Community Care Peterborough Receives Ice Storm Hero Award

Community Care Peterborough’s (CCP) Norwood Office has received an Ice Storm Hero Award from MPP David Piccini, which recognizes their response during the March 29-30 ice storm throughout the region, presented at a public ceremony in Norwood on May 30.

Photo courtesy of CCP.

The Ice Storm Hero Award is given ‘for exhibiting exceptional community spirit in a time of crisis.’

The storm caused widespread power outages, property damage and road closures throughout Peterborough County. CCP says they quickly mobilized staff and volunteers to conduct wellness checks, support clients, and ensure residents had access to shelter, warmth, and essential services. In Norwood, local volunteers stepped up to care for neighbours and ensure no one was left behind.

“During the ice storm, your team went the extra mile to brave the elements and provide integral wellness checks on seniors across the community,” said David Piccini, Northumberland—Peterborough South MPP. These efforts to ensure that no senior felt left behind during a time of extreme isolation deserve endless recognition.”

Piccini added in an accompanying letter the following statement, “Your commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of our community did not go unnoticed… In times of adversity, we are reminded that ‘community’ is more than just a place—it is the spirit and the actions of its people.”

Rosemary Davidson, Program Assistant for the Norwood office, accepted the award on behalf of CCP.

“It was very humbling to be included in such a group of honorees,” she said. “Our volunteers are amazing and their instinct to always help wherever needed most is inspiring.”

“I’m so happy to see our volunteers recognized for putting others before themselves, something they do every day without a second thought,” said Tammy Ross, Community Development Coordinator for both Norwood and Havelock.

“Our team is passionate about caring for our neighbours. It was inspiring to see our community rally together,” Catherine Pink, Director of Operations for CCP. “So many people did so much good for one another. We are humbled and grateful to receive this honour from Mr. Piccini for the part we played.”

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Public Asked to Select Film For Canada Day Movie Night

The City of Peterborough asks the community to vote for a film for the free Canada Day Movie Night at Quaker Foods City Square.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The movie night will kick off the Canada Day festivities on June 30 at dusk (around 9 p.m.). The City is asking residents to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to settle in. Free popcorn is handed out before the show.  

The following are the film choices:

The Legend of Sarila

An animated adventure set in the Arctic, this film follows three Inuit teens on a quest to find the legendary land of Sarila to save their starving clan.
Featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer and Geneviève Bujold, it's Canada's first 3D animated feature film.

Kayak to Klemtu

A heartfelt drama about 14-year-old Ella, who embarks on a 500-kilometre kayak journey to her ancestral home in British Columbia to take a stand against a proposed pipeline project.
A heartfelt Canadian production rooted in environmental justice and Indigenous resilience.

Cheaper by the Dozen

A comedy about Tom and Kate Baker, who juggle their careers and raising 12 children. Though not a Canadian film, the director Shawn Levy was born in Canada and is a citizen of both Canada and the United States.

Fly Away Home

After losing her mother, a young girl helps orphaned geese learn to migrate south. Filmed partly in Ontario and starring Canadian actress Anna Paquin, this inspiring story is based on real events.

The poll is available online, with voting closing on Friday at 4 p.m. 

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Riverview Park and Zoo Operating Under Summer Hours

The Riverview Park and Zoo’s summer hours are in effect, running from 8:30 a.m. to dusk daily.

IN CAPTIVITY, RIVER OTTERS HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ABOUT 25 YEARS. PHOTO COURTESY OF Riverview Park and Zoo.

Sunday Summer Concerts have returned to the zoo’s Gazebo. This free bi-weekly event features local musicians and groups performing every other Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

The City encourages visitors to bring a lawn chair and a shade umbrella to enjoy these concerts in an outdoor setting, weather permitting.  

The next concert, scheduled for June 8, features Fyd-L-Styx, showcasing traditional Scottish and Irish folk songs and fiddle music.  

The miniature train ride is now in operation. The train operates daily during the summer, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. The cost is $2 per person, with children two years old or under riding for free.  

Cleanup from the late-March ice storm is still underway in some areas of the Zoo. Visitors are asked to follow all posted signage and remain out of barricaded areas. 

The following areas are open to visitors:  

• Playground area and 80-foot super slide 

• Zoo area and animal exhibits 

• Guest Services and the Gift Shop is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Monday and Tuesday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday   

• River Otter feeding takes place daily at 1:30 p.m. 

• The Zoo office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday 

• Splash pad, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Park areas, including the disc golf course 

• Lower-level picnic area and picnic shelters. Use of shelters must be reserved by permit two weeks in advance 

The River Path Walking Trail remains closed at this time.

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Two Suspects Sought After Assaulting a Man Sleeping On a Park Bench

The Peterborough Police Service are seeking two suspects who assaulted a 62-year-old man sleeping on a bench at Del Crary Park early Saturday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:45 a.m., officers were called to Del Crary Park. They discovered that two younger men had assaulted the victim, woke him up and a physical altercation took place. The victim was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment of his injuries. 

The suspects were described to police as:

Suspect #1:

• White male, 

• 18 to 20 years

• Slim build

• Short hair

• No shirt on at time of incident

• Riding a bicycle

Suspect #2:

• White male

• 18 to 20 years

• Slim build

• Short spikey hair

• Dark shirt

• Riding a bicycle

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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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Harbr Human, DBIA, Community Care Peterborough, Mayor's Breakfast and Living Well Seniors Showcase

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 are some big changes coming to employment laws in Ontario, effective July 1.

Harbr Human Resources are hosting a free 30-minute webinar for businesses that will cover updates to key areas like hiring, onboarding and compliance. Big changes include pay transparency in job postings, washroom access for delivery drivers, and naloxone kit requirements. The webinar will be on June 18 at 3 p.m. Contact Harbr HR to register.

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area are partnering with Summer Soul Yoga and Pilates to offer free yoga and Pilates at Quaker Square during the farmers’ market on various Saturdays.

Enjoy some fresh air while getting moving through energizing Pilates designed to strengthen, stretch, and invigorate your body. All are welcome. Dress comfortably and bring a mat if you can. Find out more at summersoul.ca.

Community Care Peterborough are gearing up for a busy summer season with their thrift shops.

They have five stores across the region, including Apsley, Ennismore, Havelock, Millbrook, and Bridgenorth. Each has unique, affordable items that are perfect for the cottage. Not only will you find some great deals and interesting items, but you’ll be supporting programs and services that keep seniors and adults living with disabilities living healthy and safe in their own homes by helping fund Community Care.

The Chamber of Commerce has a couple of events coming up.

There’s the Four Mayor’s Breakfast on June 11 from 8 to 10am at Beachwood Resort. You’ll hear from the mayors of North Kawartha, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, and Trent Lakes. There’s a full buffet breakfast, moderated discussion, and an opportunity to ask your own questions. Get your tickets at pkchamber.ca.

There’s also the annual Living Well Seniors Showcase on June 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

The show features more than 100 vendors and 10 workshops. It’s a great way to connect with local businesses, non-profits, and services for both retirees and those planning for retirement. There are still a couple booths available if you want to showcase your business to the region’s largest demographic. Reach out to the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce for more details.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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PTBOSpotlight: Griffin’s Greenhouses

Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.

This week, we are featuring Griffin’s Greenhouses. Started in 1976 by Ann and Jack Griffin, the business began as a seasonal greenhouse at their home.

Located at 3026 Lakefield Rd. in Selwyn, the business has spanned three generations working at the greenhouse, serving Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“We are a retail garden centre specializing in annuals, perennials and container gardening. We grow 75 per cent of the product we sell, sourcing the rest from Ontario growers,” said Vikki Whitney, Griffin’s Greenhouse owner. “We offer great advice from many, many years of accumulated experience.  Everyone on staff is a gardener themselves so they have great personal experiences to share and do freely with all who visit.  Our award-winning display garden is free to wander and offers inspiration and a place to sit, relax and enjoy the natural beauty.”

Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.

While Ann primarily worked on the business, her children, Vikki and Kyle, with other family members, helped out as needed. In the early days, her husband, Jack, also assisted on weekends.

“Our mom, Ann, started the business as a way to stay at home with the kids and offer a little extra income to the family,” explained Whitney. “Her parents, immigrants from the Netherlands, owned ‘Parkhill Nurseries’ a garden centre in Peterborough so Ann also grew up in ‘the biz.’”

Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.

As demand grew, Jack retired from sporting goods sales and began working in their greenhouse business with a few hired hands. This expanded the season to include Fall plant offerings and Winter décor.

As the business grew, more family members came in to help.

“In 2001, after eight years of teaching secondary school in Belleville, I returned back to the area with my husband and very young children and began managing the expanding business,” said Whitney. “I added in seasonal workshops, informative seminars and increased the staff over the years. Kyle left his job as a local photo journalist and became the greenhouse manager, overseeing all of the aspects of growing the plants.”

Robin, Kyle’s wife, joined in 2020 to manage the Barn Store and showcase her merchandising skills, while Darryl, Vikki’s husband, became our Office Manager after he retired from his education career. Four more grandchildren, Ben, Olivia, Jake and Mitchell, help out during the school break.

This year, Griffin’s Greenhouses is celebrating its 49th year in business. Whitney says that the business’s customer service and community involvement helped contribute to their success.

“Our personal connection to our community is very important to us and is valued by our customer base. We share our knowledge freely, deliver product to individual homes (when needed) and usually, tour their garden when there,” said Whitney. “We donate to important causes in our community, employ local staff, offer informative workshops and seminars and speak at events locally and throughout the province.”

Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.

To learn more about Griffin’s Greenhouses, find them online:

Website: griffinsgreenhouses.com
Instagram: @griffinsgreenhouses
Facebook: Griffin’s Greenhouses

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Peterborough Police Increasing Enforcement On Open-Air Illicit Drug Use Starting Monday

Effective Monday, Peterborough Police officers are taking the next step in their Safer Public Spaces approach to community safety to initiate arrests of those who continue to engage in open-air illicit drug use, announced on Friday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“We have taken a very compassionate approach to those afflicted with addiction and while we have always had the authority to arrest, in our effort to pursue a compassionate health-first approach, we opted to educate and direct people to the CTS versus using in our public spaces,” said Chief Stuart Betts. “For many, this approach was met with cooperation; however, some continue to engage in this behaviour which negatively impacts people and businesses in our community, and disproportionately so in our downtown. For this reason, I am directing that officers move to the next level of response in an effort to address a persistent problem in our community. Officers will be directed to arrest anyone found using illicit substances in public spaces, and any illicit drugs will be seized for destruction, or submitted for analysis and evidence to support any charges laid. This will continue to be done with compassion, but we will not tolerate open-air illicit drug use; an approach which is in keeping with the provisions of the new Safer Municipalities Act, 2025”

If Police attend or observe anyone using illicit drugs in public spaces, officers will approach and arrest if an offence is taking place. This will necessitate handcuffing the individual, searching them and following common law authority. The individual may be either released unconditionally (without their drugs) or proceeded with charges, which may require transport to the police station or release at the scene, as prescribed by law according to the Peterborough Police.

Safer Public Spaces Engagements graphic from Oct. 5, 2023, to June 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The Peterborough Police Service made the following statement in a press release regarding the increased enforcement:

“We recognize that some in our community will feel this is a harsh approach, while others may feel it does not go far enough. We believe, at this time, it strikes a balance between both perspectives.

One of our primary responsibilities is to ensure community safety and we will continue to pursue this for the benefit of all who frequent our parks, playgrounds, sidewalks, and other public spaces. We remain committed to working with our community partners who provide medical or other assistance in this space.”

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Peterborough's Cambium Inc. Finalize Agreement to Be Acquired By Englobe Corporation

Peterborough consulting and engineering company Cambium Inc. has finalized an agreement to be acquired by Englobe Corporation, which specializes in engineering services and environmental sciences, announced on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The addition of Englobe will strengthen Englobe’s scale, geographic footprint, and capabilities in Canada’s largest market, according to a press release. Cambium’s senior team will become shareholders of Englobe under Colliers’ however, the transaction terms were not disclosed.

“Cambium enhances our capabilities as an entrepreneurial, employee-owned firm with a long track record of supporting key client decisions with inventive and practical solutions. Their five locations perfectly complement our geographic presence in Ontario, allowing us to better serve our clients,” said Mike Cormier, Englobe president. “We are very proud they have chosen to partner with us and look forward to welcoming their skilled professionals into the Englobe family.”

Founded in 2006, Cambium is a renowned multi-service consulting and engineering company that provides services throughout Ontario, as stated on its website. The Peterborough-based business offers expertise and services in environmental, geotechnical, building sciences and construction quality verification. Their biologists also form part of their environmental team and provide specialized services in aquatic and terrestrial ecology, including environmental impact studies, natural heritage assessments, species at risk assessments, and more.

“We are a service-oriented business that is extremely enthusiastic about joining a firm that shares our cultural values, recognizing that people and relationships are our most valuable assets. This partnership represents a logical progression in our journey,” said John Desbiens, Cambium president and CEO.  “We look forward to better serving our clients, providing greater opportunities for our people, and leveraging the resources of Colliers and Englobe to accelerate our development.”

“Certainly a very proud moment for our team. Our success has been, and will continue to be formed on the people that make client needs and satisfaction a priority,” said Jim Bailey, Cambium vice president, external services. “We’re beyond excited to join the Englobe team to continue to deliver professional services from a proudly Canadian firm.”

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Peterborough Lakers No Longer Undefeated After Upset From Winless Oakville Rock

The winless Oakville Rock (0-3) came to town, got the upset and knocked off the previously undefeated Peterborough Lakers, 9-7, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers had welcomed back their former netminder Landon Kells who was traded to Oakville along with a 2026 first-round pick for veteran goaltender Nick Rose on March 17.

This game was also the return of Lakers defenceman Mitch Ogilvie, who sustained a concussion during last year’s playoffs and missed the entire National Lacrosse League playoffs.

Both teams traded two goals apiece as Joe Resetarits and Brad McCulley scored for the Lakers for a 2-2 tie in the first period.

Oakville started the second with two straight goals. The teams alternated the next five including Thomas Hoggarth scoring two and Taite Cattoni tacking on one for a 6-5 game in favour of the Rock.

Peterborough reclaimed the lead as Resetarits and Holden Cattoni scored for a 7-6 lead. However, Oakville rung off three unanswered goals including an insurance marker with 19 seconds left in regulation for the 9-7 upset victory.

“We have to be more energetic on the floor, on the bench, getting on and off the floor, playing tougher D, pushing some guys around in the offensive end and putting the ball in the net,” said Ogilvie. “Definitely not what we wanted and we’ll be better for next game.”

Kells stopped Peterborough with 47 shots for the win. Ogilvie had an early breakaway but could not get it past his former teammate.

“(I was thinking) don’t fall. I didn’t fall. Definitely not a good shot though,” explained Ogilvie. “Especially on (Landon) Kells, I grew up playing with him my whole junior career and in senior. Would have been nice to bury one on him but he played a hell of a game.”

The loss moves Peterborough to 5-1 on the year. The Lakers hit the road for their next game against the Brampton Excelsiors at the Memorial Arena on Thursday.

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Peterborough Man Charged With Theft After Going Through Cars In Two Incidents

A 28-year-old Peterborough man is facing theft charges after an incident Thursday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 1:45 p.m., officers received reports of a man going through cars in the Westcott Street and Aylmer Street area. They located a man matching the description given to police and took him into custody.

During the investigation, it was learned that the same person was wanted in connection with a similar incident earlier that day in the Rubidge Street and Sherbrooke Street area. 

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Theft Under $5,000 X2

• Fail to Comply with Probation X2

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Friday.

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