Toronto comedians Danny Polishchuk, Ryan Long, and JJ Liberman will perform raunchy stand-up when The Dirty North comes to Peterborough's Market Hall on April 20, 2018. (Photo: Fckonomics podcast)
To paraphrase Monty Python, there’s something completely different coming to Peterborough this spring: x-rated adult comedy.
The Dirty North, a monthly comedy show out of Toronto with “some of the dirtiest and darkest comedians that Canada has to offer”, will be at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) on Friday, April 20th.
The show is called The Dirty North for a reason: it features explicit language and themes and comes with an 18+ rating.
The Dirty North Live In Peterborough is headlined by Toronto comedians JJ Liberman, Ryan Long, and Danny Polishchuk, who are also the co-hosts of Fckonomics, a weekly “sex and dating” podcast.
JJ Liberman
JJ Liberman, who used to make his living as a professional poker player, only entered the world of stand-up comedy five years ago but is now a regular in the Toronto comedy scene.
Described as “one of the raunchiest and realest comedians working in Canada today”, he’s known as a brutally honest comedian. What also makes his comedy unique is that, while he looks and acts like a straight bro, he came out as an LGBTQ comedian in 2014 just after he turned 34 years old.
Liberman has performed in New York, Las Vegas, and Boston, as well as the Cleveland Comedy Festival, and was a runner-up at Border City Comedy Festival. Toronto’s NOW Magazine proclaimed his January 21 performance at Yuk Yuk’s as the top comedy show of Toronto in 2017.
Comedian and director Ryan Long is best known as the creator and star of Bite TV’s satirical realty show Ryan Long is Challenged, which was nominated for two Canadian Comedy Awards. He also starred in the award-nominated TV series Crown the Town with Ryan Long and was the creator and star of CBC Comedy digital series Torontopia.
His pilot Blackwater Music won the ‘Fan Choice Award’ at the CBC Comedy Coup, and in 2017 he was nominated for Director of the Year at The Notable Awards. He was also the lead singer of ska punk band The Johnstones.
As a comedian, Long tours with Yuk Yuk’s comedy clubs, and has performed at the Just for Laughs festival, NXNE, and Sirius XM’s Top Comic. He has toured with the likes of Tom Green, Steve-O, Kenny vs Spenny, and The Trailer Park Boys.
Danny Polishchuk is a Toronto-based writer, actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his 2017 film Filth City, loosely based on former Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s crack scandal, which won Best Comedy at the 2017 Canadian Film Festival.
He earned a Canadian Comedy Award Nomination for Best Writing in a Series in 2015 and Best Short Film in 2016, and has also written for the web series True Dating Stories, which was nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards in 2017.
As a stand-up comedian, Polishchuk has performed at festivals, comedy clubs, and competitions across Canada. He is a two-time semi-finalist in XM Radio’s Top Comic and has also appeared at in JFL42, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, The North Bay Comedy Festival, and more.
At its 50th anniversary campaign touchdown event on March 22, 2018 in Lindsay, the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes announced it has raised $483,222. Invictus games medalist Denise Hepburn, second from right, pictured with executive director Penny Barton Dyke (middle) and United Way staff, shared her journey of overcoming her life-threatening injury at the touchdown event. (Photo courtesy of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes)
On Thursday (March 22), the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes (UWCLK) held its 50th anniversary campaign touchdown event where it announced its largest fundraising total to date: $483,222.
The UWCKL ran two different campaigns in 2017/18 as part of its 50th anniversary which, rather than establishing campaign chairs and setting a financial goal, focused on inspiring others to support the more than 30,000 people served by United way agencies.
The Community Champions campaign helped shine the spotlight on more than 250 donors and volunteers, and the Canadian Heroes campaign brought both retired astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield and Invictus games medalist Denise Hepburn to Kawartha Lakes.
Hepburn spoke to a sell-out crowd at the March 22nd touchdown event, which was held at Celebrations in Lindsay. The retired 8-Wing Master Corporal, who suffered a C2 spinal injury in a training exercise, shared her journey of overcoming her life-threatening injury to compete in the 2017 Invictus games, where she won four bronze medals in swimming.
She spoke about the need for awareness and understanding for people who are combating mental and physical health issues. Many soldiers come back from tours in war-torn countries with wounds that are not always visible. Many have life-long struggles with post traumatic stress disorder as well as physical injuries.
UWCKL executive director Penny Barton Dyke thanked the community for its historical support of the United Way.
“Over the past decade, we have seen the number of people touched by United Way grow from 23,000 a year to more than 35,000 people,” she said. “For many people, our funded agencies have delivered programs that have had profound and life-changing impact.”
The 2017/18 campaign also saw several highlights throughout the year.
Col. Chris Hadfield met more than 1,600 elementary students and his Academy Theatre speaking engagement was sold out in May. Crayola hit a milestone of a total gift of over $1 million through its annual sale and employee workplace campaign. LCBO’s At the Till campaign topped its last year contributions from stores in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County with a donation of $61,048.
At the touchtown event, volunteers for the annual bonspiel received an award for raising more than $100,000 for the United Way, including $14,000 from this year’s bonspiel. The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to long-time board member, Lynne Downey, who will step down after nine years of service.
On March 23, 2018, the Ontario government announced $105 million in long-term funding to support the province's horse racing sector and additional supports for smaller racetracks and those experiencing financial shortfalls. The additional funds may help Kawartha Downs in Fraserville, which will lose 85 per cent of its revenue when Shorelines Casinos moves its 450 slot machines to the new casino in Peterborough. (Photo: Kawartha Downs)
This week’s business news includes provincial funding for Ontario’s horse racing sector that may help Kawartha Downs, a new owner of Sullivan’s Pharmacy in Peterborough, a new program to encourage Innovation Cluster incubator startups to hire Fleming College and Trent University graduates, a planned subscription service to deliver monthly care packages to post-secondary school students, the 2018 Summer Company program for young entrepreneurs in the City and County of Peterborough, and how The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group helped area charities last year.
Upcoming regional business events include an intellectual property workshop in Peterborough on March 29th, a review of the provincial budget with MPP Lou Rinaldi in Port Hope on April 3rd, a seminar on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on April 10th, and the 2018 Business Symposium in Bancroft on April 10th.
We publish businessNOW every Monday. If you want your business news or even to appear in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
New provincial funding for horse racing sector may help Kawartha Downs
The Shorelines Slots generates 85 per cent of the revenue for Kawartha Downs, subsidizing its harness racing. The slots are moving to the new Shorelines Casino in Peterborough, leaving the financial viability of the racetrack in question. (Photo: Shorelines Casinos)
On Friday (March 23), the Ontario government announced long-term funding of $105 million a year over 19 years to support the province’s horse racing sector.
There will also be additional supports for smaller racetracks and those experiencing financial shortfalls, such as Kawartha Downs in Fraserville in Cavan Monaghan Township.
“This new, collaborative agreement will provide owners, breeders, and racetrack operators with the support they need to ensure stability and success for the long term,” said Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The funding, to start in April 2019, will be administered by Ontario Racing, a non-profit horse racing industry association. There are 15 racetracks in Ontario — more than any other North American jurisdiction.
In the announcement, the Ontario government also said it would continue the Enhanced Horse Improvement Program and introduce a new Racetrack Sustainability Innovation Fund, providing up to $6 million over three years, beginning this year, to help regional racetracks innovate, diversify. and expand revenue sources.
The new funding may help Kawartha Downs, whose financial viability has been in question even since the April 2016 announcement that Shorelines Casinos would be relocating its 450 slot machines from Kawartha Downs to a new casino in the south end of Peterborough. According to Kawartha Downs general manager Orazio Valente, the slots make up 85 per cent of Kawartha Downs’ revenue.
In February, Valente called a media conference for a “major announcement regarding the future of Kawartha Downs,” leading some to speculate he would be announcing the end of harness racing after the 2018 season. However, Valente cancelled the media conference at the last minute because of an unspecified “major development,” which may have been the pending announcement of provincial funding.
Jason Hinton is now sole owner of Sullivan’s Pharmacy in Peterborough
Lead pharmacist and new sole owner Jason Hinton in front of Sullivan’s Pharmacy in East City. (Photo courtesy of Sullivan’s Pharmacy)
Jason Hinton is now the sole owner of Sullivan’s, a 105-year-old pharmacy located in Peterborough’s East City.
Hinton, who is also the lead pharmacist, bought out former business partner Doug Shier, who had taken a leave of absence from the business for personal reasons in February 2016.
Before joining Sullivan’s as a pharmacist in 2013, Hinton had previously owned and operated Shoppers Drug Mart franchises at Mapleridge Plaza and in downtown Peterborough.
Hinton and Shier originally purchased the business in 2014 from Hugh Sullivan, whose grandfather J.C. Sullivan began the pharmacy in 1913.
As well as being a pharmacy, the business operates a Canada Post outlet.
New Innovation Cluster program encourages incubator startups to hire Fleming College and Trent University graduates
Trent University graduate Andrew Revoy is a senior project manager at startup company Kavtek, a client of the Innovation Cluster. Under the Graduate Program, the normal monthly desk space fee that incubator startups pay for employee desk space will be waived for employees who are Trent University and Fleming College alumni. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
The Innovation Cluster – Peterborough & The Kawarthas has launched a new program to encourage its startups to hire alumni of Peterborough’s post-secondary educational institution by providing free office space.
A partnership of the Innovation Cluster, Fleming College, and Trent University, the Graduate Program promotes startup companies located in The Cube incubator to hire locally through Fleming College and Trent University alumni, to increase both employment rates for Peterborough’s educational institutions as well as reduce cost for incubated startups.
Startup founders currently pay a monthly fee of $100 per desk space per employee. Under the Graduate Program, startups whose current and future employees are Trent and Fleming graduates will not incur a fee for desk space for those employees.
“Fleming College and Trent University does a great job at bringing in national and international students,” says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster. “We hope this program will retain this talent in our region.”
Graduates who have passed through programs like software development, sales and marketing, and business administration are frequent positions needed by startups.
Favourite Box Co. subscription service to deliver monthly care packages to students
Favourite Box Co., which will deliver monthly care packages to students, is a new business being launched this fall by Trent University student Kimberly Wells. (Photo: Favourite Box Co.)
Kimberly Wells, a second-year business administration student at Trent University, plans to launch a new subscription-based “care package” service for new post-secondary students in Peterborough and Lindsay this fall.
For a monthly fee starting at $10, Favourite Box Co. will deliver packages each month filled with unique items to make the move away from home a little easier for students.
The student-run business plans to include products from local businesses and vendors in the boxes, so everyone can have a taste of the Kawarthas region.
Currently in its pre-launch phase, the service is seeking student and local business interest. The first 30 students who sign up for pre-launch uupdates will receive a coupon for 10 per cent off their first box, and all students who sign up will be entered into a draw for a free box when the service launches.
For more information and to subscribe to pre-launch updates, visit favourite-box-co.launchrock.com or find Favourite Box Co. on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @favouriteboxco.
Applications now being accepted for 2018 Summer Company program
Issac McQuaide, the founder of web-based platform Dasfinity, was one of the participants in the 2017 Summer Company program. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is now accepting applications for aspiring student entrepreneurs through the Summer Company program.
Summer Company is the Government of Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program that connects students with training, mentorship, and funding to start a summer business. The program helps students navigate the business plan writing process and financial management. Throughout the summer, students have the opportunity to take part in workshops and training, covering such topics as mastering social media, marketing and sales, managing business risk, and networking.
Nine grants of up to $3,000 are available for young aspiring business owners between the ages of 15 and 29 from the City and County of Peterborough. The deadline for applications is May 19, 2018 and spaces fill quickly.
Business Advisory Centre staff are available to help wth the application process. Those interested in learning more about the program and how to get involved can visit www.peterboroughed.ca/summer or contact Madeleine Hurrell at 705-743-0777 ext. 2136.
The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group supports charities in the Kawarthas
The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group presented Junior Achievement Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka with a cheque for $3,450 in November 2017. (Photo: JA Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka)
Ontario-based home and auto insurance company The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group donated $547,000 to charities across the province in 2017, including several in the Kawarthas.
The insurer made the donations to charities as part of C.A.R.E (Create a Ripple Effect), a program started in 2011 by one of its three legacy companies, Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company in Lindsay.
Some of The Commonwell’s donations in the Kawarthas included $20,000 to Five Counties Children’s Foundation, $20,000 to Campbellford Memorial Hospital, $10,000 to Kawartha Food Share, $10,000 to Kawartha Lakes Food Source, $7,500 to A Place Called Home, $5,972 to Big Brothers Big Sisters – Kawartha Lakes, $3,450 to Junior Achievement, and $1,500 to Osteoporosis – Peterborough Chapter.
For more information about The Commonwell, visit thecommonwell.ca.
Shawn Casemore speaks at Kawartha Family Business Group on March 26th
Empowerment and motivational speaker Shawn Casemore will speak at the Kawartha Family Business Group on March 26, 2018.
Empowerment and motivational speaker Shawn Casemore is speaking at the Kawartha Family Business Group (KFBG) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26th at the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough).
In his talk “Building an Unstoppable Family Business”, Casemore will discuss how to recognize the pride and passion behind a family-owned business, three ways to use it to increase employee engagement and empower customers, and how family-owned businesses can differentiate themselves from their competition.
Admission is free for KFBG members, and $75 per family for non-members. To register, please contact Michelle O’Neill at michelle@maxcommunication.ca or 705-741-9819 or Jhane Brasier at 705-875-0602 or jhane@maxcommunication.ca.
Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting on March 27
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, March 27th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The AGM will take a look back at highlights from 2017 and chamber members will be asked to approved the corporation’s audited financial statements, the actions of the board of directors for 2017, and the proposed bylaw change.
The AGM will be followed by a special presentation by keynote speakers Jeffrey Humble, Director of Planning and Development Services with the City of Peterborough, and Bryan Weir, Director of Planning with the County of Peterborough.
The event costs $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Doors open at 7 a.m. for networking, with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the AGM at 8 a.m. and guest speakers at 8;30 a.m. For more information and to register, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Makeover seminar for retail businesses on March 27
Barbara Crowhurst is a retail specialist, business coach, writer, international speaker and trainer. She will be leading a retail makeover seminar on March 27, 2018. (Photo: Barbara Crowhurst)
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area are hosting “A Retail Makeover For Your Business” from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The seminar will be led by Barbara Crowhurst, North America’s leading retail business coach and trainer, who will have you evaluate your business and consider how you generate traffic, engage more customers, and generate higher revenues.
Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Ambassador session on March 28
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) is seeking frontline staff and business operators who want to become Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Tourism Ambassadors.
RTO8 is hosting a session on Wednesday, March 28th from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough) where you can learn what it takes to be a Regional Ambassador and the tools you can use to stay up to date on what the region has to offer.
You can also meet other people who share your interest in encouraging visitors to stay longer, explore farther, and spend more during their visit.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited. To register, contact Sarah Kerr at sarahp@rto8.com or 705-874-8505 ext.102.
Small business training session in Bobcaygeon on March 28
The Kawartha Lakes Small Business Entrepreneurship Centre is hosting a free session on how to use the Business Model Canvas to start a new business or gain a better insight into their current business, and to learn more about the Starter Company Plus business training program.
The session takes place from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28th at the Bobcaygeon Service Centre (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).
Additional sessions will take place in April in Coboconk and Omemee: from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th at the Coboconk Service Centre (9 Grandy Rd., Coboconk) and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Coronation Hall (1 King St. W., Omemee).
If you are interested in attending one of these three free sessions, email bminhas@kawarthalakes.ca or call 705-324-9411 ext. 1383.
Intellectual property workshop in Peterborough on March 29
The Innovation Cluster – Peterborough & The Kawarthas is presenting an intellectual property workshop from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29th at the Innovation Cluster (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
“Hands-ON: Sushi and Searching with Prima IP” is hosted by Marcelo König Sarkis, founder and senior patent agent with Prima IP, a patent agency registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
At the workshop, you will learn how to carry out a simple search on existing intellectual property to get an idea of what has been disclosed, how to search for the patents or patent applications of your competitors, reasons for carrying out a search, publicly available databases, and tips on preparing your search strategy.
Provincial Budget Review with MPP Lou Rinaldi in Port Hope on April 3
The Northumberland and Port Hope Chambers of Commerce are hosting a Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3rd at the Port Hope Town Hall Council Chambers (56 Queen St., Port Hope).
Rinaldi will provide an overview of the Ontario Budget and respond to questions from the audience.
The event is free, but an RSVP is requested to the Port Hope Chamber at 905-885-5519 or admin@porthopechamber.com or the Northumberland Chamber at 905-372-5831 or chamber@nccofc.ca.
Peterborough Chamber PBX at the Mount Community Centre on April 3
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next PBX (Peterborough Business Exchange) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3th at The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough).
Purchased in 2013 by the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network, the property was turned over to The Mount Community Centre after its incorporation as a non-profit charitable organization. The organization’s Board of Directors kick-started the project and began the property’s redevelopment in 2014 through community support and an innovative social finance plan.
Today, the organization offers apartment units at both affordable and market rate rents in the completed South Wing, office space for not-for-profit organizations and local businesses, as well as space for performing arts and other community gatherings.
The event is free and all are welcome to attend. Bring your business cards.
Employment Standards Act and Bill 148 seminar in Lakefield on April 4
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting an Employment Standards Act seminar with a special focus on recent changes to labour laws under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 (Bill 148).
The seminar runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4th at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St, Lakefield).
The session will include a speaker from the Ministry of Labour, and discussions on minimum wage, hours of work, public holidays, leaves of absence, and more. A question and answer period will follow (participants are also email their questions in advance to generalmanager@kawarthachamber.ca).
Mental Health in the Workplace seminar in Haliburton on April 10
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast meeting takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10th at Maple Avenue Tap & Grill (172 Highland St., Haliburton).
Jack Veitch, Health Promoter and Educator with the Canadian Mental Health Association, will speak about mental health issues in the workplace, including strategies, approach, and prevention.
The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members (includes taxes and gratuity).
Bancroft Chamber of Commerce 2018 Business Symposium on April 10
The Bancroft Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Business Symposium takes place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10th at Bancroft Pentecostal Tabernacle (311 Hastings St. N., Bancfort).
The event includes a keynote from Hastings—Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio and three morning panels: “Show Me The Money” (where you get the capital to grow your business) with Michael Gatschene – BDC, Carolyn Barker-Brown – CFDC, and Jacques Pilon, Launch Labs; “Hidden Gems” (community-focused organizations that can help your business) with Loyalist College, Brad Labadie – ECOTB, Melanie Wright – CFDC, and Mark Hanley – Hastings County; and “Seeing through the Smoke” (what you need to know about marijuana in the workplace) with Joel Ribideau, Nancy Wiechenthal – NHFP, and Bancroft OPP.
The cost is $35 for Chamber members and $45 for non-members (includes breakfast). To register, call 613-334-1513 ext. 213 or register online at www.bancroftdistrict.com.
Application deadline for Slingshot incubation program for young entrepreneurs is April 20
Participants in the inaugural Slingshot program in 2017 included businesses related to social media, drones, hockey, influencer marketing, podcasting, and digital solutions. (Photo: Innovation Cluster)
The application deadline for Slingshot, the Innovation Cluster and FastStart Peterborough’s summer incubation program for young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29, is midnight on Monday, April 20th.
Successful applicants will receive coworking space in the downtown Cube along with tools, resources, and funding opportunities to grow their business — a value of $5,000 for four months.
Particpants in the inaugural Slingshot program in 2017 included businesses related to social media, drones, hockey, influencer marketing, podcasting, and digital solutions. (Photo: Innovation Cluster)
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 29, planning to start their company in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and have an idea for a company or have been operational for under one year. Applicants outside of the region are encouraged to apply if they intend on making the move to Peterborough.
At the end of the summer, the most successful company will receive a $1,000 cash prize along with other prizes. Last year’s winner was Vetterview, a social media influencer marketplace created by founder and Slingshot participant Alex Gastle. He is now in London, England growing the company.
Successful applicants will move into the Cube to begin working on their company on May 1st. For more information or to apply, visit www.innovationcluster.ca/slingshot/.
The James Barker Band consists of James Barker, a native of Woodvile in the City of Kawartha Lakes, along with Taylor Abram, Bobby Martin, and Connor Stephen. (Publicity photo)
The James Barker Band has won the 2018 Juno for Country album of the year for Game On.
While the 2018 Juno Awards ceremony is tonight (March 25), a number of awards were handed out at the Juno Gala Dinner & Awards ceremony last night — where the James Barker Band also performed.
The band beat out the other nominees in the category: Past the Past by Jess Moskaluke, Shake These Walls by Tim Hicks, Beautiful Freakshow by Dean Brody, and Dear Life by High Valley.
Formed in 2013, the band consists of James Barker, Taylor Abram, Bobby Martin, and Connor Stephen. Barker is a native of Woodville, northwest of Lindsay in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Their first EP for Universal Music Music, Game On was released in April 2017. The band won the Fan’s Choice award at the 2017 Country Music Association of Ontario Awards.
The band was also nominated for Breakthrough Group of the Year, but Toronto alt-rock band The Beaches won the Juno award in that category.
An acronym of the first names of its six members, LLAADS is a new Peterborough comedy troupe featuring Lindsay Unterlander, Adam Wilkinson, Luke Foster, Dan Smith, and Sarah McNeilly (the second "A", Adam Martignetti, is behind the camera). LLAADS' inaugural show is at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough on March 31, 2018. (Photo: Adam Martignetti)
On Saturday, March 31st, a new chapter in Peterborough’s love affair with comedy begin with its newest comedy troupe, LLAADS, performing for the first time at The Theatre on King in downtown Peterborough.
An acronym of the first names of its six members (Luke Foster, Lindsay Unterlander, Adam Martignetti, Adam Wilkinson, Dan Smith, and Sarah McNeilly), LLAADS is bringing sketch comedy back to the Peterborough stage.
“There hasn’t been sketch comedy in Peterborough for a long time,” points out co-founder Dan Smith. “I think it’s going to be a chance for an audience to see something that is hopefully laugh out loud funny.”
“We have people who have experience in both sketch comedy and improv and serious theatre, and who are familiar with The Theatre on King,” he adds. “We’ve all seen and done some very funny shows in that space. We’re backstage and we hear the roar of laughter and your nerves and adrenaline are already peaking because the audience is so invested already.”
LLAADS is the brainchild of Dan and Luke Foster who, seeing an opening in the current local comedy landscape, finally formed the group after years of talking about it.
“Luke and I were in a group called The Shrimps together, and we used to write weekly sketch shows with improv at the end,” Dan says. “Luke especially has kept the constant bug in my ear that we need to do sketch comedy again. Now that some time has come where we could do something, Luke just started to make it happen.
“He suggested the people that he wanted to work with, and he talked to myself and Adam Wilkinson, and we both wanted to work with Sarah, and Luke mentioned Lindsay and I said yes. And later on it was better that we got another Adam.”
“This is like a dream team for me,” Luke Foster says. “There is no ego. There is no drama on or off stage. It’s a great group of people that we trust.”
“It’s all about trust and comfort,” Dan agrees. “We’ve all worked together before and have had very special moments together on the stage.”
“Actually, I don’t know how much I trust Luke,” Lindsay Unterlander quips. “His goal is to make me a corpse on stage.”
LLAADS has come during an interesting time in the local theatre scene, with a lull in live comedy shows. Two summers ago improv shows were a trend in Peterborough, with popular improv team The Citiots leading the charge.
But now that The Citiots is on an extended hiatus, paired with the ending of Andrew Root’s popular Crime City series, live comedy has gotten sparse. As a result, LLAADS has a clean playing field to create its own audience and something new in comedy.
While reviewing material for their debut performance at The Theatre On King on March 31, 2018, the six members of LLAADS stress-test a couch: Luke Foster, Dan Smith, Sarah McNeilly, Lindsay Unterlander, Adam Wilkinson, and Adam Martignetti. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
“Some of the smaller groups seemed to have stopped with some people moving away,” Dan points out. “With The Citiots, people just got busy. Some people went solo, some people had to focus on their jobs and life and family. So that’s on a break, but people still want to perform.”
“Speaking as a fan and friend perspective, now that the Citiots are essentially on a hiatus, looking back there are fond memories,” Adam Martignetti adds. “But now, everyone involved with that has the ability to do something different.”
“It gave us an opportunity to say let’s do this, have a meeting and get a group together,” Dan says.
Although there will be a small element of improv in LLAADS performances, the group is veering away from that form of comedy to go into a more traditional vein of sketch comedy.
“I think Canada popularized the whole industry of sketch comedy,” Dan says. “I remember watching SCTV when it first got started, and watching reruns over and over again when I was in high school. Then Kids in the Hall came out, and it was like they made an SCTV for our generation.
“Since then there really hasn’t been a group to take that mantel in the mainstream market. But then, online there are groups doing incredible material.”
With the majority of LLAADS being made up of local theatrical favourites who have all appeared in productions together, this is the first time that the members of LLAADS have worked together as a group. While Adam Wilkinson hasn’t done much theatre in the area, he has his own solid ties to the foundations of LLAADS.
“I met Adam when I went to Humber for comedy,” Luke says. “We were in the same group. We finished in 2003, and I’ve known him since then and have wanted to work with him again.”
“I moved to Millbrook two years ago, and now I’ve been able to become a part of this group,” Adam Wilkinson explains. “It’s been amazing to come to Peterborough, because I used to work in the Durham area doing improv and touring shows through Northumberland. But I haven’t been close enough for me and Luke to work together again, until now.”
To me, the biggest appeal of LLAADS is that it contains some of my favorite performers in Peterborough, coming together for the first time to try something new.
“We’re not out to redefine comedy,” Dan explains. “We’re doing this because we enjoy working with each other.”
Lindsay agrees.
“I said yes when Luke asked me because I am going to be working with great people,” she says. “It’s a challenge and something that is out of my comfort zone, but I figured it’d be fun.”
“Everybody involved is a great performer,” Adam Martignetti adds. “No matter what material is brought forth, we are going to perform to the height of our ability. It’s just a matter of finding out if our performance matches the material.”
Sarah points out that, despite the members of LLAADS all being “incredibly busy”, they are dedicated to making it work.
“The effort that everybody is putting into this makes it just that much more cohesive,” Sarah says. “It gives me a good feeling that we are onto something really great here.”
Adam Martignetti, who took the group photo of LLAADS featured in this story, apparently felt left out and supplied kawarthaNOW with this alternate version. (Photo: Adam Martignetti)
Adam Martignetti is looking forward to the opportunity to share the troupe’s work with an audience for the first time and on a regular basis.
“We could write these sketches, perform them in someone’s living room, and then just go home,” he says. “But we get to share them with people. If we can make you laugh, or make you think, or make you enjoy what we are doing, then I don’t see why we shouldn’t do that every day.”
“With everything going on, not only in Canada but in the world, and especially the States, it’s a chance for people to get out and enjoy themselves,” Luke adds.
Peterborough audiences loves their comedy shows, and LLAADS is taking something old and creating something brand new with it. I predict LLAADS is going to be something really fun.
Along with the collective talent and experience of the group coming onto play, the popularity of the individual members should also bring in a healthy audience for the debut performance.
Get on the ground floor of this new and dynamic group by joining them at their inaugural show at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 31st at The Theatre On King (159 King St., Peterborough). Tickets are $10 at the door.
The Canadian Fire Fighters Museum, which launched in Port Hope in 1984, will not open this year. The museum's current Mill Street South building is scheduled to be torn down this spring for excavation and removal of soil contaminated by low-level radioactive waste. The museum will be seeking a new location for its collection of historical firefighting and fire-related artifacts, which have been moved into temporary storage. (Image: Canadian Fire Fighters Museum)
After 34 years of operation, the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum in Port Hope won’t be opening this year.
Normally open from May to October, the non-profit museum at 95 Mill Street South has been forced to close as the current site is located on land contaminated by low-level radioactive waste.
Under the Port Hope Area Initiative, the federal government is spending $1.28 billion over 10 years to clean up waste produced between 1933 and 1988 from uranium and radium refining operations of former Crown corporation Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. There are two projects in the initiative, one in Port Hope and the other in Clarington. The Port Hope Project will clean up 1.2 million cubic metres of waste.
The Canadian Fire Fighters Museum’s collection includes vintage fire trucks, hand-drawn and horse-drawn equipment, antique uniforms and helmets, fire hydrants and fire-related signage, safety equipment, toys, and more. (Photo: Canadian Fire Fighters Museum)
The museum thought it had until December 2018, the originally scheduled date for the Port Hope project clean-up operations, to find a new location.
However, the waste excavation and removal for the Port Hope waterfront sites — including West Beach, Mill Street South, and the CN/CP viaducts areas — is now commencing this spring.
Since opening in 1984, the museum has been located in an unheated quonset hut at the former Port Hope town sheds, which were donated by the Municipality of Port Hope for the museum’s use.
The museum houses a collection of historic artifacts that tell the story of role that firefighters have played in the lives of communities across Canada. The collection includes vintage fire trucks, hand-drawn and horse-drawn equipment, antique uniforms and helmets, fire hydrants and fire-related signage, safety equipment, toys, and more.
Antique fire extinguishers. (Photo: Canadian Fire Fighters Museum)
The museum attracts around 5,000 visitors a year.
Will Lambert, chair of the museum’s board of directors, says the museum has been seeking a new and larger location for the past two years.
Museum officials were negotiating with the owners of the former Canadian Tire building on Robertson Street, but the owners ended up selling the building to someone else last summer.
“We thought if we moved into Canadian Tire we would have had three times the space to show more things in a better way,” Lambert says in an interview with CBC Toronto. “We thought we could be looking at 15,000 visitors in our first year.”
An architectural rendering of a possible future location for the Canadian Fire Fighters Museum. When the museum finds a new location, it will launch a fundraising campaign. (Image: Canadian Fire Fighters Museum)
Then the museum learned of the accelerated waste clean-up schedule. Since December, volunteers have been moving artifacts from the museum’s collection into temporary storage spaces across Port Hope, including municipal buildings.
The museum hopes to find a new location in Port Hope or elsewhere in Northumberland County in the next two years.
The museum, whose operation is funded on donations and gift shop revenue, will run a fundraising campaign if it finds a suitable location.
Two vintage leather firefighters’ helmets. (Photo: Canadian Fire Fighters Museum)
Until March 29th, the museum is running an online fundraising auction of surplus items, including duplicate artifacts, office equipment, and other items they don’t want to put into storage.
While the museum looks for a new location, you can still view the collection through a virtual tour at the museum’s website at www.firemuseumcanada.com.
There have been two recent incidents involving large quantities of waste, containing hazardous materials, being illegally dumped on roads in the City of Kawartha Lakes. The city is encouraging residents to be on the lookout for illegal dumping and to report it to city officials and the police. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)
The City of Kawartha Lakes is asking residents to report people who are illegally dumping waste.
A media release states there have been two recent incidents involving large quantities of waste, containing hazardous materials, being illegally dumped on city roads.
“These types of illegal dumping incidents cost thousands of dollars to clean up,” says Bryan Robinson, Director of Public Works. “We are asking residents with information to come forward so we can hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”
Taxpayers end up paying the costs to clean up illegally dumped waste.
You can report any illegally dumped waste by contacting the City of Kawartha Lakes at 705-324-9411.
If you notice any suspicious activity — such as trucks with large loads parking on back roads, especially at night — call the Kawartha Lakes OPP at 705-324-6741 or the Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252.
When reporting suspicious activity, if possible note the license plate number, type of vehicle, time of day, and location.
When a contractor is disposing of waste on your behalf, require that they provide you with proof of proper disposal such as tipping receipts from the landfill.
Illegal dumping is a crime. All waste must be disposed during curbside collection or at city landfill sites.
Illegally dumped waste is an environmental and health hazard. Illegal dump sites can contain chemicals that contaminate wells and surface water, dumped tires and mattresses can be infested with disease carrying mosquitoes, and the dump sites attract rodents, insects and other vermin.
Illegal dump sites often contain broken glass, syringes, medical waste and toxic substances like asbestos. Pets and wildlife near dump sites can be harmed by ingesting hazardous materials, injured by sharp objects, and suffocate if they become stuck in the debris.
They are also a fire hazard, prevent the natural runoff of water during heavy rain and can cause flooding and property damage, and negatively impact tourism and quality of life for residents.
John Crossen explaining his telescope to a tour group at the Buckhorn Observatory, which he opened in 2002 and ran until 2014. John passed away at the age of 73 on March 22, 2018 after a long illness. (Photo: Crossen family)
John Crossen, the founder of Buckhorn Observatory and an enthusiastic astronomy educator, passed away yesterday (March 22) after a long illness.
He was 73 years old.
John’s wife, local journalist Deb Crossen, announced his passing in a public Facebook post:
A native of Midland in Michigan, John had a life-long interest in astronomy and, later, astrophotography. He moved to Canada in 1967, where his day job was as an advertising copyrighter, working on award-winning ad campaigns for clients including major automakers and breweries.
John and Deb married in 1986. Living in Toronto, they travelled north on the weekends so John could see the stars. When John retired, they decided to move to Buckhorn in 1999.
“John’s astronomy hobby was the main driving force in the decision of the location for our new home,” Deb writes in her 2006 book Chick with a Chainsaw, in which she documents her transition to rural life.
“John’s astronomy hobby was the main driving force in the decision of the location for our new home.” Deb and John Crossen moved from Toronto to Buckhorn in 1999, an experience Deb recounts in her 2006 book “Chick with a Chainsaw”. (Photo: Crossen family)
“We could only see 63 bright stars from our backyard in the city so wherever we ended up had to be under darker skies.”
Within a year of moving to Buckhorn, John built an observatory on their property, equipped with a retractable roof, so he could indulge his retirement hobby.
Soon, local astronomy enthusiasts, neighbours, and tourists began dropping by to look through the telescope and hear John talk about the planets and the stars.
The building was dubbed the Buckhorn Observatory and opened to the public in 2002.
The original Buckhorn Observatory. (Photo: Crossen family)
“I quickly discovered that it was more fun telling people about astronomy and showing them celestial targets through my telescopes than it was sitting alone guiding an astrophoto for hours,” John wrote in a story for NASA’s Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) website in September 2008.
“So one year and only two exposed rolls of film later, Buckhorn Observatory became an impromptu education/outreach centre. Since then the observatory has acquired a portable planetarium which makes for an exciting astronomy presentation with schools, scout groups and the annual Astronomy Day outing of the Peterborough Astronomical Association.
“Because most of my work with schools takes place during the daylight hours, I purchased a Baader white light solar filter and a portable refractor telescope for the outdoor portion of my daytime astro-presentations.”
Astronomer John Crossen with his telescope in the original Buckhorn Observatory building, which he built shortly after he and his wife Deb Crossen moved from Toronto to Buckhorn. (Photo: Crossen family)
At its peak, Buckhorn Observatory averaged around 500 visitors each year, mostly during the summer months. Originally, tours were free and then John began charging a modest fee to keep the observatory running.
In addition to guiding tours through the observatory, John also gave talks on astronomy at various organizations and groups, including the Kawartha Field Naturalists, schools, scouting groups, seniors, and professional groups.
He was involved in the Peterborough Regional Science Fair and at the Holy Cross Science Show (where he was a judge), and made annual appearances at Astronomy Day in Peterborough.
“I wish I’d started teaching basic astronomy ten years earlier,” John wrote in his SOHO story. “I never knew retirement could be so rewarding — or so busy.”
“I wish I’d started teaching basic astronomy ten years earlier. I never knew retirement could be so rewarding — or so busy.” – John Crossen, pictured here during Astronomy Day in Peterborough. (Photo: Crossen family)
With the assistance of Deb, he ran the observatory’s website and wrote a monthly newsletter. He wrote a weekly stargazing column in the Lakefield Herald, appeared on CHEX TV, and also wrote articles for The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
He was a past president and active member of the Peterborough Astronomical Association (PAA).
John Crossen’s legacy lives on with the Peterborough Astronomical Association’s new domed observatory, which was built in the summer of 2017 to replace the old Buckhorn Observatory building on the Crossen’s Buckhorn property. (Photo: Peterborough Astronomical Association)
John was also an advocate for reducing light pollution, making presentations to both the City of Kawartha Lakes and Trent Lakes city councils.
In 2014, when he was 70 years old and began experiencing health issues, John closed the Buckhorn Observatory to the public.
However, John’s legacy to astronomy will live on. Last summer, PAA volunteers tore down the old building and built a new platform to house a new domed observatory building.
The new observatory — which will be used by PAA members only — includes a new telescope, a computer/monitor, and an array of eyepieces including a binocular setup for the telescopes.
In addition to his interest in astronomy, John was also a lyricist who collaborated with his musician and friend Terry Bush on many songs — including “Maybe Tomorrow”, the theme from the Canadian TV series The Littlest Hobo.
According to his wife Deb, John was proud of his contribution to Canadian music and television, and millions of Canadians and others around the world will remember the lyrics John wrote:
There’s a voice that keeps on calling me
Down the road is where I’ll always be
Every stop I make, I’ll make a new friend
Can’t stay for long, just turn around and I’m gone again.
Maybe tomorrow, I’ll want to settle down,
Until tomorrow, I’ll just keep moving on.
VIDEO: “Maybe Tomorrow” with music by Terry Bush and lyrics by John Crossen
There will be a drop-in celebration of John’s life at the Buckhorn Community Centre (1782 Lakehurst Rd., Buckhorn) from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 8th.
The celebration will feature a video chronology of John’s life, set to music created by John and Terry Bush.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation to the Buckhorn Regional Health Centre or Buckhorn Community Centre.
Juno award winning folk-pop duo Big Little Lions (Helen Austin and Paul Otten) perform at The Garnet in downtown Peterborough on Tuesday, March 27th with special guest Mary-Kate Edwards. (Photo: Big Little Lions)
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, March 22 to Wednesday, March 28.
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.
Trent Valley Honda founder Frank Mandeljc with his daughter and current owner Monika Carmichael, his wife Elfrieda, and his son and used car manager Frankie Mandeljc. (Photo: Trent Valley Honda)
Frank Mandeljc, the founder of Trent Valley Honda in Peterborough, passed away on Monday (March 19) at the age of 72.
Frank “The Chief” Mandeljc opened Trent Valley Auto on Water Street in Peterborough in 1975 with five staff. Now located on Highway 7 and owned by his daughter Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda employs more than 50 people. (Photo: Trent Valley Honda)
Born in 1945 in Gorje, Slovenia, Mandeljc immigrated to Canada when he was 18 years old. An auto mechanic, he opened Trent Valley Auto on Water Street in 1975 with five staff.
In 1978, he moved the dealership to its current location at 851 Highway 7 East.
Mandeljc, who was called “The Chief” by his employees, handed over management of the business in 1995 to his daughter Monika Carmichael.
Carmichael became the dealer principal in 2005, one of only 10 female Honda dealership owners in Canada (she is an inductee into the 2018 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame).
Trent Valley Honda now employs more than 50 people and had more than $35 million in sales last year.
A visitation will held at Ashburnham Funeral Home (840 Armour Rd., Peterborough) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24th, with a service at 1 p.m. and an internment at Lakefield Cemetery at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at Ashburnham Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m.
Trent Valley Honda will be closed Saturday, March 24th, to honour its founder.
The family has requested donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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