Beloved Quentin At Riverview Park & Zoo Has Passed Away

It is with great sadness that the staff of Riverview Park and Zoo have announced the death of 15-year-old Quentin, their older male Sichuan takin.

With his gentle nature and enigmatic appearance, Quentin was very popular with the zoo's visitors. The first of the zoo's Sichuan takin, he came to Riverview in the spring of 2014 from the Assiniboine Zoo in Winnipeg.

Quentin

For more than a year, Quentin has been treated for severe metacarpal osteoarthritis, but his health and mobility deteriorated significantly and he was no longer responding to treatments/medication.

The progress of this degenerative disease had left him unable to stand or walk, except for short periods of time. The zoo's consulting veterinarian humanely euthanized Quentin on Monday morning (May 14th).

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Independent Record Shop ZAP Records Opening Location At Former Moondance

Independent record shop ZAP Records, which has been located in Downtown Cobourg since 1991, has announced they are opening another location in Downtown Peterborough in the former Moondance store location (425 George St. N.).

“We’ve known Mike at Moondance forever, shopping his collection like every other record collector, and we were just as surprised when he announced his retirement," says Zap Records owner Tim Gorman. "After watching the response and talking with people in Peterborough, we knew we had to do what we could to make sure the location continued to be an independent record shop."

Photo courtesy Tim Gorman

"Mike and Moondance will be missed, and we can obviously never replace him, but we hope that Peterborough will be just as excited as we are to keep the torch burning for independent record shops in downtown Peterborough," adds Gorman, who will be manning the Peterborough store with additional staff.

ZAP Records plans to open the Peterborough location by the end of June, with a great collection of new and previously owned vinyl, CD’s, collectibles and more. They will continue to special order music for customers in search of rare and precious albums.

Their current location in downtown Cobourg will stay exactly where it is.

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Experience: Try Camping At oTENTiks On Trent Severn Waterway

With the Trent Severn Waterway set to open for the season May 18th, a unique experience to try this summer is camping along a Lock in a oTENTik—which is a cross between a tent and a rustic cedar cabin.

Parks Canada gives you the opportunity to experience camping at their oTENTik accommodations at two locations: Lock 24 - Douro and Lock 35 - Rosedale. The oTENTik is a unique destination for visitors to enjoy camping at ease with the convenience of a bed and a campsite already set up.

Photo Courtesy Parks Canada

Lock 24 is situated between Lakefield and Peterborough at 4052 County Road 32 in the Township of Douro-Dummer. There, you can choose from 3 oTENTiks located on a small island between the canal and the Otonabee River, or one fully-accessible oTENTik located lockside.  

The oTENTik accommodations on this site are a nature-lover’s dream, but with modern amenities close at hand. Learn more about booking a site here.

Photo courtesy Parks Canada

Lock 35 is situated between Balsam and Cameron Lakes in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and there are great oTENTiks located there as well. Learn more here.

Watch this video to get a feel for the oTENTiks...

Operated by friendly and knowledgeable Lock Staff, you can choose from 3 oTENTiks located on a small island between the canal and the Otonabee River, or 1 fully-accessible oTENTik located lockside. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/activ/camping/otentik Plan your visit: http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/visit Cette vidéo est aussi disponible en français : https://youtu.be/S-kpvfTeQc4

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The Causeway Sustained Some Damage During Last Week's Wind Storm

According to a media release from the County, the James A. Gifford Causeway has sustained damage as a result of the wind storm last Friday (May 4th).

The road has been deemed safe, but motorists are recommended to reduce their speed on it.

Safety barrels have been placed on the paved shoulder of the road along the south side of the Causeway.

County staff will be further assessing the damage and a report and plan will be brought forward to County Council soon to address the damage.

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Fourth Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Is June 8th & 9th

Smithavens Brewing Company and Publican House Brewery have announced details on the 4th Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival.

The festival, which will take place at Millennium Park on June 8th-9th 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.

The festival hours are June 8th from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 9th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Millennium Park in downtown Peterborough.

It will feature 11 breweries and one cidery from the surrounding region, including three new vendors this year. 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 available online here.  

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Hike For Hospice In Peterborough Raised Over $80,000

On Sunday, May 6th, Peterborough joined communities from across Canada to raise awareness and celebrate hospice palliative care at the 16th Annual Hike for Hospice.

Locally, more than 700 people came out in the beautiful sunshine to show their support for people in this community living with life-threatening illness and grief. The generosity of hikers, volunteers, donors and sponsors raised more than $80,000 for hospice palliative and bereavement care in our community.

Hikers gathered in Millennium Park for a memory stone ceremony, strolled to Rogers Cove in East City to enjoy ice cream courtesy of Central Smith, followed by for a delicious barbeque lunch in Millennium Park sponsored by Montana’s Cookhouse.

Hikers were also treated to coffee and tea donated by Silver Bean Café and cold water from Culligan. Children enjoyed face painting by Faces by 2 and amazing balloon creations by Razberry the Clown, while canine friends were treated to lots of biscuits donated by Village Pet Food & Supply.

“Our Hike has become a family tradition, a time to share memories, to honour loved ones and offer support for the work we do," says Linda Sunderland, Executive Director of Hospice Peterborough. "We are so humbled by the generosity of our community. Peterborough truly is the perfect example of people helping people."

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Flying Colours Corp. Investment Will Create 60 Jobs In Peterborough, Bring Workforce There To 300+

Great news for Peterborough: Flying Colours, the North American MRO, completions and avionics business based here, has announced a major expansion and investment of $30 million in its facility at Peterborough Airport, creating 60 new jobs over the next several years and helping to retain 250 existing jobs.  

The expansion includes construction of a new manufacturing and operations hangar, which will enable increased global business and expanded technical capabilities. The Province of Ontario is contributing $1,000,000 to the project through a grant from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF).

"Flying Colours is excited to build on the Peterborough region's commitment to the aerospace sector by investing in another expansion that will continue to grow our business with the support of our dedicated employees and partners,” says John Gillespie, President of Flying Colours.

The project includes the purchase of new equipment, as well as significant engineering and design for customer-specific aircraft requirements. This is the third and largest such project at Flying Colours in recent years, building on recent investments totaling more than $20,000,000 at its Peterborough site, and will bring its total workforce in Peterborough to more than 300.

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Comeback Kid: Iconic Milltown Mini Golf Coming Back For Swan Song

It was the place where so many memories were made—an iconic local attraction that made our "57 Signs You're From Peterborough" list a couple years back.

After 33 years of business, Milltown Mini Golf owners Lynda and Barry Cross announced last June they were closing permanently at the end of the 2017 season. But now that there has been a delay in the application for redevelopment of the land, Milltown is coming back for its 34th season. 

Built in 1985 by Barry and Lynda Cross, Milltown has been the place for wedding proposals, receptions, photos, anniversaries and countless birthday parties and family gatherings. It is an annual "must-play" for many couples who became engaged there or had their first date there.

In celebration of their re-opening, Barry and Lynda Cross will be donating $250 to the Brock Mission reBuild project. The re-opening ceremony takes place Thursday, May 10th at 10 a.m., with Mayor Bennett and Councillor Lesley Parnell in attendance.

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Peterborough Releases Interactive Road Construction Map

The City's Infrastructure and Planning Services Department Engineering Division has launched an interactive map identifying road construction work.

The interactive map shows the road construction projects throughout the City, listing project contact information, anticipated completion date and details on the type of work being performed. The map also identifies new subdivisions currently under development.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Crack Seal

• Road Reconstruction

• Sewer Replacement / Spot Repairs

• Sidewalk (Public Works) - Reconstruction

• Sidewalk/Trail - New Construction

• Subdivision

• Resurfacing

Plus you can also toggle 2018 Special Projects, and even go back and look at 2016 and 2017 completed projects.

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Here Is The Lineup For Live and Local Lunches 2018

Back for its third year, Live and Local Lunches—a partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement Area, Peterborough Square, Gerri’s Arts and Crafts, and Bench Tech—has a new lineup of rock, folk, blues, country and jazz.

The live music outdoors shows are every Friday for one hour starting at noon in the Peterborough Square Courtyard at the corner of Charlotte and Water streets. This summer music series kicks off May 25th and runs until August 31st.

Hunt the Hare

"These small concerts are a great way to animate the downtown in a fun and positive way,” says Terry Guiel, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area.

THE LINEUP
 
• May 25 — Blue Hazel
• June 1 — Weber Brothers
• June 8 — The Fabulous Tone Masters
• June 15 — Emily Burgess
• June 22 — Paper Shakers
• June 29 — Robin Hawkins
• July 6 — Kevin Carley Band
• July 13 — The Wanted
• July 20 — Mumblepeg
• July 27 — Hunt The Hare
• Aug. 3 — TBA (rain date)
• Aug. 10 — TBA (rain date)
• Aug. 17 — TBA (rain date)
• Aug. 24 — TBA (rain date)
• Aug. 31 — History Buffs

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