Photos: Trent Valley Archives Portray Peterborough's Trials and Tribulations In the 1940s and 50s With Production of 'The Kid from Simcoe Street' at Canterbury Gardens

Trent Valley Archives is telling the tales of James Clarke’s Memoir 'The Kid from Simcoe Street' in a mini-production at Canterbury Gardens Retirement Residence on Thursday night.

Charlie Porter playing Young Jimmy (left) in a bustling scene with Kaza Hesselink playing Josh (right). All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Clarke is a former Ontario Superior Court Judge's from Peterborough. His 2012 memoirs focus on Peterborough’s trials and tribulations and his St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School football teammate, Murray Byrne, as they grew up poor in post-war Peterborough in the 1940s and 1950s.

The performance is ahead of their four live productions at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre running from June 4 to 7. The first two shows start at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinee starts for the final two shows.

The production is directed by Drew Taylor-Grigg and written by Edward Schroeter, Gerry McBride and David Francis Clarke.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Hosting Play Adaptation of Former Peterborough Ontario Superior Court Judge's Memoir 'The Kid from Simcoe Street'

To retell the trials and tribulations of Peterborough in the 1940s and 50s, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is putting on a fundraising production of Ontario Superior Court Judge James Clarke’s memoirs, ‘The Kid From Simcoe Street,’ at Market Hall from June 4-7.

(From left to right) James Clarke, Author ‘The Kid From Simcoe Street;’ David Clarke, James’s Grandson; R. Kenneth Armstrong, Historian and Murray Byrne. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Trent Valley Archives received permission to adapt the memoir, with proceeds going to the Archives for book donations to sell.

The 2012 memoirs focus on the trials and tribulations of Clarke and his St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School football teammate, Murray Byrne, as they grew up poor in post-war Peterborough in the 1940s and 1950s.

Prior to the production, Clarke and Byrne held a Community Reminiscence and Reunion event (hosted by TVA), speaking to an audience about the memoirs at Princess Gardens on Tuesday afternoon.

Byrne currently resides in the Bridgnorth area and with theatre experience, will have a cameo role.

Clarke practised law in Cobourg for many years until his appointment to the bench in 1983. He served on the Ontario Court of Justice from 1990 to 1999 and the Superior Court of Justice from 1999 until his retirement in 2008. He began writing poetry in 1995. He is the author of more than 20 poetry books and received a Horizons of Friendship Founders Award in 2018, ‘for the exceptional strength and commitment they have shown as volunteers and leaders in their communities.’ He has been involved with the Covenant House of Toronto, Plan International Canada, Chalice, Michael House, the food bank and the Welcome Drop-in Centre in Guelph, the city where he now resides.

@ptbo_canada A piece of history is being brought to life by Trent Valley Archives, putting on a production at Market Hall of the memoirs of Ontario, Superior Court Judge, James Clarke in his memoir, “The kid from Simcoe Street” from June 4-7. ##ptbocanada##journalism##fyp##news##dailynews ♬ We Should Stick Together - elijah woods

Tickets can be purchased from the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre box office, Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m., by phoning (705) 749-1146, emailing boxoffice@markethall.com or purchasing them online.

The play is suitable for ages 14 to adult, running for approximately 80 minutes. There will be a 20-minute intermission.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Hosting Open House and Book Launch On Saturday

Trent Valley Archives is opening its doors to the public to celebrate the launch of its newest book and explore materials related to the dispersal of families who came with the 1825 Peter Robinson emigration this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Archives.

Around 11:30 a.m., Dr. Elwood Jones, author, historian and archivist and John McQuarrie, photographer, will speak about their new book, ‘Peterborough, Spirit of Place.’ It profiles some of the history of Peterborough, including articles about the 1825 Robinson emigration and how the town evolved from that point.

Jones will also present materials related to what happened to the next generation of those who immigrated from Ireland in the early 1800s. Where they went and what they were able to accomplish is a matter of great interest as Peterborough County and areas beyond began to develop into the vibrant places they have become.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: Trent Valley Archives Brings Peter Robinson's Story On Bicentennial Anniversary to Princess Gardens

On the bicentennial anniversary of Peter Robinson's Settler Emigration Scheme, Trent Valley Archives Theatre brought the production of his story to Princess Gardens Retirement Residence on Wednesday night.

Eddy Sweeney (left), Abba Koshka (middle) and Kaza Hesselink (right) in their respective roles as David, Mary and Tim in the third act. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Commemorating the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson immigration, the story takes place on one of the nine ships. It depicts the events at the end of a six-week voyage off the Quebec shore in the St. Lawrence River.

The production showed its third act for the seniors of the residence. Andrew Mills directs the play.

Roughly 2,024 Irish settlers were sent to Peterborough as part of the British government’s assisted emigration program for destitute Irish families.

Live productions are available to the public at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on the 31st.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Andrew Mills Recovering From a Brain Tumour to Direct "Crossing Over" at Market Hall On May 29-31

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Andrew Mills, director of "Crossing Over" for Trent Valley Archives Theatre, about the production at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre from May 29-31, his recovery from suffering a brain tumour in 2018 and his first directing role since his injury.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Hosting ‘Peterborough Perpetrators,' True Crime Walks In Downtown Core

Due to popular demand, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is offering its ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’ true crime walk in the downtown core.

Photo courtesy of TVA.

Walking dates are July 12, 19, Aug.16 and 23 at 7 p.m.

They are led by Madison More, a researcher and tour guide. The tour will feature stories such as the 1970s shooting of Grand Hotel owner Murray Green, the mysterious disappearance of an early lumber jack fueled by the discovery of human remains and an escape from the Peterborough jail and the ensuing police chase.

The cost is $20 per person and registration and payment in advance are required. Tours run rain or shine. Tickets are available by going online, calling or emailing TVA at 705-745-4404 or admin@trentvalleyarchives.com.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photos: Seniors Entertained As Trent Valley Archives Brings Peter Robinson's Story to Life With 'Tide of Hope' Production at Royal Gardens

Tales of famed politician Peter Robinson came to life in a live production of ‘Tide of Hope’ put on by Trent Valley Archives Theatre production at Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Thursday night.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Michael Ketemer as the Musician.

Nathan Govier as Lord Kingston (left) with Lucas Pronk as Peter Robinson (right).

Drew Mills (left) as David and Lauren Murphy (right).

Pronk with June Govier (middle) as Elizabeth and Elaine Day (right) as The Descendant.

Brogan McKeller (left) as the Stage Manager with the cast members as the production has a play within itself.

Carling Dulder (left) as Lady Margaret/Midnight as Govier receives a knife from her.

The play depicts actor The Descendant in the forthcoming Trent Valley Archives Theatre production. She is a Peter Robinson settler descendant while her ancestor, John Heffernan, was a poor gardener on Lord George Kingston's estate.

It follows the trials and tribulations of two families who are forced to flee Ireland and emigrate to Upper Canada in 1825 to escape hardships and violent rebellion. It commemorates the bicentennial of the Peter Robinson immigration. He played a pivotal role in organizing the migration and settlement of Peterborough.

The play commemorates the 200th anniversary of the arrival of roughly 2,024 Irish settlers to Peterborough as part of the British government’s assisted emigration program for destitute Irish families.

Live productions are available to the public at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. for school groups on Wednesday.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Hosting Free Presentation of Quaker Fire of 1916

Trent Valley Archives has launched its new season of talks, walks and tours in a free presentation on a new understanding of the substantial Quaker Fire of 1916 at the Highland Park Cemetery Visitor on April 25.

Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Archives.

The presentation takes place from 7 to 9 p.m.

This year’s speaker, Matthew Flagler, author of ‘Held to the Fire,’ grew up in East City and is related to Dennis O’Brien, his great grandfather, whose body was never recovered in the explosion at Quaker Oats on Dec. 11, 1916.

‘Held to the Fire’ dissects the shocking event piece-by-piece, throwing back the curtain of time to reveal an incredible story of resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

Flagler will discuss the challenges of writing about an event over 107 years ago, the impetus for writing Held to the Fire, do a select reading from the book and answer questions from the audience.

Refreshments will be served and the annual general meeting will follow the discussion. Matthew’s book will also be available for sale that evening.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Launches 'Tide of Hope' Production For May

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is launching a new dramatic history theatre initiative with their production, ‘Tide of Hope,’ at Market Hall in May.

Lindsay Wilson (left) and Paden Gilhooley (right) in a scene from Trent Valley Archives Theatre’s Tide of Hope. A public performance of the play will be staged May 16 at The Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Schroeter and Peterborough Museum and Archives.

The production is written by Peterborough playwright Ed Schroeter and directed by Gerry McBride. The play is a prequel to the Peter Robinson immigration story geared toward the general public and Grades 6 to 12 students.

The story follows the fortunes and misfortunes of David Nagle, an Irish land agent and rent collector forced to flee to Upper Canada in 1825 when Irish rebels fighting against English tyranny brand him a traitor. The play commemorates the bicentennial of Peter Robinson's immigration while opening a dialogue about immigration, refugees, migrants and European settler history.

The public fund-raiser is at 7:30 p.m. on May 16. Tickets are $26 per person or $36 for table seating, plus applicable service charges and are available on the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre website.

Two performances for school groups are scheduled on May 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teachers can book their classes by email at trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com. Admission is $250 for a class of 25 students or more. Teachers may request up to five free seats for themselves and up to four volunteer chaperones at the time of booking.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent Valley Archives Hosting Inaugural Tour of Little Lake Cemetery On Aug. 31

Trent Valley Archives is providing a special tour of Little Lake Cemetery for the first time scheduled for Aug. 31 at 3 p.m. announced on Tuesday.

Historian Dennis Carter-Edwards (left) and Karen Carter-Edwards (right) are noted historians within the Peterborough Area. Photo courtesy of Trent Valleyt Archives.

George Morrow and Fanny McLeod, portrayed in the first person by historians Dennis and Karen Carter-Edwards will share stories of their fellow residents in this historic ‘City of the Dead.’

Stories of wealthy merchants, politicians, clergy and athletes or Civil War vets, leading ladies and ordinary folk who have been laid to rest at Little Lake Cemetary will be told during the tour.

This tastefully designed landscape which is home to many fascinating personalities is the final resting place to many of Peterborough’s former citizens and provides a beautiful backdrop to many interesting tales of the local area and beyond according to a press release.

This tour runs rain or shine. Tickets are available online, by calling the office at 705-745-4404 or by emailing admin@trentvalleyarchives.com. The cost is $20 per person and registration and payment in advance is required.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.