Pathway of Fame 2024 Inductees Announced
/The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District has announced 10 Inductees for this year and will be honoured at Showplace Performance Centre on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1997 to honour community citizens and individuals in the Arts and Humanities. Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
The following are this year’s class of inductees:
Spencer J. Harrison (Artist, activist and academic)
When it comes to expressing his views, particularly leading the call for a change in attitudes around equity and inclusion for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Spencer J. Harrison’s voice and influence have resonated strongly.
Having attained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University (1987), a Master of Arts from Trent University (2003) and, most recently, his Doctor of Philosophy from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (2014), Harrison, in 2014, completed The Freak Show: A Painted Autoethnographic Exploration of Growing Up Gay in Rural Ontario in the 1960s – Canada’s first painted doctoral dissertation.
Positioning artists in the academic world as knowledge creators, Harrison’s art is exhibited and collected across Canada and beyond the country’s borders. His art has been referenced in the House of Commons as part of the effort to change more than 70 laws to provide more inclusion for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Harrison was the founding director of Camp fYrefly, a Trent University-based leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning and allied youth. Under his leadership, the camp combined arts-based and Indigenous knowledge and practices to help youth build strong positive identities, moving away from self-harm issues.
Harrison’s work has been exhibited for several years, his thought-provoking work displayed at galleries in Toronto, Belleville, Milton, and Ottawa. His newest exhibition, Does It Give You The Gay, is confirmed for this winter at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, where Spencer is the artist mentor for youths planning to pursue the medium at the post-secondary level.
For more than 12 years now, Harrison has taught at Toronto’s Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University, specializing in courses that explore subject matter and the value of the makers of their crafts. At OCAD, he has been honoured with the Non-Tenured Teaching Award and the BLG Equity Teaching Award. Earlier, he served as artist-in-residence at Trent University in 1994-1995.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
John Lewis (Music)
Peterborough city and county is widely known for its diverse music soundtrack—a formidable footprint that’s well worthy of heralding whenever the opportunity presents itself.
For more than three decades, John Lewis has been. He remains local music’s head cheerleader, bringing to our attention the incredible talent of the many musical artists. His platform for doing so remains YourTV, for which he has voluntarily produced hours of programming that brings artists of all music genres and talent levels to our ears.
Bringing his background as a CBC audio engineer to the table, Lewis not only helps ensure the airing of high-quality productions but his research is over the top. More often than not, his guests are taken aback by some tidbit Lewis knows about them, personally or professionally. Lewis does his homework.
His head crammed with information drawn from a variety of sources, Lewis doesn’t simply recite a list of questions – he engages his guests in a dialogue that, once finished, leaves us with as complete a picture of him or her as one can obtain.
The list of those who have sat down with Lewis for multiple episodes of Junction 28 and The Skinny is long and impressive, featuring the likes of Serena Ryder, Jimmy Bowskill and the late Colleen Peterson. But he hasn’t limited his interview subjects to those of the long-established variety. Many an up-and-coming musician has been granted the chance to perform in-studio, introducing each to a large audience. Good things – very good things – have often followed due to their one-on-one time with Lewis.
On top of hosting his two programs, Lewis has played a huge role in YourTV’s Christmas season programming. He has spent hours creating notes highlighting every audio cue, vocal note and movement for the Peterborough Singers’ presentation of Handel’s Messiah. With Lewis’ help, local music talents such as Terry Guiel and Elyse Saunders have shared their holiday music favourites with YourTV viewers.
As a volunteer, John doesn’t mail it in. He professionally approaches every interview and performance he’s involved with. Leading by example, he plays a key role in training other YourTV volunteers, eagerly sharing his expertise with those looking to make their own mark in the community television realm.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Earl Wilfong (Musician)
Many perform music but few live the experience 24-7.
As a lifelong entertainer, Earl Wilfong’s love of performing anywhere and everywhere is unparalleled. Where there’s an audience, there’s a will to do what he does and do it very well.
Born and raised in Peterborough, Wilfong’s passion for music was kindled at age 8 in church choir settings. A year later, he added the drums and guitar to his musical arsenal, forming his first band at age 11 before honing his talents through high school when, at age 17, he came away a winner from the Canadian Jazz Stage Band Festival, earning all-star drummer status in the process.
Wilfong subsequently took his talent across Canada, the United States and overseas to Germany and The Netherlands. Comfortable with almost any music genre, he has performed with Jack Bailey, Joe Henderson, Lisle, Highway and Blindstone Bridge, to name but a few. If that’s not impressive enough, he has shared stages with The Kentucky Headhunters, Rosanne Cash, The Good Brothers, Valdy, Burton Cummings and the late Jeff Healey.
Despite a busy performance schedule, one undeniable truth has remained constant—Wilfong has never forgotten where he comes from. That has not only brought him numerous collaborations with local musicians such as Danny Bronson, Barry Haggarty, and Cyril Rawson but also benefitted numerous local organizations and charities. Simply put, Wilfong has rarely, if ever, said ‘no’ to gifting his talents to benefit this cause or that.
The list of benefactors of Wilfong’s charitable ways is long and varied: the United Way, the Children’s Aid Society, Activity Haven, the Canadian Cancer Society, The Festival of Trees, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and the Peterborough Arts community… The list goes on and on. The homeless, the hungry and the disenfranchised among us have eased their plight due to Wilfong’s unwavering commitment to their wellbeing.
Just as he soaked up music at a young age, many young aspiring musicians have benefitted from Wilfong’s willingness to mentor them. For a number of years, he has taught music lessons, no doubt passing on the most important lesson of all—love the music, and the rest will fall into place.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Melissa Payne (Musician)
To whoever gifted a very young Melissa Payne with a fiddle all those years ago, all we can say is thank you.
Born and raised in Ennismore, Payne subsequently learned to play the instrument at the knee of Doug Leahy. She learned well, to the point where she is a formidable force today, not just on the local music landscape but also well beyond its borders. Better still, Payne’s star is still rising with no limit in sight.
Anchored by a lifelong love of old-time fiddle and traditional Celtic music, Payne has steadily fashioned a remarkable recording and performance career that, to date, includes three full-length albums of original songs and never-ending stage invites. She followed up her 2012 self-titled debut album with 2014’s High and Dry and, in early 2020, Darker Than Your Dark.
If one can be judged by the company he or she keeps, rest assured, Payne is in a very good place. With her live performances consistently bringing forth critical acclaim, Payne has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Canadian music. Greg Keelor (Blue Rodeo), Natalie MacMaster, Matt Mays, James McKenty, Jimmy Bowskill (The Sheepdogs) and Nathaniel Smith share the common experience of working with Payne in the studio and on stage.
But Payne is no one-trick pony. Local theatre productions, such as 4th Line Theatre’s 2019 staging of Carmel and Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre tribute to Stompin’ Tom Connors, have also drawn on her talent.
The thread through Payne’s contributions to music and the arts is her unselfish willingness to support up-and-coming performers. Her mentoring of those with a musical dream knows no bounds, as she provides invaluable advice on booking gigs, publicity, and other business trappings. If Payne is in your corner, chances are very good that success will follow.
Many who know Payne well note her ability to mobilize others and rally support for important causes. Blessed with boundless empathy, Payne consistently and easily connects with people from all walks of life.
McKenty, who has produced all three of Payne’s albums, writes his longtime friend “is genuine…people simply gravitate to her down-to-earth personality. I’ve long been in awe watching the way people are attracted not only to Melissa’s music but also to her character.”
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Jim Hendry (Journalist)
For all his success, professionally and personally, Jim Hendry hasn’t done well at retirement.
Since departing from The Examiner in 2014 after a 32-year newspaper career, Hendry hasn’t come up for air. He has found and continues to look for opportunities to volunteer his time and talents to benefit his community. Sitting back with his feet up hasn’t been and still isn’t an option. Retirement, it would seem, can wait for a bit.
Born in Peterborough, Hendry moved with his family to Cobourg, returning to the city in 1982 for a job as a reporter with The Examiner. Over the following years, he rose through the ranks, serving as the daily newspaper’s weekend editor, city editor, editorial page editor and, finally, managing editor. A true professional who strove to report news factually and balanced, he was awarded a number of Ontario Newspaper Awards as well as the Harry Britain Fellowship Award granted by the Commonwealth Press Union.
Upon calling it a day with The Examiner, the road was clear for Hendry to pursue other interests, bringing informed insights into Peterborough’s political and social challenges to the table.
As a regular panellist for YourTV’s Politically Speaking, Hendry has provided fact-based opinions on the state of affairs at Peterborough City Hall and elected representatives’ performance or lack thereof. Since retiring, he has written two editorials per week for The Examiner.
Over the past six years, the United Way of Peterborough and District has been a huge benefactor of Hendry’s passion for the place he calls home and those who need a hand up. First as a board member, then as the board chair and most recently as campaign cabinet chair, Hendry has wholly committed himself to the United Way’s mission while inspiring others to do likewise.
Other local entities that have progressed due to Hendry’s board involvement include the ReFrame Film Festival and the Kawartha Golf and Country Club.
If these contributions aren’t enough to put Hendry into a volunteer class of his own, consider the countless hours he has spent ensuring newcomers to the city feel welcome and valued.
Currently, a lead member of a group supporting three Syrian refugee families, Hendry has hosted six Canada World Youth exchange participants, an American Field Services youth exchange participant, and a Belarusian boy displaced by the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Collectively, that humanitarian work earned him Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honour bestowed by the international service club.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Glen Caradus (Singer-songwriter)
Music has long been effective as a means of communicating a message to a specific group.
In between the 1960s, Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger, to name a few, spoke to anti-war protesters and civil rights activists in a voice they understood and rallied around. Fast forward to the new millennium and Peterborough singer-songwriter Glen Caradus who, for some 20 years now, has, through his music, spoken to countless children and young people about the environment and nature and their developing role in the preservation of both.
As an educator with Camp Kawartha, Ecology Park and the Canadian Canoe Museum, Caradus’ exuberant and creative teaching style has seen him add his exceptional storyteller and puppeteer skills to the mix. Since 1999, The Paddling Puppeteers, a musical puppet show he created, has enlightened kids across the country on topics such as shoreline naturalization, a critically endangered prairie ecosystem and the geological history of the Peterborough region.
Able to play multiple instruments, Caradus is also an accomplished musician, having recorded three children’s CDs, each with an environmental or nature theme.
Caradus practices what he sings of. He cycles more than he drives, and his electric hybrid provides his ride when he does drive. His garden is home to native trees, shrubs and wildflowers that he gives away for free, and under the cover of darkness, he sometimes undertakes ‘guerilla re-wilding’ – the planting of native trees in parks and green spaces in a bid to improve biodiversity.
More recently, Caradus created The Ride for Climate. In 2021, he cycled 350 kilometres over 14 hours, raising money for Peterborough Green-Up. The following year, joined by his friend Nick Ormond, Caradus covered 421 kilometres in 20 hours, bringing in more than $10,000 for Camp Kawartha and Rowan Tree Children’s School’s nature-based programming. And in 2023, Caradus logged 280 kilometres, raising more than $5,000 to the benefit of For Our Grandchildren’s climate change education efforts.
First Nations and reconciliation awareness is also near and dear to Caradus’ heart and, on that front, he has been very active. In 2014, he partnered with the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha to create Adventure In Understanding, a since annual six-day/five-night culture-based canoe experience for First Nation and non-native youths aged 16 to 18. The 100-kilometre trek through the Kawartha Lakes culminates at Curve Lake First Nation. Participants engage in reconciliation by learning about First Nations in the region, connecting with Elders and the land and being together.
Meanwhile, the developmentally disabled have benefitted from Caradus’ voluntarism. Over the past three years, he has volunteered for the Dream Players, which performs musical theatre. Other benefactors of Caradus’ time and talents include the Five Counties Children’s Centre and, for 25 years now, Ecology Park where he helps with its gardens and tree nursery.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
J. Murray Jones (Politician)
Peterborough County and, by extension, rural eastern Ontario have a champion, and his name is J. Murray Jones.
Upon retirement in 2022, Jones departed politics as the longest-serving warden of Peterborough County—an 11-year run that capped a stellar municipal government career that also saw him serve many years as mayor of Douro-Dummer Township and chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus.
In the political game, there have been, and still are, few who command the respect that Jones has earned. Blessed with an over-the-top personality, marked by a booming voice and a near-infectious laugh, it’s hard not to like Jones. But don’t be fooled. The requisite attributes of an effective politician – leadership, vision, and passion – are present in abundance, and their effectiveness as a representative of the people can be found therein.
Jones arrived in the Peterborough region in 1970. After several years in radio broadcasting and cable television, he founded and published The Dummer News, continuing to do so after being first elected in 1998 as a Douro-Dummer councillor.
While mayor of the township from 2003 until his retirement, Jones served as county warden for 11 years and was elected chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus in 2011.
As chair of the Eastern Ontario Regional Network from 2011 to 2022, Jones championed two projects near and dear to his heart: the implementation of broadband expansion providing high-speed internet access for rural eastern Ontario residents and businesses, and the securing of provincial and federal dollars for the expansion of cellular services in eastern Ontario. Both advances proved hugely beneficial during the pandemic as homes and cottages became the new workplace for thousands across eastern Ontario.
During the pandemic years, Jones exhibited the same commitment to the well-being of residents. A strong supporter of public health measures put in place, he led by example, not only volunteering at COVID-related clinics but also being among the first to roll up a sleeve and get vaccinated.
Tough as nails when he had to be, Jones tempered that with an affability still remembered with fondness by most all he met. He consistently took the time to visit with county staff, learning and remembering the names of each, from those working on road maintenance crews to the CAOs of the various townships. With a quick wit and an easy banter, Jones’ knack for putting at ease all he met remains a highly respected attribute. Often using humour to defuse the tension of difficult situations, Jones ensured everyone’s view was heard, believing that compromise and consensus are at the core of governing unflappable.
Still connected to the community, Jones recently expressed his desire to volunteer with a County committee – proof positive that keeping a good man down is indeed difficult.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Tegan Moss (Environment)
Whether promoting active transportation or working to increase climate resilience through community building, Tegan Moss is in a league of her own in ensuring that our world is a better place.
Trent University-educated – she attained her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Environmental Studies – Moss was the longtime executive director of B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop before being named the executive director of Peterborough GreenUP in September 2021. Moss’s selfless dedication and leadership in fostering positive change and empowerment are common to both roles.
In 2011, Moss assumed the executive directorship of B!KE, a not-for-profit member-based cycling education and support organization that has taught bike maintenance, repair, and riding skills from its George Street location in Peterborough’s downtown core since 2006.
Under Moss’ guidance, B!KE’s impact flourished with the expansion of cycling education initiatives. Via strategic collaborations, including a partnership with GreenUP, Moss spearheaded innovative programs, such as in-school cycling programs, community workshops and the Earn-A-Bike program, which provides access to a bike for those with limited means.
Moss’ leadership of B!KE didn’t go unnoticed. Among the accolades that came her way were the Wheels of Change Award from the Share The Road Cycling Coalition in recognition of her dedication to educating the next generation and the Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Award, a nod to her influence and commitment to the advancement of her community.
As a staunch advocate of increased active transportation, Moss went above and beyond to convince the City of Peterborough to add more bike lanes to the infrastructure landscape. Speaking before the city council, writing letters and campaigning, Moss did whatever it took to sell the benefits of active transportation and should be lobbying tirelessly for its prioritization and inclusion as part of Peterborough’s overall transportation plan.
When the executive director role with Peterborough GreenUP opened after Brianna Salmon moved on to become executive director of Green Communities Canada, Moss jumped on the opportunity, eager for the challenge of leading the organization that, since 1991, has helped countless area residents lead more healthier eco-friendly lives.
When she’s not engaging with the community to help them better address the climate crisis, Moss can often be found doing just what you would expect – riding her mountain bike or getting her hands dirty in her wild garden. She indeed practices what she preaches and, in fact, was doing so long before it became common practice to do so.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Ray Ostapovich (Community Volunteer)
Good things typically follow when someone is predisposed to help others find his niche.
More than 17 years ago, as a member of the Peterborough Lions Club, Ray Ostapovich was a key player in developing the service club’s Handicap/Medical Equipment Loan Program.
That was then, and this is now. Now, a wide range of used assistive devices and medical equipment—walkers, wheelchairs, medical beds, crutches, and the like—have been donated to the club for Ostapovich to collect and repair/refurbish for use by anyone in need.
Impressive, especially considering that Ostapovich is still hard at it… At age 88.
Once notified that equipment is available, Ostapovich initiates the collection process, bringing the donation to his workshop. There, he inspects and repairs the equipment, logging it in his inventory. That done, he waits for the call from someone who, already burdened by health issues and, often, related financial challenges, is hard-pressed to purchase expensive new equipment. Ostapovich then moves quickly to loan the needed equipment at no cost.
A number of organizations in Peterborough, such as PRHC, and many occupational therapists, are well aware of Ostapovich’s work and refer patients to him. In record time, he facilitates delivery and, if necessary, provides set-up in the patient’s home.
As of September 2023, more than 3,600 pieces of medical equipment and assistive devices were on loan. Better still, Ostapovich’s garage is home to a large stockpile of equipment ready for the next call for help—a testament to his determination to ensure the demand is met, no matter how high.
As a huge side benefit, the environment comes away a big winner. Without Ostapovich’s intervention, many donated items would have been otherwise discarded. By repurposing each piece of donated equipment, he gives new life to that which, at one time, could have been landfill-bound.
A member of the Peterborough Lions Club for nearly 60 years, Ostapovich is a past chair of the Canadian Hearing Society, the Lions Multiple District A Hearing Committee and the Lions District A3 Hearing Committee – the latter a position he held for 40 years.
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
Kirk Wipper
If timing is everything, there is no better time than now to honour Kirk Wipper.
Back in May, when the new Peterborough home of the Canadian Canoe Museum was officially opened, it’s certain that Wipper was in the thoughts of many, and for very good reason. Without his generosity, love of watercraft and foresight, the museum wouldn’t have opened at its original Peterborough location in 1997.
In the late 1950s, Wipper started his extraordinary collection of canoes, a process kicked off by the gift of a rare circa 1890 basswood dugout destined to become the centrepiece of the museum. Wipper subsequently travelled the country in search of canoes to secure, housing each in a building at Camp Kandalore that later became home to the Kanawa International Museum of Canoes, Kayaks, and Rowing Craft.
The world’s largest collection of watercraft grew to contain more than 500 canoes and related artifacts, prompting the suggestion that Peterborough would be an ideal location for a permanent museum to store and display them. With numerous volunteers on board, developing a knowledge centre about the canoe was floated and adopted, leading to the opening of the Canadian Canoe Museum at the Monaghan Road location of the former Outboard Marine.
Besides providing the inspiration and the springboard for what has become the internationally recognized home of all things canoe, Wipper has also been instrumental in ensuring the immense contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada’s growth and development have been kept front of mind.
A volunteer with several canoe, paddling, camping, and water safety organizations, Wipper served 45 years with the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada and was a national director of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association, which later became Paddle Canada, benefited from Wipper serving as the inaugural chair of its History and Archives Committee.
In 2002, Wipper was fittingly appointed a member of the Order of Canada. When he passed 12 years later, tributes to his and his life work poured forth. Among those taking the time to honour him was James Raffan, the executive director of the Canadian Canoe Museum at the time.
“If you look at the tributes to Kirk that are pouring in, you will see that he indeed changed the world for the better,” wrote Raffan.
“This is surely the end of an era. Kirk will be missed but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of the members, volunteers, staff and friends of the museum (entrusted with) stewardship of these 600 canoes and kayaks – this unique portrait of Canada he created.”
Photo courtesy of the Pathway of Fame.
