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Electric City Football Club Signs 100-Goal Scorer and Top Mildfielder to Men's and Women's Team
/A prolific 100-goal scorer has joined the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) as they signed Jordan Webb and NCAA 3-Time All-MAC Winner Simone Chiodo on Monday.
Former Singapore Premier League 100-goal scorer and Canadian Premier League winger Jordan Webb. Photo courtesy of ECFC.
Webb, 33, is a winger from Pickering who comes back to Canada after a storied professional career in Asia in the Singapore Premier League.
In his 10-year professional career in the Singapore top flight, Webb smashed home 101 goals and added 28 assists (including 11 goals in 16 matches in the 2019-20 season).
“Jordan is a player that brings a lot of professional experience into our team this season,” said Rob Jenkins, ECFC president. ”Jordan is lightning quick and his change of pace makes it very difficult for defenders to deal with.”
He first signed in Singapore for Hougang United, where he played 88 times. In 248 total career appearances at the professional level in Singapore, Webb has played for five different clubs — most recently Tampines Rovers, one of the largest clubs in the country.
He has won the Singapore Cup twice, in 2013 with Lion City Sailors and again in 2019 with Tampines. Webb also has significant experience in the AFC Cup, having played continental games against clubs from across Asia.
“It’s an honour to be part of a great organization, who is trying to create something big for the city of Peterborough,” Webb said. “I’m super excited to be part of this club because ECFC is trying to build something from ground up and they also are super involved with the community and all about the fans.”
In 2021, Webb signed a professional contract with Canadian Premier League side Atletico Ottawa, before parting ways with the club due to personal reasons. At the time of the signing, Atlético Ottawa CEO Fernando Lopez called Webb a ‘special, experienced and renowned player’ with an innate ability to create chances and score goals.
Chiodo, 22, from Oshawa, ON was a midfielder at Eastern Michigan University in the NCAA.
At EMU in 2021, Chiodo was Academic All-Mid American Conference (MAC) selection. She played in 12 matches for the Eagles and logged 421 minutes on the pitch.
In the 2020-21 season, she made seven appearances for the Green and White and was named an Academic All-MAC selection.
“Simone is a player that brings experience from the NCAA level into our team. She also has previous experience playing in League1 Ontario,” Randy Ribeiro, ECFC head coach. “Simone is a technical midfielder that is really comfortable on the ball. She is excellent in build-up with her ability to change the point of attack and has a high work rate on the defensive side of the ball.”
Photo courtesy of ECFC.
In 2019, Chiodo appeared in 17 matches for the Eagles. She played her first complete game on Nov. 3 at Ball State, where she logged all 90 minutes in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals and named Academic All-MAC.
In her freshmen season in 2018, she appeared in seven matches for Eastern and played 122 total minutes.
Chiodo went to high school at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School in Oshawa, where she was a four-year-letter winner for the Saints soccer team, named team MVP, while also leading her team to a LOSSA Championship as a senior.
“What pulled me to Electric City FC was the environment they are creating for their players and the community surrounding it. I’m very excited to be coming back home to Canada to play the game for an exciting new franchise,” said Chiodo.
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Non-Profit Organization Holding Online Auction For Community Space Sound Barriers
/Non-profit agency Alternatives Community Program Services (ACPS) is hosting a charity auction to raise $10,000 to install sound barriers towards their new community space this Thursday.
Ken John Jones, ACPS volunteer (pictured) with a charcuterie board and winter ornaments as autioned items for the event. Jones has been a client of ACPS for 14 years and has volunteered since 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
“At times it is very difficult if not impossible to understand what people are saying when the space is being used by more than a few people, “said Jackie Carson, ACPS director. “Right now, we are currently offering activities for approximately 25 people and it's a very big challenge especially for people who already have sensory issues.”
The community space is has completed their general renovations and located is at the former St. George's Anglican Church at 270 Braidwood Ave. It is 2500 square feet in diameter and 38 feet at its highest peak.
Programs and events offered at the space include staff training, meetings, cooking classes, art nights, movie nights and more.
The auction runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is held online. Examples of bidding items are paintings, handmade crafts, charcuterie boards, gift cards and gift baskets. The list of items are regularly updated daily.
“We will be able to accomplish our goal of building a community hub for the south end of Peterborough as well the surrounding community,” said Carson.
Alternatives is a non-profit agency that provides opportunities and outcomes for learning and skill development in the areas of employment, volunteerism, recreation and community connections for people with developmental disabilities and other exceptionalities in Peterborough City and County.
Masks No Longer Mandatory In Most Public Settings
/Face masks in Ontario will no longer be mandatory in schools, retail settings, gyms and most indoor spaces, as of Monday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Settings including public transit, healthcare facilities and long-term care homes will require face masks until the end of April when the province plans to remove all restrictions.
Individual business owners may choose to still require masks.
In a release from Peterborough Public Health, Dr. Thomas Piggot recommends local residents continue wearing masks after mandates are lifted.
“We recommend wearing a mask while indoors and around others for at least a few more weeks until we better understand the context of COVID-19 transmission in our region,” said Piggott. “There are still thousands of local residents who remain at risk of serious disease if they get infected, and only 55 per cent of eligible area residents are fully vaccinated with all three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.”
I also strongly recommend individuals continue to wear their mask indoors around others beyond the 21st of March.
— Dr Thomas Piggott (He/Him) (@twpiggott) March 12, 2022
Piggot notes that wearing a mask does not have to be “all or nothing.” Those that choose not to wear a mask may still choose to wear it in small indoor areas that are not well ventilated.
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Peterborough Lakers Bolster Roster In MSL Entry Draft
/The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers welcome Austin Hasen, Caleb Creasor and Cole Hanrahan to the team from the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) draft held at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre on Sunday.
The Peterborough Lakers are three-time defending Mann Cup Champions. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Century 21 Lakers.
Hasen was drafted 11th overall in the second as the Lakers had no first-round selection (obtaining Mike Poulin from the Brooklin Lacrosse Club for their pick). Creasor was taken 23rd and Cole Hanrahan was picked 29th.
Hasen, the son of head coach Mike Hasen, is a right-handed forward and graduate of the Brampton junior lacrosse system.
“We were surprised he was still available,” said Paul Day, Lakers’ general manager. “Most players like to play with the ball and he is tough and plays inside without the ball.”
Hasen is in his junior year at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina where he has scored 13 goals in seven games. As a junior Excelsior, he amassed 105 goals and 102 assists over 69 games prior to the pandemic.
Creasor, a left-handed defenseman, made stops with his hometown Huntsville Hawks and the Barrie Lakeshores before playing the 2021 OJLL tournament with the Brampton Excelsiors where he suited up with Hasen and Lakers 2021 draft pick John Vezina.
“He is a young defender with a great future,” described Day. “He has a great lacrosse IQ. He’s a goaltender in the NCAA; he’s a very versatile player.”
Creasor, a junior, is a goaltender at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, P.A.
Hanrahan is already familiar with the Peterborough area as a member of the Trent Excalibur. He also currently leads the Arena Lacrosse League in power play goals as a member of the Whitby Steelhawks. Day said that Hanrahan adds depth to the Lakers’ right side.
The Lakers also made a trade Owen Sound; acquiring righty defenseman Alex Pace. They gave up four picks which included returning Owen Sound’s 2022 third rounder and 2023 second rounder — which they held from a previous trade — plus the Lakers own 2022 third rounder and 2023 second rounder. Pace plays for Day in Philadelphia.
“He was their first-round pick in 2020; with him we add a very strong defenseman who has chemistry with some Peterborough guys from his play with the Wings, plus Thomas Whitty who he played with in junior with St. Catharines,” said Day. “Going into the draft we wanted to add a ready D-man into our lineup and the trade for Pace accomplished that.”
Full draft results:
Round 1
1. Owen Sound - Thomas McConvey
2. Brooklin - Peyton Cormier
3. Oakville - Josh Dawick
4. Oakville - Dylan Watson
5. Oakville - Sam English
6. Oakville - Jason Knox
Round 2
7. Owen Sound - Tanner Buck
8. Brooklin - Luke Pilcher
9. Brooklin - Carter McKenzie
10. Cobourg - Ethan Riggs
11. Peterborough - Austin Hasen
12. Cobourg - Jake Rosa
Round 3
13. Owen Sound - Noah Lebar
14. Brooklin - Curtis Hall
15. Brooklin - Zac Sunderland
16. Oakville - Joey Szabo
17. Owen Sound - Jordan Aekie
18. Oakville - Luke Robinson
Round 4
19. Owen Sound - Will Cecile
20. Six Nations pass
21. Brooklin - Trevor Barrett
22. Cobourg - Gareth Haigh
23. Peterborough - Caleb Creasor
24. Oakville - Brett Handsor
ROUND 5
25. Owen Sound - Conner Watson
26. Six Nations - Riley Miller
27. Brooklin - Zac Belter
28. Cobourg - Owen Boyle
29. Peterborough - Cole Hanrahan
30. Oakville - Devin Dunkerley
Landon Kells, Mike Robinson and Zach Young were the juniors protected ahead of the MSL draft.
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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring One Plant, Quaker, Treescape Certified, Couture Candy and Social Kat Media
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
One Plant is a cannabis retailer with a growing presence in Ontario.
With 25 stores open and five more opening soon, one of their newest locations is here in Peterborough. Located at 999 Lansdowne St. E., Unit 8, the store is open seven days a week. One Plant promises an immersive experience with over 500 cannabis products and a wide selection of accessories. Visit oneplant.ca for details.
The Quaker brand is celebrating its 120 anniversary this year. Boasting the same address, 34 Hunter St. W. in Peterborough, the iconic company, owned by Pepsico Canada, has launched a line of branded clothing to celebrate the milestone.
Local illustrator Jason Wilkins captured what most people think of when they think of Quaker, the smell of cooking porridge, wafting across the city. Check out the collection at quakerborough.ca.
Congratulations to Mike Crough and the staff at Treescape Certified Arborists, celebrating their 25th anniversary!
Mike started with his father and he and his wife Stacey have grown it into a full-service company offering tree removal, pruning, cabling and bracing, hedge shearing, fertilizing, site clearing, line clearing, consulting services and more! treescapecanada.ca.
If you’ve ever doubted the power of social media, look no further than Lisa Couture and her company Couture Candy.
Couture posted a simple but clever little video on TikTok a couple of weeks ago, and at last count, the post had been viewed by more than 1.5 million people and her bookings for her signature candy boxes have gone through the roof.
If you’re looking for some help with your social media, Kat Tepylo Murphy is a social media specialist who helps businesses harness the power of social media.
Kat is offering a workshop on Instagram Reels on March 30 at 10.30. Details are at socialkatmedia.com and if you want to check out that viral video, just look for Couture Candy on TikTok.
Local Doctor Grateful For Communities Support In Bringing His Daughter's Family Home Safe From Ukraine
/Oleg Veselskiy, a doctor at Kawartha Centre and Peterborough Regional Health Centre, is currently in Poland with his daughter and her family who fled from Ukraine after Russian invasion.
Oleg Veselskiy, his daughter and her family. Photo courtesy of Veselskiy.
Dr. Veselskiy came to Canada in 2002 after he met his wife, a Canadian nurse, in United Kingdom.
His daughter Jenya now lives in Kharkiv, Ukraine with her husband and three children.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Jenya and her family spent five days in a make shift bomb shelter in the basement of an apartment building with close to 50 people in it.
“As soon as I heard war started we started thinking about escape routes,” said Veselskiy.
Veselskiy says through the Peterborough medical community he has a lot of connections to doctors from and in Poland. A Polish doctor offered Veselskiy and his family an apartment in Krakow to stay in temporarily.
Because Jenya and her husband have three children considered minors, aged 13, 9 and two-months old, Jenya’s husband was able to leave the country unlike many other men his age. They also brought along with them their dog Edwin.
“I am grateful her husband was able to come because I don’t know that my daughter would have left without him,” said Veselskiy.
He says they joined a convoy of families making their way to Poland, and though the journey was long they made it safely.
“As soon as I knew they were safe I booked a flight to Poland and met them at the train station,” he said. “I brought them to this apartment and this is where we are staying now.”
Now that Jenya and her family are safe, Veselskiy’s main concern is getting them back to Peterborough, he says.
“We’re safe, we’re just waiting,” he said.
Jenya and her husband have the proper documentation to travel to Canada, but their children do not.
“They weren’t planning on doing any travelling any time soon,” he said. “The kids passports have expired, and the two-month old, well she doesn’t even have one yet.”
Veselskiy’s wife, who is still in Peterborough, started the application process as soon as they knew Jenya and her family were coming to Peterborough. He notes it has been challenging and wonders how those without family or friends elsewhere are managing to apply while actively escaping a warzone.
Now, after his home city has been ravaged by war and his daughter and grandchildren escaped, he says life seems different.
“It’s a different world, you start thinking differently about your life,” he said. “It’s not ‘how are you doing’ anymore, its ‘are you alive?’. My daughter worries for her friends that didn’t leave.”
Still, after everything they have been through, Veselkiy says he is grateful.
“It’s incredible, it’s tragic, it’s emotional, but its also unbelievable seeing all the people willing to help,” he said. “People in Peterborough have been unbelievably supportive, we don’t know what to do with all of this support.”
Veselskiy’s coworker started a GoFundMe that will help Jenya and her family restart their lives in Peterborough. He says coworkers have been bringing clothes for the baby and his wife is updating him daily with baby items that are being delivered.
“It has been a difficult but also a grateful time. We could complain about things going bad, but other people have it worse.”
Fairhaven Long-Term Care Receives Over $2 Million to Hire 44 New Staff
/Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home is receiving up to $2,232,672 to hire 44 additional staff this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents announced on Friday.
(left to right) Lionel Towns, Fairhaven executive director; Coun. Keith Riel; MPP Dave Smith and Coun. Karl Moher in front of Fairhaven Homes on 881 Dutton Rd. In 2021-22, Ontario invested $200 million to train up to 16,200 additional personal support workers through publicly-assisted colleges, private career colleges and district school boards. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Fairhaven is part of the $7,212,576 investment from the Ontario Government for long-term care homes in Peterborough-Kawartha.
The Dutton Road long-term care home can hire 25 full-time and 19 part-time positions. The funding will boost benefit packages for both full-time and part-time employees.
“Our region has one of the highest seniors populations in Canada and the demand for long-term care in our region will continue to grow,” said Coun. Karl Moher. “It is our jobs as representatives to ensure that our residents receive the additional care and support that this funding will provide for.”
These funds will increase care for residents at other long-term care homes such as:
Extendicare Inc., in Lakefield, will receive up to $872,136 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.
Extendicare Inc, in Peterborough, will receive up to $1,517,520 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.
Riverview Manor Nursing Home, in Peterborough, will receive up to $845,976 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.
St. Joseph’s at Fleming, in Peterborough, will receive up to $1,744,272 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.
“Our seniors deserve the best care possible. Full stop. This $7.2 million investment takes us one step further in delivering the care loved ones in our community rightfully expect,” said MPP Dave Smith. “We have made significant progress towards fixing the broken system we inherited just a few short years ago.”
Over the span of four years, the funding will increase direct hours of care by 1 hour and 21 minutes for seniors according to the Ontario Government.
The government is investing $4.9 billion over four years to boost direct resident care to an average of four hours daily by increasing care staff by more than 27,000 people.
Hiring thousands of new staff at long-term homes and increasing the amount of care they deliver each year will be made possible by annual funding increases to homes:
$270 million in 2021-22
$673 million in 2022-23
$1.25 billion in 2023-24
$1.82 billion in 2024-25
Fairhaven is seeking applications for new employees as a result of the funding announcement.
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Electric City Football Club Releases Inaugural Season Schedule
/The Electric City Football Club released their Inaugural season schedule on Friday.
The first men's game will be April 21 at Guelph.
The first women's game will be April 23 at Alliance (North Toronto).
The first men's home game will be May 7 vs Windsor.
The first women's home game May 14 vs Blue Devils FC (Oakville).
