Peterborough Blogs
Reno Begins At Peterborough Memorial Centre, What You Need To Know
/Construction is starting on the Peterborough Memorial Centre arena pad renovation project at 151 Lansdowne St. W. on Saturday, June 1st and is expected to be completed by late October.
Portions of the parking lot will be closed with restricted access and there will be heavy equipment operating in the area with associated noise that it may cause. The Lock Street entrance to the south parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project.
The contractor will be working 12-hour shifts of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the project, with the potential for some elevated noise during for the first two to four weeks of the project. The expectation is that Sunday work would not be required after the first four weeks.
SERVICES THAT WILL (AND WON’T) BE IMPACTED
-> Peterborough Memorial Centre arena pad activities have been relocated to other community arena facilities.
-> The Baker Tilly Box Office at the PMC will continue to be open for ticket sales Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-> The Peterborough Farmers’ Market continues in the parking lot on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parking can be accessed from entrances on Roger Neilson Way.
-> Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame will maintain its standard operating hours with the Hall of Fame open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Access will be from the north side of the facility.
-> The Peterborough Petes OHL team intends to have its offices at the PMC open during regular business hours, but due to the construction project the Petes encourage patrons to contact the office before visiting the facility as temporary closures may occur.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
Douro Resident Goes Comfortably Numb After Winning $100,000 Playing Encore
/Fifty-nine-year-old Douro carpenter Louis Prins says he went “numb” when he realized he had won $100,000 with ENCORE (May 17th LOTTO MAX draw). "I was at the store picking up bread and milk when I checked my ticket," he laughs.
Louis matched six of the seven ENCOREnumbers in exact order to win the $100,000 prize. "I play LOTTARIO, LOTTO 6/49 and LOTTO MAX—this is my first big win," says Louis.
His winning ticket was purchased at Steve's Quik Chek Variety on Armour Road in Peterborough.
Louis plans on using his winnings to complete some home renovations, buy a truck and a four-wheeler. "It feels really awesome to get this kind of money," he says.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
5th Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Takes Place At Del Crary Park This Year
/Smithavens Brewing Company and Publican House Brewery are pleased to announce the 5th Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, and this year it takes place at a new location, Del Crary Park.
The festival is on June 14th and 15th during Ontario Craft Beer Week, and 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 hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 14th and they have extended hours on Saturday, June 15th from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Del Crary Park.
This year will feature 13 breweries and three craft cideries from the surrounding region, including many new vendors. The 5th anniversary event will also showcase local merchandise vendors for guests to explore locally made products while local musicians perform on the Fred Anderson stage at Del Crary. Six local food vendors will showcase a variety of food options to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Tickets are on sale now and are available online through kawarthacraftbeerfestival.com and in-store at both Smithavens Brewing Company (687 Rye St.) and Publican House Brewery (300 Charlotte Street).
Advanced ticket sales end Friday, June 14th at 10 a.m. Each ticket allows entry into the festival, a branded 12oz glass and drink samples.
For more info on the beer festival, go here.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
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.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
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
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
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…
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
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.
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)
