Peterborough Animal Care Centre Retail Area Named Jade’s Pet Boutique’ In New Partnership With Can-Pet

As construction nears its final stages for the Peterborough Animal Care Centre (PACC), its retail area will be named Can-Pet has become a new partner ‘Jade’s Pet Boutique’ in an new partnership announced Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Humane Society.

The boutique is named after Jade, Nick Nicoloff’s late dog, who is the principle and vice president of Can-Pet Inc. Jade served as the ‘President and CEO’ and Can-Pet ambassador who came into work every day for 17 years.

“When I saw the stories on the news of the shelters across the country facing record surrender numbers and capacity levels and need for resources, I knew we needed to step in and help however we could,” said Nicoloff.

Jade also served as a therapy dog at long-term care homes with her mom Cindy. Nicoloff and the Can-Pet team look to honour her and all the amazing animals in our lives at this boutique.

Construction at PACC is expected to be completed in late fall with the Humane Society moving in by year’s end.

The Peterborough Humane Society is currently fundraising for the capital campaign, with multiple naming opportunities available. Those interested in becoming part of Our Pet Project can visit www.ourpetproject.ca.

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Construction Set To Begin For Morrow Park Community Centre

Construction crews are expected to begin preparations for a $65.5M community centre with an arena, aquatic complex and library at Morrow Park within the next two weeks.

Photo courtesy of Connect Peterborough.

The first phase of the project outlines two 500-seat pads, an elevating running/walking track, landscaping, public washrooms and storage, team change rooms and two multipurpose rooms.

The complex will include an aquatic centre with an eight-lane pool and warm-up therapy pool once all phases are completed.

A 5,000-square-foot Peterborough Public Library branch will replace the permanently closed DelaFosse library branch on Park Street South.

The twin-pad arena will replace the Northcrest Arena, which was torn down due to structural issues last year.

Construction is set to be completed by the fall of 2024.

"Our new community centre is a much-needed project anticipated by many community members with multiple uses included for all ages,” said Coun. Lesley Parnell, arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee chair. “A major silver lining is (an) addition of a new library branch to replace the outdated DelaFosse building. All conveniently located as a hub for local citizens and sports tourism.”

In a July meeting, Peterborough City Council approved Morrow Park at Lansdowne Street and Park Street as the location for the complex.

A pre-planned reconstruction of a section of Lansdowne Street West running next to Morrow Park is being timed to align with the construction of this new community centre.

Site preparation is said to take six to eight weeks.

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Downtown Peterborough Gets New Real Estate Office in Grand Opening

Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage has found a new home in downtown Peterborough as they had the grand opening of its new office on Thursday.

Managing partners Keith Monahan (left) and Traci Tempany (middle) of Forest Hill Real Estate Inc. Brokerage with Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (right). The office took five months of construction before the grand opening. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The brokerage is fronted by Keith Monahan, Forest Hill sales representative and his wife Traci Tempany, broker. The property was purchased back in May and underwent renovations leading to its opening.

“Tracy is so detailed-oriented. I got to be honest, it drove me nuts because she would be fussy to what I would consider it the simpler of details," explained Monahan. "But then when I see those details come to fruition, I go, 'wow.’”

The brokerage serves Toronto, Oakville, the Muskokas and Peterborough area. Monahan was born and raised in Peterborough and is eager to service his hometown.

“A client is not a client, it's an opportunity to be a friend down the road,” he explained. “When we work with people, it's for life. As corny as that sounds, that's truly how it works. To be able to work with people that we've known and grew up with, it means so much more than just running up and down Bay Street in Toronto.”

Monahan has been a broker since 2006 working with Tempany since then.

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Peterborough Lakers' Shawn Evans Signs With NLL's Vancouver Warriors to a One-Year Deal

Eight-time Mann Cup champion and Peterborough’s Shawn Evans has been signed by National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Vancouver Warriors to a one-year agreement on Wednesday.

Evans is an eight-time Mann Cup champion, winning the title in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2017-19 and 2022. He is one of three lacrosse players in history to win two Minto Cups back to back (2006 and 2007) with two different Junior teams. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers.

Evans was traded from the Rochester Knighthawks to the Halifax Thunderbirds on Mar. 9. He signed with Vancouver as a free agent.

“I’m extremely excited to join the Vancouver Warriors,” remarked Evans. “I believe this team is heading in the right direction and I’m hoping to be a part of bringing a winning culture to this organization.

Evans is fresh off his eighth Mann Cup Championship with the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, defeating the Langley Thunder in seven games. He also became the Mann Cup all-time leading scorer during that series with 207 points.

In the NLL, Evans has won league MVP twice and ranks in the top 10 in goals scored (457 - 10th), assists (838- fifth) and points (1295 - sixth).  Evans is a four-time first-team NLL All-Star and helped Rochester win the NLL Championship in 2007.

“Shawn is a highly intelligent and skilled lacrosse player,” said Troy Cordingley, Warriors head coach. “His competition level is through the roof and for Shawn, losing is not an option.  Shawn will battle for every inch that he can get and will not back down from anyone.  He leads by example.”

“To sign a player of Shawn Evans’ calibre is a big step for this organization,” said Dan Richardson, Warriors general manager. “He wins at every level and will have an immediate impact on our team.”

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Upcoming Construction Closures Planned on Jackson Creek Trail and Trans Canada Trail For Upgrades

The revitalization of Jackson Creek Trail and Trans Canada Trail is closing from Oct. 11 to Dec. 16 for revitalization and construction announced by Otonabee Conservation on Thursday.

File Photo.

Upgrades extend from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township in the west to the concrete bridge at the entrance to Jackson Park.

The trail may reopen earlier should the work be completed sooner according to Otonobee Conservation.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Construction includes addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges, resurfacing of the length of the trail and the addition of benches and educational signage.

During the closure, detours will be in place that will direct trail users to alternate routes using local roads, sidewalks, and multi-use trails that extend from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township, to Parkhill Road West, and Monaghan Road in the City of Peterborough.

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Peterborough Petes Introduces New Marketing Department For Upcoming Season

New faces have hit the Peterborough Petes marketing team where two were hired internally into new roles and the other two as returning employees for the 2022-23 season.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The following are the four employees who have stepped into the marketing roles:

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Adam King (director, marketing) - King joined the Petes Business Operations team in December last year as coordinator, game operations & major events.

In July, he began the role of director of marketing with the Petes. King previously worked for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment as a game presentation coordinator and worked with Toronto FC, Argonauts, Maple Leafs and the Marlies. A Brock University graduate, he did his undergraduate and Master’s degree in Sport Management.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Jordan Downer (coordinator, game operations and major events) - Downer originally joined the Petes in 2013 as a volunteer and has held multiple part-time roles with the team including game night host and DJ.

He was named the coordinator of game operations and major events at the start of the 2022-23 season.  His responsibilities are managing all aspects of a game night from a fan’s perspective, such as in-seat and on-ice activities, game night music and visual video board content.  Born and raised in Peterborough, Downer still resides in the city with his dog Dax.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Morgan Blaind (coordinator, marketing and community engagement) - Blaind joined the Petes as an intern last year. She soon transitioned into a part-time role after graduating from the Sport Management program at Durham College before getting hired full-time in November last year as the coordinator of administration and community engagement.

After demonstrating knowledge and interest in marketing, she made the transition to the coordinator of marketing and community engagement in August.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Connor Massie (coordinator, communication) - Massie rejoins the Petes as coordinator, communication. He handles the Petes social media, public relations and graphic design.

Massie originally joined the Petes in January 2020 as the game operations intern, then moved into a marketing role. He then worked as manager, game operations & community events for the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL before returning to the Petes in August.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Massie attended Lakefield College School and holds an advanced diploma in Sports Management from Durham College.

The Petes are also welcoming five new Marketing & Communication Interns for the upcoming term. A full list of the Petes Business Operations team can be found here.

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Lang Pioneer Village's Applefest Is Back This October

Learn how settlers preserved fall’s harvest and prepared for winter at the Lang Pioneer Village Museum’s Applefest on Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village Museum.

Applefest attendees can view a variety of historic demonstrations throughout the village including spinning, rug hooking with the Northumberland Rug Hookers Guild, natural dyeing, chair caning, flour grinding at the Lang Grist Mill, cider pressing at the Cider Mill and more and an antique clock and timepiece display brought by the Quinte Timekeepers.

Live, traditional music will be performed by Lotus & Luke on the Weaver Shop Porch, the Cheryl Casselman Trio at the Agricultural Barn and Rob Cory in the Hotel Bar Room. In the morning, the Horse Barn will have a threshing demonstration.

Children can pick up a scavenger hunt upon arrival and try to spot as many items as they can throughout the village. The South Lake School has old-fashioned school yard games and apple-themed crafts.

The Ayotte Cabin will feature historic reenactors the 41st Battalion of Brockville Rifles, 1st Company, who will be performing drills and demonstrating military marching.

For the Applefest snacks, the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building will be selling chilli and buns and many favourites including Ben’s Kettle Corn and Empire Cheese will also be for sale.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior (60+), $7 for youth age 5-14 and children under 5 are free.

Those interested can purchase tickets here.

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Truck Pull Fundraiser For World Alzheimer's Day Brings Community Together At Peterborough Airport

The sixth annual ‘Pulling for Dementia Fire Truck Pull’ tested teamwork and strength while raising money for World Alzheimer’s Day at the Peterborough Airport on Wednesday.

Minds and Motion team celebrating their successful truck pull at the sixth annual event. Photo by Felicia Massey.

The event challenged teams to beat each other’s times by pulling the 44,000-pound firetruck the fastest while community and family members watched on and supported the cause.

AON, Trent Varsity and Minds in Motion were among the teams competing at this year’s event which took place on World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21.

“We’re hoping to raise awareness in the community about Alzheimer’s and Dementia and helping our clients live normal, everyday lives,” said Jennifer Watson who pulled with Minds in Motion. “They can do everything just as much as everyone else.”

All proceeds from the Alzheimer’s Society’s Pulling for Dementia Fire Truck Pull support the programs and services of the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.

The truck pull hasn’t been held since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. That event was deemed a success after raising $40,000.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

“I am supporting all of the wonderful people that my husband and I have met through Minds in Motion before he passed away a year ago,” said truck-puller Diane Knight. “We made wonderful friends and did lots of socializing, it was just nice to all be together. I think it’s the best thing to ever happen.”

“I did it three years ago with my husband and I wanted to come back today and be a part of it,” she said.

Honorary chair of the event Reverend Ken Fast ensured the teams of 10-12 (10 for men, 12 for women and mixed) were ready to pull before they began.

Rev. Fast holds several Guinness World Records and was dubbed the “world’s strongest priest.” He has pulled several fire trucks, a house and a 188.83-tonne Globemaster III plane.

The Trent Varsity rugby and rowing girls getting ready to prove there strength. Photo by Felicia Massey.

“We just wanted to come together and help out, do what we can to raise some money,” said Mobi Tarride, Trent Varsity team member. “Show off our muscles and support the people we can, of course.”

The Trent Varsity rowing and rugby girls finished with a pulling time of 21.17 seconds while the Minds in Motion team finished in 21.53.

The Alzheimer’s Society has raised just under $8,000 of their $30,000 goal through the fundraiser thus far.

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Local Man Raises Over $2,100 With Haircut Towards Cancer Research

It may be the most rewarding haircut for Justin Armitage as he raised over $2,100 in support of Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care on Tuesday afternoon.

Armitage is a former coworker and a longtime friend of Couture Candy PTBO owner Lisa Couture. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money is going towards Couture Candy PTBO’s fundraiser campaign with a goal of $10,000 (which has already been reached).

Armitage raised money as a tribute to a friend he lost to cancer roughly a decade ago.

“It was a hard thing to deal with,” he said. “This is just a great way to make me keep his memory alive and makes me feel like I'm contributing to something.”

@ptbo_canada Justin Armitage raised over $2,100 to help @couturecandyptbo and their $10,000 fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation for Cancer Care! #ptbo #ptbocanada #cancer #haircut #fundraiser #fundraise #hair #couture #candy #cancerresearch ♬ Whatta Man (feat. En Vogue) - Salt 'N' Pepa

Armitage began his haircut by getting his ponytail cut off in front of Couture Candy PTBO. The rest was completed at men’s clothing store, barber, bar and café Providence.

He reached out to friends, family and other potential donors roughly a week and a half prior to the haircut.

“I'm sure my family and friends are tired of hearing from me over the last few days so there were a lot of texts and phone calls,” laughed Armitage. “But a lot of it was social media and run through that with peers, friends and whoever wanted to contribute.”

He plans to donate the ponytail to Locks of Love to help children suffering from medical hair loss by making a hairpiece from it.

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United Way Aids Over 48,000 People Last Season; Launches Final Leg of Three-Year Campaign to Raise $5 Million

As United Way Peterborough & District kicks off the final season of its three-year fundraiser of $5 million, they reported 48,914 people aided in 2021-22 during a campaign launch at the Healthy Planet Arena on Wednesday.

Over 200 people attended the United Way’s campaign launch that was forced to go virtual the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The charity invested $1,819,022 into the community, supporting 230 local programs and initiatives during that stretch.

"Whether the reach of someone that gives a dollar a week or the reach is someone that gives us $10,000 once a year, that people really impact individual lives with their donations so that's really powerful and humbling quite frankly and encouraging," said Jim Russell, United Way CEO.

The campaign began in 2020. United Way’s goal was to raise $5 million in three years. Russell would not disclose how much money has been raised so far when asked until the campaign closes due to determining to budget and discussing the allocation of the funds.

Campaigns included supplying menstrual hygiene products and personal care kits, stuffing and distributing backpacks, providing warm clothing for the winter season and more.

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