City of Peterborough Community Activities for National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month 2023

Activities are being held throughout the community, including at City of Peterborough facilities, for residents to take part in National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

Highlights from the activities at City of Peterborough facilities:

Art Gallery of Peterborough

250 Crescent St.

• Exhibition: Special Project: Tea with the Queens, June 7 to June 29, 2023

• Opening reception for new exhibitions, June 7, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Afternoon Tea with the Queens, June 11 and 14, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and June 11, 13, and 22, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Indigenous Day Celebrations at Hiawatha First Nation: Art Gallery of Peterborough tent; June 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Peterborough Public Library

345 Aylmer St. N.

• PA Day Family Movie: Indigenous Cinema Shorts for Children, June 9, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

• Crafternoon: Beaded Rings with Malinda Gray, June 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Teen Book Club: Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, June 13, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunset Story Time with Betty Baker, June 16, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Non-fiction Book Club: Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance by Jesse Wente, June 20, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Summer Solstice Story Time, National Indigenous Peoples Day at Millennium Park, 130 King St., June 21, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• 10 Indigenous Titles You Should Read this Month featured at the Seniors Showcase, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., June 21, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

• Tween Book Club: Barren Grounds by David Robertson, June 22, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• Friday Film & Discussion: Voices Across the Water, June 23, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Adult Book Club: A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt, June 27, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space, open during library hours

Peterborough Museum and Archives

300 Hunter St. E.

• ‘To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales’ exhibit, open during museum hours until mid-November

• Quillwork Workshops, June 21, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., registration required

• Pride Flag Scavenger Hunt, during open hours all through June

• Pride Craft based on the book ‘My Rainbow’ and Stories station, during open hours all through June

• Indigenous Day Kids Crafts, June 21, during open hours

• Interpretive tours of the ‘To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales’ exhibit, available June 21, watch for details on the Museum website and social media

The City of Peterborough’ s Public Art Program invites you to visit The Nogojiwanong Project

The Nogojiwanong Project, located at the south end of Millennium Park, was a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples, and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, this gathering space was created to encourage learning and reflection with a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. The “Gathering” provides the focal point for the space.

Michael Belmore’s, entitled “Gathering,” complements the panels and anchors the space. It consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved, lined with copper, and fitted so that they sit slightly apart and seemingly radiate heat. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Totems or Dodems as they are called in Anishinaabemowin.

Nogojiwanong is an Anishinaabe word meaning “place at the foot of the rapids” and the name given to the gathering place, at the bottom of a turbulent stretch of the Otonabee River, renamed Peterborough by European settlers.

Millennium Park forms the present-day landfall and eddy along the western shoreline. It is also the site of the trailhead to the Chemong Portage – a six- or seven-mile historic footpath between the Otonabee River and Chemong Lake.

The Nogojiwanong Project location acknowledges these ancestral lands and the thousands of years the Michi Saagiig navigated this route between their winter camps and traditional fishing grounds at the mouth of the Ganaraska River on Lake Ontario.

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Winning Grandparents Named at 35th Annual Grandparent of the Year Award Ceremony

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) held its 35th Grandparent of the Year Awards presentation at the Peterborough Public Library on Tuesday.

file photo.

Community Care received almost 200 stories and artwork entries from children this year, telling the organization why their Grandparent should win this award. A panel of volunteer judges chose one winner and two honourable mentions from each group of grades; primary (Grades 2 and 3) and junior (Grades 4, 5, 6).

“After two years of virtual events, it was amazing to return to an in-person awards ceremony hosted by the Peterborough Public Library,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP’s donor relations and communications lead. “There (was) so much pride and happiness felt in the room, a definite ‘Smiles All Around’ event.”

Winners and honourable mentions read their stories and introduced their Grandparent, Elder or special older person to the crowd of about 80 people in attendance. CCP got their story and artwork framed as a gift for the children to present to their grandparents.

Local businesses and organizations also provided prizes for the children and their grandparents, which included Ashburnham Ale House, Boardwalk Board Game Café, Gerri's Arts and Crafts Warehouse, Lakeview Bowl Peterborough, The Little Frozen Yogurt Company, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Peterborough Public Library, Silver Bean Café and Tim Hortons.

Special guest Deputy Warden Sherry Senis presented each of the grandparents the award on behalf of Peterborough County. Local photographer Heather Doughty was onsite for the event, capturing family photos for the winners.

Primary Category – Grades 2 and 3

Primary Winner: Finn Frampton, Grade 3, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Reginald Caley

Primary Honourable Mention: Kylie Beasley, Grade 3, North Shore Public School. Honouring: Grandpa Ken Beasley

Primary Honourable Mention: Launa Hobbs, Grade 2, Monsignor O'Donoghue Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Nana Judy Masters

Junior Category – Grades 4, 5 and 6

Junior Winner: Maya Kubica, Grade 5, École catholique Monseigneur-Jamot. Honouring: Grandad David Peters

Junior Honourable Mention: Molly Cotnam, Grade 6, Apsley Central Public School. Honouring: Grandma Eva Malloy

Junior Honourable Mention: Madeline McBride, Grade 6, St. John Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Dan Burke

“We want to thank every child that entered, they have a participation certificate coming to them,” continued Vandine. “Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received, it was not an easy task for our volunteer judges to choose the winners. Congratulations to Finn (honouring Grandpa Reginald Caley) and Maya (honouring Grandpa Dan Burke) for their winning entries.”

For more information about the annual Grandparent of the Year event, visit the website.

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Lakers Fall at Home Opener to Brampton Excelsiors 14-13; Peterborough Raises Fourth-Straight Championship Banner

The winless Brampton Excelsiors bested the undefeated Peterborough Century 21 Lakers home opener and banner-raising ceremony before 3,412 fans with a 14-13 win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Captain Robert Hope leads the Peterborough Lakers put during their home opener ceremonies before facing off against the winless Brampton excelsiors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Lakers debuted their new-look jerseys at home with more visible names on the back and the letters ‘S.H.’ in the top left corner. The initials are in memory of equipment manager Steve Hynes who passed away peacefully at 72 in Hospice Peterborough last month. He served the team for over a decade prior to his passing.

Brampton was looking to quiet the crowd early as Robert Hudson got the Excelsiors on the board first 6:09 into the game. The visiting team was winning the possession and shots battle and it paid off. With 4:35 left in the period, James Whiteford extended the Brampton lead, 2-0 and kept Peterborough off the board. The winless Excelsiors kept their foot on the gas pedal as 39 seconds later, Carter Zavitz joined in on the scoring to make it 3-0.

Peterborough finally ended the drought as Taite Cattoni scored his first of the game for the Lakers 30 seconds later for a 3-1 game. The defending champions were not done yet. With sustained offensive pressure and good movement, Thomas Hoggarth threw a low shot that made contact with Brampton goalie Lucas Nagy but it squeaked through the five-hole to cut the deficit to one. Mitch Ogilvie threw one from the point to tie the game just nine seconds later to make it a 3-3 tie.

But as quick as the game was tied, it just as quickly became trouble for Peterborough. Seth Vanschepen restored Brampton’s lead. Things got worse for the Lakers as Eric Shewell had a cross-checking penalty that led to a Tanner Thompson goal just 12 seconds left in the period. The Excelsiors were not done yet as they quickly won the faceoff and Josh Medeiros got on the board to restore Brampton’s three-goal lead in the final six seconds of the period. It was 6-3 for the visiting team as the Lakers were off to a rough start in their home opener.  

Josh Currier made his return to the lineup after being unable to play in the playoffs from an injury. He got things kickstarted for the Lakers as he scored from the point 73 seconds into the second period to cut Brampton’s lead to two, 6-4.

The Excelsiors committed a holding the stick penalty but that proved to be ironically worked in favour of Brampton. Thompson dashed across Lakers goalie Drew Hutchinson (who was already having a rough night in net) and beat him low for a shorthanded goal and a 7-4 lead. Just over six minutes later, Thompson struck again on a low shotfor a hat trick to get Brampton pulling away 8-4.

The woes kept coming for the Lakers as 18 seconds later, Hudson got his second of the night, 9-4. Peterborough’s powerplay continued to be counter productive as Hudson on a fast break, scored on a solo mission for the hat trick shorthanded for a 10-4 Brampton lead.

Peterborough finally broke Brampton’s run and capitalized on the powerplay as Holden Cattoni found himself on the score sheet. Holden found back-to-back goals for Peterborough scoring again, making two goals in 50 seconds to round out the second period. Brampton controlled the game with a 10-6 lead.

The Lakers got off on the right foot in the third period as they controlled the offensive attack which led to a Turner Evans goal and cut Brampton’s deficit by three. Brampton quickly countered with a goal from Zavitz and the four-goal lead was restored.

Holden kept Peterborough within striking distance as he capped off a hat trick with his third goal of the game to make it 11-8 for Brampton. Evans got his second goal of the period and game for the Lakers on their next position shooting low and beating Nagy to trail only by two goals with just under 15 minutes left in regulation.

Brampton retaliated once again as Thompson kept the hot hand going, tacking on his fourth goal of the game. Peterborough would not go away yet as Holden received a great pass into the slot and beat Nagy for his own fourth goal of the game. Lucas Ferreira made his way to the score sheet for Brampton as he lasered one from the point, beating Hutchinson to again make it a three-goal lead, 13-10.

Brampton had a fast break going two on two and won the battle with Medeiros getting his second goal of the game, beginning to put it out of reach for Peterborough with a 14-10 lead. Just under three minutes left, Peterborough kept it interesting as Holden struck again, this time on the powerplay for his fifth goal of the game to put the Lakers within three.

Peterborough pulled their goalie but created dangerous chances for Brampton. The Lakers were able to negate two empty net chances and were rewarded with a goal. This time from Holden’s brother Taite to reduce the gap to two with 1:46 left in the game.

Peterborough kept up pressure and got exactly what they needed as Taite struck again for back-to-back goals with 86 seconds left. Peterborough won the draw and went back on the attack again but was stopped by Nagy and the ball was turned over. Hutchinson made the point stop and Peterborough had a chance in the dying half minute of the game.

Peterborough cycled the ball, looking for a lane to shoot, they took it to the middle but bounced wide and time expired as Brampton held on for the 14-13 win.

The Excelsiors get their first win of the season in their fourth game and move to 1-3-0 while the Lakers take their first loss, falling to 2-1-0.

The Lakers hit the road to play the Cobourg Kodiaks for their next game on Sunday night. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

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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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