What It Was Like To Take Part In Kirk Wipper Memorial Portage

Alana and Kyla, pictured at far left

It started out as a quick message asking about a Kirk Wipper Memorial Portage and would I be interested in participating. We were a group of Ontario Educators (aka "edutweeps") along with our families, who were immediately enchanted with being a part of this memorable portage that would end up at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough in time to mark the beginning of the Kirk Wipper public memorial.

Andy, Ross, Ryan, Jeff, Nick, Colin, Lynn, Anna, Kyla (my daughter) and I were a small but mighty team who were responsible for the first leg of the Peterborough leg of the portage. We all walked the portage and while the boys carried the canoe, Kyla and I had the chance to walk and talk with one of the organizers, Tim
McDonagh, and heard about his connection to Kirk, what the canoe meant to him, and how much he enjoyed walking with the canoe and meeting the people who had come out to participate in the portage.

Our leg of the portage was about 6 km (Hwy 28 starting at Springville United Church, up to Sir Sandford Fleming Drive, across and right onto Dobbin Road finishing at Lansdowne). After the canoe left us, I’m not
sure who carried the canoe or what their adventure entailed but I can tell you it was fun to participate in the memorial portage and be with friends who love to paddle, love to get involved, and are fun to be with. I'd like to think Kirk Wipper would have totally approved of our crew!

On a personal note, my daughter Kyla was the youngest person to carry the canoe and she was very proud to add her signature to the paddle that was given to his wife Ann Wipper after the memorial service. Although Kyla took some convincing to actually help carry the canoe, she was mighty proud to share her story with her dad at the end of the day.

For more pics from the day, click here and here.

[KirkWipper.ca; Canadian Canoe Museum]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Alana Callan; photo via Flickr]

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Dean Del Mastro Re-Elected In Peterborough Riding: Here Are The Final Results

Dean Del Mastro acceptance speech at The VenueAfter winning 49.7% of the vote, Dean Del Mastro has been re-elected. Voter turnout was 65.4% in Peterborough, according to the Examiner.

The final results are as follows:

1. Dean Del Mastro (CPC): 29,535 votes (49.7%)

2. Dave Nickle (NDP): 14,722 (24.8%)

3. Betsy McGregor (Liberal): 12,757 votes (21.5%)

4. Michael Bell (Green Party): 2,105 votes (3.5%)


Del Mastro received more votes this year than in the last election.

[Photo via Justin Beaudoin]

[The Peterborough Examiner]

What are your thoughts on the results?

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Police Pursuit Through City Streets Yesterday After Theft At Sears

From a Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service Media Release today...

Photo from the scene courtesy Pete DallidayTheft/Police Pursuit Arrest:
On the 1st of May at approximately 11:38 am, security at Sears watched a male leave the store with a pair of shoes without paying for them. The male was followed out to the parking lot and as the security officer placed him under arrest he drove off in a van. A police officer in the area on an unrelated matter was alerted to incident. The suspect drove out of the parking lot in a reckless manner. The officer followed the van on several streets as suspect attempted to evade the officer. Due to the risk to public safety, the officer discontinued pursuing the vehicle at 11:48 am in the area of George and Lake Street. The van continued north on George Street at a high rate of speed and then west on Sherbrooke Street. The van entered the intersection at Reid Street on a red light and struck a vehicle, it continued westbound striking a vehicle parked in a driveway in the area of Park Street and continued northbound onto Park Place, west along Bolivar Street losing control and struck a street sign and a tree. The suspect fled on foot and was followed by a witness through backyards and over fences to the area of Park and Brock Street where the suspect stopped running and waited in the area for police to arrive. Jeffrey Edward Kearley age 45 of Lindsay Road was arrested. He was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. As a result of the investigation, he has been charged with theft under $5,000.00, possession of stolen property under $5,000.00, escape lawful custody, take flight from the police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, three counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failing to comply with conditions of a probation order, drive under suspension, drive with no insurance and using a licence plate not authorized for the vehicle. The driver and passenger in the vehicle that was struck in the intersection suffered minor injuries. Kearley was held in custody and will appear in court later this morning.

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Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market Kicks Off Season This Wednesday!

How many of us have been craving the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoor downtown Farmers' Market? Well the wait is over! This Wednesday (May 4th), the market kicks off the season at the Louis Street Parking Lot. Each Wednesday until October 5th, it runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What is your weekly must-have item from the market?

[Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PtboPics: A Peterborough Weekend Wrap-Up In Pictures

Reggie's Chip Truck opened for the season on Saturday - Photo: Evan Holt Greenwing FIshing Derby at the Liftlocks   Hike for Hospice took place on Sunday Silver Bean Café now open for the season

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Police Remind Public To Be Considerate Of Their Neighbours When Playing Music

From a Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service Media Release today...

Noise Complaints:
 
With the warmer weather and summer approaching Police would like to remind the public to be considerate of their neighbors when playing music or entertaining friends and family. Over the past 24 hour period police have responded to 11 noise complaints through out the city. The majority of these complaints involve a large gathering of people playing loud music disturbing residents in the area. The City of Peterborough has a  24 hour noise bylaw with a set fine of $125.00. 

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Peterborough Workplace Transportation Challenge "Shifting Gears" Kicks Off On Sunday

Another season of the workplace transportation challenge Shifting Gears begins Sunday for the full month of May. The focus of the campaign is to encourage you to bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation to get to and from work each day. Have you and your workplace registered yet?

[Shifting Gears]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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"What Happens At Artspace Stays At Artspace" Fundraiser Is Saturday Night

With approximately 135 fabulous art pieces up for grabs, Artspace must be the place to be on Saturday night. This annual fundraiser, with the support of members and artists from the area, is a great chance to grab something original and striking, while also benefiting this awesome space.

Billed as "What Happens At Artspace Stays At Artspace", this night is always a blast to the spring scene, and Saturday night should be no different. Contributing artists include prints by George Rabb and Peter Barron, mixed media by Shannon Taylor, works in glass by Paul Oldham, and paintings by the likes of John Climenhage, Micky Renders and Lyall Brownlee.

Musical variety is on the agenda, as well as a roulette wheel which will be raffling prizes throughout the evening. Tickets are $100 for individuals (includes one artwork) or $150 for couples (includes one artwork) and are available from the Artspace website, or from the gallery.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. and goes into the wee hours of the morning. Artspace is located at 378 Aylmer Street North, Unit 3. For more information, contact Artspace at 705-748-3883 or via email at gallery@artspace-arc.org.

[Text and pic by PtboCanada's Jeffrey Macklin]

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PtboPics: Here Are Pictures People Sent To Us Of The Wind Storm Damage Today

Today was definitely bad hair day. Crazy winds. Here are just a few of the images that people emailed to us or tweeted to us.

For more on the wind damage, check out this CHEX report.

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Peterborough Woman Takes 2010 Subaru Forester For Test Drive But Doesn't Return It

From Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service Media Release today....
 
Theft Over Arrest:
On the 27th of April a female attended at the Subaru Dealership on Chemong Road on the pretext of purchasing a vehicle. At 5:20 pm she took a 2010 Subaru Forester for a test drive did not return with the vehicle. At approximately 2:20 am, officers located the vehicle in the area of George and Brock Street. As a result of their investigation, Sylvia Jane McVicker age 44 of no fixed address was arrested and charged with theft over $5,000.00. She was held in custody and will appear in court later this morning.
 
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