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

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’

In June production at Peterborough's Market Hall, three actors will portray retired justice and poet James Clarke as a child, teen, and senior

Bruce Head - March 28, 2026

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

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

33 Canadian Brigade Group units are transporting 300 soldiers and equipment to Petawawa on March 27 and 29 as part of 'Wolf Ambush', with no cause for public concern

kawarthaNOW - March 27, 2026

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

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

Five Counties Children's Centre CEO Scott Pepin argues that while words matter, how we use them can matter even more, especially in how they can be used to build someone up or bring them down. A term used in the mid-20th century to refer to people with intellectual disabilities, the R-word has seen a resurgence on social media, where it has been weaponized as a slur and term of ridicule and exclusion. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)

Words really do matter: Why it’s time to leave the R-word in the past

Kat Senyk in front of her upgraded home in Port Perry. Through her work experience leading exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) overcladding projects, she was inspired to retrofit her own home's exterior insulation, contributing to a nearly 50 per cent reduction in energy use. (Photo: Adrian Merrit Smith)

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

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

GreenUP - March 26, 2026

Peterborough Petes left-winger Leon Kolank takes control of the puck during the 17th annual Pink in the Rink game on February 7, 2026, where the Petes defeated the Sudbury Wolves 4-1 before a sold-out crowd at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. (Photo: Kenneth Anderson Photography)

Peterborough Petes’ 17th annual Pink in the Rink campaign raises $43,486 for Survivors Abreast

Lakelands Public Health launching community town halls across Kawarthas region

Emerging Canadian flutist Gillian Derer will be joining the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra for its "Inspired" concert on April 12, 2026 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough, where she will be the featured soloist for Mozart's "Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major." Originally from Tillsonburg and now studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Derer is a soloist, orchestra musician, and educator with almost 42,000 Instagram followers. (Photo: Stuart Lowe)

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra welcomes back flutist Gillian Derer for ‘Inspired’ concert on April 12 at Showplace

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

Paul Rellinger - March 27, 2026

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

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

March 27, 2026

Words really do matter: Why it’s time to leave the R-word in the past

March 26, 2026

Peterborough Petes’ 17th annual Pink in the Rink campaign raises $43,486 for Survivors Abreast

March 25, 2026

Lakelands Public Health launching community town halls across Kawarthas region

March 25, 2026

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

Megan Gallant - March 28, 2026

Throughout spring, Deanna Guttman's downtown store is hosting beginner-friendly and advanced knitting, crocheting, weaving, and macrame classes in The Hayloft.

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

In 2026, the family-run Beachwood Resort is celebrating 100 years of welcoming guests for a lakeside escape in Selwyn Township. The four-season resort's onsite restaurant Frederick's already uses locally sourced seasonal ingredients as much as possible, but will be able to support local farmers even more by participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which connects local buyers with local food producers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of Beachwood Resort)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Beachwood Resort celebrates 100 years of welcoming guests and supporting local farmers

March 17, 2026

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

Bruce Head - March 28, 2026

In June production at Peterborough's Market Hall, three actors will portray retired justice and poet James Clarke as a child, teen, and senior.

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

nightlifeNOW – March 26 to April 1

March 26, 2026

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra welcomes back flutist Gillian Derer for ‘Inspired’ concert on April 12 at Showplace

March 25, 2026

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

Megan Gallant - March 24, 2026

Local small businesses Couture Candy PTBO and DJC Modern Apparel are leveraging the latest selling trend that combines livestreaming with e-commerce.

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

Organizers, sponsors, and some of the 60 nominees for the second annual Luminary Awards for Women in Business during a nominee announcement at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce offices on February 11, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)

Tickets now on sale for Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Luminary Awards for Women in Business

March 3, 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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