2023 Civic Awards Nominations Remain Open Until April 5

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2023 Civic Awards will be open until April 5 at 4:30 p.m., announced on Thursday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

The annual Civic Awards recognize and honour local volunteers and achievers in sports, arts, and culture who had outstanding achievements in 2023. 

Nominations are being accepted for the following categories: 

• Community Betterment 

• Cultural Betterment 

• Environmental Stewardship 

• Holnbeck Award 

• Adult Athlete of the Year 

• Athletic Award of Merit 

• Junior Athlete of the Year 

• Senior Athlete of the Year 

• Mayor's Youth Award 

• Volunteer of the Year 

• Youth Volunteer of the Year 

• Lifetime Achievement Award 

Nomination packages are available using the interactive form online and paper copies are available at City Hall, 500 George St. N. 

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Local Online Radio Station to Stream Throwback Peterborough Petes Broadcasts

Following last season’s run to an OHL Championship for the Peterborough Petes, the Kawartha Time Machine online radio station makes up for the Petes’ absence in the post-season by streaming several full throwback games beginning this Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Kawartha Time Machine was founded in 2015 by retired broadcaster Gordon Gibb to curate and preserve regional broadcast archives through a music-based, online nostalgia station. Gibb has served as the in-house public address announcer for the Peterborough Petes since the 1996-1997 season. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Time Machine.

Running each Thursday for seven straight weeks, several games streamed include a reprise of the 1974 exhibition game between The Peterborough Petes representing the Canadian entry in The World Junior Invitational Hockey Championship. This non-sanctioned tournament served as the precursor to the annual tournament enjoyed in the modern day.

The pivotal game for the Petes was played on Jan. 6th, 1974, against Russia. The game—as well as the tournament and the events leading up to it—is the subject of ‘The First Ones,’ a book by Ed Arnold released in the fall.

The game between the Petes and Team Russia was originally broadcast live from Leningrad on 1420 CKPT with Bill Bennett on the morning of Jan. 6th.

With a copy of the broadcast loaned to us from Pete Pearson, The Kawartha Time Machine originally streamed the broadcast archive on the morning of Jan. on the exact 50th anniversary of the game. The Petes vs. Russia game will be the first game of a multi-week series.

The full schedule is as follows:

• March 28: Petes @ Russia Jan. 6 1974 (1420 CKPT, Bill Bennett)

• April 4: Petes @ Niagara Falls Flyers, Game 2 of the OMJHL Finals (Cable, 1979. The Petes would go on to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup that year and later, bring home The Memorial Cup for the first, and only time in franchise history).

• April 11: Petes v Marlies Jan. 2, 1986 (Gary Hahn, Kevin Varrin, Cable 6)

• April 18: Petes @ Oshawa Dec. 1, 2002.

• April 25: Petes v Plymouth Whalers, Dec. 15, 2005 (Bob Eakins Your TV)

• May 6: Petes v London Knights (Game 2) May 7, 2006

• May 13: Petes @ Kingston March 13, 2013

Several games will feature several NHL alumni and current players such as Eric and Jordan Staal, Dallas Eakins, Ron Tugnutt, Doug Jarvis, Stan Jonathan and John Druce, the latter also serving as colour commentator in later games. Neilson served as a coach for the 1974 Russia game.

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Two Peterborough Men Arrested On Possession of Weapon Charges

Two Peterborough men are facing possession of weapon charges after an incident on Wednesday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 6:55 p.m., officers were called about two men with a firearm carrying a duffle bag in the area of Olive Street and Rink Street. 

Officers with the Community F.I.R.S.T Unit arrived in the area and spotted two men matching the description given to police. A gun point arrest was conducted and the men were taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the suspects, officers located and seized two replica firearms (one loaded) and an extendable baton. 

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

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon

• Failure to comply with release order - other than to attend court

The accused is currently bound by a lifetime prohibition order with the following condition to not possess any firearm, cross bow, restricted weapon, ammunition and explosive substance.

The accused is currently bound by a release order with the following condition to not possess a firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance.

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

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

• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court April 23.

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Peterborough Petes Draw Third Overall Pick In 2024 OHL Priority Selection

Following the OHL Priority Selection Lottery, the Peterborough Petes have drawn the third-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection on Wednesday evening.

Screenshot.

Full Lottery Results:

1. Windsor Spitfires

2. Sarnia Sting

3. Peterborough Petes

4. Niagara IceDogs

The Petes entered the evening with a 20 per cent chance of receiving the first overall pick. The Niagara IceDogs had the odds of 40 per cent, followed by the Windsor Spitfires at 30 per cent and the Sarnia Sting at 10 per cent.

The 2024 OHL Priority Selection will begin on April 12th at 7 p.m. with the first three rounds. Picks four to 15 are selected on the 13th.

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Peterborough Petes Commemorate Staff and Players in Annual Year-End Ceremony; Head Coach Rob Wilson Signs Eight-Year Extension

To mark the end of the regular season, Peterborough Petes staff, family and friends attended the team’s annual year-end awards ceremony at The Venue on Tuesday.

In addition to winning the Petes Executive Trophy, Petes goaltender Liam Sztuska (left) was a recipient of the Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media). pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Michael Oke, Petes general manager, made a surprise announcement that the organization has signed head coach Rob Wilson to an eight-year contract extension through the 2031-32 season.

“I’m very privileged to be head coach of the Peterborough Petes and I do feel that,” said Wilson.

Wilson was the teams’s 23rd Head Coach in May 2018. Wilson has amassed 154 wins, clinching a playoff spot in four of his five seasons in his tenure with the Petes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Following speeches from Wilson and team president Dave Lorentz, captain Johnathan Melee gave a public address in which he recognized his teammates, staff, and several others for supporting the organization throughout the season.

After the speeches, the following awards were presented:

• Mark Teevens Memorial Award (most assists) – Tommy Purdeller (34 assists)

• Ed Redmond Memorial Trophy (scholastics and hockey) – Brody Partridge

• Outboard Marine Veterans Award (sportsmanship and ability) – Jonathan Melee

• Black’s Family Trophy (rookie of the year) – Carson Cameron

• Vince and Lottie Garvey Award (off-ice contribution) – Tracy and Chip Adamo

• Molson Cup (most three-star selections voted by media) – Liam Sztuska

• Donnie Marsh Memorial Trophy (most dedication to team) – Cam Gauvreau

• Ed Rowe Memorial Award (most goals) – Braydon McCallum (18 goals)

• Norm Bryan Award (most improved player) – Braydon McCallum

• Ushers Trophy (best defenceman) – Carson Cameron

• Bill Bennett/CKPT Memorial Award (leading scorer) – Tommy Purdeller (47 points)

• Gary Dalliday Award (community service) – Tommy Purdeller

• Petes Executive Trophy (most valuable player voted by teammates) – Liam Sztuska

The Board of Directors and Alumni Association presented gifts to the graduating and overage players:

• Liam Sztuska

• Quinn Binnie

• Chase Lefebvre

• Jonathan Melee

• Ryder McIntyre

• Tommy Purdeller

• Cam Gauvreau

Oke ended the night with a speech, acknowledging the players, hockey and business staff, billets, parents and fans. He then continued by marking on- and off-ice achievements this season.

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City and County Launch Two New Online Service Directories To Connect With Health and Community Services

Peterborough Ontario Health Team, Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough have launched two new online directories to help residents find and connect with health and community services through Ontario 2-1-1, announced on Wednesday.

pHOTO BY Samantha Bianco.

Ontario 2-1-1 is a confidential service that helps people find support in their community by searching through the directories on the website, using online chat, texting, emailing or calling. The two new directories provide simple, quick ways to find services based on topic, location and keyword. They can be found at:

• poht.search211.ca for health services

• peterborough.search211.ca for community services

Ontario 2-1-1 operates the directories and is available 24/7 phone or text at 2-1-1.

Through the Online Directory of Health Services, residents can find services for matters such as:

• Non-urgent medical care

• Chronic illness

• Mental health and addictions

• End of life care

• Memory loss and dementia

Under Community Services, residents can find and connect with services related to areas such as:

• Government

• Employment

• Older adults

• Housing

• Community programs and groups

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Seasonal Waste Collection To Begin Next Month

Curbside yard waste collection resumes on Tuesday and continues until the last week of November. 

pHOTO BY dAVID tUAN bUI.

Residents can put out unlimited amounts of yard waste in reusable labelled containers, bushel baskets or paper waste bags. The collection will occur weekly on the same day Green Bins are collected. 

Yard waste set-out requirements:  

• Rigid open-top container with a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles, lids must be removable and not secured by any means (bungee cords, etc.). Yard waste material must empty freely when emptied/dumped by the collector.  

• Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow labels attached defining the contents as yard waste.  The yellow labels are available for no charge at City Hall, 500 George St. N. from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except statutory holidays. 

• Kraft Paper Bags, or a bushel basket will be acceptable for yard waste.  No other type of bin will be collected (including blue boxes). No plastic bags will be accepted.  

• Damaged/Broken bins will not be accepted.  

• Each container must weigh less than 13 kg (30 lbs).  

• Brush can be tied in bundles with light rope or twine, weighing not more than 13 kg (30 lbs), with a length of up to 1 m (3 ft) and a diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches).  

• Yard waste should be put out after 6 p.m. the night before or no later than 7 a.m. the morning of your collection. 

There are six large item collection dates for 2024. The first collection date is April 29.

For a fee, the City will pick up items larger or heavier than the weekly garbage allowance, such as furniture and appliances. Large items are defined as items weighing more than 13.6 kg (30 lbs) and longer than 1 m (3 ft). The service costs $30 for the first item and $10 for each additional item. Please note that mattresses and box springs are $30 each and do not qualify for any discount. 

Arrangements can be made online or by calling the City Hall Tax Office at 705-742-7777 ext. 1865. 

Bookings must be completed by the Tuesday before the collection date:

• Date collection begins: April 29 Booking deadline: April 23 

• Date collection begins: June 24 Booking deadline: June 18

• Date collection begins: May 27  Booking deadline: May 21 

• Date collection begins: July 29   Booking deadline: July 23 

• Date collection begins: May 27  Booking deadline: May 21 

• Date collection begins: Aug. 26  Booking deadline: Aug. 20  

• Date collection begins: Sept. 30  Booking deadline: Sept. 24

The City Public Works crew starts collecting large items at 7 a.m. on the Monday of the collection week. Depending on the volume of items, collections may continue for several days before the collection is completed. The City asks not to remove items from the curb if they have not been collected on Monday.

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Local Couple Donate $1 Million to PRHC Foundation

Local philanthropists Martin and Denise Pick have made a $1 million donation to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation while unveiling a new sign recognizing the couple’s efforts.

(left to right) Denise Pick; Martin Pick; Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO; Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC President & CEO; Charles Pick, Denise and Martin’s son , Dr. Rardi Van Heest, daughter-in-law and Dr. Joslin Cheverie, PRHC General Surgeon. Photo courtesy of PRHC.

Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President and CEO said the donation represents the Pick’s life-long love of community and shared dedication to improving the lives of friends and neighbours.

“Martin and Denise believe in the power of philanthropy to make their hospital and hometown great,” she said. “They have a long history of making transformational gifts and their generosity has been shaping the future of healthcare in this region for years. We’re beyond grateful for their continued support.”

The couple, who both have long-standing relationships with PRHC as donors and volunteers, said they were inspired by the hospital's continuous commitment to innovation and excellence.

“Denise and I feel that the quality of healthcare available in a community is tied to its overall quality of life – to its ability to grow and prosper,” said Martin. “We want to help make sure the doctors and nurses at PRHC have the tools they need to deliver the best care. To do that, we need to support them and give them the equipment that will allow them to innovate.”

“The more we can do to support PRHC, the more we can help improve healthcare for patients from Peterborough and our surrounding communities,” said Denise. “We hope our donation encourages others to join us.”

The Picks’ donation was made through the Remembering Otto and Marie Pick Charitable Foundation, a family charitable fund named for Martin’s parents. Lesley explained that the gift is already improving care for patients across the region through investments in minimally invasive intervention and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.

“The Pick family’s gift was instrumental in allowing PRHC to upgrade a general operating suite with state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical tools this winter – one of four suites undertaken by the Foundation,” she said.

“(The investment) has given my colleagues and me access to brand new, leading-edge equipment to perform cancer surgeries,” said Dr. Joslin Cheverie, PRHC general surgeon. “This new, specialized system is letting us operate with increased precision. It’s an advancement that has tremendous potential for the treatment of bowel and other cancers.”

The remainder of the Picks’ gift helped fund two new, cutting-edge CT scanners that generate higher-quality, more comprehensive images to support safer, more accurate diagnoses. The expansion and upgrading of the Health Centre’s Interventional Radiology suites is also ensuring PRHC’s experts can treat more urgent and chronic conditions like cancer, stroke, and traumatic injury without invasive surgery.

“It’s so encouraging to have the support of people like Martin and Denise Pick, who care as much about our healthcare future as we do and are willing to invest in us and the technology we need to make our vision a reality,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC President and CEO. “This is more important than ever, given the system-wide challenges we are facing,” she continued. “Addressing these challenges requires fresh thinking and innovative solutions. We simply can’t move forward without the partnership of individuals, families, and organizations who share our vision for the hospital and what we can achieve together.”

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Nominations Open For The City of Peterborough's Next Poet Laureate

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and The City of Peterborough launched the Peterborough Poet Laureate Program for 2024.  

PHOTO COURTESY OF EC3.

The Peterborough Poet Laureate is an honorary position established to recognize the excellence and outstanding achievements of professional poets living and working in Peterborough and Peterborough County.

The Peterborough Poet Laureate advocates for poetry and spoken word art, for the arts in general and the City of Peterborough and its residents. They compose works to be presented at Peterborough City Council meetings and other City of Peterborough civic events and occasions. Poets Laureate may also be available to speak at schools, libraries and other organizations. As of this year, the Peterborough Poet Laureate is a two-year position, and they will receive an honorarium of $4,000.00 across their term. 

The Peterborough Poet Laureate Program was launched as a pilot in 2021-22. Curve Lake spoken word artist Sarah Lewis was named Peterborough’s first-ever Poet Laureate. Following an extremely successful term that included four appearances at official City occasions and some 70 additional engagements, Peterborough’s City Council voted to make the Poet Laureate position permanent. Ziysah von Bieberstein is currently serving as Peterborough’s second Poet Laureate.  

The full Poet Laureate Program Guidelines and Nomination Form can be found online. Nominations are being accepted until April 18 and will be assessed by a panel including peers in the poetry and spoken word community, local citizens, and a City representative. 

The City of Peterborough provides the honorarium for the Poet Laureate Program, administered by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) under the guidance of the City of Peterborough’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC).

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