A Young Peterborough Band Stole the Show at the DBIA’s Sidewalk Sale

By Scott Arnold

A local band formed by four young musicians at St. Anne’s Elementary School brought a soundtrack of classic hits to downtown Peterborough, and the internet took notice.

as Pressure Point performs on Charlotte Street during the DBIA’s Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale, with Murphy on keys, Lochlan on drums and vocals, Emerson on guitar and vocals and Jack on bass guitar (Photo by Scott Arnold)

When the DBIA’s Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale took over downtown Peterborough on Saturday, there was plenty happening along the streets.

But on Charlotte Street, Pressure Point was making some noise of its own.

The local band had asked the DBIA if they could provide the music for the day.

The answer was, of course, yes.

So Emerson, Lochlan, Jack and Murphy set up on Charlotte Street and got to work.

Emerson handles guitar and vocals, Lochlan is on drums and vocals, Jack plays bass guitar and Murphy plays keys.

And their setlist wasn’t exactly your typical sidewalk-sale soundtrack.

The young band played classic hits from bands including Weezer, Green Day and Nirvana, showing off their musical chops for people enjoying the event downtown.

One song in particular caught the attention of a whole lot of people online.

A video of Pressure Point performing “Territorial Pissings” from Nirvana’s Nevermind album was posted to Instagram, and within less than 24 hours it had been viewed more than 25,000 times, with hundreds of shares and plenty of comments from people cheering the youngsters on.

Among those comments came one from someone who knows a thing or two about being in a young band from Peterborough.

Adam Gontier, the internationally renowned Peterborough musician and lead singer of Three Days Grace, wrote:“Reminds me of another young band from Ptbo when they were just young lads”

That comment alone was pretty cool recognition for four kids who had simply decided they wanted to play some music downtown.

Other local comments were just as enthusiastic.

Local artist Lotsy wrote, “well this is wholesome and adorable,” while local fitness trainer Kate Ward celebrated the young band, writing, “yassss rise of the garage bands!! Bring real music back! Way to go boys!”

And Carly Reid pointed out just how young the members of Pressure Point actually are, writing, “YAAAAAAAS!! These boys are so great! And dedicated! And awesome! They're going places. I mean come on - they're all under 14. It's wild!!”

That might be one of the most impressive parts of the whole thing.

They’re young, they’re already playing together and they’re comfortable enough to set up in the middle of downtown Peterborough and play songs from some pretty legendary bands.

And apparently, people noticed.

It’s a pretty good reminder that sometimes the best part of a community event is the thing you didn’t necessarily expect to find there.

In this case, it was four young musicians playing some classic hits that got a lot of people talking.

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Women Build ’26 Bringing Local Women Together to Build Three Homes in Norwood

By Scott Arnold

Women from across the region will spend four days on a Habitat for Humanity build site in Norwood, helping build three affordable homes for local families.

Women Build ’26 will bring women from across the region together for hands-on construction in Norwood. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s Women Build ’26 runs from September 21st to 24th, bringing women from local businesses, organizations and the community together for hands-on construction.

No construction experience is needed. Participants will receive safety training and learn new skills while working alongside their teams on the active build site.

Construction is already underway on three new affordable homes being built by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region in Norwood. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

Construction is already underway, with the foundations in place and the three families who will eventually receive the homes already selected.

The three-bedroom homes will be for three different families: a three-generation family of women, a single mother raising two teenagers and a young family with two small children, supported by a single income while one parent stays home to raise their children.

“Affordable homeownership changes what is possible for a family,” says Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

The Women Build ’26 project will help bring three local families closer to affordable homeownership. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region)

The week will wrap up with the Women Build Cocktail Celebration on September 25th. Businesses and community members can also support the project through donations of food, refreshments, supplies or financial gifts.

Habitat says 100% of funds raised through Women Build will go directly toward construction of the three homes in Norwood.

More information about Women Build ’26, including how to register a team or support the project, is available through Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough’s Porter Martone Takes His Talents to the Major League Baseball … to Throw Out the First Pitch for the Phillies

By Scott Arnold

Porter Martone hasn't played his first full NHL season yet, but he's already getting a pretty good idea of what it's like to be part of Philadelphia's sports scene.

peterborough native porter martone got to throw out the first pitch on the thursday night as the philadelphia phillies hosting the houston astros in mlb action (photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

The Peterborough native and 6th overall pick of the Philadelphia Flyers threw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday, September 10th, as the Philadelphia Phillies hosted the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park.

Martone, wearing a powder blue Phillies jersey, got a big ovation from the Philadelphia crowd before taking the mound and delivering the pitch to the Phillie Phanatic.

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

(photo via instagram @philadelphiaflyers)

The 19-year-old also joined the Phillies broadcast during the game, getting a chance to take in another side of the city's passionate sports culture.

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It's another pretty cool stop in what's been a whirlwind year for Martone, who went from his freshman season at Michigan State to making his NHL debut with the Flyers, playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and representing Canada at the IIHF World Championship.

Now, with his first full NHL season just around the corner, Martone is getting a taste of what it means to be a Philadelphia sports star.

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Peterborough Sees First Flu Case of 2026/27 Respiratory Season

By Scott Arnold

Lakelands Public Health has confirmed the first laboratory-confirmed case of Influenza A in Peterborough, marking an earlier start to this year’s respiratory season.

Lakelands Public Health is confirming the first laboratory-confirmed case of Influenza A, commonly known as the flu, in the City of Peterborough (photo by scott arnold)

The case was confirmed about a month earlier than last year’s first reported case, which was confirmed in October.

Lakelands Public Health says residents can help limit the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses by staying home when sick, washing their hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes and paying attention to indoor air quality.

Residents are also encouraged to consider wearing a mask indoors, particularly if they are recovering from a respiratory infection, there is a lot of transmission or they are at higher risk of severe illness.

The flu vaccine is expected to become available in October and will be free for anyone six months of age and older. Lakelands Public Health says more information about vaccine availability will be shared once timelines are received from the province.

During the 2025/26 respiratory season, there were 1,104 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases across the Lakelands Public Health region.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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New Canadians Centre Adds Five Client Meeting Rooms After $166,500 Grant

By Scott Arnold

Renovations at the New Canadians Centre have created five additional meeting rooms where newcomers can privately access settlement services and support.

$166,500 OTF Grant from the Province helps New Canadians Centre create safer, more welcoming spaces for newcomers (photo courtesy of new canadians centre)

The improvements were made possible through a $166,500 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, awarded last summer.

The renovated space is part of the New Canadians Centre’s former St. James United Church building, which the organization purchased in 2025. The new rooms provide additional private, accessible and welcoming spaces for staff to meet with newcomers for settlement support, referrals and guidance.

“This grant allowed us to complete one of our first major improvements to the space, creating more private and welcoming areas where newcomers can access support with dignity,” said Jeeniraj (JJ) Thevasagayam, Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre.

The New Canadians Centre has been supporting immigrants and refugees in Peterborough and surrounding communities for more than 40 years.

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George Street Set to Become a Runway for Downtown Peterborough’s Final Sidewalk Sale

By Scott Arnold

The final Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale of the season is bringing local shopping, live music and a brand new fashion show to downtown Peterborough this Saturday, September 12th.

Fleming College is welcoming its first cohort of entrance scholarship recipients as students begin the Fall 2026 semester. (photo courtesy of Fleming college)

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to spend part of Saturday downtown, this is a pretty good one.

The Downtown Peterborough Business Improvement Area is wrapping up its season of Second Saturday Sidewalk Sales on September 12th, with businesses taking things outside and a full day of shopping, food, music and activities planned throughout the downtown.

But this time around, there’s something new to look forward to.

At 12:30pm, George Street will become a runway for the first-ever George Street Fashion Show, featuring local businesses and local models.

“It’s just a way, it’s a different way to showcase what businesses have to offer without you walking in and browsing, sort of just seeing it live on a model and piecing it together,” DBIA Executive Director Nour Mazloum said.

Participating businesses currently include Wild Rock, Knook & Cranny Vintage, Statement House, Cahills, Hi Ho Silver and T-Elle Boutique, with more expected to be added.

The idea is simple: instead of seeing what local shops have to offer one store at a time, shoppers will get to see it all come together on the street.

And it’s not just the clothing and accessories that are local.

“The models are local,” Mazloum said.

The fashion show is just one part of what will be happening downtown, with the Sidewalk Sale getting underway at 10am.

Businesses will have specials and sales, while food, patios, pop-ups, vendors and artisan markets will add to the atmosphere. There will also be face painting and a photo booth for families to enjoy.

Over on Charlotte Street, the local band Pressure Point will provide the soundtrack for the day.

The young group of friends, who came together while in school, reached out to the DBIA themselves after enjoying the previous sidewalk sales.

“They reached out saying, hey, we love your sidewalk sales. Can we play some music for three hours on Saturday?” Mazloum said.

The answer was an easy yes.

Charlotte Street will be closed between George Street and Aylmer Street to create more room for pedestrians, while George Street will also be closed from Hunter Street to Simcoe Street.

That means more room to walk, browse and take in everything happening around downtown without worrying about traffic through the event area.

Parking is also free, with street parking and downtown lots available. Just don’t try to park in the closed-off sections.

The Sidewalk Sale is part of a larger Second Saturday tradition that has been happening downtown for years. According to Mazloum, local businesses originally came together to create Second Saturday, with the DBIA now helping provide the resources needed to expand the event into the streets.

There will also be a Second Saturday market happening at the Bankers Commons and down on Sherbrooke Street there will be a pop-up with local artisans out front of Avant-Garden.

Come for the shopping. Stay for the food. Check out the local vendors, catch some music, let the kids get their faces painted and, at 12:30pm, see what downtown Peterborough looks like when George Street turns into a runway.

“Just come on down, you know, bring your family, bring your friends, and be ready to have lots of fun,” Mazloum said.

The final Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale of the season takes place this Saturday, September 12th, beginning at 10am. The George Street Fashion Show begins at 12:30pm.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Two More NHL Alumni Join Peterborough’s Battle of Ontario Rivalry Night

By Scott Arnold

Two more familiar names from the Battle of Ontario era are coming to Peterborough, with Nik Antropov and Chris Phillips joining the alumni lineup for Rivalry Night on November 6th.

fan favourites Nik Antropov and Chris Phillips will join the Leafs and Senators Alumni teams respectively for The Battle of Ontario on November 6th at the peterborough memorial centre (photo courtesy of the greater peterborough health services foundation)

Antropov will join the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team, while Phillips will suit up with the Ottawa Senators Alumni team at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The pair join previously announced alumni Darcy Tucker and Chris Neil, giving fans four former NHL players who were key parts of the Toronto-Ottawa rivalry of the early 2000s.

Antropov was selected 10th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and spent 10 seasons in the Leafs organization. The 6-foot-6 forward was a familiar presence on Toronto’s top lines during the rivalry’s peak.

Phillips was selected first overall by Ottawa in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft and spent his entire NHL career with the Senators. The defenceman became a longtime fixture on Ottawa’s blue line and was part of the rivalry’s biggest years.

The Battle of Ontario became a regular playoff matchup in the early 2000s, with Toronto and Ottawa meeting in the postseason four times in five seasons between 2000 and 2005.

The rivalry was revived in the 2024-25 season when the Leafs and Senators met in the first round of the playoffs.

Rivalry Night will also have a local purpose beyond the alumni matchup. The event is a fundraiser supporting concussion education and awareness in youth sport through the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s Concussion Fund.

The game takes place November 6th at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. Meet and greet packages are available with the alumni teams, and complete rosters will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets are available through the Peterborough Memorial Centre website.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Fleming College Awards $120,000 in Entrance Scholarships to 54 Students

By Scott Arnold

Fifty-four students starting their Fleming College journey this fall are receiving a combined $120,000 in entrance scholarship support.

Fleming College is welcoming its first cohort of entrance scholarship recipients as students begin the Fall 2026 semester. (photo courtesy of Fleming college)

The scholarships mark the first year of Fleming’s new Entrance Scholarships program, which awarded $100,000 to 50 incoming students.

Each student received $2,000, with scholarships awarded across five categories: mature learners, skilled trades students, applied health students, students entering the new Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program and Fleming alumni returning to college.

The remaining $20,000 is being provided to four students entering environmental science programs at Fleming’s Frost Campus through scholarships established by The Pick Family Foundation in honour of the late business leader and philanthropist Tom Pick. Each student will receive $5,000.

The scholarships are being awarded to students entering programs across Fleming’s Schools of Health and Community Services, Trades and Technology, and Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences.

Recipients were selected based on academic achievement and the eligibility requirements established for each award.

Fleming announced its first-ever entrance scholarship program in April, with the goal of providing additional financial support to incoming students. The 50 Fleming scholarships were made possible through the Fleming Forward Fund.

For Fleming student Zahid Hasan, who is entering the new Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography program, the support is already making a difference.

“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me and will provide valuable support as I begin my studies,” said Hasan. “I appreciate Fleming College’s commitment to supporting students and investing in those pursuing important and in-demand fields. I am excited to join the Fleming community and look forward to starting this academic journey.”

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Close to 10,000 Peterborough Residents Connected to Primary Care as Local Waitlist Milestone Reached

By Scott Arnold

A coordinated effort across Peterborough City and County has cleared the provincial Health Care Connect waitlist for 9,473 local residents who had been waiting for primary care since before January 1st, 2025.

Peterborough Ontario Health Team (POHT), in partnership with local primary care professionals and health system partners, has reached an important milestone in improving access to primary care across Peterborough City and County (photo by scott arnold)

The milestone was announced Wednesday by the Peterborough Ontario Health Team, which worked with local family doctors, nurse practitioners, primary care organizations and other health care providers to connect residents with ongoing care.

The work involved the Peterborough Family Health Team, Peterborough Community Health Centre, Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, Victorian Order of Nurses Nurse Practitioner Clinic in Keene, community family doctors, nurse practitioners, interprofessional health care providers and Health Care Connect Care Connectors.

Some residents had been waiting more than four years for a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

“Connecting thousands of residents to primary care across Peterborough City and County is a monumental achievement for our region,” said Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith.

The local progress is part of Ontario’s broader Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect every resident in the province with a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team by 2029.

While the priority waitlist has now been cleared, the need for primary care has not disappeared.

Peterborough City and County residents who still do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to continue registering with Health Care Connect. Registration is available online through the provincial program or by calling 8-1-1.

Locally, residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner can also access the Peterborough Family Health Team’s Connect Clinic. Intake appointments can be booked online or by calling 705-651-4866.

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team says the milestone represents a significant step toward making ongoing primary care more accessible closer to home.

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Porter Martone Pulls Back Curtain on His Peterborough Training Routine Ahead of Rookie NHL Season With Flyers

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough native Porter Martone was putting in the work at home this summer as he prepares for his first full NHL season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

peterborough native porter martone showed off his summer workout routine in a new tiktok video, which included several familiar local spots around the city (screenshot from video)

The 6th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft recently gave fans a look at what his summer training routine looks like in a TikTok video he created that was shared by the NHL.

And for Martone, getting ready for the NHL means getting plenty of work in right here at home.

His routine includes running the stairs at the Peterborough Lift Lock, workouts at Hybrid Fitness, and plenty of time on the ice at the Miskin Law Community Complex.

Martone also gets some help from a familiar face. His father, former Peterborough Petes captain Mike Martone, joins him on the ice to run drills and work with his son.

The younger Martone has already had a taste of NHL hockey. After his freshman season at Michigan State, he joined the Flyers for the final nine regular-season games and recorded four goals and six points before adding two goals and three assists in 10 playoff games.

Now, with his rookie NHL season on the horizon, he was back in Peterborough putting in the work.

And judging by the video, he made the most of being home while he could, with golf, boating, fishing and time with family and friends filling out the rest of his summer.

@portermartone94

Training camp 🔜

♬ original sound - Porter Martone

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