Owner Of Olde Stone Brewing Company & Hot Belly Mama's Announces Both Restaurants Closing Due To Impact Of Pandemic

[UPDATE: A GoFundMe page has been set up to save the businesses. The page is requesting $500,000 and donors have already begun donating.]

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Incredibly sad news for fans of two awesome restaurants located side by side in downtown Peterborough. Owner Travis Smith has announced in a heartfelt Facebook post that they are both closing due to the impact of the pandemic on business.

Photo via Old Stone Facebook page

Here’s the full announcement:

“To all of our dearest friends, family and guests of The Olde Stone Brewing Company and Hot Belly Mama’s.

It is with deep regret and sadness that We are informing you today that as of March 1st we will be closing our doors to the public for good. We tried very hard to continue on and persevere throughout this pandemic and subsequent lockdowns but unfortunately we were beaten by it.

We want to take a minute to thank every single one of you that supported us over the last 25 years from celebration dinners to first dates, to a Friday night pint and everything in between. We have watched your families grow, and we have toasted those who have had to leave us. We truly feel very fortunate to have been a part of such a vibrant, tight-knit and caring community. We will continue to offer all your favourite menu items by take out or curb side pickup Wednesdays through Sundays from 12-8 until the end of the month, so please give us a call to enjoy that blackened catfish or a mound of sweet potato fries and we’ll be here with big smiles on our faces waiting to see you. Thank you Peterborough and we’ll see you soon!

With great love and respect,

Travis Smith and all of the staff of The Olde Stone Brewing Company and Hot Belly Mama’s”

Share your memories of these restaurants on our Facebook page.

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Millbrook Man Wins $150,000 In The Big Spin Instant Game

Congratulations to Tyler Duquette of Millbrook for winning $150,000 with THE BIG SPIN INSTANT game (Game #3100).

Tyler Duquette, a 29-year-old rail worker, said he was confused when he saw the virtual wheel land on BIG SPIN. “I thought, what’s going on now?” he said while at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “I told my wife who was waiting in the car and she didn’t believe me at first,” said Duquette. “When I showed her the ticket and explained what was going on, she was so excited!”

Duquette plans to pay bills, help his mother and plan a special trip when it is safe to travel again.

The winning ticket was purchased at Millbrook Convenience on Tupper Street in Millbrook.

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Otonabee Conservation’s Online Campsite Reservation System Launches On March 1st

Again this year, campers will be able to book their campsites online for Otonabee Conservation’s two campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Beavermead Campground.

The online reservation system will go live on Monday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. Campers are encouraged to reserve their campsite through the Let’s Camp online reservation platform. Those wishing to book a site at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area can click here and for Beavermead Campground click here.

The Lookout Trail at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area boasts a beautiful view of the Indian River, along with kettles, the disappearing river, and a waterfall. (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

The reservation system allows campers to view a map of the campground, select a site, book, pay and schedule their stay in an efficient, user-friendly and convenient way.

Campers are asked to utilize Otonabee Conservation’s online reservation system to book their sites ahead of their trip, to minimize face-to-face contact at the gatehouse upon arrival, and to ensure a campsite is available for them.

Beavermead Campground is located in the heart of the City of Peterborough (Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

To keep campers and staff safe during the pandemic, Otonabee Conservation is working closely with Peterborough Public Health to take all necessary precautions including regular sanitizing, the use of face coverings, COVID-19 screening, and following all provincial restrictions. Some amenities will not be available during the pandemic including showers.

Campers are encouraged to visit otonabeeconservation.com to plan their outdoor adventure in the Kawartha’s and learn more about the Conservation Areas within the Otonabee Region Watershed that provide a diverse range of outdoor activities for all ages.

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PTBOCanada Announces David Bui As New Editor

New PTBOCanada Owner/Publisher Kirtus Evoy is excited to announce that David Tuan Bui is joining us as the Editor of PTBOCanada.

“David has been living in Peterborough for over 30 years and has been actively engaged with our community,” says Kirtus. “He is a Trent University alumnus and his journalism background is going to be a significant asset for the company moving forward. He is full of many fresh ideas for fans of PTBOCanada. His personality and enthusiasm are just what we’re looking for to help us in this new chapter of PTBOCanada.”

David Bui

“David is a fantastic fit for PTBOCanada,” says Neil Morton, former editor/owner. “He has such great energy, and a love for community, collaboration and hyper-local journalism. He has a passion for storytelling and bringing the PTBOCanada brand to life in new, engaging ways that will really resonate with readers. I’m super stoked to see where he takes this.”

“I’m incredibly honoured to be given this opportunity to be working for PTBOCanada,” says David.

"I’ve always loved Peterborough and have embraced what the city has to offer. Now I can share all my experiences with everybody around me and I hope I can bring this city even more to life with my perspective. I wish Neil Morton nothing but the best. I’m certain that Kirtus, Aaron Elliott and I can really hit the ground running and make PTBOCanada a place where everyone can enjoy our content as we go into the next chapter. I look forward to interacting with our community to really highlight the wonders this city has to offer.”

David expressed his gratitude for this opportunity on Twitter…

Well @CityPtbo, meet your newest media personality! I am officially the new editor/writer of @Ptbo_Canada! I'm excited to share the experiences of my hometown and do the same for you! I want to be as interactive as possible with the audience! I'm so grateful for this opportunity!

— David Tuan Bui (@DavidTuanBui44) February 18, 2021

You can reach David with story ideas at davidbui@ptbocanada.com.

You can reach our new owner Kirtus Evoy at kirtus@ptbocanada.com for inquiries regarding advertising opportunities.

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Well-Known Peterborough Family Creates Fundraiser for Hospice Peterborough

In honour of the late Jan Paris, the local family who founded and owns Paris Marine in Lakefield has pledged to match donations to the Hospice monthly giving program until the end of February.

At age 73, Jan was a healthy and vibrant Peterborough woman who enjoyed volunteering, painting, taking trips with her husband to their second home in Florida and spending as much time as she could with her beloved grandchildren.

After getting an all-clear from a physical in July 2019, however, she’d learn by the end of the year that she had a rare form of leukemia. The Paris family say they relied on Hospice Peterborough services throughout Jan’s illness and when it was time to grieve.

The Paris family: Jan and Bill Paris with daughters Tracey, Deborah and Julie. (photo courtesy Hospice Peterborough)

“I don’t know how we would’ve gotten through this without Hospice Peterborough,” says Bill Paris, her husband of more than 50 years. “It’s the kind of organization that you don’t know much about until the time comes that you need them.”

To honour Jan’s memory, her family has initiated the “For the Love of Jan” fundraiser for Hospice Peterborough and has pledged to match all donations made to the monthly giving program, up to $10,000, until the end of February. To date, more than $6,000 has been received.

Jan and Bill Paris created more than 50 years’ worth of memories together. (photo courtesy Hospice Peterborough)

All donations to “For the Love of Jan” will be directed to programs that support children and teens, an area for which Hospice Peterborough receives no government funding.

The groups support youth in our community who have experienced the death of someone close to them and—often through arts-based activities—help them manage their feelings and behaviours. Through the pandemic, Hospice continues to offer these services virtually either one-on-one or in small groups.

Jan Paris with her granddaughter Kensington. (photo courtesy Hospice Peterborough)

Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős thanks the Paris family for sharing their deeply personal story and for giving back to the community in memory of a loved one.

“It is fitting to direct these funds to children and teen groups in honour of a cherished mother and grandmother who devoted herself to her family,” Hős says. “When children in our community can better manage their grief, we all win.”

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Peterborough Public Health Moves Back Into Yellow Zone, Here Are Guidelines

As of Tuesday (February 16th), Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has moved back into the Yellow – PROTECT level of the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework.

“It’s vital that residents understand a return to Yellow does not mean the end of public health measures, and that we all need to keep up our efforts with frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask, staying home when sick, and avoiding non-essential travel,” says Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. Salvaterra adds that the good news is that regional indicators continue to improve, so that it may be possible for PPH to return to the Green-PREVENT level. “The provincial approach has been to move down the framework more slowly, usually waiting for enough time to elapse to show that the indicators are indeed stable before restrictions are eased. We’ll need to stay at Green a little longer before we can earn the right to move down,” she adds.

KEY INDICATORS USED BY ONTARIO CABINET TO DETERMINE LEVEL

The key indicators that are used by the Ontario Cabinet to determine which level public health units fit into according to the provincial framework include epidemiology of the virus (e.g., case incidence rate, % testing positivity), confirmed presence of COVID-19 variants of concern (VOCs), health system capacity, public health system capacity, and local context and conditions.

There are general public health measures applicable to all businesses and organizations open to the public, including:

• Complete COVID-19 Safety Plans that are posted and available for staff and members of the public

• Active screening of all employees before beginning a work shift

• Passive screening (posting signage) for all customers and members of the public

• Ensuring compliance by staff and the public for mandatory masks and face coverings

• Ensuring that an establishment is set up to facilitate physical distancing

• Frequent cleaning and disinfection of equipment provided to the public and high-touch points in the establishment

For a full outline of the new guidelines, please click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kawartha Gymnastics Club, Turner And Pooch Dog Training & More!

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

The Kawartha Gymnastics Club has announced that they are moving to a new location, a 12,460 sq ft facility across from Lansdowne Place. The new facility will allow them to add new programs and equipment, as well as a foam pit! An extremely valuable training tool, the foam pit contains 5,000 pieces of foam, and the club has come up with a clever fundraising idea, asking everyone to help purchase blocks of foam for $10/each. Donors will have their name displayed on a sponsor wall in the new facility. Details are at kawarthagymnastics.ca.

Ineke Turner of Turner & Pooch Dog Training is working on opening a new location at 140 Simcoe street in Downtown Peterborough. Plans for the new shop include group day classes, day training, including training the owners, with lots of future plans for a boutique pet supplies and services store. Watch for a Spring opening, but meanwhile Ineke has a fun social media game going, take a photo in front of her new store, and post it to social media and tag her in it. Bonus points if your dog is in the photo… Watch for details at ptbodogtrainer.ca.

Ineke Turner at new location

Congratulations to Sheridan Graham on being appointed the Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Clerk and Deputy Treasurer for Peterborough County. Temporarily in the role, Sheridan has earned the permanent position by bringing her wide range of skills and experience along with several positive changes. Congratulations Sheridan!

RJ Brown Insurance recently rebranded to Ontario Insurance Network. With 14 locations across Ontario, they offer a complete selection of home, auto, business and commercial, farm, and group insurance coverage. And as brokers they shop the market for you. Check it out at ontarioinsurancenetwork.com.

Pizza Kollo opened recently at 230 Charlotte Street. Offering Sri Lankan style pizza’s, along with other unique menu items, if the reviews are any indication, it’s worth checking out. You’ll find Pizza Kollo on Facebook.

Pizza Kollo

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Update On City Services As We Enter Yellow Protect Zone

With the area entering a Yellow zone, the City of Peterborough has released the following update on city services…

“With the Province announcing that the Peterborough Public Health region will shift to the Yellow - Protect designated zone in the Province’s re-opening framework, certain City of Peterborough facilities will be re-opening for limited in-person services while continuing to encourage remotely accessing services by phone and online when possible.

Please see the following list, visit online at www.peterborough.ca, or call 705-742-7777 to check on details for a specific City facility or service as operating details may vary by facility and service.

The City encourages residents to connect online through www.peterborough.ca or use phone services whenever possible to reduce the physical traffic through municipal facilities as a way to follow the public health guidance on physical distancing.

Services such as emergency services, public works, transit, social services, and wastewater treatment, have continue uninterrupted.

Strict safety measures for City services and facilities remain in place based on public health guidelines.

New decisions may be made affecting municipal services and facilities as the situation continues to evolve. For an up-to-date list of affected municipal services and facilities, please visit www.peterborough.ca/covid19. Subscribe to receive updates directly to your email inbox at www.peterborough.ca/subscribe.

Arena Division

Arena Division will re-open all facilities on Tuesday, February 16 with previously scheduled bookings, following public health measures under the revised Provincial response framework.

Arena Division Customer Service remains closed to public access. Staff continue to work remotely to accommodate as many facility rentals as possible in a timely manner. Requests can be submitted using the online request form.   

The Evinrude Banquet Hall and Kinsmen Boardroom remain closed at this time.  

New ice rental requests beyond March 31 for City Arenas will not be accepted until further notice. Additional communication on spring/summer facility availability will be provided at a later date.

Further details on safety measures in place, safety protocols and City-run programs can be found on the Arenas page of the City website www.peterborough.ca/arenas. 

Staff are available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 2577 or by email at arenadivisionbookings@peterborough.ca.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will re-open on Thursday, February 18 for by-appointment visits only. Visit www.agp.on.ca or call 705-743-9179 for details on how to book an appointment to visit the gallery and for operating hours.

Building Services

The reception area in Building Services will be available for Infrastructure and Planning Services customers with people still being encouraged to access services online or by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1892 whenever possible. Visit www.peterborough.ca/building for information, forms, and the application process.

City Hall

City Hall will re-open for in-person services starting February 22, 2021 with public health measures in place.

Starting February 22, the City Clerk’s Office will resume limited in-person services by appointment only. Contact 705-742-7777 ext. 1820 for more information.

City staff are available by phone or email. For assistance with contacting an individual staff member or department, please call 705-742-7777 or email cityptbo@peterborough.ca.

City Council

City Council will meet virtually for its meeting on February 22, 2021. The date for the return to in-person Council meetings has not yet been determined.

Community Services

Community Services, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Public Art and the Heritage Preservation Office are available by calling 705-742-7777 ext. 1822 or by email at communityservices@peterborough.ca.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives will re-open for by-appointment visits starting February 22, 2021. Book an appointment online at www.peterborough.ca/museum or by calling 705-743-5180.

Peterborough Public Library

The Library will continue with curbside pickup service until February 20, 2021, with access to the Main Branch of the Library limited to pickup services. On Feb. 23, access to the Main Branch will re-open for browsing with public health measures in place.

The DelaFosse branch remains closed at this time. Further details are available online at www.ptbolibrary.ca.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will re-open for in-person services starting February 16, 2021 with the following hours of operation:

• Monday through Friday – 6 a.m. to noon and 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Access to the fitness centre will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and fitness classes, swims and drop-in sport activities will continue through the online booking system to provide the ability to reserve spaces in advance. Members unable to access the online system are asked to contact customer services at 705-742-0050 ext. 2201during operating hours.

Fitness Classes and Drop-in Sport Activities will resume the week of February 22. 

Please visit www.peterborough.ca/PSWC for more information including information on membership payment schedules and hold requests.

Downtown Youth Space

Downtown Youth Space, taking place at 201 McDonnell St. (PACE@PCVS) will open on Thursday, February 18 and will operate Tuesday through Friday between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Special Event Requests and Sport Field Permitting

Special Event Requests and Sport Field Permitting remain closed at this time.  Requests for permits and league play for future dates can be reviewed by visiting www.peteborough.ca or by contacting Recreation Division at 705-742-0050 ext. 2201.

Provincial Offences Act Court

The court administration service counter will open for in-person service on February 22, 2021, with modified service hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Service inquiries and payments can be made by phone 705-742-7777 ext. 2099 or online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Public Operations Centre (Public Works)

The Public Operations Centre (Public Works) administration office at 791 Webber Ave. remains closed to the public. Public Works can be reached for urgent matters at 705-745-1386. This line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For non-urgent matters, you may email pubworks@peterborough.ca, or use the online "Report an Issue" form at www.peterborough.ca.

Social Services

Social Services has maintained public access to the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. throughout the Stay at Home order with reduced hours, limiting access to 2 people at a time. Starting February 22, Social Services will resume public hours for its office to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Clients are required to wear a face covering and stay in authorized areas only. Social Services client appointments will be done over the phone whenever possible. Current clients are encouraged to contact their case worker for further information and are encouraged to register for online services through MyBenefits online at https://www.mybenefits.mcss.gov.on.ca/auth/login. The local phone number is 705-748-8830 or 1-855-738-3755.

Clients who have bank accounts are encouraged to contact their case workers about signing up for direct deposit.

Applications for Ontario Works or Emergency Assistance will be done online at or over the phone, when possible, to minimize face-to-face interaction, following the public health guidance related to social distancing. Applications for other services such as Child Care fee subsidy and Housing Access Peterborough will also be completed over the phone, when possible.

Emergency shelter services continues to operate as normal, with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will continue to operate as currently scheduled. Face covering and physical distancing is required. Visit www.peterborough.ca/transit for service details.

Customer service at the terminal will remain open with only two customers permitted into the facility at a time. A face covering must be worn at all times.

Waste Management

Garbage and recycling collection will continue as normally scheduled. To protect our workers, please ensure that all personal items and personal protective equipment are properly bagged in the garbage.

The Peterborough City/County Landfill will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Face coverings and physical distancing is required.

The Recycling Depot and Household Hazardous Waste Depot on Pido Road will remain open, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. More information is online at www.peterborough.ca/waste.

Making Payments to the City

People are encouraged to make use of the numerous methods available when doing financial interactions with the City and avoid using cash.

Property taxes can be paid like any other bill through online or telephone banking using the 15-digit roll number as the account number. Cheques can be mailed to the Tax Office, City Hall, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, ON., K9H 3R9, or placed in the secure drop box located by the steps at the front doors of City Hall. The City offers preauthorized payment plans by completing an online form that’s available at www.peterborough.ca.

The City does not directly accept credit cards as a payment method for property taxes; however, people can use online bill payment services such as PaySimply, Plastiq or Paytm to pay property taxes online using a credit card. The listed payment services are not affiliates or partners of the City; they may apply service charges and there may be restrictions on the type of credit cards accepted.

For parking tickets, payments can be made online through www.peterborough.ca, over the phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865 or by cheque submitted through mail or using the drop box outside City Hall.

Please visit www.peterborough.ca/Covid19 for information and to subscribe to updates.”

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Update On Warsaw Road Swing Bridge Construction

Construction is underway and progressing well at Parks Canada’s project to replace the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge, on Parkhill Road East (between Armour Road and Television Road). Engineering inspections in recent years have indicated that this bridge is nearing the end of its useful life.

Construction work at the site includes an in-kind replacement of the bridge structure, which will bring the bridge up to a full highway load rating. The project also includes the replacement of mechanical and electrical operating systems. The Contractor has substantially completed all concrete work in the contract, including the rehabilitation of the centre pier that supports the bridge span, and re-facing of the concrete abutments and wing wall.

Preparations are underway for the start of the delivery of components for the superstructure. Parks Canada has also approved additional concrete work on the face of the abutment that is not expected to impact the overall schedule, but will improve the overall lifespan of the asset.

Vehicular use of the bridge is on-schedule to be reinstated in the spring of this year, with landscaping work to follow.  

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Donation Of $46,631 Made To Kawartha Food Share From 2020 Free Parking Periods

A total of $46,631.06 was raised for Kawartha Food Share in 2020 through the generosity of people who opted to put money into the parking machines during the 2 Hours Free Parking periods last year sponsored by HotSpot Parking.

“This donation is helping people throughout our community to put food on their tables,” says Mayor Diane Therrien. “The pandemic has forced many families to access food banks for the first time ever. We appreciate the remarkable generosity of our community for making donations despite the challenges of 2020.”

Photo of Ashlee Aiken courtesy City of Peterborough

“We are so thankful for the continued support of the City of Peterborough and the local shoppers for donating to Kawartha Food Share,” says Ashlee Aitken, general manager of Kawartha Food Share. “We know the past year has been tough for many, so seeing that community members still wanted to support our cause by feeding the meters is absolutely incredible.”

Kawartha Food Share currently assists more than 8,900 people every month through its 36 member agencies. It supports four meal programs, four city food banks, six housing projects, seven county food banks, and over 20 food cupboards across the City and County of Peterborough. Last year, the Kawartha Food Share warehouse distributed over $5 million dollars worth of food and emergency care needs.

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