Peterborough Theatre Guild Announces New Year Production 'Outside Mullingar' For January/February

The Peterborough Theatre Guild’s first production of the new year, ‘Outside Mullingar’ has been announced with 10 shows scheduled spanning from late January to early February.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Shows are occurring on Jan. 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 and Feb. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., while matinees (Jan. 26, Feb. 2) are at 2 p.m.

Anthony and Rosemary are two introverted misfits straddling 40. Anthony has spent his entire life on a cattle farm in rural Ireland, a state of affairs that—due to his painful shyness—suits him well. Rosemary lives right next door, determined to have him, watching the years slip away. With Anthony’s father threatening to disinherit him and a land feud simmering between their families, Rosemary has every reason to fear romantic catastrophe. In this very Irish story with a surprising depth of poetic passion, the journey of eccentric souls is heartbreaking, funny as hell, and ultimately deeply moving. Outside Mullingar is a compassionate, delightful work about how it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

Tickets range from $20 to $30 (including fees) and are available online or by phone at (705) 745-4211.

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City of Peterborough Recognizes Dec. 10 As Human Rights Day

The City of Peterborough has recognized Tuesday as Human Rights Day after the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948.

File Photo.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that each person is entitled to fundamental rights, including the right to equality, the right to life, liberty and security, the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Mayor Jeff Leal’s Statement on Human Rights Day:

“Today, on International Human Rights Day, we join people across the globe in reflecting on the fundamental rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of race, gender, religion, or background. This day serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold these principles in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

Human rights are the foundation of a fair, just, and compassionate society. They empower individuals, protect the vulnerable, and foster inclusion and equality. In the City of Peterborough, we recognize that our community's strength lies in its diversity. By respecting and championing human rights, we create an environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and capable of contributing to our collective well-being.”

Resources 

Kawartha World Issues Centre, a non-profit organization connecting global issues to local initiatives.  

Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, a non-profit organization which promotes positive race relations in the City. 

The Government of Canada, Human Rights Day. 

The Province of Ontario, The Ontario Human Rights Commission. 

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Peterborough County Approves 2025 Budget

Peterborough County Council has approved the 2025 Budget during Monday’s Council meeting.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The approved budget includes a 6.28 per cent tax rate increase (8.4 per cent tax levy increase) which reflects the County’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and reducing dependency on reserve funding according to a press release.

Key highlights of the budget include:

• Dedicated Infrastructure Levy: A 2.5 per cent allocation specifically for infrastructure needs.

• Operational Sustainability: Elimination of reliance on reserved funding to support ongoing operations.

• Tax Rate Adjustment: A tax rate increase of 6.28 per cent, amounting to approximately $66.00 for the average assessed household.

“Peterborough County Council is tasked with balancing the need to invest in our communities with the rising cost of living for our ratepayers,” said Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden. “This budget enables continued investment in services to meet the needs of our residents and townships, provides for much-needed maintenance on key infrastructure, while eliminating the draw on reserves for operating needs. The work does not end here. County Council, the Finance Committee, and staff will continue to find efficiencies and opportunities throughout the organization in the months ahead.”

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Television Road Temporarily Closed Until Thursday Evening For Railway Crossing Repairs

Television Road will be closed to through traffic between Parkhill Road East and Lansdowne Street East/Highway 7.

File Photo.

The closure is required by Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway to make an emergency repair to the railway crossing south of Maniece Avenue.

Residents are asked to follow posted signage and detour routes on Parkhill Road East and Lansdowne Street East/Highway 7. Emergency access will not be available across the work site at the railway crossing.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway expects to reopen Television Road to through traffic by Thursday at 5 p.m.

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Peterborough Lakers Alumni Donate $750 to Kawartha Food Share During Christmas Social; Loonies On the Street Fundraiser This Thursday

The Peterborough Lakers Alumni were in the giving spirit during their Christmas Social Party as they donated $750 to Kawartha Food Share’s ‘Loonies On the Street’ fundraising campaign at Sticks Sports Pub on Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Lakers ALumni.

All were invited to the Christmas Social where patrons could, mingle, socialize, win prizes and enjoy pub food.

The 24th-annual fundraiser runs this Friday outside of Peterborough Square. Volunteers will take loose change donations throughout George Street with Peterborough Lions Club collecting on the Hunter Street Bridge.

Due to the postal strike, donation letters could not reach community members. Those who cannot donate at the event can go to KFS’s warehouse at 665 Neal Dr.r donate online.

This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 to purchase goods for KFS to redistribute to 37 food banks.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Opens Reactivation Care Centre For Patient Restoration

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has opened a new Reactivation Care Centre, a specialized, acute medical unit dedicated to patient reactivation and restoration, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

This new patient care space is designed to help patients prepare to return home once they no longer require acute, hospital-level care, said PRHC. The unit will provide dedicated support for identified patients and their families through a time-specified, short-stay admission, helping each patient achieve specific goals that will allow them to safely transition back into the community.

All ages qualify,but the Reactivation Care Centre will care for seniors.

The Reactivation Care Centre’s interprofessional team will help each patient become as independent and active as possible through a custom-designed approach. It will also work with patients and their families to connect them with the appropriate hospital and community partners and support them before they return home.

The interprofessional team on the unit includes:

• Elder Life Specialist

• Nursing

• Occupational Therapy

• Pharmacy

• Physicians

• Physiotherapy

• Recreation Therapy

• Rehabilitation Assistant

• Seniors’ Care Lead

• Social Work

“The Reactivation Care Centre goes beyond just providing a setting for patients to recover from their acute illness,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO at PRHC. “With a time-limited stay based on the individual’s specific needs, each patient will have access to specialized, restorative care to prepare them for a successful discharge from the hospital. The targeted care being offered on this unit will help to address the increasing demands of our growing and aging community in Peterborough.”

The Reactivation Care Centre was possible through the PRHC Foundation and its donors according to a press release.

"It's because of our community's generous support of the $60 million Campaign for PRHC that the Foundation can respond quickly to PRHC's most urgent needs – such as the Reactivation Care Centre – as they arise throughout the year,” said Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Community donations made it possible to fund $400,000 in vital infrastructure for the reactivation unit, including patient beds, vital signs monitors, and specialized wheelchairs, to help patients return home after hospital care. This is a great example of the power of philanthropy in our community. Thank you, donors.”

“Over the last several years, the government of Ontario has provided a number of critical investments that have allowed PRHC to explore innovative solutions for the growing numbers of patients in the Peterborough region who require hospital care,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This includes $2.9M invested into community partnerships to allow patients who no longer require hospital-level care to be relocated into more appropriate care settings, and more than $600,000 invested into programs offered through the Emergency Department to help patients maintain their independence and prevent unnecessary inpatient stays at the hospital. I am pleased to see the hospital and its partners launch this innovative, hospitalbased care model, and I look forward to hearing more about its successes in the year ahead.”

Key benefits of the new Reactivation Care Centre at PRHC include:

• Specialized care for patients and their families, tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

• Interdisciplinary care excellence: A team that has the right knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide the level of care needed.

• People-centered. Care is focused on what each patient needs to return safely home after their hospital stay. Caregivers are identified, included, and supported as essential care partners and are respected as members of the patient's care team.

• Custom-designed, tech-enabled care space, with a focus on functional enhancement, individualized, patient-centred programming, and supported by technology-enabled care and communication.

• System responsiveness.

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Peterborough Man Faces Impaired Driving After Making a U-Turn Before a Festive RIDE Check

A 45-year-old Peterborough man is facing impaired driving and Highway Traffic Act charges during a Festive RIDE check on Friday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 11:40 p.m., officers at a Festive RIDE stop in the Water Street and King Street area noticed a vehicle just north of the check conduct a U-turn and drive the wrong way on Water Street through a red light. They conducted a traffic stop and during the stop, the officer noticed signs of impairment. 

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

• Red light - fail to stop (Highway Traffic Act)

• Drive wrong way - one-way traffic (Highway Traffic Act)

The accused was issued an automatic 90-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 14.

The Peterborough Police Service conducted two Festive RIDE checks on Friday, and Saturday.

473 vehicles were checked with 19 ASD tests administered with one fail.

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Peterborough Petes Getting Hot After 5-3 Victory Over Visiting Guelph Storm

In the team’s most successful stretch of the season, the Petes have won their last three of four games after a 5-3 victory over the Guelph Storm at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The Petes did not have the ideal start, as they were on the wrong side of a five-on-three powerplay. Guelph’s Jett Luchanko rocketed a one-timer past Easton Rye to get the Storm on the board first, 1-0.

Peterborough would even things up just over halfway through the period as Martin Matejicek ripped a one-timer to tie things at 1. Guelph would regain the lead after some excellent forechecking in the offensive zone. They forced Peterborough to turn the puck over and Lev Katzin backhanded it past Rye for a 2-1 lead after one.

The second period was the Brody Partridge show. He netted two goals for the Petes, the lone scores of the frame. His first goal was off a deflected shot on a wide angle from Francis Parish to tie it up at two. His second goal came from an errant pass by him but came out to the point. Patridge met the puck, wired it past traffic and scored for Peterborough’s first lead of the night going into the third.

Luchanko tied things up at 1:39 into the final frame as he knocked in a rebound from Katzin’s initial shot for a 3-3 game. Peterborough forced a turnover of their own on the forecheck as the Petes scrambled in front of a sprawling Brayden Gillespie. The Petes did everything they could as Gavin Bryant had a few chances in front all alone. He appeared to try a wraparound after two whacks but instead fed Matejicek who buried the wide-open net and a 4-3 lead.

Petes captain Johnathan Melee capped off the game with an empty-netter and won 5-3 over the Storm. The win also marked three-straight wins for Rye in three consecutive starts.

The Petes stay home for their next game this Thursday against the rival Oshawa Generals. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the PMC.

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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Volunteer Peterborough, Peterborough Musicfest, Canopy Support Services and Peterborough Chamber

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Lois Tuffin received some well-deserved recognition for her work in creating Volunteer Peterborough.

She won the Charity Village’s Most Outstanding Individual Impact — Volunteer award for her tireless work leading a non-profit match-making service. The award celebrates the outstanding impact made by a volunteer at a nonprofit or charity. Since launching in July 2023, VolunteerPeterborough.ca has signed up 1,524 individuals who are seeking volunteer roles and 162 organizations who rely on volunteers. It welcomes posts from non-profits and the roles they have open so volunteers can find this information in one handy location.

Looking to dine out?

Get more than $1,000 in discounts with the 2025 Peterborough Musicfest Diner’s Book. This year’s edition includes 80 incredible restaurants, cafés, pubs, bakeries, candy shops, and more across Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Coupons are valid from January 1 to November 30. Proceeds go to support Peterborough Musicfest and their work putting on Canada’s longest running free concert series, bringing in premier artists to perform in Peterborough. The Diner’s Books are a great gift for foodies or the hard-to-buy-for person on your holiday list. Get them at Lansdowne Place or online at ptbomusicfest.ca.

Peterborough-based Canopy Support Services is celebrating its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization has grown since 1974 to support over 6,500 individuals annually across 13 programs. Canopy provides case management, skill-building, caregiver training, mental health counseling, and more. They provide a welcoming, safe, and accessible environment for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to have access to individualized supports, resources, and specialized clinical services.

Looking for a holiday party with local businesses?

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is hosting Christmas in the County, a holiday social in partnership with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association and Kawartha Lakes Construction. Join us on Thursday, Dec.12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kawartha Lakes Construction at 3359 Lakefield Road in Lakefield. There will be food, drinks, games, and networking. Register at pkchamber.ca.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.

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Local Wildlife Photographer Dave Ellis Releases 2025 Calendars For Christmas Season

Local wildlife photographer Dave Ellis has released his calendars for 2025 depicting some of his best shots of nature taken throughout the year for the upcoming holidays.

“We have designed our 2025 wildlife calendars featuring some of our favorite photographs of Kawartha Lakes wildlife,” said Ellis. “The calendars are available now so that you can have them in time for Christmas and the New Year.”

There are three different calendar designs to choose from. Ellis requests that those interested in seeing a preview of the calendars or placing an order, email wildlife@eastlink.ca. They are hand-delivered throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The calendars have been printed locally to support Kawartha Lakes businesses according to Ellis.

“I really enjoy sharing my photos of our local wildlife with all of you and I look forward to meeting you when we deliver the calendars,” said. “We hope you like the calendars and thank you for your support.”

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