Queensville Players Theatre Group to Host Benefit Concert for Rowghan MacHart’s Transition Home June 17

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The Queensville Players community theatre group is hosting a benefit concert for cast member Rowghan MacHart on June 17; raising funds to support the re-fitting of her home with wheelchair accessible features.

photo courtesy of the queensville players.

After a collision on Hwy. 7 claimed the lives of 52-year-old Stefphanie Hart, 46-year-old Jonathan MacDonell and 18-year-old Riddick Hart in November of 2022, the Queensville Players of Keswick, Ontario are hosting a benefit concert for now 14-year-old Rowghan Hart who suffered life-altering injuries as a result of the accident.

Karin Simpson, president of the Queensville Players group and musical director for the show said that all four family members had roles in their production of Disney’s High School Musical, with Riddick playing Troy Bolton.

“Over the course of three months, we would rehearse anywhere from nine to twelve hours a week, and the MacHart’s would come all the way from Peterborough to Keswick,” Simpson said. “For the three hours (round-trip) to get there, and the three hours to rehearse, they came as a family. It was important to them that they did the show together.”

A week before the show started, Simpson says the crew was in the theatre everyday rehearsing. She says she remembers how close they all grew to each other as the MacHart family would stay at her home on occasion.

On Sunday, November 20 the group had another run of their show at the Stephen Leacock Theatre.

“People came from all over to see the show and were left raving about it, but (the cast) was really sad on that Sunday because we knew it wouldn’t be until Wednesday that we’d get to see each other again,” recalls Simpson.

It was that Tuesday, November 22 that the accident happened on Hwy. 7 near Drummond Line.

The next day, Simpson and the cast of the High School Musical production gathered at the theatre with a trauma team, sharing fond memories of the MacHart family. At the time Simpson recalls not knowing if Rowghan was going to live due to the injuries she sustained.

“We stayed there in the theatre and just held space with one another,” she said. “We had to cancel the show, there was no way we were going to go on with the level of grief that we all felt. Their roles were not replaceable.”

It was after the tragedy that Simpson says the Queensville Players knew they needed to do something for the MacHart family.

“When a tragedy like this happens you always feel helpless because you want to help so much, but of course the one thing that everybody wants in the world is the one thing that you can’t do- to bring them back,” said Simpson. “So with this (concert) we just want to wrap Rowghan in as much love from the community as possible and support her financially, emotionally and physically through whatever we can do.”

As a part of the event, two Ed Sheeran concert tickets to his June 17 show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto were raffled off, and on the day of the benefit concert there will be more raffle items and a 50/50 draw to participate in.

All proceeds from the Rowghan MacHart Benefit Concert will go towards the renovation of her home, making it wheelchair accessible.

“She’s going to face a lot of challenges, and there are many things that we’re not going to be able to foresee happening in this moment,” said Simpson.

She says the Queensville Players intend to support Rowghan through a similar benefit concert next year as well.

“The need for support will be an ongoing thing and the desire to be there for her will also be everlasting,” she said.

The matinee concert will take place at 2 p.m. June 17 at the Stephen Leacock Theatre in Keswick. Tickets are available for purchase using the link.

For those who wish to donate to the MacHart family GoFundMe, follow this link.

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Photos: Fifth Annual Annie’s Pace Global Adventure For Heart Health Awareness Kicks Off

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Annie Smith has kicked off her fifth annual Annie’s Pace Global Adventure to raise heart health awareness in a four-day Walk-a-Thon and Spin-a-Thon at the All the Right Moves Fitness Studio in Omemee.

Smith encourages anyone to join in on her for as long as they want as she’ll walk 80-120 km on a treadmill during the four-day span from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A barbecue fundraiser is also being held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

To join AGPA visit the Facebook group. To donate click here.

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Omemee Woman Hosting Fifth Annual Heart Health Awareness Campaign With Four-Day Spin-A-Thon and Walk-A-Thon

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Omemee’s Annie Smith is raising heart health awareness for a fifth straight year through Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA) in a four-day event beginning this Friday.

File Photo.

Smith is hosting a walk-a-thon and spin-a-thon at All the Right Moves Fitness Studio in Omemee, encouraging those to ride a bike or walk with her — for as long as people wish — as she attempts to go 80-120 km on a treadmill during the four-day span from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A barbecue fundraiser is also being held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

APGA encourages participants to take control of their heart health by being active for one hour a day. Over the course of the four-day event, participants are invited to share online what activity they are doing that day to stay active and keep their hearts healthy.

“Your life is worth one hour a day,” said Smith.

The campaign has people participating all over the world in countries such as Hong Kong, Scotland, Greece, the USA, Switzerland, Australia and more.

“It’s about the world, it’s about creating the healthy habit,” said Smith.

The proceeds go towards the Test Your Limits (TYL) Initiative at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research at UHN in Toronto. The funds help in research for heart failure and transplantation.

The fundraiser’s goal is to raise $6,500 this year, trying to raise $25,000 over five years.

Smith is a Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor for 28 years. She was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, an invisible, rare, incurable and life-threatening disease, in 2016. Her physical capabilities have become limited ever since.

Her campaign encourages others to post their heart stories and/or weekend activities on Smith’s Facebook or Instagram page while tagging themselves during the event.

To join AGPA visit the Facebook group. To donate click here.

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Hometown PTBO: 10-Year-Old Emerson Riel As the Peterborough Walk Ambassador for the SunLife Walk To Cure Diabetes for JDRF

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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to 10-year old Emerson Riel about his special connection with Petes goaltender Michael Simpson, being the Peterborough Walk Ambassador for the SunLife Walk To Cure Diabetes for JDRF at Nicholls Oval on June 4 and how he deals with having diabetes on a daily basis.

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Photos: Immaculate Conception School Raises Over $10,000 for Cancer Research

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Staff and students at Immaculate Conception CES celebrated raising $10,638.24 for cancer research in memory of Melissa Hinze.

With help and encouragement from Pedal for Hope, Cops for Cancer and Murrdog’s Craft Barbery, two students, principal Andy Sawada and teacher Shane Alderson shaved their heads to support the cause.

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Local Podcaster Partners With Imprinted Apparel to Raise $1,200 For Kawartha Food Share

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Local community builder and podcaster Ken John Jones teamed up with Imprinted Apparel to raise $1,200 for Kawartha Food Share (KFS) in a cheque presentation on Thursday morning.

(form left to right) Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager; Ken John Jones, podcaster and Clinton Smith, IMprinted Apparel Co-owner outside Imprinted Apparel with the cheque. Jones was awarded and recognized as a community builder by MP Michelle Ferreri in March of last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money was raised from merchandise proceeds of Jones’s podcast, “Jonsey’s Corner Podcast” where Imprinted Apparel created the apparel and designed the logo. The printing business matched the funds raised totalling $1,200 for Kawartha Food Share.

“I feel very passionate for what Kawartha Food Share does for our community,” said Jones. “I thought this would be a great opportunity to give back to the community that I call my home.”

Jones started raising the money for a month beginning in early February.

His podcast just reached its one-year anniversary and has featured over 70 guests. They include local athletes, notable community members, artists and other builders.

Jones is a recognized community builder in Peterborough, recognized in March of last year with a certificate. He has volunteered for organizations such as Alternatives Community Program Services and Challenger Baseball.

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17th Jukebox Mania Raises Over $44,000 For Community Counselling and Resource Centre

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The music got the community generous as the 17th edition of Jukebox Mania raised over $44,000 for Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of CCRC.

The event was held last Friday at The Venue. The $44,000 raise was grossed with a net revenue of just under $25,000. The money supports CCRC programs and services.

This was the first in-person Jukebox Mania since 2019 and the first-ever hybrid experience. It had some teams playing in person, while others joined from locations as far as Kelowna, B.C.

“We were so thrilled to see so many people back in person this year,” said Kirsten Armbrust, CCRC Executive director. “Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors and participants for making JBM 2023 fabulous. We are looking forward to seeing you all again next year.”

We Drink Wine, a virtual community team took the top prize this year, followed closely by the Lyrical Labourers and The Wolf/Global/Fresh Radio rounded out our top three.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough Hosting Inaugural MEGABike Fundraiser On June 1

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Get up to 30 riders to join in on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough’s (Peterborough Bigs) first annual MEGABike fundraiser for June 1, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough.

The fundraiser is to support Peterborough Bigs’s youth who are involved in their programs. The organization is seeking any sponsorships from companies that are ‘looking to be visible in the community.’ according to their press release.

The 30-person bike will ride a two-kilometre loop around Lansdowne and Monaghan. The route starts at Chuck's Roadhouse on Landsdowne St. W. then tours through Monaghan Road, Romaine Street, Park Street and back down Lansdowne.

Ten rides are available for the event with different sponsorship packages available including sending a ‘Big’ on the bike.

Riders are encouraged to coordinate clothing/uniforms as they ride with prizes available to be won for individuals and companies who raise the most money. 

Teams can register online with more information found here.

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Two Weekend Benefits Being Held To Save Sherbrooke Street PJ's Diner From Closing Down; GiveSendGo Created To Help Raise Money

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The community is rallying behind PJ’s Diner’s owners Sheri Cunliffe and Adam Jackson as two benefit fundraising events have been created to prevent the restaurant from closing its doors.

A GiveSendGo has been created by Cuncliffe to help keep the business afloat.

Jackson (left) and Cuncliffe (right) purchased the dner four years ago. Facebook Photo.

The diner is struggling to keep up with maintenance costs since the pandemic when the couple purchased the business four years ago.

“We fought to keep this place going knowing it was not going to stop the rent and bills, not to mention this was what our family had to make our home bills,” said Cunliffe in the GiveSendGo.

The Sherbrooke Street diner must come up with $9,000 by Monday or will be evicted according to a GiveSendGo update from April 18. Only $390 raised since this article’s publication.

A breakfast fundraiser is being held at the Sherbrooke PJ’s Diner on Saturday at 9 a.m., encouraging the community to eat there and leave large tips. The second event is at the Red Dog at 1 p.m. Raffles and prizes will be at the benefit gigs according to both Facebook event pages.

Singer and musician Joslynn Burford will be performing live at both events.

“We have given our all to this place and we don’t want to lose it,” said Cuncliffe.

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Peterborough Petes Paying Tribute To Booster Club Founding Member Who Passed Away On March 31

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The spirit and memory of Peterborough Petes Booster Club founding member Betty Nelson is being honoured by the team and the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council (PMHC) during game four of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Petes.

Nelson passed away on March 31, the same day the Petes took a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal against the Sudbury Wolves. 

She was a founding member of the Petes Booster Club and volunteered to sell 50/50 tickets at almost every home game at the Memorial Centre from 1967 until retiring in 2019. She was revered, especially at the Gibson’s Finest Club Section, forming bonds with several fans over the years.

The PMHC, who operates the 50/50 draws, is donating a portion of the proceeds to a fund in Nelson’s name, which will be used to support members of the Petes community. Tickets can be purchased beginning on Wednesday until the end of the second intermission on Thursday night. The largest ever guaranteed 50/50 jackpot has a minimum of $5,000 to be won.

The Petes are paying tribute to the Bosoter Club founding member in a special presentation during the first-period TV timeout on Thursday. Fans are encouraged to show their support and appreciation of Nelson at that time. 

“Having the opportunity to pay tribute to Betty during a playoff game is very special, as she was one of our most passionate supporters throughout all of Petes history and would have been so excited to take part in this playoff run,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “You could always count on Betty, game-in and game-out and her persistence and commitment serves as a model for so many volunteers that help our team thrive. She will forever hold a prominent place in the hearts of Petes players, staff and fans.” 

The Petes are back in action for game four on Thursday to try and take a commanding 3-1 series over the Ottawa 67’s. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.

Click here to purchase 50/50 tickets.

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