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New City of Kawartha Lakes art program designed by seniors for seniors creates ‘a workout for the aging brain’

By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Mary, a resident of Victoria Manor in Lindsay, displays an artwork she created as part of the new "Seniors for Seniors" art program offered by Kawartha Art Gallery with support from the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo: Kawartha Art Gallery)

Seniors in the Kawartha Lakes are experiencing a brush with art through a new program for older adults being offered through Kawartha Art Gallery.

On Monday (July 21), the gallery announced the launch of “Seniors for Seniors,” a new outreach program designed by seniors for seniors.

The sensory-based visual arts initiative brings practising artists into long-term care homes to deliver engaging and inclusive workshops that foster creativity, connection, and well-being, according to a media release.

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“Arts are part of the solution for healthier communities,” Kawartha Art Gallery’s executive director Susan Taylor told kawarthaNOW. “Art programming for seniors (creates) a workout for the aging brain.”

She said art activities improve memory, problem-solving skills, and attention span, noting that research shows that the positive health outcomes of art-based activity are enhanced well-being and a reduced risk of dementia.

“In hiring artists 55 years and older to lead the program, the gallery creates an additional level of support for individuals 55-plus to stay active and engaged in their community,” she said.

The "Seniors for Seniors" art program hires artists 55 years and older to lead other seniors in art-making activities. The pilot phase of the program is currently underway at Victoria Manor in Lindsay, with groups of four to six residents taking part in the sessions. (Photo: Kawartha Art Gallery)
The “Seniors for Seniors” art program hires artists 55 years and older to lead other seniors in art-making activities. The pilot phase of the program is currently underway at Victoria Manor in Lindsay, with groups of four to six residents taking part in the sessions. (Photo: Kawartha Art Gallery)

The program is designed to promote social participation, reduce isolation, and strengthen community ties through shared creative expression. In addition to supporting residents, the program also follows government mandates to hire the senior artists, which also keeps those older adults busy and productive.

With the support of the City of Kawartha Lakes, the pilot phase of Seniors for Seniors is currently underway at Victoria Manor in Lindsay. Groups of four to six residents are taking part in art-making sessions in a calm and positive environment.

According to the media release, the program has been “warmly received” by the participating seniors.

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“Participants are enjoying the hands-on activities and the opportunity to socialize. Their completed artworks are also sparking conversation and interaction among other residents, visiting family members, and staff.”

Kawartha Art Gallery intends to expand the program, with the long-term goal of making Seniors for Seniors a permanent part of its community outreach programming.

“Programs like Seniors for Seniors are a testament to the power of creativity at every stage of life,” said RoseMarie Condon, artist, and project supervisor at Kawartha Art Gallery. “It’s a joy to see how art opens doors for connection and self-expression.”

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Rachel Edmondson, life enrichment supervisor with the City of Kawartha Lakes, said providing this type of meaningful engagement for seniors is a goal for long-term care communities in the Kawartha Lakes.

The only public art gallery in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha Art Gallery is the steward of a permanent collection on behalf of residents of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The gallery also hosts year-round exhibits with fee payments for artists as recommended by CAFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens), a non-profit corporation that is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists.

Ontario government proceeding with replacement of Highway 401 Choate Road overpass and Ganaraska River bridge

By kawarthaNOW -
The Choate Road overpass and Ganaraska River bridge on Highway 401 in Port Hope. (Photo: Google Earth)

The Ontario government announced on Wednesday (July 23) that it is proceeding with a project to replace the Choate Road overpass and Ganaraska River bridge on Highway 401 in Port Hope.

The project is part of the province’s future plan to widen Highway 401 near Port Hope to eight lanes by 2051 and to 10 lanes by 2081.

In addition to replacing the overpass and bridge, the government says work will also be carried out on to resurface Highway 401 west of County Road 2/Toronto Road to east of Cranberry Road.

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“As Ontario continues to grow, our government is investing historic amounts to protect Ontario by building the new roads, highways, and bridges we need to keep drivers moving and our economy growing,” says Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria in a media release. “Replacing these bridges near Port Hope is vital for eastern Ontario as it paves the way for widening Highway 401 and will save time for the over 50,000 drivers who rely on this stretch every day.”

The Ministry of Transportation initiated a preliminary design study in June 2020 for the project, which was followed by a detailed design, public consultation, and an environmental assessment.

“This project represents a significant investment in the future of Port Hope’s transportation infrastructure,” says Port Hope mayor Olena Hankivsky. “The planned improvements to Highway 401 are a vital step toward building a safer, more efficient and more resilient community. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Ontario government to bring this vision to life.”

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In eastern Ontario, the province has already replaced 20 bridges to accommodate future widening of Highway 401. Several planning studies are also underway for additional bridge replacements and interchange improvements to accommodate the future widening of the highway.

“Families in Port Hope and surrounding areas deserve to spend more time at home and less time in traffic,” says Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. “By pushing forward with our plan to build roads, highways and bridges, out government is protecting jobs, reducing gridlock, and keeping Port Hope and the rest of Ontario competitive.”

Although the province provided no details about the cost or timeline for the project, earlier documents related to the project indicated a cost of over $80 million and a timeline of six years.

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Style Your Nest in Buckhorn helps decorate your home with Canadian-made home decor

By Megan Gallant -
Beyond the Buckhorn-branded clothing and merchandise available at her home décor and gift store Style Your Nest in Buckhorn, owner Jamie Stephenson supports the local and Canadian economy by stocking products from local makers and Canadian brands, or acquiring products sourced through Canadian distributors. The seasonal retail location with a 24/7 online store also invests a portion of pottery sales back into the community every month by donating it to various local charities and organizations. (Photo: Stef Pollari Studios)

As you can tell from the Buckhorn-branded clothing and merchandise available at Style Your Nest, the home décor and gift store is very proud of its hometown. From the artisan-made products lining its shelves to sales proceeds that get donated to charity, the store is not only dedicated to improving your home or cottage but the local community as well.

Nine years ago, designer Jamie Stephenson was inspired to open Style Your Nest by her deep love of creating cozy and beautiful spaces that reflect the person living within them.

Located in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, one of eight townships in Peterborough County, Stephenson’s store is stocked with high-quality products for your home, cottage, and garden. From décor, candles, tea towels, and kitchenware to bath and body products, pottery, and jewellery, Style Your Nest is a one-stop shop for everything you need to make a space your own.

Since founding Style Your Nest as both a retail location and online store, Stephenson’s goal has always been to feature locally crafted items, which she continues to expand on year after year. Today, at least half the store’s products are made in Canada, and those that are made overseas are purchased through Canadian distributors. What’s more, as Style Your Nest only delivers within Canada, the shop is helping to strengthen the Canadian economy.

Designer Jamie Stephenson founded Style Your Nest, her home décor and gift store located in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, out of her deep love of creating spaces that reflect the person living within them. For both her retail location and online store, she has made it a priority to feature products for the home, cottage, and garden that are made by local artisans and Canadian brands. (Photo: Stef Pollari Studios)
Designer Jamie Stephenson founded Style Your Nest, her home décor and gift store located in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, out of her deep love of creating spaces that reflect the person living within them. For both her retail location and online store, she has made it a priority to feature products for the home, cottage, and garden that are made by local artisans and Canadian brands. (Photo: Stef Pollari Studios)

Local artists featured at Style Your Nest include Lakeland Pottery by Sarah Purves and Cedar + Wren by Cheryl Fawcett, both of whom are two of four local residents who are employed at Style Your Nest. Other artworks that can be found in store include custom décor items by Kendal Heights Decor & Woodworking in Oro, greeting cards from local photographer David Cook, and paddles painted by Tori Howes-Jones.

A select few of the other well-known Canadian brands that can be found on the shelves include Bean’Stock Inc. from Point Edward, Happy Hippo Bath Co. from Red Deer, Little Beausoleil Candle Co. from Georgian Bay/Kitchener, Walton Wood Farm from Peterborough, Provisions Food Company from the Niagara Region, and Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co. from Cobourg.

Every month, Stephenson donates a portion of Style Your Nest’s pottery sales to a local charity, often Community Care Buckhorn or educational programming at the Buckhorn Public School. Past recipients have included the Buckhorn Community Centre, the Peterborough Humane Society, and other community initiatives.

The store also hosts additional sales throughout the year for various causes, and regularly donates gift bags and baskets to local charities and non-profits holding auctions or needing prizes for fundraisers.

Located at 6 Main St. in downtown Buckhorn, Style Your Nest is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other day of the week until Thanksgiving, when the store will only be open weekends until Christmas, reopening again in the spring. The online store is open 24/7, year round.

For more information and to shop online, visit www.styleyournest.ca.

 

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.

Peterborough County logo.

As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.

Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.

For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.

Know Your Locals: Give a ‘card that lives forever’ with original artwork from The Painted Gift

By Megan Gallant -
Millbrook artist and educator Saira Knowles has launched a new e-commerce business, The Painted Gift, where she has curated 16 collections of unique greeting cards she has designed and hand-painted. Available as prints or original watercolours, the cards feature whimsical, colourful designs of animals, florals, landscapes, and even sourdough bread. Each card comes with an attached ribbon and cardboard easel so it can be easily displayed as a work of art. (Photo courtesy of The Painted Gift)

It’s an age-old question: what do you do with a greeting card from a loved one? Throwing it out feels ungrateful and impolite, but saving it often leads to boxfuls of cards in the back of your closet … which eventually gets thrown out years later during a spring-cleaning purge.

Millbrook artist and educator Saira Knowles has a solution: the “card that lives forever.” Through her new business The Painted Gift, she hand-paints multi-purpose, customizable greeting cards with ribbons and cardboard stands that turn the card into a gift that can be displayed and enjoyed as a work of art long after it’s been gifted.

Hailing from Manchester, U.K., Knowles has an extensive education in art design, fashion, and textiles, as well as years of experience teaching art and drama and working as an award-winning museum and gallery educator.

She is now using her extensive art and storytelling skills to craft whimsical designs ranging from florals to landscapes, animals, “bubbles” of multiple doodles, and even sourdough bread. There are currently 16 collections of images, though Knowles will continually add to them as the seasons change.

Available as prints and original watercolours, greeting cards hand-painted by Millbrook artist Saira Knowles of The Painted Gift can be customized with a personal message printed on the front, back, or inside of the card, depending on the item purchased. (Photos courtesy of The Painted Gift)
Available as prints and original watercolours, greeting cards hand-painted by Millbrook artist Saira Knowles of The Painted Gift can be customized with a personal message printed on the front, back, or inside of the card, depending on the item purchased. (Photos courtesy of The Painted Gift)

Having worked in galleries, Knowles says “art should be for all and not an exclusive thing to own,” which is why her original hand-made greeting cards — which can take hours to create — remain affordably priced. While the composition and colour palettes will match the selected image, each hand-painted piece is unique and original artwork.

With her husband Rob building The Painted Gift website from scratch, Knowles has chosen to run her business independently of third-party marketplace or e-commerce sites. Customers can order prints on a folded card, matte-coated digital paper, and deckled-edge watercolour paper or — for a truly stunning one-of-a-kind gift — a hand-painted original on cotton paper.

Available for shipping across Canada, U.S., and U.K., both prints and the original artwork come with an attached ribbon and a cardboard easel so the gift recipient can display the card and enjoy it for years to come. You can also add an optional personalized message to your gift that will printed on the front, back, or inside of the card, depending on the item purchased.

“When you are just putting money in a card, it can feel inadequate and thoughtless, but this solves that,” says Knowles. “It means that you put thought into it, it’s something unique, and it’s something to keep. This is a gift and a card.”

You can browse the card collections at paintedgift.com and follow The Painted Gift on Facebook and Instagram.

VIDEO: Original hand-painted greeting cards by The Painted Gift

 

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.

Northumberland PACE Speakers Series returns Wednesday with free webinar on breathing better to live better

By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Cobourg internal medicine specialist Dr. Anuja Sharma and breathwork facilitator Randi Stone are the guest speakers at the free Northumberland PACE Speakers Series webinar on July 23, 2025. They will be leading an evidence-based discussion on how simple breathing techniques can improve your mental clarity and calm, support restful sleep, and lift your mood without medication or gadgets. (kawarthaNOW collage)

There’s still time to register for the latest edition of the Northumberland PACE Speakers Series, which returns on Wednesday (July 23) with a virtual conversation about harnessing the power of breathing techniques to improve several aspects of overall health.

Community members can learn more by joining the webinar, “Breathe Better, Live Better – Discover the Power of Your Breath to Enhance Focus, Sleep, and Mood – Naturally,” at 5:30 p.m. While the webinar is free to attend, advance registration is required at nhh.ca/pace.

Hosted by Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) in Cobourg, the webinar features speakers Dr. Anuja Sharma and Randi Stone. NHH president and CEO Susan Walsh will serve as the guest moderator.

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Dr. Anuja Sharma is an internal medicine specialist with IMCare in Cobourg who has been practising medicine since 1996. Her interests include diseases of the skin, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, arthritis, and health and wellness.

Randi Stone is a certified breathwork facilitator and registered massage therapist with more than a decade of experience supporting musculoskeletal and nervous system health. She specializes in helping the population regulate stress, restore energy, and reconnect with their bodies.

According to a media release from NHH, Dr. Sharma and Stone will be leading an “evidence-based discussion on how simple breathing techniques can improve mental clarity and calm, support restful sleep, and lift one’s mood without medication or gadgets.” Participants will learn strategies to become more aware of their breathing and how to use it as a daily tool for better health and well-being.

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As is standard within the PACE Talk format, questions from the audience are welcomed. Questions can be emailed to mbhargava@imcare.ca prior to the webinar or asked during the webinar if time permits.

PACE (Personalized Assessment and Change Education) is a speakers series inspired by TED Talks that is typically hosted on a rotating basis at NHH in Cobourg and the Community Health Centres of Northumberland in Port Hope.

Since 2018, the Northumberland PACE partners have been hosting free public education sessions on a broad range of health and wellness topics and have consistently drawn large groups of community members with a variety of questions and perspectives.

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NHH, the Northumberland Family Health Team, the Community Health Centres of Northumberland, internal medicine specialists IMCare, the NHH Foundation, Community Care Northumberland, the Ontario Health Northumberland, and local patients and caregivers are all represented on the PACE planning table.

Dr. Mukesh Bhargava of NHH previously told kawarthaNOW that PACE webinar topics are developed in a variety of ways, with all of the subjects tied to areas of health and wellness.

“PACE talks have covered a huge variety of subjects — everything from marijuana to the microbiome,” Dr. Bhargava said.

Lasting an hour in length, each PACE talk consists of a 30-minute talk from a guest speaker with a 20-minute question-and-answer period and a short moderator summary. Space is limited to the first 300 registered attendees. The webinars takes place on Zoom, and participants are asked to log in five minutes prior to the start of the webinar.

Publican House Bar & Grill in downtown Peterborough closed for renovations

By kawarthaNOW -
Patrons enjoying the patio at Publican House's restaurant in 2019. (Photo: Maryam Monsef)

The Publican House Bar & Grill in downtown Peterborough is closed for renovations.

kawarthaNOW learned on Sunday (July 20) that employees at the restaurant had been notified they were on temporary layoff as of the end of the day.

Publican House was acquired in May by One Eyed Jack, a Canadian-owned group of restaurant and pub locations in Ontario.

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kawarthaNOW reached out on Sunday to Sajanthan “TK” Selvarajah, manager of One Eyed Jack’s Peterborough location on Lansdowne Street, about the company’s plans for the restaurant.

Selvarajah said “a lot of work” is needed on the building, and that it would remain closed for a month or “maybe more.” He noted that employees were made aware that One Eyed Jack was planning renovations when the company took over ownership of the restaurant.

He added that employees are being laid off for “the time being,” although when asked he said he wasn’t sure if all employees would be recalled when the restaurant reopens.

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As for what changes One Eyed Jack is planning for the restaurant, Selvarajah said the menu might change “a bit.” An announcement posted Monday on Publican House’s social media states “We’re crafting something new for you to experience.”

Both the Publican House brewery and retail store, located beside the restaurant, will remain open during the renovations.

Marty Laskaris, Mike Laskaris, Matt Philips, and Rick Coit opened the Publican House premium craft micro-brewery at the corner of Charlotte and Rubidge streets in 2009, launching a retail store right beside the brewery in January 2015.

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After opening the retail store, Publican House purchased the former Peterborough Arms on the other side of the brewery, with the intention of renovating the building. Two years later, in August 2017, Publican House Restaurant and Taphouse opened. The restaurant was later renamed Publican House Brew Pub and then Publican House Bar & Grill.

Along with Marty and Mike Laskaris and Brooke Dickey, Katie Watt was a partner in the venture as well as being the front-of-house manager, with her husband Brad Watt as executive chef.

The Watts eventually left the restaurant, with Katie becoming planning manager at Central Smith Creamery and Brad teaming up with chef Becca Kemp and butcher Jacob Hunter to open the Bridgenorth Butcher Block in March 2025.

Little Lakers Night on Thursday a highlight of the summer season for Five Counties Children’s Centre

By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
A fundraiser for Five Counties Children's Centre, Little Lakers Night returns to the Peterborough Memorial Centre on July 24, 2025 when the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers take on the Brampton Excelsiors in their final home game of the regular Major Series Lacrosse season. Pictured during a media event on July 15 are Lakers board chair Len Powers (left) and Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin (right) with nine-year-old Kennedy Meredith, who designed the special jersey that Lakers players will wear during the pre-game warmup before being auction off in support of Five Counties. (Photo: Peterborough Century 21 Lakers)

Five Counties Children’s Centre hopes an upcoming event will net both fun and funds when the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers take on the Brampton Excelsiors in their final home game of the regular Major Series Lacrosse season.

Slated for Thursday (July 24) at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, Little Lakers Night is a collaboration between Five Counties and the Lakers. Now in its third year, it’s a fan-favourite event for Five Counties.

“Little Lakers Night has become a highlight of the summer season for us,” Bill Eekhof, spokesperson for Five Counties Children’s Centre, told kawarthaNOW. “It is a fundraiser that supports important children’s treatment services at Five Counties, but it’s also become something bigger.”

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“Little Lakers Night is an opportunity for many of our children/clients and their families to come out and enjoy lacrosse action with the Peterborough Century 21 Lakers,” Eekhoff said. “It may be their first encounter or experience at the game and represents something new and a break from their normal routine.”

“We really hope Little Lakers Night provides our Five Counties families, and the entire community, with a bit of fun and excitement watching the game or taking part in some of the other activities going on with it.”

Little Lakers Night kicks off with pre-game activities starting at 7 p.m., one hour before the Lakers face off against the Brampton Excelsiors. Families can enjoy face painting by donation, freezie sales, a “pass the bucket” fundraiser, and the chance to buy commemorative Little Lakers Night T-shirts in support of Five Counties.

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In addition, a silent auction will take place, featuring two tickets to Canada’s Wonderland, a Crayola prize pack, and VIP passes to the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2025 – Canada in Toronto this October.

This year’s event will feature the debut of a special warm-up jersey with a design by Kennedy Meredith, a local Grade 4 student. Lakers players will wear the jerseys during their pre-game warmup, and the jerseys will later be available for purchase through an online auction with proceeds supporting Five Counties.

The overall event is a celebration of community, inclusion, and the joy of sport, and it’s getting better every year, Five Counties noted in a media release.

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“Each year, Little Lakers Night has grown in impact and excitement,” said Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Lakers for their continued generosity and for giving our kids the chance to be part of something so special.”

Meanwhile, Len Powers, board chair of the Peterborough Lakers, said it’s “an honour” to again team up with Five Counties to host Little Lakers Night and support children’s treatment services.

“We encourage everyone to come out to Little Lakers Night and show their support for the home side, cheering on the Lakers to victory as they prepare for the playoffs and supporting the incredible work done by Five Counties,” Powers said.

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Tickets for Little Lakers Night are available now through the Memorial Centre box office, including online at tickets.memorialcentre.ca. Fans are encouraged to use the promo code FIVECOUNTIES at checkout to ensure that $3 from every ticket sold is donated to support kids’ treatment services.

All proceeds from Little Lakers Night will support Five Counties’ “Building Abilities for Life” campaign, which allows more kids and youth in the region to access life-changing treatment services in a timely manner. Last year’s Little Lakers Night raised $15,295 to support children’s treatment services at the centre.

Thursday night’s game is the final home game before the Lakers close out the regular season on Sunday, July 27 in Cobourg. The Lakers are currently second in the regular season, behind the Six Nations Chiefs and one win ahead of the third-place Brooklin L.C., who could even it up if they win against the Chiefs on Wednesday.

Miniature train ride at Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough closing for the year on August 4

By kawarthaNOW -
Established in 1974 by James Hamilton, the miniature train ride at Peterborough's Riverview Park and Zoo features a miniature replica of an 1860 locomotive. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)

The Riverview Park and Zoo has announced it will be closing its popular miniature train ride early this year because of a upcoming City of Peterborough construction project.

The miniature train ride usually runs every day in the summer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on the weekends in early fall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

However, the final day of the season for the miniature train ride in 2025 will be Monday, August 4, at the end of the Civic Holiday long weekend.

The miniature train ride is closing because of scheduled rehabilitation work on the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam, which is located on the Otonabee River at the north end of the city adjacent to Riverview Park and Zoo.

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As the miniature train ride crosses over the dam during its route around the zoo area, it cannot safely do so while the dam is undergoing construction.

The rehabilitation work will address concrete deterioration and improve infrastructure, ensuring the long-term functionality of the dam.

On June 30, the city awarded the contract for the work to Urbanlink Civil Ltd. of Beamsville at a cost of over $1.3 million. Construction work is expected to begin this summer.

The miniature train ride will reopen to visitors during the Victoria Day long weekend in May 2026.

Community Futures Peterborough’s new limited-edition training program aims to help small businesses ‘soar’ to success

By Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter -
Community Futures Peterborough and its Business Advisory Centre are launching a free, limited-edition educational series called Soar for established businesses ready to expand or scale their operations, including through e-commerce or by looking at other markets. The program runs monthly from September to December with multiple sessions each month and is free to successful applicants thanks to a partnership with Scotiabank. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is aiming to help small businesses in Peterborough soar to success by launching a limited-edition educational series this fall focusing on growth and expansion.

CFP and its Business Advisory Centre are partnering with Scotiabank for the launch of Soar, a new training program running over four months beginning in September that is designed for established businesses ready to expand or scale their operations.

The free series comes at a good time, according to CFP executive director Devon Girard.

“With today’s changing economic climate, we’ve heard from businesses of all sizes their desire to grow and expand — whether that is bringing their business to e-commerce or looking at markets outside of Ontario or North America,” Girard told kawarthaNOW. “The Soar program is designed to meet the challenges business owners are facing today and ensure they are best prepared to grow and expand strategically.”

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The offering for businesses “is a direct response to the gaps we’ve consistently seen in our local businesses while operating the Business Advisory Centre for the past year,” said Business Advisory Centre and corporate communications manager Rose Terry in a media release.

“Existing businesses often hit a ceiling without access to tailored, expert support, and guidance. We have been offering this in our one-on-one consultations, but the Soar series bridges that gap, offering high-impact, cohorted, practical training to help businesses in our region thrive and lead.”

Offered September through December, there are limited spots available for each month. Business owners are encouraged to apply now to be accepted into the individual cohorts for each month. Successful applicants will gain access to expert-led workshops tailored to the challenges and opportunities that growing businesses face.

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“We’re excited to renew our partnership with Community Futures Peterborough in support of Soar,” said Scotiabank’s Chris Skinner, district vice-president for Ontario Central East. “This program aligns strongly with Scotiabank’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and empowering business owners to achieve their goals.”

Scotiabank previously partnered with CFP in 2023 and 2024 for the ScaleUP program, which CFP piloted in 2022 when the organization identified a lack of existing support and programming for established small businesses that were looking to expand.

As was the case with ScaleUP, with Scotiabank’s support, the Soar program is free for all successful applicants. Each month, the program will focus on a critical area of business development that has been determined by the needs of the local business community.

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The Soar program begins in September with “Marketing Mastery and Pitching for Growth,” running for four sessions (September 4, 11, 18, and 25) and featuring interactive workshops led by marketing, branding, and communication experts, including Rosalea Terry, Erika Eileen, and Kyle MacDonald, each bringing unique perspectives and toolkits to help entrepreneurs craft and communicate their story with impact. The deadline to apply is August 17.

In October, “Business Development and Sales” will include three sessions (October 9, 16, and 23) led by Jason Fiorotto, a highly successful marketing and sales leader with more than 25 years of experience working with companies ranging from private equity-backed startups to Fortune 50 global brands. Focusing on building the systems and strategies that drive consistent revenue growth, these sessions will teach business owners how to identify and qualify leads, strengthen their sales conversations, close deals with confidence, and build a sustainable business development pipeline that supports long-term growth and scalability. The deadline to apply is September 17.

In November, “Cross-Border Expansion and E-Commerce” will offer two sessions (November 6 and 13) for businesses looking to expand into new provinces or sell across international borders. The sessions will help business owners master the logistics, digital tools, and market entry strategies required for expansive growth, and teach them to optimize their e-commerce presence, from choosing the right platforms to navigating shipping, compliance, and customer experience across borders. The deadline to apply is October 17.

The series wraps up in December with “Selling, Acquiring, and Succession Planning,” with two sessions (December 4 and 11) covering the key aspects of transitioning a business, whether through sale, purchase, or succession. Led by business succession planning experts Michael Riseley and Nicole Truman, the sessions will focus on all aspects of a business transition, with business owners learning about various transition strategies for a range of diverse businesses and how to transition in tax-efficient ways. The deadline to apply is November 17.

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Businesses can apply for as many months as they wish. To be eligible to participate, businesses must be legally registered in Ontario (as a sole proprietership, partnership, or corporation), must be operational and actively selling products or services, and must be located within the city or county of Peterborough or Hiawatha or Curve Lake First Nations. The sessions will rotate across locations (to be announced) to ensure both urban and rural entrepreneurs will be able to participate.

With over 95 per cent of businesses in Canada identifying as small businesses, CFP says the support offered through the Soar series “is crucial,” especially for small businesses in rural areas. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, rural small businesses are growing faster than their urban counterparts in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, yet many rural entrepreneurs report facing barriers to growth, including limited access to mentorship and specialized training.

For more information and to apply, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca/soar.

Abbamania and Night Fever return to Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday

By Paul Rellinger -
ABBA tribute band Abbamania and The Bee Gees tribute band Night Fever will supply a double dose of disco-era musical nostalgia with a free-admission concert at Peterborough Musicfest in Del Crary Park on July 23, 2025. (Photos: Clairmont Photography)

While the primary aim of any live music performer is to entertain, something special evolves when those listening are empowered to make a connection with their past.

New music will always have its place, but the soundtrack of our lives ignites memories of days long gone; days when things were much less complicated and the years ahead were exactly that — years ahead.

Many can’t remember yesterday, but a long-forgotten song revived has the power to transport one back to a life moment; a happy moment, a sad moment, whatever, but a moment as fresh as the day it happened.

Through the 1970s into the following decade, it was impossible to escape the music of ABBA and The Bee Gees — two of the most culturally and commercially successful acts in the history of popular music. As the such, the music of both acts is associated with millions upon millions of moments.

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Peterborough Musicfest presents
Abbamania + Night Fever (The Bee Gees)

When: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 8 p.m.
Where: Del Crary Park (100 George St. N., Peterborough)
How much: Free admission

Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets (lawn chairs are available to rent). VIP seating available for sponsors. No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted. There’s no public parking at Del Crary Park, but there’s neighbourhood street parking nearby and ample parking in downtown Peterborough.

On Wednesday (July 23) at Del Crary Park, Abbamania and Night Fever will pay tribute to ABBA and The Bee Gees, performing many of the hit songs from both acts’ respective huge music catalogues.

Admission is, as always, free due to the continued support of a number of sponsors, kawarthaNOW among them.

Abbamania and Night Fever perform under the auspices of Booking House Inc., which provides tribute acts covering a wide range of bands for pretty much any function you can think of. Both tribute bands headlined Peterborough Musicfest back in 2017.

Founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972, ABBA went on to achieve worldwide album sales estimated as high as 385 million while The Bee Gees, hailing from Australia, sold more than 120 million albums. During both acts’ heyday, unless you were living under a rock, you heard, sang, and danced to at least one of their hit songs.

VIDEO: Abbamania promo video

Abbamania brings the music of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Fryd (Frida) Lyngstad — the first letter of their first names formed ABBA’s name — to the stage years after ABBA’s last performance together.

Re-creating the quartet’s infectious harmonic sound and associated disco-era glitzy stage show, the critically acclaimed tribute act performs all the hits from their nine albums, including “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take A Chance On Me,” and “The Winner Takes It All,” to name but a few.

In 1974, Sweden’s Eurovision Song Contest provided the springboard ABBA needed via their performance of “Waterloo.” It was later chosen the best song in the competition’s history at its 50th anniversary bash.

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Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, a testament to ABBA’s enduring popularity came in the form of the highly successful 1999 Broadway musical Mamma Mia! which subsequently toured the globe, and again in 2008 when the film version of the production was the highest-grossing film in the United Kingdom that year. Incredibly, however, ABBA never collected a Grammy Award, although nominated five times.

When Abbamania was first formed, nailing down the demanding harmony-heavy vocal arrangements alone was a six-month process. That hard work has paid off, as the tribute act has performed around the globe, backed on numerous occasions by symphony orchestras.

The Bee Gees, meanwhile, were formed much earlier in 1958 by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and enjoyed great success from the mid-1960s and into the early 1970s on the strength of hits such as “Holiday,” “To Love Somebody,” “Massachusetts,” “I Started A Joke,” “Lonely Days,” and “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?”

VIDEO: Night Fever promo video

The trio’s recording of the soundtrack for the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta in his breakout role kick-started an even more commercially successful second life for The Bee Gees, courtesy of huge disco favourites “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” If that success wasn’t enough, huge-selling singles such as “Nights On Broadway,” “Jive Talkin”,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Tragedy” and, in the late 1980s, “One” kept The Bee Gees at, or near, the top of the pop music mountain.

The Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Among the numerous accolades that came the brothers’ way were eight Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement honour in 2015. Barry Gibb remains the only surviving member of the original lineup.

Performing the songs of The Bee Gees, Night Fever has also toured the world, appearing at Disneyland and in Russia and everywhere in between. Now, along with Abbamania, it will prove yet again why an excellent tribute act should always have a place at Del Crary Park on a warm summer evening. Let the memories flow.

This Wednesday’s concert will be preceded at 6:30 p.m. by country music artist Nickola Magnolia performing under the Cogeco tent near the George Street entrance to Del Crary Park. She is appearing as part of Musicfest’s new Future Sound Series featuring the talents of local performers this summer.

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Peterborough Musicfest is presenting 16 free-admission concerts during its 38th season, each staged on Wednesday and Saturday nights until Saturday, August 16th.

Overseen by executive director Tracey Randall and staff, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers, Peterborough Musicfest’s stated mission remains “to provide diverse, affordable live music to enrich cultural and economic prosperity in our community.”

For more information on this concert or the 2025 season, visit www.ptbomusicfest.ca or phone the Peterborough Musicfest office at 705-755-1111.

 

kawarthaNOW is proud to be a headline sponsor of Peterborough Musicfest’s 2025 season.

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