Norwood Fair Announces Winners Of First Ever Wheat Competition

This year, in it’s 154th year, the Norwood Fair has added a new category for local farmers to enter. Winners of the wheat competition were announced earlier this week.

Photo courtesy of The Norwood Fair.

After a two year hiatus due to COVID-19 the Norwood Fair is slated to run Thanksgiving Weekend, October 8 - 10.

This year for the first time the committee added a ‘wheat’ competition for farmers to enter.

Due to wheat season ending before the fair runs winners have already been announced.

A total of ten farmers entered their wheat fields into the contest.

The judge was Don Oliver from Peterborough who said that the crops were “excellent with a very good yield potential.” Only ten points separated first place from last.

First place was a tie shared by Bob Sedgwick and Dave Webster with a score of 89 points each, Second place was also a tie shared by James Buck and Tim Shearer with a score of 88 points each.

Third place was another tie shared by Todd Payne and Scott Toms with 87 points each.

Murray Lobb finished with a single score of 83 points, followed by Crovalley Farms with 82 points, Gord Tomlinson with 80 points and Will Vanderhorst with a very respectable 70 points.

As the fair approaches and crops are yielded results from different competitions will continue to be announced.

For more information regarding the Norwood Fair visit their social media page.

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Sam's Place Deli Crowned First Ever Peterborough Mac and Cheese Fest Winners

After a month of friendly culinary competition the Peterborough Mac and Cheese Festival has crowned Sam’s Place as their first ever Mac and Cheese Champion.

Eddy Sweeny and Owen Walsh from Sam’s Place. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

18 signature mac and cheese dishes were featured on local menus throughout the downtown restaurant scene for both dine-in and takeout as part of the month-long foodie competition.

Over 500 votes were casted to crown the top mac and cheese dish. In the end, only a narrow margin of votes determined the difference between first, second, and third place.

Sam’s Place took the Mac + Cheese top honours as this year’s most loved mac with their glorious Jalapeño Bacon Mac + Cheesewich.

As the winner, Sam’s Place received a hand-crafted trophy, a $500.00 donation to Kawartha Food Share in the restaurants name, and bragging rights for the year.

“We are thrilled to hear that our Jalapeño, Bacon Mac + Cheesewich was just as great to all who voted, as it was to us. We are honoured to have had the chance to “compete” with some of Peterborough's finest chefs, while supporting the greatness that is Kawartha Food Share,” said Sam Sayer, owner of Sam’s Place. “Once again, the DBIA has come up with another creative way to draw attention to the awesomeness that the downtown has to offer, while supporting a killer cause. Until next year, cheese on, friends.”

Capra Toro’s Bacon and Beer Mac captured the hearts of many voters and landed in second place alongside Amanda’s’ Bringing Sexy Mac which was ranked third favourite.

Sam’s Place winning Jalapeño Bacon Mac + Cheesewich. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

The events’ online Mac Map was viewed over 44,000 times throughout the festival. A number of restaurant partners experienced out-of-town diners traveling to Peterborough specifically for the Mac + Cheese Festival, with 66% of participating restaurants reporting that they were able to reach new customers during the festival.

“It was incredible to see the community rally behind our festival and its mission to bring mac and cheese lovers together for an entire month. We can’t wait to do it again next year,” said Amanda McBain, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for the Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival.

The Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival also ran a month-long food drive in tandem with its food competition at each restaurant location. Throughout the month festival goers were encouraged to bring their non-perishables downtown when visiting mac and cheese locations.

“We are so thrilled with the support we have received from local businesses during the Mac + Cheese festival this past month,” said Ashlee Aitken, General Manager of Kawartha Food Share. “Even through all the obstacles and tough times these restaurants have faced the past year and a half, their willingness to support our organization and their fellow neighbours is truly remarkable. Thank you so much to the DBIA for including us in this fantastic initiative. These donations are a huge help as we begin preparations for the upcoming busy holiday season.”

For more information on this years first annual Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival visit www.ptbomacandcheesefest.com.

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PTBOCanada's First-Ever Kids Pumpkin Decorating Contest With Lansdowne Place Results

The inaugural “PTBOCanada Kids Pumpkin Decoration Contest” with Lansdowne Place was a great success with loads of entries from Peterborough and surrounding communities.

The following are the top three pumpkins for this year’s contest:

• First place - Ocean Hurd, age 8

• Second place - Aiden Rogers, age 11

• Third place - River Gerolomy, age 3

Us at PTBOCanada and everyone at Lansdowne Place would like to thank all participants in our contest, and hope that it got you in the Halloween spirit!

Take a scroll through some more great entries below.

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Jacob Baggs Recognized as Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Jacob Baggs, a school custodian and as a food service worker has been named as the winner of this week's Frontline Worker Drop the Puck program.

Photo Courtesy of The Peterborough Petes

Baggs has been working as a custodian at the the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and as a food service worker at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jacob has worked extremely hard at the PRHC (Cafeteria) ensuring medical staff are properly fed and hydrated to take care of patients”. said Colleen Condon, one of the many who nominated Baggs. “He also took on another job with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) as a COVID-19 pandemic cleaner ensuring schools are as safe as possible for Students and Staff. Jacob has always put the needs of the community first during this pandemic making sure he provides the best care possible”

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes welcome all members of the community to nominate deserving frontline workers by filling out this form.

The frontline workers chosen will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the Petes home opener which will take place on October 14 at 7:05 pm against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Local Indigenous Business Owner Semi-Finalist in Pow Wow Pitch

Dominique O'Bonsawin, owner of cedarlilie a beadwork and craft supply shop, is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch. Pow Wow Pitch is a a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.

Dominique O’Bonsawin and her dog Cedar. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin

O'Bonsawin is of both French-Canadian and Abenaki heritage and started learning beadwork about five years ago while attending university in Ottawa.

“It was an important part of me reconnecting to my community and the larger Indigenous community in Canada,” she said.

As she gained interest in the craft she began to notice a lack of Indigenous owned bead stores in the country. She began to buy beads in bulk for her own use and selling any extras she had.

“I started running out of beads and realized this was a market I could tap into,” she said. “Before I knew it I had to make my own website.”

O'Bonsawin has now been selling beads and craft supplies for about a year and a half.

An example of Dominique O’Bonsawin’s beading. These pieces were completed along with her mother and sister. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin.

The Pow Wow Pitch competition is for Indigenous entrepreneurs across North America. It shines a light on vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level.

This year, more than 1,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses online for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000.

O'Bonsawin was one of those entrepreneurs and was surprised to find that she was chosen as a semi-finalist.

“I had a few people reach out to me and tell me to apply, but I didn’t think I was there yet. I’m still kind of figuring out this whole thing,” she said.

“All we had to do was submit a one minute video of what we would do with the money if we were to win,” she said. “It caught and I thought ‘okay this is for real now’.”

Of the over 1600 entries there are 156 semi-finalists who now must pitch their business plan live to a board of panelists.

O'Bonsawin is also eligible to win the peoples choice award, which would send her straight to the finals. The peoples choice award is based on the amount of votes a contestant receives, anyone is welcome to participate in voting.

More beadwork by Dominique O’Bonsawin.

O'Bonsawin’s pitch can be viewed here on September 22, 2021.

If she wins the Pow Wow Pitch competition she plans to expand her business and while she plans on doing so anyways, winning this competition would allow her to do it sooner.

Through beading O'Bonsawin has had the opportunity to connect with a new community of people.

“I didn’t grow up knowing much about my roots until I became a young adult and started doing that work myself, and I’m still learning. It’s an ongoing journey of reconnection,” she said.

O'Bonsawin hopes that people realize that beadwork is about building a community, and anyone can do it.

“I’ve met a lot of people who are in the exact position as I am. They’re doing their best to learn their language and know the people. It’s so beautiful to meet people that are going through the same thing you are and i think its even more beautiful that we can do that through beadwork.”

To view all the semi-finalists in the Pow Wow Pitch click here.

To vote for a winner in the peoples choice award fill out this online form.

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Peterborough Petes Announce Partnership with Get a Shot to Take a Shot Campaign

The Petes and Peterborough Public Health have announced a new partnership today with the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign. The two-month long initiative is designed to promote vaccine uptake and protect Peterborough and the Peterborough County from COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign offers anyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine dose between August 9 and September 30 at a clinic run by Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, or a local pharmacy, a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Petes home game during the 2021-22 season.

“The Petes are excited to team up with Peterborough Public Health for the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot,’ campaign,” said Executive Director of Business Operations, Burton Lee. “We understand that the safest and quickest way to return to a hockey season with an arena full of cheering fans is dependent on vaccine uptake. It will be an honour to host hundreds of local fans who have done their part to keep the Peterborough community safe at games next season.”

Those who receive their first or second vaccine dose during this time period will be provided a QR code at their vaccination site to enter the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ contest.

A virtual draw will take place on September 30 where 250 names will be drawn. A total of 500 tickets will be awarded.

Of the ticket winners, five will be drawn for an opportunity to shoot the puck in the net from centre ice during the first intermission of an upcoming home game. The winner of the shootout will then get to enjoy an additional Petes home game in the Petes Executive Suite.

For more information about the contest visit www.gopetesgo.com. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and clinic locations visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Local Artist Wins Top Art Award

Local artist Lynda Todd painted to first place with “Blossom” in the Spirit of the Hills Art Association competition announced Thursday.

Lynda Todd’s entry, “Blossom” is a 36x60 inch painting selling for $900 on Spirit of the Hills Art Association’s website. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

Todd’s painting was one of 16 entries in the “Fine Art” category. Results were based on an online voting system by the public.

Born legally blind and mostly colour blind, Todd’s personal challenges did not deter her from earning the top slot.

"Blossom represents how an idea became a reality,” said Todd. “As a legally blind and colour-blind artist, I visualized each petal as the skills, knowledge and actions to reach my dream and occupation as an artist blossomed.”

Todd’s entry on the cover of Occupational Therapy Now. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

The winning entry was published on the front cover of Occupational Therapy Now for their May/June 2021 edition.

“My life has blossomed every single day since moving to Peterborough,” said Todd. “One thing keeps leading to another, so many doors have opened now that I have the independence to get around myself and embrace city life. I want to help spread the word and inspire others to try it all.”

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Community Care Peterborough Wins National Contest For $20,000

Non-profit charitable organization Community Care Peterborough (CCP) won $20,000 in the 2021 Great Canadian Giving Challenge held by CanadaHelps according to a press release on Wednesday.

Meals on Wheels deliver food from Monday to Friday between 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Photo Courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.

CCP — a charity providing services to senior citizens and adults with physical challenges — was selected from 16,611 other charities. A total of $26,218,918 to those charities were donated last month.

June is considered the month with the least amount of donations to CanadaHelps — a non-profit networking charity organization —as stated in the press release.

All last month, CanadaHelps asked Canadians for online donations to win $20,000 for their favourite charity.

Every dollar donated in June through CanadaHelps or with an affiliated charity gave an entry for the grand prize.

“We are so thrilled to win the Great Canadian Giving Challenge,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP Donor Relations and Communications Lead. “We adapted our fundraising plans, operating virtual events and improving our online presence, to make it easier for people to support this work with their donations, improving our capacity and process to make online donations easy and secure using our Canada Helps charity account.”

Alicia Vandine (left) of Community Care Peterborough speaking with Nicole Danesi (right), CanadaHelps Manager in an online interview following the announcement of the contest winner. Screenshot.

$10,000 will be used towards the Give a Meal program which subsidies Meals on Wheels. The other $10,000 is for their Drive for Dialysis program which drives dialysis patients to medical appointments.

Without this support, many Ontarians living in rural communities are left to cover the transportation costs of these regular appointments that can add up to between $8,000 and $10,000 per patient according to the press release.

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Two Local Girls Earn $10,000 Grants For Habitat for Humanity In Writing Contest

Elementary school students Olivia Grady and Emma Mattson were runner-ups in the “Meaning of Home” writing contest that earned a $10,000 grant each for Habitat for Humanity announced Monday.

Mattson (left) and Grady (right) were two of over 12,000 entrants across Canada that participated in the contest. Photo Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

The nationwide contest invited Canadian kids from grades 4-6 to submit a poem or essay explaining what home means to them.

A winner and three runner-ups are selected from each grade and are awarded $30,000 and $10,000 respectively towards their local habitat build. The earnings will go towards building homes for families in need of a safe and secure place to call home according to the press release.

Matson wrote her poem “Houses and Homes” which earned her a runner-up award, sharing the spot with two other girls representing Habitat Greater Ottawa.

“A house is made of wood and bricks.
A home is made of love and family.
Home is the heart of my family.
Home keeps us all together.

Home reminds us of those good times.
Home means love.
Home means family.
Home helps us make memories.

Our home is always there for us.

When I am in my home, I feel safe.
I feel comfortable in my home.
My home means so much to me.

My home is no ordinary house.
It’s a home.

Our home means more to us in these times.
Covid-19 made us spend more time in our houses than normal.
I now realize what my home really means.
It means family.

Home is wonderful.
When I think of home I think of my indigenous culture.
When I am home, I feel like me.
When I am in my home I think of my family, my culture and my background.

I don’t live in a house.
I live in a home.”

— Emma Mattson

Grady got runner-up with her entry, “What Does Home Mean to Me?” for the grade 6 category.

“Home can mean several things. To me, it doesn’t just resemble a building. Those 4 walls and a roof I’ve spent my whole life in means more than I can explain. The comfort, safety and love that comes from my home makes this place more than what you think.

I know I’m at home when I feel that single feeling of comfort the moment I walk through the door. My dog, greeting me with her kisses and happiness, mom and dad, giving me the hug that I have awaited all day for and my brother so joyous to see everyone together again. However, comfort isn’t just the hug you get when you walk into the house. It’s also helping each other, doing fun things together and knowing that you are loved.

An essential part of home to me is safety. Knowing that in the darkest conditions, I am always safe in my parent’s warm embrace. Safety is trusting that I can come home to escape my sorrow, bitter thoughts and just be myself. It also means to flee the cold rainstorm that I’ve been drenched in to a place that brings me a sense of security and safety. When I’m safe, that’s how I know that I’m at home.

Finally, the heart of my home is love. You don’t have to spell “love” to feel it. The simplest things my family does shows me that they love me whether it’s watching movies together, playing games or just giving each other our time. When someone says “home” I immediately think of love for it is the true key to a happily ever after.

I hope that one day, everyone will have a home to experience the things that I believe home means.”

— Olivia Grady

Sarah Budd, Humanity CEO, expressed her gratitude for the girls’ efforts in earning $22,890 for the habitat build. Each student entry also earns a $10 donation for their local Habitat.

“I’d like to congratulate both Olivia and Emma for their participation and incredible efforts in supporting affordable housing in their community,” she said. “Because of their hard work, these $10,000 grants mean that we can help more local families and individuals have access to safe and affordable homeownership.”

This year’s Meaning of Home contest raised a record of $300,000 for local Habitat for Humanity organizations across Canada.

Full contest results can be found on the contest’s official website.

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Fleming Student Wins Gold Medal In Province-Wide School Competition

Culinary Management student Liam Collins of Fleming College has won the gold medal in the Skills Ontario Competition held from May 3 to 5 announced on Friday.

Liam Collins showcases his three-course meal entered in the Skills Ontario Competition. The Skills Ontario Competition did not have an event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College

His win makes him the school and Ontario representative in culinary arts at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in a two-day event on May 26 and 27.

The virtual competition had Collins cook an appetizer, main course and dessert while supervised by a proctor at the campus’s classroom kitchen. Competitors had to detail all the elements used in each dish in addition to being judged by taste and presentation.

Liliane Michaud (pictured) earned silver in culinary arts showcasing her three-course meal at Fleming College. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The following are a list of Fleming students who participated in the event and earned top-three honours in the province:

• Liliane Michaud won silver in culinary arts

• Bailey Wodzack won silver in carpentry

• Nicholas Stock won bronze in welding

• Devin Cartmell-Martin won bronze in metal fabrication-fitter

Nicolas Stock (left) and Devin Cartmell-Martin (right) both won bronze medals in welding and metal fabrication-filter respectively for the competition. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

If successful at SCNC, Collins could qualify for the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. That event was originally scheduled for Sept. 22 to 27 this year but has been postponed for the fall of 2022.

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