East Peterborough Lions Club Great Turkey Exchange Successfully Delivered 65 Turkeys and 10 Hams to Families for Christmas

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There were 65 turkeys and 10 hams delivered to needy families thanks to the East Peterborough Lions Club’s Great Turkey Exchange during December.

Photo courtesy of the East Peterborough Lions Club.

The club saw that requests were down from last year. Several turkeys and hams donated came from individuals, businesses and service clubs.

“While we love providing for the people of Peterborough, it always makes us sad to see the need for help each year. We were so happy to be able to provide help to make their Christmas a little brighter and play a small part of the joy in the season,” said Lion Frank Hewitt, Club service chair. “One thing that we found incredible this year was for the first time since we began working with this program, we had people calling and letting us know they received turkeys from another source and asked us to remove them from the list. That allowed us to be able to supply another family with a turkey or ham for their meal.”

The club also donated hygiene packages to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on Dec. 22. The club was contacted by the PRHC and said they were running out of emergency supplies according to a Facebook post.

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David Tuan Bui's Top Five Stories of 2023

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And with that, 2023 is about to be history as another year passes with me as a part of PTBOCanada. Peterborough has a population of just under 84,000 people. Tack on everyone in the Kawarthas and we’re still not bigger than some neighbouring cities like Oshawa, Whitby and beyond.

However, the amount of news, unbelievable stories and iconic people never seems to stop and I have had the pleasure to witness and report on a vast amount of it. I’ve been in this town for over 30 years of my life and I never stop learning more about my city.

Bui interviewing Rob Wilson, Petes head coach and Shawn Spearing, Petes captain shortly after the team’s OHL Championship. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

These are my top five stories — in no particular order — that I truly enjoyed covering in 2022.

The Petes went 10-1 at home during the playoffs en route to their OHL Championship. PHOTO by Samantha Bianco.

It’s no secret that I’m a hockey fan and only one of two Los Angeles Kings fans (that I know of) in Peterborough.

But to see my hometown Peterborough Petes win the OHL Championship was an unforgettable experience. I have been covering them since I started working for PTBOCanada in March 2021. Countless hours were spent watching games, highlights, conducting interviews and beyond.

I put in a lot of extra time and work during their playoff run, culminating in witnessing history before my eyes and playing a tiny role. I got to be on the ice to do post-game interviews and get immersed in the celebrations. I am certain I did not get home until 1 a.m. that night but it was well worth it.

I could have put a lot of Petes’ stories on this list but I’m going to keep it to one.

Elizabeth, Aurora and Matthew Gardner on the putting green of Bellmere Winds Golf Resort with the memorial poster of William in his memorial tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

I have always been looking for reasons to go golfing ever since I picked it up as a Covid hobby but this was a touching story. So much so that I had to be a part of it as a journalist and a golfer.

The Gardner family had lost their five-year-old son William in a golf cart accident last year and started a memorial tournament in his honour.

The day was filled with fun but a lot of emotion but 155 golfers were out to show their support. I’ve been to several charity golf tournaments in my short golf life but that was a high number for an inaugural event compared to others that I’ve played in.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. photo by David Tuan Bui.

Sure enough, the above photo also made my top 10 photos story posted earlier this week.

I was selected to be a play-by-play commentator for the North American Invitational (LAXNAI) for a third straight year in Utica, N.Y. from late September to early October. Last year, women’s lacrosse was showcased but this year had the inaugural women’s tournament.

Peterborough’s Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough were playing for BP Lawyers and became tournament champions. Evans was also named MVP.

Technically, I was off-duty from PTBOCanada at this point in time but with Peterborough women’s lacrosse making a statement in an international tournament, I could not help but indulge in turning it into a story.

Susan Tung, Hanoi House and NAKA Japanese owner (left) and Morgan Bell, general manager (right) showing HCSS students how to make Vietnamese spring rolls. Photo by Samantha Bianco

During May, students of Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board learned about Asian heritage. Naka Japanese and Hanoi House owner Susan Tung was invited to perform a food demo for students as part of the school’s Cook Eat Love culinary program.

They made fresh Vietnamese spring rolls which were a common and popular meal of my heritage. It consisted of Vietnamese sausage, vermicelli, lettuce, cucumbers rolled in rice paper. It was dipped in either a fish sauce or peanut sauce.

Of course, I had to jump in there and help the students learn how to prepare them after reporting on the event. I recall even having this meal with my family on the weekend prior to the demo so I was fresh off making them. That was a lucky coincidence.

Jenn and Braden Glasbergen entertaining a first-time Halloweener during the ghost pirate ship's last year. photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Glasbergen family did amazing things with their magnificent displays of Halloween, Easter, Christmas and a dinosaur park with ‘Seasons on Ravenwood.’

However, this was the final year they were doing it, including their large ghost pirate ship, amid several complaints regarding safety. The family also collected non-perishable goods and money to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.

It was an absolute spectacle to see year in and year out that also got national recognition. I am not sure if the holidays will be the same in Peterborough without them. I am glad I got to be a part of it in spreading the community cheer.

I’d also like to recognize PTBOCanada’s newest employee and colleague this year, our graphic designer Mark Dizon. If you have ever seen his work, it is marvellous. We met him at Fleming College as an international student from the Philippines.

He was the winner of a graphic design contest for the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough’s anti-stigma campaign called the ‘Missing Piece.’

We were impresses with his work so much that we hired him shortly after his graduation!

GDV FLEMING STUDENTS ADAM KEIZER (LEFT) MARK DIZON (MIDDLE) AND JAMES LEVESQUE (RIGHT) GAVE PRESENTATIONS TO THE MEDIA AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS OF THEIR CAMPAIGNS. DIZON IS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FROM THE PHILLIPINES AND CAME TO PETERBOROUGH FOR SCHOOL TWO YEARS AGO. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA BIANCO.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas never seem to stop with wonderful and fascinating stories.

I’ve enjoyed covering our City and County and will continue to do so with pride. I’m eager to see what 2024 has in store especially since I was able to welcome my first child in June, Serenity!

Here’s to a great new year, PTBO! 2024 should be a wonderful time!

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Hometown PTBO: 2023 Year-End Review

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday looks back on all our fantastic guests over 2023.

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David Tuan Bui's Top 10 Photos of 2023

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As I mentioned in last year’s edition, I do not espouse the thought of calling myself one of the best local photographers in Peterborough.

But with each year comes experience, growth and maturity in every skill I honed in my young and short journalism career. We are only taught so much in journalism school and another great way to learn is to go into the world and try.

Again, like last year, my skills and Rome were not built in a day, much like the thoughts and reasoning behind great Roman philosophers I studied at Trent University, such as St. Augustine of Hippo and Cicero (okay, I’m getting a little carried away).

Nonetheless, my quest for knowledge and tenacity to learn has not stopped and rightfully so if I want to continue my journalism career.

However, it is flattering to know that some pictures I took have been used commercially for local organizations such as the Rotary Club of Peterborough, Peterborough Business Social Club and Hospice Peterborough. They are definitely signs of improvement for sure.

Nonetheless, these are my top ten photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in chronological order:

RENEE OAKE (LEFT) WITH HER SON OSCAR WEINSTEIN (RIGHT) AFTER SWIMMING 150 LAPS IN THE LANE POOL. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The 37th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim held by the Rotary Club was back at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, raising money for Easter Seals and various Rotary projects.

This event has fundraised over $1.32 million since February and saw 19 teams try to raise over $50,000 for this year’s event.

A similar picture made my top five list last year with Renee Oake and her father Carl Oake. This year, it was her and her son Oscar Weinstein. You could see the jubilance of the two after Renee’s swim.

BURTON LEE, PETES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS (LEFT) ADDRESSING THE 165+ STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 AND 8 ABOUT HIS CAREER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TEAM. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Immediately looking at this picture, you could tell Burton Lee, former Peterborough Petes executive director of business operations, had the charisma to capture the attention of the young students.

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario and their World Choices program had students listen and learn intimately about the day-to-day lives of various careers.

We were also invited as guest speakers for this event too.

BUMSTEAD (LEFT) CAUGHT WALTER AFTER HIS THIRD CAST NOT A HALF-AN-HOUR INTO THE DERBY. HIS STEPFATHER JUSTIN DESBARBIEUX (RIGHT) DID IT LAST YEAR, FIVE DAYS INTO THE EVENT. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

We got a good look at ‘Walter’ from this shot as Ben Bumstead caught him just 30 minutes into the derby. He’s also the stepson of Justin Desbarbieux who caught it last year.

Walter is the top prize at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Under the Lock Fishing Derby held every year at the Peterborough Lift Locks.

PHOEBE M., 3, HAS BEEN A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE CENTRE FOR THE PAST YEAR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Peterborough Child & Family Centre marked their 40th anniversary with a new Playscape for their facility and Phoebe (pictured) was enjoying every second of it.

You can tell she’s enjoying the new playground, and all the parents in the background are enjoying watching their children play.

The PlayScape features a repurposed downhill slide, a circular track for walking and biking, a play kitchen, a canopy and other playground equipment. It replaced a tall climber that had occupied the outdoor space for several years.

Kelli Marshall of Hiawatha First Nation (pictured) dances in a fancy shawl at a pow wow at St. John Catholic Elementary School. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

St. John Catholic Elementary School had a pow-wow to celebrate Indigenous culture in mid-May.

Many students and faculty had Indigenous roots and saw Members of Hiawatha First Nations, Haudenosaunee and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation come together for the sacred event.

Kelli Marshall put her beautiful shawl on display and you could see all the colours and its design with this shot.

CELEBRITY GOLF ENTERTAINER AND INSTRUCTOR TODD KEIRSTEAD GETTING THE TRUST OF JENNIFER ARMSTRONG AS HE ROCKETS A TEE SHOT OFF HER AS ONE OF HIS MANY TRICK SHOTS. KEIRSTEAD WAS A GUEST ENTERTAINER AT THE 15TH HOLE AT THE QUARRY GOLF CLUB. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming golf tournament raised money to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure.

It turns out that celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead was at the event performing trick shots and I got a solid shot of what he could do.

@ptbo_canada Editor David helps @PGATOUR golf entertainer Todd Keirstead with a trick shot at the Quarry Golf Club for the third-annual “Be a Stant” St. Joseph’s at Fleming’s golf fundraiser tournament! #ptbo #ptbocanada #fyp #journalism #journalismlife #journalist #journalistlife #peterborough #news #followers➕ #follow #following #golf #golftiktok #golftok #golfer #golflife #sports #sportstiktok #trickshot #trickshots ♬ Golf - Clean Cutt Crew

Apparently, I may have been off my rocker that day, and I wanted to be a part of it myself.

Rhaelynn Gaspari, 5 (left), celebrating her friend Charlotte Miller’s birthday, 5 (right), during the grand opening. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

It may have been the grand opening for Rollz Ice Cream but these two cute little girls stole my camera’s attention.

It was a way to kick off Charlotte Miller’s fifth birthday with her friend and being surrounded by balloons is a great way to tell the world that it’s your day!

The parlour serves rolled ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, falooda, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), popping soda and ice cream burgers.

Big Wreck consists of Ian Thornley (pictured), Dave MacMillan, Chris Caddell and Sekou Lumumba. photo by David Tuan Bui.

I always look forward to at least one show every year at Peterborough Musicfest. This year, it was Big Wreck.

I got close to Ian Thornley and got a good shot. You could see everything on him down to every detail.

Of course, I got to enjoy the concert after I was done taking my photos for the night.

An unexpected champagne cork pop leads to a bubbly surprise for Dani Guppy (left) and Pete Dalliday (right). photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pete Dalliday and Dani Guppy of 'Fresh Mornings With Pete & Dani,’ recorded their 1,005th episode with 100.5 FM Fresh Radio, a huge milestone for these two.

The celebrations had an unexpected pop of a champagne bottle as Dalliday was unravelling it and I got a shot of their reaction, especially Guppy’s. Her face says it all.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

I was selected to be a play-by-play commentator for the North American Invitational (LAXNAI) for a third-straight year in Utica, N.Y. and it was the inaugural women’s tournament.

Peterborough’s Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough were playing for BP Lawyers and became tournament champions. Evans was also named MVP, so getting my shots and interviews was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Look at the size of that trophy. It was not small by any means. The expressions of the women, coupled with that championship, showed the prowess of lacrosse in Peterborough and the genuine hard work of winning an event.

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U10 AAA Peterborough Petes Spread Holiday Cheer By Giving Gifts To Young Patients at PRHC

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The U10 AAA Peterborough Petes were in the giving spirit as the team gave presents to children treated at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Chad cavanaugh.

There were 17 Petes who participated in the event along with their families and coaches to spread holiday cheer to the PRHC. The team collaborated with the health centre a week ago to arrange a day for all the children to meet for the gift exchange.

Each Pete was given a gift request from the children at the PRHC. The team fulfilled those wishlists and returned with nine presents for the hospitalized children.

“It was a good learning curve for the U10s to give back and that’s what we wanted to teach them,” said Chad Cavanaugh, U10 Petes head coach. “We wanted to do something for the community and the kids wanted to give back.”

This act of generosity was a feeling of moral obligation that Cavanaugh wanted to instill in his players. That there is more to life than just hockey and giving back was vital, regardless of status.

“I think it’s good for kids to learn lessons outside of hockey and help kids that they may not have the skills or health that they have,” he explained.

The team participated in an exhibition of parents versus kids hockey on the same night.

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Peterborough Possibly Expecting Freezing Rain For Saturday

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Environment Canada has stated that Peterborough could be facing freezing rain on Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

They estimate that it could begin Saturday morning and finish around the afternoon.

There could be patchy freezing rain that leads to light ice accretion or build-up. Icy and slippery conditions are possible, particularly on untreated surfaces.

For areas closer to Lake Ontario, Environment Canada suspects mainly rain is expected as temperatures should be above the freezing mark.

Freezing rain warnings may be required for some areas.

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David Tuan Bui


Peterborough Petes Forward Owen Beck Dazzles With Two Goals In 6-3 World Juniors Pre-Tournament Win Over Switzerland

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Peterborough Petes forward Owen Beck led Team Canada to a 6-3 pre-tournament win over Switzerland with two goals at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden on Friday morning.

Last World Junior Championships, Beck was a late-addition callup after tournament-ending injury to Colton DAch. Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Petes.

Beck’s first goal came less than 30 seconds into the second period where the score was tied at two apiece. The Port Hope native fired a one-timer at point-blank range to beat Swiss goaltender Alessio Beglieri for his first goal.

His second was a highlight-reel goal while Team Canada was shorthanded after a checking-from-behind major penalty to Macklin Celebrini. Beck knocked down the puck from behind him, sped up to the puck and was on a breakaway. He stickhandled the puck and rifled it over Beglieri’s glove and scoring in the top-shelf corner for his second of the game.

Canada will have more pre-tournament action against the United States on Saturday and open the tournament on Boxing Day against Finland.

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City of Peterborough to Begin Curbside Collection of Christmas Trees On Jan. 2 Throughout the Month

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The City of Peterborough begins curbside collection of natural Christmas trees throughout January starting on the second.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Collection takes place (weather permitting) and does not follow traditional collection schedules. Residents do not need to call to request collection.

Trees will be composted, therefore all decorations and tinsel must be removed and trees must not be in plastic bags.

Residents are asked to place trees at the curb in a visible location within safe reach for collection staff. Please avoid snowbanks and ensure that trees do not get buried in them.

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Recycling Services Shift to Circular Materials Starting On New Year's Day

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Recycling collection services in the City of Peterborough will be provided by Circular Materials starting Jan. 1 under a new province-wide system that shifts the responsibility of recycling programs to producers (those that produce and supply Blue Box materials to residents).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The local municipal government will no longer provide recycling collection and processing services.

There is no change in recycling services for residents, who will not notice any difference in their recycling schedule and will still be able to recycle the same materials.

Residents will continue to place their Blue Box recyclables curbside weekly, precisely as they do now, on their same collection day, separating container and fibre (paper) items into separate boxes for collection.

For recycling collection and processing services in Peterborough, Circular Materials has hired Emterra Environmental, the same company that the City of Peterborough has contracted for recycling curbside collection and processing. Using the same company that currently delivers the service will help ensure a smooth transition for residents.

For recycling collection issues, residents can contact Emterra Environmental at 705-742-3139 or 1-888-597-1541 as of Jan. 1, 2024.

To reach Circular Materials, residents can email customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or call 1-877-667-2626.

For recycling service information, including to search for collection dates and a “What Goes Where” tool, please visit circularmaterials.ca/peterborough.

Circular Materials is a national not-for-profit organization that builds efficient and effective recycling systems where materials are collected, recycled and returned to producers to use as recycled content in new packaging and paper. As the administrator of Ontario’s standard collection system, Circular Materials is responsible for operating the new system for blue box materials. It is committed to increasing recycling rates across Ontario and ensuring more materials are looped into the circular economy, benefiting both people and the environment.

In 2021, the Ontario government released the Blue Box Regulation that shifts the financial and operational responsibility of recycling programs to producers – those that produce and supply blue box materials to residents. In this new extended producer responsibility framework, producers become financially and operationally responsible for collecting and recycling blue box materials.

Historically, Ontario’s blue box programs were operated by municipalities responsible for paying about half of the program's costs, with producers accountable for the other half. Under the Blue Box Regulation, Ontario is transitioning to a new model where producers – the organizations that produce the products and packaging – are 100% responsible for operating and funding the program.

Transition to extended producer responsibility will occur between 2023 – 2025, with the new framework entirely in place on Jan. 1, 2026. Along with the Regulation, the government released a schedule that assigns a transition date to each of the 376 Ontario communities.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $10 Million to Peterborough and County For Infrastructure; Mayor Jeff Leal to Prioritize Fixing Downtown Roads, Calling Them 'Embarrassing'

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The Ontario Government has invested $10,154,936 into Peterborough-Kawartha to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure for 2024.

Mayor Jeff Leal wants to prioritize upgrading several deteriorated downtown roads, calling them ‘an embarrassment.’

In 2023, the Ontario government provided $400 million in funding through OCIF to 425 communities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to help support economic growth and job creation, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“This investment of over $10 million will improve infrastructure throughout the municipalities in the region,” he said. “It is formula-based funding that is sent out to the municipalities each year and is something they can count on to plan for critical infrastructure projects.”

The following is what each municipality is receiving from the $10 million:

  • North Kawartha: $100,000

  • Trent Lakes: $119,868

  • Douro-Dummer: $161,441

  • Havelock-Belmont-Methuen: $180,124

  • Selwyn: $304,404

  • Peterborough County: $996,071

  • Peterborough: $8,293,028

Leal was adamant about upgrading downtown roads such as Aylmer Street, George Street and Water Street.

“Some of these projects had been on the books for well over two decades,” he said.

The dilapidated roads are not representative of what Downtown Peterborough is supposed to be, according to Leal.

“When people come to the City of Peterborough, they drive to Downtown. What impression do we want them to have for the City of Peterborough?” he said. “The impression we want them to have is an innovative, growing and a progressive community and not talk about washboard streets in your downtown corner.”

Leal continued to label the roads as an embarrassment which should be addressed with the funds from the 2024 budget.

“As I've said many times, they're an embarrassment,” he explained. “An embarrassment to me and an embarrassment to every citizen in the City of Peterborough. You can't have your downtown streets in that kind of condition.”

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