Volunteer Peterborough Launched to Provide Matchmaking Service For Volunteers and Organizations In Peterborough Region

An online portal matchmaking service for volunteers and organizations in Volunteer Peterborough was launched during an announcement at a Volunteer Expo at Trent University on Wednesday morning.

Tuffin was inducted into the Pathway of Fame in last during its 25th annversary under the Cultural/Community Betterment category.Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Volunteer Peterborough has been in production for a year to create partnerships to create the portal and matchmaking service. There are 50 organizations already available with another 50 coming next week with 175 volunteers signed up according to founder Lois Tuffin.

“We could encourage more of the best of Peterborough,” she said. “We could give people and make it easy for them to fall into volunteering and then fall in love with volunteering. That would be a way for us to move our community better.”

The online portal works like a dating or employment site that matches skills and times with groups’ needs with the volunteers. As of Oct. 10, these services will be available in person after an arrangement with the Peterborough Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

“Volunteers drive the success of large events,” explained Tuffin. “They also step up in times of crisis. Most of all, volunteers welcome new members into the community and deep in social relationships between people who have lived here their entire lives and those human connections have enriched so many lives. 

Tuffin continues to explain that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for volunteers increased which helped spark the conception of Volunteer Peterborough.

People stopped volunteering and organizers shifted so they moved volunteer managers to other roles because they didn't have anything to do,” she explained. “Some of those roles haven't been filled so agencies no longer have as much capacity to manage their volunteers so we're just trying to help them so that they can rebuild that membership and get those teams back up and running.”

The portal has volunteers for both in-person and virtual positions.

More information can be found by emailing info@volunteerpeterborough.ca or calling 705-930-2613.

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'A Christmas Rockstory: A Holiday Circus Spectacular' Hits Peterborough Memorial Centre On Dec. 15

A Christmas RockStory, A Holiday Circus Spectacular! is ready to spread its festive cheer and entertainment to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Dec. 15.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Put on by Q Productions Las Vegas, the show dives into a whimsical world where a Holiday-loving storyteller and an egocentric rockstar clash, unite and bring down the house. Acrobats, aerialists, daredevils, singers and comedic actors are there to provide laughs, dazzle your senses and include mash-ups of classic holiday hits according to a press release.

Tickets are priced at $39.50, $54.50 and $69.50. Kids ticket prices of $29.50 are for children under 12. They go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Centre box office, online or by phone at 705-743-3561.

PMC Scoop members can get presale tickets starting on Wednesday online at 10 a.m. until Thursday at 10 p.m.

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Assault Charge Laid On Peterborough Man For Allegedly Striking His Spouse In the Face

A 44-year-old Peterborough man is facing an assault charge after allegedly striking his spouse in the face during a domestic incident on Tuesday afternoon.

At roughly 3:30 p.m., officers were called about a domestic incident where a woman had been taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment.  According to a police investigation, a verbal argument had turned physical which resulted in the woman being struck in the face allegedly by the man.

He was charged with:

• Assault Causing Bodily Harm – Spousal

The accused is being held in custody and will appear in court on Wednesday.

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Five Peterborough Petes To Participate In NHL Training Camps

Owen Beck (Montreal Canadiens), Sam Mayer (LA Kings), Donovan McCoy (Calgary Flames), Michael Simpson (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Konnor Smith (Anaheim Ducks) of the Peterborough Petes are attending NHL Camps beginning this week.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough PEtes.

“On behalf of the Petes, I’d like to wish all of these players good luck as they head to NHL Camps this week,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager. “They have all worked hard and earned these opportunities and we know that they’ll make the best of them. We’re excited for the experience that they’ll bring back to the Petes this season.”

Beck, Mayer, McCoy, Simpson and Smith join six players from last year’s OHL Championship-winning team that will also be attending NHL Camps.

“I’d also like to recognize J.R. Avon (Philadelphia Flyers), Avery Hayes (Pittsburgh Penguins), Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers), Tucker Robertson (Seattle Kraken), Chase Stillman (New Jersey Devils) and Gavin White (Dallas Stars),” said Oke. “We wish them the best of luck as they head to their respective camps.”

Full player details can be found below:

Owen Beck - Montreal Canadiens - Signed (Drafted, second round, 33rd overall in 2022)

Beck, a 2004-born forward from Port Hope, Ont., was acquired by the Petes in a trade with the Mississauga Steelheads in January. In 30 regular season games with Peterborough, Beck scored seven times and added 18 assists for 25 points. Beck also picked up eight goals and eight assists in 22 playoff games, helping the Petes to their first OHL Championship since 2006. The Championship capped off a career season for Beck, who signed with the Montreal Canadiens in October, won a gold medal with Canada in the 2023 World Junior Championships, and made his NHL debut with Montreal on January 28.

Sam Mayer - Los Angeles Kings (Free Agent)

Mayer, an over-age defenceman from L’Orignal, Ont., was originally selected by the Petes in the first round, 15th overall in the 2020 OHL U18 Priority Selection. Mayer has never missed a game in his two years as a Pete, suiting up in 136 games as well as 27 playoff games for the Maroon and White. Over his two seasons in the league, Mayer has solidified himself as a top offensive defenceman, scoring 20 goals and adding 65 assists for 85 points. He will be attending LA Kings Camp as a Free Agent, after participating in their Development Camp in July.

Donovan McCoy - Calgary Flames (Free Agent)

McCoy, a 2004-born defenceman from Belleville, Ont., was a first-round pick, 15th overall, by the Petes in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Over two seasons with the Petes, McCoy has suited up for 126 games, scoring two goals and adding 27 assists for 29 points. During the Petes 2023 OHL Championship run, he added an extra step to his game offensively, scoring two goals and adding eight assists for 10 points in 22 games. McCoy will be attending Calgary Flames Camp as a Free Agent, after attending their Development Camp in July.

Michael Simpson - Pittsburgh Penguins (Free Agent)

Simpson, an over-age goaltender from London, Ont., was selected by the Petes in the 10th round, 193rd overall by the Petes in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. He had a breakout year last season, finishing third in the OHL in GAA (2.73), second in SV% (.914), and first in shutouts (5), all while leading the league in games played (51). Simpson continued his career season into the playoffs, finishing with a 2.80 GAA and a .914 SV% in 23 games, leading the Petes to an OHL Championship and winning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the playoff MVP. Simpson will be attending Pittsburgh Penguins Camp as a free agent, after attending their Development Camp in June.

Konnor Smith - Anaheim Ducks (Drafted, fourth round, 97th overall in 2023)

Smith, a 2004-born defenceman from Windsor, Ont., was originally selected by the Petes in the ninth round, 175th overall, in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. Standing at 6’6”, Smith had a career year for the Petes in 2022-23. In 65 games, Smith scored three goals and added 12 assists for 15 points. He added another two assists playing in all 23 playoff games for the Petes, helping lead them to an OHL Championship. In the 2023 Memorial Cup, Smith picked up an assist playing in all five games. This led to Smith being selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the first pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in June.

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Voice of Business: Sustainable Partnerships

We’re stronger together. A common phrase, good naturally passed around to comfort and inspire. Something aimed to motivate the community to join together in times of trouble.

But it’s more than an expression. It’s how the community got through the flood in 2006. It’s how we recovered from the May two-four windstorm. It’s how we will get through the pandemic. That way of thinking can get through another crisis, our environmental crisis.

A key to creating a more sustainable environment may be the connections we have to the other businesses in the community. Or at least a place to start.

1. Our communities have local resources for furniture and supplies. From Brant Basics to the Habitat for Humanity Restores, furniture can be picked up locally. Shipping your furniture and supplies from far away increases transportation emissions, energy waste and air pollution.

2. Did you know Charlotte Products recently partnered with Merit Precision Moulding Ltd. to make the bottles for their soap and hand sanitizers? This includes their new ALLORGANIC USDA Certified Organic Hand Soap (available at Swish Maintenance). Partnerships like this one not only energize the local economy, but also cut down on the carbon footprint. Manufacturers that created biodegradable food containers, cleaning supplies, metals and food and drink supplies: All located in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

3. If you do need to buy online, check out similar businesses to yours and see if your items can be shipped together. Turn your competition to collaboration. This will also save on shipping costs.

4. Take advantage of GreenUP’s Ecology Park and plant plants around your office. Build rain gardens to treat polluted stormwater runoff and collect stormwater and melted snow. Grow a rooftop garden to help reduce air pollution and remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. They can also offer more insulation for your building and can help extend the life of the existing roof fabric by up to 200 per cent.*

5. Help lobby our levels of government for property tax credits and other tax incentives for adding sustainable additions to office buildings.

6. Encourage employees to carpool or offer employees remote working opportunities to cut down on emissions.

7. Reach out to your neighbours and organize a battery/waste collection and drop off. Each business can take turns taking the items to the waste collected to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot to make sure these items are properly disposed of.

* Todd Haiman Landscape Design – Blog Jan. 25, 2017 in URBAN ROOFTOP AND TERRACE, OUTDOOR SPACE DESIGN

Even small changes and collaborations can make big changes for our environment. The more people working together, the bigger the impact is.

If you’d like to discover more businesses within Peterborough and the Kawarthas, check out lovelocalmarketplace.ca.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Last Day For Large Item Collection Is Sept. 25

The City of Peterborough will pick up items larger than the weekly garbage allowance such as furniture and appliances with the final day on Sept. 25.

Large item collection takes place annually from April to September. File Photo.

The cost $30 for the first item and $10 for any additional item. Mattresses and box springs are $30 each and do not count as a first item.

Residents can book their collection online or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865. The booking deadline is 4:30 p.m. the Tuesday before each collection date.

Scheduled collected items should be at the curb by 7 a.m. on the first day of collection. Depending on the number of pickups scheduled each month, collection could take a few days to complete according to the City of Peterborough. Residents are asked to leave the items they have booked for pickup at the curb.

Refrigeration items must have the Freon removed prior to collection.

Automobile parts, televisions and monitors are not accepted in this collection. They can be disposed of at the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd., open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Building or construction materials can be disposed of at the Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd.

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Peterborough Petes Education Fund Awards Two $500 Scholarships to Local Students

Goaltender Yianni Karkoulas and defenceman Lauren Jeffery are recipients of the Peterborough Petes Education Fund of $500 for the 2022-2023 season.

Jeffery (left) and Karkoulas (right) as members of the U18 Ice Kats AA and Petes U18 AAA respectively. Photo courtesy of the PEterborough Petes.

The players are selected from the Petes U18 AAA and U18 Ice Kats AA by their coaches.

“Yianni is a fantastic kid who comes from a great family,” said Scott Roche, Petes U18 AAA head coach. “He’s extremely self-driven and highly motivated. First on the ice and always the last one off. We had to drag him off the ice sometimes. I coached him for two years and every teammate thought the world of him.”

Karkoulas currently plays for the Aurora Tigers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He aspires to play in the OHL, move on to university hockey and then pursue a professional career. The goalie went to IE Weldon in Lindsay for his high school degree.

“I accept the award as a true honour and compliment to my commitment to the game and an awesome start to my future growth,” said Karkoulas. “I am extremely grateful to the Petes organization for the opportunity.” 

Jay Legault and the U18 IceKats coaching staff selected defenceman Lauren Jeffery as the other recipient.

“Lauren was a pleasure to coach for the last two seasons. She is a quiet leader who understands the game of hockey,” said Legault. “If you are looking for a smart, steady, responsible defence — and everyone is —, then you would be happy to have Lauren on your team.”

Jeffery is attending the University of Dubuque and is playing for their hockey in the NCAA division III league. She graduated from St. Peter Secondary School last June and played defence for the Saints girls hockey team that finished fourth at the AAA OFSAA championships in Windsor last March. 

“I am honoured to be selected for this award since it will contribute to my college fund,” said Jeffery.

The Petes Education Fund is overseen by Mike Martone, president; Rod McGillis secretary and treasurer and Laura Kennedy, vice president. Pat Casey, long-time Peterborough Petes board member and Petes player alumni started the Petes Education fund in the 1980s to help student-athletes further their education. Casey passed away in August.

“We are going to miss Pat Casey incredibly at the rink and helping out with the Petes Ed Fund,” said McGillis. “We all feel honoured and privileged to have known Pat and serve with him. It’s amazing he had the foresight to set up the education fund for the Petes and he knew how important education was to any hockey player and person. He will be dearly missed but we are proud to continue what Pat started.” 

There were $500.00 scholarships distributed to St. Peter, Holy Cross, TASSS, Crestwood, Adam Scott and Kenner each June. The school awards the Petes Education Fund scholarship to a graduating student who has improved themselves through their hard work over their four-year high school career.

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The Arkells 'At Your Service' Tour Ends at the Peterborough Memorial Centre For Nov. 11

Canadian band The Arkells are set to rock the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Nov. 11, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Scarlet O’Neill.

The Peterborough stop is the last leg of their ‘At Your Service’ tour running from Sept. 29 to Oct 22. It was added as part of three Canadian shows which included Guelph and St. Catherine’s.

“It’s been four long years since we’ve played these towns,” says frontman Max Kerman. “We’ve had amazing memories in Guelph, St. Catharines and Peterborough and it’s because of the real, longstanding relationships we have with these places. We started playing ‘em in tiny bars, and now we’re playing in the hockey barns.”

Two-time Grammy-nominated artist K.Flay is opening for the band for the performance.

Tickets for the nine-time JUNO Award winners go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m., with fan pre-sales on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

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Peterborough Police K9 Unit Places Top Five In Multiple Events At Canadian Police Dog Championship Trials

Peterborough Police Service K9 Unit’s Issac and Gryphon made the top five in several events in the 2023 Canadian Police Dog Championship Trials in Barrie that finish on Saturday.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) PC Dillon Wentworth, Police Service Dog Gryphon, PC Bob Cowie & Police Service Dog Isaac. pHOTO COURTESY OF THE pETERBOROUGH pOLICE sERVICE.

Police Constable Bob Cowie and Isaac placed fourth in drug detection while Police Constable Dillon Wentworth and Gryphon placed fifth in drug detection and fourth in building searches. 

“There is a considerable amount of training that goes into ensuring Isaac and Gryphon are ready to serve the community,” said Cowie. “It was a great experience to be able to learn and compete with the best in the country.”

“We would like to thank all of the supporters of the unit for their kind words,” said Wentworth. “It was wonderful to know that the community was cheering us on throughout the week.”

The competition ran from Last Tuesday to Saturday, featuring 39 K9 teams including OPP, RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency. It was the first time the trials had been held in Ontario and with the Peterborough Police Service in attendance.

“Without a doubt, the residents of Peterborough, Lakefield, and Cavan-Monaghan can rest assured that their K9 Officers are some of the best in the country and we are proud of their hard work and accomplishments,'“ said Chief Stuart Betts. “I am impressed with the handler’s dedication to public safety and using the Police Service Dogs as an appropriate tool in that endeavour.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Donates $25,000 to Camp Kawartha For New Health Centre

The Rotary Club of Peterborough took another step toward their $100,000 multi-year pledge to Camp Kawartha with a $25,000 cheque presentation towards creating an environmentally sustainable health centre for staff to look after the health needs of campers and other guests.

(From left to right) Rotarian Jim Coyle, Camp Kawartha Philanthropy Coordinator Susan Ramey, and Rotarian Ken Seim. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough.

The $25,000 payment brings the total contribution up to $75,000 toward their $100,000 pledge.

“Our Rotary Club, has and always will, support Camp Kawartha and its Outdoor Education Centre,” said Jim Coyle, past Rotarian president. “Rotary has always been involved with programming to Develop the Youth of Today to be the Leaders of Tomorrow and that is what Camp Kawartha programming is all about. This new Rotary Health Centre is not only a necessary component of the Camp infrastructure but it is a shining example of construction methodology that is mindful of the environment that it is situated on.”

The Rotary Health Centre is a carbon-neutral straw bale building that replaced a smaller cabin that was built in 1955.

“The Rotary Health Centre is an inspiring example of sustainable design in action. It shows campers, students and even health professionals, what a Healthy Health Centre can look like. We are enormously grateful to the Rotary Club of Peterborough for making this project possible,” said Jacob Rodenburg, Camp Kawartha executive director.

“I am pleased to be presenting this cheque in the amount of $25,000 as another step towards meeting our multiyear pledge of $100,000 to Camp Kawartha for the creation of a unique environmentally sustainable health centre,” said Betty Halman-Plumley, Rotary president.

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