Hobby Shop Welcomes Gaming Community Back For In-Store Play

Local hobby store Dueling Grounds is open again for in-store play, welcoming its tight-knit community back together after a long separation due to COVID-19.

Wayne Mittelstaedt (pictured) opened Dueling Grounds in Toronto for over a decade before moving to Peterborough. The store had its grand opening in town on July 2, 2017. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The store is located at 304 George St N Unit 200 and holds the largest selection of new and used tabletop games in Peterborough.

Since its opening in 2017, players have flocked to the store to play games such as Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game, Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and Warhammer.

When the pandemic hit, owner Wayne Mittelstaedt closed the store and quickly shifted to curbside pickup and delivery only.

“My passion has always been to create a community, bring people together and to play games. That’s why I opened the store,” said Mittelstaedt. “To lose that part of the business was really disheartening. It was a real struggle just to stay open. We were just trying to survive.”

The store has ran several charity events such as food drives and cancer fundraisers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

When restrictions lifted and he was able to reopen the store to shoppers, he was hesitant to invite gamers in for play. As someone who is immunocompromised, he was unsure how safe he felt re-opening.

“We’ve had some setbacks. We’re re-opening a lot later than a lot of other places,” he said. “ The space itself is working against us because we’re a unit inside of another so we don’t have windows we can open. We have to now rely on the AC units for airflow.”

Solomon Skuljicak (left) and Joshua Butcher (right) playing the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game at the store’s weekly tournaments. The store hosts several weekly events and tournaments for several card and tabletop games. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The store officially re-opened for in-store play on Nov. 18.

“It filled my heart with a little bit of joy that had been missing,” reflected Mittelstaedt.

Building the community is more important than the games themselves according to the hobby store owner.

“This place brings together a gaming community,” said Mittelstaedt. “I’ve had more than one person say they’ve met their significant other here, I even had one person invite me to their wedding.”

Mittelstaedt’s main goal is to create a space where anyone feels comfortable.

“I’ve always considered the community I build as a safe space for everyone,” he said. “I have a place here where anybody is welcome and they feel included, safe and supported.”

The store is now open for in-person shopping, in-person play and can be booked for gaming events in advance.

Hours for in-store shopping are Tues.–Wed. 12:00-7:00 p.m., Thurs.-Fri. 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

For event times, visit Dueling Grounds Facebook page.

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Healthy Planet Arena Open For Indoor Adult Skating

Adult skating has returned to the Healthy Planet Arena effective immediately announced by the City of Peterborough on Monday.

The Healthy Planet Arena name was officially changed from the Evinrude Centre on Aug. 1. Photo Courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Daytime skates are open to individuals aged 50 years and older and pre-registration is required.

“We’re excited to restart this popular program for adults who want to be social and stay active on the ice,” said Andrea Pade, City of Peterborough recreationist

The skates will run from Nov. 29 - Dec. 23 as follows:

• Morning skates on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Afternoon skates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except on Dec. 7, 9 and 16)

• Pre-registration is required for these skates. Skaters can pre-register online at https://cityofpeterborough.perfectmind.com or in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at 775 Brealey Dr.

• The cost is $3.50 per skate (includes HST) and passes can be purchased for each individual skate time or people may purchase a Fall Session Skate Membership for $42 for access to all skate times this session. Fall Session Skate Memberships can be purchased in person at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

All participants must show proof of full vaccination, government-issued ID and pass the COVID-19 screening questions prior to entering the facility for the skate. Each skate will be limited to a maximum of 40 participants.

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100 Men of Peterborough Donate Over $7,000 For Kawartha Wildlife Centre For Oxygen Concentrator Units

The Kawartha Wildlife Centre has two new oxygen concentrator units thanks to a donation of $7,100 from 100 Men of Peterborough announced on Monday.

The long-eared owl (pictured) is one of the smaller species found in Ontario and is not considered an uncommon sight in quieter areas in the Kawarthas. Photo Courtesy of Kawartha Wildlife Centre.

The donation was made in the fall this year and the two purchased concentrators will replace the previously broken unit. The machine is meant to aid in animal welfare when injured animals arrive for medical aid.

”Equipment like this is extremely hard to secure right now,” said by the Wildlife’s Facebook post. “When injured wildlife come in oxygen support is critical for protecting their organs and supporting their recovery.”

Kawartha Wildlife Centre is funded by community donations and cannot be given money from the government. Photo Courtesy of Kawartha Wildlife Centre.

100 Men of Peterborough selected Kawartha Wildlife Centre as one of four charities/not-for-profit/non-profit organizations as a recipient of their quarterly donations.

Each member pools their money of $100 then determines its recipients through an audition process. Three organizations are chosen at random then each member votes on who gets the donation.

If you would like to donate to the Kawartha Wildlife Centre, click here.

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Peterborough's Philanthropy Shines for Giving Tuesday to Benefit Charities

Peterborough’s philanthropy will be highlighted for “Giving Tuesday” to express gratitude, heighten donor engagement and raise funds for specific programs occurring this Tuesday.

The Peterborough and Area Fundraisers Network was founded in 1997 and with over 40 local non-profit organizations and individuals in collaboration. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough and Area Fundraisers Network.

“It’s one of the tools we’re using to highlight the need to raise funds for our Building Abilities for Life Campaign,” says Lyn Giles, Five Counties Children’s Centre’s director of development.

Money raised will help to support Five Counties’ highest priority needs that include speech and language therapy for children. The goal is $250,000.

“We’re excited to share that we have a matching gift program to help us reach our campaign goal,” said Giles. “It also offers us a chance to say a heartfelt thank you to the donors and community leaders who have supported us while we navigated the many challenges associated with COVID. We really see Giving Tuesday as a win-win.”

Developed in 2012, Giving Tuesday encourage people to do good, give, collaborate and celebrate generosity, Public Energy Performing Arts is using this Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to raise funds for a specific project, Erring at King George.

“Erring is an eight-day multi-arts festival taking place on the premises of King George Public School, a decommissioned elementary school in the Peterborough neighbourhood of Ashburnham (East City),” explains Bill Kimball, Public Energy executive director. “We’re going to do a special push this Giving Tuesday to raise funds for this project because it is particularly ambitious.”

The festival will feature site-specific visual art; sound and multimedia installations; dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary performance; workshops and community engagement activities.

Kimball has participated in Giving Tuesday for the past five years. The end of November is typically the time when the majority of donations start coming in according to Kimball.

“People have been very generous to Public Energy,” he said. “We’ve been able to continue to build momentum, keep our staff and while we had to do smaller shows more frequently to comply with COVID restrictions, we’ve kept going.”

In addition to both being local charities, Five Counties Children’s Centre and Public Energy Performing Arts are members of the Peterborough Area Fundraisers Network.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Krystalized Apothecary, Central Smith Creamery, Enniskillen General Store, Council for Disabilities and Bob Gauvreau

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…

Krystalized Apothecary is a small home-based family business located in Keene. Owner Krystal McNutt offers everything from ethically sourced crystals from all over the world, crystal skulls, jewelry and pendulums to incense, cauldrons, tapestries, cleansing supplies and more. 

Krystal runs live sales on Instagram every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. or you can shop in person by appointment only from Sat-t.-Tues. Just look for Krystalized Apothecary on Instagram.

Central Smith has a unique food drive scheduled for December. They are trying to “Fill a Truck” for the food bank, inviting local businesses and schools to partner with them to collect food until Dec. 17.

On that day, they will drive their truck to your business and pick up the food you have collected and deliver it to the food bank. They might even have Mr. Clause and one of his elves there to help! If you are interested in participating just email jenn@centralsmith.ca

Enniskillen General Store continues to grow, with a new location just opened last week in Peterborough.

The original store has been operating in the village of Enniskillen since 1840 and has already expanded into Port Perry, Bowmanville and Oshawa. The Peterborough location is in the Marsdale Plaza which is across from Beavermead Park on Ashburnham Road. Enniskillengeneralstore.com

The Council for Persons with Disabilities is hosting another Passport Clinic on December 3 from 9 - Noon in the Venture North Building. The Passport Clinic is designed to assist those within the disability community to gain access to their Enhanced Vaccine Passport with a QR Code. For details and to register visit pcpd.ca

Congratulations to Bob Gauvreau on recently joining the Forbes Coaches Council. The Forbes Council is an invitation-only organization where top executives and entrepreneurs build professional skills and gain connections and visibility on Forbes.com. For details visit gauvreaucpa.ca

 “Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Career Fair at Peterborough Square Hosted By AON

AON is hosting a Career Fair at Peterborough Square on Nov. 30 and Dec 2.

From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. both days AON will be hiring positions at five senior residences across Peterborough.

Positions include housekeeping, dining services, cooks, and nurses.

Hiring managers will be present and can interview on site.

“CERB just recently ended, we thought this might be a good time to hold one of these events, especially prior to the holidays. This is a good chance for us to put ourselves in front of candidates and allow them to meet with hiring managers and potentially be offered employment,” said Cheryl Filiatrault, AON.

AON is offering signing bonuses, competitive wages and flexible hours.

Currently all available positions require proof of vaccination.

The career fair is open to everyone. High school students planning on working in the industry in the future are encouraged to attend to ask questions.

Ice Cream Parlour Challenges Community To Fill Their Truck For Local Food Bank

One of Central Smith Creamery’s trucks will be filled with non-perishable food instead of ice cream for three weeks as they and over 20 other businesses, schools and organizations are gathering items for Kawartha Food Share beginning Friday.

Steve Paul, logistics manager (pictured) has been working for Central Smith Creamery for the past seven years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The local creamery is challenging the community to drop off any non-perishable goods to any participating location in the Peterborough and surrounding area from Nov. 26 to Dec. 17. Residents can also drop their items at Central Smith.

On the final day, the Selwyn-based business will collect the goods from each drop-off spot and deliver them to Kawartha Food Share.

The following is a list of participating businesses:

• Modern Makers Market

• Hanoi House

• Taso’s

• SOS Save Our Soles

• Apollo Grill

• The Pizza Factory

• Two Dishes Cookshop

• Jesse’s Tap & Grill

• Kawartha Buttertart Factory

• Great Canadian RV

• Flossophy

• Ennismore Eagles

• Applewood Retirement Residence

• Nateure’s Plate

• Chemong Public School

• Women’s Business Network of Peterborough

• McWilliams Moving & Storage Ltd.

• Hi Ho Silver

• Kia Peterborough

• Full Tilt Cycle

• Dan Joyce Clothing

• Sullivan Law

• Publican House Brewery

• Style Boutique

• Holiday Inn

• Lakefield Herald

• Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

Some businesses may not be able to hold and store the donated items and can ask for monetary donations instead.

Peppermint Bark is one of the featured ice cream flavours for Central Smith during the holiday season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The food drive is a part of an annual community event the creamery runs during the holiday season.

“We always do something every year for Christmas time,” said Jillian Scates, Central Smith project manager. “We did a toy drive the year before. We thought this year we would do something for the community, challenge other businesses to get involved and donate during the holiday season.”

The following are the non-perishable food items that are being requested:

• Cereal

• Beans and Legumes

• Peanut Butter

• Rice Pasta Granola Bars

• Canned Vegetables

• Canned Fruit

• Soup

• Pasta Sauce

• Chili

• Children's Snacks

• Stews Oats

• Canned Meats

• Condiments

• Spices

• Broth / Stock

• Cooking Oil

• Juices

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The Boro Opens Holiday Hub Downtown To Spread The Christmas Magic

A new festive pit stop for holiday shoppers has opened downtown Peterborough, to brighten the streetscape along George Street between Simcoe and Hunter.

Elves will wrap gifts at the Holiday hub every Friday. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Located in the former Pensieri Shoe store at 373 George St., the pop-up Holiday Hub will provide complimentary gift-wrapping services for all downtown shoppers.

With two ‘elves’ on scene, any shopper with a gift purchased downtown (receipt required) can get that gift wrapped every Friday from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. until Dec. 17.

The new hub will also host a local toy drive in support of the Salvation Army and The Children’s Foundation. Visitors are also invited to take a selfie with the Grinch of George Street, painted by local artist Tim Wales and colour a picture of their own.

“We wanted placemake this space and turn it into a space where people could gather and enjoy all the magic that is the holidays, while getting some perks for shopping downtown,” said Hillary Flood, Peterborough DBIA. “We also will be turning it into a holiday market where you can enjoy a slew of local art vendors that will be happening on December 11 and 18.”

Initially, the Holiday Hub was initialized by The Boro as a ‘placemaking’ initiative to help animate a section of George Street that was under construction.

While the construction wrapped up sooner than anticipated the Holiday Hub will still act as a place to enjoy the holiday season.

“The idea behind it all is that when you have closed store fronts it can make the downtown feel kind of drab. So this is the first model of a positive intervention where we take over a store front for whatever reason and turn it into something that people want to gather in.”

The space being used for the Holiday Hub was donated to The Boro by Gentry Apparel, who own the building.

The Holiday hub will be open Fridays 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday Dec 11 and 18 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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Adopt a Grandparent Campaign To Bring Christmas Cheer To Rubidge Retirement Residence

Michelle Allen, who’s grandparents live at Rubidge Retirement Residence, is hosting an ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ campaign with her young daughters in hopes to bring the Christmas spirit to residents.

Michelle Allen’s Grandfather Carmelo Grixti. Photo courtesy of Allen.

Allen’s grandparents moved from their home in Toronto to Rubidge Retirement Residence last year to be closer to their daughter that lives in Buckhorn.

“I was there not too long ago and just seeing my grandparents changed completely just made me feel like they need a little bit extra this year,” said Allen. “They were taken from their house that they raised their entire family in, and now they’re in a tiny little room, they don’t go anywhere. Those people did everything for me when I was growing up and now seeing them - it’s hard.”

In hopes to make the holidays feel a bit more comfortable, Allen, her daughters and her daughters classes are making cards and gift bags for residents.

With one donation of $25 supporters will ‘adopt’ a grandparent. With that donation each grandparent will receive a top-of-the-line bottle of foot/hand lotion, a pair of cozy socks, and personalized Christmas card.

Photo courtesy of Allen.

Allan is aiming to have all 142 residents and staff ’adopted’ by the first week of December so her and her daughters have enough time to wrap each gift and hand deliver them.

“It’s instilling in my daughters that the season isn’t about ‘what’s Santa bringing me’ it’s about giving to others and getting joy from that.”

To donate, reach out to Michelle at 647-989-0147 or at mallen88@live.com with any questions, or with an e-transfer.

Anyone that donated will be entered in a draw to win a gift basket.

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