Peterborough Blogs
PTBOSpotlight: Avant-Garden Shop
/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 the Avant-Garden Shop. First opened in 2002 on George Street by Brenda Ibey and a business partner, the business relocated to Sherbrooke Street in 2006. Ibey assumed full ownership in 2007.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Located at 165 Sherbrooke St. in Peterborough, the shop specializes in gardening, birding and Canadian-made gifts.
“We sell gardening tools, outdoor wall décor as well as bird feeders, bird food and pole systems,” said Ibey. “Over the years, we have gathered a large collection of beautiful works from various local and Canadian artists. These items include quirky garden art, cards, wind chimes, soaps, coasters, pewter, concrete sculptures and a large selection of wall art.”
Ibey says she prides her shop on keeping a majority of items Canadian in her store.
“Products come from just about every province: Ontario, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. In addition, some items come from the USA and others are fair trade,” she explained. “Canadian-made, fair trade and an eye to high quality are what make the Avant-Garden Shop a very popular gift shop in the region.”
Avant-Garden Shop has won several awards over the years including Wild Bird Store of the Year in 2021, Best Retail Business (non-chain) by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in 201 and Ibey was named Business Woman of the Year by the Chamber in 2022 to name a few.
Ibey credits her dedication to her customers from herself and her staff to ensure they get the best shopping experience possible.
“Customers are number one. We go out of our way to help customers. The store is set up to make it easy and comfortable to shop and browse the many items available,” she explained. “We feel it’s important to share the story of the artists. They work hard and deserve recognition”
Ibey is always seeking out new products for the store to keep the product line fresh for customers. Building a relationship with every one helps in connecting them with what their needs and wants could be.
“We have become very well acquainted with our customers. We have celebrated relationships, births, weddings and also mourned with customers after losses,” she said. “We have become friends with many of their customers and have developed lasting friendships. The Avant-Garden Shop aims to please and the customers can see and feel that.”
To learn more about Avant-Garden Shop, find it online:
Website: www.avantgardenshop.com
Instagram: @avantgardenshop
Facebook: Avant-Garden Shop
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First Peoples House of Learning Grateful For Community Donations To Aid Sandy Lake First Nations Evacuees
/The community showed up for the Sandy Lake First Nation as Trent University’s First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) is at capacity for accepting donations to help the evacuees.
Dr. Dawn Harvard, Trent University Director of First Peoples House of Learning, helps volunteers go through community donations at the Benedict Gathering Place (Ska'nikón:ra) to help refuged Sandy Lake First Nation residents. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Since Saturday, Sandy Lake First Nations residents have had to evacuate due to out-of-control wildfires spanning roughly six kilometres.
FPHL was supporting 300 evacuees and had collected community donations at the Benedict Gathering Place (Ska'nikón:ra in Mohawk, meaning ‘gathering our minds together’) that included clothing, food, towels, reusable water bottles, baby items and more.
“We’re grateful so many people has donated so many things. We really appreciate it,” said Dr. Dawn Harvard, director of the Trent University FPHL. “As of now, we’re good but if we need more things, we’ll reach out.”
A call was issued for donations on Wednesday but a day later, the Gathering Place placed a hold on donations due to overwhelming community outreach.
Despite putting a hold on donations, Harvard says FPLH are open to donation suggestions but is grateful for the quick response from Peterborough.
“I’m truly touched by the number of people at the very last minute to round up so many beautiful things,” said Harvard. “People have obviously have given from their hearts so we appreciate the community is all about and this is what Peterborough is all about.”
In addition to Trent, the City of Peterborough served as a host community. Emergency Management Ontario confirmed that approximately 200 evacuees arrived on Tuesday evening, with additional evacuees in the coming days.
“When Peterborough was asked if it would be a host community for evacuees from areas that are threatened by the wildfires that are raging, there was no hesitation in opening the doors to our community,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Our community is quickly mobilizing to support those in need who are being forced to leave their homes because of the wildfires. Thank you to the numerous community agencies that are showing compassion and commitment to the well-being of the evacuees.”
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"Our Volunteers Are Our Heart" Trillium Grant Helps Alzheimer Society Fund Its Volunteer Program
/During the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton’s (PKLNH) volunteer appreciation coffee morning, the organization reflects on the impact of a $199,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant to bolster its volunteer program on Thursday.
Alzhiemer Society staff, volunteers and MPP Dave Smith were on hand during volunteer appreciation coffee morning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At the event, Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP got to hear the impact from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was granted in 2023.
“It's truly inspiring to see the incredible impact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton is making in our communities,” said Smith. “This grant from the Provincial Government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been instrumental in rebuilding and strengthening their vital volunteer program, a testament to the power of community support and dedicated individuals. Their work in directly supporting those living with dementia and their families is invaluable, and our government remains committed to supporting such critical initiatives that improve the quality of life for our seniors.”
Funds from the two-year grant were used to revitalize the group’s vital volunteer program, enhancing its support for seniors living with dementia and expanding all its programs and services.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of our volunteer program, which has made a meaningful and lasting impact in our community,” said Jen Johnstone, Alzheimer Society executive director. “Like many organizations, the Alzheimer Society’s volunteer base was deeply affected by the pandemic. This grant enabled us to rebuild and revitalize our program from the ground up, creating a comprehensive onboarding and training process for new volunteers.”
The grant helped cover staffing costs, as well as communications and marketing, computer software, program supplies and some administrative costs.
“Today, these volunteers are making a difference across our Young Onset Day Programs, Minds in Motion® and our new In-Home Recreation initiative, which thoughtfully pairs individuals living with dementia with volunteers who share their interests,” said Johnstone. “Others are contributing their time and talents to administrative support, fundraising, and a wide range of community events. We are deeply appreciative of the commitment, compassion, and energy of our volunteers, whose contributions allow us to enhance our services and foster stronger, more connected communities.”
With 75 volunteers helping the Alzheimer’s Society, more help is always welcome, ranging from children and high school students to post-secondary students and adults of all ages who can lend a hand, according to Johnstone.
“Our volunteers are our heart,” explained Johnstone. “They helped build the organization that is our foundation, and our volunteers are such an incredible, caring, talented and committed group of people who come out on their own time, dedicate their skills, knowledge and often donate to us as well.”
@ptbo_canada During the Alzheimer Society volunteer appreciation coffee morning, the organization reflects on the impact of a $199,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant to bolster its volunteer program. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #volunteer ♬ Little Things - Adrián Berenguer
Volunteer options can include:
In-Home Recreation: a weekly visit, spending time with someone living with dementia and being a friend
In-Office Respite: allowing care partners to attend education, Minds in Motion support: weekly sessions of one hour of exercise and one hour of socialization,
Fundraising Events: including the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, and Community Outreach: building awareness and fostering dementia-friendly communities by assisting with public education
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Peterborough Petes Sign Second-Round Pick to OHL Standard Player Agreement
/The Peterborough Petes have signed their 2025 second-round pick, Matthew Perreault, to an OHL Standard Player Agreement, announced on Friday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.
“Matthew is a smooth-skating defenceman who can move the puck,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “He was a big part of a very strong Toronto Titans team last year. We’re excited to be able to add him to our group as we get ready for next season.”
The right-handed defenceman from Ottawa was initially selected by the Petes in the second round, 31st overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. He played in 25 games for the Toronto Titans U16’s in the GTHL last season, scoring once and picking up nine assists for 10 points. Perreault also featured in five games in the 2025 OHL Cup, picking up four assists.
“I’m incredibly honoured to sign with Peterborough,” said Perreault. “The Petes are an organization with such a rich and storied history and I’m excited to contribute to the team’s future success. I’ll give everything I have to make the fans and the city proud.”
Perreault is the second player from the Petes' 2025 draft class to sign an OHL Standard Player Agreement after third-round pick Gerry DiCunzolo signed on May 27.
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Peterborough Lakers Complete the Comeback With Overtime Hat-Trick Goal Over Brampton Excelsiors
/The Peterborough Lakers, thanks to Joe Resetarits’s hat-trick goal, got a walk-off score in overtime for the comeback win against the Brampton Excelsiors, 10-9, at the Brampton Memorial Arena on Thursday night.
Photo courtesy of Anna Taylor and the Peterborough Lakers.
The Lakers were in a 3-0 deficit, allowing three powerplay goals to open the period. Carter Page was the only goal-scorer for the Lakers, late in the period for a 3-1 game after the first.
After allowing the first goal of the second, the Lakers went on a three-goal run with Brad McCulley, Matt Gilray and Dustyn Birkhof scoring for Peterborough to tie the game at four. Brampton had a three-goal run to restore their three-goal lead. Austin Hasen scored a last-minute goal to make it 7-5 going into the final frame.
For the third-straight time, the Excelsiors opened the period’s scoring. The Lakers had another three-goal run with Taite Cattoni and Resetarits getting their first and Hasen tacking on his second of the game to tie things up. Brampton pulled away again, scoring halfway through the period but Resetarits responded with his second goal on the powerplay for a tie game as it went into overtime.
The Lakers were on the overtime’s only powerplay thanks to a holding call and Resetarits capitalized. The Lakers cycled the ball before Resetarits rifled the ball through, far side, while in the high slot, right of the goaltender, for the hat trick and walk-off win. “We’ve all been in these games before; we just had to gut it out. They played a great game again,” Resetarits said, referencing the Lakers’ slim 6-5 win over Brampton two weeks ago in Peterborough.
“(Riley) Hutchcraft played another great game,” said Resetarits. “They’re fast, they put the pressure on us and they capitalized on their power (play). We kept our composure as much as we could for those first two periods, lot of veteran players been in these situations in NLL, summer, so the experience took over.”
The Lakers return to action for a rematch with the Oakville Rock on the road this Monday.
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Peterborough Police Seeking Suspects Attempting to Lure Boy Into Their Van
/The Peterborough Police Service has been made aware of a luring incident in a west-end neighbourhood on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 8:20 p.m., a family walking in the area of Glenforest Boulevard and Keppler Crescent reported that two people had approached their son in a white van who asked him to get into the vehicle.
The boy refused and returned to his parents, who were walking behind. The van then took off at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle was described to police as a white van with tinted windows.
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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Registration For City's Aquatics Programs Opens Next Week
/Registration for the City of Peterborough’s summer Aquatic programs opens next week.
File Photo.
Swimming programs are available for all ages and abilities, including learn-to-swim classes for children and adults and advanced lifeguard and swim instructor classes for experienced swimmers.
Registration opens for Peterborough Sport and Wellness members on Tuesday at 7 a.m. Registration opens to the public on Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Registration is online or by calling 705-742-0050 ext. 2.
Recreation subsidies are available for those qualifying low-income residents and families.
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Vehicle Theft Suspect Jumps Curb to Avoid Spike Belt
/To add another piece of attempted thefts of Toyota-brand vehicles that have occurred over the past few weeks, Peterborough Police are seeking a driver who jumped a curb to avoid a spike belt early Wednesday morning.
At roughly 2:50 a.m., officers were called about a suspicious vehicle in the subdivision at Parkhill Road West and Chandler Crescent where a Toyota Highlander was being targeted.
As officers approached the house, a person was spotted jumping into the passenger seat of a black BMW SUV that fled at a high rate of speed. Officers had set up a spike belt at the subdivision entrance; however, the suspect vehicle jumped the curb, crossed a front lawn and then sped off westbound on Parkhill Road.
The suspect is described as:
Black male,
Approximately 6'
Wearing black top
The suspect vehicle is described as:
Black
BMW
SUV
No license plate
Between midnight and 8 a.m. on May 29, three incidents, including one attempted theft and two stolen vehicles, were reported to police. One vehicle was taken from the University Heights Boulevard and Water Street area. It was located the next day in Toronto.
There was an attempt to steal a vehicle in the Parkhill Road West and Chandler Crescent area and a third vehicle was stolen from that subdivision. The investigation revealed that the stolen vehicle was taken to the Lily Lake Road subdivision, where the GPS was disabled before both the stolen vehicle and the suspect left the area.
In each of the incidents, the vehicles were Toyota-brand vehicles.
The focus remains on Toyota vehicles, primarily trucks and larger SUVs. The Peterborough Police Service is working with other police jurisdictions and is asking residents with these vehicles to be extra vigilant.
Police say to consider taking the following precautions:
parking another vehicle in front of the vehicle or in your garage, if possible, to make it difficult for thieves to drive off
if your vehicle comes with a tracking system, please make sure it is installed and activated
using a theft deterrent device
If you spot any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, please report it to Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency or crime in progress. You can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.
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Peterborough Police Charge Low-Speed Vehicle Driver
/A low-speed vehicle (LSV) driver in Peterborough has been charged for operating it on a city street on Monday.
Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.
Around 11:30 a.m., officers stopped the vehicle in the Barnardo Avenue and O’Carroll Avenue area.
The driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act Regulation with:
Drive LSV not in accordance with the regulation
Owner operate a LSV on a highway with no insurance
Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Unit Officers remind the public about the rules around low-speed vehicles.
Low-speed vehicles are defined as:
designed for use primarily on streets and roads where access and the use of other prescribed classes of vehicles are controlled by law or agreement,
travels on four wheels,
powered by an electric power train (an electric motor and, if present, a transmission) that is designed to allow the vehicle to attain a speed of 32 km/h but not more than 40 km/h in a distance of 1.6 km on a paved level surface,
not using fuel as an on-board source of energy, and
having a GVWR of less than 1 361 kg;
