Jeff Day (left) with Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel at the Business Hall of Fame inductee announcement on January 10, 2018. Day says he resigned from his position at Community Futures Peterborough so he could run for Peterborough City Council in 2018. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Jeff Day, former executive director of Community Futures Peterborough, is planning to run for Peterborough City Council in 2018.
In an exclusive interview with kawarthaNOW, Day said he wanted to explain why he decided to resign from the economic development organization in December.
“I have political aspirations,” Day says. “I simply could not have continued in my role as executive director while pursuing those longer term goals.”
The Community Futures Peterborough board gave no reason for Day’s December resignation, which came only two months after Kim Appleton resigned as chair of the board before her tenure was completed. This prompted some speculation about possible conflict within the organization.
“I want to set the record straight,” Day says. “There is no drama with Community Futures, the board, or the organization.”
Day’s last day at Community Futures Peterborough is Friday, January 12th. He has accepted a position as general manager with Protoplast Inc., a plastic injection molding company in Cobourg, a move that will return him to his extensive manufacturing background.
“This opportunity arose at Protoplast and it aligned with my longer term goals,” Day says.
He has extensive business development experience in both the automotive and aerospace sectors, and started from the ground up as a tool and die-maker. His most recent position before joining Community Futures Peterborough was as a global business turn-around specialist.
Day was originally appointed to the position of executive director of Community Futures Peterborough in September 2016. On December 20th, the organization’s board announced Day would be resigning. On January 5th, the board appointed Gail Moorhouse as interim executive director until a permanent one can be recruited.
“I feel that Community Futures is well positioned with their current team,” Day says. “With Gail stepping in as interim ED, they have an opportunity to build stability.”
Day is currently working on his campaign strategy for the upcoming municipal election, which will be held on Monday, October 22, 2018. Nominations will open on Tuesday, May 1st and close on Friday, July 27th.
A male Northern Cardinal perches on a tree branch at GreenUP Ecology Park. Cardinals are a common and beautiful sighting at feeders over the winter. Many bird species remain in cold, northern areas for the season. You can help ease the hardships of birds that stick around by providing food to supplement their diet. (Photo: Karen Halley)
Over the last two weeks we have endured a polar vortex, temperatures reaching minus 35°C with the wind chill, and several feet of snow that have buried everything in sight.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Karen Halley, GreenUP Communications & Marketing Specialist .
Some of us layer up in coats, mitts, and scarves to go outside and enjoy the winter, while others curl up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Whether you prefer to embrace the snow or to hibernate, a great way to enjoy the season is to get to know the array of birds that share your backyard.
Winter is hard for birds as they face the cold temperatures, windy days, and long dark nights. Birds primarily feed on insects, which are very difficult to find in the winter. Many birds migrate south to seek warmer temperatures and a heartier source of insects, but many remain in cold northern areas for the season. You can help ease the hardships of birds that stick around by providing food to supplement their diet.
A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)
The Peterborough Field Naturalists keep the birdfeeders at GreenUP Ecology Park stocked full of seed over the winter, providing a consistent and reliable source of food for the birds in the park. You can watch for the frenzy of birds at the feeders in these areas while walking along the Trans-Canada trail in East City.
Bird watching is a great family activity that can start with making small feeders and simply watching from the window. It provides everyone with the opportunity to develop an interest in local wildlife.
Children especially, will quickly get to know common species found in the yard and will soon learn the familiar ‘chick-a-dee-dee-dee’ call of the Black-capped Chickadee and the ‘birdie-birdie-birdie’ of the Northern Cardinal. With some patience and by being very still, you can even hold seed and train Chickadees to feed right from your hand — an experience that is sure to bring joy to all.
Bird watching is a great family activity. It provides children with the opportunity to develop an interest in local wildlife. With some patience and by being very still, you can even train Chickadees to feed right from your hand – an experience that is sure to bring joy to all. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
Providing food for the long term gives birds a consistent source that they can rely on and come back to throughout the year. There are many seed types and feeders that you can use to attract a variety of species to your yard. Stores carry several seed options and feeder constructions to suit the birds in your area. With so many options how are you to know which to choose?
You may want to attract certain birds to your yard. If so, Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals enjoy black oil sunflower seed; Blue Jays and American Crows feast heartily on whole peanuts; Mourning Doves enjoy cracked corn spread over the ground; Woodpeckers peck away at suet; and Waxwings love fruit.
If you’re just getting started, you may want to start with one feeder and a seed that will attract the largest variety of birds. GreenUP Board Member, Peterborough Field Naturalist, and long-time birder Martin Parker suggests that black oil sunflower seed is a great option. It has a thin shell and a high fat content, making it an ideal choice for many bird species.
A White-breasted Nuthatch perches on a feeder at GreenUP Ecology Park. The Peterborough Field Naturalists stock the feeders at Ecology Park all winter long to help birds find a consistent source of food during the cold season, and to provide visitors with an opportunity to watch and enjoy local wildlife. (Photo: Karen Halley)
Parker also suggests experimenting to see which birds live in your yard and the seeds they prefer. To do this, you can provide a sample of different seeds within the sections of an egg carton, place it in your yard, and watch to see which seeds are eaten and which are left behind. Then you can invest in a larger bag of the more popular seed and an associated feeder.
If you’re looking for a great winter activity for these cold, snowy days, consider gathering up some supplies to make your own feeders.
With only a few supplies, it is easy to make wildlife-friendly feeders and garlands can be hung from a tree in your yard, or can be strung in trees in the park.
Adorning trees with healthy treats is a great way to attract birds. String grapes, cranberries, and popcorn onto strings; spread pinecones with shortening or peanut butter and roll them in a variety of seeds. Some species of birds particularly enjoy feasting on frozen fruits such as oranges and apples because they are a natural source of sugar and an essential source of energy for winter birds.
Adorning trees with healthy treats is a great way to attract birds. String grapes, cranberries, and popcorn onto strings; spread pinecones with shortening or peanut butter and roll them in a variety of seeds. (Photo courtesy of GreenUP)
To further support birds in your own backyard, you can hang birdhouses, enhance your hedgerows, and plant trees. These provide shelter from the chilly winds and protection from predators such as cats and hawks. In warmer seasons, birds will choose these areas to nest and take cover.
Want to do even more? Bird Studies Canada provides great opportunities to get involved with citizen science, community bird watching programs. With Project FeederWatch, feeder watchers periodically record bird species present and the number birds at their feeders.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is another program where birdwatchers of all ages can record what they see at their feeders over a four-day period. Both of these programs help scientists study bird populations across Canada and North America.
For more information about GreenUP Ecology Park visit www.greenup.on.ca. To learn more about feeding birds in winter, visit www.feederwatch.org and to get involved with citizen science programs, visit www.birdscanada.org. For local bird watching information visit www.peterboroughnature.org.
Anne Arnold and Corinna Campbell of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton with Sana Virji and Lori McKee of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough celebrating the donation of $20,064.84 to support the YWCA Crossroads Shelter. The funds were raised at WBN's annual fundraising gala in December. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / WBN)
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has donated $20,064.84 to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
Through their annual fundraising gala held in December, WBN has supported the YWCA Crossroads Shelter for more that 30 years. The funds raised at the 2017 gala, held this past December, will be used to support the nutritional well-being program at YWCA Crossroads Shelter, which supports local women and children fleeing violence who are in crisis.
“We feel it’s vital to support and give back to our community, especially to the women and children who utilize Crossroads Shelter and its nutritional well-being program,” says Lori McKee, WBN’s Program Director. “I got to witness first-hand the high energy and generous contributions handed out by members, donors and volunteers from the day we started planning right up to the night of the Gala.”
“To our members, guests, donors and volunteers, thank you for all your donations, hard work and support so we could reach our fundraising goal.”
WBN revealed the final donation amount tonight (Janaury 10) at its January members’ meeting at Highland Park Funeral Centre, where McKee and WBN Program Director Sana Virji presented the cheque to Corinna Campbell, YWCA Associate, Events & Annual Giving and Anne Arnold, YWCA Development Assistant.
“At the YWCA, we invest in both safety and nourishment to help women and children feel welcome and protected,” says Jen Cureton, YWCA Director of Philanthropy and Communications. “The Women’s Business Network has been a vital partner in helping women and children escape violence and build new lives.
“We’re so grateful to work with WBN each year through their Holiday Gala to drive our vision to see all women and children thriving.”
YWCA’s Nutritional Well-Being program at Crossroads Shelter provides healthy food, supplements, and vitamins to women and their children, 365 days a year. Last year, 25,413 meals were prepared and served to women and children living at Crossroads.
The program also helps families learn about meal planning, food preparation, principles of nutrition, preparing main meals and encouraging participation from women and children too. They help women to address their health goals with healthy food, and cook tasty affordable dishes that are possible on a modest budget.
WBN is a networking channel for women who wish to enhance and expand their business contacts and grow their businesses. Formed in 1961 as the Peterborough Chapter of the Canadian Advertising and Sales Association, the network has evolved into a dynamic and growing membership of women with diverse backgrounds and careers who meet to share their knowledge and experience and promote their businesses.
The Junior Achievement Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka 2018 Business Hall of Fame inductees: Robert Gauvreau, Monika Carmichael, Carl Oake, Sally Harding, Alf and June Curtis, and Paul Bennett (not pictured: Paschal McCloskey). Two posthumous inductees were also announced: John A. McColl and James H. Turner, and John James (Jack) Stewart. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Paul Bennett’s entrepreneurial journey, while still a work in progress, continues to bring him personal and business riches.
But as the owner of Ashburnham Realty noted Wednesday morning (January 10) at the VentureNorth building in downtown Peterborough, each business success journey is different and, as such, young people need to be reminded there is no set path to success.
As one of nine 2018 inductees into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Bennett says it’s important “to highlight that a lot of people that took different routes,” adding the annual induction does just that.
The announcement of the inductees for the 2018 Business Hall of Fame took place on January 10, 2018, in the foyer of the VentureNorth building at 270 George Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
“Kids can look at each story and realize they don’t have to go to this school or that school or they don’t have travel this path or that path. They can find their own way and embark on their own path. There is no magical success story. The journeys are all so totally different.”
Before a large crowd that included several past inductees, the 2018 inductees were revealed.
John McNutt, President & CEO of Junior Achievement Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka, also announced as the establishment of a Legacy Fund to be used exclusively for the creation and running of entrepreneurship programs. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
John McNutt, president and CEO of Junior Achievement Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka, said a selection committee considered a record number of nominations through December before settling on the final list as follows:
Alf and June Curtis, founders of Alf Curtis Home Improvements Incorporated
Paul Bennett, owner of Ashburnham Realty
John A. McColl and James H. Turner, founding partners of McColl Turner LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants
John James (Jack) Stewart, founder of J.J. Stewart Motors
Sally Harding, president and CEO of Nightingale Nursing Registry Limited and Nightingale Home Maintenance Incorporated
Monika Carmichael, dealer principal and general manager of Trent Valley Honda
Robert Gauvreau, president and CEO of Gauvreau and Associates Chartered Professional Accountants
Paschal McCloskey, president and CEO of McCloskey International Limited
Carl Oake, founding broker/owner and Century 21 United Realty
All will be formally inducted Thursday, May 24th at The Venue — McColl, Turner and Stewart posthumously. Details on that event will be provided as it draws nearer.
Plaques of this year’s and previous years’ inductees will be installed at the VentureNorth building in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Each inductee will have a plaque denoting the honour displayed alongside those of past inductees at VentureNorth.
“Their (inductees) understanding of their community and the leadership that they provide to their staff,” said McNutt of traits shared by all being honoured.
“Most of them have staff that have been with them a long time. That always tells me something. You get loyalty because you got respect. That’s the thread that runs through all of this.”
Paul Rellinger interviewing Junior Achievement board chair Paul Ayotte for kawarthaNOW.com. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Junior Achievement board chair Paul Ayotte added each has not only created opportunities for others but has given back to the community.
“I can remember Alf Curtis put in some windows in for me. He then started supplying other installers here. The next thing you know he’s got the Castle Building Centre going, creating more jobs here, and he’s got one in Lindsay and one in Belleville, contributing to those communities as well. That’s the story we want to get out there. You see a niche and you create work.”
To a person, each inductee wore broad smiles, clearly delighted with their induction, with Carmichael admitting to being “overwhelmed…really honoured. I’ve got goose bumps all over me. It makes you want to do even more.”
“Much of my work now is giving back and doing what I can do to inspire younger people. That’s what Junior Achievement does, so it’s a really nice connection,” said Carmichael, who has been with Trent Valley Honda for 27 years now and oversees a staff numbering more than 50.
“Never stop learning and never give up” is her advice to young people starting out.
“Failure is part of the learning process,” Carmichael added. “We don’t always get it right the first time. Take time to listen to those around you and take advantage of programs. Learning never ends.
“For me, the big thing is young women. They can be anyone they want to be, they can do anything they want to do, but they have to have the confidence to try and if they fail, to get up and keep going.”
Jeff Day, former executive director of Community Futures Peterborough, and Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, were two of several VIPs who attended the 2018 Business Hall of Fame announcement. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Meanwhile, Alf Curtis, who with June started his business in 1975 with two employees, used the opportunity to offer those starting out some sage advice.
“Don’t figure you’re going to make any money at the start,” he said.
“If you do make a few bucks, remember the days ahead are going to be lean. Those first five years will determine if you’re going to make it or not. The first two years is really bad. It takes five years to get things situated right.”
Previous Business Hall of Fame Inductees
2016: Erica, Harry and Meyer Cherney; Cameron Taylor; Charlotte and Robert Nicholls; Bill, Chester and Frank Fisher: Keith Brown; David Fife; James Stevenson; and Ross Smith
2017: Jack McGee; Robert Young; Joseph James (JJ) Duffus; Isadore Black; Darrell Drain; Rhonda Barnet; John Bowes; and Michael Skinner
Also announced at the event was the establishment of a Legacy Fund which, according to McNutt, will be used exclusively for the creation and running of entrepreneurship programs. That fund sits at $5,000, half of that courtesy of the present partners of McColl Turner.
Established in 1955, Junior Achievement Canada has been inspiring and preparing youth to succeed by providing opportunities to learn financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness skills with engaging programs and the help of dedicated volunteers.
Since 2007, Junior Achievement Peterborough, Lakefield, Muskoka has served an area stretching from the Grey-Bruce Peninsula to the Ontario-Quebec border. That effort has been aided by a number of corporate and media sponsors, KawarthaNOW.com among them.
Other cities like Toronto have a community bus service that connects riders with popular destinations, providing an alternative to regular transit. Peterborough Transit will be launching its community bus service in March 2018 and is seeking feedback on one of two possible route options. (Photo: Toronto Transit Commission)
The City of Peterborough is seeking feedback from residents on two possible routes for a new community bus.
Beginning in March, the community bus will serve malls, grocery stores, seniors’ homes, medical clinics, and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. It will operate hourly Monday through Sunday from 9:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
The community bus will be available to all residents, and will also provide an additional transit option for people who normally use the Handi-Van or find using the regular bus challenging.
The service will use a mini-bus that has no stairs and has seats for 10 to 15 passengers, along with four spots for wheelchairs.
Through public consultation last summer, transit users indicated many places they would like to go on the community bus.
Based on community feedback, Peterborough Transit has created two potential routes for the bus and is seeking additional feedback on which route would be preferred by potential users.
Details on the route options and the survey are also available at the transit terminal in downtown Peterborough.
Peterborough Transit staff will also be at the Community Counter of Lansdowne Place on Thursday, January 18th to answer questions about the Community Bus. Copies of the survey will be available there as well.
All survey responses should be submitted by Friday, January 26th. Once the route has been finalized, the map and schedule for the community bus service will be made available.
Emmatt Digital Solutions is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018. Pictured are owners Chris Calbury (middle) and Kim Appleton (second from right) with some of their staff. (Photo: Emmatt Digital Solutions / Facebook)
Salon Sorella & Day Spa is one of the Lakefield businesses participating in the Business After Hours Lakefield Hop on January 23. (Photo: Salon Sorella & Day Spa)
The January Business After Hours on Tuesday, January 23rd is a Lakefield Hop where Chamber members will be visiting Cuddles for Cancer, Robyn’s Nest Photography & Beauty, and Salon & Day Spa.
Visit Cuddles for Cancer’s new drop-in location at 15 Queen Street in Lakefield, and help Faith Dickinson make cuddles blankets. Cuddles for Cancer swag will also be available for purchase.
Emmatt Digital Solutions is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018! Founded in 1998 by Chris Calbury and Kim Appleton, Emmatt’s web department has grown into a full-service, web development agency. The scanning service bureau side of the business, steadily endures despite a a downturn in the industry.
Emmatt has a number of special sales and events planned for 2018. Watch Twitter and Facebook for ways you can join in the celebration of this major milestone in the company’s history.
New PolarFest Event – Snow-Pitch Tournament
A snow-pitch tournament will take place at the Ennismore Softball Diamond during the PolarFest weekend, on Saturday, February 3rd from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $150 per team, with proceeds going to Buckhorn Under 11 softball. For more information, call Matt at 705-750-7867 or email matt_fairfield@hotmail.com.
Upcoming Events
Free Senior Skating, Lakefield – January 12th (and every Tuesday & Friday)
Apsley Winter Carnival – January 27th
Performing Arts Lakefield, Valdy – February 2nd
PolarFest – February 2nd-4th
For more information about the businesses and events listed above, please visit the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website at kawarthachamber.ca.
All photos supplied by Kawartha Chamber of Commerce except where noted.
Married couple Louise and Wayne Earle were found dead following a house fire in Brighton in Northumberland County on January 10, 2018. Police now say the fire was the result of a homicide. (Photo: Pete Fisher / Twitter)
Two people died in a fire this morning (January 10) in Brighton in Northumberland County, 41 kilometres east of Cobourg.
The fire broke out inside a home on Harbour Street overlooking Presqu’ile Bay at around 7:25 a.m. When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed by flames.
While battling the fire, firefighters found one of the victims outside the home in the backyard and located the second victim inside the home after the fire had been extinguished.
The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and it is unknown whether the home had smoke alarms and if they were working.
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has been contacted to investigate the fire.
The renovated Peterborough Public Library features a new children's books area on the lower level, with a central staircase connecting to the main level. The open concept design features lots of natural light coming from the glass windows at the front of the library. (Photo: Peterborough Public Library)
Over the past two weeks, the Peterborough Public Library has been busy moving into its newly renovated and expanded Aylmer Street location.
The $12 million renovation and expansion took 18 months to complete, about six months longer than expected due to unforeseen complications with the building.
New shelving and furniture was installed in December, and the library expects to complete the move of the library collection, office furniture, and other items by Saturday, January 20th.
New shelving was installed in December, and staff are now placing books on the shelves. (Photo: Peterborough Public Library)
The library has not yet announced an official grand opening date, but library CEO Jennifer Jones expects the opening will happen during the last week of January.
The Peterborough Square temporary location permanently closed on December 30th (the book drop will remain open there until the renovated library opens).
According to library CEO Jennifer Jones, old shelves and unneeded furniture from the temporary location will first be offered to other departments of the City of Peterborough, and then to other libraries or non-profit organizations.
Staff are busy moving the library’s collection back into the Aylmer Street location. (Photo: Peterborough Public Library)
The renovated library includes 6,000 square feet of new space, for a total of 9,000 square feet of public space.
One of the most striking features of the new library is the prominent and naturally lit central staircase that runs from the library’s street level down to the children’s books area on the lower level. The open concept design allows for a lot of natural light on both levels.
The new location also includes two enclosed individual study rooms on the main level, designed for independent learning and one-on-one meetings, as well as one group study room.
The renovated library features two individual study rooms and one group study room on the main level. (Photo: Peterborough Public Library)
There are also new administration offices, a new café location, and two new accessible elevators.
In the spring, the lot beside the library will be transformed into green space.
On-street parking will be available, as well as a few accessible parking spaces in the green space area when it is completed.
While the books and office furniture are being moved into the new location and library staff stock the new shelves, workers are making finishing touches on the interior in advance of the opening.
The glass windows at the front of the renovated library allow lots of natural light into both the upper and lower levels. (Photo: Peterborough Public Library)
Expect a roller coaster in the Kawarthas over the next few days, as temperatures gradually rise to well above freezing and then plunge again over the weekend.
For today (January 10), Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Hastings, and Haliburton. The temperature will reach a high of 0°C, with some freezing rain possible late this afternoon and evening across portions of central and eastern Ontario as a warm front approaches the area.
The freezing rain will be fairly light and patchy. Temperatures are expected to rise above the freezing mark this evening with the passage of the warm front, ending the threat of freezing rain.
Early spring-like temperatures arrive on Thursday (January 11), when the temperature will rise to 7°C during the day and remain just above freezing overnight, with a 60% chance of showers.
On Friday (January 12), the daytime temperature will get just above freezing at 1°C, but will drop to -14°C overnight. There will be periods of snow during the day and overnight.
For the weekend, we’ll have a high of -9°C on Saturday (January 13) during the day, but the temperature will then plunge to -24°C overnight. More snow is expected during the day and overnight.
It will be sunny on Sunday (January 14), but the high is only expected to reach -13°C, and will drop to -23°C overnight.
If you were hoping to skate on the Trent-Severn Canal beside the Peterborough Lift Lock, the red flag is up — indicating conditions are unsafe and skating is not permitted.
African Mission-Growth Market is bringing a taste of Africa to Peterborough. The Simcoe Street shop, run by Tokunbo Deborah Adebamiro (right), offers fresh produce like okra and yams. Tokunbo suggests blending the okra to make a soup. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
This month, Eva Fisher finds a piece of Africa in Peterborough, discovers a new truly local premium vodka, discovers Wee Wok’s new eat-in location, learns what Kawartha Coffee Company is doing in the Doctor’s Office, and offers her opinion on the Peterborough Farmers’ Market vote.
African Mission-Growth Market brings a delicious taste of Africa to Peterborough
Fans of African food will be happy to know that they can now buy many of their favourite items in Peterborough.
African Mission-Growth Market (6-193 Simcoe Street, Peterborough, 647-469-5801), which opened in December, stocks a variety of Nigerian and Ghanaian food and clothing.
The store is run by Tokunbo Deborah Adebamiro. She and her family are missionaries from Nigeria, where Tokunbo ran a similar store. Four years ago they came to Canada, and a year ago they arrived in Peterborough. Tokunbo noticed that it was difficult to get African food.
“There are a lot of Nigerian students at Trent. They can’t go to Toronto to buy food. They told me that they are hungry for African food.”
Michael Obidey, Moses Adebamiro, Tokunbo Deborah Adebamiro, and Bukola Esther Adebamiro of African Mission-Growth Market are bringing Nigerian and Ghanaian food and clothing to Peterborough. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
Tokunbo saw an opportunity. She and her family stocked the shelves with some of their hard-to-find favourites.
Son Michael Obidey took me through the shelves. Palm oil, used in soup and beans. Melon: seed or ground, which can be combined with palm oil, meat, and vegetables. Dried fish, also known as stock fish, which has a distinctive rich aroma.
Some foods also act as medicine. Bitter leaf is good if you’ve had too much sugar. It can be cooked in a stew with vegetables to encourage appetite in someone who is having stomach trouble.
Tinned palm nut can be used to make banga soup, popular in Southern Nigeria. Just heat it in a pot and add spices and it’s ready to eat.
Cassava flour, fufu flour, yam flour, beans okra and African drinks like malta and vamino (a soy drink) line the shelves.
The shop offers African food that can be impossible to find locally. Bukola says that these noodles are very popular in Nigeria. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
Tokunbo suggests that those who are new to African cuisine try the yellow fufu flour, made from plantain. Fufu is eaten throughout Africa. Add water to make a paste and serve with soup.
Tokunbo says that the reception for her shop has been warm.
“Everybody who comes in is so happy. They tell me they’re so glad, this is Africa coming to Peterborough.”
African Mission-Growth Market is open Monday through Saturday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.. You can also find them on Facebook.
Black’s Distillery set to open in East City
Robert Black and Barb Matchett are almost ready to open Black’s Distillery in East City. (Photo: Robert Metcalfe)
Black’s Distillery (99 Hunter St. E.) is hoping to open by the end of January.
“Most of the equipment is in place now and we’re just putting the finishing touches on the nuts and bolts, so to speak,” says owner Robert Black.
Black’s Distillery will make and sell gin, heritage vodka, rye whiskey and barley whiskey — all made grain-to-bottle in East City.
Among other options, Black’s Distillery will make vodka using local Red Fife Wheat. (Photo: Robert Metcalfe)
The vodka is made with local Red Fife Wheat. Robert chose Red Fife Wheat because of its local significance.
“The Red Fife Wheat was locally developed here in Otonabee Township by David Fife in 1840. That’s a marquis grain that our grains are developed from today.”
He sources his wheat from a local farmer who still grows the original heritage grain.
The gin is infused with nine botanicals: juniper, coriander, lemon peel, apple, lavender, angelica, cardamom, cubeb and sage.
The barley whiskey is similar to a Scotch. Robert says that his barley whiskey “has a nice essence of the grain. A little bit smokey, a little bit of vanilla.” He notes that in Canada you can’t call a whiskey a Scotch, but Scotch is made from Barley grain.
Robert also hints at a seasonal specialty: “I’m really excited about that one as well. I can’t tell you what it is, it’s top secret.”
Black’s Distillery plans to sell out of its Hunter Street storefront and the L.C.B.O. For updates, follow them on Facebook.
Wee Wok is ready to Wok a new location: Dragon Yan opens on Braidwood
Lo Mein is a popular menu item at Dragon Yan, a new restaurant opened by Ron Kam and Yun (Cherry) Lian of Wee Wok Express. (Photo: Dragon Yan)
Ron Kam and Yun (Cherry) Lian of Wee Wok Express (337 George St S, Peterborough, 705-748-3388) have opened a new location.
Dragon Yan (422 Braidwood Ave., Peterborough, 705-750-1888) serves a similar menu to Wee Wok, but offers a dine-in option.
Ron and Cherry worked in the small kitchen at Wee Wok with Ron’s brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, mom, and dad with two front of house staff.
“Can you imagine being in a small elevator with your family all day? Though we can bump heads sometimes, in the end, it if weren’t for family, Wee Wok wouldn’t have produced these kinds of results. We count on, rely and trust each other.”
Wee Wok Express and Dragon Yan are both family endeavours. Wee Wok Express’s kitchen will now be run by Ron’s father. (Photo: Dragon Yan)
The second location will give them more space and allow them to cut down on wait times. Ron says that their food is even better in the dining room.
“The food actually loses its freshness, crisp, and bite after it gets steamed all the way back home. If you thought our food was good at Wee Wok, wait until you try it after 20 seconds off the wok. Piping hot, fresh, and crisp!”
Their most popular dish is sweet and sour chicken balls, which Ron says you won’t find in China.
“It’s not even real Chinese food — there is not a single chicken ball in China. But it’s just so popular here.”
Ron says that while Western Chinese food has become its own phenomena, he tends toward more traditional options.
“I personally love in a big bowl, half steamed rice and half wok stir-fried vegetables with some meat in garlic black pepper sauce. In China, combo plates were like that and included a soup. In the western world, a combo plate is an egg roll, chicken balls, fried rice, and a portion of vegetables.”
Lemon Chicken may not be an authentic Chinese dish, but it is a well-loved menu item. (Photo: Dragon Yan)
Still, Ron isn’t ready to offer a full menu of authentic Chinese food.
“People ask ‘Will you offer real authentic dishes?’ If I did, I think I would get three customers a day. I would love to offer Peking duck, steamed fish with with head and tail attached, whole chicken with head and feet, soup with bones in it, stir-fried dishes with bones in it.” But he doesn’t think the market is ready.
For now, Dragon Yan’s focus is on quality Western-style Chinese food with lots of fresh vegetables.
“We won’t give you extra batter on that chicken ball or load dishes with unappetizing fillers like onions and carrots. We make it colourful with a variety of the best vegetables, balanced flavours — filling and satisfying.”
Kawartha Coffee Company moves to iconic Bobcaygeon location
The Kawartha Coffee Company has closed at its 49 Bolton Street location. The popular eatery is moving across the street to an iconic Bobcaygeon building and will reopen in the spring. (Photo: Kawartha Coffee Company / Facebook)
Kawartha Coffee Company (49 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon, 705-738-1500) is moving across the street to a new location this spring.
According to Kathleen Seymour, owner of the Kawartha Coffee Company, the new building at 58 Bolton Street (just beside Foodland) has a long history.
“I’m not sure what it was originally, but in the 70s and 80s it was a doctor’s office. Then it turned into a restaurant and bar called The Doctor’s Office.”
The building at 58 Bolton Street was once a doctor’s office. It then became a restaurant and bar called, as you might expect, The Doctor’s Office. (Photo: Google Maps)
Kathleen also has a personal history with the building.
“I actually met my husband in there and the funny thing is he is now a doctor!”
Kathleen is looking forward to bringing new life into the old building.
“It has been sitting empty for many many years and leaving a bit of a hole on that main street. It needs love and life again. I’m very excited for this project. ”
Kawartha Coffee Company doesn’t just serve coffee. They are also a bakery and cafe with a Mexican-influenced menu. (Photo: Kawartha Coffee Company / Facebook)
The location also has a large patio, and offers an opportunity for Kawartha Coffee Company to shake things up.
“I hope to switch it up a bit and do some different things, as well bring in more artists, more music, interactive events — make it a real community hub.”
No decision, gag order in effect following Peterborough Farmers’ Market meeting
Circle Organic in Millbrook was one of the local vendors at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market whose membership status was up for a vote at a special meeting on January 8, 2018. No decision was reached at the meeting. (Photo: Circle Organic)
On January 8th, members of the Peterborough Farmers’ Market met to vote on whether to evict seven members: Otonabee Apiary, Mclean Berry Farm, Neccessitea Elixir, Chef Marshall, Finest Gourmet Fudge, Ashburnham Farms Gaelic Garlic, and Circle Organic for “behaviour detrimental to the corporation.”
No decision was reached, and a gag order is currently in effect for all vendors.
As a food columnist I have followed this story closely. Here is what I am certain of: you should support the farmers that you have relationships with, whether they are part of the seven or not, whichever side of this vote you fall on. Buy from their farms directly, or go to the market.
Support farmers. Because local food isn’t just about enjoying the freshest and best food available, it’s about community. Right now this community needs to heal, and you can be a part of that.
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