Kirkfield Lift Lock Repairs Contracted; Projected Completion For This Year's Navigation Season

Parks Canada has awarded a contract for the Kirkfield Lift Lock to undergo repairs since suffering a mechanical failure on Sept. 2 that resulted in its closure for the rest of 2022.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is located a few kilometres north of the Village of Kirkfield. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

The Lift Lock is scheduled to be fully operational by the beginning of this year’s navigation season according to Parks Canada.

The scope of work will include: 

• Repairs to the structural, mechanical and electrical components.

• System improvements to increase safety controls and access improvements to critical system components.

• Backup system improvements to minimize impacts on future maintenance activities.

The Kirkfield Lift Lock is the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 ft). The Kirkfield lock is at the highest point along the waterway at 256.20 m (840.5 ft.) above sea level.

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Pig's Ear Tavern To Be Reopened This Summer With New Owners

After being closed since 2017, the historic and iconic Pig’s Ear Tavern is scheduled to reopen this summer by Trent alumni Ashley Holmes and Steve Robertson.

The Pig’s Ear operated for 152 years and oped in 1865 as the St. Maurice Saloon. Photo courtesy of Trent University Alumni Association.

According to the official Pig’s Ear website, the tavern is opening this summer.

Robertson and Holmes with two other investors/friends received keys to the property on Friday according to the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA).

The Pig’s Ear Tavern closed on April 22, 2017 as owners John and Lylie Punter sold the building following their retirement. The couple has endorsed the revival of the tavern as stated in the TUAA publication.

The famed tavern first opened its doors as the St. Maurice Saloon two years before Confederation. It was renowned as a popular University hangout, a local music hub and hosting trademark weekly events. It included Karaoinke, Pingo, open mic and trivia nights.

“The loss of The Pig’s Ear was more than losing a bar,” said Steve. “To so many people, it was a part of their fondest memories. Dating back over 150 years, the city also lost a piece of history. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back this long-cherished establishment, where people can once again meet to talk, laugh, sing and form new memories over a tray of beer!” 

The pair want to offer experiences of the pub prior to the pandemic in Trent and Peterborough. 

“The timing for re-opening the Pig’s Ear feels right,” explained Ashley. “Who knows if the bar would have been able to survive the last three years. Taking trays to go might not have worked out. It’s really exciting that we get to be a part of its history.” 

More to come this week.

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Special Weather Statement in Effect for Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes; Significant Snowfall Expected

A special weather statement has been issued for Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes areas as Environment Canada calls for 10 to 15 centimetres of snow on Wednesday.

File photo.

The special weather statement released Jan. 23 at 12:17 a.m. is in effect for Apsley, Woodview, Lindsay, Peterborough City and Lakefield, calling for significant snowfall late Wednesday and into Thursday.

Environment Canada warns that rapid snow accumulation could lead to reduced visibility, making driving more difficult. Snow accumulation certain municipalities may reach up to 20 centimetres.

To keep up with monitors and alerts through Environment Canada, visit the website.

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Peterborough Century Lakers Draft Two Defenseman and Transition In 2023 MSL Draft

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers drafted Matt Wright, Caleb Commandant and Tyler Grandel during the 2023 Major Series Lacrosse draft held on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics.

Peterborough held three picks during the six-round draft; a first, fourth and fifth-round pick. The Lakers protected graduating Jr. A Lakers Carter Page, Tyler Hendrycks, Nick Webb and Owen Hiltz prior to the draft.

Wright was their first-round pick, third overall from the Mimico Mountaineers. The 6’1, 210 lb. right-handed defenceman from Oakville is an immediate fit for the team according to Paul Day, Lakers general manager.

“We are very excited to draft Wright,” said Day. “We feel he has a great motor and is someone that can play and make an impact right away. We need righty defencemen and he is big and fast.”

Wright is in his fourth year at the University of North Carolina. He recently won a silver medal with Team Canada at the U21 World Championships in Limerick and was on Team Canada for the inaugural World Lacrosse Super Sixes event in 2021.

The Lakers’ next pick in the fourth round was lefty transition player Commandant, drafted 21st overall. The 5’9 and 170 lbs., is an Oakville Buzz Jr. A/Guelph Regals Jr. B graduate. He is in his third year at RIT as a long-stick midfielder.

Lindsay native and Jr. A Lakers righty defenceman Grandel was the fifth-round and final pick at 27th overall for Peterborough. Standing at 6’0 and 165 lbs, Grandel was a call-up for the Sr. Lakers in a game versus Cobourg last season. He was a primary face-off man for the Jr. A Lakers.

Grandel previously won the Meredith Cup with the Jr. C Lakers and is playing for the Oshawa Outlaws of the Arena Lacrosse League.

Jr. A Laker grad Holden Lowes was selected by Cobourg in the fourth round, 13th overall while Mimico’s Justin Sykes was taken first overall by Cobourg.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Ewyn Weight Loss Studios, Ashburnham Realty, Bob Gauvreau and Reframe Film Festival

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…

Ewyn Weight Loss Studios, a national franchise with 50 locations, opened their Peterborough location last week.

Owner Tiffany, along with her team of Emma, Donna Lynn, and Alyssa utilizes the Ewyn system of dietary plans, one-on-one health coaching and dietary supplements to help their clients lose weight and be healthy. Located at 1434 Chemong Rd., just North of the Hyundai/Subaru dealership, stop in or check them out at Ewyn Weight Loss Studios Peterborough on Facebook.

Ashburnham Realty has two exciting projects coming online this year.

The first phase of The Railyard is located on Hunter Street in East City, across from Ashburnham Ale House and will feature 40 residential and 2 Commercial units. There will eventually be three buildings in the development. The Sawmill is also getting ready for tenants. Located at 191 Rink Street the project has been supported with CMHC funding, designated to help construct below-market rental suites. It’s a six-storey, 64-unit residential building with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom suites. For details on both properties visit ashburnham.ca.

The team at Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory are gearing up for their annual Ascent Summit this Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s a full day of tips and training from top experts on budgeting and financing growth, repositioning yourself as a leader, delegation, building operational systems that work, and injecting a powerful sense of accountability into your operations. You can sign up for the virtual event at ascentsummit.com.

The annual Reframe Film Festival is on from this Thursday to Feb. 3.

Reframe focuses on social justice, human rights, and environmental responsibility, and includes independent Canadian and international films, as well as live events and talks such as meet the filmmakers and artists events and educational opportunities. They have virtual viewing options as well. For details, the schedule, and tickets, visit reframefestival.ca.

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Peterborough AAA U16 Minor Petes Fall In Steve Richey Tournament Hockey Championship In 1-0 Loss

The AAA U16 Peterborough Petes came up one goal short in the finals of the Steve Richey Tournament, losing to the AAA U16 Central Ontario Wolves 1-0 at the Healthy Planet Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams were undefeated heading into the finals. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Petes and Wolves were the only undefeated teams left in the contest, winning their respective divisions and prior playoff games for the championship.

Both teams exchanged sustained pressure in opposing offensive zones throughout the opening 15 minutes. The Petes had some last-minute chances in the final few minutes in the Wolves zone, applying heavy forechecking, forcing turnovers and a potential goal from a baseball swing but the score remained scoreless throughout the first period. Both teams displayed excellent discipline early as either team had a penalty in the opening stanza.

The Wolves began the period aggressively with several high-scoring chances, testing Petes’ goaltender Mason Johnston. They caused defensive zone turnovers, had several tip-ins that barely went wide but could not find the back of the net. Peterborough got the first penalty of the game just under 10 minutes into the period from an interference call in front of the Wolves’ net. The Petes penalty kill blocked several shots to keep the game tied. Peterborough capitalized on a loose puck as Wil McFadden had a partial breakaway that translated into a Wolves penalty while being shorthanded. Peterborough tried to get on the board on their abridged man advantage but failed to score on their first powerplay as the score remained a 0-0 tie into the third period.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough was the aggressor starting the final stanza as they had mounted pressure against the Wolves goaltender. The Petes had a wide-open net but the shot went wide as the game remained continued in a 0-0 deadlock. The Wolves finally got on the board as forward Van Pereira, 15, was able to capitalize on a blocked shot that came back to him and sniped it past Johnston for a 1-0 lead, halfway through the third period.

“I took a second chance at the puck and banged it in,” said Pereira. “(It's) a big goal for the boys.”

Peterborough made late charges in the game, creating several chances to crash the net and score but failed to get it past the goal line. The Petes pulled their goalie during the final few minutes of the game but to no avail as the Wolves stood tall for the 1-0 win.

Pereira’s goal stood as the tournament-winning goal, with the Wolves remaining as the only undefeated team.

“That's the best feeling in hockey right there,” said Pereira. “There's nothing like that and that's why we put on the gear and play.”

The Petes U18 team failed to qualify for the playoffs with a 3-1 record.

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28 TASSS Students Became Budding Entrepreneurs, Hosting a Shareholders Meeting As Part of Business Class Curriculum

There were 28 students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) who turned a profit as they created and sold a business, hosting a shareholders meeting as part of their curriculum that was held on Friday afternoon.

Several roles were bid on by the students to claim during the entrepreneurship such as production, human resources, health and safety, marketing and more. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students were tasked to become entrepreneurs by creating and running a business, assigned by TASSS business teacher Blaine White throughout the semester. Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) partnered with the program by providing weekly advice with guest speakers.

“At the beginning of the semester, we have students learn about planning a business and then they start their own business,” explained White. “They're responsible for all of the production, all of the marketing, all of the sales and all of the finances.”

“Youth will have the opportunity to learn and experience skilled trades and entrepreneurship by creating, managing and liquidating a business,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “All with the guidance and support of experts from across our community.”

TASSS students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and report to the media and public. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The students founded the company ‘Encompase Eco’ which created eco-friendly firestarters that were available to purchase at the Kawartha Buttertart Factory & Bakery.

The students held a final shareholder meeting to disclose all of the earnings and share prices. They had over a 381 per cent return in selling the business according to White.

“It's amazing to me to set the bar and watch students rise to the occasion,” he explained. “I couldn't be happier that they've learned all these really awesome skills that they are going to go and carry out into their own lives and perhaps starts their own businesses in our community but I'm also proud of them as people who have developed over the last five months.”

The students were excited to receive hands-on education instead of learning solely through a textbook according to grade 10 student Aiden Budd, who served as the company’s vice president of production.

“I've never experienced anything like this, the textbooks get so boring but now that I got the opportunity to do something like this, it really feels great,” he exclaimed.

During the semester, students had to bid and campaign for roles within the company before starting the business. The students had to arrange their own shareholder meeting with speeches, a presentation and a report before the media and public. The whole process had its bumps but became an instant unforgettable experience for the students.

“I know a lot of people were nervous to get up here but I actually did enjoy it a lot, I'm proud of myself and my team for doing a great job. Mr. White, I thanked him so much for having the opportunity to be able to run this business because there are not a lot of kids that get the opportunity to do stuff like this.”

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Local Angler Six Months Pregnant With Twins Catches Two 50-Plus-Inch Muskies

Angler Megan Patterson met and surpassed her fishing goal this season, catching two muskies over 50 inches long while six months pregnant with twins.

Photo courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Her two muskies measured 52 in. (4.33 ft.) and 54 in. (4.5 feet) and were caught on the St. Lawrence River.

Joining the 50-inch club is a feat that all muskie anglers pursue. Patterson has been muskie fishing for the past six years and has netted over five of her husband’s 50-inch catches. She made it her goal to catch her own.

“Every season I have come up short,” she laughs. “In my first season, I caught a 49-inch muskie. I was so close to that 50-inch mark.”

Her social media following has tagged along for fishing trips ever since she started in the sport. Muskie season runs from June to mid-December in the Kawarthas.

Her first catch of the season was an impressive 46-incher from Chemong Lake. Photo courtesy of Megan Patterson.

“My goal was to be a big momma catching a big momma,” Patterson said. “I really wanted to go out with a bang by catching a big fish this year.”

Not only did she reach her goal of snagging a 50-plus-inch muskie but she also reeled a second, all while being pregnant with twins. Patterson recalls her surprise when her husband netted the catch and saw how big it was.

“It comes up onto the bump board and it lays so much past the 50-inch mark,” she said. “To this day that was still one of my best days on the water of my whole life.”

@meganpattterson Legal size musky for my last musky before doctors told me to rack up the rods. Pretty epic! #livebeyondland #muskyfishing #54 @Shimano Fishing @Mustang Survival ♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) - Doja Cat

Patterson thanks the ‘two little good luck charms’ in her belly.

“It’s such a fun story that we’ll be able to tell our babies,” she said. “That all four of us were on the boat when we caught this 54-inch muskie.”

Although the couple may have to retire the 12-hour fishing trips to take care of the babies, Patterson says she’s excited to take Charlotte and Carter out on Chemong Lake and share her passion for the sport of muskie fishing.

“I’m really excited to be raising my babies fishing, having the twins out on the boat with us and catching their first muskies,” she says. “We’re so lucky to live in the Kawarthas where we have such amazing class fish even right in our backyard.”

Carter and Charlotte, born Nov. 17, 2022. Photo courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson is a member/ambassador of various fishing organizations such as Shimano, Mustang Survival, Musky Maniacs, Muskies Canada and the Ontario Women's Anglers Association.

She operates under a catch-and-release method through her muskie fishing, ensuring the fish is out of the water for no more than two minutes before reviving and releasing the catch. Paterson urges anglers catching any species or class of fish to be prepared with the proper release tools in their boat.

“Conservation is such a big part of this sport. We use incredible releasing tools to make sure that we are putting these fish back into the water almost the same way they came into the boat,” Patterson said.

Those wishing to follow along with Patterson’s muskie fishing adventures can find her at @meganpattterson on all social media applications.

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City of Peterborough Open Nominations For 2022 Civic Awards

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2022 Civic Awards are open to recognize and honour local volunteers and achievers in sports, arts and culture who had outstanding achievements in 2022 announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“It’s the people of Peterborough that make our City special,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “If you know someone who had outstanding accomplishments in 2022 through sport or volunteerism in community, culture or environmental stewardship, let’s make sure they get recognized.”

Nominations are open until March 31 at 4:30 p.m. for the following categories:

• Adult Athlete of the Year

• Athletic Award of Merit

• Community Betterment

• Cultural Betterment

• Environmental Stewardship

• Holnbeck Award

• Junior Athlete of the Year

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Mayor's Youth Award

• Senior Athlete of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Youth Volunteer of the Year

Nomination packages are available using the interactive form online and paper copies are available at City Hall, located at 500 George St. N.

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Local Shoppers Drug Mart Campaign Raises Over $10,000 For YWCA Crossroads Shelter

Donations to the 2022 LOVE YOU Giving Shelter campaign by Shoppers Drug Mart raised $10,638 in support of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for women experiencing gender-based violence announced Wednesday.

file photo.

“We’re thrilled with the success of the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health and would like to thank everyone who participated. Each year, our customers and staff demonstrate their generosity and their commitment to supporting women in our community, and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone’s contributions,” said Shoppers Drug Mart owner (High St., Chemong Road and Lansdowne St. locations) Mohan Joshi. “YWCA Peterborough Haliburton plays a critical role in our area, and the proceeds from this year’s campaign will go a long way to helping them support women who are fleeing abuse.”

This annual campaign is national in scope, yet locally based, with customers and employees donating directly to women’s shelters in the community to ensure that resources and programming are available to meet the needs of women across the country.

“Your generosity fuels YWCA intervention programs that make it possible for women and children to safely escape violence and rebuild their lives. Thank you for helping to ensure that strong, reliable support continues to be available in our community,” said YWCA executive director Kim Dolan.

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