Tom Cochrane, Sheepdogs, Rheostatics Among 2017 Peterborough Musicfest Lineup

The 2017 Peterborough Musicfest Lineup was announced Tuesday morning (May 9th) at the Silver Bean Café, and highlights include Kim Mitchell (July 1st), Tom Cochrane with Red Rider (July 8th), The Philsopher Kings (August 12th), The Sheepdogs (August 16th) and Rheostatics (August 23rd).

Tom Cochrane

Sheepdogs

For Bee Gees and Abba fans, there is a "Abbamania & Night Fever" night on August 19th.

For the complete list of artists and schedule, click here or see below.

[Related: 30 Cool Tidbits About Peterborough Musicfest]

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Country Music Star Dean Brody Stopped By The Peterborough Humane Society... And (LOL) This Happened

Canadian Country music star Dean Brody was in Peterborough on Saturday performing at the Memorial Centre as part of his Beautiful Freakshow tour.

But Brody, a huge animal lover, also took some time out from his busy tour schedule to stop by the Peterborough Humane Society and visit with the dogs, cats, volunteers and staff.

Also, a cute and hilarious thing happened there that Brody posted about on his Facebook page, along with the below photo.

"We posed for a group shot and the kitten decided to have a poop—it was hysterical," the Humane Society's Susan Porter Dunkley tells PTBOCanada. "But Dean was a gentleman and he just smiled, caught it and then washed up. He is a class act for sure."

Congrats Dean, this will go down as one of the best poop catches ever caught on photograph!

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Over 15 Different Vehicles Will Be At Canadian Canoe Museum's Touch A Truck Event May 28th

The Canadian Canoe Museum is hosting its 4th annual Touch A Truck event on Sunday, May 28th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum's parking lot at 910 Monaghan Road.

This is the perfect event for young families who love to learn and explore. Children have the opportunity to climb, explore and touch over 15 different vehicles such as a fire a truck, a school bus and a mobile production truck!

The $5 admission (3 years of age and older) for the event includes admission to the Museum. Harvey’s will also be on site again this year, flipping burgers!

Proceeds from this event support the initiatives of the Canadian Canoe Museum.

Interested in bringing a truck? Click here.

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About $10,000 Raised For 2017 Walk So Kids Can Talk Supporting Kids Help Phone

Despite the cold weather, more than 50 people showed up to Nicholls Oval on Sunday (May 7th) in Peterborough to participate in the 2017 Walk So Kids Can Talk supporting Kids Help Phone.

Walkers make their way around the route, braving the cold Weather. (Photo by Daniel Sky Morris)

Together, walkers raised approximately $10,000 to support youth across Canada and ensure they never have to feel alone.

"It was amazing to see different pieces of the community come together with a united passion for supporting youth," says Beth McClelland, one of the organizers.

The Peterborough Petes' Roger the Dog visits with two young walkers. (Photo by Daniel Sky Morris)

This year's walk included a visit from Roger the Dog of the Peterborough Petes, entertainment by the James Strath PS Drumline, and generous donations from Sobeys on Lansdowne, Boston Pizza, Nestle, Long & McQuade and Active Minds at Trent.

The Walk was also lucky to once again have support from BMO, Kal Tire and Bell Media.

The James Strath PS Drumline hypes up the walkers. (Photo by Daniel Sky Morris)

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Flood Warning Update: The Latest From The City Of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough just issued this updated press release, which includes info on drinking water, sand bags and more. Read it below...

"A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. The Otonabee Conservation has advised that water levels will continue to rise along the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River over the next fews days. Residents are advised to stay well back from the shorelines of the Otonabee River and Little Lake, as well as area creeks and dams, as the water flow rates are extremely fast and increasing. Shorelines are dangerous, as they are very unstable due to ground saturation.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant remains on secondary by-pass, however, the Park Street pumping station has resumed normal operation. Residents downstream of the Wastewater Treatment Plant who draw water from the river should continue to take necessary precautions to disinfect and boil water. In an effort to help reduce flows through the Wastewater Treatment Plant, residents are asked to discontinue any non-essential water use until further notice.

City residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.    

Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, and other personal effects should be moved to higher ground. Residents may wish to move personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

The City of Peterborough Public Works Department will be providing limited sandbags for lower entry points on foundations such as doorways and window wells (not for riverbanks), to those City residents that are in imminent danger of flooding. Sandbags will be made available for City residents between 4:30 PM- 8:00 PM today (Saturday) and 7:00 AM-7:00 PM tomorrow (Sunday), at the following locations:

-> Crawford Drive at Barbara Crescent (east end)
-> Riverside Drive at Cameron Street
-> Riverside Drive at Spruce Avenue
-> Sherin Avenue at Collison Park

Proof of City of Peterborough property address is required. Filling, delivery, placement, and removal of sandbags will be the owner’s responsibility.

Properties that are susceptible to flooding may also consider sourcing supplies such as pumps, generators and sand bags from local rental companies, hardware stores and landscape suppliers.

If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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Here Is A Look At The Rising Waters Along The Otonabee (And A Notice From Peterborough Public Health)

UPDATE (May 6th): Here is the latest flood warning update/info from the City of Peteborough.

---------------

ORIGINAL POST

With more rain falling, the lake levels and water flows are still rising—and officials expect that to continue with the current weather conditions. Here are some pictures below and a notice from Peteborough Public Health on drinking water.

Here are the docks at Little Lake...

Here are the banks along the Holiday Inn in Peterborough...

The Holiday Inn has put up flood barrier...

photo by Scott Arnold

The Otonabee River South of Lakefield looking angry... (Officials remind people not to go out on boats and canoes on rivers and lakes.)

These culverts around side roads are also dangerous officials say, as the suction can easily hold someone under water...

Here is Lock 19 where the water is as high as the locks and is flowing straight though...

Peterborough Public Health is reminding the public about drinking water safety following the recent notification from the City of Peterborough that the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant is in by-pass mode.

“The good news is that wastewater entering the Otonabee River is still 99% treated so with the current volumes and rate of flow there should be no significant risk to those downstream and there is no serious risk to public health,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “However, this is still a good reminder to all residents who draw water from wells to take the necessary precautions when flooding occurs to prevent illness.”

People who live south of the sewage treatment plant and draw their water from the river should check that their water treatment systems are functioning properly.

Residents are advised to ensure their wells are safe by testing regularly and using a method of disinfection prior to drinking, especially during flooding periods. Water from flooded wells can be treated and made safe for drinking by rapidly boiling the water for at least one minute or by adding two drops of household bleach per one liter of water, stirring, and allowing the water to sit for 30 minutes before use.

Residents who live on the municipal water system are not impacted.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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Flood Warning, Sewage Treatment By-pass Notification and Boil Water Advisory

The City of Peterborough has issued the following media release regarding the flood threat...

"A flood warning remains in effect for the City of Peterborough. Otonabee Conservation has advised that water levels on the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River could reach unprecendented levels in the coming days.

As a result of the current watershed and weather conditions, the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant is now in secondary by-pass mode, and the Park Street pumping station is in full by-pass mode. Residents downstream of these locations who draw water from the river are advised to take necessary precautions and boil water.

City residents in low lying areas along the Otonabee River are encouraged to monitor water level changes on their properties, and to take necessary precautions to protect life and property.    

Docks and structures close to the water should be secured or moved, and other personal effects should be moved to higher ground and may wish to move personal belongings from lower levels of their home. Residents are advised that they should have sufficient and appropriate emergency supplies at the ready, and sump pumps and backflow preventers should be checked to ensure that they are functioning properly.

If at anytime city residents feel that they are in immediate danger by rising water, they should call 9-1-1."

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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ORCA Warns About Potential Of Serious Flooding In Kawarthas

Otonabee Region Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Warning Update for all watercourses and waterbodies within the Otonabee Region watershed.

Current watershed conditions, combined with the latest weather forecast, suggest that water levels on the Kawartha Lakes (Buckhorn, Chemong, Pigeon, Lower Buckhorn, Lovesick, Stony, Clear and Katchewanooka Lakes) could experience unprecedented heights in the coming days. Therefore, residents on these lakes are advised to prepare now by taking appropriate steps to protect themselves, their family members, their pets and their personal property.

In particular, the following known historical flood-vulnerable areas are advised to take heed of this flood warning (note that this is not an exhaustive list)...

In addition, the Otonabee Conservation advises that the Otonabee River may also experience unprecedented water levels/flows as a result of current watershed conditions, combined with the updated weather forecast.

Therefore, residents located in historically flood-prone areas are hereby advised to take appropriate steps to protect themselves, their family members, their pets and their personal property ahead of the rising waters. In particular, the following known flood-vulnerable areas are advised to take heed of this flood warning: Cambelltown; Rosa Landing Road; Bensfort Bridge area; Jones Road; Deyell Road; Seven Oaks Drive; Wallace Point area; Cedar Bank Road; Green Acres Road; and, Willow Road / Matchett Line area (note that this is not an exhaustive list).

As the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River rise, there may also be backwater and/or tailwater conditions that cause flooding on the tributaries to these waterbodies / watercourses including, but are not limited to, Ray’s, Sawer, Jackson, Meade, Byersville, Riverview, Tompson, Bears, Cavan, Baxter and Squirrel Creeks.

Furthermore, throughout the remainder of the Otonabee Region watershed, significant pooling/ponding can be expected in low lying areas where there is poor drainage. As well, local rivers (Indian and Ouse Rivers) and creeks, which are already flowing at rates well-above normal, will continue to experience very high flows, and may even exceed their normal confines in those areas of low sidewalls/banks. Hence, area residents located in historical flood-vulnerable areas are advised to prepare.

Also, area residents, as well as visitors to the area, are advised to observe caution around all waterbodies and watercourses because area lakes, rivers, streams and creeks pose a serious danger due to high levels, very fast flows and extremely cold water temperatures. Dams, culverts and other water control/water conveyance structures are to be avoided at all times.

This is a developing story. Follow @Ptbo_Canada on Twitter for the latest news.

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St. Paul School In Norwood Is Sending 160 Dresses To Girls In Impoverished Countries Around World

There are 120 dresses hanging in the main hall of St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Norwood and pretty soon there will be 160—one for every girl in the school.

They used to be plain cotton T-shirts and fabric. Now they are vibrant and colourful. They have pockets and lace, polka dots and stripes, flowers and plaid.

Lined up together, hanging on a clothesline, the dresses make a powerful statement. They were sewn by the Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 students, many of whom had never used a sewing machine before. The material for the dresses was fundraised for and donated by the school community.

The dresses will soon be shipped across the world and given to girls in impoverished countries where not owning a dress can mean not going to school.

Michele Keating is the Special Education Resource Teacher at St. Paul Norwood and an avid seamstress who runs the school’s knitting and sewing clubs.

Supporting the charity Dress a Girl Around the World, Keating had planned to make a handful of T-shirt dresses with a handful of interested students. Interest spread, and soon enough, every Grade 5, 6, 7, and 8 student wanted to take part.

The school held a fundraiser to purchase supplies. The community responded, dropping off material and volunteering to sew. Keating set the goal to make 160 dresses to represent the school’s 160 girls.

“The response from the students has been amazing," Keating says. "Every student who has made a dress has been so proud of themselves. The teachers are happy with it too, not only because it’s a great social justice cause, but we cover a lot of math curriculum, a lot of formulas for figuring out area and a lot of real-life application of measurement."

“It has really brought our whole school community together," she adds. "There was no way on earth we could have done this if I didn’t have volunteers from our community and people dropping off material. There was a whole box of lace that was randomly dropped off in my room one day. It started out being some small thing and it spread through our school and through our community.”

School principal Rob Citro takes some sewing instruction from Michele Keating.

Today, Keating has some special helpers to contribute in the homestretch of the project. Director of education Michael Nasello, school superintendent Timothy Moloney and school principal Rob Citro are making their own dresses under the supervision of experienced Grade 8s.

“I learned that you don’t have to do much to make a big difference in someone else’s life,” says Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan, who was helping Moloney navigate the sewing machine. “You’re making something and it’s such a little thing for you, but it’s going to be something so big for the girl who gets this dress. It’s really inspiring.”

Grade 8 student Eliza Buchanan

“I think it will make us feel really good seeing all the dresses lined up in the hall because you’re doing something for other people, not ourselves, people who are less fortunate,” says Grade 8 student John Hughes, who co-created a dress with Nasello.

Director of education Michael Nasello shakes hands with sewing partner Grade 8 John Hughes

While working with the students, Nasello said one word came to mind: dignity.

“There is something really special about clothing," he says. "Clothing is not only providing a necessity of life, but it gives a person dignity. To reach out and support young people the same age or younger and to bestow some sense of dignity and support in their lives, I think is the most important type of outreach. I’m so amazed that there is an initiative like this and that it’s really involving students and adults working together to do something good for young people around the world.”

—guest post by Galen Eagle

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