Iconic Hi Tops Restaurant Sign Lives On (Again), Now At Hot Belly Mama's Restaurant

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Remember the old Hi Tops Chinese restaurant that was a fixture in downtown Peterborough? You couldn't miss the iconic sign when you were driving down George Street and at night, it was even more of a focal point with its neon lights.

Indeed, the sign was one of the landmarks in the downtown core since the '60s...

The Old Hi Tops restaurant

When the sign came down in 2013 after it was announced Hi Tops was closing after about 100 years in business, everyone wondered what would become of it. Surely this rich part of Peterborough's history wouldn't end up in landfill.

Well the sign was saved by artist Bill Kimball after the Hi Tops owner agreed to give it to him, and a portion of the sign (it comes in two parts) found a home right across the street at The Spill coffee bar for many years...

The sign hanging at The Spill

When The Spill owner Dave Tobey closed the establishment last fall, people were wondering again, What would now become of the Hi Tops sign? Would it be saved again?

Indeed it would, thanks to another downtown business owner: "When I heard The Spill was closing, I reached out to Dave Tobey about the sign and he put me in touch with Bill Kimball the caretaker of the sign," Hot Belly Mama's owner Travis Smith tells PTBOCanada. "I said I would be happy to display it at The Belly as it would definitely fit in with my atmosphere there. He agreed."

Now the entire sign hangs proudly at The Belly...

The sign at Hot Belly Mama's

"I feel like the sign is a piece that needs to be on display as a big part of Peterborough's history," Smith tells PTBOCanada, adding that this whole process of getting the sign and installing it came together over the past couple months with Kimball and an amazing group of people in town.

Kudos to Smith for showcasing this important piece of Peterborough history in his restaurant. Go check it out next time you're in!

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9 Great Signs Peterborough Is Going All Cosmopolitan

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In many respects, Peterborough is in a renaissance right now—with all of the amenities of a modern city and then some. As the city continues to evolve, it is attracting more young families to live here, tourists to visit here, and retaining more talent coming out of Trent University and Fleming College. In no particular order, here are signs Peterborough is going all downright cosmopolitan and chic...

1. VentureNorth building—the hub where entrepreneurs start-up, grow and thrive.

Housing the Innovation Cluster, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre, JA-PLM and more, this integral building in the heart of the city symbolizes change, progress and momentum in Peterborough.

2. New modern Peterborough Public Library

After a 18 month renovation, this library has been transformed into a beautiful, bright modern library. "The roles of libraries have changed over the years and this new space is designed to meet the changing needs of our community,” says Peterborough Public Library CEO Jennifer Jones.

3. Modern Canadian Canoe Museum on the Water

This Historic Lift Lock is already hopping but the addition of this beautiful new museum at its doorstep will make this a must see destination for even more visitors from around the world.

Rendering of new Canoe Museum

4. New Urban Park in the Downtown

This oasis—construction has already begun—will be located on the Louis Street Parking lot (where the Peterborough Wednesday Market takes place) off of Charlotte Street, and will make a huge, beautiful addition to the downtown.

Charlotte Street view rendering

5. New Square Adjacent to Peterborough Public Library

The construction of the square adjacent to the library will create yet another vibrant place for people to gather in the heart of downtown Peterborough.  

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

6. Trent U & Fleming College

Trent (now among the world's top green universities) and Fleming (now among the top community colleges in sustainability) are A-list institutions that are constantly evolving and modernizing while staying true to their ethos and roots. They are huge draws to students from across the country and around the planet.

Trent's new Student Centre

7. Downtown Peterborough

The downtown has never been more diverse and electic with its wide range of restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and retail shops—not to mention the thriving theatre and entertainment scene (think Gordon Best Theatre, Showplace, Market Hall, The Theatre on King, Peterborough Theatre Guild, etc.) and festivals (Pulse, Hootenanny on Hunter Street, Peterborough Folk Festival, Peterborough Musicfest).

8. Y Lofts at George & Murray Street

The old YMCA building is being converted into chic, modern, condo-style rental suites while staying true to the beautiful character and aesthetic of the building. It will bring renewed energy and vitality to that part of the downtown.

Y Loft rendering courtesy Atria Development

9. Peterborough Museum & Archives

After its museum renewal in recent years and exterior facelift, this modern museum on Museum Drive (Armour Hill) near the Lift Lock is a must-see for tourists and locals alike.

Throw some cobblestone down and close off some downtown streets in the summer, and we're right there Peterborough with the best.

—post by Neil Morton

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Toronto Architect Patrick Li To Create Artwork For New Square Adjacent To Peterborough Public Library

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The City of Peterborough Public Art Program announced Thursday (January 18th) that Toronto-based architect Patrick Li will create the artwork for the new square adjacent to Peterborough Public Library.
 
The project at the corner of Aylmer and Simcoe streets was developed in concert with the Library’s Main Branch renovation and expansion, and is sponsored by LLF Lawyers. The construction of the square adjacent to the library will create a vibrant place for people to gather in the heart of downtown Peterborough.  
 

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

The call for proposals to create an artwork for the square received 20 submissions from artists and designers across the province.
 
In his presentation to the selection committee, Patrick Li highlighted the symbolic nature of the sculpture—Your Story—and his desire to create an artwork that feels alive:

“This Sculpture is made by the undulated fin like columns to be reminiscent of a book cover that is twisting in the wind," he said. "This way, there is movement to make the sculpture feel alive. Each person who walks inside will have a chance to experience this fluidity and discover their own journey.”

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

The Selection Committee found it a stunning, well-conceived and relevant work that will inspire the community and mirror the architecture of the renovated library. They were impressed by Li’s passion and expressed confidence in his ability to problem solve and work through project details.
 
The expected completion of the square and the artwork is Autumn 2018.

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Police Encourage Public To Utilize Online Reporting System For Non-Emergency Crimes

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The Peterborough Police Service offers an online reporting system for non-emergency crimes.

Crimes that can be reported via their online system include the following:
 
-> Theft under $5,000
-> Fraud scams
-> Theft from vehicle
-> Damage to vehicle
-> Lost property
-> Damage to property

"People are using the system and with more public awareness, hopefully we can increase the number of people using it," Peterborough Police Communications Coordinator Lauren Gilchrist tells PTBOCanada.

Some stats on recent reports filed online:
 
September -> 30 people filed online
October -> 36
November -> 25
December -> 25
January -> 10 online reports so far

To understand more about Peterborough Police's online reporting sytem, check out their informative "Incident Stream" breakdown here.

Those wishing to report a non-emergency crime can also call their Alternative Response Unit (ARU) Desk 24/7 at 705-876-1122 ext. 274. In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.

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After 18 Month Renovation Peterborough Library Hosting Grand Re-Opening January 30th

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After an 18 month reno, Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N.) is excited to be hosting its grand re-opening to the public on Tuesday, January 30th.

The grand opening will begin at 9 a.m. that day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a few short speeches, followed by light refreshments and tours of the new facility.

The library closed the doors to its temporary location at Peterborough Square on December 30th.

“We can’t wait to reopen our doors and show the community how much this space has transformed,” says Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “The building has served this community well for the past 30 years but the roles of libraries have changed over the years and this new space is designed to meet the changing needs of our community.”

The Library is excited to be moving back to a modernized building that offers additional community space for programs and meetings, a redesigned Children’s Area, a new Teen Area, enhanced technology and more space to sit and read, or work.

The Library also has a month full of events planned for all ages and interests in February. Information about these events will be available at the grand opening event and will be posted on the website soon.

For more info, visit the library website here and Facebook page here.

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Free Parking Downtown During Holiday Season Raised $11,488 For Kawartha Food Share

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Any money put in the meter during the holiday season when free 2 hour parking was in place went to charity, and generous shoppers stepped up bigtime with their donations. 

Indeed, Peterborough raised a whopping $11,488 for Kawartha Food Share this year through the funds put in meters.

Photo via @brendanwedley

The City of Peterborough’s parking division and the Downtown Business Improvement Area have partnered since 2003 on this free parking initiative, with money put in the meter going to charity each year.

"Once again our community has shown its tremendous generosity," says Mayor Daryl Bennett. "By putting money in the parking machines downtown in December, we are helping to feed people in our community through the efforts of Kawartha Food Share. Thank you to all of the people and downtown businesses that supported this initiative."

Photo via @jamiecsteel

“We could not be more excited to be the recipients of the holiday parking funds again this year!” adds Ashlee Aitken, General Manager of Kawartha Food Share, which assists more than 8,100 men, women and children every month through 36 member agencies.

“This donation comes at a perfect time as we begin to restock our shelves after the very busy holidays and continue to ensure that everyone in Peterborough City and County has safe and reliable access to emergency food."

Photo courtesy DBIA

“We’ve had a very successful holiday shopping season downtown and we’re grateful that we can give back to those who are facing some challenges here in our community,” says DBIA Executive Director Terry Guiel. “Kawartha Food Share provides an important service to many people and we’re happy to see the donation from our downtown shoppers go to such a good cause.”
 
So far, $119,878.41 has been raised over the years for charity from people putting money in the meters during free parking holiday season.

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Documentary Premiere On Peterborough's Music Scene February 3rd At Market Hall

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The long awaited documentary The Radius Project on how Peterborough's music scene has created so many international stars is having its world premiere at the Market Hall in early February.

Outtake: Filming Serena Ryder for the documentary

Produced by Michael Hurcomb and Ryan Lalonde—who first began pre-production on this back in 2014—the documentary debuts Saturday February 3rd, at 8 p.m. at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in Peterborough.

The Radius Project was born out of a simple question: “So which famous people would I know from your hometown?” The hometown in question was Peterborough and the answer was endless.

The Radius Project looks at the wealth of musicians that came from the radius around town and went on to national and international acclaim. A short list of people that grew up or relocated to the area are Serena Ryder, Royal Wood, Three Days Grace, Thousand Foot Krutch, The Silver Hearts, Ronnie Hawkins, The Leahys, producers Greg and Rob Wells and many more.

Three days grace

Tickets are $17 and are available now at Market Hall! Don't miss this.

Watch this trailer below on The Radius Project...

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Morrow Park Turned Into A Skating Rink After A Flash Freeze And Skaters Rocked It

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The snow thaw from the rain and then flash freeze on Friday has combined to turn a portion of Morrow Park into a wondrous, relatively smooth ice rink.

Donald Fraser posted great video of the action on Facebook and added on the post, "Sometimes we feel like a small town. The Peterborough Ex fairgrounds froze into a perfect rink. And Peterborough came out to play!"

Watch the vid below...

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Sears Opened In Peterborough 1954, Closes For Good This Weekend (Take Trip Down Memory Lane)

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What began on August 26th, 1954 in Peterborough ends this Sunday (January 14th), as Sears closes for good in town.

Sears had an amazing 64 year run here, and everyone knows someone who worked there or shopped there at one time. And who could forget the excitement of receiving the Sears Catalogue and Sears Wish Book in the mail.

The Sears location in Peterborough is among the last locations to close across Canada, marking the end of the official end of the chain’s historic retail reign in the country.

Take a trip down memory lane at Sears from its Opening Day in Peterborough with these photos below courtesy of Scott Cisco from his parent's slide collection...

Photo courtesy Scott Cisco

Photo courtesy Scott Cisco

Photo courtesy Scott Cisco

Photo courtesy Scott Cisco

And here's a photo of the construction...

Photo courtesy Scott Cisco

Share your fond memories of Sears Peterborough on our Facebook page.

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Women's Business Network Raises $20,000 For YWCA Crossroads Shelter's Nutritional Well-being Program

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The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has announced a $20,064.84 donation to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, thanks to the outstanding success of the 2017 WBN Holiday Gala held in December. 

For more than 30 years, The Women’s Business Network has committed to supporting The YWCA Crossroads Shelter—an essential community resource for women and children fleeing violence, through their annual fundraising event.

Photo courtesy WBN

The donation made will support the YWCA Crossroads Shelter's Nutritional Well-Being program to support local women and children in crisis.

"We feel it’s vital to support and give back to our community, especially to the women and children who utilize Crossroads Shelter and its Nutritional Well-being program," says Lori McKee, WBN's Program Director.

"I got to witness first-hand the high energy and generous contributions handed out by members, donors and volunteers from the day we started planning right up to the night of the Gala," adds McKee. "To our members, guests, donors and volunteers, thank you for all your donations, hard work and support so we could reach our fundraising goal."

Photo from YWCA website

Jen Cureton, YWCA director of philanthropy and communications, had this to say about the donation: “At the YWCA, we invest in both safety and nourishment to help women and children feel welcome and protected. The Women’s Business Network has been a vital partner in helping women and children escape violence and build new lives. We’re so grateful to work with WBN each year through their Holiday Gala to drive our vision to see all women and children thriving.”

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