Ten Years A Canadian: Peterborough Woman Writes Powerful Post

Peterborough's Kemi Akapo—who PTBOCanada recently spotlighted in our "8 Local Women You Really Need To Meet" article, wrote a powerful post on her Facebook page Wednesday (September 2nd) marking her 10th anniversary of being in Canada—on what Canada, Peterborough and community mean to her. Akapo let us re-post it in its entirety here. Have a read below...

On September 2nd, 2005 I stepped foot in Canada for the first time. 10 years ago. 

Travelling from Conakry, Guinea via Paris, France, my mom and I landed in Montreal.  Our flight from Paris had been delayed for several hours, which resulted in our missing our connecting flight to Toronto where the Trent International Program Orientation camp staff/volunteers were awaiting our arrival.  I don’t remember too much of it, but I do remember my mother speaking with an Air France agent and somehow getting her to agree to put us up in a hotel for the evening and providing transportation to and from the hotel, all on their dime.  She also somehow got us booked on an Air Canada flight from Montreal to Toronto scheduled to leave the next day.

We arrived to Toronto and my mother (who thankfully had just done this trip a year ago with my older brother) booked us an airport shuttle to drop me off at Camp Kawartha for TIP camp and took her to her home for the next three weeks, Peterborough Inn and Suites.  We got into shuttle van and after what seemed like an eternity, finally arrived at Camp Kawartha.

Stepping off the airport shuttle at Camp Kawartha, I was first greeted by a TIP Office staff member, Elena Koudiakova who said “We’re so glad you’re here, we were worried when you didn’t show up yesterday!”  I remember thinking “Woah, this lady knows who I am?  Neat.”

TIP Camp was a blast.  I met a number of people and started my memories of life as a Trent student that day.  One memory which remains with me today is myself and R (two Nigerian girls who had never canoed before) jumping into a canoe and paddling out into the lake.  Neither of us knew what we were doing, but we were having a good time.  That is, until we wanted to return to camp.  Not having canoed before, we didn't know how to turn the canoe around.  Oops.  We finally figured it out, and slowly made our way back.  I’m not quite sure why, but as we were nearing shore R decided to jump ship and swim back, leaving me to fend for myself.  I may have had a slight panic attack, but I persevered and thankfully a camp counsellor saw me, paddled closer and encouraged me until I docked. 

It would take too long to write about what happened over the next 10 years after that incident, but it's been quite a rollercoaster. 

I’m not quite sure what I expected, but my journey in Canada so far has been nothing like I could have anticipated. I have made some incredible friends here, first at Trent University and later on in the community of Peterborough (and across Canada / the world).   I’ve had countless numbers of memories.  I’ve experienced heartache.  I’ve survived off Ramen noodles.  I’ve experienced snow for the first time.  I discovered my voice.  I learned that perogies are not the same thing as samosas.  I learned that inequality exists in Canada just as it does around the world.  I’ve found there are wonderful people who care deeply on various issues and work/volunteer their time to address them.  I learned the J stroke.  Most importantly though, I have developed a sense of community.  There are a number of people I have to thank for my success here but I won’t list them, lest I forget one and hurt someone’s feelings.  You know who you are.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I would be remiss if I did not mention my family though.  They have helped me in innumerable ways and there really is no way for me to "pay them back" for what they've done.  Ese pupo. (Yoruba)

I will admit, I miss my original home in West Africa though.  I miss the beach. The actual beach with an ocean, not freezing Lake Ontario, sorry.  I miss the food, the music, the weather (oh the weather!) and so much more.  That being said, Peterborough is now and will always be one of my homes.

What is in store for me for the next 10 years, I do not know.  What I do know, however, is that those first 48 hours in Canada taught me to handle a lot of what I faced in my first 10 years here.  Not everything will go as planned.  That’s okay, there is almost always another way.  Sometimes, you can have a conversation with someone and get far more out of it than expected.  Canada is huge and it takes hours to drive anywhere. There are people looking out for you, sometimes without you realizing.  Sometimes people will ditch you, especially when you feel you need them the most.  That’s okay, you’re strong enough to handle it.  As enthusiastic as you are to try something new, it's okay to slow down, ask questions and determine if it's the best fit for you.  There is usually someone around to help you, offer advice, encouragement. 

Finally, call mom. Whatever you’re going through, chances are she’s gone through it (or something similar) before and can give you advice. Dad too.

Here's to the next 10 years.

—by Kemi Akapo

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Peterborough Has A Brand New Oldies Station

Peterborough has an oldies station again, as MY BROADCASTING CORP has introduced a new format on the former Magic 96.7: It's now called OLDIES 96.7.   

Identifying a void in the marketplace, the new station will be playing the greatest hits from the '60s, '70s and '80s, playing artists like The Beatles, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Supertramp, Steve Miller Band and more. There will also be much more local news content.

“MBC has entered new territory with today’s announcement. Our extensive research showed that Peterborough listeners wanted a radio station that reflected the community.  They wanted more local news, and they wanted to be able to sing along," says President of My Broadcasting Corporation Jon Pole.

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Charter Flights Announced To Kentucky, Nashville, New Orleans & Boston Out Of Peterborough Airport

Stewart Tours has announced the launch of their 2016 Peterborough Charter departures out of Peterborough Airport.

The destinations and dates are as follows...

Kentucky Derby -> May 5th-8th, 2016
Nashville -> May 12th-15th, 2016
New Orleans -> June 2016
Boston -> October 13th-16th, 2016

For more information or to book, contact Stewart Tours at 705.743.8683.

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Musician Missy Knott Just Announced An Amazing Upcoming Side Project

Well known local musician Missy Knott just announced an amazing new upcoming side project: a baby!

"I've been working on a side project to be released any day now," Missy says in an awesome Facebook announcement, along with this beautiful photo below by Erin Lester Photography.

Missy Knott photo by Erin Lester Photography

Missy tells PTBOCanada she is expecting a baby girl, and that she is due any day now! Congrats Missy, we're so excited for you!! 

(Oh, and Missy also has a clothing line out now. Check it out here! And her website is here.)

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The Original Greek Is Closed For Renovations

The Original Greek (724 Water Street) is closed for renovations.

The note in the window says they will be re-opening late August, but it's looking more like early September now.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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14 Things You Might Want To Know About E-Bike Safety

Peterborough Police receive many questions from the public regarding the rules of the road when it comes to e-bikes. For everyone’s safety on our roads, they ask that you please help share the following information on your social media channels...

1. All e-bike operators and passengers must be at least 16 years of age.
2. You can carry passengers on your e-bike ONLY if it was designed for more than one person. You should check the manufacturer's information to see if your e-bike was designed to carry passengers.
3. All operators and passengers must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.
4. It is illegal to modify your e-bike's motor to make it more powerful or to increase the speed of your e-bike.
5. Under the Criminal Code of Canada the definition of a “motor vehicle” includes an e-bike. Anyone operating an e-bike intoxicated could be charged for impaired driving.
6. Under the Highway Traffic Act, an e-bike is not classified as a motor vehicle, so penalties for impaired driving under the Act would not apply.
7. Municipalities have the ability to prohibit where e-bikes may travel on roads, paths, trails and other property under their jurisdiction.
8. You don't need a driver's licence, vehicle permit or licence plate to ride an e-bike, but you do need to:
-> be 16 or older
-> wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
-> keep your e-bike in good working order
9. Under the City’s Active Transportation By-law, a bicycle-style e-bike can travel on the multi-use trails only when it’s being pedaled. Scooter-style e-bikes are no longer permitted on the multi-use trails.
10. E-bikes (either bicycle-style or scooter-style) ARE NOT allowed on sidewalks either in the downtown or outside of the downtown.
11. E-bikes (either style) are allowed in bicycle lanes
12. E-bikes (either style) are allowed on roads.
13. E-bike operators are expected to follow the rules of the road and be respectful and courteous to pedestrians and cyclists.
14. Applicable Fines (From the City of Peterborough’s Active Transportation By-law 14-096)
-> Riding an e-bike on the sidewalk $110
-> Riding a scooter-style e-bike on a multi-use trail $110
-> Failing to yield to a pedestrian $180

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39 Signs You Went To Trent U #TrentU

Image via @MitchChampagne

Trent alumni might well feel nostalgia when they read this list of signs they went to this awesome U...

1. You know the joys of two reading weeks

2. ISW week means something to you

3. You partied hard at the Commoner, then stumbled home across the bridge to Champlain or LEC, or tried to find your house at Otonabee—er, was it G or H or...? 

4. You've taken part in the Great Race

5. You've totally rocked HOTT

6. Harvest Weekend was a much needed break

7. You played ultimate frisbee—whether or not you were good

Our Aaron Elliott (far left) during his (all-star?) Trent Ultimate Frisbee Days

8. Bata library became your second home

9. You listened to "Closer to Fine". A lot.

Indigo Girls' official music video for 'Closer To Fine'. Click to listen to Indigo Girls on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/IndigoGirlsSpotify?IQid=IndigoGCTF As featured on Indigo Girls.

10. You accidently got on the George St N. bus at least once or twice instead of the East Bank one

11. You listened to Trent Radio. Or were on it. Or hosted a show

12. You had existential, philosophical conversations at the Only Cafe, and solved many of the world's problems there

13. You pulled an "all nighter" at the Piggy/Trash instead of studying

14. You've won a peanut race

15. You were at Bacchus

16. You've fallen asleep, and maybe snored loudly, during a early morning lecture at Wenjack theatre (after a late night out)

17. You jumped in the Otonabee

18. You know what the love shack is at Club Vibe (and hopefully you avoided participating in it!)

19. You styled with your headband, wristbands and high socks playing squash at the AC

20. You dreaded walking across the bridge in the dead of winter

21. Your name was somewhere on a desk at SC 137

22. You ate at the Great Hall at Champlain College

23. You attended a Stop Light Ceilie

24. You welcomed turning onto the 115 to head back to Trent

25. The bookstore became the bane of your existence

26. You played hacky sack. Lots

27. You played at Justin Chiu stadium

28. You attempted to walk the drumlin

29. You've reenacted the scene (in your head, at least) from The Sword in the Stone with the Trent Sword sculpture

30. You've earned your Pig's Ear Diploma (below, Prof. Symons getting his)

31. You knew a guy named Cowboy

32. You had Birkenstocks before they were cool

33. You fell in love—both with Peterborough and maybe with that someone special

34. You knew Paul Wilson

35. You were on a first name basis with all your profs

36. You were in a band, or knew someone forming a band in your hallway dorm

37. You wore plaid and had a beard

38. Getting your class schedule and realizing you had to be on the main campus, then a class at Traill College, then a class at Peter Robinson. Doh

39. You ordered greasy pizza late at night, hung out with your dorm mates, and watched David Letterman.

***Add to our list here!

—by Aaron Elliott and Neil Morton

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