City of Peterborough Services on Victoria Day 2023
/For Victoria Day on Monday, May 22, many City services and facilities will be operating under holiday hours or will be closed for the holiday.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Police Chief Giving Virtual Perspective During Heightened Police Presence On St. Patrick's Day
/With St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts is offering the public his virtual perspective on what officers go through on a daily basis.
Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts was sworn in on Jan. 9. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
"I know the men and women of our organization work hard every day,” said Betts. “This is an opportunity for me to go out when I know they'll be busy in the community and support them, to see what they do every day but more importantly to bring what we do every day for the citizens here in the city."
Betts is attending calls throughout the evening and Tweeting what he has observed on his first festive occasions since being appointed chief.
Join me online this St. Paddy's evening/night as I hit the streets after hours & take you along (virtually) in @CityPtbo @CavanMonaghan @SelwynTownship to give you a front seat view into the great work @PtboPolice do each and every night! https://t.co/5KDt7jR0hl
— Chief Stu Betts, Peterborough Police Service (@PtboChiefBetts) March 15, 2023
Peterborough Police will have an increased presence in Peterborough, Lakefield and the Township of Cavan-Monaghan. This is to respond to an anticipated increase in calls for service, such as noise or disturbance calls. There will also be RIDE check stops throughout the day and evening.
“We want people to have a good time,” explained Betts. “We're not here to spoil anybody's party but we do want them to do it safely. If they're drinking, obviously they're not driving. That would be my number one recommendation.”
Betts and the Peterborough Police recommend these options to avoid drinking and driving:
Select a designated driver in your group
Arrange a ride ahead of time
Stay overnight if possible
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Hometown PTBO: St. Patrick's Day Special With the Dunns and Shaughnessys With the Return of the Parade
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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with the Dunns and Shaughnessys about the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, its traditions and the return of the parade after a three-year hiatus.
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Douro's Longest-Running Irish Party Returns To St. Joseph's Parish Hall
/Douro is going to be green all over as the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is returning to the St. Joseph Parish Hall for music, food and children’s activities this Saturday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Canadian Irish Club.
Touted as the longest-running Irish party in Peterborough, the Irish Club’s celebration returns after a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus.
The event begins at 1 p.m., featuring musicians such as Natalie McMaster and Donnell Leahy, Fiddlestix, Roy Boyz and more.
Local band ‘The Patio Stones’ is performing from 7 - 11 p.m. for anyone who wants to get their dancing shoes on.
The day will also include activities for kids and Irish Soda bread for sale. A light dinner is available for purchase from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for Irish club members and $17 for non-members. Family passes (two adults and unlimited children) are $25 a member and $27 for non-members. Children under 12 are free admission. Tickets for only dancing (7 - 11 p.m.) are $10 for members or $12 for non-members.
For tickets contact Shelley Ryan (705) 875-5437 or purchase at the door.
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Marchers Old and New Eager To Participate In the 20th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
/It’s a tradition that goes through Peterborough and beyond but newcomers and veterans marching in the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade are eager to get involved since the event was on a three-year hiatus.
Photo courtesy of Tim Burke.
The parade is taking place on March 12. A raising of the Irish flag at City Hall is occurring at 1 p.m. in honour of Irish week. The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the route beginning on George Street at City Hall and ending at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
Liz Shaughnessy and her family are first-time parade marchers for St. Patrick’s Day in Peterborough. She agreed after being reached out to by organizer Tim Burke.
Her family has been in Peterborough for generations and saw the parade as a way to honour the name.
“My grandpa is one of the dozen in this article and out of this photo there is only one brother left, Terry Shaughnessy,” said Liz. “As descendants of James and Loretta Shaughnessy, it’s time for us to gather and honour our ancestors so why not make the St. Patrick’s day parade a yearly gathering of our clan?”
Liz’s grandfater is featured in an old 1951 article that featured a dozen Shaughnessys. Terry Shaughnessy is the only surviving member. Photo courtesy of Liz Shaughnessy.
On Jan. 18, it was announced that former sports anchor and Peterborough’s Dan O’Toole was the grand marshall for the event. His family has been involved with the parade for several years.
“My other side of the family, the Crough’s, we’re in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year,” he explained in a prior interview. “We have one of the largest contingents, we have around 200 that show up to be in the parade so the fact that I get to lead the charge, that I get asked to lead the contingent, not just my family but all of Irish in Peterborough is a dream come true.”
TIM BURKE, ST. PATRICK’S DAY ORGANIZER (LEFT) WITH FORMER SPORTS ANCHOR DAN O’TOOLE (RIGHT). THE PARADE HAS NOT RUN FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
His cousin Derek Crough — O’Toole’s aforementioned family — says it’s a great feeling to be able to return to marching in the parade after missing out for the last three years.
“Our family has been involved since the parade started. Hearing that our cousin Dan O’Toole was asked to be the grand Marshall is great news,” he said. “We've missed the parade as I'm sure all the local Irish families have and are very excited to have it return.”
There are currently over 90 entries to date including 11 family floats for this year’s parade according to Burke.
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Former Peterborough Sports Anchor Dan O'Toole Appointed Grand Marshall For 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade
/Former sports broadcaster and Peterborough’s Dan O’Toole has been named the Grand Marshall for the 20th Annual Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade announced at One Eighty on Wednesday.
Tim Burke, St. Patrick’s Day organizer (left) with former sports anchor Dan O’Toole (right). The parade has not run for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The announcement was made by organizer Tim Burke who wanted to make the 20th edition of the parade memorable after coming off a three-year hiatus.
“I wanted to make sure that his parade is bigger and better,” he explained. “Adding Dan has just been awesome. His character, who he is will really help the parade this year and get people involved.”
There are a record number of floats and entries into the upcoming parade according to Burke saying ‘it’s the highest it’s ever been.’
O’Toole is of Irish heritage and his family has been a part of the parade for many years.
“My other side of the family, the Crough’s, we’re in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year,” he explained. “We have one of the largest contingents, we have around 200 that show up to be in the parade so the fact that I get to lead the charge, that I get asked to lead the contingent, not just my family but all of Irish in Peterborough is a dream come true.”
The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Mar. 12 with the route beginning on George Street at City Hall and ending at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
To register to be in the parade, visit the parade’s website to apply. For more information, contact Tim Burke at (705) 875-2542.
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Ukrainian Christmas Celebration Held at Peterborough Square This Saturday
/The Ukrainian Community of Peterborough and the Kawarthas (UCPK) is holding a free Ukrainian Christmas celebration at Peterborough Square this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City Hall was lit in yellow and blue as a symbol of unity and support for Ukraine on March 1. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The celebration also known as Rizdvo falls every Jan. 7 every year according to the Julian Calendar and Orthodox Church.
The free family-friendly event features authentic Ukrainian food, music, carolling, colouring books for children and traditional craft workshops.
Performing at the event is a joy string quartet playing music with children and adult volunteers singing carols throughout. ‘Carol of the Bells’ is one of the featured songs and is based on the famous Ukrainian Christmas Carol ‘Shedryk’ by Nikolai Leontovich.
A fundraiser is being held to support UCPK during the event. Vendors are selling items such as fresh baked goods by Ukrainian community members, candles and Ukrainian-themed goods. Donations can also be made online by emailing ucpk.ca@gmail.com.
Holiday Hours for Peterborough Public Health Announced
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH) notes that office hours will be adjusted for the holiday season, with some closures.
File photo.
PPH will be closed over the holidays at the following times:
Dec. 23 at noon to Dec. 27
Dec. 30 at noon to Jan. 2
PPH will resume regular hours on Jan. 3.
The after-hours line will be available for public health emergencies at 705-743-1000.
Holiday Adjustments to Peterborough Transit Service Routes Announced
/Peterborough Transit service adjustments for all routes will be made during the holiday period from Dec. 24 until Jan. 7 announced on Thursday.
File Photo.
All routes will end early on Dec. 24, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park).
There will be no service on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
On Dec. 26, a Holiday/Sunday service schedule will be in place, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (or 7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park).
Routes will end early on Dec. 31, with the last trip departing no later than 7:15 p.m. (7:33 p.m. on Route 3 Park). Extended New Year’s Eve service will not be offered this year.
Evening PTBOnDemand service will not be available on these evenings.
All Route 11 and 11A Water trips will be suspended from Dec. 24 until Jan. 8, with regular weekday service resuming on Jan. 9.
On all routes, late evening trips departing after 11:32 p.m. are suspended between the period of Dec. 24 until Jan. 7.
The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will operate with adjusted hours for the holiday period:
Saturday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25: closed
Monday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 27 to Friday, Dec. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 31: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 1: CLOSED
Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Jan. 2.
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Five Counties Children's Centre Offers Holiday Preparation Tips
/Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is offering holiday tips for families to make the holidays merry and light.
Photo courtesy of Five counties Children’s centre.
“Whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice, the holiday season comes with high expectations, changes in routine and extra stimulation that can be overwhelming for some kids,” says Ashley Parsons, FCCC occupational therapist. “As parents and families, it’s important to reduce the stress and anxiety created by the holidays to make it a more enjoyable time for everyone.”
According to FCCC staff, it is not just children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing issues who can be impacted by the holidays.
“The pandemic has disrupted large gatherings and in-person celebrations, creating a situation where many kids aren’t equipped or don’t know how to socialize or engage in play with others outside their immediate families,” Parsons says.
Preparation involves a plan for success, says FCCC. They suggest the use of calendars to mark events and count down the days and photos/maps/videos as visuals to share with younger family members or children who have communication challenges to help prepare them for who/where you’re visiting.
FCCC also offers the following tips to help prepare your family for the holidays:
Decorate less or do it gradually. While holiday decorations make the season brighter, they can also be disruptive for some kids. Pulling out pictures from previous holiday seasons can help children adjust to what’s planned (if you don’t have photos, take some this year). Having kids involved in decorating can ease the process, as can taking a step-by-step approach to decorating. For instance, set up the tree one day, but wait until the next day before starting to decorate. Once decorations are up, set clear rules about what can and can’t be touched.
Give gifts the right way. Most children get excited over holiday gifts, but for some kids, it can be overwhelming. If a child starts to obsess over a desired gift, find ways to manage their interest. For example, try a ‘five-for-five swap.’ Give your child five stickers that can be exchanged for being able to talk about the gift for a five-minute interval. To help manage holiday gift expectations, make a list with your child of realistic items he or she wants for the holidays. This list can then be shared with family members and friends who can register to purchase one of the desired gifts.
Change for the better isn’t always better. Many children thrive on routine, and the holidays can throw off schedules. Having familiar items on hand can help calm stressful situations. If you are travelling for the holidays, make sure you have a child’s favourite books, toys, games and activities. Rehearse in advance what will happen or what can be expected to also ease children through any change or disruption of routine.
Here’s food for thought. Enjoying a holiday meal with friends or family may not be enjoyable for all kids, especially if they are picky eaters or unlikely to enjoy unfamiliar food that’s on the menu. Some kids may also have allergies or require special diets. Have some of your child’s favourite or familiar foods on hand for dinner, either by bringing it yourself or ensuring some will be served during the holiday meal. If needed, identify a quiet area where your child can go to eat on their own if mealtime with others is too much.
Take a break. Have a plan in case holiday visits or festivities become too overwhelming. Develop a signal that you child can use to say they need a break or want to be on their own. Work with your host to find a pre-determined quiet space for your child to de-stress. Have headphones with songs or stories that your child can wear to calm themselves and drown out surrounding noises.
Dress for success. Ensure your child wears clothing that is familiar and will not cause discomfort if going to a special holiday dinner or event.
Prepare others for what to expect. The holidays are a time to gather with loved ones, so help them to understand your child. Be open and honest. Offer strategies on how they can help reduce anxiety or stress with your child. Help them see that your child may prefer not to be hugged. Share potential triggers that could cause your child to become upset. Stress to loved ones the importance of remaining calm and neutral to avoid outbursts.
