United Way Peterborough & District Names Recipient of 2024 Scholfield Award of Community Distinction

Paul Armstrong, a long-time housing advocate, is the recipient of the award.

united way peterborough & district photo of paul armstrong

The Scholfield Award of Community Distinction is handed out to annually to a individual or organization who, ‘through their excellent leadership or outstanding contribution has demonstrated the ability to mobilize positive change within our community.’

The award sub-committee selected Armstrong based on his work, research and advocacy over the last several decades.

Nancy Fischer, chair of the Community Impact Committee, reflected on her long history working alongside Armstrong during her career with the City of Peterborough.

They first met in 2002 on a housing committee.

“Paul has tirelessly and tenaciously promoted information about the housing market to make sure it gets out into the community,” Fischer said. “For me, it isn’t important to recognize what a person does, but who they are. Paul is tenacious and respectful, showing us how advocates can work together with government for a better Peterborough.”

The first edition of ‘Housing is Fundamental’ was published in 2005 with the 19th edition of the report set to be released by the United Way this fall, written by Armstrong.

“The United Way is near and dear to my heart,” Armstrong said. “Volunteers gain a sense of fulfillment from their work, but it isn’t possible to do this type of work without an avenue for it. United Way has provided me with this avenue and the opportunity to continue to do this work.”

“I have known Paul for 13 years. First and foremost, Paul is a strong advocate and champion for housing within Peterborough,” added United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell.

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Winning Grandparents Named at 35th Annual Grandparent of the Year Award Ceremony

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) held its 35th Grandparent of the Year Awards presentation at the Peterborough Public Library on Tuesday.

file photo.

Community Care received almost 200 stories and artwork entries from children this year, telling the organization why their Grandparent should win this award. A panel of volunteer judges chose one winner and two honourable mentions from each group of grades; primary (Grades 2 and 3) and junior (Grades 4, 5, 6).

“After two years of virtual events, it was amazing to return to an in-person awards ceremony hosted by the Peterborough Public Library,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP’s donor relations and communications lead. “There (was) so much pride and happiness felt in the room, a definite ‘Smiles All Around’ event.”

Winners and honourable mentions read their stories and introduced their Grandparent, Elder or special older person to the crowd of about 80 people in attendance. CCP got their story and artwork framed as a gift for the children to present to their grandparents.

Local businesses and organizations also provided prizes for the children and their grandparents, which included Ashburnham Ale House, Boardwalk Board Game Café, Gerri's Arts and Crafts Warehouse, Lakeview Bowl Peterborough, The Little Frozen Yogurt Company, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Peterborough Public Library, Silver Bean Café and Tim Hortons.

Special guest Deputy Warden Sherry Senis presented each of the grandparents the award on behalf of Peterborough County. Local photographer Heather Doughty was onsite for the event, capturing family photos for the winners.

Primary Category – Grades 2 and 3

Primary Winner: Finn Frampton, Grade 3, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Reginald Caley

Primary Honourable Mention: Kylie Beasley, Grade 3, North Shore Public School. Honouring: Grandpa Ken Beasley

Primary Honourable Mention: Launa Hobbs, Grade 2, Monsignor O'Donoghue Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Nana Judy Masters

Junior Category – Grades 4, 5 and 6

Junior Winner: Maya Kubica, Grade 5, École catholique Monseigneur-Jamot. Honouring: Grandad David Peters

Junior Honourable Mention: Molly Cotnam, Grade 6, Apsley Central Public School. Honouring: Grandma Eva Malloy

Junior Honourable Mention: Madeline McBride, Grade 6, St. John Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Dan Burke

“We want to thank every child that entered, they have a participation certificate coming to them,” continued Vandine. “Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received, it was not an easy task for our volunteer judges to choose the winners. Congratulations to Finn (honouring Grandpa Reginald Caley) and Maya (honouring Grandpa Dan Burke) for their winning entries.”

For more information about the annual Grandparent of the Year event, visit the website.

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Kawartha Credit Union Earns Customer Service Award

Top-notch service has been recognized as Kawartha Credit Union (KCU) has been awarded a MemberXP 2023 Best of the Best Award winner announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Credit Union.

The Best of the Best Awards are presented to credit unions that consistently provide extraordinary service, as reported by their own members according to a press release.

“We are delighted that our members took time to give us feedback on our service and will use it to continue to improve the banking experiences we provide to our members,” said Peter Van Meerbergen, Kawartha’s Executive Vice President, Member Experience. “I am proud of the Kawartha Credit Union team for delivering on our core value of member service excellence, and for being recognized for their exceptional efforts with these distinctive awards.”

“Creating member loyalty in a sea of ever-increasing competition from other financial institutions and Fintechs is no easy feat,” said Norah McCarthy, Kawartha’s President and CEO. “Members who actively engage with us provide valuable insight to drive change and improvement for the organization. Our teams not only listened to the needs of our members, but they also acted on those responses for remarkable results.”

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Trent University Honours Professor With Research Award

Trent University has awarded Dr. Sally Chivers the Distinguished Research Award for her outstanding achievements in research and scholarship announced on Monday.

Dr. Sally Chivers earned her Ph.D. at in English Literature at McGill University in 2000. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Chivers is a professor of English and gender & women’s studies at Trent. She is renowned across the globe for her outstanding contributions to research in disability and critical aging studies.

“Dr. Chivers’ outstanding contributions to knowledge creation and her innovative approach to examining pressing issues of aging and care have played a major role in shaping research in this field,” says Dr. Cathy Bruce, acting vice-president of Research and Innovation. “Professor Chivers is a prolific scholar and worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”

Chivers will be presented with the award at the “Trent’s Celebration of Excellence: Teaching and Research”, a virtual event next Monday.

“Trent is the ideal place to embark on research that cuts across boundaries and makes a difference while remaining creative and engaging,” said Chivers.

Since joining Trent in 2003, Chivers has had a far-reaching impact in the interdisciplinary study of aging and society with work spanning five disciplines: Canadian studies, film, disability, age and women’s studies.

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Downtown Event Peterborough Pulse Wins National Award For Its Innovation

Peterborough Pulse is now getting recognized across the country as an innovative and engaging event. Indeed, Pulse took top honours at the 2017 Business Improvement Area National Conference hosted by the Ontario BIA Association in Toronto on April 3rd, winning the award for Large Special Events & Promotions.
 
“Pulse has become one of our most exciting events and it’s wonderful to be recognized by our peers from BIAs across the country and show what Peterborough has to offer,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area.

 (L to R): Sam Sayer, DBIA Board Representative and owner of Sam’s Place; Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director; Sue McDowell, OBIAA president; Joel Wiebe, DBIA Communications Manager.

Pulse is a vibrant, playful and active car-free corridor through the heart of Peterborough. For one summer day, the streets are filled with cyclists and roller-skaters, families pushing strollers, karate and fencing demonstrations, art and music, and more.

Congrats to the downtown on winning this award. Keep innovating.
 
To see more about what Pulse is about, click here. 
 

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