Inductees

As a banjo player and the leader of the ‘Millbrook Barnyard Preservation Band’ from 1973 to 2012, Jim ‘Fearless’ Flood made it his mission to bring his highly entertaining brand of music to as many people as possible in the Peterborough region and beyond.

Typically at no cost, Jim brought his volunteer band to retirement homes, Legions, and Navy and Air Force clubs in an area stretching from Toronto to Trenton and north to the Kawarthas.

Always willing to lend a hand, Jim also built, and presented numerous floats for parades for Canada Day, Frontier Day and The Yuletide in both Peterborough and Millbrook. And, as The Great Zucchini, Jim entertained countless children with both his magic and his music.

An excellent banjo player gifted with perfect pitch, Jim’s legacy is a lifetime of selfless giving of himself, his good humour and his musical gifts to thousands, young and old and all ages in between.

Jim ‘Fearless’ Flood passed away in 2015 at age 80.

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.

Freely giving away to others that which is your own expertise may qualify one as a Samaritan. To do so however a calm, never judgmental demeanor may help assure such a title.

Such is the nature and gift of Robert H. (Bob) Bannon whose greatest passion lay in his knowledge and love of the “pipes”- as in bagpipes. He belonged to the General Electric Pipe Band for 30 plus years, being its Pipe Major for 26 of those years. It was during that time Bob Bannon taught more than a hundred people both young and old, never asking as much as a penny for his lessons.

During his tenure as Pipe Major the GE Pipe band won many prestigious awards at highland games across Ontario and the Northern USA. In 1966 the band won the honours of North American champions.

It was, however, as a patient, understanding, teacher of that most cantankerous musical instrument for which Robert H. Bannon became most well-known and admired. Many of his students went on to become world class pipers and some even became Pipe Majors of Canadian Pipe Bands. It was Bob’s trust and faith in people that shone through all he did to impart the art of piping to those he taught.

He is fondly remembered for his altruistic nature in never asking for recompense. One of his former students echoes the sentiment shared by all who knew Robert H. Bannon – “he was a true gentleman.”

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.

Raymond Murray Schafer, born 1933, is one of Canada’s best known living composers. Perhaps best known for his World Soundscape Project, concern for acoustic ecology, and his book The Tuning of the World (1977).

His passion for the environment was captured in Patria, “a monumental operatic salute to nature.” His work, “Patria 3:The Greatest Show,” was performed in Peterborough’s Del Crary Park in 1987 and again, the following year. He was for many years the artistic director of the Peterborough Festival of the Arts. His writing includes his memoirs, ‘My Life on Earth and Elsewhere.’ His studies of musical theory since the 1960s have included the concepts of soundscape of schizophonia. To that end he coined the term ‘schizophonia’ in 1969; the splitting of a sound from its source, or the condition caused by this split: “We have split the sound from the maker of the sound.”

Among his many honours, Schafer was the first recipient of the Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music in 1978 for String Quartet No. 2 ‘Waves.’ He was conferred with the Governor General Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2009, and was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2013.

Ivy Sucee has fought zealously to keep alive the story of the Barnardo Home Children, the child emigrants of whom 9,000 came through Peterborough between 1883 and 1923. She has helped countless people gain access to Barnardo records in England and learn fresh details about the history of their ancestor who was a home child.

Her own father was a Barnardo home child and since 1995, she searched for information about Barnardos, which still operates in the United Kingdom handling adoptions and after care, but not emigration.

Her efforts have had some impact. A 1999 plaque summarizing the history of Hazelbrae, the Barnardo home and distribution centre, stands on a lawn near George Street. A dramatic monument listing the names of all who came through Peterborough stands on Barnardo Avenue on the lawn of Queen Alexandra school. To create that list was a major undertaking, for which Ivy Sucee recruited researchers and historians.

The Hazelbrae Barnardo Monument was unveiled on the inaugural Ontario British Home Child Day, September 28, 2011.

Ivy was a 25 year volunteer with the Peterborough Exhibition and helped produce their 1995 history of the fair.

She received several honours, including a city Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

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.

Eveline Foster is one of those rare and wonderful musicians who warmly combined her love of music with her love of family and community.

For near 60 years, Eveline charmed the Peterborough people as both performer and teacher. She taught piano and violin to such future luminaries as Del Crary, Ernie Victor and Stan McBride Sr.. As musician, she played at silent movies, numerous minstrel shows, the Peterborough Symphony, the YWCA and, on Saturday nights, the Sergeant’s Mess at the Armouries. A humble woman, she poured her heart into her music. Eveline once said she never did solo work because that would mean facing the audience. “They should be just enjoying the music,” she said, “not seeing me.”

In recognition of her dedication to music and community, a trophy in her name is awarded each year at the Kiwanis Music Festival. To those who knew her or felt her influence, Eveline Foster represents the best in our musical tradition: a love of people and the making of music for the pure joy of it.

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.

For a great many musicians, a fond memory of youth is spending hours wandering through one of those wonderful, small music stores with guitars hanging everywhere, getting lost in dreams of a guitar you’ll own one day, if you work and practice hard enough.

For thousands of Peterborough musicians, that memory conjures up one name: Bud Monahan.

The Peterborough music scene and the name Bud Monahan have been synonymous for over 50 years. Few have exercised such an influence over musicians in the Kawartha region. For nearly all his life, music played an integral part.

In early days, Bud played with many legendary names in Peterborough music, such as Paul Konkle, Del Crary and Freddie Coupland. Teaching music at such memorable establishments as Rawson’s and Musicland led to opening Bud Monahan’s House of Guitars. For over 40 years, Bud supplied instruments and taught the rudiments to literally thousands of aspiring musicians. In many instances, Bud taught multiple members of the same family, employing many former students as teachers.

For Bud, music supplied an extended family and a generational rite of passage. Good musicians will tell you it’s in the sharing of same that music affords the greatest satisfaction – and it’s in playing, teaching and sharing by which Bud Monahan personified the greatest gift of music.

• photo courtesy Clifford Skarstedt, The Peterborough Examiner

A wise person once said, “God is in the details.” It’s often an overlooked fact of life: the ‘little things’ that can derail an ambitious project and the faithfulness to detail is often the key to its success.

Case in point can be found in the persona of Mary Stockdale.

The Kawartha region takes great pride in hosting the Ontario Open Fiddle & Step Dance Contest each June, in Bobcaygeon. The event has become one of the area’s largest tourist draws, attracting performers and visitors literally from all over the world.

For near 30 years, Mary Stockdale served as secretary for The Ontario Open. Many would argue, without Mary’s meticulous attention to detail, The Open couldn’t have gained its present stature. Mary made her home the event headquarters and centre for correspondence, inquiries and dissemination of information.

To those familiar with her dedication, Mary was The Ontario Open

Along the way, Mary was a lifelong member of the Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society, an active member of Trinity United Church, and a founding force behind the Bobcaygeon Meals On Wheels program.

An eye for detail and passion for people: two very important ingredients in the success of any community endeavour. One needs only to ask the friends of Mary Stockdale.

What defines uniqueness and quality of a city or community? A first impression, most lasting, is often the sense of community and physical design. A city is, first and foremost, buildings whose purpose is to facilitate comfort, function and creativity to those who inhabit it. If architecture and humanity enjoy a happy marriage, it follows that community will be a vital and proud experience.

Over the past 40 years, much of Peterborough’s physical beauty and appeal is the product of the mind of William Lett.

Bill’s introduction to Peterborough came in 1960’s when invited to work with Ron Thom on Trent University’s master plan. He soon added his architectural artistry to the design of Champlain, Lady Eaton and Peter Robinson Colleges. Since establishing his own practice, Bill has given form to numerous Peterborough homes, businesses and public buildings. Remarkable examples of his work include Showplace Peterborough, Royal and Princess Gardens, Fairhaven and Otonabee River Trail Boathouse, just to skim the surface.

To create a setting in which community members can thrive, dream, hope and aspire, the fluidity of movement and design should meld into an appealing and functional physical reality. For that unique melding, the city of Peterborough owes an immense debt of gratitude to the creative vision of William Lett.

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.

Kim Blackwell’s love of the dramatic was ignited as a youth, nourished at Adam Scott High School as well as through involvement in the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Her appetite for live theatre was whetted too, at an All Saints Anglican Church youth group, ‘Kids Unlimited,’ which served to solidify the direction her life would take. And what a journey that was to be.

Kim studied with the best live theatre groups this country has to offer; then independently tried her hand in forming Black Well Productions to help shape her dramatic traits. Kim’s 10 years immersed in various positions at Peterborough’s Union Theatre definitely assisted in helping her determine the consuming love of theatre that would shape her future.

Kim Blackwell can now be accredited with being a veteran 4th Line director/producer as 2016 marks her 22nd season with the stalwart company.  During those years she directed no fewer than 15 productions including 5 world premieres. Her stage credits from managing, development workshops, innovative interaction and teaching of young talent with seasoned professionals, plus the lengthy list of productions, catalogue her artistic progress over the numerous years with 4th Line Theatre. Its founder, Robert Winslow (POF 2006) has discovered in Kim Blackwell that rare commitment which has permitted him to completely entrust to her the company’s artistic control while he devotes his energies to the time consuming research required to bring productions to life.

Kim Blackwell has received the Peterborough Historical Society’s J. Hampden Burnham Heritage Award as well as twice being nominated for the John Hirsch Award for directing excellence.

• Photo courtesy Mike Lacey, Peterborough This Week / Metroland / MYKawartha.com

It’s a telling comment in today’s news-gathering industry that reputation is built on seeking out the flashy, big-event stories while glossing over essential human elements inherent in every story. In his long, and varied journalism career, Don Grant never bypassed the true meaning of each story and how it affected his readers.

Starting out as cub reporter at the Peterborough Examiner, Don’s determination came to the attention of then-editor Robertson Davies who expanded his duties. During his Examiner years, he covered every possible kind of story and learned to excel at the new craft of photo journalism. His talents led him to a job with the Toronto Telegram and an enviable reputation as a tenacious, much respected reporter. After the Telegram folded, Don went to The Globe & Mail, where he rose to a weekend editor position and then assistant city editor. On the way, he always took time to help younger journalists learn their craft and responsibilities.

Throughout his career, Don Grant thrived at technical aspects of reporting, but, more importantly, he never minimized the humanity in each story. He developed a true, and abiding love for people about, and for whom he wrote. In today’s journalism, that’s indeed a rare and treasured quality.

Don Grant passed away in 2014. he was 85.

His, was a life devoted to the oral and aural tradition. If questions regarding sound arise, John K. Muir was the one to provide the definitive answer.

John Muir pursued a varied, and eclectic career as broadcaster, sound engineer, educator and administrator. John demonstrated proficiency in choral music, and is one of the few people in Peterborough to hold a certificate in campanology.

In the area of community service, John functioned in creative and administrative capacities with Artspace, The Kawartha Jazz Society, and Showplace Peterborough.

In the late ‘70’s, John was one of the founding directors of Trent Radio and, since 1994, served as its General Manager. Under his dedicated and energetic guidance, this student-sponsored radio facility became an influential and broad-based voice in the Peterborough community. His enduring legacy is tied to every program, every note of music, and every broadcast heard on what has evolved, truly, to a community radio station.

John Muir died in June, 2019 in his 63rd year.

Judy Lynn Heffernan served, for over sixteen years as the general manager of the Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation. Community Futures provided access to capital, business consulting services and community economic development. Working with federal funding, Judy and others helped many organizations develop ideas and build upon initiatives. She helped small businesses and social enterprises maintain or create jobs and promote local prosperity. She gave solid advice to entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and women seeking funding. She was active with the Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Canoe Museum, The Women’s Business Network, and other organizations. She was married to Roy Heffernan, and they had two daughters and four grandchildren.

• Photo by Christina Roberts Photography www.christinarobertsphotography.com

The Order of Canada was established to pay tribute to Canadians who exemplify the highest qualities of citizenship and whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries. It’s also a perfect description of the life of Dennis Sweeting.

A highly decorated war hero, Dennis pursued careers as actor, writer and theatre administrator before coming to Lindsay. It’s here he became the driving force and catalyst in the successful enterprises of Kawartha Summer Theatre, and revitalization of Academy Theatre.

Displaying those high qualities of citizenship, Dennis also served in several political and community capacities, most notably Reeve of Lindsay and Warden of Victoria County.

A man of considerable warmth and commitment, his contributions to cultural life in his community and that of Canada led to his being named to the Order of Canada. Few better personify the criteria of that Order than does Dennis Sweeting.

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.

Born in nearby Castleton, Gertrude Cox came to Peterborough in 1924 to teach art and paint. She studied art extensively and, from 1950 to 1971 was in charge of the Arts and Crafts Program in Peterborough City, and County Elementary Schools. During the same time, she taught art in the Teacher Training Program for the Ontario Department of Education.

Besides being a superb teacher, Gertrude was also a significant artist in her own right. She experimented with various media, but is best known for her watercolours. Her works, first displayed at YMCA in 1939, delighted gallery viewers across Canada. In 1945, she was a founding member of the Peterborough Group of Painters.

Today, Gertrude Cox’s watercolours can be enjoyed at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

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.

Every community has volunteers, but only Peterborough is lucky enough to have Ken Armstrong. As volunteer broadcaster with Cable 10, Ken moderates three open-line shows dealing with three levels of government. Were that not enough, in itself, Ken’s been a very lively community activist. He’s chaired numerous committees including the Evinrude Centre fundraising committee and presently chairs committees on Peterborough’s 150th Anniversary celebration and millennium celebrations.

In recognizing his outstanding efforts, Ken received the Community Service Award, Citizen of the Year Award and, in June 1998, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario awarded Ken Armstrong the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship for his remarkable contribution to the wellbeing of the Peterborough community.

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.

It’s virtually impossible to imagine the Peterborough Theatre Guild being the community theatre tour de force it has become without the decades-long involvement, commitment and talents of Gwen Hope.

Gwen joined the Peterborough Theatre Guild family in October 1967, just two years after it was founded. What followed was an outstanding theatrical career that also included work with the Whispers Dinner Theatre, Arbor Theatre, St. James’ Players and the New Stages Theatre Company.

With the Peterborough Theatre Guild, Gwen’s resume features an impressive list of duties – costume design, makeup, stage management, stage décor, lighting, acting and directing credits abound.

Having created costumes for more than 25 productions, Gwen has taken home the John L. Walley Award for costume design a remarkable four times from the Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL). That’s in addition to EODL awards for Best Supporting Actress and Personal Growth. Gwen has also been recognized by the Province of Ontario for 25-plus years of volunteer service and has received two Civic Awards for Cultural Achievement from the City of Peterborough.

Already the recipient of an award for Outstanding Service from the Peterborough Theatre Guild, Gwen was recently made a Lifetime Member of the community theatre group.

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.

Often the best indication of an individual’s love for his, or her community lay in what the individual gives back to the community. If that is so, then Joyce Kidd Yabsley’s love affair with Peterborough and the Kawarthas has been a deep, and mutual one.

For a significant part of her adult life, Joyce gave her time, talents and dedication to aid a myriad of organizations and causes: willing to do what it takes, when needed, to accomplish what’s necessary. She shared her caring energy with March of Dimes, Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, and the City-County Trust Fund. Joyce assisted at many seniors’ gatherings, organizing numerous jamborees to raise much needed funds.

It’s ironic that some individuals join organizations to seek anonymity. They wish to help but don’t wish to get personally involved with those they’re helping.

For Joyce Kidd Yabsley, as many will tell you, her commitment to helping others has always been up-front, hands-on and very personal. It’s part of her love for this community and its members.

It’s an intrinsic part of Canadian psyche to acknowledge the impact of landscape on our lives; how we think and interact with others. In a manner reminiscent of The Group of Seven, proximity to the majesty of Algonquin Park played no small part in shaping the artistic vision of Michael Dumas.

Michael’s creations are prized by collectors, both public and private, across Canada and around the world. His vision, according to critics, finds a unique balance between a broad expanse of nature and the minute details of life. It is indeed rare when an artist’s paintings are praised by both art collectors for their scope and technique, and by scientists for scientific accuracy.

Not afraid to place the artistic process within the confines of the written word, Michael has written extensively about art as well as environmental issues that touch his heart. A remarkable portion of his work has gone to aid numerous worthwhile causes, especially in the area of conservation. In fact, he was the first artist ever to win the Ontario Conservation Award.

In the age-old conundrum, asking whether art imitates life or life imitates art, Michael takes a more personal view.

To Michael Dumas, art is life.

It’s true that in life, there are ‘do-gooders,’ and there are those who do good. Ray Peters certainly falls within the latter.

He didn’t pursue the limelight in helping the poor and less fortunate. It’s because he assisted so many due to his passion to assure that justice is served, he earned the gratitude of many. Ray Peters saw to it those experiencing difficulty were assisted, and received any benefits the system had to offer. Mr. Peters became a sought-after, and revered personality – so much so, he became legendary in the community. He dedicated most of his time to making sure those in need of assistance, received it.

His tireless efforts on behalf of those less fortunate, earned respect from his superiors, and reverence from his subordinates.

Michael A. Peterman, Professor Emeritus of English Literature, Trent University, is named in 2006 as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.  It’s peer recognition of his exceptional research accomplishments.

Working with various colleagues he researched archival records and original writings of several writers with links to the Peterborough area bringing them, and their work, to life in no fewer than 13 books, 100+ articles and countless speeches and papers. He’s a leading authority on Willa Cather, Susanna Moodie, Catharine Parr Traill, Robertson Davies, James McCarroll and Isabella Valancy Crawford.  Thanks to his efforts, their works are now studied at schools and universities here, and abroad.

At Trent, he taught its most popular courses in American and Canadian Literature.  With the Peterborough Historical Society, Michael Peterman – a past president – chaired its Publications Committee for more than 20 years and actively supported the Hutchison House Museum.

Michael Peterman is singularly successful in diligently researching, and imaginatively reconstructing the lives and times of writers he admires.  He also generously shares what he learns.

• photo courtesy Clifford Skarstedt, The Peterborough Examiner

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.