Hometown PTBO: Matthew Wilson On Playing In the Special Olympics and DREAMS Gala for Down Syndrome

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Matthew Wilson who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome about his love of Elvis Presley, playing basketball at the Special Olympics and the DREAMS Gala by the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough happening on Nov 18th.

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United Way Launches New Initiative to Support Local Women and Girls

The United Way Peterborough and District launched ‘Women United’ on Wednesday, an initiative that aims to drive social and economic change, break down barriers and improve the lives of women and girls in the community.

Former Peterborough-Kawartha Maryam Monsef (middle) founded ‘ONWARD’, a venture that connects, inspires and empowers female leaders in early July of this year. Photo by Felicia Massey.

They offer mentorship and allyship for women and girls in vulnerable circumstances through financial support and advocacy.

“Women and children in our community are hurting. We saw through the pandemic that single moms, black, Indigenous radicalized folks, those with disabilities, particularly women, were going to be hit hardest,” said Maryam Monsef, Women United founding chair. “Women felt more vulnerable and were more vulnerable and so were their children.”

Members and donor support help the United Way to fund programs through the Culinary Collective and Elizabeth Fry Society.

The United Way says a significant portion of investments goes towards their 20 partner agencies, 14 led by women.

“The pandemic showed us that all that hurt, all that pain and all that suffering, that women’s leadership is key to recovery,” said Monsef. “When women are doing well, the multiple organizations in our community including United Way and other agencies led strongly by women are better off.”

Every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her domestic partner according to statistics presented by the United Way. Emergency housing for these women and their children is often less accessible than housing for men, says Betsy Farrar, United Way manager of community impact.

She notes that the current Point In Time count of those experiencing homelessness proves that women are less likely than men to seek these services.

“The research shows that women avoid co-ed shelters due to past experiences of violence within those settings and locally, there’s just not enough options for women to access emergency shelters,” said Farrar.

Farrar says there are 32 beds designated to men, 32 co-ed beds, and seven women-exclusive beds in local emergency shelters.

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“Darkness To Light” Invites Sunrise Watching For Anyone Impacted By Suicide and Overdose

Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting the second annual ‘Darkness To Light Winter Solstice Gathering’ that invites those impacted by suicide and overdose to Rogers Cove to watch the sunrise on Dec. 21, announced Thursday.

Photo courtesy of GPHSF.

GPHSF encourages those attending to arrive at 7:30 a.m. and join the moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.

“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment,” says Julie Brown, last year’s host.

Brown is returning this year to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.

The rain or shine event is free of charge, though donations to support suicide bereavement work through Hospice Peterborough can be made through GPHSF’s website.

“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement,” says Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “After feedback about how impactful last year’s event was, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community.”

Register online here.

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The Santa Claus Parade in the Village of Warsaw Returns

The Township of Douro-Dummer will host its annual Santa Claus Parade in the Village of Warsaw on Nov. 26 after a 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of the Township of Douro-Dummer.

The parade will depart from the Warsaw Public Works Depot (1402 County Rd 4) at 5:00 p.m., and travel south to the Township Office, go right on Ford Street, right on Peterborough Street, right on Mill Street and left to return to the Public Works Depot.

Following the parade Millennium Park beside the Township Office (894 South St) will have treats, Christmas music, the tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa.

Donations of crocheted or knitted mitts, scarves, toques or small lap blankets are welcome and will be donated to seniors to provide warmth and comfort. Donations can be put in plastic bags and dropped off at the Township Office, or brought to the tree lighting ceremony after the parade. The parade’s theme this year is “Together Again”.

Residents in the village are encouraged to have their Christmas lights up in an effort to light up the night and get into the holiday spirit.

Tickets to win a Gingerbread House can be purchased for $2 each or 3 for $5 and proceeds will be split between St. Joseph Catholic School and Warsaw Public School to support their breakfast programs.

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Ennismore Community Centre Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Community members and Selwyn Township council and staff gathered to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the construction of the Ennismore Community Centre on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Ennismore Community Centre.

Deputy Mayor Sherry Senis, Ennismore Ward Councillor Donna Ballantyne, local historian Paul Crough and community members whose families were instrumental in helping build the centre celebrated the milestone with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

In October 1972, the community of Ennismore came together with the goal of providing indoor recreational space in the area. It was a big community effort, with residents and local businesses donating their time, money, labour and equipment, and the municipality (Township of Ennismore at the time) donated profits from the sale of surplus lands while the province provided a grant towards the project.

Since the original building was constructed, the Community Centre has seen several renovations, each one reinvigorating Ennismore’s community spirit and generosity.

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Local Community Mourns Trent and Fleming Professor who Passed Away

Beloved community-builder, sports fan and Trent University/Fleming College economics professor Dr. Tom Phillips passed away suddenly on Thursday.

Facebook photo.

The Peterborough local grew up in the County attending Queen Mary Public School and Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School (PCVS).

Phillips was heavily involved in his community, always sharing his economic knowledge and lacrosse stories.

He has chaired the board of the Peterborough Art Gallery, the Peterborough Golf and Country Club and the police services board and had been provincially appointed to the Community Access Centre.

Phillips began teaching at Fleming in 1983, as he achieved his Master's degree part-time through York University. He was a professor of economics and the Dean of Business at the school.

“Tom’s dedication to his hometown was epic. He dedicated his life to making it a better place and he did that by being one of the most memorable academics this community has ever produced,” said Raymond Yip Choy, Fleming business professor. “But Tom’s real impact was with people. Not only was he a great teacher, he cared deeply about his students and they knew it.”

“He cared about his colleagues and was always available for support, advice or just a chat. We will miss Tom’s booming laughter and his never-ending stream of jokes,” continued Choy. “Tom Phillips was a giant in our community. I can hear him laughing right now.”

In 1988, he started teaching at Trent. Philips continued to teach on a contract basis in the years leading up to his passing.

“Tom was an integral part of post-secondary education in Peterborough and in Durham. He taught on both our campuses; led the development of our Careerspace; had a long and impressive career at Fleming; and was an active member of the Peterborough community, to which he was deeply committed,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent University president. “I was scheduled to connect with him this term and now regret that we did not do this earlier. Tom will be dearly missed by all of us who knew him.”

A memorial ceremony was soon called for Sunday after Phillips’ passing on Thursday. Family, former students, colleagues, friends and everyone who loved Dr. Phillips gathered to celebrate his life at his favourite bar, Crook and Coffer.

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