💼 Books Sales & Tails

Good morning, PTBO! Some weeks this city feels like a sitcom with no script random cameos, odd plot twists, and somehow it all works out.

today’s PTBO Brief:

Let's get to it.

— M&B

Alf Curtis, founder of Alf Curtis Home Improvements, has passed away at 93. What started in 1975 with just Alf, his wife June, and a small crew grew into one of Peterborough’s best known businesses. Visitation is Thursday at Ashburnham Funeral Home, with the service Friday at 11 a.m. Stores will close Friday so staff can attend.

St. Patrick’s Elementary has been chosen for Indigo’s Adopt a School fundraiser and Chapters Peterborough is stepping up. From Sept 5 to Oct 5 every dollar donated in-store goes directly into the school library to stock fresh, diverse books for local kids. It’s a simple way to help build shelves that inspire a love of reading. Donations can also be made online at cutt.ly/Adopt-a-School.

The three specialist librarian positions at Peterborough Public Library that were on the chopping block could stay after all, along with reinstating a full time CEO. To offset costs, the main branch may close an hour earlier on weekdays at 7 PM instead of 8 PM. Our Future Peterborough calls the plan a win for staff and services, even if shorter hours sting.
(examiner$)

Here’s a quick look ahead to some events coming 3 weeks from now.

🥫 Kawartha Food Share Grant: Kawartha Food Share received a $4,050 Starbucks Neighbourhood Grant to support their fight against hunger. The Chemong and Rye Street Starbucks teams nominated the organization, showing how local partners keep fueling community impact.

🛶 Canoe Museum Gala Returns: After five years the Canadian Canoe Museum’s gala is back at their new Ashburnham Drive home. The Oct 4 Lakeside Gala will serve up local chefs, music, and a silent auction featuring pottery, resort stays, and even a Kevlar canoe, plus a chance to meet kayak builders from Nunavut. Tickets are $250 and moving fast.

🏷️ End of Summer Tent Sale: Monaghan Lumber is wrapping up the season with a six-day blowout on flooring, decking, siding, wall finishes, hardwood, and more. Quantities are limited so once it’s gone it’s gone. Runs Sept 8–13, 7am at Davis Road.

👟 Shooting Stars Youth Run Group: Runner’s Life is launching another season of its kids’ club for ages 7–13, focused on fitness, fun, and the joy of running. Practices mix warmups, drills, and age-appropriate workouts in a supportive setting, with parents welcome to volunteer coach. Registration is $70 for the season with discounts for families at Runner’s Life on Charlotte St.

📸 @silverbeancafe 📍Silver Bean on Little Lake
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Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

🎤 Open Mic: Johann Burkhardt hosts a night of guitars, voices, and surprise talent that turns the Black Horse into a cozy living room jam. Sign up or just soak in the laid-back vibes. 7 PM The Black Horse Pub

🎬 Movies at the house: Amadeus: Sadleir House is screening the 1984 classic about Mozart, Salieri, and the pettiest case of composer jealousy in history. Preshow starts at 7 PM with free snacks (yes, Costco-sized). 7 PM Sadleir House

🧠 Trivia: Questions fly, laughs follow, and only the sharpest team walks away with bragging rights, Social Bucks for the winners, plus $22 sangria pitchers and $22 team nacho platters. 8 PM The Social

🎤 Pig’s Ear Family Open Mic: The Ear hands the mic to the people bring your guitar, your kazoo, or just your questionable confidence and see what happens. From future rockstars to “my uncle swears I’m good,” everyone gets a shot. 5 PM Pig’s Ear Tavern

🧱 Library LEGO Club: Peterborough Public Library is hosting weekly LEGO sessions where kids can dream big and build bigger. Bricks are provided all you need is imagination. 4:30 pm Main Library 5:30 PM MLCC Branch

🥊 UFC Fight Night: The Back 40 Smokehouse is serving smoked meat with a side of punches as they screen the big card. Come hungry, grab a pint, and cheer like your fighter can hear you. 8 PM The Back 40 Smokehouse

🍖 Dr J’s Rib Night: Chemong Lodge is serving up bottomless ribs with beans, slaw, and cornbread for $35.99. Add Grammy J’s mac and cheese or smoked beet salad if you’re really brave. 4 PM Chemong Lodge

👶 Toddler Tuesday: The tiniest museum-goers take over with finger paints, crafts, and more chaos than coffee can handle. Hands-on fun, creative play, and admission by donation. 9:30 AM Peterborough Museum & Archives

🌟 Pathway of Fame Induction: Showplace hosts the 28th annual ceremony honouring eight new names in Peterborough’s Pathway, from community leaders to artists and changemakers. Expect live music before the official program and plenty of local pride as the class of 2025 takes its place. 7 PM Showplace Performance Centre

🔮 Energy Mastery Workshop: Root to Crown hosts a hands on session focused on cleansing negativity, protecting your aura, and grounding your energy. Each participant takes home an energy cleansing gift. 6:30 PM Root to Crown

🎧 James Kennedy DJ Set: Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy hits The Venue for a night of beats with Drama Diablo and KidCee opening. Expect high energy and reality TV-level drama on the dance floor. 8 PM The Venue ($)

🎬 Adam Sandler Trivia: From Billy Madison to Uncut Gems, Boston Pizza North is turning into Sandler University for one night only. Bring a crew of 2–6, pay your two bucks, and prove you know your Happy Gilmores from your Waterboys. 7 PM Boston Pizza North

🙋 Volunteer Expo: Trent University’s Bata Podium fills with 42 organizations ready to connect students with causes that need them. It’s part networking fair, part feel good market, and a direct path to making a difference while stacking future career skills. 10 AM Trent University Bata Podium

🧵 Needlework Social: The library is basically turning into a stitching circle bring your own project, swap tips, and chat while the needles click. Beginners can grab a starter kit and dive in, no experience required. 1 PM Main Library

🎤 Sing It Like You Mean It: KaraOINKE night at The Pig’s Ear brings out the shower singers, the secret rockstars, and everyone in between. With K Stew & Milo hosting, the vibe is rowdy, fun, and just the right amount of off-key. 9 PM The Pig’s Ear Tavern

🌽 Farmers Market: Wander the stalls, fill your bag with fresh produce, local bites and handmade finds, and take a moment to connect with the community as you shop. 8 AM Quaker Park

🍎 Apple Orchard Mandala Workshop: Dotable Mandalas teams up with 100 Acre Brewing for a fall-inspired workshop where you’ll paint a 4” rock in apple-red hues. All supplies are included, just bring creativity (and maybe an appetite for a pint). 6 PM 100 Acre Brewing ($)

🎱 Bingo Nights at Faculty: Chill vibes, cold drinks, and a stack of prizes make this the kind of midweek hangout you don’t want to miss. Grab a seat, grab a card, and let the good times roll. 7 PM The Faculty Bar

🎲 Board Game Meetup Night: The Boardwalk hosts an open gaming session with a library of 680+ titles. Eight bucks gets you endless options, or bring your own and recruit a few new fans. 5:30 PM The Boardwalk

🚗 Cruise Into Community: Chrome, classics and roaring engines take over Craftworks at the Barn. It’s more than a car show — it’s a chance to swap stories, admire the details, and hang out with folks who live for four wheels. 4 PM Craftworks at the Barn

🏃 Mapleridge Open House: The 50+ Recreation Centre is opening its doors for tours, program demos, and a chance to meet the instructors behind the classes. A relaxed way to see what the facility has to offer the community. 5 PM Mapleridge Recreation Centre

🎱 Bingo & Margaritas: The Social turns into a lively hall of daubers, prizes, and laughs. Between free games, $10 margaritas and $12 taco trios, this night’s as much about fun as it is about winning. 7:30 PM The Social

🐾 Meet Luna
This gentle little lady came in as a stray and wasted no time showing off her sweet side. She loves head scratches, quiet company, and curling up close to her people. Luna could happily share space with another calm cat, but she’d also shine as your one and only. Looking for a steady, affectionate sidekick? Luna’s ready to be your calm in the chaos. To Adopt

Joanna & Danny | McThirsty’s | 8 PM

Kevin Foster | McThirsty’s | 8 PM
The Space Heaters | Jethro’s | 9 PM

Pop Machine | Craftworks | 4 PM
Bradley McAree | Rolling Grape | 5:30 PM
Carling Stephen and Rob Phillips | Black Horse Pub | 7 PM
Mike Macurdy & Maggie Sabyan | Crook & Coffer | 7 PM
Golden Scoundrels w/ Scorched Earth | Jethro’s | 8 PM
Doug Horner | 100 Acre Brewing | 8 PM
The Union | Jethro’s | 10 PM
DJ Candy Crush | McThirsty’s | 8 PM

THANKS!

You stay classy Peterborough, and thank you again for reading!

If you enjoyed this Brief, please share it with a friend, Peterborough’s the kind of place where everyone’s either your neighbor, your cousin, or your canoe partner.
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