Community Care Peterborough Announces 2025 Grandparent of the Year Award Winners

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) has announced the winners of its 37th annual Grandparent of the Year Awards, presented at the Royal Gardens Retirement Residence on Wednesday night.

Granpa Jun Espiritu (left) and Kailyah Espiritu (middle) with Danielle Belair, CCP CEO (right). Photo courtesy of CCP.

Students in Grades 1 to 6 from the City and County were invited to submit a hand-drawn picture and a short written piece honouring a grandparent, elder or special older person in their lives. Winners and honourable mentions were selected in both English and French for two age groups: Primary (Grades 1–3) and Junior (Grades 4–6).

“This program is more than a writing contest,” said Chris LeBlanc, CCP director of donor and public relations. “It reflects our values at Community Care Peterborough—starting with the belief that our neighbours have dignity and their lives are worth celebrating. These stories are a testament to the role that older adults play in building strong, compassionate communities.”

(From left to right) Dr. Janet Kelly, CCP Board President; Nonna Ricciuti; Zinnia Ricciuti and Nonno Ricciuti. Photo courtesy of CCP.

The 2025 Grandparent of the Year Award winners are:

Primary Category – Grades 1–3 (English)

Winner: Ezra Larmour, Grade 3, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Grandpa Mark Larmour

Honourable Mention: Addy Davey, Grade 3, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Memaw Kelly Epstein

Primary Category – Grades 1–3 (French)

Winner: Zinnia Ricciuti, Grade 3, Prince of Wales Public School
Honouring: Nonna & Nonno Ricciuti

Honourable Mention: Siobhan Glover, Grade 3, Prince of Wales Public School Honouring: Papa Jim Dyas Junior

Category – Grades 4–6 (English)

Winner: Kaliyah Espiritu, Grade 5, St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Honouring: Grandpa Jun Espiritu

Honourable Mention: Charlotte Fillier, Grade 5, Norwood District Public School
Honouring: Great Aunt Penny

Junior Category – Grades 4–6 (French)

Winner: Faela Conroy, Grade 6, Kaawaate East City Public School
Honouring: Grandma Minten

Honourable Mention: Owen Anderson, Grade 6, Kaawaate East City Public School
Honouring: Grandma Laura Payne

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Millennium Park's Nogojiwanong Project Panels Vandalized

The Nogojiwanong Project Panels in Millennium Park have been vandalized with graffiti on two of its three panels reported on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough discovered the vandalism when they visited the area, and community members had already cleaned up a portion of the vandalism prior to their arrival.

Mayor Jeff Leal calls this ‘an act of disrespect’ during National Indigenous History Month.

The project is called Gathering, a public artwork by Michael Belmore. It consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems. It was unveiled to the public on Nov. 10, 2022.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through this collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street in Millennium Park. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Leal has issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the recent vandalism of the Nogojiwanong Project panels at Millennium Park, interpretive signs that honour the 200th anniversary of the signing of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20 and the enduring presence of the Williams Treaties First Nations in this region.

This act of disrespect, particularly during National Indigenous History Month, is a painful reminder of the work still needed to advance truth, understanding, and reconciliation in our community. These panels are more than signs, they are a reflection of the stories, rights, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and a vital part of how we share and learn from the land we call Nogojiwanong.

While the act of vandalism is deeply disappointing, I am heartened by the swift response of community members. When City staff visited the site this morning, the panels had been restored. I want to sincerely thank those who stepped up and removed the graffiti with care and respect. Your actions speak volumes. You have demonstrated what it means to be true allies.

Millennium Park is also home to the public artwork titled The Gathering by Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore. This artwork further invites reflection, dialogue, and connection, a space for all of us to come together in recognition of Indigenous history and futures.

Let us use this moment as a call to action, to learn more, to speak out against hate, and to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities not only this month, but always.”

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Peterborough Lakers Acquire Homegrown Brothers In Trade With Cobourg Kodiaks

The Peterborough Lakers shored up their defence, acquiring homegrown talent in brothers Broedie and Dustyn Birkhof from the Cobourg Kodiaks, announced on Wednesday night.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers traded away defencemen Andrew Vradenburg, Cole Begley and Payton Tasse to the Kodiaks. Tasse joins his father, Jason, an assistant coach for the team.

The teams also swapped picks, with the Lakers receiving Brampton’s third-round selection in 2026 in exchange for Brampton’s second-rounder.

“Broedie and Dustyn are two players that are tough to play against, and we’re excited for them to get on the floor with us and be great lacrosse players,” said Mike Hasen, Lakers head coach and general manager. “We were also looking for a presence that will keep things honest and help diffuse situations during a heated game before it escalates - both have that ability as well.”

The 31-year-old Broedie has had stints in the MSL with Cobourg and Six Nations, while also suiting up for several Arena Lacrosse League teams, including the Peterborough Timbermen in their inaugural season. He is the strength and conditioning coach for the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks and formerly worked with the Peterborough Petes.

Twenty-four-year-old Dustyn is coming off his rookie National Lacrosse League season, playing four games with the Ottawa Black Bears. Last season, he played 13 games for Cobourg, scoring twice and recording 43 penalty minutes. He has two goals, one assist and 25 penalty minutes in three games this season.

The Lakers return to the Peterborough Memorial Centre to take on a familiar face in Landon Kells and the Oakville Rock on Thursday. Kells was a former Laker and was traded along with a 2026 first-round pick for veteran goaltender Nick Rose on March 17.

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PRHC Recognized With Age-Friendly Health System Designation

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has been recognized as one of the first hospitals in Canada to receive the Age-Friendly Health System designation from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), announced on Wednesday.

File Photo.

Over the past decade, PRHC has developed its Seniors’ Care Centre of Excellence, supported by a comprehensive seniors’ care strategy according to a press release. PRHC joins an international group of more than 2,700 health systems that work to tailor care to patients’ goals and preferences, delivering consistently high-quality care according to Noel Bennett, Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive (CNE).

“The Peterborough region is among the fastest-growing communities in the country, as well as the oldest population demographically in Canada, with 22 per cent of residents over the age of 65,” he said. “As our community continues to grow and age and as our patients’ care needs evolve and become more complex, it is critical that we continue to transform, innovate and invest in programs and partnerships to support seniors. This Age-Friendly Health System designation is an important step forward, recognizing our efforts to date and supporting our ongoing work to improve the care we provide.”

The IHI’s age-friendly health system designation is based on a series of practices focused on addressing four l essential elements of care for older patients, known as the 4Ms:

• What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult's specific health outcome goals and care preferences across settings of care, including end-of-life care.

• Medication: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medications that do not interfere with what matters to the older adult, mobility, or mentation across settings of care.

• Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat, and manage dementia, depression, and delirium across settings of care.​

• Mobility: Ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do what matters.

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Fleming College Expecting Nearly 4,800 Students In 58th-Annual Convocation

Fleming College will see roughly 4,800 students from over 100 programs walk across the stage at the school’s 58th annual convocation at the Peterborough Memorial Centre this Tuesday and Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

“Convocation is one of the most meaningful moments in the academic journey—it’s a celebration of hard work, resilience and achievement,” said Al Lambert, acting co-president.

Students are graduating from programs in the School of Health and Community Services, School of General Arts and Sciences, Haliburton School of Art and Design, School of Business and Information Technology, School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences, and School of Trades and Technology. 

“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and the dedication they have shown throughout their time at Fleming. As they take their next steps, we know they will continue to make a difference in their communities and beyond,” said Dr. Theresa Knott, acting co-president.

A schedule of the two-day event, a link to watch the live stream and more is available on Fleming’s convocation website.

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Metal Theft Leads to Oily Sheen At Little Lake Says Hydro One

An oily sheen has appeared at Little Lake due to a spill at Hydro One’s Alymer Distribution Station, following a leak caused by metal theft.

crews attempt to contain the fuel spill and prevent spreading at the end of Jackson Creek back in late August of 2022. Photo By Luke Best.

Hydro One is covering the costs associated with the spill of the mineral oil from their station.

Hydro One has released the following statement:

“On May 29, a mineral oil spill was discovered at our Aylmer Distribution Station in Peterborough. The spill was the result of damage from metal theft which caused mineral oil to leak from equipment. Some of the released mineral oil entered Little Lake through the sewer system. Our environmental emergency response team was dispatched immediately to contain and clean up the mineral oil.

We have engaged the City of Peterborough and Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on our response to this incident. Hydro One thanks the City of Peterborough for their support in managing this incident. Our goal, when responding to spills, is to prevent or mitigate potential impacts on the environment and to minimize customer service interruptions.

Metal theft is a serious issue for all utilities and electricity customers. Persons who engage in theft and/or vandalism put themselves, along with our employees, first responders and potentially the public at risk of severe injuries and death when removing metal from our equipment. Our electricity infrastructure should only be accessed by Hydro One’s highly skilled employees or approved contractors. If a member of the public witnesses a crime in progress or suspicious activity involving critical infrastructure, please call 911, your local police service or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.”

Hydro One reminds the public that non-toxic mineral oil is used to insulate transformers.

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Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

In March 1975, the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) was passed and months later, the City of Peterborough became the second municipality in Ontario to form a Municipal Heritage Committee.  

The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee was established by City By-law on June 2, 1975, to advise and assist City Council on matters relating to the preservation and designation of heritage properties. 

The first committee consisted of nine members: Dr. Eldon Ray, Betty Hinton, Maria Teresa Bradburn, J.J. Overvliet, Edgar Boland, Jennie Spurway, Victor Barry, Margaret Fleming, and Martha Ann Kidd. 

Over the years, PACAC has also played a vital role in programs such as Doors Open Peterborough, Heritage Week and the Heritage Hunt, as well as providing educational events and workshops for owners of heritage properties, celebrating the City’s local heritage. Currently, 795 buildings are listed on the City’s Heritage Register - there are 348 properties in The Avenues and Neighbourhood Heritage Conservation District, and 142 buildings that have been individually designated under the OHA. 

PACAC also recognizes the role that heritage preservation plays in mitigating the climate crisis through conservation of existing buildings, adaptive reuse projects and the idea that ‘the greenest building is the one that already exists.’

PACAC’s annual Heritage Hunt will take place in September. Doors Open Peterborough will take place on Sept. 13.

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City of Peterborough to Hold Two Community Meetings On Regulating Development

The City of Peterborough is hosting two community meetings to share details about the updated Community Planning Permit System and By-law Project. 

File Photo.

At the March 10 meeting, City Council expanded the scope of the Community Planning Permit System and By-law Project beyond the Strategic Growth Areas to include all lands within the City.

The Community Planning Permit System is a land-use planning tool that combines three current development approval processes (Zoning By-law Amendments, Minor Variances, and Site Plan applications) into a single application and approval process. This will streamline development approvals and modernize development regulations.  

The Community Planning Permit By-law will implement the vision of the City’s Official Plan and replace the City’s Zoning By-law with established regulations for development and redevelopment, including permitted and discretionary land uses, building heights, setbacks and other relevant details.

This project builds on previous community engagement meetings held in October 2024 and February 2025.

There are two options to take part in this community meeting, both of which cover the same material. Please note that registration is required.

The in-person meeting will take place on June 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Miskin Law Community Complex Multipurpose Room, located at 271 Lansdowne St. W. Please note that capacity is limited to 120 participants.

An online meeting will take place via Zoom Webinar on June 24 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

To register for either the in-person or online meeting, please visit connectptbo.ca/cpps.

This project is related to the ongoing ‘Planning for the Future of Our Strategic Growth Areas’ project.

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2025 Convocation Expects Largest Graduating Class In Trent University History

Trent University is celebrating its largest graduating classes in history this year, with 3,755 graduates during 16 convocation ceremonies taking place in Peterborough and Durham from June 3 to 13.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Peterborough sees a record-breaking 2,657 graduates, while 1,098 graduates of Trent University Durham GTA – the campus’s largest ever cohort – will be celebrated during three ceremonies on June 12 and 13 at the Tribute Communities Centre. 

“Each graduate has dedicated tremendous time and effort to reach this moment. Graduation is a major milestone that marks a path of accomplishment and success. That path has led to deeper and broader knowledge, the formation of lasting networks, and the building of a toolkit of skills with purpose. It is wonderful to see our graduates striding across the stage,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “In its 60th anniversary, Trent has a record number of students graduating—and our global alumni community has grown to well over 65,000. It is remarkable to see how the Trent network is expanding locally and across the globe.”

This year marks the inaugural graduating cohorts from three of Trent’s new programs: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology, Master of Management (Peterborough), and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Aging Studies.

Each year, Trent University bestows honorary degrees to those demonstrating leadership in their fields and around the world. The 2025 honorary degree recipients are Claudette McGowan, an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader; Alice Olsen Williams/Minaajimokwe ’69, a globally renowned Indigenous artist and activist and Zabeen Hirji, a celebrated workforce equity advocate.

Indigenous traditions are part of this year’s continued annual convocation ceremonies. Each ceremony is led by Trent’s Eagle Feather, gifted by Curve Lake First Nation, symbolizing the University’s relationship with the community. According to Trent, the Eagle Staff, representing the strength and honour of First Nations Peoples, is also present and carried by a member of a local First Nation. Nibi (water), drawn through ceremony from the Otonabee River, is carried in a copper pot and returned following convocation. Faculty processions are led by the Condolence Cane, a gift from the Trent Aboriginal Education Council, symbolizing the Haudenosaunee governance structure.

Each year, Trent University awards accomplished students with special medals and honours that recognize the highest academic achievements and overall standing in undergraduate and graduate studies in Peterborough and Durham. Renowned Canadian sculptors and Indigenous artists designed several of the medals.

This year’s recipients are:

• The Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal:
  Dylan Stone, Materials Science.

• The Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal:
  Caden Drover, Mathematical Physics.

• The President's Medal:
  Madison Moore, Cultural Studies; Sasha Newar, Environment & Life Sciences; Jacob Van Haaften, Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies.

• The Symons Medal:
  Karolina Wawrzyczek, Psychology; Cassandra Haydock, Computer Science; Lora Vassiliadis, Chemical Physics; Dhan Shivekam Nagra, Business Administration.

• The Bagnani Medal:
  Maeve Benedict, Computer Science; Lexy Jindrich, Indigenous Studies.

• The Muldoon Medal:
  Michelle Hunt, Psychology (Honours) and Shahzan Tariq, Computer Science (General).

The ceremonies can be viewed live on Trent’s website.

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Water Quality Testing Underway at Local Beaches

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has resumed beach water testing in Peterborough and the surrounding area to ensure that water quality conditions are safe for recreational use. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, Peterborough County and the City are being subject to regular testing until the end of August.

PPH notes that Rogers Cove is no longer an active beach in the City of Peterborough and is no longer being sampled.

The following beach is sampled daily, Monday to Friday:

• Beavermead Park

Most public beaches in the county are sampled at least once a week, including:

• Buckhorn Beach

• Crowe’s Line Beach

• Curve Lake Henry’s Gumming

• Curve Lake Lime Kiln Park

• Douro North Park

• Ennismore Waterfront Park

• Hiawatha Park

• Jones Beach

• Lakefield Park

• Sandy Beach

• Selwyn Beach Conservation Area

• Squirrel Creek Conservation Area

• Warsaw Caves Conservation Area

The following public beaches are sampled once a month from June to August:

• Chandos Beach (2800 County Road 620, Apsley)

• Quarry Bay Beach (1986 Northey’s Bay Road, Woodview)

• Belmont Lake (376 Miles of Memories Road, Belmont)

• Kasshabog Lake (431 Peninsula Road, Havelock)

• White’s Beach (26 Clearview Drive, Trent Lakes)

PPH says the following factors may result in high levels of bacteria or other conditions that cause the beach to be unsafe for swimming between sampling periods:

• Heavy rainfall

• High winds or wave activity

• Large numbers of swimmers

• Harmful algae blooms

• Large numbers of waterfowl

Water samples are submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for bacteriological analysis. Samples are tested for E. coli bacteria, a common indicator of fecal contamination in water.

PPH says it takes approximately 24 hours for them to receive and analyze the water quality results from the lab. If levels of bacteria exceed recommended thresholds for recreational water use, the beach will be posted as unsafe and to avoid becoming ill, people should not use the beach for swimming. If a significant risk to human health is identified, such as a toxic spill or the identification of a harmful algae bloom, a beach may be closed to the public.

PPH is offering tips to help ensure the water quality stays safe:

• Do not feed waterfowl

• Do not let children swim in soiled diapers

• Pick up your garbage

• Clean up after your pet

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