Cast and crew hail from Trent
A solid contingent of the Trent-connected cast and crew is buttressing the Peterborough Theatre Guild's current competition-bound production of Brian Friel's Freedom of the City.
      At the top, directing them all, is professor emeritus Finn Gallagher. His producer is Gwen Johnston, widow of anthropologist Richard Johnston, who died in 1987. Seven of the 19 roles are performed by Trent students Adam Guzkowski, Sarah Locke and Barry van Dompseler, alumni Terry Fairbridge Lucy, Jack Roe and Rob Winslow and former instructor Anne Watson-Russell. Helping backstage are three students, Kim Jenkin, Devon Peabody and Helen Wallis and seven alumni, Susan Hubay, David Moes, Debra Primeau, Ausma Rowberry, Pat Spencer, Al Tye and Linda Von Zuben.
       Freedom of the City portrays events leading to, and the subsequent official inquiry into, Bloody Sunday, Jan. 30, 1972 when British soldiers opened fire in Derry, Northern Ireland, on civil rights marchers and killed 14. Witnesses say the victims were unarmed, but the Widgery inquiry exonerated the troops, alleging they had been fired on first. Friel's play wears a new mantle of topicality as a second inquiry ordered by British prime minister Tony Blair was announced in January.
      This production travels to Bancroft to compete in the Eastern Ontario Drama League festival. It continues in Peterborough March 5, 6, 11-14 at 8 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m.

Student entrepreneur wins CIBC award
Trent administrative studies student Jason Hanley has won the CIBC Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. One of four finalists in the national competition, Hanley received the $1,000 award at a Toronto ceremony Feb. 26.
      Hanley, 22, balances full-time studies in business administration and economics at Trent with running Soccer Plus International Group Limited, an everything-you-need-to-play-soccer store in downtown Peterborough. He graduates this year.

Alumnus heads winter games
When Peterborough lost its ambitious bid for the 2001 Canada Summer Games, the work that went into organizing the bid wasn't wasted. Organizing committee chair Stephen Kylie, a Peterborough lawyer and 1975 Trent graduate, reworked the material and rounded up committee volunteers to bid on the 1998 Ontario Winter Games -- this time successfully.
      More than 2,700 athletes and thousands of parents, coaches and spectators will gather March 5-8 and 12-15 for 22 winter sport competitions. Three contests will be held at Trent: fencing on March 6-8 in the Athletics Complex gym; swimming March 13-15 in the Marshall Pool; and waterpolo March 15 in the Marshall Pool.