Inductees

A photographer is a truly magical artist.  With a camera, the photographer can freeze a moment in time that generations, to come, can hold in their hands.  Frederick Roy was a photographic artist who literally made time stand still.
From teenage years until his death in 1950, Frederick Roy devoted his entire life to photography while working in the family photography studio.  Peterborough residents are familiar with what’s known as the Roy Collection.  A collection of over 400,000 photographic images, lovingly and precisely documenting life in Peterborough area from late 19th century to the mid-20th century.  As well, Mr. Roy’s reputation spread beyond the Peterborough area.  His photography of Kings George V and George VI gained acclaim throughout Europe, and his portraits of Sir John A. Macdonald’s funeral and Jack Miner’s bird sanctuary are now part of Canada’s historical record.

Through his creativity and eye for detail, Frederick Roy’s photography gave us a precious gift.  What he gave was not only a piece of our history, but also a piece of our soul.

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.

In the early part of this century, no one was more important to a community than a family doctor. Doctor Donald Munro met all medical requirements in the village of Warsaw and area, adding much more to the vitality of the community.

Dr. Munro opened his Warsaw practice in 1907. A time when house calls were the norm, he braved all kinds of weather to attend to more than 3,000 births over a 50 year period.

Reaching out to the heart of the community, Dr. Munro served as Church Elder, and Sunday School Superintendent at St. Andrew’s Church for over 25 years.

A self-taught violinist, he shared his love of music by teaching and conducting a local concert orchestra and, as an ardent political activist, he served as president of the East Peterborough Liberal Association.

Ian Hully is genuinely worthy of the accolade “the consummate musician.” His talent is displayed equally through vocals, guitar, writing and sharing his expertise with all those he can assist to become better at their musical endeavours as well.

Ian has honed his distinctive style through years of travelling the continent and adjusting to bands that truly are too numerous to catalogue. His demeanor is low-key, but what he produces is dynamic. Ian Hully is constantly writing and producing. As he does, he finds his work evolving and changing in directions not even he, himself thought possible.

It can truly be recorded that from his first school guitar-playing experience through present-day, Ian has become an all-encompassing talent. The numerous bands in which he has played, the hundreds of songs he has composed, the countless musicians with whom he has shared the stage as well as his recording studio, are a testament to his continuing quest to be the very best at his craft.

Peterborough is the richer for the sharing of his talent whenever, and wherever he can. The Pathway of Fame is certainly richer in having for Ian Hully among its Honourees.

Whether promoting active transportation or working to increase climate resilience through community building, Tegan Moss is in a league of her own when it comes to ensuring our world finds itself in a better place.

Trent University-educated – she attained her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Environmental Studies – Moss was the longtime executive director of B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop before being named the executive director of Peterborough GreenUP in September 2021. Common to both roles has been Moss’ selfless dedication and leadership in fostering positive change and empowerment.

In 2011, Moss assumed the executive directorship of B!KE, a not-for-profit member-based cycling education and support organization that, since 2006, has taught bike maintenance, repair and riding skills from its George Street location in Peterborough’s downtown core.

Under Moss’ guidance, B!KE’s impact flourished with the expansion of cycling education initiatives. Via strategic collaborations, including a partnership with GreenUP, Moss spearheaded innovative programs, such as in-school cycling programs, community workshops and the Earn-A-Bike program, which provides access to a bike for those with limited means.

Moss’ leadership of B!KE didn’t go unnoticed. Among the accolades that came her way were the Wheels of Change Award from the Share The Road Cycling Coalition in recognition of her dedication to educating the next generation, and Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Award, a nod to her influence and commitment to the advancement of her community.

As a staunch advocate of increased active transportation, Moss went above and beyond in convincing the City of Peterborough of the need to add more bike lanes to the infrastructure landscape. Speaking before city council, writing letters and campaigning, Moss did whatever it took to sell the benefits of active transportation, lobbying tirelessly for its prioritization and inclusion as part of Peterborough’s overall transportation plan.

When the executive director role with Peterborough GreenUP opened after Brianna Salmon moved on to become executive director of Green Communities Canada, Moss jumped on the opportunity, eager for the challenge of leading the organization that, since 1991, has helped countless area residents lead more healthier eco-friendly lives.

When she’s not engaging with the community to help them better address the climate crisis, Moss can often be found doing just what you would expect – riding her mountain bike or getting her hands dirty in her wild garden. She indeed practices what she preaches and, in fact, was doing so long before it became common practice to do so.

For a true actor, performance isn’t simply something you do at an appointed time, at an appointed place. For a free spirit performance, like a stage of life, knows no boundaries. It’s in the air, like breath itself. When boundlessness of performance comes to mind, so too does the memory of Alan Nunn.

Alan began his life pursuit, on stage, by attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London following World War II. An acting life took him all over Britain and North America. He trod the boards for such illustrious companies as The Old Vic, Birmingham Repertory Company and both Stratford and Shaw Festivals, to name a few. He served as house manager at O’Keefe Centre, and taught theatre at Seneca College. Settling in Peterborough, he utilized performance as a means of engaging community members. Alan founded the Lakefield Readers Theatre, taught Shakespeare, read to seniors, wrote the historical mystery ‘M’Kenzie’s Cloak’ for young people, and recorded books for the CNIB.

Alan Nunn’s love of theatre and performance is an inherent part of his spirit and life force. For Alan, the stage wasn’t a division that divided performer from audience. Rather, it was a river that joined all of us in the flow of life.

Question: Have you ever been lonely; have you ever been blue?
Answer: (to question posed by song) Alan and Shirley Horner have, for the most of their lives, provided an antidote.

They’ve been volunteers with Telecare since its inception in 1977. The local organization, one of 16 in Canada at the time, boasted as of 2011 some 90 volunteers from all walks of life. This practical 24/7 caring association listens to some 15,000 calls a year from the four county regions. Volunteers and callers are anonymous to each other. Well-trained volunteers provide time, talent and energy to keep the lines open and listen to callers sharing joys, or sorrows affecting their world.

The Horners attend to duties explicit in the Telecare operation. Although Alan and Shirley have retired from the phone lines, they remain active administrators for this valuable service. Shirley Horner was one of the original Telecare members in Peterborough.

It’s safe to say this needed community service would be less effective, without the Horners.

Alan Charles Horner died in 2017.

• photo courtesy of Lance Anderson, Peterborough This Week / MyKAWARTHA

There’s a reason any reference to Maureen Harris- Lowe is generously sprinkled with the term ‘mentor.’
As director of the Peterborough Children’s Chorus for the past 20 years, Maureen has served as a wonderful role model for countless youths and young adults, helping each to grow not only as a vocalist but also as a confident performer whose professionalism and good manners represent Peterborough and area exceedingly well.
Under Maureen’s direction, the Peterborough Children’s Chorus has won numerous awards while traveling to competitions across North America and beyond. Striving to give her charges new experiences that will create lifelong memories – the chorus’ recent backing of iconic rock band Foreigner during its recent Peterborough concert is one example – Maureen sets a high standard for the choral group but does so in a fun way that leaves all feeling good.

“She is quick to give him a smile, a hug and make him feel like he is the most special one in the room,” says a parent of a young chorus member.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Musical Arts, Maureen is a superb vocalist who sings with the Peterborough Pop Ensemble as well as performs at numerous local events and gatherings. Her passion for music is abundantly clear in all she undertakes and that passion has been, and remains, infectious much to the benefit of all who cross her path.

Erica Cherney, quite simply, never gave up…

Never gave up volunteering. Never gave up giving of her time and expertise to causes she felt made the community a better place. Never gave up despite a sign hanging in her office which read “Stop me before I volunteer again!” There is no end to the many stories of Erica’s generosity that has left an indelible altruistic mark all over Peterborough and surroundings.

A contribution to Trent University was met with the University bestowing upon her an honourary degree for her good works.

In 2000 Erica Cherney was named Citizen of the Year, an honour among a multitude of other City, and Provincial awards.

The Erica Cherney Inspiration Fund was established by the CCRC in 2006 in recognition of her leadership and community service. Peterborough area people donated over $100,000 to the fund, inspired by Erica’s generosity and compassion. The immediate, as well as lasting result of these funds was support of practical, helpful services and solutions such as homeless prevention funds, art therapy programs for women who had experienced violence, counselling services and local community gardens.

Her provision of economical office space for charitable organizations trying to get started, helped many fledgling groups.

When Erica Cherney was named Vice-Chair of TV Ontario, a particular focus was brought to our City.

There is no doubt Peterborough and surrounding communities are much better places because of her vision, caring and involvement. Erica Chereny was one-of-a-kind, and we are the better for it.

Erica Cherney passed away on August 16th, 2016 at the age of 84. She was aware of her nomination to The Pathway of Fame, but passed away just prior to her formal induction.

• Photo courtesy of Red Pashmina

An inability to say ‘No’ has been, and remains, a characteristic common to all Pathway of Fame inductees, past and present. Indeed, for Paul Rellinger, the word is simply not part of his vocabulary.

Since moving to Peterborough in 1989, Paul has jumped at the opportunity to lend his well-respected written and spoken voice, organizing skills, and near compulsive desire to simply help in any way he can. Initially, opportunities to become involved were a byproduct of his 27 years as an editor and weekly columnist with Peterborough This Week. However, upon his retirement in 2016 Paul has continued to put his hand up when the call is made.

Currently the board chair of Peterborough Musicfest and a member of the campaign cabinet for the United Way of Peterborough and District, Paul has also served as honourary chair of Peterborough Family Literary Day since 2011 – a natural fit with his time as an adult learning tutor with the Trent Valley Literacy Association. When Paul was asked in 2012 by the United Way to camp out on the roof of The Brick for 48 hours as a campaign fundraiser in partnership with Peterborough Cares, what was a one-off lark became Relly On The Roof that raised thousands of dollars for Habitat For Humanity over the next seven years.

A past president of the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough, Paul has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough, the John Howard Society, and Showplace Performance Centre as well as time sitting on a number of committees. For nine years, he helped plan the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade – telling anyone who questioned his non-Irish roots that his real name is Fitzrelly.

Now a freelance writer, Paul’s self-admitted biggest joy lies in stepping up to help those in need. He has emceed numerous benefits for needful members of the local music community that he loves and, just last year in tandem with fellow inductee David Goyette, organized and produced Peterborough Performs: Musicians Against Homelessness, a live music showcase that raised more than $30,000 for the city’s most vulnerable.

There have been a number of studies done pointing to the generosity of Canadians who display, in amounts of time, devotion to volunteer work. It says a lot about Canadian character.

For Paul Lafond, volunteering is more than a full-time job. It speaks volumes about Paul Lafond’s character.

To put Paul’s volunteer work in perspective, he averages about 1,800 volunteer hours a year. A person who works 40 hours a week puts in about 1,700 hours per year. So Paul’s volunteer work is definitely into overtime!

His fundraising achievements are impressive, helping to raise money for the Cancer Society, Hospital for Sick Children and the International Prevention of Child Abuse, just to name a few. To date, he’s raised more money for the M.S. Society in Super Cities Walks than anyone in the Kawarthas.

Paul also finds time to drive seniors to appointments and shopping. He shovels their sidewalks in winter, cuts their grass in summer.

Paul Lafond’s community commitment is truly the essence of volunteerism. To make a difference, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You simply have to care enough to do something for someone. Paul’s monumental achievement has been to do what the rest of us just talk about doing.

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.

The youngest in Canada at the time, Thomas H.B. Symons was named Trent University’s founding president, and his vision and vitality molded Trent into one of the country’s most distinctive and successful universities.  Over his lifetime Mr. Symons lent his talents to numerous national and international organizations by chairing such groups as The Ontario Human Rights Commission, The Association of Commonwealth Universities, and various federal conferences on multiculturalism, and social development.

In spite of his significant portfolio of accomplishments he conducted his life with the utmost humility, supporting his community in countless ways. A testament to his character, he approached everyone – from heads of state, to passersby on the street, to first-year university students – with equal respect and admiration.

Thomas H.B. Symons passed away on January 1st, 2021.

Peterborough city and county is known widely for its diverse music soundtrack – a formidable footprint that’s well worthy of heralding whenever the opportunity presents itself.

For more than three decades, John Lewis has been, and remains, local music’s head cheerleader, bringing to our collective attention the incredible talent of the many musical artists in our midst. His platform for doing so remains YourTV, for which he has voluntarily produced hours of programming that brings artists of all music genres and talent levels to our ears.

Bringing his background as a CBC audio engineer to the table, Lewis not only helps ensure the airing of high quality productions but his research is over the top. More often than not, his guests are taken aback by some tidbit Lewis knows about them, either personally or professionally. Lewis does his homework.

His head crammed with information drawn from a variety of sources, Lewis doesn’t simply recite a list of questions – he engages his guests in a dialogue that, once finished, leaves us with as complete a picture of him or her as one can obtain.

The list of those who have sat down with Lewis for multiple episodes of both Junction 28 and The Skinny is long and impressive, featuring the likes of Serena Ryder, Jimmy Bowskill and the late Colleen Peterson. But he hasn’t limited his interview subjects to those of the long established variety. Many an up-and-coming musician has been granted the chance to perform in-studio, introducing each to a large audience. Good things – very good things – have often followed as a result of their one-on-one time with Lewis.

On top of hosting his two programs, Lewis has played a huge role in YourTV’s Christmas season programming. He has spent hours creating notes that highlight every audio cue, vocal note and movement for the Peterborough Singers’ presentation of Handel’s Messiah. With Lewis’ help, local music talents such as Terry Guiel and Elyse Saunders have shared their holiday music favourites with YourTV viewers.

As a volunteer, John doesn’t mail it in. He professionally approaches every interview and performance he’s involved with. Leading by example, he plays a key role in training other YourTV volunteers, eagerly sharing his expertise with those looking to make their own mark in the community television realm.

Dignity, dedication, caring and good, old-fashioned hard work is characteristic of a life, well-lived.

Alta Whitfield demonstrated these qualities and more in whatever pursuit she followed.  With strong ties to family and church, Alta served as an educator in Peterborough area schools, and at Fleming College.  She thrived as a successful business person.

Her resume of community service includes tireless volunteer hours in the fields of education, health care and cultural history.  In many aspects of her life, Alta was a pioneer.  She’s the only woman, in over 170 years, to serve on North Monaghan Township Council and, later, as Reeve.  She’s also the first woman to chair the Peterborough Civic Hospital Board of Directors.

For her dedication to a long life of service, Alta was awarded a fellowship by Fleming College, and a nomination as the YWCA Woman of the Year.

There are those who are too smart for their own good. Then there are those who selflessly put their abundant intelligence, skills and expertise to work to the benefit of their community and well beyond.

India born and educated, Dr. Ramesh Makhija most certainly belongs to the latter group, his extensive education as a chemist, and his associated research, anchoring a number of subsequent initiatives going back to 1966 when he arrived in Canada to pursue his research interests and teach at the university level.

Following a five-year period that saw him work as a chemist with two federal ministries, Dr. Makhija was named the chief chemist of Lakefield Research (now SGS Canada) in 1981. A year later, he co-founded Trent University-based R&R Laboratories where, until 2007, he specialized in the study of wastewater, air quality and other environment-related properties. Along with providing consulting and laboratory services, R&R trained more than 65 new graduates in analytical chemistry. R&R’s inventory of household waste led to the 1985 establishment of Peterborough’s blue box collection program.

Outside of the lab, however, is where Dr. Makhija has wholly earned the distinction being presented today. A 2012 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, a 2014 recipient of an Ontario Community Service Award, a two-time recipient of a Peterborough Civic Award, and a 2019 inductee into the Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Dr. Makhija’s wide-ranging volunteer work has seen him sit on the boards of a number of local organizations, Peterborough Green Up and the Council for People with Disabilities among them.

However, perhaps most telling of his abundant generosity was his investment of time and money into ensuring the walk-in clinic established by his late wife Dr. Swarn Makhija remained open for two years after her untimely death in 2003. When it did close, all of its furniture, equipment and supplies were donated to health units in Peterborough, Madoc and Marmora.

The Heffernan Family, a talented singing group from Lakefield, long consisted of six siblings and a friend. They learned their music in the family home of Barbara and Kevin Heffernan and was deeply rooted in Irish musical traditions.

The oldest siblings and a friend founded a high school band in 1969 and gradually, the younger siblings joined the group. They were Mary Jo (now deceased), Betty Ann, Kevin, Michele, Patricia and Jeanie, and with the addition of Tom King and his harmonica became ‘The Heffernan Family and Friends.’ These pioneers of the Peterborough Celtic sound performed for masses, weddings and funerals, and eventually played the Peterborough Market Hall and Peterborough Showplace, for Christmas concerts and fundraisers for charities.

They have four albums to their credit: ‘Stay Awhile’ (1997); ‘All the Folks are Home’ (2001); ‘Heart of an Immigrant’ (2011) and ‘The Village Concert – Story and Song’ (2013). The history of the family and Lakefield have been celebrated in the letters of Patricia and Mary Jo, printed in the Lakefield Herald as “Letters from Home,” some of which were published in booklet form in 2013. The Heffernan family has delightfully captured the spirit of the community for some forty years.

In the history of Peterborough, no one more personified the term ‘community service’ than did Stan McBride Sr.. Nearly all his adult life, he gave unselfishly of his time, energy and talents on behalf of almost every worthwhile community cause that came along.

In his early days, area residents cheered on his athletic abilities and, later, he served his city as Alderman, Mayor and Sheriff.

On a more casual basis, Stan was a popular and revered emcee, toastmaster and humourist – not to mention a willing volunteer for numerous boards and committees. For more than 50 years, Stan McBride Sr. demonstrated that volunteerism, with a smile, is the key to a better community.

It’s a widely-held truth, in the music business, that really successful groups gather together not to gain fame and fortune, but for the pure pleasure of making music.

That’s essentially how The Kountry Klassics became one of Peterborough’s most popular country groups. Back in the early 1990’s, a handful of musicians got together at one of their homes to jam and have fun playing old time country music. The sound produced was so good; they decided to ‘go public.’ Over an ensuing decade, the group underwent a few personnel changes until coming up with the mix they now have, in 1996.

With Don Stiver on steel, Paul Jones and Al Marshall on guitars, Jim Hobson on drums and Bonnie Irwin on vocals, the Kountry Klassics quickly made a name for themselves on the Peterborough music scene and have given selflessly of their time and talent in aid of numerous local causes.

For many, the true test of life well-lived, is the capacity to make mole hills out of mountains. To be a respected entertainer, songwriter and tireless community volunteer are true enough achievements on their own. But along the way, John Morris has had to make the mountain of blindness into a mole hill.

John is a self-taught musician and songwriter who’s given selflessly of his time and talent to raise money for charities such as the Cancer Society, Easter Seals, The Heart & Stroke Foundation, Peterborough Food Bank and Peterborough Warming Room. John works extensively with CNIB, often going into schools to give young people a sense of what it’s like to live with blindness and work with a guide dog. To make life better for others, he works with Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Transportation Committee, and Access Awareness Committee.

In 1994, in recognition of his efforts, he was given the City of Peterborough Award of Merit. John is one of the founding members of the Pathway of Fame, which recognizes in others the qualities and achievements so evident in John himself.

John Morris is living proof each of us should face our unique challenges; the quality of our lives lay in who we become, and what we accomplish.

• photo courtesy Clifford Skarstedt, The Peterborough Examiner

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.

In 1970, it was obvious Otonabee Township needed a library, but no suitable location could be found at the time.

Gayle and John Nelson stepped up, and offered their Keene home as the first library location. That generosity symbolized more than 50 years of dedication to Otonabee-South Monaghan Township and the Greater Peterborough area.

Since their marriage in 1954, Gayle and John volunteered in numerous capacities, adding much to the cultural enjoyment of the Kawarthas. Both are founding members of Otonabee-South Monaghan Historical Society; serving in numerous executive positions within the organization. They supervised, and helped fund the completion of a public library in Keene, combining the library with the Historical Society.

Gayle indulged a passion for history with two highly acclaimed books: ‘Forest To Farm – Early Days In Otonabee,’ and an extensive history of the United Church in Keene. She pursued a lifelong enthusiasm for genealogical research, serving on a board of directors for Kawartha Ancestral Research Association. Gayle also submitted a number of well-researched articles for KARA’s publication, ‘Trees and Forbears.’

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?

Marilyn Robinson first got involved with community theatre quite by chance, that happenstance marking the beginning of what has been a far-reaching 36 year dedication to her passion.

From the moment she was recruited from the audience to handle props during a Whispers Dinner Theatre production in 1984, Marilyn was hooked. At age 20, she became involved with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and has a hand in more than 60 productions since in a number of capacities including director, stage manager and production manager – serving as President of the Guild on three different occasions. In addition, she has gifted her skills to the benefit of 10 St. James’ Players shows.

Marilyn’s love for all things community theatre has extended beyond the stage, leading to her serving in various roles with the Eastern Ontario Drama League, and taking on various responsibilities for the staging of the League’s annual play festivals. At present, Marilyn is in her third year as the League’s Awards Chair.

When the Peterborough Theatre Guild developed a partnership with the Thomas A. Stewart Integrated Arts Program, Marilyn played a key role. And when it came time to secure grants for theatre capital projects, Marilyn was front-and-centre in that process.

Marilyn’s other passion for working with children with disabilities took root when she was in high school, providing the springboard for a lengthy career working with autistic children on their learning and life skills development.

Just like that time many years ago at Whispers Dinner Theatre, Marilyn has continued to step forward to the benefit of events such as Cycle For Autism and Special Olympics, and organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society for which she has volunteered for more than 40 years. Over the past five years, she has served as chair of the Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope.

The recipient of a Lifetime Membership from the Peterborough Theatre Guild, Marilyn was inducted into Kenner Collegiate’s Hall of Honour in 2018, adding to a long list of awards that includes an Ontario Volunteer Service Award and two City of Peterborough Civic Awards.

Audrey Caryi resonated throughout Lang Pioneer Village, to which she devoted her artistic talents, for an incredible 34 years.

An honours graduate of Toronto’s Art College in 1969, she began her long tenure with the historic village in 1983. Audrey’s career as Museum Specialist and Exhibit Artist has enhanced the life of the Village, and its displays, to a degree rarely equaled elsewhere. Audrey Caryi’s drawings give life to the many artifacts displayed throughout the Village. She developed conceptual drawings for a number of reproduction buildings that were added to the Museum grounds over the years. Her work also engaged her in the design and staging of numerous exhibits.

It is safe to say that Audrey Caryi’s life, and that of Lang Pioneer Village were almost one and the same. However, while she did devote talent to the many areas of the Village, she also did a variety of work as a freelance artist. This included calligraphy work for the Campbellford Memorial Hospital, and also updating names and illustrating pages in the Book of Remembrance for the City of Peterborough.

Audrey was an enthusiastic community supporter of Warkworth and area cultural Boards and festivals, and was one of 17 original artists who started the Colborne Artists Cooperative in Colborne, Ontario. Her accomplishments are far too many to list here, but there is no doubt that no one was more dedicated to ensuring that activities at Lang Pioneer Village were historically accurate and true to the Museum’s vision, mission and mandate.

Tragically and all too soon, Audrey passed away as the result of a horse riding accident in April, 2017.

Joe Corrigan, the Museum’s Manager says it so well, “we are all the richer for having had Audrey Caryi as part of our lives.”

If Susan Dunkley isn’t deserving of Pathway of Fame induction as a Community Builder, quite frankly no one is.

For more than three decades, Susan has left a huge imprint on an impressive number of cherished events, social enterprises and charitable milestones, her volunteerism advancing the enrichment of a number of spheres.

Currently the chair of the Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce board, Dunkley is in her ninth year with that governance body. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, particularly when it comes to the advancement of women.

With the Chamber, Dunkley helped launch the Luminary Awards to shine a spotlight on women-led business excellence. She is a founding member, and two-term president of the Women’s Business Network, and, back in the 1990s, Susan helped establish the Festival of Trees fundraiser, which raised $1 million-plus for its lengthy run for women and families fleeing violence.

Driven to never stop once she sets her sights on a need, Dunkley has brought that same determination to her own business pursuits. That dates back to her involvement with McKnight’s Flower Shoppe, and her launching of Suzi Home Maker during the pandemic, an enterprise which continues to help seniors downsize and transition from their homes to new living quarters.

The list of Susan’s contributions borders on endless – lead logistics and business liaison for the Kawartha Food Share’s Porch Pirates initiative, advisor with Green Economy Peterborough, and a four-year stint as a member of the Peterborough Remembers Committee are but a few highlights of her extensive resumé.

Through it all, the woman who many know affectionately as Suzi, has had a song in her heart aching to get out. As such, she’s a 25-year vocalist and organizer with the Peterborough Singers, and a performer with, and business manager for, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble.

As for awards and commendations, Member of the Year honours came her way from the Women’s Business Network in 1992 and 1993. Scouts Canada presented her with its Award of Commendation in 2007, and in 2015, her outstanding arts advocacy was recognized with the City of Peterborough Cultural Betterment Award.

“Suzi is well organized and is a ‘can do’ person who brings people together,” raves Peterborough Singers business manager Peg McCracken, while Gail Moorehouse of Recharge Solutions says her friend “spots unmet needs, rallies people and resources, and leaves systems in place that keep serving long after the ribbon-cutting.” These are just two voices of many in awe of Dunkley’s roll-up-your-sleeves approach to meeting challenges head on with one goal in mind – the betterment of this place we call home.

It never ceases to amaze how great accomplishments arise from small beginnings.

Many years ago, when Belmont Townships single-room school experienced difficulty keeping a teacher for an entire school year, Don Clark decided to get involved. That led to almost 40 years of public service to the Peterborough area. Don’s first love has always been the betterment of educational opportunities for young people. For close to four decades, he served on various school boards, including two terms as Chair of Peterborough County Board of Education.

Not confining his volunteering solely to education, he’s been Gideon Bible Society member, board of governors member of Civic Hospital, Citizens’ Advisory Committee at Warkworth Institution, Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, Peterborough Housing Authority and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Police Services Board. He served municipally as councilor, and reeve for Belmont-Methuen. Don has also been a volunteer driver for Canadian Cancer Society and Havelock Community Care.

In recognition of his incredible community involvement, Don was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for public service. For 40 years, if Don Clark had any spare time, you can be assured we were the beneficiaries of it.

Part of the charm of living in a small community, such as Peterborough, is we get to know the local ‘characters’ by name and learn about their stories!

One such favourite character of Peterborough is Paul Henry MacFarland. He was affectionately known as “Half A Deck,” and made his living at odd jobs. Paul wasn’t a success in the conventional meaning of the word; he was, however, a success in making the most of what he did well, and that was marathon running.

Over the years Paul ran, walked or jogged in numerous marathons to raise tens of thousands of dollars in aid of causes such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Five Counties Childrens’ Centre, the Autistic Children, and Spina Bifida Associations. Towards the end of his life, after undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer, Paul jogged from Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital to Peterborough, raising money for the Cancer Society as a thank-you for providing him transportation to, and from chemotherapy.

Paul MacFarland remains a shining example that caring is the greatest gift one person can give – and one person’s greatest accomplishment is making the most of the hand, which you are dealt.

Each generation wishes to define its youthful existence through a definitive expression, thereby leaving its imprint on the modern evolutionary process.

So it was, the explosive 1960’s gave birth to a dedicated and talented group of young musicians, initially named “The Capris” and subsequently “Dino and the Capris.” It became one of the most popular groups to entertain three generations of Peterborough and area audiences. Whether rock and roll, or country and western, the group’s music was the sound of the 1960’s for this area.

From its formation, throughout its active playing years, the intent was to entertain as many young people as possible while improving on their musical talents. Its members, through the period spanning 1963 through 1986, included lead singer Paul (Dino) DeNoble, Garry Warriner, Ron (Hub) DeNoble, John Barnes, and Dave Coones.

One needs only to talk to anyone about those years to determine the impact of Dino and the Capris. Sheer love of music fuelled the musicians who played in the group over that time. Each participant usually spent whatever he earned to purchase more equipment to enhance their ability to produce the best sound possible.

The late Paul (Dino) DeNoble (deceased 1992) led the most popular Peterborough dance band of its era. People remain grateful for memories of the always-energetic group of musicians, namely Dino and the Capris.