Goat Yoga Fundraiser Set to Support Kawartha Gymnastics Athletes Heading to Bahamas

By Scott Arnold

A lighthearted summer fundraiser is giving families a chance to stretch, relax and support local athletes from Kawartha Gymnastics as they prepare for international competition.

a goat yoga fundraiser in support of kawartha gymnastics club athletes will take place on july 5th

A Goat Yoga event will take place this Sunday, July 5, with all proceeds going toward competitive athletes from Kawartha Gymnastics as they prepare to travel to the Bahamas for an upcoming competition.

The session, in partnership with the Norwood Nature Academy, will be led by WAG Director Allie and is open to participants of all experience levels.

Organizers say the event is designed as a fun way to kick off the summer while also supporting athletes on their journey to the international stage.

The cost is $20 per person, while children under 12 can attend free of charge.

Space is limited, and participants are being asked to reserve their spot in advance by emailing info@norwoodnatureacademy.com.

Funds raised through the event will go directly toward supporting the athletes as they prepare for their competition abroad.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Eight Decades on the Water as Paris Marine Celebrates 80 Years as a Family Business

By Scott Arnold

A plaque may have marked the milestone, but it was the crowd gathered around it that told the real story.

the engraving says: This plaque is dedicated to the memory of our founder. JACK PARIS
Founder, 1946. His vision, integrity and dedication laid the foundation for generations to follow. We proudly honour his legacy and the enduring values on which this business was built (photo by scott arnold)

Paris Marine celebrated 80 years in business with a community event that brought together staff, local dignitaries, supporters, and members of the Paris family to honour a legacy that began in 1946 and continues to grow along Lakefield Road.

Inside the dealership, former owner Bill Paris and current owner Deborah unveiled a commemorative plaque recognizing eight decades of family ownership. It will eventually be installed at the front entrance, where it will stand as a permanent reminder of the business’s history and its ties to the region.

For Deborah, who has owned and operated the dealership since 2005 and represents the third generation of the family to lead it, the moment was about reflection as much as celebration.

“We’re very fortunate for everyone to take the time to come and see us during our 80th anniversary,” she said. “It’s a lot, and we’re just really pleased that they could join us.”

Those decades trace back to her grandfather Jack Paris, who founded the business in 1946 before it was later passed to her father, Bill Paris. Today, Paris Marine continues as a full-service marine dealership serving the Kawarthas from its headquarters at 2980 Lakefield Road.

The afternoon also highlighted the role the business has played beyond boating sales and service, something echoed by both municipal and county leaders in attendance.

warden bonnie clark was at paris marine to make a presentation to bill and deborah paris (photo by scott arnold)

Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark described Paris Marine as more than a business, calling it a community builder that helps shape the region’s identity and economy.

She said the dealership reflects what makes the area a destination for outdoor experiences and strong community life, adding that businesses like Paris Marine “help create experiences that draw visitors, support the economy, and reinforce the lifestyle that residents value so deeply.”

Clark also recognized Deborah directly for her leadership and commitment, noting the company’s lasting impact over eight decades and the generations of hard work behind it.

mayor for township of selwyn sherry senis was on hand for the 80th anniversary celebration (photo by scott arnold)

Selwyn Mayor Sherry Senis also offered congratulations, highlighting the family-owned business’s resilience, adaptability, and long-standing role in supporting both local families and the wider regional economy.

“Reaching 80 years is no small achievement,” she said, pointing to the “strong family values and trusted relationships built for both generations.”

Inside Paris Marine, those relationships have always been central. The dealership has grown from its early days selling wooden boats and outboard motors into a modern operation focused on boats, personal watercraft, parts, service, and storage. Through it all, the focus has remained the same.

“We’re so lucky to be in a pleasure business,” Deborah said. “People are happy to come and pick up their boats and to get out on the water. Having that and being able to contribute to their memories on the water, it’s a lot of hard work, but we’re happy to do it.”

She also reflected on how quickly time passes, encouraging people to make space for real moments away from screens.

“We need to find little moments to spend with our families, to make memories,” she said. “And you can’t do that behind a screen. You need to do that out on the water.”

Looking ahead, she said the business is well positioned for continued growth, supported by a strong team and an evolving industry.

“We’re so fortunate to be in such an agile position,” she said. “We can grow, we’re always looking for new opportunities, but we have such a great team that the sky’s the limit.”

Eighty years in, Paris Marine remains exactly what it has always been at its core, a family business built on water, work, and community, with its next chapter already underway.

Marketing Associate at Paris Marine, BRADLY MCCULLUM, made this video to mark the milestone.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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From Sweeping Floors to Owner, Ben Logan Marks a Decade Leading Fontaine Source for Sports

By Scott Arnold

A teenager who once swept the floors at Fontaine Source for Sports is now celebrating a decade as owner of one of Peterborough's longest-standing sporting goods businesses.

ben logan has now owned fontaine source for sports for 10 years, moving to the new location on park street in 2023 (photo by scott arnold)

A decade has gone by in what feels like the blink of an eye for Ben Logan.

This year marks 10 years since the Peterborough native took over Fontaine Source for Sports, a business that has been serving the community since 1953. While the milestone is significant, Logan admits it still doesn't quite feel real.

"It kind of, I don't know where the time went, to be honest," he said.

The store itself has undergone plenty of change during that time. Nearly three years ago, Fontaine’s made the move from its longtime Queen Street location to its current home on Park Street, in the former Delafosse Library building. Yet even now, Logan says customers still walk through the doors and tell him they haven't had a chance to visit since the move.

what used to be the reading corner at the delafosse library is now the skate corner at fontaine source for sports (photo by scott arnold)

After all, the old location had become a Peterborough institution.

For generations of local athletes and families, a trip to Fontaine’s on Queen Street was a rite of passage. Whether it was getting fitted for a first pair of skates, picking up new hockey equipment or having gear repaired, the store became woven into the fabric of the community.

Maintaining that reputation was one of Logan's top priorities when he became owner in 2016.

"It was the most important thing when I took over that we kept that service-oriented business," he said. "When you come in, we want to fit you right with the right gear. We want to fit the skates right and sell you the right bike for what you're doing."

That philosophy has remained unchanged.

"We sincerely care about the product we're selling. We want to sell the right product to the right people."

It's also a big reason why Fontaine’s continues to offer a wide range of services that have become increasingly rare in retail. The store sharpens and profiles skates, repairs bikes, relaces baseball gloves and even restrings lacrosse sticks.

after decades on queen street is downtown peterborough, fontaine source for sports has now been located at 729 park street since 2023 (photo by scott arnold)

Some of those services have expanded thanks to new staff members bringing additional skills to the business.

For Logan, the story of Fontaine’s is also deeply personal.

Born and raised in East City, he attended King George Public School, Armour Heights Public School and Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. He never left Peterborough, and in many ways, he never left Fontaine’s either.

His journey with the business began as a teenager.

His older brother had worked at the store first, and through family connections, Logan was introduced to longtime owner Terry Bovair. At around 16 years old, he started the same way many teenagers do: sweeping floors, moving boxes and helping wherever he could.

He continued working at the store while playing for the Lakefield Chiefs and later while attending Fleming College.

As years passed, more responsibilities followed. When the store's manager moved on, Logan stepped into a larger role and gradually became more involved in the day-to-day operations.

Eventually, he reached a crossroads.

"I said by the time I'm 30, this needs to be mine or I'm going to move on," he recalled.

The two sides eventually reached an agreement, and in 2016, Logan became the owner.

He immediately had ideas for how to grow the business while preserving its foundation.

One of those ideas was expanding Fontaine's hockey department.

"I wanted to go deeper into hockey," he said. "I wanted to be head to toe. I wanted to have every one of the newest products, the high end, the entry level and be able to service the customer from start to finish more."

Over the past decade, that vision has become a reality.

fontaine’s has been a go-to spot for sports enthusiast in peterborough since 1953, wit ben logan taking over ownership in 2016 (photo by scott arnold)

Today, Fontaine’s is an elite custom dealer for virtually every major hockey brand and carries the same high-end products offered by much larger retailers.

The store has also grown its baseball and lacrosse offerings while expanding its team business and in-house decoration services.

The move to Park Street represented another major step forward.

Logan knew the new Miskin Law Community Complex was on the horizon and saw the potential of the location immediately. Situated near the Memorial Centre, Healthy Planet Arena and the new twin-pad facility, the location also provides easy access from across the city.

"Park Street is the main vein to go from the north to the south," he said. "It just made sense logistically."

The larger building has also allowed Fontaine’s to improve its operations. The store now features dedicated service areas for bikes and equipment repairs, a far cry from the cramped quarters of the old shop where everything happened in one small space.

fontaine source for sports doesn’t just sell sporting goods, they also have their own service department with a team a staff dedicated to servicing bikes (photo by scott arnold)

While the business has changed, so has the sporting goods industry itself.

Logan has watched technology transform equipment over the years. Customers can now have their feet scanned in three dimensions to find the perfect skate fit, custom stick fitting kiosks have become commonplace and e-bikes feature technology that would have been hard to imagine a generation ago.

Yet some things remain the same.

"When it comes down to it, we still sharpen skates by hand," Logan said. "It's something that we still continue to do that we're probably never going to change."

fontaine’s owner ben logan says one of the things he’s most proud of are his amazing staff, which includes Alex mcmann and sawyer riel (photo by scott arnold)

Perhaps the biggest change over the last decade has been the people behind the counter.

When Logan took over, the business employed five staff members. Today, that number has nearly tripled to 14.

Many of those employees first walked through the doors as co-op students.

Logan regularly brings in students from area high schools, usually taking on two co-op placements each semester. Several have stayed on and become long-term members of the team.

"Good people make your business," he said. "They're willing to learn, they want to do a good job and they learn that customer service is important."

For a business built on relationships, that philosophy has mattered.

Logan says one of the best parts of operating a local business is recognizing the faces that come through the doors.

"You're not just a number when you come in the door," he said. "You may not remember everybody's name, but you definitely recognize them."

He credits the store's longevity to the loyal customers who have continued supporting Fontaine’s through generations of athletes.

As he reflects on 10 years as owner, Logan isn't necessarily focused on massive expansion or dramatic change.

Instead, the goal is maintaining the standards that have made Fontaine’s a fixture in Peterborough sports for more than seven decades.

And for the teenager who once swept the floors, that's a pretty remarkable journey.

Ten years after taking the keys, and 73 years after Fontaine’s first opened its doors, the store's commitment remains much the same: helping the next generation of athletes get ready for the game.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Former Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough Executive Director Joins Big Brothers Big Sisters As Service Delivery Manager

Vanessa Bruce, the former Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough executive director, has been announced as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Service Delivery Manager.

Photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters Peterborough.

According to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Bruce oversees mentoring program delivery, supports volunteer and youth matches and helps expand the agency's capacity to serve more young people through the power of mentorship. 

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Big Brothers Big sisters of Peterborough and to continue doing meaningful work centered around community, connection and creating positive opportunities for young people and families. I look forward to being part of an organization that plays such a valuable role in the lives of so many.” said Bruce. 

“This is a significant step forward for our agency,"“ said Zoe King, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough executive director. “Vanessa's leadership, expertise, and commitment to supporting youth make her an exceptional addition to our team.”

Bruce became the executive director in February of 2023 and held the position for over three years, with her last day on Friday.

Bruce was a Fleming College graduate and has previously worked in child care with organizations such as the YMCA and Compass Early Learning & Care.

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City of Peterborough Reschedule Canada Day Fireworks For a Future Date

Due to weather conditions, the City of Peterborough’s cancelled Canada Day fireworks display is being rescheduled to a date to be determined, announced on Thursday.

Canada Day celebrations in Peterborough drew strong community participation throughout the day. Festivities featured more than 20 parade entries, over 30 vendors, live entertainment and a vibrant lineup of community groups and performers at Del Crary Park.  File photo.

“A severe thunderstorm had just swept through Peterborough and the Environment Canada forecast still showed the possibility of thunderstorms in the evening,” said Brendan Wedley, Director, Strategic Communications and Service Peterborough. “Based on the conditions at the time, the difficult decision was made to cancel the fireworks display. The City appreciates it was disappointing for those who were planning to see the fireworks and is working with the fireworks provider to reschedule for a date later this summer.”

Once finalized, the City says a rescheduled fireworks date and event details will be announced.

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Nomination Period For City Council and School Board Trustees Ends Aug. 21

The nomination period to file to run as a candidate for City Council or school board trustee in the Oct. 26 municipal election closes at 2 p.m. on Aug. 21.

File Photo.

Candidate packages and resources are available online at PeterboroughVotes.ca. 

Nomination filings are accepted by appointment through the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. To schedule an appointment, email elections@peterborough.ca or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1619. 

The nomination period opened May 1.

To file for office, candidates must submit a completed nomination form, the applicable filing fee and endorsement signatures from at least 25 eligible electors in the municipality. An elector is a person who is eligible to vote in the City of Peterborough. Electors may endorse more than one candidate. The endorsement requirement does not apply to school board trustee candidates. 

The filing fee is $200 for mayoral candidates and $100 for councillor or school board trustee candidates. A valid photo ID showing proof of a qualifying address in the City of Peterborough is required. 

In the City of Peterborough, positions for election are Mayor and two ward Councillors for each of the five wards (Otonabee, Monaghan, Town, Ashburnham and Northcrest), as well as trustee positions for the following school boards: 

• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board 

• Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board 

• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir 

• Conseil scolaire Viamonde 

The City of Peterborough’s Municipal and School Board Election will take place on Oct. 26.

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Step Into Peterborough's Darker History With Trent Valley Archives Walking Tours

By Scott Arnold

From infamous crimes to heartbreaking tales from beyond the grave, Trent Valley Archives is inviting history lovers to explore some of Peterborough's most fascinating and tragic stories this July.

one of the trent valley archives walking tours will revisit the fatal shooting of Grand Hotel owner Murray Green (photo courtesy of tva)

The local organization is once again hosting its popular Friday evening walking tours, offering guided experiences through downtown Peterborough and Little Lake Cemetery.

The first tour, Peterborough Perpetrators, takes place on July 10 and 24 at 7 pm and delves into some of the city's most captivating true crime stories.

Led by researcher and guide Maddie More, the tour will revisit cases including the fatal shooting of Grand Hotel owner Murray Green, the daring jail escape of career criminal John Parks and the story of Edward Jackson, the last man hanged at the Peterborough Jail.

Participants will also hear about robberies, murders and other crimes that made headlines in Peterborough during the 19th and 20th centuries. The walking tour begins in front of the cenotaph in Confederation Park and covers several blocks of the downtown core.

For those intrigued by local legends and tragic stories from the past, the Little Lake Cemetery Walking Tour will be offered on July 17 and 31, also beginning at 7 pm.

Led by Mona Wilkes, the tour explores the lives of people buried in the historic cemetery, including strongman Daniel McDonald, adventurer John Andrew Sherlock and Janet Hunter, whose story highlights the hardships faced by women and families in another era.

Guests will also hear the unusual story of Colonel Alexander McDonell, who was refused burial at St. Peter's Cemetery and ultimately found a resting place near the chapel at Little Lake Cemetery.

Both tours cover sensitive subject matter and involve walking over uneven terrain, with organizers encouraging participants to wear comfortable footwear and dress for the weather. The tours run rain or shine.

Tickets are $20 per person, with advance registration and payment required. More information and tickets are available through the Trent Valley Archives events page.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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Peterborough Lakers Ship Local Defenceman to Brooklin L.C. For Two Draft Picks

The Peterborough Lakers have traded defenceman Broedie Birkhof to the Brooklin L.C. for a fourth- and fifth-round draft pick in 2028, announced on Thursday morning.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

Birkhof was originally traded to the Lakers along with his brother Dustyn and a 2026 third-round pick from the Kodiaks for Andrew Vradenburg, Cole Begley, Payton Tasse and 2026 second-round pick that originally belonged to Brampton in June of last year.

The Peterborough native previously played for the Cobourg Kodiaks and Six Nations Chiefs. He has also suited up for several Arena Lacrosse League teams, including the Peterborough Timbermen in their inaugural season.

Outside of lacrosse, he was the former strength and conditioning coach for the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks from 2004-05 and had the same role with the Peterborough Petes from May 2022 to March 2024.

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Peterborough Man Arrested After Being Stopped For Impaired Driving and Possessing Cocaine

A 24-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired driving charges after an incident Wednesday evening.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 7:45 p.m., officers were called to the area of Clonsilla Avenue and Lansdowne Street in Peterborough. Officers spotted a vehicle with damage to the front of the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, officers noticed signs of impairment. During a search after arrest, officers located a quantity of cocaine and several licenses in the suspect’s name.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

• Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

• Possession of a Schedule I Substance- Cocaine

• Possess more than one license (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 11.

A second man connected to the vehicle was arrested and given a ticket for public intoxication (Liquor License Control Act) after repeatedly interfering with the investigation.

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From Bancroft to the Bar, Peterborough's Newest Lawyer is Just Getting Started

By Scott Arnold

After many years of education, experience and perseverance, Jackson Wiltshire is officially a lawyer and building his future in Peterborough.

Jackson Wiltshire, an associate with mkc law office, is peterborough’s latest lawyer (photo by Scott Arnold)

A long journey that began in Bancroft and led through years of schooling, exams and hands-on training has reached an important milestone for Jackson Wiltshire.

The newest lawyer at MKC Law recently officially joined the profession after being called to the bar, a moment he describes as "lawyer graduation."

"It's just like a normal graduation," Wiltshire said. "I walk across the stage, turn, wave to my parents and my grandma, and then I'm a lawyer."

While becoming a lawyer often sounds dramatic in television shows and movies, Wiltshire says the reality is a lot less glamorous and a lot more work.

The process involved earning his degree, completing his exams and articling, which is essentially a placement where law graduates gain practical experience before entering the profession.

For Wiltshire, the road to becoming a lawyer has been anything but short.

After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the dual degree law program offered through Trent University and Swansea University. The educational portion of the journey took six years to complete.

After graduating, however, he took a different path before stepping into the legal profession.

Wiltshire spent two years working at a local church in Peterborough, pursuing something he was passionate about before returning to law and beginning the final stages of becoming a lawyer.

He then spent about a year writing his exams and completing his placement at MKC Law.

Altogether, it was roughly seven years of work spread over nearly a decade.

Despite the lengthy process, Wiltshire says becoming a lawyer wasn't something he had dreamed about from childhood.

"Pretty much as soon as I knew I wasn't going to make the NHL, I had to look for alternatives," he joked.

He said the turning point came when he was accepted into the Trent-Swansea dual degree program.

"As soon as I was in that program, I really enjoyed it," he said. "There was a clear path forward, and I never had a reason to not do it."

The journey also brought him back to a city that already felt like home.

Born in Peterborough and raised in Bancroft, Wiltshire moved to the city when he started university. Today, his family also lives in Peterborough, making the opportunity to build his career here even more meaningful.

"It's good to be in Peterborough practicing, working and being close to them," he said.

Finding a place to begin that career didn't take long.

After asking around the community, Wiltshire repeatedly heard the same thing about MKC Law: it had a strong reputation and was a great place to work.

So he decided to introduce himself.

"I just walked in here one day and I spoke to Ian, and we had a conversation," he said. "It was a good fit."

That first impression worked both ways.

Managing partner Ian Keay says bringing someone into the firm involves much more than reviewing credentials.

"We don't just let anybody in," Keay said with a laugh.

Beyond enthusiasm and academic achievements, the firm's first question was simple: what kind of person is he?

"Is he a nice person? Is he someone that we can spend our work days with?" Keay said. "We'll probably end up spending more time with Jackson than we do with our spouses."

The answer, he said, was an easy one.

Over the past year, Keay and fellow lawyer Oliver have watched Wiltshire make the transition from student to practicing lawyer.

"You start off knowing how to be a law student, but not knowing how to be a lawyer," Keay said. "I've watched him progress and apply the skills that he's learned in law school in order to start becoming a confident and capable lawyer."

Keay says the firm's lawyers remember what those early days felt like and are excited to help guide the next generation of legal professionals.

"We're very excited for Jackson," he said.

As for Wiltshire, the title may have changed, but his focus hasn't.

He plans to continue building his career in Peterborough while contributing to the community that has supported him along the way.

He hopes to work in areas including real estate, family law, civil litigation, estates and wills, while continuing to learn from the experienced lawyers around him.

"The goal is to keep working here, keep building on the good reputation that MKC has and contribute to Peterborough and the community," he said.

For Peterborough's newest lawyer, being called to the bar isn't the end of the journey.

It's simply the next chapter, and one he's happy to be writing close to home.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

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