Ontario Invests $274,560 In Peterborough County Townships Through Municipal Modernization Program

The third intake of the Ontario Municipal Modernization Program will include the Townships of North Kawartha, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and Trent Lakes.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The County of Peterborough, in partnership with its member municipalities, will receive investments for two projects.

The first project is a Joint Municipal Services Modernization Review. In partnership with the Townships of North Kawartha, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and Trent Lakes, the County of Peterborough will purchase and implement new planning/land development cloud based software, which will enable planning customers to track their applications and status online and provide better levels of customer service.

This will enable the County to financially track work, make better data informed decisions and provide higher levels of customer response. It is estimated this will save the participating municipalities in excess of $500,000 in cost avoidance and cost reduction.

The second project is a Master Facilities Review. The County with participation from all 8 lower tier Townships will undergo a master facilities review. This review will look at each township’s current and future needs and locations and identify any opportunities for shared facilities/locations in the future. It is anticipated there will be cost savings identified and leveraged with this review.

The program’s third intake is providing over $28 million to help 322 small and rural municipalities find better and more efficient ways to deliver local services for residents and businesses.

“This investment will save the county and the lower-tier townships hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, with more areas to generate savings through a master facilities review,” MPP Dave Smith said. “The County of Peterborough, and the townships, will drive efficiencies and modernize the way local government operates in order to better serve ratepayers in our region,” MPP Dave Smith said.

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Norwood Fair Will Return In 2022 After Two Years Of Cancellations

After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19 The Norwood Fair will return Oct. 8 - 10.

Photos courtesy of Norwood Fair Comittee.

The beloved annual event that celebrated it’s 150th anniversary in 2018 was forced to take a pause for the first time since World War Two when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

In a post on their website organizers note that planning is already well under way for the return of the fair.

The Norwood Fair offers the community friendly competition, a place to gather and a traditional fall fair weekend.

The website highlights evens like antique tractor pulls, animal exhibits, horse and pony events, an antique car show, craft and crop exhibits and so much more.

2022 Fair books, that outline guidelines for entering produce, livestock, homecraft or other projects into competitions have not yet been finalized. The 2019 Prize Book and School Prize Book can be viewed on the Norwood Fair website until more recent ones are available.

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Peterborough Police Investigating After More Reports Of Grandparent Scam Cost Senior $12,000

Peterborough Police are investigating after learning of more grandparent scam incidents.

On Tuesday officers were made aware of an incident where a 75-year-old victim was asked for $12,000. Money was exchanged at their residence on March 11.

The suspect was described to police as:

• Black male

• Stocky

• Wearing a black hoody and black pants

On the evening of March 11, officers were made aware of the incident after the scammers called back and requested another $10,000 from the 87-year-old victim. The day before the victim had received a call that their grandson was in custody and $10,000 was required for his release. The victim attended two banks to get the money. A person attended the victim’s home, and the money was handed over.

The suspect was described to police as:

• Black male

• Wearing a grey hoody and a black mask

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.

Peterborough Police ask those with friends or family that may be susceptible to a scam to share the following information with them:

How the Grandparent Scam Works

• The suspect calls the victim pretending to be a law enforcement officer, friend or the grandchild

• The suspect seems to know basic information but not necessarily specifics

• The suspect indicates the grandchild is in trouble or needs money

• The suspect tells you how much money is needed and that someone will pick it up at their residence

• The suspects demand the victim does not tell anyone about the phone and help create stories for the victim to use if asked why the money is needed

• The suspect will often call back asking for more money

What to do if you receive a call:

• Do not provide any personal information

• Do not hand any money over

• Remember police will never go to your door to ask for money nor would they ask money to be given to a courier

• Stay calm even if the suspect is pressuring and indicating this is an urgent matter

• If you are concerned it’s a scam call police or a person you trust

• Report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

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2022 Ontario 55+ Summer Games Is Looking For Volunteers

A call for volunteers is open for individuals who would like to support the 2022 Ontario 55+ Summer Games that is being held in the Peterborough area this summer.

File photo.

Positions are open in areas like security, medical, registration and food services to name a few.

The Ontario 55+ Summer Games which will be held throughout the Peterborough area from August 9-11.

The event is expected to draw up to 1,400 participants from across the province. The Games include 19 diverse events ranging from bid euchre, contract bridge and cribbage, to cycling, lawn bowling, golf, pickleball, slo-pitch, swimming, and tennis. The venues for the events will be located throughout the City and County.

Historically, the Ontario 55+ Summer Games generate about $2 million in positive economic impact for the host community. The Province of Ontario is also supporting the Games with a $235,000 investment. While the Games are held during the busy summer tourism season, events take place mid-week encouraging participants to come early and stay later, generating additional revenue for local business, attractions, and accommodation providers.

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The Peterborough Singers Pay Tribute To Those Affected By The War In Ukraine

The Peterborough Singers paid tribute to those affected by the war in Ukraine by learning and singing their national anthem after rehearsal on March 8.

“The Ukraine situation is ripping us all to pieces. What is to be done? Donate to the Red Cross? Buy sunflowers from East City Flower Shop? Join a protest march? Words fail us. But for a choir, in times of tragedy and sadness, there is the option of singing. So, we did,” said Music Director Syd Birrell.

While formally known as the ‘State Anthem of Ukraine’, it also goes by its native title ‘Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy’, which translates into English as ‘Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished’.

A translation of Ukraines national anthem scrolls the bottom of the screen as the choir sings.

“The glory and freedom of Ukraine has not yet perished
Luck will still smile on us brother-Ukrainians.
Our enemies will die, as the dew does in the sunshine,
and we, too, brothers, we'll live happily in our land.

We’ll not spare either our souls or bodies to get freedom
and we’ll prove that we brothers are of Kozak kin.”

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Peterborough Theatre Guild Presents Annie At Showplace Performance Centre In April

After more than two years without a curtain rising the Peterborough Theatre Guild will present ‘Annie’ at Showplace Performance Centre, in April.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Theatre Guild.

“The pandemic has had such an indelible impact on, not just one or two, but nearly three lost seasons of the arts in Peterborough. Not only does this have an inexplicable effect on our theatrical venues, creators, and players in an artistic season, it has left us with absence from what is a wellspring to the soul - that is, the stage, and experiencing it together,” Peterborough Theatre Guild wrote in a press release.

The show will run April 29, 30 at 7 p.m. Matinee, May 1 at 2 p.m. May 4, 5, 6, 7 at 7 p.m. Matinee, May 7 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available by emailing boxoffice@showplace.org or phone (705)742-7469.

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Downtown Restaurant Adds A Side of Drag Queens to Sunday Brunch

Peterborough’s newest restaurant, “The EL[P]” added some glitz and glamour to their weekend service as they hosted two sold-out drag brunch events on Sunday.

The EL [P] had its grand opening on March 2. The da Silvas also rented the former Olde Stone property but unknown to what it will be. Photo by Luke Best.

The event, “Hot As EL,” had an all-ages 11 a.m. show followed by an adults-only version at 1 p.m. Both were hosted by Just Janis and featured three additional drag queens, Banshee Waylon, Sahira Q and Betty Baker.

“We had worked with Betty Baker over in Cobourg and we had three drag brunches there already and it’s always been phenomenal,” said Greg da Silva, The EL [P] co-owner. ”It’s just great energy and we really appreciate it. When Janice reached out to us and asked us if we want to do it, we’re ‘like yeah, of course, we’re down.’”

The drag queens paraded around the venue during the sold-out shows, lip-syncing and dancing to songs. Guests enjoyed their meal and offered up cash tips to the performers. The closing performance was a group number to the song “Time Warp” that had the audience dancing beside the drag queens. 

“I have to say they’re kind of the leaders of doing safe shows throughout the pandemic and it’s just so much fun,” says Shawna Blackwood, who brought her mother with her to see the show. ”You come here and there’s just pure joy.”

Drag performances were on-and-off during the pandemic as Peterborough’s queens often cancelled their shows. Performers found it challenging to lip-sync with a mask and preferred not to cover their makeup after spending hours on it.

The EL [P] is located downtown on 378 George St. N., Hot Belly Mama’s former location. Owned by wife and husband Amanda and Greg da Silva, The EL [P] is a sister restaurant of their other location in Cobourg, called “The El.”

“We’re new to Peterborough and the community has seemed to embrace us,” said Greg. We’ve been open for just over 10 days and it’s going great!”

Peterborough has had successful drag shows with a sold-out show at the Gordon Best Theatre last weekend with Icesis Couture — Canada’s Drag Race’s second-season winner — in attendance. PTBO Live Summer Concert Series hosted its first drag show at the Peterborough Memorial Centre parking lot on July 24 last year. 

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Douro Community Centre In The Running For Kraft Hockeyville Arena Renovation

The Douro Community Centre has thrown it’s hat in the ring for the Kraft Hockeyville competition in hopes to win a $250,000 arena upgrade and an NHL game hosted in the community.

Three Douro teams won the OMHA Finals in 2016. Photo courtesy of Kerri Riel.

“Knowing the limited resources that we may have because of COVID, we’re hoping to add to our operational budget and we’ll be able to see some renos,” said Kerri Riel, Douro Minor Hockey Association (DMHA) Secretary.

The cooling plant at the community centre located in Warsaw failed, which means the entire Douro Dukes Hockey Association, 19 teams, is operating out of one arena and four dressing rooms.

She notes that the alternative dressing rooms that are often used for girls playing on mostly boys teams, are in closets.

“It’s not adequate. Right now we’re just not able to provide equitable and inclusive spaces for everyone, and we need to for all Douro Dukes.”

“We have very competitive teams,” she said. “For the last five years we have sent teams to the All Ontario Finals. You look back to 2016 - three of our teams won the OMHA Finals. That was a big deal, almost unprecedented in Ontario.”

Riel says the DMHA hopes that players will want to play in Douro, rather than go play in communities that have more modern arenas.

“We’re the Dukes and we’re proud to be. It was a big deal to be a Duke. Everybody around us has had these updates to their arenas and we just haven’t been able to manage that yet.”

The Kraft Hockeyville competition begins with the ‘Nominate and Rally’ phase, where community members take actions like sharing on social media and submitting photos’ on the Hockeyville site to earn points.

The winning community centre will receive $250,000 in renovations and the opportunity to host a pre-season NHL game in their community.

“We have a long, deep history and a love for hockey,” said Riel. “The opportunity to offer to the whole community a Pre-Season NHL game? That would be the icing on the cake. We could offer thanks for the dedication and support from our volunteers and community.”

The Nominate and Rally phase will end on April 3, after which arena’s will be judged by a panel. The top four will be announced on April 23 and voting will open. One winner will be announced on May 7.

Riel invites anyone with a memory from The Douro Community Centre to add a story, photo or video to the Hockeyville nomination page. Likes and shares on social media will also help the community centre to proceed to the next round.

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Mason McTavish Returns To Peterborough After Trade To Take On the Petes

Former Petes forward Mason McTavish is returning to Peterborough but in a different uniform as the Hamilton Bulldogs come to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

Defenseman Owen Power and Matty Berniers were taken first and second by the Buffalo Sabers and Seattle Kraken respectively before McTavish (right) was drafted third overall. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes trades traded McTavish to the Bulldogs on Jan. 9 ahead of the trade deadline in exchange for Alex Pharand, Jonathan Melee and six draft picks.

McTavish was drafted third overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He scored his first NHL goal on his first shot, becoming the youngest player to score in franchise history at 18 years and 256 days of age.

The Carp, Ont. native signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks on Aug. 13.

McTavish became the first Pete to be selected third overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Zach Bogosian (2006-08) in 2008.

The top-ranked Bulldogs in the East Division are looking to continue their 11-game winning streak with a win against the Petes who are 6-2-2 in their last ten games. The Bulldogs have won the last three of four meetings against the Petes this season.

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North Kawartha Receives $750,000 In Modernization Program For Efficiency Upgrades

North Kawartha received $747,975 for efficiency upgrades as part of their third and final intake of the Ontario Municipal Modernization Program announced Monday.

Carolyn Amyotte, North Kawartha mayor (pictured) was first elected to North Kawartha Council in 2003 and has served four consecutive terms as the Ward 2 Councillor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Projects receiving the funding are for renovations to health care infrastructure, software upgrades, security installations, service delivery and organizational reviews. Small townships typically are not reviewed for technological upgrades according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Together, we have been able to identify and oversee more than 32 projects on behalf of the ratepayers of North Kawartha,” said MPP Dave Smith. “For a small community like North Kawartha, these projects worth over $747,000 mean real, tangible savings and better, more efficient services.”

With improved technological equipment, residents and anyone doing business in North Kawartha can save a trip of driving to the township by doing everything online such as paying property taxes according to Smith.

With modern upgrades for North Kawartha, the township will aid in providing better service to tourism which has taken a hit in past years due to COVID.

“That is the lifeblood of our community,” said Carolyn Amyotte, North Kawartha mayor. “We’re better able to serve the residents, we also serve visitors as well too. If we‘re modernizing things like our website, all of our online processes for people to come here, stay here and enjoy North Kawartha.”

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