Each honouree of the Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District has made a distinct contribution to the area’s arts and humanities heritage. As outlined on our ‘Nominations’ page, the first step in the journey to becoming a Pathway honouree is the submission of a formal nomination by a member of the community, which is then scrutinized by a neutral Selections Committee.
It remains, truly a humbling experience for every individual to whom is bestowed the lasting tribute to their contributions, and recognition of their talent in becoming a Pathway of Fame honouree.
You can find individual Pathway of Fame honourees by doing a simple search of their name using the search bar in the upper-right sector of the page (just look for the magnifying glass). You can also glean a ready snapshot of all inductees in any given year, by clicking on the button that corresponds to the year in which you are interested.
-
Elva Chamberlain
Cultural Betterment
-
Hal MacFarlane (1912 – 2012)
Entertainment/Musical -
Bea Quarrie
Dramatic Arts -
William Wright
Entertainment/Musical
-
Wellington E. “Wimpy” Borland
Cultural Betterment -
Don Parnell
Cultural/Community Betterment -
Doreen Landry (1922 – 2020)
Samaritan -
Jack Blakely
Cultural Betterment -
John Gilbert Jones
Literary -
The Weber Brothers
Entertainment/Musical -
Ken DesChamp
Entertainment/Musical -
Colleen Peterson (1950-1996)
-
Ada Lee
Entertainment/Musical -
Reg Benoit
Entertainment/Musical -
Red Moncrief (1894 – 1952)
Entertainment/Musical
-
Ray Hutchinson (1940 – 2021)
Entertainment/Musical -
Drew Hayden Taylor
Literary -
Jenny and Cyril Carter
Community Betterment -
Jack Bailey
Entertainment/Musical
-
Linda Kash
Dramatic Arts -
Peer Christensen
Visual Arts -
Bruce Knapp
Literary -
Pansy Forbes
Cultural Betterment -
Jack Byers
Samaritan
-
David and Patricia Morton
Community Builder -
Chief Elsie Knott (1922 – 1995)
Cultural Betterment -
Ed Schroeter
DramatiDc Arts
-
Su Ditta
Cultural Betterment -
Ann Douglas
Literary -
Dr. John Parker
Samaritan
Elva Chamberlain
Cultural Betterment
Her life is marked by tireless commitment to community service.
Elva Chamberlain’s philosophy seemed to be that making a difference didn’t have to involve ingenious or revolutionary ideas, but it did have to involve a steady, and cherished desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
The connection between music and community service seems a recurring theme in Peterborough. Elva began playing music by ear at an early age. Over the years, she volunteered her musical talents to entertain at long-term care facilities and retirement residences throughout the area, as well as church functions and other gatherings. Her schedule often included at least four performances per week.
What’s more, Elva’s love of sports and her accounting background made her a natural executive for such groups as bowling leagues, the Peterborough Curling Club and the Lawn Bowling Club. She also found time to work with the Royal Canadian Legion and the Air Force Association – also volunteering for Meals On Wheels. As more and more became aware of her special dedication to community, recognition began to come. Elva was awarded a Canada 125th Anniversary Confederation Commemorative Medal, the Gordon Holnbeck Award For Volunteer Service, a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship, and the County of Peterborough Award for Volunteerism.
Hal MacFarlane (1912 – 2012)
Entertainment/Musical
When big bands and their music ruled, none seemed bigger or more lasting than Hal MacFarlane’s Orchestra, usually boasting 14 musicians.
In Peterborough and surrounding area there was one band commanding large followings and enjoyed by hundreds of fox-trotting, ballroom dancing fans; the Hal MacFarlane Orchestra.
As a youngster, Hal aspired to be a theatre pianist. He added saxophone and developed a great reputation as a music teacher. Hal MacFarlane inspired more than a generation of musical aficionados. His Orchestra was one of the largest in the area in 1940’s through to the 1960’s.
The Hal MacFarlane Orchestra was, for years the resident band at the Brock Ballroom on Saturday nights, where they developed novel ways to protect their instruments from the hockey-rink ice. During war years, the band played for army recruitment shows, and at the Peterborough Exhibition. The band was in demand for proms and high school formals until the 1960’s, when many young dance bands emerged.
Hal MacFarlane, a two-time president of the local musicians’ union, was also organist for the Peterborough Petes hockey team. His music, and our memories will never end. Nor will we forget the good times.
Bea Quarrie
Dramatic Arts
Confirmation of any kind is a less-than-desirable state, in which to exist. Bea Quarrie remains an example of a life spent championing the transformative power of what arts can achieve. Bea is involved in all aspects of the arts, experiencing everything the world of drama offers in its many facets.
Bea’s theatrical experience extends a resume of over 150 productions as actor, director and producer; an award -winning director whose productions represented Canada at international festivals in Japan, Germany, Ciruba, Venezuela, and in her homeland. For years, her expert theatre reviews appeared in The Peterborough Examiner.
Bea Quarrie found time to teach dramatic and visual arts at Lakefield College School. Her expertise is acknowledged far beyond Peterborough but, thankfully, this community is beneficiary of her unique artistic vision.
- photo courtesy of Lance Anderson, MyKawartha.com
William Wright
Entertainment/Musical
When discussing the talents of certain musicians, a phrase is often heard: “It’s in his blood.” That’s certainly very true of inductee William Wright.
Bill started on the drums at age ten and was soon performing in clubs long before he was old enough to partake of the ‘refreshments’ those clubs offered…
Bill’s first taste of the road came when he joined the band of ‘rock’n roll’ star Ray Smith, touring Canada and the U.S. He later played Las Vegas with Canadian pop legend, Bobby Curtola. Locally, Bill gained acclaim performing with such luminaries as Dino And The Capris, the Brian Browne Trio and Stu McCue & Wildwind.
In 1964, Bill opened Wright’s Music on George Street, which became a centre for Peterborough’s musical life. Bill taught many aspiring musicians, and his shop housed the local Academy of Music and the Musicians Union with which Bill was very active.
As performer, teacher, union supporter and businessman, there’s no doubt music remained a foundation, flowing through the veins of Bill Wright.
Wellington E. “Wimpy” Borland
Cultural Betterment
The origin of the Nickname “Wimpy” for his proper name of Wellington can be a story of legend.
As a young man and softball player, it was Wellington Borland’s penchant and habit to have a hamburger on the way home – a ritual so often repeated that he was dubbed ‘Wimpy’ after the cartoon character in the then-popular Popeye comic strip. True or not – it does make for a good story, and also serves to dispel any notion that Wellington could have got it for any other reason – as a ‘wimp’ he certainly is not.
Wellington E. (Wimpy) Borland is a super citizen and volunteer – the kind of dedicated person with few equals. Peterborough is the better for his service, and involvement.
Duly honoured as the 2003 Citizen of the Year should well signify the high regard in which Wimpy is held. And for so many good reasons – from coaching Mark Street Church hockey and ball teams; immersed in the organizational areas of the Scouting and Girl Guide movements: the St. James Players Theatre Company: Peterborough’s Snofest : St. James breakfast program, and so and many more.
In the words of Pathway Literary Honouree (2010) Ed Arnold, “The man is amazing. He’s one of these guys who, upon reading all the things he has done, makes you wonder what you have been doing! But the best thing about him is – he always seems happy. “
The Pathway of Fame is happy to welcome Wimpy Borland – Honouree 2015.
Don Parnell
Cultural/Community Betterment
The fact that Peterborough has been, and remains, a relatively safe city to live, work and play can’t be denied. For those who believe that status is simply a matter of good luck, Don Parnell reminds us that rolling up one’s sleeves and getting the job done plays a very important role in our collective well-being.
A proud auxiliary member of the Peterborough Police Service for close to 15 years, Don has volunteered an average of 320 hours annually for a variety of supplemental law enforcement tasks, the past nine years as a lead team member of the service’s Home Guard doing, among other things, inspections of break-ins and incidences of domestic violence as well as assisting with missing person searches, door-to-door canvassing and traffic control.
As a full-time member of the Pedal For Hope support team, Don has gifted his time to the annual police-led fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and support dollars. A Commanding Officer’s Certificate of Appreciation awarded him by the RCMP is a testament to his dedication to Pedal For Hope and its mission. In addition, over the past nine years, Don has assisted in a big way with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, both locally and in other Ontario jurisdictions where he has assisted other police services with the staging of their special events.
A Kenner Hall of Honour inductee – a distinction he shares with his wife Lesley – Don has been a member of the board for the Kenner Foundation since 2009, serving as its chair for past six years. As such he has been very involved in the organization of fundraising events for the foundation.
Since 1989, Don has played a major role in the staging of the annual Victoria Day fireworks presentation over Little Lake as the lead pyrotechnician, has served as coach and trainer for numerous local hockey and soccer teams, and has been involved with the Food For Kids program.
A recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for Community Betterment, Don has received two City of Peterborough Civic Awards for his long service.
Doreen Landry (1922 – 2020)
Samaritan
Doreen Landry, aged 90 upon her induction into the Pathway of Fame, was an active Peterboronian since her youth.
She volunteered at Peterborough’s hospital, now called the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, for 52 years. There, she was active in the hospital gift shop for 20 years, was president of the hospital auxiliary, and led the Baby Bootie Brigade, which provided booties for babies born in the hospital. Doreen was an active volunteer with St. John’s Anglican Church, the Progress Wives Club in the 1970’s and the Quota Club in the 1980’s and 1990’s. She balanced a working career, motherhood and outstanding work as a community volunteer, serving as a role model to her family, and others.
Doreen was pre-deceased by her husband Doug Landry, himself a Pathway of Fame inductee
Jack Blakely
Cultural Betterment
“I have this idea…”
How often have we heard someone say this? Truth be known, ideas are a dime a dozen. A rare jewel is the individual with vision, fortitude and perhaps insanity to turn an idea into reality. Jack Blakely had a dream of starting a Country Music jamboree. He did such a good job of turning the idea into reality that, in the Country Music of today, the road to international stardom runs right through Havelock.
Jack had always been a respected businessman and energetic community supporter. His work with the Havelock Lions Club and numerous local fundraising projects always meant a great deal to the community. In the late ’1980’s, he began articulating the idea of a music jamboree, and proceeded to set the wheels in motion.
The early years were a learning experience – lots of trial-and-error and no small measure of risk-taking. But Jack closed his ears to naysayers and lukewarm supporters and held fast to his dream, and true enough Jack Blakely’s Havelock Jamboree became a monumental success.
It has since become one of the ‘go-to’ events in Country Music for both fans and performers around North America.
The spinoff is tremendous. With thousands of fans arriving each August, the Jamboree has become a major tourism event, providing a boon to Kawartha businesses and, in Jack’s insistence, benefiting many local service clubs and charities.
Making a dream into a reality is no easy task. There’s the big picture and, of course those nagging little things called ‘details.’ Jack Blakely has proven that concentrating on the positive and believing in the dream, is the road to achievement.
- Photo courtesy Havelock Lions Club
John Gilbert Jones
Literary
Modern communications can often be a mysterious blend of words, ideas and technical hardware. John Gilbert Jones began his life as a television technician and HAM radio enthusiast. That was the ‘medium’ side of the ‘message.’ The ‘message’ side would come later.
Composing stories and a passion for narrative started as a youthful and personal pastime. Then in the 1960’s, John decided to pursue his dream of becoming a storyteller. Honing his craft as he went, John produced his acclaimed ‘Swamp Cedar Stories.’ He also undertook a daunting, but fulfilling project: updating and revising Hillier Williamson’s acclaimed history of Omemee. The book was originally published in 1968. John’s update was a popular success, rekindling enthusiasm for local history. The book became a turning point in helping to revitalize Omemee and District Historical Society.
John’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. For his work, he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the Ontario Heritage Foundation.
An integral aspect of communication and writing, is to assist other aspiring and established communicators. To that end, John was an energetic influence on the Kawartha Lakes Writers Association as well as writing groups in Keene and Peterborough. He was also an ardent supporter of the Historical Society’s annual Book Fair.
For a natural storyteller, the life of each human being, and of each community, represent stories that ache to be told, and shared. The Kawartha region was lucky to possess such a passionate storyteller, as John Gilbert Jones.
Mr. Jones died in 2015, at the age of 81.
The Weber Brothers
Entertainment/Musical
In a city with such a rich musical heritage, it takes exceptional talent and dedication to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Bobby Watson, Colleen Peterson or Buzz Thompson.
Ryan, and his brother Sam Weber arrived in Peterborough from their native Maryland in 2000, young and confident. With the goal of meeting the late Ronnie Hawkins, our inductees did just that – undertaking chores at his Stoney Lake property for the privilege of learning all they could absorb about the music business, stage performance and songwriting from the then-living legend. Ryan and Sam proved to be good students, soon striking out on their own as The Weber Brothers, and never looking back.
With 14 studio albums to their credit, their catalogue of original music is staggering – and still growing. They’ve performed on pub and event stages throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas as well as across Canada, the United States and Europe. In 2016, with filmmaker Rob Viscardis, they released the documentary Before We Arrive: The Story of the Weber Brothers, providing insight into the struggles that professional musicians routinely face.
In 2019, Ryan and Sam Weber launched their own production company as an extension of something they’ve done since day one – showcase, and promote the talents of up-and-coming musicians.
For all their success The Weber Brothers have rarely, if ever said “no” to helping any cause that comes knocking. They have headlined numerous fundraisers and benefits, never once mailing in their performance. When their mentor, Ronnie Hawkins called on them to accompany himself, Kris Kristofferson, Gordon Lightfoot and Willie Nelson on a re-recording of Me And Bobby McGee, our inductees were quick to help the man who helped them, all those years ago.
As was the case for musicians near and distant, the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to performing live. However, Sam Weber’s vision, Weber Brothers Productions, further evolved during that time in the form of a recording studio, allowing the brothers’ to share their musical knowledge and acumen – again, not unlike Hawkins did for them.
Recognized and respected by their peers, accolades have come their way, including three Wire Awards honouring their contributions to Peterborough’s vibrant live music scene. But at the end of the day, the Maryland natives’ all-in support of their adopted home (the Land of Dreams, about which Ryan Weber often refers), and in particular their fellow musicians – continues to set The Weber Brothers apart.
Ken DesChamp
Entertainment/Musical
Ken DesChamp blended his passions for music and teaching to great effect.
He began playing the guitar at age 9, and as a teen performed at the Arts and Water Festival (the forerunner to Musicfest) and taught songs at a children’s day camp. He played bass for three years in ‘Jawbone,’ Jersey Joe Henderson’s band, and then with Barry Haggerty and Terry Finn formed the band, ‘Parnell,’ which played across Ontario and the Maritimes. They released three singles which garnered air time on Canadian radio.
Ken remained active in bands during his university years which led to a BA from Guelph and a B. Mus. (Hons.) from Queen’s. While a music teacher in Elliott Lake he participated in a long distance collaboration with St. Peter’s Secondary School in Peterborough; the students created a dance drama which played at the school and in the Sears Drama Festival, when DesChamp won an award for music composition.
He taught at Crestwood Secondary School from 1990 through 2014, and was Head of the Music Department for twenty years. During his years at Crestwood, he directed wood ensembles, concert bands, stage bands and choirs – and working with Rob Steinman produced several musical productions.
Since 1990, he continued to be highly regarded and active on Peterborough’s music scene. One observer noted that he had ‘the singing voice of an angel.’ In the 2013 Peterborough Wire Awards, for example, he was named Bassist of the Year and his band, ‘The Cadillacs,’ for which he was the vocalist and bassist, was considered the best cover band.
The Cadillacs still perform to this day.
Colleen Peterson (1950-1996)
Peterborough born, country music singer/songwriter, Colleen Peterson had one of the purest voices ever recorded in Canadian history. She was a two time Juno winner, and her songs were featured constantly on country radio in Canada.
CBC supported her career as well.
During Colleen’s colorful career she recorded three albums with Capitol Records Canada. Sadly, these recordings are no longer available as the albums are no longer a part pf Capitol’s active catalogue. Many of these songs can be found on Colleen’s My Space page, and this is the only known site to archive these great songs.
She also recorded her own CD in the early 1990’s called “What Comes Around Goes Around,” but here again this work is no longer available. Peterson released one album for the indie company, Bookshop.
Colleen also recorded three albums as a part of Quartette during the early 1990’s and remain available through the Quartette website.
The final recording of Colleen’s work, “Postcards From California,” was released posthumously in 2004 and is available through CD Baby.
Colleen Peterson is buried at Little Lake Cemetery.
Ada Lee
Entertainment/Musical
- Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner
Reg Benoit
Entertainment/Musical
There’s a story familiar to Canadians, that of a young leaving Newfoundland to seek a better life in Ontario and beyond. Some abandon their roots. Special ones fight to keep the essence of their small, tight-knit birth places in their souls. Reg Benoit came to Ontario to build a future in music, but he never forgot the intrinsic value of individual human beings he learned about in Stephenville.
Typical of many musicians, Reg created a steady, if unspectacular career. He did well enough to garner acclaim, although not enough to quit his day job.
Then, in 1998, Reg’s world came to an abrupt halt. A serious spinal cord injury sustained at his day job forced him to pursue music fulltime and fine-tune his passion for life, and people. The unexpected tragedy became a new direction in service to others through music, and a deeper understanding of how life will work out. He’s performed tirelessly entertaining seniors, the sick, and in aid of notable lists of fundraising projects, large and small, public and personal. His music benefited St. John’s Children’s Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. He devoted time and energy to native groups and, when Canada’s last surviving Father of Confederation, Joey Smallwood, ran into financial difficulties writing his History of Newfoundland, Reg was there to help.
Along the way, Reg became a pastor in order to touch people in the darker corners where even music cannot reach. Reg Benoit is a symbol of those for whom music is not a road to riches, but a challenging path to the hearts of people.
Red Moncrief (1894 – 1952)
Entertainment/Musical
Red Moncrief, born in South Monaghan, learned to play violin and piano as a child. As a young man, Red combined farming and music, gaining popularity performing at local house parties and barn dances.
During the days when there were few records, and electricity wasn’t readily available outside the city, weekly dances were a top source of entertainment. Red decided to form a dance band; ‘Red Moncrief and the Haymakers.’ The band stayed together for 22 years, garnering an immense local following by playing at area Legion halls . For three years, the band performed weekly live shows on CHEX radio.
For many longtime Peterborough area residents, Red Moncrief and the Haymakers remained the most popular, and fondly remembered musical act during the Depression, and into the War years.
Ray Hutchinson (1940 – 2021)
Entertainment/Musical
The song ‘The Impossible Dream’ could be said to reflect Ray Hutchinson’s inner spirit.
His career is the stuff of dreams, and he accomplished it. Physically challenged from age four, he spent most of his life on pain medications. Later, a near fatal accident left him with severe head trauma as well.
Teens from all over the North American continent in the late 1950’s danced to ‘Clap Your Hands.’ By then Ray was balladeer, and lead guitarist of ‘The Beau-Marks’ who became Canada’s most recognized Rock’n Roll Band, as a result – at one time standing on the same stage as Dick Clark on American Bandstand, and later with the renowned Ed Sullivan. Much can be said about Ray Hutchinson that deservedly places him in Canadian music legend status. Ask anyone who enjoyed his many local performances in the 1970’s, while living at his Stewart Hall farm, about his captivating charm, and extremely great talent known continent-wide.
When, in like circumstances, faced with trials and tribulations others might have given up. Ray endured, and with his determination and perseverance, became an inspiration to his peers, friends and fans alike.
Mr. Hutchinson passed away October 31st, 2021 at the Peterborough Regional Health Center, in his 82nd year.
Drew Hayden Taylor
Literary
If one were to list the awards and nominations that have been bestowed upon author Drew Hayden Taylor, one would best be advised to set aside a fair amount of time.
Each honour speaks to the acclaim Drew has wholly earned, starting in 1992 with the prestigious Chalmer’s Award for his play Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock to his receiving the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award in 2012. Drew has well earned the acclaim that has come his way, having traveled the globe to speak to issues that reflect, celebrate and, yes, interfere in the lives of Canada’s First Nations people.
Truth be known, labeling the proud Ojibwa from Curve Lake first an author fails to speak to the creative tour de force Drew has been, and continues to be. Add theatre artistic director, playwright, journalist, lecturer, television scriptwriter, radio broadcaster and documentary director to the mix and you get a truer picture of the breadth of his boundless talent and passion.
Equally adept at writing fiction and non-fiction books as well as short stories and plays, Drew has penned 30-plus works. His first novel, The Night Wanderer: A Native Gothic Novel, was published in 2007; in 2010, Motorcycles and Sweetgrass saw him short-listed for the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. Most recently, Take Us To Your Chief And Other Stories – a collection of Native-themed science fiction stories – was published and, just this year, his new play Crees In The Caribbean came to fruition.
Despite the many roads down which his life journey has taken him, Drew has never forgotten his roots.
In 2011, his play Berlin Blues was staged at Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre. In March, 2018 Cottagers and Indians, Drew’s play about people at odds over the harvesting of wild rice on Pigeon Lake, received rave reviews when it was produced at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre. And in May of that year Drew hosted, and performed at the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund Benefit Concert staged at Peterborough’s Market Hall.
In the television realm, Drew has made equally significant contributions, including co-creating and writing for the comedy series Mixed Blessings. In 2007, ‘In A World Created By A Drunken God’ – a made-for-TV movie he penned based on his play of the same name, was nominated for three Gemini Awards. In 2011 and again the following year, Drew wrote the script for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
Having served as writer-in-residence at the University of Michigan, the University of Western Ontario, Ryerson, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Luneburg in Germany, Drew has made giving back a priority, sharing his insights and talent to the great benefit of young people.
- Photo courtesy of Clifford Skarstedt, The Peterborough Examiner
Jenny and Cyril Carter
Community Betterment
While it’s true there is great influence in numbers, Jenny and Cyril Carter remind us that number that can be as low as two.
The couple moved to Peterborough from England in 1968 with their three children, 15 years after they married. At the time Jenny, with an Honours degree in French from University College of London, was a French teacher while Cyril was completing his PhD in mathematical physics, also at University College London, en route to working as a scientist at the British government’s nuclear energy facility in Harwell.
It was in the early 1960’s that Jenny and Cyril became strong advocates for alternative power sources, believing nuclear energy to be both expensive, and dangerous.
Settling in Peterborough, Jenny worked as a high school teacher while Cyril was a professor of mathematics and environmental studies at Trent University. In addition, Jenny earned a degree in English and her Masters in Canadian Studies at Trent. But busy as life was for the couple, their mutual interest in social issues advocacy never waned. Joining the Peterborough NDP Association gave them the opportunity to act in a meaningful way on that interest.
Community service was a passion shared equallly Jenny and Cyril, the resumés of both brimming with examples.
A founding member of Kawartha Ploughshares, Jenny served as a director with the United Way as well as lending her talents and passion to the work of the Peterborough Social Planning Council and Kawartha Food Share. In addition, she helped establish the Peterborough Legal Clinic and served on its board.
But it was in the political arena that Jenny flourished on a bigger stage. Elected Peterborough MPP in 1990, she represented this area at Queen’s Park until 1995, serving as Ontario’s Energy Minister under Bob Rae in 1990 and 1991. Among her milestone achievements was the introduction of a government moratorium on new nuclear plants.
Cyril, meanwhile, was equally active, serving for 12 years with the Peterborough Utilities Commission, as both a commissioner and Chair. He played a major role in the Commission’s acquisition of the Wenonah property, ensuring its future use for the Riverview Park and Zoo.
In addition, Cyril served on the board of what was then Peterborough Civic Hospital, was a founding member of the Peterborough Solar Energy Society, was a director with the Canadian Solar Energy Society and co-founded the Environmental Studies Department at Trent University. With Jenny, he also helped establish the Peterborough Legal Clinic and was a charter member of Trent University’s Legacy Society.
Cyril Carter passed away in 1999.
- Photo of Jenny Carter courtesy of Clifford Skarstedt, The Peterborough Examiner
Jack Bailey
Entertainment/Musical
(1938-1987)
Born and raised in Peterborough, Jack Bailey became one of Canadian Country Music’s most memorable performers. His talent as both vocalist and writer formed the basis for a solid recording career. As well, Jack’s natural affinity for people made him a welcome guest on stage, in clubs and on television across Canada and many parts of the United States.
Always one to be there when help was needed; Jack gave generously of his time and talent to support a variety of local causes, most notably, the M.S. Society, Easter Seals Campaign and area hospitals.
His untimely death from a heart attack at age 49, places Jack Bailey in a category of ‘Done too soon’ with so much more he could have given. He performed in the area for 35 years.
Linda Kash
Dramatic Arts
With a significant international artistic career in her wake, since relocating to Peterborough Linda Kash has lent her considerable talents to the many, and varied entertainment and theatrical aspects of this community.
Previous to her local involvement, she boasts an impressive resume which includes Second City appearances, and a number of plays for the Canadian stage. A busy actor, Linda has appeared on everything from Seinfeld, Best of Show, Waiting for Guffman and more recently, the series Fargo. Movies include Cinderella Man, and the made-for-TV movie ‘Titanic’ produced in commemoration with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, and cast as the ‘Unsinkable Molly Brown.’
If there were any doubt about her pedigree of performance, it should be noted that Linda and her four siblings were born to beloved Canadian operatic contralto Maureen Forrester, and Toronto-based violinist and conductor Eugene Kash.
However, in all likelihood her best-known role was her portrayal of the Philadelphia Creme Cheese Angel on television that took on iconic status for years.
It is for her vitality and creativity while contributing to such projects such as the Festival of Trees, appearances in New Stages productions, improv nights at the Gordon Best Theatre, directing Beau Dixon’s “Beneath Springhill: the Maurice Ruddick Story” for black history month, and host for countless charitable events to assist with fundraising in the community which has earned the respect and admiration of Peterborough audiences.
As director of the Peterborough Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA) as well as the mentoring of people of all ages with an interest in dramatic arts, have combined to place Linda front and centre in the theatrical life of the community.
Linda Kash certainly raises the bar for all theatrical artists in Peterborough and district. And it is for her genuine caring and willingness to share her tremendous talent, that she is welcomed into the Pathway of Fame.
Peer Christensen
Visual Arts
Peer Christensen is an influential professional artist based in Peterborough since 1985. He founded local art galleries: Williamson House Gallery, 1986-95; Hunter West Gallery, 1995-2006; Christensen Fine Art Gallery, 2006 to the present.
He founded, and still maintains the Starving Artist Framing Outlet.
He has been the featured artist in solo exhibits, 2002 and 2010 at The Art Gallery of Peterborough; and with his wife, Lori was honorary chair for the Art Gallery of Peterborough Fundraising Gala in 2011.
His art is housed in several private, and corporate art collections and has been featured in fundraising events for several organizations. He has served on the PRHC Foundation Volunteer Art Committee from the outset. He has a great track record for getting involved in projects important to the local arts community and seeing them through.
Some of his most striking work captures the changeability of nature and the impact of the industrial landscape.
According to Peterborough This Week, “Self taught in drawing and watercolour, Christensen works primarily as an oil painter, his immense classical-based talent clearly evident and his work respected well beyond the city’s borders.”
- Photo courtesy Lance Anderson, Peterborough This Week / Metroland / MYKawatha
Bruce Knapp
Literary
There are few individual in Peterborough’s sphere of endeavour who proved, more emphatically, the power of language to enlighten, amuse, provoke and, when necessary, enrage than did Bruce Knapp. His frequent calls to local radio, and community television talk shows, his unending flow of letters to the editor, and his appearances before City Council spoke of a man willing to take a stand to defend points of view that often may not be in vogue.
As an ardent monarchist, Bruce spearheaded a campaign to force Canada Post to commemorate the Queen Mother’s hundredth birthday. His humanitarian efforts in disaster relief in Canada and around the world were legendary.
For his efforts, he was awarded the Caring Canadian medal by the Governor General of Canada.
Pansy Forbes
Cultural Betterment
An individual who helped thousands of youngsters, spent a lifetime developing award-winning teams, was on duty at 6:30 in the morning until late at night, and who refused as much as a penny in remuneration.
Such was Peterborough’s Pansy Forbes.
Pansy was a pioneer of synchronized swimming, as sport, in Ontario and in Canada; an involvement encompassing more than 30 years.
Early in her career, she included basic figures and patterns in her instruction, concluding with a display of synchronized swimming. A Peterborough club was formed with Pansy as coach. Her accomplishments included many Canadian and International titles, exhibiting the sport at the 1954 British Empire Games and representing Canada at the 1955 Pan Am Games in Mexico City.
Pansy Forbes received numerous awards, one of which was being named to the Aquatic Hall of Fame in Winnipeg.
Pansy Forbes is in the Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame.
Jack Byers
Samaritan
In today’s fast-paced world, no one can afford underestimating the importance of learning and getting a good education. Sometimes the impediment to a student’s success can be something as simple as the absence of a good breakfast. Jack Byers had an idea to remedy the problem and, several thousand breakfasts later, many Peterborough school children are healthier and more productive because of that idea.
In 1995, Jack approached his fellow members of St. James United Church Men’s Club about starting a breakfast program in city schools. Under Jack’s leadership, the Men’s Club provided a nutritious breakfast for close to 75 students each school day. It’s also the first breakfast program in the city to serve pupils from both Public, and Separate Boards. Thanks to Jack Byers efforts, and those of the St. James Men’s Club, these young people are fed at no cost to Boards, or students. It’s been, and continues to be Jack Byers who spearheads the organization of volunteers, food purchase, and fundraising events to keep the program cost-neutral.
With diplomacy, energy, creativity and dedication, Jack Byers represents the best of a community: You identify a need, and you do something about it. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?
David and Patricia Morton
Community Builder
David and Patricia Morton have been dynamic philanthropists, whose generosity has had an incredible impact on all of Peterborough County.
David Morton was President and CEO for Quaker Oats Company, while Dr. Patricia Morton taught history at Trent University, and is now Professor Emeritus. Both have served on significant committees affecting the welfare of our citizens.
David was Chair of the Board of Governors of Trent University, the Board of Frontier College, Chair of the Five Counties Children’s Centre, the Fleming College Board, the Greater Peterborough Economic Development Corporation, the Festival of Lights, and the original campaign for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. He was Peterborough’s Volunteer of the Year in 2002, and received an honourary doctorate from Trent University.
Patricia, a respected and published historian, has served on the Board of the Morton Community Health Centre in Lakefield. The Morton Family Trail, on the east bank of Trent University was named for them. Since 2012, David and Patricia Morton have been the leading donors for the Lakefield Literary Festival. They were major donors for the First People’s House of Learning at Trent University’s Gzowski College, and have funded several outstanding scholarships and bursaries for the University. They donated $100,000 to the building of the Sport and Wellness Centre at Trent University.
Most significantly, they donated $500,000 to the Lakefield Primary Health Centre, since renamed the Morton Community Health Centre. They also gave support to the Trent Valley Archives for its J. J. Duffus Project, and to the publishing of the history of the Quaker Oats fire of 1916.
No words can adequately capture the depth of David and Patricia Morton’s support for the communities of Peterborough, Lakefield, Trent University and the County of Peterborough – or their incalculable influence in making so many community projects feasible.
- photo courtesy KawarthaNOW
Chief Elsie Knott (1922 – 1995)
Cultural Betterment
To be unconventional in a culture that reveres tradition isn’t always an easy path. Sometimes however, an unconventional approach is what’s needed to support and nurture that tradition-based culture. It takes a rare person to do this, and Chief Elsie Knott is exactly that; a truly rare person.
It’s often said, for Elsie, all Curve Lake Band members are her children – and it’s with that sense of care, and devotion she did whatever necessary to make life better for those she loved. She started a grocery store, a post office and daycare centre. Believing in the importance of education, she obtained a school bus to transport students to school in Lakefield. She also taught Sunday School, organized scouts, guides and baseball for young people. As a band elder, she helped revive Curve Lake’s PowWow ceremonies, offering classes in Ojibwa language so the people she loved could hold their culture closer to their hearts.
In 1953, Elsie became the first woman in Canada ever to be elected Band Chief and, in 1975 she was named one of Ontario’s ‘Outstanding Women.’
However, it’s the construction of a new church at Curve Lake that she considers her greatest accomplishment. People often say of her; “She did so many things.” And, indeed, this world is a better place because Elsie Knott walked upon it.
Ed Schroeter
DramatiDc Arts
On a very basic level, its obvious theatre is a ‘live performance.’ However, when that performance brings to life something precious to its audience, then, what is created is magic. Ed Schroeter spent a sizable portion of his life and creative energies making magic come alive on stage. An award-winning playwright and ‘live’ theatre producer, Ed took delight in creating dramas imparting a sense of reality and humanity to historical figures who’ve shaped our communities.
In cooperation with Centennial Museum & Archives, Ed served as a driving force behind the Heritage Pavilion Stage series, worked closely with 4th Line Theatre and a revitalized Arbor Theatre. He conducted more than 50 play-writing workshops for elementary and secondary school students in the Peterborough area. For his efforts, he earned four national playwriting awards, and shared in a City of Peterborough Civic Award for cultural achievement.
Thanks, in no small part to his creative commitment, Peterborough theatre and history are alive and well in young audiences and their families. Ed Schroeter is dangerously close to making history fun.
Su Ditta
Cultural Betterment
If there were no Cultural Community Betterment category in this Pathway of Fame, one would have to be created especially for Su Ditta.
Born and raised in Toronto, she studied at Trent University where she earned a degree in Political Studies and Canadian Studies. Su Ditta is best known nationally, for her work as Associate Curator, Media Arts at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa; as head of the Media Arts Section of the Canada Council of the Arts; and as Adjunct Curator, Media Arts at the Oakville Galleries. Completing a six year term with the Canada Council of Arts, in 2013 she was the lead consultant working with the Canada Council on developing new approaches to supporting organizational management and development for arts organizations across the country.
But since taking up residence here, Su Ditta has become known for her work on the Board of Artspace and Art Gallery of Peterborough, Chair of the City’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Board, Vice-Chair of the Community Grants Committee, Co-Chair and Co-Founder of Artsweek, and Coordinator of Benchmarks. She is a founding director and has also served as Vice-Chair of the Community Leadership Committee, and the municipal Public Arts Committee.
Su participates as a volunteer in the Trent Student Mentoring Program, serves on the Art Committee for the Mount project as well as provides volunteer management advice and support to a number of local arts organizations including Artspace, EC3, Public Energy and Reframe.
To state that Su Ditta is totally, and completely involved and dedicated to this community would be a gross understatement.
Ann Douglas
Literary
Describing what she does so very well as “an extraordinary privilege and a daunting responsibility,” Ann Douglas has been, and remains, celebrated as Canada’s foremost writer on all things parenting.
The author of numerous books about pregnancy and parenting as well as the creator of The Mother Of All book series that has seen more than half a million copies sold, Ann’s knowledge, insight and advice has calmed the often stormy waters for parents and parents-to-be across North America.
In addition to her books, Ann has written more than 1,000 pregnancy and parenting articles for a number of respected publications including Canadian Living, Today’s Parent, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Chicago Tribune and Canadian Family, whose former editor-in-chief has praised her as “Canada’s most trusted parenting writer.” Ann has also contributed to a number of anthologies about motherhood as well as earned praise as a passionate and inspiring speaker, delivering keynote addresses and leading workshops at conferences across the country.
When she’s not putting pen to paper, Ann volunteers her time with a variety of projects and causes, currently sitting on the national editorial board of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and a member of the social media team for the Canadian Red Cross.
Several honours have come Ann’s way, including a Lifetime Membership from the Professional Writers’ Association of Canada in recognition of her contributions to the freelance writing profession – just the second writer given that distinction. And in spring 2012, Ann was one of 16 Canadians invited to Rideau Hall in Ottawa to discuss family policy with then governor-general David Johnston and his wife Sharon.
Currently the host of online conversations on parenting and mental health issues, Ann’s most recent book, Parenting Through The Storm: How To Handle The Highs, The Lows and Everything In Between, provides further evidence of her belief that writers can change the world by sharing ideas that can fuel social change.
Dr. John Parker
Samaritan
For many, of a certain age, we remember when heart disease translated to a death sentence. Medical science has made great strides in treating cardiovascular illnesses over the past 50 years, thanks in no small part to the work and dedication of pioneers like Dr. John Parker.
Having spent his formative years in Peterborough, John graduated as medical doctor in 1954. He went to Columbia University, New York, devoting himself to the relatively new field of cardiovascular medicine.
Returning to Canada in the 1960’s, John established one of the country’s first cardiac catheterization, and angiographic laboratories in Kingston. There, he helped streamline the use of heart-lung machines in cardiac surgery. He was instrumental in establishing a Division of Cardiology at Queens University and a research program in cardiovascular physiology and biochemistry. New inroads were made, under his guidance, in the use of nitroglycerin and other related drugs in treating cardiovascular disease.
He was adamant in his lobby effort with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons to initiate a sub-specialty in Cardiovascular Medicine. In that way, an ever-increasing number of surgeons and specialists have been trained in this new discipline.
Throughout his life, John Parker maintained an abiding love of family, the outdoors and, of course, hockey. His life represents ongoing contributions to medicine, science and family. John never lost sight of the fact that a scientist is also a human being. Because of the balance and dedication, the future of cardiac patients continues to look a lot brighter.