If you’re a tourism professional in Kawarthas Northumberland, Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) could use your expertise.

A not-for-profit organization funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, RTO8 is seeking four tourism professionals to serve as volunteer members of its board of directors beginning in June.

RTO8’s board is a group of local industry experts and leaders who are passionate about the organization’s mission to develop Kawarthas Northumberland as a tourism destination that will bring visitors year-round to the Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough & The Kawarthas, and Northumberland County.

Many of the towns and villages in Kawarthas Northumberland, which also features more than 350 lakes and rivers, are connected by the Trent-Severn Waterway, a national historic site. The importance of the Trent-Severn Waterway to Kawarthas Northumberland’s visitor economy is reflected in the vision statement in RTO8’s 2023-24 business plan:

“By 2026, Kawarthas Northumberland communities will be recognized as one of the leading travel destinations in Ontario for experiencing soft outdoor and rural adventure connecting Canadian waterway heritage.”

To help realize its mission and vision, RTO8 is looking to fill four vacancies on its board effective June 22: one within the region of the City of Peterborough, one within the region of Peterborough County, one within the region of Northumberland County, and one within the region of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The minimum term of service as an RTO8 board member is one year, but the board will endeavour to fill each of the four vacancies for a three-year term. Board members will be required to attend the RTO8 general meeting on June 22, a half-day orientation session on June 26, and a half-day strategic planning session in the fall. Board members are also required to attend at least six board meetings per fiscal year and to sit on a committee of the board that meets as required virtually.

Prospective board members must be Canadian citizens of at least 18 years of age. Preference will be given to business owner-operators or individuals who are working within the Kawarthas Northumberland tourism industry.

RTO8 encourages those interested in becoming a board member to read RTO8’s 2023-24 business plan and then complete the 2023-24 RTO8 board application form, both of which are available at rto8.com/eoi-rto8-board/, where you can also find more details about the requirements and responsibilities of board members. All applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 22nd.

This story was created in partnership with Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8). If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Kawartha Lakes police are searching for a suspect in a purse-snatching robbery that took place in downtown Lindsay on Saturday evening (April 8).

A woman was walking on Queen Street near St. Peter Street when she was approached by a man who stole her purse and then ran into Queen Street, entering the passenger side of a waiting pick-up truck.

The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.

The suspect vehicle was last seen travelling west on Queen Street. As a result of the investigation, police learned the victim’s bank card was later used to make multiple transactions in the Bobcaygeon area.

The suspect is described as wearing a baseball hat, plaid shirt, jeans, and white running shoes. The suspect vehicle is described as a grey 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with Ontario license plate BV 35147.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252. You can also submit an anonymous tip though Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at khcrimestoppers.com.

Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon is rolling out the red carpet on Saturday, April 22nd for The Starlight Ball, a gala fundraiser at the Lakeview Arts Barn celebrating the professional theatre company’s 20th anniversary season.

The black-tie event features drink, canapes, and a three-course meal, live music from Burrows and Clark, DJ Jennine Profeta, dancing, as well as appearances by favourite Globus performers from past seasons. There will also be games, with prizes donated by local businesses, and a silent auction.

Globus Theatre is a charitable arts organization that has been producing professional theatre in the Kawartha Lakes since it was established in 2003 by wife-and-husband team Sarah Quick and James Barrett. In 2006, Globus became the company-in-residence at the Lakeview Arts Barn, a former cattle barn transformed into a comfortable and contemporary 150-seat theatre with an attached restaurant.

As well as staging theatre, music, and comedy performances every season, Globus Theatre also offers a school of dramatic art with programs for youth and adults; as well as several community outreach programs for participants ranging from children to seniors.

Proceeds from The Starlight Ball will go towards Globus Theatre’s $2-million ‘Raising the Barn’ capital campaign to buy the Lakeview Arts Barn. Launched last spring, the campaign has raised $1.33 million of its goal to date.

“The deadline to meet the goal is fast approaching,” reads a media release from the theatre company. “Reaching the $2 million will require lots of community support — so why not come dance the night away and help the cause?”

The Starlight Ball begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd with a red carpet event. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., with speeches, entertainment, and dancing to follow. Tickets are $125 plus HST per person, which includes a $60 charitable tax receipt. Attendees will be seated at tables of eight; seats can be booked individually or entire tables can be booked.

Tickets must be purchased in advance — they will not be available at the door — by calling the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037 (toll free at 1-800-304-7897) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday or 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Dinner choices will be available when booking.

For more information about Globus Theatre, to purchase subscriptions and single tickets for the 2023 season, and to donate to Globus Theatre’s capital campaign, visit globustheatre.com.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Peterborough this week and visited with former Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, her husband former Fredericton Liberal MP Matt DeCourcey, and their baby boy named Samad Monsef DeCourcey.

“Caught up with some old friends — and made a brand new one, too,” Trudeau wrote on his Instagram on Thursday (April 6), posting a photo of him chatting with Maryam while holding Samad, who will be one month old on April 8.

“Glad we could spend some time together this morning, Maryam and Matt,” Trudeau added. “Keep making the most of these precious moments with your little one.”

It’s unclear when Trudeau was in Peterborough for the visit.

According to his official itinerary, he was in the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, ending the day at a town hall with students at Durham College’s Whitby campus.

By late Thursday morning, he was in Montréal to meet with Montréal mayor Valérie Plante and workers cleaning up damage from the ice storm that affected communities across Quebec.

Monsef gave birth to her son on March 7 at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

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This story has been updated to correct the birth date of Samad Monsef DeCourcey.