Peterborough Ninja's Crush It At Ajax Judo Tournament, Academy Continues To Grow In Popularity

Ninja Academy student’s grit and determination was tested on Sunday, February 9th in Ajax to bring home medals from the Shiai (tournament) that hosted young judoka from all across Ontario.

Logan Dunbar won all his matches to secure a Gold in his division, Luis Sperling demonstrated three beautiful throws to get Silver in his division, and Elijah Falls fought diligently to secure his Bronze medal finish with an excellent demonstration of ukemi. Orion Teleki competed in the Ukemi Competition and secured a Gold medal finish with thanks to Sensei Tomoyoshi Hino.

Photo courtesy Ninja Academy

“All Judoka are being celebrated for their courage to compete and commitment to self- improvement,” says Sensei Paul Teleki, pictured above with the students. “They always show up focused and determined to improve themselves and others around them, and it is because of their dedication that all students in the academy will also benefit from their experience and knowledge when they return and train together.”

Because the Ninja Academy is a young club, all students competed against judoka who were of higher rank and age, so the feat of competing in this tournament came with an increased challenge.

Photo courtesy Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy was formed in 2015 by founding Sensei Paul Teleki and operates in partnership with the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. It instills values of confidence and respect, all the while promoting fitness and physical awareness.

The academy is growing in popularity quickly, and now has 135+ students, 5 youth Ninja Leaders and apprentices. Residents of all ages—classes are offered from 16 months old to adults—are invited to visit the Ninja Academy on Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre in room MPR-A.

Visit ninjaacademy.ca, call 705.868.8683 or email here to learn more about the Ninja Academy.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring De.Kor & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

De.Kor is Karen LaRiviere’s new business. Described as a specialty shop with a focus on lighting, Karen also offers decorative furniture accessories, area carpets, throws and more, Karen brings a strong background in the local home décor business, as well as a strong design background. De.Kor is located in East City at the corner of Hunter and Mark streets, across from Mark Street Church. Stop in Monday through Saturday, or find them on Facebook here.

Lots of people are checking out a new restaurant in Lakefield. Called Shakers Diner (98 Queen St.), owner Rebecca Shakespear and her mother Lynne recently moved their business from Bobcaygeon to Lakefield, where Rebecca grew up. Located in the former Debbies Restaurant location, the building was virtually rebuilt over the last several months to create a fresh, bright new space for Shakers to serve their homestyle cooking. Open for breakfast and lunch, you’ll find classic family dishes such as meatloaf, mac and cheese, soup and sandwich specials, omelettes and more. You can find them on Facebook here.

Jane Bischoff’s company is called Nutritionistjane. A holistic nutritionist since 2005, Jane moved her company from Toronto to Peterborough. Jane can help with ulcerative colitis, crohns, and other digestive issues, and specializes in helping those on the autism spectrum. Jane can come to your home for an appointment or you can visit her home office in the North End of Peterborough. So whether it’s dealing with a specific diagnosis, or you simply want to lose a few extra pounds, you can find Jane Bischoff on Facebook, call 705.740.5092, or at her website nutritionistjane.com.  

If you are looking for some office or clinic space for your business or practice, Dr. Jeff Lustig has some space available for rent within his Active Chiropractic and Wellness Centre at 401 McDonnel Street. You can reach Jeff by calling 705.743.1661.

And if you are a military veteran or a first responder, local veteran Ron LaChapelle is putting together a series of special evenings at the Branch 52 Legion on Lansdowne Street. Mark February 25th and March 31st on your calendar if you want to meet some like-minded people, and maybe even win some Leaf’s tickets. There is no charge, just show up at the Legion anytime after 7 p.m.

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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The Amazing Impact Five Counties Children's Centre Has Had On 4 Kids Participating With Peterborough Petes On Family Day

Seven-year-old Daniel’s training at Five Counties Children’s Centre has honed his skills to the point where he has been drafted to skate with the Peterborough Petes on Family Day this year.

As the Petes’ Canadian Tire Seventh Skater, Daniel will represent Five Counties Children’s Centre, which is benefitting from partial ticket proceeds and several activities at the Peterborough Memorial Centre at their game against the Sudbury Wolves.

Left to right: Lois Tuffin (Five Counties Children’s Centre), Mitchell M., Mitchell F, Daniel (shooting ball) Peterborough Petes' group sales co-ordinator Drew Nascimento and Elliot. (Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre)

“Five Counties has made a huge impact on Daniel’s life,” says his mother Tina. “He went from being an observer in social settings, to confidently becoming a participant.”

When Daniel first came in for treatment at age 2, he was choking on his food and could only say a few words. His therapists helped him learn to eat and identified his apraxia (disconnection) of speech. Now he is an active, healthy child who communicates more clearly and plays hockey for the Ennismore Eagles.

 “As his therapist said at the beginning of our journey it was, and still is, like preparing for the Olympics,” his mom adds. “Although we did not see huge changes following each session, the growth has been steady. After many appointments, and perseverance from Daniel, he is able to express his thoughts and ideas through speaking.”

Photo courtesy Five Counties Children’s Centre

Daniel and his teammates will have additional coaching help on Family Day from Mitchell and Mitchell, two hockey-loving teenagers who are also clients at Five Counties.

Mitchell F., 16, started coming for treatment as a baby, but needed more intensive and varied therapies after having a stroke at 18 months. “Mitchell, defying the odds, learned to walk at three-and-a-half years of age,” his mother Anita says. “Despite being told he may never walk or talk, he is a confident and kind 16-year-old, credit earning, Grade 10 student.”

Mitchell is active in two school clubs and volunteered with the football and baseball teams. He has been playing sledge hockey for the past seven years and won the award for Most Dedicated Player for three of those years.

Meanwhile, Mitchell M., 18, began treatments at Five Counties at age one and has tapped into services for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy—not to mention support from therapeutic recreation, social work and Augmentative Communication Services.

 “They have been on this great journey of developing his speech, encouraging activities of daily living, and assisting with appropriate mobility devices,” his mother Yvonne says. “Five Counties has been an integral part of Mitchell’s quality of life by participating in the increase of his skill level and his mobility.”

The staff have helped him try sledge hockey, borrow an accessible bicycle and try out walkers and wheelchairs until he found the right fit.

Up in the announcer’s box, Elliot, 8, will show how he has found his voice, thanks to his treatments at Five Counties. He will shadow announcer Gord Gibb in announcing the game’s opening lineup.

Born with Weidemann Steiner Syndrome, he initially came in for treatments to get him to crawling to walking just in time to start kindergarten. Due to his autism and intellectual delay, he also needed help to find the proper words to describe items and his feelings.

 “Now, it is almost inconceivable to think that at one time Elliot wasn’t able to express his dissatisfaction or happiness about situations, properly through his speech,” his father Ben says. “The speech sessions help kick-start Elliot’s ability to express himself in a way that the people around him will understand what he is trying to say.”

On Family Day, the game begins at 2:05 p.m. with activities in the lobby for the hour beforehand. Petes’ fans can get their faces painted, play tabletop hockey and build with giant Lego blocks. All proceeds from these activities, plus Chuck a Puck at a Truck, will help more children like Daniel, Mitchell, Mitchell and Elliot to get life-changing therapies at Five Counties Children’s Centre. 

Tickets are available at the reception desk at the Five Counties Children’s Centre at 872 Dutton Road in Peterborough or by contacting Fund Development Co-ordinator Lois Tuffin at 705.748.2337, ext. 380 or by email here.  

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6th Annual Great Canadian Family Day To Take Place At The Canadian Canoe Museum

With hands-on festival fun for the entire family, The Canadian Canoe Museum is hosting its 6th Annual Great Canadian Family Day on February 17th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

This event offers a chance for local families to come together for one-of-a-kind experiences in the museum’s galleries. With more than 15 stations featuring interactive activities and high-quality take home crafts, children of all ages will be entertained and engaged.

Back by popular demand, children can craft their own clothes-pin paddlers and then watch them fly through the galleries on the voyageur canoe zip line.

Kids can also create their own shadow puppets and scratch art, just like on some of the museum’s birch bark canoes.

photo courtesy canadian canoe museum

In addition, a pop-up Canoe Café will offer families the opportunity to relax and refresh with hot drinks and snacks while watching short animated films before heading back into the galleries. 

photo courtesy canadian canoe museum

Admission is priced per family at $30, but is free with the purchase of a Family Membership—specially priced at $40. Among other benefits, a Family Membership includes free admission year-round!

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$88,194.72 Raised At 11th Annual Petes Pink In Rink Game In Front Of Capacity Crowd At Mem Centre

The 11th annual Pink in the Rink game took place in front of a sold-out Petes crowd at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday night (February 1st), and the night was a resounding success. Not only did the Petes end a five-game skid with a 4-1 victory over the rival Oshawa Generals, but more important the campaign raised a whopping $88,194.72 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

This brings the eleven-year total to nearly $790,000 with more donations expected in the coming days. Petes players wore special Pink in the Rink fundraising sweaters, which were sold in a post-game live jersey auction. Other fundraising initiatives at the game included a chuck-a-ball, silent auction, and bucket pass, along with T-shirt sales and online fundraiser.

Photo by Jess Van Staalduinen, Peterborough Petes

Petes alumni Mike Martone (1994-98) and Ian Armstrong (1982-85) were the honourary co-chairs of the awesome campaign.

Highlights of Saturday’s fundraiser included Nick Robertson’s game-worn jersey selling for $1,600, and an autographed John Tavares Toronto Maple Leafs jersey raising $600 in the silent auction.

The Mem Ctr is sold out. pic.twitter.com/Ujvd4Z3am8

— PetesFightCancer (@PetesFightCanc) February 1, 2020

On the ice, Nick Robertson scored twice, extending his goal scoring streak to 11 games. Akil Thomas recorded an assist—lengthening his assist streak to 11 games.

The Petes outshot the Gens 29-22. Peterborough went 2/7 on the power play and 5/5 on the penalty kill.

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75-Year-Old Retired Widow From Peterborough Wins $100,000 With The Big Spin Instant

Peterborough’s Dorothy McAdam has won $100,000 with THE BIG SPIN INSTANT game. 

"It was a shock," says Dorothy, a 75-year-old retired widow, while at the OLG Prize Center in Toronto to pick up her cheque. "I was in disbelief. I couldn't wait to call my sisters and share the good news! This is amazing and still feels unreal.”

Dorothy plans to pay off some bills and purchase new glasses and boots. "I look forward to celebrating over dinner with all my sisters," she adds.

The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Highway 7 East in Peterborough.

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Trent U Delegation Has Great Series Of Meets In Kenya And Rwanda

With a goal to further strengthen Trent University’s growing connections to institutions and students in Africa, a delegation of faculty led by Dr. Neil Emery, Vice President of Research & Innovation, attended a series of meetings and events in Kenya and Rwanda. 

“The visit generated dynamic discussions about our common strengths and interests, as well as collaborations on common areas of programming and research,” says Professor Emery, “We were impressed with the focus in Rwanda and Kenya on sustainable development—particularly as it relates to wildlife conservation, water quality, and agriculture.”

Left to right (front row): Trent’s Dr. Holger Hintelman, Dr. Neil Emery & Dr. Shaun Watmough (picture courtesy Trent University)

Prof. Emery was joined on the excursion by Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Arts & Science, Science, and Dr. Shaun Watmough, director of the Trent School of the Environment. In Kenya, the Trent delegation met at the Canadian High Commission with Nancy Bernard, regional senior trade commissioner, and Charity Kabaya, trade commissioner assistant, to discuss opportunities for Kenyan students interested in pursuing international education in Canada and at Trent.

Meetings in Kenya followed up on discussions started by the previous Trent delegation at Strathmore University and University of Nairobi. At Strathmore University, the Trent team met with the University’s vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor and with other academic leaders to explore synergies between academic programs and research areas, and toured of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, which highlighted green and sustainable technologies.

Photo courtesy Trent University

At the University of Nairobi, the delegation met with the vice-chancellor-designate, Dr. Vincent Ogutu, and other academic leaders to discuss a potential memorandum of understanding on research with the Wangari Matthau Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies with a view to collaborating on future academic programming.

In Rwanda, the Trent team met with the Canadian High Commission trade commissioner, Marcelline Mukakarangwa, and officials from the Rwandan Development Board (Conservation Dept.) and the United Nations Development Program to discuss ties to the country’s government and industry initiatives.

Photo courtesy Trent University

They also visited the University of Rwanda, where the delegation met with vice-chancellor, Dr. Philip Cotton, and his senior team members. Discussions emphasized an overseas articulation that would build collaboration between Rwanda’s richness in wildlife resources and Trent’s faculty expertise in wildlife and conservation biology, as well as learning opportunities for Trent’s Bioenvironmental Modelling and Assessment and Conservation Biology field courses.

This Trent in Africa visit also included opportunities to connect with high school students at events in Nairobi and Kigali, where more than 100 prospective students were in attendance.

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Peterborough Utilities Group To Host Job Fair For Summer Students, 18 Positions Available

On Saturday, February 8th, Peterborough Utilities Group (PUG) will be hosting a job fair for summer students.

Candidates interested in summer employment within their group of companies are invited to attend the Rotary Education Centre at the Riverview Park and Zoo, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

PUG will have Human Resources staff on hand to answer questions and provide guidance on the hiring process. Candidates must be available for full-time work from April 27th until August 28th, and have a valid “G” class licence.

Students must also be currently enrolled in full-time post-secondary education and returning to full-time studies in the fall. Visit their career section here to view their 18 summer student openings for 2020 and to apply online.

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Here Are Some Of The Most Popular Books Reserved At Peterborough Public Library

Inquiring minds want to know, what are the most popular books being checked out at the Peterborough Public Library over the last year?

Thanks to Becky Waldman, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the library, for taking us between the covers to give us insights on local reader habits when it comes to cracking the spine. (The list includes a novel by Peterborough-bred Jennifer Robson.)

Photo courtesy Peterborough Public Library

ADULT FICTION

1.  Kingdom of the Blind, by Louise Penny -> 205 checkouts

2.  Clockmaker’s Daughter, by Kate Morton -> 200 checkouts

3.  Past Tense, by Lee Child -> 189 checkouts

4.  Dark Sacred Night, by Michael Connelly -> 173 checkouts

5.  The Reckoning, by John Grisham -> 170 checkouts

6. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris -> 169 checkouts

7.  Long Road to Mercy, by David Baldacci -> 161 checkouts

8.  Washington Black, by Esi Edugyan -> 152 checkouts

9.  A Spark of Light, by Jody Picoult -> 139 checkouts

10. The Gown: a Novel of the Royal Wedding, by Jennifer Robson -> 135 checkouts

ADULT NONFICTION

1.  Becoming, by Michelle Obama -> 217 checkouts

2.  Educated, by Tara Westover -> 116 checkouts

3.  12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by Jordan B. Peterson -> 73 checkouts

4.  Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and The Courage to Stand Alone, by Brené Brown -> 69 checkouts

5.  The Library Book, by Susan Orlean -> 61 checkouts

6.  Fear: Trump in the White House, by Bob Woodward -> 57 checkouts

7.  Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know, by Malcom Gladwell -> 48 checkouts

8.  Homes: A Refugee Story, by Al Rabeeah, Abu Bakr, Winnie Yeung -> 47 checkouts

9. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo -> 46 checkouts

10. The Woo-Woo : How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family, by Lindsay Wong -> 45 checkouts

YA FICTION

1.  The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas -> 39 checkouts

2.  A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle -> 34 checkouts

3.  The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins -> 32 checkouts

4.  P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han -> 32 checkouts

5.  To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han -> 29 checkouts

6. The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline -> 26 checkouts

7.  Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins -> 24 checkouts

8.  The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green -> 24 checkouts

9.  The Giver, by Lois Lowry -> 23 checkouts

10. Four: A Divergent Collection, by Veronica Roth -> 20 checkouts

KIDS FICTION

1.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by JK Rowling -> 89 checkouts

2.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 6, by Jeff Kinney -> 85 checkouts

3.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by JK Rowling -> 81 checkouts

4. The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan -> 80 checkouts

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by JK Rowling -> 73 checkouts

6.  Playing with Fire, by Yannick Grotholt -> 73 checkouts

7.   Dance Class. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, by Crip Béka -> 72 checkoutes

8.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin -> 72 checkouts

9.  The Titans Curse, by Rick Riordan -> 67 checkouts

10. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Willems -> 65 checkouts

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Take A Drive Around Peterborough In 1987 And Reflect On What's Changed (And What Hasn't)

A neat video shot in 1987—definitely not on an iPhone—shows how much has changed in Peterborough in 32 years… and how much it hasn’t.

Downtown (screengrab via video)

The video was taken on a family trip to Peterborough.

It takes you through the outskirts of Peterborough, then past the Historic Lift Lock, in the tunnel, into East City, over the bridge, and into the downtown, down to Little Lake and then back toward the North End and the zoo.

East City (screengrab from video)

One person in the YouTube comments of the video said “So who volunteers to drive the same route and take the same video.” Now that would be neat!

Downtown (screengrab via video)

Have a watch below—maybe accompany it with some background music on that was released that year (samples include U2’s The Joshua Tree, REM’s Document, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction, Depeche Mode’s Music for the Masses and Def Leppard’s Hysteria—and add your Spot the Difference comments on our Facebook page post…

Watch it here…

From a family trip to Peterborough home video. Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

[Related: Pictures From 1980s At Riverview Zoo In Peterborough]

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