Vern Bastable, past director of GreenUP Ecology Park, has been a trusted authority and tireless advocate for all things trees. Through his 13-plus year tenure with GreenUP has come to an end, his "leafy" legacy will live on in Ecology Park and beyond. (Photo: Haley Goodchild / GreenUP)
After 13-plus years with GreenUP, Vern Bastable has accepted a new role with the Lower Trent Conservation Authority. Throughout his tenure, Vern was a trusted authority on all things trees, and was instrumental in delivering programs that celebrated and protected our urban canopy. GreenUP is deeply grateful to Vern for his stewardship, dedication, humour, and for “leafing” a lasting legacy at Ecology Park and beyond. We send our sincere well wishes to him in his new adventures, and hope you venture to the park to enjoy some of his favourite trees.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Vern Bastable, former Director of GreenUP Ecology Park.
GreenUP Ecology Park, located in the heart of the City of Peterborough, is one of the best places to explore a wide variety of tree species.
The park is home to everything from common sugar maples to rarer Carolinian species such as the Kentucky coffeetree.
Here are five trees you shouldn’t miss on your next visit to Ecology Park.
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Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
A leaf from the northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa). The oldest catalpa in Ecology Park is located on the east side of the Trans Canada Trail. (Photo: GreenUP)
This is one of the few non-native trees in the park. Catalpa is native to the Mississippi Valley in the United States and is sometimes called the “cigar tree” due to the dark foot-long seed pods it produces in late summer.
This fast-growing tree does best in full sun and can hit 30 metres in height. Catalpa has soft easy-to-work wood and, because of its fast growth, was used for fencing and telephone poles.
To me, catalpa’s showiest features are its large, beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers that impress in the spring, and its enormous spade-shaped leaves. The oldest catalpa in Ecology Park is located on the east side of the Trans Canada Trail. It was extra special because it was donated to GreenUP by a former staff member.
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Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
A tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) leaf. The tulip tree is one of the largest in the forest in its southern range. (Photo: GreenUP)
The tulip tree is a Carolinian species found from southern Ontario down into the lower United States. A fast-growing tree that can reach 35 metres, it prefers full sun to partial shade and deep, moist, well-drained soils.
In its southern range, this tree is one of the largest of the forest and was used by southern First Nations peoples to build dugout canoes, as the trees were massive and the wood was easy to work with.
The tree’s odd-shaped leaves remind me of a cat’s face. Another unique feature are the large yellow flowers that resemble tulips.
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Common hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata)
Vern Bastable finds it amusing when squirrels stuff common hop (Ptelea trifoliata) tree seeds, pictured here, in their mouths. (Photo: Haley Goodchild / GreenUP)
The common hop tree is a not-so-common Carolinian species that is part of the citrus family, native to the shores of Lake Erie. Once listed as a species at risk, it is now classified as a species of special concern.
The short-lived, slow growing, small tree (eight metres) is shade tolerant but only flowers in full sun. It is sometimes called “wafer ash” due to its abundant bundles of wafer-like seeds that were occasionally used as a substitute for hops by early German newcomers while making beer.
The three-part leaves interest me for their resemblance to poison ivy. I have found myself laughing at the squirrels who stuff bundles of seeds in their mouths appearing to be in disguise with a fake beard — a comical sight!
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Cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata)
When pollinated, the fruit of a cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) resemble cucumbers, hence the name. (Photo: GreenUP)
The cucumber magnolia is another rare species indigenous to the Lake Erie region, and listed as a species at risk in Ontario. This sun-loving tree can reach 25 metres tall in its native range and needs moist to wet soil.
As the only magnolia native to Canada, it gets large showy white flowers. If pollinated, these develop into little green fruits that resemble cucumbers, hence the name.
I have always had this tree on my wish list and was delighted to plant one at Ecology Park this year.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidium)
The leaves of a sassafras (Sassafras albidium) take many forms, such as the “Smitten” shape seen here. (Photo: GreenUP)
The sassafras is a rare native species whose range goes all the way south to Texas. This smaller tree, which can reach about 20 metres tall, grows best in a mix of sun and partial shade, drier sandy soils, and spreads through its roots.
This tree has been historically used for many commercial purposes. Its oils have been used to scent soaps and perfumes, its leaves were ground into filé powder (a key seasoning in southern gumbo), and its roots were the original base used for root beer — although this is now known to be carcinogenic and is no longer used in food or drink.
I love the leaves of this tree which can grow in three completely different forms, one of which resembles a mitten, which is another nickname for this tree. The sassafras in Ecology Park was set back by the construction of our well-loved education shelter, but survived and is doing well today.
These are just a few of the many species that are worth visiting at Ecology Park.
Five Counties Children's Centre is inviting current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers, and community members to help celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025 at free Family 50-Fest events in Linsday on September 6 and in Peterborough on September 27. Pictured is Cabe, a current client of the regional children's treatment centre that has supported children with physical, developmental, and communication needs since 1975. (Photo: Five Counties)
From a petting zoo to circus performers, an array of family entertainment is on the bill at two upcoming events in Lindsay and Peterborough marking the 50th anniversary of Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The regional children’s treatment centre is hosting “Family 50-Fest” on Saturday, September 6 at its location in Lindsay at 9 Russell Street East, with another event taking place on Saturday, September 27 at the Five Counties location at 872 Dutton Road in Peterborough.
“As the Family 50-Fest name suggests, both events are designed as free, family-friendly community celebrations of Five Counties’ 50th anniversary in 2025,” Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof told kawarthaNOW.
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“Fifty years is a big deal, so we want to mark that milestone by celebrating with our current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers, and community members,” Eekhof said.
Both events run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the respective centre sites in each community.
“Our hope in organizing Family 50-Fest events in Lindsay and Peterborough is to provide opportunities to come together to celebrate, reflect, and have fun,” Eekhoff added.
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The events will feature kids’ activities, petting zoos, circus performers, the chance to touch an emergency vehicle, games, face-painting, story time, food, music, and more. Five Counties is also planning to offer open houses and tours of its sites in Lindsay and Peterborough, and display historical information.
The Family 50-Fest events are one of many of the centre’s 50th anniversary festivities.
“For five decades, Five Counties has been privileged to support many children and youth with physical, developmental, and communication needs across the region,” said Darlene Callan, director of clinical services at Five Counties, in a media release.
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Current and former clients, families, supporters, volunteers and community members are invited to attend the Family 50-Fest events.
Although both events are free, space is limited and people are asked to register in advance by visiting the Five Counties website at www.fivecounties.on.ca, emailing 50@fivecounties.on.ca, or calling 1-888-779-9916 ext. 200.
Looking back on its 50 years, providing care close to home for children and youth was the main driver for establishing a children’s care centre in the Kawarthas region in the early 1970s, according to Five Counties.
Rotary Clubs from Peterborough, Lindsay, Minden, Haliburton, and elsewhere came together to spearhead the project. With the help of local leaders and families of children with disabilities, they were able to convince the Ontario government to support the construction of Five Counties Children’s Centre, which opened its doors in Peterborough in 1975.
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From the beginning, children from across the region — including Lindsay, the City of Kawartha Lakes (then known as Victoria County), and Haliburton County — were able to get assistance at Five Counties.
Over time, the need to provide care even closer to home for children and family became evident, which led to Five Counties establishing a location in Lindsay in 1981 at Ross Memorial Hospital. That same year, Five Counties clinicians began travelling each month to provide services in Haliburton County, leasing space at the Minden site of Haliburton Highlands Health Services in the early 2000s.
Five Counties opened new locations in Campbellford in 1995 and in Cobourg in 1999 to better serve families in Northumberland County, and eventually moved out of the Ross Memorial Hospital to set up its own space in Lindsay. After multiple moves in Lindsay, the centre has been located at its present site since 2006.
When it opened in 1975, Five Counties served a total of 125 clients and, in 2023-24, served a total of 6,203 clients — the highest number in its history.
The City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service in Lindsay. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)
The chief of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service has issued a statement about the “significant public interest and emotional responses” to assault charges that police laid against a Lindsay homeowner who allegedly seriously injured an intruder he found in his apartment.
Early Monday morning (August 18), a 44-year-old Lindsay man woke up to find another man inside his Kent Street apartment. An altercation ensued, with the intruder — a 41-year-old Lindsay man who was already wanted by police on other offences — receiving serious life-threatening injuries that required him to be airlifted to a Toronto hospital.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged the apartment’s resident with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon before releasing him for a future court appearance. The alleged intruder is also facing multiple charges and will be taken into custody when he is released from hospital.
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Many commenters on social media have been defending the homeowner’s actions and criticizing the police for laying charges.
“The Kawartha Lakes Police Service appreciates the community’s engagement and concern,” Chief Kirk Robertson says in his statement. “However, the negative commentary about the officers and their actions is unjust and inaccurate.”
“The investigators were able to examine all of the information and evidence that was available, prior to laying any charges. In order to protect the investigation and the rights of any person who is charged with an offence during their court proceedings, only a limited amount of information is being released to the public.”
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Robertson says that, while individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property under Canadian law, the right to do so is not unlimited, adding that section 35 of the criminal code notes that the act a person commits to defend themselves or their property much be “reasonable in the circumstances.”
“The law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced,” the chief says. “This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances.”
“The role of the police is to investigate impartially and present findings to the justice system, which ultimately determines the outcome. It is important to remember that charges are not convictions; they are part of the judicial process, which ensures that all facts are considered fairly in court.”
Robertson encourages people “to follow this matter as it proceeds through the justice system” and notes “at this time we will not be releasing any further information about this incident.”
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The public response to the Lindsay incident is similar to what happened after a 2009 incident in Toronto, when Chinatown grocer David Chen and two male members of his family were arrested and charged after they caught a man who had stolen from their store earlier in the day. When he returned to the store, the three men attacked him, tied him up, and locked him in the back of delivery van.
Police initially charged the three men with kidnapping, carrying a dangerous weapon, assault, and forcible confinement, later dropping the kidnapping and weapon charges. There was a public outcry against the charges and ultimately all three men were found not guilty, with a judge dismissing the charges.
However, while the three men had allegedly kicked and beaten the shoplifter in the process of conducting a citizen’s arrest, unlike the Lindsay incident, the shoplifter was not seriously injured and did not require hospitalization.
Located on the Preddy family farm in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan in Peterborough County, Escape Maze is an entertainment facility that offers indoor and outdoor escape rooms and mazes, laser tag, haunts, camping, and disc golf. The family-owned business supports the local economy by designing attractions for local businesses and including them in some of their activities. In return, many local businesses participate in activities and host team-building exercises at Escape Maze. (Photo courtesy of Escape Maze)
For more than a decade, Escape Maze in Peterborough County has been offering an ever-expanding list of indoor and outdoor fun activities for groups of all kinds — families, friends, co-workers, and more — on the Preddy family farm in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, while also supporting local businesses.
In 2014, inspired by the growing popularity of escape rooms (physical adventure games where a team of players solves a series of puzzles and riddles to get out of a room before the clock runs out), Jake Walling, Fred Preddy, Mike Preddy, Wilma Preddy, and Mike Walling opened Escape Maze on the 129-acre farm beside the Otonabee River, which has provided the family with plenty of space to continue to find new ways to bring fun to locals and visitors alike.
Today, Escape Maze offers six escape rooms, four escape trails, seasonal outdoor escape haunts, cabin and tent camping on the shoreline, outdoor laser tag, and — new for 2025 — disc golf. The fun amenities can be booked for family reunions, team-building events, parties, weddings, and other private functions.
During the pandemic, Escape Maze offered “escape drives” as a way to keep the business running despite lockdowns. Since then, Escape Maze has hosted similar events that encourage participants to explore the area and support other local businesses.
One event required participants to visit up to 10 local businesses in Otonabee-South Monaghan — including Rolling Grape Vineyard, Doo Doo’s Bakery, and Elmhirst’s Resort — to collect clues that would help them solve a mystery. In 2024, a game took place across downtown Peterborough and involved various businesses including Boardwalk Board Game Lounge, The Avant-Garden Shop, and Peterborough Axe Club.
“Customers tell us that one of the most fun parts was going into different businesses they would never go into normally and seeing how they participated in the game,” Jake says.
Founded in 2014, Escape Maze in Otonabee-South Monaghan in Peterborough County also contributes to the local economy by hiring local employees to support the many activities that are offered on the 129-acre property. In addition to six family members, Escape Maze employs one additional full-time employee, five part-time employees, and, during the fall, 25 seasonal employees. (Photo courtesy of Escape Maze)
Escape Maze also uses their expertise to craft creative and adventurous mazes for other local businesses, including an outdoor maze at Pine Vista Resort in Douro-Dummer, an outdoor alpaca-themed escape maze for Wanderlight Alpaca Experience in Lakefield in Douro-Dummer, and an outdoor maze at Elmhirst’s Resort in Keene inspired by local history.
As for their own escape rooms, Escape Maze often shops at the ReStores operated by Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region for new furniture and props which, in turn, gives back to the community as sales at ReStores support affordable homeownership projects.
With so many offerings and activities available on site, Escape Maze not only employs six members of the Walling and Preddy families, but has an additional full-time employee, five part-time employees, and, during the fall, 25 seasonal employees.
Given the many options for team-building games at Escape Maze, many local businesses and organizations have participated in events and activities on the farm, including Showplace Performance Centre, Weed Man Peterborough & Kawartha Lakes, Century 21 United Realty Inc., Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, Lang Pioneer Village, Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses, and many more.
Escape Maze is located at 156 Cedar Bank Road, off County Road 21 just five kilometres south of the City of Peterborough. To book an activity, visit escapemaze.com or call 705-740-3657.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
Gailie and Rick Young have been performing at Peterborough's longest-running jam session, "Crash and Burn" at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough, every Monday night the past 20 years. A special celebratory Crash and Burn takes place on August 25, 2025 featuring performances by Charlie Horse, Don McBride & The Unlikely Heroes, Dennis O'Toole and Old Soul, and Mike MacCurdy & Friends with Maggie Sabyan. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
As long as anyone can remember, Peterborough’s live music scene has regularly seen acts, of the both solo and band variety, come and then go as quickly as they arrived.
For sure, there have been exceptions to that. Jericho’s Wall comes to mind quickly as an act that had legs, as does Max Mouse and The Gorillas and Washboard Hank and Bobby Watson — to name but a few that stayed the course over a number of years stretching into decades.
Then there’s Rick and Gailie Young, whose fandom of all things Beatles and British Invasion music has resonated with audiences on day one and, more to the point here, led to a now 20-year-old Monday night residency called “Crash and Burn” at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough.
That quite remarkable run is cause for celebration, and celebrate the husband-and-wife duo will do on Monday (August 25) at the George Street North pub, joined by a number of longtime music collaborators and friends that have gravitated toward the highly likeable pair and have rarely left their side.
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Organized by Paul Clark, who provided the backbeat for Rick and Gailie’s Crash and Burn shows for three years, the 6 to 11 p.m. event will feature performances by Charlie Horse (Al Black, JP Hovercraft, Clifford Maynes, and Trevor Davis), Don McBride & The Unlikely Heroes (Jeremy Mellor, Sean Daniels, Al Black, and JP Hovercraft), Dennis O’Toole and Old Soul (Michael O’Toole, Bryan Landry, and Jim Leslie), and Mike MacCurdy & Friends, featuring Maggie Sabyan.
In addition, as befits a typical Crash and Burn event, any “jammers” in the room will be invited to take a stage spin.
“It’s beautiful chaos,” says Clark of Crash and Burn. “Sometimes these songs come together so perfectly, it’s like angels singing in your ear. Other times, it’s crash and burn — a total musical fender bender. And you know what? That’s hilarious.”
“The best part? It’s human, like watching someone trip and then laugh it off, except they’re holding a guitar. It’s not robots. It’s not AI. It’s not some algorithm picking your playlist. It’s not auto-tuned pop stars. It’s real people in a room having a blast together. There’s something very real about it.”
“You’re not just watching a band or a musician. You’re part of this living, breathing historic thing. It’s like the universe sprinkled fairy dust on your soul, thanks to Rick and Gailie’s spirit and resilience.”
Gailie and Rick Young performing at “Crash and Burn” at the Black Horse Pub in 2024. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Indeed, those at the centre of what’s billed as “Peterborough’s friendliest and longest-running music session” are as real as it gets: musicians who are as dedicated to the music they love as they are to the community they bring it to.
Peterborough born and raised, Gailie attended Crestwood Secondary School before landing her first real working gig with Westclox in 1969.
Rick, meanwhile, is a Toronto native and East York Collegiate grad who, after studying horticulture at the University of Guelph, commuted across Lake Ontario by ferry to tend to the Toronto Islands’ gardens and landscaping.
They met in 1971 at a Toronto house party; a chance encounter that led to a close friendship. Come 1992, her marriage at an end and parent to a young daughter, Gailie reconnected with Rick. Two years later, the couple moved to Peterborough and, in 2003, were married.
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Soon enough, their mutual love of the music of their youth compelled Rick and Gailie to pursue a union of a different kind, initially at the Historic Red Dog where they debuted at an open mic event hosted by singer Charlotte Melby. Buoyed by how well that event went, the pair stayed on at the Historic Red Dog for a Wednesday night residency, and also landed a regular gig at the Montreal House.
Come 2005, a new pub, owned by Ray Kapoor, opened on George Street North. As a former co-owner of the Historic Red Dog, Kapoor committed to featuring live music from the get-go and, more pertinent, he was very familiar with Rick and Gailie’s act.
“Ray had us play the pre-opening party for the Black Horse,” recalls Gailie. “We played where this little table was. People were dancing. Microphones were being knocked into our faces. I looked up and there was a stage there with tables. I said ‘Ray, what the hell are you doing? That’s a stage.'”
“We were playing at Clancy’s at the Red Dog and Ray asked if we wanted to do matinees at his new place,” adds Rick. “He gave us Friday and Saturday matinees, and then he kept us on doing that for years and years and years. I guess we were good for business.”
VIDEO: “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” by The Beatles – The Rick & Gailie Band
Come 2018, Rick and Gailie were nothing short of a fixture at the Black Horse Pub, but the security of regular gigs was cast in doubt when Kapoor, in anticipation of retirement, listed the pub for sale. Frankly, no one knew if the new owner would keep live music on the menu.
Enter Desmond and Maria Vandenberg who, in May of that year, took ownership of the pub.
“Around that time, when I was looking at all the different restaurants I considered buying, music wasn’t something that I going after,” recalls Vandenberg.
“I brought my daughter in here (the Black Horse Pub). She was about 20 years old at the time. Rick and Gailie were playing. I was like ‘Oh yeah, Rick and Gailie. I like The Beatles,’ but my daughter, what’s she going to think? She was like ‘This is pretty good.’ Rick and Gailie are part of the reason we ended up buying the Black Horse. This is something I like, and this is something younger people can like too.”
Vandenberg says his relationship with Rick and Gailie was anchored in a mutual respect that kept the music going, even when the pandemic struck.
“From day one, it was a two-way street — they were helping me, I was doing my best to help them,” he says.
“It didn’t matter what curveballs we got. When COVID hit, they were like ‘What can we do? We can’t play inside, so we’ll play outside.’ Whatever we could do, they were there for us in a big way, not just through COVID but throughout the years.”
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Clark’s reference to Crash and Burn aside, Rick says the event name emerged as a result of him and Phil Connor singing Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain.”
“We were just having fun with it — two guys trying to sing a song sung by a female. I said to him ‘It’s Monday night. Who cares if it crashes and burns?’ There wasn’t much of an audience in the beginning, so we’d try anything we wanted just for fun, whether it crashed and burned or not.”
Remarkably, Rick and Gailie arrive for their Black Horse gigs without a set list. Rather, familiar with an endless list of songs from the 1950s through the 1970s, they pick and choose songs as they go, sometimes fulfilling audiednce requests.
VIDEO: “Just One Look” by The Hollies – The Rick & Gailie Band
That, notes Terry Guiel, continues to work well for the duo and is at least partially responsibility for their longevity.
“You have to play the music that people want,” says Guiel, who fronted Jericho’s Wall during its equally impressive 13-year Saturday night run at the Historic Red Dog.
“You play to your audience. The era that they want. The songs they want. Songs that are memorable, familiar, and happy. Their entire set list is back-to-back-to-back songs that are very positive and happy.”
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“Also, you’ve got constantly learn new material to keep your regulars interested,” Guiel adds. “And you’ve got to be entertaining. Rick and Gailie are entertaining. They play for the crowd. They’re wonderful people to work with, which is important for the bars and places that hire you.”
Guiel says Rick and Gailie’s musical talent is one thing, but their work ethic and joy for what they do is quite another, along with their wholly unselfish eagerness to help any cause or organization in need of help.
“They’re just two really lovely people. They’re not pretentious. There’s no ego. They just love entertaining people and performing old classics. That resonates with people.”
“It is work,” admits Guiel of maintaining a long residency at a venue, adding “There’s bad days, there’s tired days, but you do it for your audience.”
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Al Black, who has drummed many times as part of Rick and Gailie’s backing band, says “it’s crazy” that Rick and Gailie have continued under three owners of the Black Horse, including current owner Sajen Ganeshalingam who bought the pub from Vandenberg in March 2024.
Black makes specific mention of Rick and Gailie’s relentless support of charitable events, as both musicians and organizers, and sometimes as both.
“Gailie is a real wrangler — she knows how to organize folks, she’s loving, and she’s very firm,” he says, adding ‘I don’t have the nerve to say ‘No’ to her.”
The 20-year celebration of Rick and Gailey Young’s residency at “Crash and Burn” at the Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough runs from 6 to 11 p.m. on August 25, 2025. (Poster: Paul L. Clark)
And then there’s the legendary Gailie hug, as warm and sincere as it’s impossible to escape.
“If you’re going to get one, get ready,” advises Black, with Vandenberg noting “When I came here (to the Black Horse), I was not a hugger. Gailie converted me. Now I’m a big-time hugger.”
As for the 20-year milestone celebration, Rick and Gailie are approaching it from different vantage points.
“I’m looking forward to it because of what it is,” says Gailie.
Former Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) patient Ron Houlihan and rehab assistant Ruth Hopkins gear up for the Thankful Hearts Walk on October 2, 2025 in support of the Lindsay hospital's cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program. In his 80s, Houlihan has completed the program twice, once after he received three new stents in his heart and again after he had open heart surgery at Sunnybrook in Toronto to repair an aneurysm. (Photo: RMH Foundation)
When Kevin Llewellyn broke his leg, it led to a blood clot and, ultimately, a massive bilateral embolism on his lungs and a small tear in his heart.
Llewellyn was diagnosed quickly at Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay and treated successfully. Then five years later, he suffered a mild stroke and landed in RMH again. Staff advised him to participate in the hospital’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program.
Llewellyn credits the overall improvements in his cardiac and pulmonary health to his participation in the program.
On Thursday, October 2, patients like Llewellyn and their family members will be participating in the Thankful Hearts Walk, a fundraiser for RMH’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program.
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“It’s always a special day for the patients to come with their friends and family members and reconnect with the program coordinators,” RMH Foundation communications specialist Kim Coulter told kawarthaNOW.
Coulter added she hopes for a good turnout on October 2, along with good weather and good visits with the patients and graduates of the program.
“When they take part over weeks and months, they form bonds with each other through their shared health experiences and their encouragement as they work to regain their health,” she said. “Their efforts to support the program through the walk is a testament to their gratitude for the care they received.”
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As for Llewellyn, his experience with RMH was nothing short of “amazing” according to a media release from the RMH Foundation.
“What I enjoyed was you had somebody monitoring you constantly to let you know if what you were doing wasn’t enough, too much, or just enough,” Llewellyn said. “They talk about exercise, diet, strength training and how it all affects your body.”
Overall, RMH staff provided “phenomenal” care to everyone, he said.
“I had an episode, and my heart rate went a little crazy and they reacted very quickly. They sat me down, monitored me and made it very clear: if my heart rate didn’t return to normal, I was going directly to the emergency department. I remember it was very comforting and reassuring.”
Today, Llewellyn shows his gratitude by volunteering with the program.
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Ron Houlihan is another advocate of the program, having completed it twice. The first time was after chest pains kept him from hosting Downeyville’s Irish concert eight years ago. He received three new stents in his heart and completed the program faithfully because he was determined to regain his health.
Then, last fall, his chest pains returned. Houlihan was rushed from RMH to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. He had an aneurysm on his aorta and required emergency open heart surgery.
“They took the aneurysm away and put me back together again,” Houlihan said, adding that the surgeon at Sunnybrook later told him that he had never met anyone in their 80s in better condition. Houlihan attributes that to the exercises he learned while participating in the RMH program.
“Anyone who gets the opportunity to do the program should jump at it,” he said. “You really work from the moment you come in until you’re done. You really focus on the work you’re doing. They keep you busy.”
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The Thankful Hearts Walk on October 2 will raise both awareness and funds for the hospital’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program. Participants can register on walk day from 1:30 to 2 p.m. in the RMH cafeteria. A warm-up begins at 2 p.m. and walkers set off at 2:15 p.m. for a two-kilometre walk around the hospital. There’s also an option to complete a shorter route.
Donation and pledge forms are available through the RMH cardiac rehabilitation program and the RMH Foundation. Those wishing to donate or fundraise online for the Thankful Hearts Walk can do so at justgiving.com/campaign/rmhthankfulheartswalk2025.
For more information, contact the RMH Foundation office by calling 705-328-6146 or by emailing foundation@rmh.org.
When it comes to advancing in their careers, skilled tradespeople have two choices open to them: continue to work for somebody else or boldly strike out on their own.
While tempting for anyone with an entrepreneurial bent, being your own boss is fraught with landmines as one takes on responsibilities well out of one’s comfort zone; tasks such as financing and banking, managing cashflow, business tax record-keeping and filing, and hiring as needed.
Sensing that a number of skilled tradespeople are looking to launch their own business, the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas announced its new BuildUP program this past spring. With 70 applications received for only 20 spots, the first program cohort was expanded to take on 35 participants.
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Last Tuesday (August 12) at the Innovation Cluster’s Venture North location in downtown Peterborough, the initial eight-week program wrapped up with a final session titled “Hiring Your First Team Member.” It was facilitated by Grant Conrad, the owner of WorkforceWins, a Peterborough-based human resources outsourcing company servicing construction and trades businesses.
That session was preceded by seven others: “What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur,” “Tax Basics,” “Banking and Finding Financing,” “Managing Cashflow and Business Insurance,” “Bookkeeping Without The Headache,” “Reputation and Customer Service That Wins Repeat Business,” and “Sales That Feel Natural.” Each session was led by one of the Innovation Cluster’s experts in residence.
“They’ve got that drive — that spark in their eye,” assessed Conrad of the group that sat before him, adding “They were like ‘How does this work? How does that work?’ That’s the kind of people who step up.”
“I was tasked to talk about how to hire your first person. We went through employment agreements and job ads. We talked a bit about company culture, and performance management, and even termination and the Employment Standards Act — those tricky little rules government has about what you can do and can’t do. It was lot to cover in an hour.”
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Of the inaugural program cohort, more than half were workers licensed by Skilled Trades Ontario, with another 40 per cent currently working in the trades and six percent completing apprenticeships.
The top trades represented were electricians and carpenters, at 17 per cent each, HVAC specialists at 11 per cent, plumbers at six per cent, and, at three per cent, millwrights.
Among the initial program participants were Patrick Carty and Mike Thurston — both of whom offered glowing reviews of the information received and its value.
“It was very valuable — it didn’t go into huge depth but it gives an overview so you know what you don’t know,” said Carty, who does commercial HVAC work, adding that the program helped focus on where to spend time and effort “as opposed to just blindly searching the internet on how to run a business.”
Carty outlined the benefits he sees in building his own business.
“Things are great now where I work, but I have four young children. I want to grow something that I can maybe give to them someday, and be able to adjust my time so I don’t miss school events and things like that.”
“If I work for myself, I can go to their event at two o’clock in the afternoon but then still work at nine o’ clock at night, whereas if I work for someone else, if I go to that event at two o’clock in the afternoon, I can’t go back to work after four o’clock. It’s just to get a bit more time leverage but, at the same time, try and build something for my kids.”
Carty admitted going out on his own is “a very large leap of faith,” but added “I’m young enough … I’ve made an educated guess and now we’re going to see how it goes.”
Carty noted being in a group with others in the initial stages of their entrepreneurial journey went a long way toward settling any doubts around his decision.
“It was good to see that no one really knows what they’re doing. We’ll figure it out as we go basically, but it was nice to see not everyone’s an expert when they first get going and it takes time.”
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For his part, Thurston, an electrician, wants “to change things up. I’ve been with the same company for 18 years and just want to do my own thing.”
“I’ve wanted to do my own business for probably 10 years now and I just finally grew the set of balls to do it,” he said, noting there’s something to be learned from others who have branched out on their own.
“You can learn from their mistakes or learn from their accomplishments — learning how to run a business and how to deal with clients and stuff like that.”
As Innovation Cluster’s director of operations, Alana Currier is thrilled with the initial response to BuildUP, noting it made the decision to host a second cohort this fall a no-brainer.
“There’s a big gap in skilled trades professionals in terms of understanding the pathways to becoming business owners,” she said.
“I have family members that work in the trades that have worked under somebody or worked for a company. They now have also transitioned to being business owners. I’ve seen firsthand how that transition looks, and the gaps or some of the resources they don’t know about. It’s not even just the knowledge piece — it’s knowing what is out there to help you.”
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“It can be scary to start a business, especially when you’ve been working under somebody for years,” Currier noted. “Understanding the steps and the liabilities and the incentives of doing things a certain way is great.”
Currier said that tradespeople who run their own business have options they don’t have when working for someone else.
“You can take the jobs you want. Maybe you hate installing dishwashers. You don’t have to do anymore.”
She added that encouraging entrepreneurship through the BuildUP program is also important given the changing demographics in the skilled trades.
“A lot of tradespeople are retiring. We need a group of entrepreneurs to come in and either take over their businesses and become that entrepreneur, or to start their own businesses to fill the gap.”
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On a broader scale, Currier noted BuildUP speaks to Innovation Cluster’s mission.
“We are still serving tech businesses, but the Innovation Cluster has proven it needs to be innovative. Everyone is aware that there’s a skilled trades shortage, so having the ability to support them has been wonderful.”
The Innovation Cluster is now accepting applications for 35 spots for the second BuildUP cohort that begins October 14 and ends December 2. With the program funded by Employment Ontario, there is no charge for those accepted.
Open to journeypersons, upper-year apprentices, and experienced tradespeople, applicants must live in Ontario, must be employed by an Ontario-based company, and must be able to attend weekly in-person or virtual sessions and commit to two hours weekly for eight weeks.
The application deadline is Monday, September 15. To apply, visit innovationcluster.ca/buildup where more information about the program is available.
Peterborough County has launched "Engage Peterborough County," an online platform aimed at making it easier for Peterborough County residents to provide feedback, share ideas, and help shape decisions that impact the county. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Peterborough County is hoping to increase citizen engagement and participation in county government issues with the launch of a new online platform.
“Engage Peterborough County” is designed to be a tool to make it easier for Peterborough County residents to provide feedback, share ideas, and help shape decisions that impact the county.
“Our biggest hope is that Engage Peterborough County becomes a trusted space where residents feel heard, informed, and connected to the decision-making process,” Tracie Bertrand, Peterborough County’s general manager of tourism and communications, told kawarthaNOW.
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Unlike traditional municipal websites or social media channels, Engage Peterborough County is “a central hub for two-way engagement,” the county noted in a media release.
It offers a suite of interactive tools, such as surveys, idea boards, maps, discussion forums, and more, so residents can take part in conversations about local projects, policies, and plans “in a more meaningful and accessible way.”
“We want this tool to break down barriers to participation, making it easier for people to share their ideas, ask questions, and provide feedback — no matter their schedule or location,” Bertrand said.
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“By gathering more diverse perspectives, we can make better-informed decisions that truly reflect the needs and priorities of our communities,” Bertrand said. “Ultimately, this is about strengthening the relationship between residents and local government through ongoing, two-way dialogue.”
Several other municipalities in the Kawarthas region have had similar online platforms in place for years, including “Connect Peterborough” in the City of Peterborough, “Jump In Kawartha Lakes” in the City of Kawarthas Lakes, and “Join In Northumberland” in Northumberland County.
While Peterborough County’s main website remains the place for news and services, Engage Peterborough County is built specifically for public engagement. It provides project-specific spaces where community members can explore proposals, ask questions, and give feedback directly to the teams involved.
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The county’s media release also noted that, while social media platforms are a tool for raising awareness, “they aren’t designed for deep, organized conversations.”
“Engage Peterborough County creates a respectful, inclusive, and transparent space for discussion — without the noise or distractions of social media.”
The platform is user-friendly and available 24/7. Registration is required to participate.
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“Engage Peterborough County offers another tool for residents to offer their feedback to their county government,” said Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark in a statement.
“It is now easier than ever for the public to stay informed, share their ideas, and actively participate in shaping the future of our county. By activating this site, Peterborough County is demonstrating our commitment to transparency, accountability, customer service, and satisfaction. I encourage everyone in Peterborough County to visit the site and make your voice heard.”
A 44-year-old Lindsay man is facing assault charges after he seriously injured an intruder in his apartment early Monday morning (August 18).
At around 3:20 a.m. on Monday, Kawarthas Lakes police responded to an apartment on Kent Street in Lindsay after a report of an altercation between two men.
After arriving on scene, officers learned that the apartment’s resident had awoken to find another man inside his apartment.
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An altercation between the resident and the intruder ensued, with the intruder receiving serious life-threatening injuries. The intruder was transported to Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay and later airlifted to a Toronto hospital.
As a result of the investigation, police arrested and charged the resident of the apartment, a 44-year-old Lindsay man, with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.
The accused man was released from custody with a future court date.
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The intruder, a 41-year-old Lindsay man, was already wanted by police at the time of the incident for unrelated offences.
As a result of the investigation, he has also been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, break, enter and theft, mischief under $5,000, and failure to comply with probation.
The accused man will be held in custody pending a bail hearing when he is released from hospital.
The Beer Store at 882 Ward Street in Bridgenorth is closing on Sunday, October 19. So far in 2025, The Beer Store has announced the closure of over 100 retail stores across Ontario following Ontario Premier Doug Ford's 2024 decision to expand alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores across the province. (Photo: Google Maps
The Beer Store in Bridgenorth is closing this fall.
Ontario’s largest beer retailer announced on Monday (August 18) it is closing 12 more retail stores at the end of the day on Sunday, October 19.
It is the latest in a series of announcements made by The Beer Store, closing more than 100 retail stores so far.
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The Bridgenorth store, located at 882 Ward Street, is the second location in the Kawarthas region that is closing. In May, The Beer Store announced that its retail store in Coboconk, located at 6716 Highway 35, would close on July 6.
“Where we sell beer and collect empties in Ontario is changing,” said The Beer Store’s retail vice president Ozzie Ahmed in a statement. “The Beer Store is modernizing to meet the changing marketplace and unfortunately this means making the hard decision to close retail locations.”
“We know this is difficult news for customers and employees. As The Beer Store modernizes, our locations will continue to provide friendly customer service and a deposit return system that gets consumers their money back.”
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The other 11 locations closing on October 19 are:
8647 Highway #60 in Eganville
89 Main Street South in Forest
21 Ontario Street North in Grand Bend
398 King Street West in Harrow
53 Meredith Street East in Little Current
33 Argyle Street in Markdale
142 David Street North in Noëlville
3078 Don Mills Road in North York
704 Main Street in Sauble Beach
900A Don Mills Road (Unit #100) in Toronto
800 Gerrard Street East in Toronto
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The next nearest Beer Store to the Bridgenorth location is at Portage Place at 1154 Chemong Road in Peterborough.
The closures of the retail stores follow Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s decision to expand alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores across the province. As part of an agreement with the Ontario government announced in 2024, The Beer Store can maintain at least 300 retail stores and continue its role in recycling and bottle return until the end of 2025.
The Beer Store operates 10 distribution centres and, prior to the closures, operated 440 retail locations in Ontario, employing around 6,500 people. It also operates in 446 grocery stores and distributes to around 4,000 convenience stores and grocery stores.
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