Alyssa Gaudaur is Recognized as the Petes Frontline Worker of the Week

Alyssa Gaudaur is announced as this week’s Peterborough Petes Frontline Worker of the Week as part of their “Drop the Puck” program announced on Tuesday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Gaudeur is a nurse at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. She remained brave during the pandemic and kept going to work because she is passionate about helping her patients and her colleagues according to the Petes press release. 

“Alyssa has been working extra hard over the past 18 months to help patients at the hospital,” said Clarissa Sidaway, who nominated Gaudaur. “She loves her work and truly enjoys helping people. She’s a huge Petes fan and deserves a little recognition for her hard work.”

The Petes are celebrating frontline workers who have gone above and beyond for their community during these unprecedented times.

To nominate a frontline worker, click here.

Each week, the Petes will recognize and celebrate one local frontline worker for the additional time and effort they have put in during the pandemic to ensure the health, safety and happiness of those in their community.

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Peterborough Public Health Announces Next Board of Health Meeting

Peterborough Public Health has announced that the next Board of Health meeting will take place in person on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.

PHOTO BY EVAN HOLT, PTBOCANADA

The meeting will take place in the Hiawatha LIFE and Cultural Centre at 431 Hiawatha Line, Hiawatha First Nation.

This meeting is open to the public. All participants are required to wear a face covering or mask.

Those interested in attending must RSVP to ensure adequate room for physical distancing. RSVP’s can be sent to bcadence@peterboroughpublichealth.ca

To view the meeting agenda click here.

The next Board of Health meeting will take place on October 13, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Health building.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Hosts Vigil and Resource Sessions to Honour World Suicide Prevention Day

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is hosting a candle light vigil and community resource sessions to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. Events will be hosted in both Peterborough and Lindsay.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

Approximately 4,000 Canadians die by suicide each year and it is the second-most common cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.

The vigil is a memorial to those who have lost their lives to suicide and offers support to the loved ones of those who have died by suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day raises awareness about suicide, mental health concerns and suicide prevention.

“We want people who have been impacted by suicide or are struggling with thoughts of suicide to know that there is help available, all you need to do is to ask. Everyone is invited to turn out on September 9 and 10,” said Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education with CMHA HKPR.

The event on September 9 will be held at the Silver Bean Café in Peterborough. Community resources will be available from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On September 10 the event will be held at Labrynth Garden in Lindsay. Community resources are available from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, the vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Peterborough event contact Kelley Curtis at 705-748- 6687 extension 1016 or email kcurtis@cmhahkpr.ca.

For more information on the Lindsay event contact Jack Veitch at 705-748-6687 extension 1015 or email jveitch@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Martial Arts Academy Crowns Three New Chess Champions

After a week of thinking and logic, the Ninja Academy has crowned Lyrik Knott, David Connell and Mike Forth as their summer chess tournament winners announced on Monday.

(left to right) All three winners of each division, Mike Forth (Senior champion), David Connell (U13 champion) and Lyrik Knott (U7 champion) Photo Courtesy of Ninja Academy.

The tournament was announced in mid-August held by Ninja Academy during the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The all-ages event hosted had three separate divisions where Knott won the U7 tournament, Connell for the U13 and Forth as the Senior champion.

“The common attribute amongst the winners of all categories was their courage,” explains David-Gnahoui. “To throw themselves into the tournament, considering everything that is happening in society right now, is a great achievement. They tested their skills with amazing competitors in their own categories and they kept their cool, stayed focused and took their time. I hope they take this accomplishment wherever they go in life, especially Judo.”

Since the tournament’s conclusion, the Academy will refocus on teaching Judo classes at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre as well as launching their new athletic development program for school-aged children.

The Academy says they will hold future chess tournaments and tutoring according to their press release.

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Terry Fox Run Goes Virtual For a Second Consecutive Year

The annual Terry Fox Run in Peterborough is going virtual to comply with COVID-19 protocols which will be held on Sept. 19.

Photo Courtesy of Terry Fox Run Peterborough.

Participants are invited to walk around their neighbourhood, backyard, down the street or around the block for this year’s event.

Despite the 2021 run repeating last year’s format, it was a record-breaking year for fundraising says Shannon McKinley, event organizer.

Participants have gone door to door asking for donations and often brought pledge forms to their workplaces in past years. COVID-19 has changed the format to online fundraising.

“Typically $20,000 is a good year for us and last year we were a bit worried because of the different format of the run,” said McKinley. “We actually surpassed $28,000 which we’ve never done before.”

She recalls being eager to gather again this year and was not expecting to have to host a virtual event again.

“We’re encouraging people to find new ways to participate,” said McKinley. “ You can go on a unicycle, you can rollerblade, we can think of new ways to fundraise and to participate.”

Over $4,000 has been donated to Terry Fox Peterborough. McKinley says they will not have a total amount until after the event.

The annual Terry Fox bake sale, hosted by Mckinley, is being held on Sept. 12 at 1444 Monaghan Rd. Social distancing will be in place and pre-orders are welcome. Payment is by donation with 100 per cent of the money raised going to the Terry Fox Foundation. For more information click here.

To register for the Terry Fox Run or to donate click here.

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New CEO Announced For Habitat for Humanity

A big change for the Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region as Susan Zambonin will become the new Chief Executive Officer beginning on Oct. 4 announced Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Habitat For Humanity.

Susan, the current chief operating officer with Habitat, has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for 18 years and has nine years combined executive leadership experience as CEO of Habitat PEI and Habitat Kingston.

“With Susan’s extensive leadership experience, construction knowledge and determination to build more affordable homes, we are confident that we can help more families across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region achieve affordable homeownership,” says Jill Bennett, board chair. “Susan has a proven commitment to Habitat’s core values, helping over 110 families into affordable homeownership through 66 builds in Canada and 4 Global Village builds."

She has won several awards including a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown; and from Habitat for Humanity Canada an International Outstanding Contribution Award, Mentorship Award, and the Award of Excellence for creating a volunteer training program. Susan has also done numerous volunteer work and is an avid Rotarian.

“We are confident that Susan’s many talents, depth of philanthropic experience with Habitat for Humanity and proven strategic and collaborative leadership approach will help us to increase our affordable homebuilding efforts throughout the Region including the City and County of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County,” expressed Bennett.

Susan will be taking over from Sarah Budd, who has led the organization for almost 15 years. The Board has thanked Budd for her contributions and commitment during her time as CEO.

Her leadership and vision were instrumental in managing the organization through the pandemic and moving the organization from a builder of single-family homes to a developer of multi-residential communities according to the press release.

Susan is coming on board as the organization embarks on an ambitious new strategic plan and is in the midst of the ongoing pandemic and increased need for affordable housing.

“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be Habitat’s new CEO and have a strategic leadership role in creating much-needed affordable housing in our communities,” says Zambonin. “This is an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for housing with my professional experience to continue to grow this respected organization. For over 18 years, I have been a leader in the fight for more affordable housing and I am very honoured to lead this great team in the Peterborough and Kawartha Region.”

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Peterborough Petes Sign Five Players to Standard Player Agreements

Five players have each signed a standard player agreement with the Peterborough Petes following the 2021 training camp announced on Saturday.

Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Konnor Smith, Jax Dubois, Ryan Gagner, Samuel Mayer and Jaden Reyers have become the latest Petes to sign with the team announced by Michael Oke, Petes general manager.

“All of these players have demonstrated that they possess the skills and abilities to play at the OHL level,” he said. “We were impressed with their focus and preparation coming into training camp in light of the challenges faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Smith, a 6’5”, 208 lbs, was selected by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection in the ninth round, 175th overall. The Windsor-born defenceman suited up for the Jr. Spitfires in the U18 Alliance during the 2019-20 season. 

Dubois, a forward from Ottawa, was selected by the Petes in the 14th round, 273rd overall in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In his 2019-20 season the 6’3”, 195 lbs forward played for the U18 AAA Nepean Raiders and put up 30 goals, 50 assists and 80 points across 45 games. 

Hailing from Chatham, Gagner was selected by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection in the sixth round, 115th overall from the Chatham-Kent Cyclones. In his 2019-20 season with the Cyclones, the 5’9”, 145 lbs centreman tallied 29 points and 62 penalty minutes across 33 games.

Mayer, a 6’2.5” defenceman from L’Orignal, Ont. was the Petes first selection in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection, going in the 1st round, 15th overall from the Hawkesbury Hawks. Mayer was responsible for Team Maroon’s first two goals in the 2021 Maroon and White Game. 

Reyers, a 6'2", 200 lbs forward from London, Ont. was selected by the Petes in the 2021 OHL U18 Priority Selection in the second round, 28th overall from the Kitchener Jr. Rangers U18 AAA. In his 2019-20 season with the Rangers, Reyers picked up 4 goals, 14 assists and 18 points throughout 33 games. 

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Foodie Friday: Lakefield Greek Restaurant on Retaining the Previous Owner's Menu and Traditions With New Management

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We talk with Lakefield Greek Restaurant manager Wayne Umphrey about the restaurant takeover over two years ago and how the menu was kept the same to honour the previous owner.

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Help PTBOCanada Support Peterborough Humane Society's "Strutt Your Mutt" Fundraiser

During the month of September, editor David Tuan Bui, his fiancée Autumn Nadeau and other PTBOCanada staff are getting in shape for the Peterborough Humane Society’s (PHS) Strutt Your Mutt fundraiser.

(left to right) David Tuan Bui, Autumn Nadeau and Macaroon after the pair’s first walk of the month to kick off “Strutt Your Mutt.” Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The virtual challenge encourages anyone to register on PHS’s website then get active by running, cycling, yoga or any physical activity to raise money for animal wellness.

Community members and local businesses can sign up online as an individual or team and set their personal wellness and fundraising goals. Prizes are available for the highest individual and team fundraiser.

Bui and Nadeau will walk every day possible during the whole month to raise money. Their plan is to raise $1,000 but may continue to increase the goal if the amount is exceeded.

They are running since their pet cat Macaroon was adopted from PHS on Oct. 15, 2018 and saw it as a way to give back to the animal shelter.

“She is my very first cat and I would love to give back to the Humane Society for giving us a furball who's given us so much joy,” exclaimed Bui.

David Tuan Bui joined the PTBOCanada team on Mar. 1 when owner Kirtus Evoy purchased the business from Neil Morton. Photo By David Tuan Bui.

If you would like to donate to PHS on PTBOCanada’s behalf, click here.

If you would like to create your own individual page or start your own team, click here.

The fundraising campaign is seeking its goal of $25,000 at the end of the month.

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