City of Peterborough Services on Victoria Day 2023
/For Victoria Day on Monday, May 22, many City services and facilities will be operating under holiday hours or will be closed for the holiday.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
Peterborough Blogs
Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; May 19 - 21
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Here are ten things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from May 19 - 21!
Peterborough Petes Game Five Watch Party at Quaker Foods City Square
As the Peterborough Petes travel to London for Game Five of the OHL Championship, the city is throwing a watch party to see if the team can bring home the hardware.
A 16-foot mega screen 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.
Bring your own chairs and dress for the weather. Make sure you’re wearing your Petes gear to show that team spirit!
When: May 19, 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Quaker Foods City Square
Tickets: Free
OHL Championship Peterborough Petes vs. London Knights (Game Six)
We are hoping it will not have to come to this since the Peterborough Petes are up 3-1 in the OHL Championship series but if necessary, the team is trying to capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup against the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Six.
When: May 21
Where: Peterborough Memorial Centre
Tickets: TBA
Opening Day & Classic Car Show at Kawartha Downs
Welcome back to Kawartha Downs for our Opening Day of the 2023 season!
The Lions Club's second annual Classic Car Show will return to celebrate the beginning of another exciting race and event season! Enjoy kids activities and multiple live bands throughout the afternoon!
Harness racing post time is 7 p.m. and our grandstand dining room is the perfect place to enjoy dinner AND a show!
MASSIVE FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO CELEBRATE THE START OF OUR EXCITING EVENTS AND HARNESS RACING SEASON!
When: May 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Kawartha Downs
Tickets: Free
Opening Day Live Music at Kawartha Downs
Come see The Gunslingers from noon - 3:30 p.m. and Buck Twenty 4:15-6 p.m.!
When: May 20, noon - 6 p.m.
Where: Kawartha Downs
Tickets: Free
Harness Racing Live at Kawartha Downs
Horse racing is an exciting sport, dynamic business and a major contributor to the agricultural economy in Ontario. At Kawartha Downs, we feature harness or Standardbred racing where the horses are attached to a race bike (called a sulky) and are steered by drivers through a one-mile race.
Kawartha Downs is a five-eighths mile track which means the races start on the far side (away from the grandstand) of the racetrack, pass by the grandstand and race once more around the track with the exciting finish right in front of the fans and grandstand.
The horses which compete in harness racing have two distinct gaits. Pacers, the most common, move with both legs on the same side operating together. The front and hind legs on the right and left side move together. The majority of pacers wear equipment called hopples which help them maintain their gait.
When a trotter races their opposite legs work together – the front right and left rear come forward at the same time and vice versa.
The Standardbred horse is noted for its versatility and even temperament. Many harness horse that don’t make the racetrack can be found in the Mennonite communities, working as police horses and used in therapeutic riding programs. Standardbreds also make great riding horses and can be trained to compete in a variety of disciplines including barrel racing, dressage, etc.
Location: Kawartha Downs
When: May 20, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Kawartha Downs
Tickets: Free
Hutchison House: Silent Auction Fundraiser
As part of the celebrations surrounding May is Museum Month, Hutchison House Museum will be hosting a Silent Auction with a variety of donated items to raise money for a new Sir Sandford Fleming Exhibit to replace the Sandford Fleming Room. The new redesign will help with traffic flow in the museum and allow us to tell a large story for Fleming, exploring different themes and allowing us to display more permanently some of the great original Fleming artefacts that can be found in the collection.
Auction items range from Original Framed Artwork, signed or rare books, Venetian glass, memorabilia and more! Auction items will be on display in the Harvey Connal Room of the museum and online on our website and Social Media channels from May 1-19.
Bids can be made by emailing or calling the museum office. Winners will be able to pick up their purchases between May 23 and 26. Thank you so much to everyone for your support with this project. For more information please contact the museum office at 705-743-9710.
When: May 19, 9 a.m.
Where: 270 Brock St.
Tickets: Free
Peterborough Farmers Market
Buy directly from the farmer who grew it, raised it, harvested, or foraged it! Sixty percent of our vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100% of what they sell. The remaining forty percent include bakers, prepared food vendors, artists and community groups.
Enjoy a festive market atmosphere with Peterborough’s finest prepared food vendors, artisans and musicians.
Come find us every Saturday to find local produce, delicious takeaway meals and goodies, and artisan wares. We look forward to seeing you there!
When: May 20, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Morrow Park
Pick Up Some Produce at The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market
We invite you to listen to the sounds of our local musicians while visiting our 100+ vendor outdoor market May 1 to October 31, rain or shine in the Morrow Building parking lot. From November 1 to April 30, we are located inside the Morrow Building just south of the parking lot.
The establishment of a central market area for individual trade or sales has been a feature of societies all over the world for centuries. This trade has taken place in Peterborough for the past 190 years. This efficient method of commerce (ie. producer, direct to consumer) has gained much interest in recent years as small businesses have grown. We at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market are proud to be part of this popular phenomenon.
As producers of local food and crafts, we stress freshness, quality and value as we deal each and every week with our market patrons. Come and enjoy this traditional shopping experience.
When: May 20, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Quaker Foods City Square
Washboard Hank at the Black Horse Pub
Peterborough’s Washboard Hank is back on The Black Horse stage!
When: May 21, 4 p.m.
Where: Black Horse Pub
Tickets: Free
Melissa Lauren at the Red Dog Tavern
Toronto-based songwriter Melissa Lauren is that rarest of performers one as comfortable in jazz as in pop as well as the space where the two genres converge.
Whether covering a classic or elevating an original Lauren never fails to locate a song’s emotional core. The night will feature songs from her latest album with dynamic interplay between Eric St-Laurent on guitar and the audience.
When: May 21 7 p.m
Where: The PRd Dog Tavern
Tickets: $15
Peterborough Petes Have a 3-1 Series Stranglehold With 5-3 Win Over the London Knights In Game Four
/Another record-setting 4,046 fans went home happy as the Peterborough Petes have a commanding 3-1 series lead with a 5-3 win over the London Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Wednesday night.
The Petes are 9-1 at home this this postseason. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.
The Petes ran into early troubles as 1:19 into the game, Gavin White turned over the puck from behind his net that resulted in an unassisted goal from London’s Easton Cowan for a Knights 1-0 lead. The Petes failed to score in the first period however settled things down by evening the shot count, a stat that went against Peterborough during this series. The shots were 16-14 in favour of London after the stanza.
The second period was all Peterborough Petes. They got on the board 1:19 into the middle frame, as Connor Lockhart fed J.R. Avon for a breakaway. The hometown forward went to the backhand to beat Zach Bowen for the 1-1 tie. Peterborough continued their assault as Brennan Othmann opted to instead of shooting from the slot, dished it to Owen Beck for a one-timer for a 2-1 lead. Two minutes later, J.R. Avon on a turnaround shot from inside the point, wired it through traffic and find the back of the net for his second of the game and a 3-1 Peterborough lead going into the third.
The Petes continued where they left off as Donovan McCoy got on the score sheet and went bar-down for his second of the playoffs. The Knights put their resilience on display in the final six minutes of the game. London got a powerplay and pulled their goalie for a six-on-four situation. Sam Dickenson blasted a one-timer shot that beat Petes goaltender Michael Simpson to cut the deficit to two. Just under three minutes later, London got another powerplay and created another six-on-four situation. Denver Barkey initially could not handle the one-timed pass but was able to chip in a floater that sailed over a split-legged Simpson to make it 4-3 with 3:09 remaining. Avery Hayes put a dagger in the Knights’ hopes as he won a puck battle against Dickenson who could not corral the pass. The former Hamilton Bulldog sealed it with an empty-net goal for a 5-3 Petes win and a 3-1 series lead and are one win away from the OHL Championship.
Wilson (left) and Avon (right) during the post-game press conference. Avon has registered nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 10 games this postseason. Photo by Samantha Bianco.
“One game away doesn’t mean anything,” said Avon. “They can come back and get to do something crazy so we haven’t won anything yet, we have to keep going.”
Avon, Simpson and Beck earned three stars of the game.
“You to be able to sacrifice and when you sacrifice, good things happen,” said Rob Wilson, Petes head coach. “You do the right things and then the next minute, the puck’s back on your stick.”
@ptbo_canada 🏒 After a 5-3 win, the @Peterborough Petes are one win away from an @Ontario Hockey League Championship! Let’s bring it home, boys! #GoPetesGo #ohlhockey #ohl #peterboroughontario #playoffhockey ♬ Let's Go - M.Hustler
The Petes look to capture the OHL Championship in London as they take the Knights on Friday for Game Five with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. An official watch party is being held at Quaker Foods City Square running from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., rain or shine.
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Peterborough Child & Family Centres Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Grand Opening Of New PlayScape
/The grand opening of a new PlayScape helps mark the Peterborough Child & Family Centres’ 40th Anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at their Antrim Street facility on Wednesday afternoon.
Phoebe M., 3, has been a regular visitor to the centre for the past year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Parents and children were invited to use the new PlayScape and tour the facilities during the grand opening.
“It was a passion project for so many people who work here so I think it's pure excitement right now,” said Nicola Lyle, Centre C.E.O.
The PlayScape features a repurposed downhill slide, a circular track for walking and biking, a play kitchen, a canopy and other playground equipment. It replaced a tall climber that had occupied the outdoor space for several years.
“As our population has changed, the children that come here are younger than they used to be 20 years ago,” explained Lyle. “We really identified that the outdoor space no longer worked for us in the way that we wanted it to. We had dreamt for some time for having a much more small child-friendly naturalized space that really made the most of this beautiful outdoors and the nature that we are in.”
The services provided are free as the organization is funded by several levels of government. They offer parent-child interaction programs, parenting education, breastfeeding and a well-baby clinic.
The facility services children from when they are born until the age of six but welcomes kids who are in their kindergarten years that want to use the space.
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.
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.”
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.
Voice of Business: Discretionary Spending Trending Up Despite Slowing Economy
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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.
