World-Class Exhibition Design Firm Has Joined New Canoe Museum Project

The Canadian Canoe Museum will partner with world-class exhibition design firm GSM Project to create one-of-a-kind visitor experiences at its new building beside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

GSM Project—with offices in Montreal, Dubai and Singapore—has an extensive CV: It was the lead designer of the new Canadian History Hall at the Canadian Museum of History (the largest exhibition about Canadian history ever developed) and has also recently completed The Alaska Gallery at the Anchorage Museum, Human at the Montreal Science Centre, and much more.

GSM Project will work with the Canoe Musuem to ensure that the world's largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft is not only exhibited but experienced by all those who visit the new museum at the water's edge.

Rendering of new Canoe Museum

GSM Project has been chosen to work alongside staff and the Exhibit Design Committee to create visitor experiences in two key areas of the new museum:

1. Exhibition Galleries -> Approximately 21,000 square feet of Class A (curatorial standard) exhibit space expected to feature 10 to 12 galleries.
2. Collections Centre -> Approximately 28,000 square feet of Class A (curatorial standard) open storage space, featuring more than 500 full-sized watercraft stored on individual mounts and arranged on racking systems.

For the first time, the museum's entire collection will be on site and totally accessible as part of the visitor experience.

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Portion Of Rotary Greenway Trail Now Has Lighting

Thanks to a generous grant received from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, the Rotary Greenway Trail Link between Water Street and the main Rotary Greenway Trail now has lighting.

The lighting system uses energy efficient LED lamps that focus the light downward and along the trail and meets dark sky standards. The lighting system only uses the equivalent of 5 ½ 100 w bulbs, which is an impressively low amount of energy. The project donor placed environmental sustainability as a high priority, which is also why the lighting system was installed with direct mount poles to minimize impact to existing vegetation and trees.

Students from both TASSS and Trent University will benefit from the trail lighting—particularly those involved in extracurricular activities or evening lectures who use the trail outside of the eight solid hours of daylight during the darker months of the year.

As well, the lighting will open this part of the trail for more use by residents of the Whitaker Mills Condominiums and the Waverley Heights subdivision, who use the trail to get to and downtown and other parts of the City.

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Apsley Residents Still Without A Family Physician In Town

When Dr. Wagdy Rayes retired in June after an amazing 40 years run as a family physician in Apsley (which has a population of about 2,300), the township in Peterborough County was left without a doctor.

Rayes had approximately 1,140 patients rostered to his practice, and many of those were left without a GP when he closed his practice at the Apsley Medical Centre on Burleigh Street.

The commitment was made to find the town a new GP as soon as possible—and that commitment remains, according to the Peterborough Family Healthy Team (PHFT).

A North Kawartha Hub clinic with a nurse practioner opened behind Dr. Rayes' old office for those who couldn't join an established family practice. When a new doctor is found, PFHT says this Nurse Practitioner hub will be integrated into this practice to provide all patients of Apsley with a wholesome practice.

But the Nurse Practitioner Hub can only provide care to patients that are enrolled with them as they are currently at full capacity, meaning PFHT is pursuing a temporary solution to support these folks who can't use the hub. They are exploring a telemedicine approach which still needs to be planned out before being implemented.

“It is Peterborough Family Health Team’s responsibility to ensure all residents of the City & Country of Peterborough have access to adequate primary healthcare services,” says Lori Richey, Executive Director for the PFHT. “We continue to search for a permanent family doctor to take over the primary care for patients, but in the meantime we need a solution. People cannot go without access to care.”

A telemedicine service would provide a virtual family doctor to patients in the community. This temporary clinic would also enroll patients and smoothly transition them over to a new family doctor once recruited and that practice is up and running.

In the meantime, those living in Apsley who require care can access it through the following means:

-> The Lakefield VON Nurse Practitioner Clinic: Open Wednesdays and Thursdays, and located at 150 Strickland Street in Lakefield. (Residents are encouraged to book an appointment by calling 705.651.4866.)

-> Peterborough Regional Health Centre: If you urgently require health care services, you are advised to go to your local hospital at 1 Hospital Drive in Peterborough.

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Stockdale Family Wins 2017 Farm Family Of The Year

The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce have announced the Stockdale family, of 2525 Asphodel 4th Line Asphodel-Norwood, as the 2017 Farm Family of the Year.

David and Cathy Stockdale have been farming for 26 years, and Embrdale Farm is home to 145 head of cattle and of this 65 make up the milking herd. They have a very impressive herd classification they have worked hard to achieve and maintain: 10 Excellent, 49 Very Good, and 16 Good Plus. 

This past April, they were thrilled to have won their second Master Breeder Shield. This recognition illustrates the progress they have made with their breeding and management programs and serves as proof that they are on the right track.

The Stockdales own 310 acres and rent an additional 180 acres for crops. They use a TMR mix that includes haylage, corn silage and high moisture corn with additional proteins added. The corn silage and high moisture corn are grown on 100 acres, while another 100 acres are devoted to oats, used for greenfeed or straw, and all are underseeded. They also raised 250 acres of hay for the herd. 

They have raised four children: Steven (Kelsey), Cameron (Emily), Brett (Erin) and Rebecca make up the fourth generation living and working on the family farm. The fifth generation has started with Kaylee (Brett & Erin).

The Stockdales are all active in 4-H, either as members or leaders after graduating 4-H. 4-H has brought many opportunities for the family and they have made sure to take advantage of them: 4-H Youth Ambassador, winning the East Gen Challenge top overall member in 2014 & 2015, trips to Belgium, Madison. They give back to 4-H by sitting on the Board of Directors and being the editor for the newsletter. 

The award to the family will be presented at the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture Annual Banquet, to be held on Friday, November 24th, at the Peterborough Curling Club, 2195 Lansdowne St., Peterborough.

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PTBOCanada.com Launches New Mini-Documentary Series PTBOCurios

We're taking a look at some of the intriguing aspects of our fine city in a new mini-documentary series by our Creative Director called PTBOCurios.

Have a look at our first episode below to find out what people are reading at the Peterborough Public Library...

Don't miss an Episode of our documentary series: "Like" our page! Email Evan Holt here for ideas for PTBOCurios docs.

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PTBOCanada.com Launches Show To Air On Facebook

We're excited to be launching a new show PTBOCanada.com to run on our Facebook page, with video snippets also running on our Instagram and Twitter channels.

The show will be produced and edited by our Video Director/Co-host Cody May, and taped on location at StudioPTBO, our boutique agency spinoff on Sheridan Street in downtown Peterborough.

PTBOCanada.com Co-Founder Neil Morton with Co-Host Cody May in Episode 1

"To be able to create a show like this is only possible in this powerful era of social media—it is something that excites me greatly," says Cody May, who will Co-Host with other members of the team, including PTBOCanada Co-Founder Neil Morton.

"Everyone has a story and we're stoked to share them on our show," May adds. "We will be taking you behind the scenes of our brand while also spotlighting unique people in the community."

Cody May in the studio where the show is taped

PTBOCanada.com, which is slated to run bi-weekly at the beginning on Facebook before picking up frequency down the road, will feature entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, musicians, designers, dreamers, community builders, athletes, business owners and more. 

If you're interested in being a guest on the show or becoming a sponsor, contact Cody May here. 

Watch Episode One below with PTBOCanada.com Co-Founder Neil Morton and Cody May...

Don't miss an Episode. "Like" our page!

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The Amazing Impact In From The Cold Has Had During Its 18 Years In Peterborough

In 2000, a group of Peterborough musical friends established a Christmas concert that was unlike any other—more influenced by Celtic and roots music, and one where people would hear something other than the usual Christmas carols and standards we hear every year.

"I was also inspired by Tom Jackson’s annual The Huron Carole concerts that raise money for local food banks," says one of its founders John Hoffman. "So we decided to launch the concert and donate the money to a local charity. Then I discovered that a small group was trying to establish a facility for homeless youth and that seemed like the perfect beneficiary for us."

Now, nearly two decades later, In From The Cold has had a huge impact—raising more than $100,000 for YES Shelter for Youth and Families, and also helped to raise awareness about the needs of homeless youth in our community.

After 18 years, Hoffman says that what has really kept this much-loved, anticipated event going over the years is two things: the music and what he calls the "In From the Cold feeling".

"The concert is a great creative exercise for us musicians," he tells PTBOCanada. "We enjoy digging up beautiful Christmas songs that are seldom sung but deserve to be heard. We love arranging them and performing them in our signature Celtic style. And then, the feeling you get when you walk out on the stage to perform is just magical. It’s like a huge family gathering—a really supportive, responsive audience. Lots and lots of people come to see the show each year, so it’s kind of like a family reunion."

THE PERFORMERS

-> Carried Away (Susan Newman, Rob Fortin and John Hoffman, with guests Michael Ketemer and Tanah Haney)
-> The Convivio Chorus (choir)
-> Enriqué “Roy” Claveer (Curtis Driedger)
-> Michael Ketemer: does a fingerstyle guitar solo each year

SOME NEAT SONGS DURING THIS YEAR'S CONCERT

-> Susan Newman has set the Robert Frost poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", to music and arranged it for choir.
-> "Noel est Arrivé": a very old, rollicking song from Provence
-> "Christ Child’s Lullaby", from the Outer Hebrides
-> "Wintergrace", an Appalachian song: "It is so catchy and lovely, it’s hard to believe that hardly anyone sings it anymore," says Hoffman.
-> "Sweet Bells", a lovely and lively carol from Yorkshire
-> "A Cradle In Bethlehem", which was a hit for Nat King Cole in 1960

Hoffman says there will also be versions of some Christmas standards, including "Silent Night", "Good King Wenceslas" and the "Gloucester Wassail".

The 18th annual In From The Cold concert takes place on December 8th and 9th this year at Market Hall. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and children), and available at Moondance or at the Market Hall online box office.

Local filmmaker Rodney Fuentes has made a short documentary about the concert. Watch it below...

Since 2000, a group of musicians in Peterborough, Ontario have provided an annual Christmas concert called In From The Cold. This concert not only celebrates the music of the season but is also an important fundraising event for the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

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Comedic Writer Tamara Bick On Moving Back To Peterborough From Los Angeles

Comedic writer/director/actress Tamara Bick recently relocated to Peterborough along with her husband/co-comedic partner in crime, Drew Antzis, and two children, Jaffe and Bailey, after spending a decade in Toronto and then more than a decade in Los Angeles where they developed a diverse résumé working with the Who's Who of Hollywood.

Tamara (born and raised in Peterborough, where she attended Adam Scott) and Drew (born in Queen's, New York but raised in Tucson, Arizona) worked in the entertainment scene there—primarily specializing under the BICK/ANTZIS handle as writers and directors for both branded and original comedy for the web. They've worked with the likes of HBO, Comedy Central and Second City.

They co-wrote a bunch of celebrity comedy shorts for Funny or Die, working with comedic actors such as Jim Parsons and Sean Hayes, and actress Natalie Portman. And Drew did this hilarious video, "The Landlord", with Will Ferrell that was a viral hit on Funny or Die. They also did a MoveOn.org PSA with Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde. The list goes on and on.

Dynamic Duo: Drew and Tamara (Photo by Miranda Hume)

The couple also acted a bit in Hollywood—in commercials and some guest starring roles. Tamara guest starred on Seinfeld, and worked with Kelsey Grammer from Frasier. They also did a bunch of Improv there, including Second City and Improv Olympic (Drew is a special guest in an upcoming Citiots Improv show at the Gordon Best Theatre). 

So what made the couple leave LA, where, as Tamara says, "most people we met were super talented and super awesome." Her answer is both simple and complicated, and at times conflicted, all at once:

"Hollywood is great parties, meeting lots of famous people, working in television—it's really, really fun," she tells PTBOCanada. "The weather is the best, just gorgeous every day. California is a wonderful place. Living in Los Angeles, our family loved heading out to the beach every Sunday to surf and play in the sand. So we miss the beach and we miss our friends.

But LA is so huge—it's over 500 square miles, it's massive. It's about 4 million people living in that city... that's a lot of smell. But it's very diverse and exciting.  At first, you're in awe of everything around you: the huge studios—Warner Brothers and Paramount—from the famous palm tree lined streets, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Blvd, and famous bars, the Chateau Marmont or the Brown Derby, to the clubs The Comedy Store or the Improv. It's the big league.

But then you do a set on the Improv stage and it's just another tiny stage in front of another brick wall except Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Poehler are in the audience that night and you suck. But after awhile, you realize all these famous people are just regular people who happen to be really talented, well dressed, beautiful and rich. Other than that, they're super ordinary people. And if you're willing to be in your car three to four hours day and pay 25 grand a year for pre-school, then it's the best city to live in!"

The couple is collaborating on Settle This Thing show (Photo by Miranda Hume)

But they weren't. And so, they now find themselves happily in Peterborough, where as Tamara says, there is "free health care, no guns, less traffic." They live in the north end near Trent University—"it's so beautiful up here, especially in the fall," says Bick.

And the couple continue to create as much as they ever have. They're just been selected for the Montreal Fringe Festival and have applied to many others including Toronto, New York, Chicago and Winnipeg.

Photo by Miranda Hume

They're workshopping a show in Peterborough called Settle This Thing that actually had its origins on YouTube way back in 2012. Their premise was simple: to have the internet provide a solution to an ongoing argument they couldn’t resolve on their own.

Tamara and Drew each laid out their argument and told viewers to vote for who they agreed with and that they would live with the results of the vote. After a week, the married couple tallied the votes and had a winner. Argument solved! "It’s crowdsourcing to solve our fights," says Antzis, "and it worked!"

Photo by miranda hume

The couple have decided to take their web show to the stage and do it live. They’ve written five different Settle This Thing shows and are performing them live at The Theatre On King (TTOK) in Peterborough every last Friday of the month at 8 p.m. from November 2017 to May 2018. They are excited to test the shows in front of Peterborough crowds.

Each show tackles a different topic (Marriage, Sex, In-Laws, Money and Parenting) and includes at least two videos that the audience gets to vote on. The content and videos always rotate so you can could see the show multiple times and never see the same show twice.

Don't miss this dynamic duo, who have chosen Peterborough as their testing grounds for this material that could eventually scale to theatres across Canada and beyond—perhaps taking them right back to LA (only as special guests this time).

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Douro-Dummer Mayor J. Murray Jones Absent Due To Health Issues

The Township of Douro-Dummer is notifying the public that Mayor J. Murray Jones will be taking a leave while he recovers from recent surgery.

"I am on the mend and will be back holding the gavel at the Council table soon," Mayor Jones says. "I want to thank my wife, Anne, my family as well as all my friends and neighbours for their support."

The date of Mayor Jones’ return to his duties is not known at this time, but it is hopeful that it will be early in 2018.

While Mayor Jones recovers, Deputy Mayor Moher will assume any necessary tasks in the absence of the Mayor. “Council will ensure that the Township of Douro-Dummer continues to operate in our usual manner,” says Mayor Jones.

We wish Mayor Jones all the best with his recovery.

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