Peterborough Girl's Video On Raising Awareness For Type 1 Diabetes Has Nearly 27,000+ Facebook Views

Ten-year-old Peterborough girl Tilly Stimpson is hoping to return to Parliament Hill in October for Kids For A Cure Lobby day—they were there in November 2016 for this bi-annual event—to lobby once again for Type 1 Diabetes. Both Tilly and her father Matt have the disease.

As part of her application process for the special day, Tilly had to produce a video which her Dad posted to his Facebook page that has now garnered nearly 27,000 views and counting already (scroll down to watch it below).

Tilly (pictured with her dog, Olive) is making a great impact on raising awareness about living with Type 1 diabetes

"We are thrilled with the reaction the video has received, and even more thrilled with the support of people through their comments on social media," Tilly's mother Joanna tells PTBOCanada. "We’ve been showing Tilly the responses and she is really excited by the number—she checks every day to see the counter go up!"

"Tilly had such a great experience at the last event in 2016, and was was keen to apply again this year. They changed the application process slightly in that she had to produce a 60 second video in addition to the online application and a bio she had to write," Joanna adds.

The family chose an angle about research in the video as this is the part Tilly, who was diagnosed at two and a half, feels is most important. Without research, they won’t find a cure to this very misunderstood disease which is often compared to Type 2 diabetes.

"Lobbying the government for money is not just about funding research, it’s also about making the life saving supplies needed accessible to everyone," Joanna tells PTBOCanada. "Not every province covers the pump and the standard of care differs everywhere (even on a school by school basis). Tilly is about to take part in a clinical trial at Sunnybrook for a new insulin."

The Stimpson family have been advocating for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) since Tilly was first diagnosed, and her school has raised $12,000 and the Stimpson family $32,000 through the generous support of the community.

After Kids for a Cure in October which Tilly hopes to be accepted for again, the family is part of a local chapter hosting a JDRF fundraising event "Cuisine For A Cure" at the Venue on November 9th. More info on that event can be found here.

Watch (and keep) sharing Tilly's powerful video below...

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Watch: Christian Harvey On The Warming Room & One City Program In Downtown Peterborough

In Episode 19 of "PTBOCanada", Warming Room Community Ministries Executive Director Christian Harvey talks about his passion for helping the homeless (the Warming Room is well beyond capacity) and the potential of the new One City program to change people's perceptions about the marginalized and downtown.

Watch the episode below about how we can all work together to break down barriers...

To learn about the Volunteer program at The Warming Room, click here.

Watch other past episodes of "PTBOCanada" here.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Peterborough Police & Riverview Park & Zoo Team Up To Show The Community Love For Boy After Recent Incident

You may recall the recent incident at Riverview Park & Zoo involving a boy named Logan with autism who was visiting the zoo with his family from Belleville when they were verbally accosted by a man that was apparently unhappy with Logan's behaviour.

"We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to this family and want to let them know that they are always more than welcome here at the Park and Zoo," the zoo wrote in a Facebook post, the remainder of the heartfelt entry you can read below...

Well on Monday (June 25th), the zoo showed just how welcoming they are, as they had Logan and his family (pictured below) back to the zoo for a private tour to show them what this community is really about—and how inclusive we are.

Photos of Logan and his family at the zoo courtesy Peterborough Police

Not only that but the Peterborough Police showed up to show their support for Logan...

The @RiverviewZoo did an outstanding job today making Logan & his family feel welcome and included. We were there to show Logan, who has severe autism, that #Ptbo is about inclusion and to raise awareness for @AutismONT https://t.co/tHr8Ntdouy -LG pic.twitter.com/vRP2gjv4WH

— Peterborough Police (@PtboPolice) June 25, 2018

"After we heard this story we wanted to show up to support Logan, his Mom, his sister and his Nana," Peterborough Police said on their Facebook page. "Our community is about inclusion. Everyone has a place. Everyone belongs."

Photos of Logan and his family at the zoo courtesy Peterborough Police

Logan, thanks for giving the zoo and Peterborough another chance.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Manager At McDonald’s Restaurant In Peterborough Wins 2018 Outstanding Manager Of The Year Award

McDonald’s Canada has announced that Tara Andrews, manager of the McDonald’s Restaurant in Peterborough at Lansdowne and The Parkway, has won a 2018 Outstanding Manager of the Year award, an award which recognizes the top performing managers across the country.

Tara has been a Restaurant Manager for 14 years and has been highly awarded in her career: she received an Outstanding Manager of the Year award in 2016, and has won both Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year.

Tara Andrews (photo courtesy McDonald's)

“I am very honoured to receive this award for the second time,” says Andrews. “I love every day of my job and, together with my crew, we’re focused on providing our local and visiting guests with a great dining experience— from hello to goodbye.”

Every year, McDonald's franchisees and regional management nominate restaurant managers across the country for the Outstanding Manager of the Year award to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to McDonald's Canada and its customers.

“Since joining the McDonald’s team, we’ve watched as Tara has applied her strong leadership skills, strategic business acumen and unrivaled work ethic to our business,” says Peterborough's James Campbell, McDonald’s Franchisee. “This award is our way of thanking Tara for her ongoing efforts to grow and improve our engagement with both employees and guests.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Scott Gilbert Is The New Chief Of Peterborough Police Service

The Peterborough Police Services Board has announced the appointment of Scott Gilbert as the ninth Chief of the Peterborough Police Service.

Gilbert, who has spent his career with the Toronto Police Service, will officially take over from retiring Chief Murray Rodd on July 1st. Chief Rodd announced his retirement last fall after 35 years in policing serving as Chief for the last decade.

Scott Gilbert (picture via his Twitter account)

Scott Gilbert started in Toronto as a cadet and rose through the ranks. He served as a Member of the Emergency Task Force, held various positions in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and was an Inspector in Prosecution Services and Superintendent of various divisions.

He was also elected as the President of the Toronto Senior Officers Association for two years and was a Director with the provincial Association. He is a graduate of Humber College and Guelph-Humber University.

Welcome to Peterborough Scott!

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Peterborough Petes Name Rob Wilson New Head Coach

Peterborough Petes alumnus and accomplished professional hockey player and coach Rob Wilson has been named the 23rd Head Coach in team history.

Wilson served as Head Coach of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga’s (DEL) Nuremberg Ice Tigers for the past three seasons, compiling a record of 97-43-0-8 in the German premiere league over that span.

“After conducting a thorough review and selection process through which a number of highly qualified candidates were considered, I’m very excited to announce Rob as our new Head Coach,” says General Manager Mike Oke. “Rob brings a strong knowledge of the game, utilizing current systems and strategies to prepare his players for various game situations."

Rob Wilson (Photo via Nuremberg Ice Tigers website)

Wilson played for the Petes during the 1988-89 season after being acquired from the Sudbury Wolves. He helped the team win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions that season before embarking on a pro playing career that included stops in various North American and European leagues.

“I felt that the opportunity to join the Petes would allow me to have a strong, positive impact on the organization, and particularly on the players,” says Coach Wilson. “As a coach I’m hard but fair. Players will feel intensity through my leadership.”

Wilson has maintained strong connections with the Peterborough area through his career. His daughters Jessica and Lynsay live and attend school in Peterborough, and he owns a cottage on Chemong Lake. His fiancée, Heidi, and her son, Max, will relocate to the area this summer.

The Petes are coming off their 2nd highest attendance in team history and are now hoping to put a winning product on the ice for the fans.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Field Of Dreams: New Plaque In Memory Of Local Baseball Legend Bill (Mr. Slo-Pitch) Bowers To Be Unveiled

The City of Peterborough, Slo-pitch National and members of the Peterborough Slo-pitch Association have announced the official dedication of a new plaque in memory of Bill Bowers in Bowers Park.
 
The unveiling of the plaque in his honour will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday (May 2nd) with speakers from the City of Peterborough, Slo-Pitch National and teammates from the two leagues that Bill played in (who will play after the dedication).

Recognized as “Mr. Slo-Pitch”, Bill organized the first league in Peterborough in 1976.

From this humble start, he single-handedly grew the sport in this area. He coordinated the 1980 Summer Games, the 1989 Co-Ed Provincial Championships and the 1996 National Slo-Pitch championships, all held in Peterborough.

In 1997, Bill was named “Sports Personality of the Year” and “Peterborough Tourism Ambassador of the Year”. 

He also served as President of the Peterborough Slo-Pitch Association and Coordinator with Slo-Pitch National for 27 years. The ball diamonds on Brealey Drive were officially re-named Bowers Park in 1996.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Iconic East City Staple Sullivan's Pharmacy Announces Ownership Change

Jason Hinton is the new sole owner of the iconic East City business Sullivan’s Pharmacy after his former business partner, Doug Shier, has decided to sell his ownership in the business.

“Sullivan’s continues to deliver the same professional, high-quality service that has made it an iconic East City business,” Hinton says. “I’m extremely pleased to carry on the tradition of this family-owned, independent business that was built by the Sullivan family.”

Jason Hinton

Hinton and Shier purchased the business in 2014, but Shier (who had been a pharamacist there for 32 years) has been absent from Sullivan’s since he decided to take a leave of absence for personal matters in February 2016. When Shier decided he wouldn’t be returning to the business, he offered to sell his share of the business to Hinton.

Prior to joining Sullivan’s Pharmacy as a pharmacist in 2013, Hinton had previously owned and operated Shoppers Drug Mart franchises downtown and at Mapleridge Plaza in Peterborough.

“Doug was a cornerstone of Sullivan’s for many years,” Hinton adds. “He worked closely with the Sullivans and helped guide the transition to the new ownership of the business. I respect his decision to step away from the business to focus on his personal matters. I would like to thank Doug for all his contributions to Sullivan’s and I wish him all the best.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.

Petes Honour Former Usher Fonz In Beautiful Gesture On Final Game Of Season

Ushers are the unsung heroes at sports arenas, smiling and always lending a helping hand to people trying to find their seats, concession stands, the nearest bathroom.

Which makes the Peterborough Petes touching gesture to usher/doorman Alphonse "Fonzie" Levasseur all the more special. Levasseur, who was part of the Memorial Centre family for over 60 years—the longest worker at the rink—passed away this week and the Petes paid tribute to him on their final game of the season Saturday night (March 17th) by placing his familiar chair (and flowers) outside the referees' dressing room where he was stationed for years.

Fonz's chair was near the Petes Office as well, so the Petes staff was very familiar with him. "Fonzie was one of several staples at the Memorial Centre—especially for the Petes, City and OHL staff members that would pass by him countless times on those hectic game nights," Matt D'Agostini, Senior Coordinator, Group Ticket Sales and Service with the Peterborough Petes, tells PTBOCanada.

"He had his seat parked just outside the ref's room that he eyed for as long as I had been working there, and would be extremely personable and welcoming with every person he came into contact with. After beginning to know him on a more personal basis, I made it part of my game day routine to ensure that he was one of the first guy's greeted before the night's events began to pick up."

The Petes tweeted out about the Fonz during last night's game...

Tonight we honour several friends of the team who we lost over the course of the season, including PMC Usher Alphonse Levasseur, who was with the PMC since it opened in 1956.

Fonz’s chair sits (almost) empty tonight. #ptbo #gopetesgo pic.twitter.com/O8AoqDNubr

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) March 18, 2018

Ever meet Alphonse? Have pictures of him? Share your recollections on our Facebook post.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here. Watch our PTBOCanada Love video here.