From a Family Steeped in Volunteerism, a Community Pillar Rises
In a cozy downtown apartment adorned with her late husband Stuart’s art, family photos and cherished mementos, Beth McMaster, a well-respected figure in Peterborough, reminisces about her lifelong journey of community service. Known for her significant contributions to the arts and her dedication to volunteerism, Beth’s story is a testament to the power of community and the impact of determined civic engagement.
Beth’s commitment to her community can be traced back to her roots in Bancroft, where volunteerism was woven into the fabric of her family’s life. “My parents, my grandparents – everybody volunteered their whole lives,” she recalls. “I grew up with that example and simply carried on with it.”
Starting her volunteer journey in high school, Beth’s early experiences included teaching Sunday school and organizing youth groups at her local church. Her father organized Bancroft’s Santa Claus parade every year and “we were all enlisted to be part of it,” she says. This foundation of giving back laid the groundwork for a lifetime of service, culminating in her involvement with the Peterborough Theatre Guild and Showplace Performance Centre.
As a young stay-at-home parent, Beth regularly volunteered as a way to remain active in the community. She did so by engaging in things her children could also participate in like theatre. A long-time writer – she wrote the high school column for the local paper in Bancroft – Beth began crafting shows for children. “There were so few plays for children around,” she explains. “I felt that kids deserved an original storyline, so I wrote a whole series of plays for children.”
Her passion for the arts led Beth to become one of the charter members of the Peterborough Theatre Guild, and later, a driving force behind the establishment of Showplace Performance Centre. “People had been trying to get a theatre here for so long,” she recalls. “Four of us [Erica Cherney, Barbara Scott, Betty Farquharson, and Beth] sat down and talked about what we could do to get this thing started, and that was the beginning of Showplace.”
Beth’s involvement with the Community Foundation marks a significant chapter in her journey of civic duty. Her inspiration came from a simple yet profound question posed by her cousin, Jack Bingleman: “Do you not have a community foundation or something like that where people can give money, and then the Foundation gives grants to organizations that need it?” Coincidentally, around the same time, Bill Lockington had invited Beth to join the founding board of the Foundation. The serendipitous timing of these conversations felt like providence. Seizing the moment, Beth joined the board and dedicated herself to nurturing the Foundation’s growth into the pivotal community organization it is today.
Despite the accolades and a career punctuated by notable achievements, Beth remains focused on the joy and fulfillment she derives from her work. “I always say to people who are volunteering that as soon as you stop having fun volunteering, you need to change,” she says with a smile. “This is not their job. They’re giving their time. I think that’s important.” She also emphasizes determination and perseverance. “You don’t walk away if roadblocks are thrown up in front of you,” she asserts. “You find a way around them and carry on because it’s not going to be a walk in the park, any of these things, there are going to be challenges, and you have to find the determination and the reason to keep going. That’s what will get you through it.” This tenacity is evident in her involvement with Showplace, where she and her collaborators faced financial and logistical challenges but never wavered in their commitment. “People said to me at the time, ‘I don’t know why you don’t just walk away from the project,’ but I’m not a person who does walk away, and once I set my mind to do something, I generally do it.”
Beth is also sensitive to the evolving landscape of volunteerism, particularly post-COVID. “Getting volunteers now is not as easy,” she notes. “People are so busy. The world moves at such a fast pace.” Despite these challenges, she remains hopeful and encourages younger people to find their niche in community service. “You have to realize that you cannot fix all the problems in the world; you have to choose a corner where you can make a difference in some small way and stay focused on that,” she advises.
Beth McMaster is a great example of a community builder – somebody who believes in the power of community and puts in the effort to make it even better. She spent many years on the Foundation’s board, was part of our Giving Gala Committee, and she’s a fund advisor of the Gwen & Bill Brown Fund for the Arts. Beth’s contributions have left an indelible mark on Peterborough, which should inspire us all to follow in her footsteps and continue the tradition of giving back.
As she looks to the future, Beth’s focus remains on fostering a sense of community and encouraging others to find joy and purpose in service. “I continue to carry on as I’m doing until I can’t do it anymore,” she reflects. “As my aunt used to say, you’ve just got to soldier on.”
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