Washboard Hank And Reverend Ken Reunite After 30 Years To Play Market Hall

It’s a reunion 30 years in the making, as local music legends Washboard Hank and Reverend Ken are set to play Market Hall in Peterborough on Sunday, November 3rd at 7 p.m.

Almost four decades ago, Hank Fisher and Ken Ramsden produced a remarkable musical coupling, and the result was performance art which incorporated everything from classical music to bluegrass gospel street preaching, in a spontaneous, antic conflagration best viewed through welder’s goggles.

Washboard Hank & Reverend Ken back in the day (photo courtesy Washboard Hank)

Peterborough locals, as well as Trent and Fleming alumni from the Eighties, may well remember the weekly Wednesday night “Red Dog Howls” at the Legendary Red Dog Tavern on Hunter Street which featured Washboard Hank, the Reverend Ken and' The Lost Followers' Band from the Church of the Open Bottle.

Hank and Ken also toured all over North America, by whatever means were available, putting on “Gospel Gumbo” street shows from Vancouver to Calgary to Edmonton, from Nashville to Memphis, from Oregon to San Francisco, and everywhere in between.

Washboard Hank & Reverend Ken back in the day (photo courtesy Wayne Eardley)

Accompanying Hank and Ken for this unique reunion at Market Hall will be Hank’s backup band, the Wringers, comprised of Tyson Galloway on Upright Bass and Sean Conway on Lead Guitar and Mandolin.

Recent photo courtesy Washboard Hank.

The program will also feature The McDonnel Street Gospel Quartet, featuring authentic vintage/roots gospel songs from the 1930s and 1940s era, as well as a rare screening of Terry McEvoy's award-winning, Red Dog Tavern documentary film, Amateur Night.

Tickets are available in advance at the Market Hall Box Office, online, or by phone at 705.775.1503.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Innovative Life Designs, The Unicorn & More

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Amelia Valenti is a Leadership and Wellness coach who recently started up her own Coaching Business called Innovative Life Designs. Amelia has an extensive background in education as a teacher, consultant, and administrator, and she uses an evidence-based strategy called Design Thinking with her clients. Offering Executive Leadership, wellness coaching, education consulting or workshop facilitation, check out Amelia’s innovative website or Facebook page for more info.

Amelia Valenti

The Unicorn is a new hair salon in downtown Peterborough. Owned by licensed hairstylist Diana Stephens, The Unicorn offers cuts and styles, colour, treatments, and weddings and events. The salon is located at 412 1/2 George St. in Downtown Peterborough and has undergone extensive renovations. Check out the unicorn style online at theunicornsalon.com.

Diana Stephens

EyeTech VisionCare just celebrated their grand opening recently at 1840 Lansdowne Street in the Mapleridge Plaza. Owner and Optician Tam Mak offers Eye Glasses, Sunglasses and Contacts. There is an Optician on duty, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and they’ll direct bill to most insurance companies. Look for EyeTech VisionCare on Facebook here.

Ann Way-Nee worked for 30 years as an occupational therapist at Five Counties Children's Centre. Following her retirement, Ann started a new business called Learn Differently Pro, which distributes web-based structured literacy programs that have been developed for children with learning difficulties. The programs are multi-sensory and individualized and targeted at basic spelling or arithmetic skills. There is lots more to know, so check out the Facebook page here.

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Cody Crowley Is Now 18-0 After Win At Memorial Centre Streamed Internationally On UFC Fight Pass

Peterborough’s Cody Crowley swept all three judges’ scoredcards by 100-90 to defeat Mian Hussain and move to 18-0 in his boxing career in front of 2,500 fans at the Memorial Centre—and a worldwide audience streaming internationally on UFC Fight Pass—on Saturday night (October 19th).

“A huge thank you to everyone who made it out last night to support my dream of becoming a world champion as I made my UFC Fight Pass Debut last night at the Memorial Centre,” Crowley said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Photo by Emily Wilson (via Cody Crowley’s Facebook page)

Crowley retains his Canadian Professional Boxing Council superweight title with the win at Homecoming V: Going Global, capping a great week in which he received a key to the city of Peterborough.

“There is no better feeling than fighting in front of my hometown Peterborough,” Crowley adds in his Facebook post. “I want to take a second to thank my whole team at CCC Promotions for working their butts off for the past 6 weeks to make this event as big as it was! I couldn’t do it without the amazing team that I have in my corner! From my parents/family/coach and management team and the amazing sponsors, all the way to everyone who made it out to support the event! We are one huge team that is starting to get noticed around the world.... ON TO THE NEXT.”

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives $25,000 Donation From Leask Family For Their Our Pet Project Capital Fundraising Campaign

Our Pet Project—the Peterborough Humane Society’s campaign to build its first-of-its-kind Animal Care Centre—has received a $25,000 donation towards the new Centre, which will set a new standard for animal welfare in Canada.

The Leask family was inspired to give by their son, Todd (pictured below), a dedicated supporter of the Humane Society who has been walking dogs at the Humane Society for more than five years.  

Todd Leask and PHS dog, Baxter

The Leask family did a tour of the existing facility this summer and were impressed with the work and dedication of the staff and volunteers—despite the limitations of the building.

“Even under these conditions, they do a yeoman’s job of caring for the many animals they take in, care for and then re-home into suitable homes,” says Bob Leask. “We were pleased they spay and neuter all animals prior to putting them up for adoption, thus controlling the pet overpopulation in our region. It is obvious the present quarters are over-crowded and proper animal care is a challenge.”

Rendering of new facility

Designed by Peterborough-based Lett Architects, the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre will sit on 20 acres of land on Technology Drive and will be a Canadian first—setting the standard for animal shelters in Canada. The purpose-built facility will be home to the Humane Society’s new Adoption and Education Centre, which is designed with animals’ well-being in mind, providing more space, natural light and reducing stress.

In addition to the Provincial Dog Rehab Centre, the Peterborough Animal Care Centre will also be home to the region’s only accessible Spay/Neuter Clinic. The Humane Society anticipates that over 5,000 pets and their owners will benefit from this service each year, reducing the number of unwanted pets in the province.

Rendering of new faclity

Fundraising for the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre is now well over the halfway mark. “We are excited to be one step closer to building our greatly needed new Centre,” says Executive Director Shawn Morey. “The philanthropic leadership of the Leask family and others will help us to reach our goal and make this vision to lead the way in animal welfare, a reality. I encourage people to join us and make this their Pet Project.”

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Sell Out Crowd Watches Petes Win 4-3 In Home Opener, Goalie Pays Tribute To Gary Dalliday On Mask

After nine straight games on the road to start the season as the Peterborough Memorial Centre completed renovations, the Petes finally hit home ice, defeating Hamilton Bulldogs 4-3 in front of a sell-out crowd of 3,719.

The maroon and white scoring two goals in the final minutes of the third period to complete the comeback victory. Peterborough were deserving of the win, outshooting the visiting Bulldogs 38-25.

Photo by Jess Van Staalduinen, Peterborough Petes

In addition, goalie Hunter Jones is honouring the late legendary broadcaster Gary Dalliday—Petes play by play announcer Pete Dalliday’s dad—on his goalie mask.

“Big shout out to Petes goalie Hunter Jones who’s paying tribute to my father on his mask this year,” says Pete Dalliday in a Facebook post. “What a classy young man. He could have put anything on there and he did this. Thanks Hunter.”

Photo courtesy Peterborough Petes

The Petes are back on the road to take on two of the country’s top teams, Ottawa on Friday and Oshawa on Sunday. Their next home game is on Thursday, October 24th at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Sarnia Sting.

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The Zoo Made Quite A Splash For Zoo Otter Splish On His Birthday

For a Riverview Park & Zoo otter named Splish, it was definitely a 13th birthday to remember on Tuesday (October 15th).

Splish is the oldest male otter, and is one of the zoo’s original otters—having come to Riverview in 2007 when they first opened the Otter Exhibit. Zookeepers made a splash for him on his birthday, serving up his fave delights on a platter. 

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

“Zookeepers prepared some special enrichment for him and the other otters to mark the occasion,” Zoo Manager and Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. “They put some small fish out on the floating raft—in the shape of the number 13—and also made coloured ‘fishsicles’ (basically ice blocks with shrimp and smelt in the ice) for them to chew on. One was made in the shape of a birthday cake.”

Moloney adds that they let Splish into the pool exhibit first so could put a dent in his birthday treats before the other otters joined in. “We gave him a head start because the two young pups, Bolt and Lawrence, are so quick to grab up any treats we put out. The birthday boy seemed to love it,” he says.

Photo of Splish courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

The zoo’s animal enrichment program is a vital aspect of their Animal Wellness Plan. “The Zookeepers provide enrichment in a variety of forms for the animals as part of their daily animal care routines,” Moloney adds. “That being said, the Zookeepers do like to keep things fun and this is a great example of their dedication and creativity.”

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The One And Only Alice Cooper Is Coming To Peterborough, His Only Concert Stop In Ontario

Following his just-concluded, wildly successful UK arena tour, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper has announced he has extended his "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" show for his Spring 2020 tour plans, and it includes a stop in Peterborough at the Memorial Centre April 1st.

The Spring leg of the tour kicks off here in Peterborough, and we’re the only Ontario date. His tour runs through April 22nd where it concludes in Portland, Oregon. These dates will feature special guest Lita Ford.

Photo via Alice Cooper on Twitter

Tickets for his Peterborough show go on sale Friday, October 18th at 10 a.m., and are available online at memorialcentre.ca, over the phone at 705.743.3561 or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office located inside the PMC (151 Lansdowne St W.). Prices start at $49 – $89 (plus applicable fees and taxes).

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring Rare Grill, The Urban Space

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Adam Levesque and Tracey Cousineau recently launched their new business in Campbellford, 52 North Pub and Grill. Located at 52 Front Street, Adam and Tracey did extensive renovations to what was a Chinese Food restaurant for over 40 years. The menu offers family friendly pub fair, including buttermilk fried chicken, beef brisket, salads, wraps, craft beer and more. With this waterfront location, they also hope to add a patio next year. Drop in, or get more information by going to 52 North Pub and Grill’s Facebook page.

Peterborough Hypnosis RTT is Julie Houlihan’s new business. Julie is a certified Rapid Transformation Therapist and helps to uncover the meaning and interpretation of events, which leads to permanent and powerful change. Weight control habits, smoking cessation, sleep issues, depression and anxiety, confidence, fear of heights, public speaking, flying, needles or the dentist and more, Julie helps normal people overcome normal problems. Go to peterboroughhypnosis.com for more info.

Julie Houlihan

The Urban Spa is a boutique spa that opened in 2013 at 388 Rogers Street in East City. Owners Jean-Guy and Kerri Holley-Francoeur have been building the Urban brand and recently introduced Urban Space, a cafe and wine bar at 552 Armour Road; Urban Events and Gifts, an event & retail business; and Escape Route Travel, a travel agency. Working with their new Experience Coordinators, you can book yourself a pedicure, coordinate your next cruise, and reserve an event for your upcoming wedding or retirement party. It’s all explained at poweredbyurban.com.

Tyler and Kassy Scott recently took over ownership of the Rare Grill House on Brock Street. Tyler was born and raised in Peterborough, graduated from the Fleming College Culinary program and didn’t have far to travel as he is the Executive Chef at Rare. The Rare Grill House opened in 2007 and former owners Brad and Katie Watt have built a solid brand over the years. Known for a passionate commitment to good food, you can expect the same from the new owners. Check out Rare Grill House on Facebook.

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BMO Financial Group Announces $650,000 Gift To Support New Canadian Canoe Museum

BMO Financial Group has announced a $650,000 investment in The Canadian Canoe Museum’s new 85,000 square-foot-facility at the water’s edge.

This generous gift is the $65 million capital campaign’s first from a financial institution and in recognition, the new museum’s archives and archives workroom will be named the BMO Financial Group Research and Knowledge Centre.

To be built alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway, the new museum will feature a dedicated space for the organization’s growing collection of rare books, maps and archival materials, as well as film, video and recorded oral histories.

This space, which doesn’t exist in the current museum, will be built to a Class A controlled environment standard that is designed for the materials it will house. Guests using this space will be surrounded by a unique reference library with access to individual study spaces and large work surfaces, along with a comfortable environment for knowledge sharing and the digital documentation of new stories.

”BMO is proud to support The Canadian Canoe Museum,” says Sheri Griffiths, Regional President, Business Banking, Greater Ontario Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The new BMO Financial Group Research and Knowledge Centre will offer a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with—and gain a deeper understanding of our country’s history.”

The new museum has been designed by the award-winning team of heneghan peng (Dublin, Ireland) and Kearns Mancini Architects (Toronto, Canada). The building, purpose-built for the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft, will blend almost seamlessly into its landscape, emerging from the drumlin and complementing the waterway.

“The Research and Knowledge Centre is an integral space in the new museum—one that will offer opportunities to learn and collaborate that right now, we can only imagine,” says Carolyn Hyslop, Executive Director. “The Centre will be an inclusive and safe space for First Peoples, Métis and Inuit, Indigenous Knowledge Holders, and academics to share, encourage understanding and conduct cultural and ceremonial practices.”

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