Jim Carrey Spotted In Peterborough While Scouting Filming Locations For Ace Ventura 3

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. 01/04/23

APRIL FOOLS! Did we get you? Jim Carrey was sighted at Peterborough Airport in 2014. It is said that he has property in the Buckhorn area.

Renowned actor Jim Carrey was recently spotted in Peterborough and several other local spots, scouting potential filming locations for his next movie, Ace Ventura 3.

Twitter Photo.

The Newmarket native has had ties to Peterborough, owning a cottage in the Bancroft area and spending several days there in between shoots.

He reached out to fellow Canadian actress Linda Kash at Market Hall (best known for her role as the Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel) to collaborate and help find potential filming spots in town.

“Both of us were big in the 90s and I don’t know how we never had the chance to work together,” explained Kash. “When he called me and asked for my help, I couldn’t say no. I’ve always loved watching him and was a big inspiration to me when I was starting my acting career.”

A movie poster teaser of Ace Ventura 3. A sequel for the series’s third incarnation ahs been 18 years in the making.

Carrey’s movie series, ‘Ace Ventura’ is reputable for its plot of the title character of a pet detective rescuing captive or missing animals.

One spot Kash recommended was the Riverview Park and Zoo as Carrey was brainstorming ideas for exotic animals to be missing in his upcoming film, according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor.

“Jim was discussing ideas of what animals we could showcase for his upcoming film,” she explained. “We made suggestions of our beloved otters, Hazard the lynx and several other animals but he was particularly fond of Pablo, our 10-year-old Capybara. We’re incredibly honoured that our beautiful Pablo could become a movie star in the near future.”

Pablo celebrated his 10th birthdya on Valentine’s day. Photo courtesy of Riverview Park & Zoo.

The Peterborough Memorial Centre was in the presence of Carrey as the Peterborough Petes’s mascot Roger was discussed as a potential ‘missing animal’ for the third movie. This would follow in the footsteps of the first movie as it used ‘Snowflake,’ an actual dolphin that was kidnapped while being the Miami Dolphins’ mascot in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

“Roger has been an incredible and iconic mascot for the Peterborough Petes for the past 12 years,” said Adam King, Petes director of marketing. “To potentially see him on a big stage with an actor as famous as Jim Carrey would be wonderful for the Petes organization and Peterborough.

Peterborough Petes Mascot Roger, caught by surprise at the Canada Day Parade last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Kash recommended Peterborough Lift Lock as another filming location for the movie. Carrey said the unique structure could be a perfect spot as a climax scene for the movie as a ‘final showdown’ according to Chad Buchner, Ontario Waterways manager of canal operations.

“With the way the Lift Lock was built and how it operates, Jim told me that there are several angles he could go with filming scenes here,” he explained. “We could have someone falling from atop the Lift Lock, get trapped underneath the water or a boat chase scene along the Trent-Severn Waterway. The possibilities are practically endless.”

File Photo.

A projected date has not yet been released for Carrey’s third movie in the series.

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.

Peterborough U16 AAA Petes Clinch OHL Cup Playoff Berth Despite Back-To-Back Losses

Despite losing their last two round-robin games, the Peterborough U16 AAA Petes are limping into the OHL Cup playoffs with a 2-2 record at the Scotiabank Pond Rink in Toronto on Friday.

The Petes had a perfect penalty kill during round-robin play, sharing the honour with the Barrie Colts. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough U16 AAA Petes.

The Petes shared their 2-2 record with the Mississauga Rebels and Northern Ontario Hockey Association in the Lindros Division of the OHL Cup but had won out on tiebreakers.

The Petes had a good start, winning two straight games against the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (4-1) and Don Mills Flyers (6-1) on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Josh Avery, Wil McFadden and Kayden Buller scored a goal in each game while goaltender Masen Johnston rolled off back-to-back wins for Peterborough. The team rang off 10 consecutive goals during that two-game span.

Peterborough had a double-header on the final day of round-robin play, playing two games on Friday (one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 1:45 p.m.) before playoffs began.

Their third game was against the Waterloo Wolves and fell behind early, seeing a 2-0 deficit after 10:38 of play. Both teams traded goals since then up until 7:50 into the third period as Noah Vandenberg gave Waterloo a two-goal cushion, scoring and making it 5-3 late in the game. McFadden gave the Petes a jolt, scoring on the power play just over three minutes later to cut the deficit in half. Cohen Bidgood tied the game 1:38 later to make it 5-5 as overtime was required to determine a winner.

The victor was decided just under five minutes into the extra frame as the Wolves’s Brady Martin banged in his second of the game to give Waterloo a 6-5 overtime win over Peterborough.

The Petes played the Mississauga Rebels in a matinee game to round out their round-robin play. The Petes found themselves killing off a penalty but were rewarded with a shorthanded goal from Max Seon to go up 1-0. Peterborough conceded the next three goals from the Rebels early in the third period. The Petes mustered an empty-net goal thanks to Avery but it was too little, too late as they fell in a 3-2 loss.

The Petes start their playoff run against the Toronto Nationals in a quarterfinal matchup with puck drop at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. The latter was the division leader in their round-robin bracket with a 3-1 record.

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.

Ontario Government Provides $250,000 to YMCA in Peterborough and Quinte to Offset COVID-19 Expenses

The Ontario Government and Ontario Trillium Foundation have provided the YMCA of Central East Ontario a $250,000 Community Building Fund grant to help offset any costs incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic, announced on Friday afternoon.

(from left to right) MaryAnne Wooldridge, General Manager Balsillie Family Branch; MPP Dave Smith and David Allen, President and CEO of YMCA of Central East Ontario. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The money was split between the Balsillie Family Branch location in Peterborough and the Belleville branch and the John Williams branch in Quinte West. The former got the lion’s share with around $200,000 of the grant according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Today’s funding announcement has been a tremendous help to the Peterborough YMCA in continuing to provide services within our community,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “This allows them to continue focusing on the important work they do best, which is helping to support the health and wellness of children, families and individuals right here in our region.”

In addition to paying off the upkeep of operation expenses, the grant helped it purchase software with web and virtual costs.

“Like so many other organizations, the past few years have been a really challenging time for our YMCA,” explained David Allen, YMCA of Central East Ontario president and CEO. “This grant allowed our YMCA to cover software and operational expenses at a time when membership revenue was limited.”

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.

New Art Gallery of Peterborough Exhibit Features Award-Winning Artist Tim Whiten

Explore the art work of award-winning artist Tim Whiten through the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s (AGP) current exhibition Elemental: Earthen until May 21.

photo courtesy of the art gallery of peterborough.

The exhibition features a selection of the artist’s early to recent work – from the beginning of the 1970s onward – alongside several antiquities generously loaned from the McMaster Museum of Art.

“It is an honour and a privilege to share Whiten’s work during this exciting time in his long and impactful career,” says AGP curator Fynn Leitch.

photo courtesy of the art gallery of peterborough.

Tim Whiten was born in Inkster, Michigan in 1941. He does not consider himself an artist but an "image maker who also creates cultural objects," and in a career that spans over forty years, he has sought to navigate the territory of the human condition with the intent of inviting experiences and encouraging “sensing” over “reading.”

Whiten recently won the esteemed Gershon Iskowitz Prize.

The exhibition, Elemental, is part of an expanded, multi-venue survey celebrating Whiten’s extensive career, developed in partnership between the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Art Gallery of York University, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, and McMaster Museum of Art from 2022 to 2023. This series of exhibitions is thematically linked by the classical elements of air, water, earth, and fire - a reference to Whiten’s interest in alchemical practices. Elemental: Earthen is the third of four exhibitions and focuses on the element of earth and its associations with home, sustenance, power, transformation and alchemy.

“Together, these objects create a space to explore Whiten’s ongoing engagements with the fundamental composition of the universe and who/what we are as human beings,” shares Chiedza Pasipanodya, guest curator of Elemental: Earthen.  

The AGP is located at 250 Crescent St. Admission is free.

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.

PRHC Names Cardiac Centre After James Neill Who Donated $5 Million, Largest Contribution in Hospital's History

James "Jim" Neill has been immortalized in Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) history as the Cardiac Centre has been named after him after he made a $5 million donation in a sign-unveiling ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The donation is in support of cardiac care and was given back in 2021. The sign was revealed at the exterior northeast corner of the hospital, naming it the James B. Neill Cardiac Centre.

Neill had ‘no idea’ that it was the largest donation PRHC had ever received when that information was made known to him.

“To have my name on the side of the building, to see it associated with such an outstanding hospital and such exceptional and talented healthcare professionals, is a great honour,” said Neill. “It’s my hope that when patients, visitors and staff look up and see it, they’ll be encouraged and inspired to support their hospital in whatever way they can, much as the donors who came before inspired me.”   

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

PRHC and its foundation Foundation members were present with Neill, his family and friends at the ceremony to commemorate the event. The former expressed their gratitude to Neill for his generous donation.

“Mr. Neill is saving and improving the lives of thousands upon thousands of present and future patients and for that, as well as the inspiration his donation will provide to so many, we’re incredibly grateful,” said Lesley Heighway, PRHC foundation president and CEO.

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.

Innovation and Technology Showcase Returns to Fleming College April 5

Creativity, dedication and teamwork will be on full display at the Venture North building during the annual Fleming College Innovation and Technology Showcase on April 5.

photo courtesy of flemng college.

A highlight of the academic year, this event is a chance for Fleming College’s Global Business Management students to present the applied projects they have been working on. 

Twenty teams comprised of 73 students are competing in this year’s challenge with a wide array of projects.

Some projects paired students with established, external organizations. A team working with a local non-profit organization helped that organization connect with community members and increase memberships, while another team paired with a Toronto office furniture company created a marketing plan to attract new clients.  

Other projects include the creation of a parking app to help market unused parking spaces on private and commercial properties, where another project focused on identifying environmentally friendly ways to handle industrial waste.  

After an initial round of judging on April 5, 10 teams will go on to the finals taking place at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus on May 10. Student teams are eligible for cash prizes which are sponsored by IEEE.

Other sponsors for the Innovation and Technology Showcase include Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Ashburnham Realty, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and the Innovation Cluster.  

The showcase is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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.

City of Peterborough Participating in Upcoming City Nature Challenge

The City of Peterborough has joined the City Nature Challenge (CNC), a global bioblitz competition to record nature sightings within Peterborough municipal boundaries from April 28 to May 1.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Tracking nature observations is valuable to help understand the biodiversity of local species and assists in identifying population changes over time. Many wildlife populations are at risk of declining with habitat loss being the most significant hazard impacting Ontario species.

On Saturday, April 29, an in-person bio-blitz is scheduled at Jackson Park (610 Parkhill Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The City is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to lead the Jackson Park bio-blitz. Specific wildlife-themed searches will occur, including bird, plants, mushrooms and insect counts.

To aid in recording wildlife observations during the bio-blitz, the iNaturalist app will be used to upload sightings of species spotted through the use of a unique Peterborough project event page. In addition, any nature observations recorded from April 28 to May 1 in Peterborough are eligible for the CNC competition and can be posted to the Peterborough iNaturalist page.

“The City Nature Challenge is citizen science in action. I invite residents to join us on April 29 for the BioBlitz. This event is a great opportunity for residents to connect with each other and with nature at Jackson Park, a well-loved urban park that is home to many forms of wildlife. Information gathered during the BioBlitz will support scientific research and contribute to our understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, Chair of the City’s Environment and Climate Change portfolio.

All observations will be verified by volunteers to confirm the correct species identification uploaded to iNaturalist. The CNC will tally the total confirmed observations from participating communities world-wide and announce the winners for the most sightings per community’s population size and area. A detailed schedule of the event will be posted online.

To learn more about how to participate, visit Peterborough City Nature Challenge web page.

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.

Special Teams Give Peterborough Petes Give 4-2 Win Over Sudbury Wolves, Lead 1-0 In Playoff Series

The Peterborough Petes were scoring in multiple ways with their special teams and take game one in their first-round playoff series against the Sudbury Wolves in a 4-2 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday night.

The Petes and the Wolves have met four times in the OHL Playoffs, with Peterborough winning all four matchups. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen adn the Peterborough Petes.

Sudbury opened the scoring with an odd-man rush with a goal from Quentin Musty beating Petes goaltender Michael Simpson for a 1-0 lead. Peterborough struggled to find the back of the net after 16 shots, unable to solve Kevyn Brassard. As things looked worse for Peterborough after getting a late penalty from Donovan McCoy in the last minute of the period, Jonathan Melee turned the momentum around. Avery Hays forced a turnover and Melee scooped up the loose puck. He fired a shot that was blocked and went wide but bounced back to him and buried it, shorthanded with three seconds left to tie the game at 1-1. The Petes would lead in shots 17-8, their most in a period this game.

Sudbury struck again on the odd-man rush as David Goyette fed Matthew Mania for a one-timer that got past Simpson again to restore their one-goal lead, 2-1. The Petes came close on several occasions but hit the post multiple times in the period. Peterborough appeared to be in trouble again as they had a delayed penalty call against them that became the game’s turning point. Musty retreating in his own zone passed the puck intended for Jakub Chromiak. The latter failed to corral it and have it slip into the net for an own goal in an incredibly strange sequence. Melee was credited for the score, his second of the night.

The Petes took over in the third period as they capitalized on their powerplay opportunity. Hayes scored on a one-timer with a pass from Brennan Othmann behind the Wolves’ net to make it 3-2. Hayes added an empty netter as the dagger for a 4-2 Petes win. Michael Simpson stopped 26 of 28 for his first career playoff victory as the Petes lead the playoff series 1-0 in a best-of-seven series over Sudbury.

The Petes stay at home for game two on Friday night at the PMC against the Sudbury Wolves with the puck drop at 7:05 p.m.

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.

Joan Carragher, PVNC Catholic Director of Education Announces Retirement

Joan Carragher, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board director of education, has announced her retirement from the position effectively on Aug. 31.

Photo courtesy of PVNC.

Carragher held the position since December 2020.

“This has truly been an inspiring role. Every day I am amazed by the abilities and passions of our dedicated staff in schools and at the board office and I have had the pleasure of working on behalf of our students who give me so much optimism for the future,” said Carragher. “I sincerely thank the Board of Trustees who entrusted me with this important work. I did not take this privilege lightly and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.” 

“Joan’s steadfast leadership was instrumental in leading the Board through some of the most challenging periods of the pandemic and into recovery,” said Kevin MacKenzie, board chairperson. “Joan also led the development of the Board’s current multi-year strategic plan, which will continue to guide the Board’s direction for years to come. We thank Joan for her leadership, her mentoring, her calm demeanor in the face of many challenges and her unwavering commitment to our students, staff, families and school communities.”

Carragher was born and raised in Prince Edward Island and moved to Ontario in 1990 to begin her career in Catholic Education at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She joined PVNC Catholic as a teacher in 1999, served as vice-principal and principal before becoming a superintendent in 2012. She served roles as superintendent of schools/special education and superintendent of learning/leadership and human resources. The Board of Trustees hired Carragher as Director of Education in December 2020.

Carragher plans to return to P.E.I. with her husband Michael following retirement. They have two daughters Charlotte and Emma, who are both PVNC Catholic graduates. 

The Board of Trustees has begun the process to fill the director’s role, making a job posting.

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.

Hometown PTBO: Jeremy Poulin Getting Sticky With Red Mill Maple Syrup In Millbrook and His Favourite Uses of the Canadian Delicacy

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Jeremy Poulin of Red Mill Maple Syrup about growing up in Millbrook, the Maple Syrup business and his favourite uses of the Canadian delicacy.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.