Inductees

For close to 30 years, Fred Anderson worked tirelessly to make Peterborough and the Kawarthas one of Canada’s most vibrant music and tourism centres.

In the early 1970’s, recognizing the immense drawing power of Little Lake, Fred was instrumental, along with Del Crary in establishing The Arts & Water Festival. By 1987, Fred began devoting time and energy to the creation of The Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights, which has since evolved into MusicFest. Under his guidance, The Festival of Lights became a unique event in Canada, featuring some of the top names in Canadian Music, and North America’s first synchronized illuminated boat show.

The Festival attracts over 100,000 visitors, from around the world to Del Crary Park, making the festival the number one tourist draw in the Kawarthas. For his efforts, Fred Anderson was previously honoured with awards such as Peterborough’s Citizen of the Year, and Tourism Ambassador of Ontario.

Fred Anderson died February 20th, 2006.

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.

A faithful champion of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans long after his 1970 retirement from the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Captain, Robert Ough has never stopped serving.

With decades of volunteer service in Peterborough and area – he moved here in 1982 with his wife Margaret – Robert has maintained a leading presence with the Air Force Association, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Canadian Military Institute and the Peterborough United Services Institute. Local events held annually to honour veterans have benefited greatly from his involvement.

After leaving the Armed Forces, Robert spent 47 years in the helicopter industry, earning a life membership in the Helicopter Association of Canada. Still, as successful as he was in business, he never forgot his Military roots.
As a member of the 428 Peterborough Wing Air Force Association, Robert was one of those responsible for the restoration of the 1950 F-86 Sabre jet at Riverside Park in Peterborough. In June 2009, fully restored, the jet was returned to the park – a consecrated memorial to the memory of all airmen from the Peterborough district. While that was a much publicized effort, it is Robert’s unheralded efforts on the part of veterans that sets him apart as he regularly visits with them, advocates on their behalf and drives them to and from events.

Robert’s service extends well beyond the military realm, a prime example being his work with a 12 Step Program as well as his extensive service and contributions as a Mason for more than 50 years.

In 2012, Robert was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedicated service to his peers, his community and Canada as a whole.

There are those who just give of themselves to the community without seeking public acclaim for their efforts. Jim Coghlan is certainly one who fit that description. His volunteer work has taken him to many corners of this area over the years.

Well past retirement age, one might expect Jim to have slowed down a little, but fortunate for us such was not the case. His volunteer work included service as President of the St. Joseph’s at Fleming Foundation Board, Past Chair of the St. Anne’s Church Parish Council, a member of the church’s Volunteer Screening Council and is a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a Director of the Kawartha Men’s Social Club.

Jim Coghlan has held several prominent positions in both the public and private sectors of his working life in which health care and amateur sports have been his focus. Jim was a founding member of the Peterborough Region CAT Scan Fund, as well as the Peterborough Hospitals Lottery and the Festival of Trees.

Sports have always been of keen interest to him, both as an active player, coach and leader. In 1986 he served as Chair of Logistics for the Ontario Summer Games when the City hosted them, and again in 1992 Jim was the Ceremonies Chair.

The event dearest to his heart just may have been the highly successful Arborough Games of which he was Founding Chair. The games were an International sports and cultural exchange between Peterborough and Ann Arbour, Michigan. Each City hosted over 1000 young 10 to 16-year-old athletes in 10 different sports. What a tremendous accomplishment that was, and no wonder one would never forget it!

All of these activities and more brought Jim Coghlan the 1985 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, and he can boast 2 Peterborough Civic Awards as well.

• Photo courtesy PRHC Foundation

His vast reputation of never the narrow-minded or exclusionary cleric is legend in this area. His birth, and raising on a farm in Norwood may have had a lot to do with his ecumenical viewpoint on life.

‘Father Leo,’ or just plain ‘Leo’ to those who know him, has pastored the wider community, intellectually and spiritually, in life’s happy and sad moments without distinction. His greatest legacy is one of inclusion and genuine love and respect for all. Believers and non-believers have found in him one who is consoling, stimulating and collaborative.

Few clergy spend as much time visiting the sick at PRHC including those in Palliative Care, providing comfort to patients and family members during their difficult moments.

His life has been one of a lifelong search and study not only of spirituality but also of modern scientific cosmology.
Father Leo has an active internet presence (at Leospot.ca) where one can keep in touch with his thinking, read his Sunday homilies and read articles of interest from other contributors.

He has worked among leaders of all denominations and held workshops on difficult questions, such as death and dying. His secular community interests have seen him serve on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, organizing a commercial softball league and an industrial hockey league.

Father Leo Coughlin can be best described as a man who is loved by many – a happy and a humble man, a generous, spiritual and social man, and an all-inclusive person, – embodying all those qualities to which many aspire but few attain.

When German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche told us that without music, life would be a mistake, he foretold what drives Fred Huffman and makes him tick.

Since coming to Peterborough in 1950 to work as an apprentice at General Electric, Fred has made it his mission to bring the joy of music to the lives of as many people as he can. After a work colleague told him about the then-called Peterborough Citizens Band on the day he started at GE, Fred brought his clarinet to rehearsal the very next day, embarking on a musical journey with the Peterborough Concert Band that would last until the early 2000s and see him named a Charter Member of the organization.

Gifted not only with musical talent but also personality in spades, Fred became the face of the band. In 1958, he became its president and, two years later, took on the dual roles of secretary/treasurer and manager and held those positions for close to 40 years.

Serving as a promoter of the band, he liaised on its behalf with numerous entities including the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Festival of Lights (now Musicfest) and the Canadian Band Festival. Fred’s passion for the band, and his efforts in terms of its promotion, have been key to the continued success of the band which, at 162 years old, is one of the oldest continuously performing bands in Canada.

Fred’s musical acumen has also led him to other opportunities, including musical theatre and his performing with the St. James’ Players on a number of productions including The Sound of Music, Oklahoma and Annie Get Your Gun.

In addition, as a member of the Kawartha Carollers, Fred entertained Christmas shoppers at local malls and, for several years, sang with The Peterborough Singers. To this day, Fred still has a song in his heart that he shares unselfishly as a member of the Mark Street United Church choir.

The superb works of Neil Broadfoot, a Peterborough artist with a wide reputation for his landscapes and wilderness scenes, are found in several private and corporate collections. While he worked mostly with watercolours, Broadfoot also dabbled in oils, acrylics and multi-media.

Upon graduating from the Ontario College of Art in 1961, he worked as a commercial artist for five years before becoming a teacher. ln addition to teaching at Crestwood Secondary School in Peterborough for 34 years, Broadfoot taught at art schools in Buckhorn, Haliburton, and locally. He worked on maps, murals and banners for the Canadian Canoe Museum, where he was an artist-in-residence. With the late George Elliott, another noted Peterborough artist and Pathway inductee, Neil Broadfoot painted the former mural at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, and designed the iconic Petes logo for the historic Jr. A hockey franchise. His artwork has been featured on the cover of Reader’s Digest, in illustrations for text books, and in calendars for General Motors.

Neil Broadfoot passed away in July, 2020 following a brief illness.

• Photo courtesy of Lance Anderson, Peterborough This Week / Metroland / MYKawartha.com

• Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner

For all his success, both professionally and personally, Jim Hendry hasn’t done well at the retirement thing.

Since departing from The Examiner in 2014 after a 32-year newspaper career, Hendry hasn’t come up for air. He has found, and continues to look for, opportunities to volunteer his time and talents to the benefit of his community. Sitting back with his feet up hasn’t been, and still isn’t, an option. Retirement, it would seem, can wait for a bit.

Born in Peterborough, Hendry moved with his family to Cobourg, returning to the city in 1982 for a job as a reporter with The Examiner. Over the following years, he rose through the ranks, serving as the daily newspaper’s weekend editor, city editor, editorial editor page and, finally, managing editor. A true professional who strove to report news factually and balanced, he was awarded a number of Ontario Newspaper Awards as well as the Harry Britain Fellowship Award granted by the Commonwealth Press Union.

Upon calling it a day with The Examiner, the road was clear for Hendry to pursue other interests, bringing to the table informed insights into Peterborough’s political and social challenges.

As a regular panelist for YourTV’s Politically Speaking, Hendry has provided fact-based opinions on the state of affairs at Peterborough City Hall and elected representatives’ performance, or lack thereof. And since retiring, he has written two editorials per week for The Examiner.

Over the past six years, the United Way of Peterborough and District has been a huge benefactor of Hendry’s passion for the place he calls home and those who need a hand up. First as a board member, then as the board chair and most recently as campaign cabinet chair, Hendry has wholly committed himself to the United Way’s mission while inspiring others to do likewise.

Other local entities that have progressed from Hendry’s board involvement include the ReFrame Film Festival as well as the Kawartha Golf and Country Club.

If these contributions aren’t enough to put Hendry into a volunteer class of his own, consider the countless hours he has contributed to ensuring newcomers to the city are felt welcome and valued.

Currently a lead member of a group supporting three Syrian refugee families, Hendry has hosted six Canada World Youth exchange participants, an American Field Services youth exchange participant, and a Belarusian boy displaced by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Collectively, that humanitarian work earned him Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honour bestowed by the international service club.

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.

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

To be a popular influential figure in Canadian Country Music doesn’t necessarily mean you have to play and sing. To that end, Jim Higgins made remarkable contributions to local Country Music without ever picking up a guitar.

As broadcaster, promoter and executive, he introduced local and international performers to the area and broadened the appreciation of the music form among fans and followers.

Over the years, Jim became a familiar figure through his cable TV show, The World of Country Music, and his Classic Country radio show. He’s also influential in establishing the Victoria County Music Association and organizing The Grand Ole Night of Country Music at Academy Theatre. As well, he’s been a driving force behind many charity benefit shows in aid of worthy causes. Outside of music and broadcasting,

Jim is a also busy executive with the Peterborough Lakers, promoting lacrosse throughout the Kawartha region.

Jim Higgins is living proof that word of mouth, from the right mouth, can get the message across in music and community service.

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.

Marty Gerrard Murphy was a well-known Peterborough criminal lawyer renowned for his “dedication, wit and sense of humour.”

Except for his years studying law in Ottawa, Marty Murphy’s career was in Peterborough. He was a partner in Galvin and Murphy with his uncle, Doug Galvin. He was the brother of Sharon Murphy who was a lawyer with her husband at Gariepy Murphy. Marty founded the Thames Embankment Society, an organization to support lawyers and their work. As one of the city’s leading criminal lawyers, he was Federal Crown Attorney for Peterborough.

There were several stories of how Marty Murphy had helped clients, whom he said should always be treated as royalty. On one occasion he approached someone who was in trouble and was trying to defend himself and was distraught at the enormity of the task. Marty Murphy asked how he could help, and stayed with him the remainder of the day. He told the vindicated man to “do something for someone else in need when the opportunity arose.” Lawyers valued him as a colleague, and “our community was enriched by his contributions.”

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.

This Pathway inductee possesses one of the most familiar faces in Canadian broadcasting. His career offers proof that to be a trusted and recognized presence in broadcast news for close to 40 years, means he has continuously done the right things well.

Wally Macht began his broadcasting career in Saskatchewan in 1959, soon becoming Western Canada reporter for the CTV Network. In 1968, he moved to Toronto as national reporter and backup anchor to Harvey Kirck. Wally served as CTV’s weekend news anchor for 11 years and, in 1977 was elevated to news anchor for Canada AM.

In 1988, Wally looked north and landed in Peterborough as news anchor and Vice President of Information at CHEX Radio and Television, overseeing major updates in news-gathering, tech and presentation – including overseeing  the installation of a state-of-the-art newsroom.

Now, an integral part of the Peterborough community, he utilizes his broadcast skills to assist several local projects, most notably the Heart Catheter Fund, and the Trent Valley Archives.

As journalist, he demonstrates an uncanny news sense and capacity for hard work; as news executive, he demonstrates the rarest of talents; the ability to motivate, without intimidation.

Lois Harte-Maxwell was proof that with hard work and dedication, the only insurmountable impediments in life are not physical, but that of the human spirit.

Despite her own difficulties with physical mobility, Lois tirelessly supported and, in some cases, was a pioneer in creating community awareness in Peterborough for those with any form of disability. She served several terms on City Council and sat on a number of committees dealing with accessibility issues for those with disabilities. More than any other individual, Lois Harte-Maxwell was instrumental in making City Hall physically accessible to all citizens of Peterborough.

Lois Harte-Maxwell died in 2016, in her 80th year.

Corporal George Hendren was the only Canadian selected to serve as bodyguard to British Commander Lord Roberts in the Boer War.  He also became a ‘charter’ member of The Royal Northwest Mounted Police when it was established in 1904.

For over 40 years, he was a beloved figure on the Peterborough entertainment scene.

Fred Coupland loved making audiences happy as much as he loved making music, itself. Songwriter, bandleader and entertainer extraordinaire. However going beyond his stage work, Fred always enjoyed the talents of his fellow musicians and lent a helping hand to those aspiring to make music their life’s work. In that capacity, he served as president of Peterborough Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians.

True testament to the popularity of Fred Coupland’s musical entertainment mastery was 13 consecutive-year engagements at the Rock Haven Motor Hotel. When not performing professionally, he gave graciously of his time and talents at area seniors’ residences, hospitals and Five Counties Children’s Centre.

Fred Coupland was a consummate musician who took a genuine liking to people. That’s what made him a treasured part of Peterborough’s entertainment tradition.

To the casual observer, sport is a form of exercise, competition, and entertainment. The primary object is to win but, for those feeling an affinity for athletic pursuits, the word ‘winning’ can take on a wide spectrum of meaning. For Paul Brown, sport is a way of touching the soul.

For close to 50 years, Paul Brown has been deeply involved in the discipline of Judo. He’s a 4th degree black belt and has spent countless hours teaching Judo to young people in the Peterborough area. Significantly, that teaching experience ran parallel to a longtime relationship with the Kawartha-Haliburton Foster Parents Association. With his wife Linda, Paul has been a foster parent for more than 25 years and has used sports to enhance the lives of young people. Through sports, he’s instilled in them the sense of accomplishment, dignity and self-worth; qualities essential to molding a vital human being. In recognition of his efforts, Paul received numerous honours, including and Ontario Volunteer Service Award and Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada.

In 2004, Paul was inducted into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. The recognition is appreciated. But the true rewards, for Paul Brown, are the meaningful lives that blossom because of his teaching; each human being has worth and can do amazing things.

“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

The life of a pioneer in Peterborough County during 19th Century was one marked by hard work, long days and constant uncertainty. To temper the harshness of that life with a soft touch of poetry took a remarkable human being.

‘Remarkable’ is an apt word to describe William Telford Sr.

Born of humble origins in Scotland, Will Telford came to the Peterborough area in 1850 and toiled as a farmer, and stonemason. To this day, many homes still stand as testament to his stonemason craftsmanship. In the best Scottish tradition of Robbie Burns, Will found time to pursue his love of poetry, finding inspiration in his ancestry and the beauty of the world around him. His many poems led him to be dubbed ‘the Bard of the St. Andrew’s Society’ and the ‘the poet laureate of Peterborough with the gentle brogue and lilt.’ The volume of Will’s poems, found in print, attest to his stature as one of the most prolific and widely read poets ever to live in the Peterborough area.

William Telford Sr. was an artist in both stone and poetry, and it’s indeed poetic and fitting that both his stonework and his written words have endured.

The Peterborough region is blessed with many who light up a room by simply walking into it, but few can lay claim to a more memorable entrance than Megan Murphy.

Gifted with a spark and quick wit that endears her instantly to everyone, Megan has brought her boundless enthusiasm and energy to several projects and organizations, and also to the theatrical stage as an actress with the Peterborough Theatre Guild, St. James’ Players, New Stages and 4th Line Theatre.

A college-educated documentary filmmaker, Megan’s piece de resistance remains the multi-awarded ‘Murphy’s Law,’ a self-exploratory cycling journey across Ireland that retraced the same journey her late father had made years earlier…on the same bicycle. And many remain grateful for her film documentation of the history of Town’s General Store in Douro which, shortly afterwards, was lost to fire.

A number of campaign and event organizers have been wise to tap into Megan’s talents and natural exuberance to energize their respective causes. In 2018-19, Megan served as Chair of the United Way of Peterborough and District campaign, and the Showplace Performance Centre recently named her an ambassador, alongside Linda Kash, of its ‘Showplace Project: Act II’ fundraising campaign. As an event host, Megan has called on her many years of radio broadcast experience to become the emcee voice of numerous events, including the Easter Seals Telethon.

When the shadow of COVID-19 darkened the landscape, Megan partnered with her good friend Kate Suhr to bring light to the life of many via The Verandah Society that saw the duo present a number of “On the Verandah” musical performances. Also during the pandemic, Megan stepped up on behalf of Kawartha Food Share, spearheading a number of campaigns that helped the agency feed countless families during an unprecedented demand. That same compassion for strangers was clearly evident years earlier when Megan travelled to southeast Asia to help with the rebuilding effort in the wake of the tsunami in late 2004.

Country Music fans in Peterborough area knew Stu McCue as a topnotch entertainer; what many don’t know, is the depth of his diversified talent.

A professional musician for more than 30 years, Stu McCue shared stages with many Country legends. However, he is equally talented as a landscape painter, and teacher. To better share a love of his heritage, Stu became a Certified Instructor of Native Languages and Culture in 1977.

Stu McCue is perhaps best known for his boundless generosity towards others. For years, he performed at local seniors’ residences and nursing homes on a weekly basis. He continually encouraged young talent by giving them an opportunity to perform with him. If there’s a local cause or charity in need of fundraising, Stu was always there to help.

Canada is a country of immigrants. In a true sense, we’re all visitors. We, our parents or ancestors, have come from far away, from homelands that lost hope for the future. The Kulla Brothers are a shining example of those who adopted Canada as their home, Peterborough as their city, and made both a better place in which to live.

Jim, Mike and Eddie Kulla fled Communist Albania at the height of the Cold War. They faced grave physical danger, both to themselves and family members left behind, to seek freedom in a new land. The brothers settled in Peterborough, determined to explore the fullness of their potential. They worked hard to establish themselves as good corporate citizens and enthusiastic and caring members of the community. Many longtime Peterborough residents and visitors have fond memories of the Miss Diana Restaurant in Market Plaza, the Miss Diana Motor Hotel on Lansdowne and, more recently, Lakeside Dining in Lakefield.

By nature, the Kulla Brothers are warm and outgoing and – by being true to their nature – became unofficial ambassadors on behalf of Peterborough and Kawarthas. Through their generosity and charm, they put a human face to our City, and area, for thousands of residents and visitors.
​

Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in someone’s life, to ease pain or dry tears.  Sometimes it’s as simple as a teddy bear in the arms of a distraught child.

To Judy Gibson, that simple teddy bear was a symbol of love, comfort and hope.  To that end, Judy Gibson earned her title as ‘Peterborough’s Teddy Bear Lady,’ and remained the driving force behind the Peterborough Teddies organization.  Along with other dedicated volunteer members of Peterborough Teddies, Judy distributed teddy bears to local hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, Cameron House shelters and Crossroads, as well as organizations such as the Alzheimer Society and Five Counties’ Children’s Centre.  Thanks to Peterborough Teddies, Peterborough police cars and ambulances now come fully equipped with teddy bears.

As of 2001, the Peterborough Teddies had distributed over 20,000 bears; that’s over 20,000 people of all ages who received the gift of love, reassurance and a warm friend to hug in times of need.

There’s political service…and then there’s Jack Doris.

First elected as a separate school board trustee in 1966, Jack Doris sought a Peterborough city council seat the following year, won election, and ultimately served Peterborough residents for 45 years – the longest serving council member in the city’s history. That incredible run was comprised of 39 years representing Monaghan Ward residents and another six years as mayor from 1991 through 1997.

Born and raised in Keene, young Jack found himself in Peterborough at age 13 when opportunities in the city triggered a family move. A superb athlete, he excelled at hockey and softball, his prowess as a left-handed pitcher earning him the lifelong nickname of ‘Lefty.’ Entering the workforce at a young age, he worked 40 years for General Electric, initially as a fitter/welder before retiring in 1990 from his position as shop operations department manager.

Doris met his beloved Sheila (Grady) in 1950 on a blind date at Club Aragon where they danced the night away to the Bobby Kinsmen Orchestra. They married the following year, embarking on a remarkable 72-year life journey together that ultimately blessed them with six daughters, 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Long before the lure of politics grabbed hold, in 1953 Doris, along with others, explored the co-operative housing concept. Those involved worked their respective jobs by day, studied the building trades at night and subsequently built each other’s homes. By July 1956, no fewer than 41 families had moved into their new homes located in what became known as The Greenhill Subdivision.

Upon his retirement from politics in 2014, Jack’s outstanding service to the city and its residents saw him awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the key to the City of Peterborough, the Mayor’s Civic Award, and Homegrown Homes’ Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Betterment.

Having displayed, through his words and actions, the highest standards of integrity, Jack Doris – upon his passing this past March at age 92, was widely, and fondly remembered for his compassion for the less fortunate and those in need. Whatever one’s station in life, Jack Doris had your back, listening and responding with genuine interest and empathy, offering encouragement and hope for better days ahead.

His greeting was always thus, with an outstretch hand and a smile: “Hello, I’m Jack Doris. How can I help?”

Jack Doris died March 4^th, 2023 in his 93^rd year.

Details of Joseph Scriven’s life are somewhat limited, but what is known makes a remarkable story.

He was born in Ireland to a family of comfortable means and educated at Trinity College, Dublin.  On the eve of his wedding, his fiancée accidentally drowned.  It was a shock from which he’d never recover.

Emigrating to Port Hope area, Joseph taught school and developed a strong faith in Christ. Adhering to a strict life of piety, he gave all his possessions to the poor and became known as The Good Samaritan of Port Hope.  He died under mysterious circumstances in August, 1886.

His gifts to the poor of Port Hope were his possessions, but Joseph Scriven’s gift to the world were the many hymns he composed after embracing Christianity, the most notable being, ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus,’ a song that’s been sung in every Christian church around the world for the past one hundred years.

For many of us jaded by today’s world, terms like ‘sleight of hand,’ ‘trickery,’ and ‘pulling a rabbit from a hat,’ smacks of something dishonest and unethical. But for those who remain children at heart, such terms conjure up the wonders of magic.

Wayne McLeish spent a lifetime reaching out to the child, in all of us.

As Abaca The Magician, and Peanut Butter The Magical Clown, Wayne delighted and dazzled countless audiences with feats of prestidigitation, a sense of fun and a warm, winning personality. Over the years, he’s given freely of his time and talents in aid of numerous worthy causes: VON’s Teddy Bear Festival, The Peterborough & District Head Injury Association, Five Counties Children’s Centre, and Telecare Distress Centre, to name but a few.

Wayne McLeish is one of those rare individuals for whom the phrase ‘dirty tricks’ refers to not shampooing his rabbit before performance. He’s also one of those rare individuals for whom the best magic is that which comes from the heart.

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.