Peterborough Blogs
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Rosin Up Their Bows For A Celtic Family Christmas At The Peterborough Memorial Centre
/Natalie MacMaster And Donnell Leahy, joined by their children, will hit the stage at the Peterborough memorial Centre for A Celtic Family Christmas on Friday.
Last year their annual Christmas show was aired online due to COVID-19.
The two say this will be their first time performing in-person together in about two years.
“It doesn’t feel right when you’re not doing what it feels like you’ve been called to do,” said MacMaster. “It doesn’t feel right not to do something you’ve done for decades. It’s like a little part of you dies a little bit, it’s dormant. So when it happens again your really feel rejuvenated. I feel like God gave me my wings back ,like I can fly again. I didn’t know how much I missed it.”
Friday nights show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature some traditional and original music with the family, as well as special numbers with their own incredible band and personal stories and candid moments from the MacMaster/Leahy setting.
“People have asked us all our lives ‘what’s it like at your place at Christmas time?’, said Leahy. “You know what it is - it’s a crazy place. There’s kids and food and music and stories - but you try to take that to the stage to be honest and bring the energy.”
Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase online, over the phone at 705-743-3561 Monday to Friday from 9:30a.m to 5 p.m., or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. The box office is open to the public Wednesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Anything can happen and everything does happen and you go with it and it’s honest and natural and who we are. There will be a lot more than just music I’m sure.”
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Hospice Peterborough Becomes Accredited Through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario And Achieves Near Perfect Score
/Hospice Peterborough is now officially accredited through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) with a near-perfect score of 98.67 per cent.
Hospice Peterborough staff pose for a photo with HPCO accreditors who toured the building in Fall 2021 as part of the rigorous accreditation process. Photo courtesy of Hospice Peterborough.
The 98.67 per cent score offers a ‘stamp of approval’ signifying to clients, health professionals, community members and funders that it meets the highest standards for the delivery of consistent, quality service and care and is committed to continual learning and improvement.
“It is with much pride that I sincerely thank our incredible team of staff, board members and volunteers who have all worked so hard – on top of day-to-day duties – to make our dream of accreditation a reality,” said Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős. “We have demonstrated to healthcare peers that we consistently deliver outstanding care to the community with professionalism and compassion.”
The process involved a vigorous and comprehensive 18-month review of the residence, community programs, services and professional standards including everything from fiscal responsibility to resident safety to professional development for staff. Out of 134 hospice sites across the province, 35 currently hold HPCO accreditation.
Past executive director Linda Sunderland started the accreditation process, before the new building and residence were built on London Street, to ensure all operations were in line with industry standards and best practices.
The process also reviewed aspects such as governance, quality assurance, client care, fundraising and volunteer management. HPCO reviewed, for example, how Hospice Peterborough develops care plans for residents as well as emergency-response plans, volunteer safety and whether the organization is publicly transparent with fundraised dollars.
“Best practices are always evolving and we will never stop looking to learn and improve as an organization and a team,” said Hős.
Accreditation requires ongoing compliance, with regular interim reports, and must be renewed every three years.
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Santa's Sleigh Program Distributes Over 850 Gifts To Kids and Families For the Holidays
/After 11 days of getting the community to grant kids’ Christmas wishes, the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation’s (KHCF) Santa’s Sleigh program has given over 850 gifts announced on Monday.
During last year’s campaign, the program ran under different conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and could not do their traditional sleigh drive. Photo By David Tuan Bui.
The foundation collected gift cards, money and toys for children, youth and families. The campaign collected wishlist cards from kids, placed them on a tree in Walmart (Chemong location) and had the community shop for the items to be donated.
“I am overwhelmed with the generosity, and thankful for the support the community has shown for the Santa’s Sleigh program this year” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. “So many individuals, workplaces and community groups came together to make sure every name on our tree was picked, and everyone will have a special gift to open this holiday season.”
The campaign ran from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6 and has run for the past 32 years.
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The Reklaws, Jade Eagleson and Nate Haller Hit The Memorial Centre With Winters A Beach Tour
/The Reklaws, joined by Jade Eagleson and Nate Haller will resume their ‘Winters a Beach’ tour, playing at the Peterborough memorial Centre on Feb. 25, 2022.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough Memorial Centre.
“It’s been a crazy two years - as everyone knows - and we couldn't be more excited to get back out and do what we love the most - throw big parties with our fans,” said Jenna Walker about heading back on the road in the New Year for the Winter’s A Beach tour. “We know country music fans are hungry for live music and a good time and we can’t wait to have one of those time-of-your-life moments with them again across the country on this tour! We’re also so blessed to be able to do it with two of our very talented friends - Jade Eagleson and Nate Haller.”
2021 has been a record-setting year for The Reklaws, kicking off with a JUNO nomination for Group of The Year — the only country act nominated in the category — and a career record of six 2021 CCMA Award nominations, the most of any artist, across categories including Entertainer of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year (x2) and Interactive Artist(s) of the Year.
Eagleson has been making quite the mark since his record-breaking debut album.
Monday’s announcement follows the release of his sophomore album and the inspiration behind his tour set, Honkytonk Revival, on Nov. 12. Saturated with the sounds of old-school instruments like dobro, steel guitars and fiddles, Honkytonk Revival basks in all the glory of a true honkytonk and highlights the booming vocals Eagleson is celebrated for. Eagleson will take the stage to play the new music live for the first time alongside his full 7 piece band.
New to the country music scene, Nate Haller’s debut single “Lightning In A Bottle,” landed him his first Top 10 at Canadian Country Radio and his new single, "Somewhere To Drink" featuring The Reklaws and Brett Kissel, is currently climbing the charts.
Tickets are on sale beginning Friday, in-person at the Grant Thornton Box Office, by phone at 705-743-3561, and online at www.memorialcentre.ca.
The exclusive pre-sale for PMC Scoop members takes place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to Thursday at 10 p.m.. Tickets are $40 - $60 per ticket. All ticket prices are subject to applicable taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Treblecock Studios, Heather Bradley, New Canadians Centre and Shaun Milne Signs
/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…
When David Joyce started Treblecock Studios a couple of years ago, he thought he would be recording a few local solo artists.
Indeed, he has but his “little studio with the big strut” has not only expanded in size but dramatically expanded in services. Treblecock now offers music recording; mastering and distribution; podcast recording and distribution; voiceovers; audio recording and editing for film, instrument and songwriting lessons; artist development and a new interview-style marketing product called The Underground Advocate.
David and his new business partner Sarah Jayne Riley are also very generous with lending space to the local arts community. Located at 159 King St., check it out at Treblecock.ca
If you are a fan of collective nouns like a prickle of porcupines or a mischief of mice, you will love Heather Bradley’s new picture book When We All Get Together.
From A Sleuth of Black Bears to a colony of beavers, Heather builds her story until… Well, let us just say that it ends in a collective noun… You can buy “When We All Get Together” online at Friesenpress.com or at Kent Books in Lindsay.
Shaun Milne Signs in Ennismore recently announced the acquisition of Kawartha Embroidery.
Milne welcomes Holly to the business which adds custom embroidery and printed apparel for businesses, schools, teams, groups and individuals to his already busy business. Milne and his team offer illuminated signs, vehicle advertising, banners, decals, large scale laminating, digital prints and lots more. Located at 650 Young St., just across the Causeway in Ennismore, visit shaunmilnesigns.ca
With finding employees surfacing as one of the most difficult problems for local businesses, the New Canadians Centre has put together an information session designed to close your workplace gap with International Students.
Scheduled for Jan. 20, the one-hour online session promises to outline how you can hire international students, ensure successful immigrant integration and keep valuable talent in Peterborough. nccpeterborough.ca
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YMCA Launches First Ever Online 50/50 Draw This Month
/With the cancellation of special events and in-person fundraisers, the YMCA of Central East Ontario is launching an online 50/50 draw.
Stock Photo
All funds raised stay local and support the YMCA Strong Communities Campaign, focused on raising much needed resources to improve and enrich the lives of thousands of children, adults, seniors and families.
Tickets are available online at ymcaceo5050.ca with the Early Bird $500 Prize draw taking place on Thursday and final draw on Dec. 30.
Tickets start at just $10 for 10, $20 for 40 and for the best value $50 for 200.
Money raised will go towards:
• Helping a child learn to swim
• Helping a teen to learn to lead and feel success
• Enabling a family to use a trusted, quality child care
• Helping an adult feel a sense of belonging
• Providing low-income individuals access to health and wellness programs
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Jordan Haynes Becomes First Peterborough Man To Win Canadian Premier League Soccer Championship
/History was made as Peterborough’s Jordan Haynes became the first Peterborough soccer player to capture a Canadian Premier League title on Sunday.
Jordan Haynes was the surprise guest during the Electric City Football Club’s Season ticket launch party on Tuesday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Haynes earned his first title in his second season with the club. He started as the left back in the 1-0 Pacific FC win over the defending-champion Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.
"Two years ago, I never would have expected to be in a position to even be playing for a title in a professional league in Canada in my second season with them (Pacific FC),” said Haynes. “The emotions that were running through my head during the game, after the game, and even now are still surreal."
The win was a measure of revenge for Pacific FC since Forge FC defeated them in each of their three regular-season matchups 3-0, 2-1 and 2-1 respectively.
"Everyone was counting us out,” explained Haynes. “Pacific has never beaten Forge historically so we said let's win when it matters and obviously this is the most important one we've had against them ever. If anything, that just fueled our fire more. We believed in ourselves, that's all that matters. When it happens like that and you come on top, it's just even more sweet."
Pacific FC became the third seed for the playoffs with a 13-9-6 record. They advanced to the finals after a 2-1 over Cavalry FC-2.
Haynes signed with the Pacific FC in October last year.
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Fleming College Pre-Service Firefighting Instructor Brings Home Medals in World Firefighter Combat Challenge Championships
/Shawna Coulter, a local Port Hope resident, instructor at Fleming College and a member of the Whitby Professional Firefighters Association Local 2036, has returned from the World Firefighter Combat Challenge Championships with three medals (a Bronze and two Silvers).
Photo by Danielle Graham.
The Firefighter Combat Challenge is a sport designed to put firefighting fitness skills to the ultimate test, taxing physical and mental strength against the clock wearing 50lbs of firefighting gear.
The World Championships were hosted November 2-6 in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Coulter qualified for the World Championships by medaling in three divisions in a regional qualifier in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in September.
Men and women compete on the same course, complete the same tasks, all wearing the same firefighter gear replicating the real world demands of firefighting for all genders.
“The tasks we work through on the course don’t change. It doesn’t matter your age, gender or size - it’s all the same,” said Coulter. ”That represents the demand of firefighting - whether you are male or female you are still required to complete the same tasks on the job.”
The competition is comprised of six elements including carrying weighted hose packs up a 5 storey tower, an 175lb mannequin rescue, forcible entry and more.
“It allows you to prepare, and allows you that strong belief that no matter what you encounter on the job you can handle that.”
Photo courtesy of FirefighterCombatChallenge.
Coulter notes that because of her small stature, during the challenge she was carrying almost double her weight.
“I top in at around 135 lbs, so for me to complete the course I have to make sure I have to make sure that I keep my fitness training to a certain intensity,” she said. “One of the most grueling parts of the course happens at the very end, it includes dragging a 175-pound dummy 100 feet backwards. So for me once you include the 50-pound gear plus the 175-pound dummy I’m basically picking up and dragging twice my weight. “
Coulter says completing the last part of the course is a clear indicator to herself that if she ever needed to she could drag a crew member or a resident, no matter their size, out of a fire while on the job.
Prior to competing this year, training looked different than it did in other years.
“The last few years have been a challenge in terms of being able to train for that level of competition,” said Coulter. “Particularly not having consistent competitions to be able to attend, it’s definitely a challenge after two years to pursue that.”
Coulter and her team were able to train at Wild Water and Wheels, which she says played a huge role in their success.
“I was very fortunate to have an amazing group of fire fighters to train with. That has made a world of difference - whether or not those firefighters were competing this year they still came out and trained with me and helped me prepare - it’s very much a team effort.”
Photo by Rick Stephens.
Coulter has been competing in the sport since 2016 and is a member of the only all-female team competing under a branch the International Association of Firefighters in North America.
“The first time I ever competed I didn’t complete the course, but that’s a good thing because it teaches you not just about positive goal setting but to look at something that’s very difficult that might be intimidating and teaches you to break it into sizable tasks.”
In 2022 the women’s team aims to have three women stepping onto the Canadian course and who are also aiming for the 2022 World Firefighter Combat Challenge in Salt Lake City, Utah in October.
She notes that the sport encourages her to set and reach new goals in both competing and in her work.
“The great thing about the sport is realistically even though you’re ranked against a list of others, you’re really competing against yourself,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if you finish first or last, or even if you don’t finish the course. It’s about improving yourself, because that’s going to apply to your career and your life in general.”
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Flood Watch Issued For Peterborough And Surrounding Areas
/Otonabee Conservation issued a flood watch on Friday for all bodies of water in the Otonabee Region watershed.
File Photo.
