The Rotary Club of Peterborough Name 2025 Paul Harris Fellowship Recipients

The Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha recognized local community members for their leadership and service contributions with the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, presented at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Thursday night.

(From left to right) (Back Row) Kelli Grady, Betty Halman-Plumley, Margaret Hamilton, Catherine Hanrahan, Wendy Swain, Elwood Jones, Don Watkins, Maureen Crowley, Mary Smith

(Front Row) Linda Calverley, Ashley Bonner, Lorne Hamilton, Marcus Ferguson, Steve Paul, Len Lifchus and Brendan Moher. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Named after Paul Harris, the Rotary International founder, the recognition is for locals who exemplify the Rotary motto of Service Above Self through their leadership and service contributions within our community, the surrounding area or the world at large.

”Presenting the Paul Harris recognition together allows our clubs to honour these recipients as part of a wider Rotary family,” said Tony Grady, Rotary Club of Peterborough president. “It reinforces that our achievements in service aren’t confined to individual clubs—they’re part of a larger, collective effort to create lasting change.

The following local community members were awarded Paul Harris Fellows:

Youth Services: To recognize an individual who makes significant contributions towards youth (programs, services and/or related matters).

• Linda Calverley: Having spent the past 25 years shaping the lives of girls through the Girl Guides of Canada. Linda has mentored girls from ages 9 to 17 across multiple units. She’s supported fellow leaders, organized camps and events, and inspired generations of girls to be confident, capable, and compassionate. Linda has lead adventure trips to Scotland and the UK, organizing national camps, and creating experiences that have broadened young minds and built lifelong friendships.

Community Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant leadership contribution to the advancement and betterment of the Peterborough Community.

• Ashley Bonner: As the founder of the East City Community Hub, a grassroots network that began by helping vulnerable neighbours with errands and groceries, Ashley has supported local businesses, organized neighbourhood events, and rallied volunteers in times of need. Her signature project the East City Neighbourhood Yard Sale, created in honour of her late mother, has grown to over 100 participating homes.

Community Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant leadership contribution to the advancement and betterment of the Peterborough Community.

• Lorne M. Hamilton: When the Kawartha Woodturners Guild lost their meeting space at St. Peter’s High School, Lorne reached out to potters, weavers, gourders, and other craftspeople, and together they formed what became The Artisan’s Centre Peterborough. With Lorne’s leadership, they found a home in Peterborough Square, a space that still buzzes today with creativity, learning, and community spirit. From children’s programs to accessible workstations for those in wheelchairs, Lorne’s vision has made art more inclusive and inspiring for everyone.

Vocational Service: To recognize an individual who uses their vocational skills consistent with Rotary ideals toward community and/or international matters.

• Marcus Ferguson: Through his work with YourTV, Marcus has become the unseen historian of Peterborough. From city council meetings and charity fundraisers to sporting events and Rotary gatherings, he’s been there with his video camera, capturing the people and moments that shape who we are. Comparable to the Trent Valley Archives or the Roy Studio Collection, one could say the digital video archive Marcus has built will hold that same importance, telling the story of our community.

Environmental Service: To recognize an individual who supports activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of our environment.

• Steve Paul: As the founder of Clean Up Peterborough, a small grassroots effort to keep our parks, trails, and neighbourhoods clean, Steve Paul has grown his endeavour into community-wide movement focused not just on picking up litter, but on rethinking how our city reduces waste, recycles, and reuses materials. Among his many initiatives is organizing the collection of used writing instruments and used pill bottles diverting hundreds of kilograms of plastic waste from our landfills.

Club Service for the Rotary Club of Peterborough: To recognize a member for their outstanding service and dedication, each Rotary Club will select a member from their respective Rotary Club to receive this prestigious recognition.

• Eric Steinmiller: As the co-chair of the club’s international service committee, Eric is a world traveller and a leader in developing and funding Rotary’s humanitarian projects in Nepal and Honduras.

Club Service the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha: To recognize a member for their outstanding service and dedication, each Rotary Club will select a member from their respective Rotary Club to receive this prestigious recognition.

• Len Lifchus: A dedicated Rotarian for over 26 years, Len has faithfully served his club in many capacities most notably serving as club Secretary, President, and leading the club’s major funding projects. He has also served on the boards of numerous not-for-profits in the community.

On behalf of each recipient, the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough and Peterborough-Kawartha said they will donate the equivalent of $1,000 USD to the Rotary International Foundation.

The Nine Ships 1825 Inc. project also received a certificate of appreciation for their work and the community engagement created, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration.

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Trent University French Studies Professor Given Governor General’s Literary Award For Translation

Trent University’s coordinator and professor of French Studies, Dr. Sylvie Bérard, has been awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation for her translation of The Tiger Flu by Larissa Lai, a science fiction novel reimagined in French as Les Sœurs de la Muée, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“Sylvie exemplifies the intellectual and creative excellence that is fostered at Trent,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “Her achievement reflects the power of language and imagination to connect cultures and ideas, a remarkable contribution to Canada’s bilingual and literary landscape.”

The Governor General’s Literary Awards, presented annually by the Canada Council for the Arts, celebrate the best in Canadian literature across seven categories in both English and French. Professor Bérard shares the award for translation (English to French) with her partner and long-time collaborator, Suzanne Grenier, marking the duo’s eighth translated work together.

“I feel like I am floating on a cloud. To be seen and heard by peers at this level is profoundly affirming,” said Bérard. “It also gives this wonderful book and its ideas a new life and visibility in French. The universe created by Larissa Lai in The Tiger Flu is quite unique, so this is the kind of translation that really benefits from teamwork.” 

This is Prof. Bérard’s second nomination for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation. She received her first nomination for her translation of another Larissa Lai novel, Salt Fish Girl (Le fruit de la puanteur). She is also the recipient of a Trillium Book Award for Poetry in 2018 and a Trillium Book Award nomination in 2021, further solidifying her standing among Canada’s most versatile literary voices. 

The award-winning translation, completed over two years, required both scholarly research and artistic creation. Set 120 years in the future, Les Sœurs de la Muée demanded the creation of new terms, including the noun ‘Muée’ in the translation’s title and cultural references that feel authentic to French readers while remaining faithful to the English original. 

“When you translate science fiction, you don’t just translate the words. You translate the history of ideas, the imagined future, and the nuance of worlds that another writer has created,” said Prof. Bérard. “Translation is about recreating an entire universe so that readers in another language can inhabit it naturally. We don’t want people to feel like they are reading a translation. We want people to feel like they are reading a great book, and that requires a love for the work that you’re translating and needing to immerse yourself in the author’s original work.”

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Royal Canadian Legion Names Peterborough Woman 2025 National Silver Cross Mother

The Royal Canadian Legion has named Peterborough’s Nancy Payne a recipient of the 2025 National Silver Cross Mother, announced on Monday.

Payne grew up in Peterborough and has graduated from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School and St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Photo courtesy of PVNC.

With the honour, Payne represented all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or daughter in military service during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Tuesday.

She laid a wreath at the National War Memorial on behalf of all bereaved military families. She will continue to serve in this role throughout the year, attending national events that honour the Fallen.

Her son, Corporal Randy Payne, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006.

“I just want people to know about him, and I don’t want people to forget him,” she said.

Corporal Randy Payne. Photo courtesy of PVNC.

Her husband, David, and eldest son, Chris, also served with the Canadian Armed Forces. Military service is a long family tradition for her, dating back to the First and Second World Wars.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Mrs. Payne attended St. Anne CES and St. Peter CSS. She became a hairstylist and then a personal support worker and activity director in Gananoque.

For nearly two decades, Mrs. Payne has honoured her late son’s memory through the ‘Captain’s Award,’ presented each year to a Gananoque Secondary School student who demonstrates leadership, athletic ability and academic excellence — qualities her son embodied as a beloved hockey player and team captain according to the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board.

As the 2025 National Silver Cross Mother, Payne says it is a privilege to represent families who have experienced such profound loss.

“Never forget what they did for us,” she explained. “They gave their lives, we can’t forget that… we have what we have because of them.”

She and her husband reside in Lansdowne. Her hobbies include quilting, knitting and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Nominations Open For JA-Neo 2026 Business Hall of Fame

Nominations for JA Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) 2026 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) are open for both Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes, announced on Tuesday.

The 2025 inductees of Ja-Neo’s Business Hall of Fame. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

JA-NEO invites the public to submit their nominations to help recognize Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lake’s exceptional business leaders who have strengthened the economy and community through their accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business. 

“JA-NEO is looking to honour individuals who, through their careers, have made a positive and everlasting impact on the community and the local business landscape,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO President and C.E.O. “By recognizing and celebrating those who make an impact today, we are helping to inspire youth who will be our community’s leaders of tomorrow.” 

Nominations close on Nov. 28 at 3:00 p.m. Nomination forms are available online. Successful nominees will be announced at a formal announcement in January and will be officially inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame on May 7 for Kawartha Lakers and on May 26 for Peterborough.

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Trent University Recognizes Nine Recipients With Alumni Awards

Nine individuals are honoured through the 2025 Trent University Alumni Awards to recognize their contributions to shaping a better world.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

This year’s recipients are being recognized for efforts advancing research in public health and family well-being, leading in sport and science and inspiring creativity, compassion and leadership in family-law policy, health equity, forensic science, community building, student leadership and student governance.

“This year’s recipients embody what it means to be part of the Trent community,” says Naomi Handley, Trent director of Alumni Engagement and Services. “Their leadership, innovation, and compassion shine through everything they do, from advancing research and championing equity to inspiring the next generation of learners. We’re honoured to recognize their accomplishments and the many ways they carry Trent’s spirit into the world.”

The 2025 alumni award recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Dr. Zach Conrad ’02 (Champlain College) is an internationally recognized nutritional epidemiologist whose transformative research shapes national and international policy for the world’s biggest challenges around nutrition, health equity, and sustainability.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Glossop ’67 (Champlain College) is a distinguished researcher on family dynamics whose three decades of work have directly influenced social policy and family law across Canada to better support the well-being of families.

Spirit of Trent Award

Neil Horne ’96 (Champlain College) is a passionate and dedicated leader in Trent’s rowing community, whose 14 years of service to the Head of the Trent Regatta have elevated both the Trent Rowing Club and the regatta to international recognition.

Young Leaders Award

Dr. Theresa Stotesbury ’07 (Gzowski College) is an esteemed forensic scientist whose groundbreaking research on the degradation of biological tissues, such as blood, has revolutionized forensic investigations across Canada.

Jordan MacDonald ’17 (Lady Eaton College) is a dedicated researcher and community advocate whose work is reshaping how we understand and support teen parents – advancing policies that help young parents overcome barriers, complete their education, and thrive.

Founder’s Spirit Award

Newly introduced this year, the Founder’s Spirit Award honours alumni whose visionary leadership and lasting contributions have strengthened Trent University and its broader communities. The late David Christopher (Chris) Leach ’70 (Peter Robinson College) was a leader and Olympian whose founding role in Trent and Peterborough’s rowing clubs - including his instrumental role in creating the Head of the Trent Regatta - left a lasting legacy on sport, mentorship, and University life.

David Glassco Prize (student leadership)

Izabelle (Izzy) Miranda is a dynamic student leader who has held more than 10 leadership positions in campus clubs and organizations, leaving a lasting impact on the Trent community.

Robert W.F. Stephenson Prize (student governance)

Rylin Wormington (Otonabee College) is a fourth-year student who has served as junior senator, vice-president, and now president of the Otonabee College Cabinet, demonstrating exceptional commitment to student governance and University life.

Anne Warigia Kitheka ’18 (Lady Eaton College) is a dynamic leader whose dedication to equity, mentorship, and student advocacy has left a lasting impact at Trent while continuing to shape her path in science and business.

The 2025 awards will be presented at a reception on Nov. 18 at Trent University.

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Peterborough Musicfest Recipient of SOCAN's Licensed To Play Award

Peterborough Musicfest has received the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada’s (SOCAN) Licensed To Play Award, presented at the 35th SOCAN Awards Gala in Toronto as part of SOCAN’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

(From left to right) Matt Williams, Tracey Randall and Raff Melito of Peterborough Musicfest. The 35th SOCAN Awards Gala in Toronto is part of SOCAN’s 100th anniversary celebration. Peterborough Musicfest Photo Courtesy of Brad Ardely.

The Award is presented to a Canadian business or organization that consistently demonstrates legal and ethical use of music by ensuring proper music licensing for the public performance of music.

“On behalf of everyone at Peterborough Musicfest, we are deeply honoured to accept this award,” said Tracey Randall, Musicfest executive director. “To be recognized by SOCAN during its centennial year, and in the same evening as Canadian icons like Joni Mitchell, Drake, and Boi-1da, is truly special. This award is a tribute to our founder Fred Anderson’s vision, our volunteers, staff, sponsors, funders, and above all, our community. Together, we have sustained what is now Canada’s Longest Running Free Admission Music Festival, operating as a not-for-profit dedicated to bringing world-class music to our region, barrier-free.”

Peterborough Musicfest was founded in 1987 (formerly known as the Festival of Lights and Little Lae Musicfest). According to a press release, they have had audiences totalling over 100,000 each season at Del Crary Park. The festival has had more than 700 artists on its stage.

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Peterborough Teen Awarded $500 Swim Ontario Student Athlete Scholarship For Swimming

Junior competitive swimmer Olivia Jones of the Peterborough Swim Club has been recognized with the $500 Swim Ontario Dan Taylor Student Athlete Scholarship, presented at the Swim Ontario Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on at the Airport Marriott Hotel in Toronto on Saturday.

Olivia Jones (left) and Coach Kent Crockower (right) with the Award. Photo courtesy of Christina Jones.

A student at St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, Jones has maintained a GPA of 4.0. She began swimming competitively at the age of 10, when she joined the Trent Torpedoes Swim Club (now known as the Peterborough Swim Club).  Olivia recently earned a 10th-place finish in the 800-meter Freestyle event at the Ontario Swimming Championships and an eighth-place finish in the one-kilometre event at the Ontario Open Water Championships this past summer. 

“Swimming has taught me discipline, time management, and perseverance,” she said. “I’m honoured to receive this scholarship, and feel motivated to keep pushing toward new goals- both at school, and in the pool.” 

Photo courtesy of Christina Jones.

Team Aquatic Supplies collaborates with Swim Ontario to fund the $500 scholarships, awarded to outstanding student-athlete swimmers across the province.

Each year, only 12 student-athletes across Ontario—one male and one female from each Swim Ontario region— are selected for the scholarship. Recipients are chosen for their combination of academic achievement and swimming excellence, reflecting the late Dan Taylor’s belief that the sport of swimming builds good habits, confidence, discipline, and leadership.

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City of Peterborough Recognizes the 2024 Civic Awards Recipients

The City of Peterborough recognized outstanding citizens and groups for their contributions to its residents during the 2024 Civic Awards ceremony, held at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Tuesday evening.

Councillor Joy Lachica speaking at the 2024 Civic Awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Since 1953, the Civic Awards have recognized individuals and groups that have contributed to enhancing the City through their dedication to sports, volunteerism, the arts and environmentalism.  

“The Civic Awards are one of the most meaningful ways we can say thank you to the residents who make Peterborough a better place,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Each nominee and recipient represent the spirit of generosity, creativity and commitment that defines Peterborough.”

Community members first nominate Civic Award recipients and a Citizen Appointment Selection Working Group reviews each nomination. A list of candidates is then brought to City Council for consideration.  

Here are this year’s Civic Award recipients:  

Community Betterment  

• Peterborough Housing Food Bank Volunteers  

• Aya Darrouba  

• Kinsmen Club of Peterborough 

• Trevor Hesselink 

• Activity Haven Board of Directors 

• Good Neighbours Care Centre 

Cultural Betterment 

• Guru Sai Charan Pitla  

• Friends of the Library 

• Peterborough Girls Hockey Association  

Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability 

• Laura Gardner 

• Shelley Strain 

Athletic Award of Merit 

• Matthew Kathiravelu 

• Toula Pappas 

• Stone Shearer 

Mayor’s Youth Award  

• Rayne Froggatt 

Holnbeck Award 

• John Morris

Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Nicole Jin

Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Cole Lester

Senior Athlete of the Year 

• John Kasperski

Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Brianna Hearn-Finney

Volunteer of the Year 

• Yvonne Zerafa-Rapson

Lifetime Achievement Award 

• Henry Clarke

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Four Fleming College Alumni Nominated For Premier’s Awards

Four Fleming College alumni have been selected as nominees for this year’s Premier’s Awards.

Michell Acorn (top left), Tracey Randall (top right), Cheryl Dowling (bottom left) and Dave Conroy (bottom right). Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Colleges Ontario administers the Premier’s Awards, the advocacy voice for Ontario’s 24 colleges and was founded in 1992. 

This annual celebration recognizes the significant social and economic contributions that college graduates make on a provincial and global scale according to Fleming

Colleges can nominate alumni in seven categories: Skilled Trades, Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate, and Science, Technology and Engineering. 

The Fleming College nominees for 2025 are: 

Health Care and Community Well-being  
Michelle Acorn: Nursing (1987)  

Dr. Michelle Acorn, a proud Fleming College Nursing alumna, has charted an inspiring path in healthcare leadership. Currently serving as CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO), she champions over 5,400 Nurse Practitioners, nearly half of all NPs in Canada, advocating for improved access, integration, and innovation in Ontario’s healthcare system. Previously, Dr. Acorn made history as the first Chief Nurse of the International Council of Nurses, where she supported 138 national nursing associations and nearly 28 million nurses worldwide. Recognized as one of Canada’s top 25 women of influence and top 20 visionary CEOs, Dr. Acorn continues to blend policy leadership with hands-on clinical and teaching practice. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovation 
Cheryl Dowling: Counselling (2010) 

As the founder of The IVF Warrior, one of the world’s most recognized fertility platforms, Cheryl Dowling has built a globally trusted digital ecosystem that transforms how fertility care is accessed and understood. Her platform supports millions navigating infertility, IVF, and mental health with empathy, innovation, and evidence-based resources. 

An Emmy Award recipient and bestselling author (Unspoken), Cheryl is a trailblazer in digital health, leading advancement at the intersection of technology, science, and patient experience. Her work spans AI-informed tools, platform strategy, and tech-enabled solutions that improve outcomes, expand access, and modernize care systems. 

Through advocacy, storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration, Cheryl is redefining what’s possible in fertility care, ensuring no one faces this journey alone.  

Workforce and Skilled Trades Advancement 
Dave Conroy: Sustainable Building and Design (2009) 

Dave Conroy is a skilled trades leader and sustainable building advocate, a graduate of Fleming College’s Sustainable Building and Design program. In 2015, Dave co-founded The Little Building Company, leveraging the connections and hands-on expertise he gained during his time at Fleming. 

Now the sole owner, Dave has grown the company into a respected full-service general contractor based in the Township of Douro-Dummer. Deeply committed to sustainability and local economic development, Dave prioritizes sourcing materials and labour locally. From lumber and cedar to metal roofing and HVAC systems, nearly every aspect of the company’s builds supports small businesses and skilled tradespeople throughout the region. His team partners with trusted local trades, such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, strengthening the skilled trades ecosystem in the Kawarthas. 

Cultural and Creative Achievement 
Tracey Randall: Business Tourism & Transportation (1988) 

A graduate of Fleming College’s 1988 Tourism and Business program, Tracey Randall is now the Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free outdoor concert series, entering its 38th season. Since taking the helm in 2012, she has transformed Musicfest into a cornerstone of Peterborough’s creative identity, drawing thousands each summer to Del Crary Park and generating over $4.5 million in annual economic impact for the local community. Her commitment to creating space for emerging artists, fostering local pride, and promoting arts accessibility reflects her deep belief in the power of music to connect and inspire communities. Tracey Randall’s leadership has left an indelible mark on Ontario’s cultural landscape. 

The Premier’s Award winners will be recognized at a gala event in Toronto on Nov. 24.

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Youth and Holnbeck Civic Award Nominations Open Until Aug. 8

Civic Award nominations are open for the Holnbeck and Youth Volunteer of the Year awards.  

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The Holnbeck Award recognizes a couple or person who has made a lifelong contribution that has enhanced the quality of life for people with disabilities through volunteer work. Nominees for this award can live in the City or County of Peterborough.   

The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who was 18 years old or younger in 2025 and has made significant contributions to the development and delivery of community programs and services through volunteer work.  

Nominations close Aug. 8.  

Nomination forms can also be picked up at City Hall, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  

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