Peterborough Public Library Invites Community To Vote On Next One Book, One Ptbo Title

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The Peterborough Public Library is inviting the community to help select the 2024 One Book, One Ptbo Community Reads title by voting for one of three finalists.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The finalists are as follows:

Earlier in the year, the Library asked community members to recommend titles they thought would be good choices for this year's selection.

“We had an overwhelming number of responses,” said Karen Bisschop, community development librarian. “It was hard to select only three titles to include in our shortlist.”

Through One Book One Ptbo, the Library hopes to unify the Ptbo community through the shared experience of reading the same book according to a press release. The Library runs programs and events inspired by the themes in the narrative, culminating in an evening with the author.

“Our Community Reads program does just that, it builds community,” said Bisschop. “It comes with surprises: last year's book ended up appealing to teenagers, a whole different generation. You never know which groups you will engage across your community.”

The inaugural 2023 One Book, One Ptbo saw 630 checkouts of Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. Over 260 people attended the final event, prompting the Library to move the event offsite to Market Hall. 

Voting is open online and in person at the Library until April 23.

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David Tuan Bui


Peterborough Public Health Issue Drug Poisoning Alert High Number Recorded Wednesday

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Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is issuing an alert of high drug poisonings that were observed on Wednesday.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

There were five drug poisonings resulting in EMS calls or ED visits which are considered higher than the normal rates over the last five days according to PPH.

While Naloxone cannot reverse the effects of sedatives, PPH says there is no harm in administering it if you suspect a drug poisoning.

Drug poisoning can look different for every person, depending on the drugs involved. PPH urges everyone that drug poisoning is a medical emergency and always to call 9-1-1.  

This is a list of actions you can take if you suspect the following:

Drug Checking:

  • Available at Consumption & Treatment Site (CTS) – 220 Simcoe St.

  • Test strips for fentanyl, benzos, and xylazine are available at the CTS during hours of operation (9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; daily)

Harm Reduction Support:

Crisis Support:

  • 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline - Call or text 9-8-8; National 24/7 suicide or emotional distress hotline. Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough – call 705-745-2273; Open 24/7

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Peterborough Police Searching For 12-Year-Old Missing Girl From Wednesday Night

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UPDATE: Sadie has been found as of 10:46am April 4, 2024

The Peterborough Police Service is looking for a 12-year-old Peterborough girl, Sadie, who has been missing since Wednesday night. 

The family last saw her in the Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Lansdowne Street area between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. 

Sadie was last wearing a long, black winter jacket, black pants, black and white running shoes and a black backpack. 

She is described as 5’3” with blue eyes, shoulder-length dark brown hair and a very thin build.

Family and police are concerned for her safety.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Former Peterborough Pete Nick Lardis Signs a Three-Year Entry Level Contract With the Chicago Blackhawks

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Former Peterborough Pete forward Nick Lardis has agreed with the Chicago Blackhawks on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season ($896,667 salary cap hit), signed on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Lardis spent a full season with the Petes in 2021-22, playing 63 games for 18 goals and 19 assists. He played another 36 with the Petes before being traded to the then-Hamilton Bulldogs on Jan. 7 last year with Sahil Panwar, a 2023 third-round pick (obtained from the Flint Firebirds), and a 2026 conditional sixth-round pick for Avery Hayes and Gavin White.

The 18-year-old appeared in 37 regular-season games with the Bulldogs this season, posting 29 goals and 21 assists.

The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Oakville native was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the third round (67th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Brennan Faulkner Named Westland Insurance Community Player of the Month

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Peterborough Petes forward Brennan Faulker is the recipient of the Westland Insurance Community Player of the Month for March.

Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The London native participated in three ball hockey visits to local schools and attended the Volt Hockey launch event at the YMCA of Central East Ontario which is designed to create a team environment for players with disabilities.

“I think it’s very important to be active members of the community,” said Faulkner. “We’re role models for these kids and it’s important to be a positive influence.”

The Petes Ball Hockey Program launched last year and has provided free ball hockey to over 2,000 local students and counting.

The Petes, in collaboration with educator ambassadors in each school, provide each participating school with all necessary equipment, training and support to play ball hockey at no cost.

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Interim Co-Executive Directors Hired at Peterborough Community Health Centre Hires to Spearhead Establishment of New Community Health Centre

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The Board of Directors of the Peterborough Community Health Centre (CHC) has appointed David Jeffery and Christine Brander as Interim Co-Executive Directors, announced on Wednesday.

JOHNATHAN BENNETT, CHC DIRECTOR AND CHAIR IS PART OF FOUR BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

“David Jeffery is renowned for his decade-long leadership at Chigamik Community Health Centre, and brings a wealth of experience in establishing inclusive and culturally sensitive healthcare environments,” said Jonathan Bennett, Peterborough CHC’s board chair. “Under his guidance, Chigamik CHC evolved into a bilingual and Indigenous-focused healthcare facility, catering to the diverse needs of communities in North Simcoe Muskoka. We are so pleased that he and Christine will join us to lead the establishment of our CHC.”

Jeffery's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility makes him a natural leader who can guide the Peterborough CHC toward its mission of promoting community well-being according to a press release.

“I am honoured to collaborate with Christine Brander in leading the establishment of the Peterborough Community Health Centre,” said Jeffery. “Together, we are poised to create a healthcare model prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, and community empowerment.”

Brander has over two decades of healthcare expertise across various domains which include acute care and primary care settings. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Management, Brander’s extensive background encompasses medical education, hospice palliative care and health system planning.

She had a recent tenure with the Ontario Health Central Region System Strategy, Planning, Design and Implementation team.

“I am thrilled to join the Peterborough Community Health Centre as Co-Executive Director and contribute to positive changes in healthcare delivery," said Brander. “With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we will strive to enhance accessibility and effectiveness in delivering healthcare solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives.”

Newly funded, which was sought on Feb. 16 last year, the Peterborough CHC is positioned to address the region's pressing healthcare needs while focusing on social determinants of health and supporting vulnerable populations as stated in a press release.

The CHC’s key initiatives are attracting new family doctors and nurse practitioners, reducing pressure on hospitals, attaching thousands of patients to healthcare providers, serving as a hub for social services, and promoting a healthier, safer downtown community.

The Peterborough CHC's programs and services will encompass comprehensive primary care, mental health services, chronic disease management and culturally appropriate care facilitated by Indigenous Traditional Healers. Additionally, the centre will be pivotal in coordinating social services and collaborating with Indigenous partners.

The next phase of the Peterborough CHC initiative involves securing an interim location and commencing client services by the end of the calendar year.

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Electric City Players Inaugural Production Brings Shakespeare to Life With 'MacBeth' at Market Hall On May 23 - 25

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The Electric City Players is taking William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, Macbeth, to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for its inaugural production on May 23 - 25.

Photo courtesy of Electric City Players.

Andrew Loeb, a seasoned Shakespeare professor from Trent University, and Jacqueline Barrow, a respected figure in local theatre with notable acting credits and directorial experience will helm the production.

"Like all great endeavors, it began in a pub," said Loeb. “It was something like a dare: 'what if we…?'" This spirit of bold experimentation infuses every aspect of their debut production.”

"We wanted to choose a play that was accessible to a wide variety of audiences and that could be reimagined for a modern audience,” said Barrow. “We think Macbeth was the perfect place to start.”

“We hope people come to the show not because it’s Shakespeare but rather to hear it speak to the urgent crises that we face now—that we have always faced," said Loeb. “Something wicked this way comes.”

For tickets, visit the Market Hall website.

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David Tuan Bui


Voice of Business: Majority of Businesses Are Not Prepared For Leadership Change

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There is a topic that is often not discussed or planned for until late in the process – succession.

Here at the Chamber of Commerce we often have conversations with businesses who are thinking about selling their business. It’s something that has hit them fairly recently. They’re tired. The last few years have been a lot. They want to look after their mental and physical health. They’re getting older and want to spend time traveling and hanging out with the grandkids. It’s all understandable and frankly, they’ve earned it after years of long hours, high stress, and financial risks.

The problem is they’re tired right now. They’re hoping to get out some time in the next 12 months or so.

There’s a new report on this subject from the Northern Policy Institute in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Société Économique de l’Ontario called Taking Care of Business: The State of Business Succession and Planning in Ontario.

The report’s survey found that 73 per cent of business owners do not have a succession plan in place, even though the leaders of many organizations plan to sell or retire soon. Most business owners report planning to sell or retire in the next 15 years.

From Taking Care of Business: The State of Business Succession and Planning in Ontario:

Business Owners’ Responses to “Do you have a succession plan in place?”

  • I don’t know/prefer not to answer: 9 per cent

  • No, we do not have a succession plan in place nor have one in the process of being created: 44 per cent

  • No, but it is in the process of being created: 29 per cent

  • Yes, one is completed: 18 per cent

The transition of business ownership represents both opportunity and risk. Established businesses provide a strong platform for someone to continue to grow. But poorly planned succession can be a mess.

The report notes that one-third of business owners who plan to sell or retire in the next five years do not have a succession plan in place or are in the process of creating one. Organizations who are not anticipating a change of leadership are far less prepared. Smaller businesses are typically less prepared, despite being more likely to undergo leadership change.

There is a cost to putting off planning for change, as stated in the report:

“Poorly managed succession can lead to worse organizational performance and lost business value. This can result in reduced economic growth, job losses for employees, and reduced options for consumers. Therefore, increasing the number of businesses that adequately plan for succession will be crucial to ensuring that Ontario’s successful existing businesses continue to provide employment opportunities, goods and services, and economic growth even as their current leadership departs.”

While we typically talk about succession planning as it relates to retirement, which is a big component of it, businesses change hands for multiple reasons. Some move on for a change of

scenery, but there are also unexpected and unforeseen changes due to health issues, death, family needs, financial issues, business partnership breakdowns, etc. Having a plan on the books will go a long way to making that transition process go more smoothly.

Good planning will help preserve local businesses and create a stronger local economy. If you or your organization are interested in planning for changes in leadership and ownership, your local Chamber of Commerce can help make some recommendations on local businesses with succession expertise. The best time to plan for the future is now.

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

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Peterborough Police Thank Good Samaritan For Turning In Lost Satchel Filled With Valuables

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The Peterborough Police Service would like to thank a Good Samaritan who returned a satchel filled with valuables after a Saturday incident.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The resident located a satchel in a parking lot near Lansdowne Street and Park Street. It contained identification, credit cards, and several thousand dollars in cash. The Good Samaritan turned the bag into the police. 

Officers could locate and return the property to the rightful owner, who was extremely thankful.

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PKED Launches Workshop Series To Aid Entrepreneurs At Every Stage

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Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) has launched three workshops in a series for entrepreneurs at different stages.

Photo bcourtesy of PKED.

The workshops support small businesses by laying the foundation for business planning, navigating social media, and adopting digital marketing strategies, according to a press release.

“No matter the stage of a business, mastering the fundamentals and continuous learning matters. Luckily there are many options and no wrong door for entrepreneurs to receive training, tools, and resources,” says Jamey Coughlin, PKED’s director of business attraction, retention and expansion. “Whether you are testing an initial idea, expanding on your success, or considering a future exit, these three workshop series were designed to help businesses start and grow.”

The Business Fundamentals workshop series builds a strong foundation for an aspiring entrepreneur. Focused on business planning, market research and financials. This series is delivered in collaboration with Community Futures Peterborough and Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The Small Biz Social Navigator workshop series, delivered by Kat Tepylo Murphy from Social Kat Media, navigates small businesses through social media and how to equip themselves with the skills and strategies needed to thrive online and to better connect with their audiences. This workshop series will guide entrepreneurs through social media essentials, developing a marketing plan and diving deep into Instagram and Reels.

The Digital Excellence Unleashed workshop series helps transform businesses into digital powerhouses and adapt to changing digital marketing trends. It walks entrepreneurs through developing websites, discovering AI tools, and using TikTok as a small business. Camp Tech, Canada’s most established leader in digital marketing skills training, will deliver this interactive series.

“We touch businesses through consultations, visits, and our annual Business Count Survey. We have heard loud and clear the challenges businesses experience and the training and tools they require,” explains Coughlin. “These workshops were developed alongside local business support organizations and topic experts to provide in-person interactive workshops that cater to those specific needs.”

These three series will be delivered throughout 2024, with the following upcoming workshops occurring this spring:

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David Tuan Bui