What It Was Like To Take Part In Kirk Wipper Memorial Portage

Alana and Kyla, pictured at far left

It started out as a quick message asking about a Kirk Wipper Memorial Portage and would I be interested in participating. We were a group of Ontario Educators (aka "edutweeps") along with our families, who were immediately enchanted with being a part of this memorable portage that would end up at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough in time to mark the beginning of the Kirk Wipper public memorial.

Andy, Ross, Ryan, Jeff, Nick, Colin, Lynn, Anna, Kyla (my daughter) and I were a small but mighty team who were responsible for the first leg of the Peterborough leg of the portage. We all walked the portage and while the boys carried the canoe, Kyla and I had the chance to walk and talk with one of the organizers, Tim
McDonagh, and heard about his connection to Kirk, what the canoe meant to him, and how much he enjoyed walking with the canoe and meeting the people who had come out to participate in the portage.

Our leg of the portage was about 6 km (Hwy 28 starting at Springville United Church, up to Sir Sandford Fleming Drive, across and right onto Dobbin Road finishing at Lansdowne). After the canoe left us, I’m not
sure who carried the canoe or what their adventure entailed but I can tell you it was fun to participate in the memorial portage and be with friends who love to paddle, love to get involved, and are fun to be with. I'd like to think Kirk Wipper would have totally approved of our crew!

On a personal note, my daughter Kyla was the youngest person to carry the canoe and she was very proud to add her signature to the paddle that was given to his wife Ann Wipper after the memorial service. Although Kyla took some convincing to actually help carry the canoe, she was mighty proud to share her story with her dad at the end of the day.

For more pics from the day, click here and here.

[KirkWipper.ca; Canadian Canoe Museum]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Alana Callan; photo via Flickr]

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PtboPics: A Peterborough Weekend Wrap-Up In Pictures

Reggie's Chip Truck opened for the season on Saturday - Photo: Evan Holt Greenwing FIshing Derby at the Liftlocks   Hike for Hospice took place on Sunday Silver Bean Café now open for the season

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Singer Sarah Loucks Newest Music Video "Be As It Should" Shot Locally

Check out Peterborough native Sarah Loucks' most recent music video, "Be As It Should", which was filmed in nearby Cavan. You can follow her on Twitter for news and upcoming tour dates.

["Be As It Should" video]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Roller Derby Makes Their Pitch To City Of Peterborough

Cindy Moffitt discusses Roller Derby with the committee, with team members there for support.

Last night, the new Peterborough Roller Derby league sat down with the Peterborough City Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in a meeting to give them a sense of what their sport brings to the community, and to try and secure a local venue to play at. Roller Derby founder Cindy Moffitt (aka "Lucid Lou") says the games would bring revenue to the city not only in ticket sales, but from opposing teams who would need lodging and food. Plus, "girls like to shop!", adds Moffitt. Even though it is considered an "extreme sport", the current style of Flat Track Roller Derby isn't as aggressive or related to the poor image of Roller Derby of old, Moffitt conveys.

Ken Doherty, Director of Community Services, was very interested in the dimensions of the playing field as he had a few potential places in mind in the city. The main issue, however, is that Peterborough's arenas are 97 percent booked during peak hours (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.). There is potential to secure a venue down the road as the City assesses whether to add a second pad at the Memorial Centre or when future arenas are built. But that might not happen for a long time.

The committee will now convene and review the findings from the meeting and see what they can do.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

[Related: Peterborough Roller Derby Fundraiser May 7 At The Red Dog; Why Peterborough Roller Derby Can't Find A Venue To Play In City (And More News On This Growing Sport); PtboPics: Peterborough Roller Derby League Roll Into Second Practice; EXCLUSIVE: PtboCanada Reveals The Logo For The Peterborough Roller Derby League; Awesome Trailer Promoting Peterborough Roller Derby League]

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Peterborough Roller Derby Fundraiser May 7 At The Red Dog

[poster created by Adam Kemp]

[Related: Why Peterborough Roller Derby Can't Find A Venue To Play In City (And More News On This Growing Sport); PtboPics: Peterborough Roller Derby League Roll Into Second Practice; EXCLUSIVE: PtboCanada Reveals The Logo For The Peterborough Roller Derby League; Awesome Trailer Promoting Peterborough Roller Derby League]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada. 

Stuff to Do In Peterborough This Weekend!

Friday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., $6

Camp Kawartha Environment Centre presents Nature, Culture & Resilient Communities, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

Friends of the Library GIANT Book Sale at the Peterborough Public Library 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $6

14th Annual Earth Day Jackson Creek Clean Up, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Meet at the Monaghan Road entrance of Jackson Park

Springkle - a celebration of all things artsy, crafty & tasty, 491 Cordach Crescent, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

Chapters presents author Bruce Gravel for a book signing, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Community Living Peterborough presents the 2nd Annual Spring Spectacular, Peterborough Square, 7 p .m. -11 p.m. Tickets $50

Folk Under the Clock presents Ron Sexsmith, Market Hall, 8 p.m. Tickets $35

Sunday

Peterborough Field Naturalists presents Spring Wildlife Walk, 8 a.m. Meet at the Zoo for location details

Millenium Park Clean Up 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet at the Boat House next to the Silver Bean Cafe

2011 Peterborough MS Walk, Opening Ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. at St. Peter's Secondary School

Kawartha Quiltmakers' Guild presents Feelings in Fabric Quilt Show, Evinrude Centre, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $6

Showplace Performance Centre presents Shine Dance Competition, ongoing throughout the day

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Pictures From 1970s Exhibit At Peterborough Museum & Archives

Photo above & at right/Julie Morris

Even though I just missed being born in the Seventies—I was born in 1980—I was delighted to check out the Bellbottom Days exhibit on at the Peterborough Museum & Archives (see the pics in this post from the exhibit). Did you know Peterborough Square opened its doors on May 1st, 1975? Did you know Pop Rocks were tested right here in Peterborough? Were you one of the teens "Scooping the Loop" around George and Water Streets, or could you be found at the Windsor Hotel, better known today as the Pig's Ear?

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum & Archives

If you would like to learn more or take a '70s trip down memory lane, the Bellbottom Days display is a must-see. It is on until May 15th.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on weekend and holidays. The exhibit is free of charge, but donations are appreciated.

[Peterborough Museum & Archives]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Have A Tour Of Market Hall This Thursday At Open House

The crowd at Live and Uncorked This Thursday (April 14th), from 4 to 6 p.m., Market Hall Performing Arts Centre is opening its doors to the public for a tour of the new theatre, including guided backstage access. 

This represents the first opportunity for the general public to experience all of the upgrades and renovations the new Hall has to offer, including all new acoustical engineering, retractable stage, sprung dance floor in the main hall and lobby, new seating and balconies, and $9 million dollars in improvements.

"It is this community that has made the wonderful changes to Market Hall possible," says Karen August, Market Hall General Manager.  "And we want the community to see what they have helped bring about."

PtboCanada live blogged the "Live and Uncorked" event there recently and got a chance to see inside this world-class facility. Check it out for yourself this Thursday. 

[Market Hall]

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Riverview Park and Zoo Currently No. 7 In Pepsi Refresh Project—Need To Move Up To No. 6 To Advance

The Riverview Park and Zoo still needs your votes in the Pepsi Refresh Project campaign. With the April 30th deadline fast approaching for the first round—only the Top 6 make it to the next (final) round—the Zoo's entry is currently in the No. 7 position in the $100,000 contest category that they are in. If our Zoo wins the $100,000 prize, they can build and equip their greatly needed Animal Healthcare Centre. 

Click here to vote—and vote every day! And spread the word to friends, family and colleagues to cast their vote as well. The Zoo still has time to move up to No. 6—or higher.

[Riverview Park and Zoo]

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