Witchy Ways Hosts Women at Once in a Blue Moon Full Moon Circle

Witchy Ways Peterborough hosted a community of women for a full moon circle last night under the Sturgeon moon. Visitors were invited to tap into Grandmother Moons energy in a safe, authentic space, free of judgement.

Women in attendance were gifted a few crystals as well as flowers from River Bend Bouquets. Photo courtesy of Angela O’Grady

Witchy Ways was founded by Nicole Turco in January 2020 and Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe joined shortly after. Together they encourage individuals to claim their joy, use their gifts and own a life created by themselves.

The focus of Witchy Ways is crystals, healing, moon cycles, ceremonies and rituals, knowledge exchange, empowerment and reconnection with one’s self.

Written on Witchy Ways Instagram is “The word ‘witch’ was a way to demonize women in their power. There is no warts, flying on brooms or devil worship. Just a woman/man who heal with knowledge and wisdom.”

“One of the hardest things to know is that we are in control of our lives,” said Shaughnessy-Rowe.

Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe and Nicole Turco. Photo by Mary Zita Payne Photography.

A moon circle is hosted for women to honour and celebrate the different cycles of the moon, says Shaughnessy-Rowe. A new moon is a time to set intentions for the month ahead and a full moon is when one makes room for those upcoming intentions by releasing any feeling or practices that may be draining one’s energy.

“The moon is a feminine energy and as women our bodies are controlled by the moon, we have cycles,” she said. “That’s the idea behind the moon circle is, it’s all women and it’s a beautiful, safe space to work on yourself.”

The Full Moon Circle started with a tarot reading and introductions by Shaughnessy-Rowe and horoscopes written by her sister, Brooke Shaughnessy. Shelly Hope led the group in mediation before women were asked to write down anything they want to release.

While all of the women in attendance were there for different reasons and coming from different backgrounds, many found that they had written similar words. Lack of confidence, body shaming, fear of failure and the need to forgive ones self were among common themes shared.

“A lot of people feel uncomfortable being vulnerable, and you will be vulnerable but you’re also going to be supported by the women around you,” said Shaughnessy-Rowe before the event.

In small groups, women discussed what they had written and then burned with whispers of ‘and so it is’ around the circle.

To end the night each woman said thank you. Some said a simple thank you to Witchy Ways for hosting the event, and some thanking everyone in attendance for their acceptance and for making a space unlike any they had ever been a part of.

For updates on the next moon circle and re-caps of past moon circles visit Witchy Ways Instagram.

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Changes for Peterborough Transit Routes Taking Effect in September

Peterborough Transit is making adjustments to some route schedules to reflect a return to more regular ridership and traffic conditions announced Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Transit.

The changes will take effect starting Sept. 5.

Schedules and maps with the adjustments are posted at peterborough.ca/transit. Customers are encouraged to check timetables. The Google Maps trip planner is also available.

Most regular routes will operate on at least a 30-minute frequency on weekdays. Late-night service on routes 5 and 6 resume. A new route, Route 11 – Water, has been included to provide direct service between the downtown terminal and Trent University.

New Route: Route 11 – Water

This is a frequent weekday-only service with two variants, primarily operating on Water and George Streets. Both routes will serve all designated bus stops on route.

Route 11 will provide direct service between Trent University and the Peterborough Terminal.

Route 11A will provide direct service between Trent University and Traill College.

Route 2 – Chemong

This route has been changed and will no longer operate across the top of the city to Trent University. This route will focus on the shopping corridor and now terminate in the new Broadway Boulevard subdivision in the north end. Please refer to Route 6 for service on Hilliard St and Cumberland Avenue.

This service has been improved to operate at a 20-minute frequency from 12:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., seven days a week. It will continue to operate at a 30-minute frequency at other times of the day.

Route 4 – Weller

This route is adjusted in the west end to extend service to the Chandler Crescent area replacing the Trans-Cab connection. From Weller Street, the adjusted route will operate in a counter-clockwise direction using Fair Avenue, Ravenwood Drive, Parkhill Road, Brealey Drive, Glenforest Boulevard and Fair Avenue and back to Weller Street. These trips will no longer operate on Ireland Drive Some bus stop locations will change on Fair Avenue and Glenforest Boulevard to the other side of the road.

Route 5 – The Parkway

Route 5 The Parkway will resume 30-minute frequency on midday trips.

Late night Route 5A service resumes.

Route 6 – Sherbrooke

This route is adjusted in the north end, with trips operating on Hilliard Street and Cumberland Avenue to replace the Route 2 Chemong change. These trips will continue to serve Trent University. These trips will no longer operate on Marina Boulevard.

Late night route 6 and 6C service resumes.

Route 7 – Lansdowne

Southbound trips will operate approximately five minutes earlier to improve reliability at key transfer locations. Some early morning eastbound trips were also adjusted to operate five minutes earlier.

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Applications Open For City of Peterborough Youth Council

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Peterborough Youth Council 2021-2022 term. Young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Peterborough Youth Council.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.

The Youth Council ten-month term runs from September to June.

This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Youth are invited to visit the City’s website to learn more and complete an application. The application deadline is September 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm.

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Relief Services Being Made Available During Peterborough Heat Alert

One Roof Community Center is extending its hours of service due to temperatures reaching over 31 C in the Peterborough area.

Photo Courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The change is going from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

The centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One Roof Community Centre, which provides services on behalf of the City and County of Peterborough, is located at 99 Brock St. For full description of meals and other services that One Roof provides, please visit their website at www.oneroofptbo.ca.

Outdoor water bottle filling stations are available at City facilities in the following locations:

• Beavermead Park, 2011 Ashburnham Dr.

• Eastgate Park, 2150 Ashburnham Dr.

• Peterborough Marina, 92 George St. N.

People are also able to refill water bottles at the Peterborough Public Library on Aylmer Street on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For information about how to stay safe in extreme heat visit the Government of Canada website.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families (705-748-3851), 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission Men’s Shelter (705-748-4766), 217 Murray St.

• Cameron House Women’s Shelter (705-748-4766), 738 Chemong Rd.

If shelters are full, people will be directed to the Overflow Shelter.

Emergency after-hours services related to the emergency shelter are available through Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. Please visit the Social Services website for information regarding the After Hours program.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Love Your Sole Foot Care, Taylor Reach Group, Y Lofts and Peterborough Chamber

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

Jessica Harley has been a registered practical nurse for seven years and after getting additional certification in advanced and diabetic foot care, recently launched her own mobile foot care business.

Love Your Sole Foot Care will provide in-home foot care service anywhere in Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. For a variety of advanced foot care services, you’ll find Love Your Sole Foot Care on Facebook or Instagram or call 705-768-6633.

The Taylor Reach Group specializes in call center, contact center and the customer experience. Owner Colin Taylor and his team of industry veterans offer a strategic assessment or audit, technology acquisition, interim management, a customer experience snapshot and more. If you want to up your customer call or contact game, check out thetaylorreachgroup.com.

Atria is now booking suites in their Y Lofts building at the corner of George and Murray. Atria has a long history of this type of development and they’ve done an amazing job of retaining many of the key architectural features of the former YMCA building while creating a stylish new space for their condo-style rental suites.

Amenities include a large courtyard, a gym, a party or event space, a rooftop patio, five EV charging stations, bike lockers and more. Check it out at y-lofts.com.

Congratulations to the finalists for the annual Peterborough Chamber Business Excellence Awards and the Kawartha Chamber annual Awards of Excellence.

The Chambers asked the community to rally behind our businesses this year and both received a record number of entries. The Peterborough Chambers virtual event will be held on Oct. 20. Details are at peterboroughchamber.ca The Kawartha Chamber event goes on Oct. 28 with details to follow at kawarthachamber.ca.

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Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club Paddles On From Government Grant

After the last day of a canoe program, the Peterborough Canoe and Kayak Club (PCKC) received a $15,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) on Friday.

The PCKC was established in July 2017. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Club members and city officials gathered at Johnson Park to watch young paddlers in fun races at Little Lake just off Beavermead Park. The final day was a showcase of the skills learned by the young paddlers as well as a recognition ceremony for the grant funding.

The club has seen a huge growth in numbers this year since 2020 where COVID-19 made it difficult for them to run its events.

“The year before, we've had 50 paddlers,” said Jim Stewart, PCKC commodore.” This year, we've had 150 plus padders plus another 30 in masters, paracanoeing and in learn-to-paddle programs.”

Most PCKC boats are racing boats that are expensive and unstable which are not rented out to the public. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The grant was used to help with staffing costs, buying new fencing, a rescue boat motor, installing new storage capabilities and a sanitizing station.

MPP Dave Smith presented the check at the presentation ceremony on OTF’s behalf. He said the PCKC fit the bill perfectly for the grant.

“It was about doing something for volunteers with a not-for-profit organization that provided an opportunity for youth,” he said. “It really was perfectly designed what Trillium was designed for.”

The OTF has nearly invested $112 million into 1,384 community projects and partnerships. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Both Smith and Stewart agree that these programs that promote physical activity are beneficial for kids on several different levels.

“It's good for their physical health but the key is that it's good for their mental health,” said Smith. “They learn an activity they can do their entire life and they have fun doing it which is one of the best things that come out of it.”

“People are very pleased to be in the open air in the water,” reflected Stewart. “A sport that provides them with new friends, a learning experience and a chance to gain self-respect for being on the water.”

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Local Woman Spreads Kindness With Free Flowers

Peterborough’s Ashley Webster is spreading kindness throughout her neighbourhood by leaving free flowers and chalk messages in the south end.

Photo Courtesy of Ashley Webster.

Webster says that sometimes when she cuts the flowers she grows in her garden, she will set some at the end of her driveway in case anyone wants them.

“A neighbour actually came one day to check with me, she saw someone taking them and thought they were stealing,” she said. “I said ‘No, no that’s what they’re there for’.”

Gardening helps Webster handle her OCD. She has been struggling a lot lately because of all of the negativity in the news and gardening is a way to help combat that she says.

One of Websters gardens. Photo courtesy of Ashley Webster

While working in the Mayor’s office, Webster often receives complaints from concerned community members.

“My goal is reminding people that it’s not all bad, this is a really good place to live,” she said.

She hopes that this idea catches on and that other gardeners participate. According to Webster gardeners often have to cut back their flowers this time of year and thinks that this is a great option to get rid of excess.

“I think this is a nice way for people to focus on something positive,” she said.

Webster hopes that this initiative becomes something similar to the sign wars Peterborough participated in earlier this year.

“I felt the sign wars gave everyone a boost when they needed a bit of humour,” she said. “I’ve been sensing that a lot of people are struggling right now. I don’t what it is but I feel like maybe it’s needed right now.”

Webster invites anyone interested in participating to leave flowers outside for someone who may need them or to leave a chalk message to brighten someone’s day.

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Peterborough Petes and OHL Expand Vaccination Policy To All Attendees

All Ontario Hockey League (OHL) attendees including fans, staff and media are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and follow any other safety protocols in any team’s arena announced by the league on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The league has expanded its current vaccination policy which originally applied to OHL community members. It will take effect on Oct. 7, 2021, for all OHL functions including all Peterborough Petes events such as team practices and games.

Children under 12 will require supervision from a fully vaccinated adult and will be required to follow all safety protocols.

The Petes host Sudbury Wolves, featuring first overall draft pick Quentin Musty for their home opener on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7:05 p.m.

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Flying Colours Joins Leading International Association IADA

Flying Colours Corporation, the international maintenance, repair and overhaul business has become a verified Products and Services member of IADA, the International Aircraft Dealers Association.

Photo courtesy of Flying Colours Corp.

Joining the prestigious association bolsters the Canada-headquartered business strategy of supporting aircraft owners, operators and brokers throughout the transaction and ownership process.

“The ability to strengthen existing relationships, forge new ones with like-minded professionals, and meet new customers informed our decision to take up membership,” said Kevin Kliethermes, Director of Sales for Flying Colours Corp. “We have already begun to work with a number of new companies as a result. We are also looking forward to participating in the great events that IADA plans, contributing educational materials to the website and of course maximizing the full range of opportunities presented by IADA membership.”

The company also supports a growing number of aircraft transactions by sourcing aircraft, conducting pre-buy inspections, and subsequently completing technical modifications and refurbishment work as needed.

The streamlined acquisition process increases efficiencies and reduces aircraft downtime enabling owners to begin optimizing the new asset as soon as possible.

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Foodie Friday: Addison Brown of Dr. J's On Becoming a Pitmaster and How All the Food is Made From Scratch

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This week on Foodie Friday, we speak with Addison Brown, owner of Dr. J's BBQ & Brews on how he became a pitmaster and how all the food is made from scratch.

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