Watch For Floating Docks, Lounge Chairs, Debris On Area Lakes (Aids To Navigation May Also Be Off Track)

Conservation authorities are warning boats and other vessels on Trent Severn waterways and lakes to be extra careful as due to the continued high water levels and flows, aids to navigation may be off station.

Dock floating in Bay on Stoney Lake (picture via Stoney Lake Facebook page)

In addition, while water levels are starting to recede, there is a lot of debris including docks, lounge chairs, tires and other cottage stuff floating on area lakes that boaters should be watch for. Cottagers are advised to check on their docks and other waterfront structures, and secure everything as best they can.

Dock Floating on Katchewanooka Lake

Dock that has floated to shore on Stoney Lake

This Stoney Lake cottager was pictured on Saturday (May 13th) paddling his dock and chairs back to their cottage after it became dislodged in the rising waters...

Picture via Stoney Lake Facebook page

Bar fridge not included

The water is expected to go down about an inch a day, and cottagers will hopefully be able to sit on their docks at happy hour by the long weekend. If not, it might be sad hour instead.

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Live And Local Lunches Announces Exciting Lineup In Downtown Peterborough

Live and Local Lunches has announced a new lineup of rock, folk, blues, country and jazz for its second season, which kicks off May 26th with Missy Knott performing.
 
Live and Local Lunches is a partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement Area, Peterborough Square, Gerri’s Arts and Crafts, Shorelines Casinos and Bench Tech to host live music outdoors every Friday for one hour starting at noon in the Peterborough Square Courtyard at the corner of Charlotte and Water streets.

With more than 90 places to eat downtown, music lovers are encouraged to get some takeout and enjoy the sunshine as they switchin' to glide for the weekends.
 
"This is a great way for people to see some of the immense talent we have in this community while enjoying some delicious take-out from our many local restaurants,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director.

THE 2017 LIVE AND LOCAL LUNCHES LINEUP

• May 26 — Missy Knott
• June 2 — Earl Wilfong
• June 9 — Rick Fines
• June 16 — Christine Atrill
• June 23 — Whitney Paget
• June 30 — Catfish Willie & Washboard Hank with a special Canada 150 Show
• July 7 — Dixie Cats
• July 14 — Hot Club 3
• July 21 — Dean James
• July 28 — Nick Ferrio
• Aug. 4 — Steve Driscoll
• Aug. 11 — The Smoking Jackets
• Aug. 18 — TBA (rain date)
• Aug. 25 — TBA (rain date)

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3rd Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Is June 9th & 10th At Millennium Park

Smithavens Brewing Company and Publican House Brewery have announced the 3rd Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival.

The festival, which will take place on June 9th-10th during Ontario Craft Beer Week, will showcase craft breweries from the Kawarthas and surrounding region—allowing visitors to sample a variety of beer flavours and cuisine from local restaurants.

“We are thrilled to co-host this event once again in order to bring some of the finest Ontario craft beers into Peterborough and the Kawarthas,“ says Randy Smith, owner of Smithavens Brewing Company.

“This is a great opportunity to sample everything the Kawarthas has to offer, and with six new vendors, the event will be bigger and better than ever in year three,” adds Marty Laskaris, President and co-Founder of Publican House Brewery.

The event will take place on Friday, June 9th from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 10th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough.

This year will feature 11 breweries and 1 cidery from the surrounding region. Participants can savour a diverse selection of fresh craft beer, delicious local foods, enjoy live entertainment and have a great time discovering new craft beer flavours.

Tickets are on sale now at Smithavens Brewing Company and Publican House Brewery or are available online through kawarthacraftbeerfestival.com. Advanced purchase single day tickets are $15 each and weekend passes are $25. Each ticket allows entry into the festival, a branded 12oz glass and drink samples.

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The Amazing Backstory On The Wheelchair Accessible Swings Being Installed At Riverview Park & Zoo

James and Jennifer Todd had a dream to have wheelchair accessible swings be installed at Riverview Park & Zoo's playground area, and that dream is now becoming a reality.

"We're hoping to have the swings installed and ready for use in about two weeks," the Zoo's Manager & Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. "The swings were completely paid for with funds raised by James and Jennifer, who spearheaded this project."

James Todd tells PTBOCanada how the couple came up with the idea to do this:

"Two years ago, we were planning a picnic at the zoo for us and some friends, and my wife realized that our one friend Jenn had a son in a wheelchair. We started asking ourselves what was really offered for him to enjoy there on the playground.

That is when we decided that Peterborough needed wheelchair swings. We phoned the zoo, and talked with the curator Jim about possibilities. That day, a GoFundMe campaign was started, and we figured we'd help with raising maybe $1,000 towards some new swings.

I received an email the next day from Ed Arnold from the Examiner and learned that the pro hockey alumni was donating $2,500 to the cause. Mr. Arnold's article on that Monday morning sparked another $1,000 anonymous donation and started the GoFoundMe getting a lot of attention, including the CBC in Toronto.

A collection at a Peterborough Lakers game generated a fair bit, as well as another anonymous donation of $2,500, and a major donation from the Fowlers Lions/Lioness weekly cruise night. We received donations from as far as New Jersey, and before we knew it, we were over $16,500! We had landscaping donated as well to remove a tree where the swings are being installed.

The zoo still has a cost for fencing, fixing asphalt and the ground covering, so any donations are still extremely appreciated, and can be arranged through the Zoo."
 

Todd tells PTBOCanada he knew it would be a challenge for these swings to be created, but is ecstatic with the results and how the community got behind this:

"We couldn't be happier at the work of the curator Jim, and the swing manufacturer for making this happen. We cannot wait to see people from all over use these swings.

In some cases, it will be the first time a child, teen, or an adult has ever been on a swing."

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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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