New Gift Card Can Be Used In Downtown Peterborough

There’s a new gift card that can be used at more than 65 shops, restaurants, and services in Downtown Peterborough.

Downtown Dollars are now available as a prepaid credit card for shopping local on-line or in-store this holiday season. This Downtown Business Improvement Area program can be used with participating downtown retailers, restaurants, pubs, bars, salons, and galleries.

Downtown Dollars are available for purchase at TheBoro.ca or directly at the Downtown Business Improvement Area office at 313 Water Street. For inquiries, call 705-748-4774 or email theboro@downtownptbo.ca.

Shopper Deanna Henry holds up one of the new Downtown Dollars gift cards now available for shopping in-store and on-line in Downtown Peterborough. (photo courtesy DBIA)

“Our Downtown Dollars have long been a popular gift route,” says Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel, Executive Director of the DBIA. “Being able to load them onto a card really takes this program to the next level and will make for a better customer experience, which will work out to more local spending.”

The program is expected to help increase spending at local downtown businesses. Consumers spend an average of 65% more than the value of a gift card when making a purchase.

The card that the DBIA will be using for the Downtown Dollars program is made of 50% recycled material. When your card is depleted, drop it off at participating retailers or the DBIA office to be sent away for recycling.

For every $100 spent locally, up to $48 stays in our community, as compared to $14 when you shop at a box store.

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The Annual Loonies On The Street Fundraiser For Kawartha Food Share Is This Friday

The 21st year of the Loonies on the Street Fundraiser in support of Kawartha Food Share takes place December 11th from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In an effort to keep everyone safe and to properly enforce Covid-19 protocols, they have moved off the street and into the warmth this year, broadcasting the festivities live on FREQ 90.5 and OLDIES 96.7 from Santa’s House on the lower level of Peterborough Square.

File photo from Kawartha Food Share

The bucket brigade will be collecting loose change up and down George Street, and their friends from the Lions Club will be collecting on the Hunter Street Bridge. All buckets will be on 6-foot poles to keep everyone safe.

Helping to feed more than 7,700 people a month—35 percent of whom are children—KFS also provides nutritious snacks for area school breakfast programs, helping over 17,000 children get a healthy start to their school day.

Additionally, KFS partners with community meal programs—such as those provided by Brock Mission, One Roof Diner, the Salvation Army and others—to provide a well-rounded outreach for our hungry neighbours.

You can also donate online here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring SWAG Parcel Service & Kelcey’s Nutrition Centre

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…

A great story from Kelcey’s Nutrition Centre in East City. 21 years ago, owner Bill Kelcey and a few other similar, and independent, stores formed a buying group, allowing them to compete. 21 years later that buying group, now called the Health First Network, is now 96 companies, 142 stores and an office, warehouse and distribution Centre in Burlington. And Tori Kelcey, Bill’s daughter, has just been appointed to the Networks Board of Directors. Tori tells me that the network also has its own line of vitamin’s, and a famous Peterborough landmark is about to be featured on one of the bottles. For more info, go to Kelceysnutrition.com.

SWAG Parcel Service is a new, local delivery company for small businesses in Peterborough. Owner Heather Million offers delivery at a great rate, with on-time, professional delivery. SWAG can do same day service, customer pickups locally or in the GTA as well as handle high volume and subscription-based businesses. You can find SWAG Parcel Service on Facebook or call 705-868-3134.

Women Breaking Barriers is an interesting event from The Innovation Cluster, coming up on December 15th at noon. Four local founders will be profiled - Jeannine Taylor, Publisher and Editor in Chief of KawarthaNow, Rhonda Barnet, President & COO of AVIT Manufacturing, Shelby Leonard-Watt, Owner of Save our Soles, and Sofie Andreou, Founder of 123DigitalPower, Digital Marketing Services & Training. Details are at innovationcluster.ca.

Charlie Gregory has just published a new book, his fourth! Titled Dreamed Fish Dancer, it is based on a dream his brother Kevin had of their brother Shane, who had passed a year earlier. It is a really interesting concept for a book with contributions from John Boyle, Steven Leak, Jenny Hamilton, Wayne Eardley, Jade Gregory and more. You can get your copy by emailing cassjade@cogeco.ca.

Events coming up include an information session on some of the services offered by WSIB and how your business can benefit. The webinar is this Friday (December 11th) from 9 – 10 am. To register, call John Carr at 647-308-1730.

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Peterborough Petes Looking To SOCK-it To COVID-19

Members of the Peterborough Petes Hockey Operations staff are excited to announce the “SOCK-it to Covid-19” campaign. This campaign plans to collect socks and funds for those in need within the Peterborough and surrounding area. 

Led by General Manager Mike Oke, Head Coach Rob Wilson, Associate Coach Andrew Verner, Assistant Coaches Derrick Walser and Patrick O’Connor, Video Coach Noah Bucholtz and Strength Coaches, Josh Gillam and Broedie Bikhof, this initiative is in support of the Kawartha Foodshare, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, and YES Shelter for youth and families.

Fans are asked to drop off new pairs of socks in any size, including “youth” sizes, that will be donated back to these organizations. Fans can also make a financial donation at the following Petes and affiliated locations:

• Petes Store at the Peterborough Memorial Centre: 151 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough

• Petes Pop-Up Store at Lansdowne Place Mall: 645 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough

• Hybrid Fitness: 822 Rye St, Peterborough

Fans can also make a donation at the Petes Store online here.

“Our annual Teddy Bear Toss game has always been a huge success and has been well supported by Petes fans,” says Oke. “‘SOCK it to Covid-19’ will give our fans and members of the Peterborough community a new opportunity to help out those less fortunate.” 

There is always a demand for socks at this time of year and this particularly challenging year has presented an even greater demand for socks at these shelters. Donated socks will be distributed to the partner shelters, and financial donations will be used to purchase winter items, like socks, gloves, mitts, and scarves. 

The “SOCK-it to Covid-19” campaign will run from Saturday, December 5th through to Thursday, December 24th.

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Devastating Fire At Sayers Foods Grocery Store In Apsley

The small, close-knit community of Apsley northeast of Peterborough is left reeling after a major fire at Sayers Foods Grocery Store on Burleigh Street that destroyed the local business, which is relied on by locals and cottagers alike.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, as the North Kawartha Fire Department worked tirelessly overnight battling the blaze.

Road closures are in place on Burleigh Street in the village of Apsley as the @NorthKawartha Fire Department continues to battle the fire that began last night at Sayer's Foods. @PtboCounty #PtboOPP ^ja pic.twitter.com/8vnd2ukzmB

— OPP Central Region (@OPP_CR) December 5, 2020

“The fire department is organized, well trained and professional. Our family can't thank them enough,” Sayers Foods posted on their Facebook page.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

Generations of customers have been going there and employed there, as it is a staple—the heart—of the community. The Sayers family are incredibly generous with charities and giving back, even more so during Covid.

“The store has been a backbone to the community for as long as we can remember… and have been there for the community through thick and thin. Time to give back and help in any way we can,” said a commenter on Facebook.

“We've shopped at this location for over 40 years, through many changes—we are praying for a full recovery and rebuilding,” said one cottager on Facebook.

“You have worked tirelessly to assist the community for so many years including this year of COVID where you've accommodated everyone’s needs,” added another commenter.

Photo via Sayers Foods Facebook page

Many people, businesses and organizations are reacting to the devastating news on Twitter as well…

One of our distributors, Sayers Foods has had a very bad fire overnight. We will all need to help them get back in business as soon as possible.

— rockyridgewater (@rockyridgewater) December 5, 2020

This is terrible. We just had our County Food Drive with @DaveSmithPtbo at Sayers last weekend & their owners & staff were so incredibly generous.
Keeping everyone in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Apsley residence, if you need help with food, please reach out to us! https://t.co/whtmSpzTIC

— Kawartha Food Share (@Kaw_FoodShare) December 5, 2020

Awful news out of Apsley this morning. Sayers Food is a staple of the community and this is just devastating. If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that we're stronger together. I know we will all come together to support everyone affected. https://t.co/UO9ZeSGYZR

— Maryam Monsef (@MaryamMonsef) December 5, 2020

Developing Story: We’ll post more details when we get them.

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Havelock Metal Co Announces In-Kind Support For New Animal Care Centre In Peterborough

Havelock Metal Co has announced its generous commitment to supplying and installing the metal roof at the Peterborough Humane Society’s new Animal Care Centre. Our Pet Project, PHS’s campaign to build this one-of-a-kind facility, is well underway and community partners such as Havelock Metal Co getting involved moves the vision even closer to reality.

Todd Lawson, President of Havelock Metal and his partner (in work and life) Jennie Lawson are big animal lovers and for them, the choice to support Our Pet Project was an easy one. “We are always on the lookout for opportunities where we can help building projects taking place within our community,” says Todd. “Being able to combine our love of animals with our ability to provide a safe, durable roof on a facility that will be integral to animal wellness in our community was a no-brainer!”

The Lawson children with their family dog Echo

Havelock Metal Co was founded in 1993 in Havelock and relocated to Peterborough in 2018 to better serve their customers. By providing a metal roof to Peterborough Humane Society, Havelock Metal Co is ensuring a durable, long lasting roof is in place to keep local animals in need safe and dry while under their care.

The Lawson family is particularly excited about the purpose-built dog kennels. In the new Centre, dog kennels will be arranged in pods of four to aid in noise and stress reduction. These kennels will be significantly larger than the Humane Society’s current kennels and will be interlinked with sliding guillotine doors to allow for kennels to double in size, should the need arise (e.g. bonded dogs that need to stay together). Each glass-fronted kennel will also have its own outside run, allowing dogs continuous access to fresh air and the ability to enjoy both outdoor and indoor spaces.

Rendering of what the new Animal Care Centre's kennels will look like.

In recognition of their generous support, a Dog Adoption Kennel at the new Centre will bear the company’s name. These new dog kennels will be indoor/outdoor, providing the dogs with more space and will be grouped in pods to reduce noise and stress.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Todd, Jenn and the team at Havelock Metal to supply the roof for our new Centre,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society. “This is another example of the amazing support that our community is showing us as we work to build our new home.”

To learn more about Our Pet Project, click here.

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Peterborough Petes Lending Support To First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive For Indigenous Youth

The Peterborough hockey community is being urged to donate new or used hockey equipment to the First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive, which is coming to Total Construction Management (169 Lansdowne St. E.) in Peterborough on Saturday, December 5th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Any families with hockey equipment can visit the donation drive-thru, which is COVID-safe (please remain in your vehicles throughout). 

• Who: First Nations Hockey Equipment Drive & the Peterborough hockey community

• What: COVID-safe hockey equipment donation drive-thru 

• Where: Total Construction Management (169 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough)

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9am to 12pm

• Why: To collect and donate over 700 sets of equipment to Indigenous Youth

The Petes will be on hand to lend their support to the Drive, which has a goal of collecting 700 bags of equipment for Indigenous Youth in the province.

Requested equipment donations include skates, elbow pads, shin pads, shoulder pads, helmets, pants, sticks, bags, and goalie equipment.

Please note there is not a need for undergarments, jerseys, socks, jocks/jills, or neck guards.

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4th Line Theatre Collaborates With Lakefield College School's Ondaatje House On The Purse Project

4th Line Theatre, in association with the students from Lakefield College School’s Ondaatje House, will be collecting purses and personal care items to fill purses in December 2020 and January 2021, to distribute to women in need in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. 

In this area, there are hundreds of women who receive support from social service agencies and regional community groups. Some are seeking shelter, safety and refuge, and others are seeking support in rebuilding their lives following tragic circumstances.   

“We at 4th Line acknowledge our privilege and constantly strive for ways in which we can give back to our community and to support people in need,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Photo graphic courtesy 4th Line Theatre

Individuals can donate a new or gently used purse containing personal care items, donate a new or used purse (clean and empty), donate personal care items to fill the purses, or donate money earmarked for the purse project, and 4th Line Theatre will purchase a purse and the items to go in it: 

Personal care items sought for donation include:

·         *Feminine hygiene products (pads, liners and tampons)

·         *Deodorant

·         *Soap bar or body wash

·         *Toothpaste, tooth brush

·         *Hair comb or small brush

·         *Cloth face mask

·         Washcloths and small towels

·         Body lotion

·         Hand sanitizer or wipes

·         Q-tips, cotton balls

·         Lip balm and moisturizers

·         Socks and slippers

·         Gloves, mittens, ear muffs, hats and scarves 

·         Nail clippers & files

·         Shampoo & conditioner

·         Hair clips & elastics

·         Tissue Packets 

·         Gift cards to grocery stores, coffee shops

·         No used items or food of any kind

Items marked with [ * ] above are placed in every purse, and other items are added based on available donation

The purses, personal care items, and donations can be dropped off at 4th Line Theatre’s Administrative Office located at 4 Tupper Street, Millbrook, Ontario L0A 1G0. The office will be open between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays between Monday, November 30th, 2020 through Wednesday, December 23th, 2020.  Collections will continue after Christmas from Monday, January 4th, 2021 to Thursday, January 28th, 2021.

Any inquiries for The Purse Project can be directed to 4th Line Theatre’s Artistic Administrator Jess McDougall at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or by phone at 705-932-4448.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Grady's Feet Essentials, The Peterborough Petes, The Promoter Book & 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…

Grady’s Feet Essentials recently opened a second location at 231 King Street, at the corner of King & Aylmer. That is in addition to the Lansdowne Place store. The downtown location has Blundstone boots, Birkenstocks, shoe care products & a Birk/Blundstone repair shop. They are open Monday to Friday 9-5. They have also added free delivery within 30 minutes of Peterborough. Check it all out at feetessentials.com.

The Peterborough Petes, coming off the success of their Halloween care package deliveries, are planning an even bigger effort called Very Merry Christmas. The Petes organization will be expanding their route, and delivering over 3000 Christmas packages to Peterborough residents. If your business would like to get involved as a sponsor, get in touch today at gopetesgo.com.

The Promoter is out… the new book chronicles the life of local promoter Brian Edwards. Co-written by local author Ed Arnold, the book tells the stories, from being the youngest person ever to be granted a booking agency license in North America, to travelling the Country with Canadian entertainment icons like “Stompin” Tom Connors, Tommy Hunter, Frank Mills, Carole Baker, Red Green and many more. The Promoter is available at brianthepromoter.com or by calling 1-800-465-7829.

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Canadian Canoe Museum Identifies Johnson Park As Preferred New Build Site

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

The Canadian Canoe Museum (CCM) has announced that it has identified Johnson Park, the City-owned property at 2077 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, as the preferred site for the building of its new canoe museum.

Johnson Park is situated on Little Lake, north of Beavermead Park and south of the Parks Canada-Trent Severn Waterway head offices. As part of the overall due diligence exploration and feasibility studies, environmental assessment and testing is scheduled to soon take place on the property, with test results expected to be available by the end of the year.

“The Canadian Canoe Museum is extremely hopeful that the Johnson Park location will emerge as a viable site for the new museum build project,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum. “We are bolstered by the support of the City of Peterborough and the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority (ORCA) who are involved in the feasibility exploration.”

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

Since May of this year, CCM has been engaged in a proactive site selection process, reviewing multiple alternative sites throughout Peterborough’s waterfront in order to identify a new site where it will construct its museum.

The museum’s board of directors struck a Pivot Task Force to manage the project who in turn enlisted the help of XBMC Consulting and Lett Architects Inc to lead the Site Feasibility Study.

Notwithstanding the pandemic operating environment, the new build is expected to be shovel-ready by the end of 2021.

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