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Peterborough’s Planet 12 Productions heading to Toronto Fringe Festival in 2018

Planet 12 Productions director, writer, and co-founder Derek Weatherdon (with his back to the camera) during a kitchen meeting with the company's six talented young performers: Aimee Gordon, Emma Meinhardt, Emily Keller, Abbie Dale, Isaac Maker, and Samuelle Weatherdon. The company is staging a new version of "The Reluctant Dragon" for local schools and will be taking "Boy Wonders" to the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2018. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)

In November 2016, I sat in the green room at the Peterborough Theatre Guild where I was introduced to a group of young actors performing in The Reluctant Dragon, last year’s annual holiday family show at the Guild.

With the show’s producer Nikki Weatherdon leading the discussion, I spent an hour visiting with Emily Keller, Aimee Gordon, Samuelle Weatherdon, and Isaac Maker — a bright and articulate group of young actors with a serious passion for performing.

At that time, little did I realize that for the next year I’d be following these same four kids, along with co-performers Abbie Dale and Emma Meinhardt, who would be selected by Derek and Nikki Weatherdon to form the cast of Planet 12 Productions.

Samuelle Weatherdon, Isaac Maker, and Emily Keller rehearse a scene from the new version of "The Reluctant Dragon" which Planet 12 Productions will be performing at area schools. (Photo: Derek Weatherdon / Planet 12 Productions)
Samuelle Weatherdon, Isaac Maker, and Emily Keller rehearse a scene from the new version of “The Reluctant Dragon” which Planet 12 Productions will be performing at area schools. (Photo: Derek Weatherdon / Planet 12 Productions)

A year later, I am sitting in the Weatherdons’ kitchen peering into their living room to watch the same group perform a brand new revised version of The Reluctant Dragon. Planet 12 is restaging the show, streamlined and with a far punchier script, for four special performances at area schools over this holiday season.

“It’s a crowded field this time of year,” says director, writer, and Planet 12 co-founder Derek. “There are a lot of shows going on, and there are a lot of opportunities for classrooms to go and see a show. But that takes permission forms and a lot of money: for a class of thirty kids it’s about four hundred dollars for one class.

“We are trying to reverse that and say ‘We’ll come to you’. We’ll show up, set up, and do a high-quality show. You have no permission forms, no busses, no hassles, and you don’t need to do anything but bring the kids to the school gym to see the show. As a teacher, I know how nice of a gig that is. You don’t deal with the hassle of a field trip, but you do get all the same entertainment as if you did.”

The cast of the updated version of "The Reluctant Dragon" is (top row) Isaac Maker, Abbie Dale, Emma Meinhardt, Samuelle Weatherdon and (bottom row) Aimee Gordon, Addison Wylie, and Emily Keller. (Photo: Amy Keller)
The cast of the updated version of “The Reluctant Dragon” is (top row) Isaac Maker, Abbie Dale, Emma Meinhardt, Samuelle Weatherdon and (bottom row) Aimee Gordon, Addison Wylie, and Emily Keller. (Photo: Amy Keller)

Following the same basic plot as last year’s show, Derek’s rewrite of The Reluctant Dragon has reduced the number of performers, resulting in a more cohesive production.

Taking place within a virtual reality video game played by an unnamed gamer (Aimee Gordon), The Reluctant Dragon follows the misadventures of Knee Cap (Samuelle Weatherdon), a bored shepherd who longs for adventure. Hearing tales of dangerous dragons by companions Fingers and Thumbs (Abbie Dale and Emma Meinhardt), she and her best friend Radishes (Emily Keller) meets a mild-mannered slacker dragon (played by adult actor Addison Wylie, recently seen in Evil Dead: The Musical).

Befriending the dragon, the pair soon must protect it from the cruel and selfish Prince Scumworth (Isaac Maker), who plans to permanently banish it from his kingdom.

Although I enjoyed last year’s production, I couldn’t help but notice how the new version is a far more coherent telling of the story, with a more intelligent script offering something for both adults and children to enjoy on an even field.

“I want the broad strokes to be appealing enough for young people to get it, but mindful that there will be teachers watching it and some grade seven and eight kids,” says Derek of the rewrite. “There has to be something there for everyone. There has to be a clever joke, or a way to make the characters relatable.

“Ultimately you want people watching the show to wish they were in it. It has to look contemporary — it can’t look like a cheesy or awful show, especially when going into a school. You can tell a story and make it intelligent at the same time.”

“A lot of people think that everything has to appeal to only the younger kids,” Nikki adds. “They don’t know how to make it appeal to the older kids and the adults at the same time. We think we managed to do that. We spent the first few rehearsals laughing through the script.”

After what has been an amazing year for Planet 12 Productions producing theatre aimed towards an adult audience (primarily at The Theatre On King), the restaging of The Reluctant Dragon represents the company’s return to producing theatre for children. Soon after the first production of The Reluctant Dragon ended, Derek and Nikki handpicked their players from their brightest cast members and, with the support of the parents of the performers, formed Planet 12 Productions.

The Planet 12 company at the Little Lake Cemetary Twilight Pageant in September. (Photo: Luc Matteau)
The Planet 12 company at the Little Lake Cemetary Twilight Pageant in September. (Photo: Luc Matteau)

The company launched its inaugural show in June with the highly talked about Boy Wonders, which shocked audiences — expecting a kids’ play — with its mature content. A story about the real lives of teenage superhero sidekicks, Boy Wonders featured kid actors, but was definitely not a kids’ play.

After a small cameo in the Little Lake Cemetery Twilight Pageant in September, the company followed up in October (with the kids mainly behind the scenes) for Incident On Gun Mountain, a 1970s grindhouse-inspired thriller featuring Sasquatch lore.

Abbie Dale of Planet 12 Productions performing in "Incident On Gun Mountain". (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Abbie Dale of Planet 12 Productions performing in “Incident On Gun Mountain”. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

Through these productions, the Planet 12 performers have worked with a number of local theatre favorites including Brad Brackenridge, Lindsay Unterlander, Josh Butcher, Nathan Glovier, and Kelsey Gordon Powell.

The result has been a non-stop hands-on education in professional dramatic theatre that has helped the group of young performers really step up their game.

As I watched them rehearse the new version of The Reluctant Dragon, I couldn’t help but notice how much each of the performers have grown within the last year. Not only are they all much taller, they’ve also grown as performers. I’ve always been impressed by maturity and dedication of Planet 12 performers, but the education that they’ve received in theatre throughout 2017 really shows.

Although there will be no public performances of the new version of The Reluctant Dragon, classes at Chemong Public School, Lakefield District Public School, RF Downey Public School, and North Cavan Public School will be getting the special chance to see this latest Planet 12 offering.

However, there will be more chances for the general public to see the Planet 12 kids as they head into what is going to be an exciting second year for them, when they relaunch Boy Wonders on the Toronto stage as part of the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival!

Despite having only a 12 per cent chance of being selected for Toronto Fringe, Planet 12 found out only a few weeks ago they won a slot in the renowned drama festival.

Planet 12 Productions will be performing "Boy Wonders" at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2018. Pictured is the cast of the original production: Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube, Aimee Gordon as Boo, Isaac Maker as Shiny the Glimmer Boy, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer, and Emily Keller as Cow Poke. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Planet 12 Productions will be performing “Boy Wonders” at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2018. Pictured is the cast of the original production: Samuelle Weatherdon as Test Tube, Aimee Gordon as Boo, Isaac Maker as Shiny the Glimmer Boy, Emma Meinhardt as Target Boy, Brad Brackenridge as The Mixer, and Emily Keller as Cow Poke. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

In July 2018, Planet 12 will be doing seven performances of Boy Wonders over two weeks at various different Toronto venues. This is exciting news for both the company and the performers, as the theatre community beyond Peterborough will get a chance to see these talented performers for the first time.

After watching a performance of Kate Story’s Festivus Rattus Rattus 2035 at The Theatre On King during the evening of the Fringe Festival lottery, Derek and Sam saw that Planet 12 got selected when they turned on their phones following the performance. The result has been a lot of excitement for the group.

“Sam texted all the kids to tell them that we got in,” Nikki recalls. “A few minutes later, I got a text from Aimee Gordon’s mother that read ‘Can I guess from all the screaming coming from Aimee’s room that we got into the Fringe festival?'”

Derek and Nikki are hoping they’ll be able to bring the same cast from the original show, but it’s too soon to tell. With their cast members, as well as adult performer Brad Brakenridge, often performing in other shows beyond Planet 12, schedules could be a bit tight. But as the Weatherdons explain, the families of the performers are all on board and understand what the opportunity to be seen at Fringe means for both the company as well as the kids.

“We talked to everyone before we applied for the festival,” Nikki says. “We explained to the kids and their parents what it would be mean. We were very blunt, and everybody got it.

“The interesting challenge we’ll have is with the marketing. Fringe has a kids’ stage, which isn’t because kids are in a show but because it’s a show for kids. Boy Wonders is certainly not a kids’ play. We’ll have to make sure that even if they see a cast of kids, they realize it’s an adult show.”

Planet 12 founders Nikki and Derek  Weatherdon with their daughter, and Planet 12 player, Samuelle Weatherdon. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Planet 12 founders Nikki and Derek Weatherdon with their daughter, and Planet 12 player, Samuelle Weatherdon. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)

What many people may not realize is the clever way Planet 12 has been weaving elements from all of their stories into one another, in a universe-creating project. Each Planet 12 show contains subtle references to the others. Characters from one show can be related to characters in another, places and events from other shows are referred to, and background objects may have obscure references from other shows. Even during The Reluctant Dragon, I was amused to find a reference to Incident On Gun Mountain.

“What we are doing is creating a solid world through our shows,” Derek explains. “We’ve been inspired by Quinton Tarantino in regards to that, and we take all the little bits and connect them.”

The most obvious repeated references are to the fictional La Grande family. Although yet to appear in any of the shows, Derek has referred to the family in all the shows he has written so far, starting as far back as a show he wrote for Queen Elizabeth School, where he teaches, called Rock and Roll versus Zombies.

“Rock and Roll versus Zombies took place at La Grande Music Hall” Nikki says.

“Then Boy Wonders takes place at La Grande Hotel,” Derek adds. “And the bourbon bottle in Incident On Gun Mountain is from the La Grande Distillery. Our next show is called ‘How Can You Tell if You’re Being Secretly Poisoned’ which will feature members of the La Grande family for the first time. It’s about the patriarch of the family who is the victim of an assassination plot. Our company is going to be playing the children of La Grande, and the patriarch will be trying to figure out which one of them tried to kill him.”

However, with Boy Wonders heading to Fringe, the next original Planet 12 Production possibly will not be launched until next fall. But 2018 will prove to be an exciting second year for the group. With the Toronto debut of Boy Wonders and more original world-building shows on the way, Planet 12 has just begun on what is becoming an amazing theatrical journey.

Personally, over the last year I have really grown fond of each of Planet 12’s six young performers. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them through their performances on stage, and to see them grow stronger as performers with each show. As someone who enjoys original theatre, knowing there is much more on the way from this group is an exciting thing for me, and one of the things I am most excited about in the upcoming year.

“The whole idea of Planet 12 was always to have something on the go,” Nikki says. “There is always something for them to do. We don’t have kids who act as window dressing. Our kids have more to do. They don’t just have one line. They are all too good to waste. There is no star — they are all the star.”

businessNOW for December 11, 2017

The Joneses is a new store that opened this fall in Millbrook. Run by partners Charlotte Clements, Jill Gemmiti, and Shirley Turner, the store specializes in estate furniture, up-cycled furniture, and decor and items from artisans, with a 50/50 split on consignment items. (Photo: Charlotte Clements / The Joneses)

This week, we look at The Joneses, a new Millbrook store that helps downsizing homeowners sell their loved items, a government investment of $600,000 in six Peterborough-based businesses (Gus’s Kitchen and Bath, ROTOSPA, Rad Tracker Corporation, G.B. Book Plastics Ltd., WORBO Inc., and Dufferin Concrete), the return of the PTBO Game Jam for aspiring video game developers and designers in February, the launch of Cleantech Commons at Trent University, and upcoming business events.


“The Joneses” store in Millbrook inspired by downsizing homeowners needing to sell cherished items

Partners Charlotte Clements, Jill Gemmiti, and Shirley Turner opened “The Joneses” store in Millbrook in late November.

They sell what they describe as “soulful furniture” — estate furniture, up-cycled furniture, and decor and items from artisans — with a 50/50 split on consignment items.

The store developed from a demonstrated need the three partners identified when selling real estate in the area (Shirley is a realtor, Jill is a property stylist, and Charlotte is a photographer). They found a demand from downsizing homeowners to sell their loved pieces, including heirlooms and unique items.

The three owners of The Joneses all work in real estate, and found that downsizing homeowners didn't know what to do with their loved pieces, including heirlooms and unique items. (Photo: Charlotte Clements / The Joneses)
The three owners of The Joneses all work in real estate, and found that downsizing homeowners didn’t know what to do with their loved pieces, including heirlooms and unique items. (Photo: Charlotte Clements / The Joneses)

According to Shirley, locating in Millbrook was a perfect choice.

“We love Millbrook,” she says. “It’s an amazingly supportive community. From a business perspective, Millbrook had the look and feel and heritage building that we needed, but it’s also a strong growing community economically .”

On any given day, you will find one of the three owners in the store. By splitting their time in the store, Shirley says this allows them to provide great customer service.

Shirley gives her two partners full recognition as the “creative driving force and vision” behind the concept, while she focuses on the business operations.

Be sure to drop by soon for a visit at 15 King Street East in Millbrook (right beside Home Hardware). The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call 705-772-5663, email jonesesstore@gmail.com, or visit the store’s page on Facebook.

 

Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation invests in six Peterborough-based businesses

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef with Troy and Douglas of Gus's Kitchen and Bath, one of six Peterborough-based businesses receiving an investment from Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation. The family business, which offers kitchen and bath finishes and fixtures, will use the investment to purchase granite-cutting equipment. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef with Troy and Douglas of Gus’s Kitchen and Bath, one of six Peterborough-based businesses receiving an investment from Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation. The family business, which offers kitchen and bath finishes and fixtures, will use the investment to purchase granite-cutting equipment. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)

Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC) is investing up to $600,000 in six Peterborough-based businesses to create as many as 37 new full-time positions in the Kawarthas.

The funding, made under the Eastern Ontario Development Program’s Collaborative Economic Development Projects stream, will be matched by more then $2.2 million in incremental private investment.

The six businesses receiving the funding are:

  • Gus’s Kitchen and Bath, a family-owned and operated business offering kitchen and bath finishes and fixtures. Gus’s Kitchen and Bath is investing the funding in capital expansion through the addition of granite-cutting equipment. This investment will allow for productivity across product supply and turnaround times on orders to meet high customer demand within the area.
  • ROTOSPA, which offers portable and affordable one-piece free-standing hot tubs. ROTOSPA is investing the funding into manufacturing innovation, including enhancements of the rotational moulding process through automation and improved mould design, providing productivity, efficiency improvements, and increased production output.
  • Rad Tracker Corporation, an innovation-driven engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing company. The company is investing the funding into the startup and commercialization of patent-pending technology for high-speed tracked vehicles.
  • G.B. Book Plastics Ltd, a custom supplier of precision plastic moulded parts. G.B. Book Plastics Ltd is investing the funding into manufacturing innovation through the addition of a state-of-the-art all-electric molding machine. This capital expansion provides business expansion into new market segments, reduced production costs, and increased efficiency.
  • WORBO Inc., a world leader in thermal protection technology which manufactures and custom fabricates high-temperature insulation sleeves, curtains, covers and thermal barrier systems for a wide range of industrial applications. WORBO is investing the funding directly into the growth of the company and expansion of capabilities through business expansion and acquisition.
  • Dufferin Concrete, a division of CRH Canada Group Inc. and one of the country’s largest vertically integrated building materials and construction companies. The company is investing the funding into a pilot program at the Peterborough facility to test an innovative clean technology.

“Northumberland CFDC is pleased to announce this combined investment into the Peterborough area across these six recipients,” says Wendy Curtis, NCFDC Executive Director. “Not only will this result in growth expansion for these businesses and the area, it will also allow them to position themselves to compete in the global economy through innovation and technological advances.”

 

Peterborough “Game Jam” returns for the fourth time in February

 Participants at a previous PTBO Game Jam. The event, which sees attendees design and develop their own video game with 32 hours, returns for its fourth time in February 2018. (Photo: PTBO Game Jam)

Participants at a previous PTBO Game Jam. The event, which sees attendees design and develop their own video game with 32 hours, returns for its fourth time in February 2018. (Photo: PTBO Game Jam)

PTBO Game Jam 04 is taking place at Fleming College’s Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (559 Brealey Dr., Peterborough) from Friday, February 23th to Sunday, February 25th.

Hosted by Peterborough-based game development studio dotBunny, the event will see video game programmers, designers, and artists — along with others involved in game-development disciplines — gather to plan, design, and create games in a 32-hour time frame.

In addition to the 32-hour game creation marathon (which begins on Saturday, February 24th at 9 a.m. and continues until Sunday, February 25th at 5 p.m.), the event will also offer two educational sessions taking place on the evening of Friday, February 23rd.

The youth educational session will focus on introducing youths under the age of 16 (accompanied by a guardian) to the world of game development via the provision of free toolsets geared to them. The block includes instruction on how to use MIT’s Scratch to create a simple game mechanic, showing how it can be easily changed and added onto to create fun and unique gameplay.

The adult educational session will provide an opportunity for those 16 years old and older who have wanted to create a game but didn’t know where to start. Again, instruction on the use of game creation industry toolsets will be provided to help participants create a simple game that can be expanded upon.

Admission to PTBO Game Jam 04 is free, but advance registration is required at ptbogamejam04.eventbrite.ca.

 

Trent University Research and Innovation Park rebranded as “Cleantech Commons at Trent University”

Adam Noble of Noblegen, Trent University President Leo Groarke, Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, and others at the launch of Cleantech Commons at Trent University. (Photo:  Daryl Bennett / Twitter)
Adam Noble of Noblegen, Trent University President Leo Groarke, Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, and others at the launch of Cleantech Commons at Trent University. (Photo: Daryl Bennett / Twitter)

On Thursday (December 7), the City of Peterborough and Trent University unveiled “Cleantech Commons at Trent University” as the new name and brand identity for the former Trent University Research and Innovation Park, in an effort to help attract “green and clean” businesses to Trent University.

The rebranding, designed by BrandHealth, includes the new Cleantech Commons name, logo, and tagline (“Canada’s Premier Cleantech Destination”) with a new website at cleantechcommons.ca.

“We wanted an identity that would communicate all of the potential that exists in this space for businesses, partners, researchers, workers and the community,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “It had to be imaginative and future-focused and this brand fit the bill.”

Members of the Cleantech Commons team include: Matt Braithwaite, Business Development Lead with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development; Neil Emery, Community Manager with Trent University; John Knight, Strategic Partnership Enabler with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development; and Allan Seabrooke, Chief Administrative Officer with the City of Peterborough who will also act as CAO for Cleantech Commons.

 

Peterborough Chamber AM with Heather Watson of Acorn 30 on December 12

Heather Watson of Acorn 30.
Heather Watson of Acorn 30.

The Peterborough Chamber is hosting its monthly breakfast meeting at Carousel Restaurant (116 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough) on Tuesday, December 12th at 7 a.m.

This month’s speaker is Heather Watson, owner and operator of Acorn30, a Peterborough-based full service digital agency. A graduate of Fleming College’s Business Administration program for Marketing and Human Resources, Watson was a Chamber “Top 4 Under 40” winner in 2015. She’ll be speaking on social media marketing.

Networking begins at 7 a.m. with coffee followed by breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (when you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by the speaker at 8 a.m. The meeting wraps up by 8:30 a.m.

This is a free event for Chamber members (you just pay for what you order for breakfast).

 

Special holiday edition E-Connect featuring Michael Konopaski on December 12

FastStart Econnect Holiday Edition

The event features speaker Michael Konopaski, founder of Inclusive Advisory. Konopaski is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who also holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from one of the top 50 management schools in the world. He has spent more than 20 years studying “pain points” for entrepreneurs, business owners, and busy professionals. His research reveals there is a massive opportunity for a brand new industry and his firm is filling the gaps.

In celebration of the Christmas season, Kris Kringle will also make an appearance, and attendees are encouraged to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters for photos with Santa. There will be a prize for the best ugly Christmas sweater. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

You can register for the free event at Eventbrite.

 

Peterborough Chamber lunchtime seminar on digital marketing with Stradegy.ca on December 13

The Peterborough Chamber is hosting its monthly Lunch Box Learning session in the Chamber boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough) on Wednesday, December 13th from noon to 1 p.m.

This month’s seminar is the first part of a two-part session featuring Toby Macleod with Stradegy.ca, a Canadian owned and operated boutique digital marketing and training agency. The first part of the session will be on the topic “Digital Marketing Roadmap”, covering the digital marketing strategy businesses are using to generate more leads and sales.

The second session will be held on January 17th and will be on the topic “Website Roadmap”, explaining how to turn your website into a business asset.

The Chamber’s Lunch Box Learning seminars are free to attend for members of the Chamber as well as members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.

To register for the December 13th session, visit peterboroughchamber.ca.

 

Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s Business After Hours and Annual Christmas Social on December 13

Christmas Drop In

On Wednesday, December 13th from 5 to 8 p.m., Kawartha Lakes Construction (KLC) will host the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s Annual Christmas Social at KLC’s location at 3359 Lakefield Road.

Mingle by the fireplace, check out the showroom, and enjoy holiday refreshments. KLC will be collecting toys for the Lakefield Lioness Club’s Toy Drive and donations for the Lakefield Community Food Bank, so please bring a new unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item,

Once again this year, KLC will be running their employee DIY Christmas Tree challenge. Guests will be asked to help pick the winner.

 

Eastern Ontario Development Program information session at Community Futures Peterborough on December 15

If you run a business and are interested in opportunities under the Eastern Ontario Development Program, Community Futures Peterborough is hosting two lunch-hour information sessions.

Led by Community Futures EODP Program Co-ordinator Pat Peeling, each session will describe the program, who is eligible, and how to apply.

The sessions take place on Friday, December 15th and Friday, January 12th at Community Futures Peterborough (351 Charlotte St., Peterborough).

The sessions are free, but you are asked to register in advance.

 

Kawarthas Northumberland offers Ignite Experiential Training in Alonquin Park from January 22 to 25 – Register by December 15

Attendees at the last sold-out Ignite Experiential Training session in Alonquin Park, held in March this year. The training returns in January 2018 but you must register by December 15th. (Photo: RTO8)
Attendees at the last sold-out Ignite Experiential Training session in Alonquin Park, held in March this year. The training returns in January 2018 but you must register by December 15th. (Photo: RTO8)

Through Regional Tourism Organization 8, Kawarthas Northumberland is offering “Ignite”, an experiential training program, at Northern Edge Algonquin in Algonquin Park from January 22nd to 25th.

This isn’t the standard classroom or conference-type training. The program involves a combination of physical activity, cultural interaction, and engagement with companies that are well known and respected in the “Explorers’ Edge” region of Ontario.

This learning opportunity received rave reviews from those who attended the sold-out program last March. For $575, you’ll get three days of learning and networking while enjoying the off-the-grid splendor of award-winning Northern Edge Algonquin.

The cost includes transportation from and to Peterborough, farm-to-table meals, hands-on immersive experiences, and three nights’ accommodation. There are only 16 spaces available and applications are due by Friday, December 15th. To apply, visit rt08.com.

 

Nominations for Northumberland 2017 Business Achievement Awards open until January 5

Northumberland 2017 Business Achievement Awards

The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg are seeking nominations for outstanding business achievement in nine categories (Business & Consumer Services, Communications & Technology, Health & Wellness, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing & Agribusiness, Non-Profit Sector, Retail Trade Sector, Skilled Trades Sector, and New Start Up).

To qualify, a business must receive three independent nominations and operate within the Town of Cobourg, the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, or Hamilton Township. With the exception of the New Start Up category, a business must have been operating for at least two years.

Nominations close on Friday, January 5, 2018, with the Awards Presentation Ceremony taking place on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre.

For more information and to submit a nomination online, visit the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce at nccofc.ca/form/view/10851.

 

Women’s Business Network of Peterborough Annual Member Tradeshow and Workshops on January 10

The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is hosting its annual member tradeshow and workshops at Highland Park Funeral Centre (2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough) on Wednesday, January 10th.

In addition to a showcase of businesses and organizations of WBN members, the event features two workshops related to human resources: “Diverse Hiring” by Lori McKee and “Developing High Performing Teams” by Colleen Carruthers.

Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. WBN members can register at www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.

Life is a box of high-quality handcrafted chocolates at The Chocolate Rabbit in Lakefield

Located at 11 Queen Street in Lakefield, The Chocolate Rabbit specializes in high-quality handcrafted truffles and chocolate specialties, as well as seasonal gifts, delightful wedding and business packages, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, tea accessories, jams, and much more. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Chocolatier Lois MacEachen is a real-life Charlie in her very own chocolate factory. Though you can barely call it a factory — it’s a charming boutique and production venue, owned and run by Lois, where unique and individual handmade chocolates are created.

Lois has been building her business one chocolate at a time in Lakefield for 11 years. When you enter The Chocolate Rabbit, nestled away at 11 Queen Street, you are immediately greeted by sweet, sugary goodness.

Behind a large glass counter sit hundreds of her popular signature bonbons that carefully blend divine flavours and whimsical art.

Behind a large glass counter sit hundreds of the popular signature bonbons, all handmade by Chocolatier Lois MacEachen, that carefully blend divine flavours and whimsical art. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
Behind a large glass counter sit hundreds of the popular signature bonbons, all handmade by Chocolatier Lois MacEachen, that carefully blend divine flavours and whimsical art. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

An assortment of 24 chocolates are on display each day, from caramel milk (creamy milk chocolate and buttery caramel) and cappuccino (locally roasted coffee married with velvety milk chocolate) to the more unorthodox flavours of pacific breeze (tropical Malibu Rum and toasted coconut) and love potion (maraschino cherry in a cherry whiskey ganache).

The surface of each chocolate is painted by Lois, who gives individual attention to each one, and decorated with patterns and swirls or sprinkled with a mouth-watering topping.

Each chocolate is its own little masterpiece. They are so superb as works of art you won’t know whether to eat them or gaze at them with admiration — the struggle is real for chocolate enthusiasts! The good news is you can buy a single piece to savour or build a custom box of eight, 12, or 15 pieces.

An assortment of chocolates are on display each day, with typical flavours like caramel milk, hazelnut, strawberries and cream, rum, mint, and cappuccino, as well as unorthodox flavours like pacific breeze, zesty lemon, pistachio, and Grand Marnier. All chocolate is made fresh, with quality ingredients and no fillers. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
An assortment of chocolates are on display each day, with typical flavours like caramel milk, hazelnut, strawberries and cream, rum, mint, and cappuccino, as well as unorthodox flavours like pacific breeze, zesty lemon, pistachio, and Grand Marnier. All chocolate is made fresh, with quality ingredients and no fillers. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Lois is proud all of her chocolate is made daily from the finest ingredients, including fresh local cream and Swiss chocolate, with no additional sugars, extracts, oils, preservatives, or essences added to her special recipes.

“An important feature to our customers is the fact that all the chocolate is made fresh and with quality ingredients,” Lois says.

“My recipes are clean, meaning there are no fillers, so you can be assured you’re getting good, high-end chocolate.”

Owner Lois MacEachen (right) and her colleague Linda Anderson (left) pose with some of the items they make and design in-house. Lois is renowned for her unique designs like chocolate pizza and Linda is known for her red stiletto shoe design. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
Owner Lois MacEachen (right) and her colleague Linda Anderson (left) pose with some of the items they make and design in-house. Lois is renowned for her unique designs like chocolate pizza and Linda is known for her red stiletto shoe design. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

All in-store chocolate is made on site in a small kitchen fully visible from the back of the store. If you take a peek inside, you will see three fully automatic chocolate-tempering machines running — one of each is dedicated to white, milk, and dark chocolate.

Christmas specialities include a range of handmade gift baskets, chocolate "kaboodle" kits, novelty-themed chocolates (stiletto, horse, cat, dog, bicycle, fire truck and tractor). You can choose from the selection of handmade milk chocolate pieces adorned with Santa, snowmen, wreaths, candy canes, and a Christmas tree - all perfect for stocking fillers. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
Christmas specialities include a range of handmade gift baskets, chocolate “kaboodle” kits, novelty-themed chocolates (stiletto, horse, cat, dog, bicycle, fire truck and tractor). You can choose from the selection of handmade milk chocolate pieces adorned with Santa, snowmen, wreaths, candy canes, and a Christmas tree – all perfect for stocking fillers. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

While the machines are operating, you can be sure to find Lois handcrafting truffles, combining subtle flavours and delightful textured aesthetics, or her associate Linda Anderson moulding giant chocolate letters, Santas, and snowmen, prepping for the holiday rush.

Truffles are not the only goodies to sink your sweet tooth into. You’ll also find chocolate-covered ginger, fudge, bark, and bars, as well as seasonal gifts, delightful wedding and business packages, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, tea accessories, jams, and much more.

Some of the chocolate is vegan, gluten free, and diabetic friendly.

The store also carries a large selection of specially blended organic and bio-grown teas.

Flavours such as loose leaf black, herbal, Rooibos, Honeybush, white, green and fruit teas are there to calm and invigorate your senses.

For Lois, the choice to add tea was a smart move in diversifying her business, knowing that in a small town she wasn’t going to survive on selling chocolate alone.

To pursue her passion and knowledge of tea, Lois is currently studying to become a certified tea sommelier under the Tea Association of Canada, with the hope of turning a customer’s teatime into a tasting experience with chocolate pairings.

If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, the cozy rockers located directly outside the store’s entrance are there for the enjoyment of those who want to take a break from their day and visit with a friend, or to treat themselves to a tea or coffee.

These shoes were made for walking - especially if they are made of chocolate! Plus, they won't hurt your feet. These stilettos are handmade in-house by Lois' sidekick and associate, Linda Anderson. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
These shoes were made for walking – especially if they are made of chocolate! Plus, they won’t hurt your feet. These stilettos are handmade in-house by Lois’ sidekick and associate, Linda Anderson. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Aside from Valentine’s Day and Easter, Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the chocolate shop. Christmas specialities include a range of handmade gift baskets, chocolate “kaboodle” kits, and novelty-themed chocolates (stiletto, horse, cat, dog, bicycle, fire truck, and tractor).

You can choose from the selection of handmade milk chocolate pieces adorned with Santa, snowmen, wreaths, candy canes, and a Christmas tree — all perfect for stocking fillers.

Happy to give back to the community, especially as it has been so positive towards her business, Lois has made it a point to support area artisans and crafters by featuring their items on her store shelves, including McMullen’s honey from Warsaw, biscotti from Pastry Peddler in Millbrook, maple products from Staples in Cavan, and jams from The Stone Kitchen in Bancroft.

During the holidays, novelty-themed chocolates like this chocolate tractor (avaiable in dark, milk, and white chocoloate) are becoming more popular than the typical chocolate Santa. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
During the holidays, novelty-themed chocolates like this chocolate tractor (avaiable in dark, milk, and white chocoloate) are becoming more popular than the typical chocolate Santa. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

In between working and talking, Lois smiles and tends to her customers who have dropped in to compliment her truffles — most specifically the pistachio flavour. She’s gracious and flattered by their kind words. It’s one of the reasons she loves being in Lakefield.

“There is a real trend with buying local and staying local,” Lois says. “The community has been tremendously supportive right from the beginning. We could not have survived without them.”

The Chocolate Rabbit is located at 11 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield. For more information, call 705-652-8884, email chocolaterabbit@uniserve.com, or visit www.thechocolaterabbit.net.

You can also follow The Chocolate Rabbit on Facebook and Twitter.

Handmade giant chocolate letters with someone's initials or just the first letter of a special someone's name is a perfect stocking stuffer for those with a sweet tooth. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
Handmade giant chocolate letters with someone’s initials or just the first letter of a special someone’s name is a perfect stocking stuffer for those with a sweet tooth. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

The Chocolate Rabbit is a proud member of the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. The chamber represents members in Curve Lake First Nation and the municipalities of Douro-Dummer, North Kawartha, Selwyn, and Trent Lakes. Visit kawarthachamber.ca for more information.

Missing Haliburton man has been located

22-year-old Jason Shaw of Minden Hills Township in Haliburton is missing. He was last seen walking his dog on December 3, 2017. (Photo: Jason Shaw / Facebook)

Update

On Sunday December 10, 2017, local property owners of a remote hunt camp west of Scotch Line Road in Minden Hills Township located Jason Shaw at the camp.

The owners, who are familiar with Shaw, checked their property in the belief that he might be staying there, after they had read the media release about Shaw being missing. Shaw was found safe and sound and brought out of the remote area by the owners of the property without incident.

The Haliburton Highlands OPP want to thank the community for their concerns and providing information to officers and also to media partners for their assistance because they played a significant role in bringing this missing person investigation to a successful conclusion.

 

Original story

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 22-year-old man from the Haliburton Highlands area.

Jason Shaw of Minden Hills Township was last seen on Sunday, December 3, 2017 walking his dog, a brown shepherd-collie mix, in the area of Reynolds Road.

Shaw is described as white, 6 feet tall, approximately 180 lbs, medium build, with short dirty blond hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured parka coat with a fur hood, camouflage winter pants, and black boots. He was also carrying a backpack.

Police and family members are concerned for Shaw’s well-being.

If anyone has any information of Shaw’s whereabouts, they are being asked to contact the Haliburton Highlands OPP Detachment at 1-888-310-1122.

Peterborough’s new META4 gallery offers an incredible range of work by Ontario artists and artisans

Since META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery opened at 164 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough in November, it has quickly become a top destination for fine art and craft. The retail gallery offers a compelling selection of work by over 120 of Ontario's finest artists and artisans. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Upscale. Contemporary. Oozing creativity. These are the words best to describe META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery, the newest fine art space to recently join the heart of Peterborough’s downtown core.

The gallery, located at 164 Hunter Street West, made its debut in Peterborough in November and has quickly become a top destination for fine art and crafts. In a relaxed and inviting manner, META4 offers a compelling selection of work by over 120 of Ontario’s finest artists and artisans to customers.

If you’re looking to give the gift of art to a special someone this holiday season, perhaps an art aficionado or maybe just for yourself, this artistic hub offers an eclectic line of ever-changing work and a little bit of everything. Wander among paintings, glass works, pottery, sculptures, ceramics, and intriguing objects with no limit on style.

If you're looking to give the gift of art to a special someone this holiday season, this artistic hub offers an eclectic line of ever-changing work and a little bit of everything. Wander through a large selection of paintings, glass works, pottery, sculptures, ceramics, and intriguing objects with no limit on style. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
If you’re looking to give the gift of art to a special someone this holiday season, this artistic hub offers an eclectic line of ever-changing work and a little bit of everything. Wander through a large selection of paintings, glass works, pottery, sculptures, ceramics, and intriguing objects with no limit on style. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

“The space is not mainstream,” says co-owner Birgitta MacLeod, as she scans the light, airy room. “It’s delightful in the way that there’s so much to explore and see. You want to take your time and look around. There is a lot of beauty to take in.”

And, at the back of the gallery, sits a bright studio where talented instructors from all over Ontario are brought in to teach workshops and classes for adults and youth of any skill level to explore their creative side.

The Peterborough gallery at 164 Hunter Street West (beside The Night Kitchen) is META4's second location, with their home base located in Port Perry since 2005. Owners Birgitta MacLeod, Jennifer Hardie and Bonnie Thomson spent some time driving to towns and cities in Ontario, and eventually landed on Peterborough as the preferred destination. (Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)
The Peterborough gallery at 164 Hunter Street West (beside The Night Kitchen) is META4’s second location, with their home base located in Port Perry since 2005. Owners Birgitta MacLeod, Jennifer Hardie and Bonnie Thomson spent some time driving to towns and cities in Ontario, and eventually landed on Peterborough as the preferred destination. (Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)

Promoting artists within a 100-mile radius

Expect modernist, traditional and contemporary works — all carefully selected by Birgitta and business partners, Jennifer Hardie and Bonnie Thomson, who are all artists themselves (Birgitta, a painter; Bonnie, a glass artist and stone carver; and Jennifer, a sculptor and maker of jewellery and other accessories).

The trio only house Ontario-made art and crafts in their gallery and try to keep within a 100-mile radius of the gallery’s location when searching for new work at art shows and studio tours.

Owners Birgitta MacLeod, Jennifer Hardie and Bonnie Thomson are artists themselves. The trio only house Ontario-made art and crafts in their gallery and try to keep within a 100-mile radius of the gallery's location when searching for new work at art shows and studio tours. ((Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)
Owners Birgitta MacLeod, Jennifer Hardie and Bonnie Thomson are artists themselves. The trio only house Ontario-made art and crafts in their gallery and try to keep within a 100-mile radius of the gallery’s location when searching for new work at art shows and studio tours. ((Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)

“We really enjoy and prefer to work with artists close to home,” explains Birgitta. “Our decisions are based on whether it’s the right fit for the gallery. Do our customers want it? Is it well made? Is it priced appropriately? And is it unique and original like the other work we have?

As artists are often too busy creating to market their own work, META4 provides a valuable service for local artists by helping to promote them. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
As artists are often too busy creating to market their own work, META4 provides a valuable service for local artists by helping to promote them. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

“There’s so much talent and great art close to home, so why go too far to get it? By promoting local, we get to have a good personal relationship with the artist whose work we sell. It’s more difficult to do that if you’re buying art from the other side of the country.”

With Birgitta, Jennifer, and Bonnie so highly regarded in the art community, local artists often seek the partners out to represent their portfolio.

Birgitta says they understand that as a working artist, it’s not enough to produce art. You need to promote it as extensively too.

“Having been on both sides, we know how challenging it is for some artists who are heads down in a studio to get out and promote their own work. It’s our job is help artists connect with art lovers and vice versa.”

To ensure an artist’s work reaches the right audience and potential buyers, META4 Gallery displays the selected artwork year round and features a new artist each month on their website and social media channels.

META4 Gallery offers the same level of professional service you would expect to find in any retail experience. The gallery takes all major credit cards and has a return policy. If you take a painting home, hang it on your wall and don’t like it, you can take it back. They also provide gift wrapping and gift certificates.

“All of this can be hard for artists to organize, so we do that for them,” says Birgitta.

To ensure an artist's work reaches the right audience and potential buyers, META4 displays the selected artwork year round and features a new artist each month on their website and social media communities. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
To ensure an artist’s work reaches the right audience and potential buyers, META4 displays the selected artwork year round and features a new artist each month on their website and social media communities. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

Growing from humble beginnings

Almost every day, META4 has new work arriving, just in time for holiday shopping. In addition to daily specials until December 12, the gallery has extended shopping hours during December. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
Almost every day, META4 has new work arriving, just in time for holiday shopping. In addition to daily specials until December 12, the gallery has extended shopping hours during December. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

This is the second location for META4, with their home base being located in Port Perry since 2005.

When Birgitta, Jennifer, and Bonnie were exploring options for a second gallery, they spent some time driving to towns and cities in Ontario, and eventually landed on Peterborough as the preferred destination.

“We thought this is a great place,” Brigitta says. “It has a good downtown and there’s no gallery here of this size and scope.”

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) welcomed their visit with information and support, and META4 soon became a contender in the DBIA’s “Win This Space” entrepreneurial competition last year.

While they didn’t win the contest, they realized that they had a solid business plan and already had most of the legwork done for finding their current location.

They officially opened their Peterborough store on November 3rd.

Studio classes and workshops

Whether you’re just looking to dabble, want to experiment with a new medium, or feel like channelling your inner Bob Ross, META4 offers a variety of artistic classes and workshops for beginners to advanced, taught by experienced instructors to guide and help unleash your creative potential.

Half-day, full-day, weekend, and weekly courses are offered ranging from oil painting, jewelry making, fused art glass, landscape painting, watercolour painting, acrylics, gelatin plate mono-printing, mosaics, and drawing.

Courses and schedules are regularly updated on their website at meta4gallery.ca. As a bonus, when you register for a META4 class or workshop, you’ll receive 15 per cent off all art supplies.

If you need art supplies, META4 carries a wide selection of artist quality acrylics, oils, watercolours, mediums, paper (including individual sheets), inks, brushes, graphite, coloured pencils, conte, charcoal, art markers, palette knives, easels, varnish, stretched canvas, wood supports, and much more. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)
If you need art supplies, META4 carries a wide selection of artist quality acrylics, oils, watercolours, mediums, paper (including individual sheets), inks, brushes, graphite, coloured pencils, conte, charcoal, art markers, palette knives, easels, varnish, stretched canvas, wood supports, and much more. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / kawarthaNOW.com)

And if you need art supplies, META4 carries a wide selection of artist-quality acrylics, oils, watercolours, mediums, paper (including individual sheets), inks, brushes, graphite, coloured pencils, conte, charcoal, art markers, palette knives, easels, varnish, stretched canvas, wood supports, and much more. Show your student ID (high school, college, or university) and save 10 per cent on art supplies.

Some merchandise is also available to purchase on the META4 website at meta4gallery.ca.

While all items go through a selection process for inclusion in the store, Birgitta says they’re always exploring for new pieces and are updating inventory on a daily basis.

“The thing that drives us is connecting people with beautiful, original things,” she adds. “There are a lot of ways you can spend your money, but why not choose something that is high quality and locally made that could last forever — you’ll love it all of your life.”

12 Days of Christmas Special

Each week, META4 showcases new pieces in their gallery, like these new Santa wood folk art sculptures by Port Perry artist David Trant. (Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)
Each week, META4 showcases new pieces in their gallery, like these new Santa wood folk art sculptures by Port Perry artist David Trant. (Photo: META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery)

Almost every day, META4 has new work arriving, just in time for holiday shopping. On December 1st, META4 began its “12 Days of Christmas” special, where you can receive 10 per cent off daily gift features. There are still four days left, with pottery featured on December 9th, necklaces on December 10th, platters and serving pieces on December 11th, and visual art on December 12th.

In December, META4 is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Extended hours will be offered on Tuesday, December 19th and Wednesday, December 20th, with the store open until 7 p.m. For last-minute Christmas shopping, META4 will also be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 24th.

META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery is located at 164 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough. For more information, call 705-874-9444, email info@META4gallery.ca, or visit www.META4gallery.ca. You can also follow META4 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

VIDEO: A story behind the gift

A Story Behind the Gift

You don't have to be an artist to become a part of the arts community. Hear Birgitta talk about the story behind the gift.

Posted by META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery on Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Peterborough County takes steps to stop littering on James A. Gifford Causeway

Peterborough County is taking measures to curb littering by anglers on the James A. Gifford Causeway. Local realtor Brad Sinclair first brought the issue to the public's attention in August 2017 and has continued to advocate for a resolution. (Photo: Brad Sinclair)

The County of Peterborough is taking measures to prevent littering at the James A. Gifford Causeway, connecting Bridgenorth and Ennismore across Chemong Lake in Selwyn Township.

On Wednesday (December 6), county council approved staff recommendations to address the litter issue.

These include a new no-trespass by-law for the length of the causeway (the exterior areas along the guiderails and both shorelines) and the hiring of private security to enforce the by-law. The county will also increase the frequency of litter and garbage collection to three times per week from May to October.

The issue was first brought to the public’s attention in August of this year, when local realtor Brad Sinclair took to Facebook to post photos of garbage strewn along the shores of the causeway. Sinclair’s post was widely shared and commented on by people concerned with the situation.

Sinclair identified that the majority of the litter was left by people fishing at the causeway, and largely consisted of worm containers.

The county will apply to the Ministry of the Attorney General for the approval of set fine amounts for the no-trespass by-law.

“Council made a very sound decision today that took a balanced approach to ensuring public enjoyment of our region, with that of public safety,” said County Warden Joe Taylor.

The total estimated cost for the new measures is $27,000, an amount approved for inclusion in the county’s 2018 budget.

County staff will also work with local partners to raise awareness of the new by-law, the impacts and solutions for litter, and the introduction of a Clean Marine initiative to reduce litter.

VIDEO: Causeway Trash Issue – Brad Sinclair

nightlifeNOW – December 7 to 13

Hardcore grunge-rock-punk band Julie & The Wrong Guys (Juno award-winning songwriter Julie Doiron, singer-songwriter Eamon McGrath, and Mike Peters and Jaye Schwarzer of Toronto punk band Cancer) perform at the Red Dog in Peterborough on Wednesday, December 13. (Photo: Dustin Rabin)

Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, December 7 to Wednesday, December 13.

If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.

ARIA

331 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0333

Coming Soon

Saturday, January 20
10pm - Two Friends (Matt Halper and Eli Sones)

Arlington Pub

32990 Highway 62, Maynooth
(613) 338-2080

Saturday, December 9

9pm - Tich Maredza Band ($10)

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
8:30pm - Open mic

Saturday, December 16
9pm - The Weber Brothers Patches CD release ($10)

Arthur's Pub

930 Burnham St., Cobourg
(905) 372-2105

Thursdays

Karaoke Night

Sundays

4:30-8pm - Celtic Sunday w/ Madman's Window

Wednesdays

Open Mic

Black Horse Pub

452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633

Thursday, December 7

7:30pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, December 8

5pm - Tonya Bosch; 8:30pm - Groove Authority

Saturday, December 9

8:30pm - Parkside Drive

Sunday, December 10

3pm - The Buckle Busters

Monday, December 11

7pm - Crash and Burn w/ Gailie & Friends

Tuesday, December 12

7pm - Open mic w/ Randy Hill

Wednesday, December 13

7pm - Nicholas Campbell

Coming Soon

Thursday, December 14
7:30pm - Jazz and Blues w/ Marsala Lukianchuk and the Rob Phillips Trio

Friday, December 15
5pm - Brian McDonald; 8:30pm - Pop Machine

Saturday, December 16
4:30-7:30pm - Marsala Lukianchuck, Steafan Hannigan, Saskia Tomkins; 8:30pm - Four Lanes Wide

Sunday, December 17
3pm - Odd Man Rush

The Cat & The Fiddle Cobourg

38 Covert St., Cobourg
(905) 377-9029

Saturday, December 9

8pm - Dirty Sanchez Band

Catalina's

131 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-5972

Thursday, December 7

9pm - The Holy Gasp w/ Kitty Pit, Meowlinda ($10 at door)

Friday, December 8

8pm - Rainbow Service Organization Friday Night Queer Social & Trent Queer Collective Beers 4 Queers

Saturday, December 9

11am-4pm - Focus Fair; 8:30pm - Bird City, Joyful Joyful, Lucas Huang ($10 or PWYC)

Sunday, December 10

11am-4pm - Focus Fair

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
8pm - Rainbow Service Organization Karaoke Christmas

Saturday, December 16
7:30pm - Heartless Romantics w/ Rhys Climenhage, Television Rd, Mary-Kate Edwards, Niall Jensen ($5 or PWYC at door)

Chemong Lodge

764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth
(705) 292-8435

Thursdays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

Fridays

5-9pm - Pianist Barry McMullen (dining room)

The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse

26 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 653-0001

Thursday, December 7

Euchre w/ Ray on the Radio

Friday, December 8

5pm - Andrew Queen & Son; 6-9pm - Christmas Party and Secret Santa gift exchange;9pm - Cindy & Scott

Saturday, December 9

9pm - Al Lerman

Monday, December 11

Trivial Pursuit

Tuesday, December 12

OpinioNation w/ Bill Davenport

Wednesday, December 13

8pm - Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard

Coach & Horses Pub

16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006

Thursdays

10pm - Open Mic w/ Gerald Vanhalteren

Fridays

9:30pm - Karaoke Night w/ DJ. Ross

Wednesdays

7-11pm - Live music

Dobro Restaurant & Bar

287-289 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 775-9645

Thursday, December 7

10pm - Live music TBA (no cover)

Friday, December 8

10pm - Live music TBA (no cover)

Saturday, December 9

9pm - Dean James Band w/ Missy Knott (no cover)

Wednesday, December 13

Open stage

Dominion Hotel

113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954

Sunday, December 10

4-7pm - A Country Christmas w/ Gord Kidd & friends

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 16
Blues Christmas Dance ft the Full Count Blues Band ($20-25)

Friday, December 22
4-7pm - Customer Appreciation Event ft music by Jeff Moulton

Dr. J's BBQ & Brews

282 Aylmer St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5717

Saturday, December 9

2-5pm - Kate Kelly & Bobby Watson

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 16
2-5pm - Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association Deluxe Blues Jam (by donation)

Frank's Pasta and Grill

426 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-2727

Fridays

9pm-12am - Karaoke; 12am - DJ

Saturday, December 9

8:30pm - Joker; 11:30pm - DJ

Sundays

7-10pm - Underground Sundays ft 3 bands

Tuesdays

7pm & 8pm - Salsa Classes beginners & intermediate ($10/lesson)

Wednesdays

8-11pm - Open Mic

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 16
8:30pm - Little Lake; 11:30pm - DJ

Ganaraska Hotel

30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254

Friday, December 8

10pm - Baz Little Rock Band

Saturday, December 9

2pm & 10pm - Baz Little Rock Ban

Wednesday, December 13

8pm - Open mic w/ Rob Foreman and Clayton Yates

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
10pm - Live music (TBA)

Saturday, December 16
2pm & 10pm - Blueprint

The Garnet

231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107

Thursday, December 7

5-7pm - Pints 'N' Politics

Friday, December 8

5-7pm - Lotus Wight

Saturday, December 9

9pm - Open mic, Lance Issacs, St. Homer, Peace Sand Rest

Wednesday, December 13

8pm - Story & Song ft Greyson Gritt and Caroline Box ($10 or PWYC)

Coming Soon

Thursday, December 14
5-7pm - Pints 'N' Politics

Friday, December 15
8pm - Nailheads, Beta 58s, Corporate Life, Deviants and The Odd Man Out, Basement Dweller ($5 or PWYC)

Saturday, December 16
9pm - Nick Ferrio, Tough Age, Belly Flop ($10 or PWYC)

Sunday, December 17
Construction and Deconstruction

Golden Wheel Restaurant

6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838

Thursdays

7-9pm - Intermediate Line Dancing Lessons w/ Tina O'Rourke ($7 per person,)

Wednesdays

7-9pm - Line Dancing Lessons w/ Marlene Maskell ($7 per person, all levels welcome)

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
7pm - Fundraiser Cavan Millbrook Community Centre with dinner and live music by Peter Graham & Kendal Thompson ($40)

Gordon Best Theatre

216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 876-8884

Friday, December 8

8pm - Beef Boys "Melted Like A Witch" LP release show w/ Wine Lips, Vypers ($10 at door or PWYC, all ages)

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 16
7pm - Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 'N Food Drive

Hot Belly Mama's

378 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 745-3544

Thursdays

8pm - The Quickshifters (PWYC)

Junction Nightclub

253 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0550

Coming Soon

Sunday, December 31
New Year's Eve ft DJ Bill Porter ($10 in advance at www.junctionptbo.com/nye)

McThirsty's Pint

166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220

Thursdays

9pm - Live music

Fridays

10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey

Saturdays

10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey

Mondays

10pm - Trivia Night

Tuesdays

9pm - Topper Tuesdays w/ DJ Jake Topper

Wednesdays

9pm - Live music

The Mill Restaurant and Pub

990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177

Coming Soon

Thursday, December 14
7pm - Down Beat

Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio

3 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-1100

Thursday, December 7

7:30pm - Open mic

Oasis Bar & Grill

31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634

Thursdays

6:30pm - Live music

Sundays

5:30pm - PHLO

Wednesdays

6:30pm - Live music

Pappas Billiards

407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010

Thursdays

7-10pm - Open Mic

Puck' N Pint Sports Pub

871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
(705) 741-1078

Saturday, December 9

9pm - Chris Culgin

Red Dog Tavern

189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400

Sunday, December 10

3 pm - Jordan Brydges benefit ft Tyler Watson, Emily Burgess, Chris Culgin, Dylan Ireland, Pretty Handsome, Jill Staveley, Al Black, Washboard Hank, Knifehammer, Jordan Brydges & more ($15)

Wednesday, December 13

10pm - Julie & The Wrong Guys ($10 in advance at www.ticketscene.ca/events/id=19653 or $13 at door)

VIDEO: "Farther From You" - Julie & The Wrong Guys

Coming Soon

Thursday, December 14
Kirkland

Friday, December 15
Silverhearts

Saturday, December 16
9pm - Ireland Brothers w/ Washboard Hank

Thursday, December 21
8pm - Peterborough Folk Fest presents The Kents Holiday Homecoming w/ Lost Cousins, Hutch, Cleopatrick, Mary-Kate Edwards ($10 with non-perishable food item)

Friday, December 22
9pm - Tribute Audio Xmas

Sunday, December 31
10pm - The Weber Brothers Patches CD Release ($20)

Riley's

257 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 750-1445

Thursdays

Travis Berlinbach

Fridays

Travis Berlinbach

Saturdays

Josh Gontier

Sundays

Josh Gontier

Mondays

Josh Gontier

Tuesdays

Josh Gontier & Cale Gontier

Wednesdays

Guest performers

Shots

379 George Street K9H 3R2, Peterborough
(705) 749-9315

Wednesdays

10pm - Wednesday House Party

The Social

295 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 874-6724

Friday, December 8

Melissa Payne

Saturday, December 9

Broken Harmony

Wednesday, December 13

MJ & The Beetus

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
Kris Barclay

Saturday, December 16
Hippe Crippler

Thursday, December 21
8pm - Blues Brothers ft Mississauga Delta Blues Band

Southside Pizzeria

25 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough
(705) 748-6120

Fridays

9am-12pm - Open mic ($2);

Turtle John's Pub & Restaurant

64 John St., Port Hope
(905) 885-7200

Saturday, December 9

10pm - DownBeat

Coming Soon

Saturday, December 16
9pm - Daniel Greer w/ The Social Drinkers

The Venue

286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008

Sunday, December 10

5-7:30pm - Wrestling With Stigma present Smash! Stigma! ft Petey Williams ($15 general admission, fundraiser for PARN)

Coming Soon

Sunday, December 17
7-10pm - 3rd Annual Warming Room Christmas Party ft Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne, Kate Brioux, Silver Lining, Paper Shakers, Eric Brandon (PWYC)

Thursday, January 19
7pm - Big Wreck ($35 - $130)

White House Hotel

173 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 741-2444

Coming Soon

Friday, December 15
4-8pm - Washboard Hank

Saturday, December 16
4-8pm - Washboard Hank

Friday, December 22
4-8pm - Tonemasters

Saturday, December 23
4-8pm - Tonemasters

Iconic musician Gordon Lightfoot visits The Canadian Canoe Museum to donate three canoes

Gordon Lightfoot speaks at The Canadian Canoe Museum as museum curator Jeremy Ward (left) and Lightfoot's friend and fellow canoest Fred Gaskin looks on. The yellow canoe behind Lightfoot is one of three canoes he is donating to The Canadian Canoe Museum collection, along with one canoe donated by Gaskin. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)

Iconic Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot was at The Canadian Canoe Museum today (December 7) to donate three of his canoes to become part of the museum’s collection, along with one from his friend and paddling companion Fred Gaskin.

One of the canoes Lightfoot has donated is a yellow canoe that was the subject of his 1981 song “Canary Yellow Canoe” (a previously unreleased track that was included on the 1999 career retrospective album Songbook).

“Needless to say, it’s been an incredible day,” said Jeremy Ward, the museum’s curator. “We are honoured to be adding to our collection three of Gordon’s canoes and one from Fred.”

One of Lightfoot's donated canoes. This canoe, which Lightfoot has paddled in Canada's far north, was the subject of his 1981 song "Canary Yellow Canoe". (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
One of Lightfoot’s donated canoes. This canoe, which Lightfoot has paddled in Canada’s far north, was the subject of his 1981 song “Canary Yellow Canoe”. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)

The yellow canoe showcases the scars of an infamous mishap when Lightfoot and Gaskin paddled the Nahanni River in the 1970s.

An avid canoeist, Lightfoot often took canoe trips in Canada’s Far North.

VIDEO: “Shadows” – Gordon Lightfoot (written when he was on a paddling trip)

“I passed through Yellowknife on three or four different occasions when I would be leaving to go on canoe trip,” Lightfoot says in an interview with WestJet Magazine.

“Yellowknife would be the last civilization that you would see for about four or five weeks. I remember being up there during the equinox around the end of June and getting started around the start of July when it was never dark. The tent would be bathed in sunlight as it spun around the horizon.

“I wrote my song ‘Shadows’ while I was paddling. I can actually remember the moment I finished it — right where I was on the river. It was a very quiet, long stretch of river with very little current. We were paddling about 10 in the morning and there were trout leaping all around us.”

Lightfoot signing books in The Canadian Canoe Museum gift shop. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)
Lightfoot signing books in The Canadian Canoe Museum gift shop. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW.com)

“Canary Yellow Canoe” (Gordon Lightfoot)

In my canary yellow canoe, my yellow canoe
I want to go tripping in my canary yellow canoe
The Eastmain, Coppermine, Back River too
In my canary yellow canoe

In my canary yellow canoe, yellow canoe
I want to run rivers in my canary yellow canoe
The Dumoine River, Rupert River, George River too
In my canary yellow canoe

In my canary yellow canoe, mellow yellow canoe
I want to go tripping in my canary yellow canoe
Chibougamau, Peace River, Resolute too
In my canary yellow canoe

In my canary yellow canoe, my elephant too
I want to go tripping in my canary yellow canoe
Churchill, Yellowknife, Ross River too
In my canary yellow canoe

Ride for free on Peterborough Transit on New Year’s Eve

The free New Year's Eve service on Peterborough Transit was first offered in 2015, sponsored by Wolfe Lawyers. (Photo: Don Vassiliadis / Twitter)

For the third year in a row, you can ride Peterborough Transit free of charge on New Year’s Eve courtesy of the City of Peterborough and Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers.

Around 6,000 riders used the free New Year’s Eve service in the first two years.

“Last year was a great success with thousands of people riding the bus on New Year’s Eve,” says councillor Don Vassiliadis, the city’s transportation chair. “This year, we again want to thank our hard-working transit drivers and our corporate partner Wolfe Lawyers for making this service happen.”

Transit service will be provided free of charge on all 12 regular routes and buses between 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, December 31st and 3:20 a.m. on Monday, January 1st. The last bus will leave Peterborough’s downtown Simcoe Street terminal at 2:40 a.m.

“Wolfe Lawyers are pleased to sponsor free transit for New Year’s Eve for the third year in a row,” says Bill Wolfe. “Thanks to the efforts of our transit workers and City Hall, people in the community will have a safe and free ride to and from home on New Year’s Eve, making sure we all have a happy and healthy 2018.”

Handi-Van service will also run during the same hours, with as many as two vans in service. Handi-Van customer service staff will accept trip request bookings from eligible clients until 12:20 a.m. and service will continue until 3:20 a.m.

Handi-van bookings are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Handi-van riders wishing to travel during peak times are encouraged to reserve their trips in advance.

Details regarding the hours of operation and route maps are available at www.peterborough.ca/transit, and will also be available at the downtown transit terminal.

Seven more local small business owners receive funding under Starter Company Plus

Peterborough MPP and Minister Responsible for Small Business Jeff Leal (third from left) with Starter Company Plus program coordinator Madeleine Hurrell (right) and the owners of seven local small businesses that shared $26,000 in funding from the third intake of the Starter Company Plus program offered by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

As board game enthusiasts, Dylan and Connor Reinhart have seen the dice tumble in their favour more than a few times, but rarely has going for it led to such a windfall.

On Wednesday (December 6) at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, the brothers’ business, The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge, was revealed as one of seven grant recipients from the third intake of the Starter Company Plus program offered by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre.

Funded by the Government of Ontario, the five-week program supports entrepreneurs starting a business or expanding an existing venture that has been in operation for five years or less. Participants attend a series of workshops that lead to the creation of a business plan and the making of a pitch for a share of $26,000 in grant money.

Dylan Reinhart (right) who, along with his brother Connor (left) received Starter Company Plus funding for their business The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge, which partners with local businesses to stage board game events for employees or customers.  (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Dylan Reinhart (right) who, along with his brother Connor (left) received Starter Company Plus funding for their business The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge, which partners with local businesses to stage board game events for employees or customers. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

Since the program’s inception back in March, 45 small business owners have gone through the program, with 21 of them receiving a share of more than $75,000 in funding.

Along with the Reinhart brothers, Wednesday’s celebration also revealed the following as grant recipients:

  • Mariem Idrissi and Hassan Moussaid of Argania Natural Health Care, which provides holistic and naturopathic health services at a clinic in downtown Peterborough.
  • Mike Rodin of CaptureCo. 3D in Peterborough, which provides professional real estate photography, virtual tours, 3D scans and floor schematics for clients such as Century 21, RE/MAX, Royal LePage and The Property Guys.
  • Jennifer Wight of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets in Peterborough, which produces custom sugar cookies decorated and personalized as unique gifts.
  • Jennifer Avis and Stephanie Hayes of Hello, Baby! In Peterborough, a full-circle doula service that supports growing families via education and care through fertility, pregnancy, birth and life with baby.
  • Gordon Kirkham of Kanda Lightweight Canoes in Selwyn Township, which designs and produces lightweight canoes for recreational use.
  • Annie Scherz of reVerra Glass in Peterborough, which creates custom jewelry pieces made from recycled glass.

“It was an incredible experience,” raves Dylan Reinhart at the Market Hall announcement, which also showcased the businesses of the receipients.

“We’re really grateful, not only for the classes and the way it forced us to write a business plan and think through every piece of our business, but also for the mentorship provided by the Business Advisory Centre. We did business plans through Win This Space and Bear’s Lair but this one, because of that mentorship, really tightened things up for us.”

The December 6th event at the Market Hall was also an opportunity to showcase the grant receipients' businesses, such as The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
The December 6th event at the Market Hall was also an opportunity to showcase the grant receipients’ businesses, such as The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

The brothers’ business, he explains, sees them partner with local businesses to stage board game events for employees and/or customers. Their entry in the inaugural Win This Space competition gave them “the kick in the pants to get started.” Now they’re actively seeking out “a forever home” so they can host board game events — they boast a collection of more than 200 games mdash; as well as continue to take the show on the road.

“I think people are looking for that opportunity to disconnect,” Rienhart says. “To put down their phone and have the kind of nostalgic old-school experience they remember from the cottage when it was too rainy to go outside, or from sitting around the table with their family playing Monopoly.”

Gordon Kirkham of Kanda Lightweight Canoes, he applied for Starter Company Plus “not really sure what I was going to get out of it. Now I can’t say enough good things about it. (Program co-ordinator) Madeleine Hurrell and her crew were always available for consultation. I completely took advantage of that.”

Gordon Kirkham and his son, of Kanda Lightweight Canoes in Selwyn Township, which designs and produces lightweight canoes for recreational use. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development
Gordon Kirkham and his son, of Kanda Lightweight Canoes in Selwyn Township, which designs and produces lightweight canoes for recreational use. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development

Having just started his business out of his home workshop — “The commute is a killer,” he jokes — Kirkham hopes to produce two prototypes of his lightweight seamless canoe by January, with an eye on having a viable product for sale shortly after.

He designed and built a 40-pound canoe 10 years ago which he still has, adding his target market are couples aged 35 and up interested in outdoor activities such as camping.

“I don’t think I’m the only person in my age group who doesn’t want to do a thousand-metre portage with a heavy canoe,” he says, referring to the appeal of his design.

Jennifer Wight of Emily Mae's Cookies & Sweets produces custom sugar cookies decorated and personalized as unique gifts. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Jennifer Wight of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets produces custom sugar cookies decorated and personalized as unique gifts. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

Meanwhile, Jennifer Wight of Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets estimates she’s produced some 16,000 personalized cookies since starting her business about one and a half years ago.

“I started when my little one was a few months old. I was looking for something to do and I came across this idea, tried it, and this is what came out of it. I didn’t expect it to blow up like it has. The response has been amazing. I call it art on a cookie because that’s what it is. People are really curious. I think that has really helped with the success of the business.”

Starter Company Plus “really made me sit down and focus,” she says, praising Hurrell et al for their constant support and for being approachable.

And for anyone looking to start a business or grow an existing enterprise, she has three words: “Go and apply.”

“It’s a lot of work, so don’t expect it to be easy peasy. You have to dedicate the time. If you do, you’ll come out a winner, whether you win grant money or not. The biggest thing for me was that business plan. The grant is just gravy on top.”

A sample of Jennifer Wight's work at Emily Mae's Cookies & Sweets was on display at the December 6th event at the Market Hall.  (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
A sample of Jennifer Wight’s work at Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets was on display at the December 6th event at the Market Hall. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)

According to Hurrell, Starter Company Plus will return with another intake round in February 2018. Those interested in applying are required to attend one of the “Starting Point” workshops held at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s Board Room (175 George St. N., Peterborough).

For more details on the program, visit peterboroughed.ca/starter-company-plus.

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