The Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) has received the largest donation in its history, but has done so with the heaviest of hearts.

Lynn Morris, a fervent and passionate supporter of Peterborough musicians who was a familiar face at live music events in the city, died last Monday (February 17) following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67.

Two days earlier, at the monthly PMBA blues jam fundraiser at The Social, headlining act Rob Phillips, cheque in hand, announced that Morris had gifted $50,000 to the association.

To put that in perspective, the PMBA, which provides financial assistance to musicians in need, raised just more than $8,500 during the period from its January 2014 inception until August 2016.

Peterborough real estate agent Jo Pillon, a member of the PMBA’s founding board, says Morris was in palliative care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on the day her donation was announced. Pillon recorded the announcement at PMBA with her phone and shared it with Morris.

“She hearted it, so I know she saw it,” says Pillon. “The show was dedicated to Lynn. He (Phillips) brought up the cheque, donated it to us, and talked a little bit about the PMBA and what we do. I recorded the whole thing and sent it to Lynn.”

“I spent two hours with her earlier on the day of the show,” adds Pillon. “We had a really good visit. I felt good about being able to say goodbye to her.”

“She was a fighter, for sure, but during her recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she fell at home and broke her hip. She was hospitalized again for hip surgery. She rallied from that and, even though it was difficult for her, she still came out to PMBA events, sometimes on her own.”

Morris asked Pillon to organize her celebration of life and she’s in the process of doing just that, with help from Al Black and Phillips. Details are still being worked out but it will held Sunday, April 13 at The Social and, yes, local musicians will be featured at the event.

“She was adamant she didn’t want to have it while she was still with us,” says Pillon, adding “I’m honoured that she entrusted me with organizing her celebration of life.”

“About two months ago, I took Lynn to The Social to meet with (co-owner) Cole (Akey) and look at the menu. She picked out what she wanted. I expect a fair number of people will come out that day.”

As a lasting tribute to Morris, Pillon says an award presented annually by the PMBA to the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist will be renamed the Lynn Morris Memorial Award.

Morris’ love of music, and those who perform it, was rooted in her relationship with the late Al Kirkcaldy. He produced and hosted Blue in the Face on Trent Radio for 15 years, and brought a number of top blues acts to Peterborough before he died of cancer in February 2009.

Binding Pillon’s more than 30 years of friendship with Morris was the fact that she too lost her partner prematurely, when singer and keyboardist Phil ‘Mr. Deluxe’ Marshall died suddenly in December 2013.

Wanting to keep alive Marshall’s tradition of helping musicians in need, she approached Don McBride, Norm Kastner, former Pig’s Ear Tavern owner John Punter, and Black to help her establish the PMBA. Debuting in January 2014, the monthly jam was initially held at the Pig’s Ear before moving, first to Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, and most recently to The Social.

Morris was also a regular patron of the weekly Sunday Blues Jam at Jethro’s on Hunter Street West. In November 2023, she was quoted in a feature article on the jam published by kawarthaNOW.

“It’s the calibre of the entertainment that brings me out,” she said, adding “You never know who’s going to show up.”

As for Pillon, she is sad that her friend is gone but knows Morris be there in spirit at her celebration of life.

“She was a strong personality — she knew what she wanted and she knew what she liked, and she wasn’t afraid to tell people. I’m going to miss her.”

Peterborough post-secondary students who recently braved the elements of a Canadian winter and hunkered down outdoors for 48 hours have helped raise more than $2,700 in support of area affordable housing efforts.

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) was the recipient of the proceeds from the 14th annual event that saw volunteers from the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) student fraternity camp out in the parking lot of the Venture North building in Peterborough from February 7 to 9.

Called “TKE in a Box,” the event involved male students from Peterborough’s Trent University and Fleming College spreading the word about the need for affordable housing and collecting money for Habitat PKR while they spent the two days outside in the city’s downtown core.

“The TKE fundraiser was really fantastic,” Holly O’Connor, Habitat for Humanity PKR’s communications and marketing manager, told kawarthaNOW.

“It was definitely a chilly one for the volunteers, but that didn’t stop them at all. The community engagement was incredible — so many people took the time to stop by, ask questions, and learn more about Habitat’s mission.”

O’Connor popped by towards the end of the event and said, despite the freezing temperatures, the campers were still full of energy.

“It’s so inspiring to see young people stepping up for affordable housing, especially when they’re balancing school, work, and everything else. It really shows how much Trent and Fleming students see Peterborough as their home through the way they want to give back in meaningful ways,” O’Connor added.

The endeavour raised a total of $2,786.75 for Habitat PKR.

“For the past 13 years, TKE in a Box has been a tradition for our fraternity, bringing us together with the community to raise both awareness and funds for local charities in Peterborough,” said TKE chapter president Benjamin Hofmann in a media release issued prior to the event.

“As the housing crisis continues to impact so many in Peterborough, it’s vital to support organizations like Habitat for Humanity PKR that provide affordable housing for families and individuals in need of stability.”

Over the years, TKE in a Box has supported various local organizations, including One City Peterborough and One Roof. This year marks the fourth consecutive year it has partnered with Habitat PKR.

Proceeds from the TKE in a Box fundraiser specifically support Habitat for Humanity PKR’s efforts to provide individuals and families with opportunities for affordable homeownership and housing across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region.

One upcoming initiative includes a multi-unit condo project that could provide up to 41 affordable homeownership opportunities for local families and individuals, including seniors and single parents.

Habitat for Humanity PKR provides local families and individuals with a “hand-up” into affordable homeownership, with no down payment and geared-to-income mortgage payments.

The organization strives to help homeowners “achieve the stability, strength, and self-reliance they need to build better lives and are empowered to overcome the barriers that so often stand between their families and healthier, more financially stable futures,” according to its website.

In November of last year, when the City of Peterborough invited applications for the position of the city’s new economic development director, Mayor Jeff Leal characterized the pending hiring as one of the most important the municipality will ever make.

That there were a whole lot of people watching what would transpire was a given. Earlier in the year, city councillors endorsed a staff recommendation to end its longstanding funding of Peterborough and Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), bringing to an abrupt end that agency’s 25-year provision of economic development and tourism services on behalf of both the city and county.

Those employed at PKED lost their jobs as business leaders and stakeholders questioned the move, all while fretting over what direction things would go as the city prepared to take on economic development in-house, creating the need for a new division and its associated director position.

In late January, clarity was provided when the city announced that Darryl Julott had been hired as Peterborough’s economic development director.

In his first local media interview since starting his new job last Monday (February 10), Julott tells kawarthaNOW that he’s aware of the public scrutiny that preceded his hiring, and the prospect that the jury will be out for some time yet as he settles into his new role.

That said, if he’s feeling any pressure above and beyond that typically associated with starting a new job in a new place, he’s not letting it get in the way of his getting off to a good start.

“Challenge is just another word for opportunity,” says Julott, downplaying any added pressure he may feel.

“The challenges we’re going to face, from a transitional standpoint and also moving economic development forward, are opportunities. That’s how I’m focused on things and how everything is going to be positioned.”

“A big part of my work for the first six days, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, is to make sure I’m out in the community — I’m meeting with people. Whether that’s a regular person, a business leader, a community stakeholder, a volunteer … making sure they feel that they’re supported, they have the ability to connect with the team, and they have the ability to share their thoughts and opinions.”

“Any transition presents its challenges, but our goal is to get to here, and here are the things we’re going to do get here. Our goal is to make sure they’re communicated with; to make sure we’re sharing what we’re working on and that people have an idea of what’s going on. That will be a big part of the plan over the next 30 days — really looking at our communication strategy around economic development.”

Julott arrives in Peterborough from Clarington, where he served as an economic development officer for three months. Prior to that, he worked for 12 years as a senior manager with Toronto-based Digital Main Street, a federally and provincially funded service and program that helps “main street” businesses achieve digital transformation.

Julott says experience gained in both roles has well prepared him for his new tasks.

“I was very fortunate and blessed to work with almost every single municipal economic development department across Ontario,” he notes. “Not only was I able to deliver Digital Main Street program, but I was able to deliver projects in collaboration with the City of Toronto around business retention and expansion and site selection. I learned a lot from a lot of people.”

“This is the first time economic development has been in-house for the City of Peterborough in quite a while. I think my kind of non-traditional exposure to the economic development world has prepared me quite well for this.”

Putting his name forth for his new position, says Julott, was based on his belief that there is a unique opportunity in Peterborough “to reimagine the future of the city, and how we take that from an economic development standpoint … how we bring expertise in-house and continue to drive that forward.”

“It’s a city with a ton of passion. For the people that live here, that are from here, and even for the people that have moved away who are from here, it’s a place that’s home. Having grown up in a suburb of Scarborough, where people were equally as passionate, that resonates with me.

“And from a professional standpoint, the chance to really dive in and help shape the future of the city, and collaborate with other city departments, and with the county, the Chamber, the DBIA, Community Futures and others — that has me excited to dive in and just get going.”

While at it for just a short time, Julott has already formed some thoughts on priorities as seen through an economic development lens. He says securing serviceable employment land — long a huge challenge — is “absolutely a priority for the whole municipality.”

“We’re committed to making sure we have the appropriate amount of employment land. That includes looking at the land the OP (Official Plan) indicates within our boundaries. It includes being open to cross-border servicing discussions (with Peterborough County). We’re turning over every possible stone to make sure we’re looking at every opportunity. Top to bottom, the city is committed to this issue. It’s something we’re going to drive forward.”

“What I’m focused on right now is meeting with as many businesses, stakeholders, and community leaders as possible, ensuring a diverse perspective and opinion base is well represented, with the overarching goal of the design and launch of a full-fledged economic development strategy.”

“Also ensuring that we have just as much of a focus on investment attraction, tied to that (employment) land question, as we do on business retention. How are we supporting existing businesses, and ensuring they not only stay but they’re growing and thriving?”

“I call this day six-and-a-half, so we’re still getting into the weeds but, at a high level, that’s generally where the focus is right now.”

Julott adds there is “the elephant in the room” looming over all this: “This kind of taboo word that starts with a T — tariffs.” How their potential imposition plays out could potentially throw a wrench in the works.

While that creates some uncertainty, Julott points to one factor that Peterborough and the surrounding region has always had on its positive side of the ledger. For all its challenges, this remains a desirable place to live and work for those looking for a change in lifestyle and pace.

“It was what, an hour-and-a-half ago, that the prime minister announced the high-speed train is going to stop in Peterborough. There’s a reason the train will stop in Peterborough. I think that signifies to players that Peterborough is a place that they should consider investing in, consider growing their business in, and consider living in.”

The Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) and the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) are partnering once again to host an accessible and free International Women’s Day event in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough.

As in years past, the organizations are organizing two inclusive events on Saturday, March 8, beginning with a rally and march in downtown Peterborough at 11:30 a.m. followed by a community event at the Peterborough Public Library from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. that will feature speakers, panellists, activities, learning opportunities, and lots of connection.

“As organizations that work within gender equity, we want to bring that action to the forefront and get people thinking about and participating in creating change within the community and beyond,” says Sarah Forrest, KWIC program and outreach coordinator.

While the genesis of International Women’s Day dates back to at least the early 1900s, the United Nations first began commemorating it in 1975 with the UN General Assembly officially formalizing the day in 1977. Celebrated around the world, the day is intended to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also advocating for gender equality.

That goal is even more prominent with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of “Accelerate Action,” which emphasizes the need to take swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality by addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 — 133 years from now — to achieve full gender parity.

Jocelyn Enright, prevention education and community engagement coordinator at the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, says the local event will be both a celebration and a call to action.

“We want to celebrate a lot of local folks who are doing a lot of great work supporting women and supporting gender equality, while also recognizing that there’s so much work to be done,” Enright explains. “It’s about having a mission around what we’re going to do to change that.”

Enright adds that she was excited about the theme given that accelerating action has always been the goal of their annual International Women’s Day events.

“With this event, we’re not just bringing people together to hang out for a bit and then saying ‘see you next year’. We’re trying to give people tools and things that they can do to make changes,” she says, noting the community event will include new voices, art projects, petitions, and other resources that will spread knowledge.

“We’re trying to provide participants with actual actions that they can take, because we’re past the point of just talking about the fact that there’s still so many issues to equality. We want to get to the point where people have the tools so that they can actually work towards making change.”

The day will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Peterborough City Hall at 500 George Street North with an International Women’s Day declaration to be read by Mayor Jeff Leal. Other special guests who will be performing include Peterborough’s most recent poet laureate Ziysah von Bieberstein, the Raging Grannies, Janet McCue, and Mshkiki Gitigaan Kwe (Kate Brennan), among others.

Participants are encouraged to come with homemade signs and their voices ready to chant.

“It will be just so exciting to see so many people outside City Hall,” Enright says. “It’s a great way for people to feel together, especially for folks that maybe don’t feel like they have a chance to voice their concerns.”

Participants will then march to the Peterborough Public Library at 345 Aylmer Street North, where a community event will take place in The Friends of the Library Community Room. Starting at 1:30 p.m., the afternoon will kick off with music from singer-songwriter Missy Knott and an opening prayer from Elder Alice Olsen Williams, both from Curve Lake First Nation.

The event will also include a kids’ corner with activities, as well as refreshments, and displays from local organizations. Musician Jill Staveley will moderate a panel with participation from local experts of varying backgrounds and perspectives, including Laura Bodin, Tashvi Menghi, and Fabiola Contreras Carrasco.

The afternoon will wrap up at 4:30 p.m. with a closing poem by Sarah Lewis, a spoken word artist from Curve Lake First Nation who was Peterborough’s inaugural poet laureate.

Enright says the International Women’s Day celebration is an inclusive event, welcoming everyone who is interested in taking action to move towards gender equality.

“We’re connecting with people who are women-identifying or non-binary,” she says. “There are a lot of people in the community who do this work, but we’re really trying to get to people who don’t always get the opportunity to talk on a larger scale.”

“We’ve also been really trying to get more youth involvement, because it’s super important to bring in this new generation of folks who are going to be continuing to do this work.”

Last year’s International Women’s Day rally and march saw more than 150 people participating, and both Forrest and Enright agree the number continues to grow each year.

“I hope people leave feeling like they’ve gotten to know members of the community better,” says Enright. “I really hope people leave with some ideas on how they can start making even small changes or actions in their own life and how we can accelerate action towards gender equality.”

For more information and updates about this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, visit kwic.info/international-womens-day-2025. As limited space is available at the Peterborough Public Library for the community event, advance registration is encouraged at ptbolibrary-ca.libcal.com/event/3875350.

kawarthaNOW is proud to be a media sponsor of the Kawartha World Issues Centre and Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre International Women’s Day celebration.