Local Fraternity Holds Outdoor Campout For 48 Hours To Fundraise For the Homeless

Members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity slept in a makeshift shelter for 48 hours last weekend to raise money for One City Peterborough to help anyone experiencing homelessness.

(left to right) Christopher Mills, Brendan Alexander, Oscar Fuchs and Marcus Fuchs huddled in a makeshift structure with hay and a tarp in the cold at the Venture North parking lot on George Street North. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

TKE (Upsilon-Kappa chapter) aids men in their mental, moral and social development for life according to their website.

The fraternity slept outside at the Venture North parking lot on George Street North from Friday at 4:00 p.m. to Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The campaign gave their members to experience the hardships and struggles that people experiencing homelessness face according to Christopher Mills, TKE member.

"We will never truly understand what it's like to be homeless because I have a nice car, I can go back home to and a bed but not everyone has that opportunity," said Mills. "So I couldn't even begin to imagine what all of them (the homeless) have to go through being out here in all this weather.”

TKE was successful in reaching its goal of $5,000 on Saturday night raising over $3,500 in an online fundraiser and the rest with in-person donations.

The homeless showed their gratitude as they often paid visits to them and grabbed a snack or drink for their trouble.

"Some of the people experiencing homelessness came by to show their support, thanked us and asked us for any food," said Mills. "Some of them even donated themselves because they were so grateful for the work that we're doing."

The fraternity also had local supporters making food, drink and monetary donations towards the cause. The Peterborough Police Service and MP Michelle Ferreri also paid visits to show their support.

"We're trying to do our part and help make Canada a better place to live,” concluded Mills.

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Scott Gilbert Retires As Peterborough Police Chief

Chief of Peterborough Police Scott Gilbert will officially retire as of Monday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Services.

Peterborough Police Services Board made the announcement last Friday.

“On behalf of the board, we acknowledge Scott’s accomplishments during his tenure ensuring that community safety was always priority number one,” said board chair Les Kariunas in a media release.

Gilbert became Peterborough’s police chief in July 2018, after being a long-time member of the Toronto Police Service.

“Scott has led the service through significant changes over the past three and a half years,” Kariunas said. “His work in advancing police accountability, adoption of new technologies and creating efficiencies in police community responses have resulted in a well-respected police service by citizens throughout the City of Peterborough, Lakefield and Cavan-Monaghan. The Board wishes him all the best in retirement.”

Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson has been appointed as Acting Chief effective Monday.

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Local Entrepreneur To Open This Weekend's PolarFest With a Bang

As PolarFest begins its three-day event this weekend, Adam Brown, Chemong Lodge owner will have his business kick off the opening ceremonies with a fireworks display on Friday night.

Adam Brown, Chemong Lodge owner (left) with Charlie “Woodchuck” Andolek (right) with one of several ice sculptures. The pictured sculpture is incomplete but is a three-dimensional hockey goalie. Photo by Kirtus Evoy.

The event will run from Fri. to Sun. in several townships such as Selwyn, Lakefield and Bridgenorth. Scheduled events include a candlelight skate, ice sculpture show, pancake breakfast and a spaghetti dinner.

"It's an exciting weekend in the fact in the timing of some restrictions being lifted and that we're able to kick on with PolarFest," said Brown. "It's all the great things we can do outdoors and in our within our community and an opportunity to encourage people to get out."

The Lodge will have free coffee, hot chocolate and some treats available during the opening festivities. The fireworks are done by Supernova Fireworks.

The following is a list of events for PolarFest:

Friday

• 7:30 p.m. - Outdoor Opening Ceremony - Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St. Bridgenorth) - Kick off PolarFest lakeside with a fireworks show by Supernova Fireworks

• 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Candlelight Skate (Ticketed Event) - Ontario Speed Skating Oval (3358 Lakefield Rd. Lakefield) - Hundreds of lights will guide your way around the Oval! Register for your time slot by visiting ontariospeedskatingoval.com

Saturday

• All Day - Ice Sculpture Show - Cenotaph Park (Bridge St. and Water St. Lakefield) Cenotaph Park will sparkle with exquisite ice sculptures by talented sculptors.

• All Day - Ice People Ice Sculptures - Heritage Park (804 Ward St. Bridgenorth) Using ice from Chemong Lake, The Ice People will fill the park with ice sculptures.

• 9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. - Drive-Thru Pancake Breakfast - Causeway Christian Assembly (1307 Yankee Line, Ennismore) - FREE

• Noon to 3:00 p.m. - Nordic Day - Ontario Speed Skating Oval - Stop by Adventure Outfitters (1828 8th Line, Lakefield) to grab your equipment, head to the Oval and enjoy the trail groomed for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

• 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Drive-Thru Spaghetti Dinner - Bridgenorth United Church (832 Charles St. Bridgenorth) - Adults: $12 / Children 7 and under: $7

• 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Candlelight Skate (Ticketed Event) - Hundreds of lights will guide your way around the Oval! Register for your time slot by visiting ontariospeedskatingoval.com.

Sunday

• All Day - Ice People Ice Sculptures - Heritage Park (804 Ward St. Bridgenorth) Using ice from Chemong Lake, The Ice People will fill the park with ice sculptures.

For a full schedule of events and details, click here.

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Former Owner Of P.G Towns And Sons Fondly Remembers The Douro Landmark Four Years After It Caught Fire

Four years ago, on Feb. 2, 2018, Douro residents were shocked and saddened to learn that P.G Towns and Sons General Store had burnt to the ground after being a staple in the community for over 125 years.

Gerome Lemoire, Mike Towns and Mark Towns holding a case of 'While Mindin the Store', Mike’s book, recovered from the fire.

On Feb. 2, 2018 around 1 a.m. the building fondly referred to by locals as ‘The Store’ caught fire.

The Store was the hub of the community. Located right in the centre of the Hamlet of Douro, it brought locals together for groceries, farm goods and the latest local news.

Michelle Towns owned and operated the store with her husband Chris Coons for about 12 years, until they shut it down in 2016.

The Store made a come back when Michelle’s sister Nancy Towns, along with her brother Mark and Bernard and Lise Leahy re-opened the building calling it ‘Towns and Leahy Mercantile’.

Below are photos taken by Mike Towns at the opening of Towns and Leahy Mercantile in 2017.

Shortly after it’s re-opening was when The Store caught fire.

Now, four years since it has been gone, former owner Mike Towns enjoys hearing locals fond memories of The Store.

“My mind is pretty busy today,” he said. “Michelle (his daughter) made a post about the anniversary on Facebook and I’ve read some really great comments from people, that helps a lot with grieving. If I can say with humility, we really do hear great things about The Store even now after it’s gone.”

Mike says seeing neighbors stop in the isles to chat is one of his favourite memories from working at The Store.

“There’s no place to stop to say hello to someone in Douro now, it makes quite a difference in the village I feel,” he said. “We lost a way of life that night. And that way of life, it was meaningful to everyone. We had a place to keep in touch with our community.”

Footage from Towns and Leahy Mercantile by Angela O’Grady, 2017.

Mike, who is a photographer, recalls the night his family’s legacy went up in flames as a night he will never forget.

When he heard the news, he and his wife Rosemary jumped in their car right away, Mike with his camera in tow.

“I stopped before I went out the door and I thought am I being selfish taking a picture of this, and I decided no I should take it with me,” he said.

The two pulled into the church parking lot across the road from The Store.

“That was our first full view of it and it was just like the sky had opened up to take the flames. They seemed as high as the building. It was quite emotional. And those photos have more impact than any photo I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Now the empty lot where The Store once stood serves as a gathering place for the Towns family and their friends.

Currently those driving by may spot Chris and Michelle’s children skating on their home made rink which sits on the concrete slab that was once The Store.

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Peterborough Police And Trent University Launch Public Body-Worn Camera Survey

The Peterborough Police Service is partnering with the Trent Research Centre to conduct a survey to better understand and obtain input from the community on police worn body cameras.

Body-worn cameras have entered the public discourse as a potential tool to increase police accountability. The exploration of this technology has become important as many police services across the province and the country are in various stages of research and implementation.

Both organizations are interested in the views and experiences of the citizens of the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield, and Township of Cavan-Monaghan.

The survey will be open from Tuesday until Feb. 28.

Responses will help both the police and Trent University understand and learn how the community feels about the use of body-worn cameras as well as form guidelines and policies and potentially a pilot project.

Participation is voluntary and anonymous; however, the Trent researcher is looking for age, gender, career and in which municipality participants reside or work.

To participate in the survey click here.

To acquire a paper copy of the survey contact sdueck@peterborough.ca.

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Pathway Of Fame Announces Three New Members To Join Facilitating Committee

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District has bolstered its leadership group with the addition of three new names to their Facilitating Committee, announced on Tuesday.

Joining the Facilitating Committee is Stephanie Bolender, Jim Ross and Tom Watt.

Bolender was founding first vice chair of The Pathway of Fame at its inception in 1997-1998, serving as assistant to fellow Director Barb Bell. She remained active with the Pathway Facilitating Committee until Bell’s death in 2008, but has since returned.

Ross has volunteered at Showplace for the Pathway of Fame annual induction ceremony for the last four years.

Watt is retired, and continues to serve as Councilor at Large for the municipality of Douro-Dummer.

2022 marks the 25th year of The Pathway of Fame.

For complete information about The Pathway of Fame, inductees and the nomination process, visit https://ptbopathwayoffame.ca/.

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YES Acting Executive Director Becomes Officially Appointed Into Role

After acting as Executive Director since September, Aimeé Le Lagadec, has been officially appointed the new executive director of the YES Shelter for Youth and Families announced Wednesday.

Le Lagadec’s was the acting exectutive director when the YES Shelter received $52,900 to aid in staff training from the Ontario Trillium Foundation on Oct. 19. Photo courtesy of Youth Emergency Shelter.

Originally from South Africa, Le Lagadec brings over 10 years of progressive experience in the social services field with a specialization in youth homelessness and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

She previously worked at Eva’s Initiatives in Toronto, known for its wrap-around support of young people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.

Since 2018, Le Lagadec has been the manager of the Outreach Program at YES, overseeing a team of YES staff directly supporting youth and families to avoid, recover from and exit homelessness.

“Stepping into this role in the midst of COVID-19 has been extremely challenging. That being said, I am proud to be the one who will lead the YES Shelter for Youth and Families through the remainder of the pandemic,” said Le Lagadec. “Last week’s cases (now resolved) in our Emergency Shelter and RISE Youth Housing Program come after two extremely stressful years for YES clients and staff, who are operating a frontline emergency service for a vulnerable population. The agency’s ability to continue operating with very little interruption, speaks volumes to the resiliency and dedication of our team. I plan to work alongside our incredible staff to continue to offer life-saving services, and increase the amount of affordable, supported housing options available to youth and families, who would otherwise be homeless.”

“We know that Aimeé will continue to inspire the vision for the organization that is aligned with the overall strategic direction, mission and values and provide executive leadership for the development and delivery of long-term strategies and programs to support vulnerable youth and families in our community,” said Kerri Boyd, YES Board Chair.

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Extended Hours for One Roof Community Centre On Tuesday and Wednesday

One Roof Community Centre will be open for extended hours of service on Sunday and Monday due to temperatures anticipated to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.

One Roof Community Centre began extended hours on select days this year on Jan. 2. Photo courtesy of One Roof Community Centre.

They are open from 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 pm on Tuesday and from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the to-go meal provided between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, due to temperatures anticipated to drop below -15C for the Peterborough area.

The Centre is closed to drop-in service from noon to 3:00 p.m. for the meal preparation and pickup period to protect the health and safety of the public, volunteers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency shelters are open and available to people experiencing homelessness who require emergency overnight shelter:

• YES Shelter for Youth and Families, 705-748-3851, 196 Brock St.

• Brock Mission men’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 120 Murray St.

• Cameron House women’s shelter, 705-748-4766, 739 Chemong Rd.

• Overflow Shelter at 210 Wolfe St., overnight phone 705-761-1875

Emergency After Hours Services related to the emergency shelter is available through Social Services by calling 705-926-0096. Please visit the Social Services website for information regarding the After Hours program.

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City Of Peterborough Releases 2019 Civic Award Ceremony

The City of Peterborough has released the virtual presentation of the 2019 Civic Awards, now available on their website.

Nominations for the annual Civic awards were received in 2020 for achievements in 2019. As an alternative to an in-person event due to COVID-19 restrictions, Council approved a video celebrating the contributions of the winners.

“Congratulations to all of the citizens being recognized for their outstanding contributions to Peterborough in 2019. While we wish we could be together to celebrate the outstanding recipients of the 2019 Civic Awards, this video tribute is meant to show our appreciation for all that they have done to make Peterborough a special place,” said Mayor Diane Therrien.

There were 33 awards presented to individuals and groups who made significant contributions to the community. The winners have received a certificate signed by the Mayor and the City Clerk, and winners of the special trophies also have their names engraved on the trophy.

 Special trophy winners are as follows:

• Volunteer of the Year - Rotary Clubs of Peterborough

• Senior Athlete of the Year – Lynne Faught

• Junior Athlete of the Year – Sophia Lu

• Lifetime Achievement – Ian Attridge

The Holnbeck Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to improve the lives of people with disabilities, was awarded to Lynda Todd.

The Mayor’s Youth Awards recognized Faith Dickinson, Evelyn Robertson and Grace Murphy.

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