Road Closures and Fireworks In Place For Peterborough's Canada Day Parade

This year’s Canada Day Parade see road closures and fireworks during the ceremony slated for this Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The parade’s 30 entries will travel down George Street from City Hall, 500 George St. N., to Del Crary Park next to Little Lake starting at noon.

Pre-parade activities start at 10 a.m. at Confederation Square across from City Hall and include a bike decorating contest, games, giveaways and temporary Canada Day tattoos and flags.

Peterborough Pop Ensemble will perform starting around 10:30 a.m. at City Hall and will lead the crowd in signing O Canada to kick off the parade procession.

Morello’s Your Independent Grocer will donate ‘Happy Birthday Canada’ cupcakes to share with the crowd at City Hall ahead of the parade.

Temporary road closures for the event will be in place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.:

• Murray Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• George Street – from the south side of McDonnel Street to the north side of Murray Street

George Street from Brock Street to Rink Street is being treated as a rolling road closure while the parade is underway.

As part of the Canada Day celebrations, a fireworks display provided by the City will be held over Little Lake from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday following the Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park featuring the Road Apples, a tribute to The Tragically Hip.

There will be a temporary road closure on Crescent Street near the T-wharf before and during the fireworks display. Access to local traffic will be maintained.

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Adam Scott Inducts Four Members Into Its Hall of Honour

During Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute’s graduation ceremony, they inducted four former students to be immortalized into their Hall of Honour on Wednesday night.

(From left to right) Robin Heard, Neil Morton, Michelle Mackey and Carly MOran. Photo courtesy of Adam Scott.

Neil Morton (class of 1989), Carly Moran (class of 2001), Michelle Mackey (class of 2008) and Robin Heard (class of 2001) were named as this year’s inductees.

Morton has a History/English degree from Trent University and a Journalism degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. His endeavours include co-founding PTBOCanada, StudioPTBO, Electric City Football Club and CORMOR.

He is also a former director of the local Chamber of Commerce and was local Chair of the United Way. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame last year.

Moran is a Trent graduate with experience at OCAD and BCIT in Fine Arts/ Graphic Design. She created her firm in Revelstoke, worked as a mining line cook, supervised Health & Safety on snow road construction and snowmobiled for the film industry.

She is an active member of the arts/music community. Moran is also an avid naturalist: biking to California, solo hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, canoeing the Yukon and back-country skiing.

Mackey graduated from Trent Media Studies/English and her experiences at Trent Radio led to her graduate studies at Griffith University in Australia. She was the national anchor for the Weather Channel and then worked with the CBC before joining CityNews, covering the news, weather and anchoring.

Having personally dealt with mental health issues, she is an active advocate, having spoken at several events including Team55 Friday Night Lights. Her documentary for the Canadian Mental Health Association initiatives is award-winning.

Heard completed a B. Com at Queen’s, his accountancy qualifications and an MBA at the Schulich School of Business. His career in finance has been extensive, culminating as President and CEO of SMS Equipment Inc. which deals with mining, construction and forestry and employs 3,000 people.

He also shares his financial talents as a director for the Francis Winspear Centre for Music and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. He advocates for various charitable initiatives that benefit the greater community through his company.

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Peterborough Petes Return to Local Community Rinks For Preseason Games

The Peterborough Petes preseason schedule has been released, with three home games in local community arenas announced on Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough PEtes.

The Petes start preseason on Sept. 1 as they host the Niagara IceDogs at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope. After an away game in Guelph, Peterborough will host the Sudbury Wolves at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre on Sept. 8. The Petes will then travel to Kingston before wrapping up the preseason at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre in Millbrook as they welcome the Guelph Storm on Sept. 21.

The Petes’s full 2024 preseason schedule cis as follows:

• Sept. 1 - Niagara @ Peterborough - 2:05 p.m. (Jack Burger Sports Complex - Port Hope)

• Sept. 6 - Peterborough @ Guelph - 7:07 p.m.

• Sept. 8 - Sudbury @ Peterborough - 3:05 p.m. (Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre - Norwood)

• Sept. 20 - Peterborough @ Kingston - 7 p.m.

• Sept. 21 - Guelph @ Peterborough - 7:05 p.m. (Cavan Monaghan Community Centre - Millbrook)

All three home games will be streamed live on the Petes Facebook Page.

The CHL Import Draft takes place on July 3 at 11 a.m. The Petes hold the ninth overall selection in the draft.

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Hometown PTBO: Dr. Leo Groarke Finishing His Tenure As Trent University's President and Vice-Chancellor For a Decade

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Dr. Leo Groarke about finishing 10 years as Trent University's president and vice-chancellor, how he got the positions and the next steps of his life.

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Peterborough Lakers Team With Bobcaygeon Brewing Company to Launch Lakers Edition of Cottage Lager

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and Century 21 Lakers have partnered to launch their new limited release, ‘Lakers edition’ of a Cottage Lager, announced on Wednesday night.

Cottage Lager is Bobcaygeon Brewing’s flagship lager. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The drink is available during the season at all Lakers home games. The can feature a mesh Lakers jersey-inspired logo with signature red and blue colours alongside the traditional Bobcaygeon Brewing loon and tree line.

The beer is also available at the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company retail store in Peterborough at 649 The Parkway and at local farmers markets, including those in Peterborough, Lakefield, Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, and Clarington.

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Petebrorough Man Arrested For Domestic Assault After Allegedly Pushing and Choking a Woman

A 30-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges involving a domestic assault on a woman.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Wednesday, Police learned that the man pushed and choked the woman during an argument. The victim attended Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) for treatment of her injuries.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Assault (domestic)

• Assault Cause Bodily Harm - Choking (Domestic)

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 13.

To protect the identity of the victim, Police are not releasing the name of the accused.

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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Couple Become Cavan's Newest Millionaires In Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Draw

Dawn and John Shields are Cavan’s newest millionaires after winning LOTTO 6/49 Gold Ball Draw on the April 13 draw, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of OLG.

The married couple have played the lottery together for 20 years. They play weekly each week and always play Encore with their tickets.

The winning ticket remained in John’s wallet for two months before the two discovered the big win.

“I had to check the ticket twice and went straight home to tell Dawn,” said John. “Dawn said, ‘We better triple check it to make sure we are seeing it correctly.’”

“When we told our kids, there was a lot of excitement. They told us they had never been happier for us,” said Dawn. “They are great kids and they shed a few happy tears for us.”

The married couple say they plan to pay some bills, invest and have a nice family dinner to celebrate.

“It feels surreal to win the lottery,” said John.

“It’s everything! One day you’re living your life and then next, everything changes,” said Dawn.

The winning ticket was purchased at Pioneer On the Run on Lansdowne Street.

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Elizabeth Fry Society's Tearing Down Walls On Drug Addiction For Anti-Stigma Day

Elizabeth Fry Society kickstarted dialogue for those suffering from drug addiction as it held its fourth annual Anti-Stigma Day at Millennium Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Kayla Farewell, Elizabeth Fry housing case manager (left) and Mourin Moyen, Elizabeth Fry volunteer (right), hold anti-stigma rocks that were hand-painted at the event and available for attendees. This is the fourth annual event by the Society which began in 2021 and runs every June 26. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is always held on June 26 and runs alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.’ It supports the war on drugs and helps destigmatize those who are struggling while using substances.

Anti-Stigma Day is one way of creating awareness and dialogue. Understanding those suffering from drug addictions is one way to destigmatize the notion according to Kayla Farewell, Elizabeth Fry housing case manager.

“It's not always a choice. Addiction can be really hard to come out and mostly what we ask for is just understanding,” she explained. Everyone is walking their own path. All of these organizations believe in walking alongside people as they walk their own path and it's just showing that compassion, understanding and a willingness to learn. A lot of the stigma comes from not knowing from ignorance whether that's purposeful or not.”

The YES Shelter, One City PTBO, Moms Stop the Harm, John Howard Society, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, Peterborough 260 Nurse Practitioner-Left Clinic, Peterborough Public Health and Canadian Addiction Treatment Services were in attendances with tables to offer information sessions during the event.

Farewell says being open about having a conversation and not shying away from it, whether you are suffering or hearing out someone else, is a huge step towards ending the stigma.

“Starting dialogues with people, even people that you love, that you know have an addiction in the past, making sure you're not afraid to talk about it and making sure that you're not afraid to look away,” she said. “It is very present in our community and the instinct for a lot of people is just to look the other way but it's very important to come together as a community to help the people who live here who use substances.”

A community effort of having sympathy and empathy for those who are suffering from drug addiction is vital to destigmatization.

“They are just people,” said Farewell. “We are all a bad event from being in that position ourselves so having that sympathy, having that love and approaching it with open arms is really the key to all of it. It's takes community to come to get to help lift people up out of the tough spots.”

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Wanderlight Alpaca Experience Launches First-of-its-Kind ‘Quest’ That Combines Escape Room and Dining Experiences

Wanderlight Alpaca Experience has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Wanderlight Alpaca Quest,’ combining an escape room-like and dining experience announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Wanderlight Alpaca Experience.

This on-farm experience combines the team-building aspects and intellectual challenges with alpacas.

Guests are given a backpack with a map, compass, lockbox, and instructions left by the time-travelling Incans to help them solve the mystery. They follow the map along on-farm trails to stations where they solve challenging puzzles. Once the hiding place has been discovered, the guests lead the alpacas to the safety of the farm and end with a local al fresco dining experience.

“Guests always comment on the sweet personalities of the alpacas and the beautiful serenity of the farm - this new experience allows guests to interact with the herd in an innovative and unforgettable way. People are making a visit to Wanderlight a family tradition and the Quest gives them a new adventure” said Katie Jackson, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience founder. “Alpaca walks are popular on-farm experience in Ontario, the Quest brings it to a different level. It is great for groups who like to embark on an adventure, have fun and work together towards a common goal.”

Jackson developed this idea with support from the ‘Spark’ Innovation grant – which assists new tourism ideas with funding and mentorship.

"Developing new, bookable tourism products in collaboration with other local business operators offers visitors a unique and memorable experience in our region," explains Jaimie Eastabrook, PKED’s tourism development officer. "This ultimately supports the region’s goals of increasing visitor spend and length of stay while ensuring guests have a rave-worthy experience they’ll want to come back to and share with family and friends."

The Wanderlight Alpaca Quest has been custom-designed by local experts from another Peterborough County business – Millbrook Escape Maze – based in Stewart Hall according to a press release. It continues to state that the story incorporates an element of magic by leaning into Earth elements and Incan mythology as the ancestral homeland of the modern-day domesticated alpaca.

“As a solo entrepreneur, it is invaluable to have support, mentorship, and accountability to make an idea happen,” said Jackson. “Consultations with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism and fellow tourism business operators helped me to feel like I was not alone and that there were people invested in my success.”

While the traditional elements may be a nod to South American culture, the adventure culminates in a truly local culinary experience according to Jackson.

“Guests at Wanderlight have the option to add on an al-fresco dining package with a table set with locally-sourced artisanware and delicious local food and drink,” she said. “It is a great way to celebrate solving the Quest.”

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Peterborough Lakers's Offense Erupts Early And Takes Commanding 13-7 Win Over Owen Sound

The Lakers never had to look back after the first period and held the lead for a 13-7 win over the Owen Sound North Stars at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

The night also honoured the 1984 and 2004 Mann Cup champion Laker teams.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

Holden Cattoni kicked off the scoring for the Lakers, 8:42 into the game. Owen Sound quickly countered with two goals of their own in 11 seconds for the 2-1 lead. A pair of Turner Evans goals and one from Thomas Hoggarth had Peterborough regain the lead 4-2 and never fell behind since. After a Tyler Halls unassisted goal for Owen Sound, Peterborough capped off a six-goal period thanks to scores from Joe Resetarits and Cattoni to make it 6-3 after one.

The second stanza was all Peterborough. They blanked Owen Sound and scored four goals to extend their lead to 10-3. Koleton Marquis tacked on a pair while Resetarits and Hoggath netted their second score of the game.

Members of the 1984 and 2004 Mann Cup-Champion Lakers at Tuesday’s game. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers ALumni.

Peterborough continued their run as Hoggath got the hat trick to mark the Lakers’s seventh-straight goal of the game. Owen Sound finally found the back of the net again as Tanner Buck rang off back-to-back goals including a power-play score.

Cattoni got his hat trick with an unassisted goal to make it 12-5. Buck got a hat trick of his own on the power play. Dante Kulas added another goal for Owen Sound but with 90 seconds left, it was too little too late. Taite Cattoni added an extra goal for good measure and Peterborough earned back-to-back wins over Owen Sound in the home-and-home series that started Saturday.

The Lakers will have a heavyweight bout as they host the defending Mann Cup-champion Six Nations Chiefs on Thursday.

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