Peterborough Blogs
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An Accessibility Mat Has Been Installed At Beavermead Beach
/The City of Peterborough, along with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, have announced the installation of a beach access mat at Beavermead Beach (2011 Ashburnham Drive).
The access mat is designed to enhance accessibility at the beach. The mat provides a walkway across the sand, allowing for easier access to the water for everyone—including people who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids, as well as parents with strollers.
A ribbon cutting will take place on Friday (August 25th) at 3 p.m. at Beavermead Beach. The public are invited out to the ribbon cutting to celebrate the community's continued commitment to accessibility.
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A Hand Carved Unity Pole By Local Ojibway Artist Kris Nahrgang Has Become A Hit
/To celebrate the enormous contribution that Canada's indigenous people have made to this great land, the CNE commissioned local Ojibway artist Kris Nahrgang to create a Unity Pole this year.
Photo via @JoeM_2015 on Twitter
The majestic and vibrant 25-foot pole by Nahrgang has become a popular attraction at the CNE, and has drawn lots of attention to the artist. It was carved from a majestic white cedar tree from the Peterborough area, and embraces both indigenous and universal symbols.
Nahrgang documented the construction of the Unity Pole on Facebook, and posted there on May 24th that it was completed...
On July 18th, Nahrgang posted to Instagram that the Unity Pole was ready for delivery to Toronto...
"The pole was created to offer a story of Unity, and healing for all Canadians, and has been created to include a story of hope for relationships for all of us," says Nahrgang.
"It is hand carved, and painted in bright Woodland style. It will represent a great vision of togetherness for all who come to view it."
Photo via @JoeM_2015 on Twitter
"The Unity Pole has become a huge attraction for the CNE, and has taken on a life of its own," Nahrgang tells PTBOCanada. "The pole for me was a way to show the beauty of indigenous art, and the stories of my Mississauga Ojibway Heritage. My goal was to create a piece of art that spoke to the country, and now the world, as to the need to educate ourselves about indigenous people, and our Culture."
Nahrgang adds: "I felt that this was a great opportunity to offer a good story, of inclusion, harmony and balance that needs to be pursued between all peoples in this beautiful Country. The impact of the pole has been viral, and its story has gone worldwide. It has changed my life and taken me to a new realm of the art world and offered a great respect for my art, and to myself as an artist."
The Unity Pole is on display at the Heritage Court in the Enercare Centre at the CNE until September 4th. The plan after that, Nahrgang tells us, is for it to be set up in a permanent location on the CNE grounds.
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A Group Of Peterborough Artists Collaborate On Powerful Strong Heart Song For SickKids Foundation
/UPDATE: September 1st. The beautiful "Strong Heart" video has just been released. Watch it below...
ORIGINAL POST
In less than a year, cancer would change the lives of three Peterborough families forever. Harrison McKinnon, Eliza Vivian, and Neave Alderson were all diagnosed with various forms of cancer between November 2015 and July 2016.
In collaboration with SickKids Foundation, these kids—and others like them—are being honoured in a powerful soon-to-be-released song called "Strong Heart" that is written and performed by local musician, Melissa Payne.
Melissa recording with her niece Eliza
"Strong Heart" also features Jimmy Bowskill and Natalie McMaster, and is produced by James McKenty. The music video was directed by filmmaker Megan Murphy and shot by Rob Viscardis.
Melissa and Megan both have a personal connection to the cause, as both of their nieces have been receiving cancer treatment at Sick Kids this year. "This is our way of giving back," Megan tells PTBOCanada.
Melissa Payne, Natalie McMaster, Jimmy Bowskill, James McKenty and Eliza Vivian during recording session of "Strong Heart"
SickKids Foundation is going to be promoting the song as part of their big campaign for Childhood Cancer Awareness month, which begins September 1st.
"We will be launching the music video that day as well, and all proceeds from the song will be donated to SickKids Foundation," Megan tells PTBOCanada.
Neave Alderson and Eliza Vivian (Frame grab from "Strong Heart" video to be released September 1st)
"Strong Heart" is a tribute to not only Eliza, Neave, and mighty Harrison, who fought relentlessly until losing his battle in June 2017, but also to all of the young warriors who have come before and who will unfortunately come after them.
Neave
As devoted aunts to Eliza and Neave, singer-songwriter Melissa Payne and filmmaker Megan Murphy have witnessed the devastating heartbreak and the awe-inspiring bravery these warriors embody.
As artists, they channeled their own fear and inspiration into this project. The proceeds from this song will be donated to the SickKids Foundation—because no strong heart should have to face this battle alone.
Megan's niece Neave with her mother Kate
“Strong Heart”, comes out September 1st on YouTube. To donate to this campaign—their goal is to raise $5,000 and proceeds will go towards furthering paediatric cancer research through the SickKids Foundation—click here.
You can watch the behind the scenes footage below from the video...
All of us have been touched in some way by a child with cancer. Please share this on your social media channels and give what you can.
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Peterborough Petes Petes Hire Mental Performance Coach To Enhance Players With Their Mental Game
/Recognizing the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical, the Peterborough Petes have added a Mental Performance Coach to this year's team, bringing on Brenley Shapiro to their staff.
A Toronto-based Sport Psychology and Performance Consultant, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Certified Sports Vision Trainer, Shapiro’s program combines theories of cognition and behaviours into mental skills training, along with scientific strategies using state-of-the-art technologies to strengthen neurocognitive processing.
Brenley Shapiro
“The mind leads the body,” says Shapiro. “My goal is to teach the players how their mind impacts their performance by providing them with tips and strategies that will build a mindset for success.”
Shapiro has extensive experience and a specialized focus in work with hockey teams and players at every level from minor hockey through to the OHL, KHL, AHL and NHL. She has also been involved with the OHL Combine, U15 Program of Excellence, and sits on the expert panel for the Coaches Association of Ontario. She is a published author, keynote speaker, and the Mental Performance Spokesperson for Gatorade Canada.
Kudos to the Petes for this great hire.
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Here's What The Solar Eclipse Looked Like In Lakefield
/Tim Rollwagen, an instructor at Lakefield College School, took stunning photos of the solar eclipse on Monday (August 21st) from his driveway in Lakefield.
Photo by Tim Rollwagen
Rollwagen, an outdoors/adventure seeker and weather junkie, tells PTBOCanada he took the photos between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. using a Canon Rebel SL1 camera.
"Having the chance to see this doesn't come around all that often in your life," he tells PTBOCanada. "We have to embrace the wonder of the world when it's here."
Photo by Tim Rollwagen
Rollwagen, who looks forward to the total eclipse expected in 2024—"it would be great to share it with my daughters when they are older"—adds that if you look closely (see the top photo), you can see a bird flying through in one of them. Pretty neat.
Photo by Tim Rollwagen
As Rollwagen tweeted, the clouds only enhanced the dramatic pictures...
What Peterborough Needs: A Mariposa Type Market?
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During our travels, we come across interesting businesses that we think could be a neat fit in our beautiful city.
If you were to stop for a meal at Orillia's own Mariposa Market, we think you would agree. With over 500 reviews averaging 4.5 on Trip Advisor, we're not the only ones who make sure to stop in for a bite when passing through.
Open 7 days a week, this gem is in a turn of the century building that sprawls out in all directions once you enter. With lots of wood accents and nods to its historic roots, they offer baked goods, a café and plenty of places to sit down and socialize with three levels that overlook the store. Each time we have visited, there has been a line-up for their numerous glass cabinets of freshly made meals.
Their extensive menu rotates daily so even upon frequent visits you won't have the same food twice.
Thanks to their success, the Mariposa Market recently renovated to add a quick to-go counter at the back of the building to help alleviate the line-ups for sit-down meals. They also added numerous new bathrooms on the main floor and spacious new seating in their upper floor.
Make sure to feed the parking meter in the lot across the street because you will be sure to spend some time here. The Market also includes two neighbouring stores (The Seasons Shop & The Scent Shop), both located on either side that offer home curiosities, books, kitchen ware, clothing, jewelry and handmade items.
There is also the store Apple Annie's downstairs offering every kitchen gadget you could ever dream up, fresh fudge and sauces, jams and other tasty meal items that you can either make yourself or give as a gift.
Curiously, the Mariposa Market does't offer Wi-Fi, but perhaps if they did it would clog up their already busy locale.
So now that you've had a quick run-down of what the Mariposa Market is, hopefully we've answered "Why would Peterborough need another coffee shop?". The building itself really adds to the experience so we would envision it being in an older building downtown.
Obviously we are just coming up with fun ideas to ponder in our debut "What Peterborough Needs" column, and while we already love our city the way it is, it's always fun to think of what could work or not work.
We would love to hear what you think Peterborough needs. Email us with neat places you've seen on your travels that might translate here.
—by Evan Holt
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The Peterborough Connection: Time Zones
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Everywhere you go, there always seems to be a connection back to Peterborough—from people who once lived here, to our Sister City, to travelling in Northern Ontario.
When travelling along Highway 17 about an hour East of the Manitoba border, you will see a sign alerting you of the time change depending on the direction you are travelling. The imaginary line that separates Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time was created by Sir Sandford Fleming, who had great ties to Peterborough (see No. 18 here in our "Fun Facts about Peterborough").
There are two markers commemorating his work and even mention Peterborough by name.
One Of The Cutest Little Chapels You'll Ever Find Is Located Near Peterborough
/Near Apsley, Ontario is an adorable little chapel called Maplewood Wayside Chapel that many people stop at on the way to the cottage.
Photo by PTBOCanada
It was built in 1967 by Dick and Isabel Lucas, and at capacity has room for probably no more than 10 people.
Photo by PTBOCanada
Photo by PTBOCanada
It is located on Highway 620, and is about a 45 minute drive from Peterborough. The chapel was locked when we visited.
Photo by PTBOCanada
At 50 years old, the chapel is a bit rundown—the flower gardens are kept up—but nontheless well worth a visit if you're in the Kawarthas.
Photo by PTBOCanada
