The Peterborough & District Pathway of Fame has announced the 11 inductees of the 2023 Pathway of Fame, including kawarthaNOW’s own Jeannine Taylor, former radio host Mike Melnik, retired OPP officer David McNab, LA-based music producer Greg Wells, and the late former Peterborough mayor Jack Doris.
Established in 1997, the Pathway of Fame honours people who have contributed to the arts and humanities heritage of the Peterborough. Nominations are submitted annually by the public in the categories of visual arts, literary, dramatic arts, entertainment/musical, cultural betterment, community Samaritan, media, and community builder.
kawarthaNOW founder, CEO, and publisher Jeannine Taylor is one of the two media inductees, along with former radio host and Impact Communications owner Mike Melnik.
Retired Peterborough County OPP constable David McNab is this year’s Samaritan inductee, recognized in part for his role in the settlement and integration of Syrian refugees into the Peterborough community.
Long-time municipal politician and former Peterborough mayor Jack Doris, who passed away in March, is a community builder inductee.
This year’s sole entertainment inductee is Peterborough native Greg Wells, a Grammy award-winning music producer based in Los Angeles who is still involved in the local music scene through the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective songwriting contest.
Peterborough arts champion Cathy Rowland, who founded the integrated arts program at PCVS and who is a writer, producer, and director of theatrical productions, is the dramatic arts inductee.
The 2023 Pathway of Fame includes three cultural/community betterment inductees.
The late Courtney Druce is recognized for her fundraising and awareness work before cancer took her life at the age of 27. Sean Eyre, one of the driving forces behind the founding of the Pathway of Fame, is recognized for his service to the community and his promotion of local artists. Former school principals Stephanie MacDonald and her husband the late John MacDonald are recognized for their many contributions to the community.
Charlie Gregory, known for his photographic essays of unsheltered people, is the recipient of the Barb Bell Humanity Award. The award is named after the late Pathway of Fame founding member who was also inducted for her work as a foster parent.
A public induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 9th at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
Here are bios of each inductee in alphabetical order as provided by the Pathway of Fame.
John Ambrose (Jack) Doris (Community Builder)
First elected to Peterborough City Council in 1967, John Ambrose (Jack) Doris subsequently represented his Monaghan Ward constituents for 39 years and served another six years as Mayor before stepping back from politics in 2014 — his legacy secure as someone who always had your back, and treated all with equal kindness, and compassion.
Courtney Druce (Cultural/Community Betterment)
Before cancer tragically cut short her life at 27, Courtney Druce made it her mission to inspire and provide hope for others fighting their own battles — raising funds for, and bringing awareness to the important work of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, to name but a few benefactors of her empathy for others. Courtney Druce died April 27th, 2016 just shy of her 28th birthday.
Sean Eyre (Cultural/Community Betterment)
From his radio broadcasting heyday as ‘Sunshine Sean’ to his co-founding of Rocklands Entertainment, to his relentless promotion of local artists — Sean Eyre’s love of his community has also encompassed service as a City alderman, not to mention one of the driving forces behind the 1998 founding of the Peterborough & District Pathway of Fame.
Charlie Gregory (Barb Bell Humanity Award Recipient)
Charlie Gregory’s photographic essays of the homeless have not only afforded the viewer a window into the harsh realities of the unhoused, but his images reveal the humanity of those who exist on the fringe. A self-described “watcher of folks who live on the edges of society,” Gregory has made it his selfless mission to both document, and offer support for the marginalized. As part of his advocacy, the proprietor of ‘Lumpy Bikes’ donates refurbished bicycles to those in need. His only ask: “That I take your picture.”
Stephanie and John MacDonald (Cultural/Community Betterment)
This Peterborough couple’s compelling, and vast contributions to the betterment and well-being of their community run the gamut, with the list of organizations having benefitted from their involvement, drive and passion as long, as it is impressive — all while serving as selfless and dedicated lifelong educators who each rose to the position of school principal. John MacDonald passed away at the end of 2022, in his 83rd year.
David McNab (Samaritan)
Having fully earned his status as global citizen, retired Peterborough County OPP constable David McNab continues to play a key role in the settlement and integration of Syrian refugees into the Peterborough community, displaying the same selfless compassion for others that fuelled his long involvement with Cops For Cancer and countless local organizations and initiatives.
Mike Melnik (Media)
As the popular morning host for ‘KRUZ’ AM and FM before his retirement from the airwaves in 2012, Mike Melnik’s welcoming and distinctive voice started the day for thousands of listeners. His passion for the community, and his capacity for instantly putting his guests at ease was a gift that translated into a coveted spotlight for countless events, causes and organizations — Easter Seals, and its annual telethon among them.
Cathy Rowland (Dramatic Arts)
A staunch champion of the Peterborough arts scene and in particular the involvement, and creative works of our community’s youth, Cathy Rowland founded the Integrated Arts Program at PCVS and served as lead writer of the Ontario Applied Design and Arts curriculum — in addition to writing, producing and directing numerous theatrical productions.
Jeannine Taylor (Media)
A self-made entrepreneur of close to 30 years, kawarthaNOW.com founder, CEO and publisher Jeannine Taylor was first out of the gate locally in terms of recognizing, and acting upon the emergence of the Internet as a media communications platform, having since leveraged her experience and influence to mentor other women in business.
Greg Wells (Entertainment)
As a two-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most sought-after record producers in the world, Los Angeles-based Greg Wells has never forgotten his Peterborough roots — honouring, and celebrating the City’s rich musical heritage by devoting his time and considerable skills to the furtherance of homegrown talent.
