Indy, a rare Sulawesi forest turtle, was hatched at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough on February 9, 2026. Indy is the fifth of the critically endangered freshwater turtle species to be bred at the zoo. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)
For the fifth time, the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough has successfully bred one of the rarest freshwater turtle species in the world.
On February 9, another critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle was hatched at the zoo.
Named Indy, the hatchling is the fifth Sulawesi forest turtle bred at the zoo. In 2014, hatchlings Blinky and Skippy were among the first Sulawesi forest turtles successfully bred in Canada.
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“The hatchling is currently under observation by our animal care team,” says Matt Dixon, the zoo’s operational support manager of animal care, in a media release.
“This is another exciting and meaningful step forward for this critically endangered species. Each successful hatch strengthens the population and builds valuable knowledge that supports conservation efforts. The zoo continues to be the only zoo in Canada working with this species and is one of only a few zoos globally to successfully reproduce it.”
Native to the island of Sulawesi off the southeast coast of Indonesia, Sulawesi forest turtles live in cool mountain streams in the forests on the northern side of the island, the only place the turtles are found in the wild.
Indy, a rare Sulawesi forest turtle, was hatched at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough on February 9, 2026. Successful breeding in captivity requires mimicking their natural habitat and providing ample space, as the shy reptiles can be aggressive and are best kept individually. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)
Sulawesi forest turtles are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, largely due to significant threats from habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade.
One of the most mysterious and least-studied turtle species globally, Sulawesi forest turtles are mainly elusive in the wild, with limited observations and knowledge of their life history.
While juvenile turtles primarily live in aquatic environments, adults split their time between the dense forest canopy during daylight hours and the streams during the night.
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Sulawesi forest turtles are challenging to breed in captivity as they typically lay only one or two eggs per clutch a few times a year. Successful breeding requires mimicking their natural habitat and providing ample space, as the shy reptiles can be aggressive and are best kept individually (they interact briefly with one another only for mating).
In 2017, Riverview Park and Zoo received the Colonel G. C. Dailley Conservation Award from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, a national award that recognizes excellence in species propagation and conservation achievement.
“The zoo continues to collaborate with accredited zoological partners to support the long-term sustainability of the species through coordinated breeding programs and conservation initiatives that contribute to global wildlife preservation efforts,” reads the media release.
Elmhirst's Resort on the north shore of Rice Lake in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan prides itself on its farm-to-table dining experiences featuring fresh locally sourced ingredients including meat, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on the resort's 240-acre property. To help source other local ingredients, Elmhirst's Resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program supported by Peterborough County, which connects local buyers with local food producers. (Photo courtesy of Elmhirst's Resort)
Over five generations of operating its resort on the north shore of Rice Lake, the Elmhirst family has learned that the guests who come to experience lakeside living in cottage country also want a taste of The Kawarthas. That’s why Elmhirst’s Resort proudly supports local farming though agricultural programming led by Peterborough County.
The family’s connection to the land in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan dates back more than 200 years. Today, Elmhirst’s Resort is a year-round retreat featuring 30 waterfront cottages, two restaurants, conference facilities, 10 kilometres of walking trails, a wine cellar, a spa, and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Elmhirst’s Resort is renowned for its farm-to-table dining experiences at both the upscale Hearthside Dining Room and the more casual Wild Blue Yonder Pub & Patio. Seasonal dishes are crafted from fresh locally sourced ingredients — including premium beef, duck, turkey, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on the resort’s 240-acre property. For other ingredients on the menu, Elmhirst’s Resort sources from as close to home as possible.
That’s why the resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by connecting farmers with buyers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Now in its final stage, the program helps buyers source local products through the establishment of the Green Circle Food Hub.
With a cornerstone commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, Elmhirst’s Resort on the north shore of Rice Lake in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan serves its guests beef, duck, turkey, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on its 240-acre property and sources other menu ingredients from nearby producers whenever possible. That’s why the resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by connecting buyers with producers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of Elmhirst’s Resort)
“Everything lasts quite a bit longer when it comes from a local farm and not a distribution centre,” says Henry Elmhirst, managing director and the fifth generation of the family to run the resort. “Our guests respond really well to it. It gives them a sense of really knowing where the food is coming from. We also showcase and talk about these brands in the dining room when we can.”
Elmhirst’s Resort also participates in the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh initiative, a program delivered by Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes that provides a brand identity for local products, a network for members to share and access resources, and an online database for buyers to find local producers.
The resort’s support of local agriculture is part of its cornerstone commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, which has led to Elmhirst’s Resort achieving platinum certification under the Greenstep Sustainable Tourism program.
Programs like Kawartha Local Food Wholesale foster this vision, Henry says, because buying local not only provides fresher ingredients and supports local farmers, but also reduces the environmental impact of transporting food products over long distances.
“It’s an incredible program and I think this is the direction that we really need agriculture to go,” says Henry. “It’s the correct direction and it’s hard to ask for a better interface for it. Being supported by your local government is a big thing.”
Elmhirst’s Resort is located at 1045 Settlers Line just east of Keene. For more information and to book a stay, visit elmhirst.ca.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series celebrating the farmers, food producers, food retailers, and agri-tourism businesses that make The Kawarthas thrive, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
Agriculture is a key economic driver and a point of pride for Peterborough County, with local farms producing a wide variety of high-quality goods, from traditional crops and livestock to organic and specialty products, reflecting the strength and diversity of this vital sector. With a growing focus on sustainability, local food systems, agri-innovation, and agri-tourism, agriculture offers strong potential for growth and diversification.
The Local Advantage with Peterborough County series spotlights the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiatives, which aim to strengthen connections from farm to table across our region.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
A windrow — the heavy ridge of snow pushed across the end of a driveway by passing plows — can be difficult to clear because it is densely packed and often mixed with ice and road treatment materials such as salt and sand, making it far heavier and harder to shovel, particularly for seniors and people with limited mobility. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
The City of Peterborough is inviting community feedback on a proposed pilot program to assist seniors with clearing the end of their driveways after city snow plowing.
At city council’s January 26 general committee meeting, Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal proposed a motion for city staff to investigate options for a seniors snow clearing program that could include assistance with removing windrows — the ridge of snow left behind after city snow plows clear the roadway.
The mayor’s motion, which councillors unanimously supported both at general committee and at the February 2 council meeting, also asked city staff to conduct community engagement including a public survey.
“For many older adults and people with disabilities, the windrow can be heavy and difficult to remove — especially after repeated snow events,” the city’s website states.
“A windrow removal program is a service designed to help eligible residents by clearing the windrow portion at the end of the driveway after city plows have passed. The goal is to support safety, accessibility, and aging at home, especially for residents who may not have reliable help for winter snow clearing.”
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The proposed pilot program, which would operate during the 2026-2027 winter season if approved, would focus on windrow clearing only — not full driveway clearing — and would be intended for eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The program would consider a user fee to help offset costs and would operate as a limited-capacity pilot to test the service and learn what works best for the community.
Following the feedback period, city staff will review survey results to develop detailed program options, including proposed eligibility criteria, service scope and limitations, fee structure, participant capacity, and service standards (including response timing after plowing).
City staff would present the findings of the pilot program and recommended program details to council for consideration. If approved, registration is anticipated to open in fall 2026. Following the completion of the pilot program in the 2026-2027 winter season, the city would share results with the public and consider adjustments or expansion as part of a spring 2027 report to council.
encoreNOW for March 9, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Frozen: The Broadway Musical" at Peterborough's Showplace, St. Patrick's Day Kitchen Party at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, "Screwball Comedy" at Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at Peterborough Memorial Centre, "It's Too Late To Stop Now - The Music of Van Morrison" at Cobourg's Victoria Hall, and The Great Canadian Fiddle Show at Peterborough's Market Hall. (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 Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s staging of Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Peterborough’s Showplace, Camp Kawartha’s hosting of a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Party, a staged reading of Screwball Comedy by the Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, a tribute to Van Morrison’s music at Cobourg’s Victoria Hall, and The Great Canadian Fiddle Show at Peterborough’s Market Hall.
The Anne Shirley Theatre Company takes on Disney’s “Frozen”
Cast members of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” running at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough from March 13 to 21, 2026. (Photo: Anne Shirley Theatre Company / Facebook)
What started on a wing and a prayer back in 2001 is still very much with us in the form of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company.
The Trent University student-run theatre troupe staged Anne of Green Gables for its inaugural presentation during the 2002-2003 school year, having borrowed the name of the central figure of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic story for its company name.
Funded via a student-contributed levy, the Anne Shirley Theatre Company hasn’t missed a beat since, as it’s stayed true to its day-one mandate of empowering company members to do what they love to do in a safe, inclusive space.
On Friday (March 13) at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough, the company’s 23rd season will continue with the opening of Frozen: The Broadway Musical for a seven-show run.
Adapted from Disney’s Oscar-winning film, the Tony Award-nominated musical follows two royal sisters as they discover that true love can thaw the coldest of hearts. With the help of a 14-piece orchestra, the musical’s iconic songs, such as “Let It Go,” “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” and “In Summer,” will get their due along with numbers written specifically for the stage version.
Directed by Brayden Ellis and choreographed by Ellis and Robyn Hawthrone, the musical direction is in the very capable hands of Justin Hiscox, whose impressive resumé includes his considerable contributions to numerous 4th Line Theatre summer productions.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on March 13 and 14 and 20 and 21, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 14, 15, and 21. Tickets cost $40, $35 for seniors, and $30 for students/children at www.showplace.org.
Of note, all ticket sale profits go directly back to the company to help finance future productions, of which there will no doubt be many.
St. Patrick to be paid musical homage at Camp Kawartha kitchen party
Banish Misfortune performing with Karina Bates during a Robbie Burns concert at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre on February 8, 2026. The Celtic trio and Bates will return to the venue to perform authentic Irish folk and traditional music along with The Skelligs on Sunday, March 15. (Photo courtesy of John Hoffman)
Well, whack me over the head with a shillelagh — there really is such a thing as an alcohol-free St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Who knew?
On Sunday (March 15) at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre at 2505 Pioneer Road, nary a green beer will be in sight as a number of local musicians come together to pay homage to Ireland’s patron saint in advance of the annual day set aside for the masses to do likewise.
Billed as a family-friendly event, the St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Party will feature Irish songs, jigs, reels, waltzes and airs performed in an intimate and wholly informal setting by Banish Misfortune (harpist Tanah Haney, cellist Jessica Lindeman, and fiddler John Hoffman) joined by singer and percussionist Karina Bates, and The Skelligs (flautist Martha Cooper and fiddler Ken Brown along with Hoffman, Haney, and Lindeman).
As a venue for this type of thing, the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre saw a trial run just last month when Hoffman, Haney, and Lindeman came together for the first time as a trio for a musical celebration that paid homage to Scottish poet Robbie Burns.
Admission to the 2 p.m. event — it really promises to be an event — is by donation at the door. Do be generous. Having talked to Hoffman many times, I know full well how much time and effort he and his musical colleagues put into sourcing selections and performing them very well.
The cast of the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s staged reading of Norm Foster’s “Screwball Comedy” on March 15, 2026. (Graphic: Peterborough Theatre Guild / Facebook)
As a subgenre of romantic comedy, screwball comedy’s formula of combining fast-paced witty dialogue with farcical situations typically involving a “battle of the sexes” enjoyed its heyday from 1934 to 1942. Among the big-name stars who thrived in that format were Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, and Fred MacMurray.
While 1934’s It Happened One Night is widely considered the first major defining example of screwball comedy, the genre is still getting its due decades later. Think 1981’s Arthur starring Dudley Moore or 1999’s Runaway Bride featuring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.
After famed Canadian playwright Norm Foster set his sights on screwball comedy, he subsequently penned a play that pays tribute to the tried-and-true Hollywood script format. In 2017, his aptly titled Screwball Comedy was first produced for the Norm Foster Theatre Festival in St. Catharines.
Now, as the fourth of five staged readings presented by the Peterborough Theatre Guild during its 2025-26 season, Foster’s take will be presented Sunday (March 15) at The Guild Hall on Rogers Street in Peterborough’s East City.
Set in 1938, the story introduces newly laid-off perfumier Mary Hayes who is trying to break into the male-dominated world of newspaper journalism. Editor-in-chief Bosco Godfrey sets a competition between his egotistical star reporter Jeff Kincaid and plucky Mary, assigning them to cover a society wedding. If Jeff writes the better story, he gets to keep his job. If Mary wins, she will replace the ace newshound.
Unlike a full-blown theatre production, a staged reading sees actors perform without full sets, costumes, or complex lighting. It’s a stripped-down version of a full production but typically no less entertaining.
Directed by Lisa Dixon and stage managed by Lyn Braun with assistance from Kym Hyde, the Peterborough Theatre Guild production stars Rebecca Birrell, Brian MacDonald, Pat Maitland, Dan Smith, Fin Taylor, Lindsay Unterlander, and Jack van Roosmalen.
Rock Orchestra by Candlelight fuses rock and classical music
VIDEO: “Zombie” by The Cranberries – Rock Orchestra by Candlelight (2024)
Back in 2020, producer Nathan Reed hit on what he thought was a very good concept: combine the live performance of rock music with the hauntingly beautiful energy, power, and grace of classical music.
Now, more than 400 shows and a half million audience members later, there’s no denying that The Rock Orchestra has been a huge success. From its base in England, the ensemble has performed around the globe, each show a unique audience journey that brings two very different music genres together for a truly unique concert experience.
Earlier this month, Rock Orchestra by Candlelight opened a very ambitious Canadian tour that will end April 4 in Edmonton. Sandwiched in the middle is a stop at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday, March 17.
In an ethereal candlelight setting that sets a haunting mood, 14 classical musicians will perform the music of Metallica, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and many more mainstream metal and rock bands.
Tickets to the 8 p.m. concert range from $73.45 to $154.85 plus taxes and fees, and can be ordered at www.memorialcentre.ca, or drop by the Memorial Centre box office.
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Van Morrison’s iconic music paid tribute by a lifelong fan
VIDEO: “It’s Too Late To Stop Now – The Music of Van Morrison”
My first exposure to the huge talent that is Matt Weidinger came via “The Last Waltz: A Musical Celebration of The Band” held right here in Peterborough.
Weidinger sang Van Morrison’s hit song “Caravan” — something the legendary Northern Ireland-born singer and songwriter did as part of The Band’s iconic November 1976 farewell concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom. Weidinger’s performance was off the charts, delivering a show highlight with his incredible range and stage presence.
It seemed a no-brainer that Weidinger would expand that Last Waltz tribute to Morrison into a full-blown show. That’s exactly what he has done, building on his infatuation with Morrison’s music by creating a touring show that features top musicians.
On Friday, March 20 at Cobourg’s Concert Hall at Victoria Hall, “It’s Too Late To Stop Now: The Music of Van Morrison” will cover its namesake’s remarkable six decades-plus musical journey. Songs from every era of Morrison’s career will be featured, including, of course, that mainstay of too many cover bands to count, “Brown Eyed Girl.” The show itself is named after Morrison’s 1974 double live album.
Whether you’re a fan of Morrison’s music or not, Weidinger’s passion for his favourite artist is infectious, as it is rooted in his ability to do him justice. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert cost $50 at tickets.cobourg.ca.
All things fiddle and step dancing destined for Market Hall
VIDEO: The Great Canadian Fiddle Show Trailer (2013)
Oh, we Canadians do have an affinity for the sound of a fiddle.
One of my enduring childhood memories is waiting with my dad and brother for Hockey Night In Canada to start, after we squirmed our way through The Tommy Hunter Show. Dad loved the fiddle people. On reflection, that variety show set the stage for enjoying what was another Canadian tradition, but one with more brawn than music at its centre.
Traditional fiddle music and step dancing — the two go hand in hand — will be the centre of attention on Saturday, March 21 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough when The Great Canadian Fiddle Show takes to the stage, with Celina Marie Di Cecca front and centre.
The Hamilton native picked up the violin at age four, studied classical music thereafter, and attended her first fiddle camp at age 12. Exposed to the instrument’s toe-tapping rhythms, she fell in love with traditional Canadian Celtic music and, over the years since, has performed both classical and fiddle music across the country.
The Great Canadian Fiddle Show is Di Cecca’s brainchild. She not only originally produced it and performs, but she also directs the show’s cast of superb musicians and step dancers.
Show time is 7 p.m. with tickets priced at $44 and available at www.markethall.org.
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Encore
The Austin Carson Band is on the cusp of recording a new album but is looking for our help. To that end, what’s billed as “a hometown album fundraiser” will be held April 25 at the Gordon Best Theatre above The Only Café, featuring — you guessed it — The Austin Carson Band, with Unnerving as the opener. It’s a little ways off, but I’m mentioning it now because the show is halfway to a sellout and the venue isn’t all that large. If you’ve never caught the high-energy sound and stage presence the band brings to bear, it’s time to get on board.
The Peterborough Folk Festival has been recognized, but this time around it’s not for the music it annually brings to multiple Nicholls Oval stages in late summer. The festival recently received the 2026 Sustainability Award from Festivals and Events Ontario at its awards gala in Kitchener. Market Hall manager Chad Hogan, the festival’s treasurer, was on hand to receive the award which recognizes environmental leadership and sustainable practices. Festival executive director Rob Davis says environmental sustainability is an identified priority, noting “It’s one of the principles we live by.” The 37th edition of the Peterborough Folk Festival will be held August 13 to 16.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Kawarthas region starting Tuesday night (March 10) for possible significant rainfall in the southern parts of the region, as well as possible significant freezing rain in the northern parts of the region.
The special weather statement for significant rainfall is in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. The special weather statement for significant rainfall and freezing rain is in effect for northern Peterborough County and northern Kawarthas Lakes. The special weather statement for freezing rain is in effect for Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands.
A series of low pressure systems will lead to significant rainfall as well as freezing rain across parts of southern Ontario, with precipitation beginning Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and lasting through Wednesday or Wednesday night.
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There remains uncertainty as to the primary form of precipitation in the northern parts of the region, as temperatures will hover near the freezing mark.
As a result, precipitation may transition back and forth from rain and freezing rain across this time period. Precipitation may fall heavily at times, which may lead to localized flooding in low lying areas.
In areas affected by significant rainfall, heavy downpours may cause flash floods and water pooling on roads, with localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. In areas affected by freezing rain, ice build up is likely to cause tree branches to break and widespread utility outages are possible.
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In southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected, with locally higher amounts possible in areas that receive thunderstorms.
In northern Peterborough County and northern Kawarthas Lakes, rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected along with periods of freezing rain, with ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm.
In Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands, there may be a prolonged period of freezing rain — possibly up to 24 hours for some areas — with ice accretion of 10 to 20 mm.
Environment Canada may issue rainfall warnings and freezing rain warnings for some areas as the event draws nearer.
March 5, 2026 at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club. Kawartha Land Trust and and Kawartha Art Gallery also each received a $2,500 donation from the group, which is approaching 200 members. (Photo courtesy of 100 Men Kawartha Lakes)
100 Men Kawartha Lakes has kicked off 2026 by donating over $17,000 to three charities in the Kawarthas Lakes region.
At its first quarterly meeting of the year last Thursday (March 5), the collective philanthropy group gathered at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club to hear presentations from the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton 4-H Association, Kawartha Land Trust, and Kawartha Art Gallery.
As happens before each of the group’s quarterly meetings, three nominated organizations are drawn at random and a representative from each organization attends the meeting to make a brief presentation on their organization’s work and how the group would spend and benefit from a donation. Members then vote on which charity should receive the group’s largest donation.
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Following Thursday’s vote, the group selected the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton 4-H Association as the primary recipient of the collective donation, which will exceed $10,000 once all member donations are collected.
4-H is a non-profit youth development organization that spans 10 provinces across Canada and 70 countries across the world. Supporting communities in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton including Lindsay, Omemee, Fenelon Falls, and Minden, the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton 4-H Association creates welcoming spaces for youth ages six to 21 to explore everything from agriculture to STEM, cooking, crafts, and community service.
Kawartha Land Trust and and Kawartha Art Gallery did not walk away from the meeting empty-handed, with each organization also receiving a $2,500 donation from 100 Men Kawartha Lakes.
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100 Men Kawartha Lakes meets four times a year to pool their resources and, since its founding in 2018, has donated over $310,000 to registered charities within the Kawartha Lakes region. The group has partnered with the Kawartha Lakes Community Foundation to make the donation process simple and efficient.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact our members continue to make,” says 100 Men Kawartha Lakes member Brad Campkin in a media release. “We are on track to hit 200 members this year. All we need is a few more good men to join us and help amplify our reach even further.”
For more information about 100 Men Kawartha Lakes and to join, visit 100menkawarthalakes.ca.
One person was seriously injured in a shooting in Peterborough late Sunday afternoon (March 8).
According to police, the incident took place inside a residence in the Parkhill Road and George Street North area at around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The victim was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre before being airlifted to a Toronto hospital.
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Police say they believe the shooting was an isolated incident.
There will be an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 ext 555. An anonymous report can be made be contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at stopcrimehere.ca
The late Erin Sullivan (left), pictured with her grandmother and her friend Megan Murphy at the 2013 ReFrame Film Festival, where Murphy screened her short documentary "Shelf Life" about Sullivan's life with cystic fibrosis. For the third year, Murphy will be hosting a fundraiser kitchen party in Sullivan's honour on March 27, 2026 at the Ennismore Community Centre. All proceeds will be going towards the remaining balance of The Erin Sullivan House, a One City Peterborough home that supports people coming out of homelessness. (Photo: ReFrame Film Festival)
It’s always a joyful occasion when Erin Sullivan’s friends and family gather in her honour while raising funds for a cause that was dear to the late Ennismore resident’s heart.
On Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., the Ennismore Community Centre will become a place of song, stories, dance, and laughter during the third annual Erin’s House kitchen party fundraiser, sponsored by Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital. Proceeds will go towards the mortgage of a home owned by One City Peterborough that was named in Sullivan’s honour.
Tickets, available in advance only, are $25 and can be purchased by sending an e-transfer to erinshouse@onecityptbo.ca or by calling 705-772-9291.
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“It’s very celebratory,” says fundraiser organizer Jane Wilson. “People come thoroughly prepared to enjoy themselves and they do. The music is great and it’s very happy, it’s really positive, it’s really upbeat. Since most of the people have known Erin and they know her family, there are always lots of stories shared. But in between it’s a lot of fun and it’s really joyful.”
Wilson and her fellow co-organizer Joanne Rowland met Sullivan through The Buddhist Place and became good friends through the volunteer work Sullivan did in the community.
“She was really active in downtown Peterborough and did a lot of work at St. John’s (Anglican Church) when they had a food kitchen supporting the homeless population (called One Roof),” says Wilson. “It was very close to her heart. She felt very strongly about it, and she acted on it.”
VIDEO: “Shelf Life” by Megan Murphy
In 2022, at the age of 43, Sullivan died of cystic fibrosis — 26 years past the life expectancy she was given at birth. A recipient of a double lung transplant, she was in and out of the hospital though she always found her way back to volunteering for her community.
“The summer before Erin died, I remember having a conversation with her while we were having coffee and she said, ‘If I had lots of money, I’d just buy houses for all these people because people need a place to live,'” Wilson recalls.
Wanting to make that dream a reality after her death, Sullivan’s friends and family contacted One City Peterborough, a local non-profit that supports the inclusion of people that who have experienced homelessness and/or criminalization. In addition to operating the Trinity Community Centre that offers an overnight shelter and daily drop-in program, the organization owns homes and work with private landlords to provide affordable housing opportunities.
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One of these homes is now called The Erin Sullivan House, or Erin’s House, and gives a permanent home to four residents. Having supported people coming out of homelessness since 2020, the home was purchased by One City Peterborough in 2023 through a vendor take-back mortgage with the previous owner and a $225,000 anonymous donation.
“One City is great. They do so much and they’re constantly progressing, buying houses, and putting people in permanent homes. They’re helping one person at a time,” says Wilson. “Our job was to just chip away at the rest of the mortgage and that’s what we’ve been doing through different little fundraisers.”
For the third year in a row, Peterborough filmmaker, playwright, and performer Megan Murphy will be hosting the event that will see music from The Kitchen Party Band and other local musicians. Murphy was a close friend of Sullivan for more than 30 years and, in 2011, she made a short film about Sullivan titled Shelf Life. When staging the world premiere of Murphy’s play Wild Irish Geese last summer, 4th Line Theatre donated $2 from all ticket sales for the August 25 performance to Erin’s House.
The Kitchen Party Band is one of the local musical acts that will be performing during the celebratory fundraiser in honour of late Ennismore resident Erin Sullivan, who died from cystic fibrosis in October 2022. Hosted by Megan Murphy, the third annual event on March 27, 2026 at the Ennismore Community Centre will also include a silent auction, stories, and a cash bar. (Photo: Kitchen Party Band)
The March 27 fundraiser will also include a silent auction with prizes donated by Millbrook Valley Chocolates, 4th Line Theatre, Moody’s Bar & Grill, Millbrook Mercantile, and many other local businesses and makers.
Organizers are still seeking donors and sponsors. Those interested can email Wilson at jlouisewilson226@gmail.com.
Last year alone, the event raised $19,000 for Erin’s House. The remaining mortgage balance now sits at just under $137,000, which Wilson says they will continue to support while also celebrating Sullivan through the lively kitchen party she would have loved.
“Erin was very beloved by her family and friends, and this is a real celebration,” says Wilson. “It’s a very good thing to be involved (in). It’s very much a family event because Erin has a wonderful family and they’re all there supporting her. It’s really lovely.” Mike and Clare Sullivan, parents of the late Erin Sullivan, dance to live music during the first annual Erin’s House fundraiser held in 2024. The annual celebratory event of music, stories, and dance has helped to raise the remaining balance, which now stands at just under $137,000, of One City Peterborough’s Erin Sullivan House, providing affordable housing for those coming out of homelessness. (Photo: Jessica Carroll)
The original version of this story has been updated to correct the phone number to call for tickets.
On International Women’s Day (March 8), the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has opened applications for the 2026 Hazel Education Bursary in support of the educational advancement of women who have experienced gender-based violence.
The organization’s board of directors, through its education awards committee and supported by community donors, offers bursaries between between $500 and $2,500 to women residing in the city and county of Peterborough and Haliburton County.
Applications are open until 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1 to women who have experienced barriers related to the impact of violence and abuse, have a dream to strengthen their economic security, and seek to further develop their formal or informal education or training.
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Funding from the bursary can be used towards a range of educational pursuits from post-secondary programs and classes to skill enhancement, career training, and more. Women who have applied to or received the bursary in previous years are welcome to apply again.
A recipient of the Hazel Education Bursary says she is “truly grateful for the opportunity to share my experience.”
“The bursary eased the financial strain and provided me the opportunity to focus solely on my studies and make the most of my course certification,” she says in a statement. “Thank you for believing in me and for helping make this chapter of my life possible.”
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The YWCA awards the Hazel Education Bursary in honour of a local woman who, while fighting cancer, removed herself and her three children from what her daughter describes as “a life of domination and violence,” and later used her experiences to help other women in similar circumstances.
Hazel passed away in 1996 after a long battle with breast cancer, and the fund was created in 1998 by friends and admirers to carry on her vision.
In 2021, the YWCA merged the longstanding YWCA Hazel Education Award and the YWCA Long Term Education Award, which was established in 2016, into the Hazel Education Bursary to simplify the application process for women whether their educational dream is a course, a diploma, or a degree program.
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Every year since, the YWCA has opened applications for the Hazel Education Bursary on International Women’s Day. To honour Hazel’s own request, women from rural communities are given special consideration for the bursary award, given the unique challenges they face including isolation and lack of transportation.
Lesley Heighway, president and CEO of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, and Dr. Lynn Mikula, president and CEO of PRHC, have a strong working relationship and shared ambition for meeting the needs of regional healthcare. A rare occurrence as a female-led partnership between hospital and foundation, Heighway and Dr. Mikula are encouraging women to have confidence in stepping into leadership positions this International Women's Day. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
It’s not common to have a woman-led hospital working in collaboration with a woman-led hospital foundation. Even less common is a partnership that is so perfectly aligned in vision and motivation to serve the community.
That’s what makes the one between the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and the PRHC Foundation so exceptional, and gives patients and donors the confidence to put trust in their guidance.
This International Women’s Day, PRHC and the PRHC Foundation are celebrating their female leadership and the successful partnership between them.
Before joining the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation in 2008 and then leading it since 2011, Lesley Heighway spent much of her career working in healthcare and wellness. While working on an initiative that supported dental clinics in Cambodia, Heighway realized she wanted to seek a job in the not-for-profit sector where she could see the impact of her work on the community. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
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“From the Foundation’s perspective, as much as donors are generously donating financial support, in a sense it’s not only about the money — it’s also about the mission,” says PRHC Foundation President and CEO Lesley Heighway.
“When a donor makes a financial contribution to the PRHC Foundation, at the core of their philanthropy they’re giving to make things better. From that perspective, it is important that the community sees this great partnership that we have with the hospital, knows there’s that strong level of alignment, and knows that we’re doing the planning together in terms of our work and how it supports the work of the hospital.”
Prior to joining PRHC Foundation in 2008 and leading the organization since 2011, Heighway spent much of her career working in healthcare and wellness, including in the pharmaceutical side of the dental industry and at a resort for wellness. It was while raising funds for an initiative that supports dental clinics in Cambodia that Heighway fully realized where she belonged.
“It was at that point that I purposefully sought out something in the not-for-profit sector where I could see the impact of my work and of the organization’s work touching a very broad base of the community,” she says.
Dr. Lynn Mikula has been the president and CEO of Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) since 2023. She began her training as a surgeon and developed a thriving practice before beginning to do administrative work allowed her to see how she could use her leadership skills to support the professionals delivering care. (Photo courtesy of PRHC)
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For PRHC President and CEO Dr. Lynn Mikula, who has been in her role since 2023, it was not always her intention to lead a hospital. Instead, she trained and worked hard to become a surgeon with a thriving practice but, as she began to do more administrative work, she saw an opportunity to use her leadership skills in a different way.
“There was a moment when I realized that I could actually do a lot of good by making sure that the hospital, the organization, and the system are supporting the people who actually deliver the care in the best way possible,” Dr. Mikula says. “I’ve found great reward by focusing on how to best support the people who are delivering the care and making sure that the hospital is there for patients when they need us.”
Their roles as leaders extend outside the hospital, as Dr. Mikula and Heighway are both mothers. They agree this experience has also taught them much about how to lead, in particular with humility, compassion, empathy, and patience.
“While in your professional work, if you’re the CEO, people are looking to you as the leader to show the way,” Heighway says. “Certainly at home, you’re modelling all of the right behaviours. You’re trying to support your children as best you can, but ultimately, they’re going to chart their own path. Sometimes, that might not be the path that you foresaw. It might be in a completely different direction, but you step behind them and you’re supportive.”
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) interventional radiologist Dr. Fady Abdelsayed, PRHC Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway, and PRHC president and CEO Dr. Lynn Mikula stand in front of the state-of-the-art technology in the newest interventional radiology suite during a celebratory event held on December 9, 2025 at the regional hospital. The new suite and two existing and upgraded suites were made possible by a $6 million donor-funded investment, part of the PRHC Foundation’s $70 million Campaign for PRHC. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)
Since the PRHC Foundation launched the $70 million Campaign for PRHC, the largest fundraising campaign in the hospital’s history, more than 86 per cent of the goal has been raised to date.
These funds have already supported life-changing initiatives including, among others, upgrading the cardiac cath lab, opening a new inpatient care space designed to prepare patients for their return home, developing an outdoor healing space for patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and upgrading and expanding the interventional radiology suites.
According to Heighway, the key to the successful partnership between the hospital and its foundation is the “shared ambition” for the vision of the regional hospital.
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“It’s very bold,” says Heighway. “Our role is to step alongside the hospital as a Foundation with our donors to support that vision as best as possible and to be aligned. We’re always speaking from the same playbook and understanding each other’s efforts. That benefits our donors because, whether it’s me or our team out in the community, they know that we are representing the vision and the work of the hospital.”
“When our two organizations align around a shared priority, then we do incredible things for patient care,” adds Dr. Mikula, who explains that the PRHC Foundation is an essential part of the relationship the hospital has with each and every patient, loved one, and caregiver who steps through its doors.
“If that relationship was productive and healthy and served the patient in the way that they were hoping, they want to give back to the hospital and that happens through the Foundation,” she says. “To me, I view this as an extension of the caregiver-patient relationship. Healthcare does not just happen in that one moment. It goes much, much further. And that’s why this — the hospital and Foundation — is the most important partnership to me.”
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) president and CEO Dr. Lynn Mikula (right) speaking with the Emergency Department Unit Clerk at the regional hospital. Dr. Mikula supports breaking down barriers for women in healthcare, especially in leadership positions since they are not often filled by women despite the workforce being largely female. (Photo courtesy of PRHC)
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This year the theme of International Women’s Day is “Give to Gain,” which encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration as a way to forge gender equality. This is why support for mentorship and professional development are important to both Dr. Mikula and Heighway.
Though surgery is not traditionally a female-dominated industry, Dr. Mikula says she felt “fortunate” to have been supported during her training. Only as she became a more senior leader did she learn the extent of barriers that exist for women in the healthcare sector and realize she needed to give back.
“I needed to do what was done for me, which is to make those barriers go away so that other women could thrive and reach their full potential, because then we all do better,” Dr. Mikula says. “It’s better for everyone.”
While the healthcare workforce is largely female across all job roles, leadership positions only make up a small portion of those roles. Dr. Mikula suggests that female professionals in healthcare leadership do not receive pay equivalent to commensurate roles in male-dominated professions.
“We need to keep working for every single role in healthcare,” she says. “How do we develop women to step into leadership roles? How do we make it an opportunity? How do we make it structurally easy? The fact that they may want to have a family should not be a barrier. And then, how do we make sure that we are rewarding the kind of leadership that women bring, which is often different? It’s all about how you recognize and elevate the value that women bring to this wonderful profession.”
Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation president and CEO Lesley Heighway speaks to donors during the launch of the Campaign for PRHC in 2024. The $70 million campaign, the largest in the hospital’s history, has raised more than 86 per cent of its goal to date. Early campaign investments include upgrading the cardiac cath lab, opening a new inpatient care recovery space, and developing an outdoor healing space for patients of the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
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Heighway suggests the same barriers exist on the Foundation’s side, given that 80 per cent of the workforce in the not-for-profit sector is female and yet, in leadership roles, they earn nearly 18 per cent less than their male counterparts.
Like Dr. Mikula, Heighway participates in mentee programs and is proud of the way the Foundation invests in professional development.
“As I look around Peterborough, there are so many wonderful people who’ve begun their careers at PRHC Foundation, grown, and maybe taken a step outward,” she says. “Investment and mentorship are so key. I believe we all do better when women can achieve their full potential.”
Dr. Lynn Mikula, president and CEO of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Lesley Heighway, president and CEO of PRHC Foundation, believe in increasing opportunities for women in the female-dominated healthcare and philanthropy workforces to step into leadership roles. Both women say we all do better when women can achieve their full potential. (Photo courtesy of PRHC Foundation)
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This International Women’s Day, the message from Dr. Mikula and Heighway for women in leadership positions is to be brave, try not to let feelings of imposter syndrome be an obstacle to taking the next step in your career journey, and continue to lead with confidence even when facing uncertainties.
“One of the things I value most about our partnership is the opportunity to talk through uncertainties, worries, and anxieties and then to support each other in going ahead and making the decision and figuring out how it’s going to work out,” says Dr. Mikula.
“There is still so much joy in leadership and so much that you gain from being a leader. It’s a wonderful job that I feel very privileged to have, but it does take just being a little bit brave and realizing ‘I might not always get it all right, but I’m going to do it anyway.'”
“I think women are maybe a little more predisposed to wanting to have every single ‘i’ dotted and ‘t’ crossed before taking that step,” Heighway adds. “But just take the step. Just have confidence. Don’t be afraid to chart a new path or new direction for yourself.”
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the PRHC Foundation. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
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