11-year-old Draven Graham of Lindsay. (Police-supplied photo)
The search for missing 11-year-old Draven Graham of Lindsay has ended in tragedy.
At around 3:30 p.m. on Monday (June 13), members of the OPP’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit located the body of the autistic boy in the Scugog River, according to police.
“The investigation is ongoing, but no foul play is suspected,” said Kawartha Lakes police sergeant Deb Hagarty in a video posted on Twitter at 5:21 p.m.
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“We would like to thank everyone in the community for all of their support, and all of our emergency services partners who were involved in this extensive search, including multiple units of the Ontario Provincial Police, Peterborough Police, Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Services, Kawartha Lakes Medical Services, and volunteer search teams.”
“Everyone involved has a heavy heart at this time. We encourage each of you to continue to support the family, while allowing them to grieve during this traumatic time. Anyone else that has been affected by this news is encouraged to seek the required supports.”
An extensive search followed throughout the day and overnight.
Surveillance video showed Draven walking northbound on Caroline Street, where searchers later found his t-shirt and pants (he was wearing no shoes when he went missing).
He was last seen around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in the area of Rivera Park.
On Monday morning, police were still encouraging residents to search their properties, in the hopes that Draven was hiding somewhere, while police divers searched the Scugog River.
Grade 10 student Kellan MacKenzie from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School is one of the seven winners of the Lakefield Literary Festival's 2022 Young Writers Contest. Kellan, who won in two categories (junior poetry and junior fiction) also won the junior fiction category in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Lakefield Literary Festival)
Although the Lakefield Literary Festival is on hiatus until July 2023 because of the pandemic, the festival’s annual Young Writers Contest has continued over the past two years — and the winners of the 2022 contest were announced on Friday (June 10).
This year’s contest saw 92 entries submitted from local schools across the Peterborough area. A panel of judges chose seven winners in six categories including, for the first time ever, three young writers in a single category.
Grade 11 student Clementine MacLeod from Adam Scott Collegiate Vocational Institute, Grade 12 student Justin Ehlert from Peterborough Alternative & Continuing Education, and Grade 11 student Hailey Cavanagh from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School tied as the winners in the senior fiction category.
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“This situation was unprecedented,” says contest co-organizer Andrew Milner in a media release. “Three works, each exemplifying a very specific literary form (realist linear narrative, epistolary fiction, and metafiction) were exceptionally fine — even brilliant — and we felt we had no choice but to celebrate each, and its writer, on unique artistic terms.”
The other winners, all from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, include Grade 10 student Madeleine Hill for junior non-fiction, Grade 11 student Toula Pappas for senior non-fiction, and Grade 12 student Abigail Auger for senior poetry.
Grade 10 student Kellan MacKenzie, also from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School, won in both the junior poetry and junior fiction categories. Kellan also won the junior fiction category in 2021.
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Each winner will receive $200, a commemorative plaque, and publication in the festival’s e-book, which will be available at a later date on the festival’s website at lakefieldliteraryfestival.com.
“The contest provides a space for student voices to be heard and dignified with formalized written detailed feedback to their ideas and writing styles,” says contest co-organizer Cynthia Rankin. “Even though it is a writing contest with a set of rules, we provide a safe space for students to be creative, take risks, and experiment with ideas and different forms of writing.”
“Of course, students can win cash and prizes but, more importantly, often it takes a contest with a firm deadline and a set of rules to force writers to polish a piece and share it with others.”
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This year’s judging panel included Ann Hume, Anne Mansell, Andy Milner, Cynthia Rankin, Lucille Strath, and Joe Webster.
The Lakefield Literary Festival was established in 1995 as a celebration of Margaret Laurence, but has since become a celebration of the rich literary heritage of Lakefield and the surrounding area, including the works of Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna Moodie, and Isabella Valancy Crawford, all of whom lived and wrote in Lakefield.
The festival showcases Canadian authors and promotes the joy of reading and writing among children and adults. The Young Writers Contest was first introduced in 1998.
Left to right: Northumberland Paramedics deputy chief of quality improvement & professional standards Gord Nevils, Northumberland Paramedics deputy chief of operations Keith Barrett, Northumberland Paramedics paramedic Dan Dulmage, Northumberland Paramedics paramedic Heidi Brown, Northumberland Paramedics paramedic Angie Morrison, Northumberland Paramedics chief Susan Brown, Northumberland Paramedics paramedic Bob Cranley, Canadian Armed Forces chief warrant officer Martin Bedard, and Canadian Armed Force surgeon general major-general Marc Bilodeau. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland County)
Seven Northumberland Paramedics were awarded with the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal or Bar at a special presentation ceremony in Kingston last Thursday (June 9).
Created in 1994, the Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal recognizes paramedics who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry, and efficiency. All recipients have completed at least 20 years of service, with at least half of that time performing duties that involve potential risk.
The Kingston presentation marked the first Governor General’s Exemplary Service Award ceremony since the start of the pandemic, and included recognition of both the 2020 and 2021 recipients.
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The Northumberland Paramedics 2020 recipients included: Keith Barrett, deputy chief of operations, who was awarded a bar commemorating 30 years of service; and Dan Dulmage, primary care paramedic, who was awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service.
The 2021 recipients included Heidi Brown, primary care paramedic, who was awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service; Bob Cranley, advanced care paramedic, who was awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service; Cathy Hall, primary care paramedic (retired), who was awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service; and Angie Morrison, advanced care paramedic, who was awarded a medal commemorating 20 years of service.
Former Northumberland Paramedic Ed Dunk, who passed away in 2021 shortly after his retirement, was also recognized for being awarded a 30-year bar, delivered at a special service last year.
“On behalf of county council and our community, I would like to express my gratitude to these paramedicine professionals for their dedicated service and their personal commitment to excellence,” said Northumberland County warden Bob Crate. “We recognize and respect the strength, bravery and extensive training and skill that is required to deliver this industry-leading care to Northumberland residents and visitors, and we applaud your efforts to go above and beyond in your role.”
Michelle Finley, a district manager with Kawartha Credit Union, and Erin Coons, CEO of the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation, in front of the Lindsay hospital. (Photo courtesy of RMH Foundation)
With Kawartha Credit Union celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2022, the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation recently recognized the financial institution’s donations to the Lindsay hospital over the past 25 years.
Kawartha Credit Union (originally Cangeco Credit Union) was started in 1952 by employees of the maintenance and repair department of Canadian General Electric (CGE) in Peterborough. They rented a small office in the CGE plant and focused on providing loans to GE employees and their families. Since then, Kawartha Credit Union has grown to 23 branches across Ontario with over $1.5 billion in assets.
Since 1997, Kawartha Credit Union’s Community Involvement Program donations have helped Ross Memorial Hospital acquire equipment and technology that the government doesn’t fund, including dialysis, echocardiogram, mammography, and CT and x-ray/fluoroscopy.
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Kawartha Credit Union’s most recent $4,500 donation will help fund a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to replace the existing one at the hospital, which is 11 years old and must soon be decommissioned.
“Kawartha Credit Union continues to be a strong community partner with its ongoing support for priority needs at the Ross,” says Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO, in a media release. “The cost of the new MRI — $2.5 million — is not covered by government funding. With this generous gift from Kawartha, we are one step closer to meeting this critical need.”
MRI helps physicians confidently diagnose disease and injury in the brain, spine, joints, breasts, and organs. It helps detect herniated or bulging disks, arthritic changes, tumours, and other lesions. More than 500 patient exams are scanned at Ross Memorial Hospital every month.
The six employees of Canadian General Electric employees in Peterborough who founded Kawartha Credit Union in 1952 as Cangeco Credit Union. (Photo: Kawartha Credit Union)
With this donation, Kawartha Credit Union’s cumulative giving to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation is $90,564.
For more information about the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation and to donate, visit www.rmh.org/foundation.
For more information about Kawartha Credit Union and to become a member, visit www.kawarthacu.com.
Draven Graham, who is autistic, was last seen at his home on Queen Street in Lindsay at 3 p.m.
He is described at 4’10” with a slim build, and was wearing a blue t-shirt and dark jogging pants. He was not wearing shoes.
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By late Sunday afternoon, police were searching the Queen Street, Caroline Street, and Colborne Street area with the assistance of the OPP Search & Rescue Team.
Police have asked residents to check their property (including backyards and outbuildings) for Draven. According to police, he may hide and not respond when called.
“Emergency Services are using all resources to search the area of Queen St. N., east of the Scugog River, by foot, boat, drone and helicopter,” the Kawartha Lakes Police Service posted on Twitter.
Please check your property for missing 11-year-old Draven Graham. Emergency Services are using all resources to search the area of Queen St N, east of the Scugog River, by foot, boat, drone and helicopter. pic.twitter.com/gBY5vayW6f
By midnight, the Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team had joined the search, which continued overnight.
During an update at 10 a.m. on Monday outside the police station in Lindsay, Kawartha Lakes police sergeant Deb Hagarty said police believe Draven may be hiding and again asked residents to search their properties and review any video surveillance.
She noted Draven likes to hide, has limited verbal skills, a sensory irritation to touch, and will not respond to his name if called.
Hagarty said searchers found Draven’s shirt and pants in the area of Colborne Street, but said police have found no evidence he was abducted. Hagarty also said divers from the OPP’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit are searching the Scugog River.
Police continue to search for missing 11-year-old Draven Graham, last seen yesterday June 12 in the area of Rivera Park in Lindsay. Please search your yards and outbuildings, review any video surveillance. pic.twitter.com/jhKHBWN60V
Police have identified the two people who died in a collision between a car and an ATV in Northumberland County on Saturday night (June 11).
At around 10:22 p.m. on Saturday, members from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Alnwick Haldimand Fire, and Northumberland Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a fatal collision involving a car and an ATV on County Road 18 and Roseneath Landing in Alnwick/Haldimand Township.
Two people on the ATV were pronounced deceased at the scene. Police have since identified the victims as 26-year-old Harley Bond of Cramahe and 27-year-old Larissa Hadley of Quinte West.
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A person was observed leaving the scene on foot and was apprehended shortly after.
As a result of the investigation, 67-year-old James Hartwick of Roseneath was arrested and charged with two counts of operation causing death, operation while impaired (blood alcohol concentration 80 plus), and two counts of failing to stop at an accident resulting in death.
The accused man was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to attend the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday (June 16).
County Road 18 was closed between Roseneath Landing and Brook Road while police investigated the cause of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact the Northumberland OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
This story has been updated with the names of the victims and to correct the address of the accused.
4th Line Theatre's managing artistic manager Kim Blackwell and founder and creative director Robert Winslow hold number balloons at Winslow Farm in a promotional photo for the Millbrook outdoor theatre company's 30th anniversary in 2022. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022 with the outdoor theatre company’s first-ever endowment fund, a six-part podcast series on 4th Line’s history, and the staging of two world-premiere productions this summer after a two-year delay because of the pandemic.
On Tuesday (June 7), 4th Line announced its “30 to the Future” endowment fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. The fund builds upon 4th Line’s history of giving young people the opportunity to become involved in the theatre. Over the past 30 years, around 2,000 youth have been given apprenticeships through 4th Line Theatre.
The endowment fund will help provide young people with scholarships, apprenticeships, and honorariums, as well as theatrical and public speaking training. Support of the endowment fund will mean that half of the annual costs for youth training will be covered for the next 30 years, with 4th Line planning to raise and invest at least $50,000. Donations to the endowment fund can be made at cfgp.ca/project/4th-line-theatre-30-to-the-future-fund/.
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In May, 4th Line announced its first-ever podcast series, entitled “Treading the Barn Boards.” Produced and hosted by Megan Murphy, 4th Line’s associate artistic director of special projects, the six-part series documents the 30-year history of 4th Line Theatre.
The series features interviews with creative director Robert Winslow, managing artistic manager Kim Blackwell, general manager Lindy Finlan, Maja Ardal, Griffin Clark, Maude Rose Craig, Beau Dixon, Sedina Fiati, Justin Hiscox, Alex Poch-Goldin, Patti Shaughnessy, The Spasov Family, Kate Suhr, Esther Vincent, and many others.
John Kennedy as Tyrone Power Sr. and Indigo Chesser as Sunny Donegal in a promotional photo for the world premiere of Alex Poch-Goldin’s “The Great Shadow,” which runs at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook from June 28 to July 23, 2022. It’s the first full summer production at the Winslow Farm since the pandemic began. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
On Tuesdays to Saturdays from June 28 to July 23, 4th Line will be presenting the world premiere of The Great Shadow by playwright Alex Poch-Goldin, who has also written The Bad Luck Bank Robbers and The Right Road to Pontypool for 4th Line. Originally set to premiere in summer 2020, it’s the first full summer production at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook since the pandemic began.
Based on the story of the Trenton Film Plant in Trenton, Ontario — a film studio that made more than 1,500 silent films between 1917 and 1934 before it was shuttered by the Ontario government — The Great Shadow follows one man’s dream to build a film industry in Canada and a single mother’s search for love after the devastating loss of her husband in World War I, all against the sociopolitical backdrop of the 1920s “Red Scare” that communism and leftist political movements were going to destroy western democracy.
4th Line will be hosting a 30th anniversary season opening night gala at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2nd at the Winslow Farm, featuring farm-to-table food from Black Honey Catering and hard and soft drinks, a silent and live auction, a ticket to The Great Shadow, and a post-show reception including a champagne toast with the cast and crew. Tickets are $140, which includes a $35 tax receipt, and can be purchased online at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca/30th-anniversary-season-opening-gala.
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In August, 4th Line will be presenting the world premiere of Maja Ardal’s Wishful Seeing, based on the novel of the same name by Janet Kellough. Directed by Kim Blackwell and starring Robert Winslow, the play tells the story of saddlebag preacher Thaddeus Lewis, who stumbles upon a murder mystery on the shores of Rice Lake in 1853.
4th Line Theatre was founded in 1992 by Robert Winslow, who had begun his theatrical career in the late 1970s at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, before travelling to Edmonton in 1982 to work professionally in theatre. In 1988, he founded the improvisational theatre company East City Productions in Peterborough and began directing and writing for the stage.
After his mother passed away in 1990, Winslow inherited the family’s 150-acre farm in Millbrook that had been in the family for 150 years. After spending the summer of 1991 at the Edmonton Fringe at one of its “Bring Your Own Venue” productions, Winslow was inspired to use the family farm as a stage for theatrical productions.
4th Line Theatre founder and creative director Robert Winslow (left) in his play “The Cavan Blazers,” which was the first production at 4th Line Theatre in 1992. (Photo: Wayne Eardley / Brookside Studio)
With the mission of preserving and promoting Canadian cultural heritage by developing and presenting regionally based historical dramas, Winslow staged 4th Line’s very first production at the Winslow Farm in 1992.
The Cavan Blazers, written and directed by Winslow (who also performed), told the story of the 19th-century Orangemen in Millbrook who violently tried to drive out Catholics who wanted to settle in the area. It has proven to be one of 4th Line’s most popular plays, restaged five times in 1993, 1996, 2001, 2004, and 2011 — some of the 63 productions 4th Line Theatre has staged in the last 30 years.
For more information about 4th Line Theatre, and to purchase tickets for the summer season, visit 4thlinetheatre.on.ca.
Stay tuned for kawarthaNOW’s coverage of 4th Line’s June 15th media day for The Great Shadow.
The greater Kawarthas region, along with the rest of central and northeastern Ontario, is getting a new area code.
Area code 683 will be introduced on Saturday, June 18th, joining the other two area codes for the region: 705 and 249.
While there will be no change to existing phone numbers, new numbers beginning with 683 will be created.
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Ontario now has 17 active area codes: 226, 519, and 548 in southwestern Ontario; 416, 437, and 647 in Toronto; 289, 365, 742, and 905 in the GTA and surrounding region; 343, 613, and 753 in Ottawa and southeastern Ontario; 249, 683, and 705 in central and northeastern Ontario; and 807 in northwestern Ontario.
In June 2023, that number will increase to 18 when area code 382 is added to southwestern Ontario.
The introduction of new area codes is the result of decisions by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in response to the growing demand for telephone numbers. Each new area code means just over seven million new numbers can be assigned to customers (due to restrictions, not every possible seven-digit number can be assigned).
Area codes in Canada. (Map: Telecommunications Alliance)
The first two area codes in Ontario, 416 and 613, were introduced in 1947. In 1953, area code 416 was split to form area code 519 in the western part of the province. In 1957, area code 705 was created from portions of the 613 and 519 areas and served nearly all of Ontario north and west of the Golden Horseshoe. In 1982, area code 807 was introduced for northwestern Ontario. In 1993, the 905 area code was introduced for areas surrounding Toronto (it had previously been the area code for Mexico City).
In 2001, Ontario began the switch to 10-digit dialing for local calls when new area codes were overlaid on existing area codes: 647 was introduced in the area covered by 416 and 289 was introduced in the area covered by 905. Additional area codes were introduced in 2006 (226), 2010 (343), 2011 (249), 2013 (437 and 365), and 548 (2016).
Last October, area code 742 was added to the area served by 289, 365, and 905 and, in March, 753 was added the area served by 613 and 343.
Peterborough chef, culinary entrepreneur, and Fleming College graduate Tyler Scott is the 2022 recipient of Fleming College's Alumnus of Distinction Award. (Photo supplied by Fleming College)
Peterborough culinary entrepreneur Tyler Scott is being honoured by his alma mater, Fleming College, which has selected him as the 2022 recipient of its Alumnus of Distinction Award.
“This prestigious award is presented to an alumnus who attains outstanding career success and professional achievement,” reads a Fleming College media release issued on Friday (June 10).
Tyler was born and raised in Peterborough and has a life-long love for cooking. As a toddler, he would watch cooking reality TV shows and began working in restaurants as a teenager.
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After graduating from Kenner Collegiate, he studied at Fleming College’s culinary management and business program and, after graduating in 2011, worked alongside Chef Evan Podd at the Old Bridge Inn in Lakefield to complete his apprenticeship.
In September 2011, he met his future wife Kassy and moved to Oakville, where he worked at three fine dining restaurants for two years before returning to Peterborough with Kassy. The couple now has two young daughters.
In 2013, he began working as sous chef at Rare Grill House under executive chef Brad Watt.
Tyler Scott graduated from Fleming College’s culinary management and business program in 2011. Since then, he has launched three culinary ventures with his wife Kassy. (Photo: Rare Grill House / Facebook)
Tyler then become executive chef at Rare Grill House and won two back-to-back Iron Chef competitions (in September 2017 and again September 2018) at the Wednesday Downtown Farmers’ Market in Peterborough.
In 2019, after buying Rare Grill House from owners Brad and Katie Watt, Tyler and Kassy renovated the interior of the building and rebranded the restaurant as “Rare” in January 2020 — and then the pandemic hit two months later.
After successfully navigating their restaurant through the pandemic, Tyler and Kassy rediscovered their love of nature and decided they wanted a lifestyle change.
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In April of this year, they announced they were selling the restaurant and launched “Rare Escape,” a venture offering outdoor guided culinary experiences.
In May, as they were preparing to close the restaurant, the couple decided to keep the restaurant and transform the space into Rare Culinary Arts Studio, where they would offer educational seminars, intimate tasting dinners, pop-up food events, community events, and backdoor goods for retail (including frozen meals, preserves, and dehydrated meals for outdoor enthusiasts through their Rare Escape venture).
“Fleming College is proud to have contributed to Tyler’s successes over the years,” says Fleming College president Maureen Adamson. “His dedication to his craft and community makes him an exemplary alumnus and a great example of what Fleming is all about. We wish him the best of luck in his next adventure and can’t wait to see what he achieves next.”
Tyler will be honoured with the Alumnus of Distinction Award during Fleming College’s Convocation on Friday, June 17th.
On the eve of the lifting of most remaining masking requirements in Ontario, Peterborough Transit is strongly recommending riders continue to wear masks on conventional transit and will continue to require masks on its specialized transit van services. Peterborough Public Health will also continue to require the wearing of face masks at its clinics and reception areas.
On Wednesday, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore issued a statement that all remaining masking requirements would be lifted as of midnight on Saturday morning (June 11), except in long-term care and retirement homes.
“To continue providing an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable, masks will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes,” Dr. Moore said.
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The mask mandate for indoor public settings was lifted on March 21, except for public transit, healthcare settings, long-term care and retirement homes, and shelters and other congregate care settings providing services to vulnerable people. The mandate for these settings was originally set to expire April 27 but was extended until June 11.
Although no longer required as of June 11, Dr. Moore has recommended that masking continue in congregate care settings. He is also allowing all organizations to set their own masking policies.
“Masking is recommended in higher-risk congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes,” Dr. Moore said. “While masking requirements are expiring, organizations may implement their own policies. Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they feel it is right for them, are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.”
On Friday, Peterborough Transit announced it would continue to require the wearing of masks for its specialized transit van service, and “strongly recommends and welcomes” the continued wearing of face masks by customers on buses, at the transit terminal, and other transit locations where physical distancing is not possible. This is the same policy being followed by the Toronto Transit Commission.
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On Thursday, Peterborough Public Health announced it would continue to require masks to be worn in all health unit clinics. This includes COVID-19 vaccine clinics, routine immunization clinics, school-based immunization clinics, and the sexual health and oral health clinics at the health unit’s offices at 185 King Street. Masks must also continue to be worn in the reception areas at the health unit’s offices.
According to Peterborough medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott, the health unit is continuing to require masks in clinical service settings and reception areas for the protection of staff and visitors.
“We are continuing to see deaths from COVID-19, even with community transmission now moving to low risk,” Dr. Piggott said. “Masking remains the second-most effective way after getting the vaccine of reducing transmission. It is well worth it in high-risk settings and settings with poor ventilation to protect ourselves and those more vulnerable around us.”
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