Inductees

How far will one guy go to raise money for a most worthy cause?

In the case of Ted Dawes, it’s not how far. It’s how high, how often. Although there is an aspect of how far involved here, as well. Confused? Read on.

A longtime employee of Minute Maid in Peterborough, Dawes took to the roof of Morello’s Independent Grocer in May 2024 for a 20th time, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, every penny brought in destined for research.

Supported by his work union, United Food and Commercial Workers International, Dawes’s annual long weekend rooftop stay had brought in some $400,000 over the years prior.

Why Morello’s? Simple. Holly, his wife of 39 years, is a longtime employee of the east Peterborough grocery store, while owners Dave and Kim Morello have been, and remain, staunch supporters of Dawes’ fundraising efforts.

In 2009, Dawes deviated from his Ted on the Roof script, opting to undertake Ted on the Road and walking from Parliament Hill in Ottawa to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital. In addition, Ted at Your Door has seen Dawes go door-to-door for donations, while Ted on the BBQ has seen him flip burgers and the like for the cause that remains near and dear to his heart.

Back in 2011, when Relly on the Roof took flight atop The Brick as a fundraiser for the United Way initially and later for Habitat for Humanity, newbie ‘roofer’ Paul Rellinger was quick to praise Dawes for blazing the roof fundraising path along with Al Harding, who raised money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation for years prior from his perch atop Canadian Tire.

“The best ideas are stolen…and I stole this one,” admitted Rellinger, crediting both men for their dedication to their respective causes, and for voicing their support of the new kid on the roof.

While Ted should be applauded for his years of roofing for an important cause, he’d no doubt shrug such praise off, noting his greatest achievement has been, and remains, his and Holly’s raising of Corey, Chris and Caitlyn, coupled with their enduring love for their grandchildren, Jayde and Sophia.

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 there’s any doubt that music is a doorway to a life well spent, as an individual and an integral community member, one has only to look at the life of Elsie Chambers Flett.

As one of the first members of Peterborough Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, she taught, and inspired children of this area for more than 50 years. As choir director and organist, she enriched services at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, as well as leading numerous musicals utilizing talented members of the choir.

However, it’s an offshoot of her work at St. Paul’s that many consider her most noteworthy achievement. She’s founder, producer and director of ‘Bethlehem Live.’ Through the marriage of music and spoken word, this yearly pageant brings to life the Christmas story in a poignant and tender way. Since its inception, the event has charmed, and inspired thousands of Peterborough residents and visitors.

The joy and meaning of music, accomplishment, and dedication to community.

Elsie Chambers Flett passed away in 2013, in her 90th year.

To be a true community Samaritan, it seems necessary to do two things: robustly speak out regarding important causes, and provide quiet comfort and assistance to distressed individuals, without fanfare. These two qualities were personified with grace, and dignity in the Reverend Floyd Howlett.

Reverend Howlett began his life of commitment protesting the treatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. That led to work as a United Church missionary in Japan.

Returning to Canada, he became passionately involved with the Peterborough branch of Project Ploughshares, campaigning for world peace and disarmament. Floyd and his wife, Sheila were selfless supporters of the New Canadians Centre, even opening their home to needy refugee families. Floyd shared his dedication and energy with the Social Planning Council of Peterborough, Kairos and Natwin program, which twins Peterborough with the northern Ontario reserve of Mishkegogamang.

The life of Reverend Floyd Howlett is proof that, although the distance between words and actions may be great, the journey is well worth the travel…

Reverend Howlett passed away the year following his induction, in 2003.

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

The editorial cartoon is a truly unique art form requiring very special talent. Doug Landry demonstrated that special talent for over 50 years in the Peterborough area.

He sold his first cartoon to none other than Robertson Davies, then-editor of the Peterborough Examiner in 1950, and churned out a steady stream for area publications since that day. Doug estimated at one time he produced several thousand quick sketches at fairs and community events. In fact, special editions of his cartoons and caricatures are now becoming collector items.

Over the years, Doug branched out into commercial art and design, and landscape painting. However, it’s the quick sketches, caricatures and cartoons that remained his first love.

There seems a point in an entertainer’s life when the call of home and community overtakes the lure of the road. People who create a life, and roots, become more important than heading out on the road to a new town, a new audience.

Make no mistake, Del Haddlesey still loves his music but benefiting others now occupies the driver’s seat in his life.

Many will remember Del Haddlesey from the ‘salad days’ of Peterborough music in ’60’s and ’70’s. Whether at Brock Ballroom, Queens Hotel, Marmora or Madoc Hotels, Del captivated audiences over many years of Saturday nights. In the 1970’s, he went on the road to share stages with the likes of Waylon Jennings and Chubby Checker. As time went by, and life imposed its dictates, Del returned to his Peterborough roots.

Switching gears, Del concentrated on making a difference on behalf of people who needed him in the Kawarthas. His date-book soon filled with events in aid of a veritable ‘who’s who’ of community endeavours. With his group, ‘Father Time,’ he worked in aid of local food banks, area Legions, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Cancer Society, many family benefits and an impressive list of community projects.

Dedication to community through time, talent, energy and selflessness is the hallmark of an exceptional human spirit. That’s Del Haddlesey.

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.

A self-made entrepreneur for the past 27 years, Jeannine Taylor has backed her vision with substance as the founder, CEO and publisher of kawarthaNOW.com – the only independent Kawarthas media company owned, and operated by a woman.

Born and raised in Peterborough, Taylor graduated from Fleming College in arts administration and marketing, working for several local arts organizations before becoming marketing director for Lansdowne Place.

After toiling for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and serving as managing editor for three local magazines, Taylor’s visionary recognition of the emerging importance of the Internet as a communications platform led to her launch quidnovis.com, the local region’s first ‘electronic’ magazine and, later, Quid Novis Internet Productions, a website development and hosting company with hundreds of clients.

By the early 2000s, as numerous entities became embroiled in the online media frenzy by developing their own websites and related Internet presence, Taylor saw the writing on the wall for Quid Novis, and decided to pivot. In 2006, she re-launched quidnovis.com as kawarthaNOW.com, a digital media company focused on local community, business and arts/entertainment news.

Serving Peterborough, the Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings and Haliburton, kawarthaNOW.com now boasts more than 72,000 regular readers, 13,800 weekly e-news subscribers and more than 70,000 followers on social media.

As committed as she is to her business and to her clients, Taylor has consistently gifted her time to support and mentor other women in business. She has been a member of the Women’s Business Network since 1987, a founding member of 100 Women Peterborough, and served on the committee for Inspire: The Women’s Portrait Project Gala in 2018.

Truth be known, Taylor’s board and committee work resumé is too vast to include in its entirety – but suffice to say countless organizations, and their clients, have benefitted from her insight, dedication and drive to succeed – as many have, thanks to her wise counsel.

Add to the mix kawarthaNOW.com’s sponsorship of numerous local non-profits that provides far-reaching, invaluable promotion of their respective programs and initiatives.

Named Peterborough Business Woman of the Year in 2005, Taylor has brought home a boatlload of other awards and honours. The recipient of two Peterborough Chamber Business Excellence Awards – in 2011 for Best Micro Business, and 2013 for Entrepreneurial Spirit, Taylor was a finalist for the Kawartha Chamber’s Entrepreneur Innovation Award in 2018. That same year saw then-MP Maryam Monsef present Taylor the Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Award.

While it’s proven true that many hands make light work, there’s some question around just how many hands are required to get the job done, and in a most significant way.

Keith Dalton and Elaine Orgill are here to tell us that four hands are enough and, further, that the combined result of their volunteer efforts extends far beyond simply lightening the work.

The grateful benefactors of their extensive voluntarism number two in the form of Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and the Peterborough Theatre Guild, but the effect in terms of both entities’ success and continued vitality has been, and remains, boundless.

For PATH, Dalton and Orgill have been hard at it since 2021 – Dalton as project manager, to which he brought his professional engineering and managerial skills, and as the lead for the organization’s Land Acquisition Group; and Orgill as a fundraising coordinator who, with Dalton, has done much to elevate PATH’s community outreach.

Specifically, Dalton’s expertise was key in PATH’s initial 2022 city council application to locate on property at Park and Lansdowne; the partnership with Cleary Homes to facilitate the building of a model cabin and the storage of nine unassembled cabins; collaborations with building material suppliers; and negotiations with Habitat for Humanity which led to PATH’S rental of the property at its current location on Lansdowne Street East.

Orgill, meanwhile, took the fundraising lead for PATH, through Delta Bingo and her arranging for a 2023 Market Hall benefit featuring the Peterborough Concert Band – an ensemble in which she performs, alongside Dalton. To these efforts, Orgill has brought an extensive background in voluntarism, including work on behalf of Jamaican Self-Help and Grandmothers to Grandmothers.

As for the Peterborough Theatre Guild part of this joint equation, both have gone far and beyond to the great benefit of the community theatre troupe.

Over the past 30 years, Dalton has built sets for guild productions, bringing to that work his skills as an architect, designer and carpenter, while Orgill has served as the production manager for a number of the guild’s stagings over the years.

As passionate advocates for social justice, Dalton and Orgill have acted on their convictions time and time again, the result seen not only in the continued vitality and sustainability of the organizations they’re associated with, but in the Peterborough community as a whole where the selfless gift of their time and talents is a shining example of the impact of saying “I can do that…and will.”

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.

In a city where post-secondary education is an exemplary pillar of the community both past and present, David Sutherland stands out as a true architect of that legacy.

Arriving in Peterborough in 1967 to assume the founding president role of what was then known as Sir Sandford Fleming College, David ensured the community college was exactly that with its offering of daytime and evening courses, the establishment of campuses in Lindsay, Haliburton and Cobourg, and the fostering of relationships with local employers via college advisory committees.

More uniquely, David’s relationship with Trent University founding president Tom Symons laid the groundwork for what was a mutually beneficial education-based partnership that remains intact to this day in a number of ways, including the joint nursing program. To show their commitment to that relationship, both David and Tom served on each other’s board of governors.

Retirement in 1981 did little if anything to slow David down. With local lawyer and parole board member Alex Edmison, he helped establish Edmison House, a halfway house for parolees, many of whom were given work at the city’s recycling plant. It didn’t hurt matters that David’s wife Sylvia was mayor at the time and had some influence on that decision.

Other volunteer pursuits saw David serve on the boards of Junior Achievement, the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Council and Trent Valley Literacy. Also benefitting from David’s clear commitment to community, was Meals On Wheels.

David Sutherland passed in 1991, robbing Peterborough of what was sure to be years of more meaningful contributions. As Sylvia notes, David’s initial plan was to stay at Fleming five years. That became 10 years and then almost 15, leading to the relatively easy decision that Peterborough, thankfully, would remain their home after his retirement.

Musicologists agree we can thank The Beatles for more than an exceptional body of music. A generation can thank them for opening the door for young people to form their own music groups with no formal musical training. Teenagers of the 1960’s and beyond created their own sound, and had loads of fun along the way.

Geoff Hewitson is a great example of that era. As lead singer for such wells of memory as The Continentals, The Jaguars and The Fabulous Fugitives, he’s considered a legend of the golden age of Peterborough Rock & Roll. What set Geoff apart was his eagerness to expand his creative horizons. His highly acclaimed and award-winning YOUR TV documentary ‘Peterborough’s Rock & Roll Roots’ revived wonderful memories of those who lived through the era and, maybe, just a small measure of envy among those born too late to enjoy the special good times.

Geoff also wrote a comic drama ‘Wild Oats,’ a highlight of Peterborough Theatre Guild’s 2003 season. Over the years, he’s performed in various capacities with almost every local theatre group, including a superb performance in 4th Line Theatre’s production of “Doctor Barnardo’s Children.”

Geoff Hewitson is a product of a time when music and performing were fun. Creativity was hands-on, and heartfelt. Performance in Peterborough is the richer because he’s carried the spirit, and never dropped the ball…

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.

The old saw, (Like Father, Like Son) certainly applies to Vincent J. Abrahamse. He encouraged the same love and passion for music, in his Thomas A. Stewart students, as his father, Jack, instilled in him.

Crafting a highly successful music program at Thomas A. Stewart, Vincent brought much recognition to this area through his direction of unfailing national award winning bands. The bands consist of students from grades 9 through 12, many with no musical experience prior to entering his music program.

It’s through his passion, dedication and hard work that Vincent is able to bring a love and joy of music to those he teaches and who, because of it, produce provincial and national awards as a result.

Gary Stewart was a funeral director with Comstock Funeral Home until 1974, and subsequently since 2003 with Community Alternatives.

Stewart founded G. Stewart Travel Services, and directed the firm for nearly 30 years, when he sold it to Scott and Dana Stewart. The firm was connected to Carlson Wagonlit.

Stewart was an Otonabee Township councillor from 1981 through 1995, serving as Deputy Reeve, and Reeve. He served as the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough, 1995-2003.

As MPP, he was particularly determined in working to secure the funding needed to assure the success of the new Peterborough Regional Hospital. Stewart has spent his entire life in Stewart Hall and Peterborough, and is well-known and connected with the community.

In varied and quiet ways, Gary Stewart has helped countless people, and innumerable causes in the community. As John Cunningham, of Community Alternatives has noted, “Gary is extremely personable, exudes trust and just has a way with people…”

• photo courtesy of Lance Anderson, MyKawartha and Peterborough This Week

• Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner

Gordon Roper (d. 2012) was a Professor of English Literature at Trinity College, University of Toronto from 1944-1969, and then at Trent University from 1969-1977. His family was rooted in Peterborough, and he was a major scholar of local writers such as Robertson Davies, Susannah Moodie and others. His family came to Peterborough in 1915 when his father joined the staff of the local YMCA. He enjoyed lifetime friendships with F. M. de la Fosse, local naturalist William A. Breyfogle (1905-1958), Margaret Laurence and Mr. Davies.

He received the Peter Robinson medal in 2000 for his contributions to Peterborough and to its literary history. Streets in Peterborough – Roper, Hawthorne and Melville – were named for his heroes. His students have included professors now at Trent University, and the former Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson.

Gordon Roper was a pioneer in bringing the writing of local authors, to life.

Confirmation of any kind is a less-than-desirable state, in which to exist.  Bea Quarrie remains an example of a life spent championing the transformative power of what arts can achieve.  Bea is involved in all aspects of the arts, experiencing everything the world of drama offers in its many facets.

Bea’s theatrical experience extends a resume of over 150 productions as actor, director and producer; an award -winning director whose productions represented Canada at international festivals in Japan, Germany, Ciruba, Venezuela, and in her homeland.  For years, her expert theatre reviews appeared in The Peterborough Examiner.

Bea Quarrie found time to teach dramatic and visual arts at Lakefield College School.  Her expertise is acknowledged far beyond Peterborough but, thankfully, this community is beneficiary of her unique artistic vision.

• photo courtesy of Lance Anderson, MyKawartha.com

When reflecting upon Peterborough natives who have been heralded on a wider and grander stage for their achievements, Greg Wells is truly in select company.

An alumnus of Edmison Heights Public School and Adam Scott Collegiate, Wells is today a highly-respected, and world renowned record producer, songwriter, musician and audio engineer with song credits on more than 130 million albums sold.  At his Rocket Carousel Studio in Los Angeles, Wells has produced and written with numerous popular music icons ranging from Adele and Taylor Swift, to Celine Dion and Elton John.

Wells has garnered six Grammy Award nominations along the way, winning the coveted statue in 2018 for best compilation soundtrack for visual media for the 2017 film The Greatest Showman and again this year for his work on Michael Bublé’s album Higher.

Wells headed to Los Angeles at age 21 with the intent of returning to Canada. However Clare Fischer, the composer and string arranger for Prince, was soon recommending him as a pianist. Wells joined k.d. lang’s band soon after, performing with her on stage at the 1993 Grammy Awards.

While the City of Angels is now his home, Wells has never forgotten his Peterborough roots. His commitment to the health, and furtherance of the local music scene has remained consistent and noteworthy.

Clear evidence of this was his co-founding of the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective, a fitting tribute to the late owner of Ed’s Music that sees local songwriters given the chance to have their submitted songs mixed and produced by him at his studio free of charge – an expense well beyond their means. In 2018, at the memorial service for Don Skuce, Wells performed as part of the send-off for his friend.

In addition, Wells paid the airfare for Peterborough music legend Bobby Watson to fly to Los Angeles where he recorded, and produced his new CD free of charge. Back in Peterborough, when Watson released the CD at the Historic Red Dog, Wells was again on hand, performing alongside him.

His numerous professional achievements and philanthropy aside, Wells remains an unabashedly proud ambassador of the rich musical heritage that has been, and remains, very much a key element of Peterborough’s DNA.

The soundtrack, of a City…

In 2025 Mr. Wells was appointed as a Member of The Order of Canada

Modern communications can often be a mysterious blend of words, ideas and technical hardware. John Gilbert Jones began his life as a television technician and HAM radio enthusiast. That was the ‘medium’ side of the ‘message.’ The ‘message’ side would come later.

Composing stories and a passion for narrative started as a youthful and personal pastime. Then in the 1960’s, John decided to pursue his dream of becoming a storyteller. Honing his craft as he went, John produced his acclaimed ‘Swamp Cedar Stories.’ He also undertook a daunting, but fulfilling project: updating and revising Hillier Williamson’s acclaimed history of Omemee. The book was originally published in 1968. John’s update was a popular success, rekindling enthusiasm for local history. The book became a turning point in helping to revitalize Omemee and District Historical Society.

John’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. For his work, he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the Ontario Heritage Foundation.

An integral aspect of communication and writing, is to assist other aspiring and established communicators. To that end, John was an energetic influence on the Kawartha Lakes Writers Association as well as writing groups in Keene and Peterborough. He was also an ardent supporter of the Historical Society’s annual Book Fair.

For a natural storyteller, the life of each human being, and of each community, represent stories that ache to be told, and shared. The Kawartha region was lucky to possess such a passionate storyteller, as John Gilbert Jones.

Mr. Jones died in 2015, at the age of 81.

Mention the former Towns General Store, and ‘Douro’ will probably be mentioned in the same breath – and the reverse will happen when one mentions Douro – Towns General Store will be mentioned too. Ask the whereabouts of Michael Towns and you will be corrected to say ‘Mike’ Towns. For it is as ‘Mike’ that Towns is held by the entire region as the successful, dedicated and newly retired businessman, accomplished musician and now it’s more recent Author-In-Residence!

Just as his father and grandfather before him, Mike welcomed customers to the famous store established in 1892, and operated continuously until it succumbed to a massive fire on February 2nd, 2018. When minding the store for most of his life, he always showed a genuine interest and deep compassion for those who frequented his establishment.

It can truly be stated Mike’s journey has been walked with integrity, humility and grace. He is certainly regarded as a cherished gem within the community of Douro. Now it is Mike Town’s penning as an author too which has allowed the many descendants of Douro residents, those residing within it, and those who have moved away to rekindle their roots.

Mike’s two books, ‘While Minding The Store,’ and ‘I Mind The Time,’ chronicle the life and history of the early settlers and previous generations of Douro residents.  Readers are gently guided back to a time of faith, family and community.

Mike’s friendly demeanor, ready smile and handshake are testimonial that even in this hurried day and age, one can be assured of personal attention and interest – a genuine quality only transferred from generation to generation.
The Pathway of Fame was formed to enshrine important people such as Mike Towns who represent and maintain those special ideals that have made this area the extra special place that it is.

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.

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.

If all the stage is indeed a world, John Robinson has established himself as one of its leading citizens.

It was back in 1984 that John asked some friends “What do you actually do at Whispers Dinner Theatre?” Clearly he liked what he heard back as he has rarely left a theatre setting since.

As a volunteer with the St. James’ Players and the Peterborough Theatre Guild for more than 30 years, John has worked on more than 130 productions. In 1997, he joined the Peterborough Theatre Guild executive and served as technical director over the next 18 years, participating in workshops on lighting, pyrotechnics and theatre safety while sharing his invaluable knowledge with students at St. Peter and Thomas A. Stewart.

A recipient of awards from the Eastern Ontario Drama League, John was honoured in 2002 with the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s Outstanding Service Award and, just last year, with a Lifetime Membership. His work with the Peterborough Theatre Guild executive brought him a Community Betterment Award from the City of Peterborough in 2003 to go along with two other civic awards for his production team role on two productions. And in 2007, he received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of more than 20 years of continuous service with the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Away from the bright stage lights, John has been no less dedicated and, as a result, no less busy. In 2005, he volunteered his time with Special Olympics Ontario for its Spring Games and again in 2018 for the school championships. For more than 20 years, he has worked behind the scenes to make the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life a huge success in both Peterborough and Bowmanville, and is currently serving his seventh year as a member of the planning committee for the annual Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope.

Two individuals, dedicated to one historic cause…

Both gentlemen founded the restoration committee for Christ Church in Lakefield.  Their efforts saved the church as a viable heritage building in Lakefield village.  Christ Church is the product of Colonel Sam Strickland (brother of Catharine Parr Traill and Susanna Moodie) and his fundraising in England.  Christ Church, as the first church in the County (excluding the Town of Peterborough) is believed to have been built without a mortgage.  In any event, Bill Twist and Garnet Graham saw preserving the church a a priority of utmost importance, not just to the village but to the entire county – and they took up the challenge to make it so.  The foresight and endeavour to, not only, save Christ Church, but to see it morph into a genuine Village Museum remains an ongoing gift to the country in which we live.

While many have been, and still are champions of the preservation and celebration of local heritage and history, few have displayed the level of passion and sheer tenacity that Mary Laverty brought to bear over some three decades.

Starting in the early 1980s, Mary clearly recognized the need to preserve all forms of local heritage, including researching and presenting the history and architecture of buildings. She volunteered her time for restoration efforts, was involved with the naming and cataloging of Roy Studio Images, assisted in the writing and development of public policy on heritage issues, and rewrote the bylaws of the Peterborough Historical Society to bring them in line with 21st century thinking and practices. In short, Mary saw the pressing need for cultural preservation, rolled up her sleeves and made it happen.

Mary’s work with Roy Studio Images led to her researching for her book Upper Stoney Lake: Gem of the Kawarthas. Later, with her husband Doug, she researched and wrote Up The Burleigh Road: Beyond The Boulders. For her writing prowess and the breadth of her research, she received the 2011 Award of Merit from the Ontario Heritage Trust.

Among the many who worked with Mary on a number of committees and projects was inaugural Trent University president Dr. Tom Symons. Just recently, he remembered Mary for “standing out amongst those who have cherished and cared for the distinctive heritage of this old Ontario town.”

During her five terms as president of the Peterborough Historical Society, Mary sewed heritage dresses for volunteers to wear and managed the historical preservation of the museum. In addition, she organized the High School History Awards and the annual Heritage Awards presentation. Mary also spoke on heritage issues before numerous groups as well as promoted and organized active community participation in local heritage activities, most notably via the annual Doors Open Peterborough initiative.

Before her passing in July 2014, Mary amassed a number of awards and honours. In 1985, her championing of the educational and historical significance of PCVS brought her an Award of Merit as Educator of the Year; in 2007, and again in 2009, the City of Peterborough presented her with its Cultural Betterment Award; and 2011 brought her the Award of Merit from Heritage Ontario. Mary also won the George A. Cox Heritage Award.

It’s no small wonder that Trent Valley Archives director Elwood Jones praised Mary as the backbone of the Peterborough Historical Society, her husband Doug noting “When Mary got involved in a cause, she really believed in it.” Mary’s many contributions continue to form the foundation of historical understanding and preservation in Peterborough.

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

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

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

It seems, to be part of Canadian character, many of our enduring cultural achievements come not just from larger centres but from smaller communities such as Peterborough. A proud case in point, remains the shining success story known as The Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Few have contributed more to the Guild’s artistic tradition, than Syd Waldron.

For over 40 years, Syd played a vital, multi-dimensional role in a continuing saga of The Guild. Behind the scenes, (if a director’s job can be considered behind the scenes), Syd directed such classic Guild productions as The Music Man, Ten Little Indians, The Mumberly Inheritance and Sinners, to name but a few. He also devoted much time and energy to fundraising, membership drives and whatever was needed doing, organizationally.

In front of audiences, Syd shone in stellar performances: Fiddler On The Roof, Kiss Me Kate, The King And I and many more.

For Syd Waldron, the stage is truly a two-way street. He takes delight in the vibrant world of live theatre and audiences have taken delight in his talent, creativity and imagination.

Brent Bailey, a professional musician based in Peterborough, mostly known for playing the keyboard and providing vocal accompaniment, both as a solo artist and in bands such as Ronnie Hawkins’The Hawks, Jericho’sWall and The Rocket 88’s. It is claimed that he can play any Rock and Roll song ever made. He played with local high school groups in the late 1960s, and then started appearing with established local talent. He was with Anita Perris, Canadian country singer, and also with rock and roll stars such as Jeff Healey, Jerry Lee Lewis,The Band, Kris Kristofferson and Carl Perkins. He has played all the Peterborough venues as well as at Massey Hall, Air Canada Centre, Edmonton Coliseum and other places. He has been on TV with Rita MacNeil, Conan O’Brien and Mike Bullard. Brent Bailey has performed with Pathway of Fame inductees such as Jack Bailey, Ronnie Hawkins, Joey Henderson, Bobby Watson and Buzz Thompson.