PtboCanada Was There: Peterborough Snofest Opening Ceremonies

The Scroll and Bow Strings Orchestra marked the opening of Peterborough Snofest today with a musical treat. Headed by Lakefield College music teacher John Kraus, they delighted the audience with their festive music.

Master of Ceremonies Catherine Hanrahan (pictured above) introduced many VIPs, including Mayor Daryl Bennett (pictured cutting the ribbon below), MPP Jeff Leal, Councillor Lesley Parnell and Snofest mascot Snofest Pete.

The ribbon cutting ceremony opens a week of events which can be viewed on their calendar, including Sunday's Snofest Idol at 2 p.m. at Showplace (free admission with nonperishable food donation is appreciated) and numerous food and game events throughout the week.

[Snofest]

[Words and Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PtboCanada Was There: Canadian Canoe Museum Presents Canoes & Trains

The Canadian Canoe Museum held a free Open House on Sunday, and got help in the celebrations from model railroad enthusiasts. Clubs from Peterborough, Cobourg and Lindsay showed off their 1/87th scale trains and miniature villages.

The local group Peterborough Model Railroaders is made up of a group of nine who meet up monthly to talk about their passion. All of them have had a part in creating the display, which features a miniature village that would be reminiscent of Peterborough in the 1950s. 

With working lights and sounds of an actual locomotive, the display captured the imagination of everyone in attendance as there were plenty of details to see.

[The Canadian Canoe Museum]

[Words and Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Video: All Is Foggy On New Year's Day

Yes indeed, it has been a foggy New Year's Day in the Patch.

[YouTube]

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Some of the Stuff PtboCanada Has Covered This Year

So we started this blog all about Peterborough in May. And it's been fun. Really fun. Peterborough, you rock. In one long run-on sentence, here's some of the stuff we've covered since we launched about 8 months ago: 

We've covered the life of a Peterborough ER doctor, Jake's closure, The International Dragon Boat Festival, Reggie's HotGrill, a smoking dude on a bike during the gas leak, Have You Seen Video..., a rock star of posters, a guy who draws, a mural man, the Christmas Parade, the Canada Day Parade, the Arkells at the Red Dog, happy people, people lying down, an anti-bullying event, a breakfast program, a zombie crawl, a yarn shop, a snow sculpture, an email that was the talk of the mayoral race, the YWCA shelter, a cheesy store, a book store, a person who misses Peterborough, the CIBC Run for the Cure, a dude who called on a wrestler in the Memorial Centre parking lot, awesome bands, the Peterborough Folk Festival, Focus Fair, 3 Loonie event, the Old Stone Symphony, Dean Del Mastro yearbook pics, Jay Scotland and Lois Tuffin taking a dip, beaches, bars & restaurants, Peterborough Square in 1987, Sarah Harmer at the Gordon Best, Twitterborough, and a BIG garage sale.

Thanks to all our contributors and readers, and all those who have been tipping us and following us on Twitter. Please continue to spread the word about PtboCanada.

[Related: Video: Peterborough Year in Review]

One (Or More) of Peterborough's High Schools May Close

Imagine your high school that you are attending, or attended, closing. Well that's now become a distinct possibility for four Peterborough schools—Adam Scott, Kenner, TASSS and PCVS—as Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board will review the possible closure of at least one of these schools due to plummeting enrollment at the schools. This is sure to be a controversial process, and the school board is welcoming input from the community at a series of community meetings starting in February.

[chextvDOTcom; Peterborough Examiner]

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Does Peterborough Have Enough Shelter For The Homeless?

It's freezing cold out. And anti-poverty activists are concerned there is not adequate shelter in the Patch for those in need. And that someone could freeze to death.

[chextvDOTcom; The Peterborough Examiner]

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PtboPic: The 115 Is A Royal Mess

And pretty much down to one lane. Avoid it.

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Places To Cut Your Own Christmas Tree (But Don't Pull A Griswold)

Looking to cut your own perfect Christmas tree? There are no local tree farmers, but here's some below that are near the Patch (don't forget to call in advance for hours/availability):

KOL Tree Farms (905-987-2263 or 1-800-350-7293) - Newcastle, Ontario - $40

Cut your own: Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir and Douglas Fir
Pre-cut: Scotch Pine, Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir

[***UPDATE November 27, 2011 -- Mackenzie Tree Farm tells us "they won't be open this year (and possibly for the next couple years) as they have had an abundance of customers the past few years and their little trees need to grow."] Mackenzie Tree Farm (705-295-6391) - 1962 Settlers Line, Indian River - $40

Cut Your Own: Spruce or Scotch Pine

-Hay wagon rides and hot chocolate

Murray Tree Farm - Updated Dec, 2015

Phone: 705-656-4912  Apsley- 8 km South of Apsley, on Hwy. 28 (8786) at Long Lake Road. Farm grown, hand pruned, harvest your own, White Spruce, and Scotch Pine. Premium pre-harvested, Balsam Fir and Fraser Fir. Saws are provided. Free shaking and baling. Complimentary hot chocolate, apple cider and candies, in the warm up building. Maple Syrup available, for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, or for a special teacher. Open Saturday and Sunday. Starting Saturday December 5, until Sunday, December 20, 2015. From 10:00 to 5:00

[***UPDATE December 9, 2014 -- Bethany Hills Tree Farm is no longer in business] Bethany Hills Tree Farm (705-277-1868) - 1823 Dranoel Road Northy, Bethany - $35

Cut Your Own: Blue spruce

Barrett's Tree Farm (905-342-2622 or 905-342-2188) - 3141 Williamson Rd, near Cobourg - $30, up to 8 ft

Pine and Spruce

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Today Is The Last Day Of Green Waste Pickup In The Patch

Reminder: Today is the last day of Green Waste pickup for the season.

So depending on your pickup schedule in your hood, you might still have time to get your bags curbside!

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Explore Peterborough's Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre

Peterborough is home to the Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre, which opened in April 2010. With free admission until the end of this year, now is the time to pop in and explore the building.

There are wildlife galleries with actual size animals on display (the polar bear is quite intimidating), an amphitheatre with nature films, an aquarium and touch screen systems to give you more info.

The centre is located at 4601 Guthrie Drive beside the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters building. They are open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

[Words & pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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