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Peterborough DBIA Looking to Crown Top Hot Chocolatier During Inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest Running Feb. 17 - 26
/The quest to become the ‘Top Hot Chocolatier’ is on as Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (PTBO DBIA) is hosting their inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest while featuring 15 over-the-top creations announced on Monday morning.
18-month-old Jasmine Stoner is enjoying a raspberry white hot chocolate following the announcement of the Peterborough DBIA inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest taking place from Feb. 17 - 26. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The festival takes place from Feb. 17 - 26 where residents can vote online for their favourite hot chocolate creations by 14 businesses. Local menus throughout downtown feature the drinks on their menus to determine Top Hot Chocolatier. The winner earns bragging rights for the year and a hot chocolate-themed trophy.
PTBO DBIA has created a ‘Hot Chocolate Trail Map’ to let voters plan out their own hot chocolate crawl to try all 15 entries.
“We are proud to be working alongside our partners at the DBIA to support the new Hot Chocolate Fest,” said Joe Rees, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development director of tourism. “This initiative supports local restaurants and cafes during a traditionally slower period in the winter season and will encourage increased visitation and spending in the downtown.”
Entries include classically flavoured hot chocolates, to more outrageously delicious creations with some containing alcoholic chocolate beverages. Vegan and gluten-free entries are also included in the event.
A pop-up stand giving away free hot chocolate is being set up at the Peterborough Square front courtyard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We want folks to vote to show their love and support for those local culinary creators and hopefully, by the end of ten days, we'll have a definitive answer as to who the top hot chocolatier is in Downtown Peterborough,” said Hilary Flood, PTBO DBIA communications and marketing manager.
Several drinks were demoed at the announcement with creations from Black Honey and Canoe Co. Café. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The following are the 15 entries from the 14 businesses:
Black Honey (Matcha White Hot Chocolate)
A decadent white hot chocolate drink infused with matcha green tea powder and toasted marshmallows.
Black Honey (Mayan HOT Chocolate)
This luxurious vegan hot chocolate creation infused with cayenne pepper and cinnamon is dressed to impress with a delicious, whipped cream topping, chili pepper and cocoa dust. This spicy hot chocolate is paired with spiced chocolate cookie-perfect for dipping. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Naked Chocolate (Couverture Hot Chocolate)
Celebrating a menagerie of high-quality couverture chocolate blends from around the world. Naked Chocolate is brewing up a lusciously thick hot chocolate.
KitCoffee (Cinnamon Hot Chocolate)
Homemade hot chocolate with house-made cinnamon syrup, whipped cream topping and sprinkled with Cocoa and cinnamon hearts.
Dreams Café (Toasty Charms Hot Chocolate)
Indulge in some nostalgia with this homemade hot chocolate, flavoured with toasted marshmallow syrup, whipped cream, marshmallow fluff and some lucky charms hit with the blow torch.
Turnbull Café (Fudge Brownie Raspberry Hot Cocoa)
A delicious blend of rich dark chocolate infused with raspberries, topped with whipped cream and layered with chunks of espresso fudge brownie and fresh raspberries. It’s delicately drizzled in a blanket of pure chocolate sauce under a halo of cocoa snow.
Champs Bar and Grill (“Hot” Chocolate Wings)
Chef Jessie has put a unique and delicious spin on the classic Hot Chocolate using Champs’ signature, nostalgic wings for the adventurous hot chocolatier. Tossed in their infamous hot honey sauce and drizzled with a hearty layer of rich dark chocolate.
Nateure’s Plate (S'more Martini, 19+)
This extraordinary s'mores-inspired adult chocolate martini with Creme de Cocoa, Kahlua and Vodka. Featuring vegan vanilla hot chocolate, topped with a house-made marshmallow whip and Biscoff graham crumble.
Agave by Imperial (Hot Churro-late)
Warm up with this thick and creamy authentic Mexican hot chocolate made with cocoa and dark chocolate. Served with two cinnamon and sugar-topped churros made-to-order and perfect for dipping.
Speak Easy Café (Breakfast of Chocolate)
Speak Easy features a salted caramel hot chocolate with a chocolate and cookie rim, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, candied chocolate bacon and a white chocolate sunny egg.
The Black Horse Pub (Flanders Rum Cha Cha, 19+)
Rich house-made hot chocolate with an ounce of Flanders rum chata topped with whipped cream and homemade toasted marshmallows infused with even more rum chata for good measure. Served with graham crackers dipped in chocolate.
Milk + Tea (Bubble Pudding Chocolate)
A creamy slush chocolate bubble tea with chewy tapioca, caramel pudding, topped with cream, Oreo bits and drizzled in caramel. Served with an egg bubble waffle slice.
Dr. J’s (Amaretto and Chocolate Orange Hot-tail, 19+)
This adult beverage features a luxurious house-made hot chocolate alongside Laura Secord chocolate vodka, Grand Marnier, French orange liqueur & Amaretto. Topped with toasted marshmallows and chocolate drizzle. Served with an almond wafer cookie for dipping.
Canoe Co. Café (Raspberry White Chocolate)
Dive into this beautiful white raspberry hot chocolate. Topped with whipped cream, raspberries and sprinkles. Served with steamed milk (of your choice) with lactose-free and vegan options available. Can be served hot or iced.
Tragically Dipped Donut (Maple Mallow Hot Chocolate)
Creamy from scratch hot chocolate house made with charred maple marshmallows freshly toasted to order.
$1.13 Million Detox and Residential Treatment Facility Proposal Made; Operations Could Run Early As Fourth Quarter
/In an effort to help prevent drug overdoses and save lives, politicians, local medical figures and addiction support staff have declared an application for a detox and residential treatment facility announced at Showplace Performance Theatre on Monday morning.
Last year, 539 individuals from our community attended the Emergency Department for drug poisoning, Emergency Medical Services responded to 357 opioid poisonings 911 calls according to PPH. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
MPP Dave Smith, Mayor Jeff Leal and County Warden Bonnie Clark announced the proposal in a joint effort from the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) and FourCast. In attendance were representatives from FourCast, CMHA HKPE, Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough EMS, Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough Regional Health Centre alongside the politicians, announcing their support for the facility.
“Peterborough Public Health welcomes this proposal for more local treatment and detox services and the opportunity it creates to strengthen our response to the drug poisoning crisis” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH medical officer of health. “Along with the Peterborough Drug Strategy partners we have been advocating for more tools to address the crisis for over a decade. If funded this will become a critical part of the local response.”
The facility will primarily serve Peterborough County, City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, Curve Lake, Alderville and Hiawatha First Nations. The proposal of $1.13 million annually for a two-year period is serving as a pilot basis to determine its effectiveness for further consideration.
“If the funding letter is provided to us by the end of March, we could potentially be operational by the fourth of this year, sometime in the fall,” said MPP Dave Smith.
Additional funding of just under $300,000 will be needed from local community partners to help establish the facility during the two-year pilot basis. The information and progress will go to Ontario Health to determine its effectiveness.
Six drug and six detox beds will be available at the facility for those battling with addictions. Waitlists for beds can take one to two days depending on demand but residential treatment can take from three to six months. The location has yet to be determined.
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Lakefield College School Presents 'Something Rotten' Musical
/Lakefield College School is bringing Shakespeare and rock-and-roll to the stage with the musical production of ‘Something Rotten’ starting Feb. 28.
A cast and crew of over 50 staff and students from Lakefield College School (LCS) have been working since October to bring this production of the annual musical to the Bryan Jones Theatre.
Now that pandemic regulations have eased and LCS is able to invite a wider audience to the show, Something Rotten director and producer Geoff Bemrose says that he is excited to see the show come together.
“It’s kind of a show within a show. It’s a good send up of Shakespeare, tons of musical theatre and jokes as well,” he says.
The show is based off of the novel by Karen Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Something Rotten takes place in 1595 London, England. The Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel are trying to find success by writing plays, but are outshined by the rock-star playwright of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. Nick gets help from a soothsayer for the next big hit, who foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time. Nick and Nigel then set out to write the world’s first musical’ Omelette: The Musical.’ But amidst the excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being ‘true to thine own self.’
Ben Freeman, who plays Nicholas Bottom, has been apart of LCS musicals since Grade 9, and is now in Grade 12.
“They’re probably the most fun part of the year, although a little stressful. Because on top of classes and preparing for tests, I also have to memorize all my lines,” says Freeman. “At the end of the day it’s really satisfying and everyone really loves it. Not only the cast, but the people at the school because they get to see their friends on stage.”
“I’m also excited for my friends to see it. I’m not really like my character at all, he’s very egotistical. He’s almost polar opposite of me. So I’m excited to see how I can be like that,” says Alex Bemrose.
Alex, who plays William Shakespeare in his second musical production with the school, says that with many rehearsals under their belt the Something Rotten cast is enjoying the “fun part.”
“As (the show) goes on, you just get more comfortable, and it gets more fun,” he says. “And now we’re at the fun part. You know your lines, you get to play more, and you get to really get into your character.”
Along with the other seasoned musical theatre students, Isabelle Kim, who plays Portica, says that the seniors of the school help to foster a comfortable environment for newer performers.
“It’s been a really supportive, really fun team, and everyone’s just had this shared passion and I think that’s what makes it so fun. People feel free to express themselves, try new things and not be afraid to explore their characters,” she says. “That’s something really cool about Something Rotten, everyone has the ability to develop their own character and how they want that to translate on stage.”
Kim says that the students in the audience can look forward to some familiar jokes and characters in the performance.
“It aligns with what the different English classes are working on right now, they’re all studying Shakespeare, so I think it’ll be really cool for them to kind of connect those dots and see how many jokes they catch on to,” she says.
‘Something Rotten’ will run from Feb. 28 to Mar. 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). The opening night show is already sold-out.
Those interested in seeing the production can purchase tickets online for $10 (plus applicable fees) here.
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Peterborough Public Health Launches Smoke-Free Ontario Act Enforcement Campaign
/Peterborough Public Health (PPH), in collaboration with public health units across Central East Ontario, are stepping up tobacco enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA).
stock photo.
The SFOA prohibits the sale of tobacco and vape products to anyone under the age of 19, restricts most flavours and high nicotine vape products to specialty stores and prohibits the use of these products at schools, arenas and other public places.
Peterborough Public Health’s enforcement efforts will focus on compliance of the sale of tobacco and vape products as well as protecting smoke-free spaces, with the intention of reducing access and exposure to second-hand smoke for youth in our community.
“The SFOA is designed to protect youth from accessing highly addictive tobacco and vape products, while at the same time, creating healthy spaces, free from second-hand smoke and vapour,” said Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health at PPH. “Despite the law, Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) are dealing with a surge in complaints and observing increased non-compliance for youth accessing flavoured, high nicotine vapes, and people smoking and vaping at local arenas.”
The most recent data from the Canadian Student Tobacco and Drug Survey (2018-2019) noted that e-cigarette prevalence rates have doubled among students in 2018-19 compared to use observed in 2016-17. This trend is observed locally as well.
“In 2022, we issued 26 SFOA warnings to students in local schools,” said TEO Katrina Ryal. “Of those warnings, 25 were for vaping in or on school property. During the same time frame, 10 charges were laid; 9 for vaping and only one for smoking – it’s clear that youth vaping is a problem locally.”
Nicotine impacts the development of the teenage brain, affecting learning, memory, and concentration. Some e-liquids or ‘juice’ used in vapour products contain as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes. According to PPH, evidence shows that youth who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. Likewise, the research asserts that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour, making compliance with the SFOA ‘even more important’ when it comes to protecting the youth.
“The principle of this campaign is simple. We want there to be compliance with the SFOA to protect youth from accessing these products, and ensure that everyone visiting an arena can do so without being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke and vapour,” says Ingram.
In addition to reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour, the SFOA is designed to reduce the normalization of smoking and vaping to youth. PPH says that research has linked the likelihood of youth experimenting with tobacco and vapour products to children seeing their role models use said products.
In a recent ‘blitz’ of local arenas, 19 warnings were issued for adults smoking on the property and 2 warnings were issued for vaping on the property.
PPH is advising all tobacco and vapour product retailers and people at local arenas, that TEOs will be conducting compliance inspections to ensure the requirements under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act are being followed. Smoking or vaping on or within 20 metres of a school or arena property can result in a $305 charge.
Guelph Storm Down the Peterborough Petes, 5-3 With Three Unanswered Goals
/The matchup has been in the making since 2019 as the last time the Petes and Guelph Storm would play at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) but the visiting team mustered a 5-3 win Sunday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.
Guelph opened the scoring as Ben McFarlane forced a turnover on Petes’ goaltender Michael Simpson behind the net and made the assist for Valentin Zhugin’s goal. Brian Zanetti got one back to Peterborough, tipping in a Connor Lockhart point shot for a 1-1 tie. McFarlane caused Peterborough trouble again with a slapshot from outside the faceoff circle for a 2-1 lead. Avery Hayes ripped home a powerplay goal (his 36th of the season) later in the period to tie it 2-2 going into the second.
The Petes capitalized on another powerplay in the second when J.R. Avon fed a cross-ice pass to Brennan Othmann for a wide-open goal to make it 3-2 for the Petes. Guelph began to take over as Charlie Paquette scored a one-timed shot as the puck was passed through traffic for a 3-3 tie. Max Namestnikov helped Guelph with a powerplay goal to give the Storm the 4-3 lead heading into the third period.
The Petes applied pressure on the Storm and their goalie Patrick Leaver with 13 shots in the period but could not solve him late in the game. Chandler Romeo tacked an empty netter to seal a Guelph win, 5-3.
The Petes play next at home on Thursday night against the Ottawa 67’s at the PMC.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Enticing Cakes, Riverside Respite, Power Hour and Lakefield Hot Chocolate 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…
Enticing Cakes opens Tuesday in Lakefield.
Founded in 2011, Enticing Cakes offers over 60 different cupcake and cake flavours, pies, squares, tarts, cookies and macarons, as well as catering services for Weddings and special occasions. They can customize wedding cakes, dessert trays, cupcake and cake towers or dessert bars and they offer rentals, delivery and set up. The new Lakefield location, at 18 Queen St. includes new treats and expanded hours.
Tammy Fraley launched her new business last week.
Riverside Respite Adult Day Program offers a program for adults with a developmental disability including meals and snacks, life skills, a sensory room, supervision for ADLs, a mechanical lift, diabetic monitoring, assistance with feeding and medications and more. Tammy is accepting clients now at 705-875-3421.
A lot of businesses and organizations are having conversations around Diversity Equity and Inclusion and are either actively creating a DEI workplace or would like to.
EQU Consulting can help. Founders Marlene Morrison Nicholls, Rachael Nicholls, and Lisa Trefzger, along with associate Ashley Lamothe, have teamed up to help your organization stand out by welcoming everyone in. They can help you design training and policy development that focuses on creating a welcoming, barrier-free and shame-free culture. Services include team and leadership training, DEI Policy and Practice Review and Ongoing Consulting Support.
The annual Chamber of Commerce Power Hour runs February 24th from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Stonehouse Hall.
Our four elected leaders, MP Michelle Ferreri, MPP Dave Smith, Mayor Jeff Leal, and County Warden Bonnie Clark, will take to the stage to answer questions of interest to the business community. It’s an award-winning event and a must-attend for local business.
You have until the end of this week to check out the annual Lakefield Hot Chocolate Festival.
There are 10 participating businesses so you won’t have to look far to find a nice warm treat.
Peterborough Celebrates Projects That Receive Funding From Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
/Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) provided $1,588,620 to the City of Peterborough in Fiscal Year 2022 as its share of gaming revenue; receiving $8,687,987 since the gaming site opened in October 2018.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
Mayor Jeff Leal met with Ontario Lottery and Gaming and Great Canadian Entertainment, which operates Shorelines Casino Peterborough, at Quaker Foods City Square on Friday to recognize how the funding is being used in the community.
“The Province shares its gaming revenues to support municipal investments in community infrastructure. By investing the OLG revenue in facilities such as the refrigerated outdoor skating rink for residents to enjoy throughout the winter and family-friendly splash pads for summertime fun, the City is enhancing the quality of life and wellbeing for the community,” says Mayor Jeff Leal.
The City used $677,909 from its OLG revenue to help pay for the construction of Quaker Foods City Square, which is a family-friendly community space that includes a refrigerated outdoor skating rink in the winter and water play features in the summer. The City has also used OLG revenue to support building new splash pads, its contribution toward the construction of the Canadian Canoe Museum, Central Area Community Improvement Plan initiatives, and the expansion of the City’s trails and cycling network.
In 2023, the City plans to use $1.8 million from the OLG revenue to invest in the City’s urban forest, including tree planting and maintaining the health of the community’s urban forest canopy.
“OLG is proud to be a vital part of Peterborough for more than 4 years and we look forward to continuing to build on that support. Each and every year 100 per cent of OLG profits are invested in Ontario,” says Kathleen Devine, OLG’s senior municipal relations manager. “From healthcare, to education, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Peterborough and all across our province. And, we appreciate the contribution of gaming site employees at Shorelines Casino Peterborough in making life in Peterborough that much richer. When you play at an Ontario casino, you play for Ontario.”
PMC Hosts Second Women's Hockey Game in PWHPA Dream Gap Tour; Team Harvey's Defeats Team Scotiabank 5-2
/The Professional Women’s Hockey Player’s Association (PWHPA) made their stop in Peterborough, showcasing the best of women’s hockey as the top-rated Team Harvey’s (Montréal) defeated Team Scotiabank (Calgary), 5-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Friday afternoon.
The first PHWPA game hosted by the PMC was back on Feb. 19 last year. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.
The Dream Gap Tour is part of a PWHPA OHL Showcase that features top professional and Olympic women's hockey players, including Olympic and world champion Marie-Philip Poulin, Rebecca Johnston, Blayre Turnbull, Jessie Eldridge and more. It promotes and creates awareness for women’s hockey.
“I am a big believer in what we're doing,” said Poulin. "Having us to go to different communities and having a rink full of kids screaming at us and seeing all the little boys and girls coming to us, watching us and screaming our names, I think the awareness is there and I think having family bring their kids is step one.”
This was the first school game hosted by the Peterborough Petes where over 2,400 elementary school students were in attendance, as part of the 3,480 fans at the game. Players wanted to set an example for the young fans, particularly the girls to see that becoming a professional hockey player was achievable.
“We have respect and the eyes of all those young girls and for us to be able to put on a show for the young boys in the crowd today and get their push and all of them behind us is even bigger for us to move this forward,” said Eldridge.
Eldridge opened the scoring for Team Harvey’s, 12:13 into the game with assists from Laura Fortino and Lauriane Rougeau. Eldridge barrelled in with a backhand shot, beating goaltender Amanda Makela for a 1-0 lead. Fortino followed up her assist with a goal with just under four minutes left to play, rifling the top corner for a 2-0 lead for Team Harvey’s. Sophia Shaver tacked on her first assist of the game with that goal. Blayre Turnbull responded in quick fashion for Team Scotiabank and she was able to snipe one past Ann-Renée Desbiens to cut the deficit in half. Under two minutes later, Scotiabank evened the game as Ella Shelton picked up the loose change on a juicy rebound and chipped it in for a 2-2 tie.
It would be difficult to have Canadian women’s hockey without mentioning the three-time Olympic gold medalist Poulin otherwise known as ‘Captain Clutch’ as she marked her stamp with a rebound goal late in the second period with help from Jacquie Greco and Emily Clark for a 3-2 Team Harvey’s lead. Eldridge extended the lead for Harvey’s. She chipped in a rebound from a Clark shot for her second goal of the game, making it 4-2 going into the third.
Team Harvey kept their momentum going as halfway through the period, Scotiabank turned over the puck in the neutral zone. Bailey Larson intercepted the pass and wristed it past Makela for a 5-2 lead. Poulin had a breakaway chance but was denied by Makela including a second rebound shot to prevent a second goal from the three-time world champion gold medalist. Scotiabank tried to make a push but Harvey’s was able to maintain offensive zone pressure and run out the clock for the 5-2 win.
Eldrige, Fortino and Shelton were the first, second and third starts of the game respectively.
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$104,200 Ontario Trillium Grant Supporting New, Sustainable Fundraising Strategy
/Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) welcomed MPP Dave Smith on Friday to hear more about the $104,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant it received in 2022.
file photo.
