Earth Day 2018 is Sunday, April 22. This year's global campaign is about ending plastic pollution. Several clean-up events are taking place this weekend in the Kawarthas, along with celebrations and workshops. (Photo: Earth Day Network)
Sunday is Earth Day, an annual event held each April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it’s now observed in 192 counties around the world.
Global Earth Day activities are coordinated by the non-profit organization Earth Day Network. This year’s global campaign is about ending plastic pollution.
In the Kawarthas, Earth Day is being celebrated with activities to clean up public spaces, celebratory events, environmentally themed workshops, and more. Although Earth Day falls ons Sunday, many events this year are taking place on Saturday.
The weather is supposed to warm up throughout the rest of this week, hopefully melting all that spring snow and ice by the weekend to allow for clean ups. The weather forecast looks pretty good for the weekend, with mainly sunny skies and temperatures over 10°C.
Here’s a list of some of the events happening locally on Earth Day weekend:
City of Kawartha Lakes 20-Minute Community Clean Ups – April 16 to 22
The City of Kawartha Lakes is sponsoring 20-Minute Community Clean Ups during Earth Week (April 16th to 22nd) by providing clear garbage bags and gloves to participants.
Groups or individuals planning a 20-Minute Community Clean Up can register online at www.kawarthalakes.ca/EarthWeek or in person at any Municipal Service Centre.
The city will consult with each participating group to determine the best method of garbage disposal. Please note that garbage must be collected in clear bags in order to be accepted at the landfill.
Repair Cafe at Peterborough Public Library – April 21
Come out for this Earth Day Repair Cafe from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st, in the upstairs multi-purpose room at the renovated Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough).
Repair Cafe can help you sew a button back on your favourite sweater, glue the handle back on your favourite coffee mug, clean the connections in your toaster, debug your computer, rewire your lamp, amp or vacuum cleaner, and more.
All regular fixing stations will be available (e.g., sewing, electrical, wood/glue and computers). If you are interested in a computer repair, please email repaircafeptbo@gmail.com with details on the issue and you’ll be added to the schedule.
Don’t throw it out … get it fixed at Repair Cafe. (Photo: Repair Cafe / Facebook)
Workshops at Kawartha Lakes Public Library in Lindsay – April 21
Kawartha Lakes Public Library is hosting two Earth Week events at the Lindsay branch (190 Kent St. W., Lindsay) on Saturday, April 21st.
The Lindsay & District Master Gardeners presents “An Introduction to Home Vegetable and Herb Gardening” from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., and Climate Reality Leaders Ginny Colling and Deborah Pearson present “Understanding and Adapting to our Changing Climate” from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Advance registration is encouraged. More information about both of these events is available at the Lindsay branch by calling 705-324-5632 or by visiting www.kawarthalakeslibrary.ca.
Earth Day at Gamiing Nature Centre in Lindsay – April 21
Gamiing Nature Centre (1884 Pigeon Lake Road, Lindsay) is hosting an Earth Day event from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st.
Pat Warren, chair of the Environmental Adisory Committee of the City of Kawartha Lakes, will speak about the Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan and will engage the audience with Gamiing’s staff in a discussion about the Forest School that Gamiing piloted this past fall and winter.
Little Country Critters will offer a petting zoo starting at 2 p.m., featuring donkeys, sheeps, goats, mini-pigs, rabbits, and more. Crafts include “How to make a Native Talking Stick”, with a walk down the trails to gather sticks and feathers and tables set up in the Discovery Shack with string and beads and scissors.
Everyone who attends Earth Day at Gamiing will have the opportunity to make a Green Pledge for the year and write it on a sticky note, which will be used to make a permanent display of pledges made during Earth Day 2018.
Admission is by donation.
Earth Day Harold Town Conservation Area Clean Up in Peterborough – April 21
With support from the Harold Town Trail Builders Association and the Township of Otonabee South Monaghan, Otonabee Conservation is hosting the second annual Earth Day Clean Up at Harold Town Conservation Area (2611 Old Norwood Rd, Peterborough) on Saturday, April 21st.
From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers will help clean up the public area and selected trails. Bags and gloves will be provided. This family-friendly event will be held rain or shine.
Meet at the main entrance on Old Norwood Road.
Earth Day Jackson Creek Clean Up in Peterborough – April 21
With support from the City of Peterborough, Swish Maintenance, Tim Hortons and community volunteers, Otonabee Conservation is hosting the 20th annual Earth Day Jackson Creek Clean Up on Saturday, April 21st.
From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers will help clean up Jackson Park and the Trans Canada Trail. Bags and gloves will be provided. This family-friendly event will be held rain or shine.
Since 1999, more than 1,500 people have participated in the annual clean up, removing nearly 40 tonnes of litter.
Meet at the main entrance of Jackson Park at Monaghan Road at Parkhill Road in Peterborough.
Rotary Super Spring Clean Up in Peterborough/Ennismore – April 21
The 11th Annual Rotary Super Spring Clean Up takes place at Confederation Park across from City Hall (500 George St. N., Peterborough) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on on Saturday, April 21st.
Following the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. by Deputy Mayor Henry Clarke, there will be music, presentations, displays, and treats and beverages provided by sponsor McDonalds.
You will receive a clean-up location from a volunteer team. Bags and gloves will be provided. This family-friendly event will be held rain or shine.
For those joining from Bridgenorth, Ennismore and Lakefield, the BEL Rotary Club will be set up at Rotary Park Ennismore at 10 a.m.
Sponsored by Scotiabank, the event is organized by the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough, Kawartha, and Bridgenorth-Ennsimore-Lakefield. The annual event has seen more than 4,000 bags of garbage and recyclables collected from parks, trails, river banks, rail corridors, and road sides.
Local musician Al Black, who organized his own clean-up group in 2015, displaying some of the discarded items he found. (Photo: Steven Leak / Facebook)
Earth Day Sunrise Ceremony at Camp Kawartha – April 22
The 25th annual Earth Day Sunrise Ceremony takes place from 6 to 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 22nd at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre (2505 Pioneer Road, Peterborough).
Led by Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders, the ceremony begins at 6 a.m. Out of respect for the Indigenous ceremony, women are asked to wear skirts and pets should be left at home.
Following the ceremony, there will be a potluck feast (bring a contribution) and a presentation by the Sacred Water Circle and discussion on protecting water.
Earth Day Community Clean Up in Hastings – April 22
The Hastings Revitalization Committee is hosting an Earth Day Community Clean Up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 22nd in the Village of Hastings in Trent Hills.
The clean up will take place in the village and the trail. Meet at the Post Office parking lot and wear boots and bring gloves.
Nature Care Earth Day Awards Celebration in Peterborough – April 22
Peterborough-Kawartha Green Party candidate Gianne Broughton is hosting the Nature Care Earth Day Awards Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22nd at Peterborough Lions Community Centre (347 Burnham Street, Peterborough).
The Green Party will be recognizing and celebrating some of the many ways that local people and organizations are caring for the environment. Refreshments will be provided.
Mayors’ Keep the County Clean Challenge in Northumbeland – April 22 to 28
In 2018, Northumberland County in concert with all of its area municipalities will be hosting the 10th annual Mayors’ Keep the County Clean Challenge from Sunday, April 22nd to Saturday, April 28th.
Hosted by the Northumberland County Waste Department, the week-long litter clean-up event will pick up litter from county roadsides, ditches, parks, and more.
Register yourself or a team by calling your local municipality: Alnwick/Haldimand (905-349-2700), Brighton (613-475-1162), Cobourg (905-372-4555), Cramahe (905-355-2821 ext 122), Hamilton (905-342-2810 ext 119), Port Hope (905-885-2431), and Trent Hills (705-653-1900).
New Stages Theatre Company is presenting a staged reading of Tony Kushner's award-winning play in two parts, with "Part One: Millenium Approaches" on Sunday, April 22 at the Market Hall in Peterborough. "Part Two: Perestroika" will be staged on Sunday, May 27th, also at the Market Hall. (Graphic: New Stages)
As long as I have known Randy Read, artistic director of New Stages Theatre Company in Peterborough, he has been telling me about Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America. It’s a show that often comes up in our conversations, and a show he has told me I need to see one day.
New Stages Theatre Company presents Angels in America
When: Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. (Part One), and Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. (Part Two) Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $25 general admission ($15 students/artworkers)
Written by Tony Kushner and featuring readings by Derek McGrath, Jeff Lillico, Kate Suhr, Sergio Di Zio, Jesse LaVercombe, Linda Kash, Megan Murphy, and Troy Adams. Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at the Market Hall website (Part One: Millenium Approaches, Part Two: Perestroika).
We will all finally get a chance to experience this two-part American modern classic in April and May when Randy presents a staged reading of Angels in America, featuring an all-star cast of local and out-of-town actors, as part of New Stages Theatre Company’s popular Page on Stage series.
On Sunday, April 22nd, Randy and his players will present Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches, and will continue with Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika, on Sunday, May 27th. Both performances take place at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough.
“It’s a magnificent play,” Randy says. “The language is so rich. The themes are so complex and relevant to everybody in some way.”
Written by American playwright Tony Kushner, Angels in America has a long production history. Part 1: Millennium Approaches made its stage debut in May 1991 at the Eureka Theater Company in San Francisco, with the second part Perestroika making its first official stage performance in November 1992.
However, the show was finally combined when it was brought to Broadway in 1993. Although the show runs approximately seven hours in its entirety, split into two parts and containing four intermissions, Angels in America won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1993 and was awarded both the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Play in 1994.
Playwright Tony Kushner won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for “Angels in America”, which returned to Broadway in 2018 for the first time in 25 years starring Nathan Lane and Andrew Garfield. Among Kushner’s current projects is a “West Side Story” remake script for Steven Spielberg.
In 2003, it was made into an HBO miniseries directed by Mike Nichols and starring Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Mary-Louise Parker, Emma Thompson, and more. It was the most-watched made-for-cable film that year, garnering much critical acclaim and multiple Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
In April 2017, a revival of Angels in America made its debut on the London stage where it won the Olivier Award for Best Revival. The production has now returned to Broadway for the first time in 25 years, opening on March 25, 2018 and starring Nathan Lane and Andrew Garfield.
Taking place in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Angels in America was one of the first major productions to openly examine the relationships between gay men and to deal with the subject of AIDS. Released during an era when society was finally changing its attitudes towards homosexuality, the play was hailed a progressive masterpiece but still raised controversy among groups uncomfortable with the subject matter.
Although the show premiered nearly 25 years ago, the themes of Angels in America are as relevant today as they were when it premiered.
“It’s incredible looking at it again now, how relevant it is today,” Randy says. “It was written in response to the Reagan administration at a time when there was a kind of greed, in terms of money being more important to people than looking after each other.
“It feels like we are regressing in some ways. I haven’t actually worried about nuclear war, in a genuine way, since I was a young man. Now it feels like its surfacing again. The thing about these plays is that they are really about that human beings have no choice but to move forward, and when we resist that we get into trouble.”
Randy began his relationship with Angels in America when he worked as the casting director for the show’s first Canadian production in 1998.
“I probably saw the show twenty to thirty times during that time,” Randy says. “To me it’s just a very special script. I’m trying to think of another play as important as this from the end of the 20th century. There was Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and then Angels in America.”
Canadian stage, television, and film actors Derek McGrath, Jeff Lillico, Jesse LaVercombe, Sergio Di Zio, and Troy Adams appear in the staged reading of “Angels in America”.
Because of the magnitude of Angels in America, Randy chose his popular reading series to bring the play to the Peterborough stage.
“Because of the complexity of it, we couldn’t possibly afford to do a full production of Angels in America,” Randy explains. “The rehearsal time involved to do it justice would have to have three or four weeks, and that’s a lot of money you’re talking about.”
However, Randy has assembled a cast of eight local and out-of-town actors for the staged reading: Derek McGrath as Roy Cohn, Jeff Lillico as Prior Walter, Kate Suhr as Harper Pitt, Sergio Di Zio as Louis Ironson, Jesse LaVercombe as Joe Pitt, Linda Kash as Hannah Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg, Megan Murphy as The Angel, and Troy Adams as Belize (who will be reprising his role from the successful 2013 Soul Pepper Theatre production in Toronto).
“The reading series is so successful because it seems people love the purity of the words and the actors,” Randy adds. “If we were doing a full production, there would be very stark theatrical images that we won’t have in the reading. I still think that the language is so rich and strong and character-connected that the audience will have sufficient material to be able to engage.”
Peterborough actors Linda Kash, Megan Murphy, and Kate Suhr also appear in the staged reading.
Because of the size of the show and its importance to Randy, the readings will differ slightly compared to past Page on Stage readings. The production will include minimal lighting and sound effects, and Randy will disperse with the usual reading of stage directions.
Also, due to the length of the show (each presentation will last approximately three hours, with two 10-minute intermissions), the “talk back” session at the end of each reading will be temporarily retired — although Randy does encourage any audience member who wants to discuss the show to freely contact him via email.
“I have to trust the script and the faith that I have in it,” Randy says. “I have to trust the audience to work with us. I have to trust that they are engaged enough that they’ll stay with us. It’s the words, the actors, and the audience, and that’s enough. That’s all that you need.”
In many of our visits over the years, Randy has expressed how much he has wanted to bring Angels in America to Peterborough. Now that he is finally making that wish a reality, Randy acknowledges the nervous tension he is experiencing about finally staging this show at Market Hall.
“I’m terrified because this show is so important to me,” Randy admits. “It’s hugely challenging. But because it’s so challenging, it gives me a stronger drive to do it. And because there is a fear of failing, there is a stronger drive to make it work. I can’t control anything once things start. I guess that’s what’s exciting about live theatre to me. Once it starts, anything can happen. You have little control over it.”
“But it’s important to me because I really want our audience to experience what these plays are, because they are both very special pieces of work. I know there are a lot of people who haven’t seen them before. I think there is a depth and richness to them and I want our audience to experience this.
“At the end of the day, as corny as it might sound, I love our audience. I love them individually and collectively and I want to give them the best that I can give them. It’s the whole reason for doing this, really. I think Angels in America is one of the best ten plays written in the last twenty five years.”
Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches will be performed on Sunday, April 22nd at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika will be performed on Sunday, May 27th, also at the Market Hall. Both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets are $25 ($15 students/artworkers) and are available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
SOS and Flavour Fashion ownes Mike and Shelby Watt are opening Providence, a new men's wear store that also features a cafe, bar, and men's grooming area, in downtown Peterborough. (Logo design: Pioneer Inc)
This week’s business news includes a new men’s wear retail experience called Providence coming to downtown Peterborough, the retirement of well-known Peterborough media personality Graham Hart, federal funding for Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford, the status of the new Venture13 innovation centre in Cobourg, and drop-in information sessions for businesses on new health inspection disclosure rules.
In regional business events, the final pitch of the 2018 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition is happening on April 18th, and new events added this week include the Port Hope Chamber Business Awards Ceremony on April 21st, the annual general meeting and community open house hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development on April 26th, a free renovation workshop from Kawartha Lakes Construction on April 26th, and the nomination deadline for the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce 2018 Excellence Awards on April 27th.
We publish businessNOW every Monday. If you want your business news or events to appear in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
A new combination men’s wear store, cafe, bar, and barber shop called Providence is opening in downtown Peterborough
SOS is now located at 384 George Street North in downtown Peterborough, the former location of Plush, and will sell both women’s clothing and shoes. (Photo: SOS / Facebook)
Entrepreneurs Mike and Shelby Watt are making some changes to their existing businesses in downtown Peterborough while launching a unique branch new venture.
The Watts are the owners and operators of SOS Save Our Souls (previously a men’s and women’s shoe store), Plush Boutique (previously a men’s and women’s clothing and accessory store), and Flavour Fashion (a men’s and women’s clothing store oriented towards a younger market and home to the Ptbo Northern Originals clothing brand).
While Flavour Fashion will remain the same, SOS has closed at its current location and has relocated to the former Plush location (384 George St N., Peterborough), which is now called SOS. The men’s shoes from SOS, as well as the men’s clothing from Plush, will be moving into a brand new store on Hunter Street called Providence.
Providence will be located at 131 Hunter Street West, near the corner of Hunter and Water Street, in the former location of Catalina’s — the combination hair salon, vintage store, bar and live performance space which closed in December 2017.
What makes Providence a unique retail experience is that it won’t just be selling men’s clothing and shoes — the store will also feature a cafe, a licensed bar, a men’s grooming area, and a patio.
VIDEO: Mike Watt explains the changes to SOS and Plush
“You can start your day with an espresso and come in and shop men’s fashion,” says Mike Watt in a promotional video. “It’s fully licensed now as well. We’ve got a patio going out back. We are putting in a grooming area too where guys can get shaved and haircuts.
“It’s just going to give us a clean space now where we can really lay things out for guys and give them that head to toe look. We’re excited about it and we think it’s the right move to move forward in downtown.”
Providence (131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) will open for the first time on Friday, April 17th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Although SOS is already open in its new location, Shelby Watt will also be having a closing sale at the former location soon.
CHEX TV personality Graham Hart is retiring
Graham Hart in 2013. The well-known Peterborough media personality is retiring on April 30, 2018 after 45 years at CHEX Television. (Photo: Jeremy Kelly / My Peterborough)
Graham Hart, one of Peterborough’s most well-known media personalities, is retiring on April 30, 2018 after 45 years at CHEX Television.
Born in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, Graham graduated from Dartmouth High and studied engineering at Dalhousie University before turning to broadcasting. He worked at radio stations in Bridgewater and Halifax in Nova Scotia, as well as Chatham, Hamilton, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, before accepting a position with CHEX TV in Peterborough in 1973. He left CHEX in 1975 for Europe, returned to Canada seven months later to work at CBC in Dartmouth, and then returned to CHEX.
Graham was a familiar face on CHEX-TV as a news anchor, and later held a number of management positions including news director and executive vice president of one of the company’s radio stations. From the late 1970s to 1998, he hosted Campus Quiz, a local quiz show that pitted Grade 8 classes from the region against each other. He also hosted an interview show called Hart’s Beat, where he interviewed local news makers as well as others such as former Prime Minister John Turner.
Graham Hart hosting the Easter Seals Telethon in the early 1980s. (Photo: CHEX Television)
Graham is also well known and highly respected for his work in the community, including with Arbour Theatre, the Peterborough Festival of the Arts, the Ontario March of Dimes, the Peterborough Canadian Mental Association, the Peterborough Family Resource Centre, the Save The Market Hall Committee, the Peterborough Concert Association, the Peterborough Pathway of Fame, the Annual CHEX Easter Seals Telethon for children with disabilities, the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, and more.
In 2015, the City of Peterborough awarded Graham with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Civic Awards ceremony.
The announcement of Graham’s retirement on social media drew many congratulations, kudos, and best wishes. Here are a few:
“Working with Graham was honestly like watching a master class in broadcasting,” writes Jay Scotland, former CHEX and current CBC meteorologist.
“Graham is indeed ‘a class act’, professionally and personally,” writes former Peterborough mayor Sylvia Sutherland. “We go back to 1976, when he auditioned me for what became a 10-year stint on ‘The Afternoon Show’, and a few months of producing ‘Hart’s Beat’. His well-earned retirement is going to leave a huge gap at the station.”
Graham Hart being feted in June 2015 for his long career at CHEX TV. (Photo: Teresa Kaszuba)
“The best of the best”, writes actor Linda Kash. “A lifetime of achievement.”
“Graham hired me,” writes Peterborough Chamber president and CEO Stuart Harrison. “Other than that he’s had a stellar career!”
Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford receives $100,000 in federal funding
Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd (right) announced $100,000 for Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford. Also pictured is Westben business manager Rebecca Baptista, board vice-chair/secretary Catherine Warrener, and artistic director Brian Finley. (Photo: Office of Kim Rudd)
Last Monday (April 9), Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd announced that Westben Arts Festival Theatre in Campbellford will receive $100,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.
Rudd made the announcement on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, whose ministry administers the fund providing financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series, and organizations that offer support to arts presenters.
The funds will provide support for Westben’s “Concerts at the Barn” series over the next two years.
“Westben is one of the finest examples of community theatre in this province, with world-class performances taking place here every year,” Rudd said. “Westben remains a thriving cultural hub, and this funding today will help advance their programs.”
For more information about Westben Arts Festival Theatre, visit www.westben.ca.
Venture13 innovation centre in Cobourg is nearing completion
Venture13 partners with Town of Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier in November 2017. (CNW Group/Town of Cobourg)
Venture13, a new state-of-the-art technology centre for startups and entrepreneurs in Northumberland County, is nearing completion and is slated to open on May 17, 2018.
Located in Cobourg at 739 D’Arcy St. in the Northam industrial park, the 30,000-square-foot business hub will include a 15,000-square-foot entrepreneurial space, a 75-seat lecture hall, partner offices, public and private meeting rooms, and maker spaces for design, prototype, and creation.
Venture13, led by the Town of Cobourg in partnership with Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation, is based on similar innovation centres in other cities such as The Hub in Peterborough.
The name comes from “Building 13”, the original name of the building owned by the Town of Cobourg that was once the site of the Canadian Forces Base central “Depot”. At its peak in 1955, the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps provided 735 local jobs.
Fleming College, the main post-secondary school institutional partner in Venture13, recently invested $100,000 in Venture13. The funds will to support the technical components in the centre, including audio visual suites that will allow for real-time remote lectures. The college will be providing regular courses at Venture13.
More than 180 activities have already booked for the centre. Northumberland Makers, a community organization teaching do-it-yourself skills and project-based applied and experiential learning, will help provide programming in the centre’s MakerLab, including bi-weekly safety and equipment training, a Tedx-inspired talk series, and a one-week Lego robotic camp for children in the summer.
Health unit hosting drop-in information sessions for businesses on new health inspection disclosure rules
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is hosting a series of drop-in information sessions for local businesses affected by new health inspection disclosure rules.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care enacted new public health standards that came into effect on January 1, 2018. The provincial requirements, which are designed to increase accessibility to information, include a requirement that health units post all health inspection and re-inspection results for affected businesses on a public website.
Affected businesses include restaurants and food premises (including cafeterias, grocery stores, banquet halls, and catering kitchens), beauty and body art businesses (including tattoo parlours, barber shops, nail/hair salons, and body piercing studios), and recreational water facilities (including public pools, spas/hot tubs, splash pads, and wading pools).
As well as the public posting of inspection results, the new standards require affected businesses to post a sign on their premises showing the results of their most recent health unit inspection. Food premises must also have someone trained in safe food handling on site at all times when their premise is open or operating.
To adhere to the new requirements, the health unit will be launching a new program called HKPR CheckINspection on July 1, 2018. Residents able to visit the health unit’s website and find a link to a list of all the applicable businesses, their location, type of operation, and the dates and results of recent inspections. Inspection reports will be backdated to January 1, 2018 and will remain online for two years.
As part of the campaign, the health unit is working with area business owners to provide them with information about the new requirements and is developing a new public education campaign for residents.
The health unit is hosting three drop-in information sessions for businesses in the City of Kawartha Lakes on Monday, April 23rd from 7 to 9 p.m. at the health unit’s Lindsay office (108 Angeline St. S., Lindsay), in Northumberland County on Monday, April 23rd from 7 to 9 p.m. at the health unit Port Hope office (200 Rose Glen Rd., Port Hope), and in Haliburton County on Monday, April 30th from 7 to 9 p.m. at Haliburton United Church (10 George St., Haliburton).
For more information, contact the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 or email info@hkpr.on.ca.
Medical Officer of Health at Peterborough DBIA Breakfast Network on April 18
Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health, will speak at the Peterborough DBIA Breakfast Network on April 18. (Photo: Peterborough Public Health)
Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health with Peterborough Public Health, will be the guest speaker at the next Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) Breakfast Network on Wednesday, April 18th.
The DBIA Breakfast Network meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Empress Gardens at 131 Charlotte Street and is open to everyone.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with Dr. Salvaterra speaking at 8 a.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
2018 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition Final Pitch on April 18
The six finalists in the 2018 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition will be pitching their businesses to a panel of judges on Wednesday, April 18th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The finalist in the innovation stream are ViSmart, Transit One, and Kavtek, and the finalists in the goods and services stream are Full Tilt Cycle, Percheron Plastic Inc. and Indigo Green.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. A panel of judges — Nicole Verkindt, founder and CEO of Canadian technology company OMX; Rhonda Barnet, President and COO at Steelworks Design Inc. and Chair of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Board of Directors; and Geordie Konrad, co-founder of digital innovation company Konrad Group — will score the finalists’ presentations based on innovation, commercialization, diversification, business plan quality, and the benefit to the local economy.
The two winners (one for the innovation stream and one for the goods and services stream) will be announced at 8:45 p.m.
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.
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)
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/.
Port Hope Chamber Business Awards Ceremony on April 21
The nominees for the Port Hope Chamber 2018 Business Excellence Awards. (Graphic: Port Hope Chamber)
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 21st annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 21st at Dalewood Golf Club (7465 Dale Rd. Cobourg).
The event, with a “Casino Royale” theme, begins with social hour and networking at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $100+HST and can be reserved by calling 905-885-5519 or emailing admin@porthopechamber.com.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Annual General Meeting and Open House on April 26
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) is holding its Annual General Meeting followed by a Community Open House on Thursday, April 26th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The open house, which takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the main level, offers the general public the opportunity to learn more about the economic organization’s role in the community.
A celebration of the PKED’s first year at VentureNorth, the open house will include a meet-and-greet with the organization’s clients and a tour of offices including the Visitor Centre and the Business Advisory Centre. Refreshments will be available, catered by Hard Winter Bread Co. and EC Catering.
PKED’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the lower level and will include reports, the election/reappointment of board members, by-law amendments, an update from PKED President and CEO Rhonda Keenan, and volunteer and board member recognition. Seating is limited for the AGM and free registration is required at pked-agm-2018.eventbrite.ca.
Kawartha Lakes Construction offering free renovation workshop on April 26
Kawartha Lakes Construction (KLC) is hosting “The Value of Design-Build: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Renovation” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 26th at its offices at 3359 Lakefield Road in Lakefield.
The free event includes an interactive presentation led by KLC’s Scott Wootton which discusses the elements of a great project and why solid planning is so important, including local by-laws to be aware of and choosing the right products and materials for your project.
Following the presentation, you will be able to spend one-on-one time with KLC’s team of designers and project developers to discuss your questions and concerns. Light refreshments will be provided.
Innovation Cluster Agriculture Tech Power Breakfast on April 27
The Innovation Cluster’s next quarterly Power Breakfast is on the topic of growth and innovation in agriculture technology and takes place on Friday, April 27th at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough).
Presented by Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation, guest speakers are Jeal Leal (Peterborough MPP, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Minister Responsible for Small Business), Thien Quoc Nguyen and Suresh Narine of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research at Trent University, and Darren Goldin (Co-Founder and VP of Operations for Entomo Farms).
The breakfast event takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and features a buffet breakfast of eggs benedict, fresh baked muffins, seasonal fruit yougurt parfaits, smoothies, and pan-friend potatoes.
Nominations for Lindsay Chamber of Commerce 2018 Excellence Awards open until April 27
Nominations for the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Excellence Awards are open until Friday, April 27th.
Awards will be given out for Agricultural Excellence, Arts Excellence, Business Leader of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Customer Service Excellence, Design Excellence, Employer of the Year, Marketing Excellence, New Business of the Year, Not-For-Profit Excellence, Tourism Excellence, and Youth Mentorship Excellence.
The winners will be announced at the Evening of Excellence awards ceremony on Friday, June 1st at Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon.
Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence on April 28
The Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards of Excellence takes place from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th at the Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon).
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Employee Achievement, Not for Profit Achievement, Business Achievement, Citizen of the Year, New Business Achievement, Tourism Achievement, Hospitality, and Creative Arts Achievement.
Trent Hills Chamber Business Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 28
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony for the 2018 Celebration of Business Excellence takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th at Island Park Retirement Residence (18 Trent Drive, Campbellford).
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Emerging Entrepreneur Award, Customer Experience Award (Service-Based), Customer Experience Award (Product-Based), Pride And Progress Award, Ignite 2018 – Business, Ignite 2018 – Non-Profit Organization, Excellence In Business, Community Impact Award, Inclusive Community Employer Award, and Chair’s Award.
A cocktail reception begins at 7 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 8 p.m.
Business Owners Sharing Solutions (BOSS) – Mental Health in the Workplace on May 9
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s next Business Owners Sharing Solutions (BOSS) seminar takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9th at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St., Lakefield).
The session will focus on coping strategies and techniques to encourage mental wellness in your workplace, with panelists Jack Veitch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Dave Pogue of Team 55, and Ashley Challinor of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members.
Otonabee Conservation and Kawartha Conservation have both issued flood warnings for their respective watersheds, which encompass Peterborough and Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and portions of Hastings and Northumberland.
Otonabee Conservation has issued a Flood Warning for the entire watershed region.
A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or is occurring.
Total amounts of rainfall received from Friday (April 13) through to early Saturday (April 14) ranged from 28 mm to 35 mm. As a result, water levels and flows in local rivers and streams increased, some to near bankfull conditions. In addition, Saturday’s forecast is for the freezing rain, ice pellets and snow to continue this afternoon and overnight. As temperatures rise through the day on Sunday (April 15) the freezing rain will change to rain with forecasted amounts of 40 mm to 50 mm. The rain will continue Monday with an additional 10 mm to 20 mm.
Ouse River, Indian River, and tributaries of the Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
Throughout the watershed region, the ground is saturated, and incapable of absorbing additional rainfall. As a result, the forecasted rainfall of 50 mm to 70 mm from Sunday (April 15) and Monday (April 16) is expected to cause significant pooling or ponding of water in low-lying areas where there is poor drainage. In addition, local rivers (Ouse River, Indian River), streams and creeks (Squirrel, Baxter, Cavan, Jackson, Meade, Rays, etc.) which are already flowing at rates well above normal, will continue to experience very high flows, and may even exceed their banks.
Hence, area businesses and residents located in historical flood vulnerable areas are advised to prepare for localized minor flooding caused by forecasted rainfall, saturated/frozen ground and poor drainage conditions.
Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River (to Hastings)
As a result of rains received earlier in the week, inflows to the Kawartha Lakes from areas to the north have dramatically increased. Accordingly, outflows from the Kawartha Lakes through the Otonabee River have also increased from 180 cubic meters per second (cms) seen just a few days ago to today’s flows of 250 cms. In turn, this is causing a rise in Rice Lake and Trent River water levels/flows as well. Given the forecast for additional significant rains on Sunday (April 15) and Monday (April 16), inflows to the Kawartha Lakes are expected to continue increasing throughout the coming days. Likewise, flows/levels on the Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River will also increase.
Hence, residents living in historical flood vulnerable areas on the shores of the Kawartha Lakes, the Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River (to Hastings) are advised to prepare for localized flooding that is expected to occur in the coming days as water levels/flows along the Trent-Severn Waterway continue to increase.
Otonabee Conservation will continue to monitor current conditions and issue updates as required. This Flood Warning will be updated no later than 3 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2018. For updates, visit www.otonabeeconservation.com
Kawartha Conservation – Flood Warning
A Flood Warning is now in effect for the Kawartha Conservation watershed jurisdiction.
A nasty weather pattern persists over the southern Ontario, including the Kawartha Conservation watershed. Precipitation gauges around the watershed have recorded up to 45 mm of rain since Friday morning. In addition, a substantial amount of ice, ice pellets and snow has accumulated on the ground. More ice pellets and freezing rain is forecast for today. As air temperature increases above 0°C overnight, precipitation will become liquid (rain). It is predicted that rain, sometimes heavy, will extend into Monday. A Rainfall Warning has been issued by Environment Canada for an area that includes the Kawartha Conservation watershed.
Water levels and flows in local rivers and streams within the watershed have increased significantly in response to the rain received over the last 2 days. The additional rain that is predicted, in combination with saturated or partly frozen ground conditions, will produce significant runoff that will further affect local watercourses. As the temperature warms, melting ice/snow cover will add to the amount of the runoff.
In these circumstances water levels and flows in local rivers and streams will continue to rise and by Monday may exceed their bankfull levels in many locations. Flooding will happen in floodplains, low-lying areas, areas with poor drainage and road ditches. Roads over topping in known flood prone areas are very likely.
Municipalities are advised to monitor known flood areas and be prepared to respond to high water situations as they occur. Residents are advised to contact their municipalities should a flood threat develop. Local municipalities are first to respond to and assist with flood emergencies.
The Trent-Severn Waterway officials are monitoring this situation very closely and regulate the water control structures accordingly. All dams on the large Kawartha Lakes are open; lakes water levels are below average at this time.
Under these conditions, all local rivers, streams, and lakes should be considered extremely dangerous. Riverbanks and shorelines are slippery and unsafe; any remaining ice cover is unstable and hazardous. Kawartha Conservation is warning all residents to stay away from water bodies, as well as water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Children should be warned of dangerous conditions and caregivers should maintain a close watch on children who are outside.
Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring local watercourses and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. We are in close communication with partner agencies such as the Trent Severn Waterway, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and neighbouring Conservation Authorities on this situation.
Burnt and Gull River water levels are monitored by staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Residents along these two rivers are requested to direct any questions concerning water levels to the MNRF Minden office at 705-286-5207.
This Flood Warning will be in effect until Wednesday 18th, 2018. Kawartha Conservation will continue monitoring water levels and watershed conditions and notify the public and municipalities within its watershed jurisdiction of any changes. If you are aware of or have concerns about flooding, please contact Kawartha Conservation at 705-328-2271 or 705-344-0155 after hours.
Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba performing in Mexico in April 2018. The two-time Juno-winning and three-time Grammy-nominated musician performs at Peterborough's Market Hall on April 24, 2018. (Photo: Alex Cuba / Instagram)
“My music is the fusion between a mango seed and an apple seed, so it makes a tree that grows in Cuba and grows in Canada.”
That’s a favourite metaphor that Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alexis Puentes — better known by his stage name Alex Cuba — uses to describe how his musical roots influence the songs he writes from his home in northwestern British Columbia.
Market Hall presents Alex Cuba
When: Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $33 general admission, $38 assigned cabaret table seats
Tickets are available at the Market Hall Box Office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
The award-winning musician will be bringing his Latin-infused soul, rock and pop music to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24th.
The 44-year-old Alexis was born in Artemisa, a city southwest of Havana in Cuba, along with his fraternal twin brother Adonis. Their father Valentin was a respected guitarist and teacher and, at the age of six, the two brothers began playing music in their father’s group of 24 guitarists, including in an appearance that aired on Cuban national television.
When not on tour in Cuba, the boys performed at Artemisa’s Casa de Cultura across the street from their home. They played with Cuban musical legends like Ibrahim Ferrer well before Nick Gold and Ry Cooder made them famous as the Buena Vista Social Club.
VIDEO: “Piedad de Mi” – Alex Cuba
In 1995, the brothers joined their father in a band called Los Puentes which toured across Canada. During this tour, Alexis met and fell in love with Canadian Sarah Goodacre, the daughter of a former NDP politician in British Columbia. Sarah returned with him to Cuba, where they married before relocating to Victoria BC and then eventually to Smithers — Sarah’s hometown — in 2003.
Alexis’ brother Adonis also married a Canadian women he met while on tour and relocated to British Columbia. In Victoria, the two brothers formed a band called the Puentes Brothers, where they recorded the traditional Cuban music album Morumba Cubana, which was nominated for the Best Global Album Juno in 2002.
Prior to becoming Alex Cuba, Alexis Puentes (right) performed with his brother Adonis as the Puentes Brothers. (Publicity photo)
While Adonis wanted to continue with traditional Cuban music, Alexis wanted to explore contemporary Latin styles, and the two brothers embarked on their own solo careers in 2004 (although they continued to co-write with one another).
Alexis recorded his first solo album as the Alex Cuba Band in 2004. Humo De Tobaco — which featured sons of the musicians in Buena Vista Social Club, two-time Grammy Award winning pianist Chucho Valdesa, and a duet with Ron Sexsmith — earned him his first Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year in 2006.
In 2007, now recording under the name Alex Cuba, Alexis released Agua Del Pozo. The album earned him another Juno award for World Music Album of the Year in 2008 and firmly established him at the forefront of contemporary Latin music.
VIDEO: “Solo Tu” – Alex Cuba
In 2009, Cuba co-wrote and recorded a duet with Nelly Furtado, “Mi Plan”, which became the title track for her album of the same name. He also co-wrote more than half of the songs on that album.
Since then, Alex Cuba has released four more solo albums: Alex Cuba (2009), Ruido En Al Sistema (2012), Healer (2015), and Lo Único Constante (2017).
With his most recent album, Cuba returns to his roots and revisits the musical styles of his childhood. The album was inspired by the “Filin” musical genre in Cuba of the late 1940s to early 1960s (“filin” is derived from the word “feeling”, reflecting the high degree of emotion that singers and songwriters added to their songs).
Alex Cuba arrives at the 60th annual Grammy Awards in New York in January 2018, where his latest album “Lo Único Constante” was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
He’s been nominated for the Best Latin Pop Album Grammy award three times, including in 2018 for Lo Único Constante (he lost out to Shakira), has received three more Juno nominations, and has garnered three Latin Grammy awards.
And Cuba has done all of this from his home in British Columbia, not a place most people would consider to be the home of Latin music in Canada.
“People don’t understand with three feet of snow outside how I can write as much as I write,” Cuba says in a 2010 interview with Guy Dixon in The Globe and Mail. “I will say that I have the only afro in town, so that makes it easy to know who I am, you know?”
Tickets for Alex Cuba’s April 24th concert at the Market Hall are $33 for general admission or $38 for assigned cabaret table seats, and are available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146), or online at markethall.org.
Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Players from the Curve Lake First Nation Nimkiins Kwe Novice Girls and Atom Girls teams display their championship banners to Chief and Council: Danika Jacobs, Maggie Jevons, Sierra Jacobs, Miley Garbutt, Naomi Coppaway, McKenzie Taylor, Goldie Whetung, Brittany Foster, Abigail Jacobs, Kenzie McIntyre, Marissa Williams, and Chief Phyllis Williams. (Photo courtesy of Curve Lake First Nation)
Four of the eight hockey teams representing Curve Lake First Nation at the 47th annual Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) tournament brought home gold.
The tournament, which featured 250 First Nations teams from across Ontario, took place over the March Break in Mississauga and was hosted by Moose Cree First Nation.
The two Nimkiins Kwe teams (Girls Novice and Girls Atom), along with the Screaming Eagles (Atom Recreational), went undefeated and took home the win in the “A” championship game.
The Cedar Bay Jr. Wangers (Peewee Competitive) also brought home the win in the “C” championship game.
The champion Curve Lake First Nation Nimkiins Kwe (Atom Girls) team with Brigette Lacquette, the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada’s National Women’s Team. (Photo courtesy of Curve Lake First Nation)
Two players from Curve Lake also played on other winning First Nations teams: Brooklyn Jacobs (Serpent River – Girls Peewee) and Deacan Knott (Nipissing – Midget Competitive).
“We are so proud of all our teams, players, coaches, managers and families who work hard all year to attend this wonderful tournament and represent our community,” says Chief Phyllis Williams.
“This tournament is always a special time for our community. It helps strengthen our connections within our own community and with all the Nations represented at the LNHL.”
Environment Canada has issued both a winter storm warning for northern portions of the Kawarthas, with snow beginning on Saturday (April 14), and a freezing rain warning for southern portions of the Kawarthas, with freezing rain expected on Saturday and Sunday (April 15).
Winter storm warning
A winter storm warning is in place for Haliburton and southern Haliburton County and Bancroft and Hastings County, with significant snow with ice pellets expected on Saturday (April 14) into tonight, followed by mixed precipitation on Sunday.
Rain is expected to change to snow and ice pellets this morning, with brief freezing rain possible during the changeover. Total snow and ice pellet amounts of 15 to 20 cm are likely by tonight. In addition, strong northeast winds will gust to near 60 km/h giving local blowing snow and reduced visibilities.
The snow is expected to end Saturday evening changing to patchy freezing drizzle in its wake. Sunday morning another round of ice pellets will move into the region quickly changing over to freezing rain later in the morning. The freezing rain will change to over to rain Sunday evening. Significant ice build up is possible on Sunday.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are likely as untreated roads will become snow covered and slippery.
Freezing rain warning
A freezing rain warning is in place for Peterborough and southern Peterborough County, Lindsay and southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, with an ice storm forecast for Sunday.
As a moisture-laden low pressure system moves over the lower Great Lakes this weekend, brisk northeasterly winds will bring in cold Arctic air and force temperatures below freezing Saturday morning (April 14).
The rain will change to freezing rain in the morning then quickly turn into ice pellets. A significant accumulation of ice pellets is likely.
A lull in precipitation is likely this evening with patchy freezing drizzle expected. However, as the low approaches tonight, freezing rain and ice pellets will likely become widespread again and persist most of Sunday before changing over to rain later in the day. Significant rain may fall late Sunday and Sunday night creating localized flooding.
An ice buildup up to 15 mm appears likely by late Sunday. It may exceed that in some locales. Strong winds gusting to 60 km/h are also expected tonight and Sunday.
The combination of ice accumulation and strong winds may result in power outages due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected on untreated roads Saturday and Sunday, worsened by fallen tree limbs.
Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, and MPP for Peterborough Jeaf Leal were among the attendees at the official opening of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Corporation’s project at 721 Monaghan Road in Peterborough. The project, in a redeveloped former fire hall, will provide 11 units of affordable housing for Indigenous people. (Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough)
Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, and MPP for Peterborough Jeaf Leal were among more than 40 people who gathered today (April 13) in Peterborough to celebrate government investments in affordable rental housing.
The affordable housing was made available through contributions to the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) program, a joint federal and provincial initiative to improve access to safe, sound, suitable, and affordable housing across Ontario.
The IAH contributions have helped more than 80 families, seniors, people with disabilities and Indigenous people in Peterborough, Renfrew County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Some of the attendees at the April 13, 2018 event celebrating affordable rental housing, including tenants in the new housing units. (Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough)
The celebration took place at the official opening of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Corporation’s project at 721 Monaghan Road in Peterborough.
“Stable, safe and affordable housing is essential for the well being of individuals and families in our community,” said Mayor Bennett. “The homes being created by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Corporation and The Mount Community Centre are exciting examples of what we can achieve through affordable housing partnerships.”
The 721 Monaghan Road project is a redeveloped former fire hall that will provide 11 units of affordable housing for Indigenous people. The project at Mount Community Centre will provide five units of affordable housing for adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities.
In addition to federal and provincial funding, both projects will receive municipal incentives as approved by City Council through the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan program, supported by the direction of the 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan for Peterborough.
Area residents are being warned they may have been exposed to measles after a case was confirmed in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued the warning after an individual became ill with measles after travelling outside of the country. There is concern area residents may have been exposed to the illness in a number of Lindsay locations between March 28 to April 8, before the person knew they were ill.
The infected person visited the following locations and anyone who was in the same places during the times indicated may have been exposed:
Cambridge Mall at 18 Cambridge St. S. in Lindsay: March 28th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 30th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 31st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 2nd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 3rd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reid’s Valu-Mart at 42 Russell St. W. in Lindsay: March 31st from 2 to 4:10 p.m.
Doctor’s office at Lindsay Professional Building, 65 Angeline St. N. in Lindsay: April 3rd from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., April 4th from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., April 5th from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., April 6th from 8:45 to 11:15 a.m.
Life Labs at 86 Angeline St. S in Lindsay: April 3rd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 4th from 8 to 10:45 a.m., April 5th from 8 to 10:45 a.m., April 6th from 8 to 10:45 a.m.
Tim Horton’s at Whitney Town Centre in Lindsay: April 4th from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Royal Gardens Food Mart View Lake at 4793 Regional 57 Rd.: March 30th from 2:30 to 4:35 p.m.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed.
Symptoms include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and white spots in the mouth. Symptoms can appear approximately 10 to 14 days after exposure, and in some cases up to 21 days after exposure.
If anyone visited any of the above locations during the time identified, they are asked to check their immunization records and keep a close eye on their health for the next 21 days.
Anyone who develops symptoms should call their health care provider immediately and tell them they have been exposed to measles. Do not go to the doctor or a hospital without telling them before that you have been exposed to measles.
People can still become ill with measles if they have been immunized, but it may be a milder form. Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can suffer severe complications.
To learn more about measles, residents can visit www.hkpr.on.ca or call the Health Unit toll-free at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1007.
Indian Horse, which covers 30 years in the fictional life of Saul Indian Horse (portayed here by Sladen Peltier) from his forced confinement in a Canadian residential school through his hockey career, was shot in part at The Mount Community Centre in Peterborough. The film, which opened in theatres on April 13, 2018, also features 45 local Indigenous youth and a starring role by retired Trent University professor Edna Manitowabi. (Photo courtesy of Elevation Pictures)
The award-winning film Indian Horse, which was partially shot in Peterborough with local Indigenous actors, opens today (April 13) in theatres across Canada including Galaxy Cinemas in downtown Peterborough.
Based on the 2012 novel by the late acclaimed Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese, the film covers 30 years in the life of Saul Indian Horse, who is torn away from his Anishnaabe family in the 1950s at the age of eight and committed to one of Canada’s notorious Catholic residential schools.
There, Saul is denied the freedom to speak his language or embrace his Indigenous heritage, while he witnesses horrendous abuse at the hands of the very people entrusted with his care.
VIDEO: “Indian Horse” Trailer
Saul eventually finds salvation in hockey, which he secretly teaches himself to play, developing a unique and rare skill that eventually leads him away from the residential school to play professionally. However, his past continues to haunt him and threatens to derail his career and his future.
The residential school scenes were shot in Peterborough in 2016 at The Mount Community Centre, which used to be a convent run by the The Sisters of St. Joseph, a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women.
Several other Peterborough locations appear in the film, which was also shot in Sudbury and Killarney Provincial Park. The film features 45 local Indigenous youth from the Hiawatha, Curve Lake, Scugog, and Alderville First Nations.
The film stars 77-year-old Edna Manitowabi as Saul’s grandmother. Manitowab is a longtime advocate for Indigenous people and a retired professor in the Indigenous Studies Department at Trent University. (Photo courtesy of Elevation Pictures)
Another local connection with Indian Horse is 77-year-old Edna Manitowabi’s role as Saul’s grandmother.
An Anishnaabekwe elder from Wikwemikon on Manitoulin Island, Manitowabi is a longtime advocate for Indigenous people and a retired professor in the Indigenous Studies Department at Trent University, where she helped establish Nozhem Theatre, the university’s dedicated Indigenous performance space.
Manitowabi is herself a residential school survivor. She was taken away from her family when she was six years old and committed to a residential school in Spanish, Ontario.
“I will never forget the look on my mother’s face when she put me on the bus,” Manitowabi says in a Sudbury Star interview. “I was the last one to be taken, and she was powerless because if she didn’t, if she hid me or kept me then it meant jail.”
While she spent less than three years at the school, as with the fictional Saul Indian Horse, the effects are long lasting.
“You don’t forget,” she says. “It’s in your body. It’s in your memories. There’s still things I still carry like not being worthy, not being good enough, not smart enough. All of those tendencies are still there.”
Forrest Goodluck portrays Saul Indian Horse as a teenager. (Photo courtesy of Elevation Pictures)Ajuawak Kapashesit portrays Saul Indian Horse as an adult. (Photo courtesy of Elevation Pictures)
The title role of Saul is portrayed at different stages of his life by newcomers Sladen Peltier and Ajuawak Kapashesit along with Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant). The film also stars Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones, The Age of Adeline) and Michael Murphy (Fall, Away from her, X-Men).
The characters speak the Ojibwe language, which is translated in subtitles.
The film’s script was written by Dennis Foon, based on Wagamese’s novel. Although Wagamese read the script, he never saw the completed film — he died at the age of 61 in March 2017 while the movie was still being made.
The film is based on the 2012 novel by the acclaimed Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese, who died in March 2017 at the age of 61 while the film was being made. (Photo courtesy of Elevation Pictures)
The film is directed by Canadian Stephen S. Campanelli. His work as a camera operator with Clint Eastwood over the last 20 years led to Eastwood signing on as executive producer to help promote the film.
When Campanelli showed the film to Eastwood, the four-time Oscar winner was shocked by the legacy of Canada’s residential school system.
“How come no one knows about this?” Eastwood said, according to Campanelli. “People need to see this movie.”
VIDEO: An excerpt from “Indian Horse” filmed in Peterborough
Some local residents have already seen the film in advance of its nation-wide release.
A special reserved screening was held on March 2nd at Wenjack Theatre at Trent University for the local Indigenous youth who participated in the film, along with their families and members of local First Nations communities, followed by a public screening on March 3rd. Producer Paula Devonshire attended both screenings for a questiona and answer session.
Indian Horse has won multiple awards at film festivals, including the People’s Choice Award at the 2017 Vancouver International Film Festival.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
