Local Athlete Lands in Tokyo For the 2021 Paralympics To Bring Back Gold

It was a long plane ride from Canada to Japan but Paralympian Cody Caldwell has arrived safely on Wednesday to compete in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games.

File Photo.

Caldwell confirmed on his Instagram that he made it safely to the Paralympic village on the Harumi waterfront district of Tokyo after leaving Canada on Tuesday.

“Late night arrival to the village but we made it,” he said on an Instagram post.

He is representing Team Canada in wheelchair rugby in his second Paralympics. His last appearance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil earned a fourth-place finish in 2016.

The Paralympics was originally scheduled for 2020 but was postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cody Caldwell (@codycaldwell9)

Caldwell is not the only family member on the trip as his father serves as the “jack of all trades” for the team.

“It’s a huge honour to be able to go with him and he’s pretty much drove us to hockey growing up and he’s drove us to any sport that we wanted to play,” explained Caldwell. “Now he gets to experience it from inside the ropes. It’ll be really cool for him and myself.”

File Photo.

The team has three scheduled round-robin games in Group B. The United States, Great Britain and New Zealand are the three other teams in Canada’s bracket.

The top two teams will advance to the semifinals to play against the other top countries in Group A —which consists of Australia, Denmark, France and Japan —in a single-elimination playoff round.

File Photo.

The following is Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby schedule:

• Aug. 25 vs. Great Britain

• Aug. 26 vs. United States

• Aug. 27 vs. New Zealand

All games are at 12:45 p.m. (Japan Standard Time) and are held at the Yoyogi National Stadium.

“Peterborough has always been home. It’s a great city. I've always felt supported by it,” explained Caldwell. “To be from Peterborough and any time I get to represent it on the world stage, it’s a full-circle effect.”

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

Omemee Man Becomes $75,000 Richer With Instant Scratch Ticket Win

One scratch ticket later and Omemee’s Robert Kimmerly finds himself $75,000 richer after scratching off an INSTANT XWORDS winning the top prize.

Photo Courtesy of OLG.

Kimmerly was officially paid last Friday according to the Ontario Lottery Gaming’s website.

The ticket was purchased at a Mister Convenience on King Street East in Omemee.

INSTANT XWORDS scratch-and-win tickets are available for $3 each with the grand prize at $75,000. The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.55.

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

Trent University Announces Vaccine Mandate

Trent University has announced that as of September 7 anyone on campus must provide proof of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Photo courtesy of Trent University

Anyone who does not have two vaccinations will have to complete COVID testing before coming on campus. Exemptions will be allowed on medical or other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

To encourage student participation in this initiative, the names of all students who submit proof of their two vaccinations by September 7 will be included in a draw which will provide the winning student with free tuition for the fall semester.

In addition to requiring proof of vaccine Trent will be enforcing the mandatory use of face masks in indoor settings, health screening, enhanced ventilation and air filtration, robust cleaning and sanitization, on-campus testing, and wastewater surveillance. The University is also partnering with Public Health to host on-campus pop-up vaccine clinics for staff, faculty and students.

For more on Trent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic click here.

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

Hometown PTBO: Dave Pogue Speaks About His Past Work Ventures, Team55 and Suicide Awareness and the Peterborough Petes This Fall

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks to Peterborough Petes President Dave Pogue about his work history, Team55 tackling suicide awareness and a sneak peek on the upcoming OHL season.

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

Back-To-Back Champion to Bring Stanley Cup Back to Peterborough

After winning back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Peterborough’s Mitchell Stephens will bring the prestigious trophy to Peterborough next Wednesday.

Stephens winning his second consecutive Stanley Cup at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, FL. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

“It’s going to be amazing to see my family and my friends celebrating it with me,” said Stephens. “My parents weren’t able to come down to either event. It’s going to be an amazing feeling for my dad to hold the Stanley Cup.”

Stephens will ride in a boat starting at the Peterborough Lift Lock at 5:30 p.m. He will descend the historic landmark with hockey’s most coveted trophy. The public is encouraged to spectate at the canal with parking and designated viewing areas on Ashburnham Drive to watch the water parade. Additional parking is available at the Lift Lock Visitor Centre on Hunter Street.

The boat will make its way through the Trent Severn Waterway to Little Lake and finish at the Fred Anderson Stage in Del Crary Park at roughly 6:30 p.m.

A route map of the Stanley Cup water parade starting at the Lift Lock and going down the Trent Severn Waterway. File Photo.

The 24-year old was unable to bring the cup home after his first win due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each winning member is allowed one day with the trophy where players typically bring it back to their respective hometowns. He had the cup for the day in Tampa Bay but understood why he could not bring it back to Peterborough.

“We understood it was challenging circumstances last year with COVID,” explained Stephens. “But to win it again and have the chance to celebrate in our hometowns like a normal year definitely made it sweeter.”

Stephens winning his first Stanley Cup championship in Edmonton in his rookie year during the 2019-20 NHL season. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens had played minor hockey in Peterborough for years before he played for the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League from 2011-2013 in the U15 and U16 age groups.

From 2014-2017, the hometown champion has played in two World Juniors and two World Junior U18 Championships winning a gold, silver and bronze medal.

Stephens as a member of the Peterborough Petes before playing minor Peewee hockey in Toronto. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

In 2013, he was drafted eighth overall by the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection draft where he played for four years.

He was drafted 33rd overall in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015 and was sent to play with the Syracuse Crunch, the team’s American Hockey League farm team.

Stephens has scored a total of eight goals in his four World Junior appearences. Photo Courtesy of Mitchell Stephens.

Stephens scored his first goal on Dec. 28, 2019, against Montréal Canadiens’ Carey Price— who Tampa Bay beat in Stephens’s second cup win — after his rebound shot bounced off Artturi Lehkonen.

Entering his third NHL season, Stephens was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft on July 30.

“The Lift Lock is a staple of Peterborough. It’s been recognizable. For me to do that, to bring the community together and celebrate one of the greatest trophies in sports,” reflected Stephens. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me to show the young athletes in Peterborough that I grew up playing minor hockey and I achieved this. The most important thing is to share it with my friends and family to the people who supported me during the highs and lows and show my gratitude.“

A reminder to everyone attending that all COVID-19 protocols are in effect, exercise caution and to maintain social distancing while viewing the event.

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

GoFundMe To Help Grieving Family of International Fleming Student

A GoFundMe has been started for Lakshay Sehdev, a security guard at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and a former Fleming College student after his unexpected passing.

Photo courtesy of Savita.

The money raised will help to cover the costs of transporting his body to India, his last ritual expenses and repay his student loans.

The 26-year old came from India to Peterborough to attend Fleming where he took part in the Sustainable Agriculture program and the Global Supply Chain and Logistics program.

He began working at PRHC as a security guard in 2020 during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sehdev collapsed while at work on Aug. 2. Doctors pronounced him dead later that morning after he suffered from cardiac arrest.

“I just want to tell everyone he was a very funny person, he could make friends in minutes,” said Savita, Sehdev’s girlfriend. “Even the Tim Hortons girls were always giving him free donuts. Everyone loved him he was just that kind of person.”

Friend and fundraising organizer Inderpreet Singh Bhasin says Sehdev was a cheerful and happy soul who never missed an opportunity to make anyone's day better. He says Sehdev always kept others first and himself second.

Sehdev had celebrated his 26th birthday a few weeks before his passing and gotten a new car as a gift to himself.

Photo courtesy of Savita.

Savita says Sehdev was the oldest of two and took care of his family even while in Canada.

Sehdev will be transported home to India on Friday.

To donate to the Sehdev family click here.

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

Peterborough Resident Wins $100,000 Encore Prize

Duncan Blowes of Peterborough has won $100,000 after he matched the last six of seven ENCORE numbers in the exact order in the July 16 LOTTO MAX draw.

Photo courtesy of OLG.

The 24-year-old construction worker said he is an occasional lottery player.

“I like to play when the jackpot is high,” he said. “I scanned my ticket on my phone and thought something was wrong. When I showed my girlfriend, she started jumping up and down. That’s when I realized it was real.”

Duncan plans to take a beach vacation when it is safe to travel and use the rest for a down payment on a house.

The winning ticket was purchased at Ultramar Expressmart on Highway 7 in Peterborough.

“It was so shocking – I struggled to believe it was real for a little while. I had to take a knee for a moment to compose myself!” he said.

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

Finalists Announced for 2021 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has released the finalists for the 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards on Wednesday.

President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Stu Harrison delivers his Business Beat with StoosNews every Monday on PTBOCanada. Screenshot.

Businesses and people in over 20 categories will be honoured and recognized throughout Peterborough county for demonstrating excellence.

Up to three nominees are chosen for each category.

The award ceremony will be done virtually for a second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic on Oct. 20.

The following are the 2021 Business Excellence Awards finalists (listed alphabetically):

SKILLED TRADES (sponsored by Charlotte Products Ltd.)

• Cardinal Plumbing & Electric

• Goodwin Creations

• Kawartha Lakes Construction

 

Tourism

• The Canadian Canoe Museum

• Escape Maze Incorporated

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum

 

Hospitality

• Black Honey desserts coffee catering

• Haven Brewing Company

• Jesse’s Tap & Grill

 

Micro Business — Fewer than 5 employees

• Accountability Financial

• CMD Technology Solutions Corp

• Jason McIntosh Auctions

 

Retail

• Avant-Garden Shop

• Watson & Lou

• Wild Rock

 

Professional Services

• Century 21 United Realty Inc.

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Pinchin Ltd.

 

Customer First

• Antoinette Bridal Boutique

• Griffin’s Greenhouses

• Morello’s Your Independent Grocer

 

Local Focus

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum

• Living Local

• RMS Events — LIVE! at the Barn

 

Innovation/Research and Development

• Noblegen

• OptiSolve Ltd.

• PKA SoftTouch Corp.

 

Commercial Development or Renovation

• Cambium

• Central Smith

• The Little Building Company

 

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• acorn30

• Emily Mae’s Cookies

• Social Kat Media

 

Marketing and Promotion

• acorn30

• Central Smith

• Peterborough Public Health

 

Green Initiatives

• Green Street

• Lockside Trading Company

• Trent University — Forensic Crime Scene Facility

 

Health and Wellness

• Canadian Family Health Counselling

• Euphoria Wellness Spa

• Peterborough Public Health

Not For Profit

• New Canadians Centre

• Peterborough Humane Society

• YMCA of Central East Ontario

 

Employer of the Year

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Pinchin Ltd.

• Trent University

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Entrepreneur

• Brenda Ibey — Avant-Garden Shop

• Carlye Mongraw — Shaw Computer Systems Inc.

• Christine Teixeira — Accountability Financial

 

Businesswoman of the Year — Organization

• Julia Anderson — Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health

• Joëlle Favreau — YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Nourish Project

• Gail Moorhouse — Community Futures Peterborough

 

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• The Traynor Family (Traynor Farms)

4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Jessica Dalliday

• Faith Dickinson

• Joon Kim

• Lyle Saunders

 

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Sarah Moore (Fleming College)

• Mohamad Ellabban (Trent University)

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

Congratulations to this year’s recipient!

• Rosie Salcido-Schmidt (Agave Designs, Faces by 2)

Business Citizen of the Year

• Recipient to be announced at the awards ceremony on Oct. 20

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

Peterborough Public Library DeLafosse Branch Will Remain Closed Until Further Notice

The Peterborough Public Library announced that the DelaFosse Branch will remain closed until the structural assessment is complete.

FILE PHOTO COURTESY PETERBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY

Earlier this week it was announced that the Main Library would be returning to pre-COVID hours and that the DelaFosse Branch would be reopening on August 24, 2021. However, a draft report outlining a significant structural concern with the library floors' load distribution and weight-bearing has changed those plans.  

Earlier this summer, the Peterborough Public Library Board discussed the Library's 2020 Service Review results, which looked at the DelaFosse Branch. At that time, a motion was approved for an updated building condition assessment of the DelaFosse be completed.

According to an early draft of this report, the floors in the DelaFosse Branch were constructed to support a weight distribution of 60 pounds per square foot, and the weight of the collection and shelving are currently exceeding that weight restriction.

"Library staff were excited to get back in the building and welcome our members," said Jennifer Jones, Library CEO. "We have been advised that it is a health and safety risk to reopen the facility at this time. The safety of both the community and our staff is paramount, we will be looking at ways to redistribute the weight immediately, but it will not be enough to safely reopen the DelaFosse at this time."

The Library Board will review the full report once it is completed. They will then discuss the next steps and determine when the DelaFosse branch can reopen safely.

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

Pirate Ghost Ship Looting Community Solidarity For Smiles and Charity

UPDATED: Aug. 21 11:26 a.m.

It may seem like an overly elaborate Halloween decoration but the pirate ghost ship on Jenn and Braden Glasbergen’s property has brought communities together while supporting charity.

Jenn (left) and Braden Glasbergen (right) have had four different elaborate front-yard decorative displays such as Easter, dinosaurs, a ghost pirate ship and a gingerbread house. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Built last year, the ship was primarily built for Halloween decoration that took about 10 weeks but has received upgrades in 2021 such as a second walkway and more decorations.

The Glasbergen’s built it largely for the community to enjoy — and partially to enjoy the decorating and holiday celebrations — but also added a charity element after onlookers asked about making donations.

The ship weighs roughly 300 pounds according to the Glasbergens. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The family did not want money but accepted non-perishable food and drink for donors to see the ship. The items went to food banks like St. Vincent de Paul for the last two years. Animal food and goods such as pet litter, toys and accessories would also be donated to local animal shelters, as the Glasbergen’s are self-proclaimed animal lovers.

“The whole entire car was filled to the brim with food and pet supplies,” send Jenn.

The ship set a good example for kids to be involved in their communities added Braden.

“It was good for the kids too, they would bring a can of soup or a box of mac and cheese or something like that to donate,” he explained. “It helps them learn to give back as well.”

The ship is fully detachable from the house and is stored in the garage when not in season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located on Ravenwood Drive, the decorated ship has attracted communities and even out-of-town residents to see the spectacle.

"We had a family on Halloween that saw the ship, they went back home, the whole entire family dressed up in pirate costumes,” mentioned Jenn. “We have people that have to pass every single night because the kids have to say goodnight to the ship.”

Some decorations were purchased however there were building materials and other ornaments were community-donated towards the cause.

The ship has attracted a large amount of community attention and is now open to the public including the donation box. It gets put up around late summer and taken down right after Halloween.

A treasure cove display that has a built walkway path independent of the the ship’s entrance. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The family is currently expecting more decorations to be delivered.

The ship has served as a community spotlight for the family’s neighbourhood, creating a mentality where everyone helps everyone according to the couple.

"It's a good way to give back to the community," said Jenn. "If the community would still like to keep giving, then let's pay it forward."

The family advises that anyone driving to see the ship to exercise caution and to pull over and not obstruct any traffic behind them by driving slowly.

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