David Tuan Bui's Top Five Stories of 2023

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And with that, 2023 is about to be history as another year passes with me as a part of PTBOCanada. Peterborough has a population of just under 84,000 people. Tack on everyone in the Kawarthas and we’re still not bigger than some neighbouring cities like Oshawa, Whitby and beyond.

However, the amount of news, unbelievable stories and iconic people never seems to stop and I have had the pleasure to witness and report on a vast amount of it. I’ve been in this town for over 30 years of my life and I never stop learning more about my city.

Bui interviewing Rob Wilson, Petes head coach and Shawn Spearing, Petes captain shortly after the team’s OHL Championship. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

These are my top five stories — in no particular order — that I truly enjoyed covering in 2022.

The Petes went 10-1 at home during the playoffs en route to their OHL Championship. PHOTO by Samantha Bianco.

It’s no secret that I’m a hockey fan and only one of two Los Angeles Kings fans (that I know of) in Peterborough.

But to see my hometown Peterborough Petes win the OHL Championship was an unforgettable experience. I have been covering them since I started working for PTBOCanada in March 2021. Countless hours were spent watching games, highlights, conducting interviews and beyond.

I put in a lot of extra time and work during their playoff run, culminating in witnessing history before my eyes and playing a tiny role. I got to be on the ice to do post-game interviews and get immersed in the celebrations. I am certain I did not get home until 1 a.m. that night but it was well worth it.

I could have put a lot of Petes’ stories on this list but I’m going to keep it to one.

Elizabeth, Aurora and Matthew Gardner on the putting green of Bellmere Winds Golf Resort with the memorial poster of William in his memorial tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

I have always been looking for reasons to go golfing ever since I picked it up as a Covid hobby but this was a touching story. So much so that I had to be a part of it as a journalist and a golfer.

The Gardner family had lost their five-year-old son William in a golf cart accident last year and started a memorial tournament in his honour.

The day was filled with fun but a lot of emotion but 155 golfers were out to show their support. I’ve been to several charity golf tournaments in my short golf life but that was a high number for an inaugural event compared to others that I’ve played in.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. photo by David Tuan Bui.

Sure enough, the above photo also made my top 10 photos story posted earlier this week.

I was selected to be a play-by-play commentator for the North American Invitational (LAXNAI) for a third straight year in Utica, N.Y. from late September to early October. Last year, women’s lacrosse was showcased but this year had the inaugural women’s tournament.

Peterborough’s Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough were playing for BP Lawyers and became tournament champions. Evans was also named MVP.

Technically, I was off-duty from PTBOCanada at this point in time but with Peterborough women’s lacrosse making a statement in an international tournament, I could not help but indulge in turning it into a story.

Susan Tung, Hanoi House and NAKA Japanese owner (left) and Morgan Bell, general manager (right) showing HCSS students how to make Vietnamese spring rolls. Photo by Samantha Bianco

During May, students of Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board learned about Asian heritage. Naka Japanese and Hanoi House owner Susan Tung was invited to perform a food demo for students as part of the school’s Cook Eat Love culinary program.

They made fresh Vietnamese spring rolls which were a common and popular meal of my heritage. It consisted of Vietnamese sausage, vermicelli, lettuce, cucumbers rolled in rice paper. It was dipped in either a fish sauce or peanut sauce.

Of course, I had to jump in there and help the students learn how to prepare them after reporting on the event. I recall even having this meal with my family on the weekend prior to the demo so I was fresh off making them. That was a lucky coincidence.

Jenn and Braden Glasbergen entertaining a first-time Halloweener during the ghost pirate ship's last year. photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Glasbergen family did amazing things with their magnificent displays of Halloween, Easter, Christmas and a dinosaur park with ‘Seasons on Ravenwood.’

However, this was the final year they were doing it, including their large ghost pirate ship, amid several complaints regarding safety. The family also collected non-perishable goods and money to donate to St. Vincent de Paul.

It was an absolute spectacle to see year in and year out that also got national recognition. I am not sure if the holidays will be the same in Peterborough without them. I am glad I got to be a part of it in spreading the community cheer.

I’d also like to recognize PTBOCanada’s newest employee and colleague this year, our graphic designer Mark Dizon. If you have ever seen his work, it is marvellous. We met him at Fleming College as an international student from the Philippines.

He was the winner of a graphic design contest for the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough’s anti-stigma campaign called the ‘Missing Piece.’

We were impresses with his work so much that we hired him shortly after his graduation!

GDV FLEMING STUDENTS ADAM KEIZER (LEFT) MARK DIZON (MIDDLE) AND JAMES LEVESQUE (RIGHT) GAVE PRESENTATIONS TO THE MEDIA AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS OF THEIR CAMPAIGNS. DIZON IS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FROM THE PHILLIPINES AND CAME TO PETERBOROUGH FOR SCHOOL TWO YEARS AGO. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA BIANCO.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas never seem to stop with wonderful and fascinating stories.

I’ve enjoyed covering our City and County and will continue to do so with pride. I’m eager to see what 2024 has in store especially since I was able to welcome my first child in June, Serenity!

Here’s to a great new year, PTBO! 2024 should be a wonderful time!

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David Tuan Bui's Top 10 Photos of 2023

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As I mentioned in last year’s edition, I do not espouse the thought of calling myself one of the best local photographers in Peterborough.

But with each year comes experience, growth and maturity in every skill I honed in my young and short journalism career. We are only taught so much in journalism school and another great way to learn is to go into the world and try.

Again, like last year, my skills and Rome were not built in a day, much like the thoughts and reasoning behind great Roman philosophers I studied at Trent University, such as St. Augustine of Hippo and Cicero (okay, I’m getting a little carried away).

Nonetheless, my quest for knowledge and tenacity to learn has not stopped and rightfully so if I want to continue my journalism career.

However, it is flattering to know that some pictures I took have been used commercially for local organizations such as the Rotary Club of Peterborough, Peterborough Business Social Club and Hospice Peterborough. They are definitely signs of improvement for sure.

Nonetheless, these are my top ten photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in chronological order:

RENEE OAKE (LEFT) WITH HER SON OSCAR WEINSTEIN (RIGHT) AFTER SWIMMING 150 LAPS IN THE LANE POOL. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The 37th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim held by the Rotary Club was back at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, raising money for Easter Seals and various Rotary projects.

This event has fundraised over $1.32 million since February and saw 19 teams try to raise over $50,000 for this year’s event.

A similar picture made my top five list last year with Renee Oake and her father Carl Oake. This year, it was her and her son Oscar Weinstein. You could see the jubilance of the two after Renee’s swim.

BURTON LEE, PETES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS (LEFT) ADDRESSING THE 165+ STUDENTS IN GRADES 7 AND 8 ABOUT HIS CAREER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TEAM. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Immediately looking at this picture, you could tell Burton Lee, former Peterborough Petes executive director of business operations, had the charisma to capture the attention of the young students.

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario and their World Choices program had students listen and learn intimately about the day-to-day lives of various careers.

We were also invited as guest speakers for this event too.

BUMSTEAD (LEFT) CAUGHT WALTER AFTER HIS THIRD CAST NOT A HALF-AN-HOUR INTO THE DERBY. HIS STEPFATHER JUSTIN DESBARBIEUX (RIGHT) DID IT LAST YEAR, FIVE DAYS INTO THE EVENT. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

We got a good look at ‘Walter’ from this shot as Ben Bumstead caught him just 30 minutes into the derby. He’s also the stepson of Justin Desbarbieux who caught it last year.

Walter is the top prize at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Under the Lock Fishing Derby held every year at the Peterborough Lift Locks.

PHOEBE M., 3, HAS BEEN A REGULAR VISITOR TO THE CENTRE FOR THE PAST YEAR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Peterborough Child & Family Centre marked their 40th anniversary with a new Playscape for their facility and Phoebe (pictured) was enjoying every second of it.

You can tell she’s enjoying the new playground, and all the parents in the background are enjoying watching their children play.

The PlayScape features a repurposed downhill slide, a circular track for walking and biking, a play kitchen, a canopy and other playground equipment. It replaced a tall climber that had occupied the outdoor space for several years.

Kelli Marshall of Hiawatha First Nation (pictured) dances in a fancy shawl at a pow wow at St. John Catholic Elementary School. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

St. John Catholic Elementary School had a pow-wow to celebrate Indigenous culture in mid-May.

Many students and faculty had Indigenous roots and saw Members of Hiawatha First Nations, Haudenosaunee and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation come together for the sacred event.

Kelli Marshall put her beautiful shawl on display and you could see all the colours and its design with this shot.

CELEBRITY GOLF ENTERTAINER AND INSTRUCTOR TODD KEIRSTEAD GETTING THE TRUST OF JENNIFER ARMSTRONG AS HE ROCKETS A TEE SHOT OFF HER AS ONE OF HIS MANY TRICK SHOTS. KEIRSTEAD WAS A GUEST ENTERTAINER AT THE 15TH HOLE AT THE QUARRY GOLF CLUB. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The third-annual "Be a Saint" St. Joseph's at Fleming golf tournament raised money to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure.

It turns out that celebrity golf entertainer and instructor Todd Keirstead was at the event performing trick shots and I got a solid shot of what he could do.

@ptbo_canada Editor David helps @PGATOUR golf entertainer Todd Keirstead with a trick shot at the Quarry Golf Club for the third-annual “Be a Stant” St. Joseph’s at Fleming’s golf fundraiser tournament! #ptbo #ptbocanada #fyp #journalism #journalismlife #journalist #journalistlife #peterborough #news #followers➕ #follow #following #golf #golftiktok #golftok #golfer #golflife #sports #sportstiktok #trickshot #trickshots ♬ Golf - Clean Cutt Crew

Apparently, I may have been off my rocker that day, and I wanted to be a part of it myself.

Rhaelynn Gaspari, 5 (left), celebrating her friend Charlotte Miller’s birthday, 5 (right), during the grand opening. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

It may have been the grand opening for Rollz Ice Cream but these two cute little girls stole my camera’s attention.

It was a way to kick off Charlotte Miller’s fifth birthday with her friend and being surrounded by balloons is a great way to tell the world that it’s your day!

The parlour serves rolled ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, falooda, cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), popping soda and ice cream burgers.

Big Wreck consists of Ian Thornley (pictured), Dave MacMillan, Chris Caddell and Sekou Lumumba. photo by David Tuan Bui.

I always look forward to at least one show every year at Peterborough Musicfest. This year, it was Big Wreck.

I got close to Ian Thornley and got a good shot. You could see everything on him down to every detail.

Of course, I got to enjoy the concert after I was done taking my photos for the night.

An unexpected champagne cork pop leads to a bubbly surprise for Dani Guppy (left) and Pete Dalliday (right). photo by David Tuan Bui.

Pete Dalliday and Dani Guppy of 'Fresh Mornings With Pete & Dani,’ recorded their 1,005th episode with 100.5 FM Fresh Radio, a huge milestone for these two.

The celebrations had an unexpected pop of a champagne bottle as Dalliday was unravelling it and I got a shot of their reaction, especially Guppy’s. Her face says it all.

Erica Evans (left), Lou Warner (middle) and Payton Crough (right) celebrating the first-ever LAXNAI Women's tournament. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

I was selected to be a play-by-play commentator for the North American Invitational (LAXNAI) for a third-straight year in Utica, N.Y. and it was the inaugural women’s tournament.

Peterborough’s Erica Evans, Lou Warner and Payton Crough were playing for BP Lawyers and became tournament champions. Evans was also named MVP, so getting my shots and interviews was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Look at the size of that trophy. It was not small by any means. The expressions of the women, coupled with that championship, showed the prowess of lacrosse in Peterborough and the genuine hard work of winning an event.

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David Tuan Bui's Top Five Stories of 2022

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Another year has come and gone at PTBOCanada and there have been some fantastic stories I was able to cover in 2022. The impact this community can make is nothing short of remarkable and I feel honoured and privileged to cover some of Peterborough and the Kawartha’s stories.

Bui was hired as the PTBOCanada Editor for Mar. 1, last year. Photo by Autumn Nadeau.

These are my top five stories — in chronological order — that I truly enjoyed covering in 2022.

PERKS HAS MADE APPEARANCES ON OTHER AMERICAN SHOWS SUCH AS ABC’S GOOD MORNING AMERICA AND FOX LOS ANGELES. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL ROZMAN/WARNER BROS.

Eight-year-old Callan Perks (better known as Coach Cal) took his viral motivational speeches to the City of Angels as he made an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in early January.

He gave his own pep talk to DeGeneres on her final season which brought her to tears.

I had the honour of interviewing Coach Cal after his original video went viral and I will always be proud of what he has done with himself since. What a kid!

ASTROM HAS PLAYED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WITH NHL’S VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS INSIDER AND PETERBOROUGH NATIVE GARY LAWLESS. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW ASTROM.

I mentioned when Pete Dalliday first interviewed me live when I had got the job for PTBOCanada that I had a Grade 7 science teacher who nicknamed me “Ziggy Stardust.” It was in reference to my name’s pronunciation being similar to famed rock star David Bowie.

The man who gave me that nickname? Former teacher Andrew Astrom who taught me at Immaculate Conception School and later became my offensive coordinator for the Holy Cross Catholic School football team in their second year. He retired after 30 years of teaching and was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer.

Astrom discovered his cancer on May 4 last year and had surgery on Aug. 5 where his thyroid and several lymph nodes were removed. He has lost most of his voice, has side neck pain and suffers nerve pain when he eats.

He is a realtor now just like his wife Tammie Astrom. He was always a great teacher and coach to me and he’s quite skilled at playing the guitar.

‘Water Bacon’ is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the City of Peterborough’s logo of water waves that resembles blue bacon. Photo by Luke BEst.

Okay, I admit it, this was the first ‘fake news’ story that I had published professionally…

For April Fools Day, I came up with a story that ‘Kevin the Water Bacon’ had become the new mascot of Peterborough. ‘Water bacon’ is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the City’s logo of blue and white horizontal wavy stripes that launched in the spring of 2018.

We saw Kevin had both an Instagram and Tiktok account so we reached out and collaborated on this funny hoax. The hoax was well-received as even the City and Fresh Radio played along with the fun. It’s nice to see that Peterborough also has a humourous side to them.

So… Why ISN’T Kevin the official mascot for The City of Peterborough?

ECFC PLAYERS LUKE GREEN (MIDDLE) AND CONNOR WILSON (RIGHT) CELEBRATING THE TEAM’S FIRST FRANCHISE WIN WITH FANS, SCORING THREE GOALS IN 14 MINUTES. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

If you were at the Electric City Football Club’s (ECFC) men’s home opener, you would understand the amount of hype this night delivered for Peterborough.

It was the team’s inaugural year and the game did not disappoint as ECFC got the franchise’s first win against 3-0 against Windsor TFC on May 7.

The team scored three goals in 14 minutes and clamped down defensively since then. They also broke the League1 Ontario men’s game attendance record with 1,565 fans (the women’s team also did that for their respective league).

Watching this game live and reporting it had me entrenched in the soccer atmosphere and seeing the team hit several high points made it a pleasure to witness.

TUNG AND HER NEWBORN DAUGHTER HUNTER OUTSIDE THE HUNTER STREET LOCATION THAT SOFT OPENED ON VALENTINE’S DAY IN 2020. TUNG’S FAMILY FORMERLY OWNED THE GOLDEN WHEEL CHINESE RESTAURANT LOCATED NEAR SPRINGVILLE. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN TUNG.

This one hits home to me as I am of Vietnamese descent.

Susan Tung, owner of Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi House — and a friend of mine — decided to close down her Hunter Street location and consolidated her business into the Lansdowne Street spot.

I’ve eaten at her establishment at least 50 times since she opened on Valentine’s Day in 2020. I helped proofread her initial menu before opening day and was cordially invited to try her pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) and critique it after the grand opening.

Thankfully her business is running and doing quite well and it wasn’t the end of great Vietnamese food outside of my mother’s kitchen. It just means I’ll have to take a longer drive than usual if I wanted to grab a bowl of pho on my lunch break.

2022 is almost over and there was no shortage of great stories to cover in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Old and new faces were seen covering this year’s news and I eagerly await seeing what 2023 has in store for me.

I have to bid farewell to former employees Angela O’Grady and Luke Best who have moved on to other endeavors but that leaves the door of opportunity for new people to join the PTBOCanada family.

I am blessed to be working with Felicia Massey, Samantha Bianco and Brad Wood who are all hired within the same few weeks in early September and eagerly await to see what is in store next year with them!

On a personal note, I will have to push back my wedding to 2024 as my fiancée Autumn and I will be expecting our first child in late June. Big news for the Bui household and I’m sure 2023 is going to be another spectacular year for Peterborough!

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David Tuan Bui's Top Five Photos of 2022

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Photography skills are an ever-growing skill among journalists.

I won’t claim I’m the best at it as journalism school only trains you so much in taking photos compared to professional photographers. However, like any job or career, you hone your skills as you progress. So long as you improve, that’s the important part. It’s as they say, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and nor will my photography skills (but they’re getting better).

Electric City Football Club’s Jordan Brown (left) with David Tuan Bui (right) during the team’s first training camp of their inaugrual season. Photo by Luke Best.

These are my top five photos that I have taken for PTBOCanada in chronological order.

FORMER EASTER SEALS AMBASSADOR MITCHELL MCCOLL (left) AND RENEE OAKE (right) AT the YMCA. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The 36th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim raised more than $50,000 for Easter Seals and Rotary programs in the community back on Feb. 25. The event has raised over $1.3 million to date.

Former Easter Seals Ambassador Mitchell McColl had a bit of Spiderman in him as he shares a moment with Renee Oake — daughter of Carl Oake — shortly after she finished her leg of the YMCA swimming lanes.

McColl was an ambassador in 2012 and has attended every Carl Oake Rotary Swim since.

Alice Cooper (left) with Nita Strauss (right) as Cooper’s band returned to the Peterborogh Memorial Centre in 18 years. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ‘Godfather of Shock Rock’ came back to Peterborough since Oct. 3, 2004, rocking the Peterborough Memorial Centre as part of his 2022 ‘Monsters of Rock Cruise.’

Special guests Buckcherry with Ace Frehley opened the show but the crowd was there for Alice Cooper as he brought touring guitarist Nita Strauss with him to play old favourites such as School’s Out, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Billion Dollar Babies, Poison, Hey Stoopid and more.

This photo seemed fitting for the occasion as Alice Cooper was back in the Peterborough spotlight and could still rock at 74 years of age.

St. Peter’s Secondary School student Josh Watson, 14, warms up with a putt prior to the tournament. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Golf & Country Club celebrated its 125th anniversary with a step-aside scramble tournament that encouraged its golfers to dress in era-appropriate clothing for the time the course had opened.

Baggy pants, ties, long skirts and classy hats were part of the attire that was worn at the event but one person stood out among the rest for me. That was 14-year-old Josh Watson of St. Peter’s Secondary School who sported an ensemble consisting of hiked-up socks over his pants, an Ivy cap and a dapper bowtie to finish off his outfit.

There were not many young golfers at the event but I believe Watson captured the essence perfectly of what a young man would look like golfing in 1897.

THREE-YEAR-OLD MOANA LEWIN ENJOYS TURNER PARK’S NEW SPLASH PAD, TOTALLING SIX WATER PADS IN PETERBOROUGH. THE PAD REPLACES THE FORMER WADING POOL THAT WAS OVER 50 YEARS OLD. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Peterborough opened up its sixth splash pad in Turner Park, located on the corner of Chamberlain Street and High Street on June 23.

It replaced the wading pool that occupied the park for over 50 years and three-year-old Moana Lewin took full advantage of the splash pad on opening day.

It can be tough getting shots of young children at a splash pad considering they’re always moving around and not necessarily attentive to the camera. Luckily, I got Lewin playing underneath the water pole that shoots water like an umbrella and perhaps captured her amazement. I thought the shimmering water was cool.

ARTIST JULII MCMILLAN NEXT TO HER CREATION, “MONARCH MONOLITH” OUTSIDE PETERBOROUGH SQUARE’S COURTYARD. IT TOOK HER AND ASSISTANT SAMANTHA CHIUSOLO THREE AND A HALF DAYS TO COMPLETE. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The Downtown Business Improvement Area unveiled two new large-scale murals to enhance the streetscape experience through public art on Nov. 8.

One was located on the corner of King Street and George Street but the one in the picture was at the Peterborough Square Courtyard. It was created by local artist Julii McMillan and assistant Samanta Chiusolo called ‘Monarch Monolith.’

I credit McMillan and Chiusolo’s work for this photo having a bright spot more than my photography skills as the art piece’s colours blend into the sky so well that let the other colours of the monolith pop.

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A Year In Review By David Tuan Bui

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I started in the new era of PTBOCanada on Mar. 1 when owner Kirtus Evoy purchased it from Neil Morton. Since joining the team, I have got to experience what Peterborough has to offer. The stories, the community and the surprises that can come from a small town are things I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Bui (pictured) previously worked as a freelance sports journalist for Indigenous newspaper The Eastern Door prior to joining the PTBOCanada team. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

These are my top five stories — in chronological order — that I truly enjoyed being a part of in 2021.

Jorge Arroyo has expressed some interest in streaming video games like Fortnite or Spanish lessons on Youtube in the near future. Photo courtesy of Sarai Arroyo.

Yes, Jorge Arroyo cracked my list just as he made my colleague Angela O’Grady’s. If you ever talked to this young man — as I got to in June —, you will understand what an inspiring soul he is with a great attitude.

Arroyo was only six years old before immigrating to Canada from Mexico. He recorded a 12-minute podcast with The New Canadians Centre with his story of coming to this country. After hearing the podcast, I was moved and had to feature him.

He encourages others to open up their struggles rather than bottling them up to help overcome them. After adjusting to Canadian life for over five years of living here, Arroyo reminded me that no one is alone with their problems and creating awareness is one step towards solving them.

David Tuan Bui with Wadsworth Kulatungam in photos separated by 13 years (2008 and 2021). Bui first met Kulatungam as a Grade 6 student at Immaculate Conception School while the latter was a substitute teacher. Photos by David Tuan Bui.

I was invested deeply in this story emotionally. If you were in the Peterborough Catholic school system for the past 25 years, chances are that you know renowned substitute teacher Wadsworth Kulatungam, better known as Mr. Wadsworth.

Kulatungam retired in December last year rather quietly but I had a different agenda. When I heard that St. Peter’s Secondary School teacher Colleen Crawley was gathering testimonials for Kulatungam’s retirement, I immediately jumped at the chance and wanted to turn it into a story.

From my personal experience, no one ever had a negative thing to say about him and I believed was the consummate professional. I am honoured to have had him as my supply teacher on multiple occasions through the years.

Talking to Kulatungam 13 years later in July since I last saw him gave me a flashback of wonderful memories and seeing the community collaborate on highlighting his teaching impact was a heart-touching moment. Congratulations again Wadsworth on your retirement!

“Everyone has capabilities and goodness in them. That was my philosophy. Criticism doesn’t carry you anywhere.”
— Wadsworth Kulatungam

Jenn (left) and Braden Glasbergen (right) have had four different elaborate front-yard decorative displays such as Easter, dinosaurs, a ghost pirate ship and a gingerbread house. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It is hard to miss the setups Jenn and Braden Glasbergen of Ravenwood Drive in Peterborough have on their front lawn.

During the fall season, the couple has this awesome pirate ship on their front lawn open to the public to watch, explore and take pictures.

They have had other setups that they change quarterly such as an Easter setup, dinosaurs and a Christmas one to fit all four seasons.

If doing this was not enough to give back to the community, the Glasbergens collected non-perishable goods for St. Vincent de Paul for every display they put up.

The Stanley Cup had never gone down the Lift Lock prior to Mitchell Stephens’s boat parade. Photo by Pete Dalliday.

Yes, this story made both my list and PTBOCanada’s top 10 list but we are talking about the Stanley Cup being in Peterborough.

As a sports fan, I am excited to hear when a hometown person wins a major sports championship so I can only imagine what two-time Stanley Cup champion Mitchell Stephens felt when he brought it back to Peterborough on Aug. 25.

PTBOCanada was able to get a water parade arranged for Stephens as he took the Stanley Cup down the Lift Lock with friends in family. I was privileged to be on the same boat as him recording the parade and editing the video the same night.

This will be one of the most opportunistic experiences that I have ever had and am fortunate to be a part of it.

Callan Perks signed a one-day contract as the Peterborough Petes Next Gen head coach on Nov 28. Photo by Jenish Odigski.

There was no way Coach Cal was put off this list.

Callum Perks became an overnight sensation with a pre-game locker room speech for the Peterborough Petes for their Next Gen game on Nov. 28. The game allowed kids to play in executive roles for the hockey club for the day and Perks took absolute advantage of it.

When you talked to the young man, I was astonished by how developed his speaking and linguistic skills were for the seven-year-old. I have interviewed numerous amounts of children but none with better diction than Perks. I normally get one or two-word answers from kids but it was not the case with Coach Cal.

To see how well-developed since speaking with him now, I can only imagine what kind of potential he has when he grows up. The future for Coach Cal looks bright.

The Petes beat the Ottawa 67’s 3-2 if you are wondering how that game went before that speech. I would say the pre-game motivation worked.

This year has given me experiences I never thought I would ever get to do. I spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, rode in a boat with the Stanley Cup, be backstage for several live events and more.

Thank you Peterborough and the Kawarthas for granting me the opportunity and honour to be a part of your daily lives. Thank you to the PTBOCanada team to take me as one of them.

Cheers 2021 and Peterborough for giving me such a fantastic year! I hope 2022 will extend me the same courtesy.

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