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nightlifeNOW – August 24 to 30

"What if for one day everything stopped, and we all just listened to the music?" The last Saturday in August in worldwide Play Music On The Porch Day. In celebration of the day, Haliburton Highlands Brewing is hosting an open jam on Saturday afternoon. (Graphic: Play Music On The Porch Day)

Every Thursday, we publish live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, August 24 to Wednesday, August 30.

If you’re a pub or restaurant owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.

With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).

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Arthur's Pub

930 Burnham St., Cobourg
(905) 372-2105

Thursday, August 24

8-10pm - Open mic w/ Bruce Longman

Friday, August 25

8-11pm - Brian Bracken

Saturday, August 26

8-11pm - Samara Johnson

Bancroft Eatery and Brew Pub

4 Bridge St., Bancroft
(613) 332-3450

Friday, August 25

7-10pm - David Byrski and Riley Townes

Beamish House Pub

27 John St., Port Hope
905-885-8702

Sunday, August 27

4-7pm - Live music TBA

Black Horse Pub

452 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-0633

Thursday, August 24

7-10pm - Jazz & Blues ft. Rob Phillips Trio and Carling Stephen

Friday, August 25

5-8pm - Cheryl Casselman; 9pm - Between The Static

Saturday, August 26

5-8pm - Daelin Henschel; 9pm - Brisk Recharge

Sunday, August 27

4-7pm - Mark Beatty

Monday, August 28

6-9pm - Rick & Gailie's Crash & Burn

Tuesday, August 29

7-10pm - Open stage

Coming Soon

Friday, September 1
6-8pm - Taylor Abrahamse; 9pm - Rick & Gailie

Saturday, September 2
5-8pm - The Colton Sisters; 9pm - High Waters Band

Sunday, September 3
4-7pm - Ky Anto

Wednesday, September 6
8pm - Reid Thomas

Bonnie View Inn Dockside Patio

2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Rd., Haliburton
800-461-0347

Wednesday, August 30

5:30-8:30pm - Run With The Kittens ($5 cover)

Coming Soon

Wednesday, September 6
5:30-8:30pm - Live music TBA ($5 cover)

Burleigh Falls Inn

4791 Highway 28, Burleigh Falls
(705) 654-3441

Friday, August 25

5:30pm - Jake Dudas

Saturday, August 26

SOLD OUT - 6pm - Stoney Lake Music Fiesta ft The Weber Brothers at 8pm ($100 for dinner and show)

Sunday, August 27

12-3pm - Mike Graham

Canoe & Paddle

18 Bridge St., Lakefield
(705) 651-1111

Saturday, August 26

7-10pm - Darryl Odderbreaux

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Claymore Pub & Table

95 King St. W., Cobourg
905-372-5231

Thursday, August 24

7-10pm - Karaoke

Coach & Horses Pub

16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006

Saturday, August 26

2-5pm - Gramps & Bonnie

The Cow & Sow Eatery

38 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-5111

Saturday, August 26

7pm - Jesse Byers

Coming Soon

Friday, September 8
5-9pm - Karaoke fundraiser for Fenelon Falls Agricultural Society

Crook & Coffer

231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-876-0505

Thursday, August 24

7-10pm - Lisa Canivet & Jay Cockerill

Friday, August 25

8pm - Karaoke with Stoeten

Saturday, August 26

7:30-10:30pm - Lotus Wright

Sunday, August 27

Closed

Tuesday, August 29

7-9pm - Piano Bar Tuesdays w/ guest musician TBA

Dominion Hotel

113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954

Friday, August 25

3pm - Happy Hour with Trina West (no cover)

Saturday, August 26

3pm - Happy Hour with North of Seven ft Eric Casper (no cover)

Sunday, August 27

3pm - Happy Hour with The Salt Cellars (no cover)

Tuesday, August 29

3-6pm - Tiki Tuesday with Gord Kidd and Friends (no cover)

Coming Soon

Friday, September 1
3pm - Happy Hour with Bill Black (no cover); 7:30pm - Open mic

Saturday, September 2
3pm - Happy Hour with North of Seven ft Eric Casper (no cover)

Sunday, September 3
3pm - Happy Hour with Gord Kidd and Friends (no cover)

Tuesday, September 5
3-6pm - Tiki Tuesday with Recycled Teenagers (no cover)

Erben Eatery & Bar

189 Hunter St W,, Peterborough
705-304-1995

Friday, August 25

9pm - Heavy Head & Forest Gumption

Saturday, August 26

7-9pm - The Tallboys (no cover)

Sunday, August 27

6pm - Open mic w/ Samara Johnson

Monday, August 28

6pm - Open jam

Tuesday, August 29

8pm - Karaoke

Ganaraska Hotel

30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254

Friday, August 25

9pm - Port Hope Jazz presents The Jive Bombers w/ Johnny Max ($25 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/port-hope-jazz-series-2023-2355229)

Saturday, August 26

2-5pm - Live music TBA; 9pm - Port Hope Jazz presents Jack de Keyzer ($25 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/port-hope-jazz-series-2023-2355229)

The Granite

45 Bridge St. W., Bancroft
613-332-1500

Saturday, August 26

5-8pm - Matt Smith

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Haliburton Highlands Brewing

1067 Garden Gate Dr., Haliburton
705-754-2739

Friday, August 25

7-9pm - Don Chapman

Saturday, August 26

1-4pm - Play Music On The Porch Day open jam

Sunday, August 27

12-2pm - Reg Corey; 2-4pm - Loney, Love & Love

Jethro's Bar + Stage

137 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
705-931-0617

Thursday, August 24

6-8pm - Colleen Brown & Sarah Hilts; 8-10pm - Michael C Duguay & Ryan Perks w/ Jamieson Mackay; 10pm - Friendly Rich & The Jane Does

Friday, August 25

6-8pm - Chester Babcock Trio; 8-10pm - The Lucky Ones; 10pm - Sorry Snowman, Backseat Dragon, Night Danger

Saturday, August 26

6-8pm - Davie & Sue Newberry w/ James Burrows and Winter Luhen Tran;; 8-10pm - Thunderclap; 10pm - Blue Hazel

Sunday, August 27

3-6pm - Open Blues Jam

Monday, August 28

8pm - Karaoke w/ host Anne Shebib

Wednesday, August 30

9pm - Country & Bluegrass Jam w/ host Michelle Moran

Kawartha Country Wines

2452 County Road 36,, Buckhorn
705-657-9916

Sunday, August 27

1-4pm - Melodi Ryan

Coming Soon

Sunday, September 3
1-4pm - Tami J WIlde

Kelly's Homelike Inn

205 3rd Street, Cobourg
905-372-3234

Saturday, August 26

4-8pm - Rick and Gailie

The Lounge in the Hollow Valley Lodge

1326 Kawagama Lake Rd., Dorset
705-766-1980

Friday, August 25

8pm - Lakeshore Road

Saturday, August 26

8pm - Lou Moore

Sunday, August 27

7pm - Open Jam hosted by Sean Cotton

Coming Soon

Friday, September 1
8pm - Sax Hazard!

Mainstreet Bar & Grill

1939 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn
(705) 657-9094

Thursday, August 24

7-10pm - Karaoke w/ Ross Burgoyne

Saturday, August 26

7-10pm - Jake Ezs

Sunday, August 27

2-5pm - Jake Ezs

McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery

13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600

Thursday, August 24

7-11pm - Karaoke

McThirsty's Pint

166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220

Friday, August 25

9pm - Cale Crowe

Saturday, August 26

9pm - Ryan Burton

Sunday, August 27

7pm - Open mic

Tuesday, August 29

8pm - Live music TBA

Wednesday, August 30

9pm - Live music TBA

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The Mill Restaurant and Pub

990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177

Thursday, August 24

6-9pm - Monkey Mountain

Coming Soon

Thursday, August 31
6-9pm - Shaun Savoy

Moody's Bar & Grill

3 Tupper St., Millbrook
(705) 932-6663

Saturday, August 26

2-5pm - Al Black's Steady Trio

The Publican House

300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743

Thursday, August 24

7-9pm - Cale Crowe

Friday, August 25

7-9pm - House Brand Trio

Puck' N Pint Sports Pub

871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
(705) 741-1078

Friday, August 25

7pm - Andy & Friends

Saturday, August 26

8pm - Live music TBA

Red Dog Tavern

189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400

Saturday, August 26

9:30pm - Free Under Fire w/ 7 Day Riot & Unprofessional ($10 at door)

Coming Soon

Saturday, September 2
8pm - Jupiter Hollow & Taking Balfour ($15 in advance, $20 at door)

Friday, September 8
10pm - Misfits in Action

Saturday, September 30
8:30pm - illScarlett w/ Burning Bridges

Riverside Grill at the Holiday Inn

150 George St, Peterborough
705-740-6564

Thursday, August 24

6-10pm - Donny Woods Band (no cover)

Friday, August 25

6-10pm - Recovery Mode no cover)

Sunday, August 27

12-5pm - The Pangea Project (no cover)

The Rockcliffe - Moore Falls

1014 Lois Lane, Minden
705-454-9555

Thursday, August 24

5pm - Keith Taylor

Friday, August 25

7:30pm - SJ Riley

Saturday, August 26

7:30pm - Stephen Morrin "Tree"

Sunday, August 27

Open Mic with Blair & Brad

Scenery Drive Restaurant

6193 County Road 45, Baltimore
905-349-2217

Saturday, August 26

5-7:30pm - Jakob Daniel

Sunday, August 27

3-6pm - Karaoke Ray and open mic

Springville Tap n' Grill

2714 Brown Line, Peterborough
(705) 876-9994

Saturday, August 26

7pm - Bread and Soul

The Thirsty Goose

63 Walton St., Port Hope

Friday, August 25

8pm-12am - Gunslingers

Saturday, August 26

8pm-12am - Jordan Thomas

The Venue

286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008

Coming Soon

Tuesday, September 12
8pm - Steel Panther ($50 - $239 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/654039167757)

Friday, October 20
6:30pm - Gord Bamford Canadian Dirt Tour w/ Karli June, David Boyd Janes, Dallas Alexander ($62 - $112 in advance at https://venueptbo.ca/nightery_event/gord-bamford-canadian-dirt-tour/)

Wild Blue Yonder Pub at Elmhirst's Resort

1045 Settlers Line, Keene
(705) 295-4591

Thursday, August 24

8:30pm - Bob Butcher

Tuesday, August 29

7pm - Tuned Up Tuesday ft Water’s Edge ($49 for BBQ & show, $25 for children 3-12, reservations required)

34-year-old Barrie man arrested for July 2022 murder of Shawn Singh in Peterborough

Almost a year after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest, 34-year-old Eduardo 'Tito' Silva was arrested in Sault Ste. Marie on August 22, 2023 and charged with second degree murder and multiple other offences in connection with the July 2022 shooting death of 37-year-old Shawn Singh in Peterborough. (Police-supplied photo)

Almost a year after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest, police have located and arrested a 34-year-old Barrie man wanted in connection with a brazen daytime shooting last July in Peterborough that led to the death of 37-year-old Shawn Singh.

In a joint operation between the Peterborough and Sault Ste. Marie police services, Eduardo ‘Tito’ Silva was taken into custody on Tuesday evening (August 22) after a two-hour stand-off with police in Sault Ste. Marie.

“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our team of investigators and to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service for their roles in bringing Silva into custody,” said Peterborough police chief Stuard Betts during a media conference on Thursday (August 24). “The distance between where Silva is accused of committing his crime and where he was ultimately arrested highlights the fact that crimes and those who commit them transcend regional borders and agencies.”

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Last July 2nd, Peterborough police were called to the Park Street North and Sherbrooke Street area in Peterborough following reports that a person had been shot. After arriving, officers located a 37-year-old male victim and administered CPR. The victim was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where he succumbed to his injuries. Police later identified the victim as Shawn Singh of Peterborough.

Last September 26th, police announced two suspects had been arrested and charged in connection with Singh’s death. After the execution of search warrants earlier in the month, 35-year-old Rebecca Silva of Toronto was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm and accessory after the fact to murder, and 27-year-old Jack Monine of Peterborough was arrested and charged with second degree murder, accessory after the fact to murder, and failure to comply with probation. At the time, police also issued a Canada-wide warrant for Silva.

Following Silva’s arrest on Tuesday, he was charged with multiple offences in relation to the Peterborough homicide, including second degree murder, discharge of a restricted firearm or a prohibited firearm with intent, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, and firearm while committing an offence.

VIDEO: July 2 2022 Homicide Arrest

Search warrants conducted at Silva’s residence in Sault Ste. Marie following his arrest have also led to further charges, which police have not specified.

“This arrest was a testament to the quality police work and professionalism of our members and has made our service proud,” said Sault. Ste. Marie police chief Hugh Stevenson. “We’d also like to thank Peterborough Police Service for their hard work and persistence in this case. Together, we were able to get a violent offender off the streets and into custody.”

Silva was held in police custody for a bail hearing on Wednesday (August 23).

Former Peterborough paramedic Kelly Convery turned her love for flowers into a business

Kelly Convery has rebranded her small-scale Ennismore flower farm, originally called The Flower Patch, as Sanctuary Flower Fields. She says flowers were her sanctuary both while she was dealing with the mental health toll during her former pandemic career and also while dealing with the grief resulting from the tragic loss of a close friend. (Photo: Mary Zita Payne Photography)

A former Peterborough paramedic who turned her love for flowers into a business has rebranded her Ennismore flower farm as Sanctuary Flower Fields.

A paramedic with Peterborough County-City Paramedics for 14 years, Kelly Convery says she was passionate about her career but the mental health toll was heavy.

While on maternity leave in 2019, she decided to focus on her family and her love of flowers, starting by growing a small patch of flowers. Her decision to leave her paramedic career was cemented after the tragic death of her close friend Jessica Dalliday. The well-known Peterborough entrepreneur died in April 2021 following a complication that had taken the life of her newborn daughter five days before.

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In a media release, Convery says she found flowers “to be her sanctuary” while she was dealing with both the stress of being a paramedic and then the grief over the loss of her friend, adding that multiple studies have proven the profound mental health benefits of flowers.

“Working as a paramedic, I was reminded of impermanence everyday,” she explains. “Facing unimaginable and unexpected tragedies regularly, I found myself feeling more driven to live my life to the fullest, and go after what I want.”

“Oddly enough, here I am selling cut flowers — which we all know are perishable,” she adds. “I like to think of this as a gentle message of impermanence. A nudge for everyone to enjoy the simple beauty, and savour each moment as it comes.”

Offering a variety of services ranging from floral design to photography opportunities, Sanctuary Flower Fields hopes to offer pick-your-own dates and other social events in 2024. (Photo: Mary Zita Payne Photography)
Offering a variety of services ranging from floral design to photography opportunities, Sanctuary Flower Fields hopes to offer pick-your-own dates and other social events in 2024. (Photo: Mary Zita Payne Photography)

Located in Ennismore, Convery’s business was originally named The Flower Patch. She admits that, with no agricultural or farming background, she is learning as she grows.

“I really have no idea what I’m doing,” she joked on her Instagram account in 2022. “Just a few years ago I planted potato vine — and I expected to grow potatoes? If I can do this, anyone can.”

Today, Convery’s small-scale flower farm — rebranded as Sanctuary Flower Fields — offers a variety of services ranging from floral design to photography opportunities in “The Flower Field” a hit with local photographers.

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Convery says her seasonal flowers are started from seed, thoughtfully picked, and creatively arranged. She also offers “joy jars,” bouquets, subscriptions, and wholesale or bulk bloom options.

Convery says her flower farm has been well received in the community, with flower orders and field rental inquiries “flooding in.” In 2024, Convery hopes to offer pick-your-own dates and other social events.

For more information about Sanctuary Flower Fields, visit www.sanctuaryflowerfields.com.

Amber Alert cancelled for baby girl abducted by her father in Rosneath

On August 24, 2023, an Amber Alert was issued for three-month-old Jazmine Gill-Bissonnette who was abducted by her father, 23-year-old Jacob Bissonnette, in Roseneath about 52 kilometres east of Peterborough. A couple of hours after the Amber Alert was issued, police located the infant safe in Roseneath and took her father into custody. (Police-supplied photos)

An Amber Alert in Ontario has been cancelled for a baby girl abducted by her father in Roseneath on Wednesday evening (August 23), as the girl has been located and her father taken into custody.

The alert was issued early Thursday morning for the pair, who were last seen in Roseneath, about 52 kilometres east of Peterborough in Alnwick-Haldimand Township.

Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had identified the abducted baby as three-month-old Jazmine Gill-Bissonnette and her father as 23-year-old Jacob Bissonnette.

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The OPP had issued a detailed description and photos of both the baby and her father.

Within a couple of hours of the Amber Alert being issued, police located the baby safe in Roseneath and took the father into custody.

Police are continuing their investigation and have thanked members of the public for their assistance.

Plant a tree this fall and invest in the future

Orchard stewards planting fruit trees in City of Peterborough public parks last fall with the Edible Infrastructure program that GreenUP helps lead alongside Nourish. As well as producing food for people and animals, trees help mitigate the effects of climate change. (Photo: Jessica Todd / GreenUP)

Autumn is in the air and nothing brings the season better to mind than our neighbourhood trees. While some folks might argue pumpkin spice is the one to do so, I would disagree.

The changing of the green leaves to bright reds, oranges, and yellows, the tranquility of leaves gently tumbling to the ground on a warm autumn day, and the sweet smell of leaves starting their process of decay — I think these are the true harbingers of autumn.

Autumn is also a great time to plant a tree. Once the leaves drop and the plant becomes dormant, the cool air stimulates new root growth and gives a newly planted tree time to become established. This gives your new leafy friend a much better chance to survive the next summer’s stressors such as extreme heat and drought.

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This past summer brought forth some strong reasons to consider planting a tree this fall.

It was a hot one. 2023 had a summer of intense temperatures. Many high temperature records were broken across Canada and across the world. Planting a tree in an urban environment helps cool the air.

Urban trees reduce heat islands by producing shade and releasing cooling water vapour into the air. A well-treed neighbourhood can reduce local temperatures by approximately 10 to 20 degrees Celsius overall.

Ecology Park director Vern Bastable examines the only hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis) growing in the park. Bastable says the hemlock, his favourite tree, can live for hundreds of years in shaded areas before becoming a tree that takes over the forest canopy with its beautiful soft needles. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
Ecology Park director Vern Bastable examines the only hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis) growing in the park. Bastable says the hemlock, his favourite tree, can live for hundreds of years in shaded areas before becoming a tree that takes over the forest canopy with its beautiful soft needles. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)

It was a dry one. Higher temperatures dried out our forests and caused a much more intense fire season this year. For many of us, this also meant many days of poor air quality warnings.

Planting a tree in your yard can help clean and cool air in a couple of ways. Trees cool the air, which then reduces the load on our power needs. According to the United States Department of Forests and Agricultural Services, just three trees properly grown around a house can save up to 30 per cent of the home’s energy use.

Trees also filter pollutants through their needles, leaves, and bark, all while producing much-needed oxygen.

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It was an unpredictable one. Heavy rainfall and flooding occurred at the beginning of August here in Peterborough.

The foliage of urban trees slows the flow of water and the root system holds soil in place reducing flooding and erosion. A mature tree, one that is 15 centimetres in diameter or larger, can intercept up to 2,000 litres of rainfall a year.

Trees also hold a lot of water. It is estimated that a tree is about 50 per cent water by weight.

The burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a slow-growing giant that, in time, will produce food for many species of animals. The long-lived tree will sequester carbon for many decades. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)
The burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a slow-growing giant that, in time, will produce food for many species of animals. The long-lived tree will sequester carbon for many decades. (Photo: Lili Paradi / GreenUP)

It is clear that climate change is having an impact on our neighbourhood trees. Forest fires and record-breaking local temperatures are both symptoms of climate change. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to raising global average temperatures, we need more carbon dioxide sinks.

Forests are natural carbon sinks because they use photosynthesis to remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce oxygen, putting the carbon to good use in the tree’s wood and sending it to the soil. A popular cited 2022 study by the European Environment Agency suggests that a mature tree can absorb roughly 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide a year.

While there are many practical reasons to plant a tree this fall, let’s not forget that trees are just magnificent. By planting a tree this fall you are investing in the future, creating benefits and beauty that will continue to grow for many years to come.

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If you are thinking of planting a tree this fall and need some advice, GreenUP’s Native Plant & Tree Nursery located at 1899 Ashburnham Drive is open until Thanksgiving weekend (October 6). Although we don’t carry pumpkin spice, we hope by planting a leafy friend you will spice up your autumn season.

You can request the City of Peterborough plant a new street tree in the road allowance (such as a boulevard) for next year’s planting season through the city’s online tree planting request form.

The City of Peterborough will also be hosting a tree giveaway on Wednesday, September 20th. Peterborough residents can pick up trees from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. at 300 Hunter Street East in the north parking lot beside the Peterborough Museum and Archives. Keep on the Trees page on the city’s website for more details.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier) are deciduous trees or shrubs found throughout Ontario as far north as James Bay. They have edible fruits, are a fall foliage interest tree, and  are an excellent choice for landscaping as single trees or hedges. (Photo: Vern Bastable / GreenUP)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier) are deciduous trees or shrubs found throughout Ontario as far north as James Bay. They have edible fruits, are a fall foliage interest tree, and are an excellent choice for landscaping as single trees or hedges. (Photo: Vern Bastable / GreenUP)

Disbanding Ops Ladies Auxiliary donates $20,000 to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation in Lindsay

On August 23, 2023, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coons (middle) accepted a $20,000 cheque from longtime members of the Ops Ladies Auxiliary (left to right) Marion Brumwell, Joan Magahay, Noreen Brasier, and Anne Walker at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. The volunteer group is disbanding now that the Ops Community Centre and Arena has been demolished. (Photo courtesy of Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation)

One of the final acts of the Ops Ladies Auxiliary has been to donate $20,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation in Lindsay.

The volunteer group was formed with the construction of the Ops Community Centre and Arena in 1974 in the former Ops Township. Since then, members of the Ops Ladies Auxiliary have volunteered their time to assist with community events at the centre, including weddings, funeral receptions, fundraising dances, and agriculture meetings.

In 2022, City of Kawartha Lakes council voted to support the demolition of the Ops Community Centre and Arena, due to its age and extensive repairs needed to keep it operational, at a cost of $300,000. In June 2023, the city awarded a bid to demolish and remove the building. With the demolition of the Ops Community Centre and Arena now completed, the Ops Ladies Auxiliary is disbanding.

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On Wednesday (August 23), longtime members of the Ops Ladies Auxiliary Marion Brumwell, Joan Magahay, Noreen Brasier and Anne Walker met at the Ross Memorial Hospital to present a $20,000 cheque to Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO Erin Coons. The donation will be used to help fund the hospital’s new MRI and CT scanners.

“It’s incredibly kind of the Ladies Auxiliary to mark this bittersweet milestone with a gift that benefits their entire community,” says Coons in a media release. “For so many years, the Ops volunteers made their community better, through recreation and event support.”

“Today, their generosity will touch lives through gold standard diagnostic imaging, which is an integral part of patients’ timely diagnosis and treatment. Patients of all ages throughout Kawartha Lakes will benefit from this gift. All of the members of the Ladies Auxiliary should be proud of what they accomplished together, today and over the past five decades.”

Lift your spirits (and your canoes and kayaks) at the Peterborough Lift Lock on Saturday

Last held from 2016 to 2019, Parks Canada's Lock & Paddle event returns to the Peterborough Lift Lock on August 26, 2023. Paddle alongside hundreds of canoes and kayaks along the Trent-Severn Waterway towards the world's tallest hydraulic lift lock, where the two tubs will be packed full as everyone is sent 65 feet (20 metres) in the air. (Photo: Parks Canada)

After a three-year absence due to the pandemic, the fifth annual Lock & Paddle event returns to the Peterborough Lift Lock on Saturday (August 26), when paddlers will fill the two tubs at the world’s tallest hydraulic lift lock and get lifted 65 feet (20 metres) into the air.

Organized by Parks Canada to celebrate the national historical site, the free event is open to all ages. Unlike previous events held from 2016 to 2019, registration is not required.

The theme for this year’s Lock & Paddle is “Lift Your Spirits,” and Parks Canada is encouraging all participants to decorate their vessels and wear costumes for the event.

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This is a smoke-free and alcohol-free event that will happen rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.

While the first lockage begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday (with additional lockages to follow if required), paddlers should be in their vessels and ready to load at the bottom at the Peterborough Lift Lock at 2:30 p.m.

The Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre and grounds will open at 1 p.m., but parking at the Visitors Centre is reserved for accessible permit holders (additional parking options are listed below).

The theme for this year's Lock & Paddle event on on August 26, 2023 is "Lift Your Spirits," and Parks Canada is encouraging all participants to decorate their vessels and wear costumes for the event. (Photo: Parks Canada)
The theme for this year’s Lock & Paddle event on on August 26, 2023 is “Lift Your Spirits,” and Parks Canada is encouraging all participants to decorate their vessels and wear costumes for the event. (Photo: Parks Canada)

 

Gear and rental options

If you don’t have your own canoe or kayak or gear, local rental options are available.

  • Kawartha Outfitters (Millennium Park near the Silver Bean, 1 King Street, Peterborough)
  • Wild Rock Outfitters (169 Charlotte Street, Peterborough)
  • Liftlock Paddle Co. (online registration only at www.liftlockpaddleco.ca)
  • Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough)
  • Adventure Outfitters (1828 8th Line, Lakefield)
  • Cottage Toys (37 Concession Street, Lakefield)
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Parking

Parking at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre is only available for accessible permit holders, but here are locations where you can park that are within walking (and paddling) distance to the Peterborough Lift Lock:

  • Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters – 2155 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
  • Eastgate Memorial Park – 2150 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
  • Beavermead Campground – 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
  • Rogers Cove – 131 Maria Street, Peterborough

 

Paddling to the Peterborough Lift Lock

If you're planning to paddle for this year's Lock & Paddle event on on August 26, 2023, there are a number of nearby parking and put-in locations available. Note that you will not be able to park at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre unless you have an accessible permit. (Photo: Parks Canada)
If you’re planning to paddle for this year’s Lock & Paddle event on on August 26, 2023, there are a number of nearby parking and put-in locations available. Note that you will not be able to park at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitors Centre unless you have an accessible permit. (Photo: Parks Canada)

Here are put-in locations if you plan to paddle to the Peterborough Lift Lock. Note that if you are going through Lock 20 – Ashburhnam, you need to allow an extra 45 to 60 minutes to transfer and paddle to the Peterborough Lift Lock.

  • Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Dr.) – 5-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • Rogers Cove (131 Maria St.) – 5-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • Millennium Park (130 King St.) – 20-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • Del Crary Park (100 George St.) – 35-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • Warsaw Swing Bridge (Parkhill Rd, E. and Canal Rd.) – 20-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • McFarlane Bridge (McFarlane St. & Ashburnham Dr.) – 10-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
  • Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters (2155 Ashburnham Dr.) – 5-minute portage to launch at the top and west side of Lock 20, 20-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock.
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In addition to a canoe or kayak (standup paddle boards are not permitted for safety reasons), all participating paddlers need the following gear: a PFD for each paddler (which must be worn), a sound signalling device, a buoyant heaving line, a bailer for each boat.

Bring a sunscreen and a hat if the weather forecast is for sun, and a raincoat or umbrella if it’s going to rain.

For more information, visit parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/activ/eclusez-pagayez-lock-paddle. You can also join the Facebook event page for updates.

VIDEO: Lock & Paddle 2017 at the Peterborough Lift Lock

What’s new on Netflix Canada in September 2023

The Netflix Australian romantic comedy "Love is in the Air," filmed in Queensland's picturesque Whitsundays islands, stars Delta Goodrem as a fiercely independent seaplane pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat who starts falling for the man sent by corporate to ground her operation forever. It premieres on Netflix on Friday, September 15th. (Photo: Netflix)

Every month, kawarthaNOW is the only local media source to bring you a list of what’s coming to Netflix Canada. Here are a few highlights of what’s coming to Netflix in September.

The Netflix Australian romantic comedy Love is in the Air, filmed in Queensland’s picturesque Whitsundays islands, stars Delta Goodrem as a fiercely independent seaplane pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat who starts falling for the man sent by corporate to ground her operation forever. It premieres on Netflix on Friday, September 15th.

The Netflix adult animated dark fantasy action series Castlevania: Nocturne, a spin-off of the Castlevania animated series, is set in France in 1792 during the French Revolution and tells the origin story of Richter Belmont. It debuts on Netflix on Thursday, September 28th.

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For the kids, there’s the Netflix spy comedy film Spy Kids: Armageddon, a reboot to the original Spy Kids franchise about the children of two secret agents who must work together to save their parents — and the world — when a game developer unleashes a powerful computer virus. It comes to Netflix on Friday, September 22nd.

The British teen sex comedy-drama series Sex Education returns for its fourth and final season on Thursday, September 21st. With Maeve in America and Moordale closed, Otis must find his footing at free-spirited Cavendish College — but he’s not the only sex therapist on campus.

The third and final season of the British crime drama series Top Boys, which Esquire has called “the best show on Netflix,” tells the story of drug dealers Dushane (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson) along with others involved with drug-dealing and gang violence in London. In the final season premiering on Thursday, September 7th, Sully takes charge, pushing Dushane to cash out, but with a new order comes new challenges, threats, and consequences.

VIDEO: “Top Boy” season three trailer

Other returning Netflix series include the fifth and final part of the animated medieval fantasy sitcom Disenchantment (Sep.1), season five of Virgin River (Sep. 7), and season five of Love Is Blind (Sep. 22).

Netflix documentaries include nature series Predators (Sep. 6), Scout’s Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America (Sep. 6), and Wrestlers (Sep. 13).

Theatrically released films coming to Netflix in September include 300, F9: The Fast Saga, Jexi, Madagascar, the Pitch Perfect franchise, and Straight Outta Compton (all on Sep. 1), The Wolf of Wall Street (Sep. 12), About Time (Sep. 15), American Hustle (Sep. 20), American Pie and Snowpiercer (both on Sep. 21), The Equalizer (Sep. 28), and A Nightmare on Elm Street and Troy (both on Sep. 30).

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VIDEO: New on Netflix Canada in September 2023

Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in September, along with what’s leaving.

 

Coming in September (no release date specified)

  • The Devil’s Plan (Netflix series) – In this competition of intelligence, contestants face off in games of wit and strategy to be crowned winner and go home with the ultimate prize.
  • Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso (Netflix documentary) – This documentary delves into the unanswered questions surrounding the trial of Jessica Wongso — years after the death of her best friend, Mirna Salihin.
  • Song of the Bandits (Netflix series) – In the lawless land of Gando, fierce bandits will stop at nothing to fight for their precious homeland and loved ones — even if it means life or death.
  • Vasco Rossi: Living It (Netflix documentary) – Italy’s most beloved rock star Vasco Rossi grants unprecedented access to intimate details of his personal life and successful career over the decades.
  • The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Netflix film) – A beloved Roald Dahl story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

 

Friday, September 1

  • A Day and a Half (Netflix film) – In a desperate bid to reunite with his daughter, an armed man bursts into the medical centre where his estranged wife works and kidnaps her.
  • Disenchantment: Part 5 (Netflix series) – To save Dreamland from Queen Dagmar’s wrath, Princess Bean must vanquish her mother and outrun a prophecy that foretells she will kill the one she loves.
  • Friday Night Plan (Netflix film) – When their mother takes off on a business trip, two bickering brothers unite to secretly attend the hottest party of the year before she returns.
  • Happy Ending (Netflix film) – A year into their otherwise happy relationship, Luna’s suggestion to include a third person in their sex life turns her bond with Mink upside down.
  • Love is Blind: After the Altar : Season 4 (Netflix series) – The season’s participants share updates and fresh perspectives a year after living the pod life while preparing for an epic flag football showdown.
  • 300
  • Are We There Yet?
  • F9: The Fast Saga
  • Halloween Kills
  • I Spit on Your Grave
  • Jexi
  • Madagascar
  • One Piece Adventure of Nebulandia
  • One Piece Episode of East blue – Luffy and His Four Crewmates’ Great Adventure
  • One Piece Episode of Skypiea
  • One Piece Film: Gold
  • One Piece Heart of Gold
  • One Piece: 3D2Y – Overcome Ace’s Death! Luffy’s Vow to His Friends
  • Pitch Perfect
  • Pitch Perfect 2
  • Pitch Perfect 3
  • Rumor Has It…
  • Straight Outta Compton
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2
  • Young Sheldon: Season 6
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Sunday, September 3

  • Is She the Wolf? (Netflix series) – They’re all here to look for true romance — but hidden among the women is at least one “wolf,” a saboteur who’s only pretending to be falling in love.

 

Monday, September 4

  • PAW Patrol: Season 9

 

Tuesday, September 5

  • Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (Netflix comedy) – A new stand-up comedy special from Shane Gillis.

 

Wednesday, September 6

  • 6ixtynin9 The Series (Netflix series) – After losing her job, a woman discovers a mysterious package on her apartment doorstep — and her life takes a turn for the worse.
  • Infamy (PL) (Netflix series) – They’re all here to look for true romance — but hidden among the women is at least one “wolf,” a saboteur who’s only pretending to be falling in love.
  • Predators (Netflix documentary) – Experience life through the eyes of cheetahs, polar bears and more of the planet’s most powerful hunters as they fight against the odds to survive.
  • Reporting For Duty (Netflix series) – When Suzano assumes the role of police chief at a new precinct, the timid newbie will have to prove his mettle to his fearless squad.
  • Scout’s Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America (Netflix documentary) – Survivors, whistleblowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America’s decades-long cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.
  • Tahir’s House (Netflix series) – A family of amateur entrepreneurs must come together to convert their failing fish shop into a thriving business, but branching out isn’t easy.

 

Thursday, September 7

  • Dear Child (Netflix series) – A mysterious woman’s escape from her harrowing captivity points investigators toward the terrifying truth behind an unsolved disappearance years earlier.
  • Gamera – Rebirth (Netflix anime) – In the summer of 1989, four kids in Tokyo witness the emergence of the turtle kaiju Gamera, who bravely stands up against giant human-eating monsters.
  • Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight: Season 3 (Netflix family) – In a race to destroy the all-powerful Tianshang weapons once and for all, the Dragon Knights face off against enemies both familiar and unexpected.
  • Top Boy: Season 3 (Netflix series) – Sully takes charge, pushing Dushane to cash out, but with a new order comes new challenges, threats, and consequences.
  • Virgin River: Season 5 (Netflix series) – Mel adjusts to a different pace of life, Jack works to grow his business, and the town faces new threats as secrets begin to surface in Virgin River.
  • What If (PH) (Netflix film) – When a pair of newlywed musicians get trapped in a storm on their island honeymoon, they must face difficult truths that could tear their marriage apart.

 

Friday, September 8

  • A Time Called You (Netflix series) – A grieving woman magically travels through time to 1998, where she meets a man with an uncanny resemblance to her late love.
  • Burning Body (Netflix series) – When a police officer is murdered and set on fire, all eyes focus on two other agents: his girlfriend and her lover. Inspired by true events.
  • Rosa Peral’s Tapes (Netflix documentary) – This true-crime documentary film features Rosa Peral’s first interview from prison since she was convicted of murdering her partner aided by an ex-lover.
  • Selling The OC: Season 2 (Netflix series) – O Group agents work to keep their eyes on the prize as they meet a potential new teammate, battle red-hot rumours and test the real estate waters in Cabo.
  • Spy Ops (Netflix documentary) – Intelligence operatives from MI6 to the CIA share insider stories of spy craft, Cold War campaigns, and coups carried out by covert agents.

 

Tuesday, September 12

  • Glow Up: Season 5 (Netflix series) – A new batch of aspiring makeup artists draw, contour and blend their way to a big career break in this creative and colourful reality competition series.
  • Michelle Wolf: It’s Great to Be Here (Netflix comedy) – A new stand-up comedy special from Michelle Wolf.
  • The Wolf of Wall Street
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Wednesday, September 13

  • Class Act (FR) (Netflix series) – A relentlessly ambitious working-class man becomes one of France’s most controversial public figures in this fictionalized biopic about Bernard Tapie.
  • Freestyle (PL) (Netflix film) – In need of cash for time in the recording studio, a rising rap star with a criminal past sets up a risky drug deal that could cost him everything.
  • Wrestlers (Netflix documentary) – At a storied professional wrestling organization, new owners and a roster of rising stars strive to make an impact beyond the ring in this docuseries.

 

Thursday, September 14

  • Barbie – A Touch of Magic: Season 1
  • Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction (Netflix film) – Appointed to teach the Grand Duchess’s timid son the intricacies of seduction, a love connoisseur finds himself in a scandal — and a romance of his own.
  • Once Upon a Crime (Netflix film) – While at the royal ball with Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Can she solve the case before midnight strikes?
  • Thursday’s Widows (Netflix series) – Teresa finds her husband and his two best friends dead in the lavish community where they live. As the truth comes to light, so will dark secrets.

 

Friday, September 15

  • About Time
  • The Club: Part 2 (Netflix series) – With her husband gone, Rasel raises her daughter at Club Istanbul with the help of her mother, but their relationships are tested by loss and betrayal.
  • El Conde (Netflix film) – Augusto Pinochet is a vampire ready to die, but the vultures around him won’t let him go without one last bite. A dark satire by Pablo Larraín.
  • Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons: Season 7 (Netflix documentary) – Journalist and former inmate Raphael Rowe experiences life inside prisons in Finland, the Czech Republic, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.
  • Love at First Sight (Netflix film) – Two strangers connect on a flight to London, only to be separated by a twist of fate. A reunion seems improbable — but love has a way of defying the odds.
  • Miseducation (Netflix series) – After a public humiliation, a wannabe influencer enrols in the only university that will take her, where she aspires to regain her social status.
  • Surviving Summer: Season 2 (Netflix series) – A new rival drops in as Summer trains with her friends for the national surfing competition, challenging her on the waves — and for the boy she loves.

 

Monday, September 18

  • My Little Pony: Make Your Mark: Chapter 5 (Netflix family) – Now that Opaline has captured Sparky’s Dragonfire, the evil Alicorn is stronger than ever — and she won’t stop until she has all the power of Equestria!

 

Tuesday, September 19

  • Kountry Wayne: A Woman’s Prayer (Netflix comedy) – Comedian Kountry Wayne delivers a rousing stand-up set about life as a dad of 10, how to know if a woman likes you and why he keeps it real with Jesus.
  • The Saint of Second Chances (Netflix documentary) – Mike Veeck grew up in the shadow of his father, Hall of Fame baseball owner Bill Veeck. But it all fell apart when Mike blew up his dad’s career. Exiled from the game, the younger Veeck spent the next few decades clawing his way back, determined to redeem himself. The Saint of Second Chances is wildly unexpected, full of heart, and keeps you laughing through a comeback story unlike any other.

 

Wednesday, September 20

  • American Hustle
  • Hard Broken (Netflix series) – A tragic murder sends a friend group into a frenzy, revealing hidden romances and betrayals lurking beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect lives.

 

Thursday, September 21

  • American Pie
  • American Pie 2
  • American Wedding
  • KENGAN ASHURA: Season 2 (Netflix anime) – The second round of the Kengan Life-or-Death Tournament continues — without Ohma. As the mighty gladiators clash, a shadowy figure plots a violent coup.
  • Scissor Seven: Season 4 (Netflix series) – After an intense battle, a severely wounded Seven must bounce back to defend Chicken Island and his friends from another ruthless Shadow assassin.
  • Sex Education: Season 4 (Netflix series) – With Maeve in America and Moordale closed, Otis must find his footing at free-spirited Cavendish College — but he’s not the only sex therapist on campus.
  • Snowpiercer

 

Friday, September 22

  • The Black Book (NG) (Netflix film) – After his son is framed for a kidnapping, a bereaved deacon takes justice into his own hands and fights a corrupt police gang to absolve him.
  • How To Deal With a Heartbreak (Netflix film) – Her two best friends are mapping out a bright future. Ma Fé? She’s broke, uninspired and under a tight deadline to produce a book she can’t write.
  • Love Is Blind: Season 5 (Netflix series) – Hoping to find their future fiancés by talking through walls, a new group of men and women braves twists, turns and triangles in search of true love.

 

Saturday, September 23

  • Spy Kids: Armageddon (Netflix family) – When a game developer unleashes a powerful computer virus, the children of two secret agents must work together to save their parents — and the world.

 

Monday, September 25

  • Little Baby Bum: Music Time (Netflix family) – Come join the fun at the magically musical Magic Time preschool, where every day is an adventure fueled by familiar songs — and lots of learning!

 

Tuesday, September 26

  • Who Killed Jill Dando? (Netflix documentary) – Revisit the shocking 1999 murder of beloved TV presenter Jill Dando, which continues to mystify experts and the public, in this in-depth documentary.

 

Wednesday, September 27

  • Encounters (Netflix documentary) – Lights in the sky over Texas and Japan. Spacecrafts over schoolyards in Wales and Zimbabwe. It’s not science fiction – these stories of extraordinary mass sightings are true. Presented with fresh urgency by experiencers, top scientists, and military insiders, this thrilling four-part series sets aside skepticism to focus on belief, wonder, and the very human impact of encounters with extraterrestrial life.
  • Overhaul (Netflix film) – When truck racer Roger loses everything, he receives a tempting but dangerous offer: to work as the getaway driver for a gang of thieves.
  • Street Flow 2 (FR) (Netflix film) – Struggling to overcome cycles of betrayal, revenge and violence, the Traoré brothers continue to fight for a brighter future in a seedy Paris suburb.

 

Thursday, September 28

  • Castlevania: Nocturne (Netflix series) – France, 1792: It begins. A new animated series in the Castlevania universe from showrunners Kevin Kolde (“Castlevania”) and Clive Bradley (“Trapped”) and directors Sam Deats & Adam Deats (“Castlevania”).
  • The Equalizer
  • Love is in the Air (Netflix film) – A fiercely independent pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat starts to fall for the man sent by corporate to ground her operation forever.
  • The Darkness within La Luz del Mundo (Netflix documentary) – For the first time, complainants against La Luz del Mundo megachurch leaders expose the abuses they suffered through exclusive interviews.

 

Friday, September 29

  • Choona (Netflix series) – When an unlikely group of misfits discovers a common enemy in the same ruthless yet superstitious politician, they plot a heist to exact revenge.
  • Do Not Disturb (Netflix film) – A middle-aged man emerges from a pandemic slump with a new job at a quiet hotel, until some eccentric guests turn his first night into a wild adventure.
  • Love Is Blind: Season 5 (Netflix series, new episodes) – Hoping to find their future fiancés by talking through walls, a new group of men and women braves twists, turns and triangles in search of true love.
  • Nowhere (Netflix film) – Pregnant, alone and drifting in the sea, a woman trapped in a shipping container tries to survive after fleeing a devastated totalitarian country.
  • Power Rangers Cosmic Fury (Netflix family) – When Lord Zedd returns more powerful than ever, Team Cosmic Fury takes to the cosmos to battle the emperor of evil — and save the universe as we know it.

 

Saturday, September 30

  • A Nightmare on Elm Street
  • Troy

 

Leaving Netflix Canada in September

Friday, September 1

  • Space Jam: A New Legacy

Thursday, September 7

  • Scream

Friday, September 15

  • Interstellar

Friday, September 22

  • The Suicide Squad

Saturday, September 30

  • Jurassic Park
  • Jurassic Park III

 

All titles and dates are subject to change.

Experience the quieter side of Algonquin Park this fall from the South Gate in Haliburton Highlands

Unbeknownst to many visitors and locals alike, about 10 per cent of Algonquin Provincial Park is situated within the Haliburton Highlands and accessible from the Southern Gate, which is much less busy and crowded than the bustling East and West Gates but still gives visitors access to the rugged beauty of the park, including the popular High Falls. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)

Want to go for a hike or a paddle while enjoying the stunning fall colours of Ontario’s largest provincial park but without the crowds and battling for parking spots?

You might be surprised to learn there’s another entrance to Algonquin Provincial Park aside from the bustling East and West Gates — and it’s a lot quieter and closer than you’d think.

Affectionately called “Algonquin’s panhandle” for its location as the narrow strip below the rectangular shape of the park on a map, Algonquin’s southern entrance is located near the hamlet of Harcourt on Elephant Lake Road is accessible right from the Haliburton Highlands.

Affectionately called "Algonquin's panhandle" for its location as the narrow strip below the rectangular shape of the park on a map, Algonquin Park's South Gate is located near the hamlet of Harcourt on Elephant Lake Road and accessible right from the Haliburton Highlands. (Map courtesy of Algonquin Park South Gate)
Affectionately called “Algonquin’s panhandle” for its location as the narrow strip below the rectangular shape of the park on a map, Algonquin Park’s South Gate is located near the hamlet of Harcourt on Elephant Lake Road and accessible right from the Haliburton Highlands. (Map courtesy of Algonquin Park South Gate)

“It’s a very, very different experience than the busier gates of the park, especially the Highway 60 corridor, and there’s much less traffic,” explains Thom Lambert, Haliburton County’s Economic Development & Tourism Content Coordinator.

That’s because people — even locals who have lived there their whole lives, notes Lambert — don’t realize that roughly 10 per cent of Algonquin Park is actually located in Haliburton County.

To get to the South Gate, follow Elephant Lake Road north for 12 kilometres, then turn left on Kingscote Lake Road, follow it for seven kilometres and you’ll reach Kingscote, the park’s most southern access point (Access Point 15). The six walk-in campsites you’ll find there make for great jump-off sites to begin your backcountry adventure.

VIDEO: Algonquin Park South Gate

From there, visitors can explore both the Haliburton Highlands and Algonquin Park through a variety of outdoor experiences and excursions.

“When most people think of Algonquin they think of canoe tripping, and we have one of the nicest routes in Algonquin that takes you to High Falls from the South Gate,” Lambert says.

From Kingscote, campers can paddle to a few different portages leading to Byers Lake and High Falls on the York River. Backcountry sites for these lakes and the river can be reserved through Ontario Parks.

One of the unique aspects to the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park is the opportunity to paddle down the York River, one of few accessible rivers within the entire park. Backcountry camping sites along the river can be reserved through Ontario Parks. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)
One of the unique aspects to the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park is the opportunity to paddle down the York River, one of few accessible rivers within the entire park. Backcountry camping sites along the river can be reserved through Ontario Parks. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)

Lambert adds this offering is something quite unique to the region as, aside from the Petawawa River, there are not a lot of river expeditions that people tend to associate with Algonquin Park.

Other portaging routes will take paddlers up to Scorch Lake or, if you’re feeling brave enough to tackle a one or two-kilometre portage, head up to Billings, Little Branch, or even all the way out to another access point at Little Hay Lake. Each offer some stunning, private campsites a bit distanced from the more popular backcountry sites in the central regions of the Park.

“The general landscape of forest and lakes is going to be very familiar to people,” assures Lambert.

Don’t have any camping equipment? There are two backcountry outfitters located by the south access point that offer equipment rentals and guided services.

Deep Roots Adventure at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park has a large selection of watercraft, equipment, gear rentals, and more, and also offers the "High Falls Paddle, Explore, and Dine" experience. (Photo courtesy of Deep Roots Adventure)
Deep Roots Adventure at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park has a large selection of watercraft, equipment, gear rentals, and more, and also offers the “High Falls Paddle, Explore, and Dine” experience. (Photo courtesy of Deep Roots Adventure)

Deep Roots Adventure has a large selection of watercraft, equipment, and gear rentals, while other retail items needed for a night or more in Algonquin’s backcountry — like dehydrated meals, fuel, and snacks — are also available for purchase.

The outfitting company also provides the “High Falls Paddle, Explore, and Dine” experience, which is a five-hour guided trip where you paddle up the York River (either on a paddleboard or in a kayak) and then hike up the banks of the York River past rapids until you reach High Falls.

A delicious meal is then provided by another South Gate business, AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet, before adventurers will hike and paddle back to the access point.

“It’s one of the most unique experiences in the county,” explains Lambert, adding that visitors really enjoy it. “It’s kind of the ultimate Haliburton Highlands experience.”

Algonquin Yeti Paddling at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park offers customized guided trips along with gear rentals for all your backcountry tripping needs. (Photo courtesy of Algonquin Yeti Paddling)
Algonquin Yeti Paddling at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park offers customized guided trips along with gear rentals for all your backcountry tripping needs. (Photo courtesy of Algonquin Yeti Paddling)

The other outfitter in the region, Algonquin Yeti Paddling, is one of the newest additions to the businesses operating out of the South Gate.

There, you can schedule a personalized guided trip with a crew of passionate campers, or you can join their upcoming beginner-friendly Scorch Lake Lookout Guided Weekend, a completely supplied three-day trip to view the majestic fall colours.

“Both these outfitters know that section of the park incredibly well,” Lambert notes. “They’re both great resources in terms of helping people plan trips.”

High Falls at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the most popular areas to enjoy year-round, whether as a short two-kilometre hike from the High Falls parking lot or after paddling down the York River. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)
High Falls at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park is one of the most popular areas to enjoy year-round, whether as a short two-kilometre hike from the High Falls parking lot or after paddling down the York River. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)

If you’d rather be on foot than on the water, maybe hiking is more your forte. Though the trail can be rocky, the High Falls are still reachable on foot via an accessible two-kilometre trail from the High Falls parking lot.

“It feels unlike any place else in the county or any place that I’ve been in the park,” Lambert says. “You’re wandering through these huge moss-covered boulders and these really ancient cedar trees. It’s just got this completely different feel to it.”

If you’d prefer to get on your wheels, the Byers Lake Mountain Bike Trail is a 13-kilometre round trip of moderate difficulty that can be accessed just east of the Kingscote Access Point. Along the trail, there is an additional 150-metre side trail that leads to Gut Rapids, a narrow scenic canyon on the York River.

The Byers Lake Mountain Bike Trail at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park gives visitors the opportunity to explore the park on bike or on foot, with a 13-kilometre out-and-back trail of moderate difficulty. A 150-metre side trail also leads to Gut Rapids, a narrow scenic canyon on the York River.  (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)
The Byers Lake Mountain Bike Trail at the South Gate in Algonquin Provincial Park gives visitors the opportunity to explore the park on bike or on foot, with a 13-kilometre out-and-back trail of moderate difficulty. A 150-metre side trail also leads to Gut Rapids, a narrow scenic canyon on the York River. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)

Another experience that’s entirely unique to the region is horseback riding, something that’s not offered elsewhere within Algonquin Park.

South Algonquin Equestrian Trails offers guided trail rides for all ages, ranging from a half hour up to five hours long. And, unique to Haliburton Highlands, the company has campsites specifically designed for visitors who bring their own horses.

“It’s one of the few places in the province where you can just roll in with your horse trailer and set up camp for a few days and then take advantage of the great riding in that section of the park,” explains Lambert.

The South Gate offers the only place in Algonquin Park where visitors can enjoy horseback riding. South Algonquin Equestrian Trails offers guided trail rides and a campground where visitors can bring their own horses. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)
The South Gate offers the only place in Algonquin Park where visitors can enjoy horseback riding. South Algonquin Equestrian Trails offers guided trail rides and a campground where visitors can bring their own horses. (Photo courtesy of Haliburton County Tourism)

In accordance with all the incredible options for adventure within Algonquin Park, visitors can also stay in a wide range of accommodations, depending on the type of experience they are looking for.

Algonquin Eco Lodge is a truly one-of-a-kind, award-winning experience as one of the most secluded lodges in the park. Despite being completely off-grid, the alternative energy sourced from the waterfall’s rapids allows the eco-lodge to provide all the finer comforts.

The York River sustainably generates enough electricity the same way a large hydroelectric dam does but, unlike a dam, they don’t stop the water — just divert a very small amount that then goes back to the river.

VIDEO: Algonquin Eco-Lodge

For a “glamping” experience that gets you immersed in nature without diving into the backcountry, Harmony Resorts on Benoir Lake provides seasonal campgrounds and cabins for those who want to get pampered while still enjoying the backcountry.

And, for those looking for a more luxurious, high-end experience, the new Nomi Resort just off the road from the south entrance into Algonquin Park offers a spa retreat, with award-winning dining to help you rest and relax after a day spent enjoying all that South Gate has to offer.

“There’s not a lot of places where you have that huge range of accommodation options available to experience,” Lambert says.

For a "glamping" experience that gets you immersed in nature without diving into the backcountry, Harmony Resorts on Benoir Lake provides seasonal campgrounds and cabins for  those who want to get pampered while still enjoying the backcountry. (Photo courtesy of Harmony Resorts)
For a “glamping” experience that gets you immersed in nature without diving into the backcountry, Harmony Resorts on Benoir Lake provides seasonal campgrounds and cabins for those who want to get pampered while still enjoying the backcountry. (Photo courtesy of Harmony Resorts)

For those who want to experience Algonquin Park in all of its autumnal glory, another benefit of the South Gate is that its a region of the park where fall colours first emerge.

“If people are here for early colour season, South Gate is one of your best bets for getting that early colour,” Lambert points out.

All visitors to Algonquin Park, whether for day use or camping, must have a valid park permit. For more information, visit the Ontario Parks website at www.ontarioparks.com.

For more information about Algonquin Provincial Park South Gate in the Haliburton Highlands, visit myhaliburtonhighlands.com/algonquin-park-south-gate/.

 

This branded editorial was created in partnership with Hike Haliburton. If your business or organization is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

32 community organizations in the Kawarthas receive $1.2 million in federal funding

In June 2023, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes provided $69,800 in funding to Kawartha Lakes Food Source, one of 32 community organizations in the City of Kawartha Lakes, the city and county of Peterborough, and Haliburton County to receive one-time grants through the Government of Canada's Community Services Recovery Fund. (Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes)

A total of 32 organizations in the city and county of Peterborough, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes have collectively received more than $1.2 million in funding through the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund.

In the city and county of Peterborough and Haliburton County, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough and the United Way Peterborough & District delivered more than $915,295 to 25 organizations.

The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough distributed $492,000 to 17 applicants, including: Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton; B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough; Buckhorn Community Centre; Community Counselling and Resource Centre; Four Counties Addiction Services Team/Peterborough Drug Strategy; Kawartha World Issues Centre; Kawartha Youth Orchestra; Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation; New Canadians Centre; One City Community Development Services; Peterborough Field Naturalists; Peterborough Folk Festival; Peterborough GreenUP; Abbey Retreat Centre; The Canadian Canoe Museum; and The Land Between.

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The United Way Peterborough & District invested $423,295 in eight different projects at agencies throughout Peterborough in the sectors of social services, arts and culture, education, environment, and health.

In the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes distributed $302,000 in funding to support seven community services in Kawartha Lakes, including Kawartha Lakes Food Source, the Academy Theatre Foundation, the Mishkodeh Centre For Indigenous Knowledge, BGC (Boys And Girls Club) Kawarthas, A Place Called Home, Kinmount Agricultural Society, and Fenelon Falls Seniors Centre.

The Community Services Recovery Fund is a one-time investment of $400 million by the federal government to help community service organizations including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies adapt, modernize, and be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility, and sustainability of the community services they provide through the pandemic recovery and beyond.

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