kawarthaNOW | News, events, and community information for residents, visitors, and cottagers in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Lindsey Irwin is the third owner of The Lakefield Panty, an old-time groceteria that has operated in the Township of Selwyn for 45 years. As a serial entrepreneur, Irwin knows how crucial it is to support local and how difficult it can be make connections with new suppliers while simultaneously running a business. That's why she remains grateful for the support of Peterborough County and their agricultural programming, including the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale and Kawartha Choice FarmFresh programs. (Photo courtesy of The Lakefield Pantry)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: The Lakefield Pantry maintains a legacy rooted in local partnerships

Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiative will streamline connections to help ensure the Lakefield store's shelves are always stocked with local products

Megan Gallant - March 31, 2026

A silhouette of a distressed young woman sitting on the floor. (Stock photo)

Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre shutting down sex trafficking response program due to lack of federal funding

"Young Frankenstein" director Nate Axcell at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. The musical comedy, based on the 1974 film of the same time by Mel Brooks, runs for 11 performances from April 17 to May 3, 2026. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)

‘You are going to laugh’: Director Nate Axcell puts his stamp on Peterborough Theatre Guild’s ‘Young Frankenstein’

All Creatures Great and Small in Cobourg was the recipient of the inaugural Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Award at the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce's 23rd annual Business Achievement Awards in partnership with the Town of Cobourg. One of nine awards presented on March 27, 2026, the IDEA Award recognizes businesses that have taken proactive steps to raise awareness about the importance of welcoming and accommodating all. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce)

Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce announces winners of 23rd annual Business Achievement Awards

Sarah Batley (with the ball) and Zoe King of the Peterborough Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), a co-ed Gaelic football club established in 2022. King is one of four female members of the club who have been selected to play for the Canada 1 Team at the 2026 Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) World Games from July 13 to 17 in Waterford, Ireland. The newly established PTBO Women's Initiative Network (PTBO WIN) is hosting a series of spring fundraisers to cover the costs of sending the four amateur athletes to Ireland. In addition, Batley will be joining the Canada 1 team in Ireland where Peterborough GAA founder Tracy Campbell will be the assistant coach. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough GAA)

New Peterborough women’s initiative rallies behind local amateur athletes bound for Gaelic World Games in Ireland in July

PTBO Women's Initiative Network (PTBO WIN) launches spring fundraisers to raise $20,000 for four female Gaelic football players

Megan Gallant - March 29, 2026

Victoria Shepherd became the general manager of FLATO Academy Theatre in Lindsay in March 2025. She previously had a 20-year career in the music industry as well as over 35 years of experience as a freelance theatre director in Toronto. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)

One year on, FLATO Academy Theatre general manager Victoria Shepherd is right where she belongs

Trent Valley Archives Theatre has announced the 14-member cast of its third history play, "The Kid from Simcoe Street," which runs from June 4 to 7, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. In the play, which is based on the memoir of retired justice and poet James Clarke of his childhood in Peterborough, three actors will portray Clarke as a child, teen, and senior, including Charlie Harris, Zoe Shufelt (top right) and Jim Mills (bottom right). (Poster and photos courtesy of Trent Valley Archives Theatre)

Trent Valley Archives Theatre announces 14-member cast for its third history play, ‘The Kid from Simcoe Street’

Engaging in fibre arts is proven to have a number of substantial mental, emotional, and physical health benefits including reducing stress, improving motor skills, and enhancing cognitive function. Deanna Guttman, owner of Needles in the Hay in downtown Peterborough, is offering a series of classes in crocheting, knitting, weaving, and macrame this spring for both beginners and advanced fibre artists. (Photo courtesy of Needles in the Hay)

Know Your Locals: Get hooked on the benefits of fibre arts with all-new classes hosted by Needles in the Hay in Peterborough

Peterborough native Chloë Black meets two dogs during a stint with Ukrainian Patriot in early 2023, when she helped deliver humanitarian aid packages to frontline soldiers and civilians in Ukraine. Her volunteer work in Ukraine followed a trip to Romainia in April 2022 when she volunteered with a group building a shelter for 800 animals displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of Chloë Black)

‘Blues for Ukraine’ fundraiser aims to help Peterborough native Chloë Black’s humanitarian work in war-ravaged country

June 11 event at Market Hall will feature a slide show talk by Black along with performances by top Canadian blues musicians

Paul Rellinger - March 27, 2026

Artist David Geene in his home studio with two 12 by 16 inch paintings of existing buildings that will be featured in his "Economies of Scale?" solo exhibit at Watson & Lou in downtown Peterborough from April 4 to 25, 2026. Titled (left to right) "196 Hunter Street East" and "212 Brock Street from Hunter W. and Aylmer Streets," the works are two of the 12 acrylic paintings that aim to explore the politics and ethics of two proposed high-rise structures in Peterborough, at 90 Hunter Street and on Crescent Street. Including interpretations of the proposed buildings, the exhibit will launch with an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. (Photo courtesy of David Geene)

Peterborough artist David Geene explores the ethics and politics of proposed high rises in ‘Economies of Scale?’ exhibit

Canadian Armed Forces vehicles travelling on a highway. (Photo: Department of National Defence, Canadian Armed Forces)

Military convoys to move through Kawarthas region this weekend for army training exercise

The cast of the Capitol Theatre's production of the Broadway smash-hit musical "Come From Away," which runs from July 10 to August 2, 2026 at the historic venue in Port Hope, includes (front) Beau Dixon and Julie Lumsden and (back) Melissa Payne, Kyle Blair, Kyle Golemba, and Donna Garner. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)

Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre reveals casting for this season’s four mainstage productions, with single tickets on sale March 31

Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre shutting down sex trafficking response program due to lack of federal funding

kawarthaNOW - March 31, 2026

Organization calls on Public Safety Canada to reconsider decision not to renew funding, warning survivors will lose critical supports.

New Peterborough women’s initiative rallies behind local amateur athletes bound for Gaelic World Games in Ireland in July

March 29, 2026

One year on, FLATO Academy Theatre general manager Victoria Shepherd is right where she belongs

March 28, 2026

‘Blues for Ukraine’ fundraiser aims to help Peterborough native Chloë Black’s humanitarian work in war-ravaged country

March 27, 2026

Military convoys to move through Kawarthas region this weekend for army training exercise

March 27, 2026

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: The Lakefield Pantry maintains a legacy rooted in local partnerships

Megan Gallant - March 31, 2026

Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiative will streamline connections to help ensure the Lakefield store's shelves are always stocked with local products.

Know Your Locals: Get hooked on the benefits of fibre arts with all-new classes hosted by Needles in the Hay in Peterborough

March 28, 2026

Located in the Township of Otonabee South-Monaghan, Duff Acres is a small-scale family farm that produces poultry, beef, pasture-raised eggs, and more through environmentally sustainable and humane practices. Since its beginnings in 2021, the farm has grown and developed local connections through agricultural and business programming supported by Peterborough County. (Photo courtesy of Duff Acres)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Duff Acres grows as a small-scale producer with support from local agricultural programming

March 24, 2026

Matt Thornton brings over 15 years of industry experience to his company Thornton Tree Solutions, which provides tree pruning, cabling, removal and planting, as well as stump removal and storm clean-up across Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and surrounding areas. An ISA-certified arborist and ArborCanada-certified chainsaw technician instructor, Thornton has extensive experience responding to related emergencies and storm clean-up. Thornton and his team make safety and the tree's health and longevity a priority in every project. (Photo courtesy of Thornton Tree Solutions)

Know Your Locals: Your trees are in good hands with Thornton Tree Solutions’ safe, efficient, and ethical services

March 23, 2026

La Mesita Mexican Restaurant is one of 20 restaurants in downtown Peterborough and East City that are participating in the 2026 Peterborough Mac & Cheese Festival organized by the the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and running from April 1 to 25 with a grand finale event at Quaker Foods City Square on Saturday, April 25. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

Downtown Peterborough’s award-winning Mac & Cheese Festival returns from April 1 to 25

March 18, 2026

‘You are going to laugh’: Director Nate Axcell puts his stamp on Peterborough Theatre Guild’s ‘Young Frankenstein’

Paul Rellinger - March 30, 2026

Director promises 'something new but familiar' as 25-member cast takes to the Guild Hall stage in the Mel Brooks musical from April 17 to May 3.

Trent Valley Archives Theatre announces 14-member cast for its third history play, ‘The Kid from Simcoe Street’

March 28, 2026

Peterborough artist David Geene explores the ethics and politics of proposed high rises in ‘Economies of Scale?’ exhibit

March 27, 2026

Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre reveals casting for this season’s four mainstage productions, with single tickets on sale March 31

March 26, 2026

Tristan Konkle, recently named the Peterborough Folk Festival's 2026 Emerging Artist and best known for his work with Tapes in Motion, is performing his first solo show at Jethro's Bar + Stage in downtown Peterborough at 10 p.m. on Friday night. (Photo: Luke Best)

nightlifeNOW – March 26 to April 1

March 26, 2026

Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce announces winners of 23rd annual Business Achievement Awards

kawarthaNOW - March 30, 2026

This year's awards featured nine updated and new categories, with winners announced March 27 in Cobourg.

Lisa Couture of Couture Candy PTBO has transitioned her small business at 386 George Street North in downtown Peterborough from a traditional storefront into a full-time live selling model, whereby she hosts a livestream on social media to present products that viewers can purchase online. Couture says the increasingly popular marketing strategy could be the "resurgence" that small businesses need, and is hosting consultations to help other small business owners use and benefit from the new trend. (Photo: Couture Candy PTBO / Instagram)

‘The resurgence that small businesses need right now’: two Peterborough retailers who have embraced live selling

March 24, 2026

Rhonda Keenan, General Manager of Peterborough County Economic Development, stands between Lori Alexander and Ryan Taylor, two of the six graduates of the first cohort of Community Futures Peterborough's free NEXT (New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training) program for displaced workers. Funded in part by Peterborough County, the NEXT program was originally intended to provide on-site training at local companies that had announced layoffs but was redesigned after other displaced workers reached out to Community Futures Peterborough to ask if they could participate in the program. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough marks first graduating cohort of NEXT program for displaced workers

March 13, 2026

Donning hip waders and safety gear, staff from Engage Engineering collect garbage in and along the creek beside their downtown Peterborough office every spring, and plant native species along the banks of the creek. The efforts of the business are bringing wildlife back to the area. Pictured are Steven Dingman, Dominik Jedrzejewski, Logan Mattern, and Joshua Burke. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)

Peterborough business makes caring for the local environment a team effort

March 12, 2026

Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon is one of the three finalists for the Tourism Excellence Award for the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Awards of Excellence. The winners of 17 awards will be announced at the awards gala at the Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay on Saturday, April 25, along with Business Person Of The Year, Legacy Leader Of The Year, and Citizen Of The Year. (Photo: Globus Theatre)

Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for 2026 Awards of Excellence

March 4, 2026

Innovative exterior insulation system can help make older homes more energy efficient

GreenUP - March 26, 2026

Port Perry homeowner Kat Senyk completely reclad and insulated her old home from the outside, helping to reduce energy use by nearly 50%.

The 2026 PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 will take over the Healthy Planet Arena with over 200 vendors. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking is free. The annual spring tradeshow is hosted by Oldies 96.7. Freq 90.5, and PTBOToday.ca of My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and presented by title sponsor Forest Hill TK & Co Real Estate. (Photo courtesy of MBC)

Spring into your next project at the PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show on April 11 and 12

March 25, 2026

The hooded merganser, a fish-eating duck that overwinters in the U.S., is one of the species you will see and hear this spring as migratory birds return to the Kawarthas region. According to Peterborough Field Naturalists president Sue Paradisis, the spring migration period is one of the best times of year for birders as many waterfowl species congregate in the area while they wait for northern lakes to thaw so they can return to their breeding grounds. You can join the Peterborough Field Naturalists for the "Return of the Birds to Little Lake" community event on March 28 and 29, 2026 at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Field Naturalists)

Spring is a great time to take up birding according to Peterborough Field Naturalists

March 22, 2026

B!KE program manager Jean Greig with kids' bikes in need of refurbishing. Through the Kids Bike Build program, B!KE volunteers repair donated bikes and provide them to partner organizations who distribute them to children and families who may not otherwise have the means to obtain one. (Photo courtesy of B!KE)

Kids Bike Build program in Peterborough gives new life to old bikes and new freedom to kids

March 19, 2026

Some of the 25 businesses and organizations that participated at Clean Up Peterborough's inaugural RE:Connect circular economy event on October 29, 2025 at the Morrow Building in Peterborough. The free family-friendly event returns on April 15, 2026 and will give attendees the opportunity to learn creative and practical ways to repair, reuse, and recycle materials to divert them from the landfill. The spring event also features three all-new sustainability initiatives: a clothing swap, a jigsaw puzzle swap, and an art contest. (Photos courtesy of Clean Up Peterborough)

Clean Up Peterborough’s circular economy event returns April 15 with three new sustainability initiatives

March 11, 2026

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