Prayers & Love For Courtney Druce
/
Peterborough Blogs
UPDATED POST: Peterborough Police Need Your Help Locating A Missing Person
/UPDATED: March 16th -> The Peterborough Police Service and Nathan’s family would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in locating Nathan. Police and his family have made contact with him and he is no longer listed as missing.
----------------
ORIGINAL POST
Special Media Release issued by Peterborough Police for Missing Person...
Police are requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing Trent University student. Police are looking for Nathan Karwacki, 24 years of age. He was last seen on the 10th of March 2016. He is described as male, white, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 165 to 170 lbs, with short brown buzzed hair, possibly unshaven. Scar across bridge of nose. Possibly wearing a Grey winter jacket.
Police are requesting that anyone with information contact police at 705-876-1122 ext 225 or Crimestoppers1-800-222- TIPS.
------------------
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com
The Beautiful Impact Soccer Has Had On A 12-Year-Old Peterborough Boy With Autism
/It's a cold, winter Sunday morning on the western edge of Peterborough, Ontario, at the Spiplex Sports Complex. At first glance, you might not notice 12-year-old Keir Lewin among the other pre-teens crashing around the indoor field, during a game for the Peterborough Youth Indoor Soccer Club (P.Y.I.S.C.).
But, there is a difference.
Keir with one of his heroes Ronaldo on his wall
Even if we told you that Keir's dreams were: to play professional soccer, to meet a FIFA star (Neymar, Ronaldo and Messi are his faves), and to have a girlfriend—you might not realize how different Keir is from the other kids on the field today.
See, Keir is autistic. And, at age 12, this is his very first year in any organized sport club. It has taken almost six years to get to the stage where he can participate successfully in this environment.
His mom, Michelle, remembers the struggles of placing Keir in city summer camps in past years: "He always loved soccer," she tells PTBOCanada, "but it has not always been easy for Keir to find his way through the physical and the social obstacles, in a good game of soccer!"
Keir (at far left) in action at Spiplex
Keir used to attend summer camp only because of the aid of a one-on-one care person—a considerable financial, as well as social, burden. "Thank goodness for organizations like Autism Ontario, TriCounties and Community Living," Michelle tells PTBOCanada. "We wouldn't have made it to where we are without them!"
Keir was diagnosed late—at age seven—with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This journey is unique for each person, but in Keir's case it meant years of debilitating seizures, developmental delays and motor-skills challenges. Keir still works hard to integrate with kids his age, and to pick up on the subtle social cues that make everyday life manageable for most typical pre-teens.
This is a life-long commitment for his family, not just a temporary stop on the journey. "Autism at the higher-functioning level is a somewhat hidden burden," Michelle tells PTBOCanada.
However, "I believe Keir is capable of just about anything," Michelle says. "My goal is to help him find his way, as a person living with autism in a non-autistic world."
Keir lives at home with his mom and his nine year old brother, Chris. Keir's mom is his core support system and his biggest cheering squad, since Keir's dad—a trained chef who used to run the Fridge Cafe at the Peterborough YMCA—passed away over two years ago.
It has been, understandably, a tricky transition for the family. "I guess three is the magic number, like Jack Johnson sang," says Michelle. "We're doing OK, and we are held up by angels in our community every day. It is a marathon, but I believe we're unstoppable."
Michelle pictured with Keir and Chris
Keir functions in his school setting—in Grade 7 at Prince of Wales Public School in Peterborough—with the assistance of an Educational Assistant, Scott Mountenay. “Keir has been on an exponential trajectory,” Mountenay says. “Every year his endurance and his strength have improved. And playing soccer is helping his concentration. He now sits for longer periods of time at his desk before he needs a break.”
When Keir needs a change of scene, Scott lets him burn off steam by kicking a soccer ball or playing floor hockey in the gym. “Scott is one of my best friends,” says Keir.
Keir's biggest concern upon starting his new soccer endeavour in the indoor league? "I worried that I wouldn't be that good. These soccer guys have a lot of practice; I don't," he says.
Watching Keir in his first game this past October was an amazing moment for his mom: "Believe it or not, he got the only goal in his first game! And his coach named him M.V.P.," she recalls. "I almost lost it, I was so overwhelmed." His coach, Gord Dawson, has worked hard with Keir's mom from the start, and most importantly helped to establish a culture of inclusiveness in the game.
Keir in action at Spiplex
"The entire P.Y.I.S.C. organization has found ways to welcome us," Michelle tells PTBOCanada. "The greatest feeling for me during the game is when Keir gets his foot on the ball, and I start hearing other voices from the stands calling, 'Go, Keir!' Some of them are even his opponents on the opposite bench! It is quite inspiring. These are the moments when I am proudest to be part of this Peterborough community."
Some of the opposing teams have even reached a tacit agreement that when Keir has the ball, time stands still for a moment, to allow him to try out his fancy footwork.
In addition to the support of his family and the P.Y.I.S.C. administration and referees, Keir has been bolstered this season by his second coach, Reegan, a teen who has stepped up to the bench, to help Keir find his place on the field. "Reegan is always cheering for me," says Keir. She shouts out extra tips alongside Coach Gord, such as, "Come back to the yellow line, Keir!" or, "Go for a run to the goal!"
These verbal prompts have helped Keir to comprehend the rhythm of the game—so much so, that he has decided to try out the outdoor soccer session this summer, for the first time. "I feel like a young Messi!" Keir says. He is improving through effort and repetitive practice, and great instruction and support from coaches and teammates.
When asked how he's doing, Keir says, "I feel good. I want to keep going!"
We're all right there cheering you on Keir. Keep going.
------------------
Editor's Note: Keir's 13th birthday is coming up this August 8th. Keir's dream is to meet a FIFA star, or attend a game, live in Barcelona.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com
Love Story: Jack & Audrey Met On The Hunter Street Bridge In 1920s During A Rainstorm
/Sarah Ashley Edwards reached out to us to tell us this beautiful story of how her great grandparents Jack and Audrey Baker met on the Hunter Street Bridge. Below is her oral history based on conversations with her "Grandpaw Jack" before he passed away in 2005...
Audrey and Jack down at the Otonabee river near the Hunter St. Bridge on a date circa 1920s
My great grandparents Jack and Audrey Baker met on the Hunter Street Bridge sometime in the 1920s. Now that he's not here and he's been gone for a few years now, I can't ask the exact details again but I've heard this story from him hundreds of times.
He was driving across the Hunter St. bridge in a big rainstorm when he saw a tall slender woman standing by the sign on the bridge that said "Peterborough". He pulled to the side and asked her if she needed a ride, considering it was such heavy rain.
Audrey was so grateful and excited but being brought up to be cautious of strangers, she wasn't about to jump into the car with him—no matter how kind or good looking he was.
So she asked him to please call her father and explain the situation. If her father felt it was safe, he would give Jack the family password. So Jack drove across the Hunter Street Bridge to a drug store in East City and used their phone to call Audrey's father, Mr. Williamson.
Jack and his Scottish pride
Mr. Williamson's brother owned Peterborough Floral on the corner of Hunter and Water. Audrey was walking across the bridge from East City to the flower shop to help her uncle out that day when the rainstorm had hit.
When Jack got a hold of her father on the phone, Mr. Williamson asked that she be taken home instead of dropped off at the flower shop. When Jack went back on the bridge to meet up with Audrey again, she asked him for the password, he gave it to her and she jumped right in. He drove her home in such a terribly romantic rainstorm.
Every time they stopped in front of a store on the way home, owners would be looking out at the rain and they saw them side by side in his car. Jack said they both fell in love with each other on that drive starting on the Hunter St. bridge where they met.
Jack and Audrey became inseparable after that. They were married the following summer, and lived happily ever after.
-------------
Editor's Note: Ashley named her daughter Audrey after Grandma Audrey, and someday if she has a boy will name him Jack.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com
Lydia Is Home
/Peterborough's Lydia Black has been fighting myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood disease typically found in older adults. She has required extensive, lengthy treatment at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Which makes this message (and photo) below that just went out from Ronald McDonald Charities Toronto Facebook page so special:
"Peace out RMHC Toronto! After 8 months living at the House with her parents, Lydia is finally well enough to go home. #exciting"
Welcome home Lydia.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com
A Peterborough University Student/Aspiring Entrepreneur Stands Out With Epic Plaid Suit & Beard
/A Trent University student and aspiring entrepreneur named Matthew Thompson is standing out at events not only because of his engaging personality but because of his epic plaid suit and beard.
We have noticed Thompson's eye popping suit at many networking events around town such as at Innovation Cluster "Fast Start" events and more—the dude is everywhere—and asked him why he chooses to wear the suit (and grizzly beard), and what competitive advantages he feels it gives him.
Matthew Thompson's suit definitely pops
"Today's business world is saturated with new graduates with the same skills and same mindset," Thompson tells PTBOCanada. "These individuals believe that if they keep their heads down, work hard, and get good grades that they will be guaranteed a good job in the world. Unfortunately this is not true anymore."
Thompson, who is the President of the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society, tells PTBOCanada he first purchased the plaid suit in late November of last year, and that it has become an excellent initial talking point at events that leads to deeper more meaningful conversation around business, entrepreneurs and learning.
Thompson (at right) pictured with his buddy Christian Schortemeyer, who wore his own excellent suit at Christmas time
