Peterborough Blogs
Local Restaurant Owner Continues Holiday Spirit of Giving Free Meals To Anyone In Need On Christmas Day
/The Original Spaghetti House Pizzeria owner, Ilir Sino, keeps his holiday-giving spirit going as he plans to give our free hot meals for Christmas Day to anyone in need.
He typically offers free hot meals during Easter and Christmas and has given away meals during this year’s Thanksgiving.
Meals will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spaghetti House, 512 George St. S.
Sino announced on his Facebook that he is inviting Peterborough and the surrounding area to grab a meal on Saturday.
Sino has a history of philanthropy. In November 2022, he donated $1,500 to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough. He has also donated to local sports teams and other charities.
He opened his production facility, Sino’s Fine Foods, located at 597 Monaghan Rd. in the summer of 2022. The business produces his sauces, dressings, soups, oven-ready dinners and more.
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City's Dance the Boro Project Selected For My Main Street Community Activator Initiative
/The City of Peterborough’s Dance the Boro project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and received support to make enhancements to Quaker Foods City Square and offer free community dance classes in downtown Peterborough.
Dance the Boro, held Friday evenings and Saturday mornings from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19 at Quaker Foods City Square, encouraged the community to come downtown for an hour of fun, dance and connection.
“Bringing people downtown for fun, interactive events like Dance the Boro transforms public spaces into shared spaces where residents of all ages can connect, move and celebrate community,” said Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica, Town Ward Councillors in a joint statement. “These experiences are what make our city thrive and our downtown shine.”
Support from My Main Street was used to make permanent enhancements at Quaker Foods City Square. Improvements included a portable stage, benches, planters, removable bollards, bike racks, and outdoor speakers, all designed to enrich the visitor experience while driving traffic to main streets and contributing to the community's economic vitality.
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods that will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while promoting sustainable and inclusive community development.
"Dance the Boro demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives that breathe new life into our downtown spaces,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “We're proud to support free events like these that provide opportunities for people of all ages to experience what makes our downtown a unique and inviting gathering place for all.”
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Quaker Foods City Square's Skating Rink has Opened For the Season
/The City of Peterborough has opened the skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square.
Hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Using the rink outside designated hours is prohibited. Rink use is weather-dependent.
A portable washroom is on site and heated washrooms are nearby at the Peterborough Public Library.
Parking is available at the King Street parking garage and along King and Charlotte streets. Free two-hour holiday parking is available at all municipal parking spaces, including municipal parking lots, garages and spaces until Dec. 31. Free two-hour parking is sponsored by Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers. Any parking fees paid during the holidays will be donated to Kawartha Food Share.
Rink users are asked to follow all posted skating rink rules. Skates must be worn at all times. Speed and figure skating, organized hockey and using sticks and pucks are not permitted. CSA-approved helmets are required for children six years and under and children under 10 must be actively supervised by a person 16 years or older. No food or drink is permitted on the ice surface.
Mobility Aids, sledge devices and approved skating aids are permitted.
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Winter Season Not Slowing Down Griffin's Greenhouses; Business to Continue Community Outreach
/Winter may slow down other green places but Lakefield’s Griffin’s Greenhouses continues to help the community during the colder seasons.
The Greenhouse offers regular seasonal workshops. These can include building wreaths, mini-sleighs and floral arrangements for the holidays.
“One of our goals is to educate the knowledge and options that you can still garden in the winter,” said Vikki of Griffin’s Greenhouses.
She notes that November is the second-busiest month of the year. The Greenhouse uses several outlets to help inform the community about their options regarding growing their green thumbs.
“We’re providing lots of knowledge. We put out videos on Youtube done by a local videographer,” she explained. “Knowledge is our number one takeaway to share what we know. We always keep the door open and follow back to people who always have questions. We’re really confident and generous with our time in answering questions.”
The business has been operating for roughly 48 years. Vikki and her brother Kyle purchased the business from their parents several years ago. After going to college and university and working in other career paths, the siblings eventually returned to the family business they grew up helping their parents run.
The business has received help from the family, spanning several generations. Vikki says she’s proud to call Griffin’s a ‘true family business.’
“People have seen our children watch our children grow, and our staff have seen them too,” she explained. “Some of our staff have been with us for over 20 years. There’s that comfort and familiarity that people value in our business.”
A week before Christmas, Griffin’s Greenhouse will run its ‘Dutch Auction’ to clear all inventory before its new season in March. It’s an opportunity for the business to start fresh with brand-new products for its customers.
“We’re not into recycling for next season,” said Vikki. “We want fresh and new.”
As a reflection of their Dutch heritage, the auction is a way flowers are sold in the Netherlands, a fun way of clearing out all merchandise and starting again with a clean slate.
“We feel we are vibrant and active in our community,“ explained Nikki. “Giving and sharing back with the community with our time is something that we’re proud of.”
United Way Reaches 30 Per Cent of Fundraising Goal; City Holds Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale Fundraiser
/Twelve chilis and baked goods made by City of Peterborough staff helped raise money for United Way Peterborough & District as the latter has announced that they raised 30 per cent ($450,000) of their $1.5 million fundraising goal at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre on Wednesday.
The United Way set its $1.5 million goal on Sept. 11 which runs until March 31.
The announcement occurred during the City of Peterborough's workplace campaign launch event.
“United Way Peterborough & District and the City of Peterborough have had a longstanding partnership which has included running one of the most successful workplace campaigns for a number of years,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “Workplace campaigns were threatened by the pandemic, making it difficult to build community and engage employees in the campaign. Today, the City of Peterborough hosting their annual chili cook-off once again is a sign that we are turning over a new page in our community.”
Russell continued emphasizing the importance of hitting the campaign goal based on the community's needs.
“There is a rising need for support services in our community and a dwindling number of other funding sources available to sustain these services,” said Russell. “Participating in the United Way campaign means that you are building community by contributing to the largest non-government funder of social services.”
He continued to speak about the energy he has felt on the campaign trail and the power of the new donation match challenge.
“It has never been as easy as it is today to extend the reach of your gift through the Double Your Difference initiative,” said Russell. “We're finding that the energy of this year's campaign is contagious, with workplaces facilitating more creative employee giving opportunities than we have seen in recent years.”
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Hometown PTBO: Lt. Col. Lee-Anne Quinn and Timelining Her Military and Community Service
/This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Canadian Armed Forces veteran Lt. Col. Lee-Anne Quinn about why she joined the military, her local community efforts and Remembrance Day's significance.
United Way and PATH Extend Coats for Community Initiative
/United Way Peterborough & District and Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) shared an update on the Coats for Community initiative from the PATH location at 385 Lansdowne Street East.
Both organizations partnered to expand the reach for the Coats for Community winter clothing program in early fall.
From Oct. 23rd to Oct. 26, the initiative accepted over 600 new and gently used winter coats. The community can continue to donate winter gear and other essential items every Wednesday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at PATH on Lansdowne.
“The PATH Community Clothing Hub has been operating for a year and we have been able to give out coats to many people over this time,” said Bev Assinck, PATH volunteer and Board member. “With the addition of Coats for Community, we will be able to support more than 1,000 people to be warmer and safer this winter. This partnership with United Way provides a great boost to the Peterborough community to look after everyone who needs to
“We’ve changed our approach to meet people where they are at and make winter gear available throughout the entire winter,” said said Betsy MacDonald, United Way Director of Community Impact. "
In previous years, Coats for Community held a 1-day event where people had to line up to receive a coat. Instead, people can now access multiple different locations throughout the winter when they find themselves in need of a coat.
“Each year we see an increased number of community members in need to coats, and we expect this year to be no different,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We are so grateful to announce that Cogeco has stepped up to help us keep up with this growing demand.” Cogeco generously sponsored this year’s Coats for Community initiative, contributing $2,500 that will go towards buying coats in all sizes.
“We are proud to support United Way’s Coats for Community program, which provides warm winter attire to those in need, ensuring that everyone in our community can stay warm during the colder months,” said David Feeley, Cogeco Manager of Programming and Community Relations. “By coming together to support this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to compassion and inclusion, making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbours.”
The community can bring their new and/or gently used winter coats, snowpants, hats and mittens to PATH at 385 Lansdowne Street East. Volunteers will accept donations on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
Other items accepted include pants, shirts, hoodies/sweaters, blankets, towels, socks, underwear, boots, long underwear, mittens, toques, raincoats, hand warmers, sleeping bags, solar blankets, reusable shopping bags and $5 Tim Hortons gift cards.
The following are pick-uplocations:
Good Neighbours
164 Sherbrooke St.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please note that ID and registration is required
Adult and child coats available
Trent Valley Literacy Association
Brookdale Plaza (825 Chemong Rd.)
Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adult coats only
TRACKS Youth Program Environmental Science Centre at Trent University
(1600 West Bank Drive) Ground Floor – Office B106
Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Limited quantities of adult and child coats