Peterborough Lakers Announce 2023 Season Award Winners

The Peterborough Century 21 Lakers announced their 2023 season award winners at a thank-you dinner for staff and volunteers at the Alternatives Community Program Services on Braidwood Avenue on Saturday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterboroough Lakers.

Holden Cattoni took home the most hardware, with three awards: Top Scorer, Fan Favourite and MVP (shared with Turner Evans).

“It’s an honour to be recognized by the Lakers and fans with three awards,” said Cattoni. “It is always special to look at the names on the trophies and see your name among some of the greatest Lakers to ever play.”

This was Cattoni’s first Fan Favourite award. Fans could vote over the period of wo weeks online from Sept. 25 to Oct. 6.

“The fans are such an integral piece to what makes playing in Peterborough so special,” he said. “I was also humbled by being presented my awards by our volunteers. Their work goes largely unnoticed and their contributions are appreciated by the players and staff.”

The annual Volunteer of the Year award was presented to team equipment managers Pete Hynes, Scott Robertson and Dale Reid.

“Our equipment staff puts countless volunteer hours in behind the scenes,” said Len Powers, board chairman. “Our players and board respect what they do for the Lakers. They definitely deserved to be recognized for their hard work.”

Full Awards List:

• Top Scorer – Holden Cattoni

• Rookie of the Year – Landon Kells

• Most Improved – Austin Hasen

• Most Sportsmanlike – Colton Armstrong

• Top Defenceman – Robert Hope

• Top Transition Player – Matt Gilray

• Fan Favourite – Holden Cattoni

• MVP – Holden Cattoni & Turner Evans

• Volunteers of the Year – Scott Robertson, Dale Reid & Pete Hynes

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Peterborough Theatre Guild Brings 'Paradiso Inn' For 10 November Dates

The Peterborough Theatre Guild’s next theatre production ‘Paradiso Inn’ is holding ten shows for November, with the first date on Nov. 3.

The play is about an urban couple cycling on a northern Ontario rail trail to enhance their relationship and stumble upon the Paradiso Inn. 

The Inn is described as sketchy and run down but the innkeepers work hard to earn those infamous Trip Advisor stars. Deep within its walls are hope, kindness, humour and an opportunity to make real-life changes, not only for the cyclists but all of the Inn's characters.

Paradiso Inn is a story about second chances; it reminds us all that growth and transformation are possible, even in the unlikeliest of places.

The play is a brand new, all-Canadian inspirational comedy written by actor/director and Peterborough’s Hugh MacMillan.

Shows are scheduled for the following dates: Nov. 3, 4, 5*, 9, 10, 11, 12*, 16, 17 and 18. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. while evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

*denotes matinee show

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Peterborough Man Faced With New Charges Following Arrest On Warrant

A 39-year-old Peterborough man wanted on a warrant is facing new charges after he was located by police on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough police Service.

At roughly 11:30 a.m. K9 officer Wentworth and police service dog Gryphon were on general patrol on Hunter Street West when they spotted a man wanted on a warrant for failing to comply with probation. 

They followed the man into an alleyway and took him into custody without incident. During a search after the arrest, a replica handgun was located on the suspect and seized along with items and credit cards not belonging to them. 

Replica handgun. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough police Service.

The man was arrested on the strength of the warrant and further charged with:

• Carry concealed prohibited device or ammunition

• Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000 - in Canada

• Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order

• Use of credit card

The accused is currently bound by a lifetime prohibition order with the condition not to possess any prohibited firearm including replica firearms.

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31.

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First Wave of Montréal Canadiens Alumni Announced For Rivalry Night at the Peterborough Memorial Centre On Nov. 17

The first round of Montreal Canadiens Alumni for the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s Rivalry Night have announced their first round of players participating on Nov. 17 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC).

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Montreal Canadiens Alumni include:

Stéphane Richer - Drafted by the Canadiens in 1984, he is the last player in franchise history to score 50 goals or more in a season. Over his 17-year National Hockey League career, he also played with the Devils, Lightning, Blues, and Penguins, ending his active career as two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Patrice Brisebois - Drafted by Montreal in the second round of the 1989 NHL entry draft, Brisebois became a staple of the Habs defence through the 1990s, specifically as their power play anchor. This includes winning a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. In total, Brisebois played 1009 games in the NHL, 896 of them with Montreal, ranking third all-time in games played for the Canadiens as a defenceman.

Richard Sévigny - He played eight seasons in the National Hockey League, spending his first five with the Montreal Canadiens before heading to Quebec Nordiques. In 1981, he won the Vezina trophy and a Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens.

Chris Nilan – Coach - He holds the NHL record for most penalties in a single game with 10 in 1991. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League, 10 of which were with the Montreal Canadiens. He is a winner of one Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986.

Other Montreal Canadiens Alumni include Pierre Dagenais, Oleg Petrov, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Delorme, Mathieu Dandenault, Gilbert Dionne and Normand Dupont.

The Montreal Canadiens Alumni team will be playing the already announced Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni team that includes Rick Vaive, Steve Thomas, Al Iafrate, Todd Gill, Mike Krushelnyski, Rich Clune, Wayne Primeau, Dave Mcllwain, Ric Jackman Matt Martin and Adam Munro, coached by Dave Reid.

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Trent Ranked #1 Ontario Undergraduate University For 13 Straight Years

Trent University takes top honours, ranked number one as Ontario’s number one undergraduate university in the 2024 Maclean’s University Rankings.

Photo courtesy of Trent university.

“Trent’s enduring streak as Ontario's top undergraduate university reflects our ongoing commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and delivering a transformative experience for all students,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor. “These rankings are the latest in a series of news highlights and developments that continue to showcase Trent as a renowned teaching and research university in Canada, as well as globally.”

2024 Maclean's University Rankings Highlights: Primarily Undergraduate Category

• #1 undergraduate university in Ontario 13 years in a row

• #1 in Ontario for highest quality

• #1 in Ontario for faculty awards

• #2 in Ontario for most innovative

• #2 in Ontario for developing leaders of tomorrow

• #2 in Ontario for student services

• Top 20 in all of Canada ranking for Trent’s Education program – the only undergraduate university program on the list

The rankings compare 50 universities from across Canada. Trent continued to rank among the top undergraduate institutions in Ontario in several key categories, including number one in Ontario for highest overall quality and faculty awards and number two in Ontario for being the most innovative and developing the future leaders of tomorrow. Trent also ranked number two in Ontario for student services.

The Trent School of Education received special recognition as the only primarily undergraduate institution named among the top 20 education programs in Canada across all categories.

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Photos: Kawartha Montessori School Hits the Ground Running Again With Return of Its Cross-Country Run After a Three-Year Hiatus

Students of Kawartha Montessori School got their feet moving as they hosted their cross country meet at their institution on Friday, an event they have not been able to participate in the last three years.

Grade 3 student Esther van Ostveen, 8, running in her heat as students, parents and faculty cheered the racers all day. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School, Uxbridge Montessori School, Whitby Montessori & Elementary School and Peterborough’s Rowan Tree Children's School were also a part of the event held by Kawartha Montessori totalling roughly 150 students in the event. Grades 1 to 8 ran in the meet, the first time Kawartha hosted in several years.

“Certainly, Covid got in the way,” said Carrie O’Toole, Kawartha Montessori vice-principal. “We've also in the past participated in the Catholic board but this year, they weren't not accepting other schools outside of their board so it was a way for us to give a cross-country running experience to our other schools who were not a part of those boards.”

Students began training for the meet at the start of the school year as part of their physical education curriculum.

“They would have included learning some running skills and build up their stamina for the event,” explained O’Toole.

Races were divided by gender and grade. The children ran varying distances on a figure-eight-like track depending on the category. During the races, parents, faculty and students cheered on the runners throughout the day.

“That is a big part of our school, building that grace, courtesy and community,” said O’Toole. “That's something that we pride ourselves in, building that community and building that teamwork.”

During the winter, students are taught sports and activities such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, downhill and cross-country skiing.

In the spring, students get to learn track and field. Grade 8 students also participate in rowing and mountain biking as part of their curriculum.

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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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