Browse for books this weekend… plus more local events

You’re reading the November 8, 2024 edition of the Peterborough Currents email newsletter. To receive our email newsletters straight to your inbox, sign up here.

---

Good morning and welcome to the arts and community newsletter from Peterborough Currents. I’m Alex, and I send this email every Friday to catch you up on what’s happening in the community. 

This week, I’m sharing details about the upcoming book sale at the library as well as a live wrestling event at The Venue. I’ve also got some news from the Trinity Community Centre.

Let’s get started.

---

Friends of the Library book sale is back this weekend

The Friends of the Library Book Sale is back this weekend, from noon to 7 p.m. today (November 8) and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9.

June Lamoureux has volunteered with Friends of the Library for six years, sitting on the sales committee to help plan and organize the annual book sale. 

“I’m a big library user. I always have been. I took my kids here every week when they were younger,” she said. She and more than 20 other volunteers sorted through 323 boxes of books to categorize them in time for the sale this weekend.

Most books cost just $1, with some exceptions. All sales are cash only.

“The money that we contribute to the library allows them to do programming that they might not necessarily have the money to do otherwise,” said Lamoureux. Over the last 20 years, the Friends of the Library have contributed more than $750,000, helping the library to put on programming like story time readings, social clubs, informative workshops, and more.

To learn more, visit the Peterborough Public Library website.

---

Trinity Community Centre finally has a commercial kitchen

Back in February, Peterborough Currents introduced our readers to Jonah Uhryniw, who works as a cook at the Trinity Community Centre. 

Back then, we reported that Uhryniw was struggling to meet the nutritional needs of guests at the Trinity Centre because the kitchen there wasn’t commercially-certified. “We’ve been doing the best with what we have,” he said at the time. “But trying to meet a fairly big demand with the lack of a fully equipped kitchen … has been tricky.”

Now, after a successful fundraising campaign and a period of construction, the Trinity Centre finally has its commercial kitchen. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to cook and serve hot meals to our 200+ community members each day,” stated One City Peterborough in an Instagram post.

The Trinity Centre serves meals to guests of its daytime drop-in program, which the City of Peterborough provides funding to. But city councillors could decide to cut that funding during budget talks this month. 

Municipal staff recommended continuing to fund the drop-in program in 2025. But they also included the drop-in’s funding on a list of potential cutbacks city councillors could make if they want to lower next year’s tax rate increase. The Trinity Centre’s funding for its overnight shelter isn’t currently at risk; that program is paid for with provincial funding.

---

Wrestling for a cause at The Venue

This Saturday, November 9, live wrestling is coming to The Venue. At 6:30 p.m., Canadian wrestlers will face off in the ring, presented by Great Canadian Wrestling and Pop Culture Canada. 

“I got into wrestling back in the day because I’ve always been in love with comic books,” said Pop Culture Canada’s David Wyldstar, who also organizes Peterborough’s Comic Con events. “You have good guys versus bad guys and the wrestling ring is the arena. People watch it on TV, but when it’s live the energy is just incredible and addictive.”

Tickets cost $15 at the door for kids or $20 for adults. Spectators are invited to bring non-perishable food items for a Kawartha Food Share donation drive.

“This weekend is also really special because Peterborough is the first town of our little tour with WWF legends Tag Team: Demolition,” Wyldstar added. “They were one of the most famous tag teams of the 80s and 90s.”

To learn more about Great Canadian Wrestling events, visit Pop Culture Canada.

---

PHOTO: Day of the Dead Gala at La Hacienda

---

Looking for more to do?

• 100 Years From Now – An Original Musical of the Great War will play at Market Hall tonight, November 8, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $55 and are available online. 
  
• Comic Con is at The Venue Saturday, November 9 with vendors selling comic books, video games, collectibles and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs $5, and children aged 12 and under get in free.
  
• Emilyn Stam and John David Williams will present folk dance music from France on fiddle, clarinet, and accordions at Sadleir House tonight, November 8. They will lead a workshop on Balfolk Dance starting at 7:30 p.m. so that guests can dance along to their concert at 8:30 p.m. This is an all-ages event. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
• Little Fire Collective, a folk ensemble from Peterborough, will perform alongside Saskia Tomkins at Sadleir House on Saturday, November 9. They’ll be joined by Coboug-based folk-pop duo Shannon & Jakeb. Tickets to the concert cost $20 and the doors open at 7:00 p.m.
  
• The Peterborough Psychic and Crystal Fair is on all weekend at Healthy Planet Arena. Admission costs $10. The fair features 22 vendors including mediums, psychics, fortune readers, healers, and merchants selling crystals, handmade jewelry and other crafts.
  
• Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) is hosting Step by Step, a charity concert of swing, blues, and big band music this Sunday, November 10, at 2 p.m. at the Ashburnham Reception Centre. Admission is by donation.

---

---

Thanks for reading the Peterborough Currents email newsletter! Here’s where you can sign up to have these sent straight to your inbox.