Photos: Nagasaki Commemoration Lantern Ceremony at Little Lake

The Peterborough Peace Council hosted its annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony at Little Lake on Tuesday evening.

Traditionally the lanterns have been released towards the fountain however this year’s strong winds sent them along the shoreline. Photo by Luke Best.

“It’s important to remember exactly what happened,” said Gianne Broughton, a Peterborough Peace Council member.

The commemoration began with Broughton acknowledging the 77th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan by the U.S Military.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Peterborough Peace Council member Sheila Nabigon-Howlett then shared how Canada has not yet signed the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty and called for the end of nuclear tech.

“This is an opportunity to look at the globe and see what is happening. It’s not pretty,” she said.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

An open invitation was offered if anyone would like to speak their mind, about the past or about the future. Two speeches were made after an open mic invitation was offered to speak their mind, about the past or about the future, followed by a song.

Peterborough Peace Council and supporters were invited to release paper lanterns into the water after the sun had set. This Japanese custom is a gesture of respect for those who have died and gives participants a moment to think about their ancestors and loved ones.

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

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Nomination Period For City Council And School Board Trustees Ends August 19

The nomination period to file to run as a candidate for City Council or school board trustee in the October 24 municipal election closes at 2 p.m. on August 19.

Photo by Luke Best.

Candidate packages and resources are available online at peterborough.ca/vote. To file nomination papers candidates are required to make an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 500 George St. N., by emailing election2022@peterborough.ca.

The nomination period opened May 2, 2022.

In the City of Peterborough, positions for election are Mayor and two ward Councillors for each of the five wards (Otonabee, Monaghan, Town, Ashburnham and Northcrest), as well as trustee positions for the local school boards:

1. Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

2. Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

3. Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir

4. Conseil Scolaire Viamonde

Voters in the City of Peterborough are reminded to verify that they are registered to vote in the October 24 municipal election by using the online tool at peterborough.ca/voters.

Eligible voters on the Voters List will receive a Voter Notification Card (VNC) in the mail in early October telling them where they may vote. If voting in-person, voters must vote at a voting location within their ward on Election Day or at an advanced poll (Ward 1 - Otonabee, Ward 2 - Monaghan, Ward 3 - Town, Ward 4 - Ashburnham or Ward 5 - Northcrest). The VNC will direct voters to the poll location closest to them.

Online voting will be available from October 1 until 8 p.m. on October 24 and in-person voting will be available on both Election Day and through advanced polls.

Election Day is October 24, voting locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Advanced polls will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 8, 15 and 22 at the following locations:

• Ward 1: Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd.

• Ward 2: Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke St.

• Ward 3: Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N

• Ward 4: Lions Club, 347 Burnham St.

• Ward 5: Northview Community Church, 1000 Fairbairn St.

An advance voting location with enhanced accessibility features will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 17 to 21, at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

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Peterborough Peace Council To Host Annual Lantern Vigil On Anniversary Of The Bombings Of Hiroshima And Nagasaki

The Peterborough Peace Council will host their annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony at Little Lake on August 9, the 77th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan by the U.S Military.

Lanterns at Hiroshima Commemoration event in 2018. Photo by Gianne Broughton.

The Peterborough Peace Council was formed in 2014 in hopes to foster compassionate non-violent direct action & conflict resolution through information sharing.

“We are a network that helps each other to build peace in our community, and worldwide,” said Gianne Broughton, council member.

One a month the group hosts a vigil at the corner of McDonnell Street and George Street. Broughton says that sometimes there is a theme for the vigil, like the war in Ukraine or housing and homelessness crisis in Peterborough, but other times the vigil is simply to promote peace.

Commemorating the tragedies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been happening for years, but Broughton says the Peterborough Peace Council has been hosting their event for six or seven years.

The event is meant to show solidarity to those affected and to support the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty, which Canada has not signed.

“This night gives people a chance to really feel the terribleness of nuclear weapons,” said Broughton. “We also talk about what can be done instead.”

Broughton highlighted non-violent strategies like diplomacy, ending exploitation and following treaties that are already enacted.

Broughton notes that this years event may be more poignant that other years, because of what is happening in Ukraine.

“Nuclear annihilation is a real threat with the war in Ukraine,” she said. “People need hope, we need to do something.”

The commemoration will begin at 7:45 p.m. near the T-Wharf on Little Lake. Lanterns will be launched at 8:30.

Before lanterns are launched Michael Ketemer will provide music on his Hammer Harp. A keynote speaker will address the crowd, followed by ‘open sharing time’ for attendees that wish to speak.

Those that attend are welcome to create and bring their own lanterns, though there will be some available there. Attendees are also asked to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

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Local 100 Year Old Veteran Named Knight Of The Legion Of Honour For France To Recognize His Role In The Liberation Of France During WWII

Pte. (Ret’d) Sir Frederick Herbert Allison of Lakefield is now officially a Knight of The Legion of Honour for France, in recognition of his participation in the liberation of France after D-Day.

Allison, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, was a Motor Mechanic with the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers during World War Two.

Allison spent his time overseas repairing vehicles and on more than one occasion found himself in situations he only describes as miracles.

“The sound of a bullet whizzing by your ear just makes you think - if I were a few inches this way or that I wouldn’t be here.”

WWII officially ended on Sept. 2, 1945, but because Allison was a mechanic he stayed in Amsterdam repairing vehicles and was discharged on Jan. 1, 1946.

Now, 76 years later, he is being honored by France for his participation in liberating their country from Nazi occupation.

Allison’s grandson, James, says he learned about this award after Remembrance Day last year and began communicating with the French Consulate in hopes to have his grandfathers efforts officially recognized.

After many phone calls and lots of patience, Allison received his medal and a Presidential Decree from President Macron of France on July 11.

On Tuesday, Allison’s family members and Dave Smith, MPP, gathered at Peterborough’s cenotaph to recognize his service on behalf of the Province.

@ptbo_canada Replying to @ptbo_canada Over 75 years after he came home from Europe, Sir Frederick H. Allison is Knighted to The Legion of Honour, a very well deserved honour. He says the thought of being a ‘Sir’ is ‘beyond my old brain’ 🇨🇦#Veteran #ww2 #PTBOCanada #LegionOfHonour #canadianveterans #CanadianVet #CanadianLegion #CanadianMilitary #Knighted #Mechanic #Canada ♬ Memories (Piano Instrumental) - Benny Martin

Allison says he doesn’t feel like a ‘Sir’ though he is honoured to be recognized.

The Legion of Honour was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 as a general military and civil order of merit.

This honour can be awarded to anyone, from anywhere that upholds the idea of liberty and equality. It requires 20 years of civil achievement in peacetime or extraordinary military bravery and service in times of war.

It has been awarded to artists, activists, soldiers and countless other individuals. The Legion of Honour is divided into five degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).

Perhaps the most notable Canadians to have received this honour are Brian Mulroney, Leonard Brierley, one of the first Canadian soldiers to land on Juno Beach during the D-Day Invasion, Beverly McLachlin and now, Sir Frederick H. Allison.

PTBOCanada spoke with Pte. (Ret’d) Sir Frederick H. Allison on his 100th birthday in April.

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Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development Accepted To Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative

The City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, together with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), have been accepted to the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative (CCRI).

Photo by Luke Best.

The CCRI provides important access to mentorship and support from advisors representing leading Canadian and international circular economy educators and practitioners. By the end of this program, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County will develop their circular economy roadmaps and action plans for their corporate plans and policies.

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas region has a long and celebrated history of pursuing sustainable and innovative initiatives through Sustainable Peterborough and Green Economy Peterborough.

“The City of Peterborough is committed to climate action. We worked with our County partners through Sustainable Peterborough on the Climate Change Action Plan and continue to build on that partnership to advance our region’s sustainability goals,” said Mayor Diane Therrien, City of Peterborough. “We are excited to join the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and expand our collaboration with other leaders in sustainability and best climate practices nationwide.”

Participating in the CCRI will shift towards greater circularity and reduce the region’s ‘embodied carbon’ footprint, thus supporting the local Climate Change Action Plan and vision to build a strong economy based on partnerships, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability.

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Council for Persons with Disabilities Seeking Participants for Disability Recreation Research

The Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) is looking for people to participate in research on disability recreation announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of CPD.

The study helps CPD understand improvements for recreational programming for anyone with disabilities and create inclusive and integrated programs aimed at persons of all abilities in Peterborough according to a press release. 

This study and the programming to follow are funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

During the study, CPD wants anyone with backgrounds including being disabled, able-bodied and marginalized to participate in an in-person focus group. For those who would like to participate but cannot attend the focus group, there is a survey available online.

The study will take place on Aug. 10 between noon and 1:00 p.m. at Venture North, 270 George St. N.  

For more information or to join the study please e-mail Felicity Phillips, CPD recreation coordinator at felicity.phillips@pcpd.ca.

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Curve Lake First Nation Community Fundraising For New Wheelchair For Elder Dorothy Taylor

Elder Dorothy Taylor is a prominent member of the Curve Lake First Nation community, who works as an Ojibwe traditional Elder, hand drummer and water environmental activist. After being diagnosed with Limb and Girdle Muscular Dystrophy in December 2000, members of the community are rallying together in hopes to purchase her a new wheelchair to allow her to continue doing the work she loves to do.

Photo by Georgie Horton- Babtiste.

“Dorothy is so lovely, so vibrant,” said Alix Taylor, a member of Curve Lake First Nation. “ She always says she has her rose coloured glasses on. Despite having physical ailments she always makes an effort to get out and share her knowledge.”

Alix met Dorothy 12 years ago, when Dorothy was in the early stages of starting ‘Sacred Water Circle’.

Sacred Water Circle is a group founded by Dorothy. It is a volunteer run, not for profit initiative that has brought together Indigenous and non- Indigenous people to work together for the benefit of water. The group strives to spread the message ‘Water is Life’ by hosting Water Walks and spreading knowledge throughout the area.

In addition to being a water activist Dorothy is an Ojibwe traditional Elder.

She spends her days sharing her knowledge of Indigenous culture with Indigenous children in Curve Lake and involved with Family Services.

Dorothy can also be found at local Pow Wow's, walking her dog on the beach and visiting community members.

Since being diagnosed, Dorothy’s mobility has been greatly affected, says Alix.

“The disease she has is progressive,” she said. “Her mobility continues to slowly deteriorate but she still wants to continue doing what she has been doing, she wants to continue educating and sharing her knowledge.”

Alix says the wheelchair she is currently using isn’t fit for rural areas.

“She can’t do the things she does in her normal life without this. Sure, she could continue to share her knowledge, but she deserves this. Her quality of life depends on it.”

Alix says they have been applying to funding though none of it will cover the full cost of the chair.

Alix, with volunteers from the Sacred Water Circle, want to raise $32,000.00 to purchase Dorothy a wheelchair called a Magic Mobility Extreme X8.

To date they have raised over $8,000 through the GoFundMe. They hope to plan in person fundraisers in the fall, which will be announced via Sacred Water Circle social media page, or the GoFundMe page.

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Pathway of Fame to Hold Celebratory Concert For 25th Anniversary

In honour of their 25th anniversary, the Peterborough and District Pathway to Fame is holding a celebratory concert to honour all inductees announced on Monday.

Last year’s induction ceremony was limited to 50 people due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Photo courtesy of the Pathway to Fame, Peterborough & District.

The concert performing at the event is on Sept. at 7:30 p.m. at Showplace Performance Centre.

The formal induction of the Class of 2022 Pathway inductees is on the same-day morning with the concert in the evening. The City of Peterborough and Peterborough County will proclaim the Sept. 10 as “Pathway of Fame Day” according to a press release.

The concert honours all inductees past and present who have enriched and improved the Peterborough community and commemorates the last 25 years.

The event features a collection of 21 performers and speakers who are Pathway inductees. Their video presentation is in memory of musical inductees who have passed on.

The event will be hosted by inductees Megan Murphy and Paul Rellinger and is being produced and financially sponsored by inductee David Goyette.

Tickets are $25 and are available through Showplace at boxoffice@showplace.org or 705-742-7469.

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