Last-Second Invite Yields An OFSAA Silver Medal For Holy Cross Girls' Rugby

The returning-champion A/AA Holy Cross Hurricanes almost successfully defended their title with a last-second invite and earned a silver medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Girls Rugby Championships on Wednesday.

Front row (left to right): Audrey McDonald, Audrey stone, Logan jolley, Jenna whynot, Katie Belk, Emma Belk, Olivia gaebel, Jordyn Scott, Macy Harper, Shannon Elliott

Back row (left to right): Jake Fowler, Marielle Collins, Mariah Maybee, Charley Wade, Kassidy buott, Iza Buott, Payton cough, Jordan bankes, Riley Stone, Sophie McLean, ruby Briand, kyrsten white, Chloe ward, alara Rourke, Brian Greer, Chris Paige Photo courtesy of Holy Cross Secondary School.

The Hurricanes originally were not qualified for OFSAA after suffering a defeat at the hands of the Cobourg’s St. Mary Thunder in the Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) championships, 7-5. The team received an invite from OFSAA organizers last Thursday after a last-second vacancy was made.

Holy Cross took another loss from them again in the OFSAA finals, 14-5 at Mary Ann Sills Park in Belleville in a three-day event from Monday to Wednesday.

Head coach Jake Fowler said that he’s proud of the drive, determination and team’s character which resulted in second place, considering the short window of opportunity to prepare for OFSAA.

“It speaks tremendously to the girls and their hearts and the pride they take in our program,” he explained. “Many of them were members of the gold-medal team last year so they went back to their experience and that was what propelled them.”

Holy Cross opened their day with a 60-7 rout of Toronto’s Ursula Franklin Academy Flames on day one to advance them into the quarterfinals.

They continued their run, playing their first of two games on the second day. Holy Cross advanced to the semifinals, defeating the Cairine Wilson Secondary School Wildcats out of Orleans in a close 15-12 win.

The Hurricanes kept their winning streak going with a tight win over Shelburne’s Centre Dufferin District High School Royals, 14-12. That win gave them the rematch against St. Mary’s, resulting in a loss.

“It's been quite a season,” said Fowler. “To go from not getting an invite to pulling it off just speaks to the group of girls.”

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Hometown PTBO: Valedictorian Frankie Moore Diagnosed With Autism Leading the Charge For Fleming College's Convocation With the CICE Program

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Fleming College valedictorian Frankie Moore about being the first Community Integration Co-operation Education (CICE) student to receive the honour despite being diagnosed with autism and about the program itself.

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Get a Taste of Greece at the Greek Festival This Sunday After a Three-Year Hiatus

Souvlaki, baklava and gyro wraps are going to be at this year’s Greek Festival to raise money for the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for this Sunday running from noon to 7 p.m.

Natalie DeCarlo of Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria (left) and and Greek festival organizer Sophie Spiridis (right) give a sneak peek of baklava and souvlaki pitas that will be featured at this year’s Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church this Sunday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Souvlaki —both pork and chicken —, tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, rice, gyros and pita will be some of the foods featured and available for the event. Greek music will be played throughout the event and Greek dancers from the Toronto-area will provide free, live entertainment around 2 p.m. Several Greeks in the restaurant business in Peterborough are involved in running the festival according to Sophie Spiridis, festival organizer.

“It's showing the people from Peterborough our culture and what we have to offer,” she said. “I know people love Greece, love Greek people and Greek food so it's (the festival) a way of doing that.”

The proceeds for the church will aid in paying off their well water system that was recently upgraded. It will also cover any renovations for the church that it will want to undergo in the near future.

“Next year, we will be celebrating 30 years of the building of our church so there are upgrades like any other church or any household,” explained Spiridis.

The event has not run since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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PedalBoro Returns to the Peterborough Downtown Streets For the Season

The 15-seater PedalBoro bike is returning to Downtown Peterborough streets to tour the craft beer scene for another season, announced on Wednesday.

Roughly 60 per cent of PedalBoro goers were from out of town according to PEdalBoro. Photo courtesy of PedalBoro.

The cycling begins this weekend as PedalBoro will have cycling tours running from June until October.  The booking calendar is open as the party bike is available from Friday through Sunday for pub crawl tours, private parties as well as one-of-a-kind team building experiences according to a press release.

“As we embark on our third year in operations, we are opening this season with a real sense of purpose,” said Peter Rellinger, PedalBoro captain. “Our mission has always been to showcase the incredible people and places that make downtown Peterborough so unique. PedalBoro tours build connection and community pride back into our downtown core, add in a little dash of adventure and we are able to create this special sauce that can only really be experienced by bike.”

Last year, the unique bike aided in downtown spending with an average of 89 per cent of tour guests supporting core area restaurants, cafés and pubs before and after tours as stated in a press release.

“As our community continues to show its resiliency through economic hardship PedalBoro has an important role to play,” said Hillary Flood, ‘Party Pixie.’ “We are here to roll up our sleeves and do our part- and to do it with a bit of flair and a whole lot of razzmatazz.”

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Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; June 9 - 11

photo courtesy of the peterborough dragon boat festival.

Here are some things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from June 9 to 11!

Come out and cheer on the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival

Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is a vital fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, supporting world-class cancer and breast cancer screening.

Cheer on your friends, family and neighbours, participate in the moving breast cancer flower ceremony, come shopping, play games or enjoy some time at the Thirsty Dragon beer garden.

This fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHC Foundation) supports world-class breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, and has raised over $3.9 million so far.

7 a.m. – Road closures in effect, barricades close

7:45 a.m. – Team Captains meeting by the Volunteer Tent

8 a.m. – Awakening the Dragon/Opening Ceremonies

8:30 a.m. – First Race Heats begin

9 a.m. – Vendors Village Market opens

9 a.m. – Family Fun Zone opens

11 a.m. – The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden opens

11:30 a.m. – McKenzie Cup Race followed by the Flower Ceremony

Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Lunch break

12:30 p.m. – Second Race Heats begin

3:10 p.m. – Divisional Finals begin

4 p.m. – Raffle winners announcements

4 p.m. – Last shuttle bus leaves Del Crary Park

4:50 p.m. – Awards Ceremony – Race Trophies Top Individual Fundraisers – At the bleachers

5:45 p.m. – The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden closes

When: Saturday, June 10, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Little Lake, Peterborough.

Join the Peterborough Business Social Club Tiki Party

Looking for some tropical fun without leaving Peterborough?

The Peterborough Business Social Club is opening up their Tiki Party to the public at Chemong Lodge to the public this Saturday, June 10th, starting at 5 p.m.

Join for cocktails, games, live music by Cary Shields, prizes and dancing! Fire up the barbecues as a family-style dinner and complimentary wine is being served on the patio!

Tickets are $150 a couple and you can get more details by emailing jamesway33@gmail.com. Come on out and enjoy a tropical paradise at Chemong Lodge with the Peterborough Business Social Club!

When: Saturday June 10, 5 p.m.

Where: Chemong Lodge

Chow Down at Greek Festival

Greek Festival for all!

Greek food, Greek music, Greek dancing will entertain festival goers in the back yard of the church.

Free admission.

When: Sunday, June 11, noon - 7 p.m.

Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

League 1 Ontario Men's Home Game - Electric City FC vs Hamilton United

The Electric City Football Club Men’s Team host the Hamilton United for a regular-season match at Fleming College.

When: Saturday, June 10 2-4 p.m.

Where: Fleming College (599 Brealey Drive, Peterborough)

Daniel James McFadyen at Jethro's Bar & Stage

Nova Scotia-based indie folk artist Daniel James McFadyen is bringing his national tour to Jethro's Bar & Stage (137 Hunter St. W) on Friday, June 9. 

It's been a busy time for Daniel, as he has just released his new single “Sunshine”, the lead track off his forthcoming EP. He recently performed in Halifax at the 35th annual East Coast Music Awards, where his 2022 single “Hot Sun” was nominated for ‘Best Song’ and ‘Rising Star Recording’.

When: Friday, June 9 6 p.m.

Where: Jethro’s Bar (137 Hunter St. W)

Check out the 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.

When: Saturday June 10, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Where: Morrow Park

New Stages Theatre Presents ‘SWEAT’ by Lynn Nottage

New Stages presents a one-night-only staged reading of SWEAT by Lynn Nottage, an unforgettable play for unprecedented times.

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, SWEAT is a chilling and timely play that tells the story of a group of colleagues in Pennsylvania whose fortunes rapidly decline between 2000 and the 2008 financial crisis. A devastating account of American industrial collapse and the racial and class tensions that shatter the surface when people are desperate. A must-see for Peterborough audiences.

The cast includes: Christopher Allen, Andrew Chown, Beau Dixon, Kait Dueck, René Escobar Jr., Catherine Fitch, Tony Munch and Ordena Stephens-Thompson.

Content Advisory: This play contains themes of racism and uses words that are offensive and demeaning, including the n-word. Recommended audience: 14+.

When: Sunday, June 11 7:30 p.m.

Where: Market Hall

Tickets: $22, and $11 for students, under-waged and artworkers.

Watch Harness Racing 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.

When: Saturday, June 10 7-10 p.m.

Where: Kawartha Downs (1382 County Rd. 28, Fraserville)

The Annual Father’s Day Smoke and Steam Show is Back at Lang Pioneer Village

The Lang Pioneer Village Museum’s 2023 event season kicks off on Sunday, June 18 with the 26th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show.

photo courtesy of lang pioneer village museum.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, treat dad to a nostalgic Father’s Day filled with tractors and powerful equipment.

Watch as local collectors bring to life some of the oldest antique tractors and steam engines around as they compete for over 20 awards including Best Unique Exhibit, Best Display and Lang Pioneer Village’s Choice.

Watch as tractors try to balance on a tilted platform as fast as possible or maneuver through an obstacle course while balancing a tin can on a stick. View displays of smoke and steam collectibles, hit and miss engines, antique tool collections and more. The tractor games, including lawn tractor races, begin at noon.

Throughout the Village, learn about the many ways power was generated in the 1800s. See the Shingle Mill in full operation powered by volunteers and antique engines. Enjoy a variety of historic demonstrations including spring-pole lathe, broad axe hand hewing, natural dyeing, spinning, grinding at the Grist Mill and more. Hop on board a tractor and wagon ride and tour the historic village in style. Take some time to pause and enjoy live music by Glen Caradus & Fiddling Jay. Check out the model train display brought by the Ganaraska Railway Modellers and Jim Burchell. Kids can take part in some old-fashioned games in the schoolyard and make a paper whistle to take home. Don’t forget to visit the farm animals, on loan from Harley Farms for the summer.

Demonstrators and visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast (served while supplies last) in the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building (additional fee applies). Refreshments and sweet treats will be available for purchase throughout the day at the Keene Hotel, or stop by Ben’s Kettle Corn who will be popping up fresh kettle corn. The Keene Lions Club food truck will also be onsite selling BBQ goods and there will be fresh Empire Cheese curd available for purchase in the Cheese Factory. If you haven’t already over-indulged in delicious treats, take part in the pie-eating contest on the Village Green.

The day will conclude with a tractor parade through the historic village beginning at 3 p.m.

Admission to the 26th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under 5.

Family admission is also available for $40, which includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths (ages 5-14). Visitors may purchase admission in advance via the Museum’s online shop, but advance purchase is not required. For more information, visit the website.

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Voice of Business: Untapped Staffing Resource

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Summit last month.

Organizations of all shapes and sizes came together to discuss ways they can grow and prosper in the future. Businesses in the community seem to be all facing one common problem: staffing. Businesses are finding it nearly impossible to attract and retain employees.

There may be an untapped resource that businesses may have overlooked: the New Canadians Centre (NCC).

Andy Cragg, Executive Director of the NCC, was a panellist at the Summit’s discussion on the workforce. Cragg pointed out that many new residents come to Canada willing and able to join the workforce.

On top of providing newcomers assistance to settle and integrate locally, the New Canadian Centre also offers employment support. This includes providing information about the local work environment, information on the accreditation and credential evaluation process, and a connection to other support programs and services.

“We have approximately 15 adult clients and 15 youth clients, but this number is always fluctuating as new people arrive in our community. Even if someone is not necessarily actively looking, if a good opportunity for them arises, our counsellors will still reach out to them; for newcomers especially, it can take some time to make the connections in Canada to secure work that is in line with their previous training and experience,” stated Michelle Nguyen, Peterborough Immigration Partnership (PIP) Officer of the New Canadians Centre.

Information on Labour and Immigration Statistics:

• Employers and governments are increasingly relying on immigrants to fill labour shortages as more Canadians are reaching retirement age

• Peterborough faces labour shortages in the healthcare industry, skilled trades, and business and finance sectors

• Over 1.3 million new immigrants were admitted to Canada from 2016 to 2021, more than the last five-year period

• Immigrants aged 25 to 54 account for 36.3 per cent of all core-aged employment in accommodation and food services; 37.8 per cent in transportation and warehousing, 34.1% in professional, scientific and technical services and 20.1 per cent in construction

• The Workforce Development Board predicts that, between 2019 and 2026, 22.5 per cent of all new workers are expected to come from immigration Nguyen also stated the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of training in the industries in Canada.

Nguyen also stated that the NCC helps newcomers navigate the process of acquiring the training needed to work in specific industries in Canada.

“We can help clients pursue recertification or attain new certification through programs we run (CPR/First Aid, Smart Serve, Heights Training). In addition, we've been working to address language barriers for essential/ministry-mandated training with a local health & safety training provider (HRS Group Inc.). Fleming Employment has run promising programs like Pathways to Prosperity but language level is an issue for some newcomers to participate successfully. More generally, we conduct language assessments and refer people, when relevant, to language courses, depending on the client's needs,” Nguyen explained.

As well, the Federal Government has introduced the Economic Mobilities Pathway Pilot program. This program would match, “skilled refugees and other displaced people” with businesses to fill “in-demand jobs in Canada.” More information on this program can be found at this link.

If you are interested in learning more about the programs offered by the New Canadians Centre, check out their website nccpeterborough.ca.

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

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One Person Taken To Hospital For Minor Injuries After Being Struck By Vehicle

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Peterborough on Wednesday night. 

Officers responded to a call at the intersection of Water Street and University Heights around 7 p.m. on Wednesday.  The victim was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment of minor injuries. 

The driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to yield to a pedestrian. 

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Hydro One And The City of Peterborough Plant 500 Trees In Ashburnham Memorial Park To Restore Urban Canopy From Last May's Derecho

During Canadian Environment Week, Hydro One and the City of Peterborough helped plant 500 trees at Ashburnham Memorial Park on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the derecho on Wednesday morning.

Jenn McCallum, co-founder of the Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group, her dog Blitz and her group of volunteers helping Hydro One and The City of Peterborough plant 500 trees in Ashburnham Memorial Park to help restore the city’s urban canopy after last year’s derecho. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Several volunteers from the Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group were on site also lending a hand. Councillors Joy Lachica, Gary Baldwin and Kieth Riel were also in attendance for the event.

Students were originally invited to aid in the tree planting but the air quality conditions were deemed unsafe for the kids to participate.

Hydro One had worked around the clock in order to restore power and help offset any damage caused by the storm. It inspired the company to do something positive for the community according to Teri French, Hydro One executive vice president.

“After the May long-weekend storm last year, I saw first-hand the devastation to the community of Peterborough,” she said. “Responding to this initiative, this tree planting provides such a great benefit for the community and the environment.”

The trees came from Hydro One’s community investment team which was able to supply the funding.

French says this tree planting is more important than ever now than ever before considering the benefits they give and seeing the latest weather conditions in Peterborough and beyond.

“Climate change especially over the last couple days, I think we've realized the importance that providing an urban canopy provides for communities,” she explained.

The City also ran a tree giveaway on Wednesday afternoon shortly after the event. All 250 trees were given away as the City thanked everyone who came out to pick one up according to a Twitter post.

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Peterborough Lakers Tailgate Party Cancelled Due to Air Quality Conditions; Home Opener Still A Go

The Peterborough Lakers tailgate party for Thursday’s home opener has been cancelled due to the air quality conditions according to their Facebook post made on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The game against the Brampton Excelsiors is still scheduled to happen with a banner-raising of the team’s fourth-straight Mann Cup. The opening faceoff is set for 8 p.m.

The tailgate party was scheduled in the PMC parking lot for two hours prior to the home opener. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable goods as the Lakers are collecting in support of Kawartha Food Share.

Peterborough’s air quality reached a high of nine on the Air Quality Health Index Readings from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday which is considered a high risk according to Air Quality Ontario. Conditions have peaked at seven from 6 to 8 a.m. Wednesday morning but have declined to four which is a low-end moderate risk by mid-afternoon.

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