Couple Receives Free Air Conditioner and Furnace Installation Through 'Feel the Love' After Being Nominated As Outstanding Community Member

The community showed gratitude for good Samaritans Ken and Anna Chesher as they received a free air conditioner and furnace through Lennox’s ‘Feel the Love’ program installed at their house on Friday morning.

Ken (left) and ANna Chesher (right) recently celebrated their 50-year marriage anniversary. Ken had previously worked an General Electric for 30 years while Anna was a homemaker. Photo by David TUan Bui.

The continental program encourages anyone to nominate an outstanding community member who is always giving back but needs a helping hand in replacing their HVAC equipment

According to Chesher’s nomination, Ken was known as the perfect neighbour and community member.

“If anyone in the neighbourhood ever needed help shovelling their driveways, cutting their grass or even just bringing in their garbage cans from the curb, Ken was the first one to volunteer,” according to the nomination. “Ken was always the first person the neighbours would call when they needed help with anything. Sometimes, when neighbours would move away, they would even leave Ken’s contact information for the new homeowner in case they ever needed assistance with anything too.”

Ken’s offer to help others was his way of getting to know his community better.

“I always try to meet all of them and we've had very good neighbours,” explained Chesher.

The 74-year-old Ken and Anna had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. However, Ken’s health has deteriorated over the past decade, including an infection and breaking his ankle on three separate occasions. He has been unable to help others with physical labour for the last few years due to his injuries and needs a cane to help him walk.

All the community work has paid off as neighbours are starting to pitch in and help the Chesher household.

“My neighbours are very good. They're cutting my lawn for me and doing snowblowing,” said Ken.

Several of the Peterborough Refrigeration STafF with the Cheslers after a half day’s work to install the furnace and air conditioning. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The installation was done by Peterborough Refrigeration who were collecting nominations in Peterborough and the surrounding area for the program. The company has gathered nominations annually since 2020 and is in its fourth year in the program.

“We started this program as another way to give back to our community,” said Gord Conroy, Peterborough Refrigeration owner. “When I started my business, I named it Peterborough Refrigeration because I knew we wanted to be an important part of this community. This is one of the ways we like to give back to the community who has supported us for so many years.” 

“The reason I enjoy participating in the Feel the Love program through Lennox and Peterborough Refrigeration is because I get to help the community,” said Chris Galachiuk, Peterborough Refrigeration lead installer. “It also allows us to connect and give back to all the wonderful people we come into contact with through our work as well as around the town.” 

Peterborough Refrigeration collected nominations up until the end of August.

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Break and Enter Results In Over $20,000 In Jewellery Stolen From Home

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating a residential break-and-enter that resulted in over $20,000 of jewellery stolen on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The incident occurred in the Bellevue Street and Donegal Street area where police believe the theft occurred over the weekend.

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Peterborough Petes Fall in Overtime 3-2 In Michael Simpson's Return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre

It was a triumphant return for former Pete Michael Simpson as he and the London Knights took down Peterborough in overtime, 3-2, at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

Jumping right to the second period, London drew first blood off an odd-man rush as Easton Cowan sniped a shot past Liam Stutzka for a 1-0 lead. Cowan had another chance to score off a penalty shot but Stutzka was able to track the puck and make the save. The Petes found themselves on the board as Meyer threw the puck at the net and created a mad scramble for the rebounded puck. It eventually got on Meyer’s stick again and he buried it past Simpson for a 1-1 tie going into the third period.

Peterborough was on the penalty kill but Jax Dubois forced a turnover in the Knights’ defensive zone and eat Simpson high for a 2-1 lead. Peterborough was trying to hang on to the lead but in the dying 17 seconds, Sam Dickenson slapped a one-timer and tied the game to go into overtime.

The extra frame saw London have the puck with 90 seconds left as Isaiah George received a pass out in the high slot and was able to snipe it home for a 3-2 London victory.

The Petes will get little rest for their next game as the travel to Brantford to take on the Bulldogs on Friday night.

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Lori Richey Named New Physician Recruiter For Peterborough County

Lori Richey has been named the physician recruiter for Peterborough County.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Richey previously was the executive director for the Peterborough Family Health Team. She also served as the primary care physician recruiter with Peterborough and director of operations with Peterborough Family Health Team.

In addition to making significant contributions to the field of long-term care, she is also formally trained in the fields of tourism and human resources.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Lori’s expertise and background join the team at Peterborough County,” said Sheridan Graham, Peterborough County CAO. “We are excited and look forward to Lori’s direct collaboration with the Townships to understand their resident’s needs, to support our existing family physicians and to recruit much-needed family physicians to our region.”

Richey begins her role on Oct. 23.

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Photos: St. Peter's and Holy Cross Secondary School Unite For Terry Fox Rally Fundraiser For Cancer Research

Roughly over 1,800 students and faculty from St. Peter’s Secondary School (SPSS) and Holy Cross Secondary School (HCSS) came together to walk for the Terry Fox Rally to raise money for cancer research on Thursday morning.

Neave Alderson leads the charge for St. Peter's Secondary School in a joint effort with Holy Cross Secondary School for the Terry Fox Rally. All photos by David Tuan Bui

Both institutions walked in a circuit, starting from St. Peter’s on Medical Drive before convening at the school’s football field.

“To see the love and the effort here to support such a cause in Terry Fox, I know that cancer has affected each of our lives so to be here today and to have the energy, it's such a beautiful feeling,” said Natalie Bittner, HCSS principal.

HCSS aimed to raise $15,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Their most significant fundraising method was selling dress-down tickets to allow students to dress casually rather than in their uniforms for a week. The school did face painting and nail decorations and sold Terry Fox apparel to help with the fundraiser.

SPSS had a more ambitious goal of $70,000. Students registered with the Terry Fox website to raise money independently. They also had dress-down days and ran community events to raise funds.

“Last year, we finished third overall in Canada for raising the most,” said Shannon Brady, SPSS principal. “Last year, we raised $60,000 so we’re bumping it up to $70,000 this year.”

All proceeds from the snack and concession stands —sold by both schools on-site — went towards the schools’s respective fundraiser totals.

The two schools also held their annual football game against each other, with both the junior and senior teams playing, following the walk in the afternoon. The game is known as the ‘Catholic Bowl’ or ‘Holy Bowl.’ since it is the city’s only two Catholic high schools. It started in 2003 when Holy Cross began its inaugural football program.

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Two Peterborough Men Arrested After Allegedly Committing a Street-Level Robbery and Fleeing Police

Two Peterborough men are facing charges after a robbery incident on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 3:15 p.m., officers arrived at the Aylmer Street and Hunter Street area regarding a street-level robbery with a knife. Officers spotted two males matching the descriptions given to police fleeing the area, one on foot and one on a bicycle.  Police Service Dog Gryphon was deployed to eventually allow officers to apprehend the suspect on foot and was taken into custody. A search of the suspect revealed a pocketknife.  Officers also found several IDs and credit cards not belonging to the suspect. 

Officers pursued the bicycle suspect and caught up to him in the Aylmer and McDonnel Street area and were able to take him into custody. Officers found a knife and further learned the man was wanted on three warrants in connection with incidents in August and September after a search.

As a result of the investigations, a 26-year-old Peterborough man was arrested on the strength of the warrants.  He is being held in custody and will appear in court on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Peterborough man was arrested and charged with:

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada (Credit cards and ID)

• Fraud Under $5000 (Use of credit cards)

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order X2

The accused is currently bound by two probation orders with the following condition to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. 

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 9.

The investigation into the original call for service about a robbery is continuing according to a press release. Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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Hometown PTBO: Phillip Joilcoeur Organizing the 'Harmony For Healing' Concert and His Mother's Passing As Its Connection

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to ‘Harmony For Healing’ organizer Phillip Jolicoeur about the concert coming up on Feb. 22 next year, the connection of his mother’s passing last year and the concert and his long-term plans with the event.

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Temporary Downtown Patios To Be Removed Starting On Oct. 24

The temporary downtown patio spaces will be removed to prepare sidewalks and roads for winter snow-clearing operations starting on Oct. 24.

The expanded patio spaces were installed in May. File Photo.

Any businesses with temporary patios on sidewalks and in on-street parking adjacent to them will remove their patio furniture by the end of the day on Oct. 23 to clear the way for the removal of the fencing and large planters startingthe next day.

After removing the expanded patio areas, Hunter Street between George and Aylmer Streets will return to a two-lane, two-way street. During the summer, it was temporarily made into a one-lane, westbound, one-way street to add more patio and pedestrian space.

This was the fourth summer that the City implemented temporary changes to the downtown public space to allow for more patio and pedestrian space.

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Nathan McFadden Named New Director of Trent University Athletics & Recreation

Trent University has appointed Nathan McFadden as the director of Athletics and Recreation.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

McFadden has overr 25 years of experience in professional and high-performance sports operations, leadership and administration according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nathan to Trent University and the Excalibur family. His substantial background in the sports industry, paired with his innovative leadership style, aligns well with Trent's commitment to excellence in athletics and recreation,” said Tariq Al-idrissi, vice-president, finance and administration. “As we look to the future, we are confident that Nathan's leadership will elevate our programs, enhance student experiences, and continue to build upon our strong tradition of athletic achievement."

McFadden will lead Trent's Athletics & Recreation department, overseeing the Excalibur varsity program and a wide range of sports and recreational activities that enhance student experience and promote health and wellness on campus and in the community.

McFadden's career includes numerous achievements, such as 12 national championships. Prior to joining Trent, he was the director of athletics and recreation at Fanshawe College for a decade where he built the Falcons into a national brand, leading them to 11 national championships, 67 national appearances and over 90 per cent of the College’s teams ranking nationally. While president of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), he created and chaired the OCAA’s EDI Committee, commissioned the OCAA’s Racial Equity Project, implemented a mandatory sexual violence prevention course for all student-athletes, mandatory Safe Sport training for all coaches and administrators, and an OCAA parental leave policy.

McFadden has worked in professional hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the American Hockey League (AHL) also spent time working with the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

“It is truly an honour to join Trent University as the director of athletics and recreation,” said McFadden. “I am deeply inspired by Trent's commitment to fostering both athletic excellence and a holistic student experience. I look forward to collaborating with our talented student-athletes, dedicated coaches and the entire Trent community to elevate our athletics programs and offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. Together, we will continue to build a culture of inclusivity, achievement, and pride in Trent's sports programs.”

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Peterborough Petes to Host Alumni Homecoming Weekend for Oct. 20 - 21

The Peterborough Petes are hosting an Alumni Homecoming Weekend that features a mixer at the Maple Moose Pub, a day of golf at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (PGCC) and a Petes game.

The itinerary is as follows:

• Friday, Oct.20

• 7-10 p.m. - Mixer at the Maple Moose Pub

• Saturday, Oct. 21

• 9:30 a.m. - Golf Registration at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 10:00 a.m. - Brunch at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 11:00 a.m. - Shotgun start at Peterborough Golf & Country Club

• 7:05 p.m. - Peterborough Petes vs Oshawa Generals at the PMC

Prior to the game, the 1973-74 Petes are being honoured with a pregame ceremony on the ice. This team was the first Canadian representative in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championships in 1974, taking home a bronze medal.

“We’re really excited to be able to welcome back so many great alumni with this event,” said Morgan Blaind, Petes coordinator of marketing and community engagement. “It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to put on an event like this. That being said, it’s so important for us to see our alumni interact and reconnect with each other. It’s also a great opportunity for us to recognize our amazing history through celebrating the 1973-74 team.”

All Petes alumni and their guests are invited to attend the weekend according to a press release. Golf slots will be allocated to alumni before opening to guests. Interested alumni can contact Blaind via e-mail or by calling 705-743-3681 ext. 221.

The Petes host the London Knights on Thursday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. This is the return of the 2023 Playoff MVP and former Petes goaltender Michael Simpson. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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