Author: Gordon Gibb

It’s official: September 10th has been proclaimed ‘Pathway of Fame Day’ by both the County, and the City of Peterborough.

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District has for 25 years fostered the recognition, and inductions of deserving individuals who have contributed to the community in the arts and humanities. The very first induction – the Class of 1998 – occurred when the Pathway was already a year old, and had gone through the inaugural process of calling for, and accepting nominations that led to the very first crop of names. And well before that, establishing criteria, protocols and securing a home in Del Crary Park.

And now, we are 25 – with a proud roster of new honourees to be inducted the morning of Saturday, September 10th downstairs during an invitation-only ceremony in the Nexicom Lounge at Showplace, followed by The 25th Anniversary concert that evening in the newly-renovated upstairs theatre, beginning at 7:30pm and featuring Pathway inductees over the years.

Tickets are $25 in keeping with the occasion and are available online at this link: https://tickets.showplace.org/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent474.html

You can also purchase tickets in person, as the box office at Showplace has reopened as of August 29th.

Come celebrate with us!

PETERBOROUGH: Del Crary Park

June 15, 2022

This morning, The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District announced our 2022 inductees for our 25th anniversary year:

David Carley (Dramatic Arts)

With more than 450 Canadian and American stage, radio and television productions having resulted from his storytelling talent, including several locally-staged plays, David Carley has won, and been nominated for, a number of honours, including a Governor General’s Award finalist distinction.

Kate Suhr (Entertainment)

Blessed with abundant musical and theatrical talent, PCVS graduate Kate Suhr has sung and acted her way into the hearts of audiences both near and distant while always taking the time to unselfishly perform in support of organizations and causes right here in her native Peterborough.

The Weber Brothers (Entertainment)

The Weber Brothers came to Peterborough from Maryland in 2000 to learn all they could about making and performing music from the legendary Ronnie Hawkins, learning very well to the tune of numerous studio albums, memorable performances locally as well as across North America and Europe, and charitable support of several local causes.    

Donald Glenn Forde (Cultural/Community Betterment)

As a former executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, Donald Glenn Forde set the organization on the path to success, all while contributing to his community as a minor hockey executive and as a multi-instrumentalist who performed with the likes of Del Crary and Bobby Kinsman during big band music’s heyday.  

Jacob Rodenburg (Cultural/Community Betterment)

For more than 30 years, Jacob Rodenburg has made environmental stewardship, sustainability and education his business, not only as executive director of Camp Kawartha and as a Trent University environmental education teacher but also as a developer of forward-thinking ‘green’ related programs and initiatives.

Lois Tuffin (Cultural/Community Betterment)

From the time she arrived in Peterborough, former newspaper editor Lois Tuffin has tirelessly employed her considerable communication and organizational skills to the benefit of a number of causes and events, including the Great Turkey Exchange that she started and has since fed more than 17,000 people during the holiday season.

John F. (Jack) Bardeau (Community Builder)

A combination of musicianship, service work and sports involvement saw John F. (Jack) Bardeau rarely sit still during his 44 years in Peterborough, the RCAF veteran’s work supporting the hearing impaired as a member of the Telephone Pioneers earning him Bell Canada’s Community Chest Award for Outstanding Citizenship.

David Adams (Community Builder)

For 26 years, David Adams was the face of the Five Counties Children’s Centre as its foundation’s executive director, endlessly promoting and heralding the groundbreaking treatment provided children with physical, communication and developmental needs while volunteering his time for a wide variety of community organizations and events.   

The formal induction of our 9 inductees will take place Saturday, September 10th at The Showplace Performance Center.

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough & District is saddened to share the passing of Past Chair and Pathway Inductee (2005) Kenn Grainger, who died January 18^th, 2022 in his 95^th year.

Anyone who knew Kenn, knew him to be proud, caring, compassionate, dedicated, genuine, generous and ultimately charming. His, was a life brimming with volunteerism and possibility. To the latter, most will remember his more recent exploits that saw the legally blind senior  make an assisted jump from an airplane and later, managing to get up on water skiis – all the while raising funds and awareness that retired individuals need not be merely ‘retiring’ in their attitude towards life.

Few will forget his 90^th birthday party at Fairhaven, which saw Mr. Grainger, ever-dapper in tux and Florsheims, charming his guests from across the community at a gathering not to be missed – and he outlasted everyone.

Mr. Grainger was also a dedicated volunteer with the Pathway of Fame – a past Chair of the Facilitating Committee, and more recently taking on the responsibility of sales for the annual Pathway publication, ‘Footprints of Life.’ No one, it seems, was capable of saying ‘no’ to Kenn Grainger.

A dedicated friend to the community, various health challenges including the gradual loss of his eyesight did little more than slightly alter his stride. He would prove to find ways to strive forward, proving an inspiration to all through his charm, his wit, his commitment and his humanity.

His profile from 2005 on The Pathway of Fame website sums up the flavor, and the tenor of a man so many of us loved, and called a valued friend. He will be missed.

“The essence of a good community Samaritan lies in translating your love of community into action, and deed. Words are easy, actions aren’t always so. Kenn Grainger is a shining example of the best community Samaritanism. In spite of growing personal limitations, Kenn seemed to find the secret to a life of vitality by giving of himself, to making the lives of others better.

Over 50 years ago, Kenn began an ongoing involvement with the ‘Elmer The Safety Elephant’ program in area elementary schools. His affection for young people carried over into a longtime association with youth hockey and baseball and a 38-year relationship with the Peterborough Figure Skating Club.

Increasing vision difficulties spurred Kenn to involvement with the CNIB and the Kiwanis Club. Of course there’s his ongoing volunteer work with United Way, Hospital Foundation, YMCA, Kinsmen Club and K-40 Club. In recognition of his community service, Kenn was presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and an Ontario Ministry of Education award. Both awards recognized his work with school children.

Although legally blind, Kenn raised money and scratched a few activities from his bucket list at the same time by doing an assisted jump from a plane, and water skiing.

When it comes to love of one’s community, Kenn Grainger has certainly ‘talked the good talk.’ But unlike so many others, he has backed those words with a lifetime of action.”

This week, none other than one of our first inductees into the Pathway of Fame during our inaugural year in 1998: author, and Canadian literary icon Margaret Laurence.

A major figure in Canadian literature, Margaret Laurence is admired for brilliant novels such as ‘The Stone Angel,’ ‘The Diviners’ and ‘Jest of God.’ An opportunity to serve as ‘writer in residence’ at Trent University in the mid-seventies led to a love affair with the Kawartha region.

To that end, Ms. Laurence settled in Lakefield, serving as Chancellor of Trent University from 1981 to 1983. Forever embracing the concepts of humanitarianism and self-examination, Margaret’s books have been translated into dozens of languages and remain bestsellers around the world.

In recognition of her immense contribution to nuclear disarmament, as environmentalist, peace activist and an active member of Canadian culture, Margaret Laurence received honourary degrees from no fewer than 12 universities. She was named as a Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada, and made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

DID YOU KNOW: Although somewhat reclusive, Ms. Laurence – for many years – donated a luncheon in her home with the author as part of the annual fundraiser for the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. The successful bidder was treated to a private meal and a few precious hours with the author, going home with not only memories of an incredible experience but also with autographed copies of two of her books. In 1982, while co-hosting the annual ‘Dream Auction’ broadcast on CHEX 980, future GM of the Peterborough and District Chamber of Commerce Stuart Harrison remarked that he had been speaking with the successful bidder the year prior and was told the time spent with Ms. Laurence was “nothing short of fascinating.”

The Pathway of Fame, Peterborough and District facilitates induction of deserving individuals having made a lasting, positive impact on, or within the community. The not-for-profit, grassroots organization celebrates its 25 anniversary in 2022.