DJC Modern Apparel owner Nancy Wiskel has launched an all-new 18+ Collection featuring high-quality casual and workwear for women who wear sizes 18 to 24 and up to 3XL. The new collection features pieces by Kaffe Curve, a Danish plus-size brand that will be hosting a trunk show displaying spring and summer apparel during a special launch event at the Peterborough boutique on May 5, 2026. (Photo: Ashley Bonner)
DJC Modern Apparel is celebrating curves with an all-new collection designed to help women who wear sizes 18 and up find modern, flattering styles that fit and feel incredible.
The 18+ Collection, located in its own section of the Peterborough women’s clothing boutique for ease and convenience, was curated to align with owner Nancy Wiskel’s mission to help all women look and feel their best.
“My passion is helping women find confidence through style, so having more inclusive sizing at the store has always been a goal of mine,” Wiskel says. “I finally found a line of clothes, Kaffe Curve, that brings a really good design aesthetic that very much fits into the DJC style, while being made with really good fabrics and having a really good price point.”
Kaffe Curve is a Danish plus-size clothing brand that embraces curves and fuller figures. The collection at DJC Modern Apparel spans a range of styles from everyday cardigans and denim to timeless dress pants, classic blazers, and patterned blouses fit for the office. Online and in-store, shoppers will find sizes 18 to 24 and up to 3XL.
Complementing the pieces from Kaffe Curve, DJC Modern Apparel’s 18+ Collection also features made-to-last quality pieces by Joseph Ribkoff, Foxcroft, and other brands that support inclusive sizing. Pricing is in line with the other brands and designers found on the racks at DJC Modern Apparel.
DJC Modern Apparel owner Nancy Wiskel added the new 18+ Collection to make the Peterborough boutique more inclusive and to offer a local alternative to online shopping for women who wear sizes 18 and up. During a launch event on May 5, 2026, shoppers will have the chance to browse and buy spring and summer apparel from plus-size brand Kaffe Curve without paying sales tax. (Photos: Ashley Bonner)
Wiskel says she hopes having the 18+ Collection available in store will provide a solution for local shoppers who typically shop online to find modern, stylish apparel in their size.
“Shopping online for clothes is really difficult regardless of where you fit in size,” she explains. “I knew if I could find something to bring in store, we can then offer the whole experience that you get at DJC.”
“We make sure that you’re wearing clothes that are appropriate for you, that look good, and that make you feel really great. I really wanted to be able to bring that to more women.”
DJC Modern Apparel will be celebrating the launch of the 18+ Collection with a special event from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 that features a Kaffe Curve trunk sale. A representative from the brand will be in store showcasing an expanded inventory of spring and summer wear, including some pieces that will only be available during the event.
“The representative knows Kaffe Curve inside and out so she can give really great styling tips and tell you how to combine some of the pieces,” Wiskel says. “I’m really looking forward to that, and I’m really excited for people to see this new line and for our store to be more inclusive.”
The May 5 event will also include draw prizes, and there will be no sales tax on any purchases made during the event.
DJC Modern Apparel is located at 1525 Chemong Road in Peterborough. Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. To browse or shop online, visit djclothing.ca. To stay updated on new drops, follow DJC Modern Apparel on Facebook and Instagram.
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.
Residents and cottagers living on South Lake in the Township of Minden Hills are being advised not to use lake water for any household purposes following a fuel oil spill.
On Tuesday (April 20), Lakelands Public Health issued a drinking water advisory for residents of the lake after fuel oil was released from a private property over the weekend.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has responded and is working with the property owner to contain the spill.
Advertisement - content continues below
MECP has confirmed that a sheen of fuel is present on the lake’s surface but, due to changing wind conditions, the location of the sheen is shifting and cannot be fully contained.
Lakelands Public Health is advising residents and cottagers not to use lake water for drinking, cooking or food preparation (including washing fruits and vegetables), or personal hygiene (including brushing teeth, bathing, or showering).
The health unit also advises that boiling the water will not make it safe to use, and that residents should instead use bottled water or an alternative source of safe drinking water.
Advertisement - content continues below
Local agencies, including the Ontario Provincial Police, have received inquiries from concerned residents.
MECP, the Township of Minden Hills, and Lakelands Public Health are actively monitoring the situation and residents will be advised when it is safe to resume normal water use.
South Lake is located around three kilometres southeast of the community of Minden in Haliburton County.
Managed by the Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR), the Peterborough Tool Library at the Peterborough ReStore is now known as the Kawartha Tool Library and has been expanded to include a second location at the Lindsay ReStore. The rebranding of the volunteer-run tool library and its expansion to Lindsay was made possible by a grant from the Congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. (Photo courtesy of Habitat PKR)
Ten years after it was first established, the Peterborough Tool Library is now known as the Kawartha Tool Library with an expansion to a second location in Lindsay.
In celebration of Earth Week, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) will host an official opening of the second location inside the Lindsay Restore at 55 Angeline Street North on Saturday (April 25). The Peterborough branch of the Kawartha Tool Library, located inside the Peterborough ReStore at 300 Milroy Drive, will continue to operate.
According to a media release from Habitat PKR, the rebranding and expansion to Lindsay was made possible by a grant from the Congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.
Advertisement - content continues below
Like its book namesake, a tool library allow members to borrow the tools and equipment they need for a small annual fee.
Part of the sharing economy, a tool library is based on the idea that most people only need most tools for a special project or for a short time. Without a tool library, if you can’t borrow a tool from a neighbour or a friend, your only option is to head to the hardware store to rent or buy one. Even if you can afford to buy a tool, chances are you’re only going to use it once or twice and then store it in the garage or basement.
“This expansion reflects what Earth Week is all about: reuse, sharing, and finding practical ways to care for our environment while supporting our community,” says Habitat PKR communications and marketing manager Holly McKinnon in the media release. “At the Kawartha Tool Library, we believe in access and not excess.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Back in 2016, two years after hearing a presentation by the co-founder of the Toronto Tool Library (one of the most successful tool libraries in North America), seven members of the Peterborough community were inspired to launch the Peterborough Tool Library at The Endeavour Centre, a not-for-profit sustainable building school.
In 2022, Habitat PKR took over management of the tool library from the Endeavour Centre, which needed to reorganize after two years of navigating the pandemic and find a new home for the tool library so it could continue to grow and expand, relocating it to the Peterborough North ReStore.
The relocation gave Peterborough residents one-stop access to both affordable home-building materials and tools for their home renovation projects, while supporting the work of Habitat PKR.
Advertisement - content continues below
With the Kawartha Tool Library’s second location, Lindsay residents can now do the same.
“The tool library is a perfect fit within the Habitat ReStore model, and we’re excited to see it grow in Lindsay,” McKinnon says.
What’s more, members of the Kawartha Tool Library can borrow tools from both the Peterborough and Lindsay locations — although the tools must be returned to the same location from where they were borrowed.
A regular membership to the Kawartha Tool Library costs $60 per year, with a special one-day-only $50 membership during the grand opening event for the Lindsay location on April 25, 2026. Memberships are also available for students, two-person households, and organizations such as non-profits and small businesses. Members can borrow tools from both the Peterborough and Lindsay locations, although the tools must be returned to the same location from where they were borrowed. (Photo courtesy of Habitat PKR)
Habitat PKR is inviting members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of the Lindsay location of the Kawartha Tool Library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 inside the Lindsay ReStore. The event will include a ribbon cutting, tours of the tool library, raffle prizes, refreshments and cake, and goody bags for the first 30 attendees.
The event will also feature a special one-day-only promotion on a regular membership to the Kawartha Tool Library, priced at $50 per year instead of the normal $60 per year. Memberships are also available for students for $40 per year, a two-person household for $90 per year, and organizations (such as non-profits and small businesses) at $150 per year.
To further celebrate Earth Week and the grand opening, both the Peterborough and Lindsay ReStores will be offering 25 per cent off store-wide on April 25.
Advertisement - content continues below
As the Kawartha Tool Library is operated by volunteers, Habitat PKR is looking for additional volunteers to help with tool maintenance, member support, and day-to-day operations.
They are also accepting tool donations, ranging from everything from drills and saws to tents, gazebos, and event equipment used by local organizations.
Community members interested in volunteering at the Kawartha Tool Library or donating tools can email info@kawarthatoollibrary.ca.
For more information about the Kawartha Tool Library and to become a member, visit kawarthatoollibrary.ca.
Located just north of Keene in the Township of Otonabee South Monaghan, Harley Farms is a busy family farm that produces humanely and sustainably raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and eggs. To help reach local consumers and wholesale food buyers, the farm is participating in the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale programs delivered in part by Peterborough County. (Photo courtesy of Harley Farms)
With a farm stand, online store, butcher shop, and agri-tourism experiences to manage on top of their regular farming operations, Harley Farms in the Township of Otonabee South Monaghan has a lot on their plate. To help the family farm save time and streamline connections with local buyers, they participate in agricultural programming delivered in part by Peterborough County.
The Harley family originally farmed over 4,500 acres in England before they moved to Canada in 2000, purchasing their property north of Keene in 2002. Through regenerative agriculture processes including rotational grazing, Harley Farms produces humanely and sustainably raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and eggs.
In 2023, Harley Farms opened the Harley Farms Butcher Shop at 95 Hunter Street East in Peterborough’s East City. Between the butcher shop, an online store that delivers across Ontario, a farm shop open seven days per week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and retail partners across The Kawarthas and beyond, there are many ways for buyers to get their hands on products from Harley Farms.
To reach even more customers and to share information about their business, Harley Farms is a member of the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh economic development program. The initiative provides a brand identity for local producers, a network for members to share and access resources, and an online database for consumers to find local producers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
On top of farming and selling, Harley Farms is beginning to relaunch the agri-tourism experiences they offered prior to the pandemic. In addition to having a playground on-site behind the farm stand that can be used for drop-in activities, Harley Farms host tours that invite visitors to explore and learn about the farm, and they have just opened a new event space that can be rented out for special occasions.
Along with humanely and sustainably raising cattle, pigs, sheep, and chickens, Harley Farms in the Township of Otonabee South Monaghan operates an online shop, an onsite farm stand, and a butcher shop in Peterborough’s East City, while offering agri-tourism experiences on the farm located just north of Keene. (Photos courtesy of Harley Farms)
“People can walk around and view the animals and play on the lawns and playgrounds,” says James Harley. “We always like to have people out and, especially in the summertime, when we have the big playground, we love to see the kids playing while their parents are shopping.”
With so many components to the business, it can be difficult for the family to find the time to connect with buyers and increase wholesale capacity. James says making these connections is a “full-time job” on top of all the other farm operations.
That’s why Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and the City of Peterborough have partnered to deliver the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale Program, an initiative designed to strengthen the region’s capacity for local food distribution.
The final stage of the initiative is the Green Circle Food Hub, developed with Graze & Gather to connect food producers like Harley Farms with local wholesale buyers including restaurants, resorts, and golf courses.
The hub is a win-win, as food producers can expand local distribution while food buyers have access to fresh local products that don’t have to travel as far.
“Any savings you have on transport is always beneficial because fuel is so expensive,” James says. “If you’re shipping things over from the U.S., that price is tacked on there somewhere. The closer to home you can buy, the better.”
Harley Farms is located at 1630 Heritage Line in Keene. To learn more or shop online, visit harleyfarms.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.
Parents and supporters at the Northview Community Campus in Peterborough, home to Northview Community Church and the Northview Daycare and Nursery School (Northview DaySchool), during an awareness event on April 19, 2026 with signs urging the church's board to reconsider the July 31 eviction deadline for Northview DaySchool and grant an extension. (Photo: Bethan Bates / kawarthaNOW)
The parents of more than 200 children in Peterborough must find new childcare options by July 31 after Northview Day Care & Nursery School (“Northview DaySchool”) was given an eviction notice.
On Sunday (April 19), parents and other supporters gathered outside Northview DaySchool at its long-time home in Northview Community Church at 1000 Fairbairn Street to raise awareness and ask the church board for an extended closure timeline.
“We’re not here protesting — we’re bringing awareness,” Tyler George, a Northview DaySchool parent, told kawarthaNOW.
Advertisement - content continues below
Lease expiration and negotiations break down
In December 2024, the 25-year rental agreement between Northview Church and Northview DaySchool ended. The DaySchool had been in this location for 43 years. Since the lease expired, the church board of directors and the DaySchool leadership have been negotiating new terms.
In a statement to the congregation circulated via email Northview Church cited “significant increase in operating and facility costs” over the term of the lease as the primary reason for the end of tenancy.
The church also spoke to the growing needs of their congregation, saying “We need to steward our facility in a way that best serves that mission.”
However, for parents at Northview DaySchool the primary concern is the lack of communication and reasonable transition planning.
“If the relationship is going to end, then we just need the time to relocate,” said George.
Despite the ongoing negotiations and the lease having been expired since December 2024, the news that no renewal would occur was not shared with parents until April 8. Ultimately, Northview DaySchool parents and staff were provided with less than four months’ notice.
Advertisement - content continues below
Short notice raises concerns for families
Andrew Davis, parent of two children at Northview DaySchool, said that “the board of directors of the church were well aware of the appropriate transition timeline.”
Typically, licensing a new childcare centre in Ontario takes approximately three to six months. Davis told kawarthaNOW that the ideal transition time for an institution of this size would be approximately one to two years.
Northview DaySchool serves 262 children from six weeks old through elementary school.
George spoke to the importance of the before- and after-school programs and summer camp activities run by the DaySchool, saying that the impact of this closure goes “beyond just childcare.”
Parents and supporters at the Northview Community Campus in Peterborough, home to Northview Community Church and the Northview Daycare and Nursery School (Northview DaySchool), during an awareness event on April 19, 2026 with signs urging the church’s board to reconsider the July 31 eviction deadline for Northview DaySchool and grant an extension until next February. (Photo courtesy of Tyler George / Northview DaySchool Parents)
For Davis, the communication by the church has provided “no reasonable explanation or timeline.”
At this time, the staff team at Northview DaySchool have indicated they will remain together to ensure continuity of care with the goal of relocating the DaySchool and its operations to a new facility.
Davis spoke highly of the staff at the DaySchool, saying that “every staff member has gone above and beyond what we ever expected.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Childcare shortages expected to worsen
However, if or until a new facility is secured, families will be forced to place their children on waitlists for existing childcare centres. Parents say there are approximately 800 children on the waitlist for Northview DaySchool, with a further 3,700 children on waitlists across the City of Peterborough.
George expressed concern that the closure of this facility will exacerbate existing problems within the childcare system, as over 200 spaces are being removed from the available market.
“That ripple effect is going to be felt across the city,” said George.
Laura Singh, who has two children attending Northview DaySchool, said she is worried about where she can place her children following the upcoming closure.
“Where will they go?” she asked.
The Northview DaySchool organizing parent’s group including Tyler George, Laura Singh, and Andrew Davis. (Photo courtesy of Tyler George / Northview DaySchool Parents)
Even a relocation of services causes concern for parents, as the relationship between the congregation, the local community, and DaySchool families is long-held and highly valued by parents.
Furthermore, parents spoke to the quality of resources available at Northview DaySchool and expressed worries that these could be lost.
“In terms of outdoor play space, Northview DaySchool is the nicest daycare in Peterborough,” said Singh.
There will be a period of transition for children currently enrolled in Northview DaySchool, whether they move to a new facility with the DaySchool or if they change to a different institution.
Advertisement - content continues below
Parents call for ‘child-centred’ transition timeline
Parents spoke to the importance of ensuring that any closure and subsequent transition is done with the best interest of the children at the centre.
“We’re asking for a compassionate extension to the timeline to be able to support our kids,” said George.
Singh said her hope is that the board sees the effect the decision is having on families noting that, if there must be a closure and transition, then it should be done “safely and in a reasonable timeframe.”
In their April 8 communication, Northview Church stated that they had “worked diligently” in negotiating new terms of tenancy with the DaySchool, but that each of their proposals had been rejected.
However, in an email sent to families and later shared on social media, the DaySchool administration expressed their “surprise” at the delivery of the notice and the timeline provided.
In this letter, Katherina Boshart, executive director of Northview DaySchool, stated that leadership at the DaySchool had requested “at least 1-2 years to transition” but that ultimately “this request was not honoured.”
Northview Daycare and Nursery School (Northview DaySchool) has been located in Northview Community Church at 1000 Fairbairn Street in Peterborough for 43 years. After a 25-year rental agreement between Northview Church and Northview DaySchool expired in December 2024, the church board of directors and the DaySchool leadership have been negotiating new terms. Those negotiations failed and Northview DaySchool was served an eviction notice for July 31, 2026. (Photo: Bethan Bates / kawarthaNOW)
Parents at the awareness event said that they understand that Northview DaySchool cannot remain at the church indefinitely, but they are asking for more time to find new daycare options for their children.
For Davis, “the conversation has moved passed staying here,” saying that parents recognize that “the church has a plan and a vision and that’s not up to us.”
The awareness event on April 19 was well attended by parents and local community members. It also drew the support and attention of Andrew Beamer, city councillor for Northcrest Ward, and Matt Crowley, city councillor for Monaghan Ward, as the DaySchool sits close to the ward boundary line.
Parents of Northview DaySchool students have also established an online petition addressing the Northview Church board of directors and asking them to reconsider the July 31 deadline and grant an extension until next February. To date, there are over 1,000 signatures in support of DaySchool parents.
“We are asking for enough time to ensure a safe, orderly, and child-centred transition,” the petition reads.
Singh, George, and Davis all expressed their gratitude for the support parents have received from members of the community and the Northview Church congregation. George said that many congregation members had attended the event to support and share their memories of the DaySchool.
The original version of this story has been updated to correct a quote from parent Laura Singh.
encoreNOW for April 20, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Goddo at Peterborough's Showplace, Rob Phillips and Carling Stephen at the Black Horse during the International Jazz Day Peterborough's Dine with Jazz series (photo by Andy Carroll), a screening of the 1921 silent film "Through the Back Door" at Lindsay's Academy Theatre, The Weber Brothers at Peterborough's Market Hall and Lindsay's Academy Theatre, "Paul and Linda Plan A Threesome" at Peterborough's Market Hall, and the Kawartha String Orchestra at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School. (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 highlights Goddo’s 50th anniversary stop at Peterborough’s Showplace, the Dine With Jazz restaurant series in downtown Peterborough, a screening of silent film Through The Back Door at Lindsay’s Academy Theatre, a new album release from The Weber Brothers with shows in Peterborough and Lindsay, New Stages Theatre’s staged reading of Paul and Linda Plan A Threesome at Peterborough’s Market Hall, and the Kawartha String Orchestra’s spring benefit concert for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Peterborough.
Goddo still bringing it five decades-plus after its debut
VIDEO: Goddo 50th Anniversary Concert Preview
As a huge music fan in Toronto circa the mid 1970s, my fake ID was my passport for weekend bar jaunts to experience the likes of Triumph, Max Webster, Rough Trade and, of course, Goddo.
Be it on Yonge Street or closer to home at Scarborough’s Knob Hill Tavern, that well-crafted document got me in the door, and that was more than good enough. I can’t recall where or how I obtained it but I’m guessing it cost me a good chunk of my weekly Dominion food store pay. It was worth every penny.
I won’t need it, and neither will you, on Friday (April 24) when Goddo makes a 50th anniversary tour stop at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
The Knobbie, as we called it, is long gone but Goddo founder, lead singer and guitarist Greg Godovitz is still very much with us, as is original drummer Marty Morin. On this tour, they’re joined by guitarists Steve Jensen and Steve MacPherson, keyboardist Drew Winters, and saxophonist Gene Hardy.
Goddo formed as a trio in Scarborough in 1975 and released its debut self-titled album two years later. Following the release of Pretty Bad Boys in 1981, the band broke up, only to reform in 1989 and subsequently record three more studio albums. Goddo’s last show featuring the original recording lineup of Godovitz, Gino Scarpelli, and Doug Inglis was in October 2018.
While Goddo saw limited commercial success — 1975’s “Louie Louie” and 1981’s “Pretty Bad Boy” saw some chart success — the band’s live shows, driven by high energy from start to finish, drew a loyal following. As the front man, Godovitz captivated with both his vocals and musicianship, and still brings it all these years on.
Tickets to the 7:30 pm concert cost $45 to $60 at showplace.org. As a bonus, the band is planning to host a meet-and-greet in the lobby post-show.
Enjoying some jazz with your dinner is never a bad idea
There’s a movement afoot in Peterborough, and it’s bringing jazz music fans, both of the longtime and new variety, together with increasing frequency.
Thus, it’s no surprise that UNESCO-declared International Jazz Day on April 30 will be preceded by a celebration of the genre that will provide ample opportunity to take in performances by a number of locals.
While the keynote concert on Sunday (April 26) featuring Juno Award-winning jazz singer Molly Johnson at Peterborough’s Market Hall is sold out, the Dine With Jazz series held that same evening will see eight local jazz musicians do their thing at four downtown restaurants.
From 6 to 8 p.m., Pete Woolidge and Mark Davidson will perform at La Hacienda (190 Hunter Street West), Ginny Simmonds and Craig Paterson will do likewise at Amandala’s (375 Water Street), Michael Morris and Paco Luviano will be featured at Agave (376 George Street North), and The Black Horse Pub welcomes the familiar duo of Rob Phillips and Carling Stephen, who will be followed a jazz concert featuring the Curtis Cronkwright Quartet, with Cronkwright joined by Chris Gale, Nathan Hiltz, and Duncan Hopkins.
While there’s no cover charge for any of these shows, sponsored in part by kawarthaNOW, each of the participating restaurants is encouraging reservations.
American jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock first proposed International Jazz Day in 2011 after he was designated a Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO proclaimed April 30 as International Jazz Day in 2012 and now, 14 years later, more than 200 countries annually participate.
Locally, International Jazz Day was first organized in 2015 by a group of Peterborough jazz musicians and, except for a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, it has been marked every year since.
Advertisement - content continues below
Classic 1921 silent film returning to Lindsay 104 years later
Curated by Ian McKechnie, the screening of the 1921 silent film “Through the Back Door” at Lindsay’s FLATO Academy Theatre on April 26, 2026 will feature live music by pianist Paul Mason. (Graphics: FLATO Academy Theatre)
It took a bit, but Through The Back Door is returning to Lindsay’s FLATO Academy Theatre on Sunday (April 26).
First screened at the historically majestic venue in 1922 — one year after the silent comedy drama’s release — the film will be shown, accompanied live by pianist Paul Mason.
Curated by Ian McKechnie, the event is a throwback to The Roaring Twenties, with guests invited, and encouraged, to dress in 1920s attire to really set the mood (a photobooth will be available). The event also features a special musical feature of 1920s period pieces by Sophia Mackey.
As for the film, it stars legendary Canadian actress Mary Pickford as Jeanne, a nanny-raised young Belgian girl who flees Europe at the dawn of World War One and travels to America to find her real mother. The film was co-directed Jack Pickford, Mary’s younger brother, and produced by Mary herself.
For trivia buffs, here’s a gem: Swedish author Astrid Lindgren saw the film in 1922 at age 15. She later borrowed a few ideas from it for her Pippi Longstocking children’s books, most notably Pippi using scrubs as skates while cleaning the floor.
More new music from Ryan and Sam Weber set to debut
VIDEO: The Weber Brothers at DocFest 2025
The story is very familiar for those who follow local music, and even to many who don’t.
Back around the arrival of the new millennium, teens Ryan and Sam Weber left their Maryland childhood home and headed to our neck of the woods with one clear goal front of mind: to meet and learn music at the knee of rockabilly music legend Ronnie Hawkins. In return, they offered to help The Hawk with the many chores his sprawling Stoney Lake property called for.
Since then, the brothers have provided countless memorable live music moments, their talent and songwriting on the same level as their selfless giving of themselves for any cause calling for a hand up. And then there’s the brothers’ relentless studio work that, to date, has produced 17 independent albums that showcase their ability to tackle multiple music genres and make them their own.
It matter of when, not if, a new album would be forthcoming from two huge talents who have performed not only as members of Hawkin’s famed band The Hawks, but also alongside the likes of Kris Kristofferson, the late Jeff Healey and Gordon Lughtfoot, and The Tragically Hip.
On Friday, May 1 at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough, that new album will be released on the cusp of a tour that will see brothers also take to the FLATO Academy Theatre stage in Linday on Thursday, May 14. Go to one, go to both, but go and learn (or re-learn) why the moniker “The Baddest Band in the Land” still fits after so many years.
Tickets to the 8 p.m. Market Hall album release cost $40 for cabaret seating or $35 for regular seating at a href=”https://www.markethall.org/” rel=”noopener” title=”Market Hall website” target=”_blank”>www.markethall.org. Meanwhile, tickets for the subsequent Academy Theatre show cost $43 and can be ordered at www.flatoacademytheatre.com.
Advertisement - content continues below
Paul and Linda’s marriage is about to take a different turn
VIDEO: “Paul and Linda Plan A Threesome” teaser with Megan Murphy and Kerry Griffin
Don’t tell Peterborough’s New Stages Theatre that two’s company but three’s a crowd — the latter can indeed be a very good thing, especially when it arrives in the form of Jane Cooper Ford’s hit comedy.
On Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough, New Stages presents a staged reading of Paul and Linda Plan A Threesome, sponsored in part by kawarthaNOW.
Directed by New Stages artistic director Mark Wallace, it relates the story of a successful middle-aged couple Paul and Linda, played by Kerry Griffin and Megan Murphy, who decide it’s time to spice up their marriage. Their salvation, they decide, lies in the planning of a threesome. Enter Sienna, played by Kate Suhr, who the couple has sourced online to help them realize their naughty ambition. All is good until Paul’s sister Gwen, portrayed by Linda Kash, throws a wrench in the threesome plan.
All four actors are New Stages veterans, with Murphy and Griffin having worked together most recently for the theatre company’s staged reading of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play last December.
Despite the play’s suggestive title, we’re assured there nothing more risqué than suggestive language and perhaps a kiss on stage will take place.
That said, there is a content advisory for strong and explicit language and mature themes, the result being the show is recommended for audience members 16 years of age and older. If you’re on the fence in terms of checking out the show, you should know its 2024 premiere in Stratford was sold out and the staging was held over as a result.
Curtain is 7 p.m. on May 2 and 2 p.m. on May 3. Tickets cost $30 at www.markethall.org, with an offered $20 “welcome rate” that’s covered by a $40 pay-it-forward ticket price for those who want to help out.
Kawartha String Orchestra helps Big Brothers Big Sisters
Featuring conductor and music director Tak Kwan, who will also perform as a soloist, the Kawartha String Orchestra’s spring concert on May 3, 2026 at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough. (Graphics and photo: Kawartha String Orchestra)
Since its inception, the Kawartha String Orchestra has had one simple but very sincere goal: sharing members’ love of music with the community.
To that end, the orchestra, comprised of string musicians of all ages and backgrounds, has done just that, habitually performing two free concerts annually as fundraisers for local non-profits.
On Sunday, May 3 at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School on Armour Road, “Pulse and Precision” will feature the performance of selections from Mozart and Bach, with a side order of Celtic music courtesy of Foley’s Celtic Pub Band. Meanwhile, conductor Tak Kwan will be a busy man, also performing on violin as the featured soloist.
With Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough the beneficiary, admission to the 2 p.m. concert is via a donation to the agency via cash, cheque, or credit card Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
Advertisement - content continues below
Encore
We all had a lot of energy to burn off during the dark COVID pandemic years but few places where we could do just that. Local musicians got a break when Andy and Linda Tough launched a YouTube series of concerts recorded in the isolation of their Norwood property’s barn. Four series were shot under the title Live! At The Barn, with yours truly delighted to serve as emcee for each series. For context, they were shot in the same barn the Toughs habitually invited anyone and everyone to enjoy live music jams over a number of years. On Monday night (April 20) at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough, Andy and Linda — who are moving well out of the area — will be feted by appreciative musicians and their supporters. Billed as “A Tough Goodbye,” bet on there being more than a few tears.
The 2026 New Music Awards, presented by Sparq and Pet Rock Radio, will again celebrate the best in local independent music on Saturday, May 23 at the Market Hall in downtown Peterborough. Awards will be presented in 17 categories and performances by nominees will be featured. While I wish all nominees the best, my fingers are particularly crossed for singer-songwriter Georgia Rose, who’s nominated for Album of the Year and Song of the Year. The teen has stepped up to gift her time and talent for Peterborough Performs, and her genuine excitement over that opportunity lifted the hearts of many. Georgia works hard at her craft, playing everywhere and anywhere she can. It’s hard, if not impossible, to root for her, never mind acknowledge her big talent.
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School is located at 1050 Birchwood Trail in Cobourg. (Photo: St. Mary Catholic Secondary School / Facebook)
For the third time in the past week, Cobourg police have responded to a ‘swatting’ incident at a local high school, along with a fourth incident at a local public school.
At around 10 a.m. on Monday (April 20), police officers responded to a report of threats at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg.
The school was placed on hold and secure as police conducted an investigation, which included a search of the building. Police did not locate anything suspicious and no physical injuries were reported. Police released the hold and secure and cleared the scene at around 10:50 a.m.
Advertisement - content continues below
Last Friday morning, Cobourg police also responded to a report of threats at the same high school and conducted a search of the building. No students were at the school at the time as it was a P.A. day and police found nothing suspicious during the search.
Police responded to the first report of threats at the high school last Monday morning, placing the school in lockdown. After searching the building, police did not find anything suspicious.
That incident was followed last Tuesday by a report of a threat with a weapon at C.R. Gummow Public School in Cobourg. Police placed the school in lockdown and searched the building. After failing to find a weapon, police determined there were no immediate threats to the school and lifted the lockdown.
Police believe all four incidents are linked and are instances of the criminal act of swatting, where someone reports false or misleading information to police to prompt an emergency response, often to someone’s home, business, or school.
Advertisement - content continues below
The term “swatting” comes from SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), which are specialized police units trained to respond to high-risk situations like hostage crises or armed standoffs. Swatting emerged in the early 2000s within online communities, especially competitive gaming and internet forums, when disputes escalated into real-world harassment.
Because police treat all reports of threats or potential dangers to community safety seriously and respond accordingly, swatting can potentially lead to property damage, trauma, injury, or even death.
“These calls divert critical police and emergency resources and place officers and community members at unnecessary risk,” states a media release from the Cobourg Police Service. “Anyone found responsible for swatting incidents can face serious criminal charges.”
Police established that last Tuesday’s incident at C.R. Gummow Public School in Cobourg was linked to an overseas phone number.
Police are continuing to investigate the incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cobourg police at 905-372-6821 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at stopcrimehere.ca.
Advertisement - content continues below
On Monday afternoon, the Cobourg Police Service provided an update on the investigation, revealing for the first time that the swatting incidents have extended beyond the schools in question.
“Over the past ten days, police have responded to numerous swatting incidents at local schools, residences, and businesses in Cobourg,” the media release states. “Based on information currently available, investigators believe these incidents are linked to online exploitation and extortion of youth, originating through interactions on social media, gaming, and online chat platforms.”
The release adds that the Cobourg police’s criminal investigation bureau is continuing “to actively investigate and is working in collaboration with external law enforcement partners, including the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to identify those responsible.”
“We recognize the fear and disruption caused by large-scale emergency responses, particularly in sensitive locations such as schools, and we appreciate the community’s ongoing patience and understanding as we manage these impacts and work to bring those responsible to justice,” states Cobourg police chief Paul VandeGraaf in the release.
“We want to reassure parents, students, and community members that police will continue to respond to all reported threats with urgency and care to ensure the safety of our schools and community. We encourage youth and families to talk openly, access available supports, and report concerning behaviour.”
Advertisement - content continues below
The release also includes a statement from Stephen O’Sullivan, director of education for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board, and Paul Brown, chairperson of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities,” O’Sullivan states. “While the recent ‘swatting’ incidents have been deeply disruptive and distressing for our school community, they have also highlighted the incredible resilience of our students and the professionalism of our staff … We remain fully committed to supporting the police in their investigation to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
“In the event of a threat or emergency response, we rely on the expertise of local police partners to ensure a coordinated approach that supports the safety and protection of students,” Brown states. “We recognize that these situations are distressing, and we appreciate the partnership of families and the cooperation of students and staff in following established safety protocols.”
The original version of this story has been updated with an update on the status of the investigation from the Cobourg Police Service.
Peterborough East City resident Ashley Bonner has been working on building community resilience through a number of local initiatives including creating an online hub, hosting network events, and encouraging neighbourhood residents to get to know one another. In addition to launching the East City Ptbo community hub on Facebook during the pandemic, she helped organize the East City C.A.R.E. grassroots community initiative and, at a neighbourhood networking event on April 27, 2026 at St. Luke's Church, will be introducing a new project in partnership with Community Care Peterborough that will support vulnerable residents during emergency situations. She will also be leading the fifth annual East City Neighbourhood Yard Sale on Mother's Day weekend. (Photo via Women's Business Network of Peterborough website)
From hosting scavenger hunts and fundraisers to yard sales and networking events, Ashley Bonner has already done so much to encourage residents of Peterborough’s East City neighbourhood to get to know and support each other. Yet, as she prepares to launch a new project for emergency preparedness, it’s clear she has no intention of slowing down.
“I’ve lived in the Ashburnham area my whole life and I feel so very connected and rooted here and feel very much that the community is my extended family,” she says. “I’d say that it almost became a bit of a purpose when COVID hit. I could really connect people at that neighbourhood level and utilize my skill sets in different ways.”
Fostering connections is rooted in every part of Bonner’s daily life. As program director for the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, she has designed networking activities to make connecting feel natural and accessible and through her business, Smarketing, she provides marketing strategies for local businesses, organizations, and events.
Advertisement - content continues below
“I know that local communities grow stronger through connection, visibility, and support for the local economy,” Bonner says. “For me, community building and business go hand in hand. When we support local businesses, organizations, and events, we strengthen the resilience of the places we call home.”
Bonner founded the East City Ptbo community hub on Facebook in 2020 when the pandemic made it clear there was a need for an online space where neighbours could connect and provide vital supports. What started with neighbours offering to pick up supplies or run errands for others turned into groups connecting over shared interests and community initiatives.
Bonner began to see that the group was about building resilience, and that doesn’t just mean bouncing back after an emergency like the pandemic or power outages.
After realizing the limitations to having an online hub for residents to connect with one another during emergencies, East City resident Ashley Bonner co-organized a neighbourhood emergency preparedness meeting at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Armour Road on January 31, 2026. The East City C.A.R.E. (Community Action for Resilience in Emergencies) also hosted meetings in February and March. Bonner will be hosting a Neighbourhood Network event featuring community groups and local businesses at St. Luke’s at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Bonner)
“You start to see that resilience isn’t just the after-effect — it’s how we are connecting daily,” Bonner explains.
“The more neighbours know each other, the more likely they are to check in on each other in emergencies or ask neighbours ‘Can I borrow this?’ in those emergency situations. For me, resilience is how are we connecting on that everyday situation though our direct neighbours, through events. How are we having these conversations and connections?”
During emergencies like the derecho storm of 2022 and last year’s spring ice storm, Bonner saw the limitations posed by the online group when people didn’t have cell reception or power to access the group. While some neighbours had the connections to show up for each other, other residents were left feeling isolated.
Advertisement - content continues below
That’s when the East City Neighbourhood Network was created. At the first meeting last November, more than 90 residents showed up to connect with others in their community and learn about initiatives happening across the neighbourhood.
Bonner then met with a group of people like herself who wanted to take emergency preparedness to the next level, which led to the formation of East City C.A.R.E. (Community Action for Resilience in Emergencies).
“This is very much where my passion was, so I was pretty excited for the first meeting when 60 people showed up, because when you start getting into that emergency planning, you’re wondering if people care,” she says.
Maureen Tavener (left) awards Ashley Bonner with the 2024 Member of the Year Award from the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Since the pandemic, the East City resident and small business owner of Smarketing has encouraged community resilience by building an online community hub, hosting neighbourhood yard sales, planning networking events, and otherwise encouraging neighbours to get to know one another. (Photo: Women’s Business Network of Peterborough)
“A lot of people will put the onus on the city or on organizations, but I think where you’ll see more momentum is if there is a grassroots growing that can really work with the city to say certain things,” Bonner adds. “We can’t wait for the city to declare that state of emergency, but your first responders are your neighbours.”
Since beginning to host monthly meetings beginning in January, the group has explored 72-hour preparedness, emergency hub development, communication options, resource sharing, and more.
“I knew this whole time, you can’t just have the conversation at that grassroots level,” Bonner says. “You have to look at what organizations and what the city is doing because you work within that infrastructure and there is lots of things that are being done. The goal was to say let’s have these conversations, let’s talk about what this looks like at our neighbourhood level, and how we can be prepared, but let’s also talk about and try to find bridges to connect with different city and emergency services.”
Advertisement - content continues below
East City C.A.R.E. is hosting a neighbourhood networking event on Monday, April 27 at St. Luke’s Anglican Church at 566 Armour Road, with doors opening at 6 p.m. The event will see a “business connect” area for residents to learn about businesses, and there will be new block challenges designed to get residents prepared or building relationships with each other.
Bonner will also be introducing a pilot project in partnership with Community Care Peterborough. Called “Hey Neighbour,” the project connects residents with vulnerable neighbours in their area through a volunteer registration. They will provide call check-ins, friendly visits, and emergencies check -ins.
“There is a good amount of people who want to check in on neighbours, or at least want to know where the vulnerable neighbours are on their street that could really use a check-in,” says Bonner. “The fact that Community Care is going to partner with us is very exciting, and this is something that can be done in all of the city. This is not just East City specific.”
Ashley Bonner receives the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from Rotary Club of Peterborough President Tony Grady in 2025 in the community service category, given to those who make a significant leadership contribution to the community. (Photo: Rotary Club of Peterborough)
As she prepares for the meeting, Bonner is also seeking participating residents to join the fifth annual East City Neighbourhood Yard Sale, being held on Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
With more than 100 homes in East City participating in previous years, selling furniture, books, toys, artwork, clothing, and other hidden gems in past years, the events were inspired by Bonner’s mother Brenda.
“She would really absolutely love this,” Bonner says. “She loved yard sale-ing, so to have so many yard sales in such a small proximity would have been gold for her, and I think it really turned my grief into community connection. Mother’s Day weekend is a hard weekend if you have lost your mom, but it’s now turned into a beautiful community event where people come with their moms and make memories with their moms.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Though Bonner has been a catalyst for creating a resilient community, she says she’s grateful to live in a place where people want to “show up” and help each other.
“This isn’t just me — every step of the way for every event there are neighbours who step up to help volunteer and to help organize,” she says. “With East City C.A.R.E., we have a great team going who are really dedicated in the background and I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for community that are wanting to show up and wanting to be involved and engaged. I’m very fortunate.”
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a man and woman were seriously injured in a collision following a police pursuit in Lindsay early Sunday morning (April 19).
At around 3:30 a.m., the Kawartha Lakes Police Service received a 9-1-1 call reporting unknown trouble in the area of Colborne Street West and William Street North in Lindsay.
According to preliminary information released by the SIU, an officer in a marked cruiser responded, locating a BMW of interest parked at Regent Street and Victoria Avenue North.
Advertisement - content continues below
After the officer stopped behind the parked vehicle, the driver fled and the officer pursued the vehicle southbound on Victoria Avenue. A short time later, the driver of the BMW collided with a parked vehicle at Victoria Avenue South and Glenelg Street West and landed on the top of another parked vehicle.
The driver, a 21-year-old man, and the passenger, a 32-year-old woman were taken by ambulance to Ross Memorial Hospital.
The man was admitted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the woman was transported to a Toronto hospital with serious injuries.
Advertisement - content continues below
Following the incident, the Kawartha Lakes Police Service notified the SIU, which invoked its mandate.
The SIU an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of police that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person. all investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians.
Anyone who may have witnessed the pursuit on Victoria Avenue South between Russell Street West and Glenelg Street West is asked to contact the SIU’s lead investigator for case number 25-OVI-185 at 1-800-787-8529 or online at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
GreenUP volunteers participate in Restoration Wednesday, a series of events that invites individuals to learn about a variety of ecological restoration topics. For more than 30 years, GreenUP has been encouraging Peterborough-area residents to take local climate action through a number of hands-on programming and nature-based learning opportunities. The non-profit charitable organization is hosting an Earth Day Open House on April 22, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m., inviting community members to drop in and connect with GreenUP staff, learn about programming, and get involved. (Photo: GreenUP)
Having spent more than three decades empowering climate action in the Peterborough region, it’s only fitting that GreenUP will be hosting an open house on Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) to celebrate its achievements with the community over the past year and to share its plans for 2026.
Since 1992, the non-profit environmental organization has delivered hands-on programming, worked with community partners, and promoted connections with nature as part of its mission is to inspire and empower healthy and sustainable climate action right here at home.
Last year alone, GreenUP planted over 2,100 trees, engaged more than 5,300 youth across all its programs, and encouraged over 3,300 people to participate in active transportation programs — demonstrating only a few of the ways local climate action can make a real difference.
Supporting community-driven climate action
GreenUP volunteer Saima Sarfraz brings her son to propagate native plant species at a volunteer stewardship event. GreenUP’s program areas are broad and include helping homes and businesses reduce energy consumption, creating habitat for native plants and wildlife, promoting active transportation habits, educating children and youth to instill a lifelong relationship with nature, planting trees, caring for community orchards, and so much more. (Photo: GreenUP)
“We offer folks in the community an opportunity to take action on the climate events they’re concerned about — whether flooding, changing weather patterns, or heat waves — and learn what they can do to help mitigate some of the impacts of climate change,” says GreenUP interim executive director Natalie Stephenson.
“They can get involved in a lot of ways that invite them to be part of a solution, instead of perhaps watching the news and feeling overwhelmed. It’s certainly a challenging time, both for our community and our climate, and we offer some optimism and ways to take action on the things people care about.”
GreenUP’s program areas are broad and include helping homes and businesses reduce energy consumption, creating habitat for native plants and wildlife, promoting active transportation habits, educating children and youth to instill a lifelong relationship with nature, planting trees, caring for community orchards, and so much more.
Growing local solutions at Ecology Park
GreenUP will be opening the Ecology Park Native Plant Nursery for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 16. During an opening event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., GreenUP will also begin engaging families in a new project to help reimagine the Children’s Garden at Ecology Park, which is also the basis of their spring fundraising campaign. (Photo: GreenUP)
The spring is one of the busiest times of year for GreenUP as the organization prepares to open the Native Plant Nursery at Ecology Park on Saturday, May 16.
During an opening event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., GreenUP will also begin engaging families in a new project to help reimagine the Children’s Garden at Ecology Park, which is also the basis of their spring fundraising campaign.
“We are looking for support from our community to bring to life new activities that children and families would like to access at Ecology Park,” Stephenson says. “We want to bring more families to the park, to learn about nature and connect with the land in all seasons.”
“It’s important to us to get kids off their screens and establish a connection to nature so, as they get older, they become the next stewards and climate champions in our community. I think it’s also important to a lot of folks that have kids or grandkids in the Peterborough region.”
Located at 1899 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, GreenUP Ecology Park Native Plant Nursery is a source for native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The nursery is propagating more native plants than ever, many of which are available for purchase, while others make their way to ecological projects throughout the community. All proceeds from nursery sales support GreenUP’s non-profit programming. (Photo: GreenUP)
Located at 1899 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough, GreenUP Ecology Park Native Plant Nursery is a source for native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The nursery is propagating more native plants than ever, many of which are available for purchase, while others make their way to ecological projects throughout the community. All proceeds from nursery sales support GreenUP’s non-profit programming.
“We’re starting to reach a broader audience who want to learn about simple changes they can make to support pollinators and wildlife in their own gardens,” Stephenson says. “Ecology Park is a great place to come, ask questions, and glean some new expertise from our team. We are proud to offer local solutions that we’re growing right here at home.”
This year, GreenUP is also partnering with the Peterborough & Area Master Gardeners on an initiative called Growing Together. Funded by the federal New Horizons for Seniors program, this initiative will engage older adults in hands-on, intergenerational learning through a series of educational workshops at Ecology Park in June and September.
Volunteers are at the heart of GreenUP’s impact
Trent University teacher candidates volunteer with GreenUP at Ecology Park each May as part of The Learning Garden, an alternative settings placement which provides the students with the knowledge, skill, and motivation to facilitate environmental consciousness to their future students. (Photo: GreenUP)
Although GreenUP operates with a team of paid staff, the organization also depends on the contributions of environmentally minded volunteers.
In 2025, the organization grew its volunteer community to 545 people who contributed over 3,600 hours of work. These volunteers engaged in activities like Restoration Wednesdays, where they learned about native plants and invasive species management while significantly contributing to Ecology Park’s ecological health.
“What’s driving our volunteer program is that people really want to connect with others who share their passions,” Stephenson says. “Volunteers can make connections, developing a kinship with the land and with other environmentally conscious folks, while removing invasive plants, and replacing them with native varieties. It’s a win-win across the board.”
One of those volunteers is Stephanie Larstone, who says donating her time to GreenUP has been “life changing.” A landscape gardener, she attended Restoration Wednesdays last year, where she learned to identify buckthorn and other invasive plant species.
Although GreenUP operates with a team of paid staff, the organization also depends on the contributions of environmentally minded volunteers like Stephanie Larstone, pictured during a Trans Canada Trail tree planting event held at Ecology Park in October 2025. A landscape gardener, she attended weekly Restoration Wednesday events at Ecology Park where she removed buckthorn and learned about other invasive plants. (Photo: GreenUP)
“I loved what GreenUP was doing, and I loved learning, and I think I went back every Wednesday from that day on,” Larstone says about her first time volunteering.
Since then, she has also joined GreenUP in tree planting initiatives at Ecology Park and helped with a few administrative tasks. Heading into the spring, she says she has designed her work schedule around being able to continue to show up for GreenUP, learn about climate action, and make connections with other volunteers.
“I’ve met a lot of really interesting people, and I can’t think of any other way that I ever would have met some of them because we’re all different ages with different work experiences,” she says. “I felt warmly welcomed from the moment I stepped foot inside.”
Sustaining programs through community support
GreenUP interim executive director Natalie Stephenson supports a young cyclist during a community Let’s Bike! cycling pop-up hosted at the Balsillie Family YMCA. Supported by GreenUP, Active School Travel Peterborough hosts events to promote the use of active and sustainable transportation for the daily trip to school. As a charitable organization, GreenUP relies on community donations to maintain the quality and diversity of their programs. (Photo: GreenUP)
As a charitable organization, GreenUP also relies on community donations to maintain the quality and diversity of their programs. Given how unreliable grants and funding can be, GreenUP is hoping to engage more monthly donors to ensure long-term and sustainable support they can count on.
“Running a non-profit is challenging, particularly when we don’t know how much we can reliably fundraise,” Stephenson explains. “It makes it hard to plan programs and run them in a sustained way. If we have monthly donations of any size coming in, it helps us to know what we are able to offer to the community.”
There are many ways to make a donation, whether through a one-time, monthly, or a legacy gift in a will. When donating to GreenUP, people can choose which programs and areas to support, and they can take pride in the role they play, enabling this continual work in the community.
“When you support a local organization like GreenUP, it’s much easier to feel connected with and see the impact of your dollars firsthand,” Stephenson says.
Donor Virginia Swinson agrees, noting that Greenup “fulfils such an important role in these times of environmental degradation.”
“Dollars donated to this organization give me a sense of purpose and gratification, doing something tangible to help protect the land and water of the Peterborough area,” she says.
Earth Day open house invites community connection
GreenUP staff and board members stand outside the charitable organization’s office at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough. On Earth Day 2026 (Wednesday, April 22), GreenUP is hosting an open house, inviting community members to meet the team, learn about programming, share what they care about most, and get involved. (Photo: GreenUP)
The Earth Day open house is also an opportunity for community members to connect with GreenUP by dropping by the organization’s office at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough between 4 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
The event will feature a program showcase, some light refreshments, and members of the GreenUP team will be available to share information about programs and to find out what residents would like to see from the organization going forward.
“We want to meet community needs with our programming,” Stephenson says. “Great ideas come from our community and we love the opportunity to learn directly from local residents about their priorities. At the open house, we’ll be celebrating many of the things that we’ve been doing over the last year, and also engaging with community members so that they can grow their own understanding of GreenUP — and get involved.”
For more information about GreenUP, to donate, or get involved as a volunteer, visit greenup.on.ca.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with GreenUP. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
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.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
