Local Man Jumped Into Action To Feed Residents In Apartment Building Left Days Without Power

When last weeks storm left many without power, local man Matty Hiltz took it upon himself to grill up a meal for those without power at the Brooklawn apartments.

Photo courtesy of Lori Forsyth.

Hiltz, an in home care giver who previously worked for VON before starting his own business, had many clients that lived in the Brooklawn apartments.

“That was the main building I worked at for about three years, I got to know my clients and the others in the building very closely,” he said.

Hiltz says he still visits his clients in the building to visit and to offer haircuts to those that aren’t able to leave the building for appointments easily.

He says he visited the building on Thursday, five days after the storm, and it was still without power. Many residents have mobility issues or diabetes and they weren’t able to leave the building or eat properly.

“It really broke my heart so I leaped into action. I knew something had to be done.”

He spoke with his clients for the day and arranged to finished work early. They also offered to help Hiltz with his mission.

Hiltz bought burgers and hotdogs, brought his own barbeque to Brooklawn and invited residents to enjoy a warm meal.

Tina Clarke, who works for VON, was there to help too. She delivered meals to those on upper floors with mobility issues that were unable to make it downstairs to the barbeque.

“The smiles on their faces, were so touching,” he said. “They were so appreciative. One gentleman told me he hadn’t had a hot meal since Saturday which broke my heart.”

He noted that, as horrible as the storm was, it brought people together.

“There’s always good that comes out of something bad. I don’t think my smile could have gotten any bigger that day.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Celebrates Century Milestone With Semi-Formal Gala in June

The Rotary Club of Peterborough is turning back the clock a century with a semi-formal gala to commemorate its 100th anniversary for June 11.

(From left to right) Betty Halman-Plumley, Catherine Hanrahan, Elizabeth Ichniovsky, Milan Ichniovsky, Sally Harding and Atul Swarup.

The club began in 1921 but could not celebrate its true century mark last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions.

The semi-formal gala is happening at The Ballroom at Fleming College with tickets at $150 which anyone can attend. The Rotary wanted to celebrate in style where some guests will wear era-appropriate clothing and accessories.

“We always wanted to do a party, it was always going to be a party to celebrate 100 years,” said Atul Swarup, 100th anniversary committee chair.

“We wanted to set it apart from what we see all the time, this is about dressing up, feeling proud and feeling like we've been here 100 years,” said Sally Harding, Rotary co-chair. “This is not a fundraiser, this is just a celebration of 100 years.”

The gala features a three-course dinner made by Fleming culinary students. Alcohol such as red and white wine and champagne is being served with tuxedo strawberries. Rock band ‘The Dreamboats’ will have a live performance and a DJ for guests to dance to.

Tickets can be purchased on the Rotary website via Eventbrite.

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Local Food Truck Owner Steps Up And Offers Meals To Anyone Without Power

Travis Berlenbach, owner of Trip Taco food truck in Peterborough put a pause on business as usual after a devastating storm hit the area on Saturday and offered residents soup and sandwiches while many were left without power.

Berlenbach was busy setting up his Taco truck at Fleming College for the Electric City football game when the storm hit.

“We just got set up and then the storm hit,” he said. “It was pretty crazy. We had to bring some people into the trailer because I saw things flying through the air and I knew it was a risk to try and make it to the building.”

After the storm, Berlenbach began to hear of the mass power outages in the city, though he still had power. He knew he needed to do something.

“I wanted to open on Sunday, but I wasn’t able to get into my shop because it’s at one of the only gas stations open in town,” he said.

He says he didn’t realize the extent of the damage and amount of people out of power and food until he went to visit his mom.

“Normally it annoys me when I see fast food joint packed, being a tiny local taco shop but I realized people weren’t there to get burgers and fries, they were there out of necessity,” said Berlenbach.

Berlenbach says because of working in restaurants his whole life, he is quite resourceful.

In a social media post on Monday, Berlenbach announced his plans to put together soup and sandwiches to distribute at his food truck, and that he wouldn’t be officially charging anything - though welcomed people to pay what they could.

“My job is to feed people and I just wanted to try and do that as best as I could I guess. I know what it’s like to have your back against the wall needing something. I have something right now, not much but I have it if people need it,” said Berlenbach.

Trip Taco is located at 1794 Chemong Rd. They offer catering for events of all sizes.

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Ukrainian Man Welcomed In True Peterborough Spirit

Serghei Gubanov, a Ukrainian refugee that came to Peterborough on May 11, was given a true Peterborough welcome last week

With the help of Pete Dalliday, various businesses in Peterborough came together to help Gubanov adjust to a new life.

Gubanov, who is staying with a resident in Peterborough, was given a bike by Martin and Cheryl from Auto Connect.

Gubanov says while he had his license in Ukraine he enjoyed biking whenever he could. He recently got his driver license in Canada and plans to buy a car when he can.

Gubanov joined Glenn Millar from Darling Insurance for lunch at Chemong Lodge, before heading to Toronto for Blue Jays game.

With lunch, a bike, a place to stay and some new friends Gubanov says he is overwhelmed and grateful.

He is eagerly waiting for his sister and niece to be able to join him in Peterborough, and hopes to find a place of his own. With a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and Forensic Science he is more than willing to work and busy applying to any job he can.

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Riverview Park & Zoo Launches Return to Full Schedule; Creates Fundraising Campaign For New Train Next Year

Riverview Park & Zoo is celebrating their grand opening on Saturday with a return of all amenities and services while launching a fundraising campaign to replace the miniature locomotive projected for next year on Friday.

Donors Anne and Ross Dobbins conducting the first train ride of the season. The miniature train ride was first established in 1974 with the support of James Hamilton. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Amenities include the Kiwanis snack bar and miniature train rides that are in full operation from Victoria Day Weekend until Labour Day weekend. The zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk daily.

The grand re-opening family-friendly event includes the following:

• 10:00 a.m. Zoo Yoga - with Salty Yoga

• 10:00 a.m. Snack Shack opens

• 10:00 a.m. Gift Shop Market opens

• 11:00 a.m. Storytime in the Park

• 1:00 p.m. Bird-Friendly Trail Walks

• 3:00 p.m. Concert in the Park: Steve Waters and Cartwright Boundary

• Draw for a zoo Swag Basket and an exclusive family/group tour

The 1974 miniature locomotive is running for its last year. The train will be replaced through a fundraiser known as the ‘Riverview Railway Capital Campaign.’ The zoo has already raised roughly 50 per cent of its total funding for the train from donors and prior fundraising efforts.

“In 1979, the company that made the train went out of business," said Jim Maloney, zoo manager and curator. "Finding replacement parts for it at this point is getting very difficult or very expensive. We don't want to be in a situation where we have a major breakdown and we don't have a train to offer to our visitors."

@ptbo_canada The Riverview Park & Zoo’s train is in its last year as they will try and get a new one for 2023! #ptbo #ptbocanada #zoo #train #minaturetrain #riverview #choochoo ♬ C'mon N' Ride It (The Train) - Quad City DJ's

The zoo is offering dedication plates set in each seat compartment of the new train ride as a fundraising effort. The seat dedications are $2,500 each that include a personalized plaque of either your name or can be dedicated in honour of someone else.

All purchases from the snack bar allow an option to round up the a customer’s bill to the nearest dollar as the proceeds go towards the new train.

To be a sponsor or dedicate a seat bench on the train, please contact Cathy Mitchell, Program Supervisor 705-748-9301 x 2304 or cmitchell@riverviewparkandzoo.ca.

Donations to the ‘All Aboard the Riverview Railway Train Campaign’ can be made online.

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Ukrainian Refugee Ready to Make Peterborough His New Home

Ukrainian refugee Sergii Gubanov has called Peterborough home after five days of arriving in town last Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Pete Dalliday.

He was forced to flee Ukraine and arrived in Peterborough with nothing except a backpack

Gubanov obtained his driver’s licence on Tuesday and has been seeking employment. He is seeking a place to live next month and get a bike to ride to work.

He has a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Forensic Science.

Gubanov has a sister and a nine-year-old niece and wants them to follow his lead by immigrating to Canada.

“By the grace of God, I hope to bring them to Canada to safety from this war once I get established in the community,” he said.

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East City Holding Neighbourhood Yard Sale to Benefit Local School's Nutrition Program

Over 50 houses have registered in a neighbourhood yard sale where part of the proceeds benefit Kaawaate East City Public School’s nutrition program this Saturday.

Kaawaate East City Public School teaches students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. The school runs two separate nutrition breaks for the students. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The yard sale is located at residences in and around East City and Ashburnham Village with over 30 participating streets. It is run by the Facebook page East City Ptbo and runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kaawaate East City Public School is receiving 20 per cent of the proceeds from participating houses made from the yard sale.

Any vendors are encouraged to post yard sale signs and asked to take them down after by East City Ptbo.

The following are a list of streets that are participating in the yard sale:

• Abbey Lane

• Armour Road

• Ashburnham Drive

• Beverly Street

• Burnham Street

• Caddy Street

• Carlisle Avenue

• Cricket Place

• Curtis Road

• Douro Street

• Driscoll Terrace

• Dufferin Street

• Edgewater Road

• Elgin Street

• Engleburn Avenue

• Euclid Avenue

• Foxmeadow Road

• James Street

• Juliet Road

• Ludgate Street

• Ludgate Street

• Mark Street

• Marsdale Drive

• Munro Avenue

• Ridgetop Crescent

• Robinson Street

• Rogers Street

• Ross Street

• Severn Road

• Snelgrove Road

• Swanston Avenue

• Watts Avenue

• Woodbine Avenue

If you are a house that wants to donate to the school, email Jennifercaley@hotmail.com.

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Trent Faculty Celebrated At Heart Of Trent Employee Appreciation Event

Trent faculty, staff and retirees were celebrated during the University’s annual Heart of Trent employee appreciation event, in ceremonies at both campuses on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“With a return to in-person life and learning, our faculty and staff have been integral in continuing life and learning on campus, and supporting our students through the challenges associated with the pandemic,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. “Our annual Heart of Trent event is an opportunity to recognize each of our valuable employees, especially our esteemed award winners, long-serving employees and those moving on to retirement.”

At the event, the University announced and celebrated the 2021/22 winners in several award categories – Team Innovation, Community Leadership, Eminent Service, Provost Award for Support Staff, the Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence, and the new Research Impact Award. Trent also recognized its long-serving employees and retirees as vital members of the Trent community.

A full list of award winners is included below:

Provost’s Award for Support Staff: Awarded annually to a member of the support staff who plays an important role in student engagement and retention, and who makes a difference through their performance at Trent.

Award Recipient: Chris Nelan, Coordinator, Student Life at Trent University Durham GTA

Nancy E. Simmons Smith Staff Award of Excellence: Recognizes non-academic staff members who demonstrate excellence and exceptional commitment to Trent.

Award Recipient: Kevin Whitmore, Director of Careerspace

Team Innovation Award: Recognizes a team, unit or department at Trent University whose innovative contributions have impacted the strategic objectives of the University.

Award Recipients: COVID-19 Case Management Team

Trent Community Leadership Award: Recognizes faculty and staff who make exceptional contributions to the local community in Peterborough or Durham regions.

Award Recipient: Marcus Harvey, Executive Director, Trent University Faculty Association

Eminent Service Awards: Recognizes individuals distinguished by a track record of outstanding contributions to University life that go beyond the performance of their job or role, awarded at the culmination of their careers at Trent.

Award Recipients: Robert Clarke, Head Librarian, Wayne Craft, Manager of Environmental Services, Dr. Margaret Steffler, Professor of English Literature

Trent University Research Impact Award: Honours Trent researchers or research teams stewarding original and impactful research that has contributed significantly to society on a local, regional, national or international scale.

Award Recipients: Dr. Huy Dang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and the ENIGMA Lab

Emeritus Awards:

Award Recipients: Stephen Bocking, James (Jim) Buttle, Robert Clarke, Carolyn Kapron, Margaret Steffler, Peter LaFleur, Jean Luyben, Barbara Marshall, Marisa Scigliano

2022 Long Service Awards

•  25 years: Kenzu Abdella, Linda Cardwell, Darrell Clark, Mark Dockstator, Paul Heard, Jean Kirk, Byron Lew, Doug MacIsaac, Lorna Patterson, Elaine Scharfe, Igor Svishchev, Christine Welter, Andrzej Zalewski

•  30 years: Deborah Lietz, Jean Luyben, David Newhouse, Jenifer Richardson, Chris Williams

•  35 years: Olga Andriewsky, Mak Arvin

The following 2021/22 Trent University retirees were also honoured at the event: Dorothy HowardGill, Susan Robinson, Betty Carr-Braint, Myra Krieck, Charmaine Rodrick, Mira Crowe, Winnie Lem, Karen Searle, Marlene Davis, Patricia Lynch, Nancy Smith, Rosemary Devlin, Jane Mackie, Elaine Stavro, Christine Diaz, Bonnie MacKinnon, Brad Stewart, Mark Dumoulin, Joan Mann, Kent Stringham, Nancy Fawcett, Chris Metcalfe, Anita Vlaar, Louise Fish, Jackie Muldoon, Carol WeaferLloyd, Ron Fox, Deb O’Dette, Karen Whalen, Steven Franklin, Mike O’Dette, Brenda Whetung, Lina Halstead and John Okonski.

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