Archive for the ‘Businesses in Bethany’ Category
Visit Bethany Village at the Oshawa Home Show This Weekend. Free Ticket!
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, Uncategorized, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, Free Ticket, Home Show, Oshawa, Oshawa Home Show on March 2, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Could you be the Next Country Music Star?
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, Dean James Band, Sacha, The Jackson Band, The Next Country Music Star, The Ranch Resort and Conference Centre on February 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »
If you have country music star potential, then you will want to know that the Havelock Country Jamboree, Canada’s Largest Country Music and Camping Festival has partnered with The Ranch Resort Banquet & Conference Center in Bethany Ontario to present The Next Country Music Star Talent Search 2017.
For country music lovers, this is a chance to perform on the twin stages at the Havelock Country Jamboree, a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity.’
The contest will run over a series of Saturday nights at the Ranch Resort from March 4th to April 29th.
One winning contestant from each night will advance to the Semi-Finals. The judges, including votes from the audience, will also select three wild card choices from the first round.
There are only 30 audition spaces available. You can download the full application from the website.
A look at the 2016 line-up and the winners shows the quality of performers and the potential the Jamboree can have on an artist’s career.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Sacha, “A Small Town Girl with a Guitar Full of Dreams.” She was born in Montreal, but grew up in the small town of Warkworth Ontario.
You can see and hear Sacha perform…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AvfSKlSchE
Second place was awarded to The Jackson Band. Jordy Jackson was born and raised in Jones Falls where he spent his time with his guitar, developing his passion for playing music.
You can see his video Links on his website at http://www.jordyjackson.ca/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jordyjacksonband/
Third place was presented to Dean James Band. Dean is from Peterborough and has been singing country music since he was 3 years old. He has travelled to Nashville regularly and has enjoyed appearances at several legendary and historic downtown honky tonks.
See and hear the Dean James band on Facebook and Youtube:
https://www.facebook.com/DeanJamesMusic/videos
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=DJ+Rowatt
Check out all of the 2017 details, including this year’s line-up and the schedule of events on the Next Country Music Star Website at http://thenextcountrymusicstar.com/ and their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/The-Next-Country-Music-Star-342064012654780/.
To get audience tickets, just call The Ranch Resort 705-277-1942 or purchase them for $10.00 at the door. But take note, last year’s event was sold out!
There will also be an optional Dinner from 6pm-9pm for $20.00 + HST throughout the series; bar beverages and food will also be available during performances. Reservations are recommended!
Farmers’ Market Open all Year Round
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, Peterborough Farmers Market on February 17, 2017| Leave a Comment »
If you are craving all of the fresh tastes and smells that you experience when you visit your local farmers’ market during the warmer weather, you might be surprised to know you don’t have to wait until spring.
Granted, most local markets are open generally from May until October; the Peterborough Market is open year round. The market dates back to 1825, demonstrating the commitment to fresh produce. It has since expanded to include fresh baking, cooking, crafts and more.
In fact, the offerings cover more than you would imagine from a typical farmers’ market. For instance, you can meet the farmers who grow your fruits and vegetables. But you can also meet the merchants who offer:
- Honey, Syrup and Baking
- Prepared Foods
- Flowers and Crafts
- Meat, Dairy and Eggs
- Busking, Health and Textiles
Although many big box stores are trying to replicate the feel of a local market, the reality is that the produce is generally not local and not fresh in the strictest sense of the word. Fruits and vegetables are transported long distances and spend a great deal of time in storage and refrigeration.
Buying locally produced goods provides fresher, seasonal and healthier goods. Plus, the variety is greater. Consider such options as organic foods, pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs and poultry, handmade farmstead cheeses, heirloom produce, and heritage breeds of meat. Not to mention the market is a great way to meet your neighbors!
During the winter months you can still buy such vegetables as beets, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, rutabaga, sprouts and sweet potatoes and of course, apples are a year round fruit favorite.
The Peterborough Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday of the year from 7 am to 1 pm on Roger Neilson Way, just south of the intersection of Lansdowne Street and George Street.
During the spring, summer and fall you can find your favorite vendors in the Memorial Centre parking lot. When the chilly weather arrives, they move inside to the Morrow Building.
Be sure to check the website regularly to track the special events throughout the year including Root Vegetable Day, Maple Syrup Day, Egg Day, Strawberry and Dairy Day, and Corn and Peach Day!
Website: http://www.peterboroughfarmersmarket.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterboroughfarmersmarket/
And of course ‘think spring’ so you can visit the smaller markets closer to home in the Bethany area.
The Perfect Valentine’s Celebrations in Peterborough and the Kawarthas
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough Axe Club, Smithavens Brewing Company, South Pond Farms, Valentine Dinner and Dance on February 12, 2017| Leave a Comment »
The timing of Valentine’s Day is perfect – right in the middle of one of the coldest months of the year, smack in the middle of winter. A great opportunity to forget the cold weather and take your special person to one of the great restaurants or special events happening in the area.
Love Beer? Love Food? Then you might want to make reservations for the Valentines Dinner at Smithavens Brewing Co. Join Kevin McKenna, the Chef and owner of Hunter County Cuisine & Wine Bar for a three course beer pairing meal sure to showcase his amazing menu coupled with the freshest local ingredients.
Tickets are $60 plus tax and are available by calling 705-743-4747.
Dinner and Axe Throwing Anyone? Yes, you read that correctly. For something completely different, you can engage in what the Peterborough Axe Club refers to as, “The world’s greatest pleasures: delicious food and chucking axes!”
This one of a kind event will include a catered, sit down meal, followed by an evening of axe throwing.
The meal is mouth-watering! A Moroccan-styled menu including spiced organic chicken, spicy pork skewers with pomegranate glaze, winter vegetable tagine, traditional scented pilau and a surprise for desert.
And don’t worry! You don’t need any experience as coaches will show you how to throw your axe!
Tickets are $65 and will NOT be available at the door. You can get them at the Club at 280 Perry Street, Unit 1 in Peterborough. Call 707-768-2846 for more information.
Great Food and Jazz. If beer tasting or axe throwing is not for you, how about a lovely evening including a special Valentines dinner menu and a concert featuring the sounds of 4 Up Front.
The special event takes place at South Pond Farms, 1020 Gray Rd Pontypool, ON L0A 1K0. Call 705-277-1649 for more details.
And there is more! Check out The Kawarthas’ website at http://thekawarthas.ca/valentines-day-peterborough-kawarthas/
to find more happenings in the area for Valentine’s Day including afternoon tea, concerts and a special meal just for cheese lovers!
The Good Brothers Valentines Dinner and Show Saturday February 11th at The Ranch Resort.
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, The Ranch Resort and Conference Centre, Valentine Dinner and Dance on February 3, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Visit The Ranch Resort Website or call 705.277.1942 for reservations.
252 Ski Hill Rd, Bethany, ON L0A 1A0
Enjoy Your Wood Stove or Fireplace but Stay Safe
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, Fireplace, Wood safety, Wood Stove on January 11, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Most people enjoy sitting around a fire at this time of year. While many have gas fireplaces, quite a few of my friends and neighbours enjoy the warmth and beauty of a real wood fireplace.
Like any other activity, heating with wood can be done well – or it can be done badly. The good news is that hundreds of thousands of responsible home owners know how to burn wood well, helping them to enjoy the beauty and relaxation that a real fire promotes.
Good practices include:
- Harvesting wood sustainably
- Burning it cleanly and efficiently
- Using it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
I came upon a Canadian group called Wood Heat Organization Inc. (http://www.woodheat.org/), “a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency dedicated to the responsible use of wood as a home heating fuel.”
Here are some of their favourite reasons for heating with wood:
- It’s a renewable energy resource
- Because trees recycle carbon dioxide, wood burning just warms you, not the globe.
- No more freezing in the dark when the power goes out
- Heat from a fire warms you like the rays of the sun
- A fire is romantic
- It’s cheaper to burn wood so you save some money
- You’ll invest in your community if you buy firewood locally and support your neighbours
Unfortunately, Kawartha Lakes Fire Service deals with an increasing number of wood burning related fires during the winter months. Promoting safe fire burning is critical to protect your family and your home.
They want to spread the word on wood burning safety and offer the following advice:
Wood burning stoves
- Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn such as paper, bedding or furniture at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from heating equipment.
- Install stove, chimney connectors and chimneys following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
- Start fires with newspaper, kindling or fire starters. Never use a flammable liquid such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
- In wood stoves, burn only dry seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry seasoned wood pellets.
- Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
- Embers in the ashes can remain hot for several days, do not vacuum them or place them in combustible containers. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 3 meters (10 feet) away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.
- Supervise children whenever a wood or oil stove or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are more common than flame burns.
- Have a 1 meter (3 feet) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
Fireplaces
- Have a sturdy metal screen on a fireplace.
- Only dry, seasoned wood should be used in fireplaces. Not only is it cleaner for the environment, it also creates less buildup in the chimney.
- If you use artificial logs use them according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Never burn more than one log at a time.
- Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned at least once a year or as necessary.
I got a chuckle out of this Zen Proverb…
“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.”
Stay safe with your wood burning stove or fireplace!
Peterborough’s Economic Development and Top Employers for 2016
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, General Electic, Peterborough, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough Top Employers on January 8, 2017| Leave a Comment »
If you are looking for a new job in 2017 it might be worth considering the businesses who employ the most people. I was surprised to learn there are actually 144 employers in Peterborough who employ 40 or more people.
The biggest employer weighs in with 2,410 employees. Not surprising, it’s the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).
The PRHC is a state-of-the-art regional hospital with a proud local history, spanning more than a 100 years. The hospital serves a population of 300,000 people in Peterborough and the surrounding region. It has a capacity of 494 beds and has one of the busiest Emergency Departments in Ontario.
The second largest employer is the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board with 1,500 employees from the Peterborough-area schools and the school boards’ head offices.
Tied for third and fourth with 1,163 employees is the City of Peterborough and Trent University.
The listing provides a candid view of the local economy in the Peterborough area. And the Mayor of the City of Peterborough, Daryl Bennett indicates the area is a welcome place for individuals, students, families and businesses:
“With our impressive network of schools, healthcare centres, shops and services and thriving arts community, Peterborough is the perfect place for people to grow up and to grow old. With our strong creative economy and access to global markets, it is also the perfect place to grow a business.”
You can see the full list of the 144 largest employers in Peterborough at http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/6412481-meet-the-top-144-employers-in-peterborough/
Peterborough Economic Development outlines the main sectors that drive the local economy:
- Aerospace
- Water Technologies
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Tourism
- Agriculture
- Nuclear Energy
The area has what is called a “Creative Economy”, an economy that is driven by both knowledge and innovation. Thomas Edison was certainly an innovative thinker as he founded General Electric Canada in Peterborough over 100 years ago.
The Regional Economic Profile for Peterborough and the Kawarthas provides a detailed overview of the local business community. You can download the full report at
http://peterboroughed.ca/wp-content/uploads/ped-community-profile.pdf
Planning A 2017 Wedding In Bethany?
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, Uncategorized, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, City of Kawartha Lakes, Devil's Elbow, Weddings on November 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »
December 3rd is Christmas Tree Day!
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Bethany, Bethany Village, Christmas Trees, City of Kawartha Lakes, Potash Creek Farms on November 20, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Did you know that the first Saturday of December has officially been designated as Christmas Tree Day in Canada?
The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario and the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association made the declaration in 2012, helping families to have a specific day each year to go out and find the perfect tree for the holidays.
If you love a real Christmas tree you can cut your own, buy one already cut, or a new trend…buy one that is alive!
In the last blog I talked about the “Living Christmas Tree” but that was about an actual production with a choir, music and lights. While researching for that blog, I realized there is also a trend towards ‘living Christmas trees’ which are literally live trees that can be bought. After the holidays are over, the tree can be planted outside.
There is a lot to consider if you are thinking of using a live potted tree. For example, you will have to accommodate a live root ball which can be very heavy… weighing as much as 65 kilograms.
Ten days is the maximum that a live potted tree can be in a warm home. After that, the risk of the tree drying out is too great. The lights are also a consideration – you do not want lights that give off too much heat as this too will take the much needed moisture from the branches.
Be sure to consult with your local tree grower to ensure the type of tree you are considering will do well on your property when it comes time to plant it.
But if you don’t have the space or the inclination to deal with planting a real tree after the holiday season, you might want to plan your family outing to a tree farm in the area.
Potash Creek Farms is just one example. Situated in Omemee, you can enjoy the scenery while you search for the perfect tree.
Neither herbicides nor pesticides are used and during the summer you will see sheep grazing to trim the grass rather than gas powered lawn machinery.
You will find a wide selection of trees:
- Wild Norway spruce in the 10 to 20 foot range
- White spruce and Scots pine in the 6 to 7 foot range
- Pre-cut balsam fir in the 6 to 8 foot range.
You will also find fresh hand-made wreaths, painted gourds as well as other gifts from selected vendors.
Visit them online at http://potashcreekfarms.blogspot.ca/ or in person at:
Potash Creek Farms 400 Grassy Rd. RR1 Omemee, Ontario K0L2W0
No matter where you buy your special tree on Saturday December 3rd – or any other day – keep these tips in mind:
- Although it sounds so obvious, be sure to actually measure the space you have designated for your tree. It is amazing how a tree can appear to be smaller than you think when you are outdoors. You don’t want to end up like National Lampoon’s Griswolds!
- Freshness is key. Run your fingers along the branches to be sure the needles stay on the tree – not in your hand. You should also be able to bend a branch without breaking it (unless the tree is frozen).
- The tree should be a rich green in color and have a rich fragrance.
Happy tree hunting!
Giant Pumpkins and Pumpkin Festivals
Posted in Businesses in Bethany, tagged Buckhorn Berry Farm, Halloween, Little Britain, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Cannon, Stellmar Farm on October 8, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Many of the pick your own farms are winding down with the fall weather and – gasp – the threat of frost. But pumpkins, squash and gourds are in abundant supply!
Why not visit Stellmar Farm in Little Britain and see what makes this farm unique in the area. They have award winning giant pumpkins and giant squash. You can even have your own tour of the GIANT pumpkin patch and learn a secret or two about growing giant pumpkins. In fact, I could not believe what is involved in growing giant pumpkins! Here is a list the elements that have to be considered if you are thinking of growing your own:
- You need the right seeds such as Atlantic Giant Seeds
- An area in the garden that will get FULL sun
- You must test the soil to ensure you have the right PH level
- Prepare the soil with the correct compost, peat moss and manure
- Apply the proper fertilizer
- Understand the intricacies of seed germination and transplanting
- Consider wind protection
- Trim the runners on the plants
- Control the weeds
- Water properly
- Pollinate the fruit in early July
- Prevent stem stress
- Reduce the stress on the plants from excessive heat
- Control insects and mildew
…On second thought, I think I’ll leave the growing to the experts at Stellmar Farms!
And remember, don’t leave all the decorating until Christmas time. The Farm has a wide variety of decorative corn, gourds (some of them hand painted), squash, straw bales, and corn stalks. You will also find a beautiful assortment of dried and silk flower arrangements made from flowers grown right on the farm.
You can also enjoy the mulled cider warming on the woodstove. There is plenty of parking including wheelchair accessibility.
Open from September 17 – October 30, 2016. WEEKENDS ONLY 10 am until 5 pm. Open Thanksgiving Monday.
136 Sand Bar Rd., Little Britain, Ontario
Email: info@stellmarfarm.com
Pumpkin Festival
The McLean Family invite everyone to visit the Pumpkin Festival at the Buckhorn Berry Farm location. The festival runs the last weekends of October, starting Thanksgiving weekend (but they are closed on Thanksgiving Monday).
There is lots for the whole family to do including:
- Daily Entertainment
- Barnyard Animals Mazes (a straw bale maze and 2 corn mazes, and one of them is haunted!) An obstacle Course & Play area with a huge sand pile
- Pumpkin Bowling
- Bouncy Castle
- Junior Spook Barn for the younger kids
- Haunted Forest Bonesville Cemetery Pumpkin Patch Wagon Rides
- And witness the Pumpkin Cannon!
And while you are there, you can also pick your own pumpkins and have a snack from the food truck.
Address: 3055 Berrie Rd, Lakefield, ON K0L 2H0
Phone: (705) 657-8888
Email: info@buckhornberryfarm.com
Bethany Ontario 