PTBOSpotlight: Berc's Steakhouse

Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.

This week, we are featuring Berc’s Steakhouse. It is owned by Cathy Zhang and Bob Xia.

Established in 2007, Berc’s is a fine dining steak house with a multi-level, multi-sectioned restaurant that will seat up to 150 guests. It is open six days a week for dinner and five days for lunch.

Berc’s came to fruition after Zhang and Xia wanted to open a restaurant from repeated trips to Peterborough. They loved the city so much that they decided it was the perfect spot to raise their two sons. Berc's is named as an acronym for the names of the family: Bob, Eric, Richard and Cathy.

Located at 186 Lansdowne St. E., the restaurant employs 20 long-term, local employees who helped get it voted the number one steakhouse in town for over a decade.

“We are very proud of our staff and the many awards we have won year after year, including best steakhouse for over 15 years, best restaurant atmosphere, best fine dining, best chef and best server multiple times,” said Mary MacCallum of Berc’s Steakhouse.

Berc's offers an array of entrées including steaks, seafood, lamb, chicken and pasta. They provide a separate lunch menu with a house-made soup and a chef's feature daily.

“We have a large number of repeat or regular guests,” explained MacCallum Our employees are on a first-name basis with many of our diners and know what day and time they come in, what table they like, what they like to drink, their favourite entrees and desserts.”

Berc’s also features a private dining room, holding up to 30 guests, which is equipped with an 85" smart board. It is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, celebrations of life, weddings, or corporate functions—customized special menus are also available for any event.

“Our close-knit staff are a culmination of knowledge and capability. Many have worked in the industry for 20 plus years and bring with them a wealth of experience from many different types of restaurants.”

To learn more about Berc’s Steakhouse, find them online:

Website: www.bercs.ca
Instagram: @bercssteakhouse
Facebook: Berc’s Steakhouse

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Peterborough Lakers Make Another Dramatic Comeback Finish In Overtime For 8-7 to Advance to MSL Finals

The Peterborough Lakers avoid elimination in another dramatic fashion after earning a second-straight comeback overtime victory in game seven, 8-7, over the Brooklin L.C. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Mike Robinson, Lakers Forward (middle) after scoring the walk-off game-winning goal in overtime to send the Lakers to the MSL Finals against the Six Nations Chiefs. Robinson also socred in the third period to help the Lakers rally for the comeback. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The win punches Peterborough’s ticket to the Major Series Lacrosse finals against the two-time defending Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs. Prior to game six, the Lakers were down 3-2 in the series after being defeated in three consecutive games. Peterborough had a come-from-behind overtime victory, 6-5, on Thursday night.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first period with two goals apiece. Braedon Saris and Justin Sykes scored for the Lakers.

Brooklin had a perfect period in the second. They scored three times, including two shorthanded goals, while preventing Peterborough from finding the back of the net to take a 5-2 lead headed into the third.

Peterborough opened the scoring less than a minute into the power play as game six-hero Taite Cattoni scored to bring the Lakers to within two. The visitors scored two straight goals to seemingly put the game out of reach with 11:41 left in regulation for a 7-3 lead.

The Lakers refused to go quietly as Mike Robinson scored just under four minutes later. Holden Cattoni joined the scoresheet 53 seconds later to get to a two-goal deficit. Peterborough applied a double team in the neutral zone to force a turnover. Colton Armstrong made the most of his chance and scored to bring the Lakers to within one.

The Lakers got an opportunity as the Brooklin goaltender incurred a major penalty for illegal equipment to put Peterborough on the power play. It took 18 seconds for the home team to find the back of the net as Holden sniped it from the point to tie the game and eventually go into overtime with seven goals apiece.

With just under three minutes left in the first overtime, Robinson was in the same spot Holden was when he scored and shot a laser through traffic for the game-winning score.

“It was kind of a scramble play, it feels like that’s normally how it ends in these types of games,” said Robinson. “I think Rezzy was looking inside to maybe (Carter Page) and the ball just squirted out to me up top and I just kinda let it go as quick as I could. Didn’t really pick a spot or anything and lucky enough it went in.”

“It was kinda reminiscent of our Mann Cup runs a few years ago and even when I was a kid,” said Jake Withers. “It helps a lot. We have the best home floor advantage in the league by far so to have them behind us to help fuel that comeback, it paid dividends in overtime when Mikey scored that one.”

The finals start this Sunday in Six Nations with game two in Peterborough on Tuesday. A full schedule is being released at a later time.

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Peterborough Man Given Second-Degree Murder Charge From Suspicious Death On Charlotte Street

A 40-year-old Peterborough man is facing another charge in connection with a suspicious death that occurred on Charlotte Street, reported on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The accused has been charged with:

• Second-Degree Murder

The accused has also been charged with Indignity to a Dead Body.

They are being held in custody and appeared in court on Friday.

The victim, a 33-year-old Peterborough woman, was found deceased in an apartment on Charlotte Street on Tuesday. 

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GPHSF 2025 Senior Care Microgrant Now Open

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) Senior Care Microgrant program to support senior care projects and healthy aging initiatives in the Peterborough area is open for applicants.

These grants have been made possible due to funding provided by the June Towle Trust. She passed away in 2023. Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

This is the second year that GPHSF is offering the microgrant.

“2024 was the first year we offered the Senior Care Micro Grants program, and it was a great success” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “We had a number of really great projects submitted for funding and we truly wish we had more grants available to offer. We are excited to see who applies for the grants and what project they are working on in 2025.”

Two grants are available with the application deadline on Sept. 30.

The new Senior Care Microgrant program is meant to be a low-barrier applicant process according to GPHSF. The grants can be used as seed money to address a new need or as financial support to an existing program in Peterborough, County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. 

Two grants are available, with up to $5,000 in funding available with each grant.

Applications are open to community and not-for-profit organizations, including medical organizations, that run programming and services or propose to run programming and services within the boundaries of Peterborough City and/or Peterborough County, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

Proposed projects must be general in scope (including and impactful on as many people as possible). Project completion must occur within one year of approval unless GPHSF grants an extension. Grant funding can be applied to existing projects or used as seed money for new projects.

A maximum of $5,000 is available for each gran, and a maximum of $10,000 is available across all grants (two total).

The project timeline and budget must be provided.

Senior Care Microgrant projects may include.

• Research

• Equipment

• Nutrition

• Physical Activity

• Mental Health

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Have a lasting impact on our community.

• Support emerging needs in our community.

• Improve the quality of life for seniors in the community.

Applications can be submitted online.

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Fall Recreation Program Registration Has Opened

Registration for fall recreation programs with the City of Peterborough is currently open.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Classes include fitness, judo, Taekwondo or partaking in one of the City’s skating or tennis programs. Children’s dance classes and registered pickleball, birthday party packages and personal training programs are also available.

Information on aquatic programs can be found at peterborough.ca/swim.  

Registration for all programming can be done online, in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2201. 

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Rotary Club of Peterborough and Riverview Park and Zoo’s Launch New Accessible Playground Fundraising Campaign to Raise $1.5 Million

The Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Riverview Park and Zoo have teamed up for Project ROAR, a $1.5 million fundraising campaign for an accessible playground, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The Project Roar Committee unveiled its plans for a completely redesigned Rotary Accessible Playground at Riverview Park and Zoo to allow anyone of all abilities and all ages to enjoy the space.

Upgrades include widened pathways between play areas for people using strollers and mobility devices, new surfaces throughout the playground to make getting around easier, relaxing shady spaces with great sight lines to make it more comfortable for visitors and their caregivers.

Rotarian Betty Halman-Plumley was the president of the Rotary Club during the 2023-2024 term. During that time, the Club conducted extensive community outreach and local needs assessments in the lead up to deciding on the club’s next big Legacy Project said Halman-Plumley.

“Rotary is thrilled to take the lead in making this playground accessible because we believe everyone and every child deserves a place to play, learn, and grow – regardless of ability,” she said. “This project reflects our commitment to inclusion, community service, and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. Together with the Riverview Park & Zoo we are building more than just a play space – we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community for families to thrive.”

Cathy Mitchell, Riverview Park and Zoo CEO, first presented the concept for this project to the Rotary Club in 2024.

“We are thrilled to work with the energy and magnetism of the Rotary Club of Peterborough through their Legacy Project to bring these remarkable plans off the shelf and to fruition,” she said. “Established in 2018 through community consultation, these engineered playground plans were created to address the diverse needs of our community, bringing all ages and all abilities together for outdoor recreation and play. Thanks to Rotary and this Legacy commitment, we are able to move forward, remove barriers, and make it happen.”

The event paid tribute to the late Rotarian Ross Dobbin who founded the Riverview Park and Zoo in 1933. Some of his family members were present to honour his name on his behalf.

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Three People Arrested For Drug Possession and Trafficking After Two Police Searches

Three people have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking and possession after search warrants were executed on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Peterborough Police Service Drug, Intelligence Unit and aid from the assistance of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) executed two search warrants in the areas of King Street and Bethune Street and Stewart Street and King Street.

Police have seized the following controlled substances:

• 10.7 grams Psilocybin

• 277 Hydromorphone pills

• 86 Oxycodone pills

• 13.1 grams Cocaine

• 16.9grams Fentanyl

• 6 grams Methamphetamine

• Over $7,500 Canadian currency 

Two King Street residents, a 64-year-old Peterborough man and a 38-year-old Peterborough man were charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Fentanyl 

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Cocaine.

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Hydromorphone

• Possession of a controlled substance, Psilocybin.

• Possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000.00

A 30-year-old female resident of Stewart Street in Peterborough was charged with the following:

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Fentanyl 

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Cocaine.

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Hydromorphone

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Oxycodone

• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, Methamphetamine 

• Possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.00

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.00

• Weapons prohibition breach (ammunition) X2

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Pooice Service.

All accused are being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

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Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes Hosting BBQ Fundraiser For Aug. 23

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is hosting a BBQ fundraiser to aid their causes at their site on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is located at 385 Lansdowne St. E. It has food, sweet treats, games, live music and a plant and vegetable sale. Cost for food and drinks will be on a sliding scale starting from 50 cents.

A rainout date has been scheduled for the following day on Aug. 24.

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Taite Cattoni's Late-Game Heroics Sends Peterborough Lakers to Game Seven In Overtime Win

Taite Cattoni helped the Peterborough Lakers steal game six after they surged in the third period and overtime to defeat Brooklin L.C., 6-5 in overtime, at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre Rink on Wednesday night.

Photo by Ava Wood.

Brooklin had the start they wanted, scoring the game’s first three goals for a 3-0 lead with 8:05 left in the period. Holden Cattoni got Peterborough on the board late in the period for a 3-1 score going into the second period.

The games seemed to be all Brooklin as they opened with another multi-goal run of two to open the period. It was not until over halfway through the period that Carter Page scored for Peterborough and it was 5-2 after two periods in a low-scoring affair.

Down by three, Peterborough had to muster a comeback to keep their season alive. Joe Resetarits scored for the Lakers just near the halfway point to bring Peterborough within two goals. Taite scored just 83 seconds later to cut the deficit in half.

Brooklin had the ball with 42 seconds in regulation, coming out of a timeout, and Peterborough forced pressure with three men to cause a turnover. The Lakers had set up in the offensive zone. Resetarits made a cross-crease pass to Taite and one-timed it through the back of the net for a tie game and into overtime.

Just over four minutes had passed in overtime as Taite had the ball in his hands again. He went from point to point on the floor and rifled a bounce shot that slipped by the Brooklin goaltender for the natural hat trick and the game-winning walk-off goal to send the series back to Peterborough for game seven.

“We knew we played a pretty poor 40 minutes and the season's on the line,” explained Taite. “We had to come alive as a group and lucky enough and fortunate enough, I had a good third period and it was my turn to go. That's the great thing about this team, every night it can be a different guy that steps up and makes a difference.”

The last game of the series is at the Peterborough Memorial Centre with the opening faceoff at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

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City of Peterborough Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day On Aug. 31

The City of Peterborough joins communities across the world in remembering the thousands of lives lost to drug overdose on International Overdose Awareness Day, which takes place on Aug. 31.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, reduce stigma and remember the friends, family, and community members we’ve lost,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The overdose crisis doesn’t just shatter families; it fractures our entire community.”

Moms Stop the Harm and Peterborough Aids Resource Network will hold a flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at City Hall. A purple flag will be raised in memory of those lost to drug poisoning and in recognition of the grief carried by their loved ones.

A Community Memorial and Awareness Event will be held at Confederation Square, across the street from City Hall, on Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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