Jacob Rodenburg From Camp Kawartha... You Rock!

Jacob Rodenburg

Each month, PTBOCanada awards someone that is making a difference locally that you nominate. This month, Jim Moloney from the Riverview Park and Zoo gave a glowing shout-out to Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha (Environment Centre is at 2505 Pioneer Road in Peterborough and Camp Kawartha’s main site is at 1010 Birchview Road in Douro-Dummer).

Here’s what Jim had to say about Jacob…

“Jacob is the Executive Director of Camp Kawartha and a champion of environmental stewardship in our community. In addition to his inspired leadership at Camp Kawartha, he is the visionary and driving force behind the Pathway to Stewardship & Kinship project.

This is an incredible initiative to develop a community-based strategy intended to foster environmental stewardship in our youth. The project brought together representatives from both school boards and numerous other local conservation and educational organizations to brainstorm, research, and develop a community-wide, cooperative, and coordinated program of environmental education. The project has made great progress with a fully developed educational framework having been developed, with more than 40 local classes participating in pilot sessions, and dozens of local organizations and individuals providing support for the pilot. This project is just "freeking" amazing!”

— Jim Moloney

Know of an unsung hero who is makng a difference here in Peterborough? Nominate them for a “You Rock” award and they might receive a handmade token of their awesomeness!

—post and photo by Evan Holt

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OHL And AAA Petes To Honour Steve Richey For Contributions To Local Hockey

The OHL Peterborough Petes and Peterborough Minor Hockey Council “AAA” Petes have announced they will honour late scout, coach and mentor Steve Richey, who passed away on April 13th at age 54 as the result of a heart attack.

To honour their former scout, the OHL Petes have renamed their Education Fund Scholarship/Bursary Award after Steve. The award is given annually to a graduating PMHC player.

“Steve was a wonderful and valued part of our scouting staff for numerous years,” says Petes General Manager Mike Oke. “He was highly regarded in and made invaluable contributions to the Peterborough hockey community, and as such, we’re honoured to recognize him by renaming this award.”

Steve Richey

Steve gave back tirelessly to the sports community throughout his life, acting as a coach and mentor to many. In addition, The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council “AAA” Petes will honour Steve by re-naming their annual Midget tournament the Steve Richey Tournament of Champions.

“Every January for the past 12 years, the PMHC has hosted some of the top minor and major Midget teams, featuring players who are eligible for the OHL Priority Selection, that come to showcase their talent and skills for scouts,” says PMHC President and Petes alumnus Mike Martone. “We feel, as an organization, that it’s only fitting to rename our tournament in honour of Steve, who played his minor hockey in Peterborough, played in the OHL, and scouted for the Petes.”

The 2019 Steve Richey Tournament of Champions take place January 17th to 20th, 2019. For more information, click here.

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How A Peterborough Woman With A Prosthetic Got Her Fitting Paddle

Peterborough’s Rachel Quilty was born with a partial left arm and has lived with a prosthetic for most of her life. The 19-year-old, who is affiliated with War Amps, had always wanted to become a camp counsellor at Camp Oconto—an all-girls camp where she had spent many years as a camper.

With her prosthetic, she wasn’t able to complete level D instruction with a traditional paddle which she’d need to teach canoeing as a counsellor. After seeking advice from fellow camp counsellors and getting the word out, The Canoe Museum writes in a blog post how volunteers, retail business and organizations came together to make a paddle that worked for her.

Photo of Rachel with her fitted paddle courtesy Canoe Museum

THE ORIGINAL PROTOTYPES

“Wild Rock Outfitters donated a used paddle for the first prototype, in which a hole was added to accommodate the hook at the end of her prosthetic arm,” the Canoe Museum writes. More than 10 design prototypes were made over the next year to fit with Rachel’s prosthetic.

When Five Counties Children’s Centre asked Wild Rock if there was anyone they could recommend as this project evolved to find her the perfect fitting paddle, they suggested the Canadian Canoe Museum and that’s where volunteer Rick Schuett became involved.

Rachel and Rick at Canoe Museum

Rick, who has been creating custom canoe paddles for three decades, carves paddles on the second floor in the artisan exhibit area on Fridays. Rick’s first paddle for Rachel worked well, with its middle connector on the shaft for movement, but over time the constant pressure eventually broke it apart and the metal hook from her prosthetic wore down the wood on the paddle’s grip.

For the second paddle, the Canoe Museum says that “Rick re-designed the middle connector pieces with stronger materials that enabled the lower portion of the paddle to be mobile for more ease and control. In addition, he added a piece of metal to the paddle’s grip to prevent wear and tear from the hook.”

Photo courtesy Canoe Museum

HOW RACHEL USES THE PADDLE

-> Rachel puts the hook from her prosthetic arm through the hole in the grip and uses her right arm to move the bottom of the paddle.

-> The notch in the middle acts as the wrist she doesn’t have on her left hand and then she’s able to maneuver the paddle to perform various strokes.

With Rick’s expertise and dedication, he has given Rachel the means to accomplish her goals. The Canoe Museum says that in addition to becoming a camp counsellor, Rachel is working as a certified lifeguard and swim instructor at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre where she also uses the specialized paddle to teach swimming.

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A Trent University Nursing Student Is Trent Judo Club's First Female Black Belt

Trent University nursing student Sarah Miller has earned a tremendous honour, becoming Trent Judo Club’s first female black belt. The promotion was made by Sensei Tom Hino and the Trent Judo Club to Sarah, along with the assistance of Sensei Paul Teleki as her Uke partner, at Trent Athletics Centre on Monday (December 10th) evening.

Sarah Miller: “This black belt promotion is truly an honour.”

“This black belt promotion is truly an honour,” says Sarah. “I began Judo at three years old. I was taught discipline, courage, modesty and respect for my fellow Judoka. I learned very quickly that it’s not easy to win, and losing is sometimes harder. Competing at the Canadian Nationals was truly an honour and taking home the bronze medal was great but this milestone allowed me to remember why I love this sport so much. Judo is a part of my life and not a day goes by that I don’t remember what this great sport has taught me.”

Left to right: Eric Guy, Paul Teleki, Sarah Miller & Tom Hino

Sensei Tom Hino says Sarah’s promotion is significant for the following three reasons:

“1. The ratio of men and women is often one sided in Judo, therefore Sarah's black belt promotes positive role modeling for the girls in our Junior classes to be equals among genders.
2. Since the opening of our club in January 2011, we produced 5 Shodan (1st degree) black belt and 1 Ni-dan and Sarah’s accomplishment is a perfect addition to the team.

Sarah holding her Uke partner Paul

3. Sarah is a Trent U student with a heavy workload. Nevertheless she accomplished this feat which indicates Judo training can go hand-in-hand with academic success for all levels of study (from elementary to Ph.D.). Last year, we had a Master Degree student who got Ph.D. as well as his black belt and went on to become a professor at Queens.”

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Former PCVS Student's Documentary "Youth Unstoppable" To Headline Peterborough ReFrame Film Festival

Youth Unstoppable, a documentary film made by former PCVS student Slater Jewell-Kemker made to amplify youth voices against climate change, will be the opening night film headlining Peterborough’s ReFrame Film Festival at Showplace on Thursday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Jewell-Kemker say that climate change is “actually this incredible opportunity to change everything for the better.” It was while still a student at PCVS that she began her work as a filmmaker-activist chronicling the global youth movement, and most of her early work was made right here in Peterborough.

Slater Jewell-Kemker filming her documentary

Slater moved to the area from Los Angeles when she was 10 years old. “I love this area,” she says. “One of my very first short films, Peace Begins, screened at the ReFrame Film Festival, around the time I started this documentary. It always kind of stuck in my mind, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to come back here when I’m done with this film, to come back to my home area where I can bring my friends and have them see what I’ve been doing for the past ten years?’”

“Slater’s story shows us a way forward in a global crisis that often seems impenetrable, and I know it will foster critical discussion, action, and change amongst all who see it,” says ReFrame Creative Director Amy Siegel.

Scene from her documentary

ReFrame, celebrating its 15th anniversary, will showcase over 60 documentary films at downtown locations—including ten by local filmmakers. ReFrame runs January 24th-27th, 2019.

For more information on the ReFrame lineup and tickets, click here.

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Watch: Our "We Are PTBO" In Conversation With Reptile Enthusiast Jordan Leal From House Of Scales

PTBOCanada.com in collaboration with our spinoff agency StudioPTBO have launched a new Docu-Series called "We Are PTBO". The series spotlights ordinary citizens in the community who help make this city extraordinary.

Jordan Leal at House of Scales

The series is produced by Rob "Electric City" James from StudioPTBO. In this show, we chat with local business owner and reptile enthusiast, Jordan Leal, about all things community and reptilian.

Watch the episode below…

-> Watch the first episode here in conversation with Amino Yusuf.

-> Watch the second episode here in conversation with Wayne Ferguson.

Know someone that you think should be spotlighted in the series? Email Rob 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.

Trent University Student Among 100 Rhodes Scholars Selected Worldwide

Trent University international student Joshua (Yee Aung) Low has been selected as a 2019 Oxford University Rhodes Scholar—the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship award in the world.

A 4th-year International Development Studies (IDS) and International Political Economy student, Low attributes part of his success as a recipient of the coveted scholarship to the personalized learning environment at Trent, the academic rigour of the IDS program, and the incredible support and mentorship from his professors and the Trent International team.

“At Trent, professors care about you both personally and intellectually,” says Low. “Studying International Development, I have loved the intellectual challenge and the tight-knit community of the program. Starting with Trent International as soon as I arrived from Malaysia and continuing through the last four years, my time at Trent has been very meaningful for me and full of many key experiences and cherished friendships.”

Joshua Low

Low has a strong interest in forced migration issues, human rights theory and practice, and citizenship theory that was fostered through his experiences at Trent.

“One of the first things that strikes one about Joshua is his genuine intellectual curiosity—this is about ideas, but also much more,” says Dr. Chris Beyers, professor of International Development Studies at Trent. “He continually seeks insight into how people think and act, in social, economic and political contexts, as well as in everyday life.”

Low applied for the esteemed Rhodes Scholarship in hopes of continuing his intellectual journey at the University of Oxford in the Refugee and Forced Migration Studies master’s program where he is looking forward to “living and loving the questions.” Trent International supported his application and helped fund his more than 20-hour journey back home to Malaysia where he completed his final interview before being named the successful applicant in November.

Low—who will graduate from Trent this spring—is the fifth Trent student to be named a Rhodes Scholar. Previous recipients include: Shelagh Scarth ‘74 (Canadian Studies and History), Jim Retallack ‘74 (History), Alison Van Rooy ’86 (Politics & International Development Studies), and Kai Alderson ‘90 (Philosophy).

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Watch Episode 32 Of PTBOCanada With Mayor-Elect Diane Therrien

On Episode 32, we talk to mayor-elect Diane Therrien about her backstory, how she came to Peterborough, her passion for community, and her vision for the city moving forward.

Watch the episode 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: Our "We Are PTBO" In Conversation With Wayne Ferguson At Black Honey Cafe

PTBOCanada.com in collaboration with our spinoff agency StudioPTBO have launched a new Docu-Series called "We Are PTBO". The series spotlights ordinary citizens in the community who help make this city extraordinary.

Wayne Ferguson

The series is produced by Rob "Electric City" James from StudioPTBO. In this show, we chat with photographer Wayne Ferguson at Black Honey Cafe on Hunter Street about all things Peterborough and community, including art/murals, affordable housing and men’s mental health.

Watch the episode below…

Watch the first episode here in conversation with Amino Yusuf.

Know someone that you think should be spotlighted in the series? Email Rob 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.

Wimpy's Diner... You Rock!

Sam & Bonnie, Owners of Wimpy’s Diner Peterborough

Each month, PTBOCanada will award someone that is making a difference locally that you nominate. This month, Chad Buchner from Small Change PTBO gave a glowing shoutout to Sam, Bonnie and Tas Shamsuz—the owners of Wimpy’s Diner (1080 Lansdowne Street West).

Here’s what Chad had to say about them…

“These people have supported this community for the past two years by serving people free Thanksgiving meals for those who need a small change. Recently, we served over 350 meals and this family welcomed everyone into their restaurant just like it was their home.

Being the Vice President of Small Change Peterborough, I have come to see many amazing people in our community with big hearts but these people do not get the credit they truly deserve.”

— Chad Buchner

Know of an unsung hero who has made a difference here in Peterborough? Nominate them for a “You Rock” award and they might receive a handmade token of their awesomeness!

—post and photo by Evan Holt

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.