Paul Rellinger Returns to the Roof as United Way Nears $1.6 Million Community Campaign Goal

The United Way Peterborough and District’s Campaign Chair Paul Rellinger announces from the roof of the Twohey Home and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments building that they are 4 per cent away from the $1.6 million campaign goal.

photo courtesy of the united way peterborough and district.

Rellinger addressed the community from the roof of Twohey Home and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, reviving a visual many in Peterborough will remember from his past “Relly on the Roof” fundraiser.

Fifteen years ago, in the spring of 2011, Rellinger launched the first “Relly on the Roof” fundraiser, a rooftop campaign that supported United Way Peterborough & District and quickly became a memorable local tradition.

With just weeks remaining in the campaign, United Way announced it is now 4 per cent away from its $1.6 million goal, with $61,000 left to raise before March 31.

“We’re incredibly proud of what this community has already accomplished,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough and District. “This campaign reflects the generosity and commitment of people across Peterborough and the county. When we come together, we can make a real difference in the lives of our neighbours.”

Throughout the campaign year, volunteers, workplaces and individual donors have supported the campaign, helping raise critical funds for programs that address poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, mental health and social isolation across the region.

“Many people in this community will remember when I spent time on rooftops raising money for local causes,” said Rellinger. “I never expected to be back up here again, but when you’re this close to your goal, you are willing to go to great heights to finish the job. We’re just $61,000 away from our goal. That final 4 percent represents real support for people in our community who need it most. If you’ve been thinking about giving, now is the time to help us cross the finish line.”

With the campaign deadline approaching on March 31, United Way is encouraging community members to help raise the final funds needed to complete what has already been a remarkable year of collective giving.

Community members can learn more or make a donation by visiting the website.

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Brampton Man Arrested On Theft Charge From Lansdowne Street

A 25-year-old Brampton man is facing a theft charge stemming from an incident on Thursday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 8:40 p.m., Community F.I.R.S.T Unit officers responded to a call for service about a theft in progress at a business in the Lansdowne Street and Park Street area. Officers located a man matching the description given to police walking eastbound on Lansdowne Street. They took him into custody and recovered an item from the business. Officers further learned that the man was wanted in another jurisdiction for failing to comply with an undertaking.

The man was arrested and charged with:

• Theft Under $5,000

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

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LiveBarn Broadcasting Subscription Service to Launch For Hockey at Miskin Law Community Complex

Sports fans can connect with hockey in the City of Peterborough through the introduction of the streaming service LiveBarn at the Miskin Law Community Complex. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The third-party subscription-based video streaming service broadcasts practices and games at the Complex. Events can be watched live or streamed later. Coaches can download games for future analysis while family and friends can share clips on social media.  

Hockey fans can use the service to stream the upcoming Ontario Minor Hockey Association U16 and U18 championships taking place at the Miskin Law Community Complex from Friday to Sunday.

According to the City, the addition of LiveBarn further supports the City’s ability to showcase local and tournament hockey as Peterborough prepares to welcome major events such as the TELUS Cup. 

Featuring some of Canada’s most prominent young hockey talent, the TELUS Cup is bringing the nation’s top six U18 men’s club teams to the Memorial Centre from April 20 to April 26.   

New subscribers can use the discount code ‘ptbo-live’ when registering to receive a 10 per cent discount off a monthly subscription price.  

LiveBarn is already available at the Healthy Planet and Kinsmen arenas. 

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Easter Seals Ontario Score With Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic Fundraiser

Six teams filled with NHL greats, Petes alumni and more hit the ice for the Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic fundraiser in support of Easter Seals at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC) on Thursday.

The Peterborough Petes and The Ultimate Keggers squared off at the Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic For Easter Seals Ontario. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The two-day fundraiser opened with a VIP Draft Party, giving registered teams a chance to select an NHL alumnus to join their team at The Venue on Wednesday night. Among the NHL alumni who attended the event were Brad May, Kris King, Keith Acton, Troy Crowder and André Roy. Also playing in the tournament was former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour, who is no stranger to the PMC from his Ontario Hockey League tenure.

“It's a little different being back in the dressing room where I coached for three years and the GM side but coming back to Peterborough is always great,” he said. “Growing up in Kingston, our league consists of Oshawa, Peterborough, Belleville, Trenton and Kingston so it's always nice to come back.”

The two-day tournament proceeds go towards Easter Seals Ontario to help children and youth with physical disabilities across the province.

“It's all about having fun out here and everybody works hard on raising money,” explained Gilmour. “There are no losers out here today; the winners are Easter Seals.”

@ptbo_canada Doug Gilmour was one of several NHL legends at the Peterborough Petes Alumni Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals Ontario. Proceeds go towards children and youth with physical disabilities across Ontario. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #fyp #easterseals ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Each team was guaranteed two games. An All-Star game was held following the event, where the top eight fundraisers were eligible to participate. Every player was asked to raise a minimum of $500 for Easter Seals.

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Two Trent Excalibur Student Athletes Honoured with 2025 to 2026 Bonnie M. Patterson Award

Trent University Excalibur student athletes Natalie Fournier and Aly Saydam are being recognized with the 2025 to 2026 Bonnie M. Patterson Award for distinguishing themselves in competition, the classroom and the community.

photo courtesy of trent university, facebook.

Natalie Fournier, a dual-sport athlete in women’s volleyball and lacrosse, and Aly Saydam, a veteran setter on the men’s volleyball team, have each received the $2,500 award, which recognizes returning student athletes who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement and excellence in varsity sport.

Named in honour of former Trent president and vice-chancellor Bonnie M. Patterson (1998–2009), the award celebrates student athletes who reflect the values of commitment, teamwork and community contribution.

Psychology student Natalie Fournier (from Georgetown, ON.) has distinguished herself as one of Trent’s most accomplished dual-sport student-athletes, excelling at the varsity level in both volleyball and lacrosse while maintaining a strong academic standing.

A program leader and offensive force for the Excalibur women’s volleyball team, Fournier (Gzowski College) cemented her place in the record books this season, becoming the program’s all-time leader in both kills (542) and points (646). In 2025 to 2026 alone, the outside hitter recorded 126 kills, 151 points, 95 digs, 36 assists, eight blocks and 17 service aces, continuing to drive the team’s success with her dynamic and consistent play.

As a midfielder/defender with the women’s lacrosse team, Fournier played a key role in securing the 2025 OUA Championship, the program’s fourth championship title, and was recognized as an OUA All-Star, highlighting her versatility and ability to excel across two varsity sports in different seasons.

Off the field, Fournier is equally committed to serving her community. During the summer of 2025, she volunteered with Compass Community Services, supporting their Tele-Connect program, a phone outreach service that provides social connection and medication reminders for individuals navigating mental health challenges. She also gives back to the next generation of athletes by running youth secondary school clinics in both volleyball and lacrosse and volunteering at Trent-hosted high school tournaments for both programs.

Aly Saydam (from Ottawa, ON.), a fourth-year Kinesiology student, has been the steady hand guiding the Excalibur men’s volleyball program from the setter position while maintaining his academic standing on the honour roll and a renewable scholarship, earning him the title of OUA Academic All-Canadian.

During the 2025 to 2026 season, Aly recorded 405 assists, orchestrating the offence with poise and precision. He added 79 digs, 28 kills, 15 blocks, seven aces and 46 points, showcasing his well-rounded skillset and willingness to contribute in every facet of the game.

Saydam is a member of the team’s Leadership Group, fostering a positive culture within the program. He also served as Tournament Convenor for Trent’s Boys High School Volleyball Tournament, helping deliver opportunities for young athletes to compete at the university level.

In addition to his contribution to the volleyball community, Saydam is a Gzowski College ambassador, helping students navigate campus life and supporting college programming and events. He is also a member of the 1EX Council and the Trent Kinesiology Society, serving as the fourth-year representative. This year he volunteered for the East vs. West Charity Hockey Game, contributing to one of Trent’s long-standing campus fundraising initiatives through the Colleges.

Off campus, Saydam has extended his passion for kinesiology and community health through a placement with On the Move, a Peterborough-based program that offers community exercise classes for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease throughout the Kawartha region.

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The City of Peterborough Invites Community Input on Proposed Pilot Windrow Program

Residents are invited to provide input as planning begins for a proposed Pilot Windrow Program in the City of Peterborough, intended to help maintain access to driveways after municipal snow clearing on roads. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

On Feb. 2, City Council approved a motion for staff to investigate options for a Windrow Clearing Support Program, including possible windrow assistance for eligible seniors and people with disabilities.

A windrow is the ridge of snow left behind after municipal plows clear the roadway. The proposed pilot program would assist eligible participants by clearing the windrow at the end of residential driveways. The goal is to support safety, accessibility and aging at home for residents who may find windrows difficult to manage. 

If implemented, the pilot program could: 

• Address windrow removal, not full driveway clearing 

• Establish eligibility criteria through the program design process 

• Consider a user fee to offset costs  

• Operate with limited enrollment to test demand and service delivery 

Input gathered through the public survey will help determine demand, community priorities and how the service can be structured in a fair and practical way. 

The survey is now open online. For a paper copy of the survey, contact the City via email. The survey closes at 4 p.m. on April 10.

Following the feedback period, survey results will be reviewed to inform the development of detailed program options. 

These options will outline: 

• Proposed eligibility criteria 

• Service scope and limitations 

• Fee structure 

• Participant capacity 

• Service standards, including response timing after plowing 

Findings and recommended program details will be presented to Council for consideration. If approved, registration is anticipated to open in Fall 2026, with the pilot operating during the 2026 to 2027 winter season. 

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Peterborough Tourism Strategy Community Feedback Survey Now Open

Community members are invited to provide feedback on the draft direction of the Peterborough Tourism Strategy through a Community Feedback Loop Survey.

File photo.

The survey is open until March 22 at 11:59 p.m. It is an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft vision, goals, and strategic priorities developed based on the input received so far.

To date, the Peterborough community has been engaged through a survey, key informant interviews, in-person community cafés, and virtual focus groups according to the City. Insight and input gathered through these methods have served to inform the strategic direction for tourism, which will be presented to City Council for approval in spring 2026.

Work on developing the Peterborough Tourism Strategy began in the summer last year, with community engagement activities taking place over the fall months. The City has engaged Bannikin, an Ontario-based tourism consultancy with strong experience in facilitating the development of tourism strategies for communities and destination marketing organizations.

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Third Annual YMCA Peterborough Pickleball Tournament to See Face Off Between Two Local Realtors

The YMCA Balsillie Family Branch to host the third annual YMCA Peterborough Pickleball Tournament, where local realtors Shaun Pearce and Wade Hamblin will compete for the win on May 9.

Photo courtesy of the ymca peterborough.

“The YMCA helped keep me on the right path when I was growing up. It gave me a safe place to build confidence, develop athletic skills and learn important life lessons,” said Shaun Pearce, captain of Team Pearce. “Many kids here in Peterborough still can’t access sports and recreational programming because of financial limitations at home, and I want to help to change that for the better. Now that I’m in a position to give back, I’m proud to support the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and serve as captain of our 2026 charity pickleball team. We’re a group of people committed to making a real difference for kids right here in our community.”

Come out to see if Team Pearce can defend their title of Pickleball Champions against Team Hamblin in hopes of winning the Golden Pickle on May 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 123 Aylmer St. S.

All proceeds from the tournament go directly to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, which helps ensure that every child, regardless of financial circumstances, has the opportunity to grow, connect and succeed.

Learn more about the tournament and how to support online.

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Provincial Government Launches Classroom Supplies Fund of $750 For Elementary School Teachers and Students

The Ontario Government has launched the Classroom Supplies Fund, providing $750 to elementary school homeroom teachers for classroom supplies starting this September, announced at Highfield Junior School in Etobicoke on Wednesday morning.

Screenshot.

The fund is part of the province’s 2026 budget and teachers will access it through a Classroom Supplies Card. It helps teachers have classroom materials without paying up front for them according to Doug Ford, Ontario Premier.

“Our government is making record investments so that our students have the support and supplies they need to succeed and grow in school,” he said. “The new $750 Classroom Supplies Card will give teachers across the province access to the resources they need, without forcing them to cover the costs themselves or wait to be reimbursed. It’s just one of the ways we are supporting our students and teachers while ensuring Ontario’s education system is focused on student success.”

Homeroom teachers can access the funding through a new provincial website. It allows them to order classroom supplies directly, with materials delivered to their schools. The Classroom Supplies Card directs teachers to the website and includes instructions for accessing it. According to the provincial government, the website will offer a grade-by-grade selection of commonly used classroom items, including writing supplies, notebooks, calculators, chalk, arts-and-crafts materials, tissues and paper towels.

This process allows elementary teachers to order the necessary supplies without paying up front and waiting for reimbursement, according to Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.

“Our government continues to make record investments to build an effective and strong education system. We are committed to protecting student learning and ensuring teachers have the support they need for every student to thrive,” he said. “We will continue to strengthen accountability across the system and ensure that every investment is focused on student success and reaches the classroom where it matters most.”

Providing a card also allows teachers to directly access funding rather than the chance of not seeing the money that school boards distribute to teachers said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education.

“We know that many teachers have been paying out of pocket for supplies. That isn’t fair for teachers or students,” he said. “While school boards receive funding for classroom resources, we have not always seen those dollars consistently reach every classroom. That is why we are putting funds directly in the hands of teachers to ensure their classrooms are equipped to support student achievement.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Offering Thousands in Funding for Local Green Startups and Environmental Innovators

The Rotary Club of Peterborough is rewarding thousands of dollars in funding through the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) to local green startups and environmental innovators.

The following were last year's recipients of REIF: Wildrock Outfitters / Kawartha Land Trust, Woodleigh Farms, Clean Energy Generation, Taproots for Tomorrow and Second Nature Studio. Last year saw 16 applicants for local projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, with the goal of identifying, funding and elevating local environmental innovators whose ideas can make a measurable difference in the region and beyond.

REIF is currently seeking proposals from students, entrepreneurs, community leaders and small businesses developing local solutions to environmental challenges.

Up to $3,000 is available for initiatives that address:

● Climate action and energy efficiency

● Land and water conservation

● Waste reduction and circular economy solutions

● Sustainable food systems and regenerative practices

● Eco-conscious innovation in product and service design

More than $30,000 has been awarded to successful applicants since the fund’s inception in 2023.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the website to download an application form and learn more about this opportunity.

The deadline for applications is April 2 with the winners announced at a reception on May 11. at the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s regular lunch meeting.

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