Peterborough Agricultural Society May Close Due to Lack of Board Members

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The Peterborough Agricultural Society (PAS) is in jeopardy of closing as it requires volunteers to join its Board of Directors or face permanent stoppage in operations announced on Thursday.


Founded in 1844, the Peterborough Agricultural Society was known for running the Peterborough Exhibition. Photo courtesy of PAS.

PAS is holding its Annual General Membership meeting on Jan.15 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52, 1550 Lansdowne St. W. to determine the 180-year-old organization’s future.

The current Board has announced its decision to step down at the end of this term following ongoing challenges. This includes relocating after losing access to Morrow Park last year.

“This is a critical moment for the Peterborough Agricultural Society,” said Louise Dobbin, PAS general manager. “The current Board has faced numerous challenges and we are calling on the community to rally behind us. Without enough committed individuals to lead, the organization cannot continue and we risk losing this historic Society for good.”

The Board seeks volunteers with governance, finance, strategic planning, event management, communications and agriculture skills to help guide the organization forward. Board members must reside within Peterborough County or the City of Peterborough and commit to attending ten meetings a year.

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David Tuan Bui's Top 10 Photos of 2024

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Every time I do this yearly article, I always say I’m not the best photographer in town but I always grow with every year.

But what can I say differently about this year?

It’s not a hobby that I pursue but I have started to take it a little more seriously as the years go on and I even have that approach when I take personal photos.

Again, this craft can take years to master and with my lived experiences as my only teacher for now, I have to make do with my ability and let it flourish over time.

It is nice to see that more professional organizations are using my photos for commercial, professional or social media use like Kawartha Food Share and Rotary Club of Peterborough, to name a few.

There could have been plenty of other photos that could have made the list; I took a ton, so I’m bound to have missed what would have been a great one for the list.

Here are my top ten photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in no particular order:

Vanessa Oake Hogan (left) with her sister Renée Oake shortly after the latter did 146 laps in the swimming lane. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Somehow, the Carl Oake Rotary Swim always seems to crack the top 10.

The 38th edition held by the Rotary Club continues to be at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, raising money for Easter Seals and various Rotary projects.

Typically, like any professional photographer, you take multiple shots and then take the best one. Somehow, for this shot, I was preoccupied with something else at the event and rushed to sneak in one quick picture. Thankfully, that one shot was all I needed.

director Celeste Scopelites marvels at the piece, “Comfort, Eyes That Speak” by Don Kwan. pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

To celebrate the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s 50th anniversary, they have launched their event lineup to commemorate the gallery’s founding in 1974.

Celeste Scopelites, AGP director had this really intriguing expression as she was looking at Don Kwan’s piece, ‘Comfort, Eyes That Speak.”

Art always some underlying tones, meanings or messages and I thought this picture kind of captures the mystery and marvel behind the piece.

(From left to right) The Growdens Tara, Teddy, Dan and Ambassador Sawyer sharing a moment as the 52nd Easter Seals Telethon Kicks Off. Sawyer is returning as a regional ambassador after being announced as a new one last year. She was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Growden family have always been ambassadors for the Easter Seals Telethon. Sawyer Grace Growden has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. She uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility.

With the launch of the 52nd year, it’s no secret that the program has helped benefit families like the Growdens and the event is a reminder of how much of an impact the Telethon makes every year.

(From left to right) Easton Howard, 12; Savannah Amos, 12; Mona Abokhashref, 12 and Zoey Tremblay, 12 were one of 180 Kenner students crunching into apples at Kenner’s auditorium. As one trivia question asked at the assembly, Macintosh is Canada’s national apple. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Grade 7 and 8 students from Kenner Intermediate School students and staff crunched into apples in sync at the ‘Great Big Crunch’ to highlight the need for sustainably funded school food programs across Canada.

I could hear the snap and crunch of every apple as I took this shot of these Kenner students. The students had fun with the event (or were happy to be out of class), and the smiling faces of the crunch were there.

Down With Webster guitarist Patrick Gillett (left) with vocalist Cameron Hunter (right) pumping up the Peterborough Musicfest crowd with "One In a Million." All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Toronto-based band Down With Webster brought their rap-rock musical stylings to a packed Del Crary Park for Peterborough Musicfest, keeping the crowd riled up throughout the concert.

This concert was definitely more high-energy than your typical Peterborough Musicfest event. There was a long of jumping, loud sing-alongs and Down With Webster knew how to keep the audience flowing with energy.

I credit the lighting on the stage to make this shot look way cooler than it should have been.

Samantha Hernandez with her children Micah (left) and Isaiah (right) enjoying the facilities of Peterborough child and family centre. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The Peterborough Child and Family Centres got a technological infrastructure upgrade after an Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund of $23,800.

However, the photo shows the happiness of Samantha Hernandez and her two children. I used this facility several times when my daughter was just a newborn so I understand how vital this facility is to Peterborough.

Daxton Whitmore, 8, Havelock Hawks left winger gets a signature from Petes forward Quinn Binnie during the team’s last practice before their last home game. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

What was an up-and-down season for the Peterborough Petes, they had their final practice before their final home game of the season in Havelock.

The kids certainly had fun as the Petes skated with the Havelock Hawks after the practice. Hawks left winger Daxton Whitmore looked like he was having a surreal moment when then-Pete Quinn Binnie signed a stick for him. That expression says it all!

(From left to right) Carrie Truman, Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation executive director; Tammy Thompson, Case Worker at Peterborough Bigs; Ava McQuade, 9, Little Sister and Robert Gauvreau of Gauvreau CPA. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Gauvreau CPA, for three straight years, has provided backpacks for children as they head back to school.

The children receiving the backpacks are affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs) and Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation.

This picture always makes me smile; seeing kids get a head start, the community rallying for a good cause, and just being caught in a sea of backpacks looks cool for the camera. Every time I cover this story, it seems to be my angle of choice.

Nick Pellerin tosses a netful of trout into the Lift Lock to prepare for the fishing derby. Photo by David Tuan bui.

One event we are always invited to witness is the fish being thrown into the Canal to kick off the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Under the Lock Fishing Derby.

Just seeing a ton of fish fly through the air before they hit the water is always a cool sight to see and capturing a shot of them mid-air is quite the spectacle.

We have been assured that the fish are not harmed when thrown into the water in this matter.

Ivana Braithwaite, 4, gets a Merry Christmas and holiday cheer from Santa as Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation launches its Santa’s Sleigh program for 2025. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

I always have a soft spot for children. I became a father a year and a half ago so whatever I can to benefit my daughter and to make her smile, I’m all for it.

With that said, the joy of four-year-old Ivana Braithwaite hugging Santa during the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation 2024 Santa’s Sleigh Program really tugged a few heartstrings for me.

The program has the community take a child’s Christmas gift wish from a tree, purchase the gift and then drop it off in Santa’s Sleigh.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Rename 'Breakfast Cup' To Honour Dedicated Program Volunteer; $6,000 Donation to Five Counties From Golf Fundraiser

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough has renamed its friendly competition of its morning meal program the ‘Breakfast Cup’ to the ’Koeslag Cup’ to honour one of its late dedicated volunteers, Peter Koeslag, announced on Monday morning.

The Koeslag family as part of the newly named ‘Koeslag Cup’ with this year’s winner. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at the Northminster United Church during a club’s meeting, including a $9,000 donation to Five Counties Children’s Centre. The proceeds were raised from the Club’s ‘Fore For Kids’ golf tournament held on Sept. 26 at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene.

The Koeslag Cup was a Prince of Wales school breakfast program that started in 1994 with Rotarians Isadore Black and Dr. Garry Humphries. Rotarians and local volunteers would be in teams to prepare delicious and nutritious meals daily for Prince of Wales Students.

Koeslag has been known to make a challenge among the volunteers to see which group could create the most exciting breakfast menus for kids during the last weeks of school before the Christmas holidays and summer break.

“He enjoyed seeing the smile on people's faces, he didn't do it for money, he just did it because he loved doing that,” said Paul Koeslag, Peter’s son. “Part of it was because when he was younger, he didn't have those opportunities. Dad just loved helping people.”

The Rotary Club of Peterborough, which meets at noon two Mondays per month, is one of four clubs in the area and one of over 46,000 clubs, with 1.4 million members around the world. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He created a special trophy that would be awarded twice yearly to the winning team, as judged by students and school staff.

“Peter was very active in the school program,” explained Kein Seim, Rotary president. “Between him and a couple other ones that have been it for 30 years, they've been instrumental in bringing it along. From pretty meagre beginnings to a full kitchen and full breakfasts, Peter himself is very handy. If we needed something, he would make it.”

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Local Restaurant Owner Continues Holiday Spirit of Giving Free Meals To Anyone In Need On Christmas Day

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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.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ILIR SINO.

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

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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.

File Photo.

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

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The City of Peterborough has opened the skating rink at Quaker Foods City Square.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

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

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Winter may slow down other green places but Lakefield’s Griffin’s Greenhouses continues to help the community during the colder seasons.

Photo courtesy of Griffin’s Greenhouses.

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.”

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United Way Reaches 30 Per Cent of Fundraising Goal; City Holds Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale Fundraiser

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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.

Mayor Jeff Leal was a judge to try our 12 different chilis made by City of Peterborough staff. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

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.”

The ‘30%’ signs were made from pictures of chili bowls. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

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

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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.

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United Way and PATH Extend Coats for Community Initiative

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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.

Photo courtesy of United Way Peterborough & District.

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

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