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

Medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott speaks during a virtual meeting of the Peterborough Public Health board of health on December 4, 2024, when the board voted to approve a voluntary merger with Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU). The board of health for HKPRDHU held a separate virtual meeting on the same day and also approved the merger to create a single health unit effective January 1, 2025. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of Peterborough Public Health video)

Peterborough Public Health and HKPR District Health Unit to merge as of January 1

Boards of health for both health units vote to approve voluntary merger, which comes with $10.1 million in new provincial funding

Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - December 4, 2024

Roter's Reach Mental Health Awareness, an organization launched in 2023 by the family of the late Eric Roter, has donated $15,000 to Right to Heal PTBO. Pictured are Right to Heal PTBO's Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe (holding the cheque) beside Peggy Shaughnessy with members of Eric's family. (Photo courtesy of Haley Scriver)

Roter’s Reach Mental Health Awareness donates $15,000 to Right to Heal PTBO

The City of Peterborough will officially open the refrigerated outdoor rink at Quaker Foods City Square in downtown Peterborough during a community celebration from 3 to 8 p.m. on December 14, 2024 that will also feature Mayor Jeff Leal officially lighting a donated Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Weather permitting, learn-to-skate programming will take place at the outdoor rink form 3 to 5 p.m., followed by an open skate until 8 p.m. (Photo: City of Peterborough / Facebook)

Tree-lighting ceremony and outdoor skating return to Quaker Foods City Square on December 14

Nick Beamish, pictured with his wife and two sons, is encouraging donations to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation's $60-million Campaign for PRHC to reimagine healthcare in region, including an electrophysiology lab so the hospital can assess and diagnose problems in the heart's electrical system. After experiencing a cardiac emergency in 2018, the Selwyn resident had to spend his Christmas at Kingston General Hospital away from home because PRHC did not have the facilities to perform the procedure. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)

Community support of the Campaign for PRHC will mean patients like Nick Beamish can get lifesaving healthcare close to home

The IndigiBabes, a Toronto-based burlesque collective created by Indigenous artists, activists, and aunties, performed at the 2022 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) at Trent University. The artist lottery for the 2025 edition of NIFF, which runs from June 19 to 22 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, is open until February 10. (Photo courtesy of NIFF)

Artist lottery underway for 2025 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival

Indigenous performers in all genres invited to apply for annual festival taking place from June 19 to 22 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild

Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - December 4, 2024

Peterborough GreenUP has made the difficult decision that it is in the best interest of the organization to close its downtown retail space, and invites you to shop at the GreenUP Store this December. All proceeds from your purchases will directly support the non-profit environmental organization's charitable work. Despite the upcoming closure of the store, GreenUP will continue its commitment to sustainability and empowering climate action through its many other program areas. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)

Peterborough GreenUP to close its downtown retail store in the new year

Shannon Gray, the founder and owner of Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio in downtown Peterborough, is a Master Educator of Alexandria Professional Body Sugaring services. She and her team stay up to date on the latest sugaring techniques and methods to ensure clients get the best service. Since launching in 2011, Sugar Me Right! has continued to expand by offering a range of beauty services including facials, lash and brow lifts and tints, laser hair removal and body contouring, and relaxation massages. (Photo courtesy of Sugar Me Right!)

Shop The Boro: Peterborough’s Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio does more right than just sugaring

Cars on road during winter storm with snow causing poor visibility.

More snow on the way to the Kawarthas region on Wednesday

Founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, the Elmer Iseler Singers is an award-winning 20-voice professional choral ensemble that regularly tours across Canada engaging community singers and conductors of all ages through workshops and concert performances. (Photo: Mark Rash)

Award-winning Elmer Iseler Singers to join the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra for annual holiday concert

'Season of Lights' at Emmanuel United Church on December 14 will feature a selection of traditional holiday favourites for orchestra and choir

Bruce Head - December 3, 2024

Peterborough City Hall in 2017. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)

Peterborough city council defers 2025 draft budget approval for two months until February

An OPP police car with lights flashing. (Photo: Ontario Provincial Police)

28-year-old Brighton pedestrian killed by a train on Monday night

Peterborough city council voted on September 23, 2024 to designate The Martin House at 1400 Monaghan Road as a heritage property. A developer had purchased the property in late 2023 with the intention of demolishing the house and constructing a six-storey residential housing complex on the large lot. (Photo: Google Maps)

Peterborough city council withdraws heritage designation for historic Martin House

Peterborough Public Health and HKPR District Health Unit to merge as of January 1

Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - December 4, 2024

Boards of health for both health units vote to approve voluntary merger, which comes with $10.1 million in new provincial funding.

Roter’s Reach Mental Health Awareness donates $15,000 to Right to Heal PTBO

December 4, 2024

Community support of the Campaign for PRHC will mean patients like Nick Beamish can get lifesaving healthcare close to home

December 4, 2024

Peterborough GreenUP to close its downtown retail store in the new year

December 4, 2024

More snow on the way to the Kawarthas region on Wednesday

December 3, 2024

Shop The Boro: Peterborough’s Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio does more right than just sugaring

Megan Gallant - December 3, 2024

Shannon Gray's downtown Peterborough business also offers facials, lash and brow lifts and tints, laser hair removal and body contouring, and massages.

Pictured with their shop dog Luna, Tony and Kelli Grady are the owners of Grady's Feet Essentials at 231 King Street in downtown Peterborough. Both in store and online, Grady's offers a range of top footwear products for your Christmas gift-giving needs, including cozy slippers, comfortable boots including a huge selection from Blundstone, the new Skechers line of comfort shoes, compression socks, and much more. (Photo courtesy of Grady's Feet Essentials)

Shop the Boro: Buy gifts to treat the feet of everyone on your list at Grady’s Feet Essentials

December 1, 2024

Shop The Boro: Downtown Peterborough’s boutique shop Lavender Moon is a ‘safe space’ for all

November 30, 2024

The Christmas Boutique has returned to Peterborough's Shop the Lake, offering a one-stop shop for all your holiday needs. Located at 1525 Chemong Road, the outdoor furniture retailer's showroom is full of festive decor, sweet treats, and unique gifts. Beginning November 30, 2024, Shop the Lake will also be selling premium balsam fir Christmas trees harvested in Nova Scotia, with $5 from each tree sale donated to the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign in support of children, youth, and families facing financial barriers. (Photo courtesy of Shop The Lake)

Know Your Locals: Get holiday decor, treats, gifts, and real trees at Shop the Lake’s Christmas Boutique

November 29, 2024

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) Holiday Shopping Passport has returned for 2024. The annual customer incentive program rewards people for supporting downtown Peterborough's independent businesses during the holiday season. For every $10 you spend at 160 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)

Shop local in downtown Peterborough and win with Holiday Shopping Passports

November 28, 2024

Artist lottery underway for 2025 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival

Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - December 4, 2024

Indigenous performers in all genres invited to apply for annual festival taking place from June 19 to 22 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Award-winning Elmer Iseler Singers to join the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra for annual holiday concert

December 3, 2024

Kingston-based singer-songwriter Chris Koster, former guitarist with The Glorious Sons, performs at Erben in downtown Peterborough on Saturday night with Peterborough's own Dylan Ireland opening. (Photo via Chris Koster / Facebook)

nightlifeNOW – November 28 to December 4

November 28, 2024

Canadian musician Cris Cuddy, who has many ties to Peterborough, is fighting a rare form of blood cancer. Peterborough singer-songwriter "dennis" O'Toole is organizing a benefit for Cuddy taking place at The Social in downtown Peterborough on December 7, 2024. Confirmed performers so far include Pat Temple and the HiLo Players, former Prairie Oyster frontman Russell deCarle and his longtime guitarist Steve Briggs, Washboard Hank and Sweet Muriel, O'Toole fronting his new band Old Soul, Al Black, Dave MacQuarrie, Andy Pryde, and Pineapple Frank Barth. (Photo: Stuart Blower)

Benefit for Canadian musician Cris Cuddy to bring several of his longtime collaborators together in one room

November 26, 2024

encoreNOW for November 25, 2024 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Peterborough Theatre Guild's "Dorothy in Wonderland - The Musical" from November 29 to December 8, Peterborough Singers' "Yuletide Cheer" on November 30, The Barra MacNeils East Coast Christmas in Lindsay on December 3, In From The Cold in Peterborough on December 6 and 7, Globus Theatre's "Aladdin" from December 6 to 15, and New Stages Theatre's "A Christmas Carol Comedy" from December 11 to 14. (kawarthaNOW collage)

The Mane Intent celebrates 10 years creating ‘magical’ moments through equine-assisted psychotherapy

Megan Gallant - December 2, 2024

Founder and Registered Psychotherapist Jennifer Garland is accepting new clients for virtual, in-person, and equine-assisted sessions.

John Cunningham, president and managing director of Ashburnham Funeral Home, holds a biodegradable wicker urn. Other options available for those seeking eco-friendly end-of-life services include aquamation, basic wooden or cardboard caskets, and low-impact burials. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)

Aquamation is emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional burial and cremation

November 21, 2024

Addressing airtightness in your commercial building can be a low-cost place to start improving energy efficiency. Clara Blakelock, a registered energy advisor with GreenUP, points out a gap at the bottom of an exterior door. Adding a doorsweep to the door will mitigate energy loss. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson)

Easy and affordable ways Peterborough businesses can increase their energy efficiency

November 14, 2024

Alex Bilyan, chief sales officer and co-founder of WorkScore.ai, was the winner of $10,000 at the Innovation Cluster's LevelUP Pitch Competition at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on November 6, 2024. WorkScore.ai is an platform powered by artificial intelligence and smart wristbands for warehouse workers that identifies inefficiencies in warehouse operations. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)

AI-powered warehouse efficiency platform wins Innovation Cluster’s LevelUP Pitch Competition

November 7, 2024

Peterborough marketer, volunteer, and fundraiser Phillip Jolicoeur was named Business Citizen of the Year at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce's annual Business Excellence Awards at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on October 29, 2024. (Photo: Phillip Jolicoeur / Facebook)

Marketer, volunteer, and fundraiser Phillip Jolicoeur named Peterborough’s Business Citizen of the Year

October 30, 2024

Tree-lighting ceremony and outdoor skating return to Quaker Foods City Square on December 14

kawarthaNOW - December 4, 2024

Hosted by the city and Peterborough DBIA, this year's expanded celebration also features giant board games, kids' activities, food and beverages, and more.

Founded in Peterborough in 2023 and now with four locations in southern Ontario, Country Bakery & Market serves up a taste of Britain with traditional freshly baked goods including meat pies, biscuits, cakes, tarts, pasties, and scones as well as specialty pantry staples imported directly from the United Kingdom. (Photo courtesy of Country Bakery & Market)

Get traditional British baked goods and U.K. groceries you can’t find anywhere else at Country Bakery & Market

December 2, 2024

Northumberland Paramedics is offering a new virtual wellness library for seniors as part of its community paramedicine program. The library includes a series of at-home exercise class videos designed specifically to help seniors boost their heart health, enhance balance, or stay active from the comfort of their own homes. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)

Northumberland Paramedics launches exercise videos and wellness resources for seniors

November 30, 2024

It's pickleball for all at Five Counties Children's Centre, as Peterborough pro pickleball player, coach, and consultant Jennie Davis (front right) has been assisting Five Counties recreation therapy staff like Caitlin Ivany (rear left) give children of all abilities a chance to try out the sport. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)

Kids of all abilities get a chance to try pickleball at Five Counties Children’s Centre

November 24, 2024

Communities across the Kawarthas region will be gathering for festive and family-fun celebrations in the weeks leading up to Christmas. One such festivity will be Port Hope's annual Candlelight Festival, being held from November 29, 2024 to January 2, 2025. (Photo: Ken Solilo)

Deck the halls with these holiday events in the Kawarthas region

November 18, 2024

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