Leahy's Farm and Market Goes All Out In 50th Anniversary Celebration

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The Leahy family welcomed the public to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Leahy’s Farm and Market in Douro-Dummer on Saturday afternoon.

The second generation of Leahy’s farms saw 11 brothers and sisters. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event welcomed guests to mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, live music, a corn maze, a chicken display, a documentary screening of the farm and a special anniversary cake.

“It's a family business that's been passed from my parents to us and our kids are now completely involved in it so it's a great honour and it's amazing how quickly 50 years goes by,” said Doug Leahy. 

The ceremonies began at 2 p.m., where the Leahys addressed the guests with stories and expressed gratitude for the City and County supporting the farm for 50 years.

“To see everyone come out like this, a lot of the time, we're in the field picking corn or picking stuff and we don't always see the customers that come through but they're all showing up today and all we can say is a big thank you to everyone,” said Doug.

During Doug’s speech, he declared one of the gardens to be named ‘Julie’s Garden’ after his mother, Julie Leahy, who started the farm with Frank Leahy in 1974.

Dignitaries on the municipal, provincial and federal levels recognized the farm’s milestone. Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP gave public speeches and gave certificates of recognition to the Leahy family.

Other dignitaries, such as Sherry Senis, Selwyn Mayor and Heather Watson, Douro-Dummer Mayor were in attendance and spoke at the event.

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Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Invites Public to Celebrate Its Ninth Birthday On Saturday

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There have been nine years of flowing taps for Bobcaygeon Brewing Company which will celebrate its birthday this Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. at its Peterborough Brewery and Taproom at 649 The Parkway.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) RICHARD WOOD, BOBCAYGEON BREWING COMPANY PRESIDENT; CHRISTIAN HARVEY, ONE CITY PTBO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; KATIE HARTING, MCTHIRSTY’S BARTENDER AND MATT CAMPBELL, BOBCAYGEON BREWING COMPANY VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES ENJOYING THE FIRST-POURED BLACKBERRY RASPBERRY GOSE FROM THE TAP that was launched on Oct. 7, 2022. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The brewery will offer nine unique cask selections featuring one-time-only variants of classic Bobcaygeon styles such as Cottage Lager with Lime, Dockside Red Ale with Black Currant, and Double Dry Hopped Northern Lights.

The Brewery is also doing four beer releases with two brand new beers:

  • ‘Lansdowne Fog,’ which brings Earl Grey tea and vanilla over a classic English Ale base*

  • ‘Hibernate,’ a Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Strong Ale*

  • ‘Firefly Belgian Wheat’

  • ‘Birch Bark White IPA’

*denotes new beer

The event features live music from TJ Shirk (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and James Higgins (5:30 – 8:30 p.m.) and savoury New Zealand pies from Kia Ora Pies.

The back of the brewery will open its rain-or-shine beer garden for the day and the production side of the brewery will be open for the public to view and tour.

This is a family-friendly event featuring outdoor lawn games and non-alcoholic options.

For those wishing to sample the various beers on offer, tickets are $15. They include a limited edition sampling glass and two drink tokens which can be kept. Additional tokens will be available for purchase on site.

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Millbrook's Centennial Place Gets 50s Throwback To Celebrate 20th Anniversary

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Classic cars, polka dot dresses and Elvis Presley were alive and well in a 50s-themed party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of AON Inc’s long-term care home Centennial Place in Millbrook with an open house on Wednesday afternoon.

Residents and staff got in the 50s spirit by dressing in era-appropriate clothing to celebrate the milestone. Classic car displays, 50s diner-style food (sliders, sparkling wine and floats) and an Elvis Presley impersonator were all part of the 50s throwback planned out by the staff.

“A lot of population here grew up in the 50s so we thought it would be really nice to bring that back for them,” said Courtney Jilesen, Centennial Place administrator. “It lets them experience some old times again.”

Centennial Place has been recognized municipally and internationally for its retirement residence care.

Matthew Graham, Millbrook Mayor was in attendance and personally congratulated Centennial Place and their staff on their milestone.

“On behalf of the residents in the Township of Cavan-Monaghan, it is my pleasure to congratulate all the residents and staff of Centennial Place in celebrating their 20th anniversary in our Township,” he said. “Centennial Place is such an important part of our community and the village of Millbrook and I especially want to thank all of your staff over these past 20 years for all of their hard work and care for the residents of our community.”

The home was awarded a Three-Year Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities Accreditation Award in November as well as a Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Best Practices Spotlight Organization Award last month.

“We have great staff and a great supportive community,” said Jilesen. “Without them, I don't know if we would have been able to get through the last three years.”

Centennial Place is located at 2 Centennial Ln. in Millbrook.

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Peterborough Child & Family Centres Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Grand Opening Of New PlayScape

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The grand opening of a new PlayScape helps mark the Peterborough Child & Family Centres’ 40th Anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at their Antrim Street facility on Wednesday afternoon.

Phoebe M., 3, has been a regular visitor to the centre for the past year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Parents and children were invited to use the new PlayScape and tour the facilities during the grand opening.

“It was a passion project for so many people who work here so I think it's pure excitement right now,” said Nicola Lyle, Centre C.E.O.

The PlayScape features a repurposed downhill slide, a circular track for walking and biking, a play kitchen, a canopy and other playground equipment. It replaced a tall climber that had occupied the outdoor space for several years.

“As our population has changed, the children that come here are younger than they used to be 20 years ago,” explained Lyle. “We really identified that the outdoor space no longer worked for us in the way that we wanted it to. We had dreamt for some time for having a much more small child-friendly naturalized space that really made the most of this beautiful outdoors and the nature that we are in.”

The services provided are free as the organization is funded by several levels of government. They offer parent-child interaction programs, parenting education, breastfeeding and a well-baby clinic.

The facility services children from when they are born until the age of six but welcomes kids who are in their kindergarten years that want to use the space.

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Photos: Retirement Residence Princess Gardens Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary In Style

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Princess Gardens celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party, champagne and dessert while residents and guests danced away on Wednesday afternoon.

Staff were recognized for their efforts in helping the retirement resident reach the milestone.

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Trent's 20th Anniversary of Seasoned Spoon Celebrated With Fundraiser Event On March 18

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Trent University’s café ‘Seasoned Spoon’ is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an event featuring live music, activities, raffles and food to raise money for a cargo trike on March 18.

The Seasoned Spoon’s grand opening was on Feb 25, 2003 in the Cat's Ass Pub in Otonabee College before being moved to Otonabee College. Photo courtey of Trent University.

The event is at the Seasoned Spoon and runs from 5 p.m. to p.m. with tickets at $10. Children’s admission is free.

The trike will aid Trent Vegetable Gardens in making deliveries and will cost anywhere from $2,750 and upwards to purchase.

The Seasoned Spoon's first opened on Feb. 25, 2003, at Otonabee College. It relocated to the former Champlain Junior Common Room in the spring of 2003 and officially opened in that space on Nov. 18 of the same year.

In 2006, the eatery partnered with the Trent Vegetable Gardens, a volunteer-run group that provides the majority of the café’s produce. The café relocated again in 2009 to the downstairs of the Champlain Senior Common Room.

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Local Mexican Restaurant Celebrating 20 Years In Business in Downtown Peterborough

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For two decades, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant has been serving downtown Peterborough a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine as they are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner streaming her cooking classes as one of the services offered at her business. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

“Seems like yesterday when we opened our doors for the first time back in 2002,” reflects Sandra Arciniega, La Hacienda owner. “Those years when our town was not as multicultural as it is today, times when finding tortillas, avocados or any other Mexican ingredient were such a challenge.”

Dubbed as ‘a little corner of Mexico,’ the restaurant serves food that owner Sandra Arciniega grew up eating.

“Those times when I felt homesick, dreaming of tasting those memorable and unique flavours of home, that is when the idea of opening an authentic Mexican restaurant was born,” she explained. “The love for my culture and my passion about its food needed to be shared with family and friends around the table.”

Arciniega when she opened La Hacienda in 2002. Photo courtesy of La Hacienda.

The restaurant carries signature dishes such as enchiladas, Sopa Azteca (tortilla soup), locally-sourced cricket tacos and guacamole.

La Hacienda is a gathering place that celebrates the culture, creativity, and diversity of Mexico according to Arciniega.

The restaurant hosts events to bring Mexico to life in Peterborough such as Mexican folk dance, live mariachi band, Day of the Dead Night Gala and cooking classes on and offsite.

In 2018, Arciniega expanded with a retail store adjacent to the restaurant called Mercado La Hacienda. It sells a variety of Mexican products such as salsa, chips, and even crickets.

As part of its celebration, La Hacienda is re-launching its in-house artisan product line that offers items such as roasted salsa verde, mild salsa, salsa Macha, roasted salsa, salsa para enchiladas, pickled serranos, handmade tortillas and corn chips.

“I feel grateful and proud of what La Hacienda has become,” said Arciniega. “We are not only a restaurant but a destination that conjures up memories.”

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Trent University’s Bachelor of Arts & Science Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Annual Lecture Series

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Trent University is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) program with a new annual lecture series created in honour of the late Dr. David Ellis announced on Monday.

B.A.S. is one of 23 programs at Trent that offer a paid co-op stream, through which students can gain valuable connections and graduate with 12 months of hands-on job experience in as little as four years. File Photo.

Ellis, a professor of Chemistry, served as acting dean of Science and dean of Humanities at Trent before passing in 2019. The Nov. 16 lecture is inspired by one of Dean Ellis’ signature sayings “Ask Me Anything”, and will feature a discussion on visual argumentation by Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president and vice-chancellor, as the inaugural speaker.

“I am honoured to be the speaker at the inaugural lecture,” said Groarke. “This event is a fitting tribute to honour the legacy of Dr. David Ellis, a man whose open-mindedness and natural curiosity for intersections between the arts and sciences was the driving force behind the dynamic degree program that embodies core elements of the Trent experience.”

Since the degree’s launch in 2012, 70 students have graduated from the program. Since then, the program has grown to 109 current students, 52 of which are currently in their first year – the largest-ever number of first-year students in the program’s history according to Trent.

“The 10th anniversary of our program provides a moment to reflect on how we have grown since we launched, and to celebrate the successes of our students and graduates,” said Dr. Jessica Marion Barr, B.A.S. program coordinator. “Our faculty and students understand the value of thinking critically, approaching problems creatively, and communicating effectively as we navigate the overlapping social and scientific complexities of today’s world.”

In 2021, a new Bachelor of Arts & Science (B.A.S.) / Medical Sciences dual degree program was launched in a collaboration with Trent University and Swansea University in the United Kingdom.

The dual degree program offers students the opportunity to complete two degrees in four years for careers as medical professionals while gaining international experience.

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GreenUP Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Environmental Sustainability and Growth

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GreenUP put its growth on display as it celebrated the 30th anniversary with an all-ages event at the Ecology Park on Thursday evening.

GreenUP is an environmental organization meant to inspire and empower environmentally healthy and sustainable action in the community according to its website.

“The resilience it takes to get to 30 years for any organization is really incredible,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director. “I'm really proud of all the people who've done this work for this long and to be a part of it and continuing it for decades yet to come.”

The event featured guided tours, a beanbag toss, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, a stunt ventriloquist, remarks from GreenUp staff and dinner.

Speeches from the event staff thanked the staff and supporters who have maintained the organization for 30 years.

Funding for GreenUp has come through the city via the Community Service Grant Program, donations, GreenUP store and park services.

“The environment is worth protecting,” said Moss. “We can work together as a community to realize really important reductions in CO2 emissions and the preservation of biodiversity so I'm really excited to engage and empower people in the work that results in those important things happening.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Holds Gala To Celebrate Centennial Anniversary

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The champagne bottles were popping for the Rotary Club of Peterborough as they celebrated their 100th anniversary with a gala at the Fleming College Ballroom on Saturday night.

The group is known for connecting leaders, exchanging ideas, sharing interests and taking action on several social challenges with donations turned into grants that fund community improvements according to their website’s mandate.

"Rotary has its own inertia. It's not about one person or the leader, we do service and we always have projects,” said Atul Swarup, former Rotary president. "Members bring projects to the table so that keeps our club fresh and new and keeps our members invigorated."

The club honoured members and presidents (both past and present) during the ceremony with a presentation and speeches while reflecting on the 100 years of service to the local community.

Mayor Diane Therrien commemorated the occasion with the City officially recognizing the club’s accomplishments and milestones.

The Rotary Club was first founded on Apr. 1, 1921. They wanted to host the gala last year but had to pivot and reschedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we started planning it, we had all these wonderful events planned and basically we had to cancel pretty much everything,” said Wayne Harding, club president. “Getting to the gala after having to reschedule it three times, having to change the venue, it's just been great to see everyone tonight and thoroughly enjoy the community.”

The gala featured dinner (made by Fleming culinary students), live music from The Dreamboats, a DJ and dancing.

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