The welcome sign is located at the corner of George and Princess Streets in Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
After all the recent controversy about a new tagline for the City of Peterborough, reader Pat Maitland brought this unique welcome sign in Peterborough to our attention.
The hand-painted sign is installed on the lawn at 480 George Street, on the corner of George and Princess Streets one block north of Lansdowne and right across the street from Big Brothers and Big Sisters Peterborough.
The top board says “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re here!” in English and the remaining boards list the word “Welcome” in 11 languages: Spanish, Hebrew, Danish, German, Swahili, Arabic, Hindi, English, French, Ojibwe, and Chinese.
The note at the top of the sign expresses a message of inclusivity and diversity. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Since first publishing this story, kawarthaNOW has learned that Gloria and Chris Proctor-Bennett created the sign and installed it on Canada Day.
On her Facebook page, Gloria posted a photo of the sign and wrote “Our not-so-subtle statement of solidarity with immigrants and Indigenous people in a city with way too many racist incidents.”
Gloria says the sign is loosely based upon a lawn sign that the Mennonite Central Committee distributes.
“It is important to us to do what we can to make Peterborough a more welcoming community,” Gloria writes in a comment on our story. “We love talking to people about it, regardless of their perspective. Feel free to knock on our door to chat. We’re quite ‘welcoming’.”
Local couple Gloria and Chris Proctor-Bennett created and installed the sign. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
You shouldn't have any challenges keeping your family supplied for the Civic Holiday long weekend, as most grocery stores, drug stores, malls, and big box stores and some beer and liquor stores are open on Monday. (Stock photo)
The Civic Holiday is called Peter Robinson Day in Peterborough, James Cockburn Day in Cobourg, Simcoe Day in Toronto, Colonel By Day in Ottawa, George Hamilton Day in Hamilton, Joseph Brant Day in Burlington, Founders’ Day in Brantford, McLaughlin Day in Oshawa, Alexander Mackenzie Day in Sarnia, John Galt Day in Guelph, and numerous other names in smaller municipalities. Whatever you call it, the holiday is always celebrated on the first Monday in August.
Since the Civic Holiday is not a statutory holiday in Ontario and is not listed in Ontario’s Employment Standards Act or Retail Business Holidays Act, many businesses are open on Monday, although some have reduced hours. Most grocery stores and big box stores are open on Monday, as are many liquor and beer stores. Government offices are closed and most government services are unavailable.
For your convenience, we provide this list of 247 selected businesses, services, and organizations from across the Kawarthas. While we strive to make the information on this list as accurate as we can, you should call first to confirm hours if you’re travelling any distance (we’ve included phone numbers). If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form.
Bewdley Transfer Station 7650 County Rd. 9, Hamilton 905-342-2514
CLOSED
Brighton Landfill 1112 County Rd. 26, Brighton 613-475-1946
CLOSED
Canada Post Mail Delivery / Offices (Note: post offices operated by the private sector will be open according to the hours of service of the host business
No collection or delivery
City of Kawartha Lakes City Hall, Municipal Service Centres, and Administration Offices 26 Francis St., Lindsay 705-324-9411
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities, arenas, and pools Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Public Libraries Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411 x1291
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Waste and Recycling Collection 26 Francis St., Lindsay 1-888-822-2225
Aug 7 moves to Aug 8, Aug 8 moves to Aug 9, etc.
City of Peterborough Day Cares Peterborough 705-748-8830
CLOSED
City of Peterborough Garbage Pickup Peterborough 705-745-1386
No change
City of Peterborough Green Waste Pickup Peterborough 705-876-1600
No change
City of Peterborough Recycling Pickup Peterborough 705-876-1600
No change
City of Peterborough Social Services Peterborough 705-748-8830
CLOSED
County of Haliburton Administration Offices 11 Newcastle St., Minden 705-286-4085
CLOSED
County of Northumberland Waste and Recycling Collection 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg 1-866-293-8379
Aug 7 moves to Aug 8, Aug 8 moves to Aug 9, etc.
County of Peterborough 470 Water St., Peterborough 705-743-0380
CLOSED
County of Peterborough Garbage Pickup Peterborough 705-745-1386
Check your township at ptbocounty.ca or install My Waste App
County of Peterborough Recycling Pickup Peterborough 705-775-2737
Check your township at ptbocounty.ca or install My Waste App
Police are seeking this green Chevrolet pick-up truck with a silver tailgate which fled the scene of a collision on Lansdowne St. E. after pulling out of the Pioneer gas station.
UPDATE – The police have identified the two males involved in the hit and run and thank the public for their assistance.
Peterborough police are asking for the public’s help located a vehicle and its two occupants following a hit and run this morning (August 4).
At around 10:40 a.m., a green Chevrolet pick-up truck with a silver tailgate pulled out of the Pioneer gas station on Lansdowne Street East just east of Ashburnham and was struck by a Ford Escape.
Following the collision, the green Chevrolet fled the area. The driver of the Ford Escape suffered what appear to be minor injuries.
The pick-up truck has a large #5 on the right side of the rear window and a licence plate similar to AS75227.
Police released this security camera footage of the driver and the passenger of the pick-up truck.
The driver of the pick-up truck is a Caucasian male wearing a camouflage T-shirt and a dark ball cap. The passenger is a Caucasian male wearing a white T-shirt, a grey hoodie, a blue coat and blue jeans, black shoes and a dark ball cap with a white logo.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.stopcrimehere.ca.
Families enjoying Victoria Beach on Lake Ontario in Cobourg. (Photo courtesy of Linda McIlwain)
As of August 5, 2017, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Rogers Cove – Peterborough City/County
Squirrel Creek – Peterborough City/County
Centennial Park West – Eldon Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
Birch Point – Fenelon Falls Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
Verulam Recreational Park – Verulam Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
Hastings North – Campbellford Area – Northumberland County
Bewdley Beach – Port Hope/Cobourg Area – Northumberland County
Here are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
Peterborough Public Health samples the water quality of popular city beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day during the summer. The health unit will post signage if a beach is unsafe for swimming, such as this sign at Rogers Cove from last year. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.
Firefighters battle the blaze caused when a tractor trailer collided with two cars on August 3 near Port Hope.
All eastbound lanes of Highway 401 at County Road 28 (Ontario Street) in Port Hope have reopened following a fatal multi-vehicle collision on the highway last night.
Yesterday (August 3) at around 10 p.m., an eastbound tractor trailer collided with two eastbound cars resulting in a fire.
Two people died as a result of the crash, but police are withholding their names pending notification of next of kin notification.
The OPP closed both lanes of the highway overnight to conduct an investigation and because of safety concerns due to poor visibility caused by smoke.
As of 4 p.m. today (August 4), all eastbound lanes have been reopened.
Eh440 (Joe Oliva, Tafari Anthony, Stacey Kay, Luke Stapleton, and Janet Turner) bring their incredible a acapella pop sound to Peterborough Musicfest on Saturday, August 5. (Publicity phot)
As far as first gigs are concerned, one would have to search long and hard to top Eh440’s live performance debut … at least in terms of crowd size.
Peterborough Musicfest presents Eh440
When: Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 8 p.m. Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: free
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent for $4/chair). VIP seating available for Sponsors and Fest Friends. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighborhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.
The date was February 14, 2012 and the venue was the Air Canada Centre where the newly formed a cappella quintet performed the Canadian and American national anthems prior the National Basketball Association tilt between the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks.
On Saturday, August 5th at Del Crary Park, the crowd will be smaller but the same distinctly harmonic sound that greeted all those ears five years ago will fill the evening air, as Peterborough Musicfest presents Eh440 — the free concert series’ 11th show of the summer.
The road to that impressive first gig began some 15 years prior via a friendship struck between Janet Turner and Stacey Kay who, as kids, competed against each other at a number of singing contests.
VIDEO: “Boss Level” – Eh440
Years later, after college, Turner moved from London, Ontario to Toronto where she met bass singer Joe Oliva and became a member of his a cappella trio The Essentials along with beatboxer Joe Stapleton.
More about Eh440
The name of the band, pronouced “ay-four-forty”, is a combination of the ideomatic Canadian expression “eh?” and A440 — the musical note of A above middle C at 440 Hz that serves as a general tuning standard for musical pitch.
As you watch Eh440’s videos, note that no backing musical instruments are used; the sounds are all created by the voices of the band members.
That’s one reason why, when the group appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den in 2013, they convinced three dragons to open their chequebooks.
After The Essentials disbanded in 2011, Oliva, Turner and Stapleton looked to add two more voices to the mix and form a quintet. After auditioning more than 40 singers, Kay got the eventual nod along with Mike Celia. When he left in 2015 to pursue a solo career, Jake Stern came on board, only to be replaced just this year by Tafari Anthony.
“We had a new vision in mind; we wanted to take a cappella music to a place we haven’t seen it go before,” says Oliva in a 2013 interview with Sean Meyer of www.ourlondon.ca.
“A lot of a cappella groups try and find similar voices. They say they need everyone to blend together. We thought we had enough experience to teach people how to blend, how to harmonize, without them having any previous experience.”
And that Eh440 did with great success, heading into the studio in late 2013 to record its debut album with Toronto producer Hill Kourtoutis at the helm. The result was Turn Me Up, released in May 2014, and the promotional tag “Five Voices, Zero Instruments and One New, Exciting Vocal Sound”. One of the album’s 12 cuts, “Don’t Run Away”, features Millbrook’s Serena Ryder.
VIDEO: “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson performed by Eh440
“Bobby McFerrin won a Grammy back in the 1980s (Don’t Worry, Be Happy) but he doesn’t promote himself as an a cappella singer. That isn’t his focus. I think that was a lesson for everyone but I don’t think they embraced it,” Oliva says.
“The fact it is a cappella should be secondary. You have to focus on the things that are important for any band — writing great songs, having a great recorded performance of those songs, and a great live performance of those songs.”
Serious music industry recognition followed the release of Turn Me Up in the form of a Galaxie Rising Star nod in 2013 and, in 2014, Best Song – A Cappella honours courtesy of the Independent Music Awards.
Eh440 arrives in Peterborough on the heels of Boss Level, its September 2016 follow-up to Turn Me Up. Thirteen of the album’s 15 songs are originals — indicative of Eh440’s desire to buck a trend that has typically seen a cappella groups mostly perform covers of other artist’s songs.
Following a busy summer including the Peterborough concert, Eh440 will perform on September 23rd at Toronto’s revered Massey Hall, as well as a slew of gigs in the United States and Europe where the quintet has been a festival favourite for a few years now.
VIDEO: “Died On The Table” – Eh440
Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 17 free-admission concerts featuring a total of 22 acts during its 31st season — each staged every Wednesday and Saturday night until August 26th.
Overseen by general manager Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission is to “provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”
For more information on this concert and/or the 2017 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.
A Canadian mortar team in action in France in 1944 during World War II. (Photo: National Archives of Canada)
Yesterday evening (August 2), the Peterborough County OPP was called to the Buckhorn Waste Transfer Station on Dump Road after a citizen brought a mortar round into the hazardous waste disposal area.
The mortar round is believe to be from the World War II era.
Municipal employees and the Trent Lakes Fire Department were able to isolate the munition in a safe area. Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit from Canadian Forces Base Trenton were called in to destroy the device.
The OPP is reminding the public that unexploded or live military explosives (bombs, shells, grenades, land mines, mortar shells) still pose a risk of detonation and can be highly unstable. If you find military ordnance:
Do not touch, move or transport the item
Record any numbers that might appear on the device (this will assist with identification of the item)
Be prepared to describe its shape and size
Call your local police agency for proper disposal
The OPP and the Canadian Armed Forces have trained experts who will attend the location of the explosive device and can decide the safest method for its removal and disposal.
Peterborough singer-songwriter Dylan Ireland, who released his debut solo album "Every Other Night" in June, performs at the Cat & Fiddle in Cobourg on Friday, August 4. You can also catch Dylan next week at The Hootenanny on Hunter Street in Peterborough on Saturday, August 12. (Photo: Dylan Ireland / Facebook)
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, August 3 to Wednesday, August 9.
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.
Along with every relaxing afternoon in a hammock, comes a book. This summer, spend some quality outdoor time at the cottage, beach, or in the backyard with a green-themed book such as The Big Book of Nature Activities by Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg or Keeping the Bees by Laurence Packer. (Photo: Karen Halley)
We are about mid way through the summer. As you settle into the backyard hammock or a Muskoka chair on the dock, what book are you looking forward to reading?
GreenUP is here to help you get started on your summer book list with suggested favourites from our staff members. Whether you’ve already planned a couple of reads for the beach this year, or are still considering your options, put one or more of these green books on your summer reading roster:
1. The Big Book of Nature Activities: A Year-Round Guide to Outdoor Learning by Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg
The Big Book of Nature Activities: A Year-Round Guide to Outdoor Learning
The Big Book of Nature Activities is a GreenUP staff favourite and a locally focused essential read for the whole family to enjoy. It’s packed full of ideas and activities to get your family outdoors, connecting with nature this summer. The fun continues all year long as the authors take you on a journey through all of the seasons in the Kawarthas.
This book is excellent for suggesting nature-based activities for children who are hanging out at the cottage or the campsite. It is also a fundamental resource for outdoor educators and camp counselors.
The Big Book of Nature Activities is available for sale at the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street North, Peterborough. Also, for even more local green events, check out the GreenUP online calendar of events for bike nights, workshops, and activities that get everyone outdoors and moving.
2. Anishnabe 101: The basics of what you need to know to begin your journey on the Red Road by Aimee Bailey
This book is a great primer on aspects of Anishnabe culture, traditions, and knowledge including Anishnabe medicines, the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, and Meegwetch, the Thank You Song.
It also includes a comprehensive cultural education about the Algonquin prophecy, the 13 Moons, and an overview of First Nations ceremonies.
Anishnabe 101 provides information that is presented from collective knowledge and long-term experience. It is a great read for municipal leaders, educators, and anyone else who is interested in learning about the Anishnabe way of life.
3. The Complete Up North: A Guide to Ontario’s Wilderness from Black Flies to the Northern Lights by Doug Bennet and Tim Tiner
This is an excellent resource for any camper or cottager who is interested in learning about Ontario’s ecology. This book is complete with stories and fun facts about plants and animals and other parts of our environment, such as the night sky. It is a great way to help answer children’s, or your own questions about wildlife.
The Complete Up North may be out of print, but you can borrow a copy from the Peterborough Public Library. Earlier versions of this compilation are: Up North: A guide to Ontario’s wilderness from black flies to the Northern lights, and Up North Again: More of Ontario’s wilderness from ladybugs to the Pleides.
GreenUP Water Programs Coordinator Jenn McCallum says, “Recently, I’ve used this guide as a resource for learning about conserving Ontario’s turtle species, and in developing education programming for the Wonders of Water pilot program.”
4. Frostbike by Tom Babin
Frostbike
GreenUP Coordinator of Transportation and Urban Design Programs Jaime Akiyama says, “This is a quick, easy, light-hearted read and it is sure to keep you cool on a hot summer’s day!”
Frostbike is an anecdotal take on the author’s experiences venturing into the goal of winter cycling. The author doesn’t venture too much into the ‘how to’ of winter cycling, but instead focuses on some of the humorous aspects that emerged as he hopped on his bike in winter.
“I found it easily relatable,” continues Akiyama, “and the book motivated me in my own personal winter riding goals.”
If you are curious about winter cycling or are thinking about giving it a try this year, get a head start on your year-round riding goals. This book is sure to provide motivation and a good laugh.
5. Water Wow! A Visual Exploration by Antonia Banyard and Paula Ayer
This vibrant and colourful book illustrates many interesting facts about water and visually investigates many intriguing questions about the social, cultural, environmental, and scientific aspects of water through diagrams, infographics, and photos.
This book is sure to surprise children and adults alike with many fascinating facts and is the type of book that can be picked up numerous times to check out new facts; it is great for sharing around.
6. Ecoholic by Adria Vasil
Ecoholic
Ecoholic is a great Canadian resource for becoming an environmentally responsible citizen and consumer.
The book covers tips and solutions for everything from clothes, supplies, gifts, and home cleaners with recommendations for the best green products.
It’s not surprising that Ecoholic is a favourite book for GreenUP’s new Store Coordinator Kristen Larocque:
“I like the way Adria Vasil breaks down sustainability rhetoric into digestible bits. It’s a super simple and easy read and it inspires us to make more informed choices.”
7. Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them by Laurence Packer
Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them
If you’re interested in bees, this book is for you! Laurence Packer is a local author who conducts his research out of York University and writes from a storytelling point of view.
The book is riddled with his anecdotes and travel diaries from studying different bee species around the world.
GreenUP Environmental Educator, Danica Jarvis explains: “Packer is masterful at including the hard-hitting science in a way that everyone can understand and learn from.
“If you are interested in the GreenUP Community Beekeeping Program or the GreenUP Native Bee Share, this book is a great springboard to furthering your knowledge about these bee-utiful species.”
Bonus: this book is listed with the David Suzuki Book Club book! It is recommended that this book be read in the garden while listening to the buzz of the bees.
8. The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate — Discoveries from A Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
The Hidden Life of Trees
After reading this book, you may never look at a tree in the same way. Author Peter Wohlleben is a forester who asks, “Are trees social?”
Throughout the book, Wohlleben compares and contrasts communities of trees with that of humans.
For example, he explores the concept that trees live together like families, communicating, and supporting each other. He investigates how, like humans, tree parents not only help their young but other tree species as well.
Read this book in a hammock while admiring the tree canopy above. By the end of this short read, be prepared to feel inspired to create change and preserve the trees in your community.
You may also feel the urge to stop by GreenUP Ecology Park and wander through the tree nursery or brush up on your tree ID skills.
9. Power Up! A Visual Exploration of Energy by Shaker Paleja
Power Up! A Visual Exploration of Energy
This book is for all energetic middle schoolers out there! We use energy everyday, but where does energy come from?
Readers will learn about the past, present, and future of energy through the interesting and colourful “energy” of this book.
Discover cool facts about fossil fuels, hydropower, greenhouse gasses, and the sun through charts, diagrams, maps, and easy-to-follow infographics.
Even parents are likely to learn a thing or two.
10. A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold
Author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold (Photo: Aldo Leopold Foundation)
A Sand County Almanac is a classic read, written in 1949 by American ecologist and forester Aldo Leopold.
The book is a collection of essays that is divided into 12 sections, for each month of the year. It delves into Leopold’s philosophy of responsible relationships between people and the land, which has informed the environmental movement since it’s publication.
“This is my go-to green read,” explains Lindsay Stroud, GreenUP’s Manager of Transportation and Urban Design Programs, “Every few years I like to re-read Sand County Almanac month by month, January in January, and so on.
“The essays are not only beautifully written and full of life, but also provide a regular reminder to slow down and take notice of what’s around you: the sound of Jackson Creek, the changes in your garden, the flitting of birds in the trees, the abundance of nature, and the passing of time.”
A flood watch is now in effect for the geographical jurisdiction of the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA).
This covers the municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood,, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the City of Peterborough.
A flood watch message is issued when the potential for flooding exists.
ORCA is is tracking severe thunderstorms that are moving slowly eastwards towards our region. Local rainfall amounts of 50 to 100 mm are possible in areas of the watershed that get two or more thunderstorms in a row. If and where this occurs, flash flooding of small watercourses, erosion, and water pooling in low-lying areas is possible.
Flooding is not expected along the Kawartha Lakes, the Otonabee River or Rice Lake. However, the public is advised to avoid all activities near rivers and creeks as high flows and slippery banks are extremely hazardous.
Affected municipalities, and those residents living in low-lying flood prone areas in the vicinity of small water bodies and water courses, are advised to take precautions to protect their property as flash flooding is possible.
Keep away form water control and water conveyance structures at all times.
Local municipalities are the first to respond to, and assist with, flood emergencies. To report a flood in your area, call the Flood Watch Hotline – 705-745-5791, ext. 228. If you experience a flood emergency, call 911 immediately.
The flood watch will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 3rd.
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