Trent University Chinese Program of Languages and Linguistics On Display at Its 25th Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition

The Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students was successfully at Trent University on Saturday.

Dr. Shaoling Wang (left) and third-place winner Antonella Batchi (right). Batachi competed and placed in the top three despite having studied only one semester of Chinese. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The event was organized by the Chinese Program of Languages and Linguistics (L&L) and sponsored by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation in China, as well as the Education Division of the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto.

This year’s competition was especially significant as it marked the 25th anniversary of the globally recognized event. The theme, ‘One World, One Family,’ which emphasized cross-cultural understanding and global connection.

The competition consisted of two parts: a speech and a cultural talent performance. According to a press release, participants demonstrated not only linguistic ability but also creativity and cultural appreciation through performances tied to Chinese traditions. The event also featured special guest performances, including a Comic Cross Talk presentation by Mr. Qining Wang and Heliang Yu of the Toronto Happy Laughing Association, and a traditional dance by students from Queen’s University, adding further cultural richness and audience engagement to the program.

Dr. Shaoling Wang from Trent’s Chinese Program of L&L has long been involved in the event, serving both as an adjudicator and as a dedicated mentor preparing students for participation. In earlier years, Trent University had limited recognition and support for the event, with most funding directed toward larger institutions. Through continued effort and advocacy, Dr. Wang successfully secured funding this year, enabling Trent’s Chinese Program to host the competition—an important milestone for the university.

Students trained by Dr. Wang have achieved notable success in past competitions, earning first-, second- and third-place prizes. This year, two of her students, Antonella Batchi and Magali Nichol, participated in the contest.

Although Magali Nichol was unable to compete in person due to a recent move, she submitted pre-recorded entries for both components of the competition. Her talent performance featured a traditional Chinese folk song played on the piano, demonstrating both musical skill and cultural appreciation.

Antonella Batchi earned third prize, despite that she had studied Chinese for only one semester. Batachi recited a poem by a Tang Dynasty poet reflecting on enduring friendship despite distance, aligning with the competition theme.

The competition brought together participants from multiple institutions, including Trent University, the University of Toronto (Scarborough, St. George, and Mississauga campuses), and Toronto Metropolitan University. The first and 2 second prize winners came from the University of Toronto Scarborough campus and Mississauga campus, and they are Thuy Nguyen, Brendan Webster and Harshita Nagireddy, respectively, while the remaining two third prize winners (a total of three) are Alon Averbouch and Bobbi Rimrott, represented the University of Toronto St. George campus and Toronto Metropolitan University. The remaining contestants also contributed to the strong level of competition. The MC of the event was last year’s first prize winner of the competition, Elizabeth Schunner, who graduated from the University of Waterloo. She used both Chinese and English to connect the contestants and the audience.

To make the competition more transparent and fair, the organizing committee invited adjudicators experienced in Chinese language teaching outside the university system. They are: Mr. Tian Yang from the International Language, Peel District School Board; Ms. Yuanzhi Cai from the International Language, Toronto District School Board; Ms. Ling Yu, retired from Havergal College; Ms. Jinghua Li from Hong He Chinese School, Waterloo and Ms. Jingming Li from Upper Canada College.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Trent University’s Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Languages and Linguistics Coordinator, Dr. Martin Boyne; Counselor Meng Zhang and Consul Ying Wang of the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto – Education Division; and Allie Bonner from the office of Peterborough MP Emma Harrison. They delivered opening and closing remarks, recognizing the importance of the event and celebrating participants' achievements.

As Dr. Shaoling Wang noted, events such as the Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition not only promote awareness of the Chinese language and culture and highlight the host institution, but also, most importantly, provide valuable opportunities for student volunteers to develop teamwork and organizational skills.

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Young Artists Asked to Help Five Counties Show Gratitude For 50 Years

Children of all ages are being asked to lend their creative art skills to help Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) show its appreciation for 50 years of service with its launch of the 50th Anniversary Thank You Card Contest.

Photo courtesy of FCCC.

Coinciding with its golden anniversary in 2025, until April 30, young artists of all ages are encouraged to decorate, colour and create artwork on a selection of 50th anniversary colouring sheets. Centre staff will use all artwork submitted on individual thank you cards shared with donors, volunteers, and supporters to show appreciation for their assistance to Five Counties.

In addition, one winning design will grace the cover of new corporate thank you cards that Five Counties will create in 2025 to mark its 50th anniversary.

Kids who enter the contest can win prizes, including Five Counties’ 50th anniversary T-shirts. Contest rules, entry forms, colouring sheets, and submission information are available online.

“Five Counties has much to be grateful for over its 50-year history, so who better to say thanks than the kids who benefit from our services,” said Maddie Jackson, FCCC Community Engagement Coordinator. “At the core of what Five Counties does is serving and supporting kids of all ages and abilities, so showcasing their artwork on 50th anniversary thank you cards will add extra meaning when we send appreciation to our supporters.”

As part of its 50th festivities, Five Counties is planning family-friendly events at each of its sites, including in Campbellford on May 27, in Cobourg in late June, over the summer in Minden, in Lindsay on Sept. 6, and in Peterborough on Sept. 27. The Centre is also featuring monthly stories from current and former clients, parents, families, staff, volunteers and supporters reflecting on their experiences and successes at Five Counties.

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Norwood Fair Announces Winners Of First Ever Wheat Competition

This year, in it’s 154th year, the Norwood Fair has added a new category for local farmers to enter. Winners of the wheat competition were announced earlier this week.

Photo courtesy of The Norwood Fair.

After a two year hiatus due to COVID-19 the Norwood Fair is slated to run Thanksgiving Weekend, October 8 - 10.

This year for the first time the committee added a ‘wheat’ competition for farmers to enter.

Due to wheat season ending before the fair runs winners have already been announced.

A total of ten farmers entered their wheat fields into the contest.

The judge was Don Oliver from Peterborough who said that the crops were “excellent with a very good yield potential.” Only ten points separated first place from last.

First place was a tie shared by Bob Sedgwick and Dave Webster with a score of 89 points each, Second place was also a tie shared by James Buck and Tim Shearer with a score of 88 points each.

Third place was another tie shared by Todd Payne and Scott Toms with 87 points each.

Murray Lobb finished with a single score of 83 points, followed by Crovalley Farms with 82 points, Gord Tomlinson with 80 points and Will Vanderhorst with a very respectable 70 points.

As the fair approaches and crops are yielded results from different competitions will continue to be announced.

For more information regarding the Norwood Fair visit their social media page.

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Sam's Place Deli Crowned First Ever Peterborough Mac and Cheese Fest Winners

After a month of friendly culinary competition the Peterborough Mac and Cheese Festival has crowned Sam’s Place as their first ever Mac and Cheese Champion.

Eddy Sweeny and Owen Walsh from Sam’s Place. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

18 signature mac and cheese dishes were featured on local menus throughout the downtown restaurant scene for both dine-in and takeout as part of the month-long foodie competition.

Over 500 votes were casted to crown the top mac and cheese dish. In the end, only a narrow margin of votes determined the difference between first, second, and third place.

Sam’s Place took the Mac + Cheese top honours as this year’s most loved mac with their glorious Jalapeño Bacon Mac + Cheesewich.

As the winner, Sam’s Place received a hand-crafted trophy, a $500.00 donation to Kawartha Food Share in the restaurants name, and bragging rights for the year.

“We are thrilled to hear that our Jalapeño, Bacon Mac + Cheesewich was just as great to all who voted, as it was to us. We are honoured to have had the chance to “compete” with some of Peterborough's finest chefs, while supporting the greatness that is Kawartha Food Share,” said Sam Sayer, owner of Sam’s Place. “Once again, the DBIA has come up with another creative way to draw attention to the awesomeness that the downtown has to offer, while supporting a killer cause. Until next year, cheese on, friends.”

Capra Toro’s Bacon and Beer Mac captured the hearts of many voters and landed in second place alongside Amanda’s’ Bringing Sexy Mac which was ranked third favourite.

Sam’s Place winning Jalapeño Bacon Mac + Cheesewich. Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

The events’ online Mac Map was viewed over 44,000 times throughout the festival. A number of restaurant partners experienced out-of-town diners traveling to Peterborough specifically for the Mac + Cheese Festival, with 66% of participating restaurants reporting that they were able to reach new customers during the festival.

“It was incredible to see the community rally behind our festival and its mission to bring mac and cheese lovers together for an entire month. We can’t wait to do it again next year,” said Amanda McBain, Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for the Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival.

The Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival also ran a month-long food drive in tandem with its food competition at each restaurant location. Throughout the month festival goers were encouraged to bring their non-perishables downtown when visiting mac and cheese locations.

“We are so thrilled with the support we have received from local businesses during the Mac + Cheese festival this past month,” said Ashlee Aitken, General Manager of Kawartha Food Share. “Even through all the obstacles and tough times these restaurants have faced the past year and a half, their willingness to support our organization and their fellow neighbours is truly remarkable. Thank you so much to the DBIA for including us in this fantastic initiative. These donations are a huge help as we begin preparations for the upcoming busy holiday season.”

For more information on this years first annual Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival visit www.ptbomacandcheesefest.com.

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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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Jacob Baggs Recognized as Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Jacob Baggs, a school custodian and as a food service worker has been named as the winner of this week's Frontline Worker Drop the Puck program.

Photo Courtesy of The Peterborough Petes

Baggs has been working as a custodian at the the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and as a food service worker at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Jacob has worked extremely hard at the PRHC (Cafeteria) ensuring medical staff are properly fed and hydrated to take care of patients”. said Colleen Condon, one of the many who nominated Baggs. “He also took on another job with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) as a COVID-19 pandemic cleaner ensuring schools are as safe as possible for Students and Staff. Jacob has always put the needs of the community first during this pandemic making sure he provides the best care possible”

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of those in their community.

The Petes welcome all members of the community to nominate deserving frontline workers by filling out this form.

The frontline workers chosen will be invited to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the Petes home opener which will take place on October 14 at 7:05 pm against the Sudbury Wolves.

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Local Indigenous Business Owner Semi-Finalist in Pow Wow Pitch

Dominique O'Bonsawin, owner of cedarlilie a beadwork and craft supply shop, is a semi-finalist in the Pow Wow Pitch. Pow Wow Pitch is a a grassroots community of Indigenous entrepreneurs across Turtle Island.

Dominique O’Bonsawin and her dog Cedar. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin

O'Bonsawin is of both French-Canadian and Abenaki heritage and started learning beadwork about five years ago while attending university in Ottawa.

“It was an important part of me reconnecting to my community and the larger Indigenous community in Canada,” she said.

As she gained interest in the craft she began to notice a lack of Indigenous owned bead stores in the country. She began to buy beads in bulk for her own use and selling any extras she had.

“I started running out of beads and realized this was a market I could tap into,” she said. “Before I knew it I had to make my own website.”

O'Bonsawin has now been selling beads and craft supplies for about a year and a half.

An example of Dominique O’Bonsawin’s beading. These pieces were completed along with her mother and sister. Photo courtesy of Dominique O’Bonsawin.

The Pow Wow Pitch competition is for Indigenous entrepreneurs across North America. It shines a light on vendors, artists, business builders and innovators from all backgrounds and industries, whether just starting or looking to grow to the next level.

This year, more than 1,500 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses online for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $25,000.

O'Bonsawin was one of those entrepreneurs and was surprised to find that she was chosen as a semi-finalist.

“I had a few people reach out to me and tell me to apply, but I didn’t think I was there yet. I’m still kind of figuring out this whole thing,” she said.

“All we had to do was submit a one minute video of what we would do with the money if we were to win,” she said. “It caught and I thought ‘okay this is for real now’.”

Of the over 1600 entries there are 156 semi-finalists who now must pitch their business plan live to a board of panelists.

O'Bonsawin is also eligible to win the peoples choice award, which would send her straight to the finals. The peoples choice award is based on the amount of votes a contestant receives, anyone is welcome to participate in voting.

More beadwork by Dominique O’Bonsawin.

O'Bonsawin’s pitch can be viewed here on September 22, 2021.

If she wins the Pow Wow Pitch competition she plans to expand her business and while she plans on doing so anyways, winning this competition would allow her to do it sooner.

Through beading O'Bonsawin has had the opportunity to connect with a new community of people.

“I didn’t grow up knowing much about my roots until I became a young adult and started doing that work myself, and I’m still learning. It’s an ongoing journey of reconnection,” she said.

O'Bonsawin hopes that people realize that beadwork is about building a community, and anyone can do it.

“I’ve met a lot of people who are in the exact position as I am. They’re doing their best to learn their language and know the people. It’s so beautiful to meet people that are going through the same thing you are and i think its even more beautiful that we can do that through beadwork.”

To view all the semi-finalists in the Pow Wow Pitch click here.

To vote for a winner in the peoples choice award fill out this online form.

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Peterborough Petes Announce Partnership with Get a Shot to Take a Shot Campaign

The Petes and Peterborough Public Health have announced a new partnership today with the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign. The two-month long initiative is designed to promote vaccine uptake and protect Peterborough and the Peterborough County from COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

The ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ campaign offers anyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine dose between August 9 and September 30 at a clinic run by Peterborough Public Health, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, or a local pharmacy, a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Petes home game during the 2021-22 season.

“The Petes are excited to team up with Peterborough Public Health for the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot,’ campaign,” said Executive Director of Business Operations, Burton Lee. “We understand that the safest and quickest way to return to a hockey season with an arena full of cheering fans is dependent on vaccine uptake. It will be an honour to host hundreds of local fans who have done their part to keep the Peterborough community safe at games next season.”

Those who receive their first or second vaccine dose during this time period will be provided a QR code at their vaccination site to enter the ‘Get a Shot to Take a Shot’ contest.

A virtual draw will take place on September 30 where 250 names will be drawn. A total of 500 tickets will be awarded.

Of the ticket winners, five will be drawn for an opportunity to shoot the puck in the net from centre ice during the first intermission of an upcoming home game. The winner of the shootout will then get to enjoy an additional Petes home game in the Petes Executive Suite.

For more information about the contest visit www.gopetesgo.com. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination and clinic locations visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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Local Artist Wins Top Art Award

Local artist Lynda Todd painted to first place with “Blossom” in the Spirit of the Hills Art Association competition announced Thursday.

Lynda Todd’s entry, “Blossom” is a 36x60 inch painting selling for $900 on Spirit of the Hills Art Association’s website. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

Todd’s painting was one of 16 entries in the “Fine Art” category. Results were based on an online voting system by the public.

Born legally blind and mostly colour blind, Todd’s personal challenges did not deter her from earning the top slot.

"Blossom represents how an idea became a reality,” said Todd. “As a legally blind and colour-blind artist, I visualized each petal as the skills, knowledge and actions to reach my dream and occupation as an artist blossomed.”

Todd’s entry on the cover of Occupational Therapy Now. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

The winning entry was published on the front cover of Occupational Therapy Now for their May/June 2021 edition.

“My life has blossomed every single day since moving to Peterborough,” said Todd. “One thing keeps leading to another, so many doors have opened now that I have the independence to get around myself and embrace city life. I want to help spread the word and inspire others to try it all.”

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Community Care Peterborough Wins National Contest For $20,000

Non-profit charitable organization Community Care Peterborough (CCP) won $20,000 in the 2021 Great Canadian Giving Challenge held by CanadaHelps according to a press release on Wednesday.

Meals on Wheels deliver food from Monday to Friday between 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Photo Courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.

CCP — a charity providing services to senior citizens and adults with physical challenges — was selected from 16,611 other charities. A total of $26,218,918 to those charities were donated last month.

June is considered the month with the least amount of donations to CanadaHelps — a non-profit networking charity organization —as stated in the press release.

All last month, CanadaHelps asked Canadians for online donations to win $20,000 for their favourite charity.

Every dollar donated in June through CanadaHelps or with an affiliated charity gave an entry for the grand prize.

“We are so thrilled to win the Great Canadian Giving Challenge,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP Donor Relations and Communications Lead. “We adapted our fundraising plans, operating virtual events and improving our online presence, to make it easier for people to support this work with their donations, improving our capacity and process to make online donations easy and secure using our Canada Helps charity account.”

Alicia Vandine (left) of Community Care Peterborough speaking with Nicole Danesi (right), CanadaHelps Manager in an online interview following the announcement of the contest winner. Screenshot.

$10,000 will be used towards the Give a Meal program which subsidies Meals on Wheels. The other $10,000 is for their Drive for Dialysis program which drives dialysis patients to medical appointments.

Without this support, many Ontarians living in rural communities are left to cover the transportation costs of these regular appointments that can add up to between $8,000 and $10,000 per patient according to the press release.

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