Peterborough Petes Sign Colin Fitzgerald to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

The Peterborough Petes has signed Colin Fitzgerald to an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The Peterborough native was selected by the Petes in the first round, third overall of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Last season, he featured in 34 games with the U16 Peterborough Petes scoring 39 goals and adding 25 assists for 64 points. In eight playoff games, he scored 13 times and added eight assists, helping the Petes to the OMHA Championships and the 2024 OHL Cup.

“It’s special to continue to be wearing the maroon and white and play for my hometown team,” said Fitzgerald. “Thank you to Coach Wilson and Mike Oke for giving me the opportunity to be a Pete.”

In six OHL Cup games, the 6’1”, 174 lbs centre finished tied for the tournament lead in scoring with eight goals and five assists for 13 points, leading the Petes to a semi-final finish and being named to the All-Star team.

“We’re extremely excited to add Colin to our group,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “Colin is a very talented right-handed centreman who uses his size to his advantage. He’s got a good shot and is strong at faceoffs. With Colin being a Peterborough native, we were able to watch him a lot this year as he continuously improved his game, leading the U16 Petes to an OHL Cup Semi-final appearance and being named to the tournament all-star team. We’re looking forward to aiding in his development for years to come.” 

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 3 at 110 a.m. The Petes hold the ninth overall selection in the draft.

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Taylor Swift Tribute DJ Show Hits Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 22

The Peterborough Memorial Centre is bringing the world’s #1 Taylor Swift tribute DJ show in DJ Swiftie to town for Nov. 22 announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre

The party starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. in person at the PMC Box Office, by phone at 705-743-3561 and online at www.memorialcentre.ca. The exclusive online pre-sale for PMC Scoop members happens Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 (plus applicable fees; subject to change) with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $40 (plus applicable fees; subject to change).

This themed dance party hosted by DJ SWIFTIE is crafted around everyone’s favourite Taylor Swift songs.

 “We are thrilled to be welcoming The World’s #1 Taylor Swift Tribute DJ to Peterborough in November,” said Jeremy Giles, PMC facility manager. “This fun all-ages show is a night for fans and Swifties alike to celebrate the icon that is Taylor Swift and the impact that her music has made on billions of people around the world.”

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Sweet Fern Floral Studio, Community Recognition Awards, Friendly Fires and Stylish Fit Alterations and Tailoring

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

There’s a new flower shop opening at 387 Water St. in downtown Peterborough called Sweet Fern Floral Studio.

It opened officially on Friday. They are a full-service florist specializing in premium floral design. They do walk-in shopping and pickup and delivery in Peterborough and the surrounding area. Services include everyday florals, sympathy florals, wedding floral services, and event florals. Drop by the new shop in downtown Peterborough or go online to sweetfernfloralstudio.com to see what they have to offer and order your next arrangement.

A big congratulations to the winners of the Peterborough County 2024 Community Recognition Awards.

While there are too many well-deserving winners to list here, I’m going to highlight this year’s Business Leadership Award winners:

• Asphodel-Norwood – Sweetheart’s Bakery, The Knockout and Dead Man’s Brew - all owned by Sara and Andrew Scott

• Cavan Monaghan – Millbrook Mercantile – Bernadette MacNeil

• Douro-Dummer – Molly Conlin Design & Drafting

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen – ZK Excavating Ltd. – Zack Johnston

• North Kawartha – The Grape and Wedge

• Otonabee-South Monaghan – Wesnor Inc dba Trailers Plus – Zoran Albert

• Selwyn – The Chocolate Rabbit

A growing local retailer is being recognized on the national stage at the annual Retail Council of Canada Excellence in Retailing Awards.

Friendly Fires has been recognized in the best eCommerce experience for a retailer category. Other finalists for the awards include large national brands like Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, and Walmart. Friendly Fires have shipped more than 100,000 individual fireplace and barbecue parts since launching online. Their online experience is closely integrated with their physical retail stores.

Stylish Fit Alterations and Tailoring now has two locations in Peterborough — 871 Chemong Rd. Unit 12 and 948 Weller St.

They offer men’s wear as well as alterations to make all your clothing fit. They specialize in Bridal and bridesmaid alterations, formal wear, leather and suede, zipper and button replacements, and more.

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Peterborough Poutine Feast Returns to Morrow Park For With Four Days of French Fry Fun

With over 30 poutines to choose from, the Peterborough Poutine Feast is back and underway at Morrow Park in a four-day event from Thursday to Sunday.

David Conway, Poutine Feast emcee (left) and Bailey McGlennon (right) featuring a poutine from each vendor at Peterborough Poutine Feast. Some options included a lobster poutine with hollandaise, a smokin’ BBQ Brisket Poutine and General Tso’s Poutine as part of 30 different kinds spanning four vendors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event has free admission. It runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Four poutine vendors are at this year’s event such as Smokin’ Carnivore, Fat Les’s Chip Stand, Groovy Gravy and The Tragically Chip Wagon.

Mrs. Mini Donuts, Trin’s Treats and Heavenly Dreams were other food vendors at the event. Mini donuts, cotton candy, ice cream and other sweets were available for purchase.

Smokin' BBQ Brisket Poutine from Smokin' Carnivore. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Lobster Poutine (left) and a Classic Poutine from Fat Les's Chip Stand.

Maple BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine (left) and Butter Chicken Poutine (right) from Groovy Gravy

General Tso's Chicken Poutine from Tragically Chip Wagon.

Merchandise dealers are also at Poutine Feast such as clothing, jewellery, face painting, temporary tattoos and Bad Ass Den from Fenelon Falls were present.

Peterborough was one of the original locations of Poutine Feast’s tour before the tour expanded. The travelling food group is hitting over 20 cities with Peterborough as the third leg of its tour.

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Downtown Road Surface Repairs to Begin This Month

Several downtown streets will receive road surface repairs as repaving work begins in May.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The scope of work includes replacing frames, covers, and grates, curb replacement in select locations, milling, surface paving and pavement markings.

Milling and surface paving work on George Street and Water Street will be performed during evening and overnight hours to minimize disruption to traffic and businesses.

Structure adjustments and select curb and gutter replacements will be completed during daytime working hours in smaller segments to reduce disruption for businesses and traffic. Milling and surface paving operations will be completed by entire segments respective to each operation to minimize associated disruptions as less duration is required during these operations. It is anticipated that adjacent properties will only experience direct disruption for about four to six days, depending on operational sequencing, weather, or other unforeseen issues.

The City of Peterborough is coordinating with the contractor to minimize impacts on summer events planned in downtown.

“Repaving downtown roads is a much-needed improvement in the heart of our city,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “On behalf of the City and Council, I thank the downtown residents and businesses for their patience while this work is completed. I encourage everyone to visit our excellent local restaurants, cafés and businesses downtown this summer.”

Access to all businesses will remain open during the construction period. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

IPAC Paving Limited is doing the work on behalf of the City and it is scheduled to be completed by fall 2025. As information becomes available, further information will be posted regarding the scheduling of the temporary lane reductions and closures.

Sections of the following streets will be periodically reduced to a single lane of traffic during repaving operations:

• George Street between Hunter Street and Sherbrooke Street

• Water Street between Simcoe Street and Brock Street

• Sheridan Street from Hunter Street to the north limit

• Brock Street from Water Street to the east limit

Short-term road closures will be in place on the following roads during milling and surface paving operations in 2024, with detour routes posted:

• Brock Street from George Street to Water Street

• Simcoe Street between George Street and Water Street

• King Street between George Street and Water Street

Some on-street parking will affect certain blocks as operations move through downtown segments. Reduction of on-street parking on any block is expected to last four to six days in any given location. For information on parking garages and surface lots available downtown, please visit peterborough.ca/parking.

Peterborough Utilities will also be conducting water main relining concurrently on other streets in the surrounding area in 2024.

Schedules may change due to delays or inclement weather. Residents and businesses in the area are encouraged to subscribe to the project page for updates on the timelines for specific road closures, lane reductions and additional road surface repair locations to be completed next year at peterborough.ca/repaving.

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Porter Martone's Nets a Goal in 4-0 Shutout Of Latvia In IIHF U18 World Championship Quarterfinals

Peterborough’s Porter Martone helped Team Canada get a 4-0 win over Latvia with a goal in the quarterfinals of the IIHF U18 World Championship at the Vantaa Trio Areena in Vantaa, Finland on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Hockey Canada.

His lone game came in the with less than eight minutes left in the third period.

After the Latvian goalie made a high-danger save, Caleb Desnoyers coralled the puck and brought it back to the point. He wristed it towards the net and Martone was able to tip it in for a 3-0 lead as another insurance marker.

Canada tacked on another empty net goal with less than a minute left in regulation to make it 4-0 and got the shutout win over Latvia.

Canada has a rematch against Sweden in the semifinals. The former won by a score of 6-3 on April 25. The winner takes on the victor of Slovakia and the United States in the opposite semifinal bracket.

The gold and silver medal games take place on Sunday morning.

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Peterborough Police Seize Drugs, Ammo and Cash From Search Warrants and Made Three Arrests

The Peterborough Police Services Emergency Response Team and the Drug Unit conducted two search warrants at residences on Stewart Street and McDonnel Street, seizing multiple items and making three arrests on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Officers were at each scene for approximately one hour and seized:

• 125 grams of Cocaine

• 66 grams of Crystal Meth

• 10 grams of Fentanyl

• 5000 Dilaudid pills

• 750 Hydromorphone pills

• Ammunition and loaded magazines

• Approximately $4,500 Canadian currency

 As a result of this investigation and these search warrants, three people have been arrested.

 A 28-year-old male from Jamaica was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Dilaudid

 He was held in custody and will be appearing in court Friday.

 A 54-year-old female from Etobicoke was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

 She was held in custody and will be appearing in court Friday.

 A 40-year-old male from Peterborough was charged with:

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Crystal Methamphetamine

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Dilaudid

• Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – Hydromorphone

• Proceeds of crime under $5000

He was released on an Undertaking and is expected to appear in court on May 21.

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Women United and United Way Peterborough & District Unveil Inaugural Women of Impact Awards

Women United and United Way Peterborough & District have unveiled the distinguished list of honorees for the first annual Women of Impact Awards announced on Friday.

File Photo.

The Women of Impact Awards is a celebration of women who embody leadership, inspire others, and leave an indelible mark on our community according to a press release.

“We were so pleased with the response from the community for this first annual event,” said Anne Ondercin, United Way director of philanthropy. “In total 37 nominations were received, all for very deserving women. I want to thank the members of the Women United Committee who independently reviewed and rated every nomination."

“Here in Peterborough City and County, our goal is to elevate the Women United movement and shine a spotlight on the incredible local women who are driving positive change,” said Maryam Monsef, Inaugural Chair of Women United Peterborough, “With support from the United Way team and the Women United Committee, we are raising funds to support vital programs and initiatives that empower and uplift women and those who identify as women in our community.”

Women United and United Way Peterborough & District wants to recognize the following individuals:

• Cassandra Babcock

• Dr. Debbie Boyce

• Cheyenne Buck

• Patti Clancy

• Wendy Couper

• Susan Dunkley

• Hillary Flood

• Jennifer Garland

• Dr. Jennifer Ingram

• Carlotta James

• Kristal Jones

• Ann MacLeod

• Laura Montague

• Rosemary Powers

• Denise Sayles-Morton

• Peggy Shaughnessy

• Lisa Trefzger

• Lois Tuffin

• Carmela Valles

• Jill Wickins

The award ceremony and celebration will be held on May 30th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Farmhill Weddings in Keene.

Tickets are available now for purchase. The early bird price is $30 until May 8th when it will increase to $40.

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Peterborough Museum & Archives Recognized By the Canadian Museums Association With National Award

The Peterborough Museum & Archives has been recognized with the Canadian Museums Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Exhibitions category for “To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860” (April to November 2023) announced on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The award was presented at a ceremony held on Wednesday.

The exhibition “To Honour and Respect” featured 13 quilled wiigwassii makakoon (birch bark baskets) lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection in the United Kingdom. The makakoon were created by highly skilled women of what is now Hiawatha First Nation. The stunning makakoon were gifts to the Prince of Wales on Sept. 7, 1860, when he visited Hiawatha as part of a cross-Canada royal tour.

The many visitors admired the beautiful quillwork and explored the cultural knowledge, love, respect, and diplomacy that went into the makakoon, reflecting on Michi Saagiig and settler histories in the region. Indigenous-led programming included gallery tours, workshops on quillwork provided by Hiawatha First Nation artist Sandra Moore, and sessions on Michi Saagiig language provided by Curve Lake First Nation member Jonathan Taylor.

“Congratulations to the entire team at the Peterborough Museum & Archives, to the To Honour and Respect Planning Circle, the guest curators Dr. Lori Beavis and Dr. Laura Peers, and to the Royal Collection Trust for this well-deserved recognition. The exhibition truly symbolizes the massive contributions of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, perspectives, and institutions,” said Gayle McIntyre, past Chair of the Peterborough Museum & Archives Advisory Committee.

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Peterborough Police To Host a Community Open House On June 1

The Peterborough Police Service is hosting a Community Open House on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their headquarters, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Visitors can learn about policing as a career, tour the police station, view demonstrations, see police vehicles and meet officers.

Bike safety seminars and registries are available during the open house.

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