Lineup For Lakefield Literary Festival Announced

The Lakefield Literary Festival has announced its summer lineup of authors for July 19 and 20.

Author Sheila Het (left)i signs a copy of her novel, Pure Colour, for festival board member Bev Haun (right). Photo courtesy of Vanessa Stark and the Lakefield Literacy Festival.

The event will feature a lineup and a festival first novel-to-film discussion on how the writing process transfers to the big screen.

The summer program features:

• Friday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m.: Michael Crummey and filmmaker Christian Sparkes

• Saturday, July 20 at 10:00 Children's Tent at Cenotaph Park: Casey Lyall and Kevin Sylvester

• Saturday, July 20 at 2:00: Drew Hayden Taylor and Elizabeth Renzetti and Kate Hilton

• Saturday, July 20 at 4:30: Meet the Author Reception

• Saturday, July 20 at 7:00: Charlotte Gray and Tim Cook

More details about the authors, their books and tickets will be released next month according to a press release.

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Photos: Local Author Launches Book Signing of His First Publication: Story of a Goat

Kalbfleisch with his girlfriend Kim, signing one of several copies of his new book, "Story of a Goat." All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Scott Kalbfleisch has solidified himself as an author with his first publication, ‘Story of a Goat’ at a book signing at GreenUP on Wednesday.

Kalbfleisch was diagnosed with encephalitis which is swelling of the brain. He uses his condition as a metaphor for the main character of his book.

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Hometown PTBO: Author Scott Kalbfleisch About Growing Up With Encephalitis And Its Connection To His New Book, "The Story of a Goat"

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with with author Scott Kalbfleisch about his new publication, "The Story of a Goat" and growing up with encephalitis and how his condition is linked to the book.

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Local Pedorthist Publishes New Book Highlighting Peterborough Petes 67-Year History With 101 Short Stories

Local pedorthist Nick Caravaggio Jr. recalls the Peterborough Petes 67-year history in a new book he published called ‘Petes 101: The Unofficial History of the Peterborough Petes.’

Nick Caravaggio Jr. is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist at the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic. He took over the business from his late father, Nick Caravaggio Sr., a founding member of orthotic therapy in Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 300-page book contains 101 short chapters throughout the team’s 67-year tenure including the recent 2022-23 OHL Championship title.

“I've always wanted to write a book. It's been on my bucket list for a long time and I've just been a big sports fan my entire life,” explained Caravaggio. “There's a lot of books out there about the Canadiens, the Leafs and whatnot that are similar to this book and I thought it would be cool to try for the Petes.”

The book pays homage to his late father and Petes fan, Nick Caravaggio Sr. Before the father’s passing, Caravaggio Sr. was able to read most of the book. He took Caravaggio Jr. — when he was six at the time— to his first Petes game on Nov. 3, 1990. To commemorate the occasion, Caravaggio Sr. bought his son a puck that bears the book's cover.

The late father ran the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic and could not spend much time with his son. The Petes game became the foundation for the close bond between both Nicks and they made a concerted to attend games more frequently to spend more time together.

“He's the main reason why we have such a good relationship with the Petes because he took me to my first game,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “We had such a good connection and it just strengthened our whole bond. I have to thank the Petes because they're the reason why my dad and I had such a good relationship.”

The book contains interviews with Petes’ players, coaches, staff and more throughout the team’s 67-year span. Interviews for the book included Don Barrie, Pat Casey, Scotty Bowman, Terry Doyle and several others.

He credits former Petes general manager Jeff Twohey with getting him closer to the world of junior hockey than he ever imagined according to the book. He also mentions local author, journalist, and former editor Ed Arnold for being his mentor and helping him write the book. Caravaggio Jr. only had a few people to talk to for the book but the aforementioned helped establish more connections for interviews.

“It just kind of snowballed,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “This whole community, they're so tight. They're such nice people and very welcoming to me. I'm not a hockey guy, I never played at a high level so they're very welcoming to accept me and actually talk to me.”

The book is available on Amazon, the Petes store (at the Peterborough Memorial Centre) and Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic for $25. Caravaggio Jr. is signing book copies before the Petes game at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at 6 p.m. this Thursday.

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Local Nurse Authors Literature About Nursing Self Help With Book Launch This Tuesday at The Vine

Local nurse of 18 years, Shawna Longford, has authored her first piece of literature, ‘Witness: Bring present for your patients, your colleagues, and yourself,’ and is holding a book launch at The Vine this Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The book’s cover. Longford graduated from Trent University in 2005. Photo courtesy of Shawna Longford.

The book was initially meant as a self-help book for nurses but could be for anyone with front-line professions, according to Longford.

“My intention was to support new people and help prolong careers,” she explained.

Longford has laid out in detail who the book is for:

• Anyone who has served in a profession that has wounded them physically, mentally or emotionally

• Those who understand the costs associated with the jobs that require duty and sacrifice

• People who have experienced PTSD, moral injury, compassion fatigue and burnout

• Someone looking for a way to sustain their career in healthcare or human services

• Leaders and educators curious about ways to teach and support resilience

• The recruitment and retention of nurses

Longford worked on the book four years ago and completed it this past summer. It was edited, written and printed locally with the help of five other contributors.

Books are available during the launch, with Longford doing signings. The Vine will have complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks during the event. Signature cocktails and other drinks are also available for purchase during the launch.

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Local Journalist Tells the Untold Stories of the 1973-74 Peterborough Petes In New Book ‘The First Ones’

Untold stories of the 1973-74 Peterborough Petes, Team Canada’s first team to compete in the first World Juniors held in Russia, are being told by local journalist Ed Arnold and his book, ‘The First Ones,’ to be released this weekend.

Jason Russelle, Russelle Toyota general Manager (left) and Ed Arnold, Author of ‘The First Ones’ (right). Arnold had written Peterborough’s Perfect Season: With Benny and his Jets in May of last year

The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon at Russelle Toyota where Arnold unveiled the paperback on the team’s 50th anniversary.

The book tells the journey of the Petes with coach Roger Neilson in December of 1973 but also through the perspective of those involved.

According to Arnold, the World Juniors were never officially sanctioned and recognized until 1977. He continues to explain that very little information was available online about the tournament.

“The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) has nothing on this tournament. You can go on the Internet; all you'll find are summaries of the games and who the players were,” explained Arnold. “The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto has literally nothing but a couple of newspaper articles. Hockey Canada has no archive has nothing at all so digging up that information was a matter of finding these players.

The front and back of the paperback book. Photo courtesy of Ed Arnold.

With the help of Bob Russelle, his family and the business Russelle Toyota, Arnold was able to contact most of the team members and others and uncover relevant letters, documents and material.

Several team members will be at the Petes' game against the Oshawa Generals during the Alumni Homecoming Weekend to be honoured this Saturday night.

The paperback sells for $25 and includes several photographs of the journey. It goes on sale at Saturday’s Petes game at the Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and between the first and second period. The Hall is also putting on a small display for the public to view.

The book will be available locally by emailing perfectseason46@gmail.com or at Sullivan's Pharmacy in East City, Trent Valley Archives on Carnegie Avenue and Happenstance Books in Lakefield.

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Hometown PTBO: Author Matthew Flagler Releasing His New Book; Held to the Fire, Recounting The Stories of the Famous Quaker Factory Explosion

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with author Matthew Flagler about his new book about the famous Quaker Factory explosion; Held to the Fire, the book's timeline and his family connection to the building.

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Local Author and Illustrator Publish Children's Fantasy Book 'Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie'

Inclusion and individuality, inspired by real-life events come to life from local author Niki Allday and illustrator Kaylah Wilson as they published a children’s fantasy book ‘Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie.’

17-year-old Kaylah Wilson (left) and Niki Allday (right) with her two children. The book took roughly 18 months to create with illustrations beginning since February. Photos courtesy of Niki Allday.

The book is a fairytale with the protagonist Polly and her pixie friend in a magical pumpkin adventure. It is based on Allday’s experiences visiting Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook with her children, drawing a simile between people and pumpkins.

“I hope people understand the underlying message of inclusion and individuality,” explained Allday. “We all come in different colours, shapes and sizes, just like the pumpkins.”

The book is inspired from visits to Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook as it is a ‘magical’ pumpkin patch described by Allday. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.

The book is already available online at Amazon and is planned to be sold locally at Watson & Lou and Bellies & Babies. Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch is also selling copies during the fall season.

Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie took one-and-a-half years from start to finish to complete. Allday had the help of 17-year-old student Wilson who illustrated the book, beginning work early this year.

“Kaylah had started her illustrations in February, working through her exams and keeping a very tight deadline so we could move forward with publishing for our fall launch,” said Allday. “Kaylah was so easy to work with and seeing my story come to life, was a beautiful experience.”

Allday is also a photographer atop her authoring career. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.

Allday said she stuck to strict deadlines to get it ready for the fall season, appropriately enough to match the setting of her book.

The pair have a book signing scheduled at Chapters on Lansdowne Street for Sept. 30.

“I am so proud of us both and truly grateful to Chapters for hosting us and for the local shops offering to sell copies,” exclaimed Allday.

One of Allday’s most rewarding moments of writing and publishing a book is being able to share it with her two children.

“It’s a very special feeling laying in bed reading your children a story you wrote, that was inspired by a memory spent with them,” she said.

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Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library Partner to Offer On-Campus Recreational Reading Collection

Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library have partnered to offer a new self-serve library kiosk on campus; promoting community connection and providing increased access to the downtown library’s collection.

photo courtesy of trent university.

“At Trent University, we recognize the profound benefits of reading for pleasure, ranging from stress relief and cognitive development to the enhancement of empathy skills,” said Coralee Leroux, Bata Library’s scholarly resources librarian. “The success of this partnership has created a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, stimulating curiosity, reducing stress, and fostering empathy among our students and wider community. It is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and a shared vision for education and personal growth.” 

Bata Library is the newest location for the Peterborough Public Library's network of self-serve kiosks, offering access to public library materials for anyone possessing a Peterborough Public Library card, and extending the reach of library resources throughout the city. Other locations include the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“We’re very excited to partner with Bata Library on this initiative. Our kiosks provide an alternative to visiting our downtown branch for those who want to borrow library materials,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “When the folks at Trent reached out, it was such a quick and easy yes from us. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to work together and combine our library powers for the benefit of the Trent and local communities.” 

To borrow a book from the Bata Library kiosk, or other kiosk locations, individuals can simply scan their Peterborough Public Library card, enter their PIN, and open the kiosk door to select a book. When removing the book from the kiosk and closing the door, the item is automatically checked out.

For those who do not have a Peterborough Public Library card, registration can be done online. 

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Trent Valley Archives to Host Meet the Author Event

Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will be hosting ‘Author! Author!’ a Meet the Author event at The Mount Community Centre May 27 with featured authors Rosemary McConkey, Bob Reid, Elwood Jones and Al Kirby.

photo courtesy of trent valley archives.

Rosemary McConkey will comment on her book ‘Green Routes’ which covered the experiences of Peter Robinson Settlers over time, some staying in this area but others moving farther afield.

Bob Reid will discuss photographs from his book, ‘Trent Severn Waterway, Then and Now’ which features photographs from a century ago and his modern photographs of the same sites.

Elwood H. Jones will talk about the upcoming publication of the classic Howard Pammett study of the early years of the settlement of Peterborough, 1820s to 1850s. This book is being offered at the pre-publication price of $100, and copies may be reserved at this event (1545 Monaghan Rd.) or at the Trent Valley Archives website.

The free event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. will also feature the music of Allan Kirby and his Backwoodsmen sharing some of the tunes from their recent CD, ‘Cross Cut.’ This features many classic folk songs from the area, some of which were referenced in Dr. Alan Kirby’s ‘Fowke Songs’.

There will be refreshments and discussion, as well as a chance to buy the books and to have them autographed.

More information is available on TVA’s website or by calling 705-745-4404.

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