U13 Hockey Team Raises $1,300 For Needing Families on Giving Tuesday

The U13 Central Ontario AAA Wolves put their generous spirit on display raising nearly $1,350 to purchase gifts on ‘Giving Tuesday’ for needing families for in Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of Chad Birkhof.

“It’s something that we’ve done with other teams we’ve coached,” said Chad Birkhof, Wolves head coach. “For us, it was a bit of a team-building function. Those kids raised that money on their own and they had the opportunity to buy for those families and children. It’s the gift of giving at Christmas.”

All photos courtesy of Chad Birkhof.

The team consisted of players from Peterborough, Omemee, Bobcaygeon and Lindsay. They shopped for gifts at Walmart on Chemong Road with their coaches and determined what would be suitable for the respective families they were helping.

The Wolves had sponsored a family of four and gave gifts to them as well as two other teenagers (one boy and one girl).

“We are so proud of this group of boys and so grateful that the Wolves are able to spread some Christmas cheer and support those who need it the most,” said Courtney Bribeau, Central Ontario Wolves ice scheduler. “Thanks to the coaches and mothers who helped pull all of this together.”

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Viral Sensation "Coach" Cal to Appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The legacy of seven-year-old Internet sensation Callan Perks or “Coach Cal” continues as he will be a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show airing on Wednesday.

Callan Perks signed a one-day contract as the Peterborough Petes Next Gen head coach on Nov 28. Photo by Jenish Odigski.

Perks first came to stardom after giving a pre-game speech to the Peterborough Petes in their Next Gen game. The day allowed the children a chance to join the Petes hockey operations and entertainment staff and participate in their respective roles for a day.

Since the video went viral, Perks has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, CBC’s The National and picked up by TSN and the NHL.

Perks is a grade 2 student at Lakefield District Public School. He has skated since he was two and started playing hockey as a centreman when he was three.

His favourite NHL team is the Edmonton Oilers with Connor McDavid as his favourite player. The undefeated coach wants to be an NHL player when he grows up. Following his hockey-playing career, he wants to be a hockey coach or general manager.

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Kids Under 12 to Ride Free Under Peterborough Transit's Pilot Program

Peterborough Transit will offer free transit for kids aged 12 and under as part of their Pilot Program starting on Jan. 2 announced on Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Transit.

The pilot program will run through 2022. Eligible children will not require a transit pass to ride the bus and will not be required to provide proof of age.

“This program can have significant long-term benefits by creating more lifetime transit riders,” said Councillor Kemi Akapo. “Children will not only learn to navigate the city and see public transit as their chosen travel option, they will also appreciate and contribute to the benefit of public transit in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Free transit for eligible children will include all City of Peterborough regular transit routes and registered users of specialized van service.

The Link bus service operating between the City of Peterborough and Selwyn Township is not included in the pilot program. Customers accessing that service will be required to show proof of applicable Link fare.

When boarding, the child or the adult they are travelling with must let the bus driver know that they are 12 years old or under. Free child passes are available upon request. Contact Customer Service at 705-745-0525 for more information.

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Local Boy Gives Rousing Pre-Game Speech For Peterborough Petes Next Gen Game

The hockey world has been put on notice as six-year-old Callan Perks coached the Peterborough Petes to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa 67’s with a pre-game speech on Sunday.

Perks was part of 10 kids aged 5-12 selected by the Petes for their Next Gen game. The day allowed the children a chance to join the Petes hockey operations and entertainment staff and participate in their respective roles. Petes general manager Michael Oke had the kids sign one-day contracts in a press conference at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Sunday.

The one-day coach was introduced by Petes assistant coach Andrew Verner as Perks motivated the team with a speech and announced the starting lineup for Sunday’s game.

"It was a dream come true going into the dressing room and give the speech,” said Perks.

Callan Perks (middle) signed a one-day contract as the Peterborough Petes Next Gen head coach on Sunday. Screenshot.

All applicants for a coaching position had to sent a video of a pre-game speech to the Petes before a game. Perks was in disbelief when we found out the Petes had selected him as the Next Gen head coach.

"I was so excited, it just felt awesome,” explained Perks. “I didn’t know I was going to get picked because there was a bunch of people. It was awesome to get the opportunity."

Perks wrote letters to several hockey players to send them well wishes and to stay strong during the season. He has sent them to teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Montréal Canadiens.

The six-year-old wants to be an NHL player when he grows up. He plans to be a hockey coach or general manager following his hockey-playing career.

Perks is a grade 2 student at Lakefield District Public School. He has skated since he was two and started playing hockey as a centreman when he was three.

His favourite NHL team is the Edmonton Oilers with Connor McDavid as his favourite player.

Ten children signed one-day contracts as Next Gen staff in a press conference held on Sunday. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The following is the list of children selected for the Next Gen game:

• Next Gen Head Coach - Callan Perks

• Next Gen General Manager - Wynn Jennings

• Next Gen Associate Coach - Jack Ingram

• Next Gen Assistant Coach - Bodie MacGregor

• Next Gen Assistant Coach - Londyn Panter

• Next Gen Scout - Emerson Birkhoff

• Next Gen Scout - Hadley Jennings

• Next Gen Scout - Silas Saldovski

• Next Gen PA Announcer - Oliver Ingram

• Next Gen In-Game Host - Pyper Lypsett

"I love skating and I love the game,” exclaimed Perks. “It's awesome just to be on a team.”

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PTBOCanada's First-Ever Kids Pumpkin Decorating Contest With Lansdowne Place Results

The inaugural “PTBOCanada Kids Pumpkin Decoration Contest” with Lansdowne Place was a great success with loads of entries from Peterborough and surrounding communities.

The following are the top three pumpkins for this year’s contest:

• First place - Ocean Hurd, age 8

• Second place - Aiden Rogers, age 11

• Third place - River Gerolomy, age 3

Us at PTBOCanada and everyone at Lansdowne Place would like to thank all participants in our contest, and hope that it got you in the Halloween spirit!

Take a scroll through some more great entries below.

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OPP Handing Out Positive Tickets to Kids For Positive Community Behaviour

This summer, the Ontario Provincial Police has begun “Operation Freeze” handing kids “positive tickets” for demonstrating positive behaviour for the community announced Tuesday.

A child receiving a '“positive ticket” from a local OPP officer. Deeds such as wearing bicycle helmets, picking up trash or obeying school crossing rules will earn tickets for children. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

Kids will receive coupons for a free small “Froster” in a partnership with Circle K convenience stores.

Reasons may vary but the OPP is out looking out for the following positive behaviours:

• To recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets

• Doing various good deeds

• Participating in community activities

• Demonstrating community pride (eg. picking up trash)

• Deterring crime or observing school crossing rules

• As an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area

Operation Freeze and Operation Heat are campaigns in a partnership between the OPP and Circle K convenience stores. Photo Courtesy of OPP.

"This is a great initiative and allows officers the opportunity to interact with youth in a positive manner," said Terry Ward, Dufferin OPP Detachment Commander. "These interactions with police can open dialogue with the youth and leave a good lasting impression."

The OPP will run a similar campaign this winter called “Operation Heat” for a free hot beverage.

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Local Woman Celebrates Motherhood for National Single Parent Day

“Me” time and self-care are a luxury for single mother Lisa Sedgwick but being devoted to her kids is what she lives for.

Lisa Sedgwick (left) describes her son Rowan Sedgwick (right) like artist Elton John because he is always wearing stylish glasses. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Lisa had her first son Ebin Sedgwick, 8, at 31 years old. His biological father left upon knowing about the pregnancy. Her second son Rowan Sedgwick, 21 months, was born through at-home insemination.

Lisa tried to conceive a child through intrauterine insemination (IUI) in between the two kids but unfortunately miscarried.

One benefit as a single parent is having all the moments with the children to themselves according to Lisa.

“You get all the cuddles to yourself, you get the love to yourself you guys get to celebrate together by yourself,” she remarked. “There's a different kind of bond there than there is with the grandparents or if they had father figures in their lives.”

Rowan (left) was met with negative reviews from Ebin (right) at first since the older son initially wanted a younger sister. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Despite not having a father in the boys’ lives, it takes a community to help raise a child according to Lisa. She has major support from her family and friends to help child-rear the boys.

“Every person, family or friend is a vital puzzle piece for the development of children,” she said.

Being a single parent is not without its challenges and especially with COVID-19.

Lisa works as a personal support worker and only has her mother babysit the kids. She rarely can have others watch them in fear of spreading the virus around.

“To have that moment you can feel like yourself, I won't get it for a while,” she said. “I wish some days when it's super hard and it's just me, I can have some time for myself. I know right now, it's not going to happen for a while. I have to be okay with that.”

Ebin enjoys playing video games such as Minecraft and Among Us. He wants to learn how to play the guitar as he gets older. Photo by David Tuan Bui

Lisa willingly knew that almost all her time would be for her two sons when she had them but claims the rewards outweigh the hardships.

“When you have your child, you've now chosen for a number of years especially when they're little, to be in the service of your children,” she said. “You're basically doing everything for your kids.”

Lisa loves her two boys and says they were the best thing to ever happen to her. She believes you can raise kids as a single parent but you have to understand the responsibilities.

“A child is for life,” said Lisa. You have to be a teacher, you have to be a doctor, nurse and financial supporter. No family is ideal, no family is perfect. You have to make it perfect.”

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Kids, Cops & Canadian Tire Fishing Day Event This Thursday At Del Crary Park

The Kids, Cops & Canadian Tire local fishing day event takes place this Thursday (August 2nd) at Del Crary Park and the Holiday Inn.

The event is open to children 16 and under, and will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Officers from the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police will be helping children from Big Brothers/Big Sisters learn the joys of fishing.

A BBQ lunch will be available for a nominal charge from 11:30 until 1:00 pm. There will be a Canine demonstration at 2:00 pm and Fire Department personnel will be in attendance with one of their vehicles. Participants are asked to bring their own fishing gear and an adult buddy. Giveaways and prizes will be awarded at 3:15 p.m.

This Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire event is sponsored by Fishing Forever, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding worthwhile fishing, conservation and education projects. It is also supported by the Police Association of Ontario, Canadian Tire and the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police.

To learn more about Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire, please visit Kidsandcops.ca or contact Joanne Pellegrino at events@kidsandcops.ca or 905.632.8679.

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900 Backpacks Stuffed With Supplies Will Be Distributed By United Way To Kids From Low Income Families

19 percent of youth in Peterborough are living in poverty. The United Way of Peterborough is doing their part to help out with programs like this backpack one, but funding has been a challenge. Watch this segment below for more on the program and how you can help:

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