A retired nurse from Lindsay is one of 15 recipients of the Ontario government’s Senior Achievement Awards.

The awards, which recognize people for significant contributions to their communities after the age of 65, were announced on Friday (October 1).

“Beverly Baxter of Lindsay, a retired registered nurse, known for her compassion and caring, continues to put her professional skills to good use in the community through her work to establish a local palliative care program and by volunteering at monthly blood pressure clinics,” reads the announcement. “Beverly received a 25-year service award from the City of Kawartha Lakes Community Care in 2016.”

The other 14 recipients are Leo Blindenbach of Newcastle, Michele Boniface of Stratford, Joan M. Goldsmith of Oro-Medonte, Donald Hishon of Kitchener, Pat Kolb of Bolton, David A. Longstaff of Hamilton, George Lowes of Iron Bridge, Lawrence Martin of London, Darrel O’Shaughnessy of Arnprior, Dr. Sally Elizabeth Palmer of Dundas, Janice Preiss of Beeton, Thomas Shura of Kenora, Sonja Elizabeth Smith of Bracebridge, and Touran Vakilzadeh of North York.

“Seniors across the province have felt most directly the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is a delight to be able to celebrate the positive difference seniors make to our communities,” says Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell in a media release. “Today’s recipients are role models to Ontarians of all ages.”

The recipients are being recognized by Dowdeswell and seniors and accessibility minister Raymond Cho at a virtual recognition ceremony.

Since the Ontario Senior Achievement Award was created in 1987, 660 seniors have received an award.

On the day now set aside for Canadians to acknowledge the intergenerational impact of Canada’s residential school system on Indigenous peoples, as well as recognize the process of reconciliation, Trent University continued its long practice of being a leader in Indigenous education and awareness of longstanding issues affecting first people across the country.

On Thursday (September 30), the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the university unveiled a ‘treaty rock’ — a new installation that recognizes the local treaty lands upon which the university is located — outside the Bata Library on Trent’s Symons Campus.

The installation is comprised of three limestone boulders, each bearing the symbols of the dodem (clan totem) carvings of the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig signatories.

Its engraved inscription acknowledges that Trent University is located on Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg traditional territory, reading “Treaty 20 was the first treaty in the region, signed in 1818 by the six Michi Saagiig clans. We offer gratitude for the First Peoples for sharing this land and their care for teachings about our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.”

For the unveiling, Trent University president Leo Groarke was joined by Curve Lake First Nation Chief Emily Whetung and Elder Doug Williams. All three spoke, with Chief Whetung referencing “the gold standard relationship” that Curve Lake First Nation and the university share.

“We are very pleased to see this installation, developed in a true partnership, come to life,” said Chief Whetung, adding “The meaningful acknowledgement of our ancestral lands, and the treaty in which the university is situated, will raise awareness in all who pass through.”

Meanwhile, Elder Williams explained the significance of the dodem carvings that represent the clans that signed the 1818 treaty, symbolized by the clan symbols of an eagle, a caribou, a crane, a fish, and a snake.

“They made it possible for you to come into this territory and settle,” Elder Williams said. “I’m one of the rare Michi Saagiig left that speaks the language. There’s only about 50 of us. It’s good for me to see this.”

But the event’s most poignant remarks were made by Curve Lake First Nation member Lorenzo Whetung, who closed out the event with a prayer addressed to The Creator.

“Thank you for the cold to remind us that life isn’t always comfortable and that it was never comfortable for the people at our residential schools,” he said.

“The chill that we feel now is nothing compared to the chill that was felt by the children at our residential schools. Thank you for bringing a little bit of that chill to us today so that we might use it to fuel the questions in our mind, to fuel the answers in our minds, and bring us together so that we can do something when we leave here.”

Julie Davis, Trent’s vice-president of external relations and development, also spoke to the day’s broader significance.

“Perhaps, like me, you’re unsure of what emotions to bring with you today,” she said. “Sorrow for the lives, language, and land that has been lost. Maybe anger for the stripping away of culture and children from their families. Perhaps you feel determination to have this be the beginning of a path we’re all walking on together with a stronger understanding of the truth.”

“And perhaps you feel hope looking around here at the young people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who have come here with a fierce determination to make this a country where all of the voices are heard.”

The unveiling drew a large crowd of students, most wearing orange t-shirt. September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day, a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in the May 2013 in Williams Lake, BC.

Orange Shirt Day grew out of the experience of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who, as a six-year-old child in 1973, had her new orange shirt — a gift from her grandmother — taken from her on her first day at the mission. The orange shirt, accompanied by the phrase “Every Child Matters”, has become a symbol of Canada’s efforts to strip Indigenous peoples of their language, culture, and heritage, largely through the residential school system.

Meanwhile, a similar ceremony was held Thursday at Trent University’s Durham campus in Oshawa that saw the unveiling of a treaty wall in the campus’ atrium. It features original signatory documents and pre-Confederation treaty map.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday on June 5 when legislative amendments made by Parliament received Royal Assent. It will be marked every September 30th moving forward as a day that “honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities.”

The United Way Peterborough & District launched the second leg of a three-year fundraising campaign at an event outside the organization’s office in downtown Peterborough on Wednesday (September 29).

The organization aims to raise $5 million by 2023. The 2021-2022 campaign also marks the 80th year the United Way has been working with donors to address the root causes of societal issues.

“I am so pleased to be here today to make this proclamation of United Way Peterborough and District’s commitment of 80 years working to support the most vulnerable in our community,” said Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, who delivered the proclamation to commemorate the organization’s contribution to the community.

Dr. Marcus Harvey, a long-time member of the United Way’s cabinet and board, will once again lead this year’s campaign.

“This past year posed challenges that the United Way was ideally situated to address,” he said. “We ensured that our partner agencies got the resources they needed to manage the COVID-19 crisis and attracted $1.8 million in new federal grants to the community.”

Harvey added the United Way is “on track” to meet its $5 million goal by 2023, thanks to both individual and corporate donors.

“Many long-time donors increased their contributions, despite the pandemic,” Harvey said. “Or maybe they did it to spite the pandemic.”

During 2020-2021, the United Way provided more than $2.7 million in support to 51 local agencies and 103 programs. However, as that amount included one-time and emergency grants from the federal government and local foundations, so additional fundraising will be needed this year.

For Kathy Neill, executive director of John Howard Society of Peterborough, the United Way is more than just a source of funding.

“I am grateful for the strong voice that the United Way brings to our community, especially around the complex issue of local homelessness and housing,” she explained. “Through their research, such as Housing is Fundamental Report, Living Wage Report, and the Point in Time Enumeration, United Way leads and engages in capacity building initiatives that create meaningful impact across our social service sector.”

Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District, drew a parallel between the pandemic and the origins of the United Way 80 years ago.

“The United Way started as the Community Chest, a response to the war effort, born out of crisis and reflecting the response recovery and resilience of that time,” Russell said.

“We look back with gratitude over 80 years of building community with you. We look forward to the coming 80 years, confident in this community’s resilience and certain of our ability together to respond and recover from any challenge. To our donors, workplaces, partner agencies, and volunteers — a humble and hearty thank you.”

To donate to the United Way Peterborough & District, and to say up to date on events during the 2021-2022 campaign, visit www.uwpeterborough.ca.

Mac and cheese fans will love the variety of carb-loaded dishes coming to downtown Peterborough for the month of October during the first-ever Mac + Cheese Festival — and they’ll also find comfort in their hearts knowing they are supporting locally owned restaurants while also helping to address food insecurity for those in need.

The brainchild of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), the Mac + Cheese Festival is the ultimate festival for lovers of the comfort food. Dishes range from classic macs to adventurous and fancy macs, created especially for the festival by 18 downtown restaurants including pubs, cafes, delis, burger joints, pizzerias, and fine dining and vegan restaurants.

“Peterborough’s downtown offers the best culinary experience in the region, including a diverse array of restaurant experiences that bring the flavours of the world together in one place,” says DBIA executive director Terry Guiel.

“To showcase this quality that our downtown restaurants possess, we decided to bring the king of comfort food — mac and cheese — to their kitchens and let them create cheesy masterpieces,” Terry explains. “Hopefully this initiative will introduce new customers to a restaurant they haven’t yet experienced. Mac and cheese will definitely get people’s hunger on and entice them with the temptations that only cheesy dishes can bring.”

Hillary Flood, the DBIA’s communications manager, says the participating restaurants have embraced the concept behind the festival. Some, like Real Thai PTBO, are adding an “international flair” to the dish, while The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge is taking fall-centric approach by serving their mac and cheese dish in a miniature pumpkin.

“Sam’s Place is also thinking very outside-the-mac with a mac and cheesewich,” she adds.

“It’s a competition, and of course some folks are in it for the glory,” Hillary says. “But our 18 restaurant partners are just happy to help bring a little comfort back into the community. I don’t think it gets any more comforting than mac and cheese.”

The festival will culminate with the crowning of a Mac + Cheese Champion who will win a “cheesy hand-crafted trophy”, according to Hillary, along with a “sizeable donation” made to Kawartha Food Share in their establishment’s name. The champion will be selected by festival goers, who will be able to vote for their favourite dishes online at www.ptbomacandcheesefest.com all month long.

“We are excited to see how our COVID-friendly festival will help keep local momentum going for our restaurants after patio season ends,” Hillary adds. “We couldn’t be prouder of the incredible dishes the Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival will have on offer this October.”

Battle of the pizzerias

Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria and Pizza Bodega are taking the festival’s carby shenanigans to unparalleled heights, with Taso’s offering a Chicago-style deep dish mac and cheese pizza and Pizza Bodega a thin crust New York-style version.

Pizza Bodega owners Sean Crooks and Jennifer Assally, who opened the doors to their popular restaurant around two months ago, were excited to get involved when they found out about the festival.

“We decided to join because we can get some exposure in Peterborough and get our restaurant’s name out there,” Sean says. “It just seems like a great opportunity for a new business like ours.”

“My girlfriend and I are very carb-heavy people,” Sean points out. “We like carbs — we’re not afraid of them. Mac and cheese is a classic dish and we’ve eaten it since we were kids. I’ve made different renditions at restaurants that I’ve worked in. It’s one of those dishes you just can’t pass up.”

Sean says that his goal was to load his dish with carbs and create a homemade masterpiece worthy of any dieter’s cheat day.

“Pizza dough has a lot of flour of course, so we tried to make the sauce without flour,” he explains. “We decided on a straight-up cheese sauce. We added double-smoked ham, and our garlic parmesan sauce is part of the base to ensure it doesn’t dry out.”

“Fresh mozzarella, dry mozzarella, and parmesan make up the three staple cheeses in the dish. Noodles add more carbs and then we’ve topped it with chives and a crunchy Cheetos crumble to add a little bit of texture.”

“If you’re coming to a Mac + Cheese Festival, you’re probably not looking to cut back on your carbs,” Sean laughs. “You’re definitely not on the Keto diet.”

Sean says he is happy to be facing off against Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, which he believes has included “even more carbs” with their Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

“It should be very interesting,” Sean says. “A fun little challenge to encourage people to come downtown and try something new. Most festivals last just a few days — this is going to last for a month and people don’t have to gather in large groups to participate. A lot of mac and cheese will be consumed over the month of October in Peterborough.”

For his part, Taso’s owner and chef Taso Hatzianastasiou says that he “loves a challenge” and sees the festival as his perfect opportunity to create a very “unique pie.”

“The festival is an exciting way to bring the community together and give everyone an opportunity to experience something or somewhere new,” he says. “I made a classic deep dish Chicago-style pizza with a mac and cheese twist. It’s layered with old cheddar and mozzarella, then my three-cheese mac with chorizo, pancetta, and diced jalapeños, and it’s finished with a garlic parmesan panko crust for a nice crunch. It’s creamy, ultra cheesy, and has a bit of a kick.”

Taso is happy to be part of the downtown Peterborough community and considers himself fortunate to call many customers and other business owners by name within his close-knit downtown community.

Mac and Cheese fusion

Like Pizza Bodega, Real Thai PTBO opened its doors during the pandemic. Co-owner Sathit Thanomphan (Chef Tom) says that, despite the challenges of opening during a pandemic, he and his wife Samantha are very happy to be operating their new restaurant in downtown Peterborough.

“It is an honour to bring authentic Thai food to this community,” Chef Tom says. “It’s important to us to participate in a community event. When we came here, I wanted to bring authentic Thai food to Peterborough, and I’ve done my best to do that. I hope that my kitchen will bring more newcomers here because they’ve heard that there is a Thai food restaurant they can’t miss in Peterborough.”

Chef Tom explains that creating a new Thai dish is always a challenge because of the delicate “architecture” of Thai food and flavours that are used. For the mac and cheese challenge, Tom says he opted to “keep it simple”, creating a fusion dish based on one of his most popular menu items.

“I based my dish on a very popular Thai dish called Khao Soi,” he says. “It’s a noodle dish traditionally made with egg noodles, spicy Thai red curry, and coconut milk.”

Real Thai PTBO’s “Spicy Curry Mac” also features gooey cheese and a crispy wonton topping.

Comfort food bringing comfort

Running in tandem with the Mac + Cheese Festival will be a month-long food drive for Kawartha Food Share. Participating diners are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to any of the 18 participating restaurants.

Kawartha Food Share general manager Ashlee Aitken says they are excited to partner with the DBIA for the premiere Mac + Cheese Festival, as the pandemic has resulted in higher demand among those dealing with food insecurity.

“This year has been particularly hard for our food bank clients as well as the wonderful community members running our 37 member agencies,” she explains. “Many people have been without work for long periods of time and have had to rely on our services more than ever. The winter months, especially around the holidays, bring a lot of added expenses for our clients.”

“Unfortunately, 16.5 per cent of household in Peterborough are food insecure. Every donation, no matter how small, will ensure we can provide safe and reliable access to emergency food for those who need it most.”

During the festival, each participating restaurant will be set up to collect non-perishable food donations. Ashlee says that, while packaged mac and cheese is an item they are always in need of, they are currently short on their supply of pork and beans, canned vegetables, and individually wrapped school snacks (such as granola bars, apple sauce, and fruit chews).

While the fast-approaching Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many people traditionally donate food, Ashlee says donations are needed all year long — especially in the winter months.

“Donations can be dropped in any of our collection bins, at grocery stores, or at our warehouse,” adds Ashlee. “Monetary donations can be made on our website. Hunger doesn’t end when the holidays do, and we would like the public to know that we accept and appreciate donations all year long.”

You can support Kawartha Food Share and locally owned restaurants by heading to downtown Peterborough for the Mac + Cheese Festival throughout the month of October. Whether you’re looking for a traditional dish, something more unusual, or a vegan or gluten-free option, there’s a mac and cheese for everyone’s taste.

For more information about the festival, including a description of all the dishes and a map of participating restaurants (which you can also find below), visit www.ptbomacandcheesefest.com, where you can vote for your favourite mac and cheese dishes. You can also follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information about Kawartha Food Share and to make a monetary donation, visit www.kawarthafoodshare.com.

MAP: Downtown Peterborough restaurants participating in the Mac + Cheese Festival

View a larger version of this map.

This story was created in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.