Peterborough Blogs
Photos: Opa! Greek Festival Booms After Three-Year Hiatus With Dance and Traditional Cuisine
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Over 2,000 people came and went at the return of the Greek Festival from a three-year hiatus, held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday. Traditional Greek favourite meals such as souvlaki, gyros, baklava and Greek salad were served at the event. Dancing, a kids’ fun zone and live entertainment were the amenities offered during the festival.
Homeless Man Recovers Missing Barbeque For Local Restaurant; Business Owner Asks Public For Essentials To Donate
/Homeless man Mike Noble selflessly recovered a missing barbecue for Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria and owner Taso Hatzianastasiou is asking the public to donate essentials to help the good Samaritan in a Facebook post created Thursday.
Noble beside the previously missing catering barbeque stored in the back of Taso’s. Facebook photo.
Hatzianastasiou had discovered his barbecue was missing last weekend and often uses it for catering. He says Noble discovered it at a ‘tent city,’ got into a fight and dragged it back to the restaurant for him according to a Facebook post.
This was not the first time that Noble has aided Taso’s. He often helps the restaurant on a regular basis according to Hatzianastasiou.
“Mike always helps me in the mornings with anything I need, cleaning, unloading my truck,” explained in the Facebook post. “He never asks for money, just food and clothes. I try to help him in any way that I can.”
Hatzianastasiou is asking that the public to donate items such as clothing (medium or large for shirts) rubber boots, running shoes (size 12), a tent, a sleeping bag and a pillow but reminds everyone that Noble does not have a lot of storage space available.
During Hatzianastasiou's public outreach, he wanted to help destigmatize any negativity toward homeless people, especially toward Noble. The latter has struggled with mental health issues and has been homeless for a few years said Hatzianastasiou.
“He’s a very good guy and gets approached by people in the wrong way because of his mental breakdowns,” he explained. “He’s a kind man. Polite and always trying to bring you up.”
All donations can be given to Taso’s which is located at 287 George St. N.
“My ultimate goal is to find this man a place he can live,” concluded Hatzianastasiou.
City of Peterborough Community Activities for National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month 2023
/Activities are being held throughout the community, including at City of Peterborough facilities, for residents to take part in National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
Highlights from the activities at City of Peterborough facilities:
Art Gallery of Peterborough
250 Crescent St.
Exhibition: Special Project: Tea with the Queens, June 7 to June 29, 2023
Opening reception for new exhibitions, June 7, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Afternoon Tea with the Queens, June 11 and 14, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and June 11, 13, and 22, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Indigenous Day Celebrations at Hiawatha First Nation: Art Gallery of Peterborough tent; June 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Peterborough Public Library
345 Aylmer St. N.
PA Day Family Movie: Indigenous Cinema Shorts for Children, June 9, 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Crafternoon: Beaded Rings with Malinda Gray, June 10, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Teen Book Club: Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, June 13, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunset Story Time with Betty Baker, June 16, 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Non-fiction Book Club: Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance by Jesse Wente, June 20, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Summer Solstice Story Time, National Indigenous Peoples Day at Millennium Park, 130 King St., June 21, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
10 Indigenous Titles You Should Read this Month featured at the Seniors Showcase, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr., June 21, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Tween Book Club: Barren Grounds by David Robertson, June 22, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday Film & Discussion: Voices Across the Water, June 23, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Adult Book Club: A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt, June 27, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space, open during library hours
Peterborough Museum and Archives
300 Hunter St. E.
‘To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales’ exhibit, open during museum hours until mid-November
Quillwork Workshops, June 21, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., registration required
Pride Flag Scavenger Hunt, during open hours all through June
Pride Craft based on the book ‘My Rainbow’ and Stories station, during open hours all through June
Indigenous Day Kids Crafts, June 21, during open hours
Interpretive tours of the ‘To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales’ exhibit, available June 21, watch for details on the Museum website and social media
The City of Peterborough’ s Public Art Program invites you to visit The Nogojiwanong Project
The Nogojiwanong Project, located at the south end of Millennium Park, was a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples, and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, this gathering space was created to encourage learning and reflection with a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. The “Gathering” provides the focal point for the space.
Michael Belmore’s, entitled “Gathering,” complements the panels and anchors the space. It consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved, lined with copper, and fitted so that they sit slightly apart and seemingly radiate heat. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Totems or Dodems as they are called in Anishinaabemowin.
Nogojiwanong is an Anishinaabe word meaning “place at the foot of the rapids” and the name given to the gathering place, at the bottom of a turbulent stretch of the Otonabee River, renamed Peterborough by European settlers.
Millennium Park forms the present-day landfall and eddy along the western shoreline. It is also the site of the trailhead to the Chemong Portage – a six- or seven-mile historic footpath between the Otonabee River and Chemong Lake.
The Nogojiwanong Project location acknowledges these ancestral lands and the thousands of years the Michi Saagiig navigated this route between their winter camps and traditional fishing grounds at the mouth of the Ganaraska River on Lake Ontario.
Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; June 9 - 11
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photo courtesy of the peterborough dragon boat festival.
Here are some things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from June 9 to 11!
Come out and cheer on the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival
Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival is a vital fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, supporting world-class cancer and breast cancer screening.
Cheer on your friends, family and neighbours, participate in the moving breast cancer flower ceremony, come shopping, play games or enjoy some time at the Thirsty Dragon beer garden.
This fundraiser for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation (PRHC Foundation) supports world-class breast and other cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, and has raised over $3.9 million so far.
7 a.m. – Road closures in effect, barricades close
7:45 a.m. – Team Captains meeting by the Volunteer Tent
8 a.m. – Awakening the Dragon/Opening Ceremonies
8:30 a.m. – First Race Heats begin
9 a.m. – Vendors Village Market opens
9 a.m. – Family Fun Zone opens
11 a.m. – The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden opens
11:30 a.m. – McKenzie Cup Race followed by the Flower Ceremony
Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Lunch break
12:30 p.m. – Second Race Heats begin
3:10 p.m. – Divisional Finals begin
4 p.m. – Raffle winners announcements
4 p.m. – Last shuttle bus leaves Del Crary Park
4:50 p.m. – Awards Ceremony – Race Trophies Top Individual Fundraisers – At the bleachers
5:45 p.m. – The Thirsty Dragon Beer Garden closes
When: Saturday, June 10, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Little Lake, Peterborough.
Join the Peterborough Business Social Club Tiki Party
Looking for some tropical fun without leaving Peterborough?
The Peterborough Business Social Club is opening up their Tiki Party to the public at Chemong Lodge to the public this Saturday, June 10th, starting at 5 p.m.
Join for cocktails, games, live music by Cary Shields, prizes and dancing! Fire up the barbecues as a family-style dinner and complimentary wine is being served on the patio!
Tickets are $150 a couple and you can get more details by emailing jamesway33@gmail.com. Come on out and enjoy a tropical paradise at Chemong Lodge with the Peterborough Business Social Club!
When: Saturday June 10, 5 p.m.
Where: Chemong Lodge
Chow Down at Greek Festival
Greek Festival for all!
Greek food, Greek music, Greek dancing will entertain festival goers in the back yard of the church.
Free admission.
When: Sunday, June 11, noon - 7 p.m.
Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
League 1 Ontario Men's Home Game - Electric City FC vs Hamilton United
The Electric City Football Club Men’s Team host the Hamilton United for a regular-season match at Fleming College.
When: Saturday, June 10 2-4 p.m.
Where: Fleming College (599 Brealey Drive, Peterborough)
Daniel James McFadyen at Jethro's Bar & Stage
Nova Scotia-based indie folk artist Daniel James McFadyen is bringing his national tour to Jethro's Bar & Stage (137 Hunter St. W) on Friday, June 9.
It's been a busy time for Daniel, as he has just released his new single “Sunshine”, the lead track off his forthcoming EP. He recently performed in Halifax at the 35th annual East Coast Music Awards, where his 2022 single “Hot Sun” was nominated for ‘Best Song’ and ‘Rising Star Recording’.
When: Friday, June 9 6 p.m.
Where: Jethro’s Bar (137 Hunter St. W)
Check out the Peterborough Farmers Market
Buy directly from the farmer who grew it, raised it, harvested, or foraged it! Sixty percent of our vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100% of what they sell. The remaining forty percent include bakers, prepared food vendors, artists and community groups.
Enjoy a festive market atmosphere with Peterborough’s finest prepared food vendors, artisans and musicians.
Come find us every Saturday to find local produce, delicious takeaway meals and goodies, and artisan wares.
When: Saturday June 10, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Morrow Park
New Stages Theatre Presents ‘SWEAT’ by Lynn Nottage
New Stages presents a one-night-only staged reading of SWEAT by Lynn Nottage, an unforgettable play for unprecedented times.
Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, SWEAT is a chilling and timely play that tells the story of a group of colleagues in Pennsylvania whose fortunes rapidly decline between 2000 and the 2008 financial crisis. A devastating account of American industrial collapse and the racial and class tensions that shatter the surface when people are desperate. A must-see for Peterborough audiences.
The cast includes: Christopher Allen, Andrew Chown, Beau Dixon, Kait Dueck, René Escobar Jr., Catherine Fitch, Tony Munch and Ordena Stephens-Thompson.
Content Advisory: This play contains themes of racism and uses words that are offensive and demeaning, including the n-word. Recommended audience: 14+.
When: Sunday, June 11 7:30 p.m.
Where: Market Hall
Tickets: $22, and $11 for students, under-waged and artworkers.
Watch Harness Racing at Kawartha Downs
Horse racing is an exciting sport, dynamic business and a major contributor to the agricultural economy in Ontario. At Kawartha Downs, we feature harness or Standardbred racing where the horses are attached to a race bike (called a sulky) and are steered by drivers through a one mile race.
Kawartha Downs is a five-eighths mile track which means the races start on the far side (away from the grandstand) of the racetrack, pass by the grandstand and race once more around the track with the exciting finish right in front of the fans and grandstand.
The horses which compete in harness racing have two distinct gaits. Pacers, the most common, move with both legs on the same side operating together. The front and hind legs on the right and left side move together. The majority of pacers wear equipment called hopples which help them maintain their gait.
When a trotter races their opposite legs work together – the front right and left rear come forward at the same time and vice versa.
The Standardbred horse is noted for its versatility and even temperament. Many harness horse that don’t make the racetrack can be found in the Mennonite communities, working as police horses and used in therapeutic riding programs. Standardbreds also make great riding horses and can be trained to compete in a variety of disciplines including barrel racing, dressage etc.
When: Saturday, June 10 7-10 p.m.
Where: Kawartha Downs (1382 County Rd. 28, Fraserville)
The Annual Father’s Day Smoke and Steam Show is Back at Lang Pioneer Village
/The Lang Pioneer Village Museum’s 2023 event season kicks off on Sunday, June 18 with the 26th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show.
photo courtesy of lang pioneer village museum.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, treat dad to a nostalgic Father’s Day filled with tractors and powerful equipment.
Watch as local collectors bring to life some of the oldest antique tractors and steam engines around as they compete for over 20 awards including Best Unique Exhibit, Best Display and Lang Pioneer Village’s Choice.
Watch as tractors try to balance on a tilted platform as fast as possible or maneuver through an obstacle course while balancing a tin can on a stick. View displays of smoke and steam collectibles, hit and miss engines, antique tool collections and more. The tractor games, including lawn tractor races, begin at noon.
Throughout the Village, learn about the many ways power was generated in the 1800s. See the Shingle Mill in full operation powered by volunteers and antique engines. Enjoy a variety of historic demonstrations including spring-pole lathe, broad axe hand hewing, natural dyeing, spinning, grinding at the Grist Mill and more. Hop on board a tractor and wagon ride and tour the historic village in style. Take some time to pause and enjoy live music by Glen Caradus & Fiddling Jay. Check out the model train display brought by the Ganaraska Railway Modellers and Jim Burchell. Kids can take part in some old-fashioned games in the schoolyard and make a paper whistle to take home. Don’t forget to visit the farm animals, on loan from Harley Farms for the summer.
Demonstrators and visitors can enjoy a pancake breakfast (served while supplies last) in the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building (additional fee applies). Refreshments and sweet treats will be available for purchase throughout the day at the Keene Hotel, or stop by Ben’s Kettle Corn who will be popping up fresh kettle corn. The Keene Lions Club food truck will also be onsite selling BBQ goods and there will be fresh Empire Cheese curd available for purchase in the Cheese Factory. If you haven’t already over-indulged in delicious treats, take part in the pie-eating contest on the Village Green.
The day will conclude with a tractor parade through the historic village beginning at 3 p.m.
Admission to the 26th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under 5.
Family admission is also available for $40, which includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths (ages 5-14). Visitors may purchase admission in advance via the Museum’s online shop, but advance purchase is not required. For more information, visit the website.
QUAKERborough Releases New Commercial Highlighting Plant Employees in the Peterborough Community
/Quaker Oats (PepsiCo Canada) has released a new commercial for the QUAKERborough brand, which includes employees from the local Quaker Plant at 34 Hunter St. W.
Photo courtesy of citizen relations PR.
“In 1902, Peterborough welcomed Quaker into the proud community we now like to call QUAKERborough – a place with great food and welcoming neighbours who make you feel right at home,” says Logan Chambers, Senior Director of Marketing with PepsiCo Canada. “Acknowledging the warmth and support that Quaker has received over the years, the brand is on a mission to personally welcome newcomers to the city with open arms with the help of our dedicated plant employees and the New Canadians Centre in Peterborough.”
The process started in April of this year, when Peterborough’s New Canadians Centre advertised a casting call on social media for a family new to the community.
Now two months later, the commercial shows the QUAKERborough van driving around the community, and assisting the new family in moving a couch into their home.
Crossing Guard Appreciation Week June 5 to 9
/The City of Peterborough is encouraging residents to show their support and appreciation for their neighbourhood crossing guards during Crossing Guard Appreciation Week from June 5 to 9.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
“It's important to recognize the many people working as crossing guards who help our students have a safe journey to and from school each day. As a community, we count on their friendly, dedicated commitment to the safety of our children,” said Councillor Keith Riel, transportation portfolio chair. “We hope that students, parents, and drivers take a moment this week to tell our crossing guards how much you appreciate them.”
If you are interested in becoming a crossing guard with the City of Peterborough, apply online or contact the City via phone 705-742-7777 ext. 1787 or by email.
Quick facts:
The City of Peterborough currently employs 52 school crossing guards and is looking to fill more positions for September 2023.
All vehicles and cyclists are required by the Ontario Highway Traffic Act to stop and wait until children and Crossing Guards have cleared the entire roadway at school crossings before proceeding
Support your local crossing guards by:
Stop when a crossing guard raises his or her stop sign.
Take notice of whether a guard is on duty and slow down when approaching school crossing locations.
Obey the law. Remain stopped until all children and the crossing guard have completely exited the roadway.
Proceed with caution – obey posted speed limits and observe all no stopping and no parking signs – park in designated areas only.
Queensville Players Theatre Group to Host Benefit Concert for Rowghan MacHart’s Transition Home June 17
/The Queensville Players community theatre group is hosting a benefit concert for cast member Rowghan MacHart on June 17; raising funds to support the re-fitting of her home with wheelchair accessible features.
photo courtesy of the queensville players.
After a collision on Hwy. 7 claimed the lives of 52-year-old Stefphanie Hart, 46-year-old Jonathan MacDonell and 18-year-old Riddick Hart in November of 2022, the Queensville Players of Keswick, Ontario are hosting a benefit concert for now 14-year-old Rowghan Hart who suffered life-altering injuries as a result of the accident.
Karin Simpson, president of the Queensville Players group and musical director for the show said that all four family members had roles in their production of Disney’s High School Musical, with Riddick playing Troy Bolton.
“Over the course of three months, we would rehearse anywhere from nine to twelve hours a week, and the MacHart’s would come all the way from Peterborough to Keswick,” Simpson said. “For the three hours (round-trip) to get there, and the three hours to rehearse, they came as a family. It was important to them that they did the show together.”
A week before the show started, Simpson says the crew was in the theatre everyday rehearsing. She says she remembers how close they all grew to each other as the MacHart family would stay at her home on occasion.
On Sunday, November 20 the group had another run of their show at the Stephen Leacock Theatre.
“People came from all over to see the show and were left raving about it, but (the cast) was really sad on that Sunday because we knew it wouldn’t be until Wednesday that we’d get to see each other again,” recalls Simpson.
It was that Tuesday, November 22 that the accident happened on Hwy. 7 near Drummond Line.
The next day, Simpson and the cast of the High School Musical production gathered at the theatre with a trauma team, sharing fond memories of the MacHart family. At the time Simpson recalls not knowing if Rowghan was going to live due to the injuries she sustained.
“We stayed there in the theatre and just held space with one another,” she said. “We had to cancel the show, there was no way we were going to go on with the level of grief that we all felt. Their roles were not replaceable.”
It was after the tragedy that Simpson says the Queensville Players knew they needed to do something for the MacHart family.
“When a tragedy like this happens you always feel helpless because you want to help so much, but of course the one thing that everybody wants in the world is the one thing that you can’t do- to bring them back,” said Simpson. “So with this (concert) we just want to wrap Rowghan in as much love from the community as possible and support her financially, emotionally and physically through whatever we can do.”
As a part of the event, two Ed Sheeran concert tickets to his June 17 show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto were raffled off, and on the day of the benefit concert there will be more raffle items and a 50/50 draw to participate in.
All proceeds from the Rowghan MacHart Benefit Concert will go towards the renovation of her home, making it wheelchair accessible.
“She’s going to face a lot of challenges, and there are many things that we’re not going to be able to foresee happening in this moment,” said Simpson.
She says the Queensville Players intend to support Rowghan through a similar benefit concert next year as well.
“The need for support will be an ongoing thing and the desire to be there for her will also be everlasting,” she said.
The matinee concert will take place at 2 p.m. June 17 at the Stephen Leacock Theatre in Keswick. Tickets are available for purchase using the link.
For those who wish to donate to the MacHart family GoFundMe, follow this link.
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Community Care’s 35th Annual Grandparent of the Year Award Ceremony to Take Place June 6
/Community Care Peterborough is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its intergenerational recognition program, ‘Grandparent of the Year,’ which honours children’s relationship with a Grandparent, Elder or special older person in their lives, with this year’s winners and honourable mentions will be announced on June 6.
photo courtesy of community care peterborough.
