Anita Blackbourn Was An Amazing, Courageous Mother Who Died Way Too Young

Incredibly sad news: Peterborough's Anita Blackbourn—aka "Neets"—has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 42. Anita, who was fighting the terrible disease right until the end, leaves behind a husband, two young daughters and a community that adored her.

Anita pictured with her daughters

Anita was a huge part of the Pink in the Rink campaign in 2015 with the Canadian Cancer Society and Peterborough Petes, raising awareness about the disease and money to help fight it.

Anita (at far left) pictured at Pink in the Rink game in 2015 with Honourary Co-Chair Dan O'Toole and Anita Record

There has been an outpouring on social media about Anita's death as she touched so many people...

@ShawnSilvestri @MF2Sense @fs1otoole she fought until the very end. So lucky to have her in my life as a friend and sister-in-law

— Marty Silvestri (@marts1977) October 15, 2016

A huge loss for our community. Sending love to your family and friends Anita Blackbourn. Your legacy will always shine bright❤️

— Michelle Ferreri (@MF2Sense) October 15, 2016

@MF2Sense Horrible news. The rink cheered so loud for her that night. pic.twitter.com/6l7xydnJz4

— Dan O'Toole (@fs1otoole) October 15, 2016

Heaven gained another angel! @9neets the strongest & bravest woman I've known. My deepest condolences to the Carey & Blackbourn families. 💕 pic.twitter.com/FQxTXGP4AG

— Tracey Johnston (@TraceyMJohnston) October 15, 2016

Anita was a guest on our podcast PTBOCanada Live With Mike Judson in January 2015 and spoke bravely and eloquently with Mike about her battle with stage 4 breast cancer—and what her family, friends and community meant to her.

Watch her interview with Mike Judson below starting at the 9:38 mark (you won't ever forget it—we won't)...

Read the stuff below. Our guests include: Anita Blackbourn - Twitter: @9neets Pete Dalliday - http://1005hits.ca/ Musical guest: The Lohrwoods - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J-tOYz3uAU The handsome Neil Morton David Koski - Production Assistant, Customer relations (No nugget) Thanks to our sponsors: Riley's Pub - http://rileyspeterborough.com/ Kawartha TV & Stereo - http://www.kawarthatv.com/ Maars Music - http://www.maarsmusic.com/ Theme music by Streetlight Social https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-IiB...

Anita was also writing a story for PTBOCanada about her battle with cancer and what life and this community meant to her, but passed away before she was able to complete it for us.

This was her opening paragraph to a personal, fact-based journal she was keeping about our journey...

This community will never forget her. She was an amazing, gracious person who battled the disease with honesty, dignity, strength, humour and courage.

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Why The Creepy Clown Hoax Is Stupid And Police Are Taking It Seriously

PTBOCanada have heard of local creepy clown sightings on social media platforms such as Snapchat, so we reached out to Peterborough Police to get their take on this stupid hoax that has spread across Canada and North America and only serves to frighten people.

"We are aware of and keeping an eye on the 'creepy clown' hoax that is circulating on social media. While we have had no official reports or sightings made to our Service, there are many rumours circulating in our area," Lauren Gilchrist, Communications Coordinator at Peterborough Police Service, tells PTBOCanada. "We emphasize that these are just rumours."

Clowns are supposed to make kids and adults happy, like this poster...

Happy clown poster via zazzle.ca

Right now, the creepy clown phenomenon is ruining it for the good clowns who bring joy to people's lives.

Peterborough Police say they have a zero tolerance stance on this type of behavior aimed at shocking and disturbing children and the public all in the name of a joke. People need to be aware that their behavior and the intent of their actions while wearing the costume will dictate police response and action.

Police remind the public that, depending on the person’s intent and behavior, criminal charges could apply. These charges could include the following:

-> Disturbing the peace
-> Public mischief
-> Trespassing
-> Enticing/luring a child
-> Uttering threats
-> Criminal harassment
-> Assault
-> Assault with a Weapon
 
"We encourage parents and caregivers to have serious conversations with their children or teens about the impact and consequences of this sort of hoax and the possible criminal consequences," Gilchrist tells PTBOCanada.

If anyone is concerned about their safety at any time or wants to report a suspicious person or activity, police encourage you to call 9-1-1 in an emergency or their non-emergency line at 705-876-1122.

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City of Peterborough Kicks off United Way Campaign By Announcing Goal Of $75,075

The City of Peterborough launched its 2016 United Way campaign at Sherbrooke Fire Hall with an employee BBQ this week. Attendees dressed their yummy hamburgers as Chief Snetsinger welcomed the crowd.

The City’s goal for this campaign was announced as $75,075 in honour of United Way’s overall theme of 75 Years of Caring.

Chief Snetsinger

Campaign Chair Gwyneth James thanked the City for their unwavering support throughout United Way Peterborough and District’s 75 years in the community:

“The folks here really understand that a strong city benefits everybody," she says, adding "Building up an individual in need of short-term relief by having their basic needs met allows them to move towards finding that job, which in turn helps Peterborough’s economy as a whole.”

Campaign Chair Gwyneth James

United Way CEO, Jim Russell also emphasized the impact the City’s campaign has had: “The City of Peterborough always shows up in a big way to support our community. The $71 million invested over the last 75 years could not have happened without this type of support, so thank you all!”

To learn more about the United Way of Peterborough and all they do in the community, go here.

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The Canadian Canoe Museum Needs Your Help To Win Important Community Funding

The Canadian Canoe Museum has successfully submitted a project into the 2016 AVIVA Community Fund, an initiative that has been investing in charitable community initiatives across Canada since 2009.
 
The museum has applied for resources to purchase a van, trailer hitch package, vehicle wrap and enclosed trailer. These items would see the museum’s award winning, on and off-water programming become more accessible to schools, community groups, outreach events and the general public.

This new equipment would transport children to summer paddling camps. It would also allow the museum to travel to schools and other locations off-site to deliver educational programming and workshops, transport the museum’s public paddling fleet for use on-water, and allow for transport of artefacts to exhibits at partner museums.

From October 11th to the 28th, you can vote online here to help the museum become a finalist in the competition. Each registered participant has 18 votes they can use at any time and can vote for the same idea more than once and/or for multiple ideas.

The 15 ideas that receive the most votes in each of the two funding levels (small and large ideas) will become finalists. Winners are picked from the finalists by a panel of judges and announced on December 6th, 2016.

Judges will rank ideas based on the following criteria: longevity and sustainability, votes, impact, originality, likelihood of success and submission quality.

Here's how you can help: Invite your friends, families and coworkers to also vote for the project. There will also be a voting kiosk set up in the museum’s lobby.

Spread the word on your social media channels!

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A Bunch Of Immaculate Conception Students Just Showed How Anyone Can Have Great Impact

It doesn't matter who you are. Anyone can make a difference and have a great impact on the lives of others.

Students at Immaculate Conception School gave further proof of this with a Thanksgiving food drive they did in Peterborough's East City.

The grade 6/7 and 7/8 students began the food drive by delivering notes (see note below) to 300 homes in the neighbourhood of Immaculate in East City.

They then returned to gather up all the donations.

The students collected and organized all the food on Tuesday (October 11th), and in total an amazing 1,250 pounds of food was donated.

The food was dropped off at St Vincent de Paul this morning.

"We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our little East City community," teacher Mitch Champagne tells PTBOCanada. "This is a great example of servant leadership and shows how many people, each contributing a little, can come together to make a big difference."

Many hands do God's work. #Ptbo #PVNCserves pic.twitter.com/bPOC9an3cc

— Mitch Champagne (@MitchChampagne) October 7, 2016

Well done Immaculate Conception students!
 

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This Video Of A Syrian Family From War Torn Aleppo Arriving In Peterborough Is Awesome

The PVNC posted an emotional video on its Facebook page of a Syrian family arriving in Peterborough Thursday (October 6th). 

Tears & hugs of joy: Syrian family arrives at Pearson Airport

The family was welcomed by family and PVNC staff at Pearson International Airport and taken to Casa Maria Refugee Homes housing in Peterborough.

“It’s like this was all a bad dream and we’re just waking up now," says Syrian father Ammar Aidak as he walked through his new home in Peterborough's East City with his family.

Being welcomed at Casa Maria Refugee Homes in Peterborough

PVNC students and staff have privately sponsored a family of nine in partnership with Casa Maria. Ammar and his children are the first members of the family to arrive.

Cake made to welcome the family

Watch the powerful video below...

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