Rare Grill House executive chef Tyler Scott and his wife Kassy have purchased Rare Grill House from former owners Brad and Katie Watt. (Photo: Rare Grill House / Facebook)
Tyler Scott and his wife Kassandra (Kassy) are the proud new owners of Rare Grill House in downtown Peterborough.
Tyler, who is the executive chef at the restaurant, was originally hired as a sous chef at Rare Grill House in August 2013 by former owner Brad Watt.
Watt and his wife Katie opened Rare Grill House, their first restaurant, in May 2007. Part owners of The Publican House Restaurant, which opened in August 2017, the Watts wanted to sell Rare Grill House to someone they knew would take care of the restaurant and who shared their belief in providing the best food and service experience possible for customers.
Tyler Scott, who has a life-long love for cooking, began working in restaurants as a teenager. (Photo: Rare Grill House / Facebook)
Tyler was born and raised in Peterborough and has a life-long love for cooking. As a toddler, he would watch cooking reality TV shows and began working in restaurants as a teenager. After graduating from Kenner Collegiate, he studied at Fleming College’s culinary management and business program and, after graduating in 2011, worked alongside Chef Evan Podd at the Old Bridge Inn in Lakefield to complete his apprenticeship.
In September 2011, he met his future wife Kassy and moved to Oakville, where he worked at three fine dining restaurants for two years before returning to Peterborough with Kassy. In 2013, he began working as sous chef at Rare Grill House under executive chef Brad Watt.
Since then, Tyler has become executive chef at Rare Grill House and won two back-to-back Iron Chef competitions (in September 2017 and again September 2018) at the Wednesday Downtown Farmers’ Market in Peterborough. This past summer, he launched his Kawartha Lakes Fried Chicken venture and could be found every Wednesday at the Downtown Farmers’ Market serving his signature dish.
Tyler Scott, a graduate of Fleming College, began working at Rare Grill House in 2013 as a sous chef under then-executive chef and former owner Brad Watt. (Photo: Rare Grill House / Facebook)
Tyler and Kassy, who recently celebrated five years of marriage and have two young girls, will be running Rare Grill House together.
This past summer, Tyler Scott launched his Kawartha Lakes Fried Chicken venture and could be found every Wednesday at the Downtown Farmers’ Market serving his signature dish. (Photo: Rare Grill House / Facebook)
Kassy, who has spent the last five years working for local entrepreneurs Mike and Shelby Watt (no relation to Brad and Katie Watt) at their three local retail boutiques in downtown Peterborough, will bring her customer service expertise and social media passion to the business.
“Katie and Brad started their business from scratch,” states an email Kassy shared with kawarthaNOW. “It brings them ultimate joy to be able to mentor Tyler and Kassy along the way. They believe in helping others reach their goals and that in order to close a chapter one must be successfully started.”
“Don’t be surprised if you see the four of them working together in the future! Brad and Katie Watt may be in the Rare hall of fame, but they will always be immediate family and at home when they walk through the back door.”
Tyler Scott with his wife Kassy and their two daughters Juliet (left) and Isabel. (Photo: Tyler Scott / Instagram)
Mickaël's Café Librairie serves a variety of baked goods from locations in Lindsay and Omemee. (Photo: Mickaël's Café Librairie)
This month, food writer Eva Fisher discovers Omemee boulangerie Mickaël’s Café Librairie, finds a diner with a kick at Copper Spoons, celebrates the harvest with Rolling Grape Vineyard, and has a sandwich at Sweet Beast Butcher Shop.
Mickaël’s Café Librairie opens a classic french boulangerie in Omemee
Mickaël Durant of Mickaël’s Café Librairie is looking to revitalize the tradition of the neighbourhood bakery in the Kawarthas. (Photo: Mickaël’s Café Librairie)
Mickaël’s Café Librairie (230 Kent St. W. #2, 705-341-4143) has opened a second location in Omemee, located at 26 King Street East. The classic french-style bakery sells bread, crepes, coffees, bagels, pretzels, cookies and more, all baked from scratch by baker and owner Mickaël Durand.
“I don’t sell it if I don’t make it myself,” Mickaël says. “We do everything ourselves.”
Mickaël discovered his passion for baking at an early age, during his childhood in France.
“You could say that I started to bake when I was four years old, when I was playing in my neighbour’s bake shop, or you could say I started to bake when I was 14 years old when I went to job shadow. Every time I had the opportunity to immerse myself as a young teenager into a place of work I would always aim for a bakery.”
At 19, he began a four-year apprenticeship, then went on to work in a variety of bakeries until he eventually landed in Lindsay, where he opened Mickaël’s Café Librairie in 2016.
The Omemee location opened in August of 2019. He says that he has had a lot of traffic already in the new location, with many people walking in from their homes nearby.
“I think the traffic and the welcoming of the locals is probably above average. You can see that there was a latent demand for baked goods.”
Mickaël’s Café Librairie offers fresh breads and baked goods, along with simple lunches and classic coffee beverages. Owner and baker Mickaël Durant sells his baked goods as they come out of the oven. (Photo: Mickaël’s Café Librairie)
Mickaël says that you may not be able to find a wide selection at his shops, but the quality and freshness will always be exceptional.
“It sells as it comes out of the oven. I experienced that for the first time in Toronto, where I worked in the distillery district, and I thought that’s the way to go. A little space, where everything sells out as it comes out of the oven.”
Does Mickaël have his sights set on further expansion?
Advertisement - content continues below
“Yes,” he says with no hesitation. He has noticed that Canadians embrace the small-town bakery, unlike in France, where he says that the trend has moved towards larger bakeries, located on the highway to get more traffic.
“I think here there is an opportunity to recreate that idea of the neighbourhood bakery.”
New restaurant Copper Spoons is a diner with a kick
Copper Spoons serves a variety of diner classics, including the turkey club, made with fresh ingredients. (Photo: Copper Spoons)
After years of preparation, Jessica Gillett opened her new breakfast and lunch restaurant Copper Spoons (540 Romaine St., Peterborough, 705-876-7048) on August 5th.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Jessica has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry, and the timing was right for her to start her own business.
“I’ve always managed restaurants, I’ve always been a server in restaurants. My kids have gone to school and it was time to start my own thing.”
She describes Copper Spoons as “a diner but with a kick. It’s all fresh fruit, fresh turkey, fresh product.”
Copper Spoons is open for breakfast and lunch. The best-selling breakfast is the eggs benedict. (Photo: Copper Spoons)
The eggs benedict has thus far been the best-selling breakfast and the turkey clubhouse has been a popular pick for lunch.
Years of planning have gone into this venture. Jessica says that to create the menu, she just had to put it down on paper.
“It was all in my brain for the last 20 years, things that I was going to put on my menu. I just put it on the paper, really.”
The food is prepared by chef Ray Wellington.
Advertisement - content continues below
Jessica says that the best part of owning her own restaurant is developing relationships with the customers.
“I’m here all the time so I’m really getting to know everybody.”
Copper Spoons is located in the spot previously occupied by the Hide-A-Way Restaurant.
Rolling Grape Vineyard celebrates the harvest with a party and pig roast
At the Rolling Grape Vineyards harvest party and pig roast, guests will be invited to help out with the grape harvest. (Photo: Ash Naylor)
Get ready to pick, taste, and be merry. Rolling Grape Vineyard (260 County Rd. 2, Bailieboro, 705-741-9758) is hosting a harvest party and pig roast at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 27th and again on Saturday, September 28th.
Tickets cost $60, and the event is being put on in partnership with the Fleming College Culinary program.
Jon Drew, owner of Rolling Grape Vineyard, says that the Harvest Party and Pig Roast marks an important season in the vineyard.
“It’s a celebration of the harvest for the year.”
Fleming College students and chefs will prepare appetizers and roast pork, and serve these along with wood-fired pizzas in the vineyard.
When people arrive at the event they are put to work. Everyone gets a pair of scissors and a bucket and is shown how to harvest the grapes. From there they can pick as many or as few grapes as they like.
“Some people will pick for ten minutes and some people will pick all day. It’s totally up to what people want to do.”
Advertisement - content continues below
There will be live music at the party. Those is attendance will also be entered to win prizes, including a weekend at Wildwood Cottages.
Rolling Grape Vineyard opened in June of 2018. They grow and make wines with northern hardy grapes including Marquette, Frontenac, Petite Pearl, and Vidal. Jon has recently begun planting Baco Noir and Cabernet Franc.
As a winemaker, Jon favours dry wines that are low intervention.
“We don’t do a lot of filtering or fining to our wine, so you’re going to get some more natural style wines: sometimes cloudy, but with just a little more flavour, a bit different from a traditional processed wine.”
Banh Mi in East City? Sweet Beast Butcher Shop now offers sandwiches
Sweet Beast Butcher Shop’s new sandwich menu includes a banh mi made with marinaded sous vide pork belly, house pickled carrot and radish, aioli and fresh cilantro. (Photo: Sweet Beast Butcher Shop)
Sweet Beast Butcher Shop (95 Hunter St. E., Peterborough, 705-874-5906) now offers a lunch menu.
Owner Grant Slavin has developed a sandwich menu featuring roast beef, pulled pork, an Italian meatball sub, apple with prosciutto and manchego, porchetta, and pork belly banh mi.
All of the meats are prepared in house except for the prosciutto, which is Italian.
The porchetta is prepared in house, then barbecued for deliciously crisp crackling. (Photo: Sweet Beast Butcher Shop)
Not sure which sandwich to try first? Grant recommends the banh mi.
“I’m pretty proud of the pork belly banh mi. We marinate the pork belly and sous vide it here for 24 hours. We make our quick pickle ourselves — it’s pickled carrot and radish, we make all the aioli, and it’s topped with fresh cilantro. I think that’s definitely one of the features on the menu.”
Did we lose you at cilantro? You may prefer the porchetta, which Grant describes as “a classic Italian pork loin and belly with lemon zest, sage, thyme and rosemary.”
The porchetta sandwich is seasoned with lemon zest, sage, thyme and rosemary. (Photo: Sweet Beast Butcher Shop)
“You roll it all up and wrap it in the pork skin for crackling. We do that on the barbecue here and then slice it up for sandwiches and it tastes amazing.”
You can take your sandwich to go, or dine in at the butcher shop. Sweet Beast Butcher Shop is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. You can get a sandwich between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.each day.
Dora award-winning actor Jonathan Wilson will perform as Arnold Beckoff in New Stages Theatre Company's staged reading of Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song" at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on September 15, 2019. Also pictured is
Toronto actor Tracey Hoyt, who will perform as Mrs. Beckoff. The other members of the cast are Jeff Miller as Ed, Megan Murphy as Laurel, and Quinlan Shearer as David. (Photo: Jonathan Wilson / Facebook)
This month, New Stages opens its 2019-2020 season, which is shaping up to be a very ambitious and different season for the Peterborough theatre company.
New Stages Theatre Company presents Torch Song
When: Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $25 general admission ($15 students/arts workers/underwaged), all fees included
Written by Harvey Fierstein, directed by Randy Read, and featuring Jonathan Wilson, Jeff Miller, Tracey Hoyt, Megan Murphy, and Quinlan Shearer. Part of The Page On Stage Reading Series. Tickets available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.
Mixing visiting professional actors from some of the biggest stages in Ontario with local favourites, this year New Stages Theatre Company will be presenting two staged readings alongside three complete productions, beginning with a reading of Harvey Fierstein’s award-winning play Torch Song on Sunday, September 15th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.
A show with a long history of different versions, Torch Song was originally known as Torch Song Trilogy, and was comprised of plays Fierstein had been developing as early as 1978. Torch Song Trilogy opened at the Richard Allen Center in New York City in October 1981, starring Fierstein as the show’s hero Arnold Beckoff, alongside notable co-stars Estelle Getty, Mathew Broderick, and Joel Crothers.
Over 117 performances the show became a massive success, and moved to Broadway in June 1982, where it earned both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for best show and actor. In all, Torch Song Trilogy would run for 1,222 performances.
In 2017, the play was restaged for an Off-Broadway revival in which Fierstein completed a massive revision of the script, greatly shortening the show (which originally ran for over four hours) and compressing it from three acts into only two. No longer a “trilogy”, the new version was simply titled Torch Song, which is the version New Stages will be performing at the Market Hall.
“I went to New York and saw Torch Song Trilogy in 1985,” recalls New Stages artistic director Randy Read. “I had been married to a woman, my marriage had just ended, I was just coming out, and this was the play that I saw. It was a very seminal piece of theatre for me, because I was watching someone trying to get the respect they want despite not fitting in the box that society wants them to be in.”
Opening New Stages Theatre Company’s 2019-20 season is a staged reading of Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song” takes place at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on September 15, 2019.
Torch Song follows the life and loves of Arnold Beckoff, a Jewish gay man, drag queen, and torch singer who lives in New York City in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“Arnold opens the show with a monologue before he goes on to do his act,” Randy says. “He falls for this guy who is actually bisexual and is torn between Arnold and a woman he wants to marry. By the third act some time has passed, and Arnold has adopted a street kid and has become the kid’s father and mother. Arnold’s mother comes to visit, and she is kind of like the Jewish mother from hell. She can hardly deal with the fact that Arnold is gay, but when she realizes he has a son she really can’t cope with it.”
“The humanity of Torch Song keeps it relevant. Arnold is essentially looking for love and fulfillment and having a really hard time of it. But this is not just a play for gay people. Love and respect are something we are all searching for, so in that regard everyone can relate to it.”
Along with Jonathan Wilson and Tracey Hoyt, Toronto-based actor Jeff Miller and Peterborough actors Megan Murphy and Quinlan Shearer will perform in New Stages Theatre Company’s staged reading of Harvey Fierstein’s “Torch Song” at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on September 15, 2019. (Supplied photos)
In the New Stages tradition, Randy has put together a cast combining visiting performers with local talent. Playing the role of Arnold is Jonathan Wilson, who won a Dora award for playing Timon in the original Mirvish production of The Lion King, and was nominated for a Gemini for the film version of his play My Own Private Oshawa.
Jonathan is joined by Toronto-based actors Tracey Hoyt (Soul Prints, Cottagers and Indians, Suits, The L.A. Complex) as Mrs. Beckoff and Jeff Miller (The Normal Heart, My Night with Reg, Taken, Queer as Folk) in the role of Ed.
Local favourites Meg Murphy (Between the Sheets, Our Town, Angels in America) and Quinlan Shearer (Late Company) perform as Laurel and David.
As part of Peterborough’s Pride celebration, New Stages is offering a special discount.
“Because our first event is in September, I always wanted to find something to go alongside Pride,” Randy says. “The show is being included as part of Pride week, and the theme this year is Unstoppable, so if you want to buy a ticket ahead of time and you quote the word ‘Unstoppable’, you get five dollars off.”
VIDEO: New Stages Subscription & 2019-20 Season Promo
Torch Song is the first in what will prove to be a powerful and unique season for New Stages. In the months to follow, New Stages will be presenting the following productions:
Bang Bang by Kat Sandler (November 10, 2019)
The only other reading this year, Bang Bang is a 2018 play dealing with subjects of race, police violence, and fiction versus reality in the aftermath of the shooting of an unarmed black man by a black police woman.
When a white male playwright finds fame via a play he wrote about the event, he faces the officer for the first time when his script is opted for a movie.
“Bang Bang has some very important things to say about our society, but most importantly about the phrase ‘inspired by true events’ and what we are brought to believe,” says Randy.
Every Brilliant Little Thing by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe (January 16 to 25, 2020)
New Stages leaves its usual home at Market Hall and takes over The Theatre on King (TTOK) in January for nine performances of Every Brilliant Little Thing, co-directed by Randy Read and Linda Kash.
Steve Ross stars in this funny and moving one man show about a young man caring for his mother.
“It is brilliant,” Randy tells. “It may be the most brilliant one-person show I’ve ever seen.”
Canadian Rajah by Dave Carley (March 8, 2020)
New Stages presents something truly special when they welcome the cast and crew of the Toronto production of Canadian Rajah, who will be recreating the show at Market Hall for a one-night performance.
The play is about the true life story of Esca Brooke, born in Malaysia as the son of “White Rajah” Charles Brooke of Sarawak, who fought for recognition of his royal title from his home in Madoc, Ontario.
Iceland by Nicholas Billion (April 28 to May 2, 2020)
New Stages returns to TTOK for their final production of the 2019-2020 season with Nicholas Billions’ award-winning play Iceland.
The winner of the 2013 Governor-General’s Literary Award for Drama, Iceland is a story of greed, capitalism and gentrification. Iceland will mark New Stages third full production of the season.
Tickets for each performance can be purchased individually, or you can buy a season subscription to all five plays for $110. For more information on New Stages entire season and season tickets, visit www.newstages.ca.
Torch Song will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 15th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough). General admission tickets are $25 ($15 for students, art workers, and the under waged) and are available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.
The Smart City Readiness Project is kicking off its campaign to help the City of Peterborough enter the federal government's Smart Cities Challenge with a free public information summit at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on September 18, 2019. (Photo: Smart City Readiness Project)
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 the Smart City Readiness Project aiming to help Peterborough become a “Smart City”, the federal and provincial governments investing $134,000 in Berry Growers of Ontario, the Innovation Cluster partnering with Peterborough Utilities Group to expand cleantech in Peterborough, SGS Lakefield raising $1,250 for Hospice Peterborough, and Church Key Brewing owner John Graham selling Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford.
Also featured this week are Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co.’s new extraction system, Heather Doughty Photography’s new studio in downtown Peterborough, Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. temporarily closing its Bottle Shop to focus on construction of brewhouse and taproom, and the Haliburton Chamber announcing a change to senior staff leadership.
New regional business events added this week include Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre presenting business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10th to 24th, the Peterborough DBIA breakfast network with Su Ditta in Peterborough on September 18th, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce presenting “Scaling Up Small Business” in Peterborough on September 27th, and Venture13 presenting a Fireside Chat on Technology Adaptation and Healthcare in Cobourg on October 7th.
Smart City Readiness Project aims to help Peterborough become a “Smart City”
A working group called the Smart City Readiness Project has been established to help the City of Peterborough enter the Smart Cities Challenge, a competition held by Infrastructure Canada that is open to all municipalities, local or regional governments, and Indigenous communities across Canada.
The Smart Cities Challenge empowers communities to address local issues such as sustainability and economic growth through new partnerships and a smart city approach. A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies to increase its operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and the welfare of its residents.
Smart Cities Challenge finalists will receive support to develop their smart cities proposals, with winning communities awarded up to $50 million to help implement their programs.
The Smart City Readiness Project working group includes the City of Peterborough, Ashburnham Realty, Lett Studio, Outpost379, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Trent University, CAEH, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), Evergreen, and Future Cities Canada.
Peterborough DBIA is hosting an information summit to kick off the project from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The summit features leading minds in urban innovation and city building, including Paul Bedford (former chief planner for the City of Toronto), Alex Speigel (partner, Windmill Development Group), and Anthea Foyer (Project Lead Smart Cities, City of Mississauga).
For more information about the Smart City Readiness Project, visit smartcityptbo.ca.
Federal and provincial governments invest $134,000 in Berry Growers of Ontario
McLean Berry Farm in Lakefield is a member of the Berry Growers of Ontario, in which the federal and provincial governments has invested more than $134,000 in funding. (Photo: McLean Berry Farm / Facebook)
The federal and provincial governments have announced more than $134,000 in funding to help the Berry Growers of Ontario access markets, monitor soil health, and expand their knowledge of crop production.
Funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments are investing in three projects: $111,619 to create a website, promotional videos and marketing materials to promote the Ontario berry industry and increase awareness of their products; $20,800 to test drone technology to measure acreage of berry crops and gather plant health information; and $2,000 to develop, promote and host a strawberry production workshop for growers in Ontario to help build their knowledge.
“The Berry Growers of Ontario are glad to hear that the Governments of Canada and Ontario have offered to support our industry through the partnership,” says Berry Growers of Ontario vice chair Morris Gervais. “The funding will be welcome in support of our website and marketing, as well as our spring production workshop and our innovative research into drone technology.”
Berry Growers of Ontario represents more than 200 growers in the berry industry, including five growers in the Kawarthas: McLean Berry Farm in Lakefield, Moore Orchards in Cobourg, Brouwer’s Strawberries in Oakwood, Lindsay Berries in Reaboro, and The Berry Patch in Cavan.
Innovation Cluster partners with Peterborough Utilities Group to expand cleantech in Peterborough
Pat Devlin of Peterborough Utilities Group and John Gillis of Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
Peterborough Utilities Group Services Corporation vice president Pat Devlin and Innovation Cluster president and CEO John Gillis have signed an agreement to work together in a partnership to help bring in new technologies and startups for the water/wastewater market in the Peterborough community.
The two organizations will bring together a network of private industries, municipalities, and startups in the water/wastewater market in Ontario.
“Through this partnership, we are looking forward to attracting more startups into the Peterborough community,” Gillis says. “Peterborough is becoming more recognized for its available cleantech resources, such as research laboratories and mentors that new companies search for.”
The Innovation Cluster has been focusing on supporting startups in the clean technology sector, recently launching its H2O makerspace that provides resources for water and wastewater-focused companies. The organization was also highlighted in the 2018 Water Canada Magazine feature that named Peterborough as the best place in Ontario and the second best place in Canada to launch a water technology startup.
“Peterborough Utilities is dedicated to providing the Peterborough area with safe and reliable water and wastewater services, and we are excited to be partnering with the Innovation Cluster to further our support to the water market,” Devlin says.
SGS Lakefield raises $1,250 for Hospice Peterborough
Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hos (second from left) accepts a $1,250 cheque from Ella Mihailescu, Tom Rowden, and James Brown. The funds were raised at SGS Lakefield’s Hydrometallurgy Group BBQ. (Photo courtesy of Hospice Peterborough)
SGS Lakefield employees have donated $1,250 to Hospice Peterborough, representing funds raised through the Hydrometallurgy Group BBQ.
This gift was to support their supplier and friend Tom Rowden, in honour and memory of his wife Pauline Rowden, who recently passed away at Hospice Peterborough in the end-of-life residence.
“We are so fortunate to have this kind of a facility in our community,” says Rowden. “It was like we were being welcomed by family. We were treated with such kindness and dignity, the staff were all wonderful and comforting to our family during the worst time. My wife Pauline, was treated with the respect she deserved. Hospice continues to help me deal with my grief and I feel a strong bond here.”
SGS Lakefield is part of a global network and the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, with more than 97,000 employees operating in over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
Church Key Brewing owner John Graham sells Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford
Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford is under new ownership. (Photo: Church Key Pub & Grindhouse / Facebook)
Last Wednesday (September 4), Church Key Brewing founder John Graham announced on Facebook that he is turning over Church Key Pub & Grindhouse to restaurateur Mark Andrade.
Graham, who has owned the pub for the past 11 years, says the change will “let us focus on the Church Key Brewery and evolving beer scene.”
The new owner will honour all previously booked musicians, according to Graham.
“I would like to thank all the patrons and musicians that have warmed our wee pub over the years,” Graham writes.
Graham started brewing in 1989 in Aurora and went on to become a shift brewer and filter operator at Amsterdam Brewery in Toronto. In 1999, he purchased an 1878 Methodist church in Campbellford and founded Church Key Brewing Company.
Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co. has new extraction system
The new extraction room at Hunnabees Honey & Co. in Millbrook. (Photo: Hunnabees Honey & Co. / Facebook)
Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co. has completed their new extraction room, with extraction line installed and operating.
This means they can now extract, bottle, label, ship, and produce wax product in the same location.
The company is now booking limited honey extractions for the season. If you need honey extracted, you can use their 52-frame extraction line, featuring a deboxer, jiggle knife uncapper, a settling clarifier, and two frequency pumps running on a float system.
A minimum of 60 boxes of honey is required (smaller quantities can be processed on their 20-frame extration line).
Email them now at info@hunnabees.com for more information about pricing, as the system will only be operational for the next few weeks.
Hunabees is now also working to complete its storefront so it can soft open soon.
Heather Doughty Photography has a new studio in downtown Peterborough
Heather Doughty at her new studio in the Commerce Building in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Heather Doughty)
Heather Doughty of Heather Doughty Photography has a new studio in downtown Peterborough.
The studio is located in the Commerce Building at the northwest corner of Water and Hunter streets.
The Commerce Building, which was purchased in 2017 by Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, houses the studios of many Peterborough artists and artisans and is a regular stop of the First Friday Art Crawl.
Doughty is the founder of and photographer for Inspire – The Women’s Portrait Project.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. temporarily closes Bottle Shop to focus on construction of brewhouse and taproom
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. has temporarily closed its Bottle Shop to focus on completing construction of the new brewhouse and taproom. (Photo: Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.)
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co., which recently opened a Bottle Shop retail store, has announced it is temporarily closing the store to focus on finishing construction of the new brewhouse and taproom.
“With a crew of only four, working hard to realize our vision for the community of Fenelon Falls, we’re committed to bringing you the complete Fenelon Brew Co. experience — not just the Bottle Shop — as soon as possible. We decided to pick up the construction pace and to ensure the safety of our customers we need to temporarily close the retail Bottle Shop.”
While the brewhouse vessels are in place, steam pipes and fermentor pipes still need to be installed as well as other components to support the brewing process.
Haliburton Chamber announces change to senior staff leadership
Jennifer Locke’s new title is executive director of Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce. (Photo: Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce)
The Board of Directors of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce has announced a change to the title and job description of the chamber’s staff lead.
Jennifer Locke, previously manager, is now executive director.
“This change will bring a modern and strategic focus to the organization and will represent a level of professionalism that better reflects the scope of work required to maintain relevancy and value to its membership,” the board states in a media release.
The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the change at its September 3rd meeting.
Locke joined the Chamber in May 2018 after earning Master’s degrees in sustainability in both Ontario and Saskatchewan, where she specifically focused on Canadian corporate sustainability. She is a graduate of the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, and an alumni of Western University and the University of Saskatchewan.
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce has over 270 active member organizations across the Haliburton Highlands.
Advertisement - content continues below
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre presents business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10 to 24
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is presenting a series of free business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10 to 24.
The sessions are for budding entrepreneurs considering opening their own small business, existing business owners looking at expansion, or those planning on purchasing a business in Kawartha Lakes. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the new Starter Company Plus program that will be launching in Kawartha Lakes in October 2019. The Starter Company Plus program provides business training, mentoring, and the opportunity of qualify for a small business grant of up to $4,000.
The sessions takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at the Lindsay Library, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17th at the Fenelon Falls Community Centre, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 19th at the Bobcaygeon Municipal Office, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24th at the Lindsay Library
Substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting an employer education information session about substance abuse and addiction from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at the Peterborough Chamber Of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
The free information session will feature guest speaker Paul Schauber, the case management and intake program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peterborough location. He will be delivering a presentation that highlights best practices for employers to navigate the issue of substance abuse and addictions in the workplace.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
Agilec hosts a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11
Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
If you are an employer and would like to register, contact Arlayna Curtin at 705-740-2577 x5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca.
Enactus Fleming College presents entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11
Entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé.
Enactus Fleming College, a non-profit organization that encourages youth entrepreneurship in the community, is presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Fleming College (599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough).
L’Abbé, winner of 2003 CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal and 2008 Business Person of the Year by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, began his company Med-Eng in 1981 and since then has held over 80 per cent of the global share market within his industry. He will speak on the topic “How to Grow a Startup into a Multi-Million-Dollar Business.”
Fleming College’s VP of Academic Experience Tom Phillips will provide opening remarks, and there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a networking portion for attendees. Light refreshments will be provided.
Community Futures Peterborough hosting business focus groups in Peterborough on September 12
Community Futures Peterborough is hosting focus groups for business owners and entrepreneurs in the City and County of Peterborough on Thursday, September 12th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The goal is to find where gaps exist in business supports, services, and programming.
The first focus group, for business startups and those operating for fewer than five years, takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The second focus group, for businesss operating more than five years, takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presents networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12
The Lindsay & District Chamber Of Commerce is presenting a networking event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12th at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore (55 Angeline St. N., Lindsay).
Enjoy an afternoon of networking while you learn about Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore in Lindsay. Refreshments will be available.
Peterborough DBIA breakfast network with Su Ditta in Peterborough on September 18
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is hosting its next breakfast network meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Guest speaker Su Ditta, executive director of Electric City Culture Council (EC3), will bring an illustrated talk offering a behind the scenes look at the arts scene in Peterborough and its impact on our social, economic, and cultural vitality.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speaker at 8 a.m.
The event is open to everyone. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Peterborough Chamber hosts digital marketing seminar in Peterborough on September 18
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Lunch Box Learning seminar takes place from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at the Chamber’s boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Toby Macleod of Stradegy.ca will speak about implementing your business’s digital marketing strategy.
The seminar is free to attend for members of the Chamber and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours in Apsley on September 19
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th in Apsley.
Stops so far include Anstruther Marina (Highway 28 & McFadden Rd.), Four Seasons on Wellington (next to Apsley Home Hardware), and North Kawartha Community Centre (340 McFadden Rd.).
Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Stoney Lake evening cruise for members in Woodview on September 23
The Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an evening cruise for its members from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, September 23rd at Stoney Lake Cruises (610 Julian Viamede Rd., Woodview).
Network with fellow members while enjoying the spectacular scenery of Stoney Lake from Stoney Lake Cruises’ Spirit of the Kawarthas.
Snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
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).
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 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 led by practitioners, innovators, and policy leaders, 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.
Rod Coneybeare (second from right), the puppeteer behind Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Roster on the long-running CBC children's program "The Friendly Giant", died in Lindsay on September 5, 2019 at the age of 89. (Photo: CBC Still Photo Collection)
Rod Coneybeare, best known as the voice of Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster on the long-running CBC children’s program The Friendly Giant, passed away at the age of 89 in Lindsay last Thursday (September 5).
In addition to supplying the voices of the puppets on The Friendly Giant, which ran from 1958 to 1985, Coneybeare collaborated with Charles Winter on the radio program The Rod and Charles Show and, with Robert Gibbons (producer of Mr. Dressup), created the short-lived CBC TV series The Bananas.
Born in Belleville, Coneybeare also worked as a voice actor for several cartoons, including the voice of Avalanche in X-Men and several characters in The Adventures of Tintin, Babar, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, Blazing Dragons, Dog City, The Magic School Bus, Little Shop, and The Adventures of Super Mario Bros.
VIDEO: Friendly Giant with Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster
According to his son, writer/filmmaker Wilson Coneybeare, Rod Coneybeare began his career in 1945 at the age of 15, performing bit parts on CBC radio dramas and serials. In 1959, he became the editor-in-chief and host of Radio for Men, the first nnd only CBC radio show intended for men.
Rod Coneybeare began his career in radio at the age of 15 when he began performing bit parts on CBC radio dramas and serials. He won two ACTRA awards in radio, one in documentary and one for original dramatic writing.
While he was best known for his work in The Friendly Giant, Coneybeare’s true passion was radio, for which he would win two ACTRA awards, one in documentary and one for original dramatic writing.
“His oldest friend was Elwy Yost,” Wilson Coneybeare writes on his website in a tribute to his father. “They met on a streetcar when dad was fifteen. Elwy and Lila Yost were witnesses at my parents’ marriage ceremony in a registry office in 1952. He and Elwy made amateur home movies and invented a board game about big business that probably would have made them money had they just managed to focus on — you guessed it — the business side of things for twenty seconds.”
Rod Coneybeare was also a close friend of Bob “The Friendly Giant” Homme (who passed away in 2000) and, according to Wilson Coneybeare, they shared many interests, including collecting classic American radio shows.
Advertisement - content continues below
“The program started out with another puppeteer,” Rod Coneybeare says, probably referring to Ken Ohst, the puppeteer when the program originally aired in 1953 in Wisconsin before moving to Canada. “This man was not tall. He didn’t have a long enough arm to make Jerome appear as a giraffe. Jerome would come up to the window, slump down, and look more like a horse or a cow.”
Homme and Coneybeare largely ad libbed each episode of the The Friendly Giant, which was known for its slow pace and gentle nature, usually based around a one-page plot summary.
More than 3,000 episodes of the series were produced by 1985, when it was cancelled due to federal government cuts to CBC’s budget.
Rod Coneybeare with Jerome the Giraffe on the set of “The Friendly Giant” on May 30, 1965. (Photo: CBC Still Photo Collection)
Rod Coneybeare leaves behind his wife Moira, four children, and seven grandchildren. There will be a private family service, with a public memorial to be announced.
Bailieboro native Jade Eagleson performing at the 2019 CCMA Awards in Calgary on September 8, 2019, where he received the Rising Star Award. (Photo: Canadian Country Music Association)
Millbrook’s Jade Eagleson was named Rising Star at the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards on Sunday night (September 8) at the Saddledome in Calgary.
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter — whose deep voice has been compared to Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Randy Travis — beat out Shawn Austin, Eric Ethridge, JoJo Mason, and Sons of Daughters to win the award.
Eagleson was raised on the family farm in Bailieboro and, inspired by the country music played by his grandfather, learned guitar and began writing songs when he was 12 years old. After a few years when he stopped pursuing music, he began playing in Peterborough bars and eventually entered the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase in 2017, performing for 20,000 country fans, and won.
VIDEO: “Still Gonna Be You” – Jade Eaglson
That led to a deal with Universal Music and his debut single “Got Your Name On It”, which garnered over 23 million streams and peaked at #6 at Canadian Country Radio. Eagleson subsequently released his debut self-titled EP and completed tour across Canada with Gord Bamford in 2018.
The 2019 CCMA Awards took place at three separate events in Calgary over the weekend, culminating in the televised show on Sunday night. Here’s the complete list of winenrs:
Official 2019 CCMA Awards Winners
Entertainer of the Year – Dallas Smith
Ford Album of the Year – Feels Like That (The Reklaws)
Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award – Brett Kissel
Female Artist of the Year – Tenille Townes
Group or Duo of the Year – The Washboard Union
MNP Male Artist of the Year – Dallas Smith
Rising Star – Jade Eagleson
Single of the Year – “Somebody’s Daughter” (Tenille Townes)
2019 CCM Gala Dinner & Awards Winners
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year presented by Miller Thomson – Lindsay Ell
Roots Album of the Year – Both Ways (Donovan Woods), What We’re Made Of (The Washboard Union)
Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year – Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Tenille Townes for “Somebody’s Daughter” (performed by Tenille Townes)
Top Selling Album of the Year – Graffiti U (Keith Urban)
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada – 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard (Guylaine Tanguay)
Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year presented by ACTRA RACS – Long Live The Night (The Reklaws)
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) – CKBY-FM (Ottawa, ON)
Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market) – CKGY-FM (Red Deer, AB)
Music Publishing Company of the Year – ole (Anthem Entertainment)
Record Company of the Year – Warner Music Canada
Industry Person of the Year – Steve Coady (Vice President, Radio Promotions, Warner Music Canada)
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year – Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)
Video of the Year – Somebody’s Daughter (Tenille Townes)
2019 CCMA Industry Brunch & Awards Winners
Bass Player of the Year – Lisa Dodd
Guitar Player of the Year – Matt McKay
Keyboard Player of the Year – Bart McKay
Specialty Instrument Player of the Year – Mitch Jay
Drummer of the Year – Chad Melchert
Fiddle Player of the Year – Tyler Vollrath
Steel Guitar Player of the Year – Mitch Jay
Music Director of the Year (Large Market) – Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
Music Director of the Year (Medium or Small Market) – Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
On-Air Personality(ies) of the Year (Large Market) – CISN in The Mornings with Chris, Jack & Matt – CISN-FM – Edmonton, AB
On-Air Personality(ies) of the Year (Medium or Small Market) – The Real Wake Up with Vinnie & Randi – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
Booking Agency of the Year – The Feldman Agency
Country Club of the Year – Rock ‘N’ Horse Saloon (Toronto, ON)
Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year – Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, PE)
Country Music Program or Special of the Year – Girl Power Hour (Rogers Media)
Management Company of the Year – Invictus Entertainment Group
Creative Director(s) of the Year – Design Team: Buckspring Inc.; Photography: Andrik Langfield, Tanner Wendell Stewart, Jonathan Taylor Sweet, Paul Tellefsen; Albums: The Journey YYC Vol. 1, The Journey BNA Vol. 2, The Journey YYC-BNA Deluxe Volume;
Single: Bittersweet feat. Lindsay Ell; Tour Graphics: The Journey Tour (Artist: Paul Brandt)
Recording Studio of the Year – Revolution Recording (Toronto, ON)
Record Producer(s) of the Year – Jeff Dalziel for Juliet (Artist: Dan Davidson)
Retailer of the Year – Apple Music
Video Director of the Year – Ben Knechtel
2019 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees – Charlie Major and Anya Wilson
2019 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award – Paul Brandt
This photo by Justen Soule of the "Light Up The Night" Lock & Paddle event on August 24, 2019 at the Peterborough Lift Lock was the top post on our Instagram for August 2019. (Photo: Justen Soule @justensoule / Instagram)
I’m writing this early in September and the first frost warning of the season has arrived this morning. I’m hoping that this is an aberration and that our late summer will not be as short lived as our so-called spring this year. So I am now looking back fondly on these August images when we had some warmth, evenings without excessive bugs buzzing, and some truly magnificent sunsets and sunrises in The Kawarthas! We hope you enjoy our top posts from this month and please do follow and support our local photographers.
Do you want to get on our top photographers list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us using our hashtag #kawarthanow when posting your photo.
We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
To see our daily shares of photos, follow us on Instagram @kawarthanow and check out our feed’s highlight reels for recaps of every month in 2019.
Advertisement - content continues below
#1. Lighting Up The Night by Justen Soule @justensoule
Posted August 25, 2019. 11,718 impressions, 1,647 likes
Paddlers in lighted canoes and kayaks fill up the Peterborough Lift Lock on August 24, 2019 for the annual Lock & Paddle event, held in the evening for the first time this year. The event was presented by the Trent-Severn Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site and the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Posted August 14, 2019. 7,809 impressions, 341 likes
Brantford painter David Grieve is one of the 24 artists and artisans participating in the 26th annual Apsley Autumn Studio Tour, which takes place on September 21 and 22, 2019. Many of Grieve’s paintings are inspired by Jack Lake in North Kawartha, where he maintains a summer studio.
Posted August 28, 2019. 6,511 impressions, 419 likes
In honour of International Dog Day on August 26th, we posted this photo of kawarthaNOW’s 13-year-old pup Tess out for a sunset boat cruise. She’s a lucky cottage dog and loves the boat. Photo by Bruce Head at Picnic Island in Eels Lake, North Kawartha.
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of 37-year-old Michael Bond Maguire of Dysart Et Al Township, a suspect in an assault in Haliburton Village on September 3, 2019. (Supplied photo)
The OPP’s Haliburton Highlands detachment is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect in an assault that took place on Tuesday (September 3) in Haliburton Village.
At around 2 a.m., police were called to assist paramedics with a man who had been assaulted. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from hospital.
Police have identified the suspect as 37-year-old Michael Bond Maguire of Dysart Et Al Township and have issued a warrant for his arrest.
If you know the whereabouts of the suspect, do not approach him — call 911.
The OPP is continuing to investigate the incident. If you are a witness, contact the Haliburton Highlands detachment at 705-286-1431, the Provincial Communication Centre at 888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers Officers at 800-222-8477.
Adam Pearson, owner of Queenies Bake Shop, at a special screening of "IT Chapter Two" at Cobourg's Rainbow Cinemas in Northumberland Mall on September 5, 2019, along with costumed fans Laurie Statt and Melindah Knott. Pearson, with the help of local artists and volunteers, created a large-scale art project for the screening which also raised funds for the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank. Pearson, whose Port Hope business benefited from the production of the film, appears as an extra who get shoved out of the way by actor James McAvoy during the film's funhouse scene. (Photo: April Potter / kawarthaNOW.com)
In 2016, when Warner Bros. first came to Port Hope to begin filming Stephen King’s horror classic IT (now called IT Chapter One), Queenies Bake Shop (16 Walton St., Port Hope) was there. When that first film was screened at the town’s historic Capitol Theatre, Queenies was there. When the cast and crew returned to film the sequel last year, one of Port Hope’s favourite little bake shops was once again there to support filming.
Naturally, when the opportunity presented itself to host a screening party of IT Chapter 2 that could accommodate a large number of local people, Queenies owner Adam Pearson once again put himself behind the project.
With a goal to provide a special experience for as many movie-goers as possible, and to raise money for Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, Pearson engaged the help of a few local artists and volunteers to create a large-scale art project for the screening at Cobourg’s Rainbow Cinemas on Thursday, September 5th.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I wanted to make the event special for everyone who purchased a ticket in support of a great cause,” Pearson says. “I’ve been involved with the production in many ways since the beginning, and was very excited to be able to offer this experience to so many members of my community. The reaction to the instalment art project has been fantastic. It’s very cool to see the joy it has brought to local fans.”
Queenies Bake Shop owner Adam Pearson, with the help of Larissa Clayton, Lee Higginson, April Potter, Don McNeil, Jeff Lees, and others, transformed the entrance of Rainbow Cinemas in Northumberland Mall into a funhouse for a screening of “IT Chapter Two” that also raised funds for the Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank. (Photo: Queenies Bake Shop / Facebook)
While the Rainbow Cinemas screening was working on raising funds for the local food bank, some very impressive numbers were released by the Motion Picture Association of Canada — numbers detailing the overall economic impact to the region and the province of Ontario that both the original film (and now its sequel) have had.
“The data released today demonstrates the significant boost a single production like It Chapter Two can deliver for the provincial economy, and for communities where filming takes place,” says Wendy Noss of the Motion Picture Association – Canada.
“The film and television industry is a substantial part of Ontario’s economy, creating local job opportunities in a variety of creative and technical roles on-screen and behind-the-scenes.”
According to the Motion Picture Association – Canada, Warner Bros. Entertainment’s “IT Chapter Two” generated $56.4 million for Ontario’s economy. (Graphic: Motion Picture Association – Canada)
Warner Bros. spent more than $56.4 million in the province of Ontario during filming — including a staggering $1.4 million on food and bakery goods, something Queenies Bake Shop truly appreciates.
“Serving the cast, crew, and production team during the filming of both movies was my pleasure,” Pearson says. “Anyone associated with Warner Bros. or any filming initiative in Port Hope is always welcome at Queenies Bake Shop.”
“We definitely benefited from having such a large group of people looking for local food while filming, and we 100 per cent welcome this type of business to frequent our establishment while staying in the area.”
Advertisement - content continues below
For both IT films, Port Hope was transformed into King’s fictional Derry, Maine. Local extras were hired as part of the 1,800 Ontarians who can be seen in the background of both films. Extras such as Halle and her brother Lucas, who attended the opening night at Rainbow Cinemas with their dad Zak, were hoping to catch a glimpse of themselves on screen.
“I could see myself in the background so that was probably my favourite part,” Halle says. “But it’s so weird seeing yourself on the big screen like that!”
Adam Pearson and Queenies Bake Shop were also seen on screen in the film. Pearson, sporting a pair of sunglasses, can be seen as he is shoved out of the way by X-Men actor James McAvoy as he rushes into the film’s funhouse during a scene in the latter half of the film.
Locals Halle and her brother Lucas, shown here with their dad Zak at the special screening of “IT Chapter Two” at Rainbow Cinemas in Cobourg, both appeared as extras in the film. (Photo: April Potter / kawarthaNOW.com)
“It was a lot of fun to participate in the filming … I can now say that I’ve been shoved by James McAvoy,” Pearson jokes.
Part of the screening included an installation art project at Rainbow Cinemas. A collaborative piece completed by three local artists, Pearson himself, and a few additional volunteers and contributors, the installation will remain in place until the end of the day on Saturday, September 7th. It is a reproduction of that same funhouse entrance that can be seen in Pearson’s on-screen moment.
Lee Higginson, founder of Fluke Craft, was the first artist to sign on to the project and was instrumental in the design process.
“I absolutely loved seeing people react to the art installation,” Higginson says. “It’s an artist’s dream to have people engage so actively with something you’ve been a part of creating. Large-scale projects are the best. It’s so hard to manage something of this scale on your own, both in cost and size. Working with other artists on this was fun and inspiring. I hope we can collaborate again on something like this, and credit to Adam for making it a reality.”
Among the many fans who attended the screening, some chose to dress up in honour of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, including Melindah Knott and Laurie Stata.
Some fans attending the special screening of “IT Chapter Two” at Rainbow Cinemas in Cobourg dressed up in costumes, including Laurie Stata and Melindah Knott. (Photo: Lee Higginson)
“We’re long-time friends, we both love Halloween, and we had the outfits so we thought, ‘Let’s just do it, let’s do it up right’,” Melindah says. “Laurie won our tickets and she picked me to go with her.”
Natalie Fisher also dressed up for the occasion with a Pennywise clown costume of her own. The 11-year-old is a big fan and attended the film with her parents. Her favourite Port Hope parts of the movie were the Memorial Park scenes with the giant Paul Bunyan statute.
IT Chapter Two showcases Port Hope in a way that no other film (perhaps other than its own predecessor) has done to date.
“It was really nice to see so much Port Hope in the movie, more than the first one,” says moviegoer Chantelle Sturgess. “I loved it — bigger, better, stronger!”
The sequel includes a lot of establishing shots in Port Hope and a plethora of recognizable landmarks, including the town’s City Hall building (a stand-in for the Derry library), the Memorial Park bandstand, and the Ganaraska River.
“Once again our community shone as the back drop to the sleepy little fictional town of Derry, Maine,” says Port Hope Mayor Bill Sanderson. “We are excited by the prospect that millions of viewers will get to experience the beauty of our incredible little corner of Canada.”
“Many of our residents and business owners were fully engaged in the filming process; as spectators of the outdoor scenes in Memorial Park and along our downtown streets, welcoming the cast and crew into their businesses every day, and starring as extras in the film itself. The production of It Chapter Two was the biggest that Port Hope has hosted to date and it was truly a thrill to be part of the action.”
Advertisement - content continues below
A second special screening is slotted for Friday evening (September 6) at the Capitol Theatre — yet another Port Hope landmark with a lot of screen time in the franchise’s second instalment. Tickets for the Capitol Theatre screening have been released to contest winners by local businesses over the past few weeks.
Attendees will get to watch the film in the very theatre they will see on screen multiple times.
Some of last night’s viewers will be seeing the movie again over the weekend, either at the Capitol or at the Port Hope Drive-In where a double feature of both IT Chapter One and IT Chapter Two will be screened.
VIDEO: “IT Chapter Two” Trailer
Lilly Sawyer attended last night’s screening with her mom Jennifer Brooks. At just 10 years old, Lilly says she wasn’t scared at all.
During filming, she met Saturday Night Live alumni Bill Heder (who plays the adult Richie, portrayed as a youth by Finn Wolfhard in the first movie), and has been a big fan of the movie since the first instalment was released.
“I recognized downtown Port Hope and the ending was my favourite part … Beverly and Richie are my favourite members of the Losers Club — because he’s funny and I got to meet Richie!” says Lilly, before turning to her mother to say, “I want to see it again!”
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
