CONTENTS
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Blindness no disability for Mrs. B Reverend Dr. Sharon Ballantyne, Ph.D.
7
Get it done! Pamela VanMeer
8
Natural approach to healthier skin Dr. Susan Joyce N.D.
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Recipe Raw Chocolate Truffles
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Moving Pictures™ Terri Catlin
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Widowhood rites in Nigeria Patricia Newson
13
Honesty lesson Erica Cherney
14
New team members
16
Career success Leanne DellaRicca
22
Encourage other women Louise Racine Promo Video
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www.Discovering-Women.com Managing Editor/Copy Editor/Writer: Linda Doran Viscardis Editorial: linda@discovering-women.com Publisher: Miryam Buchahim Design / Photography: MB Graphics & Events Writer: Melodie McCullough Advertising Inquiries: miryam@discovering-women.com Office: 705-768-1035
www.discoveringwomenmagazine.com
Contributors: Dr. Sharon Ballantyne (on the cover) Pamela VanMeer Maryam Monself and Jessica Melnik Erica Cherney Louise Racine Leanne Della-Ricca Pat Newson Dr. Susan Joyce N.D. Erin Bell Terri Catlin Carla Brown
Discovering Women Magazine and its logotype is a registered name. The publication is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced by any means without permission of the publisher. Discovering Women Magazine is produced and distributed four times a year. Subscriptions: Telephone 705-768-1035 Four issues for $24 plus taxes. Canada only. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or visual material. Story submissions, letters to the editor, press releases and promotional material in whole or in part or in any medium may be used, reproduced, published, stored or archived without compensation of any sort. This does not apply to materials, pitches, photography and illustrations submitted in accordance with known industry practices. Discovering Women Magazine will not be held liable for opinions expressed by authors. or damages or losses however sustained as a result of any information, opinions or products within its pages or its Website. Publication of ads does not indicate endorsement of advertisers’ products.
2013 | www.Discovering-Women.com | Issue #4 #6
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To Our Readers, from the Editorial Team For those of you who are new to our pages, Discovering Women seeks to tell real stories about real women – women like you and me. Our vision is that women recognize and fully utilize one another’s many gifts, strengths and capacities, thereby fostering a strong, healthy community. Our mission is to provide a forum to tell stories that educate, inspire and empower others to live their best lives and into their greatest potential; and to give advertisers a platform for creating more revenue by accessing the people with the most purchasing power — women. We are grateful for the feedback about our last issue: readers appreciate the mix of high profile people with “everyday” people; they read the publication cover to cover; the magazine is not a typical news-oriented publication – refreshing; it is inspiring to read about the intimacies of other women’s lives; it is colourful, and the design draws the reader in, leaving you wanting more; and, there’s always a good, healthy recipe. Keep it coming. Feedback helps to keep us on course. The theme for this issue is “Women Empowered.” I think empowerment can mean many things. Some women may step into their power by doing hugely courageous things — like speaking a message that no one wants, but everyone needs to hear — while others simply choose to put one foot in front of the other, to just get through their day. I think we are empowered in different ways during different seasons of our life. In this issue, we meet a woman who became empowered when others did not believe in her; and, two young women who are making a difference on the other side of the world; and, a woman who left difficult circumstances to successfully find her way in the world; and, still another who was empowered by embracing life’s lessons. We thank them all. I’m sure each hopes that, by telling their stories, other women 4
Issue #6 | www.Discovering-Women.com | 2013
may be moved, inspired and educated. And Miryam and I hope their stories move you to either share your own story, or to nominate another woman whose story should be told. We would feel honoured to tell it. Also in this issue, we are introducing several new members of the Discovering Women team. Please join Miryam and me, and the rest of team, in welcoming Carla Brown, Erin Bell, and, writer, Melodie McCullough. Many hands do indeed make light work, and we appreciate these women so much.
www.Discovering-Women.com
Welcome to the sixth issue of Discovering Women. We’re glad you are taking time out of your busy schedule to meet the women whose stories are told in this issue.
Lastly, as always, we want to thank our writers, readers and advertisers for your ongoing support. Without you, there would be no Discovering Women. We encourage you to engage with us, and with our vision and mission. You can help us by introducing us to other interesting women, by allocating some of your advertising budget to the magazine, by continuing to provide your feedback and suggestions, and by participating in discussions on our blog (www.discoveringwomenmagazine.com), our Facebook Page, and the weekly Consult the Doctors forum, also on Facebook™. You may also visit our publication online at www.discovering-women.com. Next issue’s theme: healthy aging.
And now, I invite you to put your feet up, grab a cup of tea, and enter into the lives of our latest “discoveries.” We hope you enjoy meeting them just as much as we did. – Linda Viscardis
Miryam Buchahim Publisher / Art Director
Linda Viscardis Managing Editor / Writer
Blindness is no disability for Mrs. B By Linda Viscardis
The journey to full-time employment with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and this classroom, at James Strath Elementary School, began years ago, when Sharon realized that she wanted to be a teacher. Nothing would get in the way of achieving her goal — not even blindness. Born three months prematurely, Sharon was diagnosed with retrolental fibroplasia, or what is now called “retinopathy of prematurity” (ROP). ROP left her with light perception in her right eye, but no functional vision, and five per cent vision in her left eye, with an acuity of 20/400. “One blessing was that, if I could get things up really close, I could read,” says Sharon. “I could walk into a room, scan the room, and keep what I saw in my visual memory.” Because this was all Sharon had ever known, the lack of typical sight was never an issue. In fact, no one knew the extent of her visual loss until, as she was preparing to leave secondary school, she applied for entry into Queen’s University and became aware that she was legally blind. This was not problematic until she was informed by the Dean’s Office that she “would not be successful.”
In Photo: Sharon Ballantyne Ph.D. Photo by: MB Graphics & Events
T he room is colourful, and filled with educational
“I was already living self-sufficiently,” says Sharon. “I said, ‘What do you mean I’m not going to have success?’ I got my back up, and I thought, ‘I’ll show you!’” “I did my B.A. at Queen’s,” she says, with a smile.
resources. Children’s shoes are neatly placed on the desks. There are posters on the walls, and chalk lettering on the board. It’s a typical Grade 3 classroom.
The next step was to achieve her teaching degree.
But is it? Look more closely.
She was subsequently called into the Registrar’s Office, where Sharon was told that, because she “would not be able to manage a classroom,” the Bachelor of Education program was not for her.
Everything in the classroom is colour coded and has a braille label. This is where the Reverend Dr. Sharon Ballantyne, Ph.D. – totally blind since 1995 – teaches her 20 Grade 3 – sighted – students. But, how is it possible for a teacher who is completely blind to teach sighted students? For Sharon, or Mrs. B as the children refer to her, her lack of sight is a non-issue — in fact, she does not even self-identify as “blind.” It’s just another personal characteristic — like having brown hair and being five foot two.
“I applied, but did not get in,” says Sharon.
“I asked them what they were talking about,” says Sharon, who had already been volunteering in classrooms in Kingston. “I knew I would be successful. So, I asked them if they would take me if I completed a practice placement successfully. They said, ‘Yes.’” Sharon relies on student-teacher partnership...19 2013 | www.Discovering-Women.com | Issue #6
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Emergency .................................................................................................................911 Police (non-emergency) ................................................................................................705-876-1122 Hospital ................................................................................................705-743-2121 Activity Haven Seniors’Centre ................................................................................................705-876-1670 Alcoholics Anonymous ................................................................................................705-745-6111 Bereaved Families of Ontario - Peterborough ................................................................................................705-743-7233 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough ................................................................................................705-743-6100 Canadian Mental Health Association ............................................................................................1-866-990-9956 Children’s Aid Society ................................................................................................705-743-9751 City of Peterborough Municiple Police Victim Services Unit ................................................................................................705-743-8922 Community Care ................................................................................................705-742-7067 Community Counselling Resource Centre ................................................................................................705-743-6976 Community Living Peterborough ................................................................................................705-743-2411 Community Race Relations Committee ................................................................................................705-742-9658 Elizabeth Frye Society of Peterborough ................................................................................................705-749-6809 Family Counselling Service and Volunteer Information ................................................................................................705-742-4258 Five Counties Children’s Centre ................................................................................................705-748-2221 Good Neighbours Care Centre ................................................................................................705-742-9800 Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation Business Advisory Centre....................................................................705-743-0777 Hospice Peterborough ............................................................................................... 705-742-4042 Kawartha Community Midwives ................................................................................................705-745-7640 Kawartha Food Share ................................................................................................705-745-5377 Kawartha Participation Projects ................................................................................................705-745-4122 Kinark Child and Family Services ................................................................................................705-742-3803 Labour Ready Inc ................................................................................................705-760-9111 Legal Aid Ontario ................................................................................................705-743-5430 Literacy Ontario Central South ................................................................................................705-749-0675 Mapleridge Seniors Recreation Centre ................................................................................................705-742-1481 Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabe-Kwewag ................................................................................................705-741-0900 Ontario Disability Support Program ................................................................................................705-742-9292 Ontario Early Years Centre - Peterborough ................................................................................................705-748-9144 Ontario Works ................................................................................................705-742-9292 Peterborough Access Centre ................................................................................................705-743-2212 Peterborough Chamber of Commerce ................................................................................................705-748-9771 Peterborough Community Legal Centre ................................................................................................705-749-9355 Peterborough County - Children’s Services Division ................................................................................................705-748-8830 Peterborough County - City Health Unit ................................................................................................705-743-1000 Peterborough Family Resource Centre ................................................................................................705-748-9144 Peterborough Public Library ................................................................................................705-745-5560 Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre ................................................................................................705-742-0050 Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services ................................................................................................705-742-4015 The Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough ................................................................................................705-748-9455 Tri-County Community Support Services ...............................................................................................705-876-9245 Victim Services Peterborough Northumberland ............................................................................................1-888-822-7729 YWCA Crossroads Shelter ................................................................................................705-743-4135
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VanMeer follows own advice, gets it done By Melodie McCullough
In Photo: Pamela Van Meer
forever,” she says.
If there is something you really want to do with your life, don’t wait. That’s what Pamela VanMeer will tell you — and she knows what she’s talking about. The anchor/producer at CHEX Newswatch returned to school five years ago after a longtime first career as an innkeeper, and now works at a job she absolutely loves, as an investigative reporter for the Peterborough television station. “It is never too late. That’s so true. My goal was to be an investigative reporter,” says Pamela. “But you always figure you can do it at another time, and you put it off and before you know it … you know how life is.” Pamela, originally from Burnt River near Kinmount, Ontario, married, had a daughter, and, with her then-husband, operated an inn with a spa and restaurant in Bobcaygeon. Then, things changed drastically. Her marriage failed, and her father, who had always told her she “could do anything,” was diagnosed with cancer. In 2008, when her marriage ended and her father died, Pamela realized she had to make her move. “You’ve got to get it done. You won’t be here
After receiving a journalism diploma from Seneca College in Toronto, Pamela was hired in 2009 by CHEX to do part-time general assignments. In 2010, she was assigned the weekly Health Watch report. Now she anchors the 5:30 p.m. news show as a maternity replacement, and is also a back-up anchor for the 11 p.m. news, as well as continuing with her investigative work. Pamela is a videographer, too, shooting, editing and crafting the film that accompanies her interviews, typically working 10 to 12 hours a day during the week, and, also, often shooting video on weekends. It’s her investigative efforts she finds most challenging and rewarding. Pamela has covered Peterborough’s biker gangs, unearthing the fact that the city has the first Vagos biker club chapter in Canada. “They actually gave me a tour of the clubhouse,” says Pamela. “That’s pretty unheard of. It was scary — the first and only time I’ve ever been scared on my job.” She also followed the story of a city woman with severe epilepsy who had rare brain surgery, and from inside the hospital room filmed while doctors carried out the operation. She did the same thing with a city resident’s liver transplant. “In another job I would never get to experience anything like that,” she says. But it was her recent reporting of abuse of a patient at St. Joseph’s at Fleming long-term care facility that Pamela found the hardest with which to deal, because of the vulnerability of the elderly woman. That story was picked up nationally and even internationally. Going back to school as a single mother was difficult both financially and emotionally, but her mother and friends helped out, she says. Her daughter, now 18, is proud of her, and loves the idea of her being on television. “It worked out in the end. It’s very rewarding. I love my job and I’m so happy I did it,” she says. “I love the fact that I get to meet different people every day and I get to tell people’s stories. I feel responsible to them that their stories are honest and well-told.” We are better than we think...page 17
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Women seek natural approach to healthier skin By Dr. Susan Joyce, N.D.
Dr. Susan Joyce Photo by: MB Graphics & Events
•Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture and Biopuncture:
Women are often looking for ways to preserve
the health and youthfulness of their skin. To achieve this, we are offering the following three suggestions: •Proper nutrition: Ensure you are eating a diet consisting of foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, pomegranate, green tea and tomatoes. Add more omega 3 fatty acids through foods such as walnuts, wild salmon and flaxseeds. Vitamin E is very helpful for skin health, and can be found in such foods as sunflower seeds and almonds. Minimizing such foods as refined sugars, processed foods, and even dairy, can result in a healthier, more youthful complexion. •Skin care products: As we approach the cooler months ahead, it is very important to ensure our skin is well hydrated. We recommend a moisturizer in a serum form because the extracts are absorbed into all three layers of skin. This will not only provides deep moisture, but also allows the vitamins, minerals and enzymes to effectively heal and nurture delicate skin cells as well as protecting skin from the elements. More traditional cream moisturizers tend to moisturize only the top layer of skin (epidermis) and often dry out the surface of the skin.
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Often called Cosmetic Acupuncture, this is a painless, non-surgical technique that can help to reduce the signs of aging. Acupuncture promotes blood and energy flow to the face, resulting in more toned skin and diminished fine lines. Biopuncture provides low dose natural substances injected into the superficial layers of the skin to help promote natural collagen production and dissolve unwanted adipose tissue. Dr. Susan Joyce BSc (Hons), N.D., along with Dr. Dana Marshall BHSc (Hons), N.D., is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Their practice, Healthy Foundations Naturopathic Clinic, is located at 219 Sherbrooke Street (second floor) in Peterborough. For more information call 705-243-5163 or email info@healthyfoundations.ca. Visit our Consult the Doctors Facebook™ page. Dr. Susan Joyce and Dr. Dana Marshall, Doctors of Naturopathy, answer our readers’ health-related questions every Tuesday evening, from 8:00 to 9:00 ET. Although they will not necessarily be able to answer each person’s questions in detail, they will answer in a way that will be of relevance to our broad reading audience. Dr. Joyce and Dr. Marshall may be contacted directly at Healthy Foundation Naturopathic Clinic, located at 219 Sherbrooke Street in Peterborough (second floor). For information, call 705-243-5163 or email info@healthyfoundations.ca.
Scan with your smartphone to visit Consult the Doctors Facebook™ page
Chocolate Truffles These treats are not only delicious, but they are also easy to make and filled with omega 3-rich walnuts! Ingredients: 2 cups raw walnuts 1 cup medjool dates, pitted 4-6 tbsp organic cocoa powder Shredded organic coconut Directions: •Place walnuts into a food processor fitted with the ‘S’ blade and process until very finely ground and pasty. •Add dates and cocoa powder and continue to process until well combined. Add more dates for a sweeter taste and process again. •Roll into small balls and place into a bowl of shredded coconut. Make sure each ball gets coated in coconut, then place onto a plate. These treats freeze well. YIELD: About 1 ½ dozen truffles NUTRITION Information per truffle: 214 calories; 33g carbohydrates; 10g fat; 3g protein; 2mg sodium; 27g This recipe was obtained from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, available for purchase at Healthy Foundations Naturopathic Clinic.
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By Terri Catlin
MOVING PICTURES ™ #2 THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN Farmer John Peterson, the subject of the documentary, The Real Dirt on Farmer John, is not typical — which is an understatement. In his words, “I love moving iron and pushing iron through the soil.” And then, “I love glitz, I love glitter, I love glamour.” And yet, Farmer John is in many ways an ordinary man. A farm boy who can’t get the land out of his blood. A man searching for purpose when he can no longer farm. But I’m getting ahead of myself… On the one hand, this is a film about the demise of the family farm in America, the rising phoenix of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and the biodynamic and organic movement. But this is also a story of one man’s journey of self-discovery through trying circumstances and seemingly hopeless challenges. Faced with bankruptcy at the age of 30, Farmer John nearly lost the family farm that his grandfather had managed to keep while weathering the Great Depression. There are two major themes that struck me in this documentary.
The first is the power of community to cause both harm and healing. When John inherits the farm as a young man in the ‘60s, he turns it into a communal experiment called the Midwest Coast, attracting hippies, radicals and artists — and a lot of negative attention In photo: Terri Catlin from neighbours. When rumours of his wild parties rage out of control, the accusations are so damaging that John leaves the country to escape the pain. Never underestimate the destructive power of gossip — even by well-intentioned people. But when John eventually faces those that caused him harm, he rediscovers the power of community to come together and create something extraordinary. The second theme is that of self-expression. What is a cross-dressing, artist/farmer to do when the bottom falls out? What are any of us to do in these times of great uncertainty? In Farmer John’s willingness to share his humanity, his imperfections, his fears and ultimately his courage, we can find ourselves. In his unwillingness to sell out on who he is, we can find inspiration. Terri Catlin is an actor, writer and director. www.terricatlin.com/writer
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Humanitarian organization tackles dehumanizing widowhood rites in Nigeria By Pat Newson, Foreign Correspondent
Widowhood
can be one of life’s most tragically altering experiences. For far too many Nigerian poor, alongside the emotional loss of a loving partner, widowhood brings untenable degradation and hardship.
Dehumanising widowhood rites — under the guise of culture and tradition — include, among others: drinking the water used to wash the husband’s corpse; eating cooked meat from the mouth of the dead spouse; wearing of the same sanitary pad for a year; confinement/not bathing for one year; and, the seizure of and denied access to productive means of income. Consider
the
story
of
Glo-
my five children, I sent my first son, aged 19, to serve as domestic help for someone in a neighbouring state. Two years later my son came back with madness. Now, he roams the village half naked. I just feel at times that death should come and take me, but what will happen to the children?” According to recent studies, thousands of Nigerian women like Glory undergo myriad human rights violations. The culture in these parts institutionalizes male child favouritism, early marriages, female genital mutilation, and domestic violence, and widowhood practices. “Preventing Women’s Ill-Treatment/Rehabilitating” is a project funded by the European Commission and administered by the organization where I work. Its goal is to reduce gender-based maltreatment and provide victim assistance by offering knowledge and skills that lead to self-empowerment.
eficiaries of the project. Though this number may seem small, these recipients and their children become natural champions for other widows and children, triggering a positive healthy effect across their communities. A graduate of Ryerson’s journalism program and longtime business communications consultant, Patricia Bell Newson is currently in Nigeria developing the outreach capacity of an international award winning humanitarian aid organization. When she’s not travelling, Pat calls a lake just outside of Peterborough “home.” Follow her blog at www.pnewson57.blogspot.ca.
Some 120 vulnerable women in 24 isolated communities are direct ben-
ry Moko, a 40-year-old widow from a small tribal settlement. “After my husband died, life became as dark as charcoal,” says Glory. “My husband’s land was taken by my inlaws. Now, about five times a month people hire me to weed in their cassava farms for N150 ($1.00) a day. In order to improve my life and that of 12
In Photo: Pat Newson
Widows wait, hoping to be selected for the program
Issue #6 | www.Discovering-Women.com | 2013
Erica’s honesty comes from lessons of distant past By Linda Viscardis I just ripped up my notes and said, ‘I need to tell the women something that might be more helpful.’’ Her story began in 1963 in the suburbs of New York City, where she lived with her first husband and their three young children.
In Photo: Erica Cherney Photo by: Jessica Melnik
Who is Erica Cherney, once
called “the best mayor Peterborough’s never had?” Now in her 80’s, Erica was named Woman of the Decade for 2012; Peterborough’s 1999 Citizen of the Year; YWCA’s 1987 Woman of the Year; and, Trent University’s first female chair of its Board of Governors (1980-1984). She is also manager of Cherney Realty, a local landlord.
“It became obvious that my husband had emotional problems; he would drink too much,” says Erica. “One day his employer called me and said he was being disruptive. The company psychiatrist sent him off to hospital. I went to the hospital and spoke to their psychologist about how I should handle the situation.” After sharing her situation with a neighbour, Erica was introduced to Al-Anon, a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences to help solve their common problems.
“I learned the importance of being honest,” says Erica. “If the other person doesn’t know why you’re annoyed, and if you haven’t told them, you can’t blame them. They aren’t clairvoyant. You can’t hang your happiness on someone else. That was the number one most important lesson I learned.” Now, years later, Erica still uses the lessons from those early years. “If I’m asked for an opinion, I’m giving you an honest answer,” says Erica, who is known to this day for speaking her mind. Erica invites Discovering Women readers to contact her if they would like to know more about her story. Her email address is erica.cherney@sympatico.ca.
In photo Kathleen Wild
This is the very public Erica Cherney. However, a very private Erica was revealed when she recently disclosed to members of the local Women’s Business Network (WBN) a secret she had been holding on to since 1963 — a secret that colours the way she lives her life to this day. “It was at WBN,” begins Erica. “I was to speak. I had my notes prepared, about what I had done to get to this point in my career. Suddenly, 2013 | www.Discovering-Women.com | Issue #6
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Discovering Women Magazine welcomes new team members Erin Bell to write Nutritional Notes for Discovering Women
In Photo: Erin Bell Photography by: MB Graphics & Events
ral Health Technologies in Oakville, Ontario, where she completed training as a Registered BioEnergetics Practitioner, or Holistic Allergist. Then, back to British Columbia, where she became certified as an Herbalist. Also a published author, Erin’s book, Miss Diagnosed: Unraveling Chronic Stress (iUniverse Pubs., 2005), was featured in Woman’s World Magazine (2008) and again in FIRST for Women (2013). Erin also frequently does public speaking and seminars on natural health topics.
Erin was born in Peterborough, where she has lived her whole life. She attended both local post-secondary institutions — Fleming College, as a student; and, Trent University, as a research assistant. Her experience in the health care field is wide and varied, having worked in the area of palliative care with Hospice Peterborough and in private hospitals as a nurse’s aide, as well as having supported a young child with a disability. Little did Erin know that her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, along with a 15-year health odyssey of misdiagnoses, would one day lead her to the discovery of natural medicine and the power of nutrition. One might say that Erin’s health journey was life-transformative, leading to the study of nutrition at the Alive Academy of Natural Health in British Columbia. Further study took her to the Institute of Natu14 14
“People will have their own reasons for wanting the company of other women,” says Carla. “For me, I was in a bad place emotionally. Erin is the owner of BIOS Natural Health I needed happiness in my life — I Photo Graphics Events in my life. So, – Allergy and Nutrition Clinic, in Pe- by: MB needed other&women In photo: Heather Wasson terborough. She lives in Peterborough I thought, what can I do to bring with her beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, people together? I know that when who is now seven and a half years old. women get together they support and empower one another. They get strength from one another – you’re Erin Bell, RNCP, R.BIE more powerful when you have othwww.bioshealth.ca er women behind you. A monthly dinner seemed to be a good idea.”
In Photo: Carla Brown
The editorial team of Discovering Women is pleased to welcome Erin Bell to the team. Erin will be contributing to a regular column called Nutritional Notes. We invite our readers to suggest topics for this new column, which will begin in the Winter Issue.
may even be part of the quickly expanding Women Empowering Women (WEW) Network. WEW, inspired by Carla’s lifelong love of women empowering women, and her personal need to have strong women in her life, is meeting the needs of scores of Peterborough women who, like Carla, see value in coming together socially on a monthly basis.
Carla Brown joins Discovering Women team Carla Brown has a heart of service. This and her passion for helping other women make her a logical choice as Discovering Women’s newest team member. Many of our readers will have heard, and
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Some Discovering Women readers may one day find themselves speaking to Carla, as she has now taken on the administrative role of scheduling interviews with the subjects of our stories. “I’m really enjoying speaking to so many different people, being part of the magazine,” says Carla. “It’s about admiring women and all they go through. I’m learning that every woman has a story. We all have our struggles, but it’s good to know we’re not alone. There’s strength in that.” To learn more about the monthly WEW dinner, email brown.carla@ live.ca. “But put ‘WEW dinner’ in the subject line, or I won’t open it,” she says.
Norwood Fall Fair Oct 12, 2013 - Oct 14, 2013 Norwood Fairgrounds, 30 Alma Street, Norwood, Ontario norwoodfair.com 705-639-5283 Spooky Halloween 2013 Oct 18, 2013 - Oct 19, 2013 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Lang Pioneer Village, 104 Lang Road, Keene langpioneervillage.ca 705-295-6694 Women Empowering Women Network Dinner Oct 22, 2013 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Captain George’s 1040 Lansdowne St W Peterborough, (Call to RSVP) discovering-women.com 705-243-0636 Keene Pumpkin Festival Oct 26, 2013 - Oct 26, 2013 Keene, Ontario thekeenepumpkinfestival.com 705-295-3811 Downtown Peterborough Ghost Walk Oct 28, 2013 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Confederation Park, George Street across from City Hall, Peterborough, trentvalleyarchives.com 705-745-4404
Crystal Project event Nov 03, 2013 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Parkway Banquet Hall 1135 Lansdowne Street West Peterborough, crystalproject-eorg.eventbrite.ca 705-243-0636 Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café Nov 21, 2013 290 George St. N, Peterborough, ON showplace.org 705-742-7469
Christmas 30 Craft Market Dec 07, 2013 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 345 Aylmer St. N, Peterborough, 30craftmarket.ca 705-760-9108 Peterborough Farmers Market Dec 07, 2013 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM Morrow Building - George & Lansdowne Street, Peterborough peterboroughfarmersmarket.com 705-742-3276
Women Empowering Women | Issue #1|www.PeterboroughWomenMagazine.com |2012 Network Dinner Christmas By Candlelight “Christmas Celebration” Dec 07, 2013 - Dec 08, 2013 Nov 22, 2013 Lang Pioneer Village, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM 104 Lang Road, Keene Burnham Gardens langpioneervillage.ca 705-295-6694 2235 Keene Road, Peterborough (Call to RSVP) discovering-women.com 705-243-0636 Portraits of the North Dec 15, 2013 - Mar 23, 2014 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Nick of Time Craft Show Peterborough Museum and Archives, Nov 23, 2013 - Nov 24, 2013 300 Hunter Street, Peterborough Buckhorn Community Centre, 1801 peterboroughmuseumandarchives.ca Lakehurst Rd., Buckhorn 705-743-5180 buckhorncommunitycentre.com 705-657-8833
2013 | www.Discovering-Women.com | Issue #6
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Success attributed to drive — and two special angels By Melodie McCullough If you have ever thought of “reinventing” yourself, speak to Leanne Della-Ricca.
“You can either go in one direction or the other. I chose to get out and make something of myself,” she says. Leanne, 49, began life in Toronto — the daughter of an alcoholic teenaged mom who told her every day she was stupid, ugly and had no talent. “My saviour — and angel — was my grandmother, whom I idolized, and from whom I found direction in my life,” says Leanne. “I became extremely driven. I had a lot to prove.” Leanne became a competitive ice skater, training six hours a day. She turned professional in 1984, joining the Ice Capades. She won the 1990 U.S. Open pairs title. Then she went to France for a skating contract, married and stayed for 17 years, leaving when her husband’s alcoholism became intolerable. At age 44, she returned to the U.S. with her daughters to try skating again, but injuries ended that. Friends in Peterborough offered a place to stay. “I had 24 hours to make the decision, with $450 in my pocket, no car, and no job,” says Leanne. Once in Peterborough, she swallowed her pride and went to Social Services, where social worker Sandra Firlotte — “another angel” — treated her with respect and compassion, helping her to apply for jobs. Del Mastro Motors took a chance on Leanne, with a sales job offer. After 18 months, MP Dean Del Mastro saw more potential, and offered her the bilingual position in Ottawa. Now Leanne works at Mr. Del Mastro’s Parliament Hill office, doing scheduling, some speech-writing, event planning and liaising with the media, always making time for her daughters, aged 15 and 19. 16 Issue #6 | www.Discovering-Women.com | 2013
In Photo: Leanne Della-Ricca
With resilience and determination in the face of adversity, Leanne is now proudly raising her two daughters and working at a dream job — legislative assistant to Peterborough’s MP Dean Del Mastro.
“Others’ alcoholism has been my cross to bear in life,” says Leanne. “But it’s forged who I am and enabled me to achieve my goals. It’s all about being a productive human being and how you feel at the end of the day about yourself.” Leanne welcomes visitors. She can be reached at 613-995-6411.
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We are better than we thinkVan Meer “And everyone in Peterborough is so nice to me — people from all walks of life, the homeless, the general public, young and old. The people of Peterborough are fantastic.” Pamela says, while she has always been an empathetic person, she has grown a lot since starting the job and often witnessing the hardships of people. “It really makes you appreciate what you have in life, while wanting to help others. I think that makes you a better person,” she says. Pamela is also a certified holistic nutritionist, something that happened due to a harrowing personal experience about 20 years ago. At the time, she was very sick with ulcerative colitis and facing bowel removal due to thousands of ulcers. Instead, she opted for diet change and supplements with the help of a nutritionist friend. Within two weeks, her symptoms disappeared, and never returned. She is now perfectly healthy, which contributes to her ability to do her job well. “One thing that we women face is that we’re always so hard on ourselves,” says Pamela. “We have to realize we are way better than we think we are. Women can accomplish and do anything.” Pamela VanMeer may be contacted directly at Pamela@CHEXTV.com. Melodie McCullough is a freelance writer and long-time Peterborough resident. Find out more about Melodie and This Old Flame Beeswax Candles by visiting www.thisoldflame.blogspot.ca.
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Peterborough mourns death of Judy Heffernan Judy Heffernan was not just the general manager of the Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) — she was a born networker and communicator, who recognized the importance of bringing people together in the Peterborough community, according to Ken Smith, interim general manager of CFDC. “She was a very nurturing person who had a unique ability to guide and lead without making anyone feel pressured or burdened,” says Ken. “She was not autocratic; she was a collaborator.” The Peterborough community was shocked to hear of Judy’s death on July 25. She had gone to the hospital with a severe headache in May, had undergone surgery and was preparing for further treatment, when she experienced
a setback that resulted in her death. “It was quite a shock,” says Ken. “Things seemed to be going so well, when, BANG, she was gone. She is missed.” The Peterborough CFDC is a notfor-profit organization that stimulates economic development, diversity and employment opportunities throughout Peterborough County by providing an array of community and business development, counselling and lending services. For information, visit www.cdc.on.ca.
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Fundraiser for shelters Sunday, Nov. 3 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (At Parkway Banquet Hall, 1135 Lansdowne Street West)
The founders of the Crystal Project (Helping Women in Shelters) are pleased to announce their upcoming event in support of their cause: supporting women in shelters, who have fled abuse, to shine as they start their new lives. Debbie Brown, Terri Ashwin, Pat Dunk and Miryam Buchahim have joined forces to present an afternoon of entertainment to the Peterborough community. Participants will enjoy a Muay Thai martial arts performance, along with a silent auction and vendors. (The national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai, is referred to as “the science of eight limbs,” as the hands, shins, elbows and knees are all used extensively in this martial art.) The cost is $5 per person, or two personal items to be added to the shoe boxes, which will be given later to shelter residents. Visit www.discovering-women.com to find a detailed list of required items, and how you can participate as a vendor or sponsor.
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Sharon relies on studentteacher partnership Sharon completed her placement with a Grade 6 class in Toronto, with positive feedback from the school’s principal and the associate teacher. She was allowed to enter the B.Ed. program. But, not without some questions about how a teacher who is blind could actually manage a classroom. “Their doubt made me more stubborn, but not in a negative way,” says Sharon. “It empowered me, and energized me to find ways to prove I can do it.” Which she has done, despite having several years of complications with what little sight she had, and waking up one day in January, 1995, to total blindness — “I see absolutely nothing. No light, no dark, no shadows. Absolutely void.” Six years prior to losing her sight completely, Sharon had been hired by the KPRDSB, and has been teaching at James Strath public school, in either Grade 1 or 3, since 2002. But the question remains, how can a teacher, who is blind, teach 20 typical, sighted students? It’s possible because of an amazing, wonderful partnership between teacher and students. “My students work with me,” says Sharon. “For instance, I am aware that I cannot get my message across with just words. So, I write on the board — visual memory is very helpful — and I ask, ‘Can you read this?’ They say, ‘Yes, Mrs. B,’ or, ‘No, Mrs. B.’” Sharon explains that she engages the students; she doesn’t need to see. “There are 20 pairs of eyes to guide me. They’re paying attention,” she says. “They get the reciprocity of helping one another – you help me; I help you.” It is obvious that the lack of sight does not impact Sharon Ballantyne’s ability to teach her students. In fact, one might say that her students are much better off because of the lessons they learn from their teacher. “Blindness rarely enters into [the discussion about how I do
my job],” she says. “It just is what it is. It just becomes part of how things are done.” Sharon Ballantyne is also an ordained clergy of the United Church of Canada. She invites feedback from the readers of Discovering Women. Sharon may be contacted at sballan@nexicom.net. Discovering Women invites our readers to comment on the stories in this issue by visiting our blog at www.discoveringwomenmagazine.com. Linda Viscardis is a long-time advocate for people who live with disabilities, and an avid proponent of network marketing as a means to live one’s best life, both physically and financially. www.stronghealthycommunity.isagenix. com
Other strategies used by Sharon: •engaging the students as her daily sighted guides (watching for whose hand is up to answer a question, or for obstacles that might get in her way, and providing an elbow for direction); •having students draw on her hand the letters or numbers they see; •having students learn to be creative in allowing her to “see” their projects; •having the students tap her to get her attention; •having the students direct her to colour-coded resource materials; •having braille labels on everything; •“simul-reading” (reading aloud and repeating what she hears while listening discreetly to audio); and, •having an educational assistant in the classroom, “who watches for things I can’t see.”
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Blogging is easy, accessible - Just write Louise Racine embraces new lifestyle, seeks what to you know, stay focused By Melodie McCullough
encourage other women
To do list, July, 2000:
Meet Louise Racine, a Certified Practitioner and ownWhy would anyone want to Nutritional start a blog? •End 27-year career with Federal er of a wellness retreat centre for According to one self-described proud government women,aunt, neardo-Norwood, Ontario. it-yourself crafter and school poverty activist, web •Graduate from nutrition She decidedlogs, 13 years ago that her commonly known as blogs, allow communities of direction — and •Start a business with no experience life needed a new people to share ideas on topics of shared interest. •Move to a rural area where you found a whole new world waiting. don’t know a soul “Blogs provide a wonderful opportunity to •Oh, and celebrate your 45th birth- Sheandloved her previous work, discuss what you are working on thinking dayabout,” says Laura Vanderherberg, whose but Louise own blogknew “it wasn’t what I’m here for.” She felt desfocuses on family, crafting and social justice issues. tined to somehow make an imon other Still fairly new to blogging, Laurapact is grateful to women’s lives. have been introduced to the pastime by a friend. Realizing her passion was food, Louise attended a nutrition school “She helped me a lot when I got started,” says Laura.and then sought in Toronto, “She taught me it was okay to ask a friend for and, where she could out a help, property once I got started, that I should give my blog a focus.” share with other women her interest health and wellness. Just as important, as your focus, is in disciplining yourself to stay on topic, according to Laura.
In Photo: Louise Racine Photo by: Rebekah Littlejohn
“It was pretty crazy,” says Louise aabout her ofchange in lifestyle. “Find up to three topic areas by making long list I wouldn’t things you know about, and that “But you might want change a thing.” to write about, then choose your top three,” She describes her desire to provide says Laura. “Write only on a those topics.” safe space where women can “get away from it all” — something that Once you have decided what you willfits write about, with her it’s concept of self-care. just a matter of opening a blog account and getting started.
“The whole idea is to re-conwith the “I’ve observed that there are very nect few barriers to healing power of nature, while you’re begetting started,” says Laura. “Blogs are accessible to care of,” says Louise. virtually anyone because of such ing low- taken or no-cost
resources as BloggerTM and WordPressTM. And, if you can type, you can blog.” Louise believes that “being taken Laura Vanderherberg lives in Peterborough. She invites the readers of Discovering Women to visit her blog at www.lauraannv.blogspot.ca, and to contact her by email (laura.vanderherberg@gmail.com), if they would like to discuss how to get their own blog started.
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Issue #6 | www.Discovering-Women.com | 2013
care of” means enjoying healthy eating and relaxing activities, such as massage and yoga, or walking the labyrinth on her 186-acre property. Since 2001, many women have benefitted from her business and new lifestyle, but Louise has also. She has been able to embrace her spiritual and entrepreneurial self and is “more confident, much more at peace, with less of a need to be in control of every aspect of her life and business” — and she has met amazing women from all walks of life, including some new best friends. “I see myself as a catalyst for encouraging other women to be their best selves,” says Louise. “I really believe that if women are strong, then the whole world is strong. I hope the way I live my life and what I’ve done inspires women to live their dreams.” Louise may be contacted through her website, www.thirteenmoons. ca.
Scan with your Smartphone for more info and Promotions Both are TM
2012 | www.Discovering-Women.com | Issue #6
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By Melodie McCullough What began over 10 years ago as a high school friendship has blossomed into a partnership which has helped raise $135,344 in just three years for the education and health needs of women and girls in Afghanistan. “I remember sitting beside Maryam in Grade 10 English at PCVS,” says Jessica Melnik, 29, co-founder of Peterborough’s Red Pashmina Campaign (RPC), with Maryam Monsef, 28. “We were an unlikely pairing — I was really shy and nervous, and Maryam seemed wonderfully confident and charismatic.” In 2009, Maryam, then at Trent University, joined a student campaign raising funds for widows in Afghanistan, and suggested selling red pashmina scarves — for one week. But everyone kept asking for the scarves. Over Trent
lunch alum,
with Jessica, also a the RPC was born.
“We had sort of lost touch but reconnected through the Campaign. It and our friendship — they support and foster each other,” says Jessica.
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Since Maryam was born in Afghanistan, it was a personal commitment to her home country. But she credits the creativity and leadership of Jessica for making it happen. The scarves are now sold in numerous Peterborough stores. “That first year, we raised funds for a maternity clinic in Kunduz, and have been raising funds for the education of women and girls since 2011,” says Maryam. They have joined with the local chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and other groups, hosting walks, and dinners along with workshops and keynote presentations to various audiences. Realizing the potential of women’s stories to inspire other women, the RPC also recognizes ordinary local women doing extra-ordinary things each year through its Women of Impact project. RPC would like to partner with Fair Trade and Canadian designers and manufacturers, and establish on-line ordering for bulk scarf orders, forging relationships with retailers outside Peterborough. The dream is that some day
Issue #6 | www.Discovering-Women.com | 2013
In Photo: Maryam and Jessica
$135,344 raised locally for Afghan women
the scarves can be made in Afghanistan. “We’re really excited about growing RPC into a fully-operational social enterprise,” says Jessica. Jessica and Maryam could use help from people with business and financial expertise, or anyone who wants to help them reach the next level. They know the Peterborough community is behind them. “Even when we are exhausted, flustered and uncertain of our abilities, we keep going because of the overwhelming support,” says Maryam. “They say you’re more likely to succeed when people believe in you. That is certainly the case with Red Pashmina.” The RPC web site is www.redpashmina.com, and their email address is redpashminacampaign@gmail.com.