Marc Savard Speaking At Parent/Child Golf Day At Kawartha Golf & Country Club

Kawartha Golf and Country Club is hosting an information session on its Junior Golf program June 8th with former NHL star and competitive golfer Marc Savard as the guest speaker.

Parents and children (aged 12 to 18) can learn about this summer’s golf program at Kawartha and hear from Savard on his experiences as an NHL all-star and Stanley Cup winner with the Boston Bruins, a top-rated amateur golfer and an active Kawartha member.

Marc Savard at 2018 Kawartha Invitational (photo courtesy Kawartha Golf & Country Club)

Following the session, both parent and child can play a 9-hole round on the Stanley Thompson designed course, ranked one of the best in Canada.

The session begins at 1 p.m, on Saturday, June 8th. The fee is $35 for a parent and child or $15 for a child only.

Kawartha’s summer Junior program is open to members and non-members. For more information or to register, click here or call 705-743-3737 ext. 220.

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Eat This Up: Taste Of Downtown Is June 1st

Peterborough’s most appetizing event, Taste of Downtown, returns to Charlotte Street on Saturday, June 1st from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.—rain or shine!

Come out and enjoy delicious cuisine from 24 local restaurants, enjoy a beverage in the beer and wine garden hosted by The Venue and Publican House Brewery, and take in some amazing live entertainment.

Photo courtesy DBIA

THIS YEAR’S LIVE ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Hillary Dumoulin

• 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. — Jerry Jerome steel drum band

• 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Bobby Watson

Photo courtesy DBIA

Bring the family and have fun with the bouncy castle, face painting by Faces by Two, a fun photo mural, live art by the Art School of Peterborough, a visit from the mascot George: King of Downtown, and a giant sidewalk sale on Charlotte Street.

THIS YEAR’S RESTAURANT LINEUP

• DR J's BBQ & Brews

• Curry Village

• Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine

• Village of Thai

• La Hacienda

• Cosmic Charlie's

• Jasmine Thai Cuisine

• The Turnbull Café

• Wild Wing

• Empress Gardens

• Publican House Brewery

• Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market

• Caribbean Sizzle

• La Mesita

• Nateure’s Plate

• McThirsty’s Pint

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Simply Delicious Bistro & Bakery

• Curry Mantra

• Hobart’s Steakhouse

• The Pin

• The Venue Peterborough

• Hunter Street Tavern

• Dodrio

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His Royal Highness The Duke of York Visited Lakefield College School For Its Annual Regatta Day

Lakefield College School was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of York on Saturday, May 25th for the school’s annual Regatta Day celebrations. 

With one of the largest waterfront properties among Canadian boarding schools, the waterfront plays a significant role in the education of its students. For over 140 years, the school has been providing meaningful experiences through boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and other activities connecting students to the water and their environment, and Regatta Days are a longstanding tradition.

His Royal Highness The Duke of York speaking at Regatta Day (photo courtesy Lakefield College School)

More than 700 students, staff, parents, alumni and friends joined in on the Regatta Day activities, which included an address from His Royal Highness The Duke of York. During his address, His Royal Highness The Duke of York spoke of his passion for Lakefield College School, referring to the time he spent as a student at LCS in 1977 and his belief in the school’s strength as an education leader.

“I recognized, whilst I was here, what this school meant to me. And I suspect those of us who have actually been here, understand what I am talking about. It is about the friendships that you make. It is about the environment in which you live, it is about the relationship that you have with your teacher, and the inspiration that they can give.  And if you combine that, and many other things, into consideration, it has made the most significant impact on each and every one of us who have been here.  I have always maintained very close relationships with what goes on here, because I believe that this is the school that leads when it comes to innovation in education, innovation when it comes to the way that we respect, and the way that we work with our environment.” 

Watch the highlights from Regatta Day here…

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My Father Is My Monarch Butterfly: "Dougie's Story", As Told By His Daughter To PTBOCanada

Doug Johnson—aka "Dougie"—has been a staple in downtown Peterborough for many years. He is a kind and generous homeless man who has endeared himself to so many with his smile, kindness and gentle nature.

Up until recently, not many people knew his story—as they don’t with most homeless people, all who have their own unique backstory. They only knew fragments of what had been cobbled together from those that know him.

Photo of Doug via Dana’s Facebook post

But that all changed on May 1st, when his daughter, Dana—most people weren’t aware Dougie had kids—did a heartfelt and brave Facebook post (see below) after how his mental illness has, in many respects, robbed her of her father—an “incredibly unique human being,” she says.

”Schizophrenia and addiction took our true connection,” she writes in the Facebook post. “This is something I struggled understanding as a little girl, and even now as an adult. As much as I recognize this is the journey his spirit was meant to take, it has always been hard for me to admit to just anyone… It’s hard to love someone with an illness, it’s exhausting emotionally. When I’m near him I melt, I’m happy, I’m sad, I’m protective, I’m reactive, because there is so many emotions I’m making my way through it’s like my heart and head are in overdrive.”

Dana with her Dad Doug (photo for PTBOCanada courtesy Dana)

You can read her entire Facebook post embedded below which received hundreds of shares on Facebook (after all, everyone knows Dougie and have been touched by him in some way) and then her story for PTBOCanada which traces more of her journey with her Dad, and the tremendous impact her social media post has had on so many.

MY FATHER DOUG: IN DANA’S OWN WORDS FOR PTBOCANADA READERS…

My recent post about my dad Doug Johnson got a lot of feedback on Facebook, and since then I’ve been asked to elaborate on who I am by PTBOCanada, and why this was something I decided to bite my lip, hold my breath and post.

Trust me, it was not easy.

I am Dana Johnson, born in Peterborough on June 25th, 1986. I currently live in Calgary, Alberta where I drive a truck for the City of Calgary and where I’m also an artist with Maskcara.

From the time I was 11, I sang across Ontario and a few times in Nashville. Jobs were sparse for me and most day-jobs don’t love when you take weekends off for music endeavours.

I chose to move to Alberta to make a life for myself here. A lot of my mother’s side of the family had moved west, and moving to Alberta brought me closer to my brother in Victoria. My brother is an EOD in the Canadian Navy and travels the world, doing very top secret Navy stuff! (Which is the coolest thing ever.)

Doug in happier times with his children (Dana at right)

I met my husband when I moved to Calgary, and he has two beautiful children. We got married in October of 2017, in Fish Creek Park. It was a small ceremony, in the woods with our mothers, the children and two friends. My brother was in between Victoria and Ontario and made a quick weekend stopover. It was always my dream to have him walk me “down the aisle” as he is one of my heroes in life.

When my dad, Doug, was 28, he fell ill with a cold from what I understand—and that together with working hard, enjoying his evenings at parties and recently having his first born caused something to snap in him. Still, he would lend a hand to anyone who asked.

The loss of his grandfather was likely the final straw, and something happened in his mind. Nobody really knew what it was; it was just speculated that he had a mental breakdown. However after he was monitored for a while, the doctors deemed the mental breakdown as a meltdown which was a result of no rest. Some would call it burning the candle at both ends. Somehow schizophrenia had paired with it, which explained why he was acting euphoric.

Doug in his younger years (photo courtesy of Dana for PTBOCanada)

After that incident, he got better with the help of amazing doctors. They found a medication that worked for him. He was doing really well and that’s when my parents decided to have another baby. That baby was me.

However with schizophrenia, you have to take your medication. That didn’t always happen. My dad continued to work hard, play hard and things went down hill for a while.

My mom decided she needed to take care of herself and their children. Her father was worried for her safety, and had offered his support to leave after my dad was found in my mom’s parents house, trying to light a fire in the corner of the kitchen. My mom’s family loved my dad, he was respectful, kind and caring. He was exactly who he is today, without his mental illness.

Dana with her Dad Doug (photo for PTBOCanada courtesy Dana)

Since then, I have watched my father go from having a beautiful family, and then through another divorce, to living on the streets. 

It’s never been easy, but every time I had the chance to spend time with him, I wholeheartedly opened up and loved on him—from Christmas dinners, weddings, funerals and running into him on the streets.

My father is my Monarch Butterfly. Why? Because growing up, spending time at his home, he always had them, dehydrated in coasters or sitting in his china cabinet. So anytime I see a butterfly, he is on my mind.

Photo via Dana’s Facebook post

On my 21st birthday, I was at the beach in Cobourg near Peterborough where I lived at the time, and a flock of Monarchs swarmed me and then flew off. In my heart, I knew that was my dad wishing me a happy birthday.

That same day I went to Peterborough for a birthday dinner, and as I was jumping out of my boyfriend’s Jeep running into different restaurants to see if they had any birthday specials, I saw him.

It was the first time I ever saw my dad on the street. As I walked towards him, with open arms, I said, “Hi dad”. We hugged and awkwardly made our way through a conversation to which I explained it was my birthday. 

Looking down at his plastic container, with the contents of change and cigarettes, he raised his hand and offered me a Pixy Stix and said, “Here, have this. Happy birthday.” I declined, which was difficult. Instead I hugged him again and waved goodbye. As I got into my boyfriend’s Jeep, I was overcome by emotion and broke down into tears. I still to this day regret not inviting him to eat with me.

Since the authenticity post I made on Facebook, I’ve had so many people reach out. The one thing they all have in common is how much he is loved by his friends and the community in Peterborough. 

People have opened up to me and shared their personal journey as a daughter or son, mother or father expressing the feelings associated with learning how to deal emotionally with mental illness.

Photo via Dana’s Facebook post

What I’ve learned from being vulnerable is we are not alone, we are all different, and we all desire to be accepted and accept ourselves fully in this journey we call life.

No one is perfect. We will fail, but how will we get up and dust ourselves off to make amends?

Taking care of our needs and mental stability is so important. I’ve learnt that it’s okay to not feel ashamed to ask for help, not to hide, or stuff all the feelings way down deep. Because when it blows up, it could be life changing.

At 32, I can honestly say, growing up, I was afraid to “catch” this mental illness, not ever truly knowing why my dad did.

Today I recognize how important it is to step back, take a deep breath and lay down my cards. Because we aren’t playing life, life plays for us, it’s how we overcome our obstacles. 

I am honoured to hear all the love Peterborough has for my father, the way I have that same love for him—not in spite of his illness but because he brought me into the world and he is a part of who I am.

This situation is very unique, as some people are faced with this illness at a very young age. My father had the good fortune to have a healthy adolescence. He was a social director for his high school, where he would scout bands to play at dances.

After high school was over, he had many jobs: He worked at a slaughterhouse; as a contractor building fences in new subdivisions; and at the GM truck plant. He worked for his dad his whole life helping at his farm, and he got married and started a family before he was diagnosed.

I appreciate the love and support everyone has been so kind to give to me. This is something I have worked through my entire life, and I don’t feel the need to hide it anymore. It will help more people if I’m honest and transparent then keeping it tucked away.

If you have questions or concerns about a loved one, or about yourself, please send me a DM on Facebook. I’m here for you, as you have been here for me.

—guest post by Dana Johnson

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CTV’s MasterChef Canada Filmed At Canadian Canoe Museum Airs Monday Night

The Canadian Canoe Museum says that the episode of CTV’s MasterChef Canada filmed in the galleries of the museum late last year will air Monday (May 27th) at 9 p.m. on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.

Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette discusses the Three Sisters of Indigenous agriculture. (L-R) MasterChef Canada judge Chef Michael Bonacini with special guests Chef Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, Chef Mandie Sellar, and Chef David Wolfman. (Photo courtesy CTV)

The museum was pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the MasterChef Canada cast and crew. “We’re always looking for new and different ways to tell the story of our museum and its world-class collection, and working with MasterChef Canada is a truly unique way to share with audiences across Canada and beyond,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director of the museum.

“We’re all looking forward to watching tonight’s episode to find out exactly what transpired as part of the team challenge in the galleries that day. What we do know, is that the aromas in the museum were unbelievable.”

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The Wiggles Party Time Tour Hits Peterborough

Following the smash success of their TV series on Universal Kids and Hulu, as well as new clips released on YouTube every week receiving millions of views, it’s time to see Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony off the screen and on the stage.

The Wiggles The Party Time Tour! will feature Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and a brand new Wiggly friend, Shirley Shawn the Unicorn. You can sing and dance along to all your favourite classic Wiggles songs as well as plenty of new favourites.

Tickets go on sale May 31st at 10 a.m., over the phone or in person at Peterborough Memorial Centre Box Office (hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Prices start at $40.

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Publican House Brewery Raises More Than $11,750 To Support Canadian Canoe Museum

Through a portion of the sales of its Paddler’s Ale and associated merchandise in 2018, Publican House Brewery raised $11,762.98 to support the ongoing work of the Canadian Canoe Museum in this, the third year of their “Paddler’s Ale” partnership. Last year, Publican House donated more than $7,000 to the museum.

Marty Laskaris, Partner, Publican House Brewery, and Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director, Canoe Museum (Photo courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum)

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is excited to see this partnership grow and we are so grateful to Publican House for its continued support of the museum and its mission,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director of the Canoe Museum.

“In all sorts of ways, like this one, the community continues to rally around the museum, and together, as we share Peterborough and the Kawarthas with the wider world, we are so much stronger.”

In 2018, Publican House introduced Paddler’s Ale merchandise, including a baseball hat, T-shirt and tin mug.

This locally-designed merchandise features the Paddler’s Ale logo and is available at the Tumblehome Shop (in-store and online) at the museum, and at the Publican House retail store and online. New to the lineup this year is a crew neck sweatshirt in forest green, perfect for the campfire.

Photo courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

“As a proud partner of The Canadian Canoe Museum, we're excited to see the growth of the organization and its upcoming expansion to a new waterside location near the historic Peterborough Lift Lock,” says Mark Laskaris, Partner at the Publican House Brewery.

“The combination of a locally-made craft beer, and a museum that highlights the art and craft of canoe making, is a perfect fit. We're proud to continue to contribute to the vibrancy of the museum and the role that it plays in Peterborough.”

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29th Annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale Is This Weekend

It's the 29th Annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale this year—one of the can't miss community events in the city.

As per tradition, the Gilmour Street Garage Sale falls on the Saturday after the long weekend. This year, it's Saturday, May 25th starting at 9 a.m.—although people have been known to show up as early as 7 a.m. in the hunt for a good bargain! The event runs until about 1 p.m.

The biggest street sale in all of Peterborough, it extends out to many other streets in the neighbourhood, and there are also many sales for charitable organizations in town.

For more info, click here.

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Peterborough Musicfest Announces 2019 Lineup, Includes The Sheepdogs And Dallas Green

Peterborough Musicfest unveiled their Season 33 lineup on Wednesday (May 22nd) at the Silver Bean Café in front of a big crowd of sponsors and supporters, and it’s another great one.

It includes the likes of City & Colour Dallas Green (solo), K-OS with Five Alarm Funk, The Sheepdogs, 54.40, Crash Test Dummies, Jayde, Chad Brownlee and more!

Here is the full lineup (with a few “TBAs”)…

Musicfest, which is free to the public and takes place at Del Crary Park, is one of the summer bucket list experiences to have in Peterborough and the Kawarthas for locals and tourists alike, with Little Lake as a backdrop.

Read our 30 Super Cool Tidbits About Peterborough Musicfest first published in 2016 to learn more about the festival’s storied history.

Visit ptbomusicfest.ca for more info.

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Riverview Park & Zoo Welcomes Two New Otters, Boldt & Lawrence

The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced new additions to the zoo family in the form of two new otters, Boldt and Lawrence, who come to the zoo from the Aquatarium in Brockville, Ontario.

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Boldt and Lawrence, both young males, join fellow otters Melissa and Splish in the exhibit.

Make sure to say Hi to the new fellas next time you drop by the zoo, which is free to the public.

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Keep in mind that the zoo train is not slated to open until mid-June this season due to delays.

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