Mastermind Toys has been aggressively expanding its locations across Canada. The Peterborough location, pictured here, is Mastermind's 50th store in Canada. (Photo: Mastermind Toys)
Mastermind Toys, Canada’s largest speciality toy retailer, has opened its 50th store in Canada in Peterborough and the first in the Kawarthas region.
The 4,715-square-foot freestanding store is located at 995 Lansdowne Street West (on the southwest corner of Lansdowne and The Parkway) and is now open for business.
Grand opening celebrations will be held from Thursday, May 4th to Sunday, May 7th and will feature special discounts, in-store promotions, loot bags, treats, and a visit from a Hatchimal.
“Mastermind’s 50th store is monumental for the company,” says Jon Levy, Chief Toy Merchant and CEO and Co-Founder of Mastermind Toys. “Our team is very excited to finally bring the Mastermind Toys shopping experience to Peterborough and to toy lovers in the Kawarthas and surrounding areas.
“We look forward to connecting with customers in this vibrant community and providing them with a fun and convenient destination to access the best specialty toys and children’s books.”
Mastermind Toys was started in 1984 as a small computer store in north Toronto by brothers Andy and Jon Levy, who wanted to offer shoppers a classic toy store experience. It’s now Canada’s largest retailer of specialty toy and children’s books, with locations across five provinces and further expansion plans in the works.
The store offers over 10,000 items in store and online at www.mastermindtoys.com, including leading toy brands such as Hansa, Our Generation Dolls, LEGO, PLAYMOBIL, Meccano, ALEX, Creativity for Kids, and Snap Circuits. The store also sells puzzles, games, and more than 4,000 children’s books.
The store’s hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The arrival of Mastermind Toys in Peterborough has not been without controversy. After Peterborough City Council rezoned the property in 2015 to allow the store to be built there, local lawyer Ann Farquharson appealed the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
Farquharson argued that rezoning the location for a toy store was not appropriate and that it would have a negative impact on downtown Peterborough.
In June 2016, the OMB rejected the appeal and upheld the city’s decision clearing the way for the chain to open the Peterborough store.
Kawartha Lakes City Council will raise taxes in 2017 to help fund a deficit caused by more than 50 winter weather events in 2016 (photo: Wikipedia)
At the City of Kawartha Lakes Council meeting yesterday (April 18), council approved a request to increase 2017 property taxes by over $1.1 million to help fund a deficit in the City’s 2016 budget.
The increase means property owners will pay an additional $5 more in 2017 per assessed value of $100,000. The increase applies to residential, farm, commercial and industrial properties.
The 2017 tax increase will only fund half of the 2016 deficit; the other half of the deficit will be funded by a tax increase in 2018.
Although the City of Kawartha Lakes has seen small surpluses within one percent of its annual budget in each of the previous five years, in 2016 the City experienced a deficit, mainly caused by winter weather conditions that meant extra snow clearing, sanding, salting, and snow removal.
While the City had budgeted for 40 winter weather events in 2016, there were 52 such events — resulting in unforeseen costs of $1.3 million.
In the past, the City has used contingency reserves to fund unforeseen deficits, but reserves are insufficient to cover the 2016 deficit. As a result, City staff recommended that council increase the increase the 2017 tax levy to cover the deficit.
“The current budget base must be right-sized to cover the cost of the existing service levels,” said Mary-Anne Dempster, Director of Corporate Services. “We need to either increase tax support or lower service levels.
To avoid future weather-related deficits, the City will budget for 50 winter weather events in the future and City staff will investigate options for providing services in a more cost effective manner.
Since family cottages are often not primary residences, family members who inherit a cottage must pay capital gains tax. The Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations believes that increasing the tax rate on capital gains in the attempt to cool off real estate markets will increase the burden on these families even more.
On behalf of Ontario’s 250,000 waterfront property owners, the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) has grave concerns about the use of crude taxation affecting real estate in Ontario.
FOCA has circulated the comments below in a letter dated April 4, 2017 to the Hon. Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance (Ontario), and The Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister, Department of Finance Canada.
The comments to the Ministers are related to FOCA’s significant concerns with any proposed increases to the capital gains taxes applicable on the disposition of real property, as one of the options to address overheated (Toronto) real estate prices.
FOCA is a not-for-profit association that represents a membership of over 500 community associations across Ontario. Collectively, waterfront residential property owners in Ontario pay over $800 million in property taxes annually, and have an important economic and social role in 200 Ontario municipalities.
These families contribute not only as property taxpayers but also as community volunteers, often for multiple generations.
The waterfront properties owned by these families are part of their family legacy, often the centrepiece of a family heritage and history. Currently these families face the unfortunate and painful experience of paying capital gains on their (non-primary) residences, even when they pass their property on to their offspring — as many intend to do.
They are NOT property speculators, and therefore should not be shouldered with punitive financial treatment in the name of trying to cool markets elsewhere in Ontario — or for any reason.
We are fortunate that in the 2017 federal budget delivered March 21st in the House of Commons by the Minister of Finance, they avoided the folly that the “unintended consequence” of such a rash move to increase capital gains would result in for thousands of Canadian families.
As was stated recently by Canadian Press, “…there’s concern that expansion of blunt federal tools that have cross-Canada reach could hurt less-worrisome markets.”
The punitive capital gains treatment on these assets is already a tremendous burden, and if anything, should be reduced or eliminated — not increased.
Respectfully, we recommend that any future proposals related to the tax implications of residential property be appropriately considered and vetted by the Ontarians who will be most directly impacted.
FOCA is available for such consultations on behalf of Ontario’s waterfront residents.
Photographer Wayne Eardley's evocative shot of the crowd of live music fans at the final PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam at The Piggy on Saturday, April 15. (Photo: Wayne Eardley)
I had an epiphany of sorts this past weekend.
After years of longing to have some sort of musical talent so I could better fit in with the wonderful live music community I admire so much, I came to the full realization that the very thing that makes that community so special is one doesn’t have to be a musician to be a full-blown member of that fraternity.
My enlightenment came at the soon-to-close Pig’s Ear Tavern where, on Saturday (April 15), the final Blues Jam held at the venerable Brock Street pub was staged.
While the monthly fundraiser for the Peterborough Musicians’ Benevolent Association (PMBA) will carry on at Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews (the former Montreal House) — the next Blues Jam is May 20th — all attention was on this last hurrah, and rightly so.
Bobby Watson doing what he does best at the April 15th Deluxe Blues Jam (photo: Wayne Eardley)
“The whole afternoon was indeed a treat for all who were there,” understated PMBA committee member and event host Don McBride on Facebook.
From the opening set by Hovercraft-led Rezonator to performances by Rick Fines, The Victory Boys, and Bobby Watson, to name but a few, this was a smorgasbord for the ears in every respect.
Gathered around the aged pool table were PMBA volunteers, who took in $900 for the PMBA which, to date, has gifted more than $11,000 to musicians needful of a hand up.
Outside, on Brock Street stretching west to George Street, a lineup of live music supporters — a first, wrote McBride — waited patiently for room to open up in the jam-packed pub.
Let them eat cake … and donate to help local musicians in need. The final Deluxe Blues Jam took in $900 for the Peterborough Musicians Benovolent Association which, to date, has raised more than $11,000. (Photo: Wayne Eardley)
When drummer Al Black departed early for his sound check in preparation for Jackson Delta’s Market Hall show that same night, he was greeted by “nothing but high fives and smiles.”
“The world needs more of these people,” he posted on Facebook.
True that … but the same can, and must, be said of those who, again, so joyfully share their talents to the immense benefits of others in need. Whether you’re a fan of the blues or not, that enduring generosity speaks to that all is good about this place we call home.
“It was one of the best days of music I’ve ever had,” raved McBride the day after.
John Punter, who has owned and operated The Pig’s Ear Tavern with Lylie Punter for 17 years. John and Lylie will be retiring now that the building has been sold to a developer. (Photo: Wayne Eardley)
With The Pig’s Ear — The Piggy as it’s affectionately known by thousands — having been purchased by Parkview Homes and destined to be razed to make way for apartments, the past few months have seen many lament its imminent departure from the downtown landscape.
As I ran my fingers over a few of the years-ago carved initials and signatures on my table top, I thought more deeply about what will be lost: bricks and mortar. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less.
There isn’t a wrecking ball made that can put even a dent in the spirit of all that has transpired at The Pig’s Ear over the 152 years that 144 Brock Street has been home to a pub.
JP Hovercraft, whose band Rezonator hosted the final PMBA Deluxe Blues Jam and who also was celebrating his 65th birthday, enjoys a moment with fellow musician Bobby Watson (photo: Kate Kelly)
That first drink, that first date, the pints shared by generations, the eight ball side-bank that paid off handsomely — all locked-in-the-vault memories that are not for sale and are immune to destruction.
I said to more than one person on Saturday that the Blues Jam — which continues to honour the memory of the late Phil “Mr. Deluxe” Marshall and his celebrated efforts to help others in need — will thrive in its new home at King and Aylmer streets.
That’s a view rooted in my complete confidence that what was collectively experienced Saturday afternoon has people at its centre … and those people aren’t giving up the ghost anytime soon, if at all. They’re just taking the dance to a new ballroom.
“They’re just taking the dance to a new ballroom.” Paul Rellinger at the final Deluxe Blues Jam on April 15th. After the Pig’s Ear closes for good on April 22nd, the monthly PMBA fundraiser will be held at Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews. (Photo: SLAB Productions)
For sure, the over-the-top hospitality of Pig’s Ear owners John and Lylie Punter will be missed. And absolutely, the unique ambience of their pub will never be replicated.
For sure, that is cause for sadness. Parting with an old friend is never easy. While change is inevitable, that doesn’t mean we have to like it when it occurs.
But take heart. The McBrides, Hovercrafts, Blacks, Watsons et al of our world aren’t going anywhere. Wherever their wonderful gifts bring together people is neither here nor there. This is a live-music-rooted celebration that isn’t restricted by its location.
“Music makes everything better,” wrote Black in the aftermath of Saturday’s Blues Jam euphoria.
He could very well have substituted “everyone” for “everything.”
With the warmer weather, the risk of your pets being exposed to wildlife increases. Raccoons, along with bats, foxes, and skunks, are the main carriers of the rabies virus in Canada. Immunizing your pets against rabies is required by law and it not only prevents your pets from getting rabies, but it also helps protect the rest of your family.
Confirmed cases of wildlife rabies is on the rise in Ontario. To help you protect your pets and you family from this deadly disease, Peterborough Public Health is teaming up with local veterinarians to offer low-cost rabies vaccinations clinics on Saturday, April 29th from 12 to 2 p.m. at locations across Peterborough and Peterborough County.
“We hope that the community will take advantage of these low-cost rabies clinics,” says Atul Jain, who oversees the rabies prevention and control program for Peterborough Public Health. “Not only is vaccinating your cats and dogs the law, but it is the easiest way to protect your pets and family from rabies. While it’s rare, when humans develop rabies from infected animals it is almost 100% fatal.”
The cost to vaccinate each pet is $25, cash only.
Provincial law requires that all cats and dogs over three months of age in Peterborough City and County must be vaccinated for rabies.
If your pet has received a rabies vaccination, it may be due for a re-immunization. A pet must get a booster shot within one year of the date it was first vaccinated. After that, re-vaccination is required ever one to three years, depending on the type of vaccine used (the date for re-vaccination will be listed on the certificate of immunization).
Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted from the saliva of an infected mammal to any other mammal, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and humans. A pet can get rabies if it is bitten by an infected animal, or gets saliva or brain/spinal tissue from an infected animal — dead or alive — in its mouth, eyes, nose or an open cut or sore.
Rabies is untreatable and almost always fatal, typically within a few days, once symptoms appear. If your pet gets infected with the rabies virus, it can transmit rabies to other pets and humans as soon as the virus gets into its saliva. This can happen up to 10 days before your pet starts to show signs of rabies. Vaccinations not only protect your pet, but your family as well.
Bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks are the primary carriers of the rabies virus in Canada.
While the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had significantly reduced the number of wildlife rabies cases in Ontario through its Rabies Control Program, the number of cases rose significantly last year. As of December 31, 2016, there were 288 confirmed cases of fox and raccoon strain rabies in Ontario, compared to just 24 cases in 2015. Pet vaccination and the provincial baiting program are still required to keep rabies at bay for the protection of Ontario families.
Peterborough and Area Low-Cost Rabies Clinics
These low-cost rabies clinics take place from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017. The cost for vaccination is $25 per animal (cash only)
Asphodel-Norwood
Norwood Veterinary Services, 4248 Hwy 7, Norwood
Cavan-Monaghan
Peterborough West Animal Hospital, 2605 Stewart Line, Cavan-Monaghan
Millbrook Valley Animal Hospital, 3 Queen St., Millbrook
Douro-Dummer
Public Works Garage, 435 Douro 4th Line, Douro
Warsaw Fire Hall, 910 Water St,, Warsaw
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
H.B.M. Public Works Garage, 6th Line Belmont & Hwy 7, Havelock
88-year-old Al Turner was last seen on Easter Sunday leaving his residence in his 2009 Toyota Corolla (photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service)
After responding to a report this afternoon (April 17), Peterborough OPP and emergency services personnel located a man’s body inside a car near the Otonabee River, just east of the Peterborough airport, where Mervin Line meets the river bank.
Police have now confirmed the body is that of missing 88-year-old Allison “Al” Turner.
Turner was last seen leaving his residence in the area of Armour and Parkhill Rd at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 16th. He was driving his 2009 Toyota Corolla, brown in colour and with licence BWPZ462.
Police had indicated they were concerned for Turner’s well being and indicated he may be confused or in medical distress.
Turner’s death does not appear suspicious and will be investigated by the Coroner.
Seana Collins Mander of 360 Wellness Clinic in 2013, which recently renovated and has a large studio space for rent (photo: Erin Forrest)
360 Wellness Clinic has studio space for rent
360 Wellness Clinic has just renovated in order to create a large studio space for rent. If you’re a yoga or fitness instructor, or just someone who needs a space, check it out.
Seana Collins Mander established the clinic in 2013, which has been providing a variety of treatments include registered massage therapy, physiotherapy, osteopathy and low-intensity laser therapy, aromatherapy massage, Thai massage, hot stone massage, and Reiki.
Intuitive Art Medicine clinic in Peterborough’s East City
Angela Slater of Intuitive Art Medicine Inc. (photo: Angela Slater)
Angela Slater is a certified medical intuitive, mystic and healing artist. She recently opened a clinic in East City for her business: Intuitive Art Medicine Inc.
Located inside the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine, Angela offers energy assessments and counselling.
Peterborough Lions Community Centre is now fully accessible
The Peterborough Lions Banquet Hall and Meeting Centre is located at 347 Burnham Street in Peterborough’s East City (photo: Peterborough Lions Community Centre)
The Peterborough Lions Community Centre is now fully accessible.
Thanks to an Ontario Trillium Grant, the Lions Centre in East City redesigned the inside of the building with a new accessible family washroom on the main floor, an elevator lift to the downstairs rooms, and a new accessible family washroom in the downstairs.
The Swanson Room can accommodate up to 120 guests and features a large dance floor, variable lighting, climate-control capabilities, DJ facilities, and a wheelchair-accessible lift (photo: Peterborough Lions Community Centre)
The Centre is open seven days a week and has five rooms to accommodate from five to 150 people for meetings and special occasions.
Events hosted by Peterborough DBIA, Innovation Cluster, and Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
The Innovation Cluster is hosting a grand opening of their newly renovated Downtown Cube on April 19 (photo: Innovation Cluster)
Events this week include the Peterborough DBIA Breakfast on Wednesday (April 19) morning with Sofie Andreou and the DBIA Ladies Night on Charlotte Street on Wednesday evening. Details at www.downtownptbo.ca.
The Innovation Cluster is hosting a grand opening of their newly renovated Downtown Cube this Wednesday (April 19) from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Cluster is located on the third floor of the Venture North building at 270 George Street in downtown Peterborough. Visit www.innovationcluster.ca for more information.
And the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has two events for you to choose from on next Tuesday (April 25). Javed Khan from Constant Contact is putting on a three-hour workshop on “Building an Email Marketing Campaign”. It’s a free workshop in the Chamber Board Room. And the Chamber’s quarterly Leaders Lunch is at the Peterborough Airport and will feature a discussion on “Preparing for Infrastructure Growth”. Details and registration for both events are available at www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Lovesick Lake is located between Buckhorn Lake and Stoney Lake near Burleigh Falls (photo: Joel Knott)
Tragedy struck on Easter Sunday (April 16) when a man drowned in Lovesick Lake, located between Buckhorn Lake and Stoney Lake near Burleigh Falls.
Members of the Peterborough County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews were called shortly after 1:30 p.m. to assist a man who had been pulled from Lovesick Lake near Ojibway Drive.
Employees from a Toronto-area roofing company were working in the area and had finished for the day. Two men from the company decided to take a paddleboat out into Lovesick Lake.
The paddleboat began to take on water and eventually sank. One of the two men on board made it to shore, while the other had to be pulled from the water. Although lifejackets were available on the boat, neither man was wearing one.
A 28-year-old man from Whitchurch-Stouffville was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination will be scheduled at the Office of the Chief Coroner and Forensic Pathology Service in Toronto for later this week.
Spring conditions in the Kawartha Lakes means that water levels are high, the water temperature is cold, and currents are moving quickly. Police advise to take precautions when participating in early-season boating activities and to always wear an approved lifejacket or personal flotation device when heading out on the water.
New Stages Theatre Company's production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town features a cast of 19 performers, some pictured here during a cast read-through: George Knechtel, Megan Murphy, director Linda Kash, Randy Read, stage manager Esther Vincent, and Logan Sword. The play runs April 28 to May 6 at the Market Hall in Peterborough. (Photo: Lindsay Unterlander / Adam Martignetti)
In 1992, theatre producer Randy Read appeared in a professional production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town in the role of Constable Warren.
New Stages Theatre Company presents
Our Town
When: Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, May 2 to Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 8 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) How much: $28 ($15 students/artsworkers)
Written by Thornton Wilder. Directed by Linda Kash. Starring Ben Birrell, Steven Brak, Dani Breau, Michael Brennan, Matthew Finlan, Luke Foster, Mark Gray, Bethany Heemskerk, George Knechtel, Wyatt Lamoureaux, Patricia Maitland, Adam Martignetti, Alison McElwain, Megan Murphy, Tom Quinn, Randy Read, Andrew Root, Logan Sword, and Samuelle Weatherdon. Production coordinator Ian Burns, lighting Spencer Allen, wardrobe coordinator Gwen Hope, and stage manager Esther Vincent.
Tickets available at the Market Hall Box Office, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
“Every single night before I went on stage, I got this inner feeling of doing something important and bringing something of real value to the audience,” Randy recalls.
“More than any other time in my career I felt that nobody had big roles and nobody had small roles. We were all part of this ensemble. This group was bringing something simple, yet profound to the audience. And I would be filled with this extreme emotion of having taken people on a journey that had some relevance and importance. You don’t feel that all the time. ”
Now, 25 years later, Randy is about to take local audiences back to Grover’s Corners when New Stages Theatre Company presents Our Town at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough from April 28th to May 6th.
Written in 1938 by American playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder, Our Town has often been called one of the greatest American plays ever written (it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938). The play examines the changing lives of two families, the Webbs and Gibbs, and the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners in 1901, 1904, and 1913.
Our Town is a metatheatrical production, breaking the fourth wall. A character called “The Stage Manager” presents the play to the audience, describing daily life in the small town, introducing scenes, and even summoning and dismissing other characters. In addition, there are virtually no props or sets.
“The first act is about familial love, the second act is about romantic love, and the third act is about spiritual love,” Randy explains. “It’s a reminder to all of us about how extraordinary it is to be a human being, and how extraordinary the little things we take for granted every day in our lives really are.
“For me, it’s such a celebration of humanity and how we grow and how we don’t grow. I mean, the First World War was the war to end wars, but look what has happened since.”
Bethany Heemskerk and Matthew Finlan, who perform in the leading roles of Emily Webb and George Gibbs, during a cast read-through of Our Town (photo: Lindsay Unterlander / Adam Martignetti)
Our Town will also be Randy’s return to the stage after a long absence, where he will be playing the key role of The Stage Manager. Although he was set to originally co-direct the show, Randy has passed the director role to local favourite Linda Kash.
“Originally I was going to direct the show and play the stage manager, and I brought Linda Kash in to direct the scenes that I wasn’t in,” Randy says. “But I got very sick with pneumonia this winter, so I asked Linda at that point if she’d take over as the full-time director, and I’d just be an actor.
“Although I’m better now, I’m glad I made that decision. It allows me to just concentrate on my role as an actor, and it also is better for the rest of the cast because they hear one voice instead of two.
“Linda is very wonderfully specific about what she wants. It’s wonderful as an actor to have a director who is not only so specific, but also articulate what she wants. I’m really thrilled that she agreed to do it.”
Luke Foster, Andrew Root, and Steven Brak during a cast read-through of Our Town (photo: Lindsay Unterlander / Adam Martignetti)
Although New Stages’ productions have traditionally had very compact casts, Our Town has a large cast of 19 performers. In the starring role of George Gibbs is actor Matthew Finlan, who just finished performing the same role in the Toronto production of Our Town at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
Playing opposite Finlan is Bethany Heemskerk in the role of Emily Webb. The rest of the world of Grover’s Corners is populated with many of Peterborough’s most recognized performers including Allison McIllwain, Tom Quinn, Megan Murphy, Andrew Root, Luke Foster, Patricia Maitland, and Wyatt Lamoureux.
“This will be very different than what New Stages normally does because it’s more of a community effort, and the majority of the cast are not professionals,” Randy says. “We cast more with an eye to people being really right for the part — people who had a sort of realness about them.
“Sometimes when people do a lot of theatre, they can develop a sort of superficiality about them. We weren’t looking for that. Even if someone hadn’t acted before, if there was something about them that was genuine to bring to the table, we were more interested in that.”
Wyatt Lamoureux, George Knechtel, Megan Murphy, and Linda Kash during a cast read-through of Our Town (photo: Lindsay Unterlander / Adam Martignetti)
Stating that Our Town has been on his bucket list of shows to do for some time, Randy refers to growing up in nearby Mount Pleasant as inspiration.
“Part of what drew me to this play is that I grew up in a village of 150 people,” Randy explains. “These people had no guile. Everybody knew everything about each other. You couldn’t put on any airs in that village. So you couldn’t pretend to be anything you weren’t.
“That is interesting to me because, as Jane Jacobs once said, the whole world is a bunch of Our Towns. Even with us individually, we tend to deal with the same people from one day to the next. Those people are our Our Towns.
“I want to make people realize that so much is changing, our world is changing constantly. Everywhere we go people are tuned into electronical devices. Nobody talks to each other. For me, this play is more relevant now than ever, as a reminder of the importance of the pure humanity we have the potential to lose if electronics and cell phones take over our lives.
Our Town runs at the Market Hall in Peterborough April 28 to April 30 and May 2 to May 6
“My husband Steve (Ross) once said to me ‘Everybody should see Our Town once every ten years’. It reminds them to live their lives fully, and how fully they are already living them to some extent. It may not be edgy, but it’s an extremely powerful play. This show isn’t really about saying ‘Weren’t things nice and simpler?’ We say things under the surface, in a way that is not preaching.”
With a cast and production team of some of Peterborough’s favourite performers in a classic drama that has endured with audiences for decades, expectations for Our Town are high. This show could potentially be one of the best that Peterborough will see this year.
Our Town runs at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough) from Friday, April 28th to Saturday, May 6th at 8 p.m., except for a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 30th (there is no performance on Monday, May 1st).
Tickets are $28 general admission and $15 for students or artsworkers, and can be purchased at the Market Hall Box Office, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at www.markethall.org. Tickets are also available (cash only) at Moondance (425 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-9425).
Dan Duran appears in the latest episode of Designated Survivor as White House reporter Joel Estevez (photo: ABC Studios)
If you were watching the latest episode of the hit ABC television series Designated Survivor on April 12th, you may have noticed a familiar face (and voice): Dan Duran, who local radio fans will recall from his morning radio show on Magic 96.7 (now Oldies 96.7) which he co-hosted with Linda Kash and Deb Crossen.
Dan appears near the beginning of the episode as White House reporter Joel Estevez, who asks the President (played by fellow Canadian Kiefer Sutherland) about a proposed gun control bill.
VIDEO: Dan Duran in Designated Survivor
Dan tells kawarthaNOW that his character will appear again in a later episode this season.
If you aren’t familiar with the show, Designated Survivor tells the story of Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the US Capitol during the State of the Union. Kirkman struggles to keep the country and his family from falling apart, while navigating volatile politics and leading the search to find who is responsible for the attack.
Dan on the set of the hit ABC TV series Designated Survivor, which films in Toronto (photo: Dan Duran / Facebook)
Currently in its first season, the series is shot in Toronto and airs on CTV in Canada (on CTV affiliate CHEX in Peterborough).
Dan’s former co-host on Magic 96.7, Linda Kash, is also playing a recurring role in a hit TV series. As kawarthaNOW reported in February, Linda is in the third season of FX’s Fargo, which premieres on Wednesday, April 19th
Also, as kawarthanNOW first reported on April 16th, Dan is also joining CHEX TV in Peterborough as its new weather analyst — his first return to local broadcasting since 2015. Dan will be doing weather for the station at 6 and 11 p.m. beginning today (April 18).
“Dan is a big personality who will bring a warm smile to cold days and a cool delivery to every heat wave,” says Jay Westman, News Director, CHEX & CKWS. “We’re proud to be able to add someone with his talents, experience and local perspective to CHEX.”
Dan Duran has joined CHEX TV as the station’s new weather analyst (photo: Lisa MacDonald, CHEX Morning Show / Twitter)
Dan is best known as the former co-anchor of the Canadian entertainment news series ENow. He was also the first producer of the Humble and Fred morning radio show in Toronto from 1989 to 1994 (you can still hear him on the show, which now broadcasts on SiriusXM and is available as a podcast) and also co-hosted The Dini Petty Show.
As well as having a recurring role as the ill-fated “Man from Protected” in the well-received Canadian television series Cra$h & Burn, Dan has appeared in many other TV shows and films. You can see the long list of his other acting credits on IMDB.
Dan with Peterborough DBIA Executive Director Terry Guiel at the SPARK Photo Festival (photo: Terry Guiel / Facebook)
Born in Vancouver and raised in rural Alberta, Dan started his career in broadcasting in Edmonton, with subsequent moves to Lloydminster, Moose Jaw, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto. A regular cottager at Lovesick Lake for 18 years, he moved to Mount Pleasant in 2009.
In May 2011, he was announced as the morning show host on Magic 96.7 (CJWV-FM) when it launched as a new radio station in Peterborough, Ontario. His co-host was actor Linda Kash and morning newswomen Deb Crossen. The Magic 96.7 morning show ran until late August 2015, when the station’s ownership was purchased by My Broadcasting from Pine Ridge Broadcasting.
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