Nominations Open for United Way Peterborough & District's Volunteer Award of Community Distinction

The United Way Peterborough & District is accepting nominations for the annual Scholfield Award of Community Distinction; recognizing a local volunteer who has enacted positive change in the community.

photo courtesy of united way, facebook.

Since 2004, United Way Peterborough & District has celebrated and recognized outstanding volunteer contributions to the City and County of Peterborough through the annual Scholfield Award of Community Distinction. The award was established to recognize an individual or organization who, through their excellent leadership or outstanding contribution has demonstrated the ability to mobilize positive change within our community. 

In 2004, Paul and Ina Scholfield were the first recipients of this award. The Scholfield’s have been long-time philanthropists and community builders– through their generosity and commitment, they lead by example, typifying the spirit of community building.

The 2022 recipients of this award, Jim and Katie Stewart, were chosen for their achievement, commitment and leadership in addressing community needs and issue, the impact of their efforts, their innovative approaches and success in mobilizing members of the community. They were put forth as candidates for this year’s award through an incredibly heartfelt nomination package, that was hand-delivered to the United Way Office by nominator Anne Marshall of Elmhirst’s Resort, containing 12 signed letters of support and further endorsements by 30 community leaders.

“Volunteers are a diverse group of people who create a ripple effect of inspiration and generosity. We are thrilled to honour those who go above and beyond in their contribution to building a strong, diverse and healthy community,” said Jim Russell, United Way Peterborough & District CEO.

The Scholfield Award is open to any resident or organization within the boundaries of the City and County of Peterborough. Nominees are evaluated based on their achievement, commitment and leadership in addressing community needs or issues; the impact of their efforts; their innovative, unique or exemplary approach; and their success in mobilizing members of our community.

Nominations close at 4 p.m. on June 8, and the award will be presented later in the year. Nomination forms can be found online.

For more information, visit the website.

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Total Burn Ban Lifted for Selwyn Township

On Monday, Selwyn Township Fire Department has lifted the Total Burn Ban which was issued April 11.

photo courtesy of selwyn township.

Burn barrels are not permitted in the Township and open air burning is not allowed in built-up areas. Burn permits are still required for any fire that is not a campfire or outdoor fireplace.

To purchase a burn permit visit the Bridgenorth Fire Hall (833 Ward Street).

For more information, contact the Township of Selwyn Fire Department at (705) 292-7282.

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Peterborough GreenUp Shifting Gears Program Presents the May Challenge

The GreenUp Shifting Gears Program presents the May Challenge from May 1 to June 2; helping the Peterborough community make shifts towards using more active and sustainable transportation.

Shifting Gears is for anyone in the Peterborough Region who wants to take less solo car trips, in favour of walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and telecommuting.

What is included:

- Trip Tracking: participants are encouraged to track their sustainable trips online. You can follow overall community statistics via our email newsletter and also sign up for workplace leaderboards. Shifting Gears loves some friendly competition!

- Prizes: tracking trips leads to prizes! Each week participants who tracked their trips are eligible for multiple prize draws. The more weeks you track, the more chances to win.

- Resources and workshops: Shifting Gears runs exclusive workshops to support transportation shift, as well as, online resources for individuals and employers. Workshops run seasonally, but you can find resources available all- year round.

Sign up and gain access to community news, challenge reminders, workshops and program resources, as well as tracking your trips for the month of May and be entered into weekly prize draws.

To learn more and register, click the link.

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Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; April 21 - 23

File Photo.

Here are nine things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from April 21 - 23!

Reel Rock 17 Film Tour

Don't miss three heart-stopping new films featuring the year’s biggest climbing & adventure stories: a wild expedition on Nameless Tower in Pakistan; a new cutting-edge route in a massive limestone cave in France; and a journey to Palestine’s West Bank to explore the power of climbing to change lives.

Burning the Flame
Big wall free climbing masters Babsi and Jacopo seek their greatest challenge yet: a free ascent of Eternal Flame, an elusive 3,000-ft. route up the legendary Nameless Tower in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. Facing extreme conditions and 5.13 trad climbing at high altitude, a two-year quest comes down to one short weather window. Captured with drones and on-mountain cameras in one of the most stunning places on earth, Burning the Flame transports viewers to a place normally off-limits to all but the world’s best climbers.

DNA
29-year-old French sport climber Seb Bouin has been quietly working his way through the elite grades, culminating in his attempt to establish a long pitch out an overhanging cave in the Verdon Gorge of France. His proposed line is so futuristic, the moves so improbable, that if Seb can put it all together it may be the most difficult route ever climbed.

Resistance Climbing
In the strife-torn hills of Palestine, a diverse crew of Bedouins, dirtbags and urban professionals embraces climbing as a much-needed respite from the burdens of the Israeli occupation. American writer & climber Andrew Bisharat visits the West Bank to explore his own roots and the power of climbing to transform lives.

When: Apr 22, 6 p.m.

Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

League 1 Ontario Men's Home Game - Electric City FC vs North Toronto Nitros

The Electric City Football Club men’s team is hosting their second home game of the season against the North Toronto Nitros.

When: Apr 22, 2 p.m.

Where: Fleming College

Tickets: $15 - $30

Peterborough Pop Ensemble Presents “A Century of Song”

The Peterborough Pop Ensemble is excited to announce that our 2023 spring concert, A Century of Song, will take place at Market Hall on Saturday at 7 p.m.!

Featuring music starting from the 1920s and hitting every decade since, this concert will highlight some of the best of the Ensemble’s repertoire including jazz standards, gospel, pop, songs of WWII, Motown and so much more! With a little something for everyone, this concert will surely have you tapping your toes, dancing, and singing along. Save the date now; we can’t wait to see you there!

When: Apr 22, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

Tickets: $15 - $30

Brisk Recharge @ The Legion

Brisk Recharge takes the Legion stage for some more acoustic renditions of your favourite hits from the 1960s-2000s.

Come on out for a great night of sing-alongs and some of the cheapest drinks in town!

When: April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Legion

Tickets: $5 non-members, free for members

Nitetime Drive w/ Lowery Mills & Far From Infamy

Erben presents Lowery Mills with special guests Nitetime Drive and Far From Infamy. Lowery Mills is bringing their high energy southern rock show to Peterborough at the Erben. Expect a high voltage night that will keep you moving all night long with special guests Nitetime Drive and Far From Infamy.

When: April 22, 9 p.m.

Where: Erben

Tickets: $10

Peterborough Saturday Farmers Market

Buy directly from the farmer who grew it, raised it, harvested, or foraged it! Sixty percent of our vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100% of what they sell. The remaining forty percent include bakers, prepared food vendors, artists and community groups.

Enjoy a festive market atmosphere with Peterborough’s finest prepared food vendors, artisans and musicians. 

Come find us every Saturday to find local produce, delicious takeaway meals and goodies, and artisan wares. We look forward to seeing you there!

When: April 22, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Where: Peterborough Square

Pick Up Some Produce at The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market

We invite you to listen to the sounds of our local musicians while visiting our 100+ vendor outdoor market May 1 to October 31, rain or shine in the Morrow Building parking lot. From November 1 to April 30, we are located inside the Morrow Building just south of the parking lot.

The establishment of a central market area for individual trade or sales has been a feature of societies all over the world for centuries. This trade has taken place in Peterborough for the past 190 years. This efficient method of commerce (ie. producer, direct to consumer) has gained much interest in recent years as small businesses have grown. We at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market are proud to be part of this popular phenomenon.

As producers of local food and crafts, we stress freshness, quality and value as we deal each and every week with our market patrons. Come and enjoy this traditional shopping experience.

When: April 22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: Morrow Park (151 Lansdowne St. W, Peterborough)

Roots & Blues: Po'Boy & Calamity Return to Black Horse!

Join Torontonian Po'Boy Jeffreys & Calamity Jane as they hit the road to bring their old-time Country, Blues, Ragtime and Jugband songs to Urban Angus Steak and Wine in Arnprior!

When: April 23, 4 p.m.

Where: Black Horse Pub

Tickets: Free

Jazz Month feat. Noah Abrahamse

Noah Abrahamse performs at The Black Horse as we celebrate Jazz Month!

When: April 22, 5 p.m.

Where: Black Horse Pub

Tickets: Free

OLG Issues Fourth Quarter Gaming Revenue Payment to Peterborough and Cavan Monaghan

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has made a fourth quarter (Jan. 1 to Mar. 31) payment totalling $716,378 to the City of Peterborough and $78,447 to the Township of Cavan Monaghan for hosting Shorelines Casino/Slots.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

During OLG’s fiscal year (April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023), Peterborough has received $2,934,300, while Cavan Monaghan has received $385,974. Since the gaming site opened in October 2018 Peterborough has received $9,404,365 and Cavan Monaghan has received $61,373,837 since they opened in November 1999.

These payments to host communities are based on a formula consistently applied across all gaming sites in Ontario using a graduated scale of gaming revenue at the hosted site. 

“OLG’s Municipal Contribution Agreement payments are building strong communities where people and families can enjoy a high quality of life,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “These revenues help support local program and critical infrastructure, making a real difference for gaming host municipalities.”

Since 1994, host communities have received nearly $2 billion in non-tax gaming revenue.

OLG says they are proud to share proceeds of casino gaming with local communities, contributing to economic recovery, infrastructure development and job creation. Payments to host communities are part of OLG’s commitment to Ontario, and 100 per cent of OLG’s profits are reinvested in the Province.

Over the past seven years, service providers have invested approximately $2 billion in private sector capital investment across the province.  Since 2017, these investments have led to the development and opening of seven new casinos, one planned development and additional gaming expansions and non-gaming amenities.

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Total Fire Ban Remains in Effect for Selwyn Township

A total fire ban from April 11 remains in effect for the Township of Selwyn.

photo courtesy of selwyn township, facebook.

The Total Burn Ban came into effect on April 11 because of the dry conditions and forecasted warm weather.

All open air burning (including campfires) is prohibited and all fire permits that have been issued are now void until the fire ban is lifted. Residents will be notified by public service announcements, on the Township website, social media and electronic sign boards when the fire ban has been lifted.

For more information, contact the Township of Selwyn Fire Department at (705) 292-7282.

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‘Get Your Art On’ at Mount Community Centre’s Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale

Join the Mount Community Centre for the 7th annual ‘Get Your Art On’ exhibition and sale of local arts and crafts at Austin Doran Hall at The Mount Community Centre May 12 to 14.

photo courtesy of the mount community centre, facebook.

Paintings, photography, pottery, sculpturing, woodworking and more will be on display and for sale.

“There are numerous artists and crafts people coming to display and sell their works,” says Hartley Stephenson, local artist and event organizer. “The items are unique and specially designed to please the buyer. Attendees are bound to find something that will interest them and be a perfect gift for Mother’s Day celebrations.”

The Mother’s Day Weekend exhibition and sale will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14 at the Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd.)

This event is free admission, and 10 per cent of all profits will go to The Mount Community Centre’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable housing and food security.

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The Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan’s Red Pashmina Walk Returns

The Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan are bringing back their Red Pashmina Walk, fundraising for Afghan women and girls on April 30.

photo courtesy of canadian women for women in afghanistan.

The Red Pashmina Walk organized by the Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan will also include a sale of red pashminas, natural stone jewellery and books.

This walk has been held in Peterborough since 2011, with a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year is the return of the walk.

Starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday April 30, participants can meet for registration at Emmanuel Church church hall (534 George St. N.) At 2 p.m., Afghan female activist Selay Ghaffar will speak.

The walk around East City starts at 3 p.m. and there will be a shorter walk for those who wish to partake.

Proceeds from the walk, pashminas, books, jewellery, etc. go to on-the-ground aid and educational support for women and girls in Afghanistan during this critical time in the country’s history. 

For information and to register ahead of time/get a pledge form, contact Daphne Ingram at 705-656-3820, or via email.

Those looking for further information can visit www.CW4Afghan.ca and/or www.redpashmina.org.

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$1.2 Million Gift to Double Number of Trent Students Participating in Community-Based Research

A $1.2 million gift to Trent University – announced immediately after the launch of the new $100 million Campaign for Momentous Change – will support Trent’s community-based research by doubling the number of students and community organizations able to participate in the program.

photo courtesy of trent university.

This four-year commitment to the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) will develop training for students and employers, enhance hands-on learning opportunities, provide funds for primary research and cover travel and other expenses for students to complete research. 

“Momentous change happens when students are not just motivated, but supported, to do outstanding work with local organizations, deepening the connection between Trent University and local communities,” says Julie Davis, vice-president External Relations & Development at Trent University. “This generous donation, from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, benefits both the community and students.”

For more than 25 years, the TCRC has facilitated community-based research projects in Peterborough City and County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Durham Region and Northumberland County.

Community-based research brings together the research expertise of Trent University faculty and students with the knowledge and research needs of a wide range of community groups and organizations including municipalities, social service agencies, conservation authorities and interest groups.

“Thanks to this generous donation, even more students will become engaged in local causes that fuel their passions, and in many cases, shape the trajectory of their life and career,” said Kevin Whitmore, director of Careerspace at Trent. “Community-based research showcases the power of collaborative learning and the value of work-integrated opportunities for students to make a positive difference in their community.”

TCRC recently hosted its annual Celebration of Community-Based Research where more than 50 Trent students presented their groundbreaking research projects and showcased the impact of research partnerships between students, faculty and community partners including Five Counties Children’s Centre and the Brain Injury Association of Peterborough Region.

Learn more about Trent’s community-based research and the Campaign for Momentous Change.

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