Motorcycles Rev It Up In the Inaugural United on the Highway Poker Run & Fundraiser

Motorcycle revved things up for the inaugural United on the Highway Poker Run that explored the historic downtown and toured through the Kawarthas on Saturday.

Motorcycle enthusiasts gear up to put up their kickstands and begin their Poker Run. The event was originally slated for July 15 but was rained out. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Bikers gathered at the Venture North parking lot before touring around the Kawarthas. They made stops at multiple locations to draw cards and win prizes, with all proceeds going to the United Way of Peterborough.

“The best fundraisers are the ones that are interactive and fun for everyone involved. People have been very excited about being able to play this classic game while exploring downtown Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” said Terry Guiel, Peterborough DBIA executive director. “As a motorcycle enthusiast myself, I thought this would be a unique way to mix my passions for the downtown, motorcycles and also raising money for amazing local organizations in our community.”

Some of the prize packages include $500 and $1000 worth of motorcycle prizes, a downtown shopping spree and a plethora of other prizes.

The riders finished the tour in downtown Peterborough then experienced downtown restaurants, pubs, patios and retail stores.

“When the rubber hits the road, kind hearts and strong passions for the community are even more revved up,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “We are so grateful to Terry and the team at the DBIA for driving this event, and for helping build a more resilient Peterborough. Bikers are very giving people and we want to thank everyone who is attending and who generously donated a prize.”

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Peterborough Concert Band Holding Special Performance to Benefit PATH On Oct. 15

The Peterborough Concert Band is holding a special musical program, ‘The PATH Forward’ to benefit Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) for Oct. 15 at Market Hall.

Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Concert Band.

The performance is conducted by Juno-nominated Music Director Saman Shahi as Kate Suhr and Megan Murphy will guide the audience through a program that features big band standards, classical gems, new compositions and vocals.   

The proceeds benefit PATH to help provide transitional housing for unsheltered citizens in Peterborough. 

The performance runs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Market Hall, located at 140 Charlotte St. A reception will follow the performance. Tickets are $44 (including HST and fees) and are available through Market Hall online.

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Hometown PTBO: Mark Hubble and His Inaugural Hubbs Open Mini-Golf Tournament to Support Peterborough Big Brothers and Big Sisters

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Mark Hubble about his inaugural Hubbs Open mini-golf tournament at Milltown Mini-Golf on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. The event concludes with a pub crawl with proceeds for Peterborough Big Brothers & Big Sisters.

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First Little Lakers Night Raises Over $6,700 For Five Counties Children's Centre

The Peterborough Lakers in their ‘Drive For Five’ quest takes time to help the community as their first-ever Little Lakers Night from July 27 raised $6,784 for Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) Building Abilities For Life campaign, announced on Thursday.

Five Counties kids Mya (left) and Elsie (right) pose with Peterborough Century 21 Lakers mascot, Teddy, during Little Lakers Night on July 27. Many Five Counties clients, families, volunteers, staff and supporters took part in the first-ever event held during the Lakers’ final regular season home game. Little Lakers Night raised nearly $6,800 for Five Counties Children’s Centre. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The fund helps FCCC reduce wait times and provide priority treatment services like speech and occupational therapies for children and youth in the region according to a press release.

“We are so thrilled to receive this support from the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers, during their drive to win a fifth consecutive Mann Cup title,” said Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “We are extremely grateful to fans, donors, supporters, volunteers, staff and others who came out to support the first-ever Little Lakers Night. It was a great success and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Lakers for this annual event.”

Funds were raised during the game through donations, t-shirt sales, a silent auction, facepainting, sponsorships and proceeds from that night’s 50/50 draw during the team’s last home regular-season game.

Several FCCC kids and families attended the game and also played roles during the pre-game ball drop and singing of the national anthem. 

During the game, four FCCC kids took part in the Peterborough Lakers Backstage Experience. They received a behind-the-scenes tour from Lakers board member John D’Altoe, got high-fives from team members on their way to the field, toured the video control room, helped in-arena hosts with giveaways and met the Lakers’ mascot, Teddy.

The partnership between FCCC and the Lakers continues during the club’s playoff run. The team’s Ticket Assist Program means Five Counties kids and their families get free tickets to every Lakers’ home game.

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Brings Back Fore the Kids Golf Tournament For Sept. 14

The Fore the Kids Golf Tournament is making its return on Sept. 14, at Bellmere Winds Golf Course in Keene, announced by The Rotary Club of Peterborough.

Tournament proceeds are going towards the Five Counties Children’s Centre.

“We're excited to work with Linwood Homes again this year on the Fore the Kids Golf Tournament to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and youth in need within our communities,” said Wayne Harding, tournament Chair and former Rotary president. “Five Counties Children's Centre holds a special place in our hearts and this golf tournament serves as a beacon of hope, uniting individuals and businesses in a spirit of giving and camaraderie.”

All golfers are invited to register for $150 per person with a shotgun start of 1 p.m. The fee includes a round of golf, a cart, lunch and the chance to win hole prizes. Prizes include exclusive golf lessons, lake toys and a chance at driving home in a brand-new car from Jack McGee Chevrolet-Cadillac!

The tournament also features a raffle to win items such as a Plauski Square Stern canoe and paddles. Tickets are $10 apiece or three for $20.

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Photos: 'Williams Weekend' Memorial Golf Tournament Pays Tribute To Five-Year Old Boy Who Passed Away Last Year In Accident

There were 155 golfers who paid respects in a memorial golf tournament for five-year-old William Rock Gardner at the Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene who passed away in an accident last year.

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.

William passed away on Villiers Line just outside of the resort due to a golf cart malfunction. His parents and their friends sustained injuries while his sister Aurora was unharmed. The parents were admitted to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) following the accident and once they were released, visited William at Sick Kids Hospital. They opted to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

Despite heavy rain that started in the morning until mid-afternoon, golfers braved the weather to show their support for William.

“We're really grateful for all the support despite all the rain,” said Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. “Golfers continued to come in and they're playing through while smiling and laughing.”

Last year, a silent auction was held where the proceeds went toward the family. Saturday’s golf tournament had a raffle and auction in support of Sick Kids Hospital (where William passed away) and PRHC. Prizes such as Toronto Zoo tickets, hockey jerseys, a children’s wagon bundle and a golf and dinner getaway were some big-ticket items auctioned off.

Despite being overwhelmed with emotion, the family expressed their gratitude to all the supporters and hosts of William’s memory prior to the raffle draws.

“Despite everything, despite the sadness, we're so grateful for everyone who supports our family and can remember our funny, little sweet boy,” said Elizabeth.

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Family Hosts Memorial Golf Tournament To Honour Their Five-Year-Old Son Passing Away From Golf Cart Accident

UPDATED: 9 p.m. 23-07-23

A tragic golf cart incident that resulted in the life of five-year-old William Gardner has got his family to create a memorial golf tournament to honour him at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort.

(from left to right) Elizabeth, Aurora, William and Matt Gardner. The family had lived overseas for the past 15 years and often came back during the summer season. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The William Rock Gardner Golf Memorial tournament in Keene is slated for July 29 and will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with prizes and draws from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The incident occurred a year ago. The Gardner family and their two friends were at the lower half of Bellemere to play sports and at the splash pad. They were travelling in a golf cart going downhill as it started to accelerate with the brakes failing.

After the cart swayed out of control, it flipped and ejected all the passengers onto the roadside according to Elizabeth Gardner, William’s mother. He sustained massive head trauma and was airlifted to SickKids Hospital. The parents and their friends had sustained injuries (with the latter taking the year off to recover) from the incident and were treated at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). His seven-year-old sister Aurora was unharmed during the accident but had feelings of guilt and shame as the only sibling to survive said Elizabeth.

“Our family at that time knew everything was changing and I laid on the roadside trying to keep him breathing,” she explained.

All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Gardner.

The family visited William at SickKids and made the difficult decision to let him go due to the severe brain damage he suffered.

“After saying goodbye to William, both my husband and I were admitted to Peterborough Hospital due to our injuries,” explained Elizabeth. “I ended up staying in Peterborough Hospital for over a month recovering and planning my son’s funeral.”

Despite the unfortunate series of events, the family bears no ill will towards anyone and is grateful for the care that they received.

“Sick Kids Hospital and Peterborough Regional Health Centre were extremely supportive during our darkest days,” explained Elizabeth. “These golf tournaments will be in support of both of those institutions.”

The police report determined that the mishap was an accident due to the golf cart’s malfunction according to Elizabeth. Bellemere Winds had offered their golf resort to host the memorial tournament.

“We are still devastated from everything but cannot thank the Bellmere owners enough for pushing for this golf tournament,” said Elizabeth. “We are thankful we can honour William, as memories and events like these keep him alive.”

William was three weeks short of celebrating his fifth birthday upon his passing. He was entering kindergarten that September.

“He was a little boy with a great sense of humour and loved to run around in his bare feet,” said Elizabeth. “William loved all kids and above all loved playing with anybody but especially his sister Aurora.”

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Community Rallies For Omemee Family With Teen Diagnosed With Cancerous Brain Tumour; GoFundMe Set Up To Help Offset Costs

Omemee and 16-year-old Angela Brooks is in the fight of their life as she is undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour revealed to be a cancerous suprasellar germinoma.

A GoFundMe goal of $15,000 has been set up to help cover costs such as travel, home expenses and wages lost due to Brooks’s mother going on critical illness leave for the past four months to take care of her two sisters and one brother.

Just under $13,000 has been donated from the community to help in Brooks’s GoFundMe page. Photo courtesy of Ashley Megan.

Brooks has been ill for two years with her brain tumour discovered in April. When her biopsy revealed that it was a cancerous suprasellar germinoma, Brooks had to undergo 12 rounds of chemotherapy and two-and-a-half weeks of radiation over the next five months in Toronto at SickKids Hospital according to the GoFundMe page. The family has had to regularly travel back and forth between Toronto and Omemee to monitor Brooks’s health.

Earlier this month, Brooks had a septic infection from her peripherally inserted central catheter line and was hospitalized at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

She was able to come home after spending two weeks in the hospital but could not receive chemotherapy until her blood count went back up. Once it does, Brooks could handle more chemotherapy sessions according to her mother, Ashley Megan. She was due for her final stage of chemotherapy last Monday had everything went to plan.

Megan reported that Brooks’s counts were up on Wednesday on her Facebook account. The teen could get her 11th round of chemo as a result. Brooks is nearing all cancer treatment including radiation.

The GoFundMe created by Mat Wood has raised almost $13,000 of the $15,000 goal with 119 donations. It began back in April and is expected to run into August.

“The family has lost count of how many times they have had to stay in Toronto to be by Angela’s side in her fight,” said Wood. “It has been a long, hard, and emotional road for this family.”

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Peterborough Kia to Host Inaugural Car Show to Support Kawartha Food Share and YMCA

Get into Peterborough Kia’s first annual classic car show to be hosted at their dealership this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Event flyer of Peterborough Kia’s first car show. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Kia.

The dealership is located at 238 Lansdowne St. E.

The show features classic cars from the 60s and 70s and is providing live music and a 50/50 draw.

Proceeds of the event are going to Kawartha Food Share and Peterborough YMCA.

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The 21st Annual Hike for Hospice Fundraiser Is Open For Registration

It’s time to get your feet moving as registration for Hospice Peterborough’s 21st annual Hike for Hospice fundraiser is now open and scheduled for Sept. 10 – 17, announced on Tuesday.

Last year, the event raised a record-breaking $100,000 with over 150 participants and sponsorships. File photo.

The fundraiser helps fund the Hospice to keep end-of-life and bereavement support free in Peterborough and the County while offering a space to remember and honour loved ones who have died.

Participants are welcome to walk, run, cycle or move in any way to raise funds for those seeking hospice palliative care or grief support. The hike also provides opportunities to connect virtually through activities that encourage participants to pause and remember those who have passed, reflected in the event’s motto: ‘Who are you hiking for?’

“It’s a beautiful event and different every year,” said Mary Blair, Hospice co-chair.

“What’s really impactful is how the event becomes an opportunity to remember loved ones who have died. It can be very moving,” said Heather Easton, co-chair.

Since moving to a virtual platform, Hike for Hospice has seen participants from between the east coast and west coast, participating in creative ways such as kayaking with their families or rowing a kilometre for every $10 raised.

“It’s a highlight of the year,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice executive director. “We are so incredibly grateful to those who participate each year to ensure hospice care remains accessible to everyone. We truly could not do what we do without you.”

More information on the event, registration and fundraising can all be accessed at easypledge.ca/hospice-peterborough.

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