Railyard Development On East City's Hunter Street Officially Complete

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Ashburnham Realty’s Railyard Development in East City on Hunter Street has officially been completed.

Photo courtesy of Ashburnham Realty.

“Our team is very happy to see the results of their efforts, and we are very fortunate to have long standing relationships with the local trades used,” said Paul Bennett, Ashburnham Realty owner.

With the final building now complete, half of the building has already been leased. Decorated by Michelle Beattie and Leon’s Peterborough, there are four furnished suites currently available for living.

“The tenants within the Railyard buildings have really taken ownership and created a community atmosphere offering game nights, potlucks and holiday-themed gatherings,” said Bennett. “There are groups of residents that bike together while others enjoy a leisurely walk along the trail. What we admire most about these buildings is that everyone knows your name and is welcoming.”

Photo courtesy of Ashburnham Realty.

The Railyard has occupants such as BMO Wealth Management, Duane Grant Thornton offices and The Railyard Cafe.

Nearby amenities include Ashburnham Ale House Foodland Grocery Store, Hard Winter Bakery, Black’s Distillery, Law & Orders and more.

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Burnham Street In Lakefield Reopened; Kawartha Home Hardware Gets Temporary Location

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The Township of Selwyn has reopened Burnham Street in Lakefield to traffic, following the community’s recovery from the Home Hardware fire.

pHOTO COURTESY OF kAWARTHA hOME hARDWARE.

This reopening, along with Queen Street and Burnham Street, grants full access through the Village’s downtown core. Pedestrian detours remain in place along the section of Queen and Burnham Streets immediately adjacent to the fire-affected site, where fencing will stay up until all site restoration activities are complete.

The Township is now working to reinstall two streetlight poles and fixtures that were removed for firefighter safety.

Home Hardware is opening a pop-up store downtown at 25 Queen St., according to a Facebook post on Tuesday. The store will have a paint department, their popular hardware essentials and seasonal merchandise. An opening date has not yet been announced.

“Lakefield’s heart is its people and its sense of community,” said Mayor Sherry Senis. “As we enter this special time of year, we hope everyone will come downtown, support local businesses, and take part in the many festive activities that showcase our Village’s spirit.”

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Two Men Arrested After Police Located Stolen Vehicle From Rental Car Company

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Two men are facing charges after a stolen rental car was found on Wednesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8 p.m., general patrol officers in the Lansdowne Street West and Dobbin Road area were alerted by the Automated License Plate Reader to a vehicle reported stolen from a rental company. The officers conducted a traffic stop and took two people into custody. 

As a result of the investigation:

The driver, a 60-year-old Township of Cavan-Monaghan man, was arrested and charged with:

  • Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code

The accused was released on an appearance notice and will appear in court on Dec. 23. 

The passenger, a 66-year-old Peterborough man, was arrested and charged with:

  • Theft of Motor Vehicle

  • Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000

  • Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Methamphetamine

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 23.

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Enter the Digital Realm As "Another World" Virtual Reality Arena Opens In Downtown Peterborough

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Whether fighting a war, hunting zombies or throwing a party, the public can enter virtual reality together, as Another World VR Arena opened its doors in Downtown Peterborough early last month.

Patel demonstrates one of his 15 games, “Kernel: Bunker” using one of his virtual reality headsets. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by Manan Patel and located at 379 George St. N., the business offers 15 virtual reality experiences and can accommodate parties of up to 12 people. The new entrepreneur says his company is ideal for birthday parties, work parties, group outings or even suitable for those playing alone. Patel adds he has something that caters to all kinds of tastes.

“You can play as a team, against other teams, you can play escape rooms and we have entertainment options for all ages and groups of people,” he explained.

Game options include shooters, simulations, party games, adventure games and more.

@ptbo_canada Editor David tests himself in Virtual Reality as he tries to survive in a zombie apocalypse as on of Another World VR Arena’s games. The business had recently opened early last month and has offers 15 different VR experiences. ##ptbocanada##journalism##news##fyp##virtualreality ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Patel came to Peterborough from India as an international student six years ago. He already completed computer engineering in his homeland but did a graduate program at Fleming College. He studied virtual reality as part of his program and his interest in it developed over time.

“I started working using virtual reality and developed some of the games (in school),” he explained. “We also connected with local organizations and tried to create VR simulations for them.”

With all the knowledge he gained from school, he wanted to use that to open a business.

“For the last five years, roughly, I've been developing games for VR, so that's why I thought about doing something like this,” said Patel.

Customers can book their sessions online and can optionally select their game in advance.

The following are Another World VR Arena’s business hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Friday: 4 p.m. to midnight

  • Weekends: Noon to midnight

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Peterborough Petes Defenceman Launches New Community Initiative To Aid Those Underprivileged

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Peterborough Petes defenceman Thanasi Marentette is giving back as he has launched a new community initiative, ‘Marentette’s Mission’ to provide essential resources for underprivileged individuals and families in the Peterborough community, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of NatalieR Shaver and the OHL.

Inspired by his journey with competitive hockey and its values, Thanasi has launched Marentette’s Mission as a donation-driven program dedicated to making a real and lasting difference for those who need support the most.

“I’m very excited to be able to launch Marentette’s Mission tomorrow night at the PMC,” said Marentette. “Peterborough’s become a second home to me over my three years here and I’m very happy to be able to use my platform to be able to donate back. I want to thank Petes fans for their support and encourage everyone to donate if they can.”

For every Thursday night Petes home game from Nov. 13 to Dec. 11, a collection area will be set up in the main lobby of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Fans can donate new winter jackets, snow pants, boots, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and other winter attire for all ages. Donations can also be dropped off at the Petes Store during regular business hours.

The donations are in support of Street Level Advocacy and the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation. The first 100 donations will receive a 5” x  7” glossy print or a collector’s card, both signed by Marentette.

The Petes remain at home for their next game against the Sarnia Sting this thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for 7:05 p.m.

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DBIA Rewarding Those to Shop Local In Downtown Peterborough With Holiday Shopping Passports

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The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has returned its Holiday Shopping Passport program to reward those who shop local in Downtown Peterborough, announced on Wednesday.

Diners enjoying their meal at Gerti’s on Hunter Street in Downtown Peterborough. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

This year, nearly 200 businesses are participating in the Holiday Shopping Passport program to collect stamps and win big prizes. Every $10 spent at a participating location earns a stamp, and a completed passport enters shoppers into early-bird draws on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 for a $500 Boro Gift Card, with a grand-prize draw of $1,500 on Jan. 7.

The Boro Gift Card can be used at over 150 locally owned businesses in the core, including a variety of shops, spas, cafes and restaurants.

New this year are Double Stamp Fridays, beginning Nov. 29 and continuing on Dec.5, 12, and 19. Participating businesses will reward customers with double the stamps on all eligible purchases.

“Our Holiday Shopping Passport program is about more than just prizes, it’s about celebrating the people and businesses that make downtown Peterborough special and unique," says Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “Each passport stamp represents a meaningful contribution to our community and to our local economy. This year, we’re thrilled to grow our program into East City, welcoming even more businesses and more shoppers to experience the magic of shopping local.”

“The Holiday Shopping Passport always brings such great energy downtown,” says Jacquelyn Craft, The Neighbourhood Vintage owner. “It’s a wonderful program that brings people into small businesses and creates excitement around shopping locally during the holiday season. We love being able to reward folks for choosing to spend their hard-earned money where it truly makes a difference – in supporting our community. It really is such a special time of year in our downtown core.”

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Peterborough Petes Roll With Four-Game Win Streak After Defeating the Oshawa Generals

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The Petes are on their biggest win streak of the season with four after defeating the rival Oshawa Generals 6-2 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

The Petes are third in the East Division with a 10-7-1-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The home team wasted no time getting on the board as Brennan Faulkner was the recipient of a puck that squeezed out from a board battle and he one-timed it home for a 1-0 lead just 1:46 in. Peterborough kept attacking as Leon Kolarik tried to dump the puck but it went off a General and back on his stick. He fired it from the high slot and scored to make it 2-0 for the Petes at the end of the first period.

Peterborough forced a turnover in their defensive zone and had an outnumbered counterattack. Adam Novotný fed Matthew Soto and he scored to give the Petes a 3-0 lead. Nearly six-and-a-half minutes later, Oshawa found themselves back in the game as Lucas Moore and Onni Kalto scored to bring the Generals to within one after two periods.

The Petes first-overall pick in this year’s priority selection made himself heard as he won the faceoff draw. He stickhandled past several General defenders and scored on an impressive individual effort to give Peterborough a 4-2 lead.

The Petes cleared the puck into the Generals zone and immediately applied pressure. The forecheck worked with hustle from Faulkner who passed it Aiden Young for a goal from the slot to make it 5-2. Faulkner added an empty-netter for his third point of the night and the Petes handily defeat Oshawa 6-2 to continue their hot streak.

The Petes remain at home for their next game against the Sarnia Sting this thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre for 7:05 p.m.

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Trent University French Studies Professor Given Governor General’s Literary Award For Translation

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Trent University’s coordinator and professor of French Studies, Dr. Sylvie Bérard, has been awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation for her translation of The Tiger Flu by Larissa Lai, a science fiction novel reimagined in French as Les Sœurs de la Muée, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Sylvie exemplifies the intellectual and creative excellence that is fostered at Trent,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Her achievement reflects the power of language and imagination to connect cultures and ideas, a remarkable contribution to Canada’s bilingual and literary landscape.”

The Governor General’s Literary Awards, presented annually by the Canada Council for the Arts, celebrate the best in Canadian literature across seven categories in both English and French. Professor Bérard shares the award for translation (English to French) with her partner and long-time collaborator, Suzanne Grenier, marking the duo’s eighth translated work together.

“I feel like I am floating on a cloud. To be seen and heard by peers at this level is profoundly affirming,” said Bérard. “It also gives this wonderful book and its ideas a new life and visibility in French. The universe created by Larissa Lai in The Tiger Flu is quite unique, so this is the kind of translation that really benefits from teamwork.” 

This is Prof. Bérard’s second nomination for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation. She received her first nomination for her translation of another Larissa Lai novel, Salt Fish Girl (Le fruit de la puanteur). She is also the recipient of a Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2018 and a Trillium Book Award nomination in 2021, further solidifying her standing among Canada’s most versatile literary voices. 

The award-winning translation, completed over two years, required both scholarly research and artistic creation. Set 120 years in the future, Les Sœurs de la Muée demanded the creation of new terms, including the noun ‘Muée’ in the translation’s title and cultural references that feel authentic to French readers while remaining faithful to the English original. 

“When you translate science fiction, you don’t just translate the words. You translate the history of ideas, the imagined future, and the nuance of worlds that another writer has created,” said Prof. Bérard. “Translation is about recreating an entire universe so that readers in another language can inhabit it naturally. We don’t want people to feel like they are reading a translation. We want people to feel like they are reading a great book, and that requires a love for the work that you’re translating and needing to immerse yourself in the author’s original work.”

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Fleming College Embraces Diversity With Multicultural Showcase In Four-Day Event

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Cultures from around the world will take centre stage at Fleming College’s Sutherland Campus during the 2025 Multicultural Showcase, happening Nov. 17 to 21. 

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Fleming’s International Student Services host the event and highlights the traditions and stories that shape Fleming’s community. 

This year’s showcase features singers, dancers and cultural demonstrations from areas such as Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, Canada the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nations and more. 

“The Multicultural Showcase is a meaningful way to showcase the remarkable talents and traditions of our students, staff, and community members,” said Laura Gunning, Associate Vice-President, Enrolment and Strategic Programming. “Our diversity is a defining strength for Fleming, and celebrating it together each year is a highlight for our College.” 

The showcase is free, accessible and open to all ages. Performances and activities take place in the main foyer between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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Photos: City of Peterborough Celebrates Veterans On 2025 Remembrance Day

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The City of Peterborough and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 hosted hundreds of residents who paid their respects to war veterans during the Remembrance Day celebration at the Citizens' War Memorial in Confederation Park on Tuesday morning.

The ceremonies featured a parade, addresses from dignitaries and veterans, prayer, two minutes of silence, hanging and poppies on wreaths and singing.

@ptbo_canada The City of Peterborough and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52 hosted hundreds of residents who paid their respects to war veterans during the Remembrance Day celebration at the Citizens' War Memorial in Confederation Park. #ptbocanada #journalism #news #fyp #remembranceday ♬ Remembrance Day - Paris Street

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