Add Your Recipe To This Delicious New Community Cookbook Project

The Nourish Project—a local food-based collaborative that is part of a broader movement that seeks to give food more importance in our communities, our economy, and our everyday lives—has recently launched a neat  Community Cookbook project.

 Community Harvest dinner put on by Nourish Project

Since food can be an important and vital part of feeling a sense of belonging and connecting as a community, Nourish Project is asking Peterborough (and County) residents to submit a recipe that signifies belonging, such as a family recipe or a potluck favourite. 

As an example, Nourish Project posted here about the inspiration for one submitted recipe, "Italia's Petelli", that they sampled. 

Sampling Italia's Petelli

If you're interested in submitting a recipe to this cookbook project, you can submit to this online form or do so by email here. They ask that you include photos of either the final recipe, ingredients or and/or preparation.

Nourish Project will reach out to you (by phone, in person or email) about your submitted recipe and what belonging and your passion for food means to you. They will then create a "story" to attach to the recipe. 

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9 Great Signs Peterborough Is Going All Cosmopolitan

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

Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre at Fleming College

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).

Peterborough Pulse, Summer 2017

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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How Peterborough Firefighters & Neighbours Came Through In Beautiful Way For A Family After Christmas Eve Fire

Jeff and Joyce O'Connor were enjoying a relaxing, peaceful Christmas Eve meal with some family at home when their 7-year-old daughter, Madison, came into the room and said, "Mommy, why is the laundry room steaming?"

Everything changed for the Giles Avenue family in that moment, which was shortly after 7 p.m., as Joyce upon quick investigation realized a serious fire had begun in the garage adjacent to the laundry room.

Grateful O'Connor family: Jeff, Joyce and Madison at fire station

Within an instant, a neighbour who had spotted the fire—the garage door had buckled from the heat and flames were shooting out underneath—was pounding on their door yelling, "Fire!", and soon the family was outside with nothing but the clothes on their back.

Minutes later, multiple fire crews had arrived and worked to quickly extinguish the fire but the damage was significant and the O'Connor family and their dog Callie now found themselves displaced from their home on, of all nights, Christmas Eve.

Madison and Sparky at fire station

What touched the O'Connors that night and in the period since then has been the outpouring of support from neighbours, family—and those firefighters. The swift reaction of firefighters on Christmas Eve (five apparatus and 15 personnel) not only saved the house from burning down, but also Christmas.

Indeed, the firefighters retrieved all the presents that night and brought them out to the family to have on Christmas morning at Jeff's parents, who live nearby and have been a rock for Jeff and Joyce and their granddaughter Madison (aka "Maddie").

"What the firefighters did that night, we just have such gratitude for," Jeff tells PTBOCanada. "They took time away from their families on Christmas Eve to salvage Christmas for us. Basically, they saved Christmas for our daughter. They had the mindset to go find the presents and save them. It was a beautiful thing." 

It was also their neighbours who were heroes for them that night.

Like the one neighbour who literally banged the door down after calling 911 to warn them, the neighbour who invited the family in during the fire and kept them warm while they waited for Jeff's parents to come and collect them, the neighbour who gave Jeff a winter jacket as he was standing out on the street, in shock, surveying his house on fire. And it was Christmas Day when other neighbours arrived with two full boxes of clothes for Maddie, including snowpants and boots.

But the story gets even better: On Boxing Day, Peterborough Fire Services contacted the O'Connor family and arranged a time for them to come down for a tour of their headquarters on Sherbrooke Street on the following Saturday.

They gave Maddie an award during her tour day (see pictures throughout this post) for being so brave, for bringing attention to the fact something wasn't right that night to her parents in those crucial moments where seconds can make a difference. She got to meet them, learn about the fire services, and hug the mascot Sparky. And Maddie lost a bike in the fire that night that was in the garage. So the firefighters presented her with a brand new one as a present.

Jeff, who broke down several times during the tour seeing the firefighters again who were there that night, says the kindness of those firefighters and others was something they will never forget. "No words can truly express what our friends, neighbours, family and fire crew did for us," Jeff tells PTBOCanada. "They have made a pretty horrible situation tolerable."

There are, of course, a lot of What Ifs about that night as one can imagine. Like, what if Maddie hadn't spotted that "steam" from the laundry room? And what if the neighbour hadn't banged on the door in time? And what if the fire had started late at night when the family was asleep, instead of, at 7 p.m. when they were sitting down to dinner?

For now, the O'Connor family is just grateful to be alive. And they will be grateful when their house is fixed and ready to live in again—and it will be many months—so they can really begin to piece their life back together.

But most of all, they will never forget this Christmas Eve of 2017 and the kindness and empathy of a community that touched them in ways they are really only still digesting.

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Why A Couple Chose To Move To Peterborough Over Any Other City & Town In Canada

At the end of 2016, my wife and I left our apartment in Red Deer, Alberta for the greener pastures of Peterborough, Ontario. But before I jump into my thesis of why we chose Peterborough, first I need to give some context.

WHERE WE CAME FROM

When I finished my graduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario at the end of 2011, I had zero job prospects, anywhere (what do you do with a degree in rainbow trout behaviour and physiology?). As such, I packed up my basement apartment to move into my parent's luxurious basement (having someone do your laundry counts as luxurious, right?) in Red Deer.

I left my then girlfriend/future wife behind where she was in her final year of dental school in London and we did long distance until the Rocky Mountains started calling her name. I would like to think she moved to Red Deer for me but she’s a hardcore downhill skier so the epic slopes of Lake Louise brought her to Alberta. I didn’t mind.

Siam Grobler pictured at The Silver Bean Café in Peterborough

The following three years, we worked hard and played hard. Most weekends in the summer, we were hiking and camping in Rockies, and in the winter we skied like possessed people. It was a great situation being 90 minutes away from the mountains.

With a population of 100,000, we had every amenity available to us, and could move across the city fairly quickly. Plus, Edmonton and Calgary were equally far away, meaning we had two international airports to choose from. Not to mention my immediate family was near-by (parents in Red Deer, my sister and her husband in Edmonton) and most importantly for us, the Rockies were accessible. Like I said before, it was a great situation and we were very happy.

Like most places in Alberta (especially at the end of 2013 when she moved), development in Red Deer was at an all time high due to the high crude oil prices. It felt like the city was bursting at the seams with people moving from across the country for work. Entire neighborhoods were being build at break-neck speed which resulted in cookie cutter homes, small property lots and tiny trees.

This development also lead to a lot of big box stores and chain restaurants popping up on every corner. Optimism regarding life was at an all time high with the perception that high crude prices were here to stay for the next 10 years (this was the conservative estimate).

Having people move to a city for just work means that there is nothing binding them to the community. A common perception was: “I’m here to work because there is no work where I would actually want to live.” While not everyone who moved to Alberta has this opinion, it was common enough that most people would be living two simultaneous lives: a work life where they put their noses to the grind stone, and a relaxing/enjoyable life, where they would go home.

At this junction, let me just say I love Red Deer and Alberta. Not only is the place easy on the eyes, provides opportunity in spades and is home to my beloved Oilers (my man crush on Connor McDavid is slowly fading due to the fact that I can’t stay up that late to watch him produce magic and that hurts my soul), Alberta is also a welcoming and progressive place.

We both loved our time there so much that when we decided it was time to think about expanding our family and try another city, Banff was a serious contender. Only Peterborough topped Banff.

Siam visiting High Falls near Peterborough

WHY PETERBOROUGH WON

Since my wife is a dentist, she can work almost anywhere in Canada. And so, once it was decided that we needed a change of location, we tackled the challenge of where to move in Canada with scientific rigor and patience, coming up with lots of pro and con lists for each potential place in this beautiful country. Here are the six main reasons we picked Peterborough...

1. Beautiful. Really beautiful: As far as the eye test is concerned, there aren’t many places as scenic as Peterborough. Having lived in multiple provinces (and countries for that matter) and driven across the country several times, I am convinced that Peterborough is a beautiful gem. The city has hills, a river that runs through it, a lake, big trees and old homes. When I tell new acquaintances that I meet in Peterborough that this was the main factor for us choosing this city, they are surprised. I guess if you have been here for awhile, you take the beauty for granted. And just outside the city, you have rolling farm land and cute towns.

2. Excellent for work-life balance: To go along side the beauty, Peterborough has a lot of green space that is easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. This is a big draw for young couples wanting to expand their family. These trails are good for our souls, good for our health. I don’t think people here understand how special Jackson Park and the Parkway Trail is. Lots of places around the globe are figuring out how to incorporate more green spaces into their communities but Peterborough already has it. This city-wide pedestrian trail makes Peterborough very unique.

Siam pictured at The Silver Bean Café with Otonabee River as backdrop

3. Did I mention water?: With the Otonabee River running through the city and Little Lake being in the middle of the city and the multitudes of other lakes in the area, there is no shortage of water access. My wife grew up on Lake Scugog so being close to water was always important to her. No matter how often I told her, “Man, we could live in the Rockies!” her reply was always the same: “Yeah, but it’s not water…” We haven’t bought a canoe or kayaks yet, but have gone canoe-camping in Algonquin and Kawartha Highlands and I must admit, being on water is freakin' sweet.  

4. Lift Lock (Lock 21): I almost forgot the Lift Lock. Here’s how I describe the Lift Lock to anyone out West: "So there’s the LOOOONG canal (called the Trent-Severn canal) that was built in the 1900s to take ships from Lake Ontario into the interior of Ontario and the canal passes right through Peterborough. At one section (which is in the city), the canal is 20 meters above/below you depending on which direction you are going, and there is a Lift Lock to get you to the other side. This Lift Lock is TWO GIANT BATH TUBS THAT MOVE HYDRAULICALLY DUE TO GRAVITY WHEN THE TOP TUB IS FULL OF WATER, PUSHING THE BOTTOM TOP UP. It’s so cool. And the Trent-Severn Canal system is part of The National Parks System, which is also freakin' cool."

Sian's view doing work at the Silver Bean Café

5. Established: Since I did not grow up in the area, the above mentioned points I noticed when we drove into Peterborough to visit my wife’s Aunt and Uncle many years ago. What was also obvious at that time is that Peterborough is its own thing. It stands on its own. It is self-sufficient. Sure, you can get to Toronto if you have to but Peterborough is far enough away that it has its own identity and heart. This appealed to me as it is not influenced by the Big Smoke. It is its own community. It is Peterborough.

6. Big Town: Coming from a place that has a fairly large population (100,000 in Red Deer versus 80,000 in PTBO), we knew the benefits of choosing a town of similar size. Firstly, you are not in a large city which is great. Secondly, it is large enough that you have access to every amenity and there are lots of places to eat and drink. There is life and activity and action. Thirdly, since it isn’t so extremely large, it feels like a town where people know and care about each other.

7. Family: My wife’s family is nearby, which was important in our decision to move. This isn’t to say that her family is better than my family; it’s just that her parents are still on Lake Scugog with the rest of her family close by. My family in Red Deer rocks, too (just so that everyone knows).

SOME THINGS I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT PETERBOROUGH

In the few months that we have been in Peterborough, I have learned a few additional things that were not obvious at first glance:

-> The entrepreneurial scene is strong and booming: There are so many organizations that help nurture and develop small businesses in town that I still do not fully understand and comprehend the network. All I know is if you want to start your own business, Peterborough has amazing people that will go out of their way to help you be a success.

-> People want to help: This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point but I cannot stress it enough. Instead of local businesses being cut-throat towards competitors, everyone is supportive of each other. I know this as I have had many informational interviews with the cities’ business people and they recommended that I go speak with someone else—sometimes even their direct competitor. It has been a fantastic experience so far.

-> There are a lot of restaurants: There are so many fantastic places to eat. It is going to take us a long time to eat at all of them… Also, the downtown core is bumping!

—By Siam Grobler

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City Of Peterborough Wants Your Input On Proposed Tagline For City "Where Roads And Rivers Meet"

The City of Peterborough is developing a Community Brand with BrandHealth that defines what is unique about Peterborough. They want to hear from the public about a proposed tagline "Where roads and rivers meet."

Photo by Patrick Stephen

The City of Peterborough says that "during our community consultations, we heard that Peterborough is unique because it is a thriving city that is close to major urban centres, yet has nature at its doorstep. Peterborough is where the two worlds meet."

So what do you think about "Where Roads And Rivers Meet" as a tagline for the community? Give your input here.

We would love to hear your thoughts about the proposed tagline "Where roads and rivers meet." https://t.co/nATktXvuVr pic.twitter.com/0TATbyOWGJ

— City of Peterborough (@CityPtbo) July 25, 2017

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Peterborough Startup Chimp Treats Creates New Jobs Through Partnership With Community Living

Peterborough's Brooke Hammer, founder and CEO of Chimp Treats, has taken the drive and passion of her two startup businesses to hold a job fair through a partnership with Community Living—providing three employment opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur began her entrepreneurial journey after founding Take Flight, a business inspired when her brother with Down Syndrome faced community barriers trying to find meaningful work. Hammer started the organization to help those with developmental disabilities find independence, social interaction, purpose, and meaningful employment through day programs and services.

“I wanted my brother to be able to experience the joy, satisfaction and pride that comes with meaningful work and belonging to a community,” says Hammer.

Brooke Hammer Founded Taking Flight

Now working at the rapidly-growing Chimp Treats, an innovative health food company selling the popular “Nicecream” frozen dessert made entirely from fruit, Hammer is supporting a healthy lifestyle in her second startup.

Starting out the business solo, Hammer has now added two full-time employees to her business. Still needing to hire more, Hammer saw an opportunity to take her passion from her previous business and hold a job fair through the Community Living partnership.

Hammer and her Chimp Treats team are growing

“During my first meeting, I could barely contain my enthusiasm learning about this locally owned company Chimp Treats,” says Jen Edwards at Community Living Peterborough. “Normally companies aren’t knocking on Community Living’s door asking for people to come work for them with the offer of meaningful work that is competitively paid. After touring the factory and visiting their office at the Innovation Cluster, it is very apparent this company is offering a rewarding job.”

The job fair will be held at the Innovation Cluster, where Chimp Treats is based, on July 20th, offering a full-time inclusive employment opportunity to work with the Chimp Treats team. The three chosen hires will be trained personally by the CEO Hammer herself at their manufacturing location, and get to be part of the startup team promoting healthy lifestyles.

“I’m pleased to see communities becoming more aware of employment gaps, underemployment, and the need for inclusive opportunities for individuals with special needs,” says Hammer. “No person is the exact same, but the opportunities available to us should be.”

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Peterborough's Epic Street Festival Pulse Takes Place This Saturday

The 3rd Annual community event Peterborough Pulse takes place on Saturday, July 15th. It's an awesome day where the streets are closed to motorized vehicles (between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and filled with cyclists, roller-skaters, families pushing strollers, art, music, free activities and great conservations.

Bring your pets, your family and your friends as Peterborough Pulse invites the whole city to walk, bike, dance, play and socialize in spaces typically used by cars.

Peterborough Pulse wants to inspire Peterborough to become the healthiest and happiest city it can be. By opening the streets to people, Pulse promotes healthy communities, active transportation, local business, and neighborhood pride.

This year’s route will run along George Street from McDonnel Street to Sherbrooke and follow along the Trans Canada Trail through Millennium and Del Crary parks and run the length of Crescent Street.

The route will also include the bustling commercial district on Charlotte Street between George and Louis streets, making it the longest Pulse route yet!

"I am looking forward to watching how Pulse, with its car-free streets filled with people walking and biking, transforms the streets of Peterborough again this year," says Susan Sauvé, Transportation Demand Management Planner for the City of Peterborough.

"Pulse is taking the lead as an example of the direction large events should be taking in downtowns,” adds Terry Guiel, DBIA's Executive Director. “It is all-encompassing and all-inclusive to every sector. It successfully brings local community groups and local businesses together while being welcoming and engaging to everyone who attends.”

For more info and a route map, visit their website.

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Newcomers To Peterborough Community Try Curling For The First Time

The Peterborough Curling Club generously donated its ice on Saturday (March 11th) for a Curling Day so newcomers could try their hand at this Canadian winter sport. About 40 newcomers participated in the event, which was a collaboration between the New Canadians Centre and Peterborough Curling Club.

About 10 volunteers from Peterborough Curling Club provided curling instructions and equipment for the new curling learners.

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

“The objective is to welcome newcomers to the community and introduce them to a very popular Canadian winter sport,” says Ken Featherstone of Peterborough Curling Club. “Newcomers can meet and socialize with other newcomers while learning a part of Canadian sports culture.”

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

“Some newcomers, especially if they do not speak English, can feel isolated,” says Anne Elliott, Community Coordinator at the New Canadians Centre. “The New Canadians Centre offers different opportunities and services to connect newcomers to the community and feel welcomed and at home. The curling day is ideal because it is Canadian, active and fun.”

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

To learn more about the New Canadians Centre, visit their website.

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Peterborough County Cattlemen Give Back Bigtime To The Community

Peterborough County Cattlemen presented a $3,760 cheque to the Peterborough County Agricultural Raise the Barn: Heritage Building at Lang Century Village and $1,320 to the Millbrook Cavan Firefighters Association.

The funds were raised at the Cattlemen's 35th Annual Beef BBQ that was held at the Robson Family farm in Cavan Monaghan Township this past summer. The event was made possible through the volunteer work of Peterborough County Cattlemen and their families, 4-H youth and Millbrook Cavan firefighters.

Cheque presentation of $1320 to the Millbrook Cavan Firefighters Association. Left to right: Firefighter Keith Shultz; Mike Telford, Cattlemen's BBQ Fundraising Chair; Adam Goyne, President of the Millbrook Cavan Firefighters Association; Larry Jinkerson, Peterborough County Cattlemen President; Steve Branscombe, Millbrook Cavan Firefighters Association Treasurer; Firefighter Matt Woodward, Firefighter Doug Wilson.

Under the leadership of BBQ Fundraising Chair Mike Telford, the Cattlemen have raised over $25,000 for worthy causes over the last five years. This year, approximately 100 community businesses contributed to the auction.

Each year, part of the proceeds of the fundraiser go the fire-fighter associations in the township in which the BBQ is held. “As a firefighter, I know that local fire departments do not always have the important extras they need to do their job and to support the community,” says Mike Telford. Cavan Monaghan Fire Services Association President Adam Goyne adds: “We were surprised and grateful to receive this money from the Cattlemen.”

Cheque presentation of $3760 for the Peterborough County Agricultural Raising the Barn: Heritage Building. Left to right: Peterborough County Warden, J. Murray Jones; Mike Telford, Cattlemen's BBQ Fundraising Chair; and Larry Jinkerson, Peterborough County Cattlemen President

Peterborough Cattlemen President Larry Jinkerson and BBQ Fundraising Chair Mike Telford presented a cheque for $3,760 to Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones on November 10th at Lang Century Village. The Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building, which will open in 2017, will celebrate the history of agriculture in this region.

The building itself will be built to honour the traditions established 200 years ago. “Peterborough Cattlemen are pleased to support the Raise the Barn initiative which will showcase the agricultural history of Peterborough County," says Larry Jinkerson. "Cattle have been a major part of the local agricultural scene since this area was first settled.”

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