Brant Basics Winner of DBIA's Downtown Halloween Window Contest

Brant Basics was declared the winner of the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) best window for this year’s Downtown Halloween Window Contest, announced on Tuesday.

(From left to right) Katrina Favron, Kaitlin Burley and Kayla Peters celebrate their win in front of the Brant Basics shop window. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

Days after the DBIA’s Spooktacular Halloween in the BOOOro, the annual spooky event included a dark forest-themed window decorating challenge for shop owners.

Over 20 businesses participated in the window challenge to creatively transform their shop windows into captivating displays.

Locals voted for their top three Halloween window displays throughout the contest period from Oct. 13 – 31, casting over 1,000 votes online.

K C Costumes and Studio East were runner-ups with 230 votes and 125 votes respectively.

The top three winners will be receiving $300, $200 and $100 for their winning windows.

“Our team is so excited to win this year’s contest! All the businesses who participated did such a fabulous job and we can’t wait to see the downtown light up again for the holiday season,” said Katrina Favron of Brant Basics. “We all came up with different ideas and worked as a team to transform our window, it was a such a fun project to work on together and we will definitely be treating the staff to a nice dinner from one of our amazing local restaurants to celebrate.”  

Brant Basics winning Halloween window display. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

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4th Line Theatre Accepting Applications For Playwright Funding

4th Line Theatre is recommending playwrights to receive funding of between $1,000 and $3,000 to develop new works through the Ontario Arts Council’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators program, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Rebekah Littlejohn and 4th Line Theatre.

Ontario-based professional theatre artists and artists’ collectives can apply by Jan. 12, 1 p.m. The Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the government of Ontario, is the primary funding body for professional arts activities in the province.

4th Line Theatre will administer the granting program with the primary goal of supporting as many playwriting projects as possible. Secondarily, they are also looking for projects that align with its artistic mandate: To preserve our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally-based, environmentally-staged historical dramas, with special consideration for culturally diverse artists and collectives, artists living with a disability.

“I understand the financial challenges faced by playwrights and the OAC’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators is vital to supporting their writing projects,” said Kim Blackwell, 4th Line managing artistic director.

Application forms are to be completed online on the OAC website. Interested applicants will need to create a NOVA account and follow the instructions for submission. If interested applicants have any questions about the process, please contact 4th Line Theatre’s Administration by email at submissions@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or by phone at 705-932-4506. The applications will be reviewed by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

Funding decisions are based on the artistic interest of the project, the quality of the artistic examples given and the program's impact on the artist’s development. 4th Line Theatre will then forward a positive funding decision to the OAC for final recommendation. Grant amounts will be determined by the number of approved applicants and the funds available from the program.

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City of Peterborough Expects Residents to Move Into 50-Unit Modular Bridge Housing Community Later This Month

The City of Peterborough expects Residents of the new Modular Bridge Housing Community to start moving into the 50 units in this month following the completion of installation and construction of the units.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The inspection of the electrical hookups to each unit — which all have electric heating and cooling systems — needs to be completed, according to a press release. The City is also finalizing agreements with the operators of the site.

The City’s emergency shelter network, operated by community partner agencies, offers 106 shelter beds. The overflow shelter bed program, temporarily moved to the Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer St., had about 24 beds available each night in October.

As part of the emergency winter response plan, the City has also agreed with One City to open a new overnight drop-in space that will open at the Trinity Centre on Reid Street following renovations, which are nearing completion.

The Modular Bridge Housing Community and the new overnight drop-in space are part of the updated homelessness services strategy that Council approved in May last year.

To facilitate the construction and installation of the Modular Bridge Housing Community on a former municipal parking lot on Wolfe Street, Council approved in September a temporary amendment to the City of Peterborough’s Parks and Facilities By-law and Trespass By-law to temporarily allow tenting on the municipal parking lot at the southeast corner of Aylmer and Wolfe streets.

Temporarily allowing tenting on the property at Aylmer and Wolfe Streets is intended to provide a clear and safe work environment for the construction and installation of the Modular Bridge Housing Community on the nearby Rehill Parking Lot on Wolfe Street.

The temporary amendment to the Parks and Facilities By-law and Trespass By-law was scheduled to expire on Nov. 15. Council has extended the temporary amendment until Jan. 5 to allow for the completion of the construction and installation of the Modular Bridge Housing Community, the execution of the required agreements all with the intent that residents start moving into the units in November.

When the temporary amendment to the by-laws to allow tenting on the property at Aylmer and Wolfe Streets is revoked, anyone who is tenting on the property will be informed of the change – that tenting is no longer allowed on the property or any other City-owned property – and that their tents must be removed.

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Ontario Government Introducing Legislation For Employers to Disclose Salary Range and AI Use In Hiring

The Ontario Government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require employers to include expected salary ranges in job postings and disclose if artificial intelligence (AI) is used in its hiring process, announced at the YMCA on Monday morning.

SCreenshot.

Disclosing this information allows employees to make informed decisions in their career search, according to the Ontario Government. Ontario would be the first jurisdiction in Canada to require businesses to disclose if AI is used during their hiring process.

“At a time when many companies are posting record profits, it is only fair they communicate transparently about how they pay workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “And as the use of artificial intelligence in Ontario skyrockets, our government will continue to take action to ensure workers aren’t excluded from the job market because of technological biases and that their privacy rights are protected.”

AI tools and algorithms are being adopted by Ontario businesses at a rapid rate and generate high volumes of personal data about job applicants and employees, according to a press release. In response to the growing concerns about the ethical, legal and privacy implications of AI, the provincial government is proposing to require employers to inform potential employees if it is being used in the hiring process.

The Ontario Government continues to vow to help end workplace misconduct and hold abusers to account. They will also be conducting consultations and detailed analysis on ending the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in the settlement of cases of workplace sexual harassment, misconduct or violence, as stated by Piccini.

“The consultations will identify legislative options to restrict the use of NDAs while protecting the rights of victims and survivors,” he said. “It’s past time we end a practice that allows businesses to shelter the behaviour of some of the worst members of our communities.”

These changes are part of a larger package that, if passed, would expand on the ground-breaking actions introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021, 2022 and 2023. They will be unveiled in the coming days to protect workers, help them earn bigger paycheques and help newcomers contribute to building Ontario according to a press release.

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Peterborough Police Engaging in 'Prime Prevention Week' for 2023 From Nov. 5 - 11

The Peterborough Police Service is participating in Crime Prevention Week 2023, from Nov. 5 to 11 with ‘Awareness. Engagement. Prevention’ as this year’s theme.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Crime prevention is an important part of community safety and a way everyone can participate in keeping their communities safe. It’s important that residents report crime or suspicious activity to police,” said Chief Stuart Bettes. “Through reports, whether it’s 9-1-1, the non-emergency line or online reporting portal, we can learn about the crime trends in our community and work toward proactive measures.  This way we can ensure that we have the right information to have the right people in the right place to do the right thing.”

The Peterborough Police Service Auxiliary Unit conducts several crime prevention audits for homes and businesses.

Police are announcing several crime prevention tips throughout the week.

For emergencies or to report a crime in progress please call 9-1-1. 

For non-emergencies, call 705-876-1122 x225 or report online through the online reporting portal.

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Little Lake Cemetery to Hold Remembrance Day Public Sunrise Service

A public sunrise Remembrance Day service is taking place at the war memorial in Little Lake Cemetery at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Little Lake Cemetery Co.

“This is the second year we are providing this service to the public,” said James Belk, Little Lake Cemetery Co. president and CEO. Approximately 70 people attended the service last year and we hope even more people are able to attend this year. We had many attendees voice their appreciation to us for putting on the service.”

The service is being officiated by Regimental Chaplain Nancy Wilson of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. There is going to be The Last Post followed by two minutes of silence included in the service.

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Kawartha Food Share Named Recipient of Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign

Tim Hortons famed Holiday Smile Cookies have given Kawartha Food Share (KFS) a big reason to be happy as the latter is the recipient of this year’s campaign running from Nov. 13 to 19, announced on Monday.

The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 as a way to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario, and has grown to become a major fundraising event at Tim Hortons Restaurants. Photo courtesy of KFS.

The announcement was made by KFS on social media posted Monday morning.

Purchasing a Holiday Smile Cookie during the designated week will have half the proceeds benefit KFS while the other half goes to Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps.

Cookies purchased at Tim Hortons in Peterborough, Lakefield, Curve Lake, Havelock and Bridgenorth will contribute to KFS.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring The First Five Club, JHS Bookkeeping Plus, Heather Bradley and Belmont Spiritual Health

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

The First Five Club is the brainchild of Whitney Stoner, who is using her entertainment, recreation and fitness industry experience to create a vibrant community of fellow parents and families.

Stoner says the first five years of life are a crucial period that not only shapes a child's development but also shapes the bonds between caregivers and children. With a focus on fun and wellness, the First Five Club offers everything from lively meetups to workouts and zen time with diverse programming, affordability, considerate scheduling and expert instructors.

Peter and Michelle Davis recently launched JHS Bookkeeping Plus.

They offer Full-Service Bookkeeping, CRA Representation, Church, Not for Profit and Fund Bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online Set Up and assistance and QuickBooks Online Payroll and more. With over 30 years of experience, Peter, a CPA-CGA, possesses in-depth knowledge of all aspects of small businesses, and Michelle brings many years of experience handling operations. Both are Certified ProAdvisors for QuickBooks Online.

Award-winning children’s author Heather Bradley recently launched her new book ‘We Both Speak English But…’

It is the story of two cousins, two countries and one language. The cousins live over 3,000 miles apart. One wears a slicker, wellies and carries a brolly while the other wears a raincoat, rubber boots and carries an umbrella. One cousin wears a jumper, the other a pullover but Granny knit them both!

It’s a different kind of bilingualism that demonstrates that it’s not our differences that set us apart but our refusal to embrace them. You’ll find We Both Speak English But… at Kent Books, the Wee Tartan Shop, The Book Lady or online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Friesen Press.

Karen Kearney recently joined the team at Belmont Spiritual Health and Wellness Centre, which opened in June in Havelock.

Kearney is a graduate of the Esthetician program at Fleming College, holds a diploma in OTA, and is certified in reflexology. She offers facial massages, Royal pedicures and manicures, relaxation back massage, full relaxation massage, hot stone body massage, waxing, lash and eyebrow tints and ionized foot detox.

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Peterborough Petes Trade Connor Lockhardt to the Oshawa Generals For Two Draft Picks

Forward Connor Lockhardt is headed to the rival Oshawa Generals as the Peterborough Petes traded him for London’s third-round pick in 2025 and Oshawa’s fifth-round pick in 2027 announced on Friday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The overage forward from Kanata played 73 games for the Petes since being acquired from the Erie Otters on Aug. 8, 2022. During that time, he has scored 30 goals and added 56 assists for 86 points.

During his championship run with the Petes last season, he had seven goals and nine assists for 16 points, playing in all 23 playoff games. In the 2023 Memorial Cup, he scored twice and added an assist for three points in five games.

He was originally selected by the Erie Otters in the first round, third overall, in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. the Kanata Lazers product has played in 194 OHL games between the Otters and Petes, picking up 164 points.

“I’d like to thank Connor for his dedication to the Petes Organization and the Peterborough Community over the past two seasons,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “With league rules only allowing three over-age players per team, we had to make the very difficult decision to move Connor. We believe that we found a great fit for him to finish his junior career in search of an NHL contract and we wish him the best of luck moving forward.”

The Petes are back on the ice as part of a home-and-home series as they will play the Generals again in Oshawa at the Tribute Communities Centre on Friday night.

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Peterborough Woman Wins First Fitness Competition After Losing Over 155 Pounds

Peterborough’s Terri-Lynn and her three-year weight loss quest of over 155 pounds resulted in a first-place finish at the International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) Bodybuilding Competition at the City Playhouse Theatre in Vaughan.

Terri-Lynn’s before and after photos of her 155 pound transformation. Her competition outfit was made using roughly 6,000 rhinestones that she handmade. Photos courtesy of Terri-Lynn.

Terri-Lynn (who requested her last name be withheld) won in the intergender Transformational Challenge on Oct. 23. She started training for the event in July, working out six days a week for two to three hours. Terri-Lynn lost an additional 20 pounds leading up to the competition.

“I’ve been training with Krista Easto,” she explained. “She gave me a set meal plan and workout plan and was with me every step of the way including cheering me on when I walked across that stage.”

She started her transformation in February 2020 after feeling dissatisfied and coming to terms with her prior lifestyle. She did lots of weightlifting as most of her workout routine during her weight-loss journey.

“I was just not happy. I wasn't living my life the way I wanted to,” explained Terri-Lynn. “I couldn't move very easily. I had knee pain and I was on medication that I didn't want to be on. I just needed to make a full lifestyle change.”

Terri-Lynn said she felt she was regressing in her exercise routines and needed something to reignite her fitness regime. The competition was the perfect motivation to get her back on track.

“In July, I had gotten back into a rut and I needed something to motivate me and get me out of it,” she explained. “I've seen a few people I follow on Instagram who have also lost a massive amount of weight. They were doing fitness competitions.”

Originally, Terri-Lynn wanted to enter the competition to give her ‘biggest loser’ finale moment as her journey’s climax and becoming dramatically healthier.

“This was solely for me,” she said. “I didn't care to compete. I wanted to walk on that stage — in a jewelled bikini that I made myself — and show off to the world that I did it.”

For anyone wanting to start their journey similar to Terri-Lynn’s, she says now is the best time to start.

“Just do it,” she said. “You slowly start to fall in love with doing that it makes you want to do more and be more active.”

Terri-Lynn says she wants to compete in future competitions next summer if possible.

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