Five Counties Returns Second Year of Backyard Summer Social Fundraiser To Support Kids Therapy

The second year of Five Counties Children’s Centre’s (FCCC) Backyard Summer Social fundraiser returns on June 24 announced on Tuesday.

$45,000 was raised in last year’s inaugural event. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The event is in FCCC’s outdoor backyard space that was created almost four years ago. The space is primarily used for outdoor treatment and therapy for kids and clients.

The inaugural raised more than $45,000 last year and went towards critical, high-demand treatment services for kids at FCCC.

All money raised goes towards FCCC’s Building Abilities For Life Campaign. It helps high-demand services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for these critical services.

“We know kids do better when they have the immediate support they need to learn to communicate, be heard, move independently and carry out everyday activities that many of us take for granted,” said Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “That’s why we invite everyone to come out to our Backyard Summer Social to have fun and show their support for Five Counties children and their families.”

This year’s event features music, food, entertainment, fun activities and doubles as a high-end gala experience for adults with a summer twist.

“Our Backyard Summer Social is an adults-only gala event that celebrates the arrival of summer, lets you be like a kid again and allows you to swap out the tux, gown and heels for T-shirt, shorts and sandals all the while supporting a great cause,” said Giles. “Our initial Backyard Summer Social was a smashing success, and we plan to make it even bigger, bolder and better in 2023.”

Tickets are available online, via email (development@fivecounties.on.ca) or by calling or calling 1-888-779-9916, ext. 300 and are $125 per person.

A charitable tax receipt, all food, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities and door prizes ballots are included in the admission.

Features of the Backyard Summer Social include:

• Fantastic food/fare catered by La Mesita and SKH Catering

• Sweet treats from Central Smith and Flossophy

• Drinks from Rolling Grape and Brock Street Brewery

• Musical performances by Irish Millie and the Boogie Time Ramblers

• Live auction and door prizes

• Axe throwing, lacrosse shootout, inflatable jousting, old-fashioned picnic games and more

• Behind-the-scenes tour of Five Counties’ Peterborough location

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GreenUP Naturalized Playscape Welcomes the Public To Ecology Park

GreenUP welcomes the community to visit Peterborough’s first natural playscape on public lands; celebrating with a ribbon cutting event on Friday afternoon.

A naturalized playscape is one way to introduce children and those willing to unleash their playfulness to natural play in an urban landscape. Photo by Lili Paradi.

GreenUP donors and supporters alongside Executive Director Tegan Moss play around to celebrate the opening at GreenUP Ecology Park. (Left to right: Ian Attridge, Mark Zippel, Tegan Moss, Kim Zippel, Sue Sauve.) Photo by Lili Paradi.

The Keresztesi family plays on the new naturalized playscape at Ecology Park. Photo by Lili Paradi.

Tegan Moss, executive director at GreenUP, cuts the ribbon to signify the opening of the Peterborough's first naturalized playscape on public grounds at Ecology Park, to the excitement of the many children who then ran onto use the playscape. Photo by Lili Paradi.

Thanks to a $52,800 grant from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2021, as well as the support of GreenUP donors, the organization was able to fund the playscape.

The climbing structures added in 2022 were designed by Henry Kortekaas & Associates Inc. and constructed by The Little Building Company.

“I hope that when children play on this natural playscape, they feel a stronger connection to their natural surroundings, and are given the opportunity to learn and engage in unstructured, imaginative play,” said Sean Harris, owner of The Little Building Company. “They can test their limits with the unconventional climbing structure, or interact with the playground perimeter, which features rocks and logs for jumping and balancing. The soft texture and irregularities of the locally sourced white cedar offer a refreshing change from the familiar plastic and metal surfaces. When I look at the playscape, I see not only a fun space for children to play and learn, but also an environmentally responsible play area with low embodied carbon cost and no landfill waste at the end of its lifetime.”

The Naturalized Playscape is the fourth of five capital projects that GreenUP plans to complete in Ecology Park.

GreenUp says they are proud of how this project has re-imagined and restored the Ecology Park Children’s Garden.

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Photos: St. John C.E.S Students Get a Taste of French Culture at Delectable Fine Foods

France came to grade 4-8 students from St. John’s C.E.S as they received a French culture and history lesson from Delectable Fine Foods owner Christel Rumgay at her store on Monday and Tuesday.

Eleven-year old Marcus Alldread (left) gets a peek at a uniquely-looking tricoloured gouda from Christel Rumgay, Delectable Fine Foods owner (right).All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Students learned the origins of cheese, its making process and how it impacts French culture, all while receiving food samples.

The trip to the local artisanal store is part of St. John’s French learning curriculum based on the French Enriched School Environment Funding grant (up to $500).

The grant allows schools to explore unique experiences for learning about the French beyond its language.

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Peterborough Petes Fundraising "Big Game For Kids" For Peterborough Bigs For Mentoring Services

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough and Peterborough Petes are launching the ‘Big Game for Kids’ initiative to raise funds to support local children in need of mentoring services on Thursday’s game.

Riyen (left) and Kohl (right) enjoy a Petes game in January. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Bigs.

The Petes are playing at the Peterborough Memorial Centre against the East-leading Ottawa 67s and is the final home game of the season. Discounted tickets are $15 with all proceeds towards Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Peterborough Petes for this exciting event," said Brent Shepherd, Peterborough Bigs executive director. "The funds raised through this initiative will go a long way in helping us find a mentor for a child, support current mentoring matches and provide much-needed programs for children on our waitlist."

Shepard says roughly 20 tickets of the original 200 are left for purchase and can be bought online.

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Two 10-Year Old Girls Surprised With Bowling Provincial Title; Advance to National Championships In Regina

Two 10-year-old girls Tatum Hutchinson and Taylar McCallum were given a pleasant surprise when they heard their names be called champions of the Ontario Youth Bowling Championship in St. Mary’s on Sunday.

Hutchinson, 10, a Grade 5 student at Queen Elizabeth Public School (left) and McCallum, 10, a Grade 5 student at Keith Wightman Public School (right) are practicing every Wednesday in preparation for the national championships with occasional weekends. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The duo is believed to be the youngest Peterborough bowlers to win a provincial title and qualify for the national championships in Regina, Sask from May 6 - 9.

The news of them winning the tournament came as a shock.

“It was exciting,” said Hutchinson. “We didn't know until it got announced. We didn't even know where we were on the board.

“It really surprised me when they called us up for first place,” explained McCallum. “I was really speechless for a while and I still am about it. I'm really excited and all my friends congratulated me when I came back to school.”

@ptbo_canada You’ll do PTBO proud Tatum & Taylar! #ptbo #ptbocanada #fyp #journalism #journalismlife #journalist #journalistlife #peterborough #bowlingtiktok #bowling #champion #champions #sports #sportstiktok ♬ Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys

McCallum got into bowling from her father who also participated in the Youth Bowling Championships and was a former provincial champion. She started when she was four or five years old.

“It's a family thing,” explained McCallum. “My dad got me into it after he stopped doing it. I used to go to tournaments to watch him bowl.”

Hutchinson started bowling around the same as her teammate and met through bowling. That partnership helped them perform as a team when they won provincials.

“We're really close so it's easy for us to compete together,” explained Hutchinson.

This is the first time that the girls are travelling outside the province to compete in any sporting event.

“I'm nervous about going there since I've only been on a plane since I was a baby and I'm also really excited because I get to go somewhere new that I haven't been before,” explained McCallum.

“I’m nervous and excited at the same time,” said Hutchinson.“It’s going to be fun.”

The girls are practicing every Wednesday at Lakeview Bowl and occasionally throughout the week to prepare for the national championships.

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Otonabee Conservation Offering Spring Water Awareness Program Resources to Help Keep Children Safe During Spring Melt

Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer Spring Water Awareness children’s program (SWAP) resources for parents to help keep children safe during the spring melt.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with OPG to offer SWAP to local schools, helping children understand and recognize the dangers around creeks, streams and rivers during the spring.

The spring melt, also called the spring freshet, occurs this time of year when temperatures increase, melting snow and ice, causing water volume and flows to increase in local watercourses. At this time of year, it is important to remind children to stay clear and stay safe around dams, hydroelectric stations and waterways.

Otonabee Conservation staff will be delivering the SWAP program to many local schools over the next several weeks, and digital SWAP Activity Booklets are available for parents to download from the website to share with their children. The 11-page booklet includes colouring sheets, activities and worksheets that help children to understand the rules for being safe around watercourses. The OPG Kid’s Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe is also available for download.

“Fast flowing, cold, deep water, slippery streambanks and unsafe ice present real dangers for everyone this time of year,” says Meredith Carter, manager of Watershed Management Programs at Otonabee Conservation. “We would like parents to talk with their children about avoiding watercourses this time of year, especially if they are outdoors playing during the March Break.”

Children and youth should also be reminded to obey all cautionary signs around waterways and dams, and stay safe by playing with a friend, letting an adult know where they are going and when they will return and dressing properly for the weather.

For further resources, including and a short video by OPG, visit the website.

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Easter Seals Kick Off The 51st Peterborough Telethon; Announcing New Regional Ambassador

The 51st annual Peterborough Easter Seals Telethon kicked off at the Lansdowne Place Mall on Thursday; announcing Sawyer Grace Growden as the new regional ambassador.

the growden’s: dan (left), sawyer (middle) and tara (right). photo by Felicia Massey.

After a couple of virtual years, Easter Seals were able to gather again in-person to launch the 2023 Telethon.

The annual Easter Seals Telethon celebrates success stories, showcases Easter Seals kids and their families, recognizes donors and sponsors, and raises funds for children and youth with physical disabilities for the last 51 years. For the past 101 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Easter Seals continues to offer programs to enable kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. Easter Seals helps by providing financial assistance for mobility equipment, communication devices and summer camp opportunities.

Jeff Richards from Country 105 / Move FM emceed the kick-off event; announcing this year’s goals and sharing updates on past ambassador Ryerson Beardmore. The month of March was also declared Easter Seals Month by Mayor Jeff Leal.

Telethon host Catherine Hanrahan introduced new regional ambassador, 6-year-old Sawyer Grace Growden. Growden has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome.

“She is missing the part of her chromosome that affects all the things we take for granted on a daily basis. Things like walking, eating, and all those self-care things,” said Sawyer’s mom Tara Growden. “She works so hard everyday to overcome all those challenges, she is just such a happy little girl.”

Sawyer uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility. Her dad, Dan Growden, says that she is learning to use an iPad to help communicate.

The Growden’s mentioned that they are looking to attend the Easter Seals Family Camp.

“(We’re excited) to go to a place and be around people who get it, and to not have to worry about accessibility for a hot minute,” said Tara.

This year the Easter Seals will be visiting with familiar faces, past ambassadors, and local celebrities of the past 51 telethons as part of the March 26 fundraiser.

The 2023 Easter Seals Telethon will be broadcasting live on March 26 on YourTV and Global Peterborough from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supporters can donate online and local residents are encouraged to select the Peterborough webpage.

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Local Students Receive Career Advice From Mentors In World of Choices Program

165 elementary school students were left with words of wisdom as they attended Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) and Peterborough Petes’ World of Choices (WOC) program listening to various mentors about career paths on Thursday morning.

Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations (left) addressing the 165+ students in grades 7 and 8 about his career experience with the team. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The event at the Peterborough Memorial Centre hosted grade 7 and 8 students from Crestwood, Chemong Public School, Prince of Wales and Immaculate Conception. They listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges in the professional sports and entertainment industry. Mentors included organizations from the Peterborough Petes, Rawscoe's Sport Collectibles, RBC, YourTV Cogeco, Corus Entertainment and more that spoke to the pre-teens.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

“We’re excited to partner with The Peterborough Petes to help local students understand and explore a wide array of career options,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “Following the completion of today’s program, students will feel empowered to continue their education towards a chosen career and be better equipped to meet the challenges of today’s working world.”

All participating students received a ticket to attend the Petes’ game that night with a family member against the Kingston Frontenacs.

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Five Counties Children’s Centre’s Winterfest Raises Thousands of Dollars for Children’s Treatment Services

Local residents, donors and corporate sponsors stepped up to support Winterfest 2023, helping to raise over $30,000 to cover treatment services for kids at Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Catching the Spirit of Winterfest – Chloe (right) was one of the kids who attended Winterfest activities at Lansdowne Place mall on Feb. 18. photo courtesy of five counties.

Winterfest is an annual ‘fun’draising event for Five Counties that, this year, was held over the recent Family Day long weekend with a series of virtual and in-person festivities. The $30,125 raised this year surpasses the nearly $20,000 raised at Winterfest in 2022.

“We want to thank the support of the community, especially our staff, volunteers, families, donors and businesses who contributed to this year’s success,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties. “We know our community is very generous, and once again, that has shone through!”

Canadian Tire stores in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford and Fenelon Falls again stepped up as the lead sponsor of Winterfest.

photo courtesy of five counties.

There were a number of highlights from Winterfest 2023, including:

• Hundreds of children and families attended fun, family-friendly events at Lansdowne Place in Peterborough (on Feb. 18) and at Lindsay Square Mall (on Feb. 19).

• A sold-out Peterborough Petes game on Family Day Monday (Feb. 20) saw many Five Counties kids and families attend and play different roles at the game. For instance, some of Five Counties kids and their siblings took on roles as GM, coach and PA Announcer, shadowing the real people who do these jobs during Petes games. Five Counties client Scott, and his entire family, also were featured in the pre-game ceremonial puck drop.

• Approximately 125 children entered the Thank You card contest, in which they drew, coloured or created artwork that depicted thanks and appreciation.

• Various virtual activities attracted online users to take part in a workout with the Peterborough Petes, winter scavenger hunt, story times, baking demo, snow creature contest, magic show and more.

• An online auction saw more than 90 people sign up for and make bids on a variety of hand-made quilts, artisanal wood items, gift cards, kids’ toys, and more.

Proceeds from Winterfest go to support Five Counties’ Building Abilities for Life Campaign, which helps ensure kids can get essential therapies so they can be their best.

“The Building Abilities For Life Campaign is important because it helps address current wait lists for services like occupational therapy and speech-language therapy,” Pepin says. “We know the earlier a child can receive treatment, the more likely it is they can reach their full potential.”

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'Peppa Pig's Adventure' Musical to Hit the Peterborough Memorial Centre on July 25

A live musical of ‘Peppa Pig’s Adventure’ is hitting the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on July 25, announced on Monday.

Online Image.

The performance is about Peppa Pig going on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. Lunchboxes are packed and Daddy Pig is driving the bus, Peppa and her friends are excited about their outdoor adventures, full of singing, dancing, games and surprises. 

After the show, the Peppa Pig's Adventure Photo Experience is available for ticketholders to ‘jump in a mud puddle’ alongside Peppa Pig & Friends. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets go on sale on March 17 at 10 a.m. with presales beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. exclusively online. PMC Scoop members can purchase tickets starting Tuesday, at 10 a.m. to March 16 at 10 p.m. 

When tickets go on sale, they can be purchased online, over the phone at 705-743-3561 or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. 

For group sales of nine or more, the PMC asks you contact First Class Group tickets at lori@firstclassgrouptickets.com or 647-201-3349.

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