52nd Easter Seals Telethon Kicks Off With Live Event For March 24; Higher Ambitions With $100,000 Goal Set

The 52nd Easter Seals Telethon fundraiser has kicked off for March with their live event broadcasting on March 24 on YourTV and Global Peterborough from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(From left to right) The Growdens Tara, Teddy, Dan and Ambassador Sawyer sharing a moment as the 52nd Easter Seals Telethon Kicks Off. Sawyer is returning as a regional ambassador after being announced as a new one last year. She was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The announcement was made at Lansdowne Place with Deputy Mayor Joy Lachica proclaiming March to be Easter Seals Month in Peterborough.

Telethon host Stu Harrison is returning as well as Graham Hart, celebrating his 50th year volunteering. Actress Linda Kash and Energy Morning Show’s Brian Young are hosting the Wheelchair Challenge where small teams come on the Telethon to contact everyone they know for donations.

”They're calling and reaching out to their contacts list of corporate supporters, family members, employers, that kind of thing and basically drumming more donations for us,” Coralie Jacobs of Easter Seals Ontario “It's sort of a neat and little competitive little edge to the show.”

Easter Seals is its 102nd year with the 52nd and is a fundraiser that provides support for children and youth with physical disabilities. The televised event celebrates success stories, showcases Easter Seals kids and their families, recognizes donors and sponsors.

Jacobs credits everyone involved in the event and/or its promotion on why the event has been successful for over a century.

“A lot of that has to do with who's involved with it and they're putting the word out for us,” she explained. “It's really valuable for people to understand and help them understand what it is that we're doing.”

For the 52nd edition of the Telethon, a goal of $100,000 was set, an increase of $80,000 in years prior.

“We've never had that as our goal, it's always been 80,” said Jacobs. “We're very good at exceeding 80 and I'm comfortable with that but this year I thought, 'you know what, let's go for it,' 100 grand, I know this community can do it.”

Also returning to the Telethon is regional ambassador and seven-year-old Sawyer Grace Growden who has Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects the 15th chromosome. She uses a wheelchair and a walker to help with her mobility.

“She loves the attention, loves being on camera,” said Dan Growden, Sawyer’s father. “You can tell by the laughing and giggling that she loves to be here.”

Last year, the family participated in the Easter Seals Family Camp and have already applied to participate for 2024. The camp gives families an opportunity to meet other families, have an accessible family vacation with overnight camping. The camp has a wide range of programs that are geared to various age groups for families to partake in.

“It was an incredible experience to be there as a family, meet other families,” said Dan. “Teddy got to meet siblings of other kids with physical disabilities so it just a great time all around.”

Supporters can donate during the Telethon or at anytime online.

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Kenner Students Sink Their Teeth Into Apples For School Nutrition Awareness During 'Great Big Crunch'

Roughly 180 Grade 7 and 8 students from Kenner Intermediate School students and staff crunched into apples in sync at the ‘Great Big Crunch’ to highlight the need for sustainably funded school food programs across Canada on Thursday morning.

(From left to right) Easton Howard, 12; Savannah Amos, 12; Mona Abokhashref, 12 and Zoey Tremblay, 12 were one of 180 Kenner students crunching into apples at Kenner’s auditorium. As one trivia question asked at the assembly, Macintosh is Canada’s national apple. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Food For Kids, a student nutrition program, provides nutritious food for 51 Peterborough City and County schools (elementary and high) including Kenner.

Students can arrive hungry to school for several reasons such as long bus rides, rushed mornings and skipped meals.

“I think it's really important, — especially as kids are growing and teenagers like to eat a lot — to be aware that in this day and age when food is so very expensive,” said Tania Lamond, Kenner principal. “We've got many households with food insecurities that we're very fortunate to have Food For Kids fund our nutrition bins so we have healthy food and snacks for our students every morning.”

Kenner had an assembly welcoming the Food For Kids representatives and Peterborough Public Health to briefly teach nutrition and hold trivia before chomping into Ontario-grown apples. The apple-biting measured 94 decibles which is considered roughly the equivalent to a belt sander.

“You could see that all the kids were engaged and really excited to crunch on our apples,” said Lamond. “But I think the most important message today was to bring awareness to the fact that we do have this amazing food program that provides the food here for our students that depend on it.”

This was the 20th year that Kenner’s nutrition program has been in place.

The apples were provided by Peterborough Wholesalers Ltd. and were washed and distributed by the students.

Kenner is openly accepting donations and sponsorships to help continue their food program.

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Hometown PTBO: Anne Shirley Theatre Company's 'Catch Me If You Can' Production at Market Hall For March 8-23

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with some of the cast and crew of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company and their upcoming production, 'Catch Me If You Can' at Market Hall from March 8 to 23.

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One Person Taken to Hospital After Church Parking Lot Stabbing; Suspect In Custody As Peterborough Police Investigate Area

One person has been taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre after a stabbing at the St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church parking lot while another individual has been taken into custody.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Just after noon, officers were reported a disturbance in the parking lot when the learned of the incident upon arrival.

Peterborough Police Service assure there is no further for concern for public safety in the area.

Police presence are on Hilliard and St. Paul’s Street conducting an investigation.

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Douro-Dummer CAO Resigns; Accepts New Position In Brighton

Douro-Dummer chief administrative officer Elena Arthurs has resigned from her position to become the CAO for the Municipality of Brighton, effective March 28.

LinkedIn.

Mayor Heather Watson says that Arthurs has been an instrumental figure in Douro-Dummer’s administrative landscape, serving with dedication and integrity. That her strategic vision and exceptional managerial skills have been pivotal in navigating the Township through various challenges and opportunities.

“Ms. Arthurs has been a valued leader in working with Township staff to achieve Council's goals,” said Watson. “We will miss her goal-driven approach but we wish her continued success in her new role.”

“I am grateful for the invaluable experiences and cherished relationships forged while serving as CAO,” said Arthurs.

The township has already begun preparations to recruit a successor. Clerk, Martina Chait-Hartwig will act as the interim during their search.

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Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Say City and Peterborough Fire Services

With Daylight Savings Time and the clocks springing forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services and the City of Peterborough are reminding residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks. 

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to save lives, they need to be working,” explained Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “When you change your clocks on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services wants everyone to take the time to check all the alarms in their home. Check the expiry date and test every alarm. Be sure to change the batteries if you do not have a wired or 10-year battery sealed alarm.”

Residents are reminded that nine-volt batteries can be fire hazards when not stored safely. It is unsafe to store them in a drawer near paper clips, coins, pens or other batteries. Cover the positive and negative posts with masking, duct or electrical tape before disposing of the battery to be safe.

The City of Peterborough works with not-for-profit organization Call2Recycle that provides battery recycling programs nationwide to divert batteries from going to the City’s landfill according to a press release. Batteries can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. and at locations throughout the city for safe disposal:

• City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

Other battery drop-off locations in Peterborough:

• GreenUP Store, 378 Aylmer St.

• Kingan Home Hardware, 167 Simcoe St.

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Local Host Uplifting Ladies With International Women's Day Party This Friday at The Venue

In honour of International Women's Day, Tiffany Arcari, host of The Tiffany Show is hosting a celebration to inspire and uplift women from all walks of life at The Venue on Friday.

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Arcari.

The Tiffany Show International Women's Day Party is featuring the following:

• Stories from five local women (Ashley Lamothe, Carissa McIntyre, Sheena Howard, JC Hannigan and Lisa Couture) sharing engaging stories, providing a platform for shared experiences and inspiration

• Watch Party of The Tiffany Show IWD Special highlighting the achievements and journeys of extraordinary women

• Talk Show-style prizes and giveaways

• Fifty swag bags to the first 50 ladies

• Photo booth, cash bar and refreshments

• Special Visitors: Puppies from The Humane Society

“We are thrilled to invite everyone to join us in celebrating the essence of International Women's Day,” said Arcari. “This event is a testament to the strength, resilience, and kindness of women in our community and beyond.”

The full episode of The Tiffany Show International Women's Day special will air live at the party on Friday and will be broadcasted on Yourtv Peterborough-Lindsay and Arcari’s social media channels.

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Quaker Foods City Square Outdoor Skating Rink Closed For Season

The Quaker Foods City Square outdoor skating rink closed for the season as spring temperatures are in Peterborough’s forecast.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“Thank you to everyone who gathered this year for skating, the community tree lighting event in December and skating parties hosted by City Council, Recreation and Parks Services and the Peterborough Youth Council,” said Councillors Lesley Parnell and Gary Baldwin.

The Square hosts numerous activities throughout the year including the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market that takes place Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., from May 1 to Oct. 30.

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Peterborough Petes's Comeback Bid Falls Shorts As They Fall 5-4 In Overtime to the Barrie Colts

The Peterborough Petes clawed their way back to force overtime but fell short in their comeback, losing 5-4 to the Barrie Colts at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday night.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

Peterborough broke the ice with the only goal in the period late. Caden Taylor had the puck just outside the faceoff circle on the power play and took his time before rifling it through for a 1-0 lead.

Barrie woke up in the second period and took the game over. They rung off three straight goals from Kyle Morey, Michael Derbidge and Tai York to make it 3-1 while keeping Peterborough at bay going into the third.

It took only 3:39 for the Petes to finally get on the board again as the home team forced a turnover in the defensive zone. Braydon McCallum scooped it up and went coast-to-coast including a beautiful deke around Kashawn Aitcheson and scored on the backhand for a 3-2 score.

Just less than four minutes later, Peterborough forced a turnover in the offensive zone. Grayden Strohack stripped the puck off a Colt and Ryder McIntyre got the loose puck. He spun, fired at the goalie’s left pad. Tommy Purdeller pounced on the rebound and scored to erase a two-goal deficit to tie the game at three.

The Colts regained the lead with less than two minutes in the game as they slapped a one-timer that was stopped. However, there was a scramble for the puck and Zach Wigle chipped it in to take a late 4-3 lead.

Peterborough fought back as they won a faceoff in the Colts zone, Purdeller was able to make a pass out in front to captain Johnathan Melee who was alone in front and beat the goaltender for a 4-4 tie and into overtime.

In extra time, Barrie’s Beau Jelsma charged up the wing with the puck and looked to take a shot. Instead, he drop passed it to a trailing Wigle and scored for the overtime winner.

The Petes stay at home for Thursday to host the Ottawa 67’s with puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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Police Investigating Fire From Abandoned House in Downtown Peterborough

The Peterborough Police Service is investigating after a suspicious fire at an abandoned house at the corner of London and Water Street on Tuesday night.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8:20 p.m., officers were called to the residence regarding a suspicious fire.   

Police used the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System to assist Peterborough Fire to identify hotspots.  

The area was closed to traffic for about three-and-a-half hours before being reopened.

Police expect the Ontario Fire Marshal on the scene on Wednesday.

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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