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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"Lakefield: Sketches To Remember" About Town's Rich History Will Be A Must Read

UPDATE: June 22nd -> Lakefield: Sketches to Remember will be released on July 1st at the Lakefield Isabel Morris Park by the arena. Arnold and Ridpath will be there from 4-7 p.m. to sign the book, which retails for $30. It will also be sold at Happenstance in Lakefield and The Examiner building in Peterborough.

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ORIGINAL POST

Without a brother’s love, a family so important to Lakefield’s history may not have existed. Without the strength and courage of war veterans, the village would have not had its lumber company, insurance firm, hardware store and some strong family connections.

Those are just a few of the 40 stories and illustrations included in an upcoming book, Lakefield: Sketches to Remember, by author Ed Arnold and Lakefield-based artist Drew Ridpath. The two have been putting together their Canada 150th birthday gift to the village for more than a year.

The front cover image was taken by Ed's son, PTBOCanada's Scott Arnold...

Lakefield: Sketches to Remember is filled with explosive, emotional and hidden stories about some of the people behind the incredible black and white drawings of buildings displayed throughout the book—which is slated for release on Canada Day.

Arnold and Ridpath will be speaking to an audience at Christ Church in Lakefield at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 21st about the book and a few of the buildings featured in it. They will also be announcing when and where it will be officially launched.

“When we moved to my family's hometown more than 40 years ago, I loved the people, history and beauty of this area," Ridpath says. "I started drawing pen and ink sketches to capture the unique character of our village. Ed's storytelling and the sketches combine to show how Lakefield has changed over time but still maintains the charm and feeling of a special village.”

The back cover and all the illustrations in the book are by Drew Ridpath...

Ed Arnold, an award-winning journalist who has written 16 local books, has this to say about the impact of writing, researching and collaborating on this book...

“When I started this journey with Drew, I had no idea how powerful the stories would be. Some made me laugh, others brought tears. It was an incredible trip through Lakefield’s past and present."

The Christ Church event on June 21st is a fundraiser for the museum with admission $10 at the door with limited seating.

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New 310-Page Paperback Book Looks At Peterborough's Rich Golf History

There is a new book being released by Ed Arnold and Roger Self about the city’s golf history and some of its greatest players.

Called Peterborough’s Golf Story . . . and more, this 310-page paperback features the story of the city’s golf courses and many of its best players. It also includes 20 pages of black and white photos and more than 20 pages of city golf tournament statistics over the years.

Front cover photo by Scott Arnold

The book will be available after the book launch that takes place at Kawartha Golf & Country Club Wednesday, April 12th from 4 to 6 p.m.

Back cover photo by Paul hickey

Following the launch, the book will be available at Kawartha Golf and Country Club on Clonsilla Avenue, The Peterborough Examiner on Hunter Street East, Trent Valley Archives on Centre Line of Smith and Happenstance on Queen Street in Lakefield.

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There Is A New Book Out Called "Neat Places & Cool People In Peterborough"

Neat Places & Cool People in Peterborough is available at some local bookstores for $25, with all proceeds going to the local United Way campaign. It's a 118-page book illustrated by artist George Elliott with stories from Examiner managing editor Ed Arnold.

[chextvDOTcom]

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