Quaker Foods City Square To Host Petes Community Watch Party For Game Five of OHL Championship

Peterborough Petes fans can cheer loud at a free outdoor Community Watch Party at the Quaker Foods City Square for Game Five of the OHL Championship on Friday.

The City of Peterborough is providing financial support to the DBIA to host the community watch party. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The event runs rain or shine from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. to support the Petes as they take on the London Knights on the road. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and is being nationally televised.

The Charlotte Street square will have a 16-foot mega screen that is live streaming the game. Face painting and a small vendors market with grab-and-go snacks such as popcorn, candy, mini pies and tacos) are amenities that are provided during the watch party.

“As the DBIA (Downtown Business Improvement Area) looks for fun and unique ways to animate the new Quaker Foods City Square in the downtown, we are excited to explore what public screening events can look like,” said Terry Guiel, Peterborough DBIA executive director. "Thanks to our wonderful partnership with the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Petes, we are able to bring our community together as we collectively celebrate this special moment in Peterborough sports history.”

Fans are asked to bring their own chairs and dress for the weather. All attendees are encouraged to wear their Petes apparel while cheering for the team.

“Peterborough and the Kawarthas have been showing their maroon and white pride as the Petes make another historic playoff run and our organization is very excited that Quaker Foods City Square will be a home for the many passionate community members that want to gather to cheer on their Petes," said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations.

Quaker Foods City Square is planning to host another community watch party on Monday for Game Seven if necessary. It will run from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with puck drops at 7 p.m.

“Let’s cheer on our hometown Peterborough Petes in the OHL Championship series,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell “They’ve already given their fans and our community an incredible run in the playoffs and there’s more edge-of-your-seat excitement to come in these finals.”

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100 Acre Brewing Company Holding Grand Opening On Friday

After a soft opening last weekend, 100 Acre Brewing Company is holding its grand opening for the May two-four weekend beginning this Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcements were made by the company’s social media handles (Facebook and Instagram) Tuesday evening.

It is located at 390 Ashburnham Dr. at a 100-acre homestead with the grand opening running for four days, ending on Monday.

The following are the grand opening hours::

• Friday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Monday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

100 Acres features four beers that are available at launch with each beverage named with a nature theme: Flight Path (table beer), White Tail (pilsner), Monarch (Saison) and Snapper (India Pale Ale). Their beer is described as being crafted using traditional styles while also being creative and experimental as nature intended according to their website.

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Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch Season In Full Swing

The 22nd season of the Peterborough Senior Ladies Slo Pitch League is underway as 104 women over the age of 50 were swinging for the fences at the George (Red) Sullivan East City Bowl.

Beth Zwir of Trentview (left) falls short of a step of beating out the throw as Trish Crossman of Crossman Excavating (right) is able to make the play for the out. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The women play every Wednesday and occasionally on Fridays if necessary on a 16-game schedule. The regular season runs from until Aug. 23 with a rainout date of Aug. 30. Playoffs run for three weeks starting on Sept. 6.

This is the second-straight year that the league has been able to operate with no COVID-19 restrictions. This led to not having temporary rules such as no tagging the runners and also saw more women sign up for the league due to the virus’s heightened impact on seniors.

“It's back to the way it was before Covid,” said Darlene Charlton, league president.“Covid affected everything so it's nice to see everything back to normal.”

The league also engages in several social events during and after the season. Events include a Euchre tournament, BBQ lunch, Toronto Blue Jays game, scramble golf tournament and a league banquet.

The following are the eight teams in this year’s league:

• Crossman Excavating

• The Wellness Chef

• Crook & Coffer

• Trentview

• Archies

• Southcrest Farms

• Sparkies Electric

• Kristine Laufer Century 21

“Everybody's just so happy to get out,” said Charlton. “Everybody just has so much fun. They're smiling, they're laughing so that's the kind of league it is.”

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The Peterborough Marina Opens for the Season May 19

Peterborough Marina opens on Friday, May 19 ahead of the Victoria Day weekend to coincide with the opening of the boating season on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Peterborough Marina is situated on Little Lake along the Otonabee River, between Lock 19 and Lock 20 on the Trent-Severn Waterway. It offers daily, weekly and seasonal mooring with 100 boat slips. 

Information on the Marina operations, including hours of operation, details on services and rates, as well as an online request form to book a mooring, is available online or by calling the Marina at 705-742-0050.  

The Marina typically opens on the Friday before the Victoria Day weekend and closes for the season on Thanksgiving Day each year. Hours of operation will align with the lockage hours of the Trent Severn Waterway as follows: 

May 19 to June 18 

• Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

• Friday to Sunday and Victoria Day: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

June 19 to September 4 

• Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

• Friday to Sunday and Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

September 5 to October 9 

• Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

• Saturday to Sunday and Thanksgiving: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

For information on the Trent-Severn Waterway, including lockage hours along the 386-kilometre route between Port Severn on Georgian Bay and Trenton on the Bay of Quinte visit the website.

The Lighthouse Lounge & Grill restaurant is temporarily closed while construction is completed on the stairwell and decking. An opening date will be updated on the Marina webpage in the coming weeks.  

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Voice of Business: Discretionary Spending Trending Up Despite Slowing Economy

Our economy, and inflation, are slowing — but so far, we’re on track for the ‘soft landing’ the Bank of Canada has been steering our economy toward.

In the span of less than a year, the base overnight lending rate went from 0.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent. All the while, as interest rates climbed in 2022, inflation continued at well above the levels we’ve grown accustomed to. In the latter part of 2022, inflation finally began a decline and that’s continuing into 2023. As of April, inflation had dropped to 4.3 per cent, the lowest it has been since August of 2021 and down from 5.2 per cent the month before.

Meanwhile, economic growth (measured as Gross Domestic Product) at the start of the year was 0.6 per cent but dropped to 0.1 per cent by February.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Data Labs breaks down the current economic movers and shakers:

• Output grew in 12 of 20 sectors. Both services and goods sectors were up by 0.1 per cent, while goods sectors have had a tougher time since last fall.

• Professional services (+0.6 per cent monthly growth) continue to lead the economy.

• The resilience in construction (+0.3 per cent, up for a second straight month) is impressive, given the large increase in interest rates over the past year. Perhaps pricing in Canada’s housing market has already hit bottom, given on-going supply challenges and strong demand expected from large increases in immigration in recent months.

• The public sector grew by 0.2 per cent and has grown for 13 months in a row. The federal public servant strike will be a drag on output starting in April.

• Wholesale (-1.3 per cent) and retail trade (-0.5 per cent) were weak, dragged down by auto and gas station sales.

What does this mean for local businesses?

Higher cost of living (inflation) and debt servicing (interest rate hikes) led to reduced consumer spending for many people, but is back on the upswing. According to RBC, discretionary spending jumped in April, including a 1.3% jump in restaurant spending.

While the current economic challenges have some echoes of 2008, there are some big differences — most notably the fact that people are still working. According to Statistics Canada, the number of job vacancies in Canada decreased to 855,890 in the fourth quarter of 2022, down from 987,700 in the third quarter. Less people are hiring, but we still have far more job openings than people to fill them.

The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for April paints a more positive view on our current economy as our unemployment rate continues to hover at 5 per cent, employment increased by 33,000 (0.4 per cent) in Ontario and wages are up 5.2 per cent year-over-year.

In the grand scheme of things, most Canadians who are willing and able to work are still employed and making more money than they did last year. Where many economic slowdowns result in hikes in unemployment, the decrease in hiring is only narrowing a significant gap between demand for labour and its availability.

That’s not to say our local economy won’t feel the pinch of a slowing economy. Households and businesses carrying more debt have been hit harder by the rise in interest rates. Wage numbers are an average and not everyone has experienced pay increases that keep up with the increased cost of living. And some business sectors are facing more economic hardships than others.

Considering the fact that we just came through a devastating public health crisis followed by runaway inflation not seen in a generation, which has led to governments around the world trying to slow our economy without crashing it, we are well positioned for a “soft landing.” Consumer discretionary spending is trending back up, interest rates have stabilized, and we have a strong workforce.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Peterborough Humane Society Receives $10,000 Donation From Docupet

Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) has received a donation of $10,000 from the City of Peterborough’s official pet licensing partner, DocuPet announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Humane Society.

“This donation will go a long way in supporting the care we provide animals in our community. From reuniting animals, taking in strays and surrenders and everything in between, every dollar counts in the care of these animals.” shared Shawn Morey, PHS executive director.

DocuPet is a pet profile, lost pet and licensing solution business that joined PHS in 2019. This donation came from DocuPet’s Safe&Happy Fund that collects automatic donations through designer license tag purchases as well as direct donations. 

Licensing fees collected annually contribute to the PHS’s daily operational expenses according to a press release.

To mark the occasion, DocuPet is offering $10 off a regularly priced designer tag for all City of Peterborough pet owners with promo code ‘PTBO10.’

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Lang Pioneer Village Museum to Open May 23

The Lang Pioneer Village Museum announces they will be beginning their 2023 tour season on Tuesday, May 23.

photo courtesy of lang pioneer village.

May is Museum Month and a great time to start planning a trip to Lang Pioneer Village Museum. The Village will once again be bustling with costumed interpreters who will demonstrate the trades and pastimes of local settlers and Indigenous people of the 19th century.

The Museum will initially be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until June 16 for spring hours. Kicking off both the Museum’s summer hours and special event season is the annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show on June 18.

The Museum’s 56th season will see the return of many popular special events including the Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show, the Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show, Village by Lantern Light, Applefest, Historic All Hallows’ Eve and Christmas by Candlelight. Also returning this year is a late-summer harvest celebration, the Corn Roast. The Corn Roast will give visitors an opportunity to celebrate the early harvest season, with plenty of fire-cooked corn to enjoy. Also returning is the Christmas Bazaar, which brings together a variety of local artisans at the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building for a day of holiday shopping.

“Our staff and volunteers are excited to welcome everyone to the museum this summer. We've been working on opening up the heritage buildings, cleaning up the site, and freshening up our content with lots of opportunities to see and do throughout your visit with us," says museum operations manager Elizabeth King.

Visitors may purchase admission for both daily visits and special events at the door or in advance online. For those wanting to take advantage of all the museum has to offer this season, season passes are also available for purchase.

Travel back in time this season at Lang Pioneer Village Museum! The Village is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from May 23 to June 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday from Father’s Day to Labour Day weekend. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors (60+), $5 for youths (ages 5-14), free for children under 5. Family admission is also available for $30 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths ages 5-14. Special event pricing varies.

For more information, visit the website.

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Photos: Holy Cross Students Celebrate Asian Heritage Month With Cooking Demo In 'Cook Eat Love' Culinary Program

Susan Tung, Hanoi House and NAKA Japanese owner (left) and Morgan Bell, general manager (right) showing HCSS students how to make Vietnamese spring rolls. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

Roughly 20 students from grades 9-12 at Holy Cross Secondary School received a cooking demonstration from Susan Tung and Morgan Bell, owner and general manager of Hanoi House (Vietnamese) and NAKA Japanese Food & Drink restaurants.

The demo is part of the school’s Cook Eat Love culinary program offered to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board’s six secondary schools throughout May to learn about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage.

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Hunter Street Patio and One-Way Street Installations Begins Tuesday

The installation of expanded patio areas and pedestrian space for Downtown Peterborough and one-way driving on Hunter Street begins on Tuesday.

the City has received about 25 patio permit applications.Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The City is installing decorative fencing and planter boxes next to businesses on George, Water and Charlotte Street on select expanded patios this year, using on-street parking in front of their businesses.

Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets is being converted into a one-lane, one-way street westbound to add more patio and pedestrian space. Chambers Street is temporarily closed at its south end at Hunter Street and will be two-way for traffic from its north end at Brock Street for the duration of the closure.

Reduced speed limits will be put in place during this time. Parking spaces including accessible spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted.

The installation will begin on Tuesday, May 15, 2023 with the Hunter Street West lane reduction. Installations are anticipated to continue throughout May and June to facilitate applicants that did not meet the initial application deadline.

Providing additional outdoor space for downtown businesses and visitors is another way to add vibrancy to the Central Area.

The installation of public artworks along a part of Hunter Street is running for a third-consecutive year as part of the Renaissance on Hunter public art project. The Road Mural and Artists' Gardens projects are expected to be in place by end of June, weather permitting.

Patio permit applications are due by June 1. Patio Licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations who are proposing to place a patio on City-owned property. More information is available at the City’s Application, Licenses and Permits webpage. Applicants are now able to submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

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East City Loaded Pierogi To Hold Grand Opening This Saturday

Franchise fast food restaurant Loaded Pierogi is opening another location in Peterborough with a grand opening at 89 Hunter St. this Saturday.

The first location is at 1135 Lansdowne St. W. at Parkway place. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The location is at the former Reggie’s Hot Grill which closed on Dec. 18, 2021.

“We’re proud to have put so much of our heart into planning this grand opening and are committed to upholding the flavour, quality, value and exceptional service that each and every store in this franchise delivers,” said Paridah Thakkar, Loaded Pierogi owner.

Loaded Pierogi’s menu consists of classic and crispy pierogies, greens & grains bowls, French tacos, curly fry poutines, mac ‘n cheese and loaded ice cream scoops.

The grand opening will have a buy one, get one signature bowls free promo along with half off all kids’ meals and branded merchandise giveaways.

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