Peterborough Blogs
Hunter Street Books Moves Into Meta4 Gallery, Forming Unique Partnership
/Hunter Street Books has announced they are closing their physical store but will remain virtually open for online orders and delivery—and have two shelves at Meta4 Contemporary Craft Gallery, just a stone’s throw away in the same building.
Indeed, starting June 1st, Meta4 will feature a shop-within-a-shop for in-person book browsing, creatively curated by Hunter Street Books owner Michelle Berry, and will become the place to pick up online orders.
It’s a clever pivot for Hunter Street Books to partner with Meta4 as they share many of the same customers interested in art and books. The collaboration is an elegant solution in terms of still having a bricks-and-mortar “pop-up” type space for Hunter Street Books.
“I enjoyed the physical store for almost four years but with Covid-19 and a rent increase and my health, it was time to, as you say, pivot,” Berry tells PTBOCanada. “Most of my customers would order books in the store or online anyway, so changing to all online orders and free delivery felt right.”
“I can't imagine someone browsing books for a while, until Covid is under control, and I can't afford the rent, the staff, the utilities, the insurance, etc.,” Berry adds. “Customers are loving the free delivery and now they also have the option of picking up books at Meta4.”
The collaboration was a natural fit for Meta4 and Hunter Street Books, as people would come from Meta4’s art classes straight into her store all the time and vice versa. “When I can't deliver to someone's apartment, or care home, or if they are from out of town, now they have the option of picking up their online orders at Meta4—it’s a brilliant solution,” she adds. “I will miss sitting behind my desk at Hunter Street Books and welcoming customers but I won't miss the floor cleaning in winter!”
You will be able to find a couple bookshelves of selections at Meta4 gallery now, as Berry is stocking them, and will be refreshing them constantly, with the selections of books from Hunter Street Books' stock.
Customers can still email her recommendations here and she’ll be happy to help them find the right book. All book orders can be done through Hunter Street Books’ web store here. There is free delivery to porches or open mailboxes in Peterborough during COVID-19, or pick up at META4 Art Gallery on Hunter Street West.
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City Re-Opening Outdoor Recreation Facilities, Playgrounds Remained Closed
/Following the Province’s announcement on the Stage 1 for the re-opening of activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Peterborough has announced it is re-opening outdoor recreation facilities including sport fields and park areas for limited, casual use.
With the lessening of restrictions, there are still some restrictions that apply. Provincial restrictions that limit the number of people in a gathering to not more than five people and encourage physical distancing of at least two metres remain in place.
As people begin to go back out into the community more during the gradual re-opening, they should continue to be cautious of high-touch surfaces, such as benches or picnic tables in parks, avoid touching their faces, and wash their hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds to help stop the spread of illness.
While sport fields and courts are re-opening for casual use, the City will not be providing permits for scheduled, organized use of the outdoor recreational facilities at this stage.
With COVID-19-related restrictions still in place, there can’t be more than five people gathering at the same time, unless the people are from the same household.
As normal, sport fields and courts may be temporarily closed for maintenance, such as normal spring preparations for outdoor sport fields.
The City, as per the Province’s direction, is lifting the COVID-19-related closure of the following outdoor recreational amenities:
Multi-use fields and courts (e.g. baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf, tennis courts, and basketball courts)
Off-leash dog park
Skateboard park
Picnic areas, shelters, and benches
In addition to the outdoor recreation facilities, the City marina is scheduled to open on June 12th with changes to service under new guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PLAYGROUNDS STILL CLOSED
The Province’s order still requires the closure of playgrounds, play structures and equipment, and outdoor fitness equipment as well as splash pads and wading pools.
The beaches at Roger’s Cove and Beavermead Park are closed.
Both the provincial and local emergency declarations remain in place at this time.
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The Amazing Impact Five Counties Has Had On Scott's Life
/Two-year-old Scott was born with a severe form of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, and first started coming to Five Counties in Peterborough when he was a week old so he could learn to eat without choking. His syndrome is characterized by slow growth which makes him short for his age with four fingers on one hand.
His physiotherapist worked on Scott’s balance as he was learning to sit up and crawl. She also suggested adding a strap inside his walker to give him more stability and more confidence.
Just a month before his second birthday, Scott discovered the freedom of walking on his own, thanks to a mini-walker built just for him. Six months later, he took his first steps without it.
His progress has been amazing as most kids with the same condition cannot even sit up yet. “They are not expected to walk until age four to six, if they live that long,” says his mother Joanna. “Yet our determined little boy does front rolls at his gymnastics class every week. He may be small, but no one should underestimate him.”
Scott started coming to Five Counties when he was a week old. He has made tremendous progress since then. (photo courtesy Five Counties)
“He was cheered on in the hallways by staff as he zipped from room to room, with a big smile on his face,” she adds. “Only my grin was wider. He made me so proud. Next, we plan to have him compete in a children’s triathlon alongside our two daughters. After all, we want him to have the same opportunities our daughters will have. It’s great to see him as a typical two-year-old. Now we are getting to see what he’s capable of and he’s so happy!”
Lyn Giles, Director of Fund Development at Five Counties, says “while our sites are closed, be assured that we are continuing to do all we can to address the immediate needs of our clients like Scott. We know that virtual care and telephone consultation is not a temporary solution for supporting families during this emergency closure. At Five Counties, services online and by phone will be our new normal and will continue to be the backbone of our service delivery model for several months as we gradually re-open our sites.”
Five Counties offers services and treatment to more than 4,000 children each year, including more than 1,400 in Peterborough County alone. However, the demand for services outstrips the government funding available and waiting lists remain.
For more information about Five Counties programs and services or to make a donation, call 1-888-779-9916 or 705-748-2337 or email here.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring Real Ryder Bikes, Cahills Outerwear & 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…
Erin Marshall is a well-known local business woman, one of the partners at Full Tilt Cycle. The “Tilt” in Full Tilt is the fact that they use Real Ryder indoor cycling bikes that provide a realistic riding experience with an articulating bike frame. Erin is now the licensed distributor of Real Ryder bikes in Canada and has launched Real Ryder Canada. You can now purchase your own Real Ryder bike for your home gym, and you can get virtual classes from Full Tilt Cycle! Details are at realrydercanada.ca.
Erin Marshall
Peter and Elyn Green started Greenhouse on the River 32 years ago. They have decided that this year is their last year. They, like everyone else, are safely providing their products and services as the restrictions are slowly eased, and they look forward to their final season. Congratulations to Peter and Elyn on a great run!
Cahills Outerwear, the iconic store on Hunter Street, recently started producing washable/reusable non-medical Face Masks and Scrub Caps for the Peterborough Health Care community. They are available for purchase by anyone from individuals to businesses looking to outfit their staff. The best part is that for every mask sold, Cahills will donate one to health care! You can even make a donation in your name or your business name in exchange for a tax receipt. Owners Margie and Jamie Cahill are also excited to welcome middle son Rob Cahill back into the family business. Welcome home Rob! Cahills.ca for more information.
Card the Yard is a new business started by Lisa Porter and Kirtus Evoy. It’s a great way to help residents celebrate special occasions such as a birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation or newborn announcement You just book online or by phone and Card the Yard will pepper your yard with a special surprise greeting for your special celebration. They can customize to any celebration. Covering Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland, details are available at cardtheyard.ca.
Bring Back The Drive-In
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There aren’t many signs of the Mustang Drive-in that exist today. The berms are still there for the cars to park on, and the roads still exist, but that’s about it.
Maybe it’s one part nostalgia, and one part perfect timing, but we’d love to see the Mustang Drive-In return.
What better time than during physical distancing to enjoy movies from the comfort of your own vehicle? Unfortunately, the drive-in closed back in 2012, the structures have since been demolished and now the land sits vacant. (Here is a post we did from a woman whose father managed it back in the day.)
Would you enjoy going to the drive-in or did you have fond memories of going? Thankfully we still have two semi-local Drive-ins that are considering opening this year: the Lindsay Drive-In and the Port Hope Drive-In.
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UPDATE
One of our readers was kind enough to dig some photos out of his archives to share with us…
“Back in the day, Peterborough had TWO drive-ins for us to choose from...
The Mustang, and up on the Lakefield highway where Giant Tiger now stands was the Peterboro Drive-in.
Here’s also a photo of my ‘66 Impala parked on a hump at the Mustang Drive-In site.”
- Frank B.
![image[6].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50cca155e4b0c301a8212ad4/1589813246223-J071435OSQMRXON6N43G/image%5B6%5D.png)
![image[4].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50cca155e4b0c301a8212ad4/1589813263898-P3SFOOWB258RUZ38Y924/image%5B4%5D.png)
“It would be the ultimate in nostalgia to go to the drive-in in my ‘66 Chevy Impala... second only to going up to Armour Hill in my ‘66 Impala... accompanied in either case, of course, with a fine companion. - Frank B.”
After 25 days In Intensive Care Unit (ICU) On A Ventilator At PRHC, Darlene Beats COVID-19
/Now this is a heartwarming post about resilience. A woman named Darlene was the first patient to be admitted to Peterborough Regional Health Centre with COVID-19.
PRHC reports on their Facebook page that “after 25 days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on a ventilator and three weeks on an inpatient unit, she was discharged home after testing negative for COVID-19.”
“Everyone was determined I was going to live and I did,” Darlene says in the video PRHC posted. “I am your number one admission for COVID and I’m going home.”
Watch the beautiful video below about her journey…
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Fleming College Distributes $415,000 To Students During COVID-19 Pandemic
/To assist with the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Fleming College’s Student Emergency Fund provided $415,000 in financial aid support to 1,200 domestic and international students.
The fund was set up to support a variety of student needs during this critical time, including access to equipment for online learning and alternative delivery format, transportation, and food and rent. Funding sources have been a combination of private contributions and government funds.
“We are grateful to our generous donors for their continued support of student success, as well as provincial emergency funding which allowed the College to offer significant financial support to many of our students,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson.
The College issued cheques to students on May 1st and have received an outpouring of emails from students expressing gratitude and appreciation for the financial support.
“When the COVID-19 crisis shut down occurred, it was very stressful and hard to see the light at the end of all my hard work with this new hurdle in the road,” says Lisa McGlade, Business Administration - Accounting student. “I am very grateful for Fleming College's financial support which has allowed me to focus on finishing my studies successfully."
Financial need is urgent and ongoing. Fleming College will continue to fundraise in hopes to meet the increasing need of their students. There is a growing concern of how this pandemic will impact students beginning or resuming their studies in the spring and fall semesters, and it’s anticipated that more funding will be required.
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Canadian Cancer Society Invites People To Relay At Home, A Re-Imagined Virtual Event
/In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Cancer Society recently made the decision to cancel their in-person Relay For Life Peterborough event scheduled for May 30th.
When Peterborough residents signed up to participate in Relay For Life in the community this year, they showed their support for friends, family, neighbours and colleagues who have been affected by cancer. That’s why organizers wanted to remind them that during COVID-19, they can still help prove that community is bigger than cancer—which doesn’t stop because of the global pandemic.
Photo courtesy Canadian Cancer Society
While participants may not be able to come together in-person to celebrate right now, there is so much people can do virtually to support people living with cancer. On Saturday, June 13th from 7 to 9 p.m., Canadian Cancer Society invites the community to join Relay At Home, their re-imagined virtual event that you can enjoy from the comfort of home.
With interactive activities and time to celebrate survivors and remember those we’ve lost, Relay At Home will show that no one in our communities has to face cancer alone.
Photo courtesy Canadian Cancer Society
Funds raised through Relay At Home will go towards the Canadian Cancer Society’s vital services that support the one million Canadians currently living with cancer.
With the help of Peterborough residents, you can make a difference in the lives of Canadians with cancer during COVID-19 and year-round. You may not be able to meet in-person, but we all still have a reason to Relay. Community members can join in by registering at relayforlife.ca/peterborough.
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Fleming College Will Be Starting Fall Term Online And Then Plan Is To Transition To Face-to-Face Classes
/Fleming College will begin the Fall semester using online and alternative delivery on September 8th. The College’s “Fleming Safe" plan will ensure that students can complete the learning outcomes required in their programs while maintaining the highest possible safety standards in compliance with all government and public health directives.
“Our Fall semester will be delivered through alternate models as we prepare for multiple scenarios for our campuses and classrooms to create the utmost in safe learning environments,” says Maureen Adamson, President, Fleming College.
“The plan allows flexibility to react to the loosening of health and safety restrictions by being ready to begin face-to-face, applied learning responsibly and appropriately. We do not anticipate that all health and safety restrictions will be lifted all at once—we are ready to respond swiftly to advance student success effectively given the circumstances that will present themselves,” she adds.
Photo courtesy Fleming College
