The Talk Now Child, Youth and Family Walk-in Clinic is located at Peterborough Youth Services at 459 Reid Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Google Maps)
Children and youth in Peterborough are being encouraged to take advantage of a local resource if they need to “talk now” about emotional or behavioural challenges.
The Talk Now Child, Youth and Family Walk-in Clinic, a mental health resource available with no appointment necessary, has adjusted its hours for the summer.
Located at Peterborough Youth Services at 459 Reid Street, the clinic will run on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. in July and August, instead of its usual 2 to 6 p.m. schedule.
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Talk Now is a collaborative initiative of the Peterborough Ontario Health Team delivered in partnership with seven community agencies, including Kinark Child and Family Services, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Peterborough Family Health Team, Peterborough Youth Services, Fourcast, Canopy, and Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR).
CMHA HKPR communications and community relations specialist Caitlin Morris told kawarthaNOW the walk-in clinic services remain the same and the change in hours “is aimed to accommodate families this summer” when when their routines and availability often shift.
The ultimate hope through the adjustment to the Talk Now walk-in clinic hours is “to support more youth and families,” Morris added.
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The Talk Now walk-in clinic offers dedicated barrier-free mental health walk-in counselling for children, youth, and families navigating behavioural and emotional challenges.
Mental health services providers from Peterborough Youth Services and partner agencies are on-site, available to meet people in-person every Tuesday afternoon.
“We know children and youth are struggling, and we want them to know they’re not alone,” said Matt Sheridan, child and youth mental health program director at Peterborough Youth Services, in a media release. “This clinic is here for them — no referrals, no long waits, just real help when they need it.”
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Staffed by a nurse practitioner and therapists, the clinic offers single-session counselling or therapy to address immediate concerns and develop a plan, support connecting to longer-term services if needed, and confidential virtual services available as often as needed.
While single-session therapy is a therapeutic model that supports clients to work through a presenting issue and develop a plan within one session, clients can access the therapy as often as they need. Follow-up with the nurse practitioner and psychiatry is necessary in many cases, and is still offered on a walk-in basis to be as accessible to clients as possible.
Staff members collaborate as a virtual team and regularly meet to work through logistical details and participate in clinical supervision. The clinic is overseen by the steering committee made up of senior leaders of the participating agencies.
A high-quality luxury swimwear brand based in the Township of North Kawartha in Peterborough County, Bikinis by Bridget recently showed off their latest and largest collection to date, "Verano in Mexico," at Miami Swim Week. As founder and designer Bridget McCluckie continues to gain international attention and get her products into more boutiques across Canada, she uplifts other businesses in the local community by partnering with local small business owners and artisans to host events at her flagship brick-and-mortar store, HERmanas, in Apsley. (Photo courtesy of Bikinis by Bridget)
Bikinis by Bridget has stunned on runways in fashion capitals from Milan to Miami, and have even been featured in British Vogue, Red Hot Monde, and the New York Post. And yet, founder Bridget McCluckie always returns to her humble beginnings in the Township of North Kawartha, one of eight townships in Peterborough County, where she found her success.
Learning from her grandmother, McCluckie began sewing as a child, making clothes for her dolls and designing her own prom dress. But she also caught the entrepreneurial bug from a young age, as, throughout high school, she would make clothing in her school colours to sell to classmates to wear to sports games and she began making custom-made swimsuits for friends. When more and more friends sought out her swimwear, she officially launched Bikinis by Bridget.
As a first-generation Canadian, McCluckie’s designs take inspiration from the florals and vibrant hues found on the streets of Mexico, which helps her stay connected to her family and heritage.
After competing as the only female entrepreneur in a university pitch competition, McCluckie was awarded a grant and opportunities that allowed her to take Bikinis by Bridget to the next level, selling online and sponsoring sororities across Canada while she still made every piece by hand.
In summer 2020, she and her sister Victoria McCluckie opened HERmanas (meaning “sisters” in Spanish), a boutique in Apsley where they cottaged during the pandemic. The Highway 28 storefront is stocked with exclusive clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products from high-end European brands purchased through Canadian distributors. Tailoring, hemming, and adjustments are also offered at HERmanas.
A young entrepreneur and first-generation Canadian, Bridget McCluckie has held a passion for fashion and sewing since she was a child who made clothing for her dolls. After custom- making bikinis for friends in high school, she decided to launch Bikinis by Bridget, handmaking collections of luxury swimwear inspired by the vibrant colours and florals found in Mexico. The brand has since found international success, though McCluckie remains committed to uplifting regional small businesses by hosting in-store events at her Apsley luxury boutique HERmanas. (Photo courtesy of Bridget McCluckie)
To meet the demand, Bikinis by Bridget products are now made by a manufacturer in Brazil that uses high-quality recycled fabrics, with all textile scraps going towards making dog beds for local shelters.
However, McCluckie still does all the designing herself from Apsley and also makes custom orders using materials from Ann’s Fabric Shop, a Hamilton family-run business that’s been operating for more than 50 years and from which McCluckie has been sourcing since her earliest projects. These Canadian-sourced fabrics are used in the runway collections.
While she continues to grow her business, with her current goal to get Bikinis by Bridget into boutiques across Canada, McCluckie remains dedicated to uplifting the community where her business first began to make waves.
At HERmanas in Apsley, the McCluckie sisters regularly host events that are led by residents and local small business owners, including permanent jewelry popups from Eternal Verity Co., and candle painting workshops by Shoreline Furniture Co. Coming up in June, HERmanas will host a bouquet-making workshop led by Sue Rankin of Fresh Flowers Friday by Sue and using locally grown flowers. Every event hosted in store is catered by Apsley’s The Grape and Wedge.
“It really is so important in a small town to build that community and that’s something that we’re so grateful for,” says McCluckie. “Without our community, we wouldn’t have what we have, and I think that’s what makes our story just a little bit more special.”
You can see the latest Bikinis by Bridget collection, “Verano in Mexico,” at bikinisbybridget.com. To browse what’s available at HERmanas, visit shophermanas.ca.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
An abstract painter and musician, Lakefield's David Goyette is well known in Peterborough for his community support, philanthropy, and tireless promotion of the arts. Goyette is the sole finalist for the Peterborough Arts Awards' Arts Champion award, which recognizes a person who has consistently provided outstanding support and encouragement for the development of the arts in Peterborough through philanthropy, volunteerism, or the development of partnerships and collaborations. The winner of the $2,000 award gives it to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization. (Photo: Victoria Pearce)
The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has announced the 15 finalists for the Peterborough Arts Awards.
The winners, selected by a peer jury from a multi-disciplinary pool of nominated candidates, will be announced at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at the Canadian Canoe Museum (2077 Ashburnham Dr., Peterborough).
Funded entirely by private-sector sponsors, corporations, and businesses, the Peterborough Arts Awards provide cash awards of $2,000 to winners in each of the six categories listed below and cash awards of $250 for each of the two runners-up in each category, for a total of $15,000 in awards.
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Outstanding Emerging Artist
Sponsored by Tim Barrie of Merit II Realty Limited, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least two years.
The finalists are Káhnitha, Elisha May Rubacha, and Lynda Todd.
Outstanding Mid-Career Artist
Sponsored by an anonymous donor, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least five years.
The finalists are Michael C. Duguay, Nicole Malbeuf, and Olivia Whetung.
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Outstanding Senior Artist
Sponsored by Paul and Kristine Hickey, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least 15 years.
The finalists are Syd Birrell, Kim Blackwell, and Frank Flynn
Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Artist
Sponsored by Bill Lockington of LLF Lawyers LLP, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an Indigenous artist, working professionally in any discipline, contemporary or traditional form.
The finalists are Sarah DeCarlo and William Kingfisher.
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Arts Champion
Sponsored by Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, this award recognizes a person who has consistently provided outstanding support and encouragement for the development of the arts in Peterborough through philanthropy, volunteerism, or the development of partnerships and collaborations (the prize is given to an individual who, in turn, gives it to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization).
The sole finalist is David Goyette.
Arts Catalyst
Sponsored by Kate and Alex Ramsay, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by a professional arts administrator or manager, fundraiser, art critic, curator, educator, programmer, or producer who has worked behind the scenes to build excellence in the arts.
The finalists are Lindy Finlan, Chad Hogan, and Jason Wilkins.
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Along with the announcement of the award winners, the June 12 event will feature canapes and cocktails and pop-up performances by 11 of the city’s best artists. Missy Knott, an acclaimed musician from Curve Lake First Nation and a member of the Ontario Arts Council Board, will be the guest speaker.
An independent not-for-profit service organization supporting the arts in Peterborough and the surrounding region, EC3 established the Peterborough Arts Awards to honour and recognize excellence and outstanding achievement of professional artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters living and working the city and county of Peterborough.
Peterborough Public Health closed the beach at Rogers Cove in Peterborough's East City in July 2023 after a harmful blue-green algae bloom was confirmed. For summer 2025, the health unit will no longer be testing the water quality at the beach, and the City of Peterborough will no longer be providing lifeguard services. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
If you decide to swim at the popular Rogers Cove beach in Peterborough’s East City this summer, you’ll be doing so at your own risk.
Not only will swimming at the beach no longer be supervised by city lifeguards, but the regional health unit will no longer be testing water quality at the beach.
In prior years, the City of Peterborough has paid lifeguards to supervise the city’s two public beaches — one at Rogers Cove and the other at Beavermead Park — daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the last week of June to the end of August.
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However, during its deliberations on the draft 2025 budget, city council decided to eliminate lifeguard services at Rogers Cove to save $40,000. Lifeguard services are still provided at the Beavermead Park beach.
Also in prior years, Peterborough Public Health tested the water quality of the city’s two public beaches on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. However, concurrent with the city’s decision to eliminate lifeguard services, the health unit will no longer be conducting water quality testing at Rogers Cove. Weekday testing will continue at Beavermead Park.
People who plan to swim at Rogers Cove beach this summer should be aware that, on several occasions in 2023 and 2024, the health unit closed the Rogers Cove beach because of suspected toxic blue-green algae blooms.
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The health unit’s beach water testing began on Monday (June 2) and, aside from Rogers Cove, will be regularly testing public beaches in Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations and the city and county of Peterborough to ensure the water quality conditions are safe for recreational use.
The program will run through to the end of August, with most public beaches in the county sampled at least once a week and a few sampled once a month.
Results take approximately 24 hours to be analyzed. If levels of bacteria exceed recommended thresholds for recreational water use, the beach will be posted as unsafe and to avoid becoming ill, people should not use the beach for swimming. If a significant risk to human health is identified, such as a toxic spill or the identification of a harmful algae bloom, a beach may be closed to the public.
Stay tuned to kawarthaNOW in June for The Beach Report™, our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at beaches in the greater Kawarthas region, including the city and county of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Northumberland County, and Hastings County.
Mayor Jeff Leal at Peterborough city council's general committee meeting on June 2, 2025. The mayor recused himself during council's discussion of and voting on a joint inquiry report from the City of Peterborough's integrity commissioner Guy Giorno that concluded the mayor had intimidated councillor Alex Bierk and bullied councillor Joy Lachica. Council voted 7-3 in favour of councillor Gary Baldwin's motion against penalizing Mayor Leal for contravening the code of conduct, with only Bierk, Lachica, and councillor Keith Riel voting against the motion. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
Peterborough city council has voted against penalizing Mayor Jeff Leal for breaching city council’s code of conduct by intimidating councillor Alex Bierk and by bullying councillor Joy Lachica in relation to the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment.
At council’s general committee meeting on Monday night (June 2), councillors voted 7-3 in favour of a motion from councillor Gary Baldwin for no penalty, with councillors Bierk, Lachica, and Keith Riel voting against the motion. Mayor Leal had recused himself from council chambers during discussion of the report and also did not participate in any votes related to the report.
Baldwin brought forward his motion in response to the findings of a joint inquiry report from the City of Peterborough’s integrity commissioner Guy Giorno, which also concluded the mayor did not breach the code of conduct by influencing general committee’s decision on the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment for the private advantage of himself or his wife.
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Baldwin’s motion included a two-part amendment to the original agenda item, which was only for council to receive the integrity commissioner’s report. The first part of his amendment proposed no penalty for the mayor for contravening the code of conduct, and the second part of his amendment proposed referring remedial measures suggested by the integrity commissioner to staff for consideration.
In his report, Giorno’s recommendations noted that it is the role of council to determine a penalty, if any, for a member of council who contravenes the code of conduct. If council decides on a penalty, it can either be a reprimand or a pay suspension for up to 90 days.
Giorno also noted council could adopt one or more remedial measures in addition to a penalty, and suggested such remedial measures could include providing “focused training related to harassment, abuse, bullying and intimidation,” amending the code of conduct to add a definition of bullying, reconciling the code of conduct with the procedure by-law to define council meeting conduct that is the responsibility of the meeting chair versus the integrity commissioner, and reviewing the code of conduct for its use of multiple terms related to private interest.
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In putting forward his motion, Baldwin briefly summarized the allegations against Mayor Leal and the integrity commissioner’s findings, selectively quoting from the report with respect to the mayor’s comments to councillor Bierk that “You’re going to regret you ever said that” and “I’ll carve you like a Thanksgiving turkey” after Bierk mentioned the mayor’s wife by name during a general committee meeting.
“The integrity commissioner has concluded that the mayor’s words to councillor Bierk were figurative, and cannot be reasonably be interpreted as a threat of physical violence,” councillor Baldwin said. “This is an important distinction. The integrity commissioner concludes that the mayor’s words were inappropriate, and the mayor has apologized in public.”
While acknowledging that the mayor’s “carve you up like a turkey” comment was “a figurative expression that was not meant or reasonably interpreted as a threat of violence or physical harm,” Giorno had added in his report that “intimidation is not confined to physical threats.”
“The ‘regret’ and ‘turkey’ comments, taken together, were reasonably understood to threaten consequences for having angered the Mayor by mentioning the Mayor’s wife,” Giorno writes in his report. “Certainly, Councillor Bierk took the comments that way, and he was intimidated.”
Councillor Gary Baldwin reacts to a comment from a fellow councillor at Peterborough city council’s general committee meeting on June 2, 2025, when Baldwin brought forward a motion against penalizing Mayor Jeff Leal in response to a report by the City of Peterborough’s integrity commissioner Guy Giorno that concluded the mayor had intimidated councillor Alex Bierk and bullied councillor Joy Lachica. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
With respect to Lachica’s complaint, Baldwin noted that the integrity commissioner found the mayor had contravened the code of conduct, but did not mention that Giorno had concluded that Mayor Leal had bullied the councillor.
“What I find unusual in this circumstance is the mayor, rightly so, has chosen to recuse himself — he’s not in council chambers, not involved in the discussion, and will not be involved in the decision-making process — while other parties, either directly named or indirectly, are sitting here and will be participating in the —,” Baldwin said before being interrupted by a point of order from Bierk.
“It’s an unfair criticism to name me and councillor Lachica as having some pecuniary interest in this situation, where we are in fact the victims of what happened,” Bierk pointed out. “Mayor Leal recused himself because there is a pecuniary interest (for him) — we’re dealing with his pay. And if we were dealing with my pay or councillor Lachica’s pay, or any other conflict as stated in our code of conduct and our municipal guidelines, we would recuse ourselves.”
At this point in the meeting, councillor and meeting chair Andrew Beamer asked members of the public in the gallery to be respectful with “no verbal outbursts.”
After outlining the punitive options available to council, Baldwin offered his perspective on the mayor’s response to the allegations.
“My own impression, having known the mayor for 58 years, I believe in my heart that the mayor apologized in public,” Baldwin said, before looking across the chamber and saying “Shake your head, councillor Lachica, that’s fine.”
Lachica then raised a point of order, calling Baldwin’s comment a “disparaging remark made in a cross-talking fashion that’s out of decorum for councillors to do to another councillor” and asking Beamer to rule it out of order. In response, Beamer said he hadn’t noticed the comment and added he would do “a better job … of paying attention.”
After apologizing to Lachica “and the public,” Baldwin asked CAO Jasbir Raina whether he could speak to his experience with Mayor Leal “with respect to any behavioural concerns you have or any red flags —”
Councillor Keith Riel raised a point of order, saying the CAO’s opinions about the mayor have “nothing” to do with the integrity commissioner’s report. As Beamer was ruling the question in order, Lachica also raised a point of order, saying the nature of the question to the CAO was “inappropriate.” Beamer said he would allow the question.
As Raina began answering the question, Bierk raised another point of order, saying “This has nothing to do with the report that we’re discussing.”
“We’re talking about a very specific event between the mayor and members of council,” Bierk said. “The report makes no mention of the relationship between the mayor and staff.”
After Beamer allowed Raina to answer the question, the CAO called Mayor Leal “extremely professional” in his dealings with staff and in his behaviour and said he had seen no “red flags.”
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In his comments, Riel said he wanted a motion that wouldn’t be “a slap on the wrist and do nothing.”
“I think we are all held to a standard. I think the mayor, as the voice and the face of the city, is held to a higher standard than all of us. If that has been broached, then something should be done about it, and I’m prepared to do that tonight.”
For her part, Lachica said she originally didn’t intend to speak to the integrity commissioner’s report.
“I will speak because what the previous speaker has stated, through a motion, and the message is loud and clear: that it’s okay. That it’s okay what happened in that corridor. That it’s okay what happened a second time amongst council, and what council has witnessed. And that it’s okay, whatever continued occurrences may or may not have occurred.”
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She also said, with respect to Baldwin’s comment about the mayor’s apology, that he was not privy to the session between the integrity commissioner, the mayor, and herself, noting there was a reason the investigation took so long for the integrity commissioner to reach his conclusion.
Lachica then described her motivation to be a city councillor, and said councillors should be treated with respect at all times.
“If I ever do this again, and I want to continue to serve this community, I will do it because there’s a bar of respect and professionalism that this council and chamber upholds,” she said. “That’s why I brought this complaint forward — not just for myself, but for the integrity of this work environment and the integrity of this city so that we will not be distracted and we will do the work together that we should be doing.”
“Sometimes things need to be called. The nature of a person can be one thing, but behaviour can be another. And when there’s a pattern, there should be a consequence.”
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For his part, Bierk also said he had not planned “to say much tonight unless I had to, and it looks like I have to,” referring to Baldwin’s motion.
“Not only within the motion but the speech that was given, to me, is a continuation of an effort to try to downplay and minimize what happened,” Bierk says. “It was evident in the speech (by Baldwin) tonight, which primarily focused away from the harm the mayor has caused to us,” adding that it was an attempt to characterize “toxic behaviour more mildly.”
“I just wanted to speak up to say that I feel like there has been an effort to downplay what happened. I wanted to speak up to say that I stand in solidarity with my Town Ward partner Joy Lachica, who’s grown to be a friend of mine, who is someone I believe in, and who I believe demonstrated great courage to be a woman, a queer woman, in a hallway with one, two, three, four men and in a toxic violent situation that left her shaken and rattled.”
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Bierk noted that Baldwin in 2016 was the one “who rallied council to adopt a code of conduct in the first place, and it was voted down,” and he should understand the need for a code of conduct and abiding by that code of conduct.
“How it was taught to me to make things right is this: if I go and break a window with a baseball, it’s not good enough for me just to apologize for breaking that window. I have to go to the property owner and I have to replace the window, and then I have to be in a position where I’m not throwing the baseball in a direction that’s going to break the glass. And to me, that is a formula in which proper amends can be made.”
“To me, a good leader is someone who most definitely makes mistakes, but there would have been an avenue for these behaviours to have happened, and for the person who did it to make it right, and that hasn’t happened.”
Bierk added that it is up to council to come up with an appropriate way to make the situation right.
“If you around the table feel that the way to make this situation right is do nothing, then we don’t have much in common.”
Members of the public in the gallery at Peterborough city council’s general committee meeting on June 2, 2025 react to a 7-3 vote by council in favour of councillor Gary Baldwin’s motion against penalizing Mayor Leal for contravening the code of conduct in response to a report by the City of Peterborough’s integrity commissioner Guy Giorno that concluded the mayor had intimidated councillor Alex Bierk and bullied councillor Joy Lachica. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
In his second set of comments, Riel spoke to the specific findings of the integrity commissioner’s report with respect to the mayor’s behaviour, noting that it “fits a classic definition of gaslighting,” and also referred to the use of strong mayor powers as a “vehicle to consolidate authority and to silence dissenters.”
“We must be clear: this kind of conduct has no place in our council chambers, in our city, or in our institutions that purports to represent the public good. It sends a damaging message, not only to us as elected officials, but every resident who expects ethical, fair, and principled leadership.”
In his comments, councillor Dave Haacke said “There’s no greater consequence, to me, than public shame.”
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After claiming the mayor’s personal property was damaged as a result of the controversy around the Bonnerworth Park redevelopment, Haacke added “I think the mayor has suffered, and the biggest thing, and I’m going to come back to it, is public shame. And he is ashamed, rightly so.”
In his final comments, Bierk said if council does not reprimand the mayor for breaching the code of conduct, “we might as well rip up that sheet of paper.”
“I don’t believe that the mayor is the victim in this case. I believe what was done happened to her (Lachica) and it happened to me, and I’m not asking for anything outlandish. I’m asking for us to simply uphold our council code of conduct. How egregious the incident was is very well laid out in the report. We are setting a precedent tonight by not acting on that.”
After Lachica objected to the second part of Baldwin’s amendment, that proposed sending the integrity commissioner’s suggested remedial actions to staff for consideration, stating that it was out of order, Beamer ruled it in order. Lachica challenged the chair, and her challenge lost 6-4, with Lachica, Bierk, Haacke, and Riel voting against the chair.
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Council then voted on the first part of Baldwin’s amendment, that proposed no penalty be imposed on Mayor Leal for breaching the code of conduct. The motion passed 7-3, with councillors Matt Crowley, Don Vassiliadis, Lesley Parnell, Kevin Duguay, Haacke, Beamer, and Baldwin voting in favour, and Bierk, Lachica, and Riel voting against.
After the vote, Beamer addressed members of the public in the gallery who objected to the vote, saying “Ladies and gentlemen, please” several times, adding “I ask you to be respectful.”
For the second part of Baldwin’s amendment, that proposed sending the integrity commissioner’s suggested remedial actions to staff for consideration, council voted 6-4 in favour, with Lachica, Bierk, Haacke, and Riel voting against.
Council then voted on the main motion to receive the integrity commissioner’s report for information, combined with Baldwin’s two amendments, which passed 7-3 with Bierk, Lachica, and Riel voting against.
Items endorsed by general committee will be considered by council for final approval next Monday (June 9), when registered public delegations will have the opportunity to address council.
encoreNOW for June 2, 2025 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Fireside Munsch" by M. John Kennedy at Peterborough's Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre, Film Access Northumberland's Eye2Eye Film Festival at Cobourg's Concert Hall at Victoria Hall, LeRoy Anderson and Donna Ramsay of "The Tommy Hunter Show" with Whiskey Jack at Peterborough's Air Force Club, Tom Cochrane at Lindsay's Academy Theatre, "Waitress" at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre, and "The Wizard of Oz" at Campbellford's Westben. (kawarthaNOW collage)
encoreNOW is a bi-weekly column by Paul Rellinger where he features upcoming music, theatre, film, and performing arts events and news from across the Kawarthas.
This week, Paul highlights the opening of the Heaslip Foundation Summer Festival at Trent’s Traill College, the Eye2Eye Film Festival at Cobourg’s Victoria Hall, a showcase of CBC TV Country Music Stars at Peterborough’s Air Force Club, Tom Cochrane’s Songs and Stories concert at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, the Capitol Theatre’s staging of Waitress in Port Hope, and Westben’s summer festival opener in the form of The Wizard of Oz.
Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre the place to be this summer
VIDEO: “Fireside Munsch” trailer
How do you take something very good and make it even better? By adding another element to what’s already made it very good.
As it returns for its second full season, the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation Summer Festival has partnered with New Stages Theatre to add a theatrical dimension to its shows on Thursdays at the intimate Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Trent University’s Traill College on Dublin Street in Peterborough.
The result is four theatrical performances added to the lineup, including this Thursday (June 5) when Fireside Munsch, featuring stories by Robert Munsch adapted and performed by M. John Kennedy, opens the season.
Performances, both musical and theatrical, will continue most Thursday nights until August 28. Admission is free to each 7:30 p.m. performance but seating is limited. Should Mother Nature not cooperate, performances shift inside to the college’s Bagnani Hall.
Nominated for eight prestigious Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Fireside Munsch is a high-energy retelling of classic Munsch stories, such as “Paperbag Princess” and “Mortimer.” Kennedy has a number of acting credits on his resumé, including The Great Shadow staged by Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre in July 2022. When he’s not performing or writing, Kennedy mentors as a faculty member at Randolph College for the Performing Arts in Toronto.
Funding for the festival has been provided by the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation. Organized and cheerled by Traill College principal Dr. Michael Eamon, many of the acts scheduled this summer feature Peterborough-based performers, Trent alumni, and some Trent staff and faculty. For the full lineup, visit www.trentu.ca/news/story/42699.
Film Access Northumberland’s premier event back in Cobourg
VIDEO: “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” trailer
Film buffs rejoice — Northumberland’s popular Eye2Eye Film Festival is back for a fourth year, offering a full slate of cinematic offerings this Friday to Sunday (June 6 to 8) at Cobourg’s Concert Hall at Victoria Hall.
With the simple but sincere mission of promoting the art of film in the community, Film Access Northumberland (FAN) has done just that, not only through festival screenings, but also by offering audience talks with filmmakers, workshops and award honours for emerging filmmakers. Evidence of the support for this annual initiative can be found in the exceedingly long list of community sponsors.
The festival opens Friday with a 9:30 a.m. screening of the classic 1950 psychological drama Sunset Boulevard, with the 2024 documentary Red Fever, the 2025 documentary The Legend in Me, and the 2019 musical fantasy Rocketman following.
On Saturday at 9:30 a.m., things get underway with the 1977 space opera that started it all, Star Wars: A New Hope, followed by the 2024 drama Thelma, the 2024 drama Falling, and the 2024 mystery A Thousand Cuts. Closing things out film-wise on Sunday are the 2023 documentary The Long Rider at 3:30 p.m. followed by the 2025 drama Home Free.
Also featured is Spotlight, a program featuring talks by guest filmmakers and other creative minds, with Sunday morning dedicated to the Film Newcomer Showcase featuring short films from local high school students, a workshop about directing actors, and the Film Forward Showcase and Awards featuring short films by emerging filmmakers in Ontario.
For the full schedule of films, speakers, and related events, visit www.filmaccessnorthumberland.ca. Admission to individual films costs $12 ($80 for a table of six to eight), with limited $95 weekend passes also available.
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CBC-TV country music stars of yore reunite for local showcase
VIDEO: Maple Sugar / Big John McNeil / St. Anne’s Reel Medley – Whiskey Jack (2015)
For those of a certain age, if you weren’t a fan of The Tommy Hunter Show, you were at least familiar with the long-running signature CBC-TV country music showcase.
Aired weekly from 1965 to 1992, the show’s incredible run introduced a number of emerging Canadian country music stars to a huge audience, and reintroduced an equal number of longtime genre favourites.
Along with the host, regulars included Donna Ramsay and LeRoy Anderson, along with the band Whiskey Jack, which had and still has more Peterborough connections than you shake a slide guitar at. Think Douglas John Cameron and John Hoffman — both members of the band early on and both still very much involved in the business of entertaining.
This Sunday (June 8) at Peterborough’s Air Force Club on King Street, CBC TV Country Music Stars will be nothing short of an entertaining trek down memory lane as Ramsay, Anderson, and Whiskey Jack reunite. Also making an appearance will be Hoffman, best known in these parts — now that’s a country term — for his work organizing and performing at the In From The Cold concert held annually each Christmas season. Hoffman was a co-founder of Whiskey Jack way back when.
Presented by Banjodunc Productions, which is run by Whiskey Jack co-founder Duncan Fremlin, tickets to the 2 p.m. concert are pay what you can at the door, with $35 the suggested price.
Life is indeed a highway, and it leads to Lindsay on June 10
VIDEO: “Life Is A Highway” – Tom Cochrane (1991)
If you have to google Lynn Lake, Manitoba to learn its exact location, you’re no doubt not alone. But really all you have to know, for purposes here, it’s the fourth-largest town in that province that gifted Canada, and the world, a musical gem in Tom Cochrane.
Lindsay is a long way from Lynn Lake, for sure, but that hasn’t deterred the eight-time Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter and Order of Canada recipient from making an appearance at the Academy Theatre next Tuesday (June 10).
“Tom Cochrane: Songs & Stories” will see the musician run through much of his material, written and performed as both the frontman of Red Rider and, later, as a solo artist. Between his two musical lives, Cochrane has recorded and released 21 albums and toured incessantly. His always crowd-pleasing hits number many, and include “Big League,” “No Regrets,” “Sinking Like A Sunset” and, of course, his internationally known calling card “Life Is A Highway.”
As a bonus, and something anyone who has caught him in concert at Peterborough Musicfest or anywhere else well knows, Cochrane is an engaging storyteller, and boy, does he have stories of life on the road, those he has met along the way, and all things in between.
A pie-in-the-sky dream anchors a fun musical at the Capitol
Real-life couple Sayer Roberts and Kaylee Harwood play the leading roles of Dr. Pomatter and Jenna in the Capitol Theatre’s production of the musical “Waitress,” which runs for 19 performances from June 13 to 29, 2025 at the historic Port Hope venue. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
The more I’ve come to be familiar with Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, the more I’ve come to appreciate how fortunate that venue is to have Rob Kempson as its artistic director.
It seems everything Kempson touches turns to stage gold, and there’s no doubt Waitress, which he’s directing, will follow script.
Opening next Friday (June 13), the hit musical is based on the film of the same name by Adrienne Shelly. It relates the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker who sees a way out of her small town, and her rocky marriage, by entering a pie competition. However, when she meets her new doctor, her plan gets complicated to the point where her sugar, butter, and flour creations won’t solve her dilemma on their own.
Directed by Rob Kempson, the play features real-life couple Kaylee Harwood and Sayer Roberts in the leading roles of Jenna and Dr. Pomatter. The ensemble cast includes Malinda Carroll, Michael Cox, Oliver Dennis, Beau Dixon, Taylor Lovelace, Lia Luz, Clea McCaffrey, Caulin Moore, and Margaret Thompson, with a live band led by music director Jonathan Corkal-Astorga with Matt Ray, David Schotzko, and Tami Sorovaiski.
Billed as a “heart-filled and hilarious musical about finding your voice,” Waitress features music and lyrics by Sarah Bareilles and book by Jessie Nelson. However, as it contains mature themes, it is recommended for those 14 years old and up.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on June 13 and 14, 19 to 21, and 26 to 28, with 2 p.m. matinee performances June 15, 17 to 19, 21 and 22, 24 to 26, and 28 and 29. The June 13 staging is a preview performance with pay-what-you can admission. Tickets for remaining dates cost $48, $40 for 30 and under, and are available to order at capitoltheatre.com.
Westben in Campbellford opens its 44-date summer festival with a classic tale
Rehearsal photos from the Westben production of the musical “The Wizard of Oz,” which runs for six performances from June 13 to 22, 2025 at The Barn in Campbellford. (Photos: Westben / Facebook)
There’s a reason everyone and their brother has staged The Wizard of Oz — it’s a can’t-miss winner with audiences, both young and old, and everyone in between.
Campbellford’s Westben well knows that and, as such, has chosen to stage a musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved story as its summer festival opener next Friday (June 13) and running until June 22 at The Barn at Westben.
With ruby slippers, the yellow brick road, and the Emerald City, this staging is based on the still-popular original film and features all the songs millions worldwide have come to know and love. Helping things along greatly are the talents and energy of the Westben youth and teen choruses.
The Wizard of Oz is the first of a very ambitious 44 events presented by Westben until September 21, including concerts by the likes of Lighthouse, Susan Aglukark, Colin James, Matt Andersen, and Michael Kaeshammer.
The musical runs for six performances, with 7:30 p.m. stagings on June 13 and 20 and 2 p.m. matinees on June 14 and 15 and 21 and 22. Tickets are $45 for adults, $43 for seniors, $30 for those under 30, and $5 for those under 18. For tickets and the full summer festival lineup, visit westben.ca.
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Encore
When does summer truly arrive for you? Different people have different answers but, for me, there are two instances: when the first note resounds at Peterborough Musicfest, and when Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre invites the media to its Winslow Farm venue to preview the opening production of its two-play summer slate. There’s something invigorating around being at the scenic property that 4th Line calls home. On June 18, I’ll be there to learn more about The Housekeeper and will subsequently share the details with kawarthaNOW readers. This job of mine offers up its fair share of frustrations and related stress, but a morning with Kim Blackwell et al makes any hardship melt away, and reminds me why I love to do what I’m still privileged to do.
On July 3, prior to the Lakers’ game at the Memorial Centre, the Kawartha Music Company will perform a four-part harmony version of “O Canada.” To that end, the choral group has put out the call for female voices, aged 12 to 99, to be part of that performance. No experience is necessary, except the ability to carry a tune. The company rehearses on Mondays at 6:45 p.m. at The Village On Argyle at 780 Argyle Street. To learn more, email kmc.ptbo@gmail.com. Elbows up!
The first-ever Pride-coloured crosswalk in Fenelon Falls has been installed at the intersection of May and Water streets, an initiative of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce, community residents, and local businesses and organizations. (Photo: Julia Taylor / Facebook)
The City of Kawartha Lakes is kicking off Pride Month in June by announcing the installation of the first-ever Pride-coloured crosswalk in Fenelon Falls.
The crosswalk at the intersection of May and Water streets marks “an important step in celebrating inclusivity and diversity across the municipality,” according to a media release from the municipality.
“As a longtime resident, I know firsthand that Kawartha Lakes is a welcoming and inclusive place where diversity is celebrated,” says Mayor Doug Elmslie. “This project in Fenelon Falls is a true reflection of our community values. We’re a place that works hard to make sure everyone feels they belong.”
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Installed on Sunday (June 1), the crosswalk is the first of its kind under the municipality’s newly approved coloured crosswalk policy, which aligns with its public art policy, “recognizing that thoughtful design enriches community life and adds cultural, social and economic value to shared public spaces.”
This project was an initiative of the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Kawartha Lakes, which played a central role in planning and delivering the project.
“We’re excited to see this project come to life in Fenelon Falls,” says Donna Goodwin, the municipality’s economic development Officer for arts and culture. “This crosswalk is more than just paint on the road. It’s a visible symbol of the municipality’s commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all.”
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In addition to the municipality and the chamber, the crosswalk was made possible due to the collaborative efforts of community members Julia Taylor and Darcie Kennedy, local businesses Cable Cable, Slices and Scoops, and The Well Body Group, the Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Fund, and the Community Fund of Fenelon Falls (CFFF).
“The CFFF, administered by the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, plays a key role in empowering residents and businesses to create lasting, meaningful change through local projects like this one,” reads the media release.
The City of Kawarthas Lakes will be hosting a Pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall in Lindsay at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday (June 5). The Pride flag will fly for the month of June, followed by one week in July to honour the local Pride celebrations.
Cailin Stadnyk and David Sylvestri, who starred in the extended run of the award-winning global sensation "Come From Away" at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre, are bringing their cabaret show "Lights, Love and Lyrics" to Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon for one night only on June 14, 2025. The tribute to the great love songs of movies and musicals is produced by their "Come From Away" co-star Lisa Horner and also features "Come from Away" pianist Richard Evans and bassist Jon Maharaj. (Graphic: Globus Theatre)
Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon has just added a new star-studded show to its 2025 season — a cabaret featuring two of the stars of the award-winning global sensation Come From Away which recently ended an extended run at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.
For one night only at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, Cailin Stadnyk and David Sylvestri will star in Lights, Love and Lyrics, a tribute to the great love songs of movies and musicals produced by Lisa Horner, who also performed in Come From Away. Stadnyk and Sylvestri will be accompanied by pianist Richard Evans and bassist Jon Maharaj, both performers in the Canadian company for Come From Away.
“When I saw the cabaret that Cailin and David had created, I thought it would be a perfect chance to keep the fun going and also spend time with really dear pals,” Horner explains. “Not to mention our pianist Richard Evans and bassist Jon Maharaj — we’re all, quite simply, a family. I want people to see this beautiful cabaret, performed by the best I’ve ever seen and had the privilege to work with.”
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The Mirvish Productions staging of the Tony award-winning Canadian musical Come From Away, based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport, opened in Toronto last September and was extended twice until May due to popular demand.
In the Toronto production, Stadnyk played the role of pilot Beverley Bass, who was the first female captain of a commercial plane at American Airlines, and Sylvestri starred as Claude Elliot, the well-liked mayor of Gander — a role he also performed in the Australian production of Come From Away.
“After Come From Away ended I wanted to keep the joy and everything that show meant to me alive,” Horner says. “It seems unreal that it’s over, but we’re the luckiest performers in Canada as far as I’m concerned having had the gift to perform in the show for so long.”
Cailin Stadnyk as American Airlines pilot Barbara Bass in the Toronto production of “Come From Away” and David Sylvestri (holding the fish) as Gander mayor Claude Elliot in the Australia production, a role he also played in the Toronto production. (Photos: Matthew Murphy and Keegan Carroll)
A director, teacher, writer, and award-winning actress, Horner starred as Beulah Davis, head of the Gander Legion, in Come From Away. Her other Mirvish Theatre credits include The Wizard of Oz, Kinky Boots, Les Misérables, and the world premiere of My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding.
However, Horner is also no stranger to the Globus Theatre stage, having starred in the 2016 production of Buying the Moose and last year’s season-opening production of The Dating Game, which also starred Globus Theatre’s own artistic director Sarah Quick.
“One of the favourite parts of my job is when I get the opportunity to bring world-class talent to our little rural theatre,” Quick says. “Our patrons love seeing fabulous performers in an intimate setting right here in our community. When Lisa offered Globus this show, I accepted immediately and can’t wait to enjoy the cabaret alongside our audience.”
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Along with her role in Come from Away, Stadnyk is a sought-after leading lady in the world of theatre. A singer, dancer, motion capture performer, and award-winning actress, she is best known for her musical theatre credits including Mamma Mia! (Theatre Aquarius and WCT), Mary Poppins (Persephone Theatre and WCT), Cats (Theatre Calgary), Cabaret (Showcase Festival), Fiddler on the Roof (Vancouver Playhouse), Les Misérables (Chemainus Theatre), and many more.
As for Sylvestri, some of his many theatre credits include Kinky Boots (Mirvish), Les Misérables (Mirvish), Sweeney Todd (Theatre Regina), and Death of a Salesman (Centre Stage).
Tickets for Lights, Love and Lyrics, with an optional dinner before the show, go on sale for Globus Theatre STAR Supporters at noon on Tuesday (June 3) and for the general public at noon on Wednesday.
Tickets are $50 for the show only or $100 for dinner and the show (plus tax and a $2 ticketing fee) and can be purchased online at www.globustheatre.com/shows-all/lights-love-lyrics or by calling the box office at 705-738-2037.
“Lights, Love and Lyrics” featuring “Come from Away” stars Cailin Stadnyk and David Sylvestri, along with Richard Evans on piano and Jon Maharaj on bass, is presented by “Come from Away” star Lisa Horne (right) for one night only at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon on June 14, 2025. (Graphic: Globus Theatre, with publicity photo)
Award-winning virtuoso harmonica player Carlos del Junco will be performing with his band The Blue Mongrels as a quartet at the Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival at Isobel Morris Park on July 12, 2025. (Photo via Carlos del Junco website)
Virtuoso harmonica player Carlos del Junco and his band The Blue Mongrels will be headlining this year’s Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival on Saturday, July 12.
Selwyn Township has announced the music lineup of the annual festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Isobel Morris Park in Lakefield on the shores of the Otonabee River.
Carlos del Junco is a multiple award-winning Cuban-Canadian harmonica player whose playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz. With his band The Blue Mongrels, del Junco performs a fusion of music including swing, Latin, New Orleans, folk roots, and world music.
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Carlos del Junco & The Blue Mongrels will be performing as a quartet at 8:10 p.m to close out the festival. Performances begin at 11 a.m. with the Curtis Cronkwright Quartet, followed by Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop at 12:50 p.m., Denielle Bassels at 2:40 p.m., Kevin Goss Quintet at 4:30 p.m., and Noah Abrahamse & The Mumbo Jumbo Combo at 6:20 p.m.
Along with the live jazz performances, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the festival features creations from more than 20 artisans and crafters, including jewellery, oil and watercolour paintings, wood carvings, stained glass creations, and more. Food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from local vendors will also be available.
Admission to the festival is $10 at the gate. For more information and updates, visit lakefieldjazzfest.ca, where sponsor and vendor applications are still available.
VIDEO: “Heaven’s Where You’ll Dwell” – Carlos Del Junco & The Blue Mongrels
Daryl Scott, Jesse Slack, and Owen Riegling received the Songwriter(s) of the Year award at the CMAOntario Awards on June 1, 2025 for their work on Riegling's song "Moonshines," which also won Single of the Year. (Photo via Jesse Slack/Instagram)
While rising country star Owen Riegling from Bruce County dominated the 13th Annual Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) Awards with five wins, three country music artists from the Kawarthas were also recognized — including two Peterborough musicians who helped Riegling write his award-winning single from his award-winning album.
Daryl Scott from Douro and Jesse Slack from Peterborough won the Songwriter(s) of the Year award along with Riegling for their work on “Moonshines,” the lead single from Riegling’s album Bruce County (From the Beginning), at The Music Hall in Hamilton on Sunday night (June 1).
“Moonshines” also won Single of the Year, with Bruce County (From the Beginning) winning Album/EP of the Year and Riegling chosen as Male Artist of the Year and Fans’ Choice.
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Elyse Saunders from Peterborough — who was up for four awards including Female Artist of the Year (which she won in 2024), Single of the Year (for “Never Have I Ever”), Songwriter of the Year (with Jason Blaine for “Never Have I Ever”), and Music Video of the Year (for “Never Have I Ever”) — won for Music Video of the Year. Uxbridge’s Robyn Ottolini picked up the award for Female Artist of the Year.
Two other country music artists in the Kawarthas region who had multiple nominations walked away empty-handed on Sunday night.
Sacha (Sacha Visagie) from Warkworth had received nominations for Single of the Year (“Hey Mom I Made It”), Female Artist of the Year, and Fans’ Choice. Tebey (Tebey Solomon Ottoh) from Peterborough was nominated for Single of the Year (“Blinding Lights (Country Version)”), Songwriter of the Year (with G. Palmer, S. Walker, and D. Dupelle for “Hangover at My Place”), Music Video of the Year (for “Blinding Lights (Country Version)”), and Fans’ Choice.
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The other CMAOntario Award winners are listed below.
Group or Duo of the Year – The Redhill Valleys
Record Producer of the Year – Adam Newcomb (Sacha, Elyse Saunders, Riley Taylor)
Roots Artist or Group of the Year – Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
Breakthrough Artist of the Year – Sully Burrows
Industry Person of the Year – Samantha Pickard, Strut Entertainment
Musician of the Year – Jeff Brown (Kelsi Mayne, Washboard Union, Jason Blaine)
Artiste ou Groupe Francophone de l’année/Francophone Artist or Group of the Year – Kristine St-Pierre
Compass Award – Josh Ross
Holly & Steve Kassay Generous Spirit Award – Laurie Tiggelman
The Real Mccoy Award – Jason McCoy
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) – KX94.7 (CHKX-FM, Hamilton)
Radio Station of the Year (Medium Market) – Hot Country 93.9 (CFWC-FM, Brantford)
Radio Station of the Year (Small Market) – Pure Country 106 (CICX-FM, Orillia)
VIDEO: “Moonshines” – Owen Riegling (written with Daryl Scott and Jesse Slack)
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