News

A Live, Improvised Comedy Soap Opera Opens at Globus Theatre

Bobcaygeon-ation Street of Our Lives

 

Bobcaygeon, September 2020 - Three Canadian comedians, Chris Gibbs, Kerry Griffin, and Dave Pearce come together with Globus Theatre to bring a live, improvised soap opera to Bobcaygeon! Bobcaygeon-ation Street of Our Lives will run on September 24th, 25th, and 26th at the Lakeview Arts Barn for an audience of 50 people each night. With the direction of Sarah Quick, the comedic trio will create a world of drama, gossip, intrigue and shenanigans that will also be livestreamed as a nightly episode to homes across the Kawarthas...and beyond!

All three performers are Canadian Comedy Award Winners! Chris Gibbs has performed at Just For Laughs in Montreal and played "Gizzardgulper", one of the evil giants in the Disney feature The BFG, directed by Steven Spielberg. Audiences may recognize Kerry Griffin from numerous tv shows such as Schitt’s Creek (CBC), The Expanse (Prime), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Designated Survivor (ABC) and Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC). Dave Pearce spent two seasons as a senior writer on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, was a regular contributor to CBC Radio’s The Irrelevant Show and now writes for The Beaverton.

Audiences will get to enjoy some cameo performances from some of our awesome youth performers as well!

Artistic Director, Sarah Quick says, “I wanted to create something using the resources that we have - in this case a wonderfully versatile theatre space and a company of some truly awesome performers. I don't think that traditional plays translate to online programming particularly effectively but I thought that creating a soap opera, with an ongoing storyline, that could be broadcast each night while being enjoyed by a 'live studio audience' would be something worth investigating!! The idea is that the two audiences become symbiotic - creating a connection by enjoying an evening of live entertainment in the environment that they feel most comfortable. Lots of our patrons have been enjoying the opportunity to 'get out' and enjoy dinner and a show surrounded by like-minded people. Safety has been a major priority - we want people to feel fully comfortable so that they come back again and again...they are doing just that, so we must be doing it right! Equally this will give a great opportunity for people that want to stay home, to see something happening right now, about our town (albeit a fictitious version!!) and designed to be relevant to them. It can become a wonderful family experience to 'tune in' and see what events are about to unfurl...we guarantee a cliffhanger each night!

As an added bonus and to make it even more hyper-local we encouraged the kids from our summer theatre camps to devise, create and film small 2-minute scenes that will make up part of each episode - and believe me they are super creative! I'm hoping they will enjoy the experience of sitting down to watch the show with their family and encouraging their friends to watch too.

At a time when it is super important for the theatre not to lose money by attempting something on such a grand scale we are truly thankful to our Season Within Reason sponsor Wilcox Architects, and to funding received from Celebrate Ontario and the RTO8 for making this possible. We feel like the Arts will play a huge part in the community's recovery from the pandemic both as a safe way to allow people to interact socially and by offering some mental health positivity in the form of laughter, creativity and hope.”

 

Please call the box office to book your (in-person) Dinner & Theatre tickets so that we can ensure adequate spacing when selecting your seats.

705-738-2037

Dinner & Theatre Tickets $75.00 (plus HST + $2.00 per ticket fee)

Livestream admission is free and will be available on Facebook before each performance.

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business: Applications Begin August 31

The Government of Ontario is making $8 million available to support small business and registered charities who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.

To apply for CEAP funding, customers should contact their energy provider. Electricity and natural gas utilities andunit sub-meter providers (USMPs)will begin accepting applications for CEAP-SBonAugust 31, 2020, delivering the program in accordance with rules laid out by the OEB. CEAP-SB funding is limited, with utilities and USMPs expected to process applications in the order in which they are received. Please note, submitting an application does not guarantee funding.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and on-bill credit amounts, visit oeb.ca/ceap.

The Buckhorn Community Centre is a vibrant community hub for wellness, cultural and social activities. At their Annual General Meeting on September 15, 2020, they'll say so long to several people who’ve served as Board members for many years. And, they're inviting people – who are passionate about continuing the BCC’s successful legacy – to put their names forward as potential new Board members. Here are some resources to help you learn more.

Some of your questions may be answered here  BCC Board FAQ

Why become a Board Member? BCC Seeks New Board Members

Take the next step with the BCC Board Member Interest Form 2020

(The Interest Form is a fillable form that you can save and attach to an email)

Please feel free to reach out to Judy, General Manager at buckhorncc40@gmail.com or Sheila, BCC Volunteer Coordinator at bccvolunteer1978@gmail.com

Bobcaygeon Fair Goes “Virtual”

The 162^nd Bobcaygeon Fall Fair will have a different look this year. The Board of Directors of the Bobcaygeon Agricultural Society have been working diligently over the past several months to determine how we can celebrate the Daddy of Em’ All while prioritizing the safety of our volunteers and guests. We will be recreating some of our competitions virtually and look forward to introducing some new and exciting events through the coming months! Here’s a sneak peek of some of the fun to come:

For our crafty exhibitors, the Homecraft division has brainstormed a new list of categories to virtually showcase a variety of artistic projects, from garden bouquets to sourdough bread baking. Participants will share photographs of their projects via social media or email! We haven’t forgotten about our youngest crafters - we will also be running some junior homecraft classes! We are looking forward to seeing and celebrating the creativity of our local makers.

For our local equestrians, the fair will be hosting an open virtual Horse Show with adult, youth and children classes. Classes will be posted online by mid-August.

After a successful first Craft Beer Tasting at the 2019 Bobcaygeon Fall Fair, we are reimagining this event so you can socially distance while sipping on local brews and taking in local musical talent. On September 20th, we will host a live event on Instagram and Facebook featuring entertainment and a guided tasting of featured beer from Bobcaygeon Brewery, Boshkung Brewery, Fenelon Falls Brewery and Old Dog Brewing Co. Cheers to that!

Shine up your trucks, tractors or cars! We’ll be hosting a virtual Show n’ Shine to show off a photo of your favourite farm or road worthy wheels.

New this September is an old-timey Scavenger Hunt taking participants on a tour of landmarks, farms and agricultural displays in the Bobcaygeon area! The Scavenger Hunt will include a “scarecrow trail” of scarecrows created by local residents, businesses, or organizations to show their appreciation for our frontline workers.

Lastly, will be doing a reverse parade on Saturday October 3^rd between 11am-4pm. Instead of our much loved parade making its way through town to the fairgrounds, residents will tour the town/country side in their own vehicles to take in the floats and displays. Anyone interested in creating a display or decorating their homes or storefronts can register through our online form.

For more details, visit our website www.bobcaygeonfair.com and follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@bobcaygeonfallfair). If you have questions, contact us through the website, social media, or at bobcaygeonfair@gmail.com. The 2020 “Virtual” Fall Fair promises to be fun and entertaining for the whole family!

Image Courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/theawesomemusicproject/

The Awesome Music Project (AMP) is a not for profit group whose focus was/is on music as a therapy for people with mental health issues, of all kinds.  With the impact of Covid-19 in Long Term Care homes, the AMP group created AMP4Life to help communities most affected by Covid-19. The AMP4Life program will see sustainable music therapy programs installed at long term care  and assisted living homes across Canada.  The AMP4Life team approached the Bobcaygeon & Area Covid Relief Fund, through COKL Councillor Kathleen Seymour Fagan, looking for assistance to bring the program to Bobcaygeon. 

Local volunteers, now working with the AMP4Life team, are excited to announce that Bobcaygeon’s Pinecrest has been chosen as the first long term care facility to benefit from the program in Canada.  The hope is to expand the program into Case Manor and The Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence.  A dedicated music therapist will work with the local residences to tailor programs specific to the needs of each home.  Both one on one and group digital and face to face sessions will be available to ensure flexibility in the program and to allow for changing health safety protocols in place during the pandemic.  

To kick off the launch of the program in Bobcaygeon, special music performances took place on August 20^th.  The Spoons, Tara Shannon, Erin Cooper Gay and Rob Carli entertained residents with performances at Pinecrest and Case Manor.  Pontoon boats provided an over water portion of the performances along Big Bob channel  and at Beach Park, providing an added bonus of entertaining the community including boaters and those on shore.   Although social distancing protocols prevented advertising of the performances in order to keep large crowds from gathering, an estimated 1000 people were safely able to stop and enjoy the music over the course of the 3 hour long travelling waterway performances.  

Music therapy will play a key role in aiding in the recovery from the negative mental health effects of Covid-19 for both residents and staff in our seniors’ communities.  Through AMP4Life, the Bobcaygeon Relief Fund has been able provide the first three months of music therapy but your help is needed to sustain and expand the program.  To find out more about the program, please go here.

 

To donate to the Bobcaygeon program, please click this link and select

“AMP4Life - Bobcaygeon” from the drop down menu.

Please help us provide the positive power of music as a healing focus for the residents and staff of our local senior’s residences.

Submitted by local AMP4Life volunteer, Ann Adare, who can be contacted at 905-315-0557

The Canada United weekend is fast approaching, and together we can make this this biggest weekend for local business. While this will only take place over three days, those three days could mean such a difference to the small businesses with in the area. In order to help make this weekend long event a success a number of contests surrounding it have been announced. There are 25 prizes of $10,000 from RBC, and an additional  $250,000 shopping sweepstakes; which can be won by downloading the LiVE by CF app by August 30th for a chance to win one of 50 $5,000 shopping sprees.

It’s easy to participate. Simply use the Canada United Small Business Toolkit (gocanadaunited.ca/smallbusinesskit) to do any of the following:

• Add Canada United stickers and GIFs to your social media posts

• Create custom banners and logos to share online

• Get decals for your storefront which you can pick up at a nearby RBC Royal Bank branch

• Download posters and more which you can print out on your own

Mark your calendar for August 31st if you are interested in applying for a Canada United Small Business Relief grant of up to $5,000 to offset costs related to Covid-19 for your business.

You can’t afford to miss out on this opportunity. Join the movement and be the local business that gets the love.

Find out more at GoCanadaUnited.ca.

News release from ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs

LINDSAY — The Ontario government is expanding eligibilty for agriculture societies to apply for funding to help offset the financial losses due to the cancellation of fall fairs, exhibitions and activities during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. For this year only, nearly $1 million will be made available to all qualifying agricultural and horticultural societies to help ensure operations. In previous years, organizations could only qualify for provincial funding if they operated fall fairs.

The announcement was made today by Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"Our agricultural and horticultural organizations are part of the backbone of rural Ontario. We know that the decision to cancel their fairs and events was a difficult but important one in order to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Minister Hardeman. "We are providing this funding to help continue operations and relieve some of the burden they are experiencing during this difficult time."

"Our horticultural and agricultural societies have educated and entertained us on the importance of agriculture for more than a century," said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. "This funding will help support this important sector of Ontario's economy as the province recovers from the impacts of COVID-19."

The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OASS) has reported that over 175 fall fairs and events have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

"The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) is grateful for the Ontario government's support," said Vince Brennan, OAAS Manager. "This investment shows the confidence and appreciation that the Ontario government has for our over 200 Ontario Agricultural Societies, their members and volunteers and the significant contribution they make to their communities and rural life in Ontario."

"Thanks to the Ontario government for all of the support and assistance they have shown to all of the Societies/Clubs affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA)," said Charles Freeman, Vice President of the Ontario Horticultural Association. "Ontario's continuing support of the 27,000 plus membership across the province is appreciated by everyone involved with the OHA."

The province provides some funding to individual agricultural societies through grant payments enabled through the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act. Under the Act, Regulation 16 sets out that in the year an agricultural society is paid a grant they must hold an agricultural exhibition, such as a fall fair. The COVID-19 restrictions have prevented the events that would help to meet this criteria in 2020, with some societies at risk of closing their organizations without this support.

Quick Facts

• The OASS is a provincial association representing over 200 agricultural societies from across the province.
• The OHA is a volunteer charitable organization that encourages interest in gardening and related environmental issues representing over 280 horticultural societies from across the province.

July 30 2020 – Significant rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin this September on three swing bridges along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site. Boat navigation will not be affected by this work.

Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge

The rehabilitation of the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge on Main St. at Canal St. may begin before the navigation season ends in mid-October, and will include a bridge closure for vehicular traffic at this time. Pedestrians can cross the canal at the lower lock gates; an accessible temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed across this area following the navigation season. Work is expected to be completed in spring 2021.

Warsaw Road Swing Bridge (Parkhill Road East, Peterborough)

Contractors are expected to mobilize in September 2020 to complete a full replacement of the steel swing bridge. It is expected that the bridge will close to vehicular traffic in October 2020, with construction scheduled to conclude in spring 2021. The new bridge will have a full highway load rating, and a sidewalk for pedestrian use. Large portions of the bridge will be constructed off site and assembled in place to reduce the length of the closure.

Boundary Swing Bridge (near Bolsover)

The Boundary Road Swing Bridge on Simcoe Street near Bolsover was constructed in 1902 and requires a full replacement of the steel swing bridge. The new structure will maintain the historic look of the original. It is expected that the bridge will close to vehicular traffic in October 2020, with construction scheduled to conclude in spring 2021.

Further updates regarding specific timing for closures will be provided as they become available.

Parks Canada is leading this important infrastructure work to ensure safe, high-quality experiences for visitors by improving heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, including along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.

To ask questions or register to receive updates about any Trent-Severn Waterway construction project, please contact us at Ont.TrentSevern@pc.gc.ca and include the project name in the subject heading.

For news about this or other infrastructure projects in your area, please visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/tswInfrastructure.

Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce joins Canada United to support local businesses and accelerate small business recovery

Created by RBC in collaboration with the national network of Chambers of Commerce and over 50 corporate partners Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses as part of the nationwide movement

July 22, 2020 (BOBCAYGEON) – Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce announced today it is joining Canada United, a national movement to support local businesses in communities across the country. As part of the movement, RBC has brought together more than 50 of Canada’s leading brands, Business Associations and the national Chamber network to rally Canadians to “show local some love” by buying, dining and shopping local.

“The Bobcaygeon Chamber is pleased to support the Canada United movement and help bolster businesses in and around our community. Small businesses are the backbones of our local economies and key to thriving communities,” says Chamber President, Donna Wood.“The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in the Kawartha Lakesand across the province. We need to continue to support SMEs who create jobs, drive innovation, and generate wealth for communities across Ontario – they will play an integral role in helping the province bounce back.”

Canadians are invited to join the Canada United movement by buying and dining local, including celebrating and supporting local businesses during the Canada United Weekend from August 28 to 30, 2020.

Canadians are also encouraged to watch the Canada United videos online at GoCanadaUnited.ca, like posts from @GoCanadaUnited on social media and use #CanadaUnited to demonstrate their support. For each of these actions until August 31, 2020, RBC will contribute 5 cents up to a maximum contribution amount of $2 million to the new Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, while working with government and corporate partners to source additional contributions to the fund during the courseof the campaign. The Fund will provide small businesses with grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE) renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving e-commercecapabilities.

Small Canadian businesses across the country will be able to apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding. The program intends to support small Canadian businesses of all kinds from across the country. The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund will be administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the national Chamber network. Small business owners who are interested in the program can visit GoCanadaUnited.ca to learn more about grant application details, including eligibility criteria, and to apply.

“We are excited to welcome the Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerceto Canada United to help local businesses and Canada’s economy come back strong,” said Neil McLaughlin, Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. “Canada United was created to kick-start an economic rebound by rallying consumers to give local businesses the support they need to re-open during these uncertain times. By bringing together government, business associations and corporate Canada, we are looking to start a movement to get Canadians to buy local and support businesses across the country. We are genuinely excited by the energy all of our partners are bringing to this effort.”

“If there has been one silver lining in all the tragedy and sacrifices of the current crisis, it has been the spirit of collaboration and unity of purpose that has been evident between levels of government, across provinces and across sectors,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“We are calling on that same unity of purpose with Canada United. Small, local businesses are the heart of our communities, our Main Streets and our economy. Together, it is time to show local some love.”

About Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce

The Bobcaygeon Chamber is the busiest service provider in our community with responsibilities that involve business advocacy and support, service Ontario licensing and tourism information all three main functions operate from one central location beside Port 32.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact. 

Contact:

Denise Benning-Reid

Chamber Manager

Manager.chamber@bobcaygeon.org

705-738-2202

Originally published in full July 13th at: https://bit.ly/2OtPVeg 

The Ontario government announced nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen in Stage 3 of the province's reopening framework with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place. As Ontario continues down the path to economic recovery, decisions on which regions will enter Stage 3 and when will be made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts and based on trends of key public health indicators.      

As part of the Stage 3 reopening, Ontario will be increasing gathering limits for those regions entering the next stage to the following:

• Indoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people;
• Outdoor gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 100 people;
• Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements.

Public gathering limits apply to indoor and outdoor events, such as community events or gatherings, concerts, live shows, festivals, conferences, sports and recreational fitness activities, fundraisers, fairs, festivals or open houses. A two metre distance must still be maintained at such events.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health, public health experts and other officials have advised the following, high-risk places and activities are not yet safe to open, even if a region has entered Stage 3, due to the likelihood of large crowds congregating, difficulties with physical distancing, or challenges maintaining the proper cleaning and sanitation required to prevent the spread of COVID‑19:

• Amusement parks and water parks;
• Buffet-style food services;
• Dancing at restaurants and bars, other than by performers hired by the establishment following specific requirements;
• Overnight stays at camps for children;
• Private karaoke rooms;
• Prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports;
• Saunas, steam rooms, bath houses and oxygen bars;
• Table games at casinos and gaming establishments.

For more information on the restrictions that will remain in place during Stage 3, as well as the public health guidance necessary to keep the people of Ontario safe, visit Ontario.ca/reopen.