This 1968 Ford Mustang, owned by Cavan resident Ralph Heaslip, will be among the many vintage rides displayed Saturday, July 7th as the Millbrook Classic Car Show returns to the village's downtown. He's just the third owner of the vehicle, which was bought new at a Ford dealership in Bowmanville and has just 68,000 original miles on the odometer. (Photo courtesy of Ralph Heaslip)
What do the quiet streets of Millbrook have in common with the busy thoroughfares that crisscross San Francisco?
Well, a 1968 Ford Mustang looks — and sounds — equally impressive in both settings.
Fifty years ago, the late Steve McQueen, portraying San Francisco police detective Frank Bullitt in the film Bullitt, recklessly drove a dark green 1968 Mustang Fastback through the California city for a breathtaking 10-minute car chase scene that’s still widely hailed as the best ever staged in cinematic history.
The 1968 film “Bullitt” starring Steve McQueen is recalled today mainly for its iconic car chase, a 10-minute masterpiece shot in and around San Francisco and featuring a souped-up Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback chasing a 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum. (Photo; Warner Bros)
On Saturday, July 7th in pretty downtown Millbrook, Ralph Heaslip will much more serenely guide his red 1968 Mustang into place for the annual Millbrook Classic Car Show.
The Cavan resident’s vintage ride will be one of many classic cars on display as the annual show, again sponsored by the Millbrook and District Lions Club with support from the Millbrook BIA.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a closed King Street, up to 100 classic vehicles — each at least 25 years old — will be displayed for car buffs and the simply curious.
Dozens of classic vehicles on display when the popular Millbrook Classic Car Show returns to downtown Millbrook on Saturday, July 7th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To complete the setting, the Hewitt brothers will spin classic tunes from the 1960s and 1970s. And no one will go hungry as Royal Canadian Legion Branch 402 members serve breakfast until 10:30 a.m. at their 9 King Street East location, with the Lions’ food trailer handling the lunchtime feeding.
“You quite often get a thumbs up,” says Heaslip, a Lions member who has been a regular at the show for several years now, referring to his ’68 Mustang.
“When you have a pretty car, people like to look at it.”
He’s the third owner of the Mustang, which he says was bought new in Bowmanville at a Ford dealership. It has 68,000 original miles on its odometer. Heaslip gave it a paint job, put tires on it and has performed “some maintenance things”, but has otherwise tinkered little with the car.
The 2018 Millbrook Classic Car Show takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 7th in downtown Millbrook.
“It was in pretty good shape when I got it,” he says. “Still, there’s always something.”
Stored in the winter, Heaslip’s pride and joy — it’s featured on the promotional poster for the show — gets regular exercise spring into early fall via driving tours, enjoyed with other classic car owners who are members of Kawartha Country Cruisers. Heaslip is also registered with the Antique Automobile Club of America.
“I bought it to enjoy it, so I drive it everywhere,” says Heaslip, noting he toured the car to Manitoulin Island and has also toured with it south of the border.
Among those doing the groundwork for the show is Linda Hughes, treasurer of the Millbrook and District Lions Club of which her husband Bill is the current president.
“It’s really awesome to see the car owners, they’re all so friendly and they really have a great time ogling everyone else’s cars,” says Hughes.
“We (the Lions) had our Pet Valu Walk For Guide Dogs event May 27th in downtown Millbrook and all of a sudden these vintage cars starting pulling into town. I thought ‘Oh no, don’t tell me they got the wrong date.’ It turns out they were out on a cruise and came into Millbrook for breakfast. We’re hoping to see them come out July 7th. We told them about it.”
The Millbrook Classic Car Show mainly features classic cars from North America, although there are some British models as well. (Photo courtesy of Andy Stevenson)
On the day of the show, Hughes will handle registration and food serving duties alongside her fellow Lions. As well, 50-50 tickets will be sold by Masonic Lodge membersm with the proceeds split between that group and the Lions. And at about 2 p.m., plaques will be awarded to the top 10 vehicles as voted upon by show attendees.
The show remains a flagship event for the Millbrook and District Lions Club. While this is the 13th annual show, its roots go back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the Lions held a show on Medd’s Mountain. However, that location was eventually abandoned due the soft ground producing problems for the vehicles.
Come 2006, the show found a new home on King Street, sponsored by the Millbrook and District Chamber of Commerce with help from the Lions. The following year saw the Millbrook BIA present the show, again with the Lions’ assistance. Since 2008, the Lions have been involved full bore. That, however, hasn’t come without challenges as the club faces a hurdle all too common in service club circles — declining membership.
The Millbrook Classic Car Show is also a big day for local merchants, with shops and restaurants open in downtown Millbrook to serve the crowds.
“We have 43 registered members at the moment … we’re losing a lot and the younger ones aren’t coming in,” says Hughes, a Lions member with Bill for 13 years now. She adds when they joined, the club had 65 members.
Still, that has done nothing to dampen her enthusiasm for the show. In fact, the only thing that will dampen any enthusiasm, and everything else, will be rain on the day of.
“We had amazing weather last year, so fingers crossed on that one,” says Hughes, adding all downtown Millbrook shops will be open for business — their owners anxious to greet customers, both new and returning.
Developer Clear Global Capital Ltd. has purchased the historic St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Peterborough. It was listed for sale in January with an asking price of $900,000. (Photo: Realty Executives Alison Ltd., Brokerage)
This week’s regional business news features the sale of the historic St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Peterborough to a developer, the opening of Rolling Grape vineyard and winery in Bailieboro, the hiring of 15 new staff in May by Peterborough-based Cambium, the winners of the City of Kawartha Lakes’ Downtown Dreams contest, the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Evening of Excellence award winners, the Innovation Cluster hosting a hackathon to create solutions for barriers to accessibility, federal funding available for businesses and community organizations to increase accessibility, Camp Kawartha winning the Accessibility Champion Award, and the Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network seeking a board member.
New regional business events added this week include the Innovation Cluster hosting Yoga for Entrepreneurs in Peterborough on June 14th, the Haliburton Chamber and Workforce Development Board hosting a mental health workshop in Haliburton on June 18th, and the Peterborough Chamber hosting a seminar on marijuana and the workplace in Peterborough on June 27th.
Developer buys historic St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Peterborough
The sanctuary in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Peterborough has been closed since 2014 for safety reasons. As the total costs of repairs to the property has been estimated at $2 million with an annual maintenance cost of $100,000, the church listed the property for sale in January for an asking price of $900,000. Developer Clear Global Capital Ltd. has now purchased the property. (Photo: Realty Executives Alison Ltd., Brokerage)
A developer has purchased the historic St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church at the corner of Murray and Water Streets in downtown Peterborough.
The 159-year-old church was listed for sale in January with Realty Executives Alison Ltd., Brokerage, with an asking price of $900,000.
Church officials announced last Monday (June 4) that the church has been sold to Clear Global Capital Ltd., with the deal closing on August 31, 2018.
The church’s decision to sell the historic building follows a 2014 structural review of the church that estimated it would cost $2 million to repair loose plaster, rotting support beams, writing, insulation, and the roof. Annual maintenance costs to maintain the property are $100,000.
In March 2009, the church was temporarily closed after cracks in the decorative plaster of the ceiling were discovered. That repair alone cost the congregation $38,000. However, the sanctuary in the original church building has remained closed since 2014 due to loose plaster falling from the ceiling.
The property houses two connected buildings with more than 23,400 square feet of floor space. It is also currently the temporary home of Brock Mission, whose former location Murray Street has been demolished with a new 18,000-square-foot facility being constructed on the same site with a scheduled completion date of later this year.
Church officials have not revealed the terms of the deal, other than that the developer is allowing existing tenants to continue to use the property for at least six months after the closing date, and that Brock Mission can continue to use the church until its new facility is ready.
The building does not have a heritage designation, and the developer’s plans for the property have not been revealed.
Rolling Grape vineyard and winery opens in Bailieboro
Rolling Grape, a vineyard and winery in Bailieboro, produces a Sauvignon Blanc, an Amplified Orange, and a Chardonnay as well as a Marquette. (Photo: Rolling Grape Vineyard / Facebook)
Rolling Grape Vineyard, a new vineyard and winery in Bailieboro, held its soft opening last Friday (June 8).
Owned by winemaker Jon Drew, the family-run vineyard and winery is located at 260 County Rd. 2., about 20 minutes south of Peterborough.
They produce small batch wines, including a Marquette, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Amplified Orange (a white wine fermented like a red).
Rolling Grape Vineyard offers a tasting room and is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Peterborough-based Cambium hires 15 new staff in May
Cambium president and CEO John Desbiens. (Photo: Cambium)
Peterborough-based consulting and engineering firm Cambium has announced that it hired 15 new full-time employess in May, bringing its total employee count to 100 at its locations in Peterborough, Barrie, Oshawa, and Kingston.
Founded in 2006 with nine employees, Cambium offes environmental, geotechnical, building sciences, and construction monitoring services. The addition of 15 staff in a single month is a milestone for the company.
“We planned to expand but the pace of growth was at a much faster and steadier rate than we had expected,” says President and CEO John Desbiens. “Building our capacity and competency to meet the market demand has required ongoing organizational development.”
Over the past five years, Cambium has grown by around 500 per cent with additional services, new offices, and projects.
Desbiens says he expects continued growth at Cambium over the next three years as the company continues to develop its existing locations and pursue a broader geographic reach.
City of Kawartha Lakes announces winners of Downtown Dreams contest
These four businesses in Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, Omemee, and Lindsay receive a prize package as part of the Downtown Dreams contest. (Photo courtesy of City of Kawartha Lakes)
Last Wednesday (June 6), the City of Kawartha Lakes hosted the Downtown Dreams Business Showcase at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay and announced the four winners.
Downtown Dreams is a contest for new and existing businesses to open, expand, or move into the downtowns of Coboconk or Norland, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay or Omemee. The finalists of the contest are those businesses that most highly demonstrate passion, enthusiasm, compelling business objectives and knowledge in their field.
The winners are Agatha and Vinh Mac of Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. in Fenelon Falls, Jennifer Bacon of Yoga with Jenny in Coboconk, Eliana Evenaar and Phil Blais of Creation Café in Omemee, and Marie Rayner of Soulful Expressions in Lindsay.
Each business receives a prize package that includes: a free one-year membership to the local Chamber of Commerce; business and marketing consulting; business logo and business cards design; printing of business cards, letterhead, and envelopes; print and radio advertising; three months of telephone and internet services; photography services; and more.
Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce 2018 Evening of Excellence awards winners
The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce 2018 Evening of Excellence took place on June 1st at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon. (Photo: Laura Elizabeth)
The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce held its 2018 Evening of Excellence awards ceremony on Friday, June 1st at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon.
Adam Hayward of Nesbitt’s Meat Market was named Business Leader of the Year and community volunteer Robyn McNabb was named Citizen of the Year.
Chris Karkabasis was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. The former owner of the Cottage and then the Olympia Restaurant in Lindsay, Karkabasis is also a former councilor for the Town of Lindsay, a past president of the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce president, an a founder of the Lindsay Business Improvement Association.
The other winners announced on June 1st are:
DiBello Towing, New Business Of The Year
Kawartha Care Wellness Centre, Customer Service Excellence
Adelaide Clinic, Design Excellence
Mariposa Dairy, Innovation Excellence
Days Inn & Suites Lindsay, Tourism Excellence
Happy Days Houseboats, Marketing Excellence
Victoria County Career Services, Youth Mentorship Excellence
Kawartha Lakes Art Gallery, Arts Excellence
Horizon’s Family Dentistry, Employer of The Year
A Place Called Home, Not-For-Profit Excellence;
Innovation Cluster hosts hackathon to create solutions for barriers to accessibility
Participants in the Inclusive Design Challenge hackathon. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
On Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd, the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas hosted an Inclusive Design Challenge hackathon to bring awareness to everyday barriers for those with accessibility challenges, including vision and hearing loss.
The hackathon was part of the Ontario government’s BIG IDeA program that promotes advancing accessibility innovation in Ontario to create a culture of accessibility and inclusion.
The public, free event began at 4 p.m. on Friday at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough, where participants had 24 hours to complete their solutions for a public showcase on Saturday afternoon.
Participants came up with the concept of a self-braking wheelchair. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
Improving wheelchair accessibility was a focus of participants, including brainstorming the creation of an automatic braking system that would trigger when the user lost control. Members of the public who came to view the solutions during the showcase also provided ideas, such as an automated emergency communications device like OnStar for wheelchairs.
The research from the event will be documented on the BIG IDeA website at bigidea.one and be available to the public to promote the continuation of these innovations.
Federal funding available for businesses and community organizations to increase accessibility
The federal government is now accepting proposals for the small projects component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF).
The EAF provides funding for eligible capital projects that increase accessibility for people with disabilities in Canadian communities and workplaces, creating more opportunities for people living with disabilities to participate in community activities, programs and services, or access employment opportunities.
There are two funding streams under EAF.
For businesses and other employers, the workplace accessibility stream funds projects that improve accessibility and safety for people with disabilities through the construction, renovation, or retrofit of workplaces, and by providing accessible information and communications technologies so that people with disabilities can access employment opportunities.
For community organizations, the community accessibility stream funds projects that improve accessibility and safety for people with disabilities through the construction, renovation or retrofit of community facilities and venues, and by providing accessible information and communications technologies so that community programs and services can be accessed by people with disabilities.
Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations (with up to 99 full-time equivalent employees), small municipalities (with population under 125,000), Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities) and territorial governments are eligible to apply for project funding of up to $100,000 under both the workplace and the community accessibility funding streams.
Eligible applicants can submit proposals until July 26, 2018. Examples of projects include the construction or renovation of accessible ramps and pathways, the installation of automatic door openers, retrofitting of washrooms and office spaces, and the provision of accessible information and communication technologies.
Camp Kawartha wins Accessibility Champion Award with honourable mentions for Workforce Development Board and Peterborough Axe Club
Council for Persons with Disabilities Chair John McNutt, Peterborough, Mayor Darryl Bennett, Carlo Raponi of Peterborough Axe Club, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha Jacob Rodenburg, and Scott Howard of Workforce Development Board. (Photo courtesy of Council for Persons with Disabilities)
The Council for Persons with Disabilities has awarded Camp Kawartha with the National Accessibility Champion Award.
The announcement was made on Friday, June 1st at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough during the closing ceremony of National Accessibility Week.
The award recognizes Camp Kawartha for being innovative and inclusive for their business and operational philosophy, specifically by supporting full inclusivity for children and adults of all abilities.
The recent developments include an accessible cabin cluster comprising a large accessible deck for group activities, accessible sleeping quarters with power entry doors and accessible washrooms and showers, and a unique accessible climbing wall with special rigging allowing those in wheelchairs or with prosthetics to engage in climbing safely with their peers. They also added an accessible pathway to ensure every camper or student who wants to participate in waterfront activities can do so despite a steep incline down to the waterfront camp.
VIDEO: Axe Throwing for Persons With Disabilities
Honourable mentions were also awarded to Workforce Development Board, for the development of a guide called “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers” that aims to help persons with disabilities achieve their full employment potential and provide a resource for business owners interested in making their operation more inclusive, and the Peterborough Axe Club, for making the sport of axe throwing accessible to persons with disabilities by training staff in various techniques to enable people with a disability to successfully throw axes and participate with their family and friends in this fast-growing and popular sport.
Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN) seeking a board member
The Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN) is seeking applications from residents in Eastern Ontario who would like to serve on the public to serve on its Board of Directors.
There is one immediate short-term vacancy with an option to renew for a two-year term in January 2019. This is a volunteer position requiring attendance at monthly board meetings and various other events and activities.
Qualified candidates with public or private sector expertise in finance, law, and/or technology are asked to visit the EORN website at www.eorn.ca for a job description.
If you are interested in applying to this position, forward your resume and cover letter to:
David Fell, CEO
County of Peterborough
County Court House
470 Water Street
Peterborough, ON K9H 3M3
or by email to dfell@eorn.ca. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 6th.
Peterborough Chamber Breakfast Meeting with Michael Konopaski on June 12
Michael Konopaski of Inclusive Advisory speaking at a FastStart E-Connect event in December 2017. (Photo; Inclusive Adivsory / Twitter)
The next Chamber AM, a breakfast meeting hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12th at Carousel Restaurant & Tavern (116 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough) with a presentation from Michael Konopaski, who will speak on the topic “The Truth About Finding Happiness for Entrepreneurs”.
Michael is the Managing Director of Inclusive Advisory and the Chief Financial Officer of Aligned Capital Partners. Inclusive Advisory is a local, third generation, multi–discipline partnership of accountants, lawyers and wealth management professionals. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has a PhD from one of the top business schools in the world.
His research interests include the connection between happiness and entrepreneurship. Over the years, Michael has studied hundreds of entrepreneurs to find out how they built their business while simultaneously achieving happiness. His presentation will focus on helping you increase your well being while keeping ahead of your competition.
Networking begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (where you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room) followed by the guest speaker at 8 a.m.
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism hosts Business After Hours: Woodview Hop on June 13
Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake. (Photo: Viamede Resort)
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13th in Woodview.
The “Woodview Hop” begins at 5 p.m. at Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake (595 Mount Julian – Viamede Rd.) and then travels to Woodview on the Lake (6242 Highway 28) at 5:45 p.m. for networking and refreshments from 6 to 7 p.m., including beef tenderloin on a bun, fruit and cheese, cupcakes, and wine and beer.
Business owners from the Woodview area will also be in attendance to speak about their businesses.
Artspace hosts its Annual General Meeting on June 13
Artspace, Peterborough’s non-profit artist-run centre that assists artists with the presentation of new work, is hosting its annual general meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13th in the main gallery at Artspace (378 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough).
Artspace will review the previous year’s operations and the organization’s audited financial statements, and will seek nominations for new members for the board of directors.
All members of the community are invited to attend, but only members in good standing with the centre are eligible to participate in voting.
The meeting will be held in a physically accessible space, and a cash bar and light refreshments will be provided.
Innovation Cluster hosts Yoga for Entrepreneurs in Peterborough on June 14
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting “Yoga for Entrepreneurs” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 14th on the ground floor of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Led by Celeste Terry, the yoga session is part of the Innovation Cluster’s Hands-On Series for the month of June called “Maintaining Mindfulness as an Entrepreneur”. The series is intended to help entrepreneurs avoid burnout by focussing on self-care.
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre Annual General Meeting in Cobourg on June 19
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre is holding its annual general meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19th in the Rotary Room at the Cobourg Public Library (200 Ontario St., Cobourg).
David Quesada, Community Outreach Officer with Horizons of Friendship, will be giving a special presentation on that organization’s partnership with Cornerstone, and will outline the itinerary for the upcoming gender-based violence knowledge exchange in Guatemala in which Cornerstone will be participating.
Cornerstone provides immediate shelter, counselling, and prevention services throughout Northumberland County.
Haliburton Chamber and Workforce Development Board host mental health workshop in Haliburton on June 18
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce and the Workforce Development Board are hosting a free workshop on mental health from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Monday, June 18th at Bonnie View Inn (2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Rd., Haliburton).
The “Mental Distress: Recognition and Response Workshop” will be presented by Jack Veitch, Health Promoter and Educator with the Canadian Mental Health Association Halburtion, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.
Workshop participants will learn about the difference between mental health and mental illness, as well as the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Participants will aloso learn about a variety of mental illness, including common symptoms and presentation. As well, simple verbal de-escalation techniques and communication strategies will be reviewed.
A light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., followed by introductions by the Workforce Development Board at 8 a.m., with the workshop beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Leaders Lunch Series on trade and potential of student ambassadors on June 20
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its latest Leaders Lunch Series, “Harnessing Trade Opportunities and the Potential of Student Ambassadors”, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20th at Fleming College’s Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough).
Dignitaries from Brazil, China, and India will discuss trade opportunities and harnessing the potential of student ambassadors.
Keynote speakers are Sarah Kutulakos (Executive Director of Canada China Business Council), Mr. Anil Shah (National Convenor of Canada India Foundation), Mr. Ademar Seabra da Cruz Junior (Deputy Consul of Brazil to Toronto), and Ms. Paola Saad (Vice-President of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce).
Other speakers will include Douglas Kennedy from the Centre of Global Enterprise (Toronto) and more.
Kawarthas Northumberland annual tourism partner meeting on June 20
Todd Lucier, co-founder of Northern Edge Algonquin Retreat Centre, a retreat designer and IGNITE facilitator will be the guest speaker at the Kawarthas Northumberland annual tourism partner meeting. (Photo: Northern Edge Algonquin Retreat Centre)
RTO8’s Kawarthas Northumberland is inviting tourism operators from within the Kawarthas Northumberland region (City of Kawartha Lakes, City and County of Peterborough, and Northumberland County) to its annual partners meeting (annual general meeting) from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20th at Iron Horse Ranch (804 Ontario 7A RR1, Bethany).
The meeting will provide tourism operators with the opportunity to meet Kawarthas Northumberland board members and staff, along with representatives and advisors from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and to network with other tourism operators.
The guest speaker at the session will be Todd Lucier, co-founder of Northern Edge Algonquin Retreat Centre, a retreat designer and IGNITE facilitator. Lucier will speak on how tourism operators can leverage their own resources to build new and exciting visitor experiences, with an appreciation for the importance of community collaboration.
The event is free, but advance registration is required by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 15th. Register at Eventbrite.
Peterborough Chamber hosts seminar on marijuana and the workplace in Peterborough on June 27
The next seminar in the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch Box Learning series is on the topic “Marijuana and the Workplace” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27th in the Chamber boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Chris Russell, a human resources lawyer with LLF Lawyers, and Matthew Savino of Savino Human Resource Partners, will present the seminar followed by a question-and-answer session.
The seminar is free to attend with a Chamber membership or a Women’s Business Network of Peterborough membership. Bring your own lunch.
Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area Annual General Meeting on June 27
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is hosting its annual general meeting on Wednesday, June 27th in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking starts at 5:30 p.m. with business at 6 p.m. The meeting will include updates on what’s happening in downtown Peterborough, as well as a general election of the board.
Everyone is welcome to attend, although only DBIA members can vote.
For more information on joining the board, contact Joel Wiebe at the DBIA at 705-748-4774 or joelwiebe@peterboroughbia.com.
The Peterborough Police Service is warning the community about the virtual kidnapping scam after two students from China attending postsecondary institutions in Peterborough were recently targetted.
In the first incident, approximately $18,000 Canadian was extorted by the scammers. No money was handed over in the second incident.
Virtual kidnapping is an extortion scheme that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death. Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart.
The scam was first identified in the United States by the FBI in 2013, with virtual kidnapping calls originating from Mexican prisons targetting Spanish-speaking residents of the Los Angeles area. Since then, the scam has spread internationally, with several cases of foreign students in British Columbia being targetted by Chinese scammers.
“This scam is not unique to Peterborough and has been circulating for some time in other parts of the country,” explains Staff Sergeant Daniel MacLean of the Criminal Investigations Unit. “This scam is extremely elaborate and sophisticated.”
Here’s how the scam works:
The victim gets a phone call, often from a number that appears to be coming from the Chinese Consulate.
They are told either that there is a Chinese warrant for their arrest, or that the Chinese police need their help with an investigation.
The scammers then convince the target to make a phony video in which they say they’ve been kidnapped or are the victim of a crime.
These videos are sent to the victim’s family members, who are extorted for money by paying the ransom.
The victim in Canada is convinced by the scammers to go to a motel and hide from local police.
“The Peterborough Police Service is working closely with both postsecondary institutions in Peterborough to ensure students are well informed and well educated regarding scams and frauds and that they feel safe,” MacLean says.
“Through pro-active crime prevention education and messaging, we hope to prevent any further victimization of our international student population.”
Peterborough police urge international students and the community at large to pay close attention to the following tips:
Do not trust your call display. It may say “Police”. In reality, it may be an actual scammer. It does not matter what the caller ID says, you cannot trust it.
If you get an urgent call from someone stating they represent the Chinese Consulate, a company or a government agency seeking personal information, hang up. Call the phone number on your account statement, in the phone book or on the company or government agency’s website to verify the authenticity of the request.
Never give out personal information in response to unexpected calls. This includes account numbers, social insurance number (SIN), information relating to your family members, your passport information, passwords or any information about your identity.
If someone on the phone tells you to keep a secret, alarm bells should be going off.
When in doubt, hang up. Call a trusted family member, friend, staff at your school, or the police.
As a reminder, the Chinese police will not arrest you in Canada, or ask you to take photos or videos of yourselves pretending to be the victim of crime.
Stop, pause, and think before reacting to any suspicious phone call or communication you receive.
If you receive a scam call please report it immediately to the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 or via the non-emergency crime online reporting system at crimereporting.peterboroughpolice.ca, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.stopcrimehere.ca, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll free at 1-888-495-8501.
Don Skuce at the now-closed Moondance Music in February 2018. He passed away in June 2018 at the age of 66 after a long battle with an incurable cancer. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Peterborough’s live music fraternity, still feeling the effects of last November’s passing of guitarist Jan Schoute, has been dealt another blow.
Don Skuce, the former owner of Ed’s Music Workshop and the guitar go-to guy for countless musicians, died Sunday (June 10) at age 66.
A cancer survivor, Skuce was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January 2012 — less than a year after he retired from his landmark shop at Park and McDonnel streets.
Musician Paige Armstrong with Don Skuce in 2002 at Ed’s Music in Peterborough. (Photo: Paige Armstrong / Facebook)
He recently developed pneumonia after undergoing stem cell treatment in Kingston and was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Friday, June 8th.
He’s survived by Karen Page, his wife of 41 years.
“It’s just a shock, that’s how disposable our lives are … you just never know,” says longtime Peterborough musician Gailie Young of Rick & Gailie fame.
“I went to Ed’s back when my father was still alive. That was the original Ed’s, before he put the store there on McDonnel (at Park Street). Don was an amazing man. I just loved him. He was a genuine soul and a genuine peace guy. If you were his friend, you knew it. He was the real deal.”
Gary Peeples and Don Skuce at the Gorden Best Theatre in 2012. (Photo: Al Black / Facebook)
Young relates the last time she saw Skuce was at one of the Blues Jams at Dr. J’s.
“He saw me and came running over and gave me a great big hug. He was an excellent musician. I was always trying to get him to come out do some Neil Young at Crash ‘n’ Burn (Monday night at The Black Horse) but he was too nervous and said he couldn’t do it.”
Young notes Schoute’s passing last fall combined with Skuce’s death has really hit home for her, what with Rick recovering from his own battle with cancer.
“It’s just one thing after the other. We’re all in that age group. We’re only here for a short time. It could be any day for any one of us.”
We've been waiting for an otherwise dull day to share this special video of Don Skuce. Don generously offered to record this video when he came by to pick up his new Guild guitar (late March 2018). The whole crew at Maar's Music is thankful to Don for his kind words. It's our privilege to have him as a customer now that he's retired. Don has an encyclopedic knowledge of guitars & amps and we hope to have the privilege of a "Gear chat" video in the near future!
Posted by Maar's Music on Saturday, April 14, 2018
Terry Guiel, meanwhile, says his relationship with Skuce goes back some 35 years.
“I remember going to Ed’s as a young musician and getting my first real guitar — an old Guild Jumbo guitar — and it was kid of like an a-ha moment,” relates Guiel.
Don Skuce. (Photo: Maar’s Music / Facebook)
“The fun part with Don was the stories. You’d go in to pick up your guitar, or drop it off, and there was always an interesting story. He’s very well known for that big smile behind that big moustache. It was nice to see cancer didn’t take that smile away. You could tell he enjoyed life. I never knew an angry moment from him. He rolled with the punches with a big smile.”
Guiel describes Skuce’s private collection of guitars as “what Heaven would look like for a guitarist … literally wall-to-wall classic guitars of every make and model. No one knew more about guitars than Don Skuce, that’s for sure.
“I’ll miss the random encounters I had with him downtown but I’ve still got that first guitar he sold me. I’m probably going to hold it a little more preciously now. Now there’s a little bit more of a story behind that old Guild.”
Many heard about Skuce’s passing early Monday morning via Facebook. Comments were quick in coming, many of them from musicians who frequented Ed’s Music Workshop over the years.
“Always a great supporter of working musicians, Don would always set work aside to fix you up for a gig,” wrote Washboard Hank, with Nick Ferrio noting Skuce “was one of a kind.”
“I just ran into Don at Moondance this past February after (Moondance owner) Mike Taveroff announced he was closing the store,” says kawarthaNOW publisher Jeannine Taylor. “Don told me he just changed his medication and he was feeling good. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Skuce is survived by his wife Karen Page, his sister Rosemary Menard, his brother-in-law Dan Page (Karen), and his nieces Laura Menard and Siobhan Page.
A celebration of Skuce’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 24th at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre (356 Rubidge St., Peterborough). There will be food, refreshments, and the opportunity to enjoy the company of friends while sharing memories of Don Skuce.
In memory of Skuce, the family has requested donations to the Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (no receipts are available) or the Canadian Cancer Society. Online condolences can be made at www.comstockkaye.com.
Giuseppe "Pino" Bruni of C. Bruni & Sons Farms in Oshawa, a regular and long-time vendor at local farmers' markets, passed away suddenly on June 8, 2018 at the age of 48. He leaves behind his wife, two daughters, mother, and brother. (Photo: C. Bruni & Sons Farms / Facebook)
Visitors to the farmers’ market at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday (June 9) were shocked and saddened to learn that one of the market’s most popular and respected vendors has passed away.
Giuseppe “Pino” Bruni of C. Bruni & Sons Farms of Oshawa, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday (June 8) at the age of 48.
A regular at both the Saturday market and the Wednesday farmers’ market in downtown Peterborough, as well as various farmers’ markets in Durham Region, Pino is survived by his wife Meredith (chair of the Durham Region Farmers’ Market Association), his daughters Isabella and Julianna, his mother Giuseppina “Pina” Bruni, and his brother Gabe.
Pino was the son of the late Carmine A. Bruni, who first immigrated to Canada in 1957 when he was 12 years old. After working in tobacco fields and picking tomatoes, Carmine returned to Italy in 1968 where he married Pina. The following year, Carmine and Pina came back to Canada where they bought a small farm in Raglan, Ontario.
By 1977, they were selling produce at local farmers’ markets and purchased more property to expand the farm. Carmine’s sons Pino and Gabe eventually became involved in the family business, and continued to operate the farm at 710 Raglan Road East after Carmine passed away in 2012.
After learning of Pino’s passing, many people who have posted condolences to the Bruni family on Facebook describe Pino as “warm”, “generous”, “hard=working”, “kind”, and having a “big heart.”
Visitations takes place at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home Ltd. (5295 Thickson Rd. N., Whitby) on Thursday, June 14th from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.
A service takes place in the Barnes chapel at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 15th. Pino will be interred at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Whitby.
In memory of Pino, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice.
The winners and honourable mentions of Community Care Peterborough's annual Grandparent of the Year Award at a reception at Princess Gardens Retirement Residence in Peterborough on June 6, 2018. (Photo: Dean Ostrander)
On Wednesday (June 6), Community Care Peterborough celebrated local grandparents with the Grandparent of the Year Award reception at Princess Gardens Retirement Residence in Peterborough, where children shared their stories about the special older people in their lives.
This is the 31st year for the awards, which were introduced by Anne Innis, former volunteer and board member with Community Care, to bring different generations together and celebrate the influence they have on each other.
Eaelier this year, children from grades 2 to 6 were invited to nominate their grandparent (or another special older person in their lives) for the award, which is designed to encourage children to be aware of how important seniors are in their lives and to encourage them to write stories.
This year, the nomination committee reviewed 260 entries submitted on behalf of students by 28 teachers from 18 schools in the City and County of Peterborough, as well as home-schooled students. There are two Grandparent of the Year awards, one for primary level (grades 2 and 3) and one for junior level (grades 4 to 6), along with honourable mentions in each category.
Grade 3 student Olivia Kielec shares her story about her grandmother Dawn Kielec, who received the primary level Grandparent of the Year Award. (Photo: Dean Ostrander)
The winner of the primary level Grandparent of the Year Award was Dawn Kielec. She is the grandmother of Olivia Kielec, a Grade 3 student at St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough (teacher Mrs. Delaney).
Honourable mentions went to Susan Livings, grandmother of Joy Davis, a Grade 2 student at Monsignor O’Donoghue Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough (teacher Ms. Towns), and Bob Flagler, grandfather of Ben Messenger, a Grade 3 student at St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough (teacher Mrs. Delaney).
Grade 4 student Emily Gibson reads her story about her 95-year-old great-grandmother Leona VanSickle, who received the junior level Grandparent of the Year Award. (Photo: Dean Ostrander)
The winner of the junior level Grandparent of the Year Award was Leona VanSickle. She is the 95-year-old great-grandmother of Emily Gibson, a Grade 4 student at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood (teacher Mrs. Oltean).
The children read their submitted stories in front of the crows.
“Somehow she always has time for me,” Emily Gibson said about her great-grandmother Leona. “And I will always have time for her.”
Honourable mentions went to Irene Vojtek, grandmother of Emma Vojtek, a Grade 5 student at Norwood District Public School (teacher S. Wynne) and Deb Noffke, grandmother of Brayden Noffke, a Grade 5 student at Apsley Central Public School (teacher Mrs. Osborne).
Every child submitting an entry received a certificate of participation, a recognition certificate for the grandparent, and the story they wrote..
The selection committee was comprised of Joyce Fee, Ruth Deyell, Lance Nachoff (Nexicom), Judy Boutette, Bev Gartlan, Linda Conway, Murielle Philipovsky, Marilyn Robinson, Bev Merritt, Louise Campbell, Michelle McLean, and Danielle Belair.
This year’s Grandparent of the Year Award was sponsored by Nexicom, Bennett’s Home Furnishings, Grady Feet Essentials, and The Gardens of Peterborough.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E.coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like this beach at Beavermead Park in Peterborough, are tested every business day while most are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Beach Report is back! Every Friday during swimming season, we post a weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the Kawarthas.
As of June 8, 2018, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Omemee Beach – Emily/Omemee Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
Centennial Beach – Verulam Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
Hastings North – Campbellford Area – Northumberland County
Sandy Bay Park – Port Hope/Cobourg Area – Northumberland County
Here are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
Peterborough Public Health samples the water quality of popular city beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day during the summer. The health unit will post signage if a beach is unsafe for swimming, such as this sign at Rogers Cove from last year. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.
The sun sets behind the Lions Community Centre in Peterborough's East City a few minutes before the polls closed for the Ontario election on June 7, 2018. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Voters wanted change and, for better or worse, they got it.
Ontario voters have delivered the Progressive Conservatives a majority government with 76 seats, with the NDP becoming the official opposition with 40 seats, and the Liberals losing their official party status with seven seats.
The Green Party of Ontario also made history by electing its first-ever MPP, with party leader Mike Schreiner winning in Guelph.
In the Kawarthas, both incumbent Liberals in the ridings of Peterborough-Kawartha and Northumberland-Peterborough South lost their seats to neophyte PC candidates.
Peterborough-Kawartha
Dave Smith.
It was a close race in Peterborough-Kawartha between PC candidate Dave Smith and NDP candidate Sean Conway but Smith won in the end by more than 2,000 votes.
By electing Smith, the riding maintains its bellwether status: it has sent a government MPP to Queen’s Park in every election since 1987.
A Peterborough resident since 1989, when he attended Trent University to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Computing Systems, Smith has no prior political experience. Working in the software industry, Smith is best known for his work in Peterborough’s hockey community, including founding the Under the Lock Tournament.
Northumberland-Peterborough South
David Piccini.
Liberal Lou Rinaldi also lost his seat in Northumberland-Peterborough South, with PC candidate David Piccini beating both NDP candidate Jana Papuckoski and Rinaldi by more than 12,500 votes.
A native of Port Hope with a degree in political science and history, Piccini worked as a federal civil servant before running unsuccessfully as the federal Progressive Conservative candidate in Ottawa Vanier in 2015. He subsequently joined the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as an advisor.
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock
Laurie Scott.
In Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, PC incumbent Laurie Scott has easily retained her seat, winning in a landslide and receiving more than twice the votes of her nearest contender, NDP candidate Zac Miller.
This is the fifth time Scott has been elected to Queen’s Park, where she most recently served as the official opposition critic for community safety and women’s issues. Scott, who was born in Kinmount, previously worked as a registered nurse, including at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. Her late father was a local federal MP for 28 years.
Hastings-Lennox and Addington
Daryl Kramp.
In the new riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington, PC candidate Daryl Kramp emerged victorious, cruising to an easy victory over his closest contender, the NDP’s Nate Smelle.
The 70-year-old Kramp served as the federal Conservative MP for Prince Edward-Hastings from 2004 to 2015, when he was unseated by Liberal Mike Bossio. He had previously served as a councillor and Deputy-Reeve of Madoc in Hastings County, and worked as an investigator with the Ontario Provincial Police for five years. Kramp’s political experience makes it possible that Premier-designate Doug Ford will consider him for a Cabinet position.
Below are the complete results of the 2018 Ontario election for ridings in the Kawarthas, to be verified by Elections Ontario.
Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer and Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy in Planet 12 Productions' revival of Derek Weatherdon's "Boy Wonders", which is running from June 7 to 9 at The Theatre on King before heading to the Toronto Fringe Festival in July. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
One of the most talked-about theatrical productions of 2017, Boy Wonders is back!
Planet 12 Productions is revising its landmark production from June 7th to 9th at The Theatre on King (TTOK) in downtown Peterborough before taking the show to the Toronto Fringe Festival in July.
Written and directed by Peterborough’s own Derek Weatherdon, Boy Wonders takes the classic comic book concept of the teen sidekick and turns it on its head in a quirky and shocking drama.
Planet 12 Productions presents Boy Wonders
When: Thursday, June 7 – Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 8 p.m. Where: The Theatre on King (159 King St., Suite 120, Peterborough) How much: $10 at the door
Written and directed by Derek Weatherdon. Starring Brad Breckenridge as The Mixer, Abbie Dale as Kirby, Aimee Gordon as Boo, Emily Keller as Cowpoke, Tyrnan O’Driscoll as Shiny the Glimmer Boy, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, and Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube.
Primarily made up on a talented cast of young actors between the ages of 13 and 17, Boy Wonders features Emily Keller, Aimee Gordon, Samuelle Weatherdon, Abbie Dale, Emma Meinhardt, and Tyrnan O’Driscoll alongside popular local favourite Brad Brackenridge, in a show that examines popular comic book tropes, creating an unsettling confessional of kids in their own individual precocious situations.
Originally staged in June a year ago, Boy Wonders was the debut production of Planet 12 Productions, which has developed a unique theatrical company featuring young performers doing dramatic shows aimed an adult audiences.
Abbie Dale as Kirby the bellhop and Emily Keller as Cowpoke. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Taking place just after World War II, Boy Wonders tells the story of six superhero sidekicks who meet for the first time in a New York City hotel room. Although believing themselves to have little in common, as they begin to share their secret origins a common narrative emerges and they come to the realization that being a sidekick isn’t as fun as it might seem.
In fact, it’s downright dangerous. Tempers flare, tears are wept, and alliances are formed as the sidekicks realize that while heroism may be an isolating occupation, they are not alone.
For the revival of Boy Wonders, Derek has kept much of the same script, but the show has managed to evolve as the company has continued to work together. The performers have now been living with these characters for over a year, which has allowed them to evolve organically while their connections with one another have strengthened both as performers and friends.
Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer, Tyrnan O’Driscoll as Shiny the Glimmer Boy, and Emily Keller as Cowpoke. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“We’ve been together for so long now that our connections with one another are real,” says Abbie Dale, who plays Kirby the bell hop. “Our characters have evolved as we’ve become connected to one another.”
“I think that the show has also gotten much deeper,” observes Aimee Gordon, who plays Boo. “It has more layers to it. Before it was about some sidekicks and their sad stories. Now you get to see more of the characters and their connection to one another.”
What is so special about Boy Wonders is that, just as individuals are drawn to favourite comic book characters, audience members gravitate towards different characters in the show for different reasons. Each character is special and uniquely defined by the actor that plays it, and audience members are sure to have their own favourites.
Aimee Gordon as Boo, Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer, and Tyrnan O’Driscoll as Shiny. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Personally, I have always had a soft spot for Boo, the sidekick of Super Ghost. The most mature of the characters, Boo battles with a misguided sense of dedication connected to a senseless family tragedy. When Aimee talks about her character, she seems to talk about her superhero persona Boo and her secret identity persona of Betty as two different characters.
“I feel like Boo is different than Betty,” Aimee explains. “Boo is kinder than Betty, who has a lot of resentment toward her partner The Super Ghost. Whenever Boo is talking about Super Ghost she speaks kindly about him, but when Betty talks about him it’s clear that she does not like this guy who destroyed her family’s life. Betty blames The Ghost, but Boo puts more of the blame on herself.”
Another audience favourite is the explosive Target Boy. One of the most tragic characters in the show, Target Boy is created by Emma Meinhardt who transforms herself into a scrappy young boy whose sole purpose is to run out into gunfire.
Abbie Dale as Kirby and Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I just love to explore Target Boy as this ridiculously sweet little kid,” Emma says. “It’s always incredible for me to see him grow, and to be able to explore his relationships with the other characters. It’s really about putting yourself into this character. It’s about visualizing who he is and getting in his skin, and realizing this is who he is every day.”
Although all of the characters have tragic tales to tell, possibly the saddest of the characters is that of the demure Cowpoke, played by Emily Keller. Coming out of the Western genre, which peaked in its popularity in the 1950s, Cowpoke finds herself trapped in a world that she didn’t want to be in.
Surprising to me is that Emily doesn’t find the same sense of pathos in Cowpoke as possibly the audience might.
Emily Keller as Cowpoke, Aimee Gordon as Boo, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, Abbie Dale as Kirby, and Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I think Cowpoke seems to be sad partly because she seems so young,” Emily says. “But when I look at her, I don’t see her as sad as the other kids. She knows that she’s in trouble but she doesn’t know that she’s being abused. All she knows is that she can’t go home.”
Samuelle Weatherdon, one of the busiest young actors in Peterborough, takes on the role of the futuristic genius Test Tube. Playing a character who knows her brilliance but struggles with her self-worth, Sam has worked at developing her character from just being angry to revealing more complexities.
“Last year Test Tube started out as this mean and angry character and stayed that way, holding a grudge against her mentor and everyone else,” Sam says. “But this year, as the play has evolved, it just felt that the anger had somewhere to go. The character feels more relatable to me now.”
Emily Keller as Cowpoke, Aimee Gordon as Boo, and Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
In many ways it is Abbie Dale, as Kirby the bell hop, who is the voice of the audience. A normal kid and a fan of the superheroes, she finds the sidekicks inspirational and is the one who asks all the key questions to get them to tell their tales. Filled with wide-eyed wonder and enthusiasm, she brings a sense of optimism to an otherwise bleak tale. But as Abbie reveals, even Kirby has a tragic side.
“This year I feel that Kirby has grown past being this quirky fan girl,” Abbie explains. “There is also a sad side to Kirby. Her mother is a widow, and her father died in the war. I’ve been exploring the deeper side of Kirby, and connecting her to the other characters even more.”
New to the company is Tyrnan O’Driscoll, who takes over the role of Shiny the Golden Boy from the character’s originator Isaac Maker. An impressive young actor with a strong stage presence, Tyrnan is an impressive addition to the company. He doesn’t try to mimic the Shiny that came before him, but makes the character all his own.
Aimee Gordon as Boo, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, and Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I’ve always felt very welcomed by everybody,” Tyrnan says of joining Planet 12. “When I first was introduced to Shiny, I thought of him as this posh rich kid with a touch of Sherlock Holmes in him.
“As the play progresses, he realizes that he is not so indifferent to the rest of the gang, and that he is a lot like all of them. He understands where they are coming from because he’s been there.”
“It’s interesting to see another actor play Shiny,” adds Aimee. “We’ve really gotten to know these characters, and although Tyrnan is playing Shiny, it’s like he is playing a completely different character than what we were used to. It’s really cool to see the different way he looks at Shiny.”
Emma Meinhardt takes center stage as Target Boy. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Rounding out the cast of Boy Wonders as The Mixer is Brad Brackenridge, who recently was awarded one of the inaugural Peterborough Arts Awards. A homage to the Golden Age DC Comic character Stripsey (sidekick of the Star Spangled Kid), The Mixer is a 43-year-old sidekick to a 12-year-old superhero who finds himself banished to the kids’ table.
“I think the Mixer is a bit lost,” Brad says. “He drifts from town to town. He’s probably been an alcoholic, but he’s finally found a good job and he wants to keep at it. He knows that’s a good thing and a valuable thing.
“The reality really hits him when he understands the situation he’s in, but he doesn’t think that kids should be going through this. He gets paid so it doesn’t matter to him, but these kids are different.”
Aimee Gordon as Boo, Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer, Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, and Tyrnan O’Driscoll as Shiny the Golden Boy. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Although the difference in age between Brad and the rest of the cast is obvious, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Brad gives so much to the kids, and in return they give back to him.
“It’s really cool hanging out with young people who aren’t stereotypical young people,” Brad says of his co-stars. “It’s good to see their focus and dedication to what they’re doing. They are more up on their lines than even I am.”
The run of Boy Wonders at the TTOK is not only another chance for a Peterborough audience to see it, but gives Planet 12 Productions a sendoff before they take the show to Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, where they’ll perform Boy Wonders for seven shows between July 7th and 14th as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival.
All for one and one for all: Tyrnan O’Driscoll, Aimee Gordon, Samuelle Weatherdon, Brad Brackenridge, Emily Keller and Emma Meinhardt. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I’m terrified but so excited,” says Aimee.
“Terrified in all the right ways,” Abbie adds.
“A lot of kids our age don’t get to do anything like this in their city,” Aimee continues, “but to go to Toronto which is the biggest theatre place in amazing.”
“Boy Wonders ticks all the boxes,” Brad observes. “It’s something original, locally written, and performed by local people. It’s not a previous show but a new one. It’s a great opportunity. You don’t often get a chance to redo a show and help redevelop it and bring it to Toronto.”
Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube, Aimee Gordon as Boo, and Tyrnan O’Driscoll as Shiny the Golden Boy. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I think the audience will also be shocked,” Abbie adds. “It’s a challenging show. We’re a bunch of kids coming to Toronto and not doing a children’s show. We are a show in the Toronto Fringe festival; I don’t think that the audience will expect that.”
It is no secret that I am a big fan of Boy Wonders. Not only is it a show that I’ve championed since Derek first told me the concept, but it is one of my favourite original shows that I’ve seen in the time that I’ve been covering theatre for kawarthaNOW.
It’s not just because of the way that Derek plays homage to classic comic books, which is a genre I love, but it’s also because of the young performers who appear in it.
For the most part I have been following these performers since the Peterborough Theatre Guild production of The Reluctant Dragon in 2016, and to watch them go from being quirky little kids who caught the acting bug to mature and competent performers has made these kids very endearing to me. I truly love them, and I know that Toronto will fall in love with this show as well.
Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy and Emily Keller as Cowpoke. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
“I think this has just been such an incredible experience being together working on this every weekend,” Samuelle says “It’s been awesome and different, having everyone brings something to the table. It’s been incredible and I think all of us work together really well. I think we’re putting on an incredible play that everybody will really enjoy.”
Come see Boy Wonders at TTOK from Thursday, June 7th to Saturday, June 9th. The shows starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door.
The cast of “Boy Wonders” off stage: Emily Keller, Abbie Dale, Aimee Gordon, Samuelle Weatherdon, Brad Brackenridge, Emma Meinhardt, and Tyrnan O’Driscoll. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
Saskatchewan alt-rockers Nick Faye & The Deputies perform at The Garnet in downtown Peterborough on Tuesday, June 12 along with Nova Scotia's Hello Delaware and Peterborough's own Nick Ferrio. (Publicity photo)
Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, June 7 to Wednesday, June 13.
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.
Sunday, June 24 12-4pm - Sunday Afternoon Family Live with Gospel Gordie and Sinner Shawn
Frank's Pasta and Grill
426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727
Friday, June 8
9pm-12am - Karaoke; 12am - DJ
Saturday, June 9
8pm - Cowboys Don't Cry; 11:30pm - DJ
Wednesday, June 13
8-11pm - Open Mic
Coming Soon
Saturday, June16 8pm - Little Lake; 11:30pm - DJ
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Friday, June 8
10pm - DJ Loco Joe
Saturday, June 9
2pm & 10pm - Marty And The Mojos
Wednesday, June 13
8-11pm - Open Mic w/ Clayton Yates & Rob Foreman
Coming Soon
Friday, June 15 10pm - DJ Loco Joe
Saturday, June 16 2pm & 10pm - Jessica Soul Band
The Garnet
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107
Thursday, June 7
Astrologist
Friday, June 8
10pm - Collette Savard and The Savants
Saturday, June 9
5-7pm - Little Fire and Softie ($10 or PWYC)
Sunday, June 10
8pm - Jillian McKenna Project ($10)
Monday, June 11
Morgan Orion
Tuesday, June 12
9pm - Hello Delaware, Nick Faye & The Deputies, Nick Ferrio ($10 or PWYC)
VIDEO: "Hold Me Back" - Nick Faye & The Deputies
Wednesday, June 13
Mary-Kate Edwards
Coming Soon
Thursday, June 14 Belly Flop
Saturday, June 16 Blues In The Bottle
Golden Wheel Restaurant
6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838
Thursday, June 7
7-9pm - Pop Country Line Dancing Lessons w/ Tina O'Rourke (beginner plus to intermediate, $7)
Wednesday, June 13
7-9pm - Line Dancing Lessons w/ Marlene Maskell ($7 per person, all levels welcome)
Coming Soon
Sunday, June 24 12-2:30pm - Everything Country and Open Mic (no cover)
Saturday, July 7 8pm - Odd Man Rush ($20, includes dinner at 7pm)
Hastings House Restaurant & Bar
27 Front St. W., Hastings
(705) 696-3301
Friday, June 8
9pm - Muddy Hack
Saturday, June 9
7:30-11:30pm - Sheldon Renouf and Graeme Houston
Coming Soon
Saturday, June 16 8-11pm - Dylan Ireland
Hot Belly Mama's
378 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 745-3544
Thursday, June 7
6-8pm - Keigan & Whitney; 8pm - Quickshifters
Junction Nightclub
253 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0550
Friday, June 8
10pm - Nothing But the 90s w/ DJ Bill Porter (no cover)
Kawartha Coffee Co.
58 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon
(705) 738-1500
Coming Soon
Friday, July 6 6-9pm - Impact 32 presents Bloom Town Bash ft food, karaoke, henna artist, and more. Themed attire encouraged, all proceeds to support Vibrant Village initiatives ($25 til June 25, $30 after, available at www.visitbobcaygeon.com, Kawartha Coffee Co., Impact 32 Welcome Centre at the locks)
Marley's Bar & Grill
17 Fire Route 82 Catalina Bay, Buckhorn
(705) 868-2545
Friday, June 8
7-10pm - Chris Culgin
Saturday, June 9
7-10pm - Michaela Hetherington
Coming Soon
Friday, June 15 7-10pm - Sonny & Cloudy
Saturday, June 16 7-10pm - Lenny Bull
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600
Thursday, June 7
7-11pm - Karaoke w/ Jefrey Danger
Friday, June 8
8pm - Dave Mowat, Clayton Yates, and Rob Foreman
Saturday, June 9
8pm - Gillies' Live Mic
Wednesday, June 13
7-10:30pm - Open mic
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Thursdays
9pm - Live music with JJ Thompson
Fridays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
SatSaturdays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Sundays
8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon
Mondays
9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green
Tuesdays
9pm - Vintage Tuesdays ft Brendan Lawless
Wednesdays
9pm - Live music
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177
Thursday, June 7
7pm - 7pm - Jazz Tonic
Coming Soon
Thursday, June 14 7pm - Steve Miller, Darren Johnson, Troy Howard
Moody's Bar & Grill
3 Tupper St., Millbrook
(705) 932-6663
Coming Soon
Saturday, June 16 2pm - Emily Burgess Band
Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio
3 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-1100
Thursday, June 7
8-11pm - Open Mic Night
Tuesday, June 12
7-9pm - North Country Express
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Thursdays
6:30pm - Live music
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
Wednesdays
6:30pm - Live music
Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010
Thursday, June 7
7-10pm - Open Mic
Saturday, June 9
1-3pm - Shipwrecked Saturdays with Keigan & Whitney and special musical guest
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, June 8
6-11pm - Kawartha Craft Beer Festival After Party with Tony Silvestri
Saturday, June 9
6-11pm - Kawartha Craft Beer Festival After Party with Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne, and Kate Brioux
9:30pm - Kilmore, Antixx, Basement Dweller, Deviants and The Odd Man Out
Tuesday, June 12
9pm - Open mic w/ Matt Diamond (sign up at 8pm)
Coming Soon
Thursday, June 14 Red Dog Laughs
Friday, June 15 9pm - Joey Stylez w/ Pyoot, Dj Ojibwe and Devils Puppet ft local acts S-Ka-Paid, 3LLLS, Loty Kolter, Billy Marks & more ($15 in advance, $20 at door)
Saturday, June 16 9pm - Fallen Heirs 'Still No Fuxx' Tour w/ No 2morrow & Jagged
Riley's
257 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 750-1445
Thursdays
Travis Berlinbach
Fridays
Travis Berlinbach
Saturdays
Josh Gontier
Sundays
Josh Gontier
Mondays
Josh Gontier
Tuesdays
Josh Gontier & Cale Gontier
Wednesdays
Guest performers
Riverside Grill & Gazebo - Holiday Inn
150 George St, Peterborough
(705) 743-1144
Coming Soon
Friday, June 22 6-10pm - Friday Night Blues Series featuring Jack de Keyzer ($10)
Sapphire Room
137 Hunter St., Peterborough
(705) 749-0409
Coming Soon
Wednesday, June 27 7pm - ChiZine Publications Peterborough Launch!
The Social
295 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 874-6724
Friday, June 8
10pm - Nashville Night
Saturday, June 9
10pm - Saturday Night Live
Southside Pizzeria
25 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
(705) 748-6120
Fridays
9am-12pm - Open mic ($2)
Sweet Bottoms Cafe
19 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-7506
Coming Soon
Saturday, June 16 7-10pm - Open Mic
The Twisted Wheel
379 Water St., Peterborough
Thursday, June 7
7-10pm - 2 sets by Benj Rowland with Open Jam (no cover)
Saturday, June 9
7-10pm - Grand Opening Party ft live music, food, drink specials, games, vinyl DJs, and dancing
Tuesday, June 12
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night w/ Jonny Trash
The Venue
286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008
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