35th Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby a Go Starting April 27

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The 35th annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby is ready for another big year as it returns from April 27 to May 5, announced on Friday.

BUMSTEAD (LEFT) CAUGHT WALTER AFTER HIS THIRD CAST NOT A HALF AN HOUR INTO THE DERBY last year. HIS STEPFATHER JUSTIN DESBARBIEUX (RIGHT) DID IT two years ago, FIVE DAYS INTO THE EVENT. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

“Back by popular demand are early bird registration prizes, goody bags, a hot dog lunch for the kids, and sponsored tagged fish with cash prizes for anglers of all ages to win,” said David Ryrie, OFAH youth education manager.

The youth derby kicks off on April 27 for children 15 and under. It includes 500 tagged trout for instant prizes and a chance to win one of four grand prizes.

The big fish prize of $1,000 cash will go to whoever catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between six and eight pounds.

Travis Parker and Justin Desbarbieux have caught Walter three years in a row. Desbarbieux’s stepson, Benjamin Bumstead, caught it in record time last year, less than half an hour.

The second and third-place grand prize fish ‘Rosie’ and ‘Berty’ are each worth $200 cash plus a free registration to OFAH day camp. The fourth grand prize (appropriately named ‘Kayak’) wins a sit-on kayak and paddle.

The all-ages derby will run from April 28 through May 5. For the third year, it will include tagged fish with cash prizes sponsored by local businesses.

“We still have fish in need of a local sponsor that will both challenge anglers and offset the cost of the stocked Trout for the youth derby,” said Ryrie.

Registration is required for all participants. Admission is $15 for the first child, $10 for siblings and $25 for adults. Purchase tickets online or in person at both Peterborough Canadian Tire locations.

The fish are being released into the canal on April 24 at 1 p.m.

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Peterborough to Host International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians From April 6 to 12

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha and Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (BEL) are hosting the 27th World Championships of the International Curling Fellowship of Rotarians from April 6 to 12.

In 1956, Rotarians from Scotland, Canada and the USA organized a curling tour to Scotland. Scottish Rotarians visited Canada (Quebec and Ontario) and the USA (Utica and Schenectady, NY) for curling events the following year. Since 1978, this tournament has been bi-annually hosted by Scotland, Canada or the USA. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough,

The tournament is being held at the Curling Club of Peterborough, hosting 21 teams from across Canada, England, Scotland, and the United States who will participate in Friendship Division and Championship Division draws.

The general public is welcome to attend to spectate throughout the event.

The Rotary’s committee has worked hard over the past two years to create a fantastic week of unforgettable moments, friendship, and exceptional curling performances, according to a press release and statement by tournament organizer Ken Seim of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

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Peterborough Police Warn Public of Money Scam In Facebook Marketplace Exchange

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The Peterborough Police Service is investigating a money scam stemming from a Facebook Marketplace transaction and is warning the public to be aware, announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The incident occurred on Thursday where it was reported that a woman who had sold her cellphone on Facebook Marketplace was given prop money. It is used in movies and is not considered real currency. 

Police remind residents that if they are buying and selling on online sites, they consider suggesting an e-transfer before handing over the item. Any cash acceptances should be inspected before finishing the transaction.

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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First Career Goal a Game-Winner For Former Peterborough Pete

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Former Peterborough Pete Akil Thomas’s first NHL goal was the game-winner for the Los Angeles Kings in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on Thursday night.

Thomas is well-known for his game-winning goal for Team Canada in the gold-medal game against Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic. Twitter Photo of Los Angeles Kings.

It was Thomas’s second game in the NHL with the Kings after making his debut against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night.

His goal came just over halfway through the first period. After winger Adrian Kempe scored for the Kings, Thomas scored 18 seconds later.

He joined teammates Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jordan Spence on the rush as they entered the offensive zone. After Spence left a drop pass for Thomas, the latter used the former and a Sharks defenceman as a screen to snap the puck past Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, making it 2-0 for the Kings.

“It felt amazing,” said Thomas. “I just wanted to have a good first (period) and to score in the first period just made the nerves go away. It just made me feel a little bit more comfortable.”

The Sharks scored late in the third period with 1:52 left in the game to make it 2-1 but could not score again. That made Thomas’s goal the game-winner for the Kings.

He was acquired by the Petes in a trade from the Niagara IceDogs in Jan. 2020 for Cameron Butler, two second-round picks (2020, 2022), one third-round pick (2022) and a fourth-round pick (2024).

He played 22 games for the Petes, scoring nine goals and 31 assists before the Ontario Hockey League was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas was invited back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for Game Three of the OHL Championship against the London Knights as part of the pre-game ceremonies to pump up the fans on May 15.

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Earth Week Events For City of Peterborough

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The City of Peterborough will celebrate Earth Week with three key initiatives to raise awareness of protecting the environment which will start on April 22.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The three initiatives are The Great Community Litter Clean-up on April 27 and 28; the City Nature Challenge on April 26 and 27; and the kick-off to the City’s 2024 tree planting program. 

“Peterborough has a great number of individuals and organizations that are committed to the wellbeing of our environment,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “There is work happening year-round to reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Earth Week is a time to come together to take action for the betterment of our planet. We hope you can be part of Earth Week 2024.”

Great Community Litter Clean-up April 27 and 28 

On April 22, Earth Day, Mayor Jeff Leal and council members will promote the upcoming Great Community Litter Clean-up on April 27 and April 28. Each year, community organizations and neighbourhood groups organize litter cleanups, especially around Earth Day, as part of their efforts to protect the environment. Community members are welcome to attend the announcement at 1 p.m. at the Beavermead Park Pavilion, 2011 Ashburnham Dr.  

Everyone is invited to join the international movement, with local community groups, families, friends and neighbours organizing a litter clean-up in their favourite park, green space, trail or forest. 

Groups can register their Great Community Litter Clean-up location on the City’s website to receive a free litter clean-up kit and arrange a designated time and location for Public Works staff to collect the garbage. Registered groups can pick up the kits at the Public Works office at 791 Webber Ave. during business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

To celebrate everyone participating in the Great Community Litter Clean-up, groups are encouraged to post photos to social media using the hashtag #PtboLitterAction and tag @CityPtbo. The City will share the group’s photos to showcase how our community respects and protects the environment.

In addition to being unsightly, litter can damage the environment by posing a poison risk or choking risk to wildlife and leaching toxins into our waterways. 

“We’re happy to be working in collaboration with engaged community organizations to protect our creeks, wetlands, greenspaces and public spaces from the harms of trash, litter and hazardous waste,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Earth Day mobilizes over a billion people annually in environmental protection efforts and I’m proud that Peterborough is part of the movement.” 

“We encourage everyone to take an hour or two with family and friends on the weekend to celebrate Earth Day and our love for the wonderful green spaces that make Peterborough shine,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “Communities across the country will be hosting days of action focused on cleaning up public spaces and protecting the environment.” 

Glad Canada will support the Great Community Litter Clean-up by supplying garbage bags to the City of Peterborough. 

City Nature Challenge Community Bio-Blitz April 26 and 27 

The City of Peterborough is hosting a community bio-blitz on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, to record the diversity and abundance of local wildlife in Ecology Park, 1899 Ashburnham Dr., and nearby areas, including Beavermead Park and Farmcrest Park. Both days, free, guided nature walks are planned.  

Residents are invited to participate in the four-day City Nature Challenge throughout the weekend, from April 26 to April 29.  

The City is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists , who will lead the bioblitz throughout the two days. Specific group searches, such as bird, plant, mushroom and insect counts, are planned.  

This will be Peterborough's second year participating in the event, which is aligned with the City Nature Challenge, a global competition to record nature sightings in communities worldwide. The observations will be confirmed and tallied as part of Peterborough's official submission to the City Nature Challenge. Winning communities for the highest number of wildlife observations will be announced by the City Nature Challenge in May 2024. 

Details on how to participate in the City Nature Challenge are online at peterborough.ca/Nature.  

City tree planting  

The City’s 2024 Urban Forestry Plan includes planting 1,000 new trees along City streets and in parks as part of its commitment to managing the urban forest. Street trees are part of the City's green infrastructure system and provide essential benefits to the community. They improve air quality, minimize noise and dust, and reduce stormwater runoff. Trees also benefit individual property owners by increasing property values and decreasing heating and cooling costs. 

The City spring tree planting season will kick off during Earth Week, weather permitting. 

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Peterborough Folk Festival Celebrates Milestone, Marking 35th Year of the Free Event

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The Peterborough Folk Festival (PFF) hits a big milestone as they have launched the 35th edition of its free event, announced at Market Hall on Thursday afternoon.

Artist Missy Knott (left) and illustrator Brooklin Stormie Holbrough (right) help launch the Peterborough Folk Festival on its 35th anniversary. The latter created the design for this year’s Folk Festival. Photo by dAVID tUAN bUI.

The festival is set for Aug. 15-18 at the Nicholls Oval hillside.

“The dedication and commitment to this community that really keeps the festival going,” said Rob Davis, PFF Chair. “It's been through a lot of different people. It started in 1989 as just a half-day in Del Crary Park, moved up to Nicholls Oval in 1993 and started making use of that concrete bunker. It’s just grown and evolved every year.”

To celebrate the 35th year, illustrator Brooklie Stormie Holborough created a new design that launched the event. It was followed by a singing performance from the PFF’s Emerging Artist of the Year in 2009, Missy Knott.

PFF was able to obtain a major sponsor in Miskin Law for this year, a feat that had not been accomplished since 2017 according to Davis. This allows the Festival to attract more acts for the event.

The event is funded through grants, sponsorships and donations to keep it free. While the event has received enough money to cover all expenses, more sponsorships and donations are welcome to seek out more acts.

“Additional funds we raise, we try and give to our artistic director to hire a stronger performer lineup,” explained Davis. The more money we have, the stronger artists we can book.”

One aspect Davis touched on to help celebrate the 35th year is growing the Children’s Village to make kids a bigger focus for this year’s event.

“We've had an idea to introduce an instrument petting zoo for the kids so they can play some instruments and use them during the children's parade down the hill,” explained Davis. “Children and families have always been a big focus for the festival and we've always had children's performers on the Sunday. This year, we're doing it on the Saturday as well.”

PFF typically attracts more than 15,000 people each year, making it the second-largest cultural event in Peterborough.

Potential sponsors can email sponsor@peterboroughfolkfest.com and donations can be made online or at the event in person.

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Hometown PTBO: Actress Nancy Towns About Her Family's Douro Legacy and Upcoming Productions Including 'Girl in the Goldfish Bowl'

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with actress and singer Nancy Towns about her family's legacy in Douro especially with P.G. Towns & Sons, her upcoming production 'Girl in the Goldfish Bowl' with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and some of her favourite all-time concerts.

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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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