The West End Riverboat Band (John Williams on clarinet and vocals, Ben Lee on tenor banjo and vocals, and Chris Adriaanse on double bass) will be performing old-time New Orleans jazz and folk at The Arlington in Maynooth on Saturday, September 28th and then again at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough on Sunday, September 29th. (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, September 26 to Wednesday, October 2.
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.
Hydro One is advising of a planned power outage on Sunday morning (September 29) in the Peterborough area, to allow crews to complete required upgrades to ensure safe and reliable power.
Between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m., Hydro One will disconnect power to 8,489 customers in the Smith, Curve Lake First Nation, Douro, Harvey, Lakehurst, Buckhorn, Burleigh, and Cavendish areas.
The power outage will also affect Lakefield, which is served by Peterborough Utilities Group.
Hydro One crews will be completing required upgrades and maintenance in the area, which includes replacing poles and switches. An outage is required to ensure the safety of crews.
Hydro One customers requiring additional information can call 1-888-664-9376.
On Saturday, October 5th, GreenUP's Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program invites the public to enjoy a community celebration and BioBlitz at Kawartha Heights Park in Peterborough. During the BioBlitz, GreenUP's expert volunteers will help you learn about the fascinating plants and animals living within the park. The event also includes tree planting, a live performance by Washboard Hank, and the official release of the Kawartha Heights and East City-Curtis Creek Neighbourhood Action Plans. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
GreenUP’s Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program is inviting the public to enjoy a community celebration and BioBlitz at Kawartha Heights Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Brittany Harding, GreenUP Education and Outreach Coordinator.
A BioBlitz is an event where scientists and members of the public work together to identify and inventory all the species of flora and fauna within a given geographic area, giving a snapshot of biodiversity in the area.
At the Kawartha Heights BioBlitz, our expert volunteers will help you learn about the fascinating plants and animals living within the park.
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The day also includes tree planting, a live performance by Washboard Hank, and the official release of the Kawartha Heights and East City-Curtis Creek Neighbourhood Action Plans.
Over the past three years, SUN has collaborated with residents, the City of Peterborough, and other partners to develop two Neighbourhood Action Plans. The plans identify 10-year goals related to rainwater management and watershed health, habitat and urban forests, healthy and active transportation and recreation, community building, energy and climate, and local food security.
Key actions identified in the plans provide specific steps toward the realization of sustainability goals. These actions will help each neighbourhood adapt to the projected impacts of climate change in the Peterborough region, such as greater precipitation and more extreme temperatures.
VIDEO: October 5th BioBlitz & celebration of Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods Program
Climate change is a daunting issue that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and even hopeless. We often think, ‘I’m just one person, what can I do?’
A 2017 report by the American Psychological Association, Climate for Health, and ecoAmerica acknowledges that it is common to be “deeply affected by feelings of loss, helplessness, and frustration due to an inability to feel like (we) are making a difference in stopping climate change.”
The SUN Action Plans address these feelings by identifying specific, clearly defined, and attainable actions.
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The plans identify many projects that residents can undertake and support, especially at home. For example, installation of rain barrels and rain gardens can help capture rainwater where it falls. Rain barrels and rain gardens can reduce demands on municipal storm water infrastructure and maintain the health of local watersheds.
Actions like these are achievable and remind us that we are part of a much larger, human and non-human, community. What we do at home can directly and indirectly impact the health and well-being of others. We all reap the benefits of climate action.
Interested in learning more about sustainable landscaping projects, their benefits, and how to get started? Check out our guide Planting for a Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood at www.greenup.on.ca/sun.
A BioBlitz is an event where scientists and members of the public work together to identify and inventory all the species of flora and fauna within a given geographic area, giving a snapshot of biodiversity in the area. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Many of the actions emphasize the value of collaboration and the multiple benefits of local initiatives. For example, enhancing local parks is one of the main focus areas of the action plan in Kawartha Heights. The October 5th BioBlitz offers residents an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
It will also provide SUN, the City of Peterborough, and other partners with more information about local plants and animals that live in this important greenspace so we can protect and enhance the park. In other words, we can achieve a lot when we work together.
Don’t live in a SUN neighbourhood? No problem. The actions described in the existing plans can give you some great examples of things that can be done in any neighbourhood to adapt to climate change.
The October 5th BioBlitz at Kawartha Heights Park in Peterborough will also see the official release of the Kawartha Heights and East City-Curtis Creek Neighbourhood Action Plans. Over the past three years, GreenUP’s Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods (SUN) program has collaborated with residents, the City of Peterborough, and other partners to developthe plans, which identify 10-year goals related to rainwater management and watershed health, habitat and urban forests, healthy and active transportation and recreation, community building, energy and climate, and local food security. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
This fall, SUN will be working with neighbourhood residents, the municipality, and other partners to begin implementing the action plans. If you are interested in learning more about Kawartha Heights and East City-Curtis Creek Action Plans, or if you would like to support a specific action, please contact Hayley Goodchild, SUN program co-ordinator, at hayley.goodchild@greenup.on.ca.
Following their release on October 5th, the SUN Action Plans will be available online at www.greenup.on.ca/sun, and can be picked up in the Greenup Store at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough.
Guided nature walks will depart from the playground at Kawartha Heights Park at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Peterborough Field Naturalists will be leading a Junior BioBlitz for kids starting at 10:30 a.m. A live performance by Washboard Hank will begin at noon. Any attendees participating in the guided nature walks or tree planting will be required to wear close-toed shoes and long pants.
Interested in volunteering? We are looking for volunteers to make this event a success. If you are interested in helping to lead or support BioBlitz groups or SUN partners, please contact Brittany Harding at brittany.harding@greenup.on.ca or 705-745-3238 ext. 224 for more information.
The SUN program is a three-year initiative funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and facilitated by Greenup. SUN is modelled on and delivered in association with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP). SUN is administered in partnership with the City of Peterborough, Otonabee Conservation, and Nourish.
As well as guided nature walks, the October 5th BioBlitz at Kawartha Heights Park in Peterborough also includes tree planting and a live performance by Washboard Hank. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
In Planet 12 Productions' original play "Tex", Samuelle Weatherdon, Aimee Gordon, and Emily Keller star as three girls who use an Ouija board on Halloween and contact a spirit who calls himself Tex and leads the girls into a local cemetery in search for the answers to a gruesome murder from their town's past. The show runs from September 25 to 28, 2019 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Halloween comes early this year when Planet 12 Productions premieres Tex at The Theatre on King (TTOK) in downtown Peterborough from September 25th to 28th.
Planet 12 Productions presents Tex
When: Wednesday, September 25 to Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough) How much: $10 or pay what you can
Written and directed by Derek Weatherdon and featuring Brad Brackenridge, Aimee Gordon, Emily Keller, Adam Martignetti, Mark Paton, Nicole Roy, Ben van Veen, and Sam Weatherdon.
A supernatural thriller written and directed by Derek Weatherdon, Tex is a creepy ghost story in the vein of Stephen King, mixed with a hint of Rashomon. Starring Samuelle Weatherdon, Aimee Gordon, and Emily Keller, Tex mixes urban legends with a hint of nostalgia in Planet 12’s most ambitious production to date.
Ouija boards, apples, and the grave of an unknown man set the stage for this chiller. Tex follows three friends — Max (Samuelle Weatherdon), Billie (Aimee Gordon), and Regi (Emily Keller) — on Halloween. Just at the age where they are almost too old to go out for candy, the three girls spend the early evening trick or treating and return to Max’s home for candy and scary movies.
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However, Max has other ideas. Having borrowed a Ouija board from a school friend, Max chides her reluctant friends into using it. Almost immediately the threesome begin communicating with a spirit identifying himself as Tex, leading the girls into a local cemetery in search for the answers to a gruesome murder from their town’s past. What follows is a night of secrets, confessions, and revenge as the girls spend their Halloween in the company of spirits of the past, and the horror of Tex.
Although Planet 12 Productions has created a lot of interesting shows since their inauguration in 2017, Tex is the strongest offering from the group since Boy Wonders. Exploring themes from his own youth, writer/director Derek Weatherdon has a masterful way of capturing the nostalgic wonderment of yesteryear, especially when writing about the 1970s.
Brad Brackenridge as Auguste La Grande with Nicole Roy as Catherine and Ben vanVeen, in his stage debut, as Tex. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Set in 1974, Tex is a love letter to Halloween nights of the past, when parents allowed their children to run wild in the dark, dressed in garish plastic Ben Cooper Halloween costumes, with little to no supervision.
From the perfect vintage look of the set and costumes to zippy dialogue bursting with era-appropriate cultural references, to musical interludes featuring music by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Cher, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Skeeter Davis, Derek and his company manage to capture that simpler time, immediately creating a nostalgic feeling for anybody who lived in that era.
But Tex is not just a ghost story — it’s also a coming-of-age tale, written to usher in the Planet 12 regulars who are no longer kids but growing into both young adults and fine performers.
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As someone who has been following these young actors working together in productions since 2016, it is really wonderful for me to see them grow from performance to performance. I have a natural soft spot for the Planet 12 performers, but in Tex they raise the bar to a new level.
Although still in her teens, Samuelle Weatherdon has already become one of the most prolific young performers in the Kawarthas via her appearances at TTOK, 4th Line Theatre, the Peterborough Theatre Guild, and other various stages.
In Tex, Sam plays the slightly naive but forceful Max. Seemingly the most stable of the three friends, Max is the girl that leads the girls into the darkness of the past.
Max (Samuelle Weatherdon) and Billie (Aimee Gordon) experiment with Ouija board on Halloween as Regi (Emily Keller) looks on. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
I don’t want to give away any of the story but, in the role of Max, Sam is able to put on duo hats as a curious teenage girl looking for mystery and adventure, and something else from beyond the grave. It’s a great role for a fine actress.
I have been very vocal that Aimee Gordon, who plays Billie, is one of my favourite local young actresses, and it’s wonderful to see her again with Planet 12 after a short absence. Although a wonderful musical theatre actress, Aimee also has some serious dramatic chops and she once again flexes those muscles in Tex.
In the role of Billie, Aimee is the cool girl with a complicated family situation. She is also the medium between the two other girls, who wavers between siding with Max’s spooky ideas and Regi’s cautious ones. Aimee brings a sense of reality to the role, giving another fine performance to her growing theatre resume.
As the cautious Regi, Emily Keller gives her greatest performance to date. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
The biggest shout-out goes to Emily Keller as Regi. Although Emily has always had a solid presence with Planet 12, in the past she has always been the quiet (bordering on docile) performer. In the role of Regi, Emily has finally found her voice and she steps up her performance tenfold.
As the cautious, if not slightly dorky, of the three girls, Regi is the voice of reason. However, as the night goes forward, Regi is fighting a losing battle against the spirits that surround them. Emily gives her greatest performance to date and often stealing the stage from her co-stars — a big role for an emerging actress who finally takes centre stage.
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Tex also features a series of flashback scenes featuring Ben vanVeen, Nicole Roy, and Brad Brackenridge.
In his first appearance at TTOK, Ben shows great dramatic chops by playing the role of Tex in three very different fashions, embodying different versions of the same character. It’s a strong debut by a promising actor who I hope we will see much more of on stage.
Nicole Roy also gives one of her strongest performances to date as the tragic Catherine, who she plays as both sultry and sweet. Brad, who is always interesting to watch, plays the town’s leading citizen August La Grande, who holds the key to the mysteries of the past, and gets entangled in the horror of Tex.
Adam Martignetti, who performs a small role as Max’s father, also created two short film sequences for the play that allow the story to be told beyond the confines of the physical theatre. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Tex is also unique by including two short film sequences, created by Adam Martignetti (who makes a small but potent cameo in the show as Max’s father).
Written and directed by Derek Weatherdon, “Tex” runs September 25 to 28, 2019 at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough.
The filmed sequences are a brilliant and well-executed element of the production, allowing the story to be told beyond the confines of the physical theatre.
One of the pieces is a beautiful and moody opening sequence that gives Tex a cinematic feel, adding an exciting element to the play.
There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Tex. It is a perfect mix of clever dialogue, endearing characters, universe-building moments, and chilling horror centred around three talented young actresses.
Tex sits well amongst recent film releases It Part Two and Stories to Tell in the Dark in relation to theme and genre, but out of the three I’ll admit I’m most excited about Tex.
Come out to this great show this week for some early trick or treats and to discover the truth about Tex.
The play runs from Wednesday, September 25th to Saturday, September 28th at TTOK. Each performance start at 8 p.m. and is $10 at the door or pay what you can.
Samuelle Weatherdon as the slightly naive but forceful Max and Aimee Gordon as the cool girl Billie. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
"The Mush Hole", which addresses the devastation of residential schools with a visceral and thought-provoking dance performance, is one of seven performance events offered during Public Energy Performing Arts' 2019-20 season. "The Mush Hole" will be performed by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on November 2, 2019. (Photo: Ian R. Maracle)
Public Energy Performing Arts — Peterborough’s presenter and facilitator of contemporary dance, theatre, performance, and interdisciplinary work — has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring seven performance events from October through May.
The upcoming season includes two festivals, a free outdoor storytelling installation, and mainstage events at three downtown Peterborough performance venues, as well as artist discussions, classes, and workshops.
Themes covered this season range from transformation, mental illness, and the precarity of creative labour to the impact of residential schools and environmental activism.
“Trophy” is a free event where audience members can move between lighted tents to listen to local stories of life-changing moments of transformation. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
Trophy, by Ottawa artists Sarah Conn and Allison O’Connor, features local stories of life-changing moments of transformation in a pop-up living installation at Fleming Park (427 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough).
Audience members will move through at their own pace from tent to tent listening to stories that capture turning points in the lives of the storytellers. The light-filled tents become temporary beacons to a world in changing times, before they vanish off into the night.
Drop in anytime during performance times: from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 4th and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th. This event is free.
The Mush Hole – November 2, 2019
Choreographed by the award-winning Santee Smith, “The Mush Hole” is a dance performance that moves through the devastation of the residential school experience with grace and the hope for transformation and release. (Photo: Ian R. Maracle)
The Mush Hole is a visceral and thought-provoking dance performance that reflects the realities of the Mohawk Institute residential school experience through dance.
Performed by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, The Mush Hole offers a way to open dialogue and to heal through acknowledgement and by honouring the spirit of the survivors and families that were impacted.
Curated by Patti Shaughnessy, The Mush Hole was choreographed by Santee Smith (Six Nations / Toronto). Local audiences may remember Smith’s dance about lacrosse, The Creator’s Game, that had its world premiere for a crowd of 3,000 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre during the 2012 Ode’min Giizis Festival. Smith is an award-winning producer and choreographer whose original work has been seen around the world and featured on film and television.
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The Mush Hole will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 2nd at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough). Tickets will cost $25 ($12 for the underwaged and $7 for high school students) and there will be a post-show question-and-answer session with the artists.
Precarious2: Peterborough ArtsWORK Festival – November 1 to December 21, 2019
Rat costumes created by Laurel Paluck. One of the theatrical pieces during the 2017 Pecarious Festival was Kate Story’s “Festivus Rattus 2035”, a post-apocalyptic retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin as a metaphor for the underpaid and undervalued artist. (Photo by Andy Carroll)
Precarious2 is a month-long multi-arts festival that explores the precarity of creative labour features more than 50 artists creating and presenting new works in theatre, visual art, music, spoken word, literary arts, and performance. The first Precarious Festival took place in November 2017.
Presented by Fleshy Thud in partnership with Public Energy Performing Arts with Kate Story as artistic director and Ryan Kerr as festival director, Precarious2 will also offer workshops, artistic mentorships, and panel discussions on topics including food security, decolonizing artistic practice, precarity and aging, labour issues, and gentrification.
Precarious2: Peterborough ArtsWORK Festival will run at multiple venues throughout downtown Peterborough from Friday, November 1st until Saturday, December 31st. More details will be coming closer to the event date.
Every Brilliant Thing – January 16 to 19 and 21 to 25, 2020
Dora Award winner and Stratford Festival company member Steve Ross stars in “Every Brilliant Thing”. (Photo: Trish Lindstrom)
Public Energy Performing Arts has partnered with New Stages Theatre to present Every Brilliant Thing, directed by New Stages artistic director Randy Read and starring Stratford company member Steve Ross.
Written by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe, Every Brilliant Thing is a powerfully moving comedy-drama about a man who remembers when, as a young boy, he tried to ease his mother’s depression with a list of everything he could think of to remind her that life was still worth living. In the process, he makes his own discoveries about the power of hope and storytelling.
A full production of Every Brilliant Thing will be staged at The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough) at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday, January 16th through Saturday, January 25th (no performance on Monday, January 20), with a 3 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, January 24th. Tickets will cost $25 ($12 for the underwaged).
The Chemical Valley Project – March 6, 2020
“The Chemical Valley Project” is a work of documentary theatre that examines the impact of the petrochemical industry in Sarnia, Ontario, on the Aamjiwnaang First Nations reserve. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
Toronto’s Broadleaf Theatre presents The Chemical Valley Project, a work of documentary theatre featuring an innovative blend of design, object puppetry, and performance.
Located in Sarnia, Ontario, the so-called “Chemical Valley” is a corridor of petrochemical industry plants that lie adjacent to the Aamjiwnaang First Nations reserve. In The Chemical Valley Project, theatre makers Julia Howman and Kevin Matthew Wong document the activism of Vanessa Gray and Lindsay Beze Gray, who have dedicated their lives to fighting the pollution that threatens their community’s health and future.
The 2017 critics’ pick by Toronto’s NOW Magazine, The Chemical Valley Project will spark conversation on Canadian environmental policy, treaty rights and Indigenous relations, and Canadian identity and values.
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The Chemical Valley Project will be staged at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough). Tickets will cost $25 ($12 for the underwaged and $7 for high school students) and there will be a post-show question-and-answer session with the artists.
Emergency Festival #23 – April 3 to 5, 2020
A promotional shot of Charlie Petch in “Daughter of Geppetto”, which was performed at Emergency Festival #22. (Photo: Mona Mousa)
Now in its 23rd year, the Emergency Festival is a cornerstone of support for local artists creating new work, from experimental theatre to contemporary dance and aerial circus arts.
A call for artists to submit proposals for Emergency Festival #23 will be issued in November 2019, with artistic programming decisions to follow.
The schedule for the 2020 festival is still to be determined, but performance venues will include Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St, Peterborough) and The Theatre on King (171 King St., Peterborough).
In-Ward – May 14, 2020
“In-Ward” features six dancers choreographed Alexandra “Spicey” Landé who use hip-hop to explore the human psyche with dramatic tension and dark humour, with sound design by hip-hop beat maker and producer Shash’U. (Photo: Melika Dez)
Presented by Montreal urban dance company Ebnflõh in conjunction with Showplace Performance Centre, In-Ward uses hip-hop dance to explore the human psyche with dramatic tension and dark humour.
Choreographer Alexandra “Spicey” Landé builds bridges between hip-hop culture and contemporary dance, taking the dance of the streets to new artistic heights. With six accomplished dancers, she plunges us into the deep waters of the human psyche, depicting the overlapping of feelings and the subtle contradictions of the unconscious — both individual and collective — while faced with forced confinement, sharing same spaces, and isolation.
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Renowned hip-hop beat maker and producer Shash’U provides a sound design that simultaneously accompanies the dance and propels it forward.
In-Ward will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Tickets will cost $25 ($12 for the underwaged and $7 for high school students) and there will be a post-show question-and-answer session with the artists.
Elmhirst's Resort, located on the shores of Rice Lake in Keene, is a Tourism Employer of the Year finalist for the 2019 Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence. The award recognizes an organization that has developed an admirable reputation as a great place to work, and that has established itself as an upstanding example of Ontario's tourism industry. (Photo courtesy of Elmhirst's Resort)
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
This week’s business and organizational news includes Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene being selected as a finalist for the 2019 Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence, Peterborough’s Signarama expanding into the custom apparel and promotional products industry, Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough celebrating its 90th anniversary, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada rebranding with a new look.
Also featured this week are Pinnguaq Association launching Lindsay Makerspace, Spark Photo Festival announcing new festival director Jennifer MacKenzie, and the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce winning the annual Canadian Chamber of Commerce competition.
New regional business events added this week include the Cobourg job fair employer registration deadline on September 30th, Venture13 presenting a cyber security tech talk in Cobourg on October 5th and an IBM Lunch and Learn seminar in Cobourg on October 15th, and Small Business Week in Kawartha Lakes from October 21st to 25th.
Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene a finalist for the 2019 Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence
Stephen Elmhirst (right) and team picking apples at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene. The apples were then taken to Kawartha Country Wines for cider processing. (Photo: Elmhirst’s Resort / Facebook)
Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene is a finalist in the 2019 Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO).
For the Tourism Employer of the Year, Elmhirst’s Resort is up against Ottawa Tourism and Escape Manor (with locations in Toronto, Cornwall, Ottawa, Regina Hamilton, Saskatoon, and Brisbane in Australia).
The Tourism Employer of the Year award recognizes an organization that has developed an admirable reputation as a great place to work, and that has established itself as an upstanding example of Ontario’s tourism industry.
Established in 1903, Elmhirst’s Resort on the shores of Rice Lake is an all-season cottage resort and conference facility. It offers a spa, dining, and a activities for the whole family. Managed by a fifth generation of the Elmhirst family, the 240-acre property includes a farm that produces livestock, fowl, and fruit and vegetables that are served to resort guests.
The award winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 30th at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence gala evening at Blue Mountain Village Inn & Conference Centre in Collingwood, as part of the 2019 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Peterborough’s Signarama expands into custom apparel and promotional products industry
With its Fully Promoted sister franchise, Signarama is expanded its services to offer custom apparel and promotional products. (Supplied photos)
Signarama, a full-service sign, banner, and decal company in Peterborough, has now expanded into the custom apparel and promotional products industry.
Fully Promoted is a sister franchise to Signarama, and both businesses are now located in the same office 774 Rye Street Unit 10 to be able to offer more services and products to existing Signarama clients.
Signarama’s partnership with Fully Promoted, the world’s largest branded products franchise, means Signarama can now offer everything from storefront signage to uniforms to office pens and more.
The grand opening of Fully Promoted takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th. The free event will feature food and drink, prizes, giveaways, draws, and more.
Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough celebrates its 90th anniversary
Lucky Strike Bait Works was founded in Peterborough in 1929 by Frank “Rusty” Edgar. (Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike Bait Works)
Lucky Strike Bait Works celebrated its 90th year in business on Saturday (September 21) at the Evinrude Centre in Peterborough.
One of North America’s oldest and largest tackle and landing net manufacturers, Lucky Strike was founded in Peterborough in 1929 by Frank “Rusty” Edgar.
With a love of fishing, Edgar turned his hobby into a booming business from his garage. He began to improve wooden plug baits that he had previously fashioned out of broom handles. The plugs were quite heavy and ran deep in the Otonabee River where he loved to fish. The interest of local anglers was quickly peaked, and Edgar began selling his lures from his tackle box.
In 1939, after expanding the business for a decade, Edgar established a new shop where he could now compete with major U.S. companies. After World War II, during which time the Peterborough plant was switched to the war production of search light parts and machine work for armoured cars, an addition was added to the plant expanding production once again.
The anniversary event at the Evinrude Centre included displays of historical antique tackle collections from the Canadian Antique Tackle Association.
“It means a great deal to see our business still growing after 90 years,” says Lucky Strike president Dustin Rhodes. “I am very proud of the lures and nets we build in Peterborough and want to thank all of the great people in our community that have helped us along our journey.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada rebrands with new look
The new logo of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, a non-profit organization with a focus on mentoring programs for youth, has rebranded with a new modern look.
The 106-year-old organization has a new logo, with the three lines symbolizing the three players who help a young person forge a new path forward: the family, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the volunteer mentor (the “Big”).
The new look and brand reflect months of research and consultation with over 3,500 volunteer mentors, young people, parents and guardians, mentoring leaders, and members of the general public from coast to coast.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada worked with Bain & Co. (which has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters as a long-term pro bono project) and Barkley on the research and brand transformation.
VIDEO: Big Brothers Big Sisters: Empowering Youth and Igniting Potential
“Mentoring is an essential service, impacting childhood brain development and creating positive cognitive, education, employment, and health outcomes,” says W. Matthew Chater, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
“Our modernization is meant to engage a new wave of volunteers and donors and give them an opportunity to make a true difference in this world, to change two lives: their own and the life of a young person.”
There are three charter agencies of Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Kawarthas: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northumberland. All three have now rebranded with the new logo.
Pinnguaq Association launches Lindsay Makerspace
Pinnguaq Kawartha Lakes was at the Lindsay Exhibition in September 2019 to share information about the new Lindsay Makerspace. (Photo: Pinnguaq Kawartha Lakes / Facebook)
Pinnguaq Association is opening Lindsay Makerspace, a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to share, learn, create, experiment, and play with digital technology in a safe and fun environment.
Founded in Nunavut (“pinnguaq” means “play” in Inuktitut) and with offices in Nunuvat, Ontario, and British Columbia, the not-for-profit social enterprise organization incorporates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) into unique learning applications that promote storytelling, health, wellness and growth with rural and remote communities.
Pinnguaq Kawartha Lakes will host an open house and grand opening of Lindsay Makerspace (87 Angeline St. N., Lindsay) from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 3rd. Everyone is welcome to attend to get an inside look on the services and programming the Makerspace has to offer.
Fall programming will begin on Tuesday, October 8th and will includes Tech Xploration, Ask An Expert, and Repair Cafe Drop-Ins, along with programs for registered participants to learn and experiment with specific skills including Create Comix, 3D Print A Piece, and Community Applied Workshop.
For more information, including the Makerspace schedule and program registration, visit pinnguaq.com/makerspace/ and follow Pinnguaq Kawartha Lakes on Facebook.
Spark Photo Festival announces new festival director Jennifer MacKenzie
Jennifer MacKenzie is the new festival director of the Spark Photo Festival, which returns in April 2020. (Supplied photo)
The board of directors of the Spark Photo Festival has announced the appointment of Jennifer MacKenzie as the organization’s new festival director.
The former co-owner of Nuttshell Next Door Café in Lakefield, MacKenzie is a cookbook author and food writer who has run her own consulting business since 1999 and is an experienced special events coordinator. She brings her administrative, marketing, and organizational skills to her role at Spark, as well as a personal passion for photography.
“I’m excited to be part of the effort to nurture the ever-growing roster of participating photographers, to expand the array of venues across the region, and to keep increasing audiences for our exhibits,” MacKenzie says.
MacKenzie replaces Spark co-founder Robert Boudreau, who departed as festival director after six years in the role. Boudreau will remain involved in the Festival as a board member in an advisory role and special exhibits curator, while working on personal projects.
The 2020 Spark Photo Festival runs from April 1st to 30th, with ehibit registration opening in October. For more information, visit www.sparkphotofestival.org.
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Peterborough Chamber of Commerce wins annual Canadian Chamber of Commerce competition for “Power Hour”
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce CEO and president Stu Harrion, policy analyst and communications specialist Sandra Dueck, and board vice chair Dawn Hennessey at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Saint John, New Brunswick on September 21, 2019. (Supplied photo)
At the annual general meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Saint John, New Brunswick on Saturday (September 21), the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce won the annual Canadian Chamber of Commerce competition.
The Peterborough Chamber was awarded first place by around 300 delegates from across Canada for its annual “Power Hour” event. First launched in 2016, the Power Hour brings together Peterborough’s elected officials for a discussion with the business community.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and volunteers of the Chamber,” says Chamber president and CEO Stu Harrison. “To have the opportunity to not only showcase our Chamber at the national level, but to be judged the best, is truly an honour.”
Community Futures Peterborough hosts financial workshop in Peterborough on September 24
Community Futures Peterborough is hosting “Financial Foundations”, a workshop from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
At this workshop, entrepreneurs and those interested in starting a business will learn about federal and provincial funding, local resources available, and how to enter the Company Startup Plus program. Keynote speaker Marie Dietrich, partner at Grant Thorton, will discuss the top five common mistakes young companies make.
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council, in partnership with the Lindsay DBIA and the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an information session on diversity and inclusion in the workplace from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26th at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
The free session will feature guest speaker Lindsay Kretschmer, executive director of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous social justice issues and well being, provincial and federal negotiations, program and training development, research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and capacity and partnership building.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
FLEX Fitness and AW Media Consulting host fall refresh women’s networking event in Lindsay on September 26
Cathy Steffler of FLEX Fitness and Ashley Webster of AW Media Consulting are hosting a fall refresh women’s networking event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th at FLEX Fitness (66 William St. N., Lindsay).
The event features networking and conversation with like-minded business women along with wine and chocolate. Ashley Webster owner of AW Media Consulting will provide a 45-minute hands-on social media workshop focused on Instagram and Facebook, covering social media best practices, handling negative comments and reviews, social media advertising, building your brand online, and technical tips.
FLEX Fitness is a child-friendly space with a play area, so children are welcome.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce presents “Scaling Up Small Business” in Peterborough on September 27
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Scaling Up Small Business”, a regional panel discussion and report launch event, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, September 27th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event will bring together private and public sector stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to growing a business in Ontario. Ontario Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria will make remarks, followed by a keynote presentation by Diane Richard, Director of Product Development, Charlotte Products. A panel discussion moderated by Derek Newton (Assistant Vice President, Innovation Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto) will feature Rhonda Keenan (President and CEO, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development), Dylan Trepanier ( CEO, Alexander Optical), and John Porter (President and CEO, BarterPay).
Cobourg job fair employer registration deadline on September 30
Watton Employment Services is presenting a free job fair from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9th at Cobourg Lions Community Centre (157 Elgin St. E., Cobourg).
Interested employers must commit to attending for the full duration of the event, and will be supplied with and table and chairs (wi-fi will be available).
There is no charge for employers to participate. The deadline to register is Monday, September 30th.
Local business organizations host members-only all-candidates debate on economic growth and development in Peterborough on September 30
Local business organizations are hosting a members-only all-candidates debate on economic growth and development from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday, September 30th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
This event is hosted by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Homebuilders Association, Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association, Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, and the Peterborough and District Construction Association.
Venture13 hosts TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge in Cobourg on October 5
The TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th at Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
This event is part of the global CyberLympics, sponsored by SiberX, Durham College AI-Hub, and Venture13. The purpose of the event is to encourage developers to bring forward innovative ideas for cybersecurity applications that are technically feasible and commercially viable.
Teams will have one day to advance their concepts and pitch them to a panel of experts. Mentors and advisors will be available to help teams rapidly iterate their concepts and prepare a pitch presentation to the judges. The winner of the TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge and the $1,000 cash team prize will be announced at the Cyberlympics finale at Durham College on October 26th, 2019.
TechXpo is sponsored by Venture13 VentureZone Members Eagle Aerospace and ConnexHealth Inc. and the Cobourg Police Service.
Venture13 presents cyber security tech talk in Cobourg on October 5
Venture13 is presenting a tech talk called “I to Eye : Thinking Like A Hacker” from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
Keynote speaker Mahdi Raza, co-founder of SiberX, will be speaking on cyber security. SiberX is a roaming customized platform for training, events, and skills development in the cyber security field.
Venture13 presents Fireside Chat on Technology Adaptation and Healthcare in Cobourg on October 7
Venture13 is presenting its next Fireside Chat, on the topic “Technology Adaptation and Healthcare”, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 7th in the Innovation Commons at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg)
Sponsored by ConnexHealth, the free event features a keynote by Dr. Mukesh Bhargava (Chief of Staff, Northumberland Hills Hospital) and a panel discussion with Dr. Bhargava, Ryan Doherty (President and Founder, Empower Health), and Medha Saraiya (Founder and CEO, ConnexHealth), moderated by Rhonda Cunningham (Director, Northumberland CFDC and Executive Director, Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation).
Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10
The second annual Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Presented by Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, Destination Ontario, and Kawarthas Northumberland, the one-day high-level business growth conference is designed to educate, motivate, and promote collaboration.
Keynote speakers include Ron Tsang on the topic “Influential Communication for Entrepreneurs” and Andrew Patrico on the topic “How to Cost and Price Your Products and Services Profitably”.
The cost is $45+HST, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence and Social Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield).
There will be a silent and live auction, light hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a social hour for networking in Upper Hadden Hall before the presentation of the awards in the Bryan Jones Theatre.
IBM Lunch and Learn seminar in Cobourg on October 15
Venture13 is presenting Lunch and Learn session with Sarmad Ibrahim, Tech Evangelist at IBB, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
Find out about the IBM I3 program, discover IBM’s artificial intelligence, internet of things, and blockchain opportunities, network with entrepreneurs and innovators, and more.
Peterborough Chamber hosts 2019 Business Excellence Awards in Peterborough on October 16
Awards in 20 categories will be presented at the 2019 Business Excellence Awards at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Peterborough Chamber of Commerce)
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2019 Business Excellence Awards at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Awards will be presented in 20 categories, including Business Citizen of the Year.
The event begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m. on the Nexicom Studio followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. in the Erica Cherney Theatre.
Tickets are $50+HST, available at excellencepeterborough.ca/tickets. Your tickets includes one complimentary beverage and light hors d’oeuvres catered by The Imperial Tandoor.
Small Business Week in Kawartha Lakes from October 21 to 25
Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week takes place the week of Monday, October 21st, culminating with the presentation of the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 25th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (292 Lindsay st. S. Lindsay).
Nominations are now open for the awards, which feature a first prize of $750, a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $250.
For a list of all the events during Kawartha Lakes Small Business Week and to submit a nomination for the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards, visit www.smallbizweek.net.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
Members of Enactus Fleming College celebrate receiving the People's Choice Award at the World Project Expo at the Enactus World Cup 2019, which took place in San Jose, California from September 16 to 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Enactus Fleming College)
Enactus Fleming College has won the People’s Choice Award at the World Project Expo at the Enactus World Cup 2019, which took place in San Jose, California from September 16 to 18, 2019.
Presenting their Paper Planet Project, Enactus Fleming College was one of few select Canadian campuses chosen to highlight one of their projects during the event, which saw Enactus Canada’s team from Sarnia’s Lambton College defending their World Champion title (they came in second, with Egypt’s Cairo University claiming this year’s crown).
Enactus Fleming’s project, a social enterprise that creates biodegradable and inexpensive products while reducing our environmental footprint, focuses on diverting paper from landfill and recycling and turning it into products that can later be sold.
College’s Paper Planet Project creates biodegradable and inexpensive products by diverting paper from landfill and recycling and turning it into products that can later be sold. (Photo courtesy of Enactus Fleming College)
The project’s first product, called the Paper Planter, is an education kit aimed at children from Kindergarten to Grade 3 that will teach them about composting and growing their own food. Future product lines will focus on packaging and protective cases for technology accessories.
“We are so proud of our team, who have invested time and passion into this project and it is an honour to be recognized on the world stage,” says Raymond Yip Choy, lead Enactus faculty advisor and professor of business studies at Fleming College. “This is validation that our project has value and the potential to grow and change our community.”
Enactus Canada is a community of student, academic, and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. At the annual Enactus World Cup, a select group of 3,000 Enactus members from around the world gather to showcase their entrepreneurial action and shared innovation that address the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals transforming lives and creating a better future.
Cindy White, Business Development Assistant at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, hands out a cup of ice cream at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre at the annual 'Get The Scoop' event on Friday, July 5, 2019. (Photo: Alyssa Cymbalista)
Every month, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) shares its latest news and information of interest for the local business community. This week’s edition features the work of Economic Development Officer for Tourism Joe Rees, the opening of a new intake for the Starter Company Plus program, Starter Company Plus success story Emerald Beauty, the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre, and an update on potential investors interested in land in Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
Joe Rees, Economic Development Officer – Tourism Sector, with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. Joe develops and converts leads and inquiries within the regional tourism industry into investment expansion, job creation and development activities that ultimately help Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development fulfill its mission to promote and facilitate business opportunities to create a thriving economy, resulting in regional prosperity. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
There is a saying around the PKED office: ‘Joe knows’.
Joe Rees, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Officer for Tourism, is always in the middle of the action.
Alyssa Rowe, who recently opened Comfort Keepers, a health services business in Peterborough, summed it up best.
“Once you have the Joe experience, it’s hard to say no,” she said of him welcoming her to Peterborough & the Kawarthas. That experience made them chose the region over Newmarket and Kitchener/Waterloo for their business.
Sports tourism is soaring
The sports tourism industry has been identified as an opportunity to increase economic impact in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. With our rich sporting culture and heritage, it’s a natural fit for potential sporting events. Canadian sports tourism is a $6.8 billion-a-year industry and we’re looking to grow our share of that.
What many people may not know is that Joe is the helpful resource behind many of the sporting events that choose Peterborough & the Kawarthas as their host destination.
For example, in August, Trent University and Fleming College hosted 28 lacrosse teams from around the world at the U19 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship. On the field and in the stands, volunteers, players, fans and family worked hard to make the event incredibly successful.
Behind the scenes, Joe worked with the event organizer to connect with local accommodators and the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance to secure an Economic Impact study of the event. The results of that study will be released to the public in late October.
The biennial Ontario 55+ Summer Games is coming to Peterborough from August 11 to 13, 2020. The Ontario government selected the City of Peterborough to host the 2020 games, with support from the County of Peterborough, Fleming College, Trent University, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. All five are members of the organizing committee for the games.
Joe also supported the bid for the 2020 Ontario 55+ Summer Games in Peterborough. There are over 19 different events offered through the Ontario 55+ Summer Games including team sports, racquet sports and card games. The games begin on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
Finally, Joe’s also working to include Peterborough & the Kawarthas in a national racquet sport tournament as a stop on their Canadian tour.
Starter Company Plus is open
In December 2018, seven small businesses were awarded grants through Starter Company Plus, a Government of Ontario funded program administered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre, in the sixth intake of the program. The program, which has been running since March 2017, supports entrepreneurs in starting, growing or acquiring a business, offering a robust series of workshops to support the creation of a formalized business plan, culminating in the chance to pitch for competitive grant dollars. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Do you have a business idea that you’ve been itching to bring to life? Do you want to start or grow your new venture with support and training from accomplished experts?
The program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs (from aspiring to experienced), aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (that’s been operating for five years or less).
Starter Company Plus is a program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre, with funding from the Government of Ontario. If you’re a resident of the City and County of Peterborough, you will free receive support services through Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.
If you live outside of Peterborough & the Kawarthas, please see the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs for information on an office that can support you. The Starter Company Plus program is offered throughout the Province of Ontario.
For full eligibility criteria, please see the eligibility requirements for Starter Company Plus.
Mandatory Workshop Dates 2019
All workshops take place at VentureNorth in the downstairs boardroom located at 270 George Street North, Peterborough.
Tuesday, October 15th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, October 21st – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, October 28th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, November 4th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, November 12th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The business plan is due Monday, November 18th no later than 4 p.m., with the in-person business plan presentation to community judges on Monday, November 25th (times TBD).
Emerald Beauty grows
Niamh Bradley, owner and operator of nail and esthetics business Emerald Beauty, recently expanded relocated and expanded her business in downtown Peterborough. In 2017, Niamh enrolled in the Starter Company Plus program offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
One of the biggest challenges for Peterborough & the Kawarthas economy is spousal employment.
Quite frequently, one partner finds work in our region, while their partner or spouse has a difficult time finding opportunities in their field of work. This challenge often makes it hard to keep the couple and their family in our region long term, which has a ripple effect on the local economy.
Entrepreneurialism is a great solution to the spousal employment conundrum — and Niamh Bradley is the perfect poster girl for this timely issue.
Niamh and her fiancée Eamonn moved to Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Northern Ireland four and a half years ago, after he landed a job at McCloskey International Ltd.
Niamh wanted to open a nail and esthetics business but needed to put together a business plan and learn the ins-and-outs of doing business in Canada. So she enrolled and was accepted into the 2017 Starter Company Plus program offered by the Business Advisory Centre (a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development).
Shortly after, Emerald Beauty was born and quickly built a loyal clientele.
The business was booming at their Charlotte Mews location, so much so that Emerald Beauty moved to a larger storefront at 139 George Street North in August and hired four new employees.
You can read the full story Niamh and Emerald Beauty’s expansion on the PKED website. Give Emerald Beauty a follow on Instagram @emerald_beautyptbo to check out their colourful and creative work.
Visitor Services update
Trained travel counsellors at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre in downtown Peterborough are available to assist visitors and seasonal and local residents. The centre saw a 20 per cent increase of in-person inquiries during this past summer season. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre in downtown Peterborough is a popular resource not just for visitors but seasonal residents and locals alike.
The Visitor Centre has been in its downtown location for three summers now, and after adding more directional signage and visitor parking, there has been a significant increase in walk-in traffic. There was 20 per cent growth of in-person inquiries at the Visitor Centre during our summer season, which ran from May 13 to August 31, 2019.
“We’re starting to see an increase in walk-in traffic to our downtown Visitor Centre,” says Jaimie Eastabrook, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism’s Visitor Experience Officer. “It has proven to be a great location as it’s accessible by foot, bicycle, motorized vehicle and boat with the proximity to the Peterborough Marina.”
There was also a year-over-year increase of 33 per cent in Mobile Visitor Services throughout Peterborough & the Kawarthas this summer. Mobile Visitor Services were offered at over 25 locations, including Indian River Reptile Zoo (Asphodel-Norwood), Lock 31 – Buckhorn (Trent Lakes), Burleigh Falls Inn (North Kawartha), and Downtown Millbrook (Cavan Monaghan).
“Mobile Visitor Services allows our travel counsellors to get out and about in the County of Peterborough, visit the townships, and talk to visitors as they are out exploring the region — giving us an opportunity to encourage travellers to stay longer, spend more, and come back soon,” Jaimie explains.
Open year round, the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre is centrally located at 270 George Street North (Suite 101) in downtown Peterborough at the corner of King and George Streets.
The Visitor Centre provides a wide selection of information. This includes an online ‘live chat’ function at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism website at thekawarthas.ca, and the opportunity to connect with trained travel counsellors to assist in building your personalized itineraries.
Opportunities knock for investment in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
In the previous quarter, there was investor interest in land in the industrial, manufacturing, food processing, retail, and investment sectors in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, ranging from as large as a 175,000 to 250,000-square-foot buildings, to two smaller 10,000-square-foot buildings. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Companies and investors are knocking on Peterborough & the Kawarthas’ doors.
“In the last quarter, there was sizeable interest from investors looking for land in the industrial, manufacturing, food processing, retail, and investment sectors,” says PKED CEO and President Rhonda Keenan.
These investors are from across Canada, but primarily come from the Greater Toronto Area and are very interested in what Peterborough & the Kawarthas has to offer.
For example, requests ranged from as large as a 175,000 to 250,000-square-foot buildings, to two smaller 10,000-square-foot buildings.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development also received inquiries regarding two separate, two-acre commercial properties.
PKED is working closely with the County and City of Peterborough on their official plans to ensure clear strategies are implemented, and that potential investors considering Peterborough & the Kawarthas are receiving the assistance they need.
It’s important to keep in mind that sometimes, even if the inventory is there and all services are in place, there are other factors outside of our control that may result in an investor pulling out or choosing another region.
“Just because they’re knocking on our door doesn’t always mean they’re going to choose us in the end,” Rhonda says. “But we need to be as equipped as possible in our region to handle these investors’ requests to have the best opportunity to bring businesses here to our region.”
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)
Last Saturday (September 14), 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, the acclaimed wildlife artist and naturalist Michael Dumas — who was the recipient of the inaugural award last year.
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.
A 19-year-old Robert Bateman painting at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station. (Photo: Algonquin Park Museum Collection)
Besides honouring Bateman, the September 14th event was a fundraiser for the 75th anniversary of the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station, which was created in 1944 to provide facilities and logistical support for academic and government researches from Ontario and around the world.
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.
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During his career, Bateman has received numerous honours and awards, including Officer of the Order of Canada in 1994 and 14 honorary doctorates. He has also been the subject of several films and books, and was named one of the top 100 environmental proponents of the 20th century by the Audubon Society of Canada in 1999.
In 2012, he established The Bateman Foundation, a national non-profit organization that uses artwork to promote a connection to nature and the environment. Until 2016, Bateman and his Birgit owned a cottage in Haliburton.
As the September 14th event, Bateman was the keynote speaker and shared with the audience his connections to Algonquin Park and the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station.
Renowned Canadian wildlife artist and naturalist Robert Bateman speaking about his connections to Algonquin Park and the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station at a 75th anniversary fundraiser for the station at the Algonquin Art Centre in Algonquin Park on September 14, 2019. (Photo: Algonquin Wildlife Research Station)Robert Bateman accepting the 2019 Algonquin Park Legacy Award from Michael Dumas, who was the inaugural recpient of the award in 2018, at a 75th anniversary fundraiser for the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station at the Algonquin Art Centre in Algonquin Park on September 14, 2019. (Photo: Linda Sorensen / Facebook)
As well as giving the award to Bateman, Dumas also presented a limited edition, numbered, and signed copy of The Artists of Kawartha, the fourth book in a series designed and published by Algonquin-area publisher Andrea Hillo. Dumas, who wrote the foreword in the book and contributed several of his art images, personalized the book with a hand-drawn sketch.
Before presenting the award, Dumas read a quote by Bateman from the first book in the series, The Artists of Algonquin, for which Bateman wrote the foreword.
“In 1947 at the age of 17, I landed a dream job at the Wildlife Research Camp, north of Lake of Two Rivers. I was a student ‘chore boy’ but I observed nature and drew and painted my surroundings for four glorious summers. The land is in my blood.”
A 17-year-old Robert Bateman with ornithologist and naturalist Bill Gunn at the Algonquin Park Wildlife Research Station in 1946. Gunn, who would become director of the station in the early 1950s, passed away in 1984. (Photo: Algonquin Park Museum Collection)
The other two books in the series are The Artists of Muskoka and The Artists of Haliburton Highlands, and both Bateman and Dumas played large roles in the success of the locally produced series, according to Hillo.
“Robert Bateman and Michael Dumas have both shown incredible sensitivity, dedication and endless efforts in conservation and research of wildlife and the natural world,” Hillo says. “Their time spent immersed in, and observing nature is clearly documented with their awesome artistic talent, recognized world wide.”
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Until Sunday, October 20th, the Algonquin Art Centre is hosting “A Tribute to Robert Bateman”, a special exhibit that looks at his deep connections to Algonquin and its role in his development as an artist and environmentalist.
The Algonquin Art Centre, located on the shores of Found Lake in Algonquin Park, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is voluntary, but a valid Ontario Parks permit is required to visit the centre.
Robert Bateman with Andrea Hillo, the Algonquin-area designer and publisher of the art book series The Artists of Algonquin, The Artists of Muskoka, The Artists of Haliburton Highlands, and The Artists of Kawartha. Bateman wrote the foreword for the first book in the series. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Hillo)
Séan McCann, former founding member of Great Big Sea, will be performing a solo concert at the Market Hall in Peterborough on September 29, 2019. As well as being a singer-songwriter (and soon to be a published author along with his wife), McCann is a mental health and addiction recovery advocate. (Supplied photo)
If Old Brown could talk, he would no doubt refer to his lifelong friend as New Beginning.
Market Hall presents Face to Face with Séan McCann of Great Big Sea
When: Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $33 including fees
Cabaret table seats are assigned, with the remainder of the seats general admission. Tickets are available at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
But here’s the thing. Old Brown does talk, every day, and Séan McCann hears every word.
“I tried to leave him home once and I paid a terrible price … he never forgave me for that,” says the folk-rock musician of the guitar he bought 30 years ago and has since always had by his side, first as a founding member of Great Big Sea and then as a solo artist.
“When I sobered up and started to deal with my problems, the first side effect of that sobriety was I lost all my friends,” McCann recalls. “My phone stopped ringing instantly. I thought I had lots of friends but, when the liquor wasn’t there, I was alone.”
“I was lucky Old Brown was there for me. We sat down together and I poured my heart and soul into that guitar and songs came out. Those songs are really conversations with myself, encouraging me to not give up and to find new friends and new ways to cope with the stresses of life.”
On Sunday, September 29th, Old Brown will be there for McCann once again as he takes to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre stage. Tickets for Face To Face with Séan McCann cost $33 (including fees) and are available at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org
VIDEO: “Help Your Self” – Séan McCann at TEDxOttawa
Along with a generous selection of songs culled from five solo albums, McCann will bring to his audience a refreshing openness about his battle with alcoholism — a painful journey that he willingly shares to inspire others struggling with and/or recovering from an addiction.
Three years ago, he brought his Road To Recovery Tour to Peterborough, with that concert presented in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.
“It’s hard but it’s part of my job now,” says MCann who, since quitting drinking on November 9, 2011, has made a huge mark as an addiction recovery advocate.
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“That’s how I came out of my own denial: by witnessing people talk about their own addiction,” McCann explains. “I was sexually abused by a priest when I was a teenager. I didn’t admit to that until I saw someone else do that. I was floored that he could just get up and say that out loud.”
Saying his time with Great Big Sea — he co-founded the multi award-winning band in 1993 with Alan Doyle, Darrell Power and Bob Hallett — “never cost me one emotional minute,” McCann is now focused on “making a difference”.
“It gives me a sense of purpose. If you’re an addict, a sense of purpose is sometimes the thing that keeps you sober.”
VIDEO: “Take Off My Armour” – Séan McCann
Still, McCann is coming to Market Hall to perform and that he indeed will do, his song lyrics highlighted by the same healing words he speaks. Included will be selections from There’s A Place, his most recent album.
“The whole record is about being true to yourself,” he says of the album produced by Jeremy Fisher and featuring fellow East Coast musicians Joel Plaskett and Meaghan Smith — “The few friends in the musical world that never left me.”
“I tried to write a meditative soundtrack to ease people into that, to take anxiety away so they can sit and think about who they actually are,” he explains. “That’s what music’s purpose has always been: to guide you through life, giving examples of how good we can be and helping us navigate difficult questions. There’s A Place is really a meditation about trying to find out where I belong in the universe.”
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Where McCann belongs is clearly in front of people, sharing his journey through his words, both spoken and lyrical. As beneficial as that is upon the ears of those who hear his story, it’s a shared experience that has an equal, if not greater, impact on McCann.
“What I love doing most, the coolest thing about being Séan McCann, is I get to get in front of an audience,” says the 52-year-old Newfoundland native who now calls Ottawa home.
“Being with people, singing with people, and getting people to sing … it’s not just a career. It’s my recovery. It’s what keeps me sober. I’ll do that until I drop dead. It’s what I need to do. My wife is the first one to say ‘Sean, you only did three gigs this month. That’s why you’re surly. You need to go out. Get in your Subaru and find a gig and do it, wherever that is.'”
VIDEO: “Hold Me Mother” – Séan McCann with Joel Plaskett
“I’ve met so many beautiful people who have continued to encourage me — people who suffer, people who are resilient, who encourage me to keep trying,” McCann says. “I go out after my show to the merchandise table and everyone tells me their stories. Some are devastating, but they’re not giving up. My former alcoholic-addicted self wouldn’t have met those people. I wouldn’t be exposed to their beautiful stories.”
If sharing his story through his music isn’t enough, McCann, with his wife, has spent the better part of the past two years detailing their journey that will be published as a yet-to-be-titled book in April 2020.
“The book is both of us telling our collective story — where we both come from, how we got together, and all the stuff we went through in recovery,” explains McCann.
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“We’re still together and we still love each other very much. I think if you’re a couple and you live through something that hard, you can live through just about anything. What we agreed to do is be completely honest, so it’s really impactful.”
“I’ve spent my entire creative writing life condensing big stories into 14-line sonnets in the form of songs, trying to encapsulate truth and meaning in very small pieces. Writing a book is the opposite. It’s like unravelling all the details that you’re used to condensing to one word. It’s digging deeper, shaking all the pieces of the puzzle onto the table, and putting it together from a different perspective.”
VIDEO: “One Good Reason” – Séan McCann with Meaghan Smith
While McCann admits to having great memories musically of his years with Great Big Sea, “a different person” emerges when he allows himself reflection.
“I was someone who was afraid, someone who was in the dark, someone who wasn’t not dealing with pain and hiding in plain view,” he assesses. “I was sober for the last Great Big Sea tour, which caused no end of tension. If I had my time back, I probably wouldn’t have done it.”
“I don’t think they (his band mates) would know what to make of me now. I’m not the person they knew. I remember that person. I was always in there but very little of me was seen. They were my brothers but we never had conversations like this. I wish those conversations had happened. Shanty Man (his Great Big Sea persona) was a character I played and I was happy to do it, but it wasn’t who I really am.”
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McCann says this tour features him alone on stage, which he loves — “I can literally do whatever I want and change my mind on a dime and go in different directions” — but he won’t tolerate any passengers on this ride.
“The goal of my show is everybody has to sing,” he says. “You’re not going to just be there and mouth the words. I will know. I will come down (from the stage) and squeeze it out of you.”
“When you get in a group of people that are singing together, that’s really powerful. That’s what it’s about for me. I don’t get to Peterborough often, but when I do I want to make a noise that’s joyful and loud and strong enough that it’ll be layered for quite awhile on your heart.”
Since he quit drinking on November 9, 2011, Séan McCann has made a huge mark as an addiction recovery advocate. Along with his wife, he has spent the better part of the past two years detailing their journey to recovery that will be published as a yet-to-be-titled book in April 2020. (Supplied photo)
In retrospect, McCann very much likes the 2019 version of himself.
“I’m more productive, in business and musically,” he says. “I get a lot more done. I’m a better father and a better husband. I’m a healthier person, mind and body.”
“I don’t make anywhere near as much money but I’m alive. The people around me are thriving, and the people I’m supposed to be helping are getting what they need from me.”
“Alcohol and drugs build walls around us so we don’t feel. I’m headed in the opposite direction. I’m out there to reach in with my hand and squeeze your heart. It’s going to hurt a little, but it’s going to feel really good when I let go.”
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