Concept illustration showing the Charlotte Street entrance to the planned Charlotte Street Urban Park. The demolition and removal phase to prepare the site for the park begins on December 4, 2017. (Illustration: AECOM)
The City of Peterborough has announced that construction work on the urban park at Charlotte Street and Louis Street in downtown Peterborough begins on Monday, December 4th.
The demolition and removal phase of the project included a portion of Louis Street, the entire Louis Street Municipal Parking Lot (the former location of the Wednesday Downtown Farmers’ Market), and the building at 220 King Street (former Shish-Kabob Hut).
Accurex Inc. was awarded the contract for this phase of the project.
Completion of the demolition and removal phase will prepare the site for a Stage 2 Archaeology Investigation, required in advance of deeper excavations needed to build the park.
As part of the project, Louis Street will be widened to accommodate two-way traffic beside the King Street Parking Garage. Once complete, the section of Louis Street north of the Rivulet Apartments driveway will be permanently closed.
Parking on Louis Street and in the Louis Street Municipal Parking Lot will be permanently removed.
Construction fencing will secure the site and prevent parking and pedestrian travel in the area.
The King Street Parking Garage will be fully operational throughout construction.
For the past four years, the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has been supporting charities by giving away Christmas trees to residents in each of the three communities where they have offices. (Photo: The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group)
Home and auto insurance company The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group is bringing back their annual festive holiday tree giveaway on Saturday, December 2nd.
The company will gift 50 Christmas trees to residents in each of the three communities where it has offices — Lindsay, Alexandria, and Perth — for a total of 150 trees.
In return for the tree, Commonwell is asking for a cash donation of any amount to Big Brothers Big Sisters (the company will match all donations made to the charity) — or else an act of random kindness for a local resident.
The latter is to remind people about the upcoming “Common Kindness Day” on January 10th, a day Commonwell created to “pay it forward”. Last year, the day saw the company give away hundreds of free coffees and teas.
“Over the past four years, our Christmas tree giveaway has become an important part of how we connect with our communities, and we’ve taken it one step further with Common Kindness Day,” said Tim Shauf, President and CEO of Commonwell.
“The holiday season is often a very busy time for all of us, so we want to make finding the perfect Christmas tree a little bit easier for families. The event is always a wonderful experience for everyone involved, and it’s a great chance to get into the festive spirit and raise money for a great local charity at the same time.”
The tree giveaway in Lindsay takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or while supplies last) at The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group at 336 Angeline Street South.
Commonwell is known for supporting registered charities by donating time and funds to causes the company supports through its “Create a Ripple Effect” (CARE) program. Most recently, Commonwell made a CARE donation of $5,000 to Kawartha Lakes Food Source in November, in support of the charity’s weekly school milk program.
Commonwell donated $5,000 in November to Kawartha Lakes Food Source. (Photo: The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group)
Craig Foster snapped this photo of a tag hanging from the back pocket of one of the crew unloading equipment into Coronation Hall in Omemee. (Photo: Craig Foster)
Despite no official announcement from either Neil Young or Bell Media, evidence continues to mount that the iconic Canadian musician is holding his live-streaming concert at Omemee’s Coronation Hall on Friday, December 1st.
First, we broke the news on Monday (November 27) that the City of Kawartha Lakes had provided a road closure permit for Bell Media, which is producing the concert in partnership with Young’s film production company Shakey Pictures.
Now we have further visual proof, courtesy of Craig Foster, that Neil will be returning to his childhood hometown for a performance.
First, there were the trucks that began to arrive at Coronation Hall on Tuesday (November 28):
Several are parked around the property:
Crews are unloading lots of equipment:
And now there’s this video Craig took of a long black fence installed around the parking lot beside Coronation Hall:
And finally, there’s this photo of a crew member with a tag read reads “Neil’s HT Boy’s”:
Unless this is a reference to some obscure street gang in Omemee, it seems clear that the crew is working on concert setup for Neil Young’s hometown concert (“HT” could refer to “Home Town”).
kawarthaNOW has also received reports of lengths of cables being installed between Coronation Hall and Trinity United Church across the road, presumably so the church can be used for a control centre or viewing location.
While we don’t have any photos, we’ve also received reports of Neil himself staying at local accommodation in the area, as well as sightings of his girlfriend Daryl Hannah, who is reportedly directing the concert.
Neil hasn’t named Omemee, but earlier today (November 29), he posted on Facebook that he would be performing live “from my Canadian Home Town”:
The concert will be live streamed on Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. EST in Canada exclusively on CTV.ca (or by using the free CTV GO app) and on iHeartRadio.ca. Note: the concert will not be broadcast on CTV on cable or over the air, it’s available online only.
For people living outside of Canada, the concert will be live streamed on Facebook (the Facebook stream will not be available to Canadian residents) — visit www.facebook.com/ctv for details.
VIDEO: Neil Young From Somewhere In Canada Preview
While some radio stations owned by Bell Media are giving away tickets and we have reports of certain people who have a connection with Neil receiving them, as far as we know no tickets are being sold to the general public.
All Omemee photos and video are courtesy of Craig Foster.
Dr. Joslin Cheverie and Dr. Jacob Hassan, two of the minimally invasive surgeons at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, thank donors for supporting surgical innovation at the hospital. (Photo: PRHC Foundation)
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation is thanking donors for investing $1 million in surgical innovation at our local hospital.
The donor investment has allowed PRHC to equip nine of its 12 operating rooms with state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical tools — transforming the way surgery is performed at the hospital.
Surgical care has been an essential part of health care for over a century: it save lives, prevents disability and further illness, and puts people on the road to recovery and better health. At PRHC alone, more than 22,000 surgical procedures were performed last year.
But for years, surgery often required a large incision, a long hospital stay, and an even longer convalescence. While this type of surgery can improve or even save your life, there are inherent risks involved and it can take up to six weeks before you’ve completely recovered.
Today, advances in techniques and technology used in minimally invasive surgery are changing the standard of care for many common surgical procedures.
For example, instead of making foot-long belly-to-pelvis incisions, minimally invasive surgeons make substantially smaller cuts and use scopes, cameras, and specialized instruments to perform the procedure inside the patient’s body.
As a result, the patient experiences less pain, shorter hospital stays, quicker recoveries, less risk of post-surgery complications such as wound infection, and overall better outcomes.
Last year, donor support helped the PRHC Foundation outfit nine of the hospital’s 12 operating rooms with new high-definition scopes, lenses, lights and cameras that allow surgeons to see with incredible clarity inside the body. It also funded new high- definition monitors and replaced existing but outdated surgical tools with standardized, state-of-the-art instrument sets.
The new equipment is enabling surgeons to increase the total percentage of surgeries performed at PRHC using minimally invasive techniques from 40 per cent of procedures towards the hospital’s goal of 80 per cent.
It’s empowering PRHC surgeons to treat more kinds and more difficult forms of cancer (including stomach, gastrointestinal, uterine, adrenal, spleen, kidney, ovarian and urinary cancers), perform emergency appendectomies, and treat emergent ulcers, hernias, and bowel blockages using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
While the government provides funding to hospitals, it doesn’t provide the money for the vast majority of PRHC’s equipment needs. The donor investment in minimally invasive surgical tools is also helping PRHC to attract new surgeons who wish to practice their skills in a state-of-the-art facility.
VIDEO: Investing in Minimally Invasive Surgery at PRHC
Surgeon Dr. Lynn Mikula, Chair of PRHC’s Medical Advisory Committee, says PRHC’s surgeons have the talent and training, and they’re passionate about treating significantly more patients with minimally invasive surgical techniques.
“Our hospital had the will and the facilities but we needed the help of donors to purchase the equipment and technology that empowered us to realize our vision,” Mikula says. “Thank you.”
In fact, PRHC was recently recognized internationally for its surgical safety outcomes for patients.
Out of nearly 800 hospitals from across the U.S. and Canada who participated in the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), PRHC was one of only 66 hospitals — and one of only eight in Canada — that received the designation “Meritorious”.
This places PRHC among such esteemed peers as Sunnybrook Health Sciences, Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins.
While the PRHC Foundation is thankful for the donor investment in surgical innovation, over the next few years, PRHC will need significant investments in equipment and technology in the following areas:
Cancer Care – $8.75 million (Mammography, Laboratory & Diagnostic Imaging) – Funding the equipment and technology that will allow PRHC to provide innovative, individualized and compassionate services across the spectrum of cancer care, for patients from across our region, right here at home.
Women & Children – $1.0 million (Neonatal ICU/Labour & Delivery) – Funding the lifesaving equipment and technology that keeps expectant mothers and their babies safe and healthy.
Emergency Essentials – $3.2 million – Funding the essential medical technology and equipment that keeps PRHC ready for your emergency.
This holiday season, consider making a generous gift that will make a real difference in the lives of patients. To make a donation, call 705-876-5000 or visit www.prhcfoundation.ca.
In possibly the best production number in Lakefield College School's "Damn Yankees", running November 28 to December 1, Catherine Kim as Gloria Thorpe performs "Shoeless Joe, From Hannibal, Mo" with the Washington Senators. (Photo: Simon Spivey)
Although the holiday season is upon us and we are getting ready for winter weather, the boys of summer are going strong at Lakefield College School in their production of the classic Broadway hit Damn Yankees.
Directed by Geoff and Rachel Bemrose, Damn Yankees is the latest musical to come out of Lakefield College School’s phenomenal dramatic arts program. A Faustian tale filled with comedy, song, romance, and other devilish delights, Damn Yankees is an unexpected but welcomed addition to this year’s theatrical season.
Based on a 1954 novel by Douglas Wallop novel titled The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, Damn Yankees was conceived for the stage by author and producer George Abbott with music by the songwriting team of Jerry Ross and Richard Adler.
Lakefield College School presents Damn Yankees
When: Tuesday, November 28 to Friday, December 1, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Where: Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School (4391 County Road 29, Lakefield) How much: free
Book by Douglass Wallop and George Abbott. Music and lyrics by Jerrry Ross and Richard Adler. Directed by Geoff and Rachel Bemrose. Vocal music direction by Pamela Birrell. Starring Ben Dunk, Ally Lovick, Arsh Momi, Noah Storey, Madison Sheward, Catherine Kim, Paras Cheema, Liam Davidson, Sebastian Smith, Matthieu Colineau, Zachary Chiagozie, Quinn MacMillan, Max McWilliams, James Wootton, Tyler Witham, Alex Forde, Eric Xia, and more. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International
The show made its debut in May 1955 at the 46th Street Theater in New York. Celebrating America’s love for baseball, the show was an instant hit and won seven Tony Awards in 1956, including best musical. The show would run for an astonishing 1019 performances, making it one of the biggest Broadway successes of the era.
In 1958, George Abbott directed the big screen version of Damn Yankees where, in a rare occurrence in Hollywood, the entire Broadway cast reprised their stage roles, with the exception of one key role: the stage’s star Stephen Douglas was replaced by 50s’ heartthrob Tab Hunter in the role of Joe Boyd. The film picked up an Academy Award nomination for best music, but lost to Gigi. Since then, Damn Yankees has been considered one of the classical standards of the Broadway stage, and musical numbers such as “Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants” have become part of the American songbook.
In “Damn Yankees”, insurance salesman Joe Boyd (initally played by Ben Dunk) is obsessed with his baseball team the Washington Senators, much to the chagrin of his long-suffering wife Meg (Ally Lovick). Joe decides to sell his soul and leave his life and wife behind if he can help the Senators win the pennant. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
Damn Yankees is the story of insurance salesman, and Washington Senators fan, Joe Boyd (played by Ben Dunk in the Lakefield College School production). Obsessed with baseball, Joe thinks about little else for six months a year, much to the chagrin of his suffering wife (Ally Lovick).
But, with the New York Yankees being a virtual juggernaut in the American League, Joe is frustrated to see his beloved Senators lose again and again. That is when Joe makes the statement that he’d sell his soul for the Senators to win the pennant.
After Joe Boyd makes his deal with the devil, he is tranformed into the young and athletic baseball player Shoeless Joe Hardy, played by Noah Storey. (Photo: Sara Connelly)
Enter the mysterious Mr. Applegate (Arsh Momi) who offers Joe a deal of a lifetime. For the price of his soul, Applegate will use his devilish power to turn Joe young again and give him the athletic prowess to guide the Senators to victory.
Realizing that it’s a risky deal, Joe makes a deal with the devil but creates an escape clause to walk away from his sports stardom if it doesn’t work out the way he wants. Soon Joe is in uniform as the Senators’ star player under the moniker Shoeless Joe Hardy (now played by Noah Storey).
When Joe soon begins to miss his wife and the life he left behind, Applegate conspires against him by pulling out every trick he has up his sleeve so he can possess Joe’s soul, including a sultry demoness named Lola (Madison Sheward). Can Joe help the Senators win the pennant and still return home to the life he left behind? If so, he’ll have to do some fancy pitching to beat the devil.
When I learned Lakefield College School was doing Damn Yankees, my first thought was that it was an odd choice for the group. Classical musicals have seem to have gone out of vogue in the Kawarthas, with most groups opting for more contemporary shows.
After I asked Geoff Bemrose why he chose this particular show, he revealed he has a soft spot for it because it was one of the first shows he did when he was in school. Furthermore, he wanted to go back and do a classic musical. Personally, I think it’s charming to see a classic on the stage being done by a talented young cast, and Geoff definitely had a great idea.
Madison Sheward as sultry demoness Lola, who tempts Shoeless Joe Hardy (Noah Storey) as he considers backing out of his deal with devil. (Photo: Simon Spivey)
It’s always a treat to go to Lakefield College School to see the yearly musical, and Geoff and Rachel and their students always deliver. This year I noticed far fewer familiar faces in the cast, with many of the school’s most talented theatre students from the past two years having graduated.
Damn Yankees is a chance for a fresh group of students to step up into the leading roles. The result is a showcase of new faces and voices, which made watching Damn Yankees an interesting experience for someone like me who has become familiar with previous productions.
As Joe Boyd, Ben Dunk’s presence on stage is rather limited as his character is replaced by a younger version of himself, and thus another actor entirely, for the majority of the show. But in the time he has on stage, Ben creates a sensitive character as an aging ball fan who, given a chance at his dreams, must choose between his wife and baseball. The most interesting thing about Ben’s performance is his unique singing voice. A beautiful singer, Ben gives a sensitive performance of “Goodbye Old Girl”.
In the role of Shoeless Joe Hardy, Ben’s replacement Noah Storey brings a new energy to the stage, while still continuing the same sense of pathos that Ben brought to the character. Although Damn Yankees is a high-energy musical comedy, Noah’s on-stage chemistry with Ally Lovick, who gives an outstanding performance as Joe’s abandoned wife Meg, is just wonderful. The pair really is able to bring a sense of drama to this otherwise outrageous comedy.
Noah Storey as Shoeless Joe Hardy, Arsh Momi as Mr. Applegate, Liam Davidson as Coach Benny Van Buren, and Catherine Kim as reporter Gloria Thorpe. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
But there is no doubt that the true scene stealer of the show is Arsh Momi as Mr. Applegate. Arsh has a Raymond Burr like quality that is big and imposing, and he plays devious and cunning very well. With a sly smirk and a smooth charm, Arsh is the perfect stage villain, and he plays the role of the devil with tons of charisma, dominating the stage each time he steps onto it.
However, where Arsh meets his true match is with Madison Sheward in the role of Lola. Madison is one of those rare performers who goes beyond being a triple threat — she’s a quadruple threat. Madison can not only act, sing and dance, but she is also an extremely funny girl with perfect comic timing. Madison has an incredible stage presence as well, and she has “future star” written all over her. She is a complete dynamo and I was both amazed by her limberness and amused by her one liners. It’s a fantastic performance from a bright new talent.
But my favorite scenes of the show were those involving the Washington Senators. A rag-tag misfit team of losers, these guys have tons of heart and the comradery between the actors in these scenes always shone through. Comprised of Sebastian Smith, Matthieu Colineau, Zachary Chiagozie, Quinn MacMillan, Max McWilliams, James Wootton, Tyler Witham, Alex Forde, and Eric Xia, with Liam Davidson as their frustrated yet optimistic coach Benny Van Buren, each time these guys took the stage they made me want to laugh.
The Washington Senators, a rag-tag misfit team of losers, have tons of heart and the comradery between the actors in these scenes always shone through. (Photo: Simon Spivey)
From their “American” accents to their relentless gum chomping, the ball players are just in sync with one another, and are a huge part of the fun of the show. I just loved these guys, and they are such an important element to the show. While the plot may revolve around their star player Joe, the rest of the male ensemble are truly the heart of this show.
I also want to give shout-outs to another two players in the show. Catherine Kim, who plays reporter Gloria Thorpe, leads the company in “Shoeless Joe, From Hannibal, Mo”, which is possibly the best production number of the show. Catherine is an absolute spitfire in this number and really displays her talents as a singer and dancer.
I also want to give a shout-out to Paras Cheema in the role of team owner Mr. Welch. Another big personality, despite being in a smaller role, Paras may have a future in playing mafia men in this great character part.
The Washington Senators played by Sebastian Smith, Matthieu Colineau, Zachary Chiagozie, Quinn MacMillan, Max McWilliams, James Wootton, Tyler Witham, Alex Forde, and Eric Xia, with Liam Davidson as Coach Benny Van Buren. (Photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Lakefield College School musical has become one of the highlights of my job as an arts and culture journalist, and Geoff and Rachel Bemrose know how to produce a great show and get young casts to give great performances.
After losing so many of their stars from their previous shows, the Bemroses faced a challenge with Damn Yankees by introducing so many new performers to the spotlight — but it’s a real delight. I loved seeing so many new faces in the company, and I can’t wait to see them all again in the next production.
But the best thing about every Lakefield College School musical is that it is absolutely free to go and see. A high-quality production at no cost is a rare treat, and the best reason of all to go and see Damn Yankees. It’s a great night out for the entire family, and a show that is a real winner.
Damn Yankees will be performed at the Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School from November 28th until December 1at at 7:30 p.m. Admission to all performances is free.
The cast and crew of Lakefield College School’s production of “Damn Yankees”, running from November 28 to December 1 at the Bryan Jones Theatre. (Photo: Simon Spivey)
17-year-old Omar Hattab, a new Canadian from Syria, with Sue Houde, who owns and operates Two Dishes restaurant in downtown Peterborough along with her sister Paula. Omar is now working at Two Dishes doing what he loves, baking, thanks to Sue and Paula with support from the New Canadians Centre. (Photo courtesy of New Canadians Centre)
Sue Houde wasn’t planning on hiring any new staff at Two Dishes, the restaurant on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough she owns and operates with her sister Paula.
That was before she met Omar Hattab.
In the middle of a Wednesday afternoon rush, Sue recalls hearing someone knocking at the back door. It was Jack Gillan, Refugee Resettlement Coordinator from the New Canadians Centre (NCC) in Peterborough.
Standing beside him was 17-year-old Omar.
VIDEO: Omar’s story (produced by Impact Communications)
“He was holding his iPad and started showing me pictures of the flat breads he made when he worked at a bakery in Turkey,” Sue recalls.
That was before the war broke out in Syria. And Omar’s father and brother were killed. When he was just 12 years old.
Instead of going to school and continuing his education like most kids, Omar went to work in a bakery to help support his mother and his siblings.
Hoping Sue would give a new Canadian like Omar a chance, Jack asked if she’d take a look at his resume.
“I don’t know what it was,” Sue says. “Maybe it was the look in Omar’s eyes, or his smile. Something resonated with me. It made me think, let’s give this kid a shot.”
Newcomers like Omar arrive with a unique set of challenges that may affect how quickly they integrate in the workplace.
“Learning a new language is one of the most difficult hurdles new Canadians have to overcome,” says Yvonne Lai, Director of Community Development, NCC. “It’s also one of the biggest barriers to employment.”
Omar Hattab, who has been living in Peterborough since October 2016, hard at work at Two Dishes restaurant in downtown Peterborough. Omar was just 12 years old when war broke out in Syria and his father and brother were killed. Instead of going to school and continuing his education like most kids, Omar went to work in a bakery to help support his mother and his siblings. (Photo courtesy of New Canadians Centre)
“At first we did a lot of gesturing,” Sue explains. “Google Translate helped. But I only have to show Omar something once and he’s got it mastered.”
Thanks to Sue, Omar has a job doing what he loves most. He has the opportunity to make use of his abilities and competencies while developing language skills.
Every day, Sue says she learns more about the life he was living in Syria.
“I’ve learned how hardworking he is, number one.”
For a period of time, Omar was working two jobs to help support his family.
“My little brother needed money for school supplies,” Omar explains.
And what a kind soul Omar is, according to Sue.
“He’s seen more in his life at 17 than I have at 40.”
“I am so grateful to Sue for the chance to work in the bakery,” Omar says. “For some people it’s hard. But not for me. I love working here so much.”
Today, with Jack’s guidance and support from volunteers of the New Canadians Centre, Omar continues to be mentored and improve his language skills. With each day that passes, Omar moves closer to achieving his dream of one day opening his own bakery.
“I want Canadians to enjoy the food I make. It’s my dream. I love Canada. Like I love Syria.”
With the help and support of our community in 2016/2017, the New Canadians Centre welcomed more than 800 new Canadians from 79 different countries from around the world. Since 2016, 400 newcomers have arrived from Syria — and half of that number are children.
A donation to the New Canadians Centre supports the delivery of life-enriching programs for newcomers that help them to achieve success, while continuing to strengthen our community.
We have come a long way from the 400-plus community members who filled the auditorium at St. James United Church two years ago, eager to offer their help and support for refugees in crisis. While it has been a rollercoaster of emotions for all involved, we continue to learn together each day.
We need you to continue this important work.
Please consider a gift to the New Canadians Centre. Help a newcomer develop language skills, secure employment, find community connection and call Peterborough, home.
To donate, please visit the New Canadians Centre website at www.nccpeterborough.ca and click the “Donate Now” button.
Torstar Corp., the publisher of the Toronto Star, announced a deal to buy and sell ownership of a number of community papers with Postmedia Network Canada. Under the deal, Northumberland Today is closed and the Peterborough Examiner will be operated by Metroland Media, which already operates Peterborough This Week. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Under a new deal signed between Torstar Corp. and Postmedia Network Canada Corp., Northumberland Today will be closing effective today and the Peterborough Examiner will be operated by Metroland Media — the same company that operates Peterborough This Week.
The story in The Toronto Star today (November 27) reports that the deal between Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and Metroland Media Group and Free Daily News Group Inc. (both subsidiaries of Torstar Corp.) will see Postmedia buying 22 of Torstar’s community newspapers and two free commuter daily newspapers.
The report says the two companies will close most of the affected papers, “in order to focus more efficiently on key areas”.
Under the deal, Metroland Media will operate the daily newspapers in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, and Peterborough. The daily newspapers Barrie Examiner, Orillia Packet & Times, and Northumberland Today will close effective today.
Eight community newspapers will also close: the Bradford Times, Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin, Fort Erie Times, Innisfil Examiner, Niagara Advance, Pelham News, Inport News (Port Colborne), and the Thorold Niagara News.
Around 200 full and part-time employees of Metroland, and around 50 full and part-time employees of Metro, will be losing their jobs.
It is unclear at this time how Metroland Media’s operation of both the Peterborough Examiner and Peterborough This Week will affect either newspaper. On November 27, the Peterborough Examiner published the following statement:
The Peterborough Examiner has a new owner, but it’s business as usual at Peterborough’s daily paper, which has been publishing since 1847.
As part of a major transaction between Postmedia Inc. and Torstar, parent company of Metroland Media, The Examiner has been sold to Torstar. The city is also home to a Metroland paper, Peterborough This Week.
The two papers will be operated independently, managed by different divisions of the parent company, and staffed by two separate all-local news and advertising sales teams.
This means you’ll see reporters and photographers from both The Peterborough Examiner and Peterborough This Week at important community events, and read different coverage in the two papers, just as you have for decades. Peterborough will continue to be served by a vibrant mix of local media, as it has for decades.
Details of the transition are still being worked out, and we’ll share that as it happens.
The Examiner has been owned by Postmedia since 2015. Prior to that, it was owned by Sun Media, Osprey Media, Hollinger and Thomson newspapers, who bought the paper from the Davies family of Kingston in the 1960s.
kawarthaNOW has learned Neil Young will be performing his "Somewhere In Canada" live on December 1, 2017 from Coronation Hall in Omemee, his childhood home. (Photo: Christopher Wahl)
Yes, it’s true: Neil Young will be performing his 90-minute live streaming concert “Somewhere In Canada” on Friday, December 1st from his childhood hometown of Omemee, Ontario.
kawarthaNOW has obtained a copy of an internal email sent today (November 27) to representatives of Bell Media by the City of Kawartha Lakes for “the approved closing of a section of Sturgeon Road (from Church St E to King St W for southbound traffic only) in Omemee … for a Live Concert Special, organized by the Bell Media, from Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. to Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 3:00 a.m.”
Sturgeon Road ends at King Street in Omemee, kitty corner to Coronation Hall, which implies the venue is the location of the concert.
After receiving a copy of the email from an anonymous source, kawarthaNOW contacted the City of Kawartha Lakes but our call was not returned. After publication of this story, Cheri Davidson (manager of communications, advertising and marketing for the City of Kawartha Lakes) contacted kawarthaNOW to advise the only confirmed activity taking place in Omemee on Friday, December 1st is a community tree-lighting ceremony.
Although there still hasn’t been an official announcement from either Neil Young or Bell Media, the email appears to end days of speculation about the possible secret location for the concert. In addition to the email, kawarthaNOW has also received information from several other sources that the concert is indeed taking place at Coronation Hall.
Speculation that Omemee might be the location of the concert began after Young made a comment in his November 11th Facebook post that “I will be going to my town”, in a reference to the December 1st release of his latest record The Visitor.
Located 128 kilometres northeast of Toronto, Omemee is the “town in north Ontario” in Young’s 1967 song “Helpless” and it’s where he spent the formative years of his childhood.
The Young family moved to Omemee at the end of August 1949, when Neil was almost four years old. He lived in Omemee for four years (it was where he contracted polio, during the 1951 epidemic) until 1953, when his family moved to Winnipeg. Many years later, his father — journalist and author Scott Young — returned to live in the area until he died in 2005 (a public school in Omemee is named in Scott Young’s honour).
Five-year-old Neil Young in August 1950, fishing from a wooden bridge over the Pigeon River in Omemee. (Photo: Harold Whyte)
Now living in northern California, Young has visited Omemee several times in the past, including for the 2011 documentary Journeys (directed by Jonathan Demme) and most recently in advance of his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in Toronto on September 23rd.
“Somewhere In Canada” is being produced by Bell Media in partnership with Young’s film production company Shakey Pictures, and will be directed by actress Daryl Hannah, Young’s girlfriend.
The concert will be live streamed on Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. EST in Canada exclusively on CTV.ca (or by using the free CTV GO app) and on iHeartRadio.ca. Note: the concert will not be broadcast on CTV on cable or over the air, it’s available online only.
For people living outside of Canada, the concert will be live streamed on Facebook (the Facebook stream will not be available to Canadian residents) — visit www.facebook.com/ctv for details.
As for getting tickets for the concert, don’t hold your breath. Coronation Hall has around 140 seats, so it’s unlikely tickets will be sold to the general public. They are probably by invitation only. However, we will know for sure once Young or Bell Media make an official announcement.
VIDEO: Neil Young From Somewhere In Canada Preview (only available in Canada)
This story wiil be updated as more details become available.
Peterborough illustrator Jason Wilkins and photographer Samantha Moss have teamed up to provide a new, fun graphic design service that fuses their talents. (Graphic: Jason Wilkins and Samantha Moss / Facebook)
In this week’s businessNOW, we feature an innovative collaboration between two local creative professionals in Peterborough, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough annual fundraising gala, information about the upcoming opening of Northumberland’s new business incubator, and other local business news. And since it’s the holiday giving season, that means lots of business-supported fundraising auctions along with holiday socials.
We publish businessNOW every Monday. If you have business news or events you want to share with our readers, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
“Our eye-catching images are ideal for businesses, unique headshots, and ad campaigns,” Samantha writes on Facebook. “Or if you just need an excuse to update your profile picture and look cool like us.”
For more information and to get a quote, contact Samantha Moss of MossWorks Photography at contact@mossworksphotography.com or 613-857-4790.
Women’s Business Network of Peterborough requesting donations for fundraising gala on December 6
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough plans to raise $20,000 through its annual Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser on December 6 to support women and children in crisis at YWCA Crossroads Shelter. (Photo: WBN Peterborough)
The Women’s Business Network (WBN) of Peterborough is in the final stages of preparation for its annual Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser on Wednesday, December 6th at the Holiday Inn Waterfront in support of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Crossroads Shelter.
The gala, which will be attended by nearly 160 members and guests from the community, is setting its sights on raising $20,000 from the live and silent auctions that evening to support women and children in crisis at YWCA Crossroads Shelter.
With donations coming in from WBN members and local businesses, the WBN is continuing to reach out to members of the business community to support their fundraising efforts by donating items, gift cards, or services to the gala live and silent auction. Donations will be accepted at the YWCA office at 216 Simcoe Street until Thursday, November 30th.
Under the theme “Holiday Songs: The Hidden Gems,” the gala will provide a unique and fun opportunity to bring attention to a very serious subject, and every dollar raised will go directly to helping women and children who are victims of family violence receive healthy food, supplements and vitamins 365 days a year. In addition to receiving healthy meals for themselves and their children, women also learn about meal planning, food preparation, and the principles of nutrition.
Research shows that domestic violence surges during the holiday season with calls to Ontario women’s shelters increasing by as much as 30 percent.
Since 2005, WBN has raised a total of $275,953 for the Crossroads Shelter. Thanks to WBN support, each year YWCA prepares, serves and makes available over 25,000 meals for women and children living at Crossroads Shelter.
Venture13, a Northumberland-based business accelerator, set to open its doors in March 2018
Venture13 partners reveal the new logo for the planned business accelerator with Town of Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier on November 22, 2017. (Photo: CNW Group/Town of Cobourg)
Last Wednesday (November 22), the Town of Cobourg and the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation made several announcements about Venture13, a regionally unique facility that will focus on the advancement of technology entrepreneurship, making, and learning.
The announcements included the formation of a new strategic partnership with Fleming College, the unveiling of the Venture13 logo and brand identity, as well as confirmation of the opening date for Venture13 in March 2018.
Venture13 will be located at 739 D’Arcy Street in Cobourg, a 30,000-square-foot building owned by the town that has been vacant since 2011 and will be renovated. The innovation and technology hub will be locacted on the first floor, with space available for startups, and the Cobourg Police Service’s business unit will be located on the second floor.
There will also be an 80-seat lecture hall with virtual lecturing capabilities, two seminar rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technologies facilitating global connectivity, public and private meeting rooms, a café and lounge area, a full-service hardware MakerLab, and more.
Over two years, Venture13 is project to create 73 jobs and support 16 new business start-ups, more than filling the void left in Northumberland County when Port Hope’s business incubator IDEAHUB ceased operations last year.
The total project cost will amount up to $1,620,000, made up of $1,370,000 for design and construction costs and $250,000 for outfitting costs. The project is being funded with investments from the Eastern Ontario Development Program, the Town of Cobourg, Fleming College, and various sponsorships and donations.
Federal fisheries minister comes to Peterborough to discuss the Trent-Severn Waterway
Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Maryam Monsef MP Peterborough-Kawartha (centre) met with representatives from local conservation organizations, researchers, and more on November 23, 2017. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)
Last Thursday (November 23), Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef met with representatives from local conservation organizations, researchers, and advocates working on issues related to fisheries and freshwater.
“The health and prosperity of Canadians is connected to the environment in which we live,” Minister LeBlanc said. “I’m thrilled to be here in Peterborough, where the Trent-Severn Waterway is the backbone of so many communities and residents understand that we must all cooperate to protect our fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Tonight’s conversation highlights how we can best work together to steward our resources and ensure our waters are protected for future generations.”
Participants at the meeting discussed the impact of the Fisheries Act, the preservation of local aquatic ecosystems, and the need for both local residents and visitors to have opportunities to continue to enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities in the area.
Six finalists announced for 2017 Cubs’ Lair Competition in Peterborough
A finalist makes her pitch to a panel of judges at the annual Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurship competition at the Gordon Best Theatre in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
FastStart Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster, and the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society have announced the top six finalists for Cubs’ Lair, a youth entrepreneurship competition.
The finalists are Jeremy Brooks of Excavation Realm, Mackenzie Evenden of Evenden Imaging, Rich Cochrane of Status Exempt, Spencer Langlois of Solar Wire, Sultan Moni of Zatiq, and Victoria Naish of The Cake Engineer.
More than 20 applications were received, and they were of such high quality that the preliminary judging committee added a sixth finalist to the original five spots. The finalists will pitch their startups to a panel of five judges at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 30th.
The finalist determined to have the startup with the most potential will win a grand prize of over $14,000 towards building his or her business, including incubator space at the Cluster, coaching and mentoring from established startups, and more.
Nominations for Northumberland 2017 Business Achievement Awards are now open
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.
Bidding now open for 2017 Kawartha Rotary Online Auction
Although it’s not opening this fall, the Rotary Outdoor Gym will be constructed at Beavermead Park. Proceeds from the 2017 Kawartha Rotary Online Auction will support the construction of the gym. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha has launched is annual Christmas Online Auction, featuring hundreds of gift ideas for everyone on your list.
Proceeds from this year’s auction will go to support the Rotary Outdoor Gym being built at Beavermead Park in partnership with the Peterborough Rotary Club and the City of Peterborough.
Annual Christmas auction will support local home builders and Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA) — which has represented the professional home building industry in Peterborough and the Kawarthas since 1956 — is hosting its annual Christmas dinner and auction on Thursday, December 7th at 6 p.m. at the Peterborough Curling Club.
Funds raised at the event will not only support the programs and work of PKHBA, but this year a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, supporting the charitable organization’s mission to help low-income families achieve strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.
An selection of live and silent auction items will be up for bid throughout the evening, including building materials and supplies, furniture and design, sports and entertainment packages, and unique experiences.
Tickets are now available to the public and can be purchased for $50 each (or $350 for a table of eight) by contacting PKHBA at 705-876-7604 or info@pkhba.com.
Upcoming Business Socials
There are a number of business organizations in the Kawarthas holding their annual holiday socials in December.
First up is the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s PBX Christmas Social, on Tuesday, December 5th from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Publican House Brewery (300 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The event is open to all, but registration is required as space is limited. The Chamber will be drawing its #LoveLocalPtbo $1,000 contest winner at the event.
On Wednesday, December 6th, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is hosting its annual Holiday Gala and Auction Fundraiser at the Holiday Inn Waterfront Peterborough. The event is open to WBN members and their guests, and will raise funds for the YWCA Crossroads Shelter (see our story above).
On Thursday, December 7th, the Port Hope Young Professionals group is hosting its Annual Holiday Social from 6 to 8 p.m. at Table+Loft (59 Walton St., Port Hope). Festive attire is encouraged, and festive drinks and food will be available for purchase. While admission is free, attendees are asked to bring a wrapped gift of a $10 value to participate in a gift exchange game.
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 and, once again this year, will be running their employee DIY Christmas Tree challenge (guests will be asked to help pick the winner).
Deadline for nominations for Peterborough Business Hall of Fame is November 30
Nominations for the 2018 Peterborough Business Hall of Fame are open until November 30, 2017. Pictured are the 2017 Hall of Fame inductees and their representatives at this year’s induction ceremony: Peter Duffus, John Bowes, Elwood Jones, Mary McGee, Catia and Mike Skinner, Susan and Darrell Drain, Rhonda Barnet, Eleanor and Carl Young, and Shelley and David Black. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW.com)
The deadline for nominations for inductees into the 2018 Peterborough Business Hall of Fame is Thursday, November 30th.
Each year, Junior Achievement chapters across the country recognize people who have demonstrated a life-long commitment to enhance the economic prosperity of their local communities. These are people who are widely respected not only for their business acumen, but also for their vision, leadership, and integrity. They serve as role models both for Junior Achievement students and other young Canadians.
To nominate someone for the 2018 Peterborough Business Hall of Fame, download and complete the nomination form. You can nominate a business person who is living or one who has passed away.
Nomination forms must be received no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the office of Junior Achievement – Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka (270 George Street Courtyard Peterborough, ON K9J 3H1).
Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker star in "Snowed-Inn Christmas", which premieres on December 16 on the Lifetime channel. Peterborough's Carley Smale wrote the screenplay for the film, which was directed by Gary Yates. (Publicity photo)
Peterborough filmmaker and screenwriter Carley Smale has another notch in her belt.
She wrote the screenplay for Snowed-Inn Christmas, a new comedy drama premiering on the Lifetime cable channel at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th.
Peterborough filmmaker and screenwriter Carley Smale in New York. (Photo courtesy of Carley Smale)
Filmed in Winnipeg, Snowed-Inn Christmas tells the story of two polar opposites — Jenna Hudson (played by Bethany Joy Lenz, best known for her role as Haley James Scott in the teenage drama One Tree Hill) and Kevin Jenner (played by Andrew Walker) — working for the same online publication in New York City. As neither have plans for Christmas, they both volunteer for a special writing assignment.
On their way to the assignment, a snowstorm forces their plane to land in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana (yes, that’s an actual town). Soon, Jenna and Kevin find themselves working together to save the town’s historic town inn, run by Carol and Christopher Winters (played by Belinda Montgomery and John B. Lowe). As Jenna and Kevin overcome their differences, they also rediscover the magic of Christmas. With the inn’s fate in jeopardy and the sudden return of someone from Jenna’s past, Carol and Christopher lend a helping hand to bring Jenna and Kevin together.
“The idea came to me during a car ride through the country with my dear friends Katelyn and Chris James,” Carley recalls. “We were spitballing ideas back and forth and the title ‘Snowed In’ was thrown out. I thought if it was spelled with the extra ‘n’ to make it ‘Snowed Inn’ it could be a really cute Christmas idea. The plot came easily for me once I had that title.”
Carley Smale (centre) on set in Winnipeg with “Snowed-Inn Christmas” stars Andrew Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz. (Photo courtesy of Carley Smale)
Carley grew up in Peterborough as an avid writer and obsessive movie watcher. After graduating from Crestwood Secondary School, she decided to move to Toronto to attend Humber College to study film and media when she was 19 years old.
While at Humber, she became an intern at a Toronto production company that made TV movies. Once she graduated from film school, the company hired her as as a development associate and writer for TV movies.
Carley’s script for “Snowed Inn”, which will be screened under the title “Snowed-Inn Christmas”. (Photo courtesy of Carley Smale)
“I started writing movie treatments for various networks like the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and Nickelodeon,” she says. “Eventually a Christmas idea of mine sold and I became the director of development for all the Christmas content.”
At 24 years old, Carley’s first produced screenplay, The Christmas Parade, premiered on the Hallmark Channel with high ratings in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
She also wrote and directed her first feature film in 2014 entitled Cold Season, which won Best No-Budget Feature at the 2015 Toronto Independent Film Festival. The movie went on to have international premieres in both New York City and Berlin with high praise. In December 2015, her original story concept entitled On the 12th Day of Christmas premiered on the Hallmark Channel and was the #1 TV movie of the weekend, with 5.4 million viewers.
In 2015, Carley decided to strike out on her own and pursue writing full time. She emailed a three-page proposal to her parents to ask permission to move back home for a year.
“They were supportive enough to accept my offer,” she laughs. “They even helped me transform my brother’s old room into my new writing office.”
Carley’s parents have been supportive of her career as a full-time writer. Carley’s mom Wendy joined her on the set of “Snowed-Inn Christmas” during filming in Winnipeg in September. (Photo courtesy of Carley Smale)
She wrote two screenplays that year, one of which was “Snowed Inn”. Her agent loved it and sent the screenplay to Lifetime, and the network gave the production the green light in March.
“It was one of the best phone calls I’ve ever received,” Carley says.
As the screenwriter, Carley was on set during production of the film in Winnipeg this past September. Her mother Wendy came with her “which made it really special.”
“The director, Gary Yates, really took me under his wing and made sure I was a part of the process,” Carley says. “He had me writing extra dialogue for the actors, making decisions about various props, and let me sit beside him during shooting to make sure if I had any comments or suggestions I could tell him.
“He wanted to make sure the story was being told the way I imagined it. It was incredibly kind of him.”
Carley Smale with “Snowed-Inn Christmas” Gary Yates. (Photo courtesy of Carley Smale)
As well as the December 16th premiere on Lifetime, Snowed-Inn Christmas will premiere in Canada on the W Network at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 17th. A director’s cut will also be broadcast on Lifetime at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 18th.
As for Carley, in addition to her writing endeavours, she is a volunteer at The Warming Room, which is having its annual Christmas Party at The Venue Peterborough at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 17th, featuring live music Kate Suhr, Melissa Payne, Kate Brioux, Silver Lining, Paper Shakers, and Eric Brandon.
Carley is also preparing to teach an 11-week “Screenwriting 101” course beginning on either Wednesday, January 10th or Thursday, January 11th. Each class will take place from 7 to 9 p.m.
“I will go through the steps on how to write your own feature-length screenplay,” Carley explains. “I’ll teach formatting, three-act structure, plot points, character development, how to pitch, etc. By the end, everyone will complete the first act of their own movie script.”
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