Havelock Lions Club President Passes Away at 48

Havelock Lions Club president Brian ‘Gratz’ Grattan passed away at the age of 48 at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Monday.

Facebook photo.

Grattan has been a member of the Lions club for over 25 years and was actively involved with children’s sports. He was heavily invested in the Havelock Lions, Havelock Minor Hockey and Havelock Express Softball as a volunteer coach.

The Lions Club made a Facebook post on Tuesday announcing the news and made the following statement:

“It’s with heavy hearts and great sadness that our club announces the passing of our president Lion Brian Grattan.

Lion Brian was a valued and respected member of the Havelock Lions Club for over 25 years. His positive impact and contribution to the club and his community will be greatly missed by anyone who has had the privilege of his acquaintance and friendship. Over the course of holding numerous leadership positions within the club, Lion Brian was the very definition of our motto “We Serve.”

A Melvin Jones fellow & a recognized authority on Lions traditions and camaraderie, he was the reliable source to bring out the laughter or light up the room. His reputation for honesty & dedication is well-earned and appreciated by all who knew him. His passing leaves a tragic void within our club and within our community that he was so deeply proud of.”

“Brian lived his life with the Lions’ clubs motto at the forefront,” said MPP Dave Smith. “He served. He served his community with the same love that a father shows to his children. My heart goes out to his family in their time of loss. I hope that they can draw comfort in the knowledge that so many people in the Havelock area have benefitted by the work he did and the passion he showed in serving his community.”

His funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Brett's Funeral Chapel in Havelock on Thursday. The club is inviting anyone to attend the Havelock Lions Hall on 39 George St. following the service.

Visitation hours are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Friday’s hours are from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

There is a Lions service at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Donations can be made to Havelock Minor Hockey, Havelock Express Baseball or the Havelock Lions Club in honour of Gratton in lieu of flowers. The family requested visitors to wear Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys or blue and white in honour of his favourite NHL team.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Registration Now Open for Social Procurement Information Sessions in Peterborough

Register and join a virtual information session on how the City of Peterborough’s recently-updated Procurement By-Law introduces social procurement priorities into decision making on City purchases on Dec. 6 or Jan. 11.

File photo.

Social procurement is a way for the City of Peterborough to elevate the social, economic, cultural and environmental impact by leveraging existing procurement activities to achieve positive social value outcomes.

Peterborough City Council voted on Sept. 26 to update the City’s Procurement By-Law to include social procurement, and the City has since started a three-year social procurement implementation strategy.

The City is offering information sessions on the social procurement policy and implementation. Anyone is welcome to join from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on both Dec. 6 and Jan. 11, but the content will be of particular interest to any current or potential vendors to the City of Peterborough.

The City will be email a link and call-in number to the meeting, either of which can be used to join virtually. Both information sessions will be held on Microsoft Teams.

• During this engagement, you will:

• Learn about the policy updates

• Prepare for social procurement implementation

• Have the opportunity to ask questions

To join:

• Download the latest version of Microsoft Teams

• Arrive a few minutes early

• Be prepared to explore new possibilities together

• Bring your questions

Register using the City of Peterborough’s website.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Lakefield Foodland Giving Free Turkeys To Those In Need For Dec. 14

Lakefield Foodland is getting in the holiday giving spirit by giving away free turkeys to local families in need will be brightening Christmas for local families on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sarah Blestoe at Lakefield Foodland and Ross gave away turkeys last year to those in need on Dec. 15 PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKEFIELD FOODLAND.

“A lot of people can use a helping hand at this time of year. We want to offer our assistance to the people in Lakefield and area,” said Ross Bletsoe, Lakefield Foodland owner We have purchased frozen turkeys to give away to those in need. We support a lot of local charities, non-profit organizations, and sports groups, but this turkey giveaway lets us put our assistance ‘right on the table’ for those who need it most.”

Turkeys are limited to one per family while supplies last.

Recipients are asked to provide an address and identification prior to receiving a turkey.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign Fundraises For SickKids Foundation

Cutting Edge Landscaping and Excavating and Harrison Truck Centre are raising money for the SickKids Foundation through the second annual ‘Kawartha Contractors Dream Big Campaign,’ raising over $17,000 so far.

This is the second year of this campaign which is fundraising to ‘(build) a new SickKids that’s even safer for every child in our community,’ according to the campaign page.

The Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign has raised 89 per cent of their $20,000 goal with $17,700.

Recognized donations include Lakeside Mobile Tire Inc., Monaghan Lumber Specialties and more.

“… last year we spent many weeks at SickKids Children’s Hospital following an accident with our daughter Kacie. I can’t begin to describe what an amazing place SickKids is and how lucky we are to have it available to us when in the time of need. With that said I am happy to be able to donate to such a great cause through this campaign,” said Ryan Kelly (RK Designs), thanking both Cutting Edge and Fawcett Excavating LTD.

Donations can be made to the Kawartha Contractor Dream Big Campaign here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Christmas Magic Returns to Hawley Street with The Hawley Jolly Christmas Light Show

The Hawley Jolly Christmas Light Show is back for its third season at 645 Hawley St. in Peterborough starting Nov. 25.

Photo courtesy of The Hawley jolly Christmas light show, Facebook.

Homeowner Jordan Downer says the pandemic project stemmed from his love of Christmas growing up.

“I started the show during COVID because I’ve always been obsessed with Christmas lights since I was a kid. I always wanted to put on a show timed to music but never took the jump,” said Downer. “I figured COVID was a perfect excuse to go for it, with lots of extra time on my hands during lockdown.”

With over 10,000 lights, props and six new songs (plus returning favourites from 2020 and 2021), Downer says the display even responds to music, lighting up and blinking to the beat. Synching with a broadcast on FM radio, visitors can tune into the musical experience of the light show as they drive onto the street.

“Simply drive onto the street and tune your radio to 88.3 FM. You’ll hear the music and skits from anywhere within the block so even while you’re waiting in line for a better spot as it gets busier closer to Christmas, you can still enjoy the songs,” he said.

The light show is accepting donations for The Peterborough Salvation Army and is asking those coming to enjoy the lights to bring along a non-perishable food item, a new unwrapped toy or a monetary donation to be placed in the driveway bin. Donations will be brought to The Salvation Army at the end of December.

Those interested in visiting the third annual lights display can do so from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night until Dec. 25.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: 102-Year-Old Guy Aiello On Celebrating His Birthday and Keys To Living A Long Life

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to 102-year-old Guy Aiello about his secrets for living a long life, some of his favourite eats in Peterborough and his philanthropy work.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

East Peterborough Lions Club Great Turkey Exchange To Help Families in Need This Christmas

The East Peterborough Lions Club is seeking community donations of turkeys and hams through their ‘Great Turkey Exchange’ this Christmas; collecting and distributing them for families in need announced Wednesday.

The Great Turkey Exchange operated from 2009 until 2020, taking a hiatus in 2021 after supply chain shortages made it difficult to get donations.

Over its history, the program has delivered the main course for 17,000 Christmas dinners in the Peterborough area.

“Our club has helped out by delivering turkeys to groups and we saw how grateful people are to have strangers help feed their families,” says Frank Hewitt, East Peterborough Lions Club service chair. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to resuscitate the program and fill such a great need in our community.”

The Lions say turkey and hams donated to the program typically come from individuals and businesses who recognize both the sentimental and nutritional value of a traditional Christmas meal. The community can help by donating turkeys and hams, or cash donations to purchase these items.

Donations can be dropped off at Kawartha Food Share located at 665 Neal Dr. or picked up by emailing your address to greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com.

For families who are unable to afford a turkey or a ham this holiday season, email greatturkeyexchange@gmail.com and ask to be put on the donation list.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.