When a family learns their child has a rare and deadly form of cancer, the shock and despair is beyond overwhelming. It’s often the shared experience of others who know exactly what that despair is about that can carry a family through.
That shared experience is what the 6th annual Nexicom James Fund Golf Classic is all about.
Beautiful food, the best of friends and family, generous hearts, a round of golf on a top-rated course, and hope for the families of dying children converge every summer to offer one of the most memorable events of my year.
I was reminded of this the other day when I saw a couple of photos on Facebook taken a few summers ago that, for me, encompass all that is wonderful about the James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research and the fundraising golf tournament it has hosted for the past six years at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club.
Rebecca Padgett’s work is bold and highly abstract, featuring large, dynamic pieces that exude energy.
It was Christmas 2009 when my sister Erin Howcroft and brother-in-law Clint Howcroft began to notice something was wrong.
Their son Ethan — my god son — was lethargic and began napping often. He was tired, pale, and generally feeling under the weather.
His condition continued to worsen and, sensing something was wrong, Erin brought Ethan to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) to have him checked out.
A quick blood test showed something was indeed wrong and he was airlifted to Sick Kids in Toronto on February 8, 2010.
The Howcroft family will never forget that date, as later that day doctors diagnosed Ethan with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL for short. Ethan was six years old.
The diagnosis was devastating, but the outlook was positive. The chances of Ethan beating this were strong, but the fight would not be easy. Luckily, the staff at Sick Kids were thorough, determined, and comforting at a time when this family needed it most.
In little more than a month, the Kawartha Golf and Country Club (KGCC) will again be transformed into a generator of hope for neuroblastoma families when the 6th Annual Nexicom James Fund Golf Classic kicks off June 3.
Every year since the tournament’s launch, a diverse range of golfers — along with a generous host of sponsors — have joined to collectively raise tens of thousands of dollars to support neuroblastoma families.
KGCC general manager and chair of the organizing committee Martin Piche says that while it would be hard to top the success of last year’s event, which raised more than $40,000, he has high expectations for this year.
“Last year we had beautiful weather, so many wonderful prizes and nearly every spot on the course was filled,” Piche recalls.
Mike Andrews, tattoo artist and owner of Mike’s Tattoo at 388 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, describes himself as the boy in school who was slightly rebellious — the kid some teachers bet would never amount to anything.
“I was busy looking at the pretty girl three rows ahead of me,” Mike says with a smile. “I rarely paid attention. Except when I was in art class.”
Fascinated by symbolism, Mike found himself constantly drawing pictures of skulls and roses at school, in his spare time and virtually whenever he could.
Needles in the Hay proprietor Bridget Allin never dreamed of owning a yarn shop — as she never envisioned herself living in a place where one didn’t exist.
But when Bridget arrived in Peterborough four years ago, she was shocked to see such a dearth of resources for the region’s vast network of craftspeople. What began as a running joke between Bridget and fellow disgruntled knitters led her to launch a business that has become the preeminent destination for Kawartha’s knitting needs.
Sitting comfortably in the plush front window of her welcoming shop, Bridget is a friendly vision with a shock of black hair emerging from the intricate mustard tam she wears.
“What a non-knitter may perceive as being a quaint or dying art is, in fact, more popular than ever.” she explains.
Picture this: a central location for New Year’s Eve and Canada Day celebrations, skating in winter, an interactive water feature in the dog days of August, a weekly farmers’ market, art shows, a performance stage for concerts, cultural events, space for antique shows and flea markets, a playground, an interactive chess/checker board, plenty of greenspace, a community oven, and more— all with parking nearby and within one block of a public transit hub.
The Original Greek, on the corner of Water and Parkhill, has received a spring facelift.
The new look is fresh and modern, less cluttered, and is reminiscent of beachside dining in Greece.
With its wide variety of fresh, natural and seasonal foods, the Farmers’ Market in downtown Peterborough features all that’s good from the Kawarthas — but it’s more than just great food shopping.
You’ll also find arts and crafts, fresh-cut flowers and plants, and a wealth of knowledge amongst the purveyors of produce, hormone-free meats, artisanal breads and cheese, and baked goods.
“We are a producers-only market,” says manager Jillian T. Bishop. “That means we feature a wide and diverse selection of goods that are grown and produced right here in the Kawarthas. The market offers people a great opportunity to connect with the farmers, chefs, bakers, and craftspeople who are growing, producing and creating what you buy.”
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