Peterborough-Based Chimp Treats Will Have Product Line In Whole Foods Stores Across Ontario
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Brooke Hammer
Peterborough Blogs
PVNC Sponsored An Extended Syrian Family 18 Months Ago: This Is Their Amazing Story
/Nisrin Aidak nestles on a couch with her three children as a beam of morning sunshine warms and brightens the living room in the old farmhouse the family now calls home.
Her family is safe. They joke, laugh and tell stories. It’s an idyllic morning. And for Nisrin, 38, it brings up many emotions.
Qussai, Mahfouz, Nisrin and Selina
“After what I suffered before, I feel this is like heaven for me,” she said. “You cannot understand what safety feels like if you didn’t lose it.”
Qussai, 18, is tall, handsome and fluent in English. He helps recall his family’s story before slipping away to prepare for a math test at St. Peter CSS—his new high school.
Six-year-old Mahfouz, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, leaps off the couch to grab a book from his room before settling beside his grandmother Houda in a donated rocking chair. Later that morning, Mahfouz will visit his new school—St. Teresa CES—and meet his classmates.
Six-year-old Mahfouz gets a warm welcome from his new classroom at St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough.
Selina, a shy three-year-old, stays close to Nisrin at all times.
In September 2015, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board partnered with Sister Ruth Hennessy and Casa Maria Refugee Homes to sponsor the extended Aidak family. Students and staff across the board brought in small donations. Each dollar added up, each dollar helped bring Nisrin and her children to the safety of this living room.
“When I came here, and I saw this house, and I met Sister Ruth, and all these people had helped prepare this for us… these people, this humanity,” Nisrin explains, wiping tears from her eyes. “If I spend all my life saying thank you, it won’t be enough.”
Nisrin’s brother Ammar and his two children—Mohamad and Hour—were the first to arrive in Peterborough in October 2016 (see video below). The two children attend Immaculate Conception CES.
Houda, the 67-year-old matriarch, joined Ammar in Peterborough’s East City several weeks later. “From the fire, to the safety,” Houda says, describing her journey to Canada.
Houda
Nisrin, who was an educational assistant in Syria, and her husband Safi, a tradesman, arrived with their children in Toronto on February 27th, 2017, five years after fleeing their hometown of Aleppo. They are now living in a home in Peterborough.
“The problems started at the beginning of the war. The first bomb in Aleppo, it went off beside Qussai’s school,” Nisrin says. “After that, I was so scared. After that, the bombs started to come more and more and more.”
A gifted student whose grades put him at the top of his class, Qussai was forced to leave school in Grade 7.
“As a kid, I only had two things, my studies and my extracurricular activities and both of them were in my school," he says. "School was technically all I had and that was taken away from me."
The family fled to Jordan in 2012. There, they at least had running water, electricity and security. But life in Jordan was tough. The government prohibited Syrian refugees from working and the family, like many other refugees, faced discrimination.
“In Jordan, it was another kind of miserable life,” Nisrin says.
Nisrin gave birth to Selina and homeschooled Mahfouz.
Without work, the family sold off its possessions and relied on help from family and friends to send money and food. Nisrin said the family pinched every penny to ensure Qussai could remain in school.
“For Qussai, no way was I going to interrupt his school," she says. "I do my best so that every dollar I had I put it for Qussai’s school."
As tough as it was in Jordan, Nisrin watched with horror as her mother Houda, brother Ammar and sister Lilas lived through the civil war in Aleppo. Bombings became a daily part of life and family members routinely hid under beds and staircases. A bomb once dropped right through the roof of Ammar’s bedroom mere minutes after he had left his room to fetch water with his mother.
Lilas and her children eventually made it to Jordan too and then moved to Toronto after Casa Maria sponsored her family in 2015. Ammar eventually brought his children to Beirut, Lebanon while awaiting their trip to Canada.
After three years of precarious living in Jordan, a family friend secured a visa allowing Nisrin and her family to move to Saudi Arabia, where the cost of living was cheaper and the government allowed Syrians to work.
In September 2015, PVNC agreed to sponsor the extended Aidak family. Lilas, her husband Amjad, and her children Karam and Zeina toured PVNC schools to share their story. More than $30,000 was fundraised board-wide.
Lilas Aidak, along with her her husband Amjad and children Karam and Zeina, visit St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in September 2015, telling her family's story and helping to launch a fundraising campaign to sponsor her siblings and bring them to Canada.
“I watched the pictures of Lilas and my niece and nephew meeting in the schools—I saw the videos and I was following you and I prayed,” says Nisrin, recalling how she followed the fundraising efforts closely from Saudi Arabia.
“These people in Canada, they don’t know us. They hadn’t met us. They haven’t seen our situation first hand, but still they were willing to help us,” Qussai adds. “That feeling is indescribable.”
Quassi
It took more than a year to secure a flight, but finally, on February 27th, 2017, Nisrin and her family arrived at Pearson Airport, greeted by Lilas, Ammar, Houda and her nieces and nephews—all of whom are now living safely in Canada.
“Seeing them right there in front of me and welcoming us into Canada, it was extremely overwhelming—I was in shock,” says Qussai, whose dream is to obtain an undergraduate and attend orthodontic school.
Nisrin and Selina share a laugh in the living room of their new home in Peterborough.
For the first time in five years the family has some stability. Nisrin is once again optimistic about her children’s future.
“I cannot explain it really. It is something like a dream,” she says. “Because everything I want is a future for my kids.”
—guest post by Galen Eagle
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Watch Kate Suhr's Beautiful New Video "Fourteen" Filmed In Peterborough
/Peterborough musician/actress Kate Suhr has released a new video for her original song "Fourteen" that people are raving about. Directed by Rob Viscardis—who Suhr says is wonderful to work with—it was filmed at the new Luxury Lofts in downtown Peterborough.
"Most of my videos are covers, but I decided to start putting my originals to video," Suhr tells PTBOCanada. "I was scared to do it for some reason, but I'm trying to be more gutsy this year, make some moves and not doubt myself. I don't always know how to share my art but I'm realizing we all connect to stories, both tragic and magical."
As for the song "Fourteen", Suhr says "it's about two people who keep coming back to one another, but just can't seem to make it work. Love and forgiveness is really the heart of the matter."
Watch the video below...
Suhr is heading back into the studio with James McKenty (who she did an earlier EP with called Something More) in early April to begin recording her full album, on which "Fourteen" is one of the singles.
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Mike Judson To Co-Host "Mike And Miles In The Morning" On Country 105
/Mike Judson, who recently announced he was leaving his job as Weather Analyst on CHEX Newswatch and as host of CHEX Daily after five years with the station, is joining Country 105 radio where he will co-host a new morning show called Mike and Miles in the Morning alongside current Country 105 co-host Miles Gibney.
Mike Judson on the Mic
Judson will be replacing the retiring Ron McFarland, who was at Country 105 for 22 years (and Peterborough radio for 40 years). They are big shoes to fill, but Judson is up for the challenge. "Ron is a local radio legend who has forever left his mark on his listeners," Judson tells PTBOCanada. "Obviously that is a lot of pressure on me coming into a show where the guy before me was so cemented in his role, but I am really, really excited for it. When it comes to the show's direction, I think we are going to let things happen organically and see what feels right."
The move is like coming back full circle for Judson, as he actually got his start in local radio with the Country 105/Energy 99.7/91.9 BOB FM family when he first moved to Peterborough. "I love radio as a medium and always have," he tells PTBOCanada. "TV was fun but I have been looking into getting back into radio for a while. I started my career in radio 10 years ago and it was always my dream to become a morning show jock. The dream has come true and I am looking forward to having a blast every morning with Miles and of course, the devoted Country 105 listeners."
Photo by Craig MacPhee
Judson will miss the adrenaline rush associated with tracking storms and relaying that important information to the public in a timely fashion as a weather analyst, but says he will continue chasing them. "Even though I've given up my post, I'll still be tracking storms. I've done that since before I was even the weatherman."
Judson, a terrific interviewer, will also miss the CHEX Daily—especially its current format which he loved. "When the CHEX Daily became my own show, it really became a passion piece. I got to interview whomever I liked and really dig into the interviews. I'm a very curious person and used the platform as an opportunity to try and ask questions that maybe weren't usual. I always want to know what makes people happy and how they use their time to make the most out of life. The people I interviewed on the CHEX Daily taught me about taking risks and being positive, and certainly helped prepare me for future life events."
Miles gibney & mike Judson
Judson says the CHEX family was terrific to him—"When my family faced a recent crisis, CHEX really stepped up to help make life a lot easier for me while I took care of my wife and son—I'll never forget that"—but is ready to seize the moment with this great opportunity at Country 105.
Aside from listening to him on the morning airwaves—Mike and Miles in the Morning debuts Monday, March 6th and airs 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday—you can also catch Judson regularly at the Gordon Best Theatre where he is a member of the well-known Citiots Improv troupe, at the Theatre on King where he plays Victor Marshall in the popular Crime City series, and in various other theatrical productions.
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Tiny Greens Microgreenery Has Giant Dreams After Winning Free 12-Month Lease Of A Downtown Storefront In Peterborough
/Entrepreneur Tina Bromley of Tiny Greens has won a free 12-month lease of a downtown storefront as well as thousands of dollars in additional prizes after winning the Win This Space competition announced at The Venue Thursday night (February 16th) before a huge crowd.
Tiny Greens plans to create a microgreenery and healthy hub in beautiful downtown Peterborough. Tiny Greens will be a space for healthy or health curious minded people to shop, learn and experience a drink or food made from a downtown urban farm-to-table environment.
It will be a space to sell local ready-grown year-round microgreens, vegetables and herbs, as well as other foods from local farmers in the grocery aisle. Tiny Greens will also include education and workshops as well as sales of supplies and products for growing indoor and vertical gardens.
Tina pictured with her husband, children and father after winning Win This Space
Based out of Tina’s home, Tiny Greens has been in business for two years and has already earned a reputation for having high-quality products for a growing market.
“We’re excited that Tiny Greens is going to open in downtown Peterborough,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA Executive Director. “Tina brings a lot of enthusiasm, determination and a strong business plan. We look forward to working with her as she gets the keys to her new space on April 1st.”
This was Tiny Green's application video to the contest...
HOW WIN THIS SPACE COMPETITION WORKED
After launching the Win This Space competition on October 17th, Win This Space received 41 applications. Eleven judges narrowed it down to 10 finalists on January 19th. The 10 finalists were put through three mandatory workshops on business plans, marketing and financial forecasting. After delivering their business plans and live presentations on February 13th, five finalists—all women—were selected. Out of that Final 5, Tina was chosen as the winner.
Tina giving a gracious acceptance speech at The Venue after being chosen the winner
The Win This Space competition is a new downtown Peterborough initiative in partnership with the DBIA, Peterborough Economic Development, StartUP Peterborough and Community Futures Peterborough. Win This Space concepts have been extremely successful in other Canadian cities with boosting economic development, stimulating new downtown storefront businesses and creating jobs.
Learn more about the winner Tiny Greens by checking out their website here.
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On February 7th, 1996 Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Almost Drowned In The Icy Waters Of The Otonabee River: This Is Her (Miracle) Story
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"No act of bravery should ever be forgotten."
Read More
Here Is A Drummer Rocking Out In Freezing Rain Outside A Tim Hortons In Havelock
/Twenty-one-year-old Marmora-based drummer Dillon Lake likes to rock out in random places—scroll down to see his drum solo over a cliff. His recent choice was a Tim Hortons in Havelock near Peterborough outside in the freezing rain/snow.
Photo courtesy Dillon Lake
"I've been doing videos like this since the summer in crazy/random places and the response has been great to them," Dillon tells PTBOCanada.
"Everyone around loved my Tim Hortons drumming and thought it was so cool. I hope to one day make a living off playing drums. I love to play shows and play in bands so it was an idea to do these drum videos in random spots to get some more exposure and to hopefully find a band looking to tour."
Here is video of him at the Tim Hortons...
Here is Dillon last Fall rocking out on a cliff overlooking Eagle's Nest in Bancroft...
We have no idea where Dillon will play next on his random rock star drumming adventures tour—maybe somewhere in Peterborough?—but well played dude.
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Peterborough Photographer Samantha Moss Is A Local Star On The Rise
/Peterborough-based freelance portrait/product photographer Samantha Moss is a local star on the rise with her growing list of editorial and commercial clients. "This time last year I still felt I hadn’t earned the right to call myself a photographer—I was just a person who liked taking pictures," Moss tells PTBOCanada.
Peterborough's Beau Dixon
But over the past year, much has changed. Her client base and profile in the community has steadily risen.
"I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible local talent and businesses," Moss tells PTBOCanada. "Getting involved and networking with groups such as FastStart, The Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster, and Arthur: Independent Press has opened so many doors for me."
Jill Stavely cover shoot for Arthur News
"Fierce" Promo shoot for charity fashion show for Trent fashion
"I don’t think I can really put to words just how much my Peterborough 'family' has helped me," says Moss, who is often seen covering local events. "I never would have had the courage to start a business or even known where to start without organizations like FastStart!"
"Urban Love"
"Horse Discovery"
Moss will be graduating in Spring from Trent University where she studied Media Studies, and has made roots here since moving here 6 years ago. She has found her calling in photography and photojournalism and plans to grow her business from right here in Peterborough.
Beth, Trent bridge
"There are so many interesting people doing exciting things in Peterborough and I want to help them with my photography," Moss tells PTBOCanada. "I want to give the movers and shakers a chance to tell their story through photos and personalized branding."
Entrepreneur Brooke Hammer
Entrepreneur Lindsay Brock
"Bride Emergency": Product shoot for Walton Wood Farm
For more on Samantha Moss, visit her website and Facebook page.
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A Bunch Of Kids Received Christmas Stuffed Toys From Fitz The Christmas Angel
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Fitz
