Fleming College student Paula Torti was one of more than 150 volunteers with Kawartha Land Trust who helped plant 18,730 native trees and shrubs in 2019. Kawartha Land Trust is the only non-governmental charitable organization committed to protecting land in the Kawarthas. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Land Trust)
With all the disturbing global news about the environment over the past year, from the burning of the Amazon rainforest to recent bush fires in Australia, it’s easy to miss the good work done locally to protect land and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
For instance, volunteers and staff with Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) — the only non-governmental charitable organization committed to protecting land in the Kawarthas — planted 18,730 native trees and shrubs in 2019.
The trees and shrubs were planted both on KLT-protected properties and on private properties included in KLT’s Partners in Conservation initiative in the Fleetwood Creek watershed.
Youth campers from TRACKS participating in in a tall grass restoration initiative at John Earle Chase Memorial Park in Trent Hills, one of the properties protected by Kawartha Land Trust. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Land Trust)
The more than 150 volunteers who helped KLT with these projects came from a wide demographic of people, including retirees, Fleming College students, and youth campers from TRACKS and ME to WE summer camps.
The trees and shrubs were selected for their ability to survive long term in this area and through the changing climate. The species were used for a variety of projects this year that include reforestation, riparian zone, and buffer strip establishment. They will also help to mitigate the impact from invasive European buckthorn and to enhance food sources for wildlife.
“It was a lot of fun doing the buckthorn removal and planting,” says Fleming student Paula Torti. “Seeing the transformation was so amazing. I think what really made the experience for me was how motivated everyone was. Even during a downpour, it seemed everyone was still in good spirits. I got so much hand on experience that I don’t think I would have ever gotten without attending those restoration days.”
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In addition to the trees and shrubs, KLT volunteers and staff planted 2,326 tall grass prairie plugs on two KLT-protected properties.
This included 2,000 tall grass prairie plugs planted during 2019 at KLT’s McKim-Garsonnin property, which has been the site of an ongoing tall grass prairie restoration project for over a decade.
Conservation warriors! Kawartha Land Trust staff members Camille Cooper and Patricia Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Land Trust)
Each fall, volunteers help to collect tall grass prairie seeds from the existing prairie habitat that will be used to propagate plugs to be planted the following summer.
Another 326 tall grass prairie plugs were planted at the John Earle Chase Memorial Park, as part of a tall grass restoration initiative that will replace the existing non-native hay grass species (including smooth brome and Timothy grass species) with native tall grasses and wildflowers that were historically once there.
The tall grass prairie habitat is a globally rare ecosystem, with only one per cent of the habitat remaining in the world. This ecosystem provides food and habitat for a large number of species, including several butterfly and bird species that are at risk, significantly enhances the biodiversity of an area.
KLT is currently protecting 17 properties covering more than 4,101 acres of diverse and significant land, and working to protect two more properties by year’s end. Native tree and shrub planting is just one example of the many ways KLT cares for land in the Kawarthas, with a goal of maintaining and enhancing ecosystem health across the landscape.
To learn more about land protection and stewardship, volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation to Kawartha Land Trust, visit kawarthalandtrust.org.
Fleming College students preparing to plant trees and shrubs. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Land Trust)
kawarthaNOW's theatre writer Sam Tweedle has selected Lakefield College School's "Chicago: High School Edition" as the best musical of 2019 in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Geoff and Rachel Bemrose directed a cast of 65, including Kate Bemrose (centre) as Velma Kelly, in the sold-out show which ran in November 2019 at the Bryan Jones Theatre. (Photo: Sarah Connelly)
As the days of 2019 slowly drip away with the New Year steadily approaching, it’s a time when we reflect on the year behind us. For me, that obviously means it’s time to look back at my past year of covering theatre in the Kawarthas.
To me, covering the arts is more than a job but a lifestyle, and an element of my life that is interesting, enriching, and exciting. Just as the people who perform have a passion in creating it, I have a passion for writing about it. As a result, I covered 53 art events in 2019 for kawarthaNOW (and saw even more that I wasn’t able to cover). This not only kept me busy, but marked the most events I’ve ever covered in a single year.
In 2019, I took a bit of a different approach in writing about theatre. Instead of acting as a “reviewer”, I looked at my role as an arts writer, working with the directors and companies whenever possible to help promote every show by giving readers the information they needed to decide whether to go to a show.
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Whenever possible, I reported on what you’d see but left it in each individual audience member’s hands to decide for themselves if it was “good” or “bad.” The result was a new sort of relationship with the theatre community made up of mutual trust and respect, which I feel created a better way of reporting on theatre and a richer way to support the arts.
In all honesty, there was a higher percentage of truly good theatre this year than ever before, and when compiling a list of “the best of 2019”, my shortlist was filled with memorable shows. The result is that it is harder than usual to narrow the list down to only a few highlights. So, in creating a list of the best I chose the shows that, for one reason or another, captured my imagination and stuck with me for days — and sometimes even weeks — after I saw them.
Grace (June 2019 at The Theatre on King) Written and directed by Frank Flynn and featuring Sheila Charleton
Sheila Charleton performs in the one-woman play “Grace”, written and directed by Frank Flynn, which ran from June 19 to 22, 2019 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough, along with Flynn’s play “Chemistry”. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
There is a tradition of storytelling that belongs to older women, who can weave a narrative about people we don’t know and places we’ll never be, so we hold onto every word as if the next sentence will provide the secret of life.
Local writer Frank Flynn captures that special brand of narrative in his one-woman show Grace. Written in 2006, Grace has since been performed throughout the world, but it was with actress Sheila Charleton that Frank finally brought his powerful and emotional show to Peterborough for the first time.
Standing strong and proud, Sheila gave a hypnotizing performance as a smart and practical woman filled with years of common sense and wisdom, packing away her home to start a new beginning. As she talks about a series of different subjects, she eventually goes down the rabbit hole of telling the story of two of her eight children: Tom, who has conquered life despite ailing of a crippling disability, and Janie, who became estranged from the family due to joining a religious cult.
With a strong stage presence that sucked the audience in, you could hear a pin drop during Sheila’s moving performance. Afterwards I was filled with the memories of the wise women from my own past, trying to remember the stories that they told me. Sheila became an embodiment of the souls of these women in a truly powerful one-woman performance.
Bloom: A Rock n’ Roll Fable (July 2019 at 4th Line Theatre) Written by Beau Dixon, directed by Kim Blackwell, and featuring Kate Suhr, Owen Stahn, and Eli Tanner with music by Beau Dixon and Dave Tough
In Beau Dixon’s “Bloom: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fable”, Owen Stahn (left) starred as Neph Burnstall and Eli Tanner (right) as Griffin Clark, two childhood friends who grow up to form the 1960s Canadian rock ‘n’ roll band The Spruce Street Ramblers, which rises to fame only after Tess Wilson (played by Kate Suhr, centre) joins the band. Directed by Kim Blackwell, the play premiered at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook in July 2019. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
Local musical icon Beau Dixon teamed up with 4th Line Theatre’s Kim Blackwell to create a new rock n’ roll story in Bloom: A Rock n’ Roll Fable, which made its world debut at the Winslow Farm this past summer.
Together they brought to life the story of fictional Canadian folk-rock band The Spruce Street Ramblers, formed by best friends Nef Burnstall (Owen Stahn) and Griffin Clark (Eli Tanner), two rock n’ roll dreamers from the nearby town of Assumption. Toiling as a cover band in bars and taverns between Peterborough and Ottawa, it’s not until the boys meet folk singer Tess Wilson (Kate Suhr) that their group finally breaks into the Canadian music scene.
Following the group’s rise and fall from 1956 to 1976, Bloom captured all the elements of a good rock n’ roll story: joy and passion, ambition and greed, betrayal and jealousy, and tragedy and redemption. But at the heart of it, Bloom explored the thrill and love of creating music.
Bloom was not just a crowd-pleasing drama filled with fantastic original music and endearing characters, but also doubled as a love letter to the Canadian music industry. Filled with references to recognizable icons from Ian and Sylvia to Rush, Bloom was a story that felt distinctly Canadian, and echoed the experiences, sounds, and attitudes of Canadian musicians from yesterday and today.
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Repatriation to the Moon (August 2019 at Artspace) Written by Chris Whidden and starring Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr
“Repatriation to the Moon”, the debut play from Peterborough’s newest theatre company Grassboots Theatre, was performed by company founders Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr, who recently relocated from Toronto to Peterborough County. The play ran for four performances in August 2019 at Artspace in downtown Peterborough. The play is based on an underground theatre performance in 1946 by Whidden’s great-uncle, artist and playwright Wladyslaw Dutkiewicz. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
When Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr introduced themselves this summer by forming a new theatre company, Grassboots Theatre, they made a huge impression among the theatre community with their debut presentation of Chris’ original show Repatriation to the Moon.
Inspired by a photograph of Chris’ great uncle Wladyslav Dutkiewic, an actor and a member of the Polish resistance during WWII, this remarkable show explored romance and displacement in front of a backdrop of fascism and totalitarianism. Focusing on movement and physical theatre and with limited moments of dialogue, Chris and Peyton told the story of an unlikely romance between a Polish janitor and an Italian rocket scientist.
Featuring equal parts comedy and horror, Repatriation to the Moon was a memorable debut filled with laughter, fantasy, suspense, and shocks. Along the way, Chris and Peyton gave moving and emotional performances that brought the audience to tears and left them wanting more.
Chris and Peyton secured their place in Peterborough’s theatre community with this powerful and charming piece of performance art.
Little One (October 2019 at Peterborough Theatre Guild) Written by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Lee Bolton, and starring Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr
Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr as adopted siblings Aaron and Claire during a rehearsal for the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of “Little One” by Hannah Moscovitch. Directed by Lee Bolton, the one-act play is a dark family drama that raises complex questions about good intentions, irreversible damage, and the nature of love. It ran for five performances in October 2019. (Photo courtesy of Lee Bolton)
I’ll admit I have a difficult relationship with Little One. Was it a show that I enjoyed? I’m not certain. Would I want to sit through it again? Doubtful.
So why would it be on my list of the best? Well, despite the lack of enjoyment factor in this dark psychological drama, Hannah Moscovitch’s Little One was not only masterfully performed and produced, but left an imprint on my mind as if a cigarette had been put out on my brain. Potentially the most disturbing piece of theatre I have ever seen during my time writing for kawarthaNOW, it left me thinking for weeks afterwards, which is what a powerful piece of theatre should do.
Coming off of their success with Repatriation to the Moon, Chris Whiddon and Peyton Le Barr teamed up with Lee Bolton to tell a very different type of story. Chris and Peyton played two orphans, Aaron and Claire, who are adopted into a well-meaning family. But while Chris is well adjusted and normal, Claire came from an abusive background and exhibits psychopathic behaviour. As Aaron tries to be the good son and obey his parents’ attempts at giving Claire a safe and loving home, his life becomes a horror story as the witness to Claire’s violent and destructive behaviours.
A disturbing portrait of childhood trauma and abuse, Little One was not an easy show to watch, but under the careful sensibilities of director Lee Bolton the show was presented with dignity, depth, and humanity. What made the show so horrifying was the reality and sensitivity the actors brought to their characters, especially Peyton who succeeded in bringing a sympathetic soul to her character. I shudder at what a less-experienced team would have done with Little One.
After Little One was over, I just wanted to go straight home and hug my cat. The next morning, the first thought through my head was the haunting final line of the show, which shot chills down my spine again hours after I heard it. And I wasn’t alone in my thoughts. Little One went on to sweep the Eastern Ontario Drama League Festival with awards for best production, best actor, best actress, and best director.
Spring Awakening (October 2019 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre) Directed by Dane Shumak and featuring Kevin Lemieux, Alessandra Ferreri, and Ryan Hancock
Alessandra Ferreri as Wendla in a promotional photo for Cordwainer Productions’ “Spring Awakening”, a Broadway rock musical that tells the story of a group of teenagers dealing with the turbulent emotions of their burgeoning sexuality in late 19th-century Germany. The production ran at the Market Hall in Peterborough in October 2019. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks Photography)
Now I’ll be honest: when I heard director Dane Shumak of Cordwainer Productions was remounting the cult musical Spring Awakening, I wasn’t very excited. Remembering his ambitious production of the same musical in 2014, I questioned why he was returning to that play and wondered if I really wanted to sit through it again.
But now six years older, wiser, and more experienced, Dane revived the production out of the ashes and into white hot flames with a vibrant and good-looking company made up of some of his original cast and some incredible new additions.
Based on a controversial 19th-century play by Frank Wedekind and turned into a rock opera by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, Spring Awakening was a Broadway sensation with a massive following of fans. Dealing with a plethora of subjects including teenage sexuality, rape, abuse, homosexuality, mental illness, and suicide, the play was a century ahead of its time when it was written in 1891 and still contains difficult material in 2019.
Dane assembled a powerhouse cast, fronted by Kevin Lemieux, Alessandra Ferreri, and Ryan Hancock, who brought the passion and the power of this show to the stage. I was so enamoured with the cast and the power of their performances, primarily the group musical numbers directed by Justin Hiscox, that I took every opportunity to go back and see it again and again.
Relevant, provocative, sexy and honest, Spring Awakening was filled with fire and passion presented by one of the most dynamic ensembles of the year.
Best Musical of 2019
Chicago: High School Edition (November 2019 at Lakefield College School) Directed by Geoff and Rachel Bemrose and starring Catherine Kim, Kate Bemrose, Emile Boisjooly, Liam Davidson, and many more
The Lakefield College School production “Chicago: High School Edition” ran for four sold-out performances in November 2019 at Bryan Jones Theatre in Lakefield. (Photo: Lakefield College School / Facebook)
This was a banner year for musicals, with theatre groups presenting one strong musical after another. But, for 2019, I need to bend my rules by selecting the Lakefield College School production of Chicago: High School Edition as the year’s best musical — even though I did not write a review for kawarthaNOW due to the production being sold out prior to its opening.
However, while I didn’t review the show, I was invited to attend and was blown away by the production. While it is a tough race for best musical, I’d be betraying Chicago if I did not acknowledge it as the most exciting musical of 2019.
Directed by the team of Rachel and Geoff Bemrose, there were multiple elements that made Chicago so memorable. One of the best production teams in the Kawarthas, Geoff and Rachel know how to direct young performers, and they constantly get the best out of them making the annual Lakefield College School musical an event in its own. But this year the pair brought their students far beyond anything I’ve seen before.
One of the best chorographers around, Rachel has always had a talent at creating memorable and inventive large group numbers. However, this time she had her performers defy physics in Chicago. She literally had dancers walking on their hands and swinging off of scarves from the rafters. Kate Bemrose, in the role of Velma Kelly, created a whirlwind in her performance of “I Can’t Do It Alone” without losing her breath. The huge group numbers in this show were phenomenal, and left me stunned.
Also adding to the quality of the show was the performance of Catherine Kim as Roxie Hart. The third time I’ve seen her on stage in a Lakefield College School production, Catherine is the best upcoming musical actress anywhere, and if she pursues it, could become one of the theatrical giants within the industry. A triple threat who can sing, dance, and act, Catherine is a true gift.
While some questioned the appropriateness of Chicago as a high school production given the provocative nature of the subject matter, the cast proved themselves to be mature and capable enough to handle the material. They walked a fine line between being sexy and appropriate, but managed to make it work.
I was lucky and thrilled to be invited to this show filled with future stars. I only wish more people could have seen it. Chicago had style, young talent, and acrobatic chorography that allowed it to rise to the top in what was a strong year for musicals in Peterborough.
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Emerging Performer of 2019: Connor Clarkin
Conner Clarkin as the Emcee (centre) with Dani McDonald as Salli Bowles and Daze Francis as Cliff Bradshaw in a promotional photo for the Anne Shirley Theatre Company production of the classic musical “Cabaret”, which ran in March 2019 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. (Photo: Ash Naylor Photography)
Although Connor Clarkin has been a part of Peterborough’s theatre community for a number of years, in 2019 the young actor pushed himself to the top of his game in back-to-back musical performances as two iconic yet challenging classic roles.
In March, Connor played the wildly enigmatic Emcee in the Anne Shirley Theatre Company production of Cabaret, followed by a spirited performance in June as Hedwig in FO Theatrics production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. For these two roles, Connor not only took a leap into creating two wildly larger-than-life characters, but he also managed to bring a sense of humanity and tragedy to the characters, pulling off their whimsical personas and revealing the pain and darkness that lay beneath the surface.
In the F.O. Theatrics production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”, which ran at The Theatre on King in June 2019, Conner Clarkin gave an outstanding performance as the flamboyant and charismatic Hedwig. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Connor proved himself to not only be a gifted musical actor, but a tremendous dramatic actor who, in both roles, left me in tears at the end of his performances. His masterful take on these two beloved but difficult characters proved that Connor is one of the finest young performers in Peterborough, making him step out of the background and into the role of a leading man with the ability to pull off eccentric characters.
I’ve since learned of Connor’s next project in 2020, which I won’t reveal at this time, but it may be his most challenging and potentially controversial role yet. However, with the sense of depth and tremendous talent at bringing both excitement and raw emotion to the stage, I know that Connor is the actor to bring this yet-to-be-announced project to life. Exciting things are in store for Connor in 2020 and I am excited to see what comes next.
Additional Shout-outs
The local film community
Sam Tweedle posing with the eponymous creature of “The Basement Monster”, a short family fantasy film by Michael Hayes and Brendan Fell. The creature in the film was created by talented Omemee FX makeup artist Rhonda Causto based on a doodle by Michael’s daughter Zoe. (Photo: Mandy Rose)
In 2019, I found myself covering more local films than ever before. There is a colourful and vibrant film community within the Kawarthas, and in the past year they were more active than ever.
Starting with Slater Jewel-Kemker’s documentary Youth Unstoppable, which opened the ReFrame Film Festival last January, I became extremely aware of more local film projects as the year continued, primarily via connections with the Kawartha Lakes Film Industry — a collective of filmmakers with different talents who support and collaborate on local film projects.
In August, I sat down with Frank Flynn to discuss his film Surfacing, which he created with Blake Edwards and Rachel Bemrose via Art for Awareness. Although it had made its debut in 2017’s ReFrame festival, kawarthaNOW helped bring it to a wider audience once it became available online.
Marsala Lukianchuk looks out the window of the East City Diner in her role as wise-cracking waitress Kat in Wyatt Lamoureux and Jamie Oxenham’s short film noir “Apple Pie, Ice Cream”. The film, also stars Terry Convey and Michael Valliant-Saunders as two estranged brothers who have a tense reunion inside the diner (which is actually the East City Coffee Shop in Peterborough). The film premiered in November 2019 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Lamoureux)
In October, I was delighted to cover Michael Hayes and Brendan Fell’s family fantasy film The Basement Monster which had its premiere at Showplace Performance Centre in a charity event that raised funds for Habitat for Humanity.
I closed the year in November with Wyatt Lamoureux and Jamie Oxenham’s psychosocial thriller Apple Pie, Ice Cream which premiered at Market Hall to an appreciative audience.
It’s a real joy to not only see the community coming together to support one another in creating astonishingly inspirational cinema, but also to see these films reach an audience.
I would like all filmmakers in the Kawarthas to know that I want to visit with them about their projects, and if they have a film near completion that is going to be accessible to an audience (whether online, on a streaming service, or at a screening), please reach out to me. I want to share your story and your film.
Andy Carroll
A rare photo of Peterborough photographer Andy Carroll, taken at The Only in downtown Peterborough. Preferring to stay behind his lens, Andy has quietly created an ongoing visual documentation of Peterborough’s landscapes and culture, with a focus on theatre and music. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
In a similar way to my chronicling Peterborough’s theatre community with words, Andy Carroll has been chronicling the entertainment landscape with his photographs.
One of Peterborough’s most recognizable and respected photographers, Andy’s archive of vibrant entertainment photos and haunting cityscapes have created a following for him all its own. Andy and I have had a long collaboration of combining our words and photos and I am eternally thankful that Andy shares his photos for my articles at kawarthaNOW, making for some of the most stunning visuals that accompany my write-ups.
This year it was a great honour to have Andy sit with me and talk for a feature article dedicated to him and his work. Always modest, Andy was reluctant to do so, saying that there was no story to be told. However, my story on Andy and his camera was one of my most read stories of 2019.
Thank you Andy for the work you do, and for sharing your photos and unique vision with kawarthaNOW.
Altaire Gural
Altaire Gural. (Photo: Rebecca Bloom)
People come into our lives to challenge us and teach us.
Although my understanding of theatre arts has grown organically, in 2019 playwright and director Altaire Gural helped me increase my understanding like no one has ever done before and pushed me to places I never thought I’d ever go, giving me a true education in the performance arts.
A frequent companion as I toured theatres and I previewed shows, Altaire taught me new things to look for and challenged my opinions and ideas.
We didn’t always agree on everything I wrote, but through our conversations I felt I began to understand theatre in a different way.
Altaire also pushed me beyond being an observer and drew back the curtain so that I could actually gain practical experience and learn about the real theatre experience.
Making her home base at the Lindsay Little Theatre, where she has gained the reputation as a prominent acting coach for young performers (propelling many towards opportunities in television, film, and commercials), Altaire allowed me to sit through weeks of her acting intensive Kaleidoscope in the spring of 2019, where I not only watched the development of young performers from the audition process to the final performance, but discovered what it was like to be part of a theatre family.
In 2019, theatre writer Sam Tweedle (right), pictured with Sidney Worden in a promotional photo for “The Heart of Robin Hood”, walked the talk with a small role in the Lindsay Little Theatre production in November 2019. (Photo: Lindsay Little Theatre)
This led to Altaire “voluntelling” me for a small role in her production of The Heart of Robin Hood, that went on stage to a sell-out audience in November. From learning lines to attending rehearsals to getting in front of an audience, I learned real lessons about the dedication and drive that goes into putting on productions.
Altaire has not only been a cherished confidante to me this year, but as a teacher, a mentor, and an influence who has helped me understand theatre more, she has also helped me become a better arts writer.
Thank you Altaire for everything you’ve taught me this past year, and for helping to shape the next generation of young performers in Ontario. The work you do with these actors is always among the most exciting things I watch all year.
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What to Look for in 2020
There are lots of exciting shows and films coming their way in 2020 that I’m looking forward to. Here are just a few:
In January, local filmmaker Rob Viscardis and LA Alfonso will be presenting their respective films, City of Widows and Circus Boy, at ReFrame Film Festival.
Also in January, New Stages take over The Theatre on King when Randy Read and Linda Kash direct Steve Ross in Duncan McMillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing.
Robert Ainsworth will be premiering his new show Frozen Dreams at the Peterborough Theatre Guild in February.
St. James Players is levelling up their spring 2020 production with Matilda: The Musical.
Enter Stage Right is producing a new original comedy/musical Of Mortal and Myths in April.
Ryan Kerr is bringing Peter Shaffer’s Equus to the stage at The Theatre on King.
The Peterborough Theatre Guild is producing Annie, one of my personal all-time favourite musicals in May.
4th Line Theatre will be doing a double shot of world-premiere shows in summer with Alex Poch-Goldin’s The Great Shadow and Maja Ardal’s Wishful Seeing.
Kat Shaw will make her directorial debut with Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters later in the summer of 2020.
Planet 12 is holding a short play festival, and the Kawartha Lakes Film Industry 2020 Project will be ready to go by the end of the year.
There are also a number of exciting projects I’ve heard rumblings about, making me believe 2020 will be an exceptionally brilliant year for theatre in the Kawarthas.
In closing, I want to thank all of the directors, producers, performers and theatres that invited me into their spaces, talked with me, and allowed me to see the projects they have brought to life. The performance space is a safe place, and there is a lot of trust involved in allowing an outsider, and especially one in the media, to enter it.
I love representing you and writing about your work. All I want is for every show to succeed, and to give people the knowledge and information to come out and see the work you do.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your theatrical family, and for giving me quality entertainment to write about. I can’t wait to see what all of you do in 2020!
As New Year’s Day is a statutory holiday in Ontario, all government-operated offices and services are closed or unavailable on these days. All liquor and beer stores are closted. Most businesses — including malls, box stores, and grocery stores — are also closed on New Year’s Day. Many businesses also close early on New Year’s Eve.
For your convenience, we provide this list of holiday hours for 260 selected businesses, services, and organizations across the Kawarthas. This information comes from their websites and social media accounts, which may or may not be up to date, so please always call them first to confirm their hours, especially where indicated and if you are travelling any distance (we’ve included phone numbers).
If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form. Note: We do not include hours for restaurants, as there are far too many to list!
Bewdley Community Recycling Centre 7650 County Rd. 9, Hamilton 905-342-2514
8:30am-12:00pm
CLOSED
Brighton Community Recycling Centre 1112 County Rd. 26, Brighton 613-475-1946
8:30am-12:00pm
CLOSED
Canada Post Mail Delivery / Offices (Note: post offices operated by the private sector will be open according to the hours of service of the host business
Regular collection and delivery
No collection or delivery
City of Kawartha Lakes City Hall, Municipal Service Centres, and Administration Offices 26 Francis St., Lindsay 705-324-9411
CLOSED
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities, arenas, and pools Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411
CLOSED
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Public Libraries Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411 x1291
10:00am-2:00pm
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Waste and Recycling Collection 26 Francis St., Lindsay 1-888-822-2225
No change
Moves to Thu Jan 2 (Thu Jan 2 moves to Fri Jan 3)
City of Peterborough Day Cares Peterborough 705-748-8830
CLOSED
CLOSED
City of Peterborough Garbage Pickup Peterborough 705-745-1386
No change
Moves to Mon Dec 30
City of Peterborough Recycling Pickup Peterborough 705-876-1600
No change
Moves to Mon Dec 30
City of Peterborough Social Services Peterborough 705-748-8830
Iconic band The Irish Rovers, known for their hits including "The Unicorn" and "Wasn't That a Party", are performing at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on February 23, 2020. (Photo: Hamish Burgess)
When stacked against the history-changing world events that 1963 brought to bear — the Kennedy assassination in Dallas, the United States-USSR space race, and the emergence of the Beatlemania pop music phenomena — the coming together of Irish Rovers founders George Millar and Jimmy Ferguson barely moved the needle, if at all.
Showplace Presents Irish Rovers: Wasn’t That A Party!
When: Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 2 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $45
Advance tickets are available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online.
But close to six decades on, the result of their first performance together continues to bring huge smiles to countless faces as The Irish Rovers continue the remarkable musical journey that has well earned them the Kings of Celtic tag and loyal fans around the globe, both of the longtime and new variety.
Ferguson is long gone, having passed in 1997, but Millar — just 16 years old when he co-founded the band with Ferguson in Toronto — remains front-and-centre as the only original member of the current version of the band. “The last man standing,” as he somewhat reluctantly puts it.
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“We will keep going as long as the fans want us to and we’re healthy enough to do it,” vows the native of Ballymena in Northern Ireland. “When I feel it’s slipping, whether it’s our voices or our ability to play, I will put an end to it immediately.”
Holiday box office hours
If you are doing some last-minute gift shopping and want to order tickets in person or by phone, please note the Showplace box office closes at noon on Monday, December 23rd and reopens at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 3rd. Note: you can order online anytime.
Rest assured that won’t be anytime soon and for good reason, as the band remains on the top of its game. Full proof of that will be evident Sunday, February 23rd when The Irish Rovers bring their Wasn’t That A Party! tour to Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tickets to the 2 p.m. matinee performance cost $45 and are available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online at www.showplace.org.
“Performing is more of a party now because the pressures of younger life are gone,” says Millar.
“The kids have gone through their schooling and have their own lives. The mortgages and cars are paid for. All of those things that nag at you daily are gone for the most part. What people will see is us having a good time.”
VIDEO: “Drunken Sailor” – The Irish Rovers
“If you’re not enjoying yourself on stage, your audience picks up on that fairly quick,” Millar observes. “I love The Eagles, but if you watch them they don’t make eye contact. When you’re in it strictly for that last go-round of the money, that’s not the right way to do it. You have to enjoy what you’re doing.”
Named after the traditional Irish song The Irish Rover, the band has recorded more than 40 albums, has had several Top 10 hits — “The Unicorn” (1968) and “Wasn’t That A Party” (1980) come to mind quickly — and has performed for millions around the globe.
And for their relentless promotion of Irish culture, The Irish Rovers have been recognized in their native country, earning a place in the Emigration Museum in Dublin as one of Ireland’s greatest exports.
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“The expectations were zero,” recalls Millar of the band’s early days, noting he met Ferguson at an Irish music function In Toronto when the pair were asked to fill in for an act who fell ill.
“We both happened to know the song The Irish Rover. That’s basically how we started. Then this little variety show that we did on weekends started to get more popular. After about three weeks, we thought maybe we should learn another song.”
With George’s cousin Joe Millar (who had come to Canada from Ireland) now in the fold, the trio headed to Calgary to recruit George’s brother Will. Eventually the quartet made its way to San Francisco and became a quintet with the addition of Wilcil McDowell. There they landed a regular gig at The Purple Onion, one of the leading folk music clubs in the United States.
The Irish Rovers in 1966. (Publicity photo)
“We met all these wonderful folk music people there and they encouraged us,” says Millar.
“We got other folk clubs in America to book us. After a year, we were each up to making $35 a week. We thought ‘My god, we’re in heaven.’ That’s what we did for about five years and then all of a sudden we get this record deal and we put The Unicorn on it with Glen Campbell playing the lead guitar. That’s how it all took off. We didn’t look back.”
Released in 1968 as the lead track on the album of the same name, “The Unicorn” put The Irish Rovers in another stratosphere, reaching #2 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary Chart and attaining top 10 status on charts in Canada and Ireland.
VIDEO: “The Unicorn” – The Irish Rovers
Come 1971, the medium of television lifted The Irish Rovers higher as their CBC-produced series started a seven-season run that featured a number of big-name guests such as Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, and won an ACTRA Award for Best Variety Performance.
At the urging of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Millar et al became Canadian citizens and were named official Canadian ambassadors representing the country at five World Expos, starting in 1967 in Montreal. While honoured by that experience, Millar says the subsequent recognition from his homeland will always hold a special place in his heart.
“It makes you realize all those years and hard work were worth it … the time away from family, the bad flights, driving through snowstorms.”
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“They say with age comes wisdom,” Millar says. “I’m not sure we have that much wisdom but we have learned how to enjoy it much more. Life is pretty short and pretty fragile. You hit that magic age of 40 and all of a sudden you can’t drink as much; you can’t party as much. It hurts.”
“As for the music, it takes on a life of its own. People want to hear the older songs. We’ve redone them a wee bit, which keeps us fresher, and we’re continually putting new material into the show. Not too many … three or four songs. If you tried to do a tour of all new songs, there would be a bit of an uprising.”
“How would we escape Peterborough without singing The Unicorn? They would shoot us dead. This is not rocket science. You’re not doing anything that a million other people can’t do. We’re just lucky that they still want us to do it.”
George Millar (fifth from left) is the only remaining original member of The Irish Rovers, the iconic band he founded with the late Jimmy Ferguson in Toronto in 1963. Along with George Millar, the band’s current members are Sean O’Driscoll, Ian Millar, Gerry O’Connor, Morris Crum, Fred Graham, Geoffrey Kelly, and Davey Walker. (Photo: Hamish Burgess)
One thing that hasn’t changed for Millar since he first performed with Ferguson: nervousness before each show.
“When we’re waiting to go on there are still butterflies in my stomach,” Millar says. “I don’t ever want that to leave. That nervousness is what you need to give you that little edge. If you get too blasé, your days of performing should be over.”
“The love of the music keeps me going,” Millar adds. “If you don’t have that, you’re not going to persevere. Those two hours on stage are magic. You might have a sore back from travelling; you might have a headache. It doesn’t matter. You get on stage and it’s all gone.”
VIDEO: “Star of the County Down” – The Irish Rovers
With the departures of Joe Millar and McDowell, Millar is the only remaining member of the original line-up.
In the mix now are Sean O’Driscoll (banjo), Ian Millar (bass), Gerry O’Connor (fiddle), Morris Crum (accordion), Fred Graham (bodhran), Geoffrey Kelly (flute/whistle), and Davey Walker (musical director/keyboards). All are natives of Ireland with the exception of Kelly, who is Scottish.
“You can’t replace Jimmy Ferguson — he was bigger than life — but I’ve been able to keep it similar, which is what people want,” Millar observes.
VIDEO: “Whiskey in the Jar” – The Irish Rovers
While Wasn’t That A Party! is being billed as the final international tour for The Irish Rovers (with the band only continuing to perform at festivals and special events), Millar doesn’t sound convinced.
“Cher is on her fifth farewell tour. The Eagles are on their 10th farewell tour. I guess we’re on our second or third, so we have a couple to go yet. We’re always going to record. I can’t stop writing.”
“As far as performing is concerned, life is far too short to not have at least two hours of fun. That’s what we’re going to do in Peterborough.”
Toronto-based 2020 Maple Blues Awards nominees Bywater Call, who released their self-titled debut in November, are hosting the Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association's Deluxe Blues Jam on Saturday, December 21st at Dr. J's BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough. (Publicity photo)
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 19 to Wednesday, December 25.
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.
Thursday, December 26 8pm - Karaoke w/ The Travelling Wilburs
Friday, December 27 9pm - Downbeat
Saturday, December 28 9pm - Courtney Bowles
Sunday, December 29 4:30-8pm - Celtic Music w/ Tom & Ric
Tuesday, December 31 8pm - New Year's Eve w/ The Fiddleheads ($20 cover after 9pm)
Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub
4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450
Saturday, December 21
9pm - Ugly Christmas Sweater Party ft Emily Burgess and Marcus Browne
Black Horse Pub
452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633
Thursday, December 19
7:30-11:30pm - Rob Phillips Trio w/ Marsala Lukianchuk
Friday, December 20
5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Pop Machine
Saturday, December 21
5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Courtney Bowles Band
Sunday, December 22
3-6pm - Washboard Hank & The Wringers; 6:30-9:30pm - Morgan Rider
Monday, December 23
7-11pm - Rick & Gailie's Crash & Burn
Tuesday, December 24
7-9pm - Terry Finn & 4 Front
Coming Soon
Friday, December 27 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Christine Atrill
Saturday, December 28 5-8pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - 4 Lanes Wide
Sunday, December 29 3-6pm - Cindy & Scott; 6:30-9:30pm - Keith Whiteduck
Boiling Over's Coffee Vault
148 Kent St. W., Lindsay
(705) 878-8884
Friday, December 20
6-9pm - Open mic hosted by Gerald Van Halteren
Canoe & Paddle
18 Bridge St., Lakefield
(705) 651-1111
Saturdays
8pm - Live music
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 7:30pm - New Year's Eve Party ft. Ace & The Kid ($90 for three-course dinner, drink of choice and midnight champagne)
Champs Sports Bar
203 Simcoe St., Peterborough
(705) 742-3431
Thursdays
7pm - Open mic
Chemong Lodge
764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth
(705) 292-8435
Thursdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
Wednesdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
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Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursdays
10pm - Open Mic
Fridays
9:30pm - Karaoke Night
Wednesdays
7-11pm - Live music
The Cow & Sow Eatery
38 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-5111
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 6pm - New Year's Eve Party ft U Jimmy ($10)
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Friday, December 20
4-7pm - Customer Appreciation Event w/ Jeff Moulton
Saturday, December 21
7:30pm - Albert Saxby
Dr. J's BBQ & Brews
282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717
Saturday, December 21
1:30-5pm - PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam hosted by Bywater Call (donations welcome, all proceeds to musicians in need)
VIDEO: "Arizona" - Bywater Call
Fiddler's Green Pub & Grub
34 Lindsay St. St., Lindsay
(705) 878-8440
Sunday, December 22
1-5pm - Randy Reid
Coming Soon
Saturday, December 28 9pm - Side Street
Ganarascals Restaurant
53 Walton St., Port Hope
905-885-1888
Saturday, December 21
6-8pm - Cairdeas (Saskia Tomkins, Steáfán Hannigan, and Marsala Lukianchuk) ($20, with $5 going to Sounds of the Next Generation)
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 5-9pm - New Year's Eve w/ Hailiah & Friends ($10)
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Thursday, December 19
8pm - I'm Dreaming of a Blues Christmas ft Bad Luck Woman and Her Misfortunes ($20)
Friday, December 20
8pm - I'm Dreaming of a Blues Christmas ft Dave Mowatt and Curbside Shuffle ($20)
Saturday, December 21
2pm & 10pm - Blueprint
Sunday, December 22
3pm - I'm Dreaming of a Blues Christmas ft Emily Burgess and The Emburys ($20)
Coming Soon
Saturday, December 28 2pm & 10pm - Big Bang
The Garnet
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107
Thursday, December 19
8pm - Lotus Wight & Luke Mercier
Friday, December 20
9pm - RockBitur Metal Xmas
Saturday, December 21
9pm - Pays D'en Haut
Sunday, December 22
8pm - Mark Wood
Tuesday, December 24
Closed
Wednesday, December 25
Closed
Coming Soon
Friday, December 27 9pm - Rys Climenhage and Friends
Sunday, December 29 8pm - The Songwriter Cycle ft. Husky Jeans, Sarah Tohnin, and Maylen ($5 or PWYC)
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Gordon Best Theatre
216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 876-8884
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 9pm - The Starry Night New Year's Eve 2020 ft Death By Art School, All Girl Band, Belly Flop, Mary-Kate Edwards, Dixie Que, DJ Pete (19+, $5)
Tuesday, December 31 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
Thursday, December 19
7pm - Rag Wax Duo
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 9 7pm - Two Strangers
Next Door
197 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(647) 270-9609
Thursday, December 19
8:30-11pm - Lauryn Macfarlane w/ Jayde and Hunter Sheridan
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 8pm - Roaring 2020 New Year's Eve Speakeasy Party ft burlesque by Adelyn Vain, Bellamie Beastly, Cara De Melo, Midnite Wolverine, Viola Volta, and Kitten: Muffin Topp (Marj Wingrove) w/ music by Keith Danger Whiteduck and Lance Isaacs (%65, includes hors d'oeuvres and sweet treats from Revelstoke Cafe and champagne toast at midnight)
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
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Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 772-9010
Thursday, December 19
7-10pm - Open mic hosted by Casey Bax
Friday, December 20
10pm - Joel Parkes
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, December 20
7-9pm - Darren Bailey
Saturday, December 21
7-9pm - Doug Horner
Coming Soon
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
Thursday, December 19
7pm - Custmer Appreciation Holiday Party ft. Bobby Brioux and friends
Friday, December 20
8pm - Andy McDonald
Saturday, December 21
8pm - High Waters Band
Coming Soon
Tuesday, December 31 8pm - New Year's Eve ft. High Waters Band
Red Dog Tavern
189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400
Friday, December 20
8pm - Christmas Bash ft Tamarack and the Roy Boys ($5 with all proceeds going to Kawartha Food Share)
Fenelon Falls resident Renate Hauswirth picking up her $1 million cheque at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. The 76-year-old retiree won the prize in the December 14th Lotto 6/49 draw. (Supplied photo)
Fenelon Falls resident Renate Hauswirth is going to have a very, very Merry Christmas and a very, very Happy New Year.
She won the the guaranteed $1 million prize in the December 14th Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I’ve been playing for over 30 years,” Hauswirth said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up her cheque.
The 76-year-old retiree, a mother of one, was shocked when she discovered her big win.
“I had to check my ticket a couple of times to believe it!”
She plans to use her winnings to travel across Canada and to go to Portugal.
Hauswirth purchased her winning ticket at Fenelon Discount on Colborne Street in Fenelon Falls.
Kim Dolan (far left) is the new executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton effective February 3, 2020. Dolan, who has been executive director at PARN for the past 13 years, is pictured here moderating the panel at the Peterborough Opioid Summit on July 11, 2019 at Market Hall Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
Kim Dolan is the new executive director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, effective February 3rd.
She replaces Lynn Zimmer, who retired from the organization on November 30th after 35 years.
Dolan has been executive director of PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network for the past 13 years, where she helped build a framework for strengthening the local response to HIV and Hepatitis C.
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Prior to joining PARN, Dolan worked at YWCA Crossroads Shelter and other YWCA programs. She has also been involved with the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH) and Women’s Resources Kawartha Lake.
“When I joined the YWCA in 1989 as a Crossroads shelter counsellor, I had no idea how transformational the journey of working with, for and on behalf of women would be,” Dolan says. “The foundations of my feminist, trauma-informed approach to addressing inequities are built on those experiences of working with women at YWCA, my continued involvement with OAITH and throughout my time as shelter and outreach coordinator at Women’s Resources Kawartha Lakes.
A media release from YWCA Peterborough Haliburton announcing the appointment states that Dolan is a thoughtful and visionary leader with deep connections to the community and the feminist movement, is passionate about social justice, and knows what it means to help empower the disenfranchised to find their voice.
“Kim truly embodies the values of the YWCA and will most certainly carry on our mission to achieve gender equality,” says YWCA board president Neera Jeyabalan. “We are very pleased to be welcoming her back to the YWCA.”
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is part of YWCA Canada, the country’s oldest and largest women’s multi-service organization that strives to strengthen women and girls’ equality, allowing them to see themselves as empowered and engaged.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs include the Crossroads Shelter for women and children fleeing abuse, a 24-hour support and crisis line, outreach support services, family court support, START (Support Team for Abuse Response Today), Nourish, Homeward Bound Peterborough, youth engagement, education awards for abuse survivors, Centennial Crescent second stage housing community, Women’s Centre of Haliburton County, and the Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace.
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“I am excited to be returning to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and imagine that I will be as excited and nervous to walk through the doors of 216 Simcoe Street as I was at the beginning of this full circle journey,” Dolan says.
“I look forward to working alongside the women who respond to the needs of women in our community and lead change by inviting difficult conversations that illuminate barriers and result in solutions.”
The emergency department at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay was temporarily closed following flooding on December 18, 2019 caused by burst heating coils. (Photo: Ross Memorial Hospital / Twitter)
The emergency department at Ross Memorial Hospital has re-opened as of Thursday morning (December 19) following a flooding incident on Wednesday night due to burst heating coils.
According to the hospital, at 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday evening, there were 37 patients in the emergency department when water began spraying down from the ceiling. Hospital staff immediately evacuated patients to the main lobby and to other care areas in the hospital.
Members of the local fire department, who were already on site helping with another issue, assisted hospital staff in containing the flooding and minimizing damage.
The emergency department was closed during the incident, with members of the public with non-threatening health issues being advised to go to their nearest alternate hospital.
Paramedics were also on site and notified local long-term care homes and other community partners of the incident. Two ambulances were on standby at the hospital to support patients who required urgent transport.
Throughout the evening, as many as four patients were diverted to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, one pediatric patient was transferred, and 21 ambulatory patients walked in and were treated.
Initial investigation into the cause of the flooding points to a fault in the heating system that shut off the pre-heat controls within the air handling units, causing extremely cold air to circulate and freeze the heating coils. This ultimately caused them to burst, flooding the majority of the emergency department.
Engineers were at the hospital on Thursday morning to assess the heating system.
“Many of our team members came onsite, and those who were at the hospital stayed to assist, and together we worked to reopen our emergency department this morning,” the hospital states in a media release.
“It is comforting to know we have incredible first responders available within our community, and the Hospital team sincerely thanks them, our community and neighbouring hospitals for their support.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, we must cut carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050. To achieve negative emissions in the next 30 years, our best available solutions are to restore natural carbon-storing mechanisms. Planting and maintaining trees are among the most effective methods of removing carbon from our atmosphere. Restoring ecosystems is also essential to achieving negative emissions. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Peterborough is among a growing number of Canadian communities that have declared climate emergencies.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Brianna Salmon, Executive Director of GreenUP.
These declarations are intended to acknowledge the seriousness and urgency of climate change, and to accelerate action toward the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. Net-zero emissions by 2050 is an ambitious and necessary goal.
To get there we need transformative action in three areas:
Mitigation
First, we require swift action to reduce the operational emissions that are released when we heat and cool our homes, drive our cars, and run our businesses.
A focus on reducing operational emissions is called mitigation, and it will help to limit global warming.
Aggressive mitigation is essential to reaching our goal, but on its own mitigation is not enough.
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Reduction
Second, we need to reduce the amount of carbon emitted when we create the materials we build with.
These are emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing and transportation of materials; for example, the insulation we use in our homes. While these emissions account for only 11 per cent of emissions globally, their impact on the climate is entirely upfront and cannot be mitigated in the future.
This type of emission is called embodied carbon, and to meet our local and global net-zero emissions targets, we need to reduce it.
Sequestration
Finally, because we’ll continue to have some operational emissions over the next 30 years, we need to find ways to achieve negative emissions (to store or sequester carbon).
We can do this through reforestation, ecosystem restoration, or even the use of plant-based building materials.
These strategies also help our communities to adapt to the changes in climate that we’re already experiencing, and make us more resilient to future impacts.
Local climate action initiatives
Embodied carbon is the amount of carbon emitted when we create the materials we use to build, for example, our homes. In 2018, the Endeavour Centre built the GreenUP Ecology Park Children’s Shelter and Open-Air Classroom from a variety of natural and plant-based materials, including the straw and hempcrete insulation, cellulose and hemp fibre insulation, and locally harvested wood, including framing made from forestry thinnings. This approach to manufacturing and materials can create a building that is actually below net-zero carbon emissions because it stores more carbon that it takes to produce. These strategies could be essential to reducing our carbon emissions. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
The United Nations has identified 2030 as the critical opportunity for transformative action, and climate emergency declarations are intended to emphasize this urgency. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we need everyone — governments, the private sector, and civil society — to act now.
This can feel overwhelming and unachievable, but we are fortunate to live in an exceptional community. There are some truly inspiring local initiatives that are already creating meaningful and measurable change here in Peterborough.
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Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN)
GreenUP’s Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program, which was featured in last week’s GreenUP column, works closely with residents, municipal staff, and other organizations to identify strategic priorities for climate action and to establish Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plans that will accelerate local efforts during this critical 10-year period.
In addition to planning, SUN also initiates community planting projects that demonstrate the possibilities for change and build capacity for further action. Alongside GreenUP staff, residents and partners in the SUN neighbourhoods have completed nearly 2,000 square metres of urban restoration projects on both public and private lands, measurably advancing climate adaptation and carbon sequestration at the neighbourhood scale.
“The city works as an active partner with community organizations, businesses, residents and other levels of government in tackling climate change,” says Michael Papadacos of the city’s infrastructure management division, who is co-ordinating the city’s efforts to respond to climate change.
“Partnerships such as the work that GreenUP is doing with the city on the Sustainable Neighbourhoods initiative is one key way we can make progress toward our broader community goals of reducing emissions, increasing resilience, and enhancing sustainability in Peterborough.”
Peterborough Moves
Peterborough Moves is a community partnership that has been supporting walking, cycling, and busing in Peterborough for more than 15 years. In 2019, this partnership celebrated the first-ever protected bike lane in Peterborough at the corner of Sherbrooke Street and Water Street. Peterborough Moves has helped exceed the active transportation target set in the city’s 2012 transportation plan and to decrease local transportation pollution and emissions. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Peterborough Moves is a community partnership that has been supporting walking, cycling, and busing in our city for more than 15 years.
Peterborough Moves offers active school travel programming in every local school, including car-free travel campaigns, cycling skill development courses, transit ridership workshops, and more. Peterborough Moves also co-ordinates an annual commuter challenge called Shifting Gears.
These programs are recognized nationally as successful approaches to increase rates of walking and cycling. Peterborough Moves has helped us to exceed the active transportation target set in our city’s 2012 transportation plan and to decrease local transportation pollution and emissions.
NeighbourPLAN project and school travel planning
Community-based planning initiatives, including the NeighbourPLAN project and school travel planning, contribute to climate action in long-term ways.
These programs work with residents and school communities to envision and build support for the compact and complete neighbourhood designs needed to enable active transportation and reduce our dependence on cars.
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Home and commercial energy conservation programs
GreenUP also works alongside our local utilities to maximize the number of households and businesses that are participating in energy retrofit and production incentive programs.
These programs, historically funded by the federal and provincial governments as well as by natural gas distribution companies, increase energy efficiency in existing buildings and encourage the use of renewable energy.
In Peterborough, thousands of households and businesses have completed energy efficiency upgrades. Local organizations are also exploring some exciting community-based models to engage businesses of all sizes and sectors in climate action, with a focus on helping them to set and achieve ambitious carbon reduction targets.
Builders for Climate Action
A new local initiative called Builders for Climate Action is a partnership between the Endeavour Centre for Sustainable Building and GreenUP.
Builders for Climate Action is dedicated to helping the building industry become carbon neutral. The project is creating tools and resources that enable designers, developers, and builders to calculate embodied carbon for a range of materials, and to select options that are low-carbon or even carbon negative.
This initiative is already building capacity and leadership within the local construction sector, and is set to have a national impact.
In 2019, Peterborough city council declared a climate emergency and requested that staff work with the Peterborough Environmental Advisory Committee and report on opportunities to reduce emissions with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Leadership from all levels of government, the private sector, and civil society will be necessary to achieve these goals. To support these objectives, GreenUP created the Peterborough Community Climate Action Resource. (Graphic courtesy of GreenUP)
Climate action resources
To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, transformation is needed. Change is possible, and we can — and are — acting to address the climate crisis.
In 2020, we’ll need to do more, and to do it better and faster. Transitioning to carbon-neutral will not be easy or inexpensive, but we cannot afford inaction. In this region, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of inspiring local initiatives to build upon.
Visit greenup.on.ca/climate-action-resource/ to access the GreenUP Peterborough Community Climate Action Resource and other resources to support climate change action at home and in your community.
Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for Peterborough and Kawarthas Lakes for Wednesday (December 18) into Thursday morning.
On Wednesday afternoon and evening, there will be a wind chill of -23°C, dropping to -30°C overnight.
On Thursday, there will be a wind chill of -30°C in the morning and -17°C in the afternoon.
Drop-in hours for the One Roof Community Centre (99 Brock St. Peterborough) will be extended on Wednesday and Thursday to provide daytime shelter from the cold. Instead of normal operating hours of 12 to 7 p.m., hours will be extended to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. When heading outside, cover up.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Watch for cold-related symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, and numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.
Temperatures will warm up on Friday with a high of -5°C, and will head above freezing by Sunday and into next week.
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