Available to landowners within the Otonabee Region watershed, Otonabee Conservation's Tree Seedling Sales Program encourages people to enhance their properties and the natural environment. When placed strategically around a single-family home, trees can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 per cent. (Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation)
You can put some spring in your winter by ordering tree seedlings right now from Otonabee Conservation.
You can choose from among 39 native species of evergreen and broad leaf tree and shrub seedlings at prices ranging from $23.75 to $62.50 for 25 seedlings (the minimum order for any one species). The trees and shrubs are bare-root seedlings, approximately one to two years old, and range in size from 6 to 30 inches.
Otonabee Conservation’s Tree Seedling Sales Program is available to landowners within the Otonabee Region watershed.
“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment,” says Meredith Carter, Manager of the Watershed Management Program at Otonabee Conservation.
“Trees and forests protect water quality in our rivers and streams. They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”
Otonabee Conservation expects the tree and shrub seedlings to arrive at the conservation authority office in late April, at which time landowners will be contacted and pick-up times will be arranged. Payment is required when picking up your seedlings (cash, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express will be accepted).
Here are the available species as of January 5, 2019, with pricing per unit (25 seedlings):
Otonabee Conservation has been involved in tree planting and forest management since the early 1960s. The conservation authority owns and manages 2,309 hectares of forest, hosts the annual Scout Trees Program of Scouts Canada, and plants trees annually in partnership with private landowners and municipalities.
The Tree Seedling Sales Program is intended to encourage reforestation of idle or marginal lands, enhance the diversity of forests, and encourage the sustainability of forests and long-term management of existing forests throughout the watershed region.
After the future of the event was thrown into question, a group of artists and organizations have come together to save the First Friday Art Crawl, which sees galleries and arts-based businesses in downtown Peterborough open their doors to the public at the same time on the first Friday evening of every month. Pictured is local artist Joe Stable (second from right), whose Acme Art & Sailboat Co. gallery on the third floor of the Commerce Building regularly participates in the event. (Photo: Peterborough DBIA)
The popular First Friday Art Crawl in downtown Peterborough has been saved, and will be returning as an organized event on February 1, 2019.
A group of around 12 downtown local artists, stakeholders in the arts community, and local arts-based businesses met earlier today (January 3) at the offices of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) to assume responsibility for the monthly event.
Organizations represented at the meeting included the DBIA, the Electric City Culture Council, Artspace, the Art School of Peterborough, local artist Joe Stable of Acme Art & Sailboat Co., and creative hub Watson & Lou.
The future of the art crawl — where downtown Peterborough galleries and arts-related businesses open their doors to the public at the same time on the first Friday evening of every month — was thrown into question at the end of December, when Paolo Fortin announced the closure of Evans Contemporary and associated galleries Star X and Coeur Nouveau.
In leading a local group called the Ad Hoc Arts Committee, Fortin has been instrumental in organizing and presenting the art crawl. When announcing the closure of his galleries, Fortin also stated that Evans Contemporary and the Ad Hoc Arts Committee would cease to organize and present the art crawl.
While lauding the success of the art crawl, Fortin expressed concerns that it enables “the gentrification of Peterborough through the use and abuse of the arts” by exploiting arts for the purpose of commerce — pointing to the 14-year-old art crawl in Hamilton, which has since evolved into a largely commercial event.
kawarthaNOW contacted a few of the participants at the DBIA meeting, who indicated their desire to keep the event grass-roots and artist-driven. The group is calling itself the “First Friday Committee” and has already set up an email address at firstfridayptbo@gmail.com along with a Facebook page and a Twitter account, with an Instagram account to come.
In a statement issued this afternoon through its media spokesperson, local artist Jeff Macklin of Jackson Creek Press, the First Friday Committee commented on the closure of Evans Contemporary and thanked Fortin and the Ad Hoc Arts Committee for their work in establishing the Frist Friday Art Crawl.
“We are all saddened by the recent closures of the Evans Contemporary gallery in the Commerce Building,” the statement reads. “In addition to providing high quality arts programming for years, Paolo Fortin and the Ad Hoc Committee created and coordinated the art crawl we have come to know and love, while helping to raise important concerns about gentrification and the affordability of artists’ spaces in our community.
“We are dedicated to engaging with these issues, and are excited to see what projects Ad Hoc will manifest in the future. In the meantime, we are also committed to the continued celebration of our downtown’s unique creative spirit. For that purpose, we are working together to keep the party rolling.”
In the statement, the First Friday Committee also confirmed it is working on “a full slate of openings” for February 1st and that, for January, two events are taking place tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.: the opening of the Art School of Peterborough’s members show, and a free acrylic painting workshop at META4 Gallery Studio along with an exhibition of student art.
The statement from the First Friday Committee also thanks members of the business and arts community who have offered help, as well as the DBIA for facilitating the meeting.
“The DBIA are thrilled to see the First Friday event continue and we are proud of those artists and community members who will work to ensure its continued success,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the DBIA.
“The positive impact of this monthly event on our downtown is truly magnificent. Not only does it draw huge crowds to our downtown, but it is a wonderful showcase of the immense artistic and musical talent we have in this community. The DBIA is a main financial contributor to the event because we see, hear and feel its impact on the downtown and we will continue to support it moving forward”.
Paolo Fortin has closed Evans Contemporary and associated galleries Star X and Coeur Nouveau, effective January 1, 2019. The galleries have moved out of their current location at the Commerce Building in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Evans Contemporary / Instagram)
Welcome to 2019! After busy Christmas and New Year’s festivities, it’s now time to get back to daily life.
First up is the sad news that Paolo Fortin has decided to close downtown Peterborough art galleries Evans Contemporary, Coeur Nouveau, and Star X effective January 1, 2019.
In more positive arts news, there are new exhibits in January featuring works by Shelley Niro and Arnold Zageris at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Jane Eccles and Ron Benner at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, Alice Olsen Williams at Artspace, and the ‘On The Move’ and ‘Monochrome and Black and White’ exhibitions at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio.
Evans Contemporary, Star X, and Coeur Nouveau close their doors
As well as closing the Evans Contemporary, Star X, and Coeur Nouveau, Paolo Fortin has also announced that the Ad Hoc Arts Committee will no longer be organizing or presenting the First Friday Art Crawl. (Photo: Evans Contemporary / Instagram)
As of January 1st, Evans Contemporary and associated galleries Star X and Coeur Nouveau in downtown Peterborough have closed their doors.
Evans Contemporary director Paolo Fortin has also announced that the Ad Hoc Arts Committee will no longer be organizing or presenting the First Friday Art Crawl.
He says they are taking a hiatus to develop new approaches to presenting contemporary art and gaining greater exposure for artists. Part of this plan includes advocating for an autonomous and sustainable artist driven space for artistic creation within the city. The committee is greatly bolstered by the success they have seen and appreciation shown by those who enthusiastically attended each month.
A venture well executed, and we wait with anticipation to see what will happen next.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘women, land, river’ by Shelley Niro
‘Unity’ (2008, black and white inkjet print, 101.6 x 304.8 cm) by Shelley Niro from the series Borders-Treaties. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
Curated by Lori Beavis, this exhibition of work by acclaimed Canadian multimedia artist Shelley Niro addresses self representation, resiliency, education and the colonial experience. As a Mohawk woman, Niro’s work focuses on representing and examining contemporary experience from her perspective.
Spanning her career of 30 years, this exhibit reveals ongoing themes in her work. As the title suggests, the emerging themes are women who are her close to her such as friends and family and familiar places — namely the Niagara region, her home territory of Six Nations in southwestern Ontario, and The Grand River which runs through Six Nations Territory.
The exhibit opens on Saturday, January 19th and runs until Sunday, March 31st. Join in the opening reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 19th, with the artist in attendance.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
Art Gallery of Peterborough presents ‘Antarctica’ by Arnold Zageris
‘Grounded Iceberg’ (1995, archival inkjet print, 16 x 36 in) by Arnold Zageris. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
‘Antarctica’ is a visually stunning series of images captured by Canadian photographer Arnold Zageris. In this photographic exhibit, we are treated to the ever-changing and elusive light of this distant place, brought to life through the lens of an accomplished artist.
Zageris has spent quite some time there, visiting this most mysterious continent numerous times in order to see more of its elusive beauty.
Known for his striking landscapes, Zageris has travelled far and wide photographing remote vistas of breathtaking beauty. Often he camps alone on site with only a tent and a camera, as I learned while reading his book On the Labrador. Zageri has published a few books detailing his experience of capturing these captivating images; his stories prove both entertaining and informative. Antarctica is featured in the most recent publication, and the book reveals many fascinating facts alongside beautiful imagery.
The exhibit opens on Saturday, January 19th and runs until Sunday, March 31st. An opening reception takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 19th, with Zageris in attendance.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is located at 250 Crescent Street in downtown Peterborough and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. It offers free admission, barrier-free access, and a gallery shop. Parking is available in the Del Crary lot. For more information, call 705-743-9179 or visit agp.on.ca.
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington presents ‘In These Threads’ by Jane Eccles
This series by painter and performance artist Jane Eccles at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) depicts dresses worn by women from all walks of life, from cultural icons to everyday extraordinary people.
‘Margaret’s Dress’ by Jane Eccles. (Photo courtesy Visual Arts Centre of Clarington)
As part of her process, Eccles has researched the stories behind each dress and produced paintings that explore the narratives of lives lived. Drop in and see these evocative biographical pieces in person this January.
The exhibit opens on Sunday, January 20th and runs until Sunday, March 17th. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, January 20th from 2 to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, March 9th (the day after International Women’s Day), VAC and Clarington Museum and Archives will host a collaborative program that highlights women’s stories from Clarington and beyond. The day will begin at VAC with a performative reading by Eccles from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where she will narrate the stories of the women behind her dress paintings.
Participants will then be invited to a musical performance by local singer-songwriter Anne Walker at the Clarington Museums and Archives (62 Temperance St, Bowmanville). Walker’s music captures the spirit of rural Ontario life and the local women who were the backbone of it.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is located at 143 Simpson Avenue in Bowmanville. Hours of operation are 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Admission to exhibits and artist talks is free. For more information, visit www.vac.ca.
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington presents ‘Trans/Mission: Barley-Corn-Maize’ by Ron Benner
‘Trans/mission: Meeting Room’ by Ron Benner, installed at Robert Langen Art Gallery at Laurier University in 2017. (Photo: Scott Lee)
Based in London, Ontario, Ron Benner is an internationally recognized artist whose longstanding practice investigates the history and political economy of food cultures.
Benner’s ‘Trans/Mission: Barley-Corn-Maize’ is a site-specific photographic and mixed media installation that responds to VAC’s unique gallery space and its history, as it was once a barley mill. This marks the first of what will be a series of annual commissions at the VAC.
The installation — which will remain in place at VAC until November — opens on Sunday, January 20th, when there will be an opening reception n conjunction with the opening of Jane Eccles’ show.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is located at 143 Simpson Avenue in Bowmanville. Hours of operation are 10 a.m to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. Admission to exhibits and artist talks is free. For more information, visit www.vac.ca.
Artspace presents ‘Star Song’ by Alice Olsen Williams
A detail of one of Alice Olsen Williams’ striking quilts from her exhibition ‘Star Song’. (Photo courtesy of Artspace)
The distinctive quilts of Alice Olsen Williams combine motifs and themes unique to her Anishnaabe culture with new modern materials. She also incorporates traditional North American quilting blocks introduced by European settlers into her work, using these to surround the Anishnaabe motifs that are central to her pieces.
These bright cheerful creations are expressions both of cultural meaning, and indigenous activism. Olsen William sees the act of sewing these quilts as a connection to traditional work done by women across the world, both in the past and the present.
Drop by Artspace and see these beautiful textile pieces in person. The exhibition will be on display from Saturday, January 12th until Saturday, February 16th. There will be an opening reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on January 12th, featuring an artist talk at 2 p.m. with Olsen Williams and Caroline Langill.
Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough and offers barrier-free access (to all but Gallery 2, formerly known as the Mudroom) and free admission during regular open hours: Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is available in the municipal lot on Hunter Street between Aylmer and George. For more information, call 705-748-3883 or visit artspace-arc.org.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio presents ‘On the Move’ and ‘Monochrome and Black and White’
A detail of ‘Contemplation’ by Judith Graham, one of the artists featured in the ‘Monochrome and Black and White’ show. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio)
‘On the Move: Travelling Through The Ages’, a members’ show at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio dedicated to the history and modes of transportation, continues this month until Sunday, January 20th.
It will be followed by the new ‘Monochrome and Black and White’ exhibit, which opens on Wednesday, January 23rd and runs until Sunday, February 24th. An opening reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 27th.
Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio is a not-for-profit artist’s co-operative, located at 420 O’Connell Road in Peterborough. Hours of operation are Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.kawarthaartists.org.
Peterborough's fuzz-folk duo Mayhemingways (Benj Rowland and Josh Fewings) return to the Kawartha Coffee Company in Bobcaygeon at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, January 3 to Wednesday, January 9.
If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.
7:30-11:30pm - Jazz and Blues ft Rob Phillips Trio w/ Marsala Lukianchuk
Friday, January 4
5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Odd Man Rush
Saturday, January 5
5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - House Brand
Sunday, January 6
3pm - Bluegrass Menagerie
Monday, January 7
7pm - Rick & Gailie's Crash & Burn
Tuesday, January 8
7pm - Randy Hill Band w/ Lauryn Macfarlane
Wednesday, January 9
7pm - Nicholas Campbell & Friends; 9pm - Half Way to the Wall
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 10 7:30-11:30pm - Jazz and Blues ft Rob Phillips Trio w/ Marsala Lukianchuk
Friday, January 11 5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Pop Machine
Saturday, January 12 5pm - Rick & Gailie; 8:30pm - Tenth Cloud
Sunday, January 13 3pm - Catfish Willie & The Buckle Busters
Boiling Over's Coffee Vault
148 Kent St. W., Lindsay
(705) 878-8884
Friday, January 4
7-9pm - Gerald Van Halteren
Coming Soon
Friday, January 11 7-9pm - Douglas MacKenzie
Champs Sports Bar
203 Simcoe St., Peterborough
(705) 742-3431
Thursdays
7pm - Open mic
Chemong Lodge
764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth
(705) 292-8435
Thursdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
Fridays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
Wednesdays
5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)
The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse
26 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 653-0001
Friday, January 4
4-8pm - Howard Baer and Joe Callahan
Wednesday, January 9
8pm - Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard
Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursdays
10pm - Open Mic w/ Gerald Vanhalteren
Fridays
9:30pm - Karaoke Night w/ DJ. Ross
Wednesdays
7-11pm - Live music
Dr. J's BBQ & Brews
282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 19 1:30-5pm - PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam (donations accepted for Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association)
Dreams of Beans
138 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 742-2406
Thursday, January 3
8pm - Open Mic hosted by Jacques Graveline
Friday, January 4
8pm - Yesnoyes (John Christopher, Kevin Read, John Atkin, and Dale Shroeder)
Frank's Pasta and Grill
426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727
Friday, January 4
9pm-12am - Karaoke; 12am - DJ
Saturday, January 5
10pm - GLOW party w/ DJ Hot Fudge
Wednesday, January 9
8-11pm - Open Mic
Ganarascals Restaurant
53 Walton St., Port Hope
905-885-1888
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 12 6pm - Amanda And John
Friday, January 25 7pm - Dave Mowat Blues Band
Saturday, February 2 7pm - Mayhemingways
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Saturday, January 5
2pm & 10pm - Live music TBA
Wednesday, January 9
8-11pm - Open Mic Night w/ Clayton Yates & Rob Foreman
Coming Soon
Friday, January 11 8pm - Ontario Street Theatre presents Fridays at The Ganny: The Blind Pig Speakeasy Night ft MLC Jug Band (PWYC)
Friday, January 18 8pm - Ontario Street Theatre presents Fridays at The Ganny: Funk Dance Party ft The Soul Motivators
Friday, January 25 8pm - Ontario Street Theatre presents Fridays at The Ganny: Ode to Tom Petty ft Mike Woods, Kim Doolittle, Kate Suhr, Sean Carthew & more
The Garnet
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107
Sunday, January 6
4pm - Chris Cuddy ($10 at door)
Tuesday, January 8
8pm - Regie Cabico & Charlie C Petch (comedy, music, and spoken word)
Coming Soon
Friday, January 11 5-7pm - Forselli Friday w/ Mr Not Much Fun; 9pm - Janetville Dug (PWYC)
Saturday, January 12 7pm - Ciara Leah
Golden Wheel Restaurant
6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838
Wednesday, January 9
7-9pm - Line Dancing Lessons w/ Marlene Maskell ($7 per person, all levels welcome)
Kawartha Coffee Co.
58 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon
(705) 738-1500
Saturday, January 5
7-10pm - Mayhemingways
VIDEO: "Hay Bales" - Mayhemingways
Coming Soon
Saturday, January 19 7pm - Disco Fever ($10, portion of proceeds to Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes)
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Thursdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Tony Silvestri and Greg Caven
Fridays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Saturdays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Sundays
8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon
Mondays
9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green
Wednesdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Kevin Foster
Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio
3 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-1100
Thursday, January 3
7:30pm - Open mic
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010
Thursday, January 3
7-10pm - Open Mic
Saturday, January 5
1-3pm - Shipwrecked Saturdays
Partista Café
23 Bridge St., Bancroft
613-630-0063
Coming Soon
Friday, January 25 7-11pm - Open Mic hosted by John Foreman
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, January 4
8-10pm - Andy Du Rego
Saturday, January 5
8-10pm - Rob Phillips
Red Dog Tavern
189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400
Thursday, January 3
7pm - Voice work seminar w/ Matt Diamond ($20 at door)
Friday, January 4
9pm - MJ & The Beetus w/ Bloodroot & Peace Sand Rest ($5 before 10pm, $10 after)
Coming Soon
Thursday, January 10 8pm - Paper Shakers w/ Basic White, Huttch, Niall ($5 before 9pm, $10 after)
Saturday, January 12 9pm - Rainbow Romp w/ DJ Mike Lee ($5 at door with proceeds to Rainbow Service Organization)
Friday, January 18 Express and Co.
Saturday, January 19 8:30pm - Kerry Jayne "Romance of Many Dimensions" CD Release Party ($10 at door)
Thursday, January 24 9pm - Hydee ($10 in advance, $20 at door)
The Danish concept of "hygge" (pronounced "hue-gah") is about embracing the coziness of the winter season, which can include cuddling up with a blanket and a hot drink at home or heading outside to enjoy nature. GreenUP's Lindsay Stroud combines both at GreenUP Ecology Park with some treats of warm cider and homemade cookies. (Photo: Karen Halley)
With the New Year, school and work will begin anew but many of us will experience a certain melancholy as we prepare to endure the rest of the cold months ahead.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jenn McCallum, GreenUP Coordinator, Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods.
That melancholy need not define the winter season for us. In Denmark, a more northern country with less daylight in winter, Danes have developed a strategy for staying upbeat during these cold, dark months. They call it hygge (pronounced “hue-gah”), which roughly translates in English as “coziness” or “hominess.”
This is a concept that we Canadians can borrow to increase our health and happiness throughout the winter.
Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well.
“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than being about things,” Wiking writes. “It is about being with the people we love, a feeling of home, and a feeling that we are safe and shielded from the world so we can allow ourselves to let our guard down.”
Hygge can include getting cozy with a book, a blanket, and a hot drink while creating a warm atmosphere with candles. Beeswax candles burn cleaner than other choices, and do not release irritating toxins or fragrances that paraffin candles can contain.
Picture a group of friends or family members sitting at home with the woodstove or fireplace ablaze, reading, playing games, or simply sitting quietly, perhaps drinking tea or hot chocolate. There could be a blizzard outside, but for those inside, there is warmth and safety. According to 71 per cent of Danes, home is the most likely place to experience hygge.
While hygge may be more of a feeling or experience than a tangible object, the Danes have some items and strategies that cultivate hygge. For one, they are especially fond of fireplaces and candles, with 30 per cent of Danish homes having fireplaces and 74 per cent lighting candles at least once a week.
If you don’t have a fireplace in your house, you can easily incorporate candles into your routine to add some hygge. Beeswax candles burn cleaner than other choices, and do not release irritating toxins or fragrances that paraffin candles can contain.
Hot drinks and sweets also have a high association with hygge. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate along with chocolates and cake are high on the list, although these may not align well with your New Year’s resolutions.
To cultivate hygge, Danes are especially fond of fireplaces and candles, with 30 per cent of Danish homes having fireplaces and 74 per cent lighting candles at least once a week.
To stay on track with your goals and to make healthy environmental choices, you can reach for socially conscious coffees and organic teas and look for fair trade certified blends. You can also purchase coffee and tea from local roasters and blenders to support members of your community too, which is also quite heart warming.
Nature is another great way to experience hygge. Get out for a walk along the Rotary Greenway Trail or at GreenUP Ecology Park, give bird watching a try, or enjoy caring for pets and houseplants; these activities are known to lift one’s mood.
“When we are close to nature, we are not engulfed in entertaining electronics or juggling a broad spectrum of options,” Wiking writes. “With hygge there are no luxuries or extravagance, just good company and good conversation; simple, slow, rustic elements are a fast track to hygge.”
Try adding some cedar boughs or dogwood stems as indoor décor that can enhance the hygge of your home. Indeed, hygge can be experienced through all the senses: sights, sounds, textures, tastes, and smells all contribute to a positive atmosphere.
Hygge is something you can personalize, too. Whether you start a journal, sketch, knit, relax in a warm bath, or dive into a good book, the way you hygge is up to you.
“I’ve tried hygge for a couple of winters now,” says GreenUP Communications and Marketing Specialist Karen Halley. “I approach it as a way to embrace my tendency to hibernate during the cold months, instead of feeling guilty about it. One of my favourite hygge activities is to enjoy the birds feeding from a window-mounted feeder in my living room, while wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea.”
As the holidays come towards a close with family members heading home and the normal routine restarting again, all is not lost! According to 78 per cent of Danes, hygge can still be done at work. Savour your morning coffee, find meaning and purpose in your work, and appreciate the warm company that your colleagues provide.
If you’re looking for ways to up your hygge game, the GreenUP Store (378 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough) carries a variety of sizes and shapes of beeswax candles starting at just $1.50. Beeswax candles are also often available from local honey vendors, too.
We also carry a variety of locally blended and wildcrafted teas by Necessitea, and the Rainforest Alliance Certified, fair trade, organic coffee by local roaster Kyoto Coffee, along with sweet treats like local honey and maple syrup, books, and many natural beauty products that are sure to bring relaxation and luxury to your winter.
On Tuesday (January 1) at around 9 p.m., the Kawartha Lakes Police Service received a call reporting a home invasion at a Peel Street address in Lindsay.
Police attended the scene and were advised that shortly after 9 p.m., two men had forced their way into the home, damaging the exterior door in the process.
After a brief struggle with the residents, the men stole a quantity of cash and fled the area on foot. They are believed to have entered a waiting vehicle.
No medical attention was required on the part of the residents.
The first suspect is described as a tall and thin male, dressed all in black, wearing a grey bandana and holding a baseball bat. The second suspect is described as a short male wearing a red bandana.
Police are asking that anyone who may have information about this incident to contact the city of Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252.
If you wish to provide your information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.khcs.ca.
Writer and playwright Tony Diamanti, who lives with cerebral palsy, is one of the four performers in "This is the Point", the award-winning play by Ahuri Theatre about sex, love, and disability coming to the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on January 11, 2019. A free public talk with the artists of Ahuri Theatre about sexuality and disability also takes place on January 9, 2019 at Traill College's Bagnani Hall. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
In a world where the man who is now President of the United States once publicly mocked a reporter with a physical disability, and where disgraced comedian Louis C.K. recently joked about using the word “retarded”, people living with disabilities continue to be confronted with appalling prejudice and a lack of understanding and empathy.
Public Energy & Ahuri Theatre present This is the Point
When: Friday, January 11, 2019 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $25 ($15 for students/underwaged, $10 high school students)
Written by Tony Diamanti, Dan Watson, Christina Serra, Karin Randoja, and Liz MacDougall. Directed by Karin Randoja. Performed by Tony Diamanti, Liz MacDougall, Christina Serra, and Dan Watson. Projection design by Melissa Joakim. Set and costume design by Sonja Rainey. Lighting design by Andre duToit. Sound design by Tim Lindsay. Production stage management by Pip Bradford. Mature content advisory for scenes depicting violence and sexuality.
Tickets available at the Market Hall Box Office (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) online at markethall.org.
Tackling the misconception of living with a disability is just one of the goals of the award-winning play This Is The Point — subtitled “A Play About Love, Sex and Disability” — coming to the Market Hall for a one-night-only performance on Friday, January 11th.
Created by Toronto-based Ahuri Theatre and presented in partnership with Public Energy, This Is The Point was written and is performed by two real-life couples whose lives are affected by cerebral palsy — a neurological disorder appearing in early childhood that affects movement, motor skills, and muscle tone.
One couple is husband-and-wife Dan Watson and Christina Serra, artistic producers of Ahuri Theatre. Sierra, who grew up in Peterborough and attended St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, has created a string of acclaimed plays with Watson, including Ralph+Lina, which tells the true story of Serra’s grandparents, two Italian lovers who immigrated to Peterborough following World War II.
Watson and Serra have a nine-year-old son named Bruno who lives with cerebral palsy, and are searching for the best way to ensure their non-verbal son can share his voice.
The other couple is craft services worker Liz MacDougall and writer and playwright Tony Diamanti, both of whom live with cerebral palsy. MacDougall can move and speak with little impairment, while her romantic partner Diamanti uses a motorized wheelchair to move around the stage and primarily communicates by spelling out words on a letter board using a pointer attached to a headband.
Liz MacDougall and Tony Diamanti, both of whom live with cerebral palsy, are one of two real-life couples who perform in “This is the Point”. The play won two Dora awards in 2017. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
Diamanti is adept at using augmented communication aids to share his voice (he “won’t shut up” according to the play’s description), while MacDougall grapples with the judgments that society makes about their love and sexuality.
Together, the two couples draw from their personal lives and experiences — from Watson and Serra getting Bruno ready for school in the morning to Diamant “breaking up” with his computer because he doesn’t like the simulated voice it provides for him — to address misconceptions related to disability.
The play also explores and debates questions of representation, the nature of companionship, and whether people of different abilities can ever connect with each other on equal terms.
VIDEO: This is the Point on Tour in 2019
Following the play’s premiere in 2016, the four writers and performers (along with director Karin Randoja) won two Dora awards, for Outstanding Ensemble and for Production.
The Globe and Mail called it “tough and courageous … There’s plenty of pleasure to be derived from the mix of scenes, monologues, clips from home movies and live interactions — and simply watching bodies not regularly seen on a stage perform.”
The National Post proclaimed that it “changes the way we see people with disabilities — especially when it comes to love and sex.” and Jess Gillis of Mooney on Theatre said the play “made me cry, made me think, and mostly made me laugh.”
Tony Diamanti and Dan Watson in “This is the Point”, based in part on Watson and his wife Christina Serra’s real-life experiences with their a nine-year-old non-verbal Bruno who lives with cerebral palsy. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
While the 75-minute play features plenty of physical comedy and humour, it also includes frank discussions of sexuality as well as raw examples of the darker side of living with a disability, prompting a mature content advisory.
Tickets are $25 ($15 for students and the underwaged or $10 for high school students) and are available at the Market Hall Box Office (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146) online at markethall.org.
The January 11th performance will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the artists on stage. The artists of Ahuri Theatre will also be giving a free public talk about disability and sexuality at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9th at Traill College’s Bagnani Hall (310 London St., Peterborough).
Environment Canada is forecasting a messy mix of winter weather to ring in the new year.
Precipitation associated with an approaching low pressure system is expected to move into the area on Monday evening (December 31).
Around 5 to 10 cm of snow is expected to fall in northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, southern Haliburton County, and Hastings County.
Further north, including northern Haliburton County and Algonquin, a significant snowfall is forecast with amounts of 10 to 20 cm is likely before the snow ends Tuesday morning.
In all areas, there is also the potential for a brief period of freezing rain later this evening or overnight.
Difficult travel conditions are possible from this evening into New Year’s Day.
Throughout 2018, kawarthaNOW shared the work of local photographers on our Instagram and we've selected 18 of the most-viewed photos of 2018. This photo of "ice flowers" at Lock 27 in Young's Point, taken by Travis Tedford, was the sixth most popular photo we shared in 2018. (Photo: Travis Tedford @travistedford / Instagram)
If you’re an Insta account fanatic like me (and if you’re not, then make it a goal for 2019!), you know it’s common practice to post your “top nine” photos of the past year. These top nine are shared across many profiles at this time of year, and they’ve been popping up in my feed for the past few weeks.
While we post the top nine most-viewed photographs from our @kawarthanow Insta account every month, I realized when looking at our best-of-2018 list that I couldn’t stop at a “top nine” this year — there were just too many amazing images from local photographers in our feed over the past 12 months.
So I’ve decided to expand our list to the top 18 of 2018. Even so, there are some not on this list who deserve to be there, including several talented photographers in our top 19 to 40 posts who generously allow us to share their work. We appreciate all of the local photographers who tag us regularly and allow us to share their photos — it promotes us and it promotes them. It’s a win-win all year long and we appreciate their faith in us to represent them.
Want to get on the list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us at #kawarthanow. We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
2018 marked our sixth year on Instagram, which continues to grow for us as a leading social media marketing tool. More than 11 per cent of our followers are from the GTA and comprise cottagers and relocators. Earlier this year, we reached 10,000 followers — the first local media company to achieve that milestone — and, on Christmas Day, we crossed the 12,000 mark. We continue to have consistently high engagement and reach, thanks to our strong base of real followers (unlike some accounts, we never ever buy followers).
Without further ado, here are the top 18 from 2018:
#1. Kawartha Kangaroos by kawarthaNOW @kawarthanow
Posted April 1, 2018. 8,881 impressions, 620 likes
Our hard-working managing editor Bruce Head deserves the top spot of 2018 for this photo promoting a classic and clever story about a kangaroo reserve near Millbrook. It was an April Fools’ Day story that will be a tough act to follow in 2019, and it earned top impressions on Instagram and Facebook for the year. Don’t feel foolish if you fell for this one — people are still googling for the Kawartha Kangaroo farm in Millbrook.
All the photos and the video in the story are actually of kangaroos in Australia, with the featured photo taken by Bernadette Camus of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary Tasmania (make sure to check out the video in the story too).
#2. Slow-motion video of a nuthatch in flight by Daniel Shaw @dthawed
Posted July 30, 2018. 8,608 impressions, 3,033 views, 378 likes
Daniel is a master of slow-motion photography and getting birds to land on and feed from his hand. It’s no wonder that this video landed in our second spot for the year. We could watch it all day long! Follow @dthawed for more of Daniel’s amazing outdoor nature and wildlife photos and videos.
Posted October 25, 2018. 8,015 impressions, 773 likes
An elusive “river deer” captured by The Highlands Cottages, who often post great views from their lovely spot just north of Buckhorn, along with lovely photos their guests take. Follow them @thehighlandscottages.
#4. Moondance in Peterborough by Jeannine Taylor @wired_woman
Posted January 31, 2018. 7,997 impressions, 458 likes
Sometimes an editorial post on our Instagram is important and newsworthy. On January 31, 2018, we broke the news that Moondance — Canada’s oldest independent record store — was closing after 45 years. The news was sad for many of our readers and bittersweet for owner Mike Taveroff.
Posted April 17, 2018. 7,865 impressions, 745 likes
This photo taken by @every_day_in_catchacoma captured the imagination and love from our followers, who are clearly Gord Downie and Tragically Hip fans. I shared it on April 17th because I was so fed up with that never-ending winter and needed some cottage country visuals. Later I realized it was six months to the day of Gord Downie’s passing. Sadly, this graffiti has since been painted over, but that won’t stop us from remembering Gord.
#6. Ice flowers at Lock 27 in Young’s Point by Travis Tedford @travistedford
Posted November 24, 2018. 7,714 impressions, 878 likes
Travis Tedford has a great commute that cuts across The Kawarthas and he often posts some intriguing photos. I have to admit I had never heard of ice flowers before this photo. Ice flowers are formed on lake surfaces when the air is very cold and very dry — remember that cold snap in November? The ice crystals are similar to hoar frost, and are commonly seen to grow in patches around 3 to 4 cm in diameter.
#7. Thanksgiving at Long Lake in Kawartha Highlands by The Greenhouse on the river @thegreenhouseontheriver
Posted October 5, 2018. 7,421 impressions, 828 likes
A beautiful dockside capture by @thegreenhouseontheriver. Follow them for some amazing shots by Elyn Green year round (and the scoop on plants and gardening)!
#8. Rotary Adult Gym at Beavermead Park in Peterborough by kawarthaNOW @kawarthanow
Posted May 27, 2018. 7,088 impressions, 318 likes
I love that our local Rotary Clubs made our top list as they do great work in our community all year round, and much of that work is not recognized widely enough. This photo by our managing editor Bruce Head was taken prior to the official opening in June of Peterborough’s first adult outdoor gym, a gift to the residents of the City of Peterborough from the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and the Peterborough Rotary Club.
Posted August 27, 2018. 7,082 impressions, 705 likes
Follow Sarah @sarah_styleandgrace and you will swoon over her summers on Stoney — and be prepared for some images of delectable food too because Sarah is also a recipe developer.
#11. September morning on Big Bald Lake by Joe Yusiw @kawartha_joe
Posted September 18, 2018. 7,074 impressions, 725 likes
Most of our followers know @kawartha_joe as we frequently share his images of Buckhorn Lake, Big Bald Lake, and Bobcaygeon. In fact, it’s hard not to share Joe’s photos every day. Joe is the go-to guy at Bobcaygeon’s Gilstorf & Gray so you should follow them @gilstorfandgray too!
#12. Fall mist at Peterborough Lift Lock by Tim Haan Photography @tim.haan.photography
Posted September 30, 2018. 7,027 impressions, 688 likes
It would be a challenge to get through the year without an iconic image of the Peterborough Lift Lock, and without a photo representing Tim Haan’s amazing portfolio. Tim @tim.haan.photography shares photos with us from Bancroft to Rice Lake and we’re pleased to share his talent.
#14. Ice caves at Warsaw by Andrew Holden @andy.holden
Posted January 4, 2018. 6,986 impressions, 758 likes
Andy is a winter photography enthusiast and a winter camper, so his feed @andy.holden is nice to follow if you prefer to experience the beauty of the cold outdoors from the warmth of your couch. His travels include Algonquin and Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park at the far side of The Kawarthas.
#16. Kawartha waterway paddlers by Justen Soule @justensoule
Posted September 30, 2018. 6,913 impressions, 674 likes
Canoeists and kayakers across the Kawarthas know that fall, with its misty mornings and lack of bugs, is a beautiful time to paddle. This shot of paddlers was taken by filmmaker and photographer Justen Soule @justensoule.
We are thankful for the beauty of the Kawarthas and for all the talented photographers out there who help to document it for everyone else. We are looking forward to sharing what they post in 2019!
Naomi DuVall as Samantha (right) with Lindsay Unterlander in Michelle Foster's new short "A New Year's Story". (Photo courtesy of Oblivious Muse Films)
Local independent filmmaker Michelle Foster has released a new short for New Year’s, appropriately entitled A New Year’s Story.
Michelle Foster. (Photo: Craig Foster)
Produced by Foster’s Oblivious Muse Films and Oxenham Design, the film was co-directed by Foster and Jamie Oxenham and features local actors Naomi DuVall, Lindsay Unterlander, Jason Cull, Steve Kasan, and more.
The 2-1/2 minute film tells the story of a woman at a New Year’s Eve party who, as midnight approaches, is mustering the courage to approach an important person in her life.
Foster, who lives in Omemee with her husband Craig and their two children, has a day job as office manager at Community Futures Peterborough.
Her previous short films include Exposed, Interviewed, Abduction, and Alexa.
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