Avant Garden Shop

Avant-Garden Shop is an Epic Ventures Winner

Brenda Ibey from The Avant-Garden Shop in Peterborough recently won the GPAEDC Epic Ventures. Here's a look at some of the interesting products that they carry.

Garden Gate: Episode 178 - Peterborough's One of a kind shop (Nov. 22nd, 2019)

Peterborough's own One of a kind shop!

Most of us love unique art and crafts, which is reflected by the ever-growing number of art and craft shows in Peterborough. While these shows can be fun, they’re limited in time and often involve working through large crowds in the hope of finding that certain something.

Many people have referred to our store as “The One-of-a-Kind Shop of Peterborough.” We’ve spent a lot of time looking for fun, funky, functional, and high-quality art and artisanal products, and we take pride in the breadth of our offering. We feature products from over 50 artists on our online store and carry even more than that in the shop. Most of our artisanal products are made by Canadian artists, including several from the Peterborough area. The artists highlighted below are only a tiny sample of what we have to offer.

And we’re not a 1-or-2-day show: we’re open all year! You can certainly avoid the crowds by shopping online through Amazon; however, taking the time to support your local businesses during the holiday season will help us thrive and support year-round employment in the local economy.

So, give yourself an hour to come on by and peruse the shop. We’d be happy to help and we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll love :)

Green Update - Attracting birds to your garden (Feb. 2011)

The Avant-Garden Shop is located in downtown Peterborough, and sells quality bird feeders, outdoor decor, garden tools and gloves and many Canadian made gifts by artisans from across the Country.

The Squirrel Buster Plus is the BEST squirrel proof feeder that we have ever seen. It really works! 4 designs to choose from.

We also sell top quality bird food from Mill Creek. The birds will come flocking to your feeder if you use Mill Creek bird food.

Downtown Peterborough's Turkish Spring

No - not an actual Turkish spring. Just a play on words given the musical selection.

Video of an average springtime day in the downtown core - with some people still dressed like it was winter despite it being +11 degrees Celsius and sunny.

Peterborough's downtown is no longer the main shopping destination, but it still has dozens of boutique stores for the elite - as well as wonderful century-old buildings.

Garden Gate: Episode 116 - Mary Philpott Ceramic artist (May 26, 2017)

Mary Philpott is a graduate Sheridan College, University of Guelph and MacMaster University. Her pottery, sculpture and tile work has been exhibited, collected and published internationally. She lives and works in Uxbridge, Ontario.

Mary's work is inspired by the work of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. Her work reflects the Flora and Fauna of her surrounding Landscape. The birds, rabbits, fox, sheep, dragonflies and flowers.

Mary is a full time Studio Ceramic Artist, designing tile and sculptures. Mary produces the original designs in clay and then creates a mold from each. She presses the tile into the mold by hand. Other tile suppliers that we carry press using a mechanical press usually with 20 or 60 ton pressure, but Mary does hers by hand. After they are pressed they need to sit in the mold for 3 or 4 days before they can go into the kiln. From there they are painted and re-fired. All in all a 6-8 week process!

Mary also produces unique sculptural pieces reflecting the animals and birds that she illustrates in her two dimensional tile.

Mary’s work can be found in many homes and galleries across Canada and the US as well as the UK.

UK Gallery
Blue Ginger Gallery, Stiffords Bridge, Cradley, Malvern

US Galleries
Pewabic Pottery, Detroit Michigan, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA, The Copper Shop At Roycroft, Roycroft Campus, East Aurora NY, Roycroft Antiques at the Roycroft Campus, East Aurora NY, Tile Gallerie, Dublin PA
Eckels Pottery & Fine Craft, Bayfield WI
ArtDecor Gallery, Cape May NJ
Mission Tile West, South Pasadena & Santa Monica California

In Canada
Avant-Garden Shop, Peterborough, ON
Fine Craft Art & Design, Almonte ON
Shane Norrie Contemporary, Stratford ON
The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Toronto, ON
Dish Gallery, The Distillery District, Toronto ON
The Canadian Clay & Glass Museum Waterloo ON
Artopia, Sarnia
Main Street Gallery, Bayfield Ontario
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, Guelph Ontario
Village Studios, Stratford Ontario

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Garden Route 2012

Garden Route blossoms!

In the winter of 2009 several garden centre and garden boutique owners gathered to discuss a co-operative effort and that same evening the Peterborough and Area Garden Route was born. Local gardeners and visitors to the area are invited travel the self guided driving tour at no charge as it leads them from one specialty grower, exceptional garden centre and unique gift shop to another. The ten participating businesses include: The Avant-Garden Shop, Blossom Hill Nursery, Ecology Park, Garden Style, Gardens Plus, Greenhouse on the River, Griffin's Greenhouses, Horlings Garden Centre, Johnston's Greenhouses and Williams Design Studio.

The products one will find along the Garden Route range from grown-on-site annuals, specialty perennials, and excellent quality garden accents to one-of-a-kind studio pieces. The Ecology Park, a gem hidden in the city of Peterborough, offers a place to relax amid lovely examples of butterfly gardens and xeriscapes. The award winning display garden at Griffin's Greenhouses surrounds a natural pond and offers the opportunity to see hundreds of annuals and perennials in their natural growth habits. The working gardens of Blossom Hill Nursery (specializing in peonies and delphiniums) and Gardens Plus (specializing in hosta and daylilies) provide visitors with a wealth of knowledge of how to plant and how to divide these popular perennials.

The Peterborough and Area Garden Route was the cover story of the September issue of Canadian Garden Centre & Nursery magazine and all participants were honoured to be nominated as Innovative Entrepreneurs at The East Kawartha Chamber of Commerce awards gala.

Information can be found on the website, along with recommended stay and dine options for the area: gardenroute.ca. Promotional cards can be obtained at any stop along the route. Call 1-877-886-0869 for more info.

Shop Downtown Peterborough

Garden Gate: Episode 106 - The Paddling Puppeteers (Jan 6, 2017)

On this episode I'm joined by Glen Caradus of The Paddling Puppeteers at The Kawartha Environment Centre.

I've known Glen since we worked together at Peterborough Green-Up in the '90's. He's always had a special way with kids, frogs and birds! Kids being the most important of course!!

The Paddling Puppeteers have been performing their musical puppet shows across Ontario and eastern Canada since 1999. A variety of colourful puppets bring to life many stories having to do with the environment. The shows present ideas of how we can take simple steps to preserve and restore Canada’s natural heritage.

Check out Glen's website at He's available for bookings too!

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Garden Gate: Episode 94 - Sun Protection with Dr. Salvaterra (July 22, 2016 )

Oh the heat! Oh the sun! Who would have thought we could be complaining about too much sun after the last couple of winters we’ve endured!? But, under our breath we complain (a little).

Be aware! The occurrence of sun burns and skin cancer is on the rise! Peterborough having one of the worst skin cancer rates in Canada!

Dr. Salvaterra from Peterborough Public Health (PPH) shares great information on protecting yourself from sunburns and dehydration during this episode of The Garden Gate. PPH also offer lots of information on their website.




Wear a hat! The best hat has a thick weave, large brim and, if possible, are made with solar weave fabric! These characteristics will block both the UVA and UVB rays and prevent sunburn. Wear sunscreen. Work in the shade. Wear quality sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Another great item to help keep you cool is a heat guard neck tie. These ingenious items contain special crystals, that when soaked for 20 minutes can keep you cool for days. Lots of beautiful fun fabrics to choose from! See a small sampling on our website. Many more in the shop.

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Garden Gate: Episode 115 - Creating a fun patio (May 12, 2017)

The nice weather has finally arrived! It's time to get outside and absorb some vitamin D.

We have some fun, retro patio chairs now in stock. These motel chairs have been in production in Canada since 1973! They're super comfy too. And you'll be the talk of the neighbourhood stirring up memories of these funky chairs perched in front of motels across the country.

Plant your containers and window boxes. Visit one of the members of the Peterborough and Area Garden Route to pick up your plants. Horlings, Griffins, Greenhouse on the River, Blossom Hill Nursery, Johnston's Greenhouses, Gardens Plus and Keene on Gardens will have some beautiful plants to help enhance your space. More info: gardenroute.ca

Lay out your UV protected Mad Mat! These mats are soft on your feet and come in many fun colours and patterns. Also of note-these mats are UV protected which means they are long lasting and won't shred apart in the first year. They are also thick meaning they don't bunch up and become a trip hazard. Our customers rave about how long these mats last.

Add some fun decorations to bring some whimsy and wit to your space. The crows and ravens shown in this segment are by artist William Boyd Fraser from Millbrook.

And lastly, invite friends over and enjoy! That’s what summer is all about.

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Garden Gate: Episode 82 Toronto Gift Fair (Feb 5, 2016)

Each year we attend the Toronto Gift Fair to meet up with our suppliers, find new products and to check out the quality of items. Pictures in catalogs don’t usually show the true item, so we like to check things out carefully for quality and durability!

We always take lots of time to visit the Canadian artisans section. There are so many talented artists out there and we love to support their craft! From Puffin Gear hats, hand puppets to stunning wall art. We can find a good variety at this show for retailers. Unfortunately there is only a small segment of this show dedicated to Canadian artists.

On this episode of The Garden Gate, I feature some of the items and artists that we currently carry in the shop and I also highlight one new one that will be coming to the shop very soon!

In two weeks, we have a similar segment but focused on The By Hand Show. This is a much smaller show with only Canadian artisans and its held in Brampton once per year for retailers only. We get to meet the artists, hear their stories and support them by bringing their work into the shop.

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Garden Gate: Episode 60 - Peterborough Garden Show (March 27, 2015)

CHEX TV airdate, March 27th, 2015 5-6pm.

Easter Weekend there will be one of the best Garden Shows in the region on at the Evinrude Centre.

Thursday April 2nd, 5-9pm
Friday April 3rd, 10-5pm
Saturday April 4th, 10-4pm
Closed Sunday (because of Good Friday opening)

On this episode I was joined by Rachel Burrows to talk about all the new and exciting things happening at the Garden Show. There will be the very popular children's garden, a gala Thursday night, lots of new vendors, lunch spots, rest areas, tools, ornaments....the list goes on.

Truly the best garden show in southern Ontario!

For more information on the Garden Show visit their website. peterboroughgardenshow.com

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2014-Lakefield Horticultural Society Antique and Flower Show

CHEX Daily segment from 2014
Caley Bedore host and Jasmin Marisett special guest

The Lakefield Horticultural Society’s Antique and Flower Show and Sale is held at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre (30 Concession St.) mid August each year.

Antique exhibitors share their wonderful collections of antique furniture, silverware, tools, memorabilia, glassware, china etc. This year look for more vintage items as well!


Flower Show & Competition
Horticulture Society members enter 100’s of flowers and arrangements to show off their skills both in growing the beautiful entries and also their talents to create unique arrangements. Specimen flowers, potted plants, vegetables and decorative products – like tea cup arrangements and roadside collections – are judged by a panel of experts.

Plant sale
Plants are donated by members and from a few commercial plant growers. This means there are some extra special perennials that you can plant later in the summer for enjoyment next year.

Welcome!
A truly outstanding show that 1000’s of people have enjoyed for many years. It is very popular with the public, and is the primary fund-raiser, allowing the Society to continue our important and sometimes-costly volunteer projects. Since 1978!

Date & Hours
NOW ON THE WEEKEND!

Contact
For more information or to book exhibit space contact Connie Tinney at 416-459-4688 or dealers@lakefieldhort.org

Visit our website at lakefieldhort.org for more information.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Diamond Sponsors
CHEX TV, The Peterborough Examiner

Bronze Sponsors
Avant-Garden Shop, Scott Concrete

In-Kind contributions
Creative Inks Studio, Hazlewood Images, Home Hardware, Stony Lake Furniture Co., Ubbink Paper and Book Conservation, The Greenhouse on the River, Lakefield Herald, McMillan Music Group, Long & McQuade, Royal Bank of Canada, Lakefield Lions Club, Alternative Water Treatment Services, Rova Patio Furnishings and Awnings, Giant Tiger

2013-Lakefield Horticultural Society Antique and Flower Show

CHEX Daily segment from 2013
Teresa Kaszuba host and special guests

The Lakefield Horticultural Society’s Antique and Flower Show and Sale is held at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre (30 Concession St.) mid August each year.

Antique exhibitors share their wonderful collections of antique furniture, silverware, tools, memorabilia, glassware, china etc.

Flower Show & Competition
Horticulture Society members enter 100’s of flowers and arrangements to show off their skills both in growing the beautiful entries and also their talents to create unique arrangements. Specimen flowers, potted plants, vegetables and decorative products – like tea cup arrangements and roadside collections – are judged by a panel of experts.

Plant sale
Plants are donated by members and from a few commercial plant growers. This means there are some extra special perennials that you can plant later in the summer for enjoyment next year.

Welcome!
A truly outstanding show that 1000’s of people have enjoyed for many years. It is very popular with the public, and is the primary fund-raiser, allowing the Society to continue our important and sometimes-costly volunteer projects. Since 1978!

Contact
For more information or to book exhibit space contact Connie Tinney at 416-459-4688 or dealers@lakefieldhort.org

Visit our website at lakefieldhort.org for more information.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Diamond Sponsors
CHEX TV, The Peterborough Examiner

Bronze Sponsors
Avant-Garden Shop, Scott Concrete

In-Kind contributions
Creative Inks Studio, Hazlewood Images, Home Hardware, Stony Lake Furniture Co., Ubbink Paper and Book Conservation, The Greenhouse on the River, Lakefield Herald, McMillan Music Group, Long & McQuade, Royal Bank of Canada, Lakefield Lions Club, Alternative Water Treatment Services, Rova Patio Furnishings and Awnings, Giant Tiger

The Green Update: Getting Ready to Feed the Winter Birds

Brenda Ibey, of the Avant Garden Shop, talks about the latest and greatest products available to those who want to bring beautiful birds to their backyard.

PERFECT Vaporizer Temperature For THC or CBD - GUIDE

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Our Miss Brooks: Easter Egg Dye / Tape Recorder / School Band

Our Miss Brooks is an American situation comedy starring Eve Arden as a sardonic high school English teacher. It began as a radio show broadcast from 1948 to 1957. When the show was adapted to television (1952--56), it became one of the medium's earliest hits. In 1956, the sitcom was adapted for big screen in the film of the same name.

Connie (Constance) Brooks (Eve Arden), an English teacher at fictional Madison High School.
Osgood Conklin (Gale Gordon), blustery, gruff, crooked and unsympathetic Madison High principal, a near-constant pain to his faculty and students. (Conklin was played by Joseph Forte in the show's first episode; Gordon succeeded him for the rest of the series' run.) Occasionally Conklin would rig competitions at the school--such as that for prom queen--so that his daughter Harriet would win.
Walter Denton (Richard Crenna, billed at the time as Dick Crenna), a Madison High student, well-intentioned and clumsy, with a nasally high, cracking voice, often driving Miss Brooks (his self-professed favorite teacher) to school in a broken-down jalopy. Miss Brooks' references to her own usually-in-the-shop car became one of the show's running gags.
Philip Boynton (Jeff Chandler on radio, billed sometimes under his birth name Ira Grossel); Robert Rockwell on both radio and television), Madison High biology teacher, the shy and often clueless object of Miss Brooks' affections.
Margaret Davis (Jane Morgan), Miss Brooks' absentminded landlady, whose two trademarks are a cat named Minerva, and a penchant for whipping up exotic and often inedible breakfasts.
Harriet Conklin (Gloria McMillan), Madison High student and daughter of principal Conklin. A sometime love interest for Walter Denton, Harriet was honest and guileless with none of her father's malevolence and dishonesty.
Stretch (Fabian) Snodgrass (Leonard Smith), dull-witted Madison High athletic star and Walter's best friend.
Daisy Enright (Mary Jane Croft), Madison High English teacher, and a scheming professional and romantic rival to Miss Brooks.
Jacques Monet (Gerald Mohr), a French teacher.

Our Miss Brooks was a hit on radio from the outset; within eight months of its launch as a regular series, the show landed several honors, including four for Eve Arden, who won polls in four individual publications of the time. Arden had actually been the third choice to play the title role. Harry Ackerman, West Coast director of programming, wanted Shirley Booth for the part, but as he told historian Gerald Nachman many years later, he realized Booth was too focused on the underpaid downside of public school teaching at the time to have fun with the role.

Lucille Ball was believed to have been the next choice, but she was already committed to My Favorite Husband and didn't audition. Chairman Bill Paley, who was friendly with Arden, persuaded her to audition for the part. With a slightly rewritten audition script--Osgood Conklin, for example, was originally written as a school board president but was now written as the incoming new Madison principal--Arden agreed to give the newly-revamped show a try.

Produced by Larry Berns and written by director Al Lewis, Our Miss Brooks premiered on July 19, 1948. According to radio critic John Crosby, her lines were very feline in dialogue scenes with principal Conklin and would-be boyfriend Boynton, with sharp, witty comebacks. The interplay between the cast--blustery Conklin, nebbishy Denton, accommodating Harriet, absentminded Mrs. Davis, clueless Boynton, scheming Miss Enright--also received positive reviews.

Arden won a radio listeners' poll by Radio Mirror magazine as the top ranking comedienne of 1948-49, receiving her award at the end of an Our Miss Brooks broadcast that March. I'm certainly going to try in the coming months to merit the honor you've bestowed upon me, because I understand that if I win this two years in a row, I get to keep Mr. Boynton, she joked. But she was also a hit with the critics; a winter 1949 poll of newspaper and magazine radio editors taken by Motion Picture Daily named her the year's best radio comedienne.

For its entire radio life, the show was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, promoting Palmolive soap, Lustre Creme shampoo and Toni hair care products. The radio series continued until 1957, a year after its television life ended.

The Great Gildersleeve: Gildy Considers Marriage / Picnic with the Thompsons / House Guest Hooker

Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Great Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees' Wistful Vista to Summerfield, where Gildersleeve now oversaw his late brother-in-law's estate and took on the rearing of his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie (originally played by Lurene Tuttle and followed by Louise Erickson and Mary Lee Robb) and Leroy Forester (Walter Tetley). The household also included a cook named Birdie. Curiously, while Gildersleeve had occasionally spoken of his (never-present) wife in some Fibber episodes, in his own series the character was a confirmed bachelor.

In a striking forerunner to such later television hits as Bachelor Father and Family Affair, both of which are centered on well-to-do uncles taking in their deceased siblings' children, Gildersleeve was a bachelor raising two children while, at first, administering a girdle manufacturing company (If you want a better corset, of course, it's a Gildersleeve) and then for the bulk of the show's run, serving as Summerfield's water commissioner, between time with the ladies and nights with the boys. The Great Gildersleeve may have been the first broadcast show to be centered on a single parent balancing child-rearing, work, and a social life, done with taste and genuine wit, often at the expense of Gildersleeve's now slightly understated pomposity.

Many of the original episodes were co-written by John Whedon, father of Tom Whedon (who wrote The Golden Girls), and grandfather of Deadwood scripter Zack Whedon and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog).

The key to the show was Peary, whose booming voice and facility with moans, groans, laughs, shudders and inflection was as close to body language and facial suggestion as a voice could get. Peary was so effective, and Gildersleeve became so familiar a character, that he was referenced and satirized periodically in other comedies and in a few cartoons.