a media conference advising patients of Kawartha Endodontics — a dental clinic in downtown Peterborough that specializes in root canal treatment and surgery — of a potential risk of bloodborne infection.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra advised patients who received treatment before July 16, 2019 to make an appointment with their healthcare provider to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The warning followed an investigation about potential infection prevention and control practices at the clinic.
Normally, Peterborough Public Health would order the dental clinic to provide patient contact information so the health unit could directly notify patients by mail. Since the clinic — which strongly objected to the health unit’s conclusions — was appealing the health unit’s order for information, Peterborough Public Health decided to notify patients directly through the media.
Skaters test out the 1.4km ice trail at Balsam Lake Provincial Park, which was open to the public for one weekend only in January 2019. (Photo: Fred Thornill / @kawarthavisions on Instagram)
On a January weekend, Balsam Lake Provincial Park near Coboconk opened a 1.4 kilometre “ice trail” where members of the public could skate during the afternoon and the evening, when the trail was lined with lit torches.
The outdoor skating trail was part of Coboconk’s annual “The Frostival” event, hosted by the Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Balsam Lake Provincial Park and Kawartha Lakes Tourism.
Note: It is unknown whether the ice trail will reopen in January 2020.
Renowned Canadian wildlife artists Michael Dumas and Robert Bateman in Algonquin Park at the 75th anniversary fundraiser for the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station on September 14, 2019, where Bateman was presented with the 2019 Algonquin Park Legacy Award by Dumas, the inaugural recipient of the award from the Algonquin Art Centre. Dumas also presented Bateman with a limited edition of “The Artists of Kawartha”, the fourth art book in a series designed and published by Algonquin-area publisher Andrea Hillo. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Hillo)
In September, renowned Canadian wildlife artist and naturalist Robert Bateman received The Algonquin Park Legacy Award at a special event at the Algonquin Art Centre in Algonquin Park.
Bateman was presented the award by his long-time friend and acclaimed wildlife artist and naturalist Michael Dumas, who was the recipient of the inaugural award in 2018.
Established by the Algonquin Art Centre, the Algonquin Park Legacy Award recognizes artistic excellence, outstanding contributions to art in Algonquin Park, and life-long dedication to nature and wildlife.
Bateman first visited Algonquin Park in 1939 when he was nine years old during a family summer vacation, and began working at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station at the age of 17. While he was there, working as a manual labourer and assisting researchers with their field work, he developed his skills as an artist — with the park’s natural landscapes and wildlife his subjects.
Bateman’s experiences at Algonquin Park were instrumental in forming his lifelong passion for both art and nature.
One of the Jack Russell/Chihuahua puppies available for adoption from the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay. (Photo: Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes / Facebook)
In January, the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay had a number of Jack Russell/Chihuahua puppies available for adoption.
The puppies were part of a group of 32 dogs that were rescued from a home that had 58 puppies and adult dogs. All the rescued dogs were skinny and malnourished.
The dogs included Jack Russells, Chihuahuas, Terriers, and Boxer mixes ranging in sizes and ages.
The City of Peterborough is proposing closing its two directly operated child care centres, including the Peterborough Childcare Centre at 127 Aylmer Street, as well as its before and after school programs at Edmison Heights and Westmount public schools, by June 2020 in response to reduced provincial funding. (Photo: Google Maps)
In September, the City of Peterborough announced plans to get out of the business of directly operating child care spaces by June 2020 in response to provincial funding cuts.
The city proposed closing its two directly operated child care centres, Pearson Day Care Centre and Peterborough Childcare Centre, as well as its before and after school programs at Edmison Heights and Westmount public schools.
The proposal would have eliminated 297 child care spaces and 30 city staff positions, as well as some additional on-call staff positions.
Update: The proposal will be considered by city council in January 2020.
Major Lee-Ann Quinn (retired) received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from Governor General Julie Payette in Ottawa on November 12, 2019. She was recognized for her leadership roles with the Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping and her role as a co-founder of Salaam Peterborough, which has sponsored several Syrian refugee families in Canada. Quinn is pictured here in 2016 as part of a feature story by Macleans magazine on the work of Salaam Peterborough. (Photo: Macleans.ca)
In November, Peterborough veteran Lee-Ann Quinn was among 41 people honoured by Canada’s Governor General Julie Payette.
The 59-year-old Quinn received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in recognition of her leadership roles with the Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping and her role as a co-founder of Salaam Peterborough, which has sponsored several Syrian refugee families in Canada.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Quinn is a nurse practitioner who joined the Canadian Forces in 1987 at 26 years old, where she served 23 years as a military nurse, including four tours in the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, Rwanda, and Afghanistan.
After leaving the service with the rank of major, she made it her mission to inform the Canadian public about the Canadian Forces’ mission in Afghanistan, giving presentations to community groups including veterans’ organizations.
Moondance owner Mike Taveroff in January 2018, when he announced he was retiring and closing the iconic downtown Peterborough record store. He closed the store and retired in April 2018, and was diagnosed with stage four cancer less than a year later. Taveroff passed away on the Thanksgiving weekend. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
In October, Mike Taveroff — who operated the iconic Moondance store in downtown Peterborough for 46 years before closing it in 2018 — passed away at the age of 70 from cancer.
Taveroff was diagnosed with stage four cancer in March 2019, less than a year into his retirement. He was receiving palliative care before his death.
Taveroff opened Moondance, Canada’s oldest independent record store, in 1972. Named after the Van Morrison song, the store was originally a clothing store owned and operated by Taveroff’s wife Cheryl. Cheryl passed away from cancer in February 2017 at the age of 69 and, in January 2018, Taveroff announced he was retiring and closed the store in April of that year.
Hosted by Cheryl Hickey, HGTV Canada’s new feel-good home renovation series, tentatively called “Big Home Overhaul”, will bring together HGTV’s most talented designers and contractors to complete whole-home renovations for worthy homeowners. HGTV Canada has issued a casting call for the series, scheduled to premiere in spring 2020. (Photo: Richard Sibbald)
in June, HGTV Canada announced it was looking for candidates for its new television series, tentatively called Big Home Overhaul, which will premiere in spring 2020.
The feel-good renovation show will see HGTV’s most talented contractors and designers work together to complete whole-home renovations for worthy homeowners — people who are always giving to the community and asking for nothing in return, despite having gone through hard times.
The show will be hosted by Cheryl Hickey of ET Canada, who will bring together a different HGTV Canada celebrity contractor and designer in each episode to plan and execute the makeover, with the help of the homeowner’s family, friends, and members of the community.
Joe Pitawanakwat, founder and director of indigenous outdoor-education based business Creators Garden, holds a leaf from a bloodroot plant during a guided indigenous medicine walk at Ballyduff Trails, located on the McKim-Garsonnin property protected by Kawartha Land Trust. He explained the use of the highly toxic plant in traditional medicine to help treat fibroids and as an aid for pregnancy. (Photo: Anica James)
In May, Kawartha Land Trust — the only non-governmental charitable organization committed to protecting land in the Kawarthas — hosted two guided indigenous medicine walks at Ballyduff Trails.
The trails are located at the 260-acre McKim-Garsonnin property, protected by Kawartha Land Trust through a Conservation Easement Agreement.
Joe Pitawanakwat and Beedahbin Peltier led the walk, where they spoke about the cultural, medicinal, and ecological importance of different native plant species found in the area.
Both men have helped design indigenous perspective curricula for universities and colleges and continue to actively educate the general public about plant-based medicine and sustainable harvesting of plants.
Juno award-winning alt-rocker Dallas Green, who performs as City and Colour, opened Peterborough Musicfest at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough with a solo acoustic show on Saturday, June 29, 2019. (Publicity photo)
In May, Peterborough Musicfest announced the lineup for its 33rd season of free, sponsor-supported outdoor concerts during the summer.
One of the most popular performers announced was the opening act, a solo acoustic show by Toronto’s City and Colour (Dallas Green).
Other acts during the 33rd season — which ran every Saturday and Wednesday from June 29th to August 17th — included The Reklaws, Crash Test Dummies, Said The Whale, The Sheepdogs, and Dwayne Gretzy.
Zeus the dog was struck by a dirt bike in Omemee on the evening of October 7, 2019 and died from its injuries a short time later. (Supplied photo)
In October, the Ontario Provincial Police in Kawartha Lakes sought the public’s help after a dirt bike struck and killed a dog in Omemee.
Zeus and his owner were walking along Mary Street in Omemee when three dirt bikes approached at a high rate of speed, with one of the dirt bikes striking the dog, which died from its injuries a short time later.
Update: Police have not provided any further information on the status of this case.
The new interchange between Highway 407 and Highway 35/115 opened to drivers beginning December 9, 2019, ahead of schedule. (Photo: Blackbird Infrastructure Group)
In December, kawarthaNOW broke the news of the opening to drivers of the final stretch of Highway 407 — connecting the 407 to Highway 35/115 — beginning Monday, December 9th.
A toll road owned by the Ontario government, the Highway 7 East project was originally scheduled to be completed in 2020.
The government’s early announcement of the much-anticipated opening was unexpected, making this our second most popular story of 2019 with more than 43,000 views and 12,200 shares on social media.
We created this prototype logo for our April Fool’s Day story that claimed the 42nd season of Survivor, tentatively entitled “Survivor: Into The Wild”, would be filmed on location in Canada, possibly in Algonquin Park in Ontario. We labelled the source of the graphic as the “AF Department” as a clue.
Our record-breaking top story of 2019 was published on April Fool’s Day, when we reported that the popular CBS reality TV series Survivor was considering filming a season at Algonquin Park in Ontario.
Our realistic-looking logo combined with the actual fact that Canadians are now allowed to compete on Survivor — Tom Laidlaw, who appeared on the Island of the Idols season in 2019, was the first Canadian to ever appear on the show — evidently fooled a lot of people.
The story went viral within hours of publication, attracting more than 60,000 page views and almost 20,000 shares on social media. In fact, the story continued to gain so much traction days after April 1st that we were forced to post a notice that it was an April Fool’s joke — but we still think it’s a great idea!
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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