New restaurant Peterburgers, which officially opened on December 3rd in downtown Peterborough, has one focus: making delicious burgers. (Photo: Happy Heart Photography)
This month, food writer Eva Fisher tastes burger perfection at Peterburgers, slices the haggis at Hutchison House Museum’s Hogmanay, takes farm-to-table cuisine on the road with Kitchen Farmacy, and finds Christmas cookie paradise at Baked4U.
Peterburgers brands each bun with their signature stamp. (Photo: Happy Heart Photography)
There’s certainly something to be said for doing one thing really, really well. That’s the concept behind Peterburgers (25 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-743-2022), a new burger restaurant owned by husband-and-wife team Nicole Comber and Roy Asselsetine.
Nicole has worked in the food and beverage industry since the age of 15, and Roy has trained under chefs at Trent University and Fleming College. When Nicole posed the idea of starting a restaurant together, Roy suggested they focus on Nicole’s homemade burgers.
From there they approached Jus-Jellin, a local company that makes beer jellies out of Publican House beer, about using the jelly in Peterburger’s signature burger recipe. The concept was born, but development had only just begun.
Peterburgers offers burgers with a variety of toppings. (Photo: Happy Heart Photography)
Serious about making a perfect burger, Nicole spent two months further honing her recipe.
“We wanted to make sure that we perfected one thing so we could keep consistency with it,” she explains. “It’s not going to budge. We’re not going to change the cheese to processed cheese, we’re not going to make the patties smaller. We’re going to perfect these burgers and that’s going to be it — always.”
So what makes the perfect burger? Nicole has put a lot of thought into this.
“The quality of meat, the flavour. Our burgers aren’t greasy — they’re juicy, and there’s a big difference.”
“It’s also the way you build a burger. We’ve got our lettuce and tomato that actually goes underneath the patty and there’s a reason for that. It’s all about the way you bite into a burger and how the different flavours actually reach your palate, your taste buds. And it really does make a difference.”
Peterburgers owners Nicole Comber and Roy Asselsetine worked for two months developing their signature burger recipe. (Photo: Happy Heart Photography)
The two best-selling menu items so far have been the PTBO Strong and the Lock 20. One dollar from every PTBO Strong burger sale goes to the PTBO Strong foundation, a local not-for-profit that raises funds and awareness for treatment around opioid addictions.
The PTBO Strong burger is a beef burger with homemade cheddar sauce, a slice of real cheddar cheese, sauteed portobello mushrooms, and a six-ounce beef patty. The Lock 20 is the biggest burger on the menu: two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, two slices of bacon, two pieces of cheese, and Nicole’s homemade aioli sauce.
Vegetarian, gluten free, and keto burger options are are available. For more information, visit peterburgers.ca.
Advertisement - content continues below
Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race! Celebrate Hogmanay and Haggis at Hutchison House
Hutchison House’s Hogmanay celebration on New Year’s Day includes a rousing rendition of ‘Burns’ Address to a Haggis’, performed in a traditional Scottish brogue, a performance that involves slicing into the haggis, supplied for the occasion by Franz’s Butcher Shop. (Photo: Hutchison House Museum)
Hutchison House Museum (270 Brock St, Peterborough, 705-743-9710) is hosting a Hogmanay celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. on January 1st. Hogmanay is a traditional Scottish celebration of the New Year established in the 16th century.
The festivities are led by the first-footer.
“The first footer is the first person in your door after midnight,” curator Gale Fewings explains. “That person brings luck to your house. The first footer brings with him (first footers are traditionally male) a tray of goods to bring good fortune to the household: something to start the fire, scotch to keep the spirits up, salt, ‘because in every life there has to be some tears’, and bread because it’s the ‘staff of life’.”
Next there will be a rousing rendition of ‘Burns’ Address to a Haggis’, performed in a traditional Scottish brogue, a performance that involves slicing into the haggis, supplied for the occasion by Franz’s Butcher Shop.
Haggis is just one of the traditional Scottish offerings available at Hutchison House’s Hogmanay celebration. The Hutchison House staff are also serving cheeses, shortbreads, oatcakes and Scotch Black Bun — a rich mixture of currants, raisins, peel, spices and whisky, baked in a fine pastry dough.
They will prepare Scotch eggs from scratch, hard boiling the eggs, rolling them in flour, packing them with sausage seasoned with mace, pepper and sage, rolling them in breadcrumbs, and deep frying them.
Hutchison House’s Hogmanay celebration ushers in the New Year with gifts chosen to usher in good fortune: a log to start the fire, scotch to keep the spirits up, salt, and bread. (Photo: Hutchison House Museum)
They will also make potted salmon (red salmon pounded down with spices and preserved with a layer of butter) and slooty dumpling, also known as duff, a boiled pudding made with fruit, sugar, and flour.
Admission to Hogmanay costs $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $20 for a family of two adults and two children. It is a drop-in event, and visitors can stop in throughout the afternoon.
For more information, call the museum at 705-743-9710.
Advertisement - content continues below
Kitchen Farmacy’s newly expanding catering operation brings the farm to a table near you
Josh Keepfer, chef and owner of Kitchen Farmacy, is planning to open a new kitchen facility on Young’s Point Road in the spring. This will expand his catering operation. (Photo: Cole Designs)
Chef Josh Keepfer, owner of Kitchen Farmacy, has worked all over the world, but his passion is for all things local.
Kitchen Farmacy is a catering service that creates gourmet farm-to-table street food for local farmers’ markets. They are set to expand their catering operations with a new facility on Young’s Point Road opening this spring.
The new facility will allow Josh, who currently rents kitchen facilities for his business, to keep up with demand for his catering services and offer a wider variety.
At the new facility, there will also be space to meet with clients to plan menus.
Josh also plans to plant vegetables on the property to supply the business.
Josh is no stranger to farm-to-table cuisine. He has worked in kitchens in Italy, the U.K., the U.S., and Canada. This included a farm in the U.K. which supplied its own restaurant and a restaurant in B.C. where they grew vegetables in the mountains under a snowdome.
Kitchen Farmacy offers farm-to-table cuisine, like this Meditteranean Shakshuka, at farmers markets and homes throughout the Kawarthas. (Photo: Daria McWilliams)
He also worked in South Carolina preparing traditional southern barbecue. This remains some of his favourite cuisine to prepare.
“My favourite, homey dishes, the things I love to do — I love to work on a wood oven, I love to smoke meat, which goes into my gourmet street food.”
One meal that exemplifies Josh’s approach to food is his porchetta, a perfect hybrid between fine dining and street food.
Fresh, local ingredients are key to every Kitchen Farmacy dish. Eggs are a staple for morning markets. (Photo: Chas Keepfer)
“We do a beautiful porchetta, which is the belly and the loin, rolled,” Josh explains.
“We put it in the wood oven, but we stuff it with some lovely fresh herbs. We do a sweet white wine from Kawartha Country Wines that we put in with the herb mix and it gets rolled up. We put it in the high heat and the skin just crisps up beautifully, and you’ve got the juicy belly and the loin.”
Baked4U offers fun and colourful sugar cookies for the holidays. (Photo: Shannon Healey)
Are you craving holiday cookies, but not craving the time in the kitchen that it takes to make them? Shannon Healey, co-owner of Baked4U (#9A 1837 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-1695), has you covered.
Baked4U offers home-style baking with a focus on sweets, including a wide variety of Christmas cookies.
Shortbread fans in particular will want to plan a stop. Baked4U currently has five types of shortbread: plain bars, plain shortbread rounds, toffee shortbread, earl grey, and candy cane. When developing her shortbread recipes, Shannon’s U.K. background came in handy, particularly for her shortbread bars.
Baked4U offers a wide variety of festive cookies and bars. (Photo: Shannon Healey)
“I have five or six shortbread recipes that I already had at home, but then I called up some relatives from Scotland and said ‘I’m starting a bakery and I want the most authentic, the best Scottish shortbread recipe that you have.’ And that’s where I got that recipe.”
In addition to shortbreads, Baked4U offers traditional favourites like icebox cookies, gingerbread men, and empire biscuits — which Shannon notes are her absolute favourite Christmas cookie. You will also find a variety of decorated sugar cookies, perfect to add panache to a holiday cookie platter.
One creation that Shannon is particularly proud of are her love bites. She developed the recipe, changing it 10 times before she found the perfect combination. She adapted the recipe again for the holidays. It’s a heart-shaped dark chocolate sandwich cookie with vanilla buttercream and crushed candy cane inside, and a chocolate drizzle and crushed candy cane on top.
Love Bites are a Baked4U original: a dark chocolate sandwich cookie with a buttercream filling and chocolate drizzle. (Photo: Shannon Healey)
While it’s important that a Christmas cookie be decorative and colourful, Shannon says that the most important element of any cookie is its flavour.
“With every cookie I make I go for maximum flavour,” she says. “I totally revamped all of the spices in my original gingerbread recipe because it wasn’t spicy enough for me. It has to have maximum flavour. If it’s shortbread, it should be buttery and if it’s gingerbread, it should be spicy.”
While Baked4U is open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Shannon reminds customers to order their Christmas goodies ahead of time to avoid disappointment. For more information, visit www.baked4u.ca.
The 16th annual "A Cozy Christmas" family concert takes place on December 15, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. Presented by Humanwave and featuring the Foley family and friends, the concert aims to raise enough funds to pay a single month's wages for each of 27 teachers at Hungerpillar School in Liberia, West Africa. A shopping village and silent auction in the Nexicom Studio will also raise funds for the drilling of safe water wells. (Supplied photo)
The Foley family and their friends are once again demonstrating the true meaning of Christmas by returning to Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on the afternoon of Sunday, December 15th for their 16th annual “A Cozy Christmas” benefit concert.
Showplace and Humanwave present the 16th annual A Cozy Christmas
When: Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 2 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $20 adults, $10 students/underwaged
A fundraiser for teachers in a small school in Liberia, West Africa and for safe water wells. Tickets available at the Showplace Box Office, by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at www.showplace.org.
The Christmas concert for the entire family, with the theme “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays”, is raising funds for teachers in the West African country of Liberia. There will also be a vendor village and silent auction in the Nexicom Studio raising funds to train and equip people in Africa to drill safe water wells.
You can sing along to your favourite Christmas songs, and learn and laugh with stories by emcee and master story-teller Hugh Foley. There will be musical performances by Bridget Foley and the Gospel Girls (and Guys), Theresa Foley, Sheila Prophet, Norma Curtis, Dan Foley, Amelia Foley, The Stage Cafe Band with Steve Lynch, Murray and Sibernie James-Bosch, Lizzeh Basciano, The Sacred Heart Schola Choir, Matt and Vera Vandermey, Lochlan Craighead, and Glenn Caradus.
The performers are all donating their time and talent to support these worthy causes. With the concert sponsored by Showplace, all proceeds will help pay the wages of teachers at Hungerpillar School in Liberia.
Students at Hungerpillar School in Liberia, West Africa, where families must pay for their children’s education. As well as sponsoring students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend school, Humanwave raises funds to pay the wages of teachers, who often choose to work for free when schools are unable to pay them. (Supplied photo)
Unlike countries such as Canada with publicly funded education systems, each family in Liberia must pay for their children’s education.
Because families earn such meagre wages (from selling charcoal, hand-made peanut butter, or other products at the local market, from sewing clothing, or hand cracking rocks to sell to road paving companies), they spend most of their income for survival, purchasing food or seeds for crops. This means that many children simply do not attend school or, if they do, they often go to school without eating breakfast.
It also means that schools often can’t afford to pay their teachers, sometimes for months on end — yet the dedicated teachers continue to instruct their students. The goal of A Cozy Christmas is to raise enough funds to pay a monthly wage ($125 USD) for each of the 27 teachers at Hungerpillar School.
Families in Liberia in West Africa must pay for their children’s education. They earn meagre income from selling charcoal, hand-made peanut butter, or other products at the local market, from sewing clothing, or hand cracking rocks to sell to road paving companies. Pictured is volunteer Carolyn Bondy Green showing children photos she took of them, with piles of hand-cracked gravel shown in the background. (Supplied photo)
A Cozy Christmas is presented by Humanwave, founded by Theresa Foley and Peter Brown. Since the 1990s, the charity has been raising awareness and making a difference in the world, including in Africa by raising funds for the drilling of safe water wells, the creation of school food program, the sponsoring of students whose families can’t afford to pay school fees, and by helping to pay teachers in those schools.
In addition to the concert in the Erica Cherney Theatre, a “village” will be set up in the Nexicom Studio. A few vendors will be selling gifts and there will be a silent auction. All money raised in the village will be sent to Lifewater Canada, a charity supporting safe water in Liberia. The village will be open for an hour before the concert and during intermission.
If you’d like to donate an item to the silent auction, please call Theresa Foley at 705-760-6437.
“A Cozy Christmas” takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 15th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Tickets are $20 for adults or $10 for students or the underwaged, and are available at the Showplace Box Office, by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at www.showplace.org.
Six local small business owners have each received a $5,000 micro-grant to help them grow their businesses under the Starter Company Plus program, funded by the Ontario government and administered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre. From left to right: Rooted Lavender, Organized by Design, Wilde Beauty, Kawartha Complete Care, Your Second Family - Respite Services, and B & B Game Designs. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
This week’s business news features the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre supporting six local entrepreneurs with Starter Company Plus funding, Watson & Lou winning first place in the annual Holiday Decorated Window Contest organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), and the Ontario government investing $1.5 million in the aviation and aerospace sector in the Kawarthas.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas includes a ground-breaking ceremony for Hampton Inn Port Hope, the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism accepting board of director nominations, Wild Rock Outfitters opening a new cycling training centre in downtown Peterborough, Harmony Hair Care in Peterborough winning a Contessa Award, Kelly Isfan being announced as the new president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, the opening of Lakefield 24 Hour Fitness, and Grady’s Feet Essentials of Peterborough making a donation to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
New regional business events added this week include the Port Hope Chamber’s Young Professionals group hosting a holiday social in Port Hope on December 12th, Hospice Peterborough hosting a holiday meet and greet in Peterborough on December 19th, and the Innovation Cluster hosting a holiday showcase in Peterborough on December 19th.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre supports six local entrepreneurs with Starter Company Plus funding
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre economic development officer Madeleine Hurrell at Showplace Performance Centre with the six local small business owners who have each received a $5,000 micro-grant to help them grow their businesses under the Starter Company Program: Rooted Lavender, Organized by Design, Wilde Beauty, Kawartha Complete Care, Your Second Family – Respite Services, and B & B Game Designs. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Last Thursday (December 5), the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre announced six local entrepreneurs who will receive a total of $30,000 in funding in the December 2019 intake of the Starter Company Plus program.
Funded by the Ontario government and administered through the Business Advisory Centre, Starter Company Plus supports entrepreneurs in starting, growing, or acquiring a business. Participants take a series of workshops to support the creation of a formalized business plan, culminating in the chance to pitch for competitive grant dollars.
The following six entrepreneurs each received a $5,000 micro-grant to help them grow their businesses:
Anna Perry of Your Second Family (Peterborough) – Your Second Family provides respite services to individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Kristin Cole of Kawartha Complete Care (Peterborough) – Kawartha Complete Care provides in-home care and nursing services to seniors and those wishing to remain in their homes, serving both Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
Sonja Martin of Rooted Lavender (Peterborough) – With over 25 years in the field, Rooted Lavender uniquely offers mindfulness, yoga, and behavioural consultation to families, communities, and educators, also supporting children on the autism spectrum.
Katelin Turcotte of Wilde Beauty (Peterborough) – Trained at The North American School of Podology, Wilde Beauty offers non-invasive, non-medical, safe and aesthetically pleasing pedicures.
Brett Pritchard of B&B Game Designs (Selwyn Township) – B&B Game Designs is an innovative 3D design company, bringing 3D design and print services to the local and global tabletop games world.
Nicole Cooke of Organized by Design (Selwyn Township) – Organized by Design offers professional organizing solutions for residential and commercial clients.
“This program is generating results for our community and strengthening our region as a destination for small business,” explains Madeleine Hurrell, the Business Advisory Centre economic development officer who oversees the program. “Since this program began in March 2017, we have seen over 122 entrepreneurs supported through the program, with $200,000 grant dollars announced.”
Since 2017, Starter Company Plus has resulted in the creation of 65 startups and supported 37 business expansions. The program has also seen the opening of 15 bricks-and-mortar locations in the region and has created 140 jobs in the local community.
Watson & Lou wins first place in annual Peterborough DBIA Holiday Decorated Window Contest
Watson & Lou co-owner Erin Watson (second from left) with the first place award for the annual Peterborough DBIA Holiday Decorated Window Contest. Also pictured is DBIA executive director Terry Guiel and DBIA intern and contest coordinator Olivia Boughen. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
Creative hub Watson & Lou (383 Water St., Peterborough) has won first place the 2019 annual Holiday Decorated Window Contest organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DIBA).
As the first place winners, owners Erin Watson and Anna Eidt receive a $1,000 prize.
“We are so thrilled to receive first place this year,” Watson says. “We always strive for fun and creative windows that not only represent us, but this wonderful, creative, and inclusive community we live in. This window was a labour of love with Anna’s artistic talent and my patience with a jigsaw and drywall cutter.”
The second place winner (receiving $500) was The Art School of Peterborough (174A Charlotte St., Peterborough) and the third place winner (receiving $200) was Dodrio Anime Café (404 George St. N., Peterborough). Honourable mention went to The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge (261 George St. N., Peterborough.
The winners were chosen through more than 2,500 online votes combined with by guest judges from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School visual arts program who toured the displays. A total of 47 downtown businesses participated in the contest, more than double last year.
“The creativity displayed by the winners was outstanding,” says Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “It’s great to see so many businesses participating this year and I’d like to thank them for making our downtown look great. Thanks as well to our downtown patrons who got into the spirit of it and cast their votes online.”
Ontario government invests $1.5 million in the aviation and aerospace sector in the Kawarthas
The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $1.5 million over two years to create 100 local training and career opportunities for incumbent workers and job seekers in the aviation and aerospace sector in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland. Pictured at the December 6, 2019 announcement at Peterborough Airport are The Loomex group president and CEO Trent Gervais, Ontario minister of labour, training and skills development Monte McNaughton, Fleming College president Maureen Adamson, and Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith. (Photo: Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development)
Last Friday (December 6) at The Loomex Group in Peterborough, Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, training and skills development, announced the Ontario government will invest more than $1.5 million over two years in the aviation and aerospace sector in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland.
The new training partnership will create up to 100 local training and career opportunities for incumbent workers and job seekers. Fleming College will work with local employers such as Flying Colours Corp., Safran Electronics and Defence Canada, The Loomex Group, and Team Eagle Ltd to develop and implement a training curriculum tailored to the talent needs of employers from the local aviation and aerospace sector.
“Governments and employers need colleges to provide them with graduates who have the knowledge and skills they need to increase productivity and contribute to innovation in Canada,” says Fleming College president Maureen Adamson. “Fleming College is very proud to be part of this announcement and work alongside industry partners to train local talent and provide the skills industry needs to put jobs first,”
Advertisement - content continues below
The training program will teach job-specific skills that help the trainees to find and keep stable employment in the sector, including in avionics/electrical installation, airport management, aviation consulting, and shipping/receiving. The training will take place at the Loomex facilities at the Peterborough Municipal Airport and is expected to begin January 6, 2020.
“By investing in this program, the Government of Ontario will build on previous initiatives that have made the aerospace and aviation sector a significant and growing employment and economic driver for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland and beyond,” says The Loomex Group president and CEO Trent Gervais.
Ontario’s aerospace sector employs more than 22,000 people across more than 200 companies, with has annual revenues over $6 billion.
“This project has the potential to unlock further economic growth in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes. and Northumberland Region,” says Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith. “With the job and training opportunities created here, local companies will get the talent they need succeed, expand and create further jobs down the road. That’s great news for our region.”
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
Grady’s Feet Essentials of Peterborough recently donated $1,300 worth of socks and footwear to support the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Holiday Gift Program. (Photo: Grady’s Feet Essentials / Facebook)
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
A ground-breaking reception and ceremony for the new four-story 82-room Hampton Inn Port Hope at 100 Henderson Street in Port Hope will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at Trade Tech Industries (80 Henderson St., Port Hope). The ceremony and reception will be followed by a “shovel in the ground” photo op at the hotel site at 3:15 p.m..
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is accepting nominations for its 2020-21 board of directors, with a deadline of January 7th for completed nominations.
Wild Rock Outfitters has opened a new 24/7 cycling training centre at 160 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough (directly across the street from Wild Rock), featuring a cycling gym with 16 bike trainers and a large projection screen, a co-ed locker room with individual changing rooms and lockers, and secure bike storage on the premises.
Harmony Hair Care in Peterborough recently won the Canadian Salon Team award at 31st annual Contessa Awards gala in Toronto, organized by Salon Magazine.
Kelly Isfan is the new president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, effective April 1, 2020. Isfan was most recently president and CEO of the Norfolk General and West Haldimand General Hospitals, and was previously president and CEO at Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
Lakefield 24 Hour Fitness (57 Queen St., Lakefield) held its official opening on Monday, December 2nd.
Grady’s Feet Essentials of Peterborough recently donated $1,300 worth of socks and footwear to support the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Holiday Gift Program.
VIDEO: Wild Rock Cycling Training Facility
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosts new venture session in Peterborough on December 10
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is hosting a New Venture Session from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10th in the board room at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Designed for entrepreneurs starting a new business, the session will provide an overview of the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, working with the Business Advisory Centre and building a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist.
Northumberland Chamber hosts annual Christmas meet and greet in Cobourg on December 10
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas meet and greet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th at Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Innovation Cluster hosts hands-on workshop on digital marketing in Peterborough on December 11
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a workshop called “Hands-ON: Digital Marketing Strategies” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Presented by strADegy.ca, the workshop will cover the big marketing problem organizations face, how consumers discover and purchase what they need in today’s “always on” digital economy, the sales mistake businesses make and how to avoid it, and a six-step digital marketing strategy.
Kawartha Lakes Construction hosts Kawartha Chamber’s Business After Hours Holiday Social in Lakefield on December 11
Kawartha Lakes Construction is hosting the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s annual Business After Hours Holiday Social from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at Kawartha Lakes Construction (3359 Lakefield Rd., Lakefield).
This drop-in celebration of the season is also a networking event.
Guests are asked to bring a monetary donation for the Peterborough Humane Society or one of the items on the society’s wish list at peterboroughhumanesociety.ca/wishlist/.
Haliburton Chamber hosts lunch-time fraud and scams seminar in Haliburton on December 12
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Lunch & Learn – Avoiding Fraud and Scams” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at the Chamber office (195 Highland St., Haliburton).
Richard Wannan, branch manager at Haliburton BMO, will speak about how to avoid fraud and scams. A light lunch will be served.
Kawartha Conservation hosts agricultural conference in Lindsay on December 13
Kawartha Conservation is hosting an agricultural conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at the Ops Community Centre (2569 Highway 7, Lindsay).
The theme of the conference is “Working Together to Improve Soil and Water Quality on the Farm”. Funding opportunities for projects that support water quality and soil health will also be presented.
The day will feature a variety of speakers and updates from a variety of organizations and government officials.
Attendees will learn about what farmers in southwestern Ontario are doing to address water quality with a presentation from Charles Lalonde of the Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative. The presentation will focus on an overview of the phosphorus challenge for food production, the pathways and timing for phosphorus runoff into our waters and efforts to remediate agricultural impacts.
Kawartha Conservation’s Water Quality Specialist will provide an update on the state of the Kawartha watershed, and Kawartha Conservation’s Agricultural Stewardship technician will provide information on cost sharing funding opportunities for farmers, while local farmer Bernard Leahy will speak about his water quality improvement project and his experience with applying for cost sharing funding programs.
Updates from organizations including Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also take place.
In the afternoon, a discussion panel will provide an opportunity to discuss specific issues with peers and experts.
Tickets are $25 plus HST and include the full day of speakers and presenters as well as a hot BBQ chicken lunch.
Port Hope Chamber Young Professionals host Holiday Social in Port Hope on December 12
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals group is hosting a holiday social from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at Local No90 (90 Mill St. N., Port Hope).
There will be prizes for best “Christmasy” outfit and an optional Secret Santa game ($15 buy local if you choose to participate).
Local No90 will be offering drink and food specials for the event.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts holiday open house in Campbellford on December 13
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at its office (51 Grand Rd., Campbellford).
Drop in for some festive holiday treats and enter your name in a draw for a $100 gift certificate to the Trent Hills Chamber member of your choice.
Hospice Peterborough hosts holiday meet and greet in Peterborough on December 19
Hospice Peterborough is hosting a holiday meet and greet in from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at Hospice Peterborough (325 London St., Peterborough).
Hajni Hos will share her thoughts on her first 100 days as executive director of Hospice Peterborough.
Innovation Cluster hosts holiday showcase in Peterborough on December 19
The Innovation Cluster is hosting a holiday showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at The Cube in VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
You will have an opportunity to tour The Cube and meet Innovation Cluster clients as they showcase their businesses. You will also be able to see additions since the Innovation Cluster’s previous public event, including a sneak peek at the new Fleming College Experiential Learning Makerspace launching in 2020.
There will be light appetizers, as well as a cash bar available throughout the duration of the event.
Meghan Moloney, Charitable Giving Advisor with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, adds a Grateful Hearts cookie tribute featuring a message of thanks to the PRHC Foundation's "big plate" holiday display in the hospital's main lobby. By making a donation to the PRHC Foundation this holiday season, you can not only share your message or holiday greetings with doctors, nurses, and staff of our regional hospital, but your donation will help to fund needed new equipment and technology at the hospital's Cardiac Catheterization Lab, which provides life-saving care to thousands of people every year. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the year that has passed, to gather with loved ones, and to make memories that will keep us smiling for the year to come. It’s also the time of year when we give gifts to family and friends.
Thanks for great health care
A few of the many heartfelt messages of thanks shared by grateful PRHC patients.
“Dear Cath Lab: Twice I have received life-saving stents at PRHC Cath Lab. Thank you.”
“Dear Dr. Brown: Thank you for taking great care of my mom last February.”
“Dear Dr. Jeyabalan & Cancer Care Staff: Quite simply, you saved my life.”
“Dear Out Patient Surgical Staff: Your care was A1 and I thank you and wish you well.”
For the thousands of people who receive exceptional care every year at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), there’s no better feeling than receiving the gift of health.
If you or a loved one were one of these patients, you can share your gratitude with the person or team who provided care by making a donation to the PRHC Foundation’s Grateful Hearts campaign this holiday season.
“It’s a privilege for us to hear about the life-changing experiences of patients and their family members when they’ve received care at PRHC,” says PRHC Foundation President and CEO Lesley Heighway. “We often have patients come to us saying they want to give back as their way of saying ‘thank you’ for outstanding care.”
By making a donation to the Grateful Hearts campaign, you not only have a chance to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at PRHC for the great care you or your loved one received, but your donation will also help fund the technology and equipment that form the backbone of world-class patient care at PRHC.
That includes the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at PRHC, which provides life-saving cardiac and diagnosis to thousands of patients every year — people from across Peterborough and Peterborough County, Lindsay and the City of Kawartha Lakes, Campbellford, Cobourg and Port Hope, the Durham region, all the way north to Haliburton Highlands, and all points in between.
VIDEO: How keeping your heart here can save your life
After 10 years of helping stop heart attacks in their tracks, the Cardiac Cath Lab must be replaced. Without it, patients would have to travel to Kingston or Toronto for diagnosis and treatment. When you’re suffering a heart attack, every second counts, so “keeping your heart here” can mean the difference between life and death.
Your donation in support of the Cardiac Cath Lab will help fund new technology for better diagnostic imaging, less radiation exposure, and shorter procedure times. Upgrading to state-of-the-art technology also means keeping and attracting the best and brightest healthcare professionals to PRHC, ensuring the hospital can continue to provide world-class care in our region.
“The Grateful Hearts program allows patients and their family members to share their gratitude, while also making a donation that will positively impact patient care for others,” Heighway says.
When you make a Grateful Hearts donation this holiday season, you can share your message of thanks (or a holiday greeting) along with your donation. Fill in the back of the Grateful Hearts “cookie” tribute card with the name of the person or department you want to honour along with your message. The PRHC Foundation team will add your cookie to a special “big plate” holiday display in the hospital’s front lobby.
Your message will be passed on to the person and department you’re honouring and posted on the display, providing holiday cheer to the doctors, nurses, and staff at PRHC who provided exceptional care to you or your loved one — and ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve but would never ask for.
Meghan Moloney, Charitable Giving Advisor with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, displays a cookie tribute from a grateful patient of PRHC, one of many tributes currently on display in the hospital’s main lobby. You can share your own message of thanks or holiday greetings with doctors, nurses, and staff by making a donation to the PRHC Foundation this holiday season. Your donation will help to fund needed new equipment and technology at the hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab, which provides life-saving care to thousands of people every year. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
This holiday season, help the PRHC Foundation keep your heart here tomorrow and express your gratitude to our regional hospital by making a Grateful Hearts donation.
You can also drop by the PRHC Foundation office at PRHC (1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough) to give in person. The PRHC Foundation office is located on the fourth floor, W4770, just past the main visitor elevators, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Warren Ball (left) and members of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab team (Terri Matzke, Kate Graham, and Jeff Dunlop) at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) thank donors for their continued generous support of the Cath Lab. This holiday season, the PRHC Foundation is asking people to help “keep your heart here” by making a donation in support of the Cath Lab to replace and upgrade life-saving equipment. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
This story was created in partnership with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation.
The most-liked photo on our Instagram in November 2019 was this winter landscape of a farm in Omemee by Keeley Ward. (Photo: Keeley Ward / @keeleywardrealtor)
I’m not going to sugar coat this: November is not my favourite month.
Either we have no snow, which leaves the month seeming barren and stark and even more frigid, or we have early snow before we’ve even finished raking the leaves or have the chance to get our snow tires put on. And why is it that -2° in November seems so much colder than -2° in March? I rest my case.
However, as we say when it comes to our Instagram account, the Kawarthas are truly beautiful in every season. Our local photographers are always on the job (and on the back roads) to prove that point. And this November was no exception. While we had early snow and cold, most people agreed it was indeed very pretty.
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.
Roberta Herod is Vice-President of Corporate Services at Herod Financial Services - Manulife Securities Incorporated. Roberta and her team at Herod Financial Services not only help people to achieve their financial goals, but are strong supporters of the community. (Supplied photo)
Roberta Herod, Vice-President of Corporate Services at Herod Financial Services – Manulife Securities Incorporated, truly believes team is the “secret sauce” her business has to offer.
She has always understood that you can’t be successful unless you work and surround yourself with others who have incredible skills.
While Roberta says she is “more comfortable behind the scenes,” she knows that success comes when a great team works to their individual strengths to accomplish a common goal. Roberta’s clients benefit from Herod Financial Services’ approach of having many hands involved.
She says she is proud to be part of an “amazing team” that includes her spouse (and Herod Financial Services founder) Kevan Herod.
“My skill is supporting and understanding other people’s dreams and helping them get there,” Roberta says. “And because Kevan is so good at listening and synthesizing and coming up with solutions, his dream is to help people with their financial goals, whatever they may be.”
Growing up, Roberta was taught the importance of helping others so they can help themselves, and she believes that working in the financial planning field fits this to a tee. In the early 2000s, she started in the financial services business, obtained her license to sell mutual funds, and threw herself behind the effort to grow the business.
“We first opened a 350-square-foot office in Peterborough,” Roberta explains. “Today, I am proud to say we have two office locations and seven team members, and Kevan is known as one of Manulife’s top 100 advisors in Canada. We are always looking to add more people who want to make an impact — and a difference — in people’s lives.”
Roberta Herod (far left) started in the financial services business in the early 2000s, obtained her license to sell mutual funds, and threw herself behind the effort to grow Herod Financial Services, which was founded by her spouse Kevan Herod (far right). The company now has locations in Peterborough and Lakefield and seven team members. (Supplied photo)
The growth and success of Herod Financial Services has continued over the 40 years the business has been active in the community. Roberta attributes this growth and success to the strength of her team and the philosophy she and Kevan bring to the table.
“Kevan and I are big believers that if you give people the tools they need, they’ll succeed,” she says. “We encourage our clients to think holistically by taking care of their financial, physical, mental, and spiritual health.”
“We try to educate and to lead by example. This means we try to take care of ourselves, and we participate in a lot of community programs and non-profit organizations. Some initiatives are driven by me, and some by the interests of our team.”
The impact of this philosophy is far-reaching for Roberta and her team at Herod Financial Services. The company not only supports local sports teams such as the Douro Dukes Hockey and Ennismore James Gang Senior B Lacrosse, but are cheerleaders for community organizations including both the Peterborough and Kawartha Chambers of Commerce, local Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis clubs, and the Lakefield Literary Festival.
Herod Financial Services also works with non-profit organizations including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. Mental health awareness is a cause that is very near and dear to Roberta’s heart.
Kevan and Roberta have also provided an endowment at Trent University and Peterborough Regional Health Centre in support of community education and health.
Kevan and Roberta Herod (centre) and members of the Herod Financial Services team with a distinguished service award from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. (Supplied photo)
When asked why she does the work that she does, Roberta explains that it’s about sharing the wealth of positive influence.
“I do this work because I can’t think of any other way to live,” she says. “This job utilizes my skills so our team can help others and I can help in the community.”
“I am not unique. I look around at my circle of friends and see that all of us are working to make our little section of the world a better place. We all dream of a world where the human experience of joy and happiness can be shared by everyone.”
When she is not working, Roberta’s passions include friends, travel, creative endeavours, and — most importantly — her family.
“I am the caretaker in our family,” Roberta says. “I love making sure that everyone has the tools and support they need to live their best lives, whether it be driving my mom to appointments or babysitting my three grandchildren.”
She also enjoys scrapbooking as a hobby at a quarterly retreat she attends with her friends.
“Creating with friends is so fulfilling,” she explains. “We share our stories, our triumphs, and pain.”
Last but not least, Roberta says being a member of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) gives her an opportunity to spend time with like-minded women.
“Being with other women is one of my favourite and most unexpected pleasures as I age,” Roberta notes. “That is why I love organizations like WBN and the WBN book club.”
Herod Financial Services has two locations: the head office at 140 King Street, Suite 203, in downtown Peterborough (705-741-5287), and at 35 Queen Street in Lakefield (705-652-7777). For more information, visit the Herod Financial Services website at herodfinancial.com. You can also connect with Herod Financial Services on LinkedIn and Facebook. Roberta Herod can be contacted at roberta.herod@herodfinancial.com or 705-741-5287 and you can also follow her on LinkedIn.
Peterborough musician Lindsay Barr encouraging people to choose local in a promotional video for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) annual Holiday Shopping Passport program, which rewards people when they shop, dine, or treat themselves in downtown Peterborough. Every time you spend $10 at one of more than 150 participating locations, you get a stamp on your passport. Completed passports with 20 stamps are entered into one of three early bird draws for $500 in downtown money during December, with a grand prize draw for $1,500 in January. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
When we choose to support locally owned independent businesses, it’s good for us because it’s good for our community. Choosing local first means more of the money we spend stays in our community, resulting in higher-paying jobs and contributing more to the local tax base.
Choosing local first also nurtures the unique character of our community, while reducing our impact of the environment. And local business owners are also residents of our community, supporting local charitable causes as well as other local businesses — creating a domino effect throughout the local economy.
Downtown Peterborough’s Holiday Shopping Passport
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) annual Holiday Shopping Passport program rewards people when they shop, dine, or treat themselves in downtown Peterborough. Kevin Dawe of Peterborough (second from left) picked up his prize of $500 in “downtown money” at John Roberts Clothiers, one of more than 150 businesses and organizations partipcating in this year’s Holiday Shopping Passport program. Also pictured are Peterborough DBIA communications manager Joel Wiebe and John Roberts Clothiers owners John and Gail Martin. There are two more early bird draws for $500 in December and a grand prize draw of $1,500 in January. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)
When you choose local by shopping in downtown Peterborough this holiday season, it’s a win-win — literally.
Not only are you supporting locally owned independent businesses, but you can also win prizes.
That’s what happened to Kevin Dawe of Peterborough, when his completed Holiday Shopping Passport was drawn at Kingan Home Hardware on Wednesday (December 4) as the first early bird draw of the season.
Kevin picked up his prize of $500 in “downtown money” — gift certificates that can be redeemed at participating downtown businesses and organizations — at John Roberts Clothiers.
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s annual Holiday Shopping Passport program rewards people when they shop, dine, or treat themselves in downtown Peterborough. More than 150 businesses and organizations in the downtown — including Kingan Home Hardware and John Roberts Clothiers — are participating in this year’s program.
Here’s how the program works: pick up a Holiday Shopping Passport at a participating business or organization and, every time you spend $10 at one of the participating locations, a box on your passport will be stamped. When your passport is filled (20 stamps or $200 worth in spending), you complete the form and drop it off at a ballot box at one of the participating locations.
Each completed passport is a ballot for a draw to win downtown money. There are three early bird draws for $500 each and then a drew for a $1,500 grand prize. Kevin won the first draw for $500, with the second $500 draw happening on Wednesday, December 11th, and the third $500 draw on Wednesday, December 18th. The $1,500 grand prize draw will be held on Wednesday, January 8th.
And don’t forgot: courtesy of the City of Peterborough, parking is free for two hours in the downtown during the month of December.
Holiday Passport Locations
Absolute Hair
African Mission-Growth Market African Dishes
Amandala’s Restaurant
Ann’s Hair Salon
Antoinette Bridal Boutique
Argania Natural Health Clinic
Arken Beauty Supply
Art School of Peterborough
B!KE
BioPed Footcare
Black Honey Bakery
Black Honey Desserts and Coffee House
Bluestreak Records
Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
Boater’s World
Brant Basics
Brothers Pizza
Buck or Two Plus!
Burgundy’s Hair Salon
By The Bridge
Cahill’s Outerwear
Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel
Chalk Therapy/Electric City Works
Charlotte Jewellers
Charlotte Paint & Wallpaper
Charlotte Street Comics and Collectibles
Charlotte’s Web
Chumleighs
Cork & Bean
Cottage Toys
Cozy Home: Designs by Lacey
Curry Mantra
Curry Village
Dan Joyce’s Classic Clothing
Dodrio
Dream Cyclery
Dreams of Beans
Dueling Grounds
Earth Food Store
EC Catering
Elderberry Clinic
Electric City Bread Company
Euphoria Wellness Spa
Fab Factory
First Stop Swap Shop
Flavour
Fontaine’s Source for Sports
Frame It For U
Fresh Dreams
Full Tilt Cycle
Fusion Bowl
Gentry Apparel
Gerti’s
Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
Green Street
GreenUp Store
Grey Guardian Games
Hi Ho Silver
Hobies Sports Ltd.
Hock Shop
Hot Belly Mama’s
Hunter Street Books
Hunter Street Tavern
Iceman Video Games
Insight Optical
Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine
Jack’s Hot Spot
John Roberts Clothiers
Just Like New
K and C Costumes
Kettle Drums
Kingan Home Hardware
Kit Coffee
Knock on Wood
La Belle Spa
La Hacienda
La Mesita
Larry Electric & Motor Service
Laurie Jones & Co Hair Designers
Lift Lock Escape
Lili’s Convenience
Marie Cluthé Antiques & Collectibles
Market Hall
McThirsty’s Pint
Mercado La Hacienda
META4 Gallery
Minh’s Chinese Grocery
Mr. Brock Barber Shop
Mr. Sub on George Street
My Left Breast
My Own Clouds
Naked Chocolate
Nateure’s Plate
Needles in the Hay
Needleworks
Nielsen’s Watches and Jewellery
Nosh & Nip on Queen
Pammett’s Flowers
Pensieri Shoes operating as Blue Shoes Ptbo
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre
Peterborough Inn & Suites
Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market
Peterborough Photo Service
Peterborough Public Library
Peterborough Travel
Pettigrew Spa & Salon
Pipe Dreamz
PJ’s Diner
Plant Goals
Providence
Rare Grill House
Rawscoe’s Sport Collectibles
reBOOT Canada
Renew MediSpa
Ritual Apothecary
Runner’s Life
S.O.S.
Sam’s Place
Sandy’s Cigar & Variety
Showplace Performance Centre
Silk Roots
Simply Delicious
Smiles to You
Solid Leather
Sugar Me Right
Sustain Eco Store
T-Elle Boutique
The Avant-Garden Shop
The Black Horse Pub
The BrickHouse Craft Burger Grill
The Cell Shop
The Cheese Shop
The Edison
The Food Forest Cafe
The Food Shop
The Old Stone Brewing Co.
The Pasta Shop
The Publican House Brewery
The Publican House Restaurant and Taphouse
The Toy Shop
The Unicorn
Things from Mom’s Basement
Tiny Greens
Tonic Hair Salon
Tribal Voices
Turnbull Café
Under One Sun
Union Studio
Villa Auto Wash
Village of Thai
Watson & Lou
Whistle Stop Café
Wild Rock Outfitters
Wing House
Yo Yo’s Yogurt Café
You’re Welcome
Zap Records
This story was created in partnership with the Peterborough DBIA.
Christmas tree farms are open for business in the Kawarthas. Barrett's Tree Farm north of Cobourg is a popular destination for harvesting your own Christmas tree. They are also offering horse-drawn wagon rides on weekends until December 15, 2019. (Photo: Barrett's Tree Farm / Facebook)
Visiting a local tree farm to harvest a fresh local Christmas tree is a holiday tradition for many families in the Kawarthas. And, unlike the trees available at grocery stores or roadside stands that usually come from Quebec or Canada’s east coast, these grown-in-Ontario trees are guaranteed to be fresh.
Six tree farms in the Kawarthas are now open for business, offering cut-your-own trees: Oake Family Farm in Cavan-Monaghan, Dawson Christmas Tree Farm in Millbrook, Potash Creek Farms in Omemee, Barrett’s Tree Farm in Cobourg, J & D Trees in Colborne, and Kol Tree Farms in Roseneath. Both Murray Tree Farm in Apsley and Little Lake Christmas Trees in Cramahe are closed for the 2019 season (they’ll be reopening for Christmas 2020).
If you’re willing to drive just outside the Kawarthas, you can also harvest your own tree at Powell’s Trees in Bowmanville and Blackstock Christmas Tree Farm in Blackstock.
Advertisement - content continues below
If you plan to harvest your own tree, bring your own saw (although some farms have limited saws available). Most of the farms also offer pre-cut trees, although these are usually a little more expensive and there may bea limited selection.
Most tree farms accept cash only (Potash Creek Farms also accepts credit cards and tap debit), and some also offer goodies like hot chocolate and apple cider as well as activities for the family such as horse-drawn wagon rides.
Here’s where you can harvest your own Christmas tree in the Kawarthas:
Besides helping the local economy (more than 600 Christmas tree farms in Ontario generate around $12 million), farm-grown natural Christmas tree have other benefits.
Christmas trees are one of the most environmentally friendly crops. It takes up to 10 years to grow each tree and, during this time, the trees remove carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants from the atmosphere (up to 13 tons per acre!) and provide protective havens for a wide variety of birds and mammals.
It’s also a sustainable crop — for every tree that’s harvested, at least three seedlings are planted in its place.
Potash Creek Farms, located north of Highway 7 between Fowlers Corners and Ommeee, offers cut-your-own Spruce and Scotch Pine and pre-cut Balsam Fir. (Photo: Potash Creek Farms)
Natural Christmas trees are also 100 per cent recyclable and biodegradable.
Most municipalities — including those in the Kawarthas — collect discarded natural Christmas trees and chip them for use as mulching materials.
Discarded natural trees can also be used as bird feeders, wood products can be made from their stems, or they can be used as wildlife cover in fish ponds and woodlots.
Advertisement - content continues below
Common types of Christmas trees
If you do decide to harvest your own tree this year (or buy a pre-cut one), here’s a quick primer on the most common tree species available:
Scots Pine (Scotch Pine) – The most popular Christmas tree in Canada, the Scots Pine is a thick and hardy tree. It resists drying and holds its needles well over the holidays. However, the needles are tough and very pointy.
Balsam Fir – Almost as popular as the Scots Pine, the Balsam Fir holds its dark-green needles well and is a good choice if the decorated tree will be left standing for a longer period of time. Balsam fir branches work well for lighter Christmas ornaments, and the tree has a strong fragrance.
J & D Trees in Colborne offers White Spruce, Balsam Fir, and Fraser Fir. (Photo: J & D Trees)
Fraser Fir – A Christmas tree that’s become very popular in recent years, the Fraser Fir is known for holding its attractive dark blue-green needles and its pleasant scent. Fraser Firs are generally more expensive than other trees as the species has a much longer growing cycle.
Norway Spruce – The traditional Christmas tree in Britain, the Norway spruce is attractive but has a tendency to drop its needles, particularly towards the end of the holidays — especially if the tree is not cut fresh and kept properly watered.
White Spruce – The dense foliage and symmetrical proportions of the White Spruce make it a very beautiful Christmas tree. The tree has a strong scent and its strong slender twigs hold ornaments well. However, the White Spruce is very thirsty and must be watered regularly to prevent it from losing its needles.
Advertisement - content continues below
Caring for your tree
Open daily, Powell’s Trees in Bowmanville offers Spruce and Fir. (Photo: Powell’s Trees / Facebook)
After you get your tree, here are some tips to keep it fresh and safe:
If you aren’t setting up the tree immediately, store it outdoors. Keep it in a protected area, away from the wind and sun, to help the tree retain its moisture (an unheated garage is ideal, particularly to keep the tree free of snow). If you plan to store it outside for several days, make a straight cut across the butt end of the tree about one inch from the end, place the butt end in a container of water, and store the tree upright.
When you bring the tree into the house for decorating, make another fresh cut across the trunk, about an inch from the original cut.
Trees can drink up to four litres of water per day, so be sure to use a large stand that can hold that much water. Check the water level daily and supply fresh water as needed. Don’t allow the water level to drop below the bottom of the tree, as a seal will form on the bottom and the tree will stop absorbing water (you’ll have to make a new cut).
Use only fresh water. Don’t add sugar, molasses, bleach, honey, floral preservatives, or other substances to the tree’s water. Experts agree that these do nothing to maintain the freshness of the tree.
Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, television sets, and other sources of heat. Turn off the tree lights when you leave and before you retire at night. Under no circumstances should you use lighted candles on a Christmas tree.
A well-maintained tree should normally remain fresh at least three to four weeks before drying to an unacceptable level. Test the dryness of the tree by running your fingers across the needles. If they break easily or fall off in your hand, the tree is dry and should be discarded.
A few of the nearly 50 cast members of Arbor Theatre's original production "Real Rad Red Riding Hood", with a public performance on December 12, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. Pictured at a rehearsal in early December are Naomi DuVall as The Forester, Nathan Bertucci as Basher, Aidan Shaughnessy as the Big Bad Wolf, with Ella Smit, Izzy Desjardins, Saffron O'Neil, Logan Michaelis, Saorse MacQuarrie, Molly Beaston, and Zoe Dunaway as the wolf cubs and Riordan
MacQuarrie as Mouse. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
On Thursday, December 12th, Arbor Theatre — in partnership with Mysterious Entity — makes its long-anticipated return to Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough with the original production Real Rad Red Riding Hood, written and directed by Em Glasspool.
While this is the only public performance, school performances are also available on December 9th, 10th, and 12th that members of the public can attend if they wish.
Arbor Theatre presents Real Rad Red Riding Hood
When: Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 7 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $18 adults ($15 students/seniors) plus fees
Written and directed by Em Glasspool and produced by Beverley Blodgett-Breedon. Starring Eloise Harvey, Max Hoehn, Aedan Shaughnessy, David Bateman, Naomi Duvall, Nimkii Osawamick, Caitlin O’Connor, and many more. Costume design by Melanie McCall. Stage managed by Cheri Patrick. Set design by John Fewings. Choreography by Dreda Blow. Music composed by Em Glasspool and Curtis Driedger. Tickets are available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online. Note:School performances are also available.
Arbor Theatre’s annual Christmas productions have been a holiday tradition for families and schools across the Kawarthas, but Real Rad Red Riding Hood is Arbor’s first show since 2017. It marks a new direction for the long-existing theatre company under the leadership of new creative director Em Glasspool of Mysterious Entity.
Bringing a mostly new and dynamic creative team to Arbor Theatre, Em has maintained the theatre company’s special recipe of combining young performers with celebrated local performers to create a lively and fun show suitable for audiences of all ages.
Although Arbor’s holiday shows have been a staple of the season, my visit to a Sunday morning rehearsal of Real Rad Red Riding Hood at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute was my first with the theatre company.
For this production, Em and his team have amassed a huge cast of nearly 50 performers ranging from the age of four to 77, with the majority of them being under the age of 10.
Advertisement - content continues below
Yet, despite the young age of the performers, I was impressed by the group’s focus, organization, and excitement. The kids were engaged in the rehearsal and, most of all, learning real lessons about performing on stage.
Taking the helm as Arbor’s new creative director in May of this year, this is Em’s first production at the head of Arbor — which has come with a lot of new challenges for him.
“Arbor Theatre was looking for a new creative director who had a lot of directing experience and someone who is established in the theatre realm,” Em explains. “I was one of a number of people who were contacted, and part of it was that I had the ability to write. Typically I work with adult, and very small casts. For this show, there are 50 bodies on stage and most of them are children.”
“So that’s been a big learning curve for me, but I think it’s a great fit. I enjoy working with the team and the kids are amazing.”
Writer and director Em Glasspool (left, gesturing) speaks to cast members of Arbor Theatre’s original production “Real Rad Red Riding Hood” during a rehearsal in early December at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. There will be a public performance of the play on December 12, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Working alongside Em to create the new face of Arbor Theatre is long-time general manager and producer Beverly Breeden, stage manager Cheri Patrick, costume designer Melanie McCall, and choreographer Dreda Blow. They are joined by long-time set designer John Fewings and Em’s song-writing partner Curtis Driedger. With the exception of Beverly and John, this marks a brand new team of people taking Arbor into new territory.
“It’s been a great revitalization,” Em says. “Sometimes new ideas and new people are what a company needs. I’m honoured and excited to be brought in, and I think there is a real desire and thirst for young people in the arts. More can be done to teach and train and engage with the kids, and not just put them on stage.”
With over 20 years of holiday shows under the company’s belt, Arbor has covered most of the classic stories and fairy tales through the years. So when it was suggested that this year’s show be an adaption of Little Red Riding Hood, Em had his work cut out for him in creating something relevant for his first show.
Advertisement - content continues below
“The company said they wanted to do Red Riding Hood and I thought ‘Oh dear, I don’t know about that story,'” Em recalls. “There are some problematic things with that story in today’s world. My goal was to modernize it. It’s contemporary, and there are very strong female characters in it. The mother, the grandmother, and Red are all very strong and prominent.”
“I used the story to talk about preserving nature, and our role as humans in doing that. It’s about interacting with animals in the woods, so our characters are trees and flowers and wolf cubs and other animals. It’s also about relationships. The trees are played by teenagers who are Red’s counterparts, and we talk about bullying.”
“I think people will be surprised with the show I’ve created. There are many elements to it, including music, and it’ll be a tiny bit more political — if we can do that in children’s theatre. My social justice side has leaked into the work.”
Writer and director Em Glasspool with Bruce Levia and Bob Forsey, who play the Sun and the Moon in Arbor Theatre’s original production “Real Rad Red Riding Hood”, during a rehearsal in early December at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. There will be a public performance of the play on December 12, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Sitting in on the second act during the rehearsal, I noticed the themes and lessons learned are plenty and span a great range. The show looks at respecting the environment and wildlife, bullying, toxic masculinity, non-violence, and even a thinly veiled line about consent. Furthermore, the show has both indigenous and LGBTQ+ representation.
However, while all of these themes are within the show, they are not presented in a preachy way that bogs down the show, nor do they take away from the fast and fun script.
“I’d say that it has a lot of deep messages,” says 13-year-old Max Hoen, who co-stars as the show’s narrator and Red’s friend Tree. “There are layers to it. Most of the time it’s a comedy, but sometimes it’s funny and sometimes it’s sad.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Real Rad Red Riding Hood stars 12-year-old Eloise Harvey as Red, a strong-willed and rebellious teenager who, despite her mother’s orders, goes into the woods to visit her grandmother. There she meets a lonely wisecracking tree (Max Hoen), who becomes her companion through the forest.
Along the way Red also encounters the Big Bad Wolf (Aedan Shaughnessy), who’s trying to raise his pack of cubs to be big and tough like him, although his oldest son Basher (Nathan Bertucci) just wants to be friendly.
One of the most important things that Em wanted to do when developing the characters was to make Red stronger and more independent — not the traditional lost little girl in the woods being victimized by the big bad wolf.
Max Hoehn and Eloise Harvey, who star as Tree and Red in Arbor Theatre’s original production “Real Rad Red Riding Hood”, during a rehearsal in early December at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. There will be a public performance of the play on December 12, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
“In this show Red is a teenager and rebellious,” Eloise explains. “Her mother tells her not to go through the woods, and then she meets a forester who gives her all kinds of rules. But my character does what she wants to anyway, and she gets in all sorts of adventures.”
As is tradition with the Arbor holiday show, adult performers from the community take part in the show and, once again, the majority of the adult performers are new to Arbor this year. Bringing their knowledge as mentors to the young performers, and adding their own colourful personalities to the roles they play, are Naomi DuVall as an uptight forest ranger, Bruce Levia and Bob Forsey as the sun and the moon, David Batemann as Pansy of the forest, Rebecca Desjardins as Red’s mom, Aeden Shaughanessy as the (not so) Big Bad Wolf, and Caitlin O’Connor as Red’s grandmother.
I was delighted but curious to see award-winning performer and playwright David Bateman among the adult performers listed for the show.
Advertisement - content continues below
“People who know me know I work with David, and his shows aren’t the kind you bring children to,” Em admits. “But it’s wonderful to cross over and have David work with kids. David is one of the most fun characters. He’s so funny and a wonderful.”
Em also brings award-winning indigenous artist Nimkii Osawamick to the show in the role of Grandfather Wolf.
“Nimkii is a champion pow wow dancer, and he wins tons of awards for his work,” Em says. “As Grandfather Wolf, he will be dancing as well. He has his own company called DNA Stage and their mandate is to go to schools and teach kids drumming, language, storytelling, singing, and traditional indigenous arts. He has a really interesting take in working with kids and it’s great having him on board.”
Young members of the cast who portray flowers and dancers in Arbor Theatre’s original production “Real Rad Red Riding Hood”, during a rehearsal in early December at Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute. There will be a public performance of the play on December 12, 2019 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
What impressed me the most about the time I spent with the people at Arbor Theatre was how they weren’t just running their performers through the rehearsal. They were taking the time to teach theatre techniques and performance. They talked to the group about preparation and motivation, and were instilling actual lessons in them instead of just leading them on the stage to be adorable living props.
“A huge goal of mine is that rehearsals are a learning opportunity,” Em says. “We do a ton more than just tell the kids ‘Go here, say this line, and put this hat on.’ We’re really looking on the basics of acting, techniques ,and things the kids can take away with them so they can continue to work on as they continue in theatre.”
The lessons are obviously working. When talking to Ella Swit, a passionate young lady who plays a wolf cub in the show, she eloquently expressed to me her love for the theatre and for being on the stage.
“I just get to go into my own little world.,” Ella says. “In each play, you get put on costumes and make up and become someone you’re not — and that’s awesome.”
With a new creative team and a new direction in storytelling, Real Rad Red Riding Hood is an exhilarating rebirth for Arbor Theatre, and a welcome return to this favourite holiday tradition.
Real Rad Red Riding Hood will be performed for the public at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough). Tickets are $18 adults ($15 students/seniors) plus fees, available in person at the Showplace box office, by phone at 705-742-7469, and online.
School Performances of Real Rad Red Riding Hood
There are also school performances of Real Rad Red Riding Hood taking place at Showplace Performance Centre at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday, December 9th, Tuesday, December 10th, and Thursday, December 12th.
The cost is $12 per student, with free admission for teachers and supervisors with every eight students booked. Discussion periods will take place at the end of each school performance to give students a chance to ask questions of the cast and crew, and to encourage their interest in theatre.
To book your class or school into one of the performances — or if you are a member of the public who wishes to attend a school performance — call 705-295-4248 or email thearbortheatre@gmail.com.
The new interchange between Highway 407 and Highway 35/115 will be open to drivers beginning December 9, 2019, ahead of schedule. (Photo: Blackbird Infrastructure Group)
The Ontario government has announced the final stretch of Highway 407 — connecting the 407 to Highway 35/115 — and Highway 418 will be open to drivers beginning Monday, December 9th.
The Highway 7 East project, a toll road owned by the Ontario government, was originally scheduled to be completed in 2020.
“I’m pleased to announce that the last phase will open ahead of schedule,” says Vijay Thanigasalam, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transportation. “The completion of the Highway 407 East project will connect communities and greatly improve our transportation network in this region,”
The extension will add 14.2 kilometres to Highway 407, and the new Highway 418 (10 kilometres). which provides another north-south connection from Highway 407 to Highway 401.
“Connecting Highway 407 to Highway 35/115 will create a vital link between Peterborough and the Greater Toronto Area,” says Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The extension of this highway will help attract jobs and economic growth to this region.”
The new stretch of Highway 407 and new Highway 418 is fully owned and operated by the Province of Ontario.
Motorists will only receive one invoice for the use of Highway 407, 412, 418, and/or 407 ETR. This includes transponder leases, monthly account charges, and video toll charges.
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.
