Peterborough Police Service Hosting Community Celebration For 175th Anniversary This Saturday

With 2025 marking the 175th anniversary of the Peterborough Police Service, the public is invited to a community celebration between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 1421 Lansdowne St. this Saturday.

Drew Merrett, Board Vice-Chair; Mayor Jeff Leal, Board Member; Chief Stuart Betts; Mary ten Doeschate, Board Chair; Councillor Gary Baldwin, Board Member; Steve Girardi, Board Member; Deputy Chief Jamie Hartnett. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The celebration will have the following:

• Development of a 175th Anniversary Crest

• Use of 175th Anniversary Crest decal on all marked patrol vehicles

• Allow public to meet officers, Unit demonstrations, recruitment information, BBQ, petting zoo, obstacle course and more!

• History of the Peterborough Police Service Display at Community Celebration

• Return of the Chief For A Day contest

• Update the mission, Vision and Values for the Police Service

The Service was officially formed as one of the first acts of Peterborough council in 1850, with William Cummings serving as Chief Constable alongside four part-time constables serving a population of around 2,200. Since then, the Service has grown to 162 officers and 96 civilian members serving the residents of the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield and Township of Cavan-Monaghan — with a combined population of approximately 100,000 people — and welcomes in just over three million visitors, students and residents from neighbouring communities, annually. 

The Peterborough Police Service marked the start of those celebrations on Tuesday. Chief of Police Stuart Betts placed the official 175th Anniversary Crest on our marked patrol vehicles alongside our Police Service Board members.

“We are honoured to be stewarding the celebration of this milestone.  It is important for us to say thank you to the officers and civilians that built this Organization and have served with dedication as our community has grown,” said Chief Stuart Betts. “When looking back through our history, it is not surprising to see the Peterborough Police Service at the forefront of policing and public safety innovation. We pledge that the Service of the future is just as forward thinking and responsive to the needs of our policing communities. As part of that pledge, we will revisit the mission, vision and values of our Service to ensure they reflect not only today’s expectations, but also the future needs of our Organization and the Community.”

Historical Markers:

• The Peterborough Police Service is the 10th oldest service in the province

• 14 police chiefs in service history - Peterborough Police Chief George H. Johnston was originally thought to have been the first Chief of the Peterborough Police Service; however, historical archives suggest that there were three others who preceded him.

• First civilian member was a female stenographer in 1952

• First female officer 1968

• First forensic unit created in 1948

• First K9 Unit 1997

• 500 Water Street officially opened in 1968 and was the only police-designated building until the City of Peterborough purchase of the 1421 Lansdowne Street location in February 2024

• 2025 is also the 25th Anniversary of the Peterborough Police Service Auxiliary Unit

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Public Invited to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

The public is invited to join the City of Peterborough in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre next Thursday at 10 a.m.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The event will feature speeches from local dignitaries, including the Mayor, City Council members and representatives from Fleming College, which has been a community partner at the Sport and Wellness Centre since its opening.  

“For 20 years the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre has been a cornerstone of our community, promoting health and wellness for people of all ages,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.  “This is more than just a recreation facility. It’s a gathering place where goals are achieved, friendships are formed and lives are enriched. I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating 20 years of active living through the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.”

Refreshments will be served. Photos of the Sport and Wellness Centre over the last two decades will be on display near the main entrance.

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Premiere Studio of Dance Celebrates Milestone With 25 Years In Peterborough

Premiere Studio of Dance is under the spotlight again as they hit a milestone, celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

Photo courtesy of Sara Connelly and Premiere Studio of Dance.

To mark the occasion, the studio is hosting year-end recitals from May 28 to 31 at the Showplace Performance Centre. The performances showcase talent from across the region.

Premiere Studio of Dance was founded in June 2000 by Robyn Carter, owner and artistic director. The business began as a dream while she was attending Trent University.

“Our studio has always been about more than just dance,” said Carter. “We’ve grown with our students and our community. Watching young dancers grow in confidence, artistry, and resilience has been the greatest reward.”

Photo courtesy of Sara Connelly and Premiere Studio of Dance.

Over the past two and a half decades, the studio has grown alongside the Peterborough community, serving thousands of families and nurturing generations of dancers.

“I’m most proud of all the dancers and all the families that I’ve gotten to be a part of and share a part of their kids growing up,” explained Carter. “With social media, you can see the kids dance together.”

Premiere students have gone on to achieve remarkable success in both professional and academic arenas — performing on cruise ships, in major cities like New York City, Toronto, London (UK), and Chicago. They have also been accepted into prestigious post-secondary dance programs such as those at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), York University, George Brown College and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Several have gone on to become award-winning choreographers, teachers and artists.

“I love Peterborough and the surrounding community,” said Carter. “We continue to grow and we continue to offer great classes for all our communities and continue on and enjoy the journey.”

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History of Peterborough Keeps On Trucking As Kawartha Time Machine Hits Decade Milestone

What started as a streaming oldies platform to showcase a growing collection of local and regional broadcast archives, Kawartha Time Machine celebrates a decade of hitting the waves as a local internet platform.

The most recent audience numbers for the 30 days ending Feb. 28, 2025 show 2,507 listeners in 123 countries streaming for a combined 10,508 hours, with average listening times of just over five hours. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Time Machine.

It was launched in the first week of March in 2015 by Gordon Gibb; known as a tenured Peterborough writer/broadcaster and Petes PA announcer.

With listeners in over 100 countries, Kawartha Time Machine sampling the music and nostalgia, weekday features, eclectic weekend shows and vignettes highlighting the jewels of Peterborough and surrounding area. This includes the Lift Lock, Musicfest, 4th Line Theatre and the Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Peterborough Petes, the Canadian Canoe Museum and the City itself. The program has also had close ties to Lester B. Pearson, Robertson Davies and Neil Young.

“It quickly became apparent that given the site's global reach, I can help those living abroad stay in touch with their native homeland, as well as promote the region as a destination,” said Gibb.

His growing collection of regional broadcast archives gained significant interest over time.

“I rolled tape whenever anything of significance happened over the years which has combined to a treasure trove of audio archives including the Peterborough flood of 2004, major fires, local elections and Gary Dalliday's very first sportscast in 1975.,” explained Gibb. “I also have all of John Badham's commentaries, and a newscast from his third day on the job with us in 1988.”

Kawartha Time Machine also had unearthed archives extend back to the 1960s with people such as Del Crary and the week Peterborough Square first opened in 1975. The archives include audio from 1420 CKPT, the early days of Country 105, and CKLY in Lindsay.

“The voices and the events are forever ingrained in our memories,” said Gibb. “It's history that would otherwise gather dust in a box. With The Time Machine, they're available to anyone. An audible museum of history.”

Future plans include segments on Peterborough's unique and long-heralded rock and roll roots.

“It started as a hobby,” said Gibb. "But it's become a passion. And people seem to quite enjoy it.”

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Peterborough Using New Logo To Celebrate 175th Anniversary of City's Incorporation

The City of Peterborough is using a new version of its logo in 2025 to reflect the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as the Town of Peterborough in 1850.

The Town of Peterborough was officially incorporated on Jan. 1, 1850, under the Baldwin Act, which allowed for the incorporation of townships, villages, towns and cities, each with its own democratically elected council. In 1850 Peterborough had a population of roughly 2,200 people. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City will be incorporating the recognition of its 175th anniversary into various events throughout the year.

“For 175 years, Peterborough has grown and evolved into a hub of culture, education and industry. This important milestone is a testament to those who have built, shaped and strengthened Peterborough for generations,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “As we celebrate our rich history we look forward to our exciting future, filled with opportunity, progress and Peterborough’s unwavering sense of community.”

Along with the temporary alternative logo, the City will use ‘Peterborough 175 | 1850-2025 | Celebrating the foundation of our future’ for the anniversary.

Peterborough was officially incorporated as a City on July 1, 1905

The following are relevant and notable occurrences during the City’s 175-year run:

• Peterborough is home to the Peterborough Lift Lock, which is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world and designated as a national historic site of Canada.

• Peterborough is known as ‘The Electric City’ because in May 1884 it was one of the first cities in Canada to have electric streetlights.

• Peterborough-based Fisher Gauge produced Hasbro’s Monopoly game pieces in the 1980s.

• Quaker Oats, now PepsiCo, opened its plant here in 1902.

• Fire destroyed the downtown on August 16, 1861, which led to a by-law that buildings must be made of brick.

• Canada General Electric was established here in 1891

• Canadian singing legend Stompin’ Tom Connors got his nickname Stompin’ Tom in Peterborough. Before he died in 2013, he chose Peterborough as the location for his public memorial because of his connection to the community.

• Senator Iva Fallis, born in 1883, was the second woman ever appointed to the Senate.

• Per-capita, Peterborough had the most enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War.

• 2025 is also the 200th anniversary of the Peterborough Robinson Emigration of 1825 that brought nearly 2,000 Irish settlers to the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough area. Nine Ships 1825 Inc. is organizing events to recognize the Bicentennial.

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Hometown PTBO: Kelli & Tony Grady of Grady's Feet Essentials Celebrating 40 Years of Business and Their Induction Into JA-NEO's Business Hall of Fame

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Kelli and Tony Grady of Grady's Feet Essentials about celebrating 40 years of business, being inducted into JA-NEO's Business Hall of Fame and their roles with the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

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Five Counties Children’s Centre Unveils Plans For 50th Anniversary Celebration

It’s the golden anniversary for Five Counties Children’s Centre as they have released details to celebrate its 50th anniversary since opening its doors in 1975.

Five Counties Children’s Centre speech-language pathologist Diane has a little fun with one of her clients. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The milestone is being marked throughout the year at its sites in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Minden; stories of support and success are the centrepiece of the Centre’s 50th-anniversary festivities.

Five Counties will share stories from current and former clients, families, staff members, volunteers and supporters who will detail their different experiences at Five Counties. The stories will be available on the Five Counties’ 50th anniversary web page and social media. Individuals who have a memory to share can still submit their story.

“The Centre is made up of much more than bricks and mortar, as it’s really been built on the magical memories and moments of thousands of clients and families,” said Scott Pepin, Five Counties CEO. “We’ve been fortunate to collect some amazing stories from members of our Five Counties family and look forward to sharing them with our communities.”

The first story featured from Five Counties is Mike Hannah, a Kawartha Lakes resident who was born with cerebral palsy. Well-known for his athletic exploits and charity work, Hannah remembers as a child in the 1970s being bused from school twice a week to the newly-opened Five Counties in Peterborough. He was bused there to receive speech and occupational therapy, as this type of treatment was unavailable in his school and Five Counties did not yet have a location in Lindsay.

“I would probably not be where I am today. Five Counties changed my life,” says Mike, recounting the treatment and support he received at the Centre.

Since its first year serving 126 kids/clients, the Centre has expanded to support more kids and families in Peterborough, Northumberland, Kawartha Lakes, and Minden/Haliburton. That growth is reflected in the 6,103 kids/clients in the area who received services last year through the Centre.

“While the numbers have changed, our commitment to enhancing children’s independence, well-being and quality of life has remained a constant for 50 years,” said Pepin.

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$100,000 Available For Projects Supporting Economic Growth Through Community Futures Peterborough's Advancement Program

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is doubling the funding to $100,000 through its Community Advancement Program (CAP) for projects supporting economic growth, announced at the Art Gallery of Peterborough on Tuesday morning.

Girard addresses the public on CFP’s 40th anniversary at the Art Gallery of Peterborough with several dignitaries in attendance. Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough.

The money came from the federal government through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The CAP will distribute an astonishing $100,000 to our region's not-for-profits, charities, municipalities and First Nation communities, a doubling from when it was first launched last year.

“Our organization is committed to advancing our local economy forward and is thrilled to be able to distribute $100,000 back into our community this year,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “We fully understand and recognize the impact these dollars can make to create real change.”

The extra funding is part of CFP’s 40th anniversary where the City recognized the organization’s milestone.

“Building on a successful first year, the Community Advancement Program now offers even more support for businesses, non-profits and other eligible organizations to invest in the Peterborough region,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

“Providing stability, building trust, and fostering a strong reputation in our region are all at the core of what we do at Community Futures Peterborough,” said Wayne Harding, CPF board of directors chair. “It's about giving back and demonstrating unwavering commitment to our community.”

The Community Advancement Program will provide 10 chosen applicants with non-repayable funding of $10,000 for their project.

Applications for the CAP program and full program guidelines are available on the Community Futures Peterborough website. The deadline to apply is March 7. All applicants will be notified by April 1 of the result of their application.

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Community Care Peterborough Exceeds Meals On Wheels Donation Goal On 60th Anniversary

Community Care Peterborough has exceeded its goal of 600 donated meals for Meals on Wheels clients in December during the program’s 60th anniversary, announced on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Community Care says there were 634 meals donated.

“Our community’s generosity never ceases to amaze us,” said Chris LeBlanc, Community Care director of donors and public relations. “These meals ensure that our clients feel cared for and supported during the holiday season, a time that can be challenging for so many.”

The Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious meals and vital connections to seniors and adults living with physical challenges throughout Peterborough and surrounding areas.

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Hometown PTBO: The Chocolate Rabbit's Kristine Webster and Her Family Hitting the One-Year Milestone With Its Peterborough Location

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Kristine Webster of The Chocolate Rabbit about the Peterborough location hitting the one-year milestone, continuing Lois MacEachen's legacy since opening in 2005 and keeping the business in the family since buying it in 2021.

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