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

Carried Away and the Convivio Chorus performing at the 2015 In From The Cold concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. The 26th annual Christmas benefit concert, which has raised more than $220,000 to date for Peterborough's YES Shelter for Youth and Families, is returning to the Market Hall on December 5 and 6, 2025, featuring an earlier start time on Friday night, a Saturday afternoon matinee, and roots singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Benj Rowland as a special musical guest. (Photo: Linda McIlwain / kawarthaNOW)

In From The Cold Christmas benefit concert returns to Market Hall on December 5 and 6

26th annual fundraiser for Peterborough's YES Shelter for Youth and Families introduces a matinee performance and welcomes a special musical guest

Paul Rellinger - November 19, 2025

Mayor Jeff Leal reads a motion unanimously approved by the Peterborough police service board in closed session on November 19, 2025 that reaffirmed the board's request for a 9.22 per cent increase in the police service's operating budget in 2026. During budget deliberations on November 18, city council had voted to send the request back to the board for potential reductions. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)

Peterborough police service board makes short work of city council’s request for potential budget reductions

"Down on the Farm, Way Back When" is a memoir written by Stephen Nelson that contains over 200 stories about growing up on his family's small dairy farm just north of Campbellford. Available in hardcover, paperback, and as an e-book, the book is a "walk down memory lane" for people who grew up on a farm throughout the 1960s to 1980s and provides insight into farm life for those who did not. (Photos courtesy of Stephen Nelson)

Stephen Nelson’s memoir is a ‘walk down memory lane’ about growing up on a Campbellford dairy farm

Peterborough city council voted unanimously on November 18, 2025 to transfer $3 million from the city's legacy income retention reserve account to reduce the all-inclusive rate increase in 2026 by 1.3 per cent. The proposed increase for 2026 now stands at 6.56 per cent, with the draft budget scheduled to be presented to city council for adoption on Monday, December 8, when public delegations will be heard. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)

Peterborough city council trims 2026 tax increase to 6.56% by deferring projects and tapping reserve fund

In 2027, Peterborough County is planning rehabilitation work on the Lakefield bridge on County Road 29 (Bridge Street) that crosses the Trent Canal and the Otonabee River. (Photo: Google Maps)

Peterborough County eyes future second river crossing as Lakefield’s lone bridge slated for 2027 rehab

As long-term planning study evaluates new Otonabee River crossing, county and Selwyn Township to collaborate with local businesses in advance of bridge closure

Bruce Head - November 18, 2025

Collective philanthropy group 100+ Women Who Care Northumberland has launched an initiative for young people called 100 Youth Who Care Northumberland. (Graphic: 100+ Women Who Care Northumberland)

Youth-led kindness movement launches in Northumberland County

Dr. Fraser Barratt and his wife Cassidy, who is from Ontario, in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Dr. Barratt received his medical education and general practitioner training. The couple is moving to Kawartha Lakes where Dr. Barratt will take over the Fenelon Falls practice of the retiring Dr. Hor Ven Zung effective December 1, 2025. (Photo supplied by Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative)

Fenelon Falls welcomes Dr. Fraser Barratt on December 1 as longtime family physician retires

Victoria SL is the owner of T-Elle Boutique by VSL, a woman's fashion and beauty shop in downtown Peterborough that stocks made-in-Canada outfits by Canadian designers like Joseph Ribkoff and Frank Lyman and offers unconventional dresses for weddings and special occasions as well as casual wear. During the 2025 holiday shopping season, the Charlotte Street store is offering discounts on summer wear collection items and gift certificates as well as Black Friday savings. (Photo courtesy of T-Elle Boutique by VSL)

Shop the Boro: T-Elle Boutique by VSL offers big holiday savings on Canadian-designed women’s fashion

The Municipality of Port Hope is celebrating the completion of the Walton Street reconstruction project and the launch of the annual Candlelight Festival with a street party on November 28, 2025, which will include the Candlelight Walk where participants carry lights from Walton and Pine streets to Memorial Park while singing carols. (Photo: Municipality of Port Hope)

Downtown Port Hope ready to shine as reconstruction ends and Candlelight Festival begins

Municipality will celebrates completion of Walton Street project with a November 28 street party that includes the return of the Candlelight Walk

Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - November 17, 2025

encoreNOW for November 17, 2025 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Hansel & Gretel - The Sweet & Sticky Panto" at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre, Boreal at Bancroft Village Playhouse, the Colin James Trio at Peterborough's Showplace Performance Centre, "We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes" at Lakefield College School's Bryan Jones Theatre, Hawksley Workman at Peterborough's Market Hall, and "A Christmas Story: The Musical" at Lindsay's Academy Theatre. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Sarah Quick brings British panto magic back to Bobcaygeon with ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

The Illuminated Forest at Ken Reid Conservation Area near Lindsay is open nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. from December 12 to 28, 2025, with free public transit from Lindsay to Ken Reid and back available on December 12 and 13 and 19 and 20. (Photo: Kawartha Conservation)

The Illuminated Forest returns for its fourth year at Ken Reid Conservation Area near Lindsay

Peterborough police service board makes short work of city council’s request for potential budget reductions

Bruce Head - November 19, 2025

Less than a day after the request and after a brief closed session, board reaffirms ask for a 9.22% increase in the police service's 2026 operating budget.

Peterborough city council trims 2026 tax increase to 6.56% by deferring projects and tapping reserve fund

November 18, 2025

Peterborough County eyes future second river crossing as Lakefield’s lone bridge slated for 2027 rehab

November 18, 2025

Youth-led kindness movement launches in Northumberland County

November 18, 2025

Fenelon Falls welcomes Dr. Fraser Barratt on December 1 as longtime family physician retires

November 18, 2025

Shop the Boro: T-Elle Boutique by VSL offers big holiday savings on Canadian-designed women’s fashion

Megan Gallant - November 18, 2025

From discounted gift certificates to Black Friday deals, the downtown Peterborough fashion and beauty shop is helping shoppers find thoughtful gifts and perfect outfits.

Rob Arkell of Wild Rock Outfitters takes a look at clothing brought in by a customer to the trade-in desk for the downtown Peterborough outdoor gear retailer's Wild Again program. Customers can trade in their lightly used premium gear for store credit, which can be used to purchase new or used products or donated to the company's ComPassion Project. The Wild Again program not only makes high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment more affordable for other customers, but diverts items from the landfill and reduces the demand for new production. (Photo: Jeff Faulds / Wild Rock Outfitters)

Shop the Boro: Save money and the planet by trading in your outdoor gear at Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough

November 15, 2025

At Centre & Main Chocolate Co. in Warkworth, award-winning chocolatier Angela Roest (second from right) and her team (Lisa Giraldi, Martin Albert, and Brenna Card) craft artisan chocolate bars, bonbons, and other treats using unique locally sourced products like kimchi, popcorn, and bee pollen. (Photo: Gary Mulcahey)

Centre & Main Chocolate Co. in Warkworth crafts stunning artisan chocolate using unexpected locally sourced products

November 14, 2025

Peterborough psychotherapist Spring Berriman (back, second from left) has rebranded her practice to Rhapsody Psychotherapy & Counselling to represent that therapy is often raw, honest, and human. In-person in Peterborough and online across Ontario, Spring and her team offer therapy services for men and women, children and teens, couples and families, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community using a holistic approach and a range of modalities. (Photo courtesy of Rhapsody Psychotherapy & Counselling)

Know Your Locals: Spring Berriman rebrands her Peterborough psychotherapy practice to Rhapsody Psychotherapy & Counselling

November 14, 2025

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) Holiday Shopping Passport is an annual customer incentive program that rewards people for supporting downtown Peterborough's independent businesses during the holiday season. For every $10 you spend at over 200 participating businesses, you earn a passport stamp. Each completed passport of 20 stamps will be entered into three early bird draws for a $500 Boro gift card during December and a grand prize draw for a $1,500 Boro gift card in January. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA)

This year’s Holiday Shopping Passport program includes East City as well as downtown Peterborough

November 12, 2025

In From The Cold Christmas benefit concert returns to Market Hall on December 5 and 6

Paul Rellinger - November 19, 2025

26th annual fundraiser for Peterborough's YES Shelter for Youth and Families introduces a matinee performance and welcomes a special musical guest.

Stephen Nelson’s memoir is a ‘walk down memory lane’ about growing up on a Campbellford dairy farm

November 19, 2025

Sarah Quick brings British panto magic back to Bobcaygeon with ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

November 17, 2025

The Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will be joined by Québécois vocal quartet Quartom (baritone Benoit Le Blanc, bass-baritone Philippe Martel, tenor Joé Lampron-Dandonneau, and baritone Julien Patenaude) for "Quartom Sings Noël," the PSO's annual holiday concert on December 6, 2025 at the Emmanuel United Church. The quartet will perform a mix of French versions of familiar Christmas carols, carols popular in Quebec, and English-language family favourites, with the orchestra also playing works by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, French composer Georges Bizet, and Canadian composer Ronald Royer. (Photo: Antoine Duguay)

Québécois vocal quartet Quartom joins the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra for annual holiday concert

November 15, 2025

Charlotte Products in Peterborough leads by example in greening the supply chain

GreenUP - November 13, 2025

Through local sourcing and collaboration, the cleaning products manufacturer is cutting emissions while strengthening the local economy.

Peterborough's Cormor and Bracebridge's 3DCP Muskoka have partnered to create a unique line of 3D printed products available at Stony Lake Furniture Co. in Lakefield. The founders of the two 3D printing construction companies are encouraging customers to think outside the box and challenge them on architectural design products that can be made through 3D printing. (Photo courtesy of Cormor)

Cormor and 3DCP Muskoka create unique 3D printed home decor products for Stony Lake Furniture Co. in Lakefield

November 7, 2025

Allison Adam, entrepreneurship officer at Community Futures Peterborough (CFP), will deliver a free ideation and business planning workshop in Havelock on January 21, 2026 as part of the CFP Business Advisory Centre's "Entrepreneurship 101: County Edition" series. The three-part series also includes a marketing and branding workshop on February 4 in Millbrook, and a funding and cash flow workshop on February 18 in Lakefield. (Photo courtesy of CFP)

Community Futures Peterborough expands popular ‘Entrepreneurship 101’ workshop series to Peterborough County

October 24, 2025

A panel discussion on agritourism during the inaugural Regional Tourism Summit hosted by Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope on October 21, 2025. With a keynote address, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the event saw tourism operators and partners from across the Kawartha Northumberland region gather for a day learning about the challenges and opportunities that exist in the industry regionally, with a focus on strengthening partnerships and collaborations. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)

Collaboration was the focus of the inaugural RTO8 Regional Tourism Summit

October 24, 2025

Cambium Consulting & Engineering staff show off their recycled plastic concrete molds. By turning their previously discarded plastic molds into reusable ones, the Peterborough firm is proving how businesses can lead the way in building a circular economy. From left to right: facilities and environmental health and safety manager Jeff Hoskin, technologist and green team representative Hillary Bradshaw, group manager for construction testing and inspection Brian Graham, and coordinator and green team representative Becky Yarnell. (Photo: Connor Evans / Cambium)

How a Peterborough engineering and environmental firm embraced the circular economy by turning waste into worth

October 23, 2025

The Illuminated Forest returns for its fourth year at Ken Reid Conservation Area near Lindsay

kawarthaNOW - November 16, 2025

The holiday tradition is open nightly from December 12 to 28, with free public transit between Lindsay and Ken Reid available on selected dates.

Families with young children are invited to take part this month in the EarlyON "Discovery Passport" program, which involves visiting EarlyON locations in Northumberland County to learn more about their activities and programs while playing games and collecting stamps to win prizes. (Photos: Northumberland County)

EarlyON Northumberland’s ‘Discovery Passport’ contest invites families to explore, play, and win together in the county

November 10, 2025

Within a one square metre block of a Little Forest, plants can be arranged randomly to mimic a natural forest setting. St. John Catholic Elementary School students are shown here placing marker flags for each tree, with the flag noting the tree species and the name of the planter. This will help students put a name to the face of the 30 different species that are planted at their school. (Photo: Laura Keresztesi / GreenUP)

‘Little Forests’ at Peterborough schools are growing the new generation of environmental stewards

November 6, 2025

Lakefield resident Guy Hanchet proudly displays his newly installed solar panels. Despite not having an ideal rooftop for solar, he expects to power about half of his annual electricity use from the system. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)

Home battery backup systems gaining ground as solar installations grow in Peterborough

October 30, 2025

Founded by three local residents and veteran Camino pilgrims, the new Peterborough Chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims is making it easy for adventure-seekers to learn more about the Camino de Santiago, an extensive network of trails leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The non-denominational volunteer-run group provides mentorship and resources to help local travellers plan the lodging, packing or other guidelines for their adventures, whether they are going for religious, spiritual, sport, or other purposes. (Photo: Canadian Company of Pilgrims - Peterborough Chapter / Facebook)

Get prepared to walk the Camino de Santiago with help from the new Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims

October 29, 2025

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