Downtown Dining Gets Cozier With 'Brrr-O-Licious' In Partnership With PKED and Peterborough DBIA

In a campaign to help support Downtown Peterborough restaurants between Christmas and patio season, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) have partnered to launch their culinary pilot program Brrr-O-Licious.

Photo courtesy of PKED.

From March 1 to 17, ten participating downtown restaurants offer a fixed three-course lunch or dinner for $35 a person.

“Brrr-O-Licious is a wonderful way for visitors and locals alike to get a taste of what our local food scene has to offer, and to check out different events and attractions in downtown Peterborough,” says Joe Rees, PKED director of tourism. “Running this pilot program in March encourages people to support restaurants in the community during their slower time of the year. Following a successful pilot in downtown Peterborough, it is our intention to expand to additional communities and locations in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County in future years.”

“We’re excited to be partnering with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism to elevate our downtown's destination profile in the visitor space,” said Hillary Flood, PTBO DBIA vibrancy manager. “Brrr-O-Licious will help draw in new and repeat visitors to our charming downtown core through food while providing the perfect backdrop for folks to get better acquainted with our unique shops, fashion boutiques, arts community, nightlife and more.”

Participating downtown restaurants include:

• Agave by Imperial

• Dirty Burger

• Gerti’s

• La Hacienda

• La Mesita

• Sam’s Place

• The El (P)

• The Publican House Brewery & Pub

• The Riverside Grill & Lounge at the Holiday Inn

• The Vine

Restaurant menus and instructions on how to make reservations are available online.

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Martin Matejicek Scores First Goal As A Pete But Lose 4-1 to Visiting Guelph Storm

After being traded to the Peterborough on Jan. 2, Martin Matejicek has scored his first goal as a Pete but unfortunately it was the team’s only goal in a 4-1 loss to the Guelph Storm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough PEtes.

The first period was all Storm. The got an early powerplay less than four minutes into the game. The cycled the puck well and got a pass out in front to Max Namestnikov who wristed it home for a 1-0 lead.

Guelph had a three-on-one chance against Peterborough on the rush. They cycled it through but Quinton Pagé got a stick on the puck on a cross-ice pass. However the puck bounced into Charlie Paquette and he buried it for a 2-0 game after the first.

Peterborough got their first score less than four minutes into the second from Matejicek as he wristed an innocent looking shot at the net but it got through traffic and in the net to make it 2-1, the only goal of the period.

Guelph put a stamp on the game as birthday and hometown boy Will McFadden scored on the Petes in four-on-four play. He got a tip-in goal from a Quinn Beauchesne and got one on his hometown OHL team as an insurance marker and 3-1 lead. McFadden played for the Peterborough U16 AAA Petes prior to being drafted by the Storm.

The Storm iced the game after Parker Snelgrove was left all alone in front of the next off a turnover and nifty passing. He opted to drop it off for Braeden Bowman who scored to make it 4-1 and stand as the final score.

The Petes take on their division rival Kingston Frontenacs on Friday for 7:00 p.m. at the Leon’s Centre.

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Hello Farm Awarded Second-Annual Peterborough Agricultural Innovation Award Implementing Japanese Farming Techniques

The ingenuity of Ava Richardson and Kiyotami ‘Zenryu’ Owatari of Hello Farm from Havelock has paid off as they were awarded the Peterborough Agricultural Innovation Award which included $500 and a plaque presented at Sunderland Co-operative on Thursday afternoon.

(From left to right) Bonnie Clark, Peterborough Country Warden; Jim Martin, Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Mayor, Kiyotami ‘Zenryu’ Owatari, Hello Farms; Ava Richardson, Hello Farms; Gath Stoner, Sunderland Co-op retail division manager and Elmer Buchanan, of Farmers Market Havelock. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The award is in its second year and was created by the Peterborough Agricultural Roundtable. Hello Farms is based out of Havelock growing organic herloom vegetables from their market garden.

“We're new still to the Peterborough area and have been here for three years now and farming for two,” explained Richardson. “We just came from just Japan, we were farming there for a decade so to be chosen for such an award is quite an honour.”

Richardson and Owatari adapted a Japanese farming technique of growing crops using a biochar chimney to improve their soil fertility, moisture retention and tilth to grow their garden.

The mix traditionally uses rice husks and bran but the farm substituted it with a unique blend of spelt husks and wheat bran. The result was a doubling in their overall crop yields and income.

Richardson is originally from the Oshawa area and moved to Japan for elementary school teaching and spent 14 years there (with 10 of them farming). She met Owatari as his native land, where the latter was a Buddhist monk and chef for over 20 years.

They lived close to Fukushima, known for the nuclear accident due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. It created less-than-ideal farming conditions that made the pair health-conscious when growing their own produce.

“We're quite motivated to have access to healthy and safe food because there was nuclear fallout,” explained Richardson. ‘‘We weren't sure what was safe to eat so that's a big motivator to always be growing healthy, safe and delicious food.”

The duo wanted to implement the same Japanese quality techniques in Canada with that same mindset.

“Knowing we were coming back to Canada, let's continue that philosophy,” said Richardson. “There's not a ton of Asian vegetables available locally but we happen to know uniquely Japanese heirloom varieties.”

“There's limited vegetables available here so I'm happy to introduce these tasty vegetables here,” said Kiyotami. “The people know that we grow Japanese cucumbers and they can get only from us so that's a good start. I like to develop that kind of stuff.”

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Century 21 Renews Contract With Peterborough Lakers in Three-Year Deal; Team Donates $1,000 Towards Carl Oake Rotary Swim

As the Peterborough Lakers approach their 2024 season, they have reached a three-year agreement with Century 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage to continue as their main sponsor, announced at the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday afternoon.

Ted Higgins, Lakers President (left) with Vanessa Oake Hogan of Century 21 Realty (rght) continuing the long-standing relationship between the two organization which has spanned through multiple generations. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The team will continue as the ‘Peterborough Century 21 Lakers’ with the renewed agreement.

“The Lakers partnership has been part of the fabric of our company for so many years now that it makes sense to continue it,” said Vanessa Oake Hogan, Century 21 owner. “I think we all benefit from this partnership. It's a win-win situation and it makes sense to keep going.”

“To have them on board gives us the ability to reach our dreams,” said Ted Higgins, Lakers president. “We're delighted to have them back on.”

As part of the symbiotic relationship between the two organizations, the Lakers donated $1,000 towards the 38th-Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim Fundraiser on March 1. The event is named after the now-retired Carl Oake, father of Vanessa.

The swim goes towards projects run by the Rotary Club of Peterborough to help the community. Over $1.4 million has been raised to date.

“It really blew me away with their generosity. I was not expecting this,” explained Vanessa. “The monetary financial support of our event, that means so much to us. It’s touching. It feels like they have our back too.”

“The time, effort and financial ability that Carl has given us over the years was a no-brainer for us to jump in real quick,” said Higgins. “It did not take a lot of thinking.”

The public is encouraged to participate in the swim as an individual or a team and can register online. A cannonball and floating catwalk challenge has been added to this year’s event. Those registered will be assigned a fundraising page. The public can also donate directly via the website and receive an instant tax receipt.

Anyone can donate at any time online at the Rotary’s website. The goal is to raise at least $45,000.

The team has also made season tickets available starting on March 6.

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Applications Open For Central Area Patio Permits

Applications for the City of Peterborough’s 2024 Patio Season are underway for expanded patios in designated Central Area corridors.

File Photo.

The City’s annual expanded patio program has been in place for the last four years to allow more patio and pedestrian spaces downtown.

“The vibrant downtown patio scene has become a mainstay for Peterborough each summer,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Supporting our local businesses contributes to the economic and social well-being of Peterborough. We’re looking forward to another great season of shopping, dining and entertainment in the heart of the City.”

The program includes: 

• Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte streets to use on-street parking spaces for additional outdoor business/patio space.

• Maintaining the existing two vehicular travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water streets. 

• Reducing Hunter Street West between George Street and Aylmer Street to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas.

• Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street, while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces through the patio permit process.

• The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes.

• The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the City sidewalks.

• A non-refundable $320 Application fee.

There will be reduced speed limits on streets with patios. Parking spaces, loading zones and designated waste pick-up areas may be adjusted once patio locations have been confirmed with participating businesses. 

Patio licences are required for all individuals, partnerships or corporations that want to place a patio on City-owned property according to a press release.

To apply for a patio licence, visit the City’s Application, Licences and Permits webpage online. Applicants can submit an application, permit fee and supporting documents through the City’s website.

Patio licence holders must put in place feasible measures to reduce physical barriers, respecting the accessibility needs of individuals. Business owners and patrons may contact the City with suggested modifications to the patio layouts that would improve accessibility. Where feasible, the City will work with licence holders to make requested improvements.

To have a patio licence ready for the Victoria Day long weekend, completed applications should be submitted by April 2. The last day to apply for a patio licence for the 2024 Patio Season is May 31.

The City urges businesses interested in receiving a patio permit should apply as early as possible to facilitate a timely response.

Fencing and planters for expanded patio spaces associated with applications received after April 2 will be installed based on staffing availability. The City will aim to install the patios within two weeks of an executed permit agreement. Installation dates are subject to change at the discretion of the City.

An enforcement process using the City’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System will be applied for businesses that do not comply with their patio permit requirements or have not obtained a permit.

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Hometown PTBO: Jason Wilkins On His Historic Projects and Upcoming Work With the Peterborough Memorial Centre

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with artist Jason Wilkins about some of the big projects he's done throughout the years, seeking input for a new mural at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and his business, the Jason Wilkins Factory.

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Trent University Crushes Fundraising Goal Raising Over $117,000 For United Way

Trent University's faculty, staff and retirees smashed their fundraising goal of $100,000, raising $117,847 for the United Way supporting those in need in Peterborough and Durham at a cheque presentation held at Bata Library on Thursday morning.

Trent's support and annual campaigns for the United Way date back to 1965 and have raised more than $2.7 million for the organization. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“The enthusiasm and generosity displayed by Team Trent have set a standard for what can be accomplished when we come together with a shared purpose,” said Marcus Harvey, United Way board chair and Trent University Faculty Association executive director. “Trent's annual campaign will make a tangible, positive impact on the United Way and the agencies and individuals they serve.”

The campaign launched in October with fundraising events such as the annual kick-off BBQ, a chili cook-off and white elephant tables.

“I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to Trent University for their unwavering dedication and generosit,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “Their remarkable efforts in raising funds epitomize the essence of community support, ensuring that the most vulnerable among us receive vital assistance. Thank you to the donors and campaign ambassadors at Trent University for your outstanding commitment to building a strong community. Together we can uplift lives and forge brighter futures.”

The funds will aid United Way in redistributing it to its community partners including its ‘Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy.’

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City of Peterborough Seeking Public Input For Bonnerworth Park Redevelopment

The City of Peterborough is hosting a public consultation for the redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park on how to invest in the community park to enhance the space and add new recreation features.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Improvements are expected to start in the fall. Bonnerworth Park, located at 560 McDonnel St. in Town Ward 3, will become a new recreation hub according to the City.

“We are thrilled to see Bonnerworth being redeveloped into a community hub. Community parks contribute to healthy, thriving cities. Please help us ensure that the upcoming redevelopment of Bonnerworth Park will meet your needs today and into the future,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Whether you are a family with young children or a senior who would enjoy spending time there, we want to hear from you.”

“I live close by and have enjoyed the park in so many different ways throughout my life — the redevelopment offers so much potential,” said Councillor Alex Bierk. “I'm thankful for the community's support for the project so far. In the upcoming planning stages, we have the opportunity to reimagine the park to meet our collective needs and vision.”

A public drop-in session will take place on March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St. City staff will be available to answer questions and receive input about which amenities residents would like to see in the park.

Everyone is invited to complete the online survey. The survey will allow participants to identify features they would like to see in the park and make suggestions to create an inclusive environment. Paper copies of the survey will be available in the lobby at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Bonnerworth Park was identified as a priority project in the City’s Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities Study which identified key objectives to improve and expand opportunities to support recreation across the City according to a press release. Pickleball was identified as a priority sport to meet the demand for facilities for one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.  

The Bonnerworth Park redevelopment will include 16 new pickleball courts, a bike pump track, an expanded skatepark and associated landscape and lighting.

The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on March 2. Once the survey has closed, an update summarizing the findings will be posted online.

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Trent Unveils Crest For University's Sixth and Newest College, Gidigaa Migizi

During a special sold-out feast at the 48th annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering, Trent University unveiled the new crest and colours for its sixth college, Gidigaa Migizi College.

With an anticipated opening of 2028, Gidigaa Migizi College will be built on the east bank of Trent’s Symons Campus in Peterborough and will include as many as 700 new beds for first-year students as well as classrooms, faculty offices, collegiate and student spaces. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The name is in honour of beloved elder, alumnus and former assistant professor Doug Williams. 

The crest is intricately designed by First Nations artist Jared Tait using a traditional Anishinaabeg woodland art style. It captures the essence of Gidigaa Migizi, whose name means spotted eagle in Anishinaabemowin. It reflects the deep-rooted First Peoples’ values and knowledge and the traditions of Trent and the University’s collegiate communities.

“The unveiling of the Gidigaa Migizi College crest, a masterful creation by First Nations artist Jared Tait, marks a significant addition to Trent’s vibrant colleges,” said Marilyn Burns, Trent vice president of Communications & Enrolment. “This new emblem is rich in symbolism and deeply connected to the legacy of Gidigaa Migizi, the namesake for our sixth college. It reinforces the University’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that especially recognizes the First Nations of this territory and the complexities of our shared history.” 

The crest features elements deeply symbolic to Gidigaa Migizi, incorporating his colours – deep blue, green and turquoise – and featuring the spotted eagle, related to his name and a pike, representing his clan, Maashginoozhe.

A human profile within the spotted eagle symbolizes ancestral connections, while a portal, an element in First Nations art, represents the link to culture and tradition. Artist Jared Tait drew inspiration from his heritage and the profound impact of Doug Williams-ban on the local Indigenous community. 

“An important aspect of selecting Jared Tait for this crest was solidifying that his creative vision aligned with the college's foundational values and embodied the Anishinaabeg's rich traditions,” said Jack Hoggarth, chair of Anishinaabe Knowledge and Trent assistant professor from the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. “This choice reflects a thoughtful consideration of how art can perpetuate language and culture, ensuring the crest of Gidigaa Migizi College will be a meaningful tribute, honouring its namesake and the broader mission of Trent University.”  

A special scarf featuring the new crest was created and presented to the elders and members of Doug Williams-ban' family at the unveiling. This symbolic gesture honours them as the first members of the new College. 

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Kawartha Land Trust Receives $2.9-Million Investment To Help Protect 1,400-Acre Nature Reserve

After a $2.9-million investment from the Province of Ontario’s Greenlands Conservation Partnership, Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) has purchased its largest conservation property of the 1,400-acre Hammer Family Nature Preserve announced in Trent Lakes on Monday.

(Left to right) Chief Keith Knott, Curve Lake First Nation; Dave Smith, MPP, Peterborough-Kawartha; Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks; Mike Hendren, Senior Advisor to the Ontario Conservation Community, The Schad Foundation; John Kintare, Executive Director, Kawartha Land Trust; Paul Downs, Chair of the Board, Kawartha Land Trust; Laurie Scott, MPP, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock; Mayor Terry Lambshead, Municipality of Trent Lakes. Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Lake for Kawartha Land Trust.

The purchase is the largest in the organization’s 22-year history.

The property contains acres of forests, wetlands, fields and natural shoreline along Pigeon Lake. The preservation of this property ensures the protection of its important ecological values, maintains vital natural connectivity in the region, and provides future opportunities for public access and nature connection according to John Kintare, KLT executive director.

“Kawartha Land Trust is extremely grateful for the government funding partners and private donors who made this ambitious project possible,” he said. “The protection of this natural gem of the Kawarthas is an important investment in nature, in the Kawarthas, and Ontario at large. It was only through our strong partnerships that we were able to achieve such a positive conservation outcome.”

“The Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) congratulates Kawartha Land Trust on protecting the amazing Hammer Family Nature Preserve,” said Alison Howson, OLTA executive director. “The Greenlands Conservation Partnership protects habitats for many species at risk and has made significant increases in the availability of green spaces for the people of Ontario to enjoy.” 

Funding for this project was also received from the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) and private donors. The fund helps conserve, restore and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and grasslands to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss according to a press release.

Three-quarters of KLT’s Hammer Family Nature Preserve is home to tracts of forests and wetlands. KLT says this property's preservation will ensure that the vital ecological services it provides — clean air, clean water, and mitigating the effects of climate change — will be protected for current and future generations.

“The support and financial investments from the Province of Ontario, Government of Canada, and private donors, has resulted in the creation of a regional and provincial community asset,” said Kintare. “This conservation outcome would also not have been possible without the countless contributions of KLT’s dedicated community of volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters throughout our 22-year history.”

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