Local Mexican Restaurant Celebrating 20 Years In Business in Downtown Peterborough

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For two decades, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant has been serving downtown Peterborough a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine as they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner streaming her cooking classes as one of the services offered at her business. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

“Seems like yesterday when we opened our doors for the first time back in 2002,” reflects Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner. “Those years when our town was not as multicultural as it is today, times when finding tortillas, avocados or any other Mexican ingredient were such a challenge.”

Dubbed as ‘a little corner of Mexico,’ the restaurant serves food that owner Sandra Arciniega grew up eating.

“Those times when I felt homesick, dreaming of tasting those memorable and unique flavours of home, that is when the idea of opening an authentic Mexican restaurant was born,” she explained. “The love for my culture and my passion about its food needed to be shared with family and friends around the table.”

Arciniega when she opened La Hacienda in 2002. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

The restaurant carries signature dishes such as enchiladas, Sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), locally-sourced cricket tacos and guacamole.

La Hacienda is a gathering place that celebrates the culture, creativity, and diversity of Mexico according to Arciniega.

The restaurant hosts events to bring Mexico to life in Peterborough such as Mexican folk dance, live mariachi band, Day of the Dead Night Gala and cooking classes on and offsite.

In 2018, Arciniega expanded with a retail store adjacent to the restaurant called Mercado La Hacienda. It sells a variety of Mexican products such as salsa, chips, and even crickets.

As part of its celebration, La Hacienda is re-launching its in-house artisan product line that offers items such as roasted salsa verde, mild salsa, salsa Macha, roasted salsa, salsa para enchiladas, pickled serranos, handmade tortillas and corn chips.

“I feel grateful and proud of what La Hacienda has become,” said Arciniega. “We are not only a restaurant but a destination that conjures up memories.”

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Ennismore Community Centre Celebrates 50th Anniversary

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Community members and Selwyn Township council and staff gathered to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the construction of the Ennismore Community Centre on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Ennismore Community Centre.

Deputy Mayor Sherry Senis, Ennismore Ward Councillor Donna Ballantyne, local historian Paul Crough and community members whose families were instrumental in helping build the centre celebrated the milestone with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

In October 1972, the community of Ennismore came together with the goal of providing indoor recreational space in the area. It was a big community effort, with residents and local businesses donating their time, money, labour and equipment, and the municipality (Township of Ennismore at the time) donated profits from the sale of surplus lands while the province provided a grant towards the project.

Since the original building was constructed, the Community Centre has seen several renovations, each one reinvigorating Ennismore’s community spirit and generosity.

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GreenUP Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Environmental Sustainability and Growth

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GreenUP put its growth on display as it celebrated the 30th anniversary with an all-ages event at the Ecology Park on Thursday evening.

GreenUP is an environmental organization meant to inspire and empower environmentally healthy and sustainable action in the community according to its website.

“The resilience it takes to get to 30 years for any organization is really incredible,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director. “I'm really proud of all the people who've done this work for this long and to be a part of it and continuing it for decades yet to come.”

The event featured guided tours, a beanbag toss, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, a stunt ventriloquist, remarks from GreenUp staff and dinner.

Speeches from the event staff thanked the staff and supporters who have maintained the organization for 30 years.

Funding for GreenUp has come through the city via the Community Service Grant Program, donations, GreenUP store and park services.

“The environment is worth protecting,” said Moss. “We can work together as a community to realize really important reductions in CO2 emissions and the preservation of biodiversity so I'm really excited to engage and empower people in the work that results in those important things happening.”

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Photos: Nagasaki Commemoration Lantern Ceremony at Little Lake

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The Peterborough Peace Council hosted its annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony at Little Lake on Tuesday evening.

Traditionally the lanterns have been released towards the fountain however this year’s strong winds sent them along the shoreline. Photo by Luke Best.

“It’s important to remember exactly what happened,” said Gianne Broughton, a Peterborough Peace Council member.

The commemoration began with Broughton acknowledging the 77th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan by the U.S Military.

Peterborough Peace Council member Sheila Nabigon-Howlett then shared how Canada has not yet signed the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty and called for the end of nuclear tech.

“This is an opportunity to look at the globe and see what is happening. It’s not pretty,” she said.

An open invitation was offered if anyone would like to speak their mind, about the past or about the future. Two speeches were made after an open mic invitation was offered to speak their mind, about the past or about the future, followed by a song.

Peterborough Peace Council and supporters were invited to release paper lanterns into the water after the sun had set. This Japanese custom is a gesture of respect for those who have died and gives participants a moment to think about their ancestors and loved ones.

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Peterborough Golf & Country Club Tees Off 125th Anniversary With Throwback Golf Tournament

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Over a century of drives, chips and putts have happened at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) as they celebrate their 125th anniversary with a kickoff golf tournament this Saturday.

125th Anniversary co-chair Diane Topping (pictured) wearing traditional ladies’ golf attire during the late 1900s while taking a swing at the 12th tee at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event features a step-aside scramble golf tournament with some features relative to 1897, the year the golf club was founded. The tournament will feature stymies (other golf balls could not be marked and were natural obstacles for other golfers) with curling rocks on two of the greens and old-style putters used by course staff.

“In 1898, a picnic basket was had so we’re going to replicate that, folks will come off and we’re going to have sandwiches the way it was with a picnic basket,” said Ron Dempsey, 125th anniversary committee co-chair.

@ptbo_canada Happy 125th anniversary, Peterborough Golf & Country Club! Here is to another 125! #ptbo #ptbocanada #golf #golftiktok #golftok #peterboroughgolf #anniversary ♬ Mario Golf 64 - Koopa Cup - Goodknight Productions

The club will host several other events to commemorate the course’s milestone. In June, the course will have a curler’s golf day (as the course also has its own curling rinks). July 1 features a celebration day with a cake and other festivities.

Non-club members can have a chance to try the course as August allows members to bring a guest for $18.97 to celebrate the year the course was founded.

The Rye Street band will perform in September at the course. October is hosting a “Swing & Sweep,” where members can golf for nine holes and curl for six ends.

“This is a very exciting year,” said Dave Robinson, PGC president. “We’re really looking forward to a great year starting with our May 28th event.”

There are roughly 900 members at the PGCC (with an overlap between golf and curling). The club was founded on May 28, 1897.

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The Wolf 101.5 Rocks 30th Anniversary With Commemorative Beer to Benefit Kawartha Food Share

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The Wolf 101.5 is rocking its 30th anniversary with a commemorative “Howler” beer in a partnership with Bobcaygeon Brewing Company where part of the proceeds goes towards Kawartha Food Share (KFS) in a product launch on Saturday.

Brian Ellis, Wolf morning show host (left) with Brigitte “Gitty” Donaghy, Wolf promotions coordinator (right) broadcasting live on site at Bobcaygeon Brewing Company for the radio station’s 30th anniversary. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The beer titled ‘Howler’ is a four per cent cream ale developed by the local brewery. The Wolf promoted the beer’s launch at the brewery into Saturday afternoon while broadcasting on site.

"They actually created three different beers for us to sample," said Brian Ellis, Wolf morning show host. "We picked the one we picked and we're glad we did because that's the one Bobcaygeon Brewing would hope we picked too."

‘Howler"‘ is a four per cent cream ale that celebrates the Wolf’s 30th Anniversary. The commemoration is printed on the can including the charity aspect on its side. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Each beer sold gets 25 cents towards Kawartha Food Share. The demand for food banks has risen in Peterborough and fundraising for them was an easy decision according to Ellis.

"There's unfortunately a need in the city for their services," he said. "When you look in the past few years, there are more people using Kawartha Food Share, our local food bank in our area and surrounding area than there were two years ago."

Ellis and other Wolf staff a the launch say they are grateful for the community supporting them for three decades. The beer and donating to KFS were one way they wanted to give back to the community.

"You look across the country, across North America and there are not very many radio stations that have been around like we have," explained Ellis. "It goes back again to us trying to give back to the listeners, our sponsors, our advertisers that have kept us in business for 30 years.”

The beer is available at the brewery while supplies last.

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Peterborough Matboards Unveil New Logo For 120th Anniversary

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A new logo celebrating a milestone of 120 years in business for matboards and art material manufacturer Peterboro Matboards was revealed in their factory Thursday morning.

Steven Sprotte, operations manager (left) and his father Alan Yaffe, president (right) after the new unveiling of their new logo. Yaffe purchased the business in 2001 after being a picture framer for over 25 years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The logo contains the year the company was founded in 1902 and has five matboards on the left side.

The boards represent the company’s philosophy of quality, integrity, tradition, innovation and social responsibility according to the company’s presentation.

Local politicians such as MPP Dave Smith and Coun. Keith Riel were invited to take a facility tour prior to the logo unveiling.

Smith, Riel and representatives from the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development gave acknowledgements of the company’s milestone after the tour.

Peterborough Matboards operated in the Larry Electric Motor building until the 1960’s on Sherbrooke Street. They have relocated to the now-Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo building on Lansdowne Street. The company occupies the former Unilever plant that produced Ragu sauce on 715 Neal Dr.

The company boasts roughly 650 different colours of matboards manufactured in their factory.

Roughly 20 workers operate on the manufacturing floor with eight administration employees.

“We’re treating everybody like family and I think that’s played to our success,” said Steven Sprotte, Peterboro Matboards operations manager. “It’s about having great relationships with people. We have a huge focus on quality.”

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New Logo Unveiled To Commemorate 150th Anniversary of Peterborough Lacrosse

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A commemorative logo has been designed to celebrate 150 years of lacrosse in Peterborough since it was established in 1872 released on Wednesday.

Eleven of Peterborough’s 17 Mann Cup championships were under the Peterborough Lakers. Photo courtesy of Ed Arnold.

The anniversary marks 150 years of lacrosse as the oldest and most successful sport in the city’s history.

The logo was designed by former lacrosse player Jamie Plunkett of apparel company UncommonFit.

The first game began 1872 with the Red Stockings as the first team. Peterborough won its first championship in 1879 and won 29 senior and junior national championships and more than 150 provincial titles. Peterborough also won the Mann Cup 17 times in franchise history.

Tim Barrie, Committee chair has been formed to celebrate the game’s anniversary with a big week of lacrosse being planned for the last week of June ending with the celebration of Canada’s birthday on July 1. No further details have been released.

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Local Ice Cream Parlour Celebrates 125th Anniversary

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Central Smith Creamery celebrates their 125th anniversary with one-dollar vanilla ice cream cones this Saturday which is considered National Ice Cream Day weekend.

(left to right) Jillian Scates, project manager and co-owners Ian and Jennifer Scates are part of three generations who have been involved with Central Smith Creamery. Photo by David Tuan Bui

(left to right) Jillian Scates, project manager and co-owners Ian and Jennifer Scates are part of three generations who have been involved with Central Smith Creamery. Photo by David Tuan Bui

The price is a throwback to when the Scates family purchased the business in 1978 and sold ice cream scoops at that price. They chose vanilla as ice cream’s oldest flavour to commemorate the milestone.

"It's a true honour,” said Ian Scates, co-owner of Central Smith. “Sometimes you kind of have to pinch yourself to realize that you've literally been here before cars existed. It's a bit surreal to think that it's been around as long as it has.”

Ian Scates describes working at Central Smith the “longest summer job” of his life. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Ian Scates describes working at Central Smith the “longest summer job” of his life. Photo by David Tuan Bui

“Sometimes in life, it's really important to stop and celebrate the milestones,” said Jennifer Scates, co-owner of Central Smith. “The business of life gets us not thinking about the important things and it's important to recognize where we were, where we're going to, celebrate our employees who have helped us along the way and just pause and reflect.”

Central Smith Creamery has over 70 flavours of ice cream where some come in and out of rotation depending on popularity. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Central Smith Creamery has over 70 flavours of ice cream where some come in and out of rotation depending on popularity. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business has had three generations of the Scates working at Central Smith. Ian’s father, James Scates purchased the business back from the Andrews family in 1978 where Ian first helped the business in 1979. Since then, Ian has been working at Central Smith for 42 years.

His daughter, Jillian Scates graduated in business from Dalhousie University in April 2016 and joined the business starting at the bottom. She has worked her way through as a sales analyst and now as a project manager.

“There's a lot of pride in that we've been able to keep going with the legacy,” said Jennifer. “This place is still in the same place 125 years ago.”

Some of creamery’s top flavours are Algonquin Canoe, Lavender Lemonade and Monster Cookie. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Some of creamery’s top flavours are Algonquin Canoe, Lavender Lemonade and Monster Cookie. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

New this year is Central Smith merchandise for sale such as reusable water bottles, caps and t-shirts. A colouring contest to design your own ice cream flavour is part of the milestone celebrations. Customers can pick up a colouring sheet and submit their designs to the store by Aug. 1.

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Kawartha TV & Stereo Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

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The giant scissors were out to cut the ribbon to celebrate Kawartha TV & Stereo’s 50th anniversary on Monday morning.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith, owner Glenn Stuart, general manager Scott Stuart and Mayor Diane Therrien holding the ribbon as it gets cut to commemorate the store’s milestone. Photo Courtesy of Kawartha TV & Stereo.

(left to right) MPP Dave Smith, owner Glenn Stuart, general manager Scott Stuart and Mayor Diane Therrien holding the ribbon as it gets cut to commemorate the store’s milestone. Photo Courtesy of Kawartha TV & Stereo.

In attendance were Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith and Mayor Diane Therrien to commemorate the event. Owner Glenn Stuart and general manager Scott Stuart — who are brothers — had the honours of cutting the ribbon with giant scissors to celebrate the store’s milestone and community involvement.

“We have been a huge supporter of local for years and years and years since day one,” said Scott. “We’ve very proud of that and we will continue that for as long as we can.”

“We all do business with each other,” said Glenn. “We buy from those businesses back and forth and that’s one of the things we do in a small-town atmosphere.”

The store has been reputable for supporting the local communities and city officials have noticed the business’s contribution to Peterborough.

Smith gave a certification to the electronics store to mark the occasion. He mentioned that Kawartha TV & Stereo was one of the first places he visited and made a purchase since moving to Peterborough in 1981.

“The service you have provided has been fantastic,” he said. “It’s a testament to what you have done to this community, the fact that you’ve been here for 50 years.”

“There’s a reason people keep coming back,” said Therrien. “I can’t wait to be here for another 50 years.”

Kawartha TV & Stereo opened in 1971 with 600 square ft. of space on Charlotte Street before moving down the same road with 800 square ft. The store moved again in the mid-1980s to its current location on the corner of Lansdowne Street and Park Street which is known as the “Bargain Corner.”

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