Peterborough Blogs
PTBOCanada Hits 60,000 Social Media Fans On Our Platforms
/In a terrific milestone to reach as we mark the end of 2019, PTBOCanada has hit 60,000 social media fans between our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
”I want to thank our amazing social media teams but especially our dedicated readers and fans from Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and across Canada, on our blog and social platforms (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram),” says PTBOCanada.com Co-Founder Neil Morton. “This is a huge milestone to reach and we look forward to continuing to share stories that uplift this community and put Peterborough on the map in positive ways.”
Locally owned and operated, PTBOCanada.com is turning 10 years old in 2020 and are excited to have become a part of the media landscape here.
PTBOCanada was born on Twitter—@Ptbo_Canada—in October 2009, and the website PTBOCanada.com launched May 27th, 2010. Then came Facebook, and after that Instagram.
“Thanks to all our amazing readers for reading and sharing our stories—and sharing your stories with us,” adds Morton. “Our reach continues to grow thanks to readers and our advertisers who we couldn’t do this without. We are grateful.”
You can follow PTBOCanada on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on Instagram.
Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Petes And Peterborough Police Service Announce Community Partnership
/The Peterborough Petes have announced a new community partnership with the Peterborough Police Service, whereby Emergency Response Team members will act as mentors and role models to players.
The initiative, called Petes and C.O.P.S. (Community Oriented Partnerships and Support), will see players on the Petes roster matched with members of the Peterborough Police Service (PPS) Emergency Response Team (ERT), along with other members across multiple sections of the PPS.
Photo courtesy Peterborough Petes
As part of the partnership, Petes players and PPS members will attend community events together, visit institutional facilities, and visit with sick and less fortunate community members, among other activities.
“The Petes are very involved in the community, as is our police service,” says Sergeant Laine Schubert. “Although both have a very positive impact, we feel that cooperatively we can have an even greater impact if we can do some things together.”
“With the Petes and PPS being two of the more visible organizations in Peterborough, this will provide our players with great learning opportunities while engaging with our community members,” adds Petes General Manager Mike Oke. “We look forward to working with the PPS and watching the partnership grow.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
City of Peterborough Launches New Online Community Engagement Space Called Connect Peterborough
/The City of Peterborough has launched a new online community engagement space called Connect Peterborough where people can share their ideas and opinions on municipal projects.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for you to engage with your City,” Mayor Diane Therrien says. “Not everyone has the time or wants to attend formal meetings. With Connect Peterborough, you can share your ideas and opinions, when and where it’s convenient for you.”
Connect Peterborough is mobile responsive, and people can engage with the community from their home computer, tablet or smartphone. The site offers a variety of ways to connect with the City and other members of the community through discussion forums, spaces to post ideas, surveys and interactive maps.
The platform kicks off featuring project pages for the Peterborough Transit study, the City’s 2020 Budget process, and the Official Plan update as well as an interactive map where people can share photos of their favourite fall places in Peterborough. New information and engagement tools can be added to each project as they progress, and new consultation projects will be added over time.
Click here to check it out.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
PTBOCanada Reaches 20,000 Fans On Twitter
/PTBOCanada.com has reached a big milestone on our Twitter platform, reaching 20,000 fans.
Twitter is where it all started for us back in October 2009. After that, we launched this here website—which turns 10 years old in 2020!—and then our Facebook (25,500+ fans) and Instagram (13,400+ fans) platforms.
Watch a message from our PTBOCanada.com Co-Founder Neil Morton on the milestone and the impact the community has on it…
The Peterborough Chamber’s Annual Power Hour Event Wins National Award
/The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has won the “Canadian Chamber of Commerce Competition” at the Canadian Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, which was held in Saint John, New Brunswick this year.
Each year the competition is focused on a different aspect of the Chamber operation. This year, the competition was titled “Influence in Action - Advocacy through Events”, with an emphasis on events that create profile for the fundamental advocacy work of the Chamber Network. The Peterborough Chamber’s annual Power Hour event was chosen as the 1st Place Winner by some 300 delegates from across Canada.
Left to right: Stu Harrison and Sandra Dueck from Peterborough Chamber of Commerce with Dawn Hennessey, Vice Chair of the Peterborough Chamber Board
The Power Hour is an annual event bringing together the business community and our elected officials. Attendees hear from elected officials at all four levels of government: the MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the Warden for the County of Peterborough, and the Mayor for the City of Peterborough. Also invited as guests are the elected councils for the City and County of Peterborough, First Nations Chiefs and the City and County CAOs.
The event features a Q&A session, moderated by Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Policy Analyst, Sandra Dueck, with questions provided by the audience. The questions and the discussion further inform the advocacy direction for the Chamber moving forward.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and volunteers of the Chamber,” says President and CEO Stu Harrison of the award. “To have the opportunity to not only showcase our Chamber at the national level, but to be judged the best, is truly an honour.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Don't Miss The Smart City Readiness Project Summit At Market Hall In Peterborough
/On Wednesday, September 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Market Hall, there is a Smart City Readiness Project Summit taking place.
This is an active working group that will help the City of Peterborough prepare an application and proposal for the Canadian Smart Cities Challenge—a competition held by Infrastructure Canada. It is open to all municipalities, local or regional governments, and Indigenous communities across Canada.
This challenge empowers communities across the country to address local issues such as sustainability and economic growth through new partnerships and a smart city approach.
Finalists will receive support to develop their Smart Cities proposals. Winning communities will be awarded with prize money up to $50 million to help implement their programs.
The Smart City Readiness Project is the working group that will help Peterborough prepare an application and proposal for this challenge.
Speakers at the information summit include:
• Paul Bedford, former chief planner for the City of Toronto, will talk about the development of new planning values, policies and processes to guide the next generation of city building
• Alex Speigel, from Windmill Development Group, will share about The Baker District Project in downtown Guelph
• Anthea Foyer, project lead for Mississauga’s Smart City Master plan, will share about Mississauga’s Smart City submission
Go to smartcityptbo.ca for more info, and get your FREE tickets here for the event at Market Hall on September 18th.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Victoria Park To Close Effective August 27th, Will Re-Open After Encampment Is Gone & Grounds Cleaned Up
/The City of Peterborough has announced that Victoria Park will be closed effective Tuesday, August 27 at 9 a.m. (the “Effective Date”).
“Entry into the park is prohibited during the closure,” the City of Peterborough says in a release. “Anyone who is encamped in the park must remove their items and leave the park before the Effective Date. Anyone in the park after the Effective Date is trespassing.”
Peterborough County, in consultation with the City of Peterborough, decided to close Victoria Park because conditions in the Tent City there have deteriorated to the point where it is not suitable for the shared use of the public.
“There are numerous and continuing failures to comply with the requirements of the Parks and Facilities By-Law that established minimum standards for the shared use of public parks and protection of the natural environment,” according to the release.
Victoria Park will re-open after the encampment is gone and the grounds have been restored.
Outreach workers, wearing yellow t-shirts, are regularly available on site in Victoria Park for people who need assistance. Social Services can be reached at 705-748-8830 or in-person at 178 Charlotte St.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Over $15,000 Raised At B!KE-a-thon Fundraiser At The Social Pub
/The Social Pub was spinning (with music and bikers) on Saturday (July 13th) as friends of B!KE: The Peterborough Community Cycling Hub came out in droves to fundraise at their first-ever fundraising event, the “B!KE-a-thon”, which raised more than $15,000.
From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., cyclist teams—outfitted in themed costumes and spirited attitudes—pedalled for 12-hours straight, relay-style, on stationary bikes at The Social in downtown Peterborough. "It wasn't as easy as you'd think," says Lily Haryett, long-time supporter of B!KE. Haryett and other cyclists were urged on by visiting supporters including Mayor Diane Therrien, local federal PC leader Mike Skinner and Town ward councillor Kemi Akapo.
Bikers at The Social Pub (Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada)
"The vibe was great—there was stiff competition to raise funds between teams, and it was heated!" says Kate Siena from the 5-member team, The Cranks. "In the end, our shared love of B!KE brought out the best in us!"
Bikers at The Social Pub (Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada)
Sponsors for the B!KE-a-thon included The Social Pub, Wild Rock Outfitters, Green Eyewear, Frog Cycles, Runners Life, Pastry Pedlar, Fresh Radio, Global TV/CHEX, PTBOCanada (that’s us!), Henry's Barbershop, Ultimate Distribution, Sam's Deli, Publican House, Fontaine Source for Sports, Pedalboro, The Endeavor Centre and Peterborough Tool Library.
Due to unforeseen changes to the provincial non-profit funding landscape, B!KE is anticipating a challenging fiscal period ahead.
These vital funds raised from the B!KE-a-thon will enable them to fill in funding gaps, freeing up staff and board members to explore new revenue sources for the coming years.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
A 13-Year-Old Patient At PRHC Needed A Dress To Attend Her Grade 8 Graduation, Look What Happened
/A 13-year-old Peterborough girl named Kristey has been staying at PRHC frequently during hospital treatments.
This has made it very difficult for her to shop for a dress to attend her Grade 8 graduation. So Peterborough does what it does, stepping up with generosity and love to bring the dress to her.
Photo courtesy PRHC
PRHC posted a heartwarming story on their Facebook page that is getting hundreds of shares about how staff in their Pediatric Outpatient (POP) Clinic reached out to Shelby Leonard-Watt, owner of S.O.S Save Our Soles in downtown Peterborough, for help with selecting a dress for Kristey.
Kristey at PRHC with Shelby Leonard-Watt from S.O.S. (Photo courtesy PRHC)
Shelby not only showed up to PRHC on Tuesday (April 23rd) to help Kristey find the dress of her dreams after trying on several, but also generously donated it (plus a pair of matching shoes!) at no cost.
”When you don’t have a rolling rack to hang dresses on, you grab an IV pole instead,” says Shelby on a S.O.S. Facebook post. “And when an angel of a nurse calls your shop saying she wants to bring Grade 8 Grad dress shopping to her patient going through chemo, you drop everything and say he!! YES.”
Photo courtesy S.O.S.
Photo courtesy PRHC
