Kawartha Potters Guild Presents Celebrate Ceramics Fundraiser

Kawartha Potters Guild will be hosting ‘Celebrate Ceramics’, a fundraiser to support their not-for-profit pottery guild and art community on April 8.

Potters from Kawartha Potters Guild donate bowls to YWCA Empty Bowls fundraiser each year. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Potters Guild.

Tickets are $75 and available at Kawartha Potters Guild at 993 Talwood Dr.

Attendees at the fundraiser will be entered into a draw. When their number is called they will be able to chose a piece of donated pottery to take home.

Guests can also enjoy live music, complimentary food and a glass of wine.

Those that purchase a $75 ticket can bring a friend for an extra $25, though they will not be eligible to bring home a piece of pottery.

Pottery that has been donated to the fundraiser is currently on display at the Kawartha Potters Guild. Pieces can be viewed Tues – Fri: 1-5 p.m. or by appointment with Donna O'Brien, administrator@kawarthapottersguild.com.

The event will be hosted April 8, 7-9 p.m. at the Lions Club, 347 Burnham St.

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Peterborough Artist Raises $8,450 For Ukraine With Auction

Local artist Nick Leniuk of Riverbend Studio raised $8,450 for the Canada Ukraine Foundation-Ukrainian Canadian Congress by auctioning a handmade, Ukraine inspired carving.

Nick Leniuk in his home studio with his piece ‘Rise Above’.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Leniuk, a first generation Canadian-Ukrainian, knew he wanted to do something to help.

As a sculptor, he decided on creating and auctioning a unique piece.

All the pieces Leniuk carves are drawn by hand, though because he wanted to get this one done quickly he searched the internet for a silhouette of a sunflower, Ukraine’s national flower.

He found a silhouette he liked and learned it was drawn by a Russian artist, who completely supported Leniuk’s intentions.

Leniuk facilitated the auction through his social media, with bids coming through direct messages, with the auction closing Monday at 4 p.m.

By Monday morning the bidding was at about $1,500, but soon a bidding war began.

“There were two bidders that were upping it by about $100 every half hour or so,” he said. “I was getting stressed out. I always feel bad because not everyone can win.”

With about three minutes left in the auction and two bidders competing, a third bidder offered $3,000, says Leniuk.

“I was floored,” said Leniuk. “I couldn’t update my sites quick enough.”

One bidder dropped out, while the second proposed an idea to Leniuk.

They suggested that Leniuk ask the winning bidder if he could make a second sunflower piece, which they would purchase for $3,000.

The winning bidder agreed, which means Leniuk has sold two pieces at $3,000.

“He was happy to go along with that proposal,” said Leniuk. “As long as he got the first piece, only two were ever made and that his was certified as the original.”

Both winning bidders requested that they remain anonymous.

The additional money was donated by friends, family and supporters on Leniuk.

“I had really modest expectations, but it snowballed into something that was bigger than I ever expected.”

Leniuk, who’s father Antony was born in Ukraine and came to Canada after World War Two, still has family in Europe.

His cousin, born in Ukraine and living in Paris, has a son that has returned to Ukraine to resist foreign invaders.

Leniuk notes that although this is a different war, and different times, his family has gone through this before.

His uncle, who he was named after, fought in the Ukrainian resistance during World War Two. He was discovered by police who were cooperating with Nazis, and never seen again.

His cousins son reached out to Leniuk, and thanked him for his contribution from Canada.

“It’s gratifying to be able to contribute on behalf of so many people,” he said. “It’s the people that make these this happen.”

Leniuk will officially make the donation this week, after payments are finalized, and post the receipt on social media.

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Dragon Boat Festival Will Take To The Water This Year After Two Year Hiatus

The 21st annual Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival will take to the water this year to raise money for the PRHC Foundation, after having no in person event for the last two years.

Photo from the 15th annual Dragon Boat Festival. File Photo.

The festival will take place on June 11 at Del Crary Park.

“The last few years have been quite challenging for our team” said Festival host Survivors Abreast Team President Marg Walsh. “We are resilient and have managed to keep the team active and the Festival alive. We are inspired by the enthusiasm the community has already shown and can’t wait to once again welcome everyone to such a worthy and important fundraising event as we continue to work hard to ensure everyone from across our region has access to world-class breast cancer care.”

After being cancelled in 2020, the Festival went virtual last year and raised over $95,000, bringing their 20 year fundraising total to over $3.7 million dollars.

“It was absolutely awe-inspiring to see organizers and supporters keep this incredible event going in such fun and creative ways, while continuing their generous support of world-class regional cancer care, close to home,” said Leslie Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO.

Participants will enjoy the same features that have been at the festival in the past as well as new ones including: 

• A new FundRacing division for those teams or individuals who are not able to participate in person but still want to support the festival and make use of the fundraising tools available to those who register. (Prizes are also up for grabs for top fundraisers in this division)

• The One Stop Dragon Boat Shop will be available online leading up to race day and in person on race day

• The Family Fun Zone offering activities and crafts to keep all entertained

• The Dragon’s Lair, Loft & Nest – a luxurious tent experience and added perks for the top three fundraising teams

• The Vendor Village Market – with over 40 vendors brought to us from Modern Makers Market including food vendors

• The Thirsty Dragon – Beer Garden

• The Flower ceremony which will be open to the community at large to honour their loved ones.

According to Heighway, proceeds from this years Festival will allow Peterborough Regional Health Centre to invest in new state-of-the-art equipment and technology to serve more cancer patients, support earlier cancer diagnosis, and provide safer, more effective treatments.

Kawartha Credit Union will be the events sponsor for the 21st year in a row.

Registration for the 2022 Festival is available on April 1 at www.ptbodragonboat.ca.

The first 3 teams to register will win a free extra practice in a dragon boat on Little Lake. Participants and supporters are encouraged to engage with the Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the handle @ptbodragonboat

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Local Man Holds Soccer Equipment Sale To Support Ukrainian Efforts

It did not take long for Victor Waselenko to aid his home country of Ukraine as he is holding a one-day soccer equipment sale in support of the Red Cross for humanitarian efforts this Saturday.

Waselenko sent 1,300 medical kits earlier this month to his home country of Ukraine. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The cash-only sale is at Hybrid Sports at 1575 Chemong Rd. and runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Waselenko used to own the soccer apparel store “Soccer Plus” located at 139 George St N. — until closing in 2017 — where his leftover jerseys, apparel, footwear and equipment are sold at the one-day event at 50 per cent off.

All proceeds will go towards Ukrainian charity efforts according to Waselenko.

“My goal is to walk out of here with here with empty boxes," he said. "I would love nothing more than if we sold everything that was here but we have an aggressive goal of $10,000 that we'd like to raise."

After the sale, Waselenko says he wants to raise a total of $100,000 for the Red Cross with the help of the community.

@ptbo_canada A Ukranian Fleming College faculty member is selling tons of soccer gear at low prices to help support Urkranian efforts! #ptbo #ptbocanada #ukraine🇺🇦 #ukraine #soccer #futbol #charity #sports #fundrasier #peterborough ♬ Ole! Ole! Soccer! - Music Star

Earlier this month, Waselenko and his family sent 1,300 medical kits to Ukraine with the help of Shoppers Drug Mart and from public donors. There were more than $50,000 in product that was shipped to Ukraine.

Waselenko is a first-generation Ukrainian after his parents moved to Canada shortly after World War II.

"They were still young and they met here (in Canada)," explained Waselenko. "But they left a lot of family members behind because not everybody immigrated."

Waselenko has had a love for soccer since he has played as a kid. He has coached for several teams including his daughters’.

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Two Local Men On A Mission In Europe To Transport Refugees And Deliver Supplies

For John Graham and Dave Black, from Campbellford and Springbrook, donating money to Ukrainian relief efforts was not enough. The two packed up their lives and are currently in Europe, transporting refugees farther west from the Polish/Ukraine border with a rented van, plenty of patience and over 10,000 km of European highways under their belt.

David Black and John Graham before leaving. Photo sourced from their Facebook page.

It started out as a conversation, says Graham.

The two friends were sitting at around a table in Campbellford feeling helpless watching the Russian invasion unfold in Ukraine.

“It was a spur of the moment decision,” said Graham. “I checked how my family would feel about me going and I got medium support.”

Black, who is ex-military and ex-police, says the two are at a point in their life that they have enough freedom to pack up and leave for a long period of time.

Graham arrived in Berlin, Germany on March 14, picked up a rental vehicle and took to Przemysl, Poland to begin the mission. Black met him on March 19.

Their goal is to not only transport refugees, but to pick up much needed medical supplies and bring them back to the Poland/Ukraine border.

“We’ve been staying true to our goal of bringing supplies back,” said Black. “There’s just too many people here and not enough supplies.”

As of Wednesday the two estimate they have driven over 10,000 km, and 27 refugees. They have driven through places like Berlin, Prague, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria.

On Monday the two transported a woman who had been struck by shrapnel in her leg to a nearby hospital.

Because of the influx of people in Przemysl their hospital is at capacity. Black and Graham brought the woman to a hospital in Dresden, Germany to seek treatment.

“I think most are still in a state of shock,” said Graham. “It’s bit of a relief to no longer be in the refugee centre, but I can’t speak for what’s going on in their mind when we’re driving them farther away from their home.”

The group of seven they are currently driving with - including three children - are going to Rotterdam, Prague and Berlin.

On Wednesday their passengers learned that the last bridge in their hometown had been struck, meaning anyone that was still there will have to stay.

“They know people that are still there,” said Graham. “It’s very upsetting.”

Because of the language barrier, the two say their passengers mostly talk amongst themselves and try to keep the children entertained.

“The language isn’t there but the time we get where we’re going these people are very important to me,” said Graham. “We’ve eaten together and slept next to each other for days at a time.”

The two note how much support is flooding into Poland to help.

“John and I noticed the other day about 25 fire trucks in a convoy going across the Polish border to presumably to fight the fires in combat zones,” said Black.

Black has been wearing a ball cap with a Canadian flag on it and says many people are pleasantly surprised to see Canadians helping.

At home, Tobey VanRoon and Bill Davenport have been helping Graham and Black’s mission.

VanRoon has organized a GoFundMe that is being used to purchase medical supplies and pay for gas. Any money remaining will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross's Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Davenport has been compiling videos sent by Graham and posting updates to a Facebook group.

Before our conversation ended, Graham had a final, specific request.

“One of the big asks - they’re very short on tetanus and thrombosis medication.  They’re doing field amputations here because of shrapnel wounds,” said Graham. “There’s no medication to ensure they don’t get infected. If anyone has any access to that, if you can get it here I can get contacts to hospitals in Ukraine.”

The best way to contact both Graham and Black is through the Facebook group.

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Family Rallies Around Local Senior Who Fell Victim To $10,000 Scam

After a local senior fell victim to a scam that took $10,000 from him, his family is hoping to fundraise enough to restore his finances.

Photo courtesy of Tania Lamond.

In March, Darrell Lamond, 86, received a phone call from someone pretending to be his grandson crying and asking for money to cover a bails bond of $10,000 cash, according to family members.

Lamond’s grandson Carson was out of town for March break, so he thought he was in trouble and needed his help.

According to Lamond and his family the person on the phone sounded young and upset. The scammers informed him that on the drive the police had pulled them over on the way home and drugs had been found in the car. They said they needed the money to bail the friend out of jail and to keep Carson safe. The thieves convinced him that he was speaking with RCMP officers, and he was directed to go to his bank and get the money in cash and not tell anyone because there was a gag order in place.

A young black male came to Lamond’s residence to pick up the money and told him he would get his money back in a few days. When they did not return Lamond tried to phone them, with no answer.

The police have been notified, though it is believed scammers may have left town.

In hopes to recoup some funds lost during the scam Carson will be selling "I Love My Grandpa" t-shirts for $20 each, with proceeds from the t-shirts to help support his Grandpa Lamond.

To order a shirt email Carson Lamocars@gmail.com the t-shirt size (XS to 2XL), name, phone number and e transfer payment. Deadline for orders is April 9.

The family has also started a GoFundMe to help with funds.

Lamond’s daughter, Tania, notes that since his wife’s recent passing, his mind has been stressed and she believes that played a part in him falling prey.

In addition to the stress an heartache of loosing his wife, Lamond lives on a limited pension, has just paid for funeral expenses and is now out $10,000 in savings.

She hopes that in addition to easing the financial stress her father is going through, this GoFundMe will raise awareness of this scam and others like it, and encourage people to talk to seniors they know about how to protect themselves.

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Non-Profit Organization Holding Online Auction For Community Space Sound Barriers

Non-profit agency Alternatives Community Program Services (ACPS) is hosting a charity auction to raise $10,000 to install sound barriers towards their new community space this Thursday.

Ken John Jones, ACPS volunteer (pictured) with a charcuterie board and winter ornaments as autioned items for the event. Jones has been a client of ACPS for 14 years and has volunteered since 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“At times it is very difficult if not impossible to understand what people are saying when the space is being used by more than a few people, “said Jackie Carson, ACPS director. “Right now, we are currently offering activities for approximately 25 people and it's a very big challenge especially for people who already have sensory issues.”

The community space is has completed their general renovations and located is at the former St. George's Anglican Church at 270 Braidwood Ave. It is 2500 square feet in diameter and 38 feet at its highest peak.

Programs and events offered at the space include staff training, meetings, cooking classes, art nights, movie nights and more.

The auction runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is held online. Examples of bidding items are paintings, handmade crafts, charcuterie boards, gift cards and gift baskets. The list of items are regularly updated daily.

“We will be able to accomplish our goal of building a community hub for the south end of Peterborough as well the surrounding community,” said Carson.

Alternatives is a non-profit agency that provides opportunities and outcomes for learning and skill development in the areas of employment, volunteerism, recreation and community connections for people with developmental disabilities and other exceptionalities in Peterborough City and County.

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Local Doctor Grateful For Communities Support In Bringing His Daughter's Family Home Safe From Ukraine

Oleg Veselskiy, a doctor at Kawartha Centre and Peterborough Regional Health Centre, is currently in Poland with his daughter and her family who fled from Ukraine after Russian invasion.

Oleg Veselskiy, his daughter and her family. Photo courtesy of Veselskiy.

Dr. Veselskiy came to Canada in 2002 after he met his wife, a Canadian nurse, in United Kingdom.

His daughter Jenya now lives in Kharkiv, Ukraine with her husband and three children.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Jenya and her family spent five days in a make shift bomb shelter in the basement of an apartment building with close to 50 people in it.

“As soon as I heard war started we started thinking about escape routes,” said Veselskiy.

Veselskiy says through the Peterborough medical community he has a lot of connections to doctors from and in Poland. A Polish doctor offered Veselskiy and his family an apartment in Krakow to stay in temporarily.

Because Jenya and her husband have three children considered minors, aged 13, 9 and two-months old, Jenya’s husband was able to leave the country unlike many other men his age. They also brought along with them their dog Edwin.

“I am grateful her husband was able to come because I don’t know that my daughter would have left without him,” said Veselskiy.

He says they joined a convoy of families making their way to Poland, and though the journey was long they made it safely.

“As soon as I knew they were safe I booked a flight to Poland and met them at the train station,” he said. “I brought them to this apartment and this is where we are staying now.”

Now that Jenya and her family are safe, Veselskiy’s main concern is getting them back to Peterborough, he says.

“We’re safe, we’re just waiting,” he said.

Jenya and her husband have the proper documentation to travel to Canada, but their children do not.

“They weren’t planning on doing any travelling any time soon,” he said. “The kids passports have expired, and the two-month old, well she doesn’t even have one yet.”

Veselskiy’s wife, who is still in Peterborough, started the application process as soon as they knew Jenya and her family were coming to Peterborough. He notes it has been challenging and wonders how those without family or friends elsewhere are managing to apply while actively escaping a warzone.

Now, after his home city has been ravaged by war and his daughter and grandchildren escaped, he says life seems different.

“It’s a different world, you start thinking differently about your life,” he said. “It’s not ‘how are you doing’ anymore, its ‘are you alive?’. My daughter worries for her friends that didn’t leave.”

Still, after everything they have been through, Veselkiy says he is grateful.

“It’s incredible, it’s tragic, it’s emotional, but its also unbelievable seeing all the people willing to help,” he said. “People in Peterborough have been unbelievably supportive, we don’t know what to do with all of this support.”

Veselskiy’s coworker started a GoFundMe that will help Jenya and her family restart their lives in Peterborough. He says coworkers have been bringing clothes for the baby and his wife is updating him daily with baby items that are being delivered.

“It has been a difficult but also a grateful time. We could complain about things going bad, but other people have it worse.”

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4th Line Theatre Fundraising To Repair Performer Saskia Tompkins Damaged Violin

4th Line Theatre has started a GoFundMe page in hopes to raise fund to repair performer and longtime collaborator Saskia Tomkins’ violin after a fall damaged her instrument.

Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

Tomkins was taking her final bow at 4th Line Theatre in our Christmas show Christmas Comes to Mind, when she missed the last step, off the stage, and she fell.

She was not injured, but unfortunately she fell onto her violin.

The violin sustained three severe breaks. Unfortunately, Saskia did not have insurance at the time and the total amount to cover the repairs is financially prohibitive for 4th Line to cover completely. 4th Line’s insurance is not set-up to cover this kind of accident.

4th Line Theatre is asking the public to help in any way they can with funding the pricey repairs, they will cover any difference between what is fundraised and the total amount needed for the repairs and the devaluation.

The goal of the fundraiser is set at $9,500. To date $7,722 has been raised.

Tomkins is a long time supporter of 4th Line Theatre, and has performed in many shows on their stage.

To donate to the GoFundMe click here.

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Peterborough Petes Reveal Pink In the Rink Jerseys For Cancer Fundraising Campaign

The Peterborough Petes are adding some rosy colour to their maroon and white, unveiling their Pink in the Rink jersey ahead of their fundraising game announced Tuesday.

Meghan Roy (left) and Doug Gibson (right) are the first to wear the 2022 Pink in the Rink jerseys. Roy became the first female sports anchor at CHEX in 2014. Gibson played three seasons with the Petes from 1971-73. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 13th edition of Pink in the Rink hockey game on April 9 raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society with a focus on cancer commonly found primarily in women.

The goal is to raise $50,000.

The Pets have raised a total of $812,099 for the Canadian Cancer Society through the Pink in the Rink campaign. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The new jersey is pink and maroon and has the breast cancer ribbon across both sides of the jersey. The Canadian Cancer Society patch is on the left shoulder and a patch honouring Petes Alumnus and Peterborough media figure Gary “Diller” Dalliday on the right shoulder.

Family and friends’ names who battled cancer are throughout the jersey. The names were purchased by Peterborough community members and all proceeds are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. 

“The Pink in the Rink is so much more than a fundraiser,” said Alison Payne, Canadian Cancer Society special events manager. “It celebrates the people in our community that we have lost, who are in the midst of their cancer journey and who have survived.”

Several Pink in the Rink jerseys in the past going as far back as 2012. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A live auction is run after the game where fans can bid on game-worn jerseys but tickets must be purchased in order to participate.

A t-shirt and ticket Pink in the Rink bundle is available at the Petes store. Fans can purchase t-shirts at a fraction of the bundle price if they already bought a ticket.

The arena will use a bucket pass to accept cash donations throughout the game from fans to aid in the fundraising process.

The Petes host their Pink in the Rink night on April 9 against the Niagara IceDogs with no capacity restrictions. The game was postponed from Feb. 5 which would have had the game with a half-capacity crowd due to government restrictions.

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