In another big win for tourism in the Kawarthas region this year, The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough has been named in TIME’s list of the world’s greatest places to visit in 2025.

The recognition comes just two months after the museum was mentioned in a similar list published by the New York Times. In 2024, the museum was named one of the Best Cultural Spots on National Geographic’s Best of the World list.

TIME magazine published its list of 100 best destinations around the world on Thursday (March 13), with The Canadian Canoe Museum listed as one of the 15 greatest places to visit in North America.

“Newly reopened in a 65,000-square-foot building that is now, aptly, located lakeside, The Canadian Canoe Museum’s design evokes the hull of a canoe and is undoubtedly an aesthetic upgrade from its previous home in a former outboard motor factory,” writes Aaron Shaffer.

“The 5.3-acre waterfront property features 1,200 feet of shoreline with docks and boardwalks that serve as a launching point to explore Little Lake and the Otonabee River, both part of the 240-mile Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site that winds through Ontario. From May through October, the museum’s Canoe House offers ways for paddlers of all ages and levels to get on the water, including a guided tour in a 36-foot canoe.”

“Inside the museum is a storied collection of more than 600 canoes, kayaks, and paddled watercraft, among other artifacts, plus half a dozen exhibits that marvel at the engineering and craftsmanship of these complex boats and tell the culturally intricate story of a vessel that once afforded Indigenous Peoples the ability to travel and trade throughout the country’s interconnected waterways.”

Now in its seventh year, TIME’s annual list of the World’s Greatest Places seeks out “one-of-a-kind spots and experiences around the globe,” according to the magazine’s editors.

TIME solicits nominations of hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more from its international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process.

This is the second time this year that the Kawarthas region has made a tourism list from an American publication. In January, the Trent-Severn Waterway was featured in the New York Times’ list of “52 Places to Go in 2025.”

The list mentioned The Canadian Canoe Museum, Le Boat, 100 Acre Brewing Co., and Taste of the TSW as attractions along the waterway.

She now only has three legs, but Meadow the river otter at Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough is still going strong.

The zoo issued a media release on Wednesday (March 12) announcing that Meadow recently lost one of her legs and providing an update on her status.

Meadow came to the zoo at the end of last year, joining the zoo’s group of three male otters. Although the zoo implemented a “comprehensive introduction plan” between the otters, “with a month-long observation period showing promising results,” there was an altercation between the otters.

As a result of the altercation, Meadow suffered a severe leg injury. After consulting with the zoo’s veterinarian and the orthopedic surgeon, the zoo decided the best course of action was to amputate the injured limb.

“Although this is an unfortunate situation, there is always a risk when introducing animals together, even when every precaution was taken by the animal care team.,” says the zoo’s manager and curator Cathy Mitchell in the release.

Calling Meadow “a resilient young otter,” the zoo says she has been healing and recovering from the amputation, and has been cleared by the animal health team to be back on exhibit and have outdoor access.

The zoo says Meadow was moved into her own exhibit with ample outdoor space on Tuesday. The space is located in the west outdoor primate exhibit.

“She has so much energy and we are looking forward to seeing her enjoy her new environment,” the release states.

The zoo is also thanking its animal adopters and donors for their support.

“Emergency veterinary care and medications are just some of the unexpected costs that come with caring for animals,” the zoo states.

“We rely on community support for a portion of our animal care operating fund. Community contributions play a vital role in sustaining our animal care operations and help us provide necessary care for animals like Meadow when they are sick or injured.

Visitors can meet Meadow and the other river otters, with the otter feed scheduled to run daily at 1:30 p.m.

Food, fun, and fundraising for Five Counties Children’s Centre is on the bill for an upcoming event for the young at heart in support of treatment services for children who have special needs.

Five Counties’ signature fundraising event, its “Backyard Summer Social,” returns on Saturday, June 21 to mark the official arrival of summer.

Linsey Kampf, the annual giving coordinator at Five Counties, shared with kawarthaNOW a few of her hopes for the fundraiser.

“First and foremost, we want people to come out and enjoy themselves at the Backyard Summer Social,” Kampf said. “Our aim is to also fill the backyard with community members so they can see firsthand what Five Counties is like and take part in activities that replicate what our clinicians do with our kids during treatment sessions.”

“Five Counties really hopes that attendees to the Backyard Summer Social will enjoy the experience and leave with a better understanding of the difference the centre is making for families in our community,” Kampf added. “Their support in purchasing a ticket will help Five Counties be able to see more kids, ensuring they get the treatment they need when they need it.”

This year marks the fourth annual Backyard Summer Social, which takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. in the backyard space at Five Counties’ Peterborough location at 872 Dutton Road.

In honour of Five Counties’ 50th anniversary, the organization is celebrating by offering tickets for $50 each (instead of the usual $125 per ticket cost) for this year’s summer social.

The “50-for-50” offer is meant as a show of appreciation to the community for its continuing generosity in supporting the children and families who turn to the centre for treatment, Five Counties noted in a media release.

“The Backyard Summer Social is our annual, adults-only celebration that salutes the start of summer, and this year’s version is perfectly timed falling on the first official day of summer,” said Lyn Giles, director of fund development with Five Counties, in the release.

“Come out to the Backyard Summer Social and let yourself be a kid again — at least for the afternoon — knowing your purchase will support life-changing treatment services at Five Counties that benefit children and their families.”

This year’s Backyard Summer Social will feature food from La Mesita and Hanoi House, sweet treats from Central Smith Creamery and the Kawartha Butter Tart Factory, musical performances by father-and-son duo Dan and Josh Fewings, caricatures by Peterborough illustrator Jason Wilkins, axe throwing with the Peterborough Axe Club, a live auction and door prizes, Critter Visits petting zoo, inflatable jousting, old-fashioned picnic games, and more.

The 2025 edition will also include a salute to Five Counties’ golden anniversary, which marks 50 years since the centre opened its doors in Peterborough.

For the third year in a row, seven local Canadian Tire stores — two in Peterborough and one each in Lindsay, Cobourg, Campbellford, Fenelon Falls and Minden — will serve as the event’s lead sponsor.

In each of its first three years, the Backyard Summer Social generated more than $40,000.

Money raised goes directly towards Five Counties’ “Building Abilities For Life Campaign,” which funds priority, high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for kids to receive these critical services through the regional children’s centre.

Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.fivecounties.on.ca/mt-event/bss-2025/, by calling 1-888-779-9916 ext. 300, or by emailing development@fivecounties.on.ca.

Each ticket purchased includes food from a variety of vendors, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities and games, and a chance to win prizes.