If you’re thinking of running as a candidate in this fall’s municipal election, the City of Peterborough and the townships of Peterborough County are hosting a free information session in downtown Peterborough at the end of March.
“So, You Want to Run for Council – Candidate 101 Information Session” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre is designed for anyone interested in running for municipal council, as well as their spouses or partners, and anyone interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of municipal council members.
The two-hour session will be led by Nigel Bellchamber, an experienced municipal governance trainer who has worked with elected officials and senior staff across Ontario since 2002.
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The session will cover municipal powers, roles and responsibilities, strong mayor powers, the public’s role in local government, the difference between governance and administration, and municipal conflict of interest and other personal responsibilities.
Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, meet others, and learn about the expectations and realities of public office. The session is not a forum to debate political issues and will not deal with the technical aspects of running a campaign.
Located in Selwyn Township, McLean Berry Farm is one of more than 800 farms operating on more than 180,000 acres of farmland across Peterborough County. To support the farms that significantly contribute to the region's economic prosperity, Peterborough County Economic Development is supporting and promotes initiatives like the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which makes it easy for food buyers to purchase wholesale from local producers. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
“If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.”
Those words by M.S. Swaminathan, a luminary in sustainable agriculture and the architect of India’s Green Revolution, reflect the guiding philosophy of Peterborough County when it comes to supporting the agriculture sector in The Kawarthas — including through the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program.
“There are over 800 farms operating and 180,000 acres that are being actively farmed right now across the county and we want to make sure that continues,” says Rhonda Keenan, general manager of Peterborough County Economic Development. “Our producers are community builders. They want to see the community grow and thrive and, in turn, we would like to see their business grow and thrive.”
A popular stop for both locals and visitors, Leahy’s Farm and Market is located on Highway 28 in Douro-Dummer Township south of Lakefield. Farmers often face time and financial challenges that can limit their ability to expand beyond farm gates and farmers’ markets. For that reason, Peterborough County is supporting initiatives like the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale and Kawartha Choice FarmFresh initiatives that make it easier for local producers to connect with wholesale buyers and consumers. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
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With Canada’s Agriculture Day marking its 10th anniversary of celebrating the country’s agriculture and food sector on Tuesday, February 10, Peterborough County is reaffirming its goal of supporting the hardworking people who bring food to our tables and the important contributions of agriculture to Canada’s prosperity, health, and well-being.
“The approach that we’re taking in Peterborough County is that we really need to look after our farms and producers, in part for our own security,” Keenan says. “With everything that’s happening globally right now, it’s important to know where our food is coming from and who we’re supporting when we buy that food. People have become so much more aware of that when they’re making their purchases.”
That’s why Peterborough County is encouraging local food producers and buyers to participate in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program. Funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business, the program aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by supporting expanded production and procurement within the county, as well as the City of Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Located in Bailieboro in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township, Rolling Grape Vineyard is one example of agritourism in Peterborough County. The boutique winery offers farm-to-table dining, with wines made on site paired with food made from locally sourced ingredients. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
“Small business makes up a lot of our economy in Peterborough County,” says Keenan. “Small business owners are the HR managers, the production crew, the marketing agency — they wear all the hats — so when they’re trying to grow their business, there are a lot of constraints on them and on how much they can actually do in a day.”
For farmers, Keenan adds, that often creates challenges for growing their business beyond farm gates and farmers’ markets. As a result, they may end up working a second job beyond the farm, which further restricts their opportunities to grow.
The Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiative aims to support the growth of local food producers by streamlining their connections with local food buyers such as restaurants, retail, food services, tourist attractions, golf courses, and more.
Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes are seeking participants for the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which helps wholesale buyers connect with local producers. Early phases of the project saw producers and buyers participating in group training and one-on-one mentorship to better understand wholesale production and purchasing possibilities, followed by the development of the Green Circle food hub in partnership with Graze & Gather. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
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Originally launched in late 2023, the program began with local food producers and buyers participating in group training and one-on-one coaching to better understand the possibilities that exist, followed by the development of the Green Circle food hub in partnership with Graze & Gather, a website originally created by Orono farmer Dave Kranenburg as an online farmers’ market.
Today, Kawartha Local Food Wholesale means producers in Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes can connect with buyers all in one place, expanding local food distribution and the local food economy while also saving producers and buyers time and money.
“Our ultimate goal was to make life easier for everyone and to be able to increase the yield for each of the producers,” says Keenan. “Now we have something that’s ready to go, we have producers that have product that they want to get into the market, and we have buyers that are now wanting to purchase.”
Located in Douro-Dummer Township, Hobart’s Lighthouse is one of many local businesses that support local farmers by using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. Through the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, Peterborough County and the City of Kawartha Lakes are supporting the growth of local food producers by streamlining their connections with local food buyers such as restaurants, retail, food services, tourist attractions, golf courses, and more. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
Peterborough County also continues to partner with the City of Peterborough and the City Kawartha Lakes to deliver the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh initiative.
Established in 2003, Kawartha Choice FarmFresh is a free-to-join regional economic development program that provides a brand identity for local food and farm products grown and produced in The Kawarthas, a network for members to share ideas and access resources, and an online database for buyers to find local producers.
“It’s so important to know if the food we’re buying is local and where it’s available,” Keenan says.
Kawartha Choice FarmFresh is a free-to-join regional economic development program that provides a brand identity for local food and farm products grown and produced in The Kawarthas, a network for members to share ideas and access resources, and an online database for buyers to find local producers. A member of Kawartha Choice FarmFresh, Wagner Maple Products has been producing maple syrup on their 97.5-acre farm in Douro-Dummer Township since 1977. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
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Beyond connecting local food producers with local buyers, Peterborough County also supports agritourism projects that are ideal for farms seeking additional sources of revenue. These opportunities include farm-to-table dining experiences, immersive on-farm experiences, educational experiences, and more.
“Interest in learning about farm life and being connected to a farm is a growing trend,” Keenan notes. “It’s about coming out and experiencing things on a farm in a different way, and it’s an experience that helps you connect with where our food comes from while also being another revenue generator for farms.”
“In a time when we’re constantly scrolling on our phones, it’s nice to be able to connect back to nature through farms and the food that is being produced there. We’re constantly seeing a lot of interest from visitors, as well as locals, trying to understand what farming looks like, connecting with farmers, and learning a little bit about their food.”
Beyond connecting local food producers with local buyers, Peterborough County is also supporting agritourism projects that are ideal for farms seeking additional sources of revenue. These opportunities include farm-to-table dining experiences, immersive on-farm experiences, educational experiences, and more. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)
Over the coming weeks, Peterborough County will be partnering with kawarthaNOW on The Local Advantage with Peterborough County series, which highlights the programs and initiatives supporting the local agriculture sector.
The series celebrates the farmers, producers, retailers, and agritourism businesses that make The Kawarthas thrive, spotlighting the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale and Kawartha Choice FarmFresh initiatives which aim to strengthen connections from farm to table across the region.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Peterborough County Economic Development. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary in Roseneath has launched a fundraising campaign to build an "oasis" for Daisy and Sally, two blind miniature donkeys who have bonded with one another. To be built on the newly acquired property across the road from the existing sanctuary, the new shelter will provide the two donkeys with a larger space that's safe for them to roam around on their own, is set up for hydro and water, and will allow vet access. (Photo: Sheila Burns)
When Sheila Burns founded PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary in 2000, her vision was to provide a home so neglected animals could find healing and love. Now, more than 25 years later, she continues to make sure every single donkey feels content in their new home.
That’s why the charity is currently raising funds to build an “oasis” so two blind donkeys can find safety and comfort without changing how they go about their day-to-day life.
Daisy and Sally are miniature donkeys who arrived at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary last year. Daisy, who is 24 years old, has severe cataracts that caused her to lose her sight while 21-year-old Sally was born blind. But that didn’t stop them from becoming bonded three years ago and sticking by each other’s side ever since.
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“They’re always together. When one of them strays away, the other will start doing a circle to make sure there are no obstacles in their area,” says Burns, noting that they’ll stop doing the anxious circles once they are reunited. “It’s amazing how they work things out together.”
Currently, Daisy and Sally reside in a lean-to that is closed off from the public so they can feel safe. This area, however, is still in the barn, meaning they can still hear and smell the more than 50 other animals who reside at the sanctuary.
“They have their own water and their hay in mangers, but they don’t have the security of their own little spot away from other donkeys,” Burns says. “It’s secure and it’s out of the weather, but it’s not the biggest. They need something a bit bigger where they can walk and get more exercise.”
While 24-year-old miniature donkey Daisy at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary in Roseneath has severe cataracts that have left her totally blind, she navigates her daily life with Sally, another blind miniature donkey with whom she is bonded. Currently, the two donkeys are living in the barn alongside the sanctuary’s other donkeys which puts them at risk of walking into other animals or obstacles. (Photo: Sheila Burns)
This also means an unchanging space that is big enough for Daisy and Sally to roam freely, but without being so big that they feel lost or confused.
“When they’re blind like this, they can’t go out in the field and run and wander around freely,” says Burns. “Out in the field, (other) donkeys are wandering around and so they walk into each other, they might step on a rock, and they might have other obstacles.”
Those who have visited the sanctuary before might have met some of the other blind donkeys who live on the farm. The very first, Patsy, had a “seeing eye donkey” named Jonathan Cupcake who looked after her.
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“She could put her head on his back, and he would lead her into a shelter, or he’d lead her away from donkeys that were playing and running,” Burns says.
“But these girls (Daisy and Sally) don’t have anybody like that. They just have each other and their blindness, so we have to make their environment safe and secure so that they won’t have to worry about bumping up against anything or being in touch with anything they don’t recognize.”
Burns adds that she doesn’t think there’s any chance Sally or Daisy will have their own seeing eye donkeys to guide them.
Sally is a 21-year-old blind miniature donkey residing at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary in Roseneath who has bonded with 24-year-old Daisy, who is also blind. Blind donkeys have unique needs and require an unchanging environment, which is why the sanctuary has launched a campaign to raise funds to build a new “oasis” for Sally and Daisy. (Photo: Sheila Burns)
“I think introducing another animal to them would just stress them right out, so we’ll just leave them the way they are and get them this nice little oasis going and they’ll feel very secure and comfortable,” Burns explains.
After all, she says, they manage well on their own already as a bonded pair, so there’s no need to mix up how they interact with the world.
“When you have an animal with a physical illness like blindness or deafness, you always feel so sorry for them and that they’re missing out on so much of life,” she says. “But these two have bonded and they’re just so attached to each other that between the two of them, they pretty well get the day figured out.”
The oasis will be constructed on PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary’s newly acquired 14-acre property across County Road 9 at the back of the farm and Burns hopes construction will begin this spring.
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Though the charity is still in the process of designing the oasis — which might depend on how much money the campaign raises — Burns says it will be four seasons, secure from the wind, and have access to hydro and water. It will also accommodate access for groomers, hoof care providers, and veterinary care so Daisy and Sally never have to leave.
“This will be a safe space. No other donkeys there and limited people going in because they’re very nervous still of strangers, which is understandable,” she says. “I’m very excited to get this thing going. It’ll be absolutely wonderful for the girls.”
The planned “oasis” for blind miniature donkeys Sally and Daisy at PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary in Roseneath means they will have their own space that is completely separate from the other donkeys at the sanctuary and provides them with a larger space to roam freely as they can’t go out in the field with the other donkeys due to safety concerns. (Photo: Sheila Burns)
Jena Trimble founded Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services in 2020 to support clients across The Kawarthas. Now taking on more residential clients, the company and its dedicated team offers deep cleans and regular maintenance as well as additional services including wash-and-fold laundry services with free pickup and delivery. Jena's team of full-time and part-time cleaning professionals uses an original all-natural and all-purpose cleaner that's also available for purchase and refills. (Photo: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services)
If a spotless and polished floor, a fridge decluttered of last month’s forgotten leftovers, and freshly laundered sheets are the kind of things that bring you serenity, then you’re in luck.
The aptly named Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services is taking on new residential clients, with owner Jena Trimble and her team ready to clean your space and clear your mind.
Headquartered at 14 Mary Street in Havelock, Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services is celebrating six years of business this spring. What began in 2020 from Jena’s desire to have a flexible schedule to accommodate time with her kids has blossomed into a year-round business, committed to providing high-quality service for home, cottage, and commercial spaces.
Jena has built a team of full-time and part-time professionals who love what they do and whose dedication to the small details keeps their clients satisfied. She also keeps her employees satisfied by maintaining a positive and supportive work environment, offering staff a flexible schedule and paying them above the industry standard.
Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services will service clients anywhere from Peterborough to Madoc and Apsley to Hastings and all surrounding areas. Whether your residence needs a one-time deep clean or regular maintenance, the company offers personal cleaning plans tailored to your space and schedule. Seniors get 10 per cent off all services.
Jena works alongside her clients to create a customizable checklist that will ensure their space looks and feels the same after every clean. Following each visit, clients receive a completed checklist that confirms how long the cleaners were at their home, what they did, and if there were any problems.
Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services owner Jena Trimble works with clients to develop a personalized cleaning checklist, which is sent to clients after every visit specifying long the cleaners were there, what they did, and if there were any problems. As well as one-time deep cleans or regular maintenance, the company can also provide move-in cleanups, cottage opening cleanups, turn-over cleanups for short-term rentals, and more. (Photo: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services)
Along with personalized cleaning checklists, Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning practices. Jena’s team uses an original all-natural and all-purpose cleaning product that’s eco-friendly and made without harsh chemicals. Zen’s products are also available for purchase, with lemon and lemongrass scents to choose from, and $5 refills make it easy to keep your home always smelling and feeling fresh between cleanings.
Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services can provide turn-over cleanups for short-term rentals, as well as cottage opening cleanups and construction cleans.
Beyond keeping your space spick-and-span, Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services also offers additional services, including laundry services for both residential and commercial properties with free pickup and delivery. Laundry will be washed, dried, folded, and delivered within one or two days.
For property maintenance and other maintenance needs like snow removal, electrical, and plumbing, and snow removal, Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services has a network of subcontractors and referrals to ensure you never lose your peace of mind.
Know Your Locals™ is a branded editorial feature about locally owned independent businesses and locally operated organizations, and supported by them. If your business or organization is interested in being featured in a future “Know Your Locals” branded editorial, contact Jeannine Taylor at 705-742-6404 or jt@kawarthanow.com or visit our Advertise with kawarthaNOW page.
The City of Peterborough is presenting the annual Snofest family-friendly winter festival on the Family Day long weekend from February 13 to 16, 2026. This year, free indoor skating will run on Family Day Monday on both ice pads at the Miskin Law Community Complex. Other Snofest events take place at McDonnel Street Community Centre, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, Quaker Foods City Square, the Peterborough Public Library, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. (Photo: City of Peterborough)
The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to celebrate the season during Snofest, its annual family winter festival running daily through the Family Day long weekend from Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16.
With a slate of free activities ranging from swimming and skating to arts, crafts, and community meals, Snofest is designed to encourage people of all ages to enjoy winter and to connect with one another.
“Whether you’re swimming, skating, or enjoying one of the many free events happening throughout Family Day weekend, Snofest reminds us that the best way to stay warm is by sharing in the energy and spirit of our community,” says Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal in a media release.
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Friday, February 13
Snofest kicks off Friday morning with a free workshop titled “Getting the Most from Your Healthcare Appointment” at the McDonnel Street Community Centre (577 McDonnel St.). Running from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the session focuses on preparing for medical appointments and using action planning to support better health outcomes. The workshop will be followed by a free buffet-style hot lunch and social hour for seniors.
Later in the day, activities shift to the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre (775 Brealey Dr.), where families can also take part in a dinosaur pop-up from 5 to 8 p.m. hosted by staff from the Peterborough Museum and Archives, featuring dinosaur-themed crafts and information about the museum’s carnivorous dinosaurs exhibit.
There will also be free fun swim from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
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Saturday, February 14
On Saturday morning, the Peterborough Public Library is hosting Snofest story time and winter crafts at its main branch at 345 Aylmer Street from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Later in the morning, Quaker Foods City Square on Charlotte Street just east of Aylmer will be transformed into Snofest Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organized in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, the downtown space will feature fire pits and seating along with a mix of wellness and arts programming.
Activities include Snoga (snow yoga) with Summer Soul Yoga & Wellness from noon to 12:30 p.m., a children’s chorus led by Shannon McCracken from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and a salsa dancing session with Victoria of T-Elle Boutique from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Free skating on the square’s outdoor rink will also be available throughout the event.
Drop by the Riverview Park and Zoo (1300 Water St.) at 1:30 p.m. for a special otter enrichment session where you can meet the zoo’s otters and learn more about their winter care. The 1:30 p.m. session will also take place on Sunday and Monday.
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Sunday, February 15
Sunday begins with the mayor’s annual Snofest pancake breakfast at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, running from 7 a.m. to noon. Residents are invited to enjoy free pancakes along with hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
In the afternoon, Snofest programming continues at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (250 Crescent St.), where visitors can take part in a gallery scavenger hunt and create a “Snofest Pete” collage. Current exhibitions at the gallery (“Traces” by Tyler Durbano and “Lithic Life” by Cole Swanson) will also be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Monday, February 16
Snofest wraps up on Family Day Monday with a full slate of free drop-in sports at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, including pickleball from 6 to 9 a.m., basketball from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and badminton from noon to 2 p.m.
Free skating and winter crafts will also be offered at the Miskin Law Community Complex (271 Lansdowne St. W.). Skating runs from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. on both ice pads, sponsored by Royal LePage ProAlliance, while drop-in winter craft activities take place in the multipurpose room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nadine Djoury, Naomi Snieckus, and Paloma Nuñez in the Lindsay episode of "I'm Also Here," a new comedy anthology TV series produced by Firecracker Department and C'mon Mort Productions and premiering on Bell Fibe TV1 on February 12, 2026. Entirely written, directed, and starring women and non-binary artists, each episode of the six-part series explores a different Ontario small town, including Lindsay, Cobourg, and Bobcaygeon. The Lindsay episode, about an indecisive bride who finds herself forced to choose which friendships deserve a place beside her, was filmed at the Cornapalooza cornhole festival in Lindsay. (Screenshot courtesy of Firecracker Department)
A cornhole tournament in Lindsay, a seniors’ home in Bobcaygeon, and a massage therapy clinic in Cobourg. These may not seem like they have much in common, but they all provide the setting for a new comedy series premiering in February that’s entirely written and directed by women and non-binary artists.
Produced by Firecracker Department and C’mon Mort Productions, I’m Also Here is comprised of six episodes, each telling an original everyday story set in a small Ontario town. Along with Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, and Cobourg in the Kawarthas, episodes were also filmed in the Ontario towns of Cornwall, Arnprior, and Brockville.
“I wanted to do something that’s not just a typical series of following one person’s journey through the series,” says Naomi Snieckus, showrunner and founder of Firecracker Department, who also wrote the three episodes set in the Kawarthas.
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“I was really inspired by movies like Paris, je t’aime (“Paris, I Love You”), which is an anthology of love letters to Paris,” Snieckus adds. “These are anthologies, standalone episodes, but if you watch them all together, you can see the through-line. Audiences end up putting it together.”
Including Snieckus and co-creator Liesl Lafferty, the show was created with four writers, six directors, 11 cast members, and three directors of photography — all of whom are female or non-binary artists.
Carving out spaces for underrepresented voices has been at the heart of Firecracker Department since Snieckus launched it 10 years ago. Best known for playing Bobbi in the CBC Television sitcom Mr. D, Snieckus was in Los Angeles at the time and began a podcast to interview female and non-binary voices.
VIDEO: “I’m Also Here” trailer
“I was in comedy, so I was always being asked ‘What’s it like being a woman in comedy?'” Snieckus says. “That kind of question blew my mind. The podcast gave me a chance not only to shine a light on extraordinary women and non-binary filmmakers and artists, but it gave me an opportunity to build a community.”
I’m Also Here, the first show from Firecracker Department, was created with that community at the heart. Each experienced writer and director had mentees working with them side-by-side and learning from them.
“I can mentor people because I’ve had experience, but the person standing next to me with less experience can also be my mentor because they’re coming at it from a different angle,” says Snieckus. “I feel like my mentor hat goes from mentee to mentor all the time.”
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Each of the six episodes in the series tells a different story and has a different cast, except for Snieckus who appears in each episode. Also linking the episodes together is a plastic bag that drifts between towns and narration by award-winning actress Kathryn Greenwood (Whose Line is it Anyway?, Ghosts).
Attentive viewers will also notice each town’s slogan is the first line of dialogue in its respective episode.
Before the episodes were written, the creative team did research on each community to find some compelling and unique characteristics that could be the centre of the stories.
Naomi Snieckus, Leslie Adlam, and Kayla Lorette star in the Bobcaygeon episode of “I’m Also Here,” a new comedy anthology TV series produced by Firecracker Department and C’mon Mort Productions and premiering on Bell Fibe TV1 on February 12, 2026. Filmed at Bobcaygeon Seniors Centre, the episode follows a quirky caregiver who risks everything to pursue a dream of becoming a stand-up comic, despite her co-worker’s concern that she’s not very funny. (Screenshot courtesy of Firecracker Department)
That’s how the Lindsay episode came to be set at the very real cornhole festival, Cornapalooza.
In the episode, directed by Hannah Cheesman (The Boathouse), an indecisive bride finds herself forced to choose which friendships deserve a place beside her during her pre-wedding weekend.
“We filmed during that (at Cornapalooza) and it was hilarious,” says Snieckus. “We didn’t know that (Cornapalooza) existed, so we really got educated. It reflects the title ‘I’m Also Here,’ because a lot of these small towns might feel like they’re being outshone by the bigger towns, but they’re also really great and worth exploring.”
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The Cobourg episode, which was directed by Winnie Jong (Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent) and filmed at The Healing Centre, follows anthropomorphized emotions as they battle for dominance, with Anxiety and Self-Doubt competing for control.
In Bobcaygeon, the episode is set in the lunchroom of the Bobcaygeon Senior Centre where a quirky caregiver risks everything to pursue a dream of becoming a stand-up comic, despite concern from co-workers that she’s not very funny. The episode was directed by Aleysa Young (Baroness Von Sketch Show).
The Arnprior episode was written by Snieckus’ co-creator Liesl Lafferty (Does Anybody Hear?), with the Cornwall episode written by Robin Duke (SCTV, Saturday Night Live), who also is among the episode’s cast.
Naomi Snieckus and Krista Jang star in the Cobourg episode of “I’m Also Here” ,” a new comedy anthology TV series produced by Firecracker Department and C’mon Mort Productions and premiering on Bell Fibe TV1 on February 12, 2026. Filmed at The Healing Centre in Cobourg, the episode features anthropomorphized emotions Anxiety and Self-Doubt battling for dominance. (Screenshot courtesy of Firecracker Department)
The Brockville episode, whose cast include Peterborough’s own Linda Kash — best known as Canada’s original Philly Cream Cheese Angel and for her roles in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, Seinfeld, Fargo, and many more — was written by Wendy Litner (How to Buy a Baby).
“The thing that was really important to me as a showrunner was that each episode stood alone in style and in tone and voice,” Snieckus says. “Robin Duke wrote an episode that’s very Robin Duke-esque and Wendy Litner’s is very Wendy Litner. Everybody brought their own voices.”
With such an all-star cast and crew, it’s no surprise that for Snieckus, one of the best parts was seeing everyone “come together,” and she hopes another season will be on the horizon so she can do it all again soon.
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“It was so much fun to do this kind of work where we go into the towns to discover what’s exciting,” she says. “At the end of the day, this show is about collaboration, community, humour and jokes. I really hope people have a good laugh and maybe they’re inspired, and they take their inspiration and move it into creative action.”
I’m Also Here premieres on Thursday (February 12) on Bell Fibe TV1, Bell Canada’s community TV network that delivers original content from local creators.
Firecracker Department will be hosting a launch party from 6 to 10 p.m. on February 12 at the El Mocambo in Toronto, which will include a special screening of three episodes, a chance to meet the creators and cast, and a warm-up set by transgender comedian Ava Val. Free tickets are available at www.eventbrite.ca/e/1980032471423.
The City of Kawartha Lakes unveiled a sign on November 18, 2025 to mark the site of the new $50-million Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Headquarters at 230 Angeline Street South in Lindsay. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)
Ball Construction, the construction manager for the new Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Headquarters in Lindsay, is seeking trade contractors interested in working on a variety of projects for the major build, with construction expected to begin this summer with completion in 2028.
The $50-million headquarters at 230 Angeline Street South will provide modern facilities to support paramedic operations, including a state-of-the-art ambulance garage, maintenance and storage areas for paramedic supplies, an automated vehicle wash, a gymnasium and fitness areas, and offices, training rooms, and change rooms for staff.
As well as consolidating seven of the 11 existing paramedic facilities from multiple locations across Kawartha Lakes, the headquarters will also house administrative offices, training, logistics, and fleet operations. It will also provide a back-up location for the city’s critical IT infrastructure and serve as a back-up for 911, as it includes Kawartha Lakes Police Service’s Backup Communication Centre.
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Ball Construction is inviting pre-qualification submissions from interested trade contractors until Friday, March 6. Submissions can be sent to Brendon Aitken at Ball Construction Ltd., 5 Shirley Ave., Kitchener, ON N2G 4G8 or emailed to baitken@ballcon.com.
Submissions must include a CCDC 11 Contractor’s Qualification Statement with details of comparable projects completed in the last five years, current WSIB CAD-7 calculation and WSIB safety performance record, letter of insurance confirming liability coverage, letter from bonding agent confirming bonding limits, union affiliation confirmation (for applicable trades including operating engineers, carpenters, labourers, cement finishers, rodmen, and bricklayers), and full contact information.
Pre-qualified candidates will be notified via email prior to successive tender calls. Preliminary drawings can be requested by emailing baitken@ballcon.com.
An arsonist spreads gasoline around DashVapes in Mapleridge Plaza at 1840 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough in the early morning hours of February 5, 2026 before exiting through a broken storefront window and setting the gasoline on fire. (kawarthaNOW screenshots of Facebook video)
As Peterborough police investigate two arson incidents at local vape shops early Thursday morning (February 5), the owner of one of the shops has issued an open letter indicating they are not isolated incidents and calling for government action.
According to a police media release, the two arson incidents at two vape shops on Lansdowne Street West happened “minutes apart” between 3:30 and 4 a.m. on Thursday.
“In each case the front window of the business was smashed, and a gasoline can was found outside the business,” say police, adding that no one was injured in either fire.
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On Friday morning, Shai Bekman — who owns DashVapes in Mapleridge Plaza at 1840 Lansdowne Street West — posted security footage of the arson incident on Facebook along with an open letter “on violence against legal vape stores.”
The video shows a person smashing a covered storefront window and entering the shop with a gasoline container. After dousing a counter and the floor with gas, the person exits through the broken window and then throws a lit object inside the shop, which then bursts into flames.
“In the last three months alone, there have been five violent attacks on legitimate vape stores in the Peterborough area, including arson and firebombing,” Bekman writes. “These are not isolated incidents. They are not accidents. They are part of a growing pattern that anyone paying attention can see.”
VIDEO: Arson incident at DashVapes in Peterborough
According to Bekman, the black market in vape products is expanding while legal vape retailers face “excessive excise taxes” and are required to fully cover storefront windows, which “remove visibility and natural surveillance” and make “legal stores easier targets for crime.”
“When legal businesses are squeezed, and the black market is allowed to grow, violence is a predictable outcome,” Bekman writes.
He refers to what has happened in Australia, where high taxes have resulted in a $4 billion illicit tobacco market, attracting organized crime and violence including arson and extortion. Successive federal governments in Australia have boosted taxes on cigarettes, with the average price of a pack of 20 cigarettes now around $40 — the most expensive in the world by far.
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A report released last November by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Institute of Criminology found that the illegal tobacco trade had resulted in a “significant increase in violence.”
The report attributes the violence to territorial disputes among organized crime syndicates that have resulted in murders, kidnappings, assaults, robberies and extortion of stores that refuse to sell illegal products. The report states that more than 200 arson attacks involving attacks by gangs were recorded in 2023 and 2024.
“What we are now seeing in Ontario looks disturbingly familiar,” Bekman writes.
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“I urge policymakers and enforcement agencies to act before another store is burned, another worker is traumatized, or something far worse happens,” Bekman adds.
Bekman is calling for government to recognize the role of excessive taxation in fuelling the illicit market, to re-evaluate storefront visibility rules that compromise safety, to focus enforcement efforts on illegal manufacturers and sellers, and to consult with legal retailers on the issue.
As for Thursday’s arson incidents, police are asking anyone with information to call the Peterborough police crime line at 705-876-1122 ext. 555. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at stopcrimehere.ca.
Environment Canada has issued another cold warning for the entire Kawarthas region for this weekend, beginning Friday night (February 6), with a prolonged period of very cold wind chills expected.
Lakelands Public Health has also issued a weekend cold warning for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Temperatures will begin falling early Friday evening with northwest winds of 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h overnight, with lows ranging from -19°C in Northumberland County to -23°C in Haliburton County and wind chills ranging 30°C to 35°C.
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The wind chill values will persist during the day on Saturday.
Overnight temperatures on Saturday and Sunday will drop even further, with lows ranging from -21°C in the south to -27°C in the north.
Temperatures will return to seasonal norms on Monday.
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Extreme cold puts everyone at risk, but risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Cover up when going outside, as frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill. Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling — if present, move indoors and begin warming.
Remember: if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Indie pop and alt-country singer-songwriter Lauryn Macfarlane, the Peterborough Folk Festival's 2021 Emerging Artist, will be performing her first hometown show since 2019 at Sadleir House on Thursday night, with Kawartha Lakes singer-songwriter Gamekeeper (aka Warren Frank) opening. (Photo via laurynmacfarlane.com)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, February 5 to Wednesday, February 11.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
5-7pm - Dinner & Jazz featuring Mike Graham and Victoria Yeh (reservations recommended)
Arthur's Pub
930 Burnham St., Cobourg
(905) 372-2105
Thursday, February 5
8-10:30pm - Open mic w/ Bruce Longman
Friday, February 6
8-11pm - James Higgins
Saturday, February 7
8-11pm - Colin Ronald
Monday, February 9
7:30-9:30pm - Local talent night ft musician TBA
Bancroft Brew Pub
4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450
Friday, February 6
7pm - Near the Open
Black Horse Pub
452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633
Thursday, February 5
7-10pm - Jazz & Blues Night ft. Carling Stephen & Rob Phillips
Friday, February 6
7-10pm - Charlie Horse
Saturday, February 7
5-8pm - Emily Burgess; 9pm-12am - The Fabulous Tonemasters
Sunday, February 8
4-7pm - Bluegrass Menagerie
Monday, February 9
7-10pm - Crash & Burn w/ Rick & Gailie
Tuesday, February 10
6-10pm - Open mic w/ Johann Burkhardt
Coming Soon
Friday, February 13 7-10pm - Odd Man Rush
Saturday, February 14 5-8pm - Daelin Henschel; 9pm-12am - High Waters Band
Sunday, February 15 4-7pm - Dennis O'Toole & Old Soul
Boston Pizza Lindsay
435 Kent St. W., Lindsay
705-328-0008
Friday, February 6
8-11pm - Devon Golding
Burleigh Falls Inn
4791 Highway 28, Burleigh Falls
(705) 654-3441
Coming Soon
Saturday, April 25 7:30-9pm - This is Tom Jones ft Dave Lafame ($75 for dinner & show or $35 for show only, in advance at https://square.link/u/FjZjfTOq)
Claymore Pub & Table
95 King St. W., Cobourg
905-372-5231
Thursday, February 5
7-10pm - Karaoke w/ host Crazy Ray
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Crook & Coffer
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-876-0505
Friday, February 6
7:30-10:30pm - Joan Lamore & Friends
Saturday, February 7
2:30-4:30pm - Kate Kelly; 7:30-10:30pm - Doug Horner
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Coming Soon
Saturday, February 14 5pm & 7pm - Sweethearts' Dinner w/ Trina West (reservations recommended)
Dusk to Dawn Brewing Co.
38 King St. E., Millbrook
705-932-2337
Thursday, February 5
5-8pm - Open mic
Ganaraska Brewing Company
33 Mill St., Port Hope
905-885-9029
Friday, February 6
7-9pm - Karaoke w/ Erin Billings
Saturday, February 7
7-9pm - Chris Devlin
Sunday, February 8
2-5pm - Open mic w/ host TJ Shirk
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Saturday, February 7
3-6pm - Live music TBA
Coming Soon
Friday, February 20 8pm - Monkey Junk ($40 at The Ganny and Zap Records)
Saturday, March 7 8:30pm - Johnny Max Band ft Chuck Jackson ($20 at The Ganny)
The Granite
45 Bridge St. W., Bancroft
613-332-1500
Coming Soon
Friday, February 13 5-8pm - Paul Richard
Saturday, February 14 5pm & 7pm - Valentine's Dinner w/ live music by Ian Russell
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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