Innovative Furniture Repurposing Leads to Two Winners for Habitat For Humanity's Inaugural 'The Big Flip' Contest

Philip Feder and Cass Stabler are the winners of Habitat for Humanity’s inaugural ‘The Big Flip’ contest to promote sustainability and creativity to those reimagining and reviving furniture pieces while keeping them out of landfills. 

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

The first rendition of the event had 46 entries and ran on Earth Day, April 22. The challenge was to transform used furniture innovatively (including, but not limited to, painting, restoring, and reupholstering).

Among the entries, 20 contestants sourced their items from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, five found furniture pieces on the side of the road and six repurposed items they already had at home. There were 17 entries that showcased the creative use of Fusion Mineral paint, a popular and environmentally conscious paint line known for its superior durability and one-step application, according to a press release.

The winners were selected through two categories: The People’s Choice and Designer’s Choice. The People's Choice category had over 1900 online votes. The Designer’s Choice winner was chosen by the interior designers at Birchview Design, who evaluated entries based on criteria such as creativity, originality, usability and overall transformation. 

The Winners 

People’s Choice Category: 

The recipient of the People's Choice award is Philip Feder of Omemee. His winning entry, a Superman-themed side table crafted from repurposed comic book covers, captured the hearts of voters with its unique blend of creativity and sustainability.

“As a comic book and toy collector, I frequently encounter damaged comics. Rather than allowing them to be discarded in a landfill, I opted to repurpose them.” said Feder. “(I) used a combination of materials and paint, I added bar resin to seal the top. To emulate Superman's suit, I fashioned the legs of the table accordingly, drawing inspiration from the comics.”

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

The Designer’s Choice award went to Cass Stabler for her meticulously crafted floral desk. She transformed a child-sized wooden desk and chair into a vibrant and functional piece of furniture. Cass transformed the pre-loved desk into a birthday gift for her seven-year-old niece. After thoroughly prepping the desk and matching chair, she patiently painted a floral motif to reflect her niece’s love of nature.

“It's a good thing the NHL playoffs were on because this took approximately eight hockey games (or 24 hours) worth of painting time,” said Stabler. “I already enjoyed finding nice, well-made furniture from sources like the ReStore and I have recently started painting more often. Being able to combine these skills and make a perfect gift for my niece was a lot of fun.”  

Both winners received a Fusion Mineral Paint™ prize pack, a one-year membership to the Peterborough Tool Library, and a $500 gift card to Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre.

“(We’re) Thrilled to have been part of The Big Flip contest—an amazing campaign that advocates sustainability and keeping our landfills free from furniture even if its not up to the best quality,” said Alaura Jopling, Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre marketing coordinator. “We encourage our customers to visit us anytime for guidance and supplies for their next DIY project. Together, we can help you create, repurpose, and give life to old furniture while protecting our planet.”

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Peterborough Police Focusing On Safe Driving During Canada Road Safety Week

During Canada Road Safety Week running until Tuesday, the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit is focusing on safe driving announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s theme is ‘Every Road. Every Day. Everyone.’

In support of the week, the Traffic Unit is looking out for the following during May:

1. Impaired Driving (alcohol, drugs, fatigue)

2. Distracted Driving

3. Aggressive Driving

4. Seatbelts

Residents can report traffic complaints in several different ways according to the Police.

Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency, for non-emergencies, call 705-876-1122 or residents can report driving complaints through the online reporting portal.

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City of Peterborough to Host Touch-a-Truck and Free Tree Giveaway On Tuesday

As part of National Public Works Week, the City of Peterborough will host a Touch-a-Truck event and free tree giveaway on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eastgate Park parking lot, 2150 Ashburnham Dr.

File Photo.

“The City of Peterborough has an excellent team of employees at Public Works and I am proud to celebrate their efforts serving the community. We are happy to offer a Touch-a-Truck event to connect with everyone, young and old, letting them check out our City equipment up close,” said Cassandra Babcock, Public Works operations director. 

The City encourages tree planting on private property within City limits according to a press release. City residents can pick up one tree per household. A total of 150 trees will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Trees come in two-gallon buckets for convenient transportation.

The following species are available: 

• River Birch 

• Sycamore 

• Tulip Tree 

• Red Oak 

• Tamarack 

• American Elm 

• Alleghany Serviceberry 

• Basswood 

Ample free parking is available in the main parking lot on Ashburnham Drive, on the east side of the street, just south of Eastgate Park, and overflow parking is available in the parking lot at Beavermead Park. 

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I Mother Earth, David Wilcox and Dwayne Gretzky Announced For Peterborough Musicfest Lineup With Several Other Acts

I Mother Earth, David Wilcox and Dwayne Gretzky were some of the acts listed for this year’s Peterborough Musicfest lineup, announced at the Silver Bean Café on Tuesday morning.

TRACY CONDON, PETERBOROUGH MUSICFEST BOARD CHAIR (LEFT) WITH TRACEY RANDALL, GENERAL MANAGER (RIGHT) AS THE FREE CONCERT SERIES RELEASES THEIR LINEUP FOR THIS YEAR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

This adds to acts Tenille Townes, Down With Webster and Metric who were announced before the full lineup release.

Three dates (July 10, July 27 and Aug. 10) will be announced later.

“There's something for everyone, there's so many acts that I want to check out and I just think it's going to be an incredible summer,” said Tracy Condon, Musicfest chair.

Statistics regarding the Musicfest’s economic impact, according to a study conducted by Community Futures Peterborough and PKED supported the Economic Impact Assessment, were released during the announcement.

They were surveyed at the park last summer and were evaluated by STEAM Pro (Sport Tourism Canada).

“The $4.3M Economic Impact was assessed by evaluating the amount of money generated by Festival activity which encompasses the local community, the county, province and even nationally,” said Raff Melito, Musicfest marketing and communications manager. “It includes not only fees paid out by the festival for its operations, but also the broader impacts on local businesses, increased employment and the multiplier effect of circulating money within the economy.”

“The $2.3M combined spending reflects the amount that people attending the festival spent last year,” explained Melito. “That would include accommodations, meals out, transport, spending in local shops, etc.”

The free concert series kicks off with country music star Tenille Townes on June 29. In its 37th season, Musicfest hopes to continue to draw crowds that has been supportive over the years.

“It's free, I think that's the most important thing. There's no barriers to people attending and I think that's so important in this day and age when everything is a little harder for people economically,” said Condon. “I think it's a place where you get to see such talent. Music brings everyone together, it's so good for community and for mental health so all of these things coupled together, you can't go wrong with that.”

The following is this year’s Musicfest schedule:

• June 29: Tenille Townes

• July 1: Road Apples (Tragically Hip Tribute Band)

• July 3: Aysanabee w/ Cale Crowe

• July 6: Tim Baker and the Great Lake Swimmers

• July 10: TBA

• July 13: I Mother Earth

• July 17: Metric

• July 20: Beau Dixon Band

• July 24: Rêve

• July 27: TBA

• July 31: Down With Webster

• Aug. 3: Elton Rohn (Elton John Tribute)

• Aug. 76: Dwayne Gretzky

• Aug. 10: TBA

• Aug. 14: Choir! Choir! Choir!

• Aug. 17: David Wilcox

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Blippi: Join the Band Tour Makes Peterborough Memorial Center a Stop On Oct. 23

Blippi: Join the Band Tour is making a stop in Peterborough to entertain kids and their families at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Oct. 23, announced on Tuesday.

Blippi on Tour has traveled the globe multiple times and has delighted millions of international fans throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with plans to visit many more new countries in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The brand-new production features live musicians playing on stage in a never-before-seen show.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, with pre-sales beginning on Tuesday.

Blippi will be joined onstage by Meekah, their singing and dancing buddies and musicians. They’ll explore what makes music, including sounds, rhythms and instruments, with fan-favorite Blippi hits

“We are turning it up to 11 with the Blippi: Join the Band Tour this Fall,” said Stephen Shaw, Founder and Co-President of Round Room Live. “Blippi is a rockstar for today’s kids and has been delighting millions of children and families all over the world.  A brand new show that amps up the excitement to an even higher volume with a live band onstage was the next logical step in continuing Blippi touring around the world.”

“Following the success of previous tours, Blippi: Join the Band Tour will bring families to their feet across the country to dance and sing along to their favorite Blippi hits as well as some brand new songs.” said Susan Vargo, Head of Global Experiences at Moonbug Entertainment. “Parents and kids alike will share in making music the Blippi way, with curiosity and silliness center stage.”

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Two Break-And-Enter Incidents See Two Doors Smashed With One Business Having Several Thousand Dollars of Tools Taken

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating two break-and-enter incidents early Monday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 5:05 a.m., officers were called to a business on The Kingsway after an alarm. Officers noticed the front door had been smashed. It was further learned that several thousand dollars worth of tools had been taken.

The second incident occurred at 5:23 a.m. at a Neal Drive business. Officers discovered that the front glass door had been smashed.

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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Traffic Interruptions Expected At Kirkfield Lift Lock Until Friday Evening For Repairs

Parks Canada advises the public to expect traffic interruptions at the Kirkfield Lift Lock until Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE KIRKFIELD LIFT LOCK IS LOCATED A FEW KILOMETRES NORTH OF THE VILLAGE OF KIRKFIELD. PHOTO COURTESY OF PARKS CANADA.

A crane will be on-site to support the final repairs at the Kirkfield Lift Lock before the navigation season.

“We expect to be able to maintain both lanes of traffic flow on Kirkfield Road (County Road 6), although traffic controls, including flaggers and signage, will be in place as needed,” according to a press release statement.

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Peterborough Ranked Seventh In Total Observations In The Country From City Nature Challenge

Peterborough’s City Nature Challenge initiative that wrapped up on April 29, exceeded last year’s community bio-blitz numbers with higher public participation, more species sighted and greater total observations logged that resulted in a seventh-place finish in the country. 

PHoto by David Tuan Bui.

In total, 2,076 wildlife observations were made, recording 577 species within the community during the four days of citizen science for the second annual community bio-blitz to record wildlife in Peterborough.  

Out of the 40 participating Canadian communities, Peterborough ranked 13th in total observations, 12th in total number of species observed and 11th in the number of participants making observations. Peterborough ranked seventh per capita for the total number of observations made during the bio-blitz, beating out nearby cities like Kingston and Toronto.

On May 6, wildlife experts completed their identification and verification of recorded nature observations gathered during the bio-blitz and submitted it to the event organizers. 

“Community events like the City Nature Challenge showcase how truly alive our city is, with wildlife in every nook and cranny waiting to be discovered,” said Councillor Joy Lachica. “Residents should celebrate that they share their homes with so many plants and animals, which makes Peterborough an extra special place to live for all.”

Peterborough's most observed species from April 26 to 29 are as follows: 

• Plant species: 31 Yellow Trout Lilies (Erythronium americanum) 

• Bird species: 25 Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) 

• Tree species: 23 Eastern White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis) 

• Fungus species: 16 Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa) 

• Mammal species: 12 Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) 

• Insect species: 7 Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis) [introduced species] 

• Amphibian species: 7 Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) 

A full list of observations can be found on the Peterborough iNaturalist project page.  

The City of Peterborough partnered with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to curate guided nature walks led by Ecology and Beavermead Parks volunteers on April 26 and 27. In addition, nature-focused children’s programming was offered over the two days to excite kids about the beauty of nature found in Peterborough.  

The next City Nature Challenge is scheduled for April 25 to 28, 2025.  

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Two Teenagers Arrested For Allegedly Uttering Threats Through Snapchat

A 16-year-old Peterborough male wanted on a warrant is facing several uttering threat charges after an incident Friday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He was wanted for the following from May 7:

• Mischief under $5,000

• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

• Robbery with a weapon and utter threats -cause death or bodily harm X2

The suspect was further charged in connection with a series of threatening messages to another group of teens through Snapchat on Friday.

The teen turned himself into police on Saturday.

He was arrested on strength of the warrant and further charged with:

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm

• Uttering Threats - Damage Property

• Criminal Harassment - repeatedly communicate

The accused was held in custody and appeared in Weekend and Statutory Holiday Court on Saturday.

A second Peterborough teen also wanted in the May 7 incident for the following:

• Mischief under $5,000

• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

• Robbery with a Weapon

• Uttering Threats - Cause Death or bodily harm x2

He turned himself into police on Saturday. It was further determined the male was connected to the incident on Friday in which a threatening message was sent through text.

The second teen arrested on the strength of the warrant and further charged with:

• Uttering Threats - Cause death or Bodily Harm  

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court May 27.

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Young Ladies Can Try Hitting the Links at Girls Golf Kawartha League Free Event

Young ladies aged seven to 17 can try out their drives, chips and putts as the Girls Golf Kawartha League’s (GGKL) ‘Girls Try Golf Free Event’ being held at the Kawartha Golf & Country Club on May 25.

Sydney (pictued) nailing a hole in one at The Quarry’s third hole of the executive course on Oct. 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of Girls Golf Kawartha League.

This is our second year of the Girls Golf Kawartha League.

“I run it for girls to create a fun, safe, non competitive way for girls to learn and love golf,” said Courtney Carroll of GGKL.

To kick off the season, the newly-formed organization is bringing back the free event and a free league at The Quarry in June.

The league meets every Wednesday night for an hour. There is also a pay-per class with group lessons with Shana Kelly of the Coaching Association of Canada and of Kawartha Golf Club.

“Our goal is to get 100 girls out this summer,” said Carroll.

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