Community Care Peterborough Announces 2025 Grandparent of the Year Award Winners

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) has announced the winners of its 37th annual Grandparent of the Year Awards, presented at the Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Wednesday night.

Granpa Jun Espiritu (left) and Kailyah Espiritu (middle) with Danielle Belair, CCP CEO (right). Photo courtesy of CCP.

Students in Grades 1 to 6 from the City and County were invited to submit a hand-drawn picture and a short written piece honouring a grandparent, elder or special older person in their lives. Winners and honourable mentions were selected in both English and French for two age groups: Primary (Grades 1–3) and Junior (Grades 4–6).

“This program is more than a writing contest,” said Chris LeBlanc, CCP director of donor and public relations. “It reflects our values at Community Care Peterborough—starting with the belief that our neighbours have dignity and their lives are worth celebrating. These stories are a testament to the role that older adults play in building strong, compassionate communities.”

(From left to right) Dr. Janet Kelly, CCP Board President; Nonna Ricciuti; Zinnia Ricciuti and Nonno Ricciuti. Photo courtesy of CCP.

The 2025 Grandparent of the Year Award winners are:

Primary Category – Grades 1–3 (English)

Winner: Ezra Larmour, Grade 3, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Grandpa Mark Larmour

Honourable Mention: Addy Davey, Grade 3, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Memaw Kelly Epstein

Primary Category – Grades 1–3 (French)

Winner: Zinnia Ricciuti, Grade 3, Prince of Wales Public School
Honouring: Nonna & Nonno Ricciuti

Honourable Mention: Siobhan Glover, Grade 3, Prince of Wales Public School Honouring: Papa Jim Dyas Junior

Category – Grades 4–6 (English)

Winner: Kaliyah Espiritu, Grade 5, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Grandpa Jun Espiritu

Honourable Mention: Charlotte Fillier, Grade 5, Norwood District Public School
Honouring: Great Aunt Penny

Junior Category – Grades 4–6 (French)

Winner: Faela Conroy, Grade 6, Kaawaate East City Public School
Honouring: Grandma Minten

Honourable Mention: Owen Anderson, Grade 6, Kaawaate East City Public School
Honouring: Grandma Laura Payne

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Winners Announced For Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 11th Annual Regional Spelling Bee Championship

Excitement was buzzing as the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 11th Annual Regional Spelling Bee Championship have named their top three competitors in their respective divisions, held at Fleming College on Saturday.

The following where the top three spellers from the Junior and Intermediate divisions:

Junior (Gr. 4-6)

1. Verna Conlin-Hanley - St. Anne CES

2. Kieran Scerri - Kawartha Montessori School

3. Olivia Best - Queen Elizabeth PS

(from left to right) Buzz the Spelling Bee Mascot, Kieran Scerri, Verna Conlin-Hanley and Olivia Best of the Junior Division. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Intermediate (Gr. 7-8)

1. Henry Sharpe - Adam Scott Intermediate PS

2. Tyler Phillips - St. Teresa CES

3. Shreyas Balakrishnan - Kaawaate East City PS

(from Left to Right) Tyler Phillips, Shreyas Balakrishnan, Henry Sharpe of the intermediate division. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The top spellers in each division won a week at Trent Excalibur Camp, a week at Camp Kawartha, bikes from Canadian Tire, lessons at the Art School of Peterborough, a party at Zap Attack Laser tag, tickets for local events courtesy of Miskin Law, cash for their schools’ literacy programs and more.

More than 4,000 children competed in qualifying bees at their schools in order to participate in the final event.

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Kaawaate East City Student Wins Peterborough Police Service's Chief For A Day Contest

Kaawaate East City Public School’s Izzy Condon received a phone call from Peterborough Police Chief Stuart Betts during class to discover she was the Chief For A Day contest winner, announced on Tuesday.

Izzy Condon is serving as the Peterborough Police Chief for a day on May 20. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

The Police received about 50 entries from Grade 5 students in the Peterborough area, with six chosen as finalists. 

They visited the Peterborough Police Station and read their essays in front of Betts and a panel of judges last Tuesday. The children also received a tour of the station and a chance to sit in the Chief’s chair. 

Condon will serve as Chief For A Day on May 20.

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Peterborough DBIA's Holiday Shopping Passport/Window Contest Winners Announced

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has announced Michelle Cardwell and T-Elle Boutique by VSL the winners of its 2024/2025 Holiday Shopping Passport draw and the Holiday Window Contest respectively.

(From left to right)Amanda Clarkson, Manager of Tribal Voices; Michelle Cardwell and Amanda Bedford, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Peterborough DBIA celebrate the win inside Tribal Voices downtown Peterborough. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Cardwell’s lucky passport was drawn on Jan. 8 at Venture Northto win a $1,500 downtown shopping spree.

She shopped at the following places to fill her passport: Stuff from Mom’s Basement, Tribal Voices, The Black Horse Pub, Riley’s, Soupcon Bistro and Peterborough Photo Services.

“Downtown Peterborough is a treasure trove of unique experiences, with a variety of shops and restaurants you won't find anywhere else in the city. I love taking my time in each store, and discovering one-of-a-kind items that make every visit special,” said Cardwell. “The free holiday parking during the holiday season is also a wonderful perk, giving me and my husband more time to explore. We love seeking out and trying new restaurants as well as checking out live music and local talent at venues like McThirsty's Pub, The Black Horse, One Eighty, and the rooftop patio at Riley's in the summer. Downtown is truly a place where we can all connect, explore, and support our amazing local businesses.”

“Our holiday programming reflects our strategic commitment to fostering a vibrant, dynamic downtown while also providing a rewarding experience for those who support local businesses,” says Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “These initiatives are about strengthening both the economic and social fabric of our community by encouraging people to spend their dollars locally and celebrating our entrepreneurs. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who shopped and supported downtown businesses during the holiday season, and we look forward to continuing to build a strong and resilient community that supports and uplifts each other all year long.”

Bob King, Devon Girard and an anonymous person were winners of the three early bird draws. The anonymous winner donated their prize to the yearly toy drive organized by The Toy Shop, Peterborough Fire Services and the Salvation Army of Peterborough.

T-Elle Boutique by VSL was crowned the DBIA's Holiday Window Contest winner where each participant decorated with the ‘Frozen Fantasy’ theme.

This year’s contest winners were determined by a community vote.

The top three winners are:

1. T-Elle Boutique by VSL

2. Under Pressure Wellness Clinic

3. Statement House

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Community Care Peterborough's "Grandparent of the Year" Winners Announced

Elders were honoured at Community Care Peterborough’s 36th-annual Grandparent of the Year awards ceremony as the winners were announced at the Peterborough Public Library on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Heather Doughty and Community Care Peterborough.

The event encouraged children from across the region of Peterborough to recognize a Grandparent, Elder or a special older person in their life.

Nearly 200 nominations from students in grades one to six were submitted including a hand-drawn picture of them with their loved ones.

This year, nominations from children in grade one were accepted; previously, it was open to grades two to six. Several dozen French applications were also received, allowing children to practice their French language skills.

“Each year we are so touched by the array of heartwarming stories we receive from across the City and County of Peterborough,” said Danielle Belair Community Care CEO.

The awards ceremony is referred to as a ‘Smiles All Around’ event.

This year, Community Care presented eight awards, with four winners and four honourable mentions awarded across two categories: Primary (grades 1 – 3) and Junior (grades 4 – 6).

Winners and Honourable Mentions by category:

In the Primary Category (English language):

• Winner – Levi Kloosterman, Grade 3, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School – nominated his Grandpa Frank Drumm (nicknamed “Bubba”)

• Honourable Mention – Keira M, Grade 2, Edmison Heights Public School – nominated her Great Grandpa Giuseppe

In the Primary Category (French language):

• Winner – Ari Singh, Grade 2, Edmison Heights Public School – nominated his Grandma Suriakala

• Honourable Mention – Makayla Anokye, Grade 2, Edmison Heights Public School – nominated her Grandma Thy Oeun

In the Junior Category (English language):

• Winner – Kimberly Chambers, Grade 4, St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School – nominated her Nana Darlene Damiani

• Honourable Mention – Charlee Dawson, Grade 6, St. Paul Catholic Elementary School – nominated her Grandma Laraine Langley

In the Junior Category (French language):

• Winner – Owen Anderson, Grade 5, Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated his Grandma Jane Anderson

• Honourable Mention – Madi McKeiver, Grade 6, Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated her Grandma Cathy McKeiver

“Congratulations to all the winners, nominees and participants,” said Anna Graham said The Gardens of Peterborough sales and marketing coordinator. “The Gardens of Peterborough is proud to be the Title Sponsor for Grandparent of the Year Award.”

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Innovative Furniture Repurposing Leads to Two Winners for Habitat For Humanity's Inaugural 'The Big Flip' Contest

Philip Feder and Cass Stabler are the winners of Habitat for Humanity’s inaugural ‘The Big Flip’ contest to promote sustainability and creativity to those reimagining and reviving furniture pieces while keeping them out of landfills. 

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

The first rendition of the event had 46 entries and ran on Earth Day, April 22. The challenge was to transform used furniture innovatively (including, but not limited to, painting, restoring, and reupholstering).

Among the entries, 20 contestants sourced their items from a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, five found furniture pieces on the side of the road and six repurposed items they already had at home. There were 17 entries that showcased the creative use of Fusion Mineral paint, a popular and environmentally conscious paint line known for its superior durability and one-step application, according to a press release.

The winners were selected through two categories: The People’s Choice and Designer’s Choice. The People's Choice category had over 1900 online votes. The Designer’s Choice winner was chosen by the interior designers at Birchview Design, who evaluated entries based on criteria such as creativity, originality, usability and overall transformation. 

The Winners 

People’s Choice Category: 

The recipient of the People's Choice award is Philip Feder of Omemee. His winning entry, a Superman-themed side table crafted from repurposed comic book covers, captured the hearts of voters with its unique blend of creativity and sustainability.

“As a comic book and toy collector, I frequently encounter damaged comics. Rather than allowing them to be discarded in a landfill, I opted to repurpose them.” said Feder. “(I) used a combination of materials and paint, I added bar resin to seal the top. To emulate Superman's suit, I fashioned the legs of the table accordingly, drawing inspiration from the comics.”

Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

The Designer’s Choice award went to Cass Stabler for her meticulously crafted floral desk. She transformed a child-sized wooden desk and chair into a vibrant and functional piece of furniture. Cass transformed the pre-loved desk into a birthday gift for her seven-year-old niece. After thoroughly prepping the desk and matching chair, she patiently painted a floral motif to reflect her niece’s love of nature.

“It's a good thing the NHL playoffs were on because this took approximately eight hockey games (or 24 hours) worth of painting time,” said Stabler. “I already enjoyed finding nice, well-made furniture from sources like the ReStore and I have recently started painting more often. Being able to combine these skills and make a perfect gift for my niece was a lot of fun.”  

Both winners received a Fusion Mineral Paint™ prize pack, a one-year membership to the Peterborough Tool Library, and a $500 gift card to Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre.

“(We’re) Thrilled to have been part of The Big Flip contest—an amazing campaign that advocates sustainability and keeping our landfills free from furniture even if its not up to the best quality,” said Alaura Jopling, Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre marketing coordinator. “We encourage our customers to visit us anytime for guidance and supplies for their next DIY project. Together, we can help you create, repurpose, and give life to old furniture while protecting our planet.”

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Maman Biomedical Inc. Earns $10,000 From Innovation Cluster LevelUP Pitch Competition

Latchmi Raghunanan, co-founder of Maman Biomedical Inc. made a $10,000 pitch and was the winner of the Innovation Cluster’s first LevelUP pitch competition on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Raghunanan stood on top over seven other competing companies. This event marked the finale of a 13-week program to propel regional startups from concept to market readiness.

The event was held at Innovation Cluster’s facility in Downtown Peterborough at the Venture North Building.

Entrepreneurs pitched their innovative solutions to a panel of expert judges, Christine Crandell, Gail Moorhouse, and Amit Bhanot to try to claim the top prize.

Raghunanan’s pitch involves the in vitro fertilization (IVF) sector, offering products in patch and gel form. Their products eliminate pain and reduce costs for women facing infertility, both major barriers to accessing traditional needle-injected IVF treatments. 

“Winning this competition means we can accelerate and move forward,” said Raghunanan. “We loved the LevelUP program, and we’ve made a lot of progress in a very short period of time. I am extremely proud of where we are.”

“Our first cohort has set a high benchmark for success," said Crandell. “Seeing these entrepreneurs evolve over the past weeks has been profoundly inspiring.”

Innovation Cluster is accepting new applicants for the next LevelUP cycle beginning on Aug. 6. The application deadline is July 1.

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Rotarians Defeat Media To Promote Rotary Club of Peterborough's Kids 10th Annual Spelling Bee For May 4

The Rotarians got the last laugh and word in over the local media in a promotional spelling bee competition at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Monday afternoon.

Donna-Marie Fennell of the Rotary Club attempting to defend her spelling bee title in the promotion Media versus Rotary competition. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Several media members —including yours truly— participated in the event to promote the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 10th Annual Spelling Bee which will take place at the Whetung Theatre at Fleming College on May 4.

The competition is divided into two groups. The Junior Division for Grades 4-6 runs at 9 a.m. and the Senior Division for Grades 7-8 starts at 1 p.m.

“We’re hearing from teachers at participating schools that kids are very determined to make it to regional bee and they are focusing intently on studying their practice words,” said Catherine Hanrahan, spelling bee committee chair.

The event is being broadcast on YourTV Cogeco.

The top three spellers in each division will win prizes, trophies and more.

“We’ve had a number of local businesses come forward with some really generous prizes like a week at Camp Kawartha or a week at Trent Excalibur Camp, a party at Zap Attack and lessons at the Art School of Peterborough,” said Hanrahan. “We also have two bicycles generously donated by Canadian Tire on Lansdowne and Realtor Rebecca Quinn from Century 21 United Realty.”

Every participant will receive a grab bag with items like Family Swim Passes for the YMCA, Train Passes for Riverview Park and Zoo, free games from Zap Attack, handmade toys from Leslie Covert and silly putty from Crayola. The winning students' schools will also be eligible for bursaries from the Rotary Club of Peterborough for literacy projects.

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Agave By Imperial Wins Back-To-Back Top Chocolatier Titles From DBIA's Hot Chocolate Festival

A second straight title of Top Chocolatier goes to Agave by Imperial after winning the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) second-annual Hot Chocolate Festival, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The Peterborough Hot Chocolate Fest featured 20 hot chocolate creations available for dine-in or takeout from participating downtown cafés, restaurants and pubs. Festival goers voted online for their favourites in three different categories: top hot chocolate, most unique and best classic.

With over 1,800 votes cast, Agave by Imperial’s Chocolate Champurrado won first place receiving the most votes overall, winning back-to-back titles. As this year’s winner, Agave received a hot chocolate-themed trophy and bragging rights for the year.

“We want to thank Peterborough for all your support and votes. We are so excited to be the top chocolatier for the second year in a row,” says Manish Choudhry, Agave owner. “Our customers loved this addition to our menu, and many people looked forward to enjoying the Chocolate Champurrado after their meal. This festival is a great way to bring more people downtown and get out to explore all the wonderful businesses and culinary artists in the area.”

Agave’s winning entry for this year, the Chocolate Champurrado. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The Dirty Burger Company won the ‘Best H’Adult’ award with its cocoa cocktail, the ‘Honey Cocoa Crunch Puff.’ Milk + Tea Shop wins the category of “Most Unique” for its cozy Earl Grey Hot Chocolate and Dreams of Beans wins the category of “Best Classic” for its indulgent Hazelnut-Infused Triple Chocolate.

New this year was a Hot Chocolate Rewards app. Digital stamp collectors were entered to win a weekly draw for Boro gift cards and receive access to exclusive discounts at several downtown businesses. Over 300 festival goers signed up for rewards, with four winners in total.

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Peterborough Woman Aiming To Claim Title of Greatest Baker With Votes In Online Competition

What started as a fun hobby has become a possible title of Greatest Baker for Peterborough woman Jamie Troke, who is competing in the online contest and seeking the public’s assistance for votes.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Troke.

Bakers advance to the next rounds based on an online voting system and Troke is currently a quarterfinalist and in third place at publication of this article. She must be in first place by Thursday at 10 p.m. to advance to the semifinals.

Anyone can vote for free with a Facebook account or a credit card once every 24 hours. More votes can be purchased.

Troke graduated from Kenner CVI in 2016 and attended George Brown College to hone her baking skills further. She started at a young age for fun and it grew to be her outlet to express herself, according to her voting profile page.

‘Greatest Baker,’ is an annual online baking contest run by Colossal.org. that supports the Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation. They help families deal with pediatric cancer.

The winner receives $10,000, has their work featured in Bake from Scratch Magazine and meets ‘Cake Boss’ star Buddy Valastro.

Voting for Troke can be cast online.

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