Trent Valley Archives’ latest annual fundraising theatre production, “The Kid from Simcoe Street,” has brought to light a surprising connection to Empress Gardens, owned by a main sponsor of the play, the Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Living.

Two of the main characters in the play, which will be staged June 4 to 7 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, worked as a waitress and a bellhop at the Empress Hotel, that is now Empress Gardens.

Public and community support is vital for the success of these fundraising productions because, despite a volunteer cast and crew, there are many upfront expenditures.

“That impacts the amount of money we can raise for Trent Valley Archives,” said Madison More, president of the TVA board of directors.

“One hundred per cent of the funds generated from this production go to support TVA and the work it does to preserve our community’s history and make its vast collection of archival fonds available to the public.”

TVA receives no consistent government funding and relies on income generated from donations, memberships, local history tours, and Trent Valley Archives Theatre productions.

“We’re looking for organizations and businesses to join our returning monetary sponsors to support us at the bronze, silver, and gold level. Your quarter-page, half-page, or full-page advertisement will appear in the Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley, and in ‘The Kid from Simcoe Street’ playbill, and your name and logo will appear in all of our promotional materials for the play,” said More.

For further information on the levels of sponsorship and benefits, visit https://bit.ly/4sz2BS8.

“It is becoming a real community event. We are grateful to our returning sponsors and donors,” said More.

“The Kid from Simcoe Street” is based on the memoir by former Peterborough resident James Clarke, a retired Ontario Superior Court Judge and poet. Set predominantly in the 1940s and ’50s, the book and play focus on the trials and tribulations of growing up poor in postwar Peterborough.

Tickets to the play, that is suitable for ages 14 to adult, are available from the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre box office, Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m., by phoning 705-749-1146, emailing boxoffice@markethall.com, or online by visiting tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=526.

Donations from the public toward the production are also welcome. Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable tax receipt and will be recognized on the play’s playbill, the TVA website, and in a special TVA e-newsletter, or may if desired, remain anonymous. 

“We are delighted to bring attention to the great work done by TVA to preserve our region’s history,” said Sarah Joore, sales and marketing project co-ordinator at The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Living.

Women Build Workshops

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is offering a series of Women Build workshops. All proceeds from registrations help support Habitat for Humanity PKR’s mission to build affordable homes throughout Peterborough and Kawartha Region.

The workshops are an opportunity for women to develop and gain new skills in a supportive environment regardless of prior experience or skill level. Participants will work with reclaimed materials and have the opportunity to connect with others in a hands-on setting. All materials, instruction, and tools are included.

Upcoming workshops include How to Install a Backsplash (March 25 and April 1), How to Make a Planter Box (April 8 and 22), How to Build a Picnic Table (this is a three-week project, April 29, May 6 and 20), and How to Build a SHE Shed (this is a four-week project, May 27, June 3, 10 and 24)

Spots are limited so book yours now by visiting women-build-workshops.raiselysite.com/.

© Peterborough Examiner