Habitat for Humanity Kicks Off National Student Writing Contest

Students from grades 4 to 6 are invited to share what home means to them in an annual national writing contest held by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region.

ELLYOT READ HER STORY DURING THE GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY OF HABITAT’S PHASE TWO PROJECT ON LEAHY’S LANE. She was one of nine runner-ups from last year’s contest. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The contest is open and accepting entries, with submissions being accepted by mail or online until Feb. 23. Habitat’s goal is to receive 15,000 student submissions across Canada this year. 

“Nothing compares to the feeling of strength and security that comes from having a safe place to call home. Every child in Canada deserves to feel this way and that’s why we continue building and advocating for more affordable housing,” says Julia Deans, Habitat president and CEO. “The enthusiastic response to this annual contest where children share in their own words what home means to them is truly inspiring.” 

Every participating student earns Habitat earn a $10 donation provided by the contest sponsors to build safe and affordable homes. Across Canada, three grand prize winners will also receive a $30,000 grant to help their local Habitat for Humanity build homes for families needing affordable housing. In addition, nine runners-up will receive a $10,000 grant for their local Habitat for Humanity. 

Last year, over 12,000 entries raised $302,000, helping families in 42 communities across Canada build a brighter future through affordable homeownership.  

“We are very excited to have the opportunity again to engage students in conversations about home through the national Meaning of Home contest,” said Jenn MacDonald, Habitat communications and donor services manager. “It is truly amazing to see the level of thought and creativity the students put into their entries and the support of our affordable home-building efforts.” 

In the past four national competitions, there have been four student winners from local schools across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region including two winners from Edmison Heights Public School, one winner from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board’s Virtual Elementary School and Ellyot from St. Catherine Catholic Elementary.

Their winning entries have raised a total of $40,000 for Habitat for Humanity PKR Leahy’s Lane developments which has already supported 41 local families and individuals into affordable homeownership in the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

“As this contest’s founding sponsor, we are amazed at the heartfelt student submissions that pour in year after year,” says Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “We are proud to have a role in engaging children in caring for their communities at a young age while recognizing how meaningful it is to have a safe place to call home.” 

To enter the contest, parents and teachers can sign up at www.meaningofhome.ca with submissions being accepted until Feb. 23, 2024.  

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Photos: Peterborough Petes U11A Hosts Chris Fee Cup To Kick Off 64th Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament

The Chris Fee Cup kicked off the 64th Liftlock U11 Hockey Tournament as the host Peterborough Petes U11A took on the Toronto Wolverines U11A at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday morning.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The cup is a feature opening game against a visiting team against the host Petes team since 1997. Petes were victorious against the Wolverines, winning their first contest 4-1 to capture the 2024 Chris Fee Cup.

The tournament features 71 teams in 13 divisions playing throughout five arenas in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

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New Consultant Pediatrician Joining Five Counties Children’s Centre

Dr. Sean Godfrey is joining Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) as a consulting pediatrician starting this month.

Five Counties Children’s Centre provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as other treatment services for kids and youth from birth to age 19 years. This past year, Five Counties served more than 6,200 children and youth in its region – the highest number of clients in its nearly 50-year history. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

Godfrey has over 25 years of experience in hospital and community settings. He is splitting time supporting kids and clients at Five Counties sites in Peterborough, Lindsay and Cobourg while seeing other children, youth and their families from across the region at his new private medical practice he is setting up at Five Counties in Peterborough.

“Dr. Godfrey is a well-respected and highly regarded consultant pediatrician who will enhance the specialized care available to our youngest citizens,” says Scott Pepin, FCCC CEO. “The partnership will directly benefit Five Counties kids and clients but also support other families from Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County and Northumberland County whom Dr. Godfrey will see on a referral basis through his own pediatric practice.”

From 1999 to 201, Godfrey was a staff pediatrician at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa. Between 2008 and 2014, he also served as the hospital’s chief of pediatrics. For over 20 years, Godfrey has been director of KinderClinic, a children’s urgent care clinic he founded based in Whitby and Simcoe.

“Five Counties Children’s Centre has a wonderful reputation for what it does for families in this region, and I look forward to contributing to that success,” said Godfrey. “Over my career, I’ve been fortunate to have a private practice within a community setting that allows me independence and a chance to establish rapport with families. In both situations, it’s a joy to see children flourish and grow to reach their full potential.”

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Northumberland Hills Hospital Delivers First Baby of 2024

Northumberland Hills Hospital has delivered Vanessa and Jake Morris’s daughter Georgia Elizabeth Morris, as its first baby of 2024 born on New Year’s Day.

The Maternal/Child Care team at NHH welcomed 537 births at the hospital in the last fiscal year. Photo courtesy of Northumberlan Hllls Hospital.

The newborn weighed eight pounds and 11 ounces at birth and is the couple’s first child. The Bowmanville couple named their child after her maternal great-grandfather, George, whom she met earlier in the morning after her arrival.

“Georgia Elizabeth Morris is named after my grandfather, George,” said Vanessa. “She’s so calm and relaxed. We’re very much in love with her, it’s just wonderful.”

“We’re very excited! There’s lots to learn as first-time parents, and we’re already learning a lot in such a short period of time,” said Jake. “It’s amazing how quickly your life can change and we’re just so happy.”

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PRHC Welcomes First Peterborough Baby of 2024

Peterborough’s first baby of 2024 has been born at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) as parents Robyn and Paul Westwood welcomed their daughter Charlotte Grace Westwood into the world at 1:13 a.m. on Monday morning.

Photo courtesy of PRHC.

Charlotte was safely delivered at PRHC, weighing eight pounds and measuring 21 inches. Mother and baby are doing well according to the PRHC as the family welcomes their first child.

“The care we received at PRHC was very good; our obstetrician was very good – thorough and friendly – and the nursing staff on Labour & Delivery gave us extremely good care,” said Paul.

“We had a great experience at PRHC,” said Robyn.

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U10 AAA Peterborough Petes Spread Holiday Cheer By Giving Gifts To Young Patients at PRHC

The U10 AAA Peterborough Petes were in the giving spirit as the team gave presents to children treated at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Chad cavanaugh.

There were 17 Petes who participated in the event along with their families and coaches to spread holiday cheer to the PRHC. The team collaborated with the health centre a week ago to arrange a day for all the children to meet for the gift exchange.

Each Pete was given a gift request from the children at the PRHC. The team fulfilled those wishlists and returned with nine presents for the hospitalized children.

“It was a good learning curve for the U10s to give back and that’s what we wanted to teach them,” said Chad Cavanaugh, U10 Petes head coach. “We wanted to do something for the community and the kids wanted to give back.”

This act of generosity was a feeling of moral obligation that Cavanaugh wanted to instill in his players. That there is more to life than just hockey and giving back was vital, regardless of status.

“I think it’s good for kids to learn lessons outside of hockey and help kids that they may not have the skills or health that they have,” he explained.

The team participated in an exhibition of parents versus kids hockey on the same night.

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Olivia and Noah Continue Reign In Latest Top 10 Baby Names List

The Ontario Government has released its top ten names for baby girls and boys for 2022, with Olivia and Noah remaining as the top spots for the respective genders.

Serenity Bui (pictured) is the first daughter of PTBOCanada’s editor David Tuan Bui. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Top 10 girl names:

1. Olivia

2. Charlotte

3. Amelia

4. Emma

5. Sophia

6. Ava

7. Chloe/Isla

8. Evelyn

9. Lily

10. Mia

Top 10 boy names:

1. Noah

2. Liam

3. Oliver

4. Theodore

5. Jack

6. Benjamin

7. Lucas

8. William

9. Ethan

10. Leo

Olivia has held the top spot for girls for 14 consecutive years. Chloe has cracked the top 10 list for the first time, tied with Isla for seventh place.

Noah remains number one for the fourth straight year. Liam follows closely behind as the second-most popular name while Theodore inched up two spots this year.

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Photos: 17th Annual CopShop Gives 22 Children a Holiday Shopping Spree at Lansdowne Place

The 17th annual CopShop allowed 22 children to get a holiday shopping spree with Peterborough Police Service officers at Lansdowne Place on Wednesday morning.

Grade 5 student Josephine Watson, 10, with Alice Czitrom, Peterborough Police Service victim services coordinator and K9 Pixie during the 17th annual CopShop. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Kids were brought to the mall in style in limousines from Personal Touch Limo to buddy up with the paired officer.

The students were specially selected from their respective schools and police to participate in the annual event.

“We just looked for kids that showed some leadership, have a nice disposition and are a good member of their community,” said Detective Constable Mike Peckham.

Each child received a $200 Lansdowne Place Mall Wide Gift Card, a stocking stuffed with goodies, a free McDonald’s breakfast, goodie bags from Couture Candy PTBO and Handmade Heaven and a free photo with Santa Claus.

“This is our favourite event of the year,” said Helen Edwards, Lansdowne Place property manager. “This event reflects the true spirit of the season, where a community comes together to give these amazing kids a day they will always remember.”

“We are very excited that this program is returning as it’s always been an event our officers look forward to,” said Peckham. “This year, we have about two dozen officers and civilian members volunteering their time to build positive relationships and spend time with our young people in a fun way.”

Staff, players and mascot Roger from the Peterborough Petes were also in attendance to meet and greet with the children during their shopping spree.

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Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation Helps Fulfill Kids' Christmas Wishlist Launching Santa's Sleigh

Children’s Christmas lists are getting checked and fulfilled through the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation (KHCAS) 2023 Santa’s Sleigh Program launched at the Chemong Road Walmart on Thursday.

Bella Myers, 5, gets a ‘Merry Christmas’ from Santa Claus as several children got a visit from Father Christmas to give him their Christmas wishes. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The program is in conjunction with the Central Lakes Association of Realtors, East Peterborough Lions Club, 101.5 The Wolf, Global Peterborough and 100.5 Fresh Radio.

The program has 900 children involved in the foundation with gift requests written on tags and placed on a Christmas tree in Walmart. Shoppers can grab a tag, fulfill it and put it in a drop-in sleigh ion the store. The program runs until Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.

For the past 34 years, KHCAS’s Santa’s Sleigh Program has helped make the holidays brighter for local children and youth involved with the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.

“We are inviting the community to choose a child’s gift suggestion from our tree at Walmart, and then shop for that gift in order to fulfill the child’s holiday wish,” said Carrie Truman, KHCAS executive director. “The gifts will go directly to children in our community so that together we can put smiles on the faces of local children this holiday season.”

Presents, gift cards and monetary donations are being accepted during the program’s duration. Donated money is being used to purchase gifts and gift cards for children and youth involved with the KHCAS according to a press release.

Donors can make online monetary donations on the foundation’s website.

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Photos: Kawartha Montessori School Hits the Ground Running Again With Return of Its Cross-Country Run After a Three-Year Hiatus

Students of Kawartha Montessori School got their feet moving as they hosted their cross country meet at their institution on Friday, an event they have not been able to participate in the last three years.

Grade 3 student Esther van Ostveen, 8, running in her heat as students, parents and faculty cheered the racers all day. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School, Uxbridge Montessori School, Whitby Montessori & Elementary School and Peterborough’s Rowan Tree Children's School were also a part of the event held by Kawartha Montessori totalling roughly 150 students in the event. Grades 1 to 8 ran in the meet, the first time Kawartha hosted in several years.

“Certainly, Covid got in the way,” said Carrie O’Toole, Kawartha Montessori vice-principal. “We've also in the past participated in the Catholic board but this year, they weren't not accepting other schools outside of their board so it was a way for us to give a cross-country running experience to our other schools who were not a part of those boards.”

Students began training for the meet at the start of the school year as part of their physical education curriculum.

“They would have included learning some running skills and build up their stamina for the event,” explained O’Toole.

Races were divided by gender and grade. The children ran varying distances on a figure-eight-like track depending on the category. During the races, parents, faculty and students cheered on the runners throughout the day.

“That is a big part of our school, building that grace, courtesy and community,” said O’Toole. “That's something that we pride ourselves in, building that community and building that teamwork.”

During the winter, students are taught sports and activities such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, downhill and cross-country skiing.

In the spring, students get to learn track and field. Grade 8 students also participate in rowing and mountain biking as part of their curriculum.

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