Local Leafs Fan Mike Davy, 65, Passes Away From Cardiac Arrest After Returning From First Live Toronto NHL Game

Peterborough’s Mike Davy passed away overnight from cardiac arrest at 65, after coming back from his first live Toronto Leafs Game on Wednesday night.

Davy at his first Leafs game with Toronto winning 3-2 in overtime. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy was diagnosed with ‘global development delay’ that significantly hinders his physical and cognitive development. He also had several heart complications throughout his life, undergoing several surgeries including his heart valves. He was supposed to get x-rays of his heart the following morning.

He spent ten years under social worker Craig Meridith through Fleming College’s Blue Box program. He passed away peacefully overnight on Meridith’s couch after returning home from the Leafs game. Meridith said there weren’t any telltale signs of his death when he stayed overnight.

“He had a cough, like a hack. You didn't really think anything of it because he's had heart surgeries over the year,” explained Meridith.

Davy often would accompany Meridith and his partner to their trailer. Photo courtesy of Craig Meridith.

Davy attended his first Maple Leafs game in Toronto on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Forward Mitch Marner scored the walk-off game-winning goal in overtime for a Maple Leafs 3-2 win.

It was the perfect first and last game for Davy to watch before his passing said Meridith.

“When they announced Mitch's name, his arms went up in the air and he almost jumped out of the wheelchair” he explained. “I had to pin him down so he didn't fall over out of sheer joy.”

Davy had done volunteer work with Trent University with their Blue Box program, Bata Library and bussing tables. He was a Special Olympics athlete in bowling.

“He's funny and outgoing but he also knew how to push your buttons at the same time when he was seeking attention,” said Meridith. “At the end of the day, he was a great guy.” 

Davy was also an avid fan of the Peterborough Petes and Toronto Blue Jays.

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'Blankets for People' Initiative Launched For Anyone Needing It For the Cold Weather; Blanket Donations Can Be Made to Windsor's Drycleaning

The Peterborough County-City Paramedics (PCCP), Fourcast, Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough and Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre have launched the first-ever ‘Blankets for People’ initiative to provide blankets and/or sleeping bags to anyone who needs them announced on Friday.

(from left to right) Kerri Kightley, Fourcast; Craig Jones, Peterborough County City Paramedics commander of operations and Bruce Thompson, Windsor’s Drycleanign Centre co-owner wrapped in a blanket to kick off the inaugural ‘Blankets for People’ initiative. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough City/County residents are encouraged to donate new or used blankets and sleeping bags at Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre to be cleaned and packaged for redistribution. There are already some blankets donated towards the cause prior to the announcement of the initiative.

The cleaned items are shipped to Fourcast’s CTS site at 220 Simcoe St. (beside the Downtown Bus Terminal) to be picked up. Clean blankets or sleeping bags will be given with no questions asked. There are no criteria for anyone to receive a blanket according to Craig Jones, Peterborough County City Paramedics commander of operations.

“There's a no-barrier environment,” said Jones. “If you need a blanket, we will get you one.”

‘Blankets for People’ will run until the cold weather season has finished.

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Havelock Fire and Ice Festival Hosting Hockey Player Brigette Lacquette

The HBMProud Havelock Community Outdoor Rink is set to host the Fire and Ice festival; a free event featuring hockey player Brigette Lacquette on Feb. 11.

Photo courtesy of the Havelock Fire and Ice Festival.

From noon to 7 p.m., the Havelock Fire and Ice festival will have many family-friendly activities to enjoy, including ice carving, fire performers, a petting zoo, fireworks and more.

The festival will feature an appearance by hockey player Brigette Lacquette. Lacquette is the first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada's National Women's Team.

Lacquette first joined the National Women's U18 Team in Aug. 2008, and went on to win silver and gold at the 2009 and 2010 IHF U18 Women's World Championships.

For more information on Havelock’s Fire and Ice festival, visit the rink’s Facebook page.

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City of Peterborough Open Nominations For 2022 Civic Awards

Nominations for the City of Peterborough 2022 Civic Awards are open to recognize and honour local volunteers and achievers in sports, arts and culture who had outstanding achievements in 2022 announced on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

“It’s the people of Peterborough that make our City special,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “If you know someone who had outstanding accomplishments in 2022 through sport or volunteerism in community, culture or environmental stewardship, let’s make sure they get recognized.”

Nominations are open until March 31 at 4:30 p.m. for the following categories:

• Adult Athlete of the Year

• Athletic Award of Merit

• Community Betterment

• Cultural Betterment

• Environmental Stewardship

• Holnbeck Award

• Junior Athlete of the Year

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Mayor's Youth Award

• Senior Athlete of the Year

• Volunteer of the Year

• Youth Volunteer of the Year

Nomination packages are available using the interactive form online and paper copies are available at City Hall, located at 500 George St. N.

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Local Shoppers Drug Mart Campaign Raises Over $10,000 For YWCA Crossroads Shelter

Donations to the 2022 LOVE YOU Giving Shelter campaign by Shoppers Drug Mart raised $10,638 in support of the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for women experiencing gender-based violence announced Wednesday.

file photo.

“We’re thrilled with the success of the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health and would like to thank everyone who participated. Each year, our customers and staff demonstrate their generosity and their commitment to supporting women in our community, and we couldn’t be more proud of everyone’s contributions,” said Shoppers Drug Mart owner (High St., Chemong Road and Lansdowne St. locations) Mohan Joshi. “YWCA Peterborough Haliburton plays a critical role in our area, and the proceeds from this year’s campaign will go a long way to helping them support women who are fleeing abuse.”

This annual campaign is national in scope, yet locally based, with customers and employees donating directly to women’s shelters in the community to ensure that resources and programming are available to meet the needs of women across the country.

“Your generosity fuels YWCA intervention programs that make it possible for women and children to safely escape violence and rebuild their lives. Thank you for helping to ensure that strong, reliable support continues to be available in our community,” said YWCA executive director Kim Dolan.

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Fleming Orientation Welcomes New Students with Winter Skate

Fleming College Sutherland Campus welcomed students for the new January semester, offering on-campus events and information for new and returning students on Thursday.

photo by Samantha Bianco.

On campus, students had the opportunity to attend program orientation sessions, meet faculty and connect with Fleming’s Student Experience team, along with some fun on-campus events.

The day started with a pancake breakfast at the Steele Centre, and a skating rink from Fleming Student Administrative Services was open to all students at the Sutherland Residence Village. Magician and comedian Wes Barker performed for students at the Steele Centre Pub, and free beaver tails were handed out later in the afternoon to the first 150 students.

It may be cold but we are staying warm during Fleming Skates, part of Orientation for @FlemingCollege students. Bundle up and join us at the outdoor skating rink at the Sutherland Residence Village until 5 p.m. today. Skating is available for all Fleming students! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/SFXy16tSIi

— @Fleming_Pres (@Fleming_Pres) January 19, 2023

As of January 2023, Fleming has just over 5,300 students across their three campuses. 

• 1,434 students at the Frost Campus (Lindsay)

• 3,1812 students at the Sutherland Campus (Peterborough)

• 58 students at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (Haliburton)

These numbers also include 1,100 new International students from around the world who came to Fleming this January.

photo by Samantha bianco.

Some of which, Steele Centre manager Whitney Piper mentions, have never seen snow or a skating rink in-person. 

“It’s great to see (students) on the ice, and putting on skates for the first time,” Piper said. “It’s the real Canadian experience for these students who’ve never experienced it.”

For more information on Fleming College campus orientations, visit the website.

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Local Woman Participating in Wounded Warrior Run in British Columbia

Peterborough resident Rebecca Schillemat is participating in the Wounded Warrior One Day Run in Victoria, B.C. on Feb. 5.

photo courtesy of Rebecca Schillemat.

The one day, 58 kilometre run from Sooke to Sidney crosses the northern boarder of Victoria on Vancouver Island. This run is two weeks before the main running event, which is eight days and 600 kilometres from Port Hardy in the north to Victoria at the southern end of Vancouver Island.

The relay-style run is done with a team of military and first responders from Vancouver Island. In 2020, Schillemat participated in the 8-day charity running event to raise awareness of the mental health struggles of military spouses.

The Wounded Warriors Canada run began when Afghanistan veterans felt the need to talk about mental health and make a difference, and this year is the 10th anniversary of the British Columbia run.

Last year the run raised over $165,000 for programs and training to support the mental health of first responders, military and their families. The 2023 Run goal is $250,000.

To donate or learn more about the event, visit the Wounded Warriors website.

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