Peterborough Gets First-Ever Month-Long Mac and Cheese Festival

A childhood favourite meal is turning into a celebration as Peterborough is getting their first Mac and Cheese Festival announced on Tuesday.

Judges from the Pasta Shop, the Food Shop and the Toy Shop with participants in Tuesdays competition from the Peterborough Petes, Kawartha Food Share and Trent University. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

Starting on Oct. 1, the self-guided festival will invite participants to dine in or order take-out from 18 local restaurants.

During the festival, restaurants will be competing for local votes to become the ‘Mac + Cheese Champion.’ Participants can vote online for their favourite mac and cheese dishes until Oct. 30.

The winning restaurant will receive bragging rights for the year, a cheesy hand-crafted trophy and a donation to Kawartha Food Share in the victor’s name.

“Yes, it’s a competition and of course some folks are in it for the glory- but for the most part, our 18 restaurant partners are just happy to help bring a little comfort back into the community,” said Hillary Flood Communications Manager, Peterborough DBIA. “I don’t think it gets any more comforting than mac and cheese.”

Leo Grourke, Trent University President, Sarah Khaki and Michael Khan, vice-president academic at Trent with their mac and cheese at the Silver Bean Cafe. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The official launch party at the Silver Bean Café had three local organizations participate in a cook-off to give a sample of what people can expect in October.

The Peterborough Petes, Trent University and Kawartha Food Share each brought a crock-pot of the famed comfort food and were judged by local shop owners.

Kawartha Food Share placed first with their student-inspired mac and cheese with ingredients one might find in a student’s pantry.

In addition to serving mac and cheese, each restaurant location will host a month-long food drive in support of Kawartha Food Share. Festival goers are encouraged to bring their non-perishables downtown this October when visiting any mac and cheese restaurant location.

“We are so excited to partner with the DBIA and partake in the 2021 Mac and Cheese Festival. It’s been a very tough year for our food banks. We’re so thrilled to see so many local restaurants collecting food donations to help us restock the shelves at our 37 member agencies before the busy holiday season,” said Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share General Manager.

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Instructions Issued Regarding Vaccine Mandate for Sports Staff

Peterborough Public Health released a letter of instruction regarding vaccine requirements for sports staff on Friday.

Similar instructions for restaurant mandates were released Thursday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough Public Health will require all volunteers, coaches and officials 18 years of age and over who are participating or associated with the indoor organized sport to confirm proof of vaccination (or proof of being entitled to a medical exemption) and identification each time the individuals arrives at the facility.

“The requirements for proof of vaccination for high-risk indoor settings will ensure residents remain safe,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “The provincial requirements related to organized sports have exempt volunteers, coaches, and officials, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. Given that these individuals will have close and prolonged contact with unvaccinated youth players, I am requiring proof of vaccination for these individuals, in addition to the individuals prescribed by provincial legislation.”

Proof of vaccination requirements will come into effect on Sept. 22. Patrons will be required to show identification and proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the following indoor establishments:

• Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces

• Indoor and outdoor areas of food and drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs and other similar establishments

• Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities

• Indoor areas of facilities used for sport and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal fitness training

• Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments

• Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas

• Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs

• Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues

• Indoor areas where film and TV production take place with studio audiences

Businesses and organizations who fall into these categories are required under O. Reg. 364/20 to obtain proof of vaccination and proof of identification from each patron before entering the premise. Other public health measures like masking and distancing will remain in place.

Patrons of these establishments may have a paper or electronic proof of vaccination in the form of a receipt, card, or certificate. Proof of vaccination can be obtained through the Ontario provincial portal or by calling the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Additional information on the provincial proof of vaccination requirements and Peterborough Public Health letter of instruction can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/proofofvaccine

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Martial Arts Academy Crowns Three New Chess Champions

After a week of thinking and logic, the Ninja Academy has crowned Lyrik Knott, David Connell and Mike Forth as their summer chess tournament winners announced on Monday.

(left to right) All three winners of each division, Mike Forth (Senior champion), David Connell (U13 champion) and Lyrik Knott (U7 champion) Photo Courtesy of Ninja Academy.

The tournament was announced in mid-August held by Ninja Academy during the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The all-ages event hosted had three separate divisions where Knott won the U7 tournament, Connell for the U13 and Forth as the Senior champion.

“The common attribute amongst the winners of all categories was their courage,” explains David-Gnahoui. “To throw themselves into the tournament, considering everything that is happening in society right now, is a great achievement. They tested their skills with amazing competitors in their own categories and they kept their cool, stayed focused and took their time. I hope they take this accomplishment wherever they go in life, especially Judo.”

Since the tournament’s conclusion, the Academy will refocus on teaching Judo classes at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre as well as launching their new athletic development program for school-aged children.

The Academy says they will hold future chess tournaments and tutoring according to their press release.

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Applications Open For City of Peterborough Youth Council

The City of Peterborough is now accepting applications for the Peterborough Youth Council 2021-2022 term. Young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who live or attend school in Peterborough are invited to apply to become a member of the Peterborough Youth Council.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough

The Peterborough Youth Council is a voice for youth in our community. Members can bring their ideas and energy to organizing and being involved in community events.

The Youth Council ten-month term runs from September to June.

This is a volunteer position, and the volunteer hours can be used towards students’ Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Youth are invited to visit the City’s website to learn more and complete an application. The application deadline is September 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm.

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Local Teacher Earns NYC Marathon Spot While Outpacing Mental Health

It is an opportunity very few people get but Julie Vallières has been selected as one of six Canadian teachers to run in the New York City Marathon in the fall.

Vallières has been helping her students battle mental health issues since 2015. She serves as the school’s cross-country and track and field coach. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vallières.

She was selected as part of Team Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) who pick 50 North American teachers as representatives.

Vallières submitted her video application to TCS with her story, how running helped her teaching and why she should be picked. She promoted running as a way to help with mental health issues her students were facing at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School.

“I’m glad I get to be with people with the same passion for running,” she said. “It’s nice to gain some mental strength from running long distances.”

TCS supports physical and mental health among children and provided Vallières and other selected teachers with integrated technology education resources for easier teaching.

She learned about Team TCS from Niels Walkau, a local colleague and friend who participated in the marathon two years prior.

Vallières constantly trains, running four to five times a week to prepare for the 26.2 mile-long marathon. She has participated in several running events or marathons as part of her training regime.

The event is not set in stone for Canadians since border travelling is still in limbo from the pandemic. Vallières is hopeful that the world will have enough normalcy to allow her to participate.

“I’m hoping by then, everything will be good,” she explained. “I’m keeping a positive mindset here and we’ll be out of the woods with vaccines and stuff.”

Vallières plans to bring her family to watch her run at the marathon. Her children are eligible to participate in a 5-kilometre run, the day prior to the main event.

Last year, the NYC marathon was postponed but Vallières was able to earn a medal in their digitized version through an app.

“It will be a great experience for all of us,” she said. “It’s about the people that support the community. I know it’s a great experience and I want to be able to share it with my family.”

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Otonabee Conservation Opens The Gates To Conservation Areas

Otonabee Conservation fully opens the gates to their Conservation Areas starting Friday (June 26th), after a delay in the season that was caused by COVID-19.

While hiking, walking, and biking have been available at their Conservation Areas during the pandemic, the gates fully open on Friday allowing access to further amenities such as parking facilities, campsites, beaches, picnic shelters, boat launches, and more, with physical distancing measures in place.

New gatehouse at Warsaw Caves (photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

There is a newly built gatehouse at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and a brand new washroom facility at Beavermead Campground, which is owned by the City of Peterborough and operated by Otonabee Conservation.

Both new buildings are fully accessible, offering barrier-free access for visitors. Additionally, Beavermead Campground offers four fully accessible campsites with barrier-free picnic tables, a paved surface pad, and close proximity to the new accessible washroom.

Campers wishing to reserve a campsite at Beavermead Campground and Warsaw Caves can do so online at otonabeeconservation.com. Here, campers are offered the convenience of choosing their campsite, selecting their required check-in and check-out dates, and paying online. Campers are asked to utilize the online reservation system to book their sites ahead of time, in order to minimize face-to-face contact at the gatehouse upon arrival, and to ensure a campsite is available for them.

New washroom facilities at Beavermead Campground (photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation)

Campground washrooms are open and basic supplies such as firewood and ice are available for sale. Some amenities and services will not be available this year, such as showers, boat rentals, and laundry facilities. Some trails remain closed, such as the Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves, where physical distancing cannot be ensured. All closed amenities will be clearly marked.

“Camping will look a little different this year,” says Jessie James, Otonabee Conservation’s Manager of Conservation Lands. “But it is a safe summer staycation option that is close to home for those living in the Peterborough region. We hope that families will choose to camp with us and enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, and all the beauty that our watershed has to offer.”

Selwyn Beach will also open its gates for the season on Friday. Visitors must follow public health guidelines for physical distancing, not gather with more than ten people, and only with those who are from within their social bubble.

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City Splash Pads Open For The Season

The City of Peterborough has announced that Splash Pads in City parks are now open for the season with people encouraged to follow public health guidelines when using the water play structures.

The splash pads open from noon to 7 p.m. each day. They are located at the following locations:

• King Edward Park, 455 George St. S.

• Nicholls Oval, 725 Armour Rd.

• Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St.

• Kinsmen Park, 1 Kinsmen Way (Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue)

• Barnardo Park, Barnardo Avenue north of Sunset Boulevard

Photo courtesy City of Peterborough

The splash pads were commissioned for the season on Friday, June 19th after discussions with Peterborough Public Health on safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peterborough Public Health reminds everyone that public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 must be followed when attending and using splash pads. Signage is posted at splash pads to provide guidance on the measures. Public Health recommends the following measures:

• Where there are buttons to activate water features, people should use their elbows or feet to push the buttons, depending on the height, instead of their hands. During the state of emergency, splash pads should be considered a "Hands-Free Zone".

• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from other people who are not from the same household or designated social circle.

• Bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Avoid touching your face.

Water play features in the splash pads that require gripping, such as water cannons, have been disabled or removed in order to encourage a hands-free environment.

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DBIA's Popular Open Streets Event Peterborough Pulse Cancelled

Peterborough Pulse has cancelled this year’s Open Streets event in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the implications it has for large gatherings. 

The Pulse Organizing Committee felt their decision to cancel the July 18th event was a necessary measure in safeguarding the well-being and health of the Peterborough community. 

“Public health must come first—now and always,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area and Peterborough Pulse Co-Chair. 

“Just like our community, Pulse is extremely resilient,” adds Hillary Flood, Peterborough Pulse Coordinator. “We look forward to a future when it is safe again to gather in the streets. When Pulse returns it will be with all the colourful community magic one could expect from our hyper-local Open Streets festival!”

While the event may be cancelled this year, Pulse intends to inspire community connection online and will be using its Facebook page to spotlight feel-good community actions that will bring the community safely together, even when apart. 

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The PTBOCanada Boredom Buster List

Need a break from binge-watching the latest Netflix series and a reprieve from social media during this vital “social distancing” phase of the COVID-19 pandemic when you’re at home? Here are some ideas…

Cooking/Baking Since you’re not as rushed during meal times, take the time to make a twist on a normal meal with the kids. Just for fun, we followed this super simple recipe to make Baked French Toast. It turned out crispier and far tastier than the regular pan fried method.

Seeds Get a jump start on the season’s gardening. Even through Seedy Sunday was cancelled, you can still purchase seeds through many local vendors (and check out the seed swap page on Facebook).

Go for a hike Head to Jackson Park (and bring the pooch, if you have one) for some fresh air while still being able to socially distance yourself from everyone. Fresh air and some sunshine will really boost your mood. The Trans Canada Trail isn’t too icy, but grab your YakTracks for the side trails.

Restaurants/cafes Don’t forget to support local. You can purchase gift certificates from them for when they re-open, and many restaurants are still offering take-out/curb-side pickup as well as delivery.

Games Dust off those board games out of the closet for family night or test your memory by turning our Fun Facts About Peterborough into a quiz show.

To-Do List Check one thing off your Spring-To-Do list like finally clean out the garage or basement. You don’t have to go all Marie Kondo on your pantry, but purging is good for the soul.

Watch a locally made movie Check out local filmmaker Adriano Ferreri’s movie E.M.P. 333 Days on Amazon Prime.

What ideas can you add to the list? Go to our Facebook page post, or email us at tips@ptbocanada.com.

—by Evan Holt, PTBOCanada.com

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