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

Representatives from the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) along with Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock MPP Laurie Scott, outgoing Minden Hills mayor Bob Carter, Oshkaabewis Dave Rice from Wasauksing First Nation, school board trustees, and more attended a groundbreaking ceremony on October 30, 2026 for a new new Outdoor Education and Indigenous Centre at its future location in Minden. (Photo: TLDSB)

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new $3.8-million outdoor education and Indigenous learning centre in Minden

Trillium Lakelands District School Board facility on 90-acre property will provide year-round land-based learning for students in Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Muskoka

kawarthaNOW - October 31, 2026

Erica Richmond is a Peterborough author and the founder of Open Sky Stories. Her new essay, titled "Always Ash" and published by Herstryblog, is about the anxieties and the laughter shared in the years after her trans son came out to her at 15 years old. The piece will also be published in her upcoming collection of essays called "Yelling at Dead People," about her experience with grief and parenting following the death of her children's father. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)

New essay by Peterborough author Erica Richmond explores parenting a transgender son

CUPE Local 4911, which represents Peterborough City-County paramedics, has been bargaining with Peterborough County for a new collective agreement since March 2026. (Photo: CUPE 4911 Peterborough Paramedics / Facebook)

Ontario Labour Relations Board rules that Peterborough paramedics cannot strike before November 13

Parks Canada is closing the Maria Street Swing Bridge in Peterborough, which connects Maria Street to Ashburnham Drive, for around 12 months starting on December 7, 2026 so that the bridge can be replaced. Pictured is the bridge before traffic lights were installed at the intersection of Maria Street and Ashburnham Drive to manage the increasing flow of traffic. (Photo: Parks Canada)

Maria Street Swing Bridge in Peterborough’s East City to close for a year starting in December

Sean Arbuckle as Thomas and Krystin Pellerin as Diana in the 2023 world premiere production of Nick Green's "Casey and Diana" at the Stratford Festival. Arbuckle is one of the four actors from that production who will perform in New Stages Theatre's staged reading at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on November 15, 2026, along with Laura Condlln as Pauline, Davinder Malhi as Andre, and Peterborough's own Linda Kash as Marjorie. (Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann)

Nearly sold-out ‘Casey and Diana’ staged reading brings original Stratford artists to Peterborough

New Stages Theatre presents acclaimed Canadian play on November 15 at Market Hall, with only a handful of balcony seats remaining

Bruce Head - October 30, 2026

Karen August, Margaret Hamilton, and Nancy Wiskel were three of the many local models who participated in "The Ghost in the Room," a 2024 project by Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty showcasing the beauty of aging women. The project inspired Doughty's current work, "Stories of Cultural Ageism Experienced by Women in Canada," for which Doughty is currently seeking women aged 55 and over to be models and to share stories of ageism they have experienced, as well as participants of any age and gender to participate in a panel about how ageism shows up in contemporary society. (Photos: Heather Doughty)

Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty seeking participants for new project focused on ageism experienced by women over 55

Ontario blues-rockers VOODOO Pawn Shop will be performing at "Halloween for Humanity" at Bancroft Brewing Company on Saturday night, with donations to the local food bank encouraged. (Photo: VOODOO Pawn Shop)

nightlifeNOW – October 29 to November 4

Peterborough police car. (Photo: Peterborough Police Service)

After 6-month investigation, Peterborough police charge Kawartha Lakes woman in fatal hit-and-run

Over 20 GreenUP staff and volunteers worked together to plant a flagship Little Forest at Ecology Park on October 24, 2026. Featuring 400 native trees and shrubs, the Miyawaki-style installation is the park's latest demonstration project and help to restore canopy lost at the park in recent years. (Photo: Alex Karn / GreenUP)

Ecology Park’s native plant nursery has closed for the season, but GreenUP’s work is still growing

Fall projects at the Peterborough greenspace include building a solar-heated greenhouse, planting a 'Little Forest', and preparing the park for winter

GreenUP - October 29, 2026

One City Peterborough's director of property development Michael VanDerHerberg in the kitchen of a self-contained basement apartment, which is part of a partnership with Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to construct additional rental units that provide supportive housing options for tenants of residential properties owned by One City Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of One City Peterborough)

Beyond emergency shelter: One City Peterborough and its partners are creating stable affordable housing in backyards and basements

The sun rises in the background along a meandering path through an autumn forest. (Stock photo)

Clocks ‘fall back’ an hour when daylight saving time ends after Halloween

This week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series highlights 13 Halloween-related events across the greater Kawarthas region, including Haunted Halloween for Kids at Hutchison House in Peterborough, Ghouly Goat Spooktacular at Haute Goat in Port Hope, Haunted Halloween Forest at Winterdance Dogsled Tours in Haliburton County, Project Skyharvest at Escape Maze in Otonabee-South Monaghan, Halloween in Haliburton, Chaos Carnival's "The Dark Circus" forest walk, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Have a spooktacular Halloween at these 13 events across the greater Kawarthas region

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new $3.8-million outdoor education and Indigenous learning centre in Minden

kawarthaNOW - October 31, 2026

Trillium Lakelands District School Board facility on 90-acre property will provide year-round land-based learning for students in Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Muskoka.

Ontario Labour Relations Board rules that Peterborough paramedics cannot strike before November 13

October 30, 2026

Maria Street Swing Bridge in Peterborough’s East City to close for a year starting in December

October 30, 2026

After 6-month investigation, Peterborough police charge Kawartha Lakes woman in fatal hit-and-run

October 29, 2026

Ecology Park’s native plant nursery has closed for the season, but GreenUP’s work is still growing

October 29, 2026

Kawartha Localist: Have a spooktacular Halloween at these 13 events across the greater Kawarthas region

Megan Gallant - October 27, 2026

From supernatural investigations to haunted forests, fundraisers, and trunk-or-treating, here's your guide to local Halloween events.

To mark Small Business Week from October 19 to 25, 2026, this week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series highlights 10 small businesses across the greater Kawarthas region as selected by our readers, including Peterborough businesses Take Cover Books, Sweet Fern Floral Studio, The Doggery, Living Local Marketplace, and Watson & Lou, as well as Millbrook Mercantile in Millbrook, The Roost Farm & Market in Kawartha Lakes, The Old Tin Shed in Bancroft, Centre & Main Chocolate Co. in Warkworth, and Heart N Soul Gifts in Lindsay. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: 10 small businesses worth celebrating in the greater Kawarthas

October 19, 2026

Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal presents a certificate of recognition of five years of family ownership from the City of Peterborough to The Venue owners April Sendel (left) and Kevin Sendel (second from right) and general manager Tiffany Daskewich (right) during a celebration at the downtown Peterborough event space on October 13, 2026. (Photo: Joshua Gillis)

The Venue in downtown Peterborough celebrates five years of family ownership

October 16, 2026

This week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 10 must-try sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas region as selected by our readers, including at The Grape and Wedge in Apsley, Muster Point in Bobcaygeon, Mindful Crowe Lunchbox in Marmora, Milk and Honey Eatery in Lindsay, Tobi's Grab and Go Sandwiches in Bancroft, the Cardiff Country Store, Corner Bites Eatery in Lindsay, Sam's Place in Peterborough, The Counter on King in Colborne, and Wattle & Daub in Bancroft. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Sink your teeth into 10 standout sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas

October 13, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 14 family-friendly activities and destinations across the greater Kawarthas region for the Thanksgiving long weekend, including the Fenelon Falls Turkey Trot and the Northumberland Turkey Trot, Duff Acres in Keene, the Buckhorn Harvest Craft Show, Back Forty Farmstead near Bancroft, the Norwood Fall Fair, Harvest Market in Stirling and other local farmers' markets, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and Kawartha Dairy, Sir Sam's in Haliburton County, Robin's Nest Farm Market in Warkworth, Ganaraska River in Northumberland County, Leahy's Farm and Market in Douro-Dummer, Frosted Flour Co. in Port Hope, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: 14 things to do with your family on Thanksgiving weekend across the greater Kawarthas

October 6, 2026

New essay by Peterborough author Erica Richmond explores parenting a transgender son

Megan Gallant - October 31, 2026

'Always Ash' will be featured in 'Yelling at Dead People,' Richmond's collection of essays about grief and parenting after the death of her children's father.

Nearly sold-out ‘Casey and Diana’ staged reading brings original Stratford artists to Peterborough

October 30, 2026

Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty seeking participants for new project focused on ageism experienced by women over 55

October 29, 2026

nightlifeNOW – October 29 to November 4

October 29, 2026

Robert Winslow at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook in 2019. The founder of 4th Line Theatre and a playwright, actor, director, and artistic leader, he died unexpectedly on September 12, 2026 at the age of 73. Along with two world premieres, 4th Line's 35th anniversary season in 2027 will include special events to honour and celebrate Winslow. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW)

4th Line Theatre in Millbrook to celebrate Robert Winslow’s legacy with two world premieres for 35th anniversary season

October 27, 2026

businessNOW: Awards, anniversaries, and new beginnings across the region

Jeannine Taylor - October 26, 2026

The Canadian Canoe Museum earns provincial recognition, Millbrook Mercantile celebrates seven years, The Hippie Chippie prepares to move into Peterborough's former Nostimo location, and more.

David Feeley of Cogeco YourTV receiving the 2026 Business Citizen of the Year award from Susan Dunkley, board chair of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, at the annual Business Excellence Awards gala at Kawartha Downs in Fraserville on October 22, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce)

Cogeco’s David Feeley named Peterborough’s 2026 Business Citizen of the Year

October 23, 2026

Rob Arkell, mission leader for the Wild Again initiative at Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough, accepts a used item at the trade-in desk, where customers can keep high-quality products in circulation by trading in their used merchandise for store credit. This credit can be used to purchase new or used products, or the trade-in value can be donated to the organization's ComPassion Project. (Photo: Jeff Faulds / Wild Rock Outfitters)

From outdoor gear to farm soil, Peterborough businesses put the circular economy into practice

October 22, 2026

For Small Business Week 2026, the Innovation Cluster is opening its downtown Peterborough workspace to local entrepreneurs, professionals, and small business owners for a free day of coworking on Wednesday, October 21. Participants can use hot desks, high-top tables, and shared work areas, with coffee and light snacks provided, while learning more about the Innovation Cluster’s workspace and membership options. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

Small Business Week brings workshops, networking, and celebrations to Peterborough and the Kawarthas

October 16, 2026

One of the region's largest suppliers and processors of steel, aluminum, brass, and plastic materials, Kawartha Metals Corp. in Peterborough is receiving $500,000 from the federal government toward a $1-million project to expand its advanced steel-processing capabilities through specialized equipment. The company is one of 10 in Eastern Ontario receiving a total of nearly $6.6 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to modernize operations, strengthen competitiveness, and expand products and services. (Photo: Kawartha Metals Corp.)

Five businesses in the Kawarthas region receive more than $2.5 million in federal funding

October 15, 2026

Healthy school-year routines start with small steps at home

Dr. Thomas Piggott - October 19, 2026

Lakelands Public Health's medical officer of health highlights sleep, screen limits, nutritious food, and outdoor activity as families navigate stress and financial pressures.

October is Walktober - a month to highlight the benefits of walking - as well as the month in which municipal elections are happening. Ensuring safe conditions support active transportation around schools, hospitals, recreation centres, and retirement homes are often the responsibilities of the local government. (Photo: Pete Rellinger)

This Walktober, consider how your municipal vote shapes the streets you walk

October 15, 2026

A recently completed garage project built through Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre's Beaver Homes & Cottages program. The program offers more than 500 pre-designed garages and carriage homes, which can be altered to fit each customer's lifestyle and preferences. In addition to providing premium-grade materials for the build, the program includes support from a local consultant to finalize designs, navigate permits, and find a local contractor. (Photo courtesy of Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre)

Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre helps bring your dream garage to life

October 11, 2026

Heat pumps are installed and maintained by Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) businesses like 123 HVAC, based in Selwyn Township and serving the broader Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes region. Owner Cory Rawn (left), pictured with business partner Mike Baker, dispels some common myths about heat pumps in advance of GreenUP's inaugural Heat Pump Week from October 13 to 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy of 123 HVAC)

Too noisy, too costly, too cold? A local HVAC contractor addresses common myths about heat pumps

October 8, 2026

Hannah Bailey, an early childhood educator who works as Quality Inclusion Coach at Five Counties Children's Centre, with her son Max and husband Tom. During the free "Listen With Love" concerts on October 20 and 21, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, Hannah will share in story and song her own family's inclusion journey, shaped by Max, who was born with a rare genetic condition. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)

‘Listen with Love’ concerts on October 20 and 21 bring a family’s journey of inclusion to the Market Hall stage

October 7, 2026

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