Peterborough County Announces Appointments to its Leadership Team
/Peterborough County has added Rhonda Keenan as the new General Manager of Economic Development and Sarah Budd as the new Manager of Community Development.
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Peterborough Blogs
Trent Valley Archives Hosting True Crime Tour ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’
/Back by popular demand, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will offer its true crime walk in downtown Peterborough entitled ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’ on July 14 and 21 and on August 11 and 18.
photo courtesy of tva.
Madison More, researcher and knowledgeable tour guide, will lead the tour which will touch on the astonishing discovery of human remains linked to a lumberjack of the town’s early days.
Other stories covered include a daring escape from the Peterborough jail with its ensuing province wide police chase and the shooting of Murray Green owner of the Grand Hotel.
The cost of the tour is $20 per person, with tours running rain or shine. Those who are interested can sign up by calling TVA at 705-745-4404. Tickets are also available through the website.
PedalBoro Returns to the Peterborough Downtown Streets For the Season
/The 15-seater PedalBoro bike is returning to Downtown Peterborough streets to tour the craft beer scene for another season, announced on Wednesday.
Roughly 60 per cent of PedalBoro goers were from out of town according to PEdalBoro. Photo courtesy of PedalBoro.
The cycling begins this weekend as PedalBoro will have cycling tours running from June until October. The booking calendar is open as the party bike is available from Friday through Sunday for pub crawl tours, private parties as well as one-of-a-kind team building experiences according to a press release.
“As we embark on our third year in operations, we are opening this season with a real sense of purpose,” said Peter Rellinger, PedalBoro captain. “Our mission has always been to showcase the incredible people and places that make downtown Peterborough so unique. PedalBoro tours build connection and community pride back into our downtown core, add in a little dash of adventure and we are able to create this special sauce that can only really be experienced by bike.”
Last year, the unique bike aided in downtown spending with an average of 89 per cent of tour guests supporting core area restaurants, cafés and pubs before and after tours as stated in a press release.
“As our community continues to show its resiliency through economic hardship PedalBoro has an important role to play,” said Hillary Flood, ‘Party Pixie.’ “We are here to roll up our sleeves and do our part- and to do it with a bit of flair and a whole lot of razzmatazz.”
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Lang Pioneer Village Museum to Open May 23
/The Lang Pioneer Village Museum announces they will be beginning their 2023 tour season on Tuesday, May 23.
photo courtesy of lang pioneer village.
May is Museum Month and a great time to start planning a trip to Lang Pioneer Village Museum. The Village will once again be bustling with costumed interpreters who will demonstrate the trades and pastimes of local settlers and Indigenous people of the 19th century.
The Museum will initially be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until June 16 for spring hours. Kicking off both the Museum’s summer hours and special event season is the annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show on June 18.
The Museum’s 56th season will see the return of many popular special events including the Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show, the Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show, Village by Lantern Light, Applefest, Historic All Hallows’ Eve and Christmas by Candlelight. Also returning this year is a late-summer harvest celebration, the Corn Roast. The Corn Roast will give visitors an opportunity to celebrate the early harvest season, with plenty of fire-cooked corn to enjoy. Also returning is the Christmas Bazaar, which brings together a variety of local artisans at the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building for a day of holiday shopping.
“Our staff and volunteers are excited to welcome everyone to the museum this summer. We've been working on opening up the heritage buildings, cleaning up the site, and freshening up our content with lots of opportunities to see and do throughout your visit with us," says museum operations manager Elizabeth King.
Visitors may purchase admission for both daily visits and special events at the door or in advance online. For those wanting to take advantage of all the museum has to offer this season, season passes are also available for purchase.
Travel back in time this season at Lang Pioneer Village Museum! The Village is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from May 23 to June 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday from Father’s Day to Labour Day weekend. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors (60+), $5 for youths (ages 5-14), free for children under 5. Family admission is also available for $30 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths ages 5-14. Special event pricing varies.
For more information, visit the website.
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Third Annual Painted Paddle Public Art Exhibit Tour in Downtown Peterborough
/The Downtown Vibrancy Project will be holding an outdoor public art exhibit to celebrate the community’s connection to the water through a series of painted paddle installations across downtown Peterborough from March 3 to 24.
The Gardens of Peterborough residents' Joanne B (right) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Call of the Loon’ alongside Joanne W (left) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Spring in the Air.’ Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
Locals and visitors will be able to tour the Painted Paddle art exhibit by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown through this art crawl experience.
Local artists and graphic designer Susie Armstrong painted one of the 31 canoe paddles on display.
“I was inspired to paint a pollination scene for my paddle. Peterborough is a hub for urban pollination gardens, and I see them everywhere on my spring and summer walks,” said Armstrong. “I hope to evoke a bit of warm weather with my painting, which depicts swamp milkweed, a pollination plant specifically enjoyed by monarch butterflies.”
Many creative community members lent their artistic skills to the Painted Paddle project, including executive director of the DBIA Terry Guiel.
“This is the third year we have run this project and it continues to be a success, bringing beautiful art to our downtown, raising funds to support a meaningful project, and inspiring hopefully thoughts of spring paddling.” Guiel remarks. "I am one of the artists and my painted paddle reflects on two themes on each side of the paddle, one being Every Child Matters and the other Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”
Other local artists taking part in this year’s project include Samantha Chuisolo, Residents from Empress & Princess Retirement Residence, Salvador Haines, Bri Gosselin, Brooklin Stormie, Tim Wales, Nuin-Tara Wilson, Sarah St.Pierre, Jason Wilkins, Jenni Johnston, Terry Guiel, Raine Knudsen, Nichelle Leeson, Kate Powell, Val Yeo, Justine-Marie, Trent University, Ash Hughes, Hearts 4 Joy, Jeff Macklin, Tayler Morencie, Students of Lakefield College School, Karin McLean., Students of Thomas A. Stewart School, J McKay, Jennifer Baici, Ginny Stammers and Maggie O'Rourke.
The paddles will be displayed in store windows throughout downtown Peterborough including Bluestreak, Tragically Dipped, Watson and Lou, Art School, Cork and Bean, The Food Shop, The Night Kitchen, Avant Garden, Boardwalk Boardgame Lounge, Mark Jokinen Books, Kit Coffee, Chesler's Shoes, GreenUP, Cheek, Gerti's, The Toy Shop, Plant Goals, Cahills, Wild Rock, Tiny Greens and Bike!
The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 24. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from March 3 at 8 p.m. to March 24 at 8 p.m. with proceeds going to support the DBIA and One City Peterborough Employment Program Partnership to create two part-time jobs through The Green Team. For the virtual auction visit the link.
To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations by visiting the Love For The Boro website online.
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Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas
/A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.
The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, industry mentorship and additional partner support to help them launch their new tourism idea.
In 2022, the program’s inaugural year, successful ideas included camping equipment rentals, a busker festival, outdoor culinary experiences, a bunkie resort, Indigenous experiences and an immersive maple syrup experience.
“We are inspired by the creativity, passion and innovative spirit of our past Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program winners, and are excited to foster and support new tourism ideas and entrepreneurs in the region,” said Justin Lafontaine, program lead at Tourism Innovation Lab.
Entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Feb. 14 to March 20. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough. The goal of the program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in the market and motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits to the region.
“We are really excited to offer this opportunity again this year for tourism businesses in this region to develop and launch new products or experiences” said Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “This successful collaboration in innovative tourism development supports sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses through experiential product development.”
For more information and to register for an upcoming information session visit the website.
Peterborough Museum and Archives to Fund Signage Project Through Tourism Relief Fund Grant
/The Peterborough Museum and Archives (PMA) received $100,000 from Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) through FedDev Ontario to attract visitors and support future growth through its Signage Project.
File photo.
This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). RTO8 received a total of $3 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
The investment will help the PMA adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in Peterborough City and County.
“The generous support of FedDev Ontario allows the PMA to move forward on refreshing its public image and expanding its capacity to better serve visitors, from near and far,” says Susan Neale, Peterborough Museum and Archives director.
The Signage Project is intended to augment the identification of the PMA within the community, and improve the visitor experience. The scope of the project will include a re-brand of the PMA’s visual identifier, campus way-finding on the PMA’s grounds and sign revitalization.
To learn more about this project visit the City’s website.
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Selwyn Township Receives $100,000 Grant to Enhance Local Tourism
/Selwyn Township receives a non-repayable contribution of $100,000 from the Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) towards the enhancement of there downtown, announced Monday.
File photo.
This funding will go towards the enhancement of the public realm within the downtown area of the Village of Lakefield, and include the replacement of neglected, aged and cracked interlocking brickwork with stamped concrete and the installation of metal art banners on streetlights along Queen Street.
“Investments in public spaces within our community help create a memorable experience for visitors and residents alike. With tourism being an integral part of our local economy, this project will ensure Lakefield remains a top destination in Kawarthas Northumberland.,” says Andy Mitchell, Mayor of Selwyn Township.
The $100,000 contribution for Selwyn Township is through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the RTO8.
RTO8 supports the regional tourism industry, supporting them in attracting visitors, generating economic activity and creating local jobs. They received $3 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
FedDev Ontario is contributing approximately $120 million across southern Ontario through the Tourism Relief Fund.
“With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future,” says The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Blowes And Stewart Travel Group Celebrates Their Second Peterborough Departure
/Blowes and Stewart Travel Group embarked on their second departure of 2022 from Peterborough to Nashville, last week.
When guests arrived to the Peterborough Airport on Thursday morning their bags were taken straight from their car, passports were checked and security precautions taken quickly. Travelers were able to park their vehicle on site and board the plane.
After a smooth takeoff passengers were served complimentary drink and food from local Peterborough businesses.
Beer came from The Publican house, spirits from Blacks Distillery and a light lunch from Sobeys.
Upon arrival to Nashville, travelers boarded a bus that took them directly to their hotel.
BST offered travelers the option to partake in exclusive group tours during their trip. Options included day trips to The Grand Ole Opry, The Jack Daniels Distillery and The Hermitage. Those that decided not to take advantage of these excursions explored the city at their own pace, with BST representatives at the hotel to answer any questions.
After four days in Music City, a bus picked travelers up at their hotel and took them directly to their gate at the Nashville Airport.
Blowes & Stewart Travel Group will return to Nashville from Peterborough Sept. 15 - 18.
Their next open Peterborough Departure is to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, followed by trips to Las Vegas and Georgia.
For more details, prices and dates visit bstvacations.ca/2022-departures/.
New Program In Peterborough And The Kawarthas Aims To 'Spark' Innovative Tourism Ideas
/A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas in Peterborough & the Kawarthas was officially announced on Tuesday. The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants with a mentor and provide a $3,000 seed grant to help take their new tourism idea to the next level.
Photo by Luke Best.
