Peterborough Blogs
SPARK Photo Festival Announces 10 Year Anniversary Fundraiser Event
/In celebration of photography and the mission to support emerging artists and long-time photographers alike, SPARK Photo Festival is hosting a Pub Night, Pop-Up Sale, Sneak Peek event on March 29 at The Publican House Brew Pub.
photo courtesy of spark photo festival.
This April’s month-long festival boasts the voices and vision of more than 90 participating photographers as SPARK celebrates 10 years of the organization.
This event offers festival fans and photographers a chance to mix and mingle, shop prints with the SPARK-To-Go Pop-Up sale, sample appetizers and dive into a sneak peek of the over 25 2023 SPARK Photo Festival exhibits with art from over 100 photographers.
The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 294 Charlotte St.
Funds raised will be used for the SPARK mission to provide workshop supplies, exhibit materials, signage and festival maps to bring this free-to-visit arts festival to the community.
Tickets: $50 per person, which includes appetizers (cash bar available). For more event information, or tickets, visit the website.
Douro Boxer Cody Crowley Fundraising $55K For Suicide Prevention To Honour Father's Memory
/Boxer Cody Crowley is pledging to raise $55,000 for Team 55: Let’s Tackle Suicide Awareness in honour of his late father ahead of his 22nd professional fight on March 25 in Las Vegas.
Photo courtesy of Addison Brown.
The 21-0-0 Crowley is scheduled to box Abel Ramos in a 12-round World Boxing Council (WBC) title elimination fight at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The Douro boxer has dedicated the fight to honour his late father Jim Crowley who passed away last year.
The ‘55 for 55’ fundraising raffle features prizes such as dinner for Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews, WBC-signed gloves from boxing legends such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, Gerry Cooney, a One With Life tequila package and a grand prize for a round-trip flight, accommodations and ringside seats to see Cody’s fight.
Photo courtesy of Addison Brown.
Raffle tickets are available at Dr. J’s with a limited amount left with the deadline at 6 p.m. Wednesday and the draw at 7 p.m. Cody will make a virtual appearance at the drawing to talk about his upcoming fight and the fundraiser according to Dr. J’s owner Addison Brown.
The two have been friends for roughly eight years and have supported each other through similar times.
“When he was looking for sponsorships throughout Peterborough, I reached out to him saying ‘I’ve been following you and growing up as an athlete, I’ve had a lot of support with the community and I wanted to sponsor you for the next fight,’” explained Brown. “We grew and developed a relationship. He helped me when I was going through some things about my brother and I did with his father.”
Five Counties Children’s Centre’s Winterfest Raises Thousands of Dollars for Children’s Treatment Services
/Local residents, donors and corporate sponsors stepped up to support Winterfest 2023, helping to raise over $30,000 to cover treatment services for kids at Five Counties Children’s Centre.
Catching the Spirit of Winterfest – Chloe (right) was one of the kids who attended Winterfest activities at Lansdowne Place mall on Feb. 18. photo courtesy of five counties.
Winterfest is an annual ‘fun’draising event for Five Counties that, this year, was held over the recent Family Day long weekend with a series of virtual and in-person festivities. The $30,125 raised this year surpasses the nearly $20,000 raised at Winterfest in 2022.
“We want to thank the support of the community, especially our staff, volunteers, families, donors and businesses who contributed to this year’s success,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties. “We know our community is very generous, and once again, that has shone through!”
Canadian Tire stores in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Fenelon Falls again stepped up as the lead sponsor of Winterfest.
photo courtesy of five counties.
There were a number of highlights from Winterfest 2023, including:
Hundreds of children and families attended fun, family-friendly events at Lansdowne Place in Peterborough (on Feb. 18) and at Lindsay Square Mall (on Feb. 19).
A sold-out Peterborough Petes game on Family Day Monday (Feb. 20) saw many Five Counties kids and families attend and play different roles at the game. For instance, some of Five Counties kids and their siblings took on roles as GM, coach and PA Announcer, shadowing the real people who do these jobs during Petes games. Five Counties client Scott, and his entire family, also were featured in the pre-game ceremonial puck drop.
Approximately 125 children entered the Thank You card contest, in which they drew, coloured or created artwork that depicted thanks and appreciation.
Various virtual activities attracted online users to take part in a workout with the Peterborough Petes, winter scavenger hunt, story times, baking demo, snow creature contest, magic show and more.
An online auction saw more than 90 people sign up for and make bids on a variety of hand-made quilts, artisanal wood items, gift cards, kids’ toys, and more.
Proceeds from Winterfest go to support Five Counties’ Building Abilities for Life Campaign, which helps ensure kids can get essential therapies so they can be their best.
“The Building Abilities For Life Campaign is important because it helps address current wait lists for services like occupational therapy and speech-language therapy,” Pepin says. “We know the earlier a child can receive treatment, the more likely it is they can reach their full potential.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Trent's 20th Anniversary of Seasoned Spoon Celebrated With Fundraiser Event On March 18
/Trent University’s café ‘Seasoned Spoon’ is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an event featuring live music, activities, raffles and food to raise money for a cargo trike on March 18.
The Seasoned Spoon’s grand opening was on Feb 25, 2003 in the Cat's Ass Pub in Otonabee College before being moved to Otonabee College. Photo courtey of Trent University.
The event is at the Seasoned Spoon and runs from 5 p.m. to p.m. with tickets at $10. Children’s admission is free.
The trike will aid Trent Vegetable Gardens in making deliveries and will cost anywhere from $2,750 and upwards to purchase.
The Seasoned Spoon's first opened on Feb. 25, 2003, at Otonabee College. It relocated to the former Champlain Junior Common Room in the spring of 2003 and officially opened in that space on Nov. 18 of the same year.
In 2006, the eatery partnered with the Trent Vegetable Gardens, a volunteer-run group that provides the majority of the café’s produce. The café relocated again in 2009 to the downstairs of the Champlain Senior Common Room.
Peterborough Transit Presents Free Grade 8 March Break Transit Quest
/The Grade 8 Transit Quest program encourages students to use Peterborough Transit by providing them with a free transit pass for the March Break through GreenUp. (March 10 to 19)
photo courtesy of peterborough transit.
Participants can use this transit pass to travel to featured attractions and businesses which they check off on their Transit Quest Passport.
The Quest works to increase the City youth’s familiarity of the Peterborough Transit system as they begin to travel independently. By increasing comfort at this age, transit can become a mode of transportation that is both normal and accessible. Navigating their local transit service helps students build a life skill, one that they will use as they get part-time jobs, go off to school and move or travel to other cities.
For event details or more information, contact Ashley Burnie.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Québec Driver Charged With Stunt Driving In Peterborough; Going 51 km/h Over
/A 37-year-old Québec driver is facing a stunt driving charge that occurred in the area of Lansdowne Street and Village Crescent on Monday afternoon.
File Photo.
At roughly 3 p.m., an officer recorded a vehicle travelling 101 km/h in a 50 zone and conducted a traffic stop.
The driver was charged with stunt driving under the Highway Traffic Act and was given a 30-day license suspension and 14-day vehicle impoundment. Their name was not released by the Peterborough Police Service.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Student-Led Community Tax Clinics Return to Fleming College
/Fleming College’s student-led tax clinics are returning to Sutherland Campus this March.
photo courtesy of fleming college.
Administered through a program with the Canada Revenue Agency, these community tax clinics are run by students in Fleming’s Accounting program and are supervised by their program instructors. The clinics provide an enriching, real-world experience for students while offering a valuable service to the community.
Clinics take place each Thursday from March 9 to 30 at the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre, running from noon to 4 p.m.
To be eligible for the free clinics, individuals must:
Have an income of $35,000 or less for individuals
Have a combined income of $45,000 or less for a couple
Have a combined income of $47,500 or less for a family of three
Have a combined income of $50,000 or less for a family of four
Students will not prepare returns for self-employed individuals or for those who have capital gains or losses, employment expenses or who have filed for bankruptcy.
Eligible residents can make an appointment at the clinic by emailing before-hand. Walk-ins can also be accommodated if students are available.
Eligible residents are also welcome to drop off their tax information, and can email the clinic for more information.
Anyone attending the clinic is asked to bring the following information:
Social Insurance Number
T2202A Tuition Receipt (if applicable)
Rent Receipts for rent paid in Ontario in 2022 (if applicable)
Medical expense receipts
T4 Statement of Income (provided by your employer if you worked in Canada in 2022)
Any other tax related slips you may receive in the mail, like a T5 or a T3 slip (for investment income)
International students and new Canadians filing a tax return for the first time will need to provide their date of arrival in Canada
Free parking is available for residents travelling to the Sutherland Campus for the tax clinic. Be sure to email the clinic ahead of time with your licence plate information and date of arrival.
City of Peterborough Honours Passing of Former Mayor Jack Doris
/Peterborough’s former mayor and councillor Jack Doris’s memory is being honoured after his passing at the age of 91 on Sunday, announced by the City of Peterborough’s Twitter.
File Photo.
Doris spent the past 45 years on council that included 14 terms as a city councillor and two mayoral terms. In 1967, he was first elected to city council and was an alderman until 1991 when he became mayor. He worked at General Electric prior to his mayor tenure.
The former mayor received a key to the city in September 2014 during his retirement ceremony when he was 83 years old.
City Hall and the Peterborough Police Station have put their flags at half-mast to honour Doris’s life and accomplishments for the city.
Doris worked as a board member of the Peterborough Police service from 1987-97. He also was also a member of the building committee for their headquarters in the late 1960s.
City Hall had their flags at half-mast in honour of Doris on Monday. Photo by David Tuan bui.
Mayor Jeff Leal issued a statement regarding Doris’s passing:
"I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Jack Doris, including his wife, Sheila, his six daughters, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. Jack was a remarkable person and public servant who served the community on City Council for 45 years as a councillor and mayor. Through his years of public service and his work in the community, Jack was completely devoted to making Peterborough a better place. Jack touched the lives of so many. He will be greatly missed.”
City councillors Lesley Parnell, Alex Bierk and MP Michelle Ferreri sent their regards on Doyle’s passing over Twitter.
“Our very sincere condolences on the passing of former Mayor Jack Doris,” said Parnell.
“Jack Doris was a legend and a Peterborough icon. RIP. Thinking of his family and my buddy Ferg, his grandson. Lots of love,” said Bierk.
“Rest in peace, Jack Doris. You were a true gentleman, you served Peterborough well. You had a great way to deliver: ‘All in favour? Carrrry’ Always a gentle voice and a caring heart. Thank you for your service, Mr. Doris. Peterborough was lucky to have you,” said Ferreri.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
DBIA Offering Free De-Escalation and Harm Reduction Training for Local Businesses
/The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) in partnership with Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce are bringing back their free series of Narcan Training Sessions for local businesses and their employees.
Sarah Budd the new President, CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce (left) posing with Terry Guiel Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA with life-saving Naloxone kit to treat overdose. photo courtesy of the dbia.
