Quaker Foods City Square to Hold Tree Lighting Ceremony This Saturday

Quaker Foods City Square is becoming a hub for the holidays and community as for a second straight year, they are hosting a tree-lighting ceremony and market event on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) will partner to host this year's event.

“Quaker Foods City Square has become a winter downtown destination for locals and visitors alike where people can come together and enjoy getting active with a skate on the outdoor rink,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The return of the tree and the illuminated ‘PTBO’ sign creates a perfect backdrop for festive fun, and I look forward to celebrating the season with the community.”

“The tree lighting ceremony at Quaker Foods City Square is a great way to bring our community together to celebrate the season during one of the most exciting times of year in Downtown Peterborough,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. "We're excited to partner with the City of Peterborough to host this event with skating, music and festive treats, while showcasing all that downtown Peterborough has to offer.”

Tree lighting ceremony activities include:

• Official opening of the outdoor rink (weather dependent) with Learn to Skate programming from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Open Skate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Live DJ playing upbeat and family-friendly music

• Giant board games from the Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Kids activities including colouring pages and photo opportunities with Peterborough Petes’ mascot Roger

• Merchandise and gift cards for sale from The Boro, as well as Petes’ merchandise from downtown retailer Rawscoe’s Sports Collectibles

• Downtown vendors with food and beverage items available for purchase including hot chocolate from The Vanilla Room, beverages from BOBO Tea, and cookies and treats from The Chill Desire and Em and Oms Cookies

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre presents promoting “The Sharing Tree” holiday fundraising campaign

• Free skate sharpening by Runner’s Life

The tree-lighting will take place at 6 p.m. when Mayor Leal will turn on the lights.

The event also kicks off the outdoor skating season in the Square. Depending on weather conditions, the refrigerated skating rink is anticipated to be open through the winter months.

City staff are currently preparing the site and monitoring conditions to ensure safe ice.

Parking is available on-street or at the King Street Parkade, which is adjacent to the square.

Free two-hour holiday parking is available at all downtown municipal parking spaces, including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Parking Garage until Dec.31.

Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers sponsored the parking initiative with all voluntary parking fees going towards Kawartha Food Share.

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Peterborough Transit Making Service Adjustments For the Holidays Starting Thursday

Service adjustments will be in place for some Peterborough Transit routes during the holiday period, until Jan. 5, beginning Thursday.

File Photo.

Late-night service is suspended from Dec 19 to Jan. 5. On weekdays and Saturdays, the last trip will depart no later than 11:30 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the last trip for any route departs no later than 7:30 p.m.

Late-night service on Routes 5 and 6 to Trent University and Fleming College will be temporarily suspended as of Thursday, with regular late-night service to both locations resuming on Jan. 5.

Service on Route 11 and 11A Water will be temporarily suspended from Thursday until Jan. 5 with regular service resuming on Jan. 6.

On Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, the last trip will depart no later than 7:30 p.m. for all routes, with all service ending for the day by 8:30 p.m.

There is no Transit service on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

All Transit routes will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Thursday. The last trip will depart no later than 7:30 p.m. for all routes, with all service ending for the day by 8:30 p.m.

Transit Customer Service desk

The Customer Service desk at the Simcoe Street Terminal will operate with adjusted hours for the holiday period: 

• Tuesday, Dec. 24: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 25: closed

• Thursday, Dec. 26: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Friday, Dec. 27 to Monday, Dec. 30: regular hours

• Tuesday, Dec. 31: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 1: closed

Regular hours resume at the Simcoe Street Bus Terminal on Jan. 2.

Service changes effective December 29, 2024

To improve efficiency and safety, the following adjustments will be in place starting Dec. 29:

Route 2 Chemong

Route 2 Chemong will follow a loop that starts and ends at the downtown Terminal. Twenty-minute service continues with minor adjustments to the timetables.

Preview timetables are available on the Route 2 Chemong web page.

Route 6 Sherbrooke

On weekday westbound service, an early morning and late night trip is being added, with minor timing adjustments to one early morning westbound trip. An early morning trip will be added to weekday eastbound service.

Saturday eastbound service will include one new early morning trip on the eastbound route and a late night trip added to the westbound route.

Sunday/Holiday service will have an additional late-night trip starting Dec. 29.

The Link – Route 31 Curve Lake

The weekday service schedule has been adjusted to align with GO Transit drop-offs and pick-ups.

Bus stop changes

The southbound bus stop on George Street at Townsend Street will no longer be in service as of Dec. 29. The new stop will be located at George Street at Rink Street.

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Hometown PTBO: The Chocolate Rabbit's Kristine Webster and Her Family Hitting the One-Year Milestone With Its Peterborough Location

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Kristine Webster of The Chocolate Rabbit about the Peterborough location hitting the one-year milestone, continuing Lois MacEachen's legacy since opening in 2005 and keeping the business in the family since buying it in 2021.

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Peterborough Petes Defeat Rival Oshawa Generals In 4-3 Overtime Thriller

The Petes got the win in dramatic fashion over their rival Oshawa Generals as they walked it of with a 4-3 overtime win at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The opening period had only one goal and it was courtesy of Petes captain Johnathan Melee on the penalty kill. Braydon McCallum was on the rush short handed and he sent it back to the high slot to a charging Melee who one-timed it home for a 1-0 lead.

Peterborough added to their lead as Blake Gowan snapped a shot but was saved by Generals goalie Isaac Gravelle. Colin Fitzgerald was able to pounce on the rebound and hammer it home for a 2-0 lead. The Generals got on the board after Zackary Sandhu ripped a shot from the point that got through traffic and Petes goalie Easton Rye for a 2-1 score.

Peterborough responded just over three minutes later as Young took a shot from point-blank range that was stopped. Martin Matejicek took a whack at the puck on the rebound and found the back of the net to restore Peterborough’s two-goal lead after two periods.

Oshawa was able to mount a comeback, scoring two goals to tie the game in the third period and send the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, just 49 seconds in, Braydon McCallum cut into the ent to take a shot but was stopped. It created a mad scramble for the loose puck and Gavin Bryant poked the puck back to Matejicek. The latter went wide and drew the goalie towards him as he passed out to Bryant in the slot who buried the wide-open net for a walk-off overtime 4-3 win.

The Petes are back in action against the Ottawa 67’s in our nation’s capital on Friday night.

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Quaker Foods City Square's Skating Rink has Opened For the Season

The City of Peterborough has opened the skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Using the rink outside designated hours is prohibited. Rink use is weather-dependent.

A portable washroom is on site and heated washrooms are nearby at the Peterborough Public Library.

Parking is available at the King Street parking garage and along King and Charlotte streets. Free two-hour holiday parking is available at all municipal parking spaces, including municipal parking lots, garages and spaces until Dec. 31. Free two-hour parking is sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. Any parking fees paid during the holidays will be donated to Kawartha Food Share.

Rink users are asked to follow all posted skating rink rules. Skates must be worn at all times. Speed and figure skating, organized hockey and using sticks and pucks are not permitted. CSA-approved helmets are required for children six years and under and children under 10 must be actively supervised by a person 16 years or older. No food or drink is permitted on the ice surface.

Mobility Aids, sledge devices and approved skating aids are permitted.

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Darling Insurance and Sentinel Risk Insurance Raise $51,000 for Easter Seals Through Charity Golf Tournaments

After hitting the links from two charity golf tournaments, Darling Insurance and Sentinel Risk Insurance raised and donated $51,000 for Easter Seals, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Darling Insurance.

The proceeds help Easter Seals to provide programs and services for children and youth with physical disabilities in Ontario. Their programs and services include access to mobility equipment, financial assistance for camp programs and educational support for children with disabilities.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s golf tournaments and we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from our community,” said Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance president. “Supporting Easter Seals aligns with our company’s commitment to giving back to the communities we serve. This donation will go a long way in helping children and families across Ontario.”

“We are so proud to partner with Darling Insurance on these events,” said Greg Kruk, Partner at Sentinel Risk Insurance. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people come together to support Easter Seals, and we look forward to continuing our work with such a fantastic organization.”

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Ontario Government Invests $99,000 For Dementia Care In Peterborough and the Kawarthas

The Ontario Government has invested $99,900 to connect more people in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton to dementia care to provide support and services when needed.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This funding will support the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton services, such as the First Link® Care Navigation program that connects people living with dementia and their families with help navigating care, education and resources.

“As the rates of dementia burgeon across our four-county area, we would like to applaud this investment in care for persons living with dementia and their care partners through the Alzheimer Society’s First Link program,” said Jen Johnstone, Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton executive director. “We welcome the government’s commitment to supporting healthcare navigation and counselling support for people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, which will aid us in our mission to ensure that no one in our local community has to navigate dementia alone.”

This funding is part of the Ontario government’s $6.9 million investment over two years to support those who have received a dementia diagnosis on their care journey.

“This initiative seeks to improve healthcare for those affected by dementia through programs like First Link,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “The provincial government aims to support individuals and families dealing with dementia complexities, enhance the Alzheimer Society’s capacity, and promote community awareness. These efforts are essential for improving quality of life and addressing the increasing need for comprehensive dementia care as the population ages.”

The funding goes towards hiring 36 full-time equivalent staff members, shortening wait times for existing patients and providing support for roughly 7,000 new clients across Ontario. Clients will have access to a coordinator to assist with care planning, care coordination, and referrals to community services.

“The provincial government is providing funding to the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough Kawartha Lakes Northumberland and Haliburton for the First Link program to further support individuals living with dementia and their families”, said Laurie Scott, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP. “With this funding, they will be able to hire additional staff members, reduce wait times, and provide timely support for new clients, ensuring the everyone receives the care, education, and resources they need to navigate the challenges of dementia.”

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Television Road Reopened Ahead of Schedule After Undergoing Railway Crossing Repairs

Emergency repairs have been completed ahead of schedule and Television Road has reopened to through traffic as of about 9 a.m. on Thursday.

FIle Photo.

Closure was expected to be completed by Thursday evening.

The closure began on Monday by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway. It was done to make an emergency repair to the railway crossing south of Maniece Avenue.

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Peterborough Police Seeking Suspect Involved at a Local Barbershop Break-and-Enter

The Peterborough Police Service are seeking a suspect who broke into a River Road South barbershop on Nov. 17.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 1:20 a.m., a male riding a black and silver bicycle attended a barber shop on River Road South and appeared to scope out the building.

He used a tool to pry open the window on the south side door and reached in to unlock the door. Police say he left the area and returned several minutes later, entering through the unlocked door.  

Police believe he took over $3,200 in money, items from the business and memorabilia.

The suspect is described as:

• White male

• Between 45 and 65 years old

• Slim build, grey beard and moustache, shoulder-length unkempt hair

• Wearing a black winter coat, black toque, black gloves, dark skinny jeans, grey and white sneakers

• Carrying a dark backpack

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

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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United Way Announces 60 Per Cent Fundraising Goal Reached; Launches ‘PJs for United Way’ For Dec. 13

United Way Peterborough & District has revealed that they have reached 60 per cent of its $1.5 million campaign goal and introduced its ‘PJs for United Way’ event set for this Friday.

Photo courtesy of the United Way.

“We are inviting the entire community to participate in Peterborough’s biggest pajama day ever,” said Shirley Turner, United Way campaign chair. “Not only will this event raise funds for the United Way, but it will raise awareness of the United Way. Whether you’re rocking fuzzy slippers, fun onesies, or classic flannel, your $5 will help create real change in our community. Because giving back should feel this good!”

Also known as Peterborough Pajama Day, the event asks participants to donate $5. United Way encourages local businesses and workplaces to share photos on social media in their PJs.

“Our theme for this year’s campaign is Building Community. The funds raised by our donors allow us to support the Peterborough community through essential services like housing support, food programs, and mental health supports,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “But to participate in the United Way campaign as a donor also means you are Building Community yourself. You are Building Community when you decide to join your neighbours and partake in the United Way movement. We are pleased to announce PJs for United Way because it is another way to Build Community this campaign.”

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