The Inside Story Of The 1916 Quaker Fire Released

A massive explosion and resulting fire levels the Quaker Oats plant in Peterborough, Ontario. In the wake of the disaster, 22 workers are dead—two more would later die as a result of their injuries—with the total damage set at a then unfathomable $2,250,000, not including an estimated $225,000 damage to neighbouring structures. 

As the Peterborough community rallies around shattered families and contemplates a possible future without the plant at its center, Quaker officials arrive from Chicago to survey the devastation firsthand, lend their assistance and investigate the opportunity to rebuild the plant.

Featuring a gripping you-are-there narrative as well as numerous archival photographs and newspaper clippings, A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916, is the most comprehensive account of the Quaker explosion and fire, and its aftermath, yet published.

Researched over a 12-year period and written by local historian Gord Young with the assistance of several Lakefield Heritage Research volunteers, its 200-plus pages recount a dark period in Peterborough’s history, the tragedy’s effects on the many the disaster touched and investigates the many theories as to what caused the explosion.    

A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916 will be launched Friday, November 18th, at 1 p.m., at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 175 George Street North, and author Gord Young will be there.

A Dark Day In Peterborough: A Time To Remember December 11, 1916 is available for purchase for $30 at Chapters, 873 Lansdowne Street West; the Canadian Canoe Museum, 910 Monaghan Road; Sullivan’s Pharmacy, 71 Hunter Street East; Trent Valley Archives, 567 Carnegie Avenue; in Lakefield at Happenstance Books and Yarns, 44 Queen Street and Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, 32 Queen Street; and in Selwyn at Craftworks at The Barn, 124 Lindsay Road.

—guest post by Paul Rellinger

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Scholars' Bookstore Closing At End Of October After Nearly 40 Years In Business

Scholars' Bookstore, which has been in business since 1978 in Peterborough, is going to be closing its doors at the end of October.

It has been an amazing run for this bookstore.

There are shelving units for sale (see info in poster below).

—post by Evan Holt

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Iconic Local Broadcaster Gordon Gibb Releases New Book "Gibberish"

Gordon Gibb (picture via @GordoGibbo on Twitter)

Local broadcaster and author Gordon Gibb has a new book out, Gibberish: Tall Tales and Domestic Disasters From Beyond the Microphone, a collection of previously-published columns. “With the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Peterborough Flood this summer, I also included a look back from my perspective to that fateful day, and our efforts to alert residents as to the ongoing crisis. Also included is a behind-the-scenes account of the birth of what has become an iconic station locally, The WOLF,” says Gibb in a release.

He adds, "Gibberish is an honest, sometimes intimate, sometimes poignant, mostly light-hearted take on everyday life. The short format makes for a nice, light summer read for the hammock, or by the pool."

The self-published book is available as an eBook, as well as a print-on- demand (POD) book through Amazon. “This way, I’m saving trees. Books will only be printed for those who want them."

To pre-order a print book or get more info on it, email Gord here.

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Local Man Starts Kickstarter Campaign For His Self-Published Book On Schizophrenia

Peterborough resident David LaChapelle has written a book called David's Battle with Schizophrenia: My Road to Recovery, which is on track to be finished this September. David is looking to self-publish the book, but needs your help to get there. He has started a Kickstarter campaign recently, and there is only 8 days left for him to reach his goal of $2,000. Head over to his campaign to see the various pledges you can contribute, which offer different incentives for your contribution.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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