Peterborough Is No. 12 Growth City In Canada According To U-Haul

Peterborough is the No. 12 growth city in Canada, according to U-Haul data analyzing migration patterns from 2020. People coming to the area in one-way U-Haul trucks increased 7% during the past year, while departures only rose 2% from 2019, according to a media release from U-Haul.

Arrivals accounted for 52.6% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in Peterborough during 2020 to make it the No. 12 city for netting do-it-yourself movers. Peterborough ranked No. 18 on the growth list for 2019.

Photo courtesy U-Haul

U-Haul growth cities are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks (i.e. moving vans ranging in size from 10 to 26 feet) arriving in a city versus departing from that city in a calendar year.

Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck sharing transactions that occur annually in Canada and the U.S. While U-Haul migration trends do not correlate directly to population or economic growth, the company’s growth data is an effective gauge of how well cities are attracting and maintaining residents.

North Bay, Ont., is the No. 1 Canadian growth city for 2020. North Vancouver, Kingston, Belleville and the Barrie/Orillia corridor round out the Top 5, with 10 of the Top 15 growth areas being in Ontario.

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Trent University Mourns the Passing of Founding President Thomas H.B. Symons

The Trent University community is mourning the death of its founding President Thomas H.B. Symons, remembering the remarkable man and the industrious, highly regarded scholar who brought his vision for Trent to life and helped sustain it for over 55 years. 

Thomas H.B. Symons in his office at Rubidge Hall. (Photo courtesy Trent University)

“It was a privilege to know President Symons,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University.

“He was gracious, interested, and always obliging when I came to Trent. With great enthusiasm, he told me about Trent’s origins, the politics of Peterborough, and the lessons he learned from so many years in academic leadership,” Groarke adds.

Thomas H.B. Symons with Bata Library in background. (Photo courtesy Trent University)

Internationally renowned as a champion of education and student success, Professor Symons accepted the challenge posed by a committee of Peterborough citizens in 1961 to create a university for the city. He served as Trent University's president and vice-chancellor for 11 years until 1972.

Thomas H.B. Symons interacting with students. (Photo courtesy Trent University)

His leadership in education and his contributions to society and the nation were widely recognized, including his investment as a member of the Order of Canada in 1976 and the Order of Ontario in 2002. After retirement, Professor Symons remained an active member of the University community as well within Peterborough and beyond.

Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, had this to say about Symons in a tweet…

Thomas Symons was a beacon of intellectual light and Canadian scholarship. He loved this country and brought this love to the world. His legacy is an inspiration and his contributions will continue to benefit all who seek understanding and who ask the great Canadian questions. pic.twitter.com/Wc9l98brII

— Elizabeth Dowdeswell (@LGLizDowdeswell) January 2, 2021

You can read more about Professor Symons’ life and legacy at Trent and around the world on Trent University’s special tribute website.

Thomas H.B. Symons in Trent University's 50th Anniversary parade procession. (Photo courtesy Trent University)

In recognition of Professor Symons’ exceptional contributions to Trent University and as an expression of deep sympathies to family, friends and colleagues, the flag atop Bata Library will be lowered.

In lieu of flowers, the Symons family has asked that donations be made to the T.H.B. Symons Trust for Canadian Studies at Trent University. 

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Meet Corbin, Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s New Year Baby

On Friday, January 1, 2021 at 12:44 a.m., parents Ashley Merlin and Alex Zilney welcomed their son Corbin Alexander Zilney into the world. 

The baby boy was safely delivered at PRHC in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, weighing seven pounds. Mother and baby are doing well and the parents are overjoyed with the new addition to their family.  

Corbin Alexander Zilney

“The care at PRHC has been wonderful, both on the antenatal side and here on [inpatient unit] A6,” says Ashley. “There are of course some differences delivering now than with my other three children because of COVID-19 protocols, but the team has done a great job of making us feel very comfortable.” 

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Downtown Peterborough Saturday Farmers’ Market Adapts To New COVID Measures

The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market (PRFM) is adapting its operations to conform with the newly introduced provincial requirements and the advice from Peterborough Public Health. 

Effective Saturday, January 2nd, 2021, the Market will strengthen measures designed to help ensure the safety of customers, vendors and volunteers, while continuing to support and promote verified local farmers and food suppliers.  

“We continue to adhere to the direction of the province and our local Heath Unit”, says Reem Ali, Chair of the PRFM Steering Committee. “We encourage all of our customers to respect social distancing and are introducing additional features to help achieve that objective.”

Photo via ptboregionalfarmersmarket.org

Under the new provincial requirements, supermarkets, convenience stores and indoor farmer’s markets are open for in-person shopping at 50 percent capacity. 

For the Downtown Saturday Market, located at Peterborough Square, this means the maximum customer capacity inside the market at any one time is 100 people. Customers lining up inside the market at a vendor, or outside the market at the entrance, must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres.

In addition to strengthening measures to facilitate physical distancing, the Market is encouraging customers to consider how they can assist, such as:

-        Limiting the number of shoppers to one person per family;

-        Placing pre-orders with vendors for simple pick-up; and

-        Shopping for others who may be isolated.

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Here Are The Top 10 Articles Of The Past Decade On PTBOCanada

We turned 10 years old this year and want to look back at some of our most popular articles of all time…

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

#9 - A Peterborough High School Student Has Something To Say

#8 - Here Are Pictures From The 1980s At The Peterborough Zoo

#7 - A Plane Carrying 59 Dogs Looking For Forever Homes Just Arrived In Peterborough From Big Trout Lake First Nation

#6 - 57 Signs You're From Peterborough, Eh

#5 - 31 Fun Facts About Peterborough

#4 - Here Are People Skating On Peterborough Streets

#3 - 13 Super Cool Vintage Photos Of Peterborough

#2 - This Video Of Syrian Refugees Tobogganing For First Time In Peterborough Will Melt Your Heart

#1 - No One RSVP-ed For This 13-Year-Old's Birthday So Let's Make Him Feel Loved

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Here Are The Top 10 Most Viewed Articles Of 2020 On PTBOCanada

#10 - Unsung Hero Jordan Barrie Lifts Everyone Who Meets Him

#9 - Growing Peterborough Snow Polar Bear Family Has Become Feel Good Winter Story Of 2020

#8 - Powerful Pictures Of Frontline Healthcare Workers At PRHC By A Mother Whose Daughter Was Treated There For Cancer

#7 - Take A Drive Around Peterborough In 1987 And Reflect On What's Changed (And What Hasn't)

#6 - PRHC Emergency RN Carly Neadow On What It's Like Working On The Frontlines & The Impact On Family

#5 - Local Couple Gives $100,000 To Build Peterborough Humane Society’s New Animal Care Centre

#4 - Fleming College Releases Powerful Music Video To The Song "Lost Together" For A Great Cause

#3 - Breaking: The First Positive Case Of COVID-19 In The Peterborough Area Confirmed

#2 - Peterborough Public Health Advises That Now Is The Time To Prepare For Possible Arrival Of COVID-19 In Area

#1 - Two Guys In Peterborough Just Created An Epic Way, Eh, To Grab Beers During Physical Distancing Era

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DBIA Partners With Ferrero Chocolates To Give Away Boxes of Premium Chocolates To 4 Local Organizations That Do Vital Community Work

Ferrero Chocolates is looking to give back this holiday season and reached out to Business Improvement Areas across Ontario. The application from Peterborough’s DBIA caught their attention and they offered 84 boxes of their new premium chocolates—Golden Gallery Signature Chocolates.

The DBIA will be giving away boxes of premium chocolates to four local organizations that do vital work in the downtown: One City Peterborough, the Youth Emergency Shelter, Friends Peterborough, and the Aylmer Street Pharmacy.

Jenny Bloom (One City Ptbo), Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel (DBIA) & Christian Harvey from One City (Photo courtesy DBIA)

“I was elated that Ferrero would show such great support for BIAs across Ontario with this extremely generous offer,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “It’s wonderful that we can use that generosity to spread a bit of joy to some in our community that may not feel very included during the holidays.”

“This year has been a struggle for so many Canadians and that’s why it’s more important now than ever before to find ways to support those who need our help,” says Maureen Romansky, Senior Marketing Director, Premium Chocolate, Ferrero Canada. “We’re proud to be able to play a small part in bringing some joy through the gift of chocolate.”

“This chocolate donation is going to raise the spirits of all the young people with us on Christmas morning,” says Brooke Erickson, Y.E.S shelter’s Community Engagement Coordinator. “Because youth in shelter rarely have anyone to buy holiday gifts for them, we asked what they would like, so we can provide something for them to open on Christmas morning. Like most kids, almost all of them asked for candy and chocolate.”

Terry Guiel (DBIA) & Engi Hakim (Aylmer Street Pharmacy), photo courtesy DBIA

The Y.E.S. shelter works to reduce and prevent homelessness by providing shelter, education and transitional supports for youth and families in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. During the delivery of the chocolates to Y.E.S., Guiel will be joined by Atria Development, who will be making a cash donation to the shelter.

“We are so grateful to Ferrero for this gift,” adds Christian Harvey, Executive Director of One City Peterborough, which focuses on housing, food security, community safety and inclusion. “In a year as we have had, where our most marginalized have faced so much, a moment of joy or a little chocolate can mean a lot.”

“Something as simple as giving someone a holiday greeting while handing out a few chocolates during this time can make them feel special and included in our community," adds Pharmacist Engi Hakim of the Aylmer Street Pharmacy, which mainly distributes addiction treatment medications such as methadone and suboxone to the clients.. "For some, this could be the only positive interaction they will experience during the holidays.”

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Canadian Canoe Museum Confirms Viability Of Johnson Park On Shores Of Little Lake For New Museum Build

The Canadian Canoe Museum has announced that Johnson Park, the City-owned property situated on Little Lake—north of Beavermead Park and south of the Parks Canada-Trent Severn Waterway head offices—has been deemed viable for the building of its new canoe museum.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

This confirmation clears the way for moving to the next phase of feasibility activities and determining next steps with the City of Peterborough.

“We are thrilled that recently concluded due diligence explorations, environmental assessments, testing and feasibility studies have substantiated the Johnson Park location as a viable site for the building of the new world-class canoe museum,” says Carolyn Hyslop, executive director, The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Land image graphic courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

“The museum will now enter the next phase of feasibility and validation activities,” adds Hyslop. “This process will help us fine tune budget and overall costs, design and the project schedule with a view to being shovel-ready by the end of 2021.”

Leading with environmental stewardship in mind, the new museum will be built on a flat portion of the property, away from the floodplain, on the open land along Ashburnham Drive. This will preserve the existing trail, shoreline and natural waterfront.

To assist CCM with the realization of a new creative vision suitable to a fresh waterfront site, the new museum will be designed by local, award-winning Lett Architects Inc. With experience in completing cultural projects for nationally recognized institutions, Lett will bring a strong collaborative and engaging approach to the project.

Photo of 2077 Ashburnham Drive site by Evan Holt

“In a year that has brought every manner of exceptional challenges to us all, we are delighted to close out 2020 with positive and hopeful news,” adds Hsylop. “Having found a viable site for this extraordinary project that will see the new museum situated on the shores of Peterborough’s Little Lake—what a terrific kick off to 2021!”

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Over 800 People Turned Out To Support Local Food Producers At Special Holiday Lakefield Farmers’ Market

It was a great turnout this year at the Lakefield Farmers’ Market “Special Holiday Market” held on Sunday, December 6th in the Municipal Parking Lot next to the Village Inn in Lakefield.

“The market was pleased to try a Special Holiday Market this year and it was a huge success,” says Market Manager Jenny Ross. “Over 800 people came out to support local food producers and vendor sales were 50 percent greater than on a normal market day.”

Linda Coons brought along her little dog “Spike”, all dressed for the occasion of the Lakefield Farmers’ Market “Special Holiday Market”.

"Even Santa showed up to do some shopping in what customers depend on as a COVID-safe and friendly shopping experience," adds board member Jennie MacKenzie.

Even Santa showed up to pick up some great gift ideas at the very successful Lakefield Farmers’ Market “Special Holiday Market”.

Many of the vendors are available for off season sales. Their contact information is located at lakefieldfarmersmarket.net.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat's Year-End Review

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…

I thought for my last Business Beat column of the year, I’d reflect on the year that was, from the perspective of the business community.

First, there are some really sad stories… People who put everything they own on the line, and then borrowed the rest, only to run face-first into a Global Pandemic. None of us can imagine what it is like, to lose everything unless we’ve lived it.

The same can be said for many employees, who were suddenly a lot less secure than they thought.

Thankfully we live in a country that has been able to respond and provide a lot of support, though I know it won’t be enough for some.

And now, with vaccine on the horizon, we are in the second wave. Think of how maddening it would be if you were in business and had to watch while people took chances with the simplest public health directives—to wear a mask, to properly distance, to wash your hands, and to watch your business being shut down again, because of it.

Stu Harrison

So, what can you do? Here’s a list:

1.     Go out of your way to shop locally, even if it’s online, keep it local.

(When you keep your money in town, you are making a personal investment in the future of your community, and you are showing your pride in what we have built.)

2.     Give to the local charitable, not for profit, and arts community. They are really hurting.

3.     Buy a gift card.

4.     Leave a positive review.

5.     Like or follow or share a social media post of a local business.

6.     Tag a friend if you see something they might like.

7.     Get take-out.

8.     Buy from local artists and artisans.

I hope you have time this holiday season to reflect on this horrible year, find some things to be thankful for, cherish that Zoom call, and that you’ll “LoveLocalPtbo”.

Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukka, Happy Kwanzaa, Gungshi Shin Nien, Feliz Navidad, Salaam alaikum, Merry Christmas.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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