Photos: Memoirs of Media Personality "Sunshine Sean" Released In Book Signing

Memoirs of one of Peterborough’s longtime media personalities, Sean Eyre, have been documented in author Bob Cottrell’s new read, ‘Sunshine Sean — The Life, and Times of Sean Eyre’ during a book signing at Rubidge Retirement Residence on Monday afternoon.

Cottrell (left) puts his John Hancock as Eyre (middle) has some laughs with a fan during the book signing. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The book features 90 pages, with 46 chapters encapsulating the 85-year-old’s life. It features stories of his arrival in Peterborough from Timmins to be CHEX TV’s weatherman in 1960, named Peterborough’s official town crier, his induction to the Pathway of Fame induction in 2023 and more. Candace Drover of Silverstreak Creative Design created and rendered the book cover.

Several dignitaries were out to congratulate Erye and Bottrell, including J. Murray Jones, former Peterborough County Warden; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden; Daryl Bennett, former Peterborough Mayor; Michelle Ferreri, Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Mayor Jeff Leal.

Peterborough County awarded the duo with certificates of recognition at the start of the event.

A tribute song entitled ‘Sunshine Sean’ was played at the event, sung by Peterborough’s Washboard Hank, who was also in attendance.

Eyre was coined ‘Sunshine Sean’ as a reference to his CHEX TV career as a broadcaster and on-air personality.

He left CHEX in 1976 to form Eyreline Productions with Franks. He also had stints with 910 CKLY in Lindsay in 1992; CKQM Country 105 in Peterborough hit the airwaves on several Trent Radio programs.

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Local Journalist Releases Book 'Peterborough People to Remember' to Highlighting Peterborough Figures Not to Be Forgotten

Local Journalist Ed Arnold has written about 12 people he believes their history and influence should not be forgotten in his book, ‘Peterborough People to Remember,’ showcased in front of Sullivan’s Pharmacy on Wednesday afternoon.

Arnold Displays an Excerpt From an article published in the Peterborough Examiner where he was a former managing editor. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

His 303-page book explores the 12 figures and Peterborough's growth from the 1800s until the early 1970s. The stories range from two capitalists who shaped Canada’s economy to five soldiers to Peterborough’s first-born and raised NHL hockey player and more.

“It's about 12 people from Peterborough who I thought should be remembered and I don't think all of them have been appropriately,” explained Arnold. “All the research I've done over the years, I kept coming across these names and jotting them things about them. I had a lot of research already before I started and I found their stories fascinating. I didn't know anything about most of them.”

'Peterborough People to Remember' took Arnold a year and a half to write. He has written roughly 25 books to date. His last book, ‘The First Ones,’ was released last October.

The following are the people featured in his book:

• Katherine Wallis, The Artist

• George Cox, The Capitalist

• Joseph Flavelle, The Capitalist

• Frank ‘Moose’ Heffeman, The Hockey Player

• Frank O'Connor, The Candy Man

• George Bennett, First Officer Casualty

• Anthony Schiarizza, Youngest to Die

• Marlon Overend, Only Woman

• Heber Rogers, Family

• Reginald Yellend, Youngest Major

• Tony Schiarizza, The Specialist

• Bobby Allan, Legendary

The book is available at Sullivan’s Pharmacy in East City, Peterborough Petes Souvenir Store at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and Happenstance Books & Yarns in Lakefield.

While Arnold tells the story of 12, he says his book could have highlighted many viable candidates.

“There are literally thousands of people in Peterborough that deserve recognition and deserve to be remembered,” he said. “I'm just recognizing 12 in the hopes that others will be remembered.”

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Lineup For Lakefield Literary Festival Announced

The Lakefield Literary Festival has announced its summer lineup of authors for July 19 and 20.

Author Sheila Het (left)i signs a copy of her novel, Pure Colour, for festival board member Bev Haun (right). Photo courtesy of Vanessa Stark and the Lakefield Literacy Festival.

The event will feature a lineup and a festival first novel-to-film discussion on how the writing process transfers to the big screen.

The summer program features:

• Friday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m.: Michael Crummey and filmmaker Christian Sparkes

• Saturday, July 20 at 10:00 Children's Tent at Cenotaph Park: Casey Lyall and Kevin Sylvester

• Saturday, July 20 at 2:00: Drew Hayden Taylor and Elizabeth Renzetti and Kate Hilton

• Saturday, July 20 at 4:30: Meet the Author Reception

• Saturday, July 20 at 7:00: Charlotte Gray and Tim Cook

More details about the authors, their books and tickets will be released next month according to a press release.

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Photos: Local Author Launches Book Signing of His First Publication: Story of a Goat

Kalbfleisch with his girlfriend Kim, signing one of several copies of his new book, "Story of a Goat." All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Scott Kalbfleisch has solidified himself as an author with his first publication, ‘Story of a Goat’ at a book signing at GreenUP on Wednesday.

Kalbfleisch was diagnosed with encephalitis which is swelling of the brain. He uses his condition as a metaphor for the main character of his book.

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Hometown PTBO: Author Scott Kalbfleisch About Growing Up With Encephalitis And Its Connection To His New Book, "The Story of a Goat"

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with with author Scott Kalbfleisch about his new publication, "The Story of a Goat" and growing up with encephalitis and how his condition is linked to the book.

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Local Pedorthist Publishes New Book Highlighting Peterborough Petes 67-Year History With 101 Short Stories

Local pedorthist Nick Caravaggio Jr. recalls the Peterborough Petes 67-year history in a new book he published called ‘Petes 101: The Unofficial History of the Peterborough Petes.’

Nick Caravaggio Jr. is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist at the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic. He took over the business from his late father, Nick Caravaggio Sr., a founding member of orthotic therapy in Canada. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 300-page book contains 101 short chapters throughout the team’s 67-year tenure including the recent 2022-23 OHL Championship title.

“I've always wanted to write a book. It's been on my bucket list for a long time and I've just been a big sports fan my entire life,” explained Caravaggio. “There's a lot of books out there about the Canadiens, the Leafs and whatnot that are similar to this book and I thought it would be cool to try for the Petes.”

The book pays homage to his late father and Petes fan, Nick Caravaggio Sr. Before the father’s passing, Caravaggio Sr. was able to read most of the book. He took Caravaggio Jr. — when he was six at the time— to his first Petes game on Nov. 3, 1990. To commemorate the occasion, Caravaggio Sr. bought his son a puck that bears the book's cover.

The late father ran the Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic and could not spend much time with his son. The Petes game became the foundation for the close bond between both Nicks and they made a concerted to attend games more frequently to spend more time together.

“He's the main reason why we have such a good relationship with the Petes because he took me to my first game,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “We had such a good connection and it just strengthened our whole bond. I have to thank the Petes because they're the reason why my dad and I had such a good relationship.”

The book contains interviews with Petes’ players, coaches, staff and more throughout the team’s 67-year span. Interviews for the book included Don Barrie, Pat Casey, Scotty Bowman, Terry Doyle and several others.

He credits former Petes general manager Jeff Twohey with getting him closer to the world of junior hockey than he ever imagined according to the book. He also mentions local author, journalist, and former editor Ed Arnold for being his mentor and helping him write the book. Caravaggio Jr. only had a few people to talk to for the book but the aforementioned helped establish more connections for interviews.

“It just kind of snowballed,” explained Caravaggio Jr. “This whole community, they're so tight. They're such nice people and very welcoming to me. I'm not a hockey guy, I never played at a high level so they're very welcoming to accept me and actually talk to me.”

The book is available on Amazon, the Petes store (at the Peterborough Memorial Centre) and Caravaggio Orthotic Clinic for $25. Caravaggio Jr. is signing book copies before the Petes game at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Museum at 6 p.m. this Thursday.

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Local Nurse Authors Literature About Nursing Self Help With Book Launch This Tuesday at The Vine

Local nurse of 18 years, Shawna Longford, has authored her first piece of literature, ‘Witness: Bring present for your patients, your colleagues, and yourself,’ and is holding a book launch at The Vine this Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The book’s cover. Longford graduated from Trent University in 2005. Photo courtesy of Shawna Longford.

The book was initially meant as a self-help book for nurses but could be for anyone with front-line professions, according to Longford.

“My intention was to support new people and help prolong careers,” she explained.

Longford has laid out in detail who the book is for:

• Anyone who has served in a profession that has wounded them physically, mentally or emotionally

• Those who understand the costs associated with the jobs that require duty and sacrifice

• People who have experienced PTSD, moral injury, compassion fatigue and burnout

• Someone looking for a way to sustain their career in healthcare or human services

• Leaders and educators curious about ways to teach and support resilience

• The recruitment and retention of nurses

Longford worked on the book four years ago and completed it this past summer. It was edited, written and printed locally with the help of five other contributors.

Books are available during the launch, with Longford doing signings. The Vine will have complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks during the event. Signature cocktails and other drinks are also available for purchase during the launch.

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Local Journalist Tells the Untold Stories of the 1973-74 Peterborough Petes In New Book ‘The First Ones’

Untold stories of the 1973-74 Peterborough Petes, Team Canada’s first team to compete in the first World Juniors held in Russia, are being told by local journalist Ed Arnold and his book, ‘The First Ones,’ to be released this weekend.

Jason Russelle, Russelle Toyota general Manager (left) and Ed Arnold, Author of ‘The First Ones’ (right). Arnold had written Peterborough’s Perfect Season: With Benny and his Jets in May of last year

The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon at Russelle Toyota where Arnold unveiled the paperback on the team’s 50th anniversary.

The book tells the journey of the Petes with coach Roger Neilson in December of 1973 but also through the perspective of those involved.

According to Arnold, the World Juniors were never officially sanctioned and recognized until 1977. He continues to explain that very little information was available online about the tournament.

“The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) has nothing on this tournament. You can go on the Internet; all you'll find are summaries of the games and who the players were,” explained Arnold. “The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto has literally nothing but a couple of newspaper articles. Hockey Canada has no archive has nothing at all so digging up that information was a matter of finding these players.

The front and back of the paperback book. Photo courtesy of Ed Arnold.

With the help of Bob Russelle, his family and the business Russelle Toyota, Arnold was able to contact most of the team members and others and uncover relevant letters, documents and material.

Several team members will be at the Petes' game against the Oshawa Generals during the Alumni Homecoming Weekend to be honoured this Saturday night.

The paperback sells for $25 and includes several photographs of the journey. It goes on sale at Saturday’s Petes game at the Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and between the first and second period. The Hall is also putting on a small display for the public to view.

The book will be available locally by emailing perfectseason46@gmail.com or at Sullivan's Pharmacy in East City, Trent Valley Archives on Carnegie Avenue and Happenstance Books in Lakefield.

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Hometown PTBO: Author Matthew Flagler Releasing His New Book; Held to the Fire, Recounting The Stories of the Famous Quaker Factory Explosion

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with author Matthew Flagler about his new book about the famous Quaker Factory explosion; Held to the Fire, the book's timeline and his family connection to the building.

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Local Author and Illustrator Publish Children's Fantasy Book 'Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie'

Inclusion and individuality, inspired by real-life events come to life from local author Niki Allday and illustrator Kaylah Wilson as they published a children’s fantasy book ‘Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie.’

17-year-old Kaylah Wilson (left) and Niki Allday (right) with her two children. The book took roughly 18 months to create with illustrations beginning since February. Photos courtesy of Niki Allday.

The book is a fairytale with the protagonist Polly and her pixie friend in a magical pumpkin adventure. It is based on Allday’s experiences visiting Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook with her children, drawing a simile between people and pumpkins.

“I hope people understand the underlying message of inclusion and individuality,” explained Allday. “We all come in different colours, shapes and sizes, just like the pumpkins.”

The book is inspired from visits to Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook as it is a ‘magical’ pumpkin patch described by Allday. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.

The book is already available online at Amazon and is planned to be sold locally at Watson & Lou and Bellies & Babies. Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch is also selling copies during the fall season.

Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie took one-and-a-half years from start to finish to complete. Allday had the help of 17-year-old student Wilson who illustrated the book, beginning work early this year.

“Kaylah had started her illustrations in February, working through her exams and keeping a very tight deadline so we could move forward with publishing for our fall launch,” said Allday. “Kaylah was so easy to work with and seeing my story come to life, was a beautiful experience.”

Allday is also a photographer atop her authoring career. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.

Allday said she stuck to strict deadlines to get it ready for the fall season, appropriately enough to match the setting of her book.

The pair have a book signing scheduled at Chapters on Lansdowne Street for Sept. 30.

“I am so proud of us both and truly grateful to Chapters for hosting us and for the local shops offering to sell copies,” exclaimed Allday.

One of Allday’s most rewarding moments of writing and publishing a book is being able to share it with her two children.

“It’s a very special feeling laying in bed reading your children a story you wrote, that was inspired by a memory spent with them,” she said.

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