Country Rock Band Blue Rodeo Makes Return to Peterborough Memorial Centre

Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo is returning to the stage at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) for a concert for Dec. 27 announced on Monday.

The show date is exactly two years since their last performance at the PMC. Image courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.

In 2019 before they walked off the stage after performing in front of a near-capacity crowd for more than two hours, Greg Keelor, singer of Blue Rodeo, announced to the fans, “We’ll see you next year Peterborough.”

“This annual holiday Blue Rodeo show has become a highlight in our event calendar, for obvious reasons we weren’t able to do the show last year but we are so excited to be in a position to be welcoming the guys back for another unforgettable December night in 2021,” said Jeremy Giles, PMC Facility Manager.

Since forming 30 years ago, Blue Rodeo has sold over 4 million albums, won countless Juno awards, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, been named to the Order of Canada and have been honoured with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

"Blue Rodeo is truly one of Canada's great treasures, our community has formed such a special bond with this band, Blue Rodeo’s sound and energy is like a warm familiar blanket that can keep us all warm and comfortable on a cold December night after a hard couple of years,” said Giles. “This will be our third time having Jim Cuddy at the venue in the last 15 months and he just continues to amaze us with his talent and storytelling, we encourage fans to buy their tickets early. This is one show you will not want to miss.”

Tickets are on sale Friday in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office inside the PMC, by phone at 705-743-3561 and online at www.memorialcentre.ca. The exclusive pre-sale for PMC Scoop members happens Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

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Federal Candidate Interview: NDP Candidate Joy Lachica

Angela O’Grady speaks with New Democratic Party federal candidate Joy Lachica for the upcoming election. We answer community-submitted questions surrounding her stance on climate change, vaccine passports, the housing crisis and small businesses.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cottage Toys, Living Local Marketplace, Custom Lit Designs and World Alzheimer's Month

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… 

Congratulations to Donna and Andrew Rork of Cottage Toys as they have started the construction of their new retail location at the corner of Queen and Concession Streets in Lakefield.

Donna, who started the business more than 30 years ago, says the new building will provide the space they need, more parking and high visibility for their watersport equipment like kayaks and paddle boards, as well as their multiple clothing and swimwear lines.

Four Points Construction has been awarded the building project and is working towards a May 2022 opening.

Living Local Marketplace will be opening a storefront in Peterborough this month. Owner Alicia Doris has secured space at 1179 Chemong Rd., across from Portage Place, to add another dimension to her business.

Living Local provides gift boxes featuring artwork, bath and body, food and drink, and lifestyle products from artisans and small businesses in Peterborough & The Kawarthas.

You can subscribe to a seasonal box, build your own, and now stop into the shop. Watch for news on the opening soon at livinglocalbox.com or on social media.

Bennet Foster is setting up a manufacturing facility for his company Custom Lit Designs. Located at 2085 Whittington Dr., Unit 7B, the company utilizes a large variety of LED products and control systems to add dramatic elements to onyx stone.

They can retrofit an existing application or help you design something from scratch. There is an open house this Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. where you can tour the facility, view the samples and meet the maker. Just look for Custom Lit Designs on Eventbrite or check out customlitdesigns.com

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and Doctor Jenny Ingram is encouraging everyone to raise awareness by painting social media purple.

Pull out your purple pants, dresses, shirts, cowboy hats, pansies, whatever is at hand and put together a purple post, encouraging everyone to donate to the Alzheimer Society.

Dr. Ingram is the founder and medical director of the Kawartha Centre and a recognized expert in Redefining Healthy Aging.

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Peterborough's Pathway to Fame Adds Eight New Names In Induction Ceremony

Eight names are immortalized into The Pathway of Fame after an induction ceremony of the 2021 class at the Nexicom Studio at Showplace on Saturday.

The private event hosted no more than 50 people due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Photo Courtesy of The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District.

The eight inductees were nominated for their contributions to the community in various areas. Their names will be engraved on stone markers at Del Crary Park’s Pathway of Fame. The class of 2020 was also recognized during the ceremony.

The private event is typically open to the public however due to COVID-19 restrictions, spacing was limited to 50 people.

The first Pathway of Fame names were placed back in 1998. Photo Courtesy of The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District.

David Goyette (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Selflessly donating his time and resources to a variety of community organizations and causes, remains at the heart of Goyette’s existence. His skills as a musician, artist, painter and writer serve to augment a life that has contributed much to the local landscape.

Graham Hart (Media)

As the decades-long ‘face’ of CHEX Television prior to his retirement, Hart achieved a broadcast legacy in this community without equal. His selfless community service to countless organizations as an active board member, event host and ambassador has brought him countless honours and accolades.

Brian MacDonald (Dramatic Arts)

MacDonald’s unbridled passion for theatre has brought him numerous acting roles and directorial opportunities – but his co-founding and chairmanship of Arts For Awareness has exemplified his belief in the power of The Arts as a vehicle for raising awareness of social issues.

Dr. Ramesh Makhija (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Chemist Makhija’s research into environmental challenges has earned him local, as well as national distinction and has led to a number of related initiatives, Peterborough’s blue box collection program among them. But he has always made time to give back.

John Mariasine (Media)

As the warm, and inclusive morning voice of 1420 CKPT radio for 20 years, Mariasine’s stellar broadcast career served as an inroad to his involvement with a variety of local initiatives and causes, together with his unwavering commitment to his audience and to his community.

Megan Murphy (Cultural/Community Betterment)

Blessed with a spark and quick wit that endears her instantly to others, Murphy’s talents as an actress, filmmaker, musician and radio personality are surpassed only by a giving nature that has benefitted a number of community causes.  Megan joins her late father, Marty Murphy, a lawyer and respected community Samaritan, who was inducted to The Pathway in 2014.

 Paul Rellinger (Cultural/Community Betterment)

From camping out on the roof of The Brick to raising funds for Habitat For Humanity, helping an adult learner attain reading skills to emceeing a benefit for someone in need, Rellinger’s inability to say ‘No’ guarantees he is rarely seen on the sidelines.  

David Sutherland (Community Builder)

As the founding president of Sir Sandford Fleming College, the late Sutherland’s nurturing of the College’s connections with the community it serves laid the groundwork for the future, including Fleming’s ongoing association with Trent University.  

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1997 to honour community citizens and individuals in the Arts and Humanities.

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PTBOCanada Makes East City Their New Home With a Studio

It is home sweet home for PTBOCanada as they officially opened their new studio space and office in East City on Friday.

(left to right) David Bui (Editor), Kirtus Evoy (Owner), Angela O’Grady (Journalist) in PTBOCanadas new studio space. Photo by Pete Dalliday.

PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy says the location is perfect for the new studio and is grateful to Ashburnham Realty for providing him with the space.

“We are super excited to bring a modern spin to local media and are looking forward to bringing a new dynamic of digital marketing and journalism to the area,” he said.

The Hunter Street building will provide office space for the journalists as well as a studio to host guests for interviews.

“I think this studio is going to open up a world of opportunities for PTBOCanada,” said David Bui, PTBOCanada editor. “ With the studio in East City, we’re going to be right in the heart of the city and really be integrated as part of the community.”

Love the new @Ptbo_Canada digs in East City. Their team is moving in there this week. Congrats to owner/publisher @EvoyKirtus & Editor @DavidTuanBui44 (pictured). pic.twitter.com/qm9N34OU9I

— Neil Morton (@neilmorton) September 7, 2021

The studio is decorated with a giant mural that celebrates Peterborough’s timeline by local artist Jason Wilkins of Art of Wilkins.

The paintings timeline features the Peterborough Petes, Centennial Fountain, the Lift Lock, Trent University, Fleming College, The Quaker Factory and The Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park.

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YMCA Requires COVID Vaccinations for Staff and Visitors

The YMCA will require all staff, visitors and members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access their grounds and facilities in a press release announced on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The centre is following the Government of Ontario recommendations and will take effect on Sept. 22.

The mandate includes Employment Services clients at the Balsillie Family Branch where full vaccinations (two doses plus 14 days) and proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access are required.

The organization’s goal is to safely serve communities in program settings that meet and in some cases exceed public-health requirements for infection, prevention and control as stated in the release.

The YMCA is implementing a Mandatory Vaccine Policy for all Staff and Volunteers.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have continuously put safety first, going above and beyond what has been recommended,” said David Allen, President & CEO, YMCA of Central East Ontario.

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World Suicide Prevention Day Creates Hope Through Action

The Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge (CMHAHKPR) and The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention is hosting an online vigil to honour World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday.

(left to right) Janet McCue, her great-niece Maddy, Kelly Curtis, Deb Sandeman and Maryam Monsef (Peterborough-Kawartha MP) at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The theme of this year’s service is creating hope through action.

CMHAHKPR promoted the event at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday.

Curve Lake resident Janet McCue performed a welcoming song called ‘All Directions’ and was joined by her great-niece Maddy.

McCue performs a welcoming song at The Silver Bean Café on Thursday with her great niece Maddy. Photo courtesy of Angela O’Grady.

CMHAHKPR hopes that World Suicide Prevention Day will lessen the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health and encourage people to seek help if they need it.

“Ideally we want to reduce the number of suicides and reduce the stigma around suicides,” said Deb Sandeman, Suicide Prevention Program CMHAHKPR member. “We hope that people realize there is support out there, there is specific programs aimed at improving mental health and reducing suicides.”

CMHAHKPR member Kelly Curtis says World Suicide Prevention Day is aimed at getting people more comfortable with talking about suicide.

“Being there for people and being able to say ‘are you ok’ is so important,” said Curtis. “Understanding how to reach resources is something we really want to promote.”

In lieu of an in-person candlelit vigil, this year’s participants are invited to light a candle in their window at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.

To register for the online vigil, click here.

For more information on mental health resources in Peterborough and the surrounding area, click here.

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Foodie Friday: Sam's Place Deli On the Idea of the Restaurant and the In-House Food

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We talk with Sam's Place Deli manager Shae Doucet about Sam Sayer's story of creating the deli, the vast array of decorations and all the in-house made food.

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Hometown PTBO: Lakers Alumni Jamie Batley Discusses Peterborough Lacrosse-Rich History and Upcoming Open Golf Tournament

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with former National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse coach and Lakers Alumni President Jamie Batley on the rich lacrosse history in the area and their upcoming golf tournament.

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Monarch Ultra Relay Run Inspires Pollinator Protection and Raises Funds for Camp Kawartha

The Monarch Ultra Relay Run kicks off on a 21-day running adventure, raising awareness and funds in support of monarch butterflies and Camp Kawartha in Peterborough on Sept. 19.

Carlotta James and Clay Williams running in Mexico during the 2019 Monarch Ultra Relay Run. Photo Courtesy of Rodney Fuentes.

A launch party is planned in Peterborough at 8:00 a.m. at the DePave Paradise garden, located at the southern end of Water Street. The public is encouraged to join for the send-off celebration which includes a monarch butterfly release, milkweed seed giveaway and an opportunity to meet the Monarch Ultra Team.

The relay run, originally planned to follow the monarch migration from Canada to Mexico as it did in 2019, has been shortened to a 1,800-kilometer run across southern Ontario with COVID-19 protocols in place to keep participants and supporters safe.

From Peterborough, the runners head southwest to Toronto, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catherine's and Niagara Falls, before looping back around towards London, Cambridge and Kitchener. It will end in Barrie on Oct. 9. Each morning, two ultra runners will begin a 50-kilometer leg at 8:00 a.m. and finish around 2:00 p.m., depending on their pace. Another two runners will pick up exactly where the first two left off and run a 30-kilometre leg.

“Not only will this be one of Canada's longest relay runs, it will also be an opportunity to connect communities across Ontario on an inspiring journey of hope and resilience that combines ultra-running and environmental conservation,” said Carlotta James, project co-founder.

The team hopes to meet many Canadians who are also passionate about protecting the earth along the route and already have several popups planned to highlight communities involved in conservation actions such as native plant habitats and nectar gardens for pollinators.

This year’s run is raising funds for Camp Kawartha, a non-profit organization that offers nature education programming for youth. Almost $5,000 has been raised for the camp through the Monarch Ultra’s fundraising campaign with a goal of reaching $10,000.

The Monarch Ultra team invites people to come out and cheer on the runners along the way, as well as to dress up in costumes and make signs for the runners who are running extremely long distances in support of monarch butterflies. The relay run takes place along the Trans Canada Trail and Waterfront Trail. The full route can be viewed here.

The team will also be sharing stories on their 21-day journey through their social media sites, follow the Monarch Ultra on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit their website to learn more.

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