Inductees

What Bill Mullan lacked in formal training, he more than made up for in enthusiasm, and devotion to music.

That same devotion characterized his commitment to sports and humanitarian causes.  Bill’s fiddle music made him a fixture at the Peterborough Farmers Market, and various local events.  Overcoming serious physical adversity, he actively participated in many sports. One could say, Bill Mullan was Peterborough’s most famous one-legged goaltender.

Over the years, Bill served as an avid supporter of many causes, including Cancer Research, ParticipAction, and old timers hockey.

David and Patricia Morton have been dynamic philanthropists, whose generosity has had an incredible impact on all of Peterborough County.

David Morton was President and CEO for Quaker Oats Company, while Dr. Patricia Morton taught history at Trent University, and is now Professor Emeritus. Both have served on significant committees affecting the welfare of our citizens.

David was Chair of the Board of Governors of Trent University, the Board of Frontier College, Chair of the Five Counties Children’s Centre, the Fleming College Board, the Greater Peterborough Economic Development Corporation, the Festival of Lights, and the original campaign for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. He was Peterborough’s Volunteer of the Year in 2002, and received an honourary doctorate from Trent University.

Patricia, a respected and published historian, has served on the Board of the Morton Community Health Centre in Lakefield. The Morton Family Trail, on the east bank of Trent University was named for them. Since 2012, David and Patricia Morton have been the leading donors for the Lakefield Literary Festival. They were major donors for the First People’s House of Learning at Trent University’s Gzowski College, and have funded several outstanding scholarships and bursaries for the University. They donated $100,000 to the building of the Sport and Wellness Centre at Trent University.

Most significantly, they donated $500,000 to the Lakefield Primary Health Centre, since renamed the Morton Community Health Centre. They also gave support to the Trent Valley Archives for its J. J. Duffus Project, and to the publishing of the history of the Quaker Oats fire of 1916.

No words can adequately capture the depth of David and Patricia Morton’s support for the communities of Peterborough, Lakefield, Trent University and the County of Peterborough – or their incalculable influence in making so many community projects feasible.

• photo courtesy KawarthaNOW

As scientist, engineer and inventor, Peter Eastcott brought fulfillment to many of his dreams for making the world a better place.

After a distinguished military career, he joined General Electric Canada as an electrical engineer. Peter became the most prolific inventor in the history of Canadian General Electric, registering 54 patents in the areas of industrial handling and safety.

Peter Eastcott also applied his engineering and inventing genius to humanitarian causes. He made life-saving contributions to the treatment of pulmonary disease and the invention of the HELPME program which, via computer, provides emergency response teams with vital, pre-incident, medical information.

Allan Harding’s fundraising ventures have placed him well above others – literally.

On a March weekend over the course of 16 years, Allan took to the roof of the Canadian Tire store, initially at the former George Street location and then at the store off Lansdowne Street. His ‘Al On The Roof’ fundraiser not only brought the Easter Seals Society close to $150,000 but also greatly raised awareness of the organization’s mandate and many associated programs.

Crediting his father Art with instilling in him a strong desire to help others, Allan has a self-professed soft spot for children in need. When one youngster had an urgent need for a wheelchair accessible van, Allan spent 48 hours on a boat in extremely cold weather, joined by the boy’s father. ‘Al In The Boat,’ as it was coined, raised $1,400.

Going back much earlier, in 1987, Allan perched himself on the roof of the former Red Oak Inn in downtown Peterborough, bringing in money for the emergency department at the then Peterborough Civic Hospital. In addition, his feet firmly planted on the ground, Allan has raised money for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart initiative that ensures children have equal access to sports and physical activity.

Unselfish in the extreme, Allan has always been quick to give credit to others who have supported his efforts. In October 2011, when Relly On The Roof – initially a fundraiser for the United Way – debuted atop The Brick, a very surprised Paul Rellinger was visited by Allan who made the climb and took the time to offer his warm support, offering the novice survival tips in the process.

In 2012, Allan returned to the roof of Canadian Tire one more time, again to the benefit of Easter Seals, but that was the last time as the physical strain of his rooftop sojourn had proven difficult. Other awards that have come his way, include Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award for exceptional community service, and Easter Seals’ Spirit of Giving Award.

For more than three decades, no charity concert in Peterborough would be complete without the familiar figure of Johnny Driscoll. An avid Country Music enthusiast, he’d give unselfishly of his time and energy to organize and promote concerts in aid of many worthy fundraisers.

With a deep sense of commitment to Peterborough’s performing arts community, Johnny Driscoll was an early and vocal proponent of establishing a city performance centre. He was also a grassroots supporter of the Pathway of Fame.

Katherine Wallis was one of the earliest, and most influential visual artists to hail from the Peterborough area.

Her childhood love of painting and drawing turned into a passion for sculpture after visiting the renowned galleries of Europe. Katherine returned to Europe to study in London and on the Continent. Soon after, her works were winning prizes and exhibited in galleries around North America, as well as Europe.

Although residing in California for much of her adult life, Katherine Wallis retained a deep affection for Peterborough and area, donating a significant number of her works to the City. She was also an influential supporter of Peterborough’s Women’s Art Association, and the establishment of the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

Back in the 1980’s, Robert Winslow began giving voice to the dream of establishing a theatre company that would present original plays dealing with local history, and staged in a barnyard! Needless to say, the original reaction was one of ‘suspended credulity.’

But Robert Winslow followed his dream and created 4th Line Theatre.

He invited the world, and the world came.

4th Line Theatre has evolved an imposing reality, not only coping with challenges facing an outdoor theatre, but facing the challenges inherent with dramatizing oft times uncomfortable themes: Catholic vs. Protestant, East vs. West, Rural vs. Urban, white vs. native.

And yet, from Day One, 4th Line Theatre has been truly unique and compelling. Whether as producer, director, writer, actor and always as Artistic Director, Robert consistently nailed the essence of drama, and the essence of conflict. Through portrayal of both sides of conflict, we’re afforded an opportunity to better understand our roots, ourselves, and others.

4th Line Theatre is now recognized across Canada, drawing patrons from around the world. Today it ranks as one of Kawarthas’ major tourism draws and has given a remarkable number of aspiring artists a chance to shine, just before sundown.

Sometimes with pathos, often with humour, but always with poignancy, Robert Winslow has held up, for us a rear- view mirror through which audiences can disappear, for a brief moment, into an elusive but welcome past…

To make your community a better place doesn’t always necessitate major and widely publicized feats. Sometimes it’s the little things, done with love and compassion. Helping neighbours means the most. With modesty and an extremely large heart, Pearl Goodall was a consummate good neighbour, and friend.

Known for her involvement, for many years, including that of her brother Bill and husband Stan involved with the Commercial Hotel in Lakefield, Pearl loved baking and sharing the bounty of her efforts with family, friends and strangers. She’s an active participant in the Lakefield Fair and, for 18 years, helped organize the Lakefield Santa Claus Parade. Pearl volunteered tirelessly with the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Red Cross. Pearl Goodall was recognized by the Ontario Community Care Program for having logged the most hours as a volunteer driver in the entire province of Ontario.

To be fondly remembered for unselfish dedication to your community, for your love, compassion, spirit and good humour is the surest indication of a life, well-lived.

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.

Peterborough’s vibrant arts scene has been blessed with countless champions – but few have matched the relentless passion, leadership and commitment that Cathy Rowland has consistently exhibited.

Visual, literary, dramatic…whatever arts genre Rowland set her sights on advancing, good things have followed. Combine that with her advocacy for youth, and it’s not hard to comprehend the indelible footprint our inductee has left on Peterborough’s cultural landscape.

An educator by profession and in heart, Rowland’s vision had a lasting impact when, in 1990 she founded and coordinated the Integrated Arts Program at PCVS. Countless youths benefitted, many of whom went on pursue their studies in the arts and achieve great success in their respective fields. In 2002, local youth again benefitted when Rowland developed, and organized the first Best of High School Art Exhibition. Six years later, Rowland produced and directed the PCVS 100^th anniversary gala concert.

Behind the scenes, Rowland has had a major and lasting influence as lead writer for the Ontario Applied Design and Arts curriculum. Her involvement with Trent University’s School of Education and, more recently its enrichment program has greatly influenced future educators to ensure the arts maintain a strong presence in their classrooms.

Away from the education tableau but no less significant, Rowland has written, produced and directed theatrical productions – her creative talents anchoring the success of numerous high school and community theatre offerings. In conjunction with the latter, she has won a series of regional Sears Drama Festival Awards. Never shy to roll up her sleeves and get busy, Rowland has also lent her considerable skills to costume and set design.

On the administrative side, Rowland has been a member of several boards, gifting her knowledge and enthusiasm to the great benefit of arts-related organizations: among them, the Peterborough Theatre Guild, the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery.

Just last year, Rowland brought together artists from various disciplines when she organized the Peterborough Sunflower Festival in support of Ukrainian refugees. 2022 also saw Rowland continue her work on behalf of the New Canadians Centre in the form of an interactive arts event for refugees new to the area.

A few are fortunate in life, in that what is done for a vocation by its very nature can expand into hobbies and interests that can be shared with others.

Such is the case of public school teacher, Drew Monkman. He shares nature’s changing seasons with those he teaches by having his students become more conscious of the environment, and how each has a part to play in preserving it. He preserves his passion for nature, as well, on film as he is an expert photographer capable of capturing new beginnings in flowers, birds or trees.

Drew Monkman is familiar to many readers of The Peterborough Examiner as he writes of his birding tours, or to seek signs of early spring among the wild flowers found growing in Peterborough County. He writes of these experiences so well that many readers are compelled to take up his wonderment with the inspiring world around us, and begin their own treks to expand their personal knowledge of nature.

• photo courtesy 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.

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.

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.

Harry Pott is a much admired volunteer who brings enthusiasm and skill to every activity. Except for a stint in the army, until 1958 Harry’s life revolved around farming in Manitoba. After a visit to Peterborough, he decided to stay to be a carpenter until retiring in 1981.

He has been teaching line dancing, taught fitness and swimming to mentally handicapped children, and has been an organizer for major seniors events, such as the Happy Gang seniors and carpet bowling.

Mr. Pott has served on the St. Giles Church Board of Managers since 1968.

How fortunate are those who are able to not only do what they love, but also blessed with the capacity to pursue their passion with the help, and support of those whom they love?

Born near Ottawa, Enid Swerdferger attended Queen’s University, bringing to that institution an unbridled love for both reading, and Canadian history. It was at Queen’s that she met Gord Mallory. They married in 1960 and moved to Peterborough where Gord worked as an engineer at Canadian General Electric. The couple raised four children, who have since blessed Enid and Gord with 10 grandchildren.

Having worked as both a social worker and a librarian, Enid never lost her love of Canadian history. Combining that with a talent and passion for writing, she penned and published her first book ‘Kawartha: Living On These Lakes,’ following that up with ‘Countryside Kawartha’ published through Peterborough Publishing, an enterprise started and operated by herself, and Gord. Combined, those first two books sold more than 10,000 copies locally.

With Gord’s assistance in photography and publishing, Enid has written 11 books. Along with those two initial efforts, other books she has written include ‘Robert Service: Under The Spell Of The Yukon’; ‘Coppermine: The Far North of George M. Douglas’; ‘Captain Fitz: FitzGibbon, Green Tiger of the War of 1812’; ‘Travels With Birds in Eastern North America’; ‘The Remarkable Years: Canadians Remember The 20th Century’; ‘Over The Counter: The Country Store In Canada’; and in 2017, ‘Susannah’s 1837: Rebellion in the Canadas.’ In addition, Enid has contributed articles to the Canadian Geographical Journal, Beaver’ and Reader’s Digest.

Enid’s research for her books has taken her and Gord across Canada, including two trips to the Yukon where she conducted interviews for ‘Robert Service: Under The Spell Of The Yukon.’ For her e-book ‘Travels With Birds,’ they trekked across eastern Ontario, and the eastern United States.

Back home, Enid was a member of the Friends of the Bata Library at Trent University, and both were members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists. In addition, numerous speaking engagements have filled Enid’s calendar, including talks featured at the annual Lakefield Literary Festival and before several local historical societies.

Until his passing in April of 2018, Gord was equally busy.  After working in the Civilian Atomic Power Department at GE, he founded Spectrum Engineering in 1971 with three other engineers. Sold to a Norwegian company, that company is now owned by Rolls-Royce, which employs 140 people locally. In Seoul, South Korea, Gord taught a nuclear radiation safety course for the Korean Atomic Energy Commission. Locally, he served with Otonabee Conservation as chair of its Water Control Board, and chaired the Board of Northminster United Church.

Representing legendary business success in Peterborough in the early 20th Century, J.J. Duffus brought the first Ford Motor dealership in Canada, to Peterborough in 1909.  He served the community for 48 years as Alderman, Mayor, Member of Parliament and Senator.  He worked tirelessly to attract manufacturing industries to the City and, in the senate, was an early and effective proponent for the establishment of the Old Age Pension.

• Photo courtesy of the Duffus Family

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.

If it holds true that those who have our ear have a responsibility to lend their voice to community causes and campaigns, then John Mariasine has been very responsible indeed.

Upon arriving in the city in 1970, ‘Little John’ started his lengthy tenure with 1420 CKPT as a sports reporter before a promotion to the morning drive slot in 1973. Over the next 20 years, John was the warm and inclusive voice of CKPT, greeting morning listeners with a variety of popular ongoing segments.

John’s broadcasting career brought him benefits beyond the studio in the form of long-lasting relationships with a number of community organizations. His relentless promotional work on behalf of ParticipAction, the Ontario Summer Games and the Canadian Cancer Society proved invaluable to the success of each. With the annual McHappy Day fundraiser coinciding with his birthday, John turned it into a double celebration, selflessly sharing a slice of his cake before asking for a donation.

A number of annual events also benefitted from John’s skills as an engaging emcee and DJ, including GE Christmas parties at the Memorial Centre, toy drive kick-offs at Peterborough Square and a number of YMCA fundraising events. John brought his familiar voice to the theatrical stage as well, performing in a number of musicals staged by the Peterborough Theatre Guild and the St. James’ Players, starting in 1982 with Annie Get Your Gun and continuing his thespian pursuits after retirement with roles in seasonal productions.

Through the 1980s, John donated his time and talents to Up With People, an organization that supports the participation of children and young people in educational programs that promote cultural diversity and leadership through the arts. John and his wife Penny went above and beyond for the organization, often opening their home to participants. In 2017, John’s commitment to bettering life for others manifested itself through his volunteer work for TandemEyes that saw him serve as a guide rider for the visually impaired enjoying cycling paths.

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.

If there’s a song to be sung, or a note to be struck, or both, the odds are pretty good that Bob Trennum is somewhere in the mix.

Equally proficient at the keyboard, or with a guitar, banjo, ukelele or harmonica in hand, Trennum’s selfless sharing of his musical gift has benefitted not only hundreds of young people, but also lifted the spirits of retirement and nursing home residents across the region.

Over a 33-year career as a music teacher, Trennum directed school choirs, but made time beyond that setting to assist with musicals staged by local theatre companies such as the Peterborough Theatre Guild, St. James’ Players and the Northumberland Players. At Showplace in Peterborough, Spring Tonic and Legendary Icon shows have featured his talents.

Trennum’s dedication to his craft is matched by his boundless generosity, with numerous fundraisers for community groups having met with success due in large part to his involvement.

Along the way, his eager willingness to work with, and support, performers such as Kate Suhr, Carling Stephen and Beth McMaster has earned him the respect and admiration of many.

Suhr makes note of “the joy” of performing alongside Trennum over several years, their first production together being State Fair staged in the late 1990s by St. James’ Players.

“Bob brought something special to the stage – an infectious energy, a deep sense of community pride, and a genuine love for connecting with audiences,” says Suhr, echoing the view of many.

Having written and recorded more than 50 songs – a number of them about his beloved Stony Lake – Trennum has been, and remains, a musician of considerable talents; his journey including, but not limited to, his years playing piano for The Dixie Cats. That’s when Tom Bell first made his acquaintance.

“Bob is a joy to work with; unlike many entertainers, his ego is always left at the door,” marvels Bell, adding “He celebrates his humanity by making music.”

Approaching 80 years of age, Trennum is showing no signs of slowing down. His continued commitment to his craft and to the betterment of his community is truly music to the ears, and hearts, of the many whose lives he continues to touch.

Cal Coons – writer, director and producer for network television, has worked in the Canadian film and television industry since the 1980’s. He is perhaps best known as the executive producer since 2011 for ‘The Listener,’ for CTV and FOX and since 2009 for ‘Murdoch Mysteries,’ the popular CITY-TV series now a top draw for CBC. Both shows are in current production, and he has written episodes for both series.

From 2001-2004, he wrote many episodes for Global’s ‘Blue Murder.’ He has written episodes for several other television series including ‘Remedy’ and ‘Republic of Doyle.’

Coons attended Buckhorn Public School, Lakefield District Secondary School, Niagara College and the Canadian Film Institute.

Cal is also the guitarist for the Peterborough music group ‘Pop Machine.’ He is on the Wall of Fame of the Lakefield high school, and has been nominated more than 25 times for the Gemini award.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

During his short life, Chris MacGee made profound contributions to the Peterborough arts community, both in administration, and as a remarkable creative artist in his own right. Chris worked at Artspace and as curator of the MacKenzie Gallery at Trent University, for five years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

Despite his administrative duties, Chris still found time to pursue his true passion: creating art. On display in Peterborough and across Canada, Chris MacGee’s work exhibits a superb craftsmanship and clarity of vision, making his interpretive style distinctive and forceful.

Douglas Sadler was born in London, England in 1916. He served in the 7th Armoured Division (Desert Rats) during World War II and with the Queen’s Royal Regiment in Holland. He spent six months imprisoned in Oflag 79, Germany.

It was during the World War II that Sadler met his future wife, Joan, in England. They were married in 1942. After the War, he served as a Captain in the Army and one of his tours took him to Singapore in 1947. He came to Canada in 1950 to work on Governor-General Vincent Massey’s farm near Port Hope, Ontario and later worked for the Port Hope Evening Guide in advertising.

This was the beginning of his newspaper career which ultimately led him to the Peterborough Examiner and the City of Peterborough in 1953. Part of his work at the Examiner included writing his now famous outdoor column, “Come Quietly With Me,” which he has now written for more than 30 years. Douglas has written close to 1500 columns on every conceivable aspect of the environment.

Late in his life, Douglas decided to return to school. He attended the old Peterborough Teacher’s College, and upon graduation, began teaching with the Northumberland Board of Education. He later became the vice-principal of Warkworth School in 1969 and worked there for twelve years before taking a job as an outdoor education consultant.

He then moved to the Peterborough County Board of Education. When the outdoor education program was cancelled in 1975, Douglas continued teaching at the Bailieboro School. At about the same time, Douglas became a member of the Peterborough Field Naturalists. After two years, he joined the Ontario Federation of Field Naturalists were he was a member for sixteen years, two of which were spent as the Federation’s president. Douglas has won the Frank Kortright Award twice and is an honorary life member of the Peterborough Field Naturalists. He earned a degree in geography in 1978 from Trent University and, in 1988, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the same university.

In 1987 he authored the book “Reading Nature’s Clues.”

Mr. Sadler died in 2008.

A night on the town with friends and Bobby Watson’s music, has been a Peterborough tradition for years – and it doesn’t get any better than that.

Bobby’s musical roots run deep, and are typical of Peterborough’s entertainment story. Starting with a Sears catalogue guitar, purchased with paper route money, Bobby went on to become part of the seminal bands in Peterborough Rock & Roll.

First came ‘The Outcrowd,’ later becoming ‘The Hangmen.’ Then there was ‘Sumac and Bacon,’ well before he expanded his horizons with non-Peterborough bands such as Ensemble and Coyote, after which he returned home to be part of ‘Max Mouse & The Gorillas.’

Bobby then cemented his credentials, as many great musicians do, by serving an apprenticeship with Ronnie Hawkins.

A 10-year sojourn in the Blues Capital of Memphis furthered his musical pedigree, teaching him a lot about Canadians competing in tough markets and learning to believe in their talents. It might sound over-simplified to say that you have to go away in order to come back again – however, in Bobby’s case the years in Memphis led him back to Peterborough.

Reestablishing himself here, he’s become a vital, and respected part of the Peterborough entertainment scene. The Peterborough Examiner Centennial Edition listed him as one of the Performing Arts Top 100 of the Past 100 years. A recent tribute to Bobby Watson included testimonials from no fewer than 30 prominent musicians who’ve been touched by the Watson magic.