Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) has raised $15,000 to help support its goal of building 149 affordable homes across the Kawarthas, thanks to those who attended the non-profit organization’s third annual HomeGrown: A Habitat Garden Disco Fundraiser and the event’s sponsors.

Held at Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth on Saturday, June 6, the sold-out evening saw around 100 community members welcomed into an immersive atmosphere featuring disco-themed décor and sparkling lighting at an outdoor setting along the shores of Chemong Lake.

Attendees enjoyed the garden grazing table, passed and stationed canapés, and dishes prepared on the smokehouse Argentinian grill, along with curated beverages and cocktails, while listening to live music and participating in a silent auction.

Guests also heard stories from future Habitat PKR homeowners, including a couple who are awaiting the completion of their single-family home in Norwood so they can move in with their children.

The couple spoke about their experience completing the 500 volunteer hours required as part of Habitat PKR’s affordable homeownership model. Families can meet their volunteer hours at Habitat ReStores or by participating in home-building projects.

Attendees also heard from another future Habitat PKR homeowner, who shared her experience navigating housing instability in Peterborough’s rental market. A single mother, she will soon move into a condominium unit at Leahy’s Lane with her son through Habitat PKR’s buyback program, which helps ensure long-term affordability for local homeowners.

The program kicks in when existing Habitat homeowners decide to move due to life changes. When this happens, Habitat PKR will buy the home, renovate it if needed, and make it available to another local family in need of affordable housing.

During the event, Habitat PKR shared its plans to create 149 affordable homes through projects across the Kawarthas, with land secured, partnerships in place, and development plans established.

The projects include three new single-family homes in Norwood, 40 condominium units at Keystone Court on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough, 35 units in a Haliburton development in partnership with Places for People in Haliburton, supportive shared living housing in Peterborough for six women with developmental disabilities through Our Daughters’ Home, and a 64-unit condominium development in Haliburton that will include new childcare spaces for local families.

The $15,000 that was raised through the June 6 fundraiser will directly support the organization’s local affordable housing builds across the region.

“HomeGrown is a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together in support of affordable housing,” said Habitat PKR CEO Susan Zambonin in a media release.

“We are grateful to share updates on our upcoming projects and to celebrate the impact we are already seeing in the lives of local families. With land secured, strong partners in place, and a clear vision ahead, continued community support will help us move these homes forward.”

HomeGrown: A Habitat Garden Disco Fundraiser was supported by RBC as the presenting sponsor, as well as event sponsors Floortrends, Chemong Lodge, Peterborough Axe Club, Kerr’s Home Products, Lakeshore Designs, Braun Custom Builds, Habitat for Humanity Canada, Cambium, Sunbelt Rentals, and Kingdon Timber Mart.

The United Way Peterborough and District welcomed its new chief executive officer on Thursday (June 18) and, in the process, bid farewell to the longest-serving CEO in the organization’s 85-year history.

Jason Seguya officially assumes his new role on Monday, July 6 and, in doing so, becomes just the 10th CEO to head the local United Way. Meanwhile, outgoing CEO Jim Russell, who is retiring after close to 15 years at the helm, will stay on board until July 17 to help facilitate the transition.

Seguya, 27, a native of Uganda, comes to Peterborough via Ottawa, having previously served as executive director of The Fulcrum Publishing Society and of Ontario Student Voices. He has a bachelor of science in social sciences from the University of Ottawa.

Seguya’s hiring comes after an exhaustive search for Russell’s successor undertaken by the United Way board that started in December of last year.

In her introduction of Seguya, United Way board chair Karen Wilson noted he brings a strong background in organizational leadership, governance, human resources, communications and community engagement, with a focus on building inclusive, sustainable, people-centred organizations.

“In the short time that I’ve known Jason — we’ve had a few meetings since he was hired — he is a natural leader, a convener, a collaborator, and an advocate,” Wilson said.

“Along with his expertise, I know he’ll bring forth his thoughtfulness, his intelligence, and his positive energy required for the inclusive mission-driven work that the United Way is going to do, and for our community.”

With that, Seguya took to the podium, as his parents Phares and Sarah Sekalala and his sisters Fiona and Phillipa Sekalala watched on, their pride obvious.

“While today I’m filled with so much excitement — it might be the coffee or the Red Bull — I’m more met with humility,” said Seguya.

“While for this will be a new journey for myself, this is far from a new start for the United Way. For 85 years, this organization has been showing up for community. For 85 years, people have come together through this organization to strengthen lives, to support neighbours, to create opportunities, and to respond to the needs that show up in our community every single day.”

Seguya noted that what excites him most is “is knowing that I won’t be engaging with this work by myself,” adding “There’s a direct correlation between an organization’s success and the collective power of its people.”

“The people who volunteer, who donate, who advocate, and who partner. The people who show up every day because they believe that their community can become stronger every single day. People who come together with a shared belief that if we work together, we can accomplish anything.”

Praising Russell and his staff for their “professionalism, compassion, kindness and care,” Seguya said the “strength of this organization, and this community, lies in the ability to bring people together with shared beliefs. That our communities are strongest when we support one another and no one gets left behind.”

“Meaningful change does not happen with the action of one individual alone but through collective effort. I see an understanding in this room that community is not something you just inherit — it’s something you build. We will build that together, maintaining that momentum. ”

Seguya made it clear that he “has no intention of rewriting 85 years of history” when it comes to the organization’s legacy.

“My goal is to honour it, to learn from it, to build upon it, to listen before speaking, to understand before acting, and to work alongside the incredible people in this room and many more to carry that mission forward.”

Earlier, Russell bade a heartfelt farewell, at one point fighting back tears.

“As I stand here, I’m certainly filled with gratitude, I’m certainly filled with wonder at the work we did together,” he said.

“The mission, the charisma, the life force of the United Way isn’t about any one person. It’s about the work that can happen together in a community if you engage, if you go out, if you build together. If you want to go quick, go alone. If you want to go deep, go together. That’s been the model for us; that’s the model we hope is, and will be, maintained.”

“Though I’m filled with wonder and gratitude, having met Jason at his second interview and having just had a conversation with him a little while ago, I’m mostly filled with hope, I’m mostly filled with excitement, I’m mostly filled with curiosity, and I’m filled absolutely with a certainty. A certainty that his leadership will inspire, that his leadership will help people to come together, that his leadership is needed at this time in our development and our engagement in the community.”

“We didn’t, and I apologize for this, fix all the problems that are in our community, so there’s work still to be done. We’re really excited about the tenure and the experience and the passion that Jason will bring to this effort.”

After the formal part of the announcement, both Seguya and Russell met with the media, with Seguya addressing his plan to build on the work already underway.

“One of the key things is incorporating reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in our work,” said Seguya.

“What this looks like internally to the organization is boosting the capacity so that we’re able to speak on these items and support communities, whereas, externally, removing barriers so that folks can engage with the United Way Peterborough and District in different ways.”

“That really leans on the belief that if you support those who are most vulnerable, all will benefit from that. That’s one element of this work, but the other element is truly rooted in community. That will be an ongoing conversation which will pass discussion by discussion, issue by issue.”

Asked about the considerable challenge that lies in the United Way maintaining its share of the fundraising pie, Seguya said that will be rooted in “a collaborative effort, in particular with the incoming campaign chair, to be able to change and adapt our process and strategy to speak towards our current time.”

“The second thing is finding ways of framing our ask in ways that are beneficial towards potential partners. For instance, when it comes to corporations, finding ways to address direct return on investment involving themselves in this work. While that speaks one way in the boardroom, it translates differently in terms of supporting community.”

Before departing, Russell spoke to what retirement will look like for him.

“I’m not from Peterborough and I’m choosing to stay. I met the love of my life after I came here and I think she’s choosing for me to stay too,” Russell said.

“On a more serious note, it has motivated me to think about how I want to still continue to give back to the community — to have a role, not in leadership, but a role in still giving back to the community. I don’t know what that quite looks like yet. We’ll see what evolves.”

“In the very short term, the day after I retire, I’m going to the Haliburton School of Art to learn how to paint. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to try. I’m really looking forward to being still, and being quiet and not being in the spotlight. A cigar on the back deck with jazz playing. My time will fill. I’m not worried about it.”

Five municipalities and organizations in the Peterborough region are receiving a share of $260,305.50 in provincial funding to support the rural economy and promote innovation through Ontario’s Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program.

“Our rural communities are the backbone of Ontario’s economy, and this investment ensures that Peterborough-Kawartha has the resources to thrive for generations to come,” said Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith in a media release following a funding announcement on Monday (June 15) at the Innovation Cluster’s office in the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough.

MPP Smith was joined at the announcement by Ontario’s rural affairs minister Lisa Thompson along with representatives of the five municipalities and organizations receiving the funding: City of Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Innovation Cluster board chair Nicole Stephenson, Community Care Peterborough operations director Catherine Pink, and Farms at Work community farm planner Andrea Hicks.

Province provides cost-shared funding for projects that help rural communities

The ROD program, which replaced the Rural Economic Development Fund, was developed as part of the government’s rural economic development strategy in 2025. The program operates under three pillars — economic diversification, workforce development, and community infrastructure — and provides cost-shared funding for projects that help rural communities.

The total funding package will be $20 million, which Thompson said is double the funding available in the past two years. A total of 116 projects have been funded through the first intake, representing $5.5 million in support provided.

Thompson said the ROD program will provide over $2 million across the eastern Ontario region to support 41 unique projects, including five projects in Peterborough-Kawartha totalling $260,305.50.

The Innovation Cluster is receiving $145,000 for its Rural Innovation Centre Project, the City of Peterborough $50,000 for its Future Ready Peterborough: Economic Development Strategy, Community Care Peterborough $30,000 for the Rural Peterborough County Transportation Feasibility Study, Peterborough County $20,000 for its Trade-Ready: Equipping Rural Entrepreneurs to Compete Beyond the Region project, and Farms at Work $15,308.50 for its Peterborough Community Farm Business Plan.

Thompson said that through public consultation, the Ministry for Rural Affairs has found that rural organizations often struggle to secure funding to conduct strategic and pre-project feasibility studies and plans.

As such, she said, the ROD program is designed to provide a “hand up” to businesses, non-profits, and municipalities to help them “turn conversations into actions” through strategic operational funding.

Thompson said she sees significant potential for growth and development within eastern Ontario and intends to take an “all-of-government approach” to rural development.

“Big things can happen in small towns,” Thompson said.

Funding to support economic development, farm-based businesses, and rural transportation

The City of Peterborough, which assumed responsibility for economic development in January 2025 from the now-defunct Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development organization, will use its ROD program funding to help develop its economic development strategy, while Peterborough County will use its funding to develop a strategy to help rural entrepreneurs expand trade.

Farms at Work, which was formed in 2010 to support new farmers, keep farmland in production, and promote on-farm environmental stewardship in east central Ontario, will offer agricultural entrepreneurs innovation and business development support through the charitable organization’s community farm initiative, which will provide shared infrastructure and informational resources to farm-based businesses in the region.

“We’re launching an exciting new program called a community farm and we’re going to be providing a suite of educational resources, everything from business planning, to hiring farm employees, to health and safety on the farm,” said Hicks.

Community Care Peterborough will be using its ROD funding to conduct a transportation feasibility study in collaboration with Peterborough County to assess the needs of their rural clients.

“Transportation is about much more than getting from one place to another,” said Community Care Peterborough chief executive officer Danielle Belair in the media release. “In rural communities, it helps people stay connected to health care, services, work, family, and community life

Innovation Cluster funding will support rural entrepreneurs

Meanwhile, the Innovation Cluster — which is receiving the largest portion of the local ROD program funding — will use it to support ongoing programming and new opportunities for rural entrepreneurs.

In an interview with kawarthaNOW following the announcement, Innovation Cluster board vice-chair Christine Crandell said the organization has seen a great deal of innovation and many unique ideas from rural business people, especially in the agriculture sector.

“Eastern Ontario is ripe for innovation,” Crandall said. “It’s ripe for bringing in programs that enable companies to stay where they are and not have to go someplace else in order to access the resources that they need in order to grow.”

Crandell, who has worked in venture capital across North America, said that in highly developed urban areas there is a level of homogeneity in business development, whereas eastern Ontario has a far more diverse entrepreneurial and business market.

“Maybe it’s a new way of treating soil or raising fish — that level of ingenuity and that level of true innovation is extremely exciting,” she said.

Crandell said the ROD funding will support the non-profit organization’s ability to continue providing the LevelUP Business Accelerator program, which is designed for growth-stage companies and offered to entrepreneurs free of charge.

“We’re very much focused on bringing it under the umbrella of LevelUP,” Crandell said. “That includes coordinated programs that can last six to eight weeks.”

Support recognizes unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs

A key aspect of the LevelUP program is the opportunity for early-career entrepreneurs to engage directly with the Innovation Cluster’s experts-in-residence who are experienced industry leaders.

Crandell explained that the Innovation Cluster often works with local and rural leaders as they have a better understanding of the rural economy and market, and the unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs.

“Having local experts in a rural environment means that, when we’re having a conversation with those rural entrepreneurs, we get it,” she said.

Crandell identified two primary reasons that rural businesses and entrepreneurs are disadvantaged, with the first being a lack of access to business and funder networks and the second being a lack of funding opportunities for small and new businesses.

In terms of networking opportunities, rural businesses also face challenges accessing major groups and events due to the disconnect and distance from urban economic centres, she added. She also spoke to the assumptions made by urban networking groups about the opportunities available in rural communities.

“We’re teaching these entrepreneurs the skills that they need to survive and make those connections, so that they have an even footing with somebody who’s sitting in the middle of Ottawa, Kingston, or Toronto,” Crandell said.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) president and CEO Dr. Lynn Mikula will be leaving the hospital this fall to take on the top leadership role at Sinai Health in Toronto.

According to an announcement from PRHC’s board of directors, Dr. Mikula will become president and CEO of Sinai Health in October 2026. Sinai Health includes Mount Sinai Hospital, an acute care hospital, and Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, both affiliated with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.

“Lynn’s leadership has had a lasting impact on PRHC,” said board chair Scott Milligan in a media release. “Over the course of her time here, she has brought clarity to the organization’s direction, strengthened its foundation, and helped to build a strong, collaborative leadership culture.”

“We are so grateful for Lynn’s many contributions to this organization over the last 15 years, and for the vision, drive and energy that have earned such widespread recognition and respect,” Milligan added. “While we will be sad to see her go, this move is a testament to both her leadership and the incredible mark she has made on the broader healthcare system in her time with PRHC.”

Dr. Mikula joined PRHC in 2011 as a staff general surgeon and went on to hold a series of senior leadership roles, including chief of staff, chief medical executive, and executive vice-president. She also served as the hospital’s executive lead during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, PRHC’s board appointed Dr. Mikula as president and CEO.

“PRHC and the Peterborough community have been central to my life and career,” Dr. Mikula said. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and support I’ve received over the years from our board of directors, our leadership team, and the staff and physicians I am so fortunate to call my colleagues, as well as our partners, volunteers, and donors who make this hospital the great place it is.”

“While this next step means I will be leaving PRHC, the people and the sense of purpose here matter deeply to me, and they always will. PRHC is a critical hub for the broad and diverse population it serves, and I am very proud of the work we’re doing to advance its role across the region. Between now and my departure this fall, my focus is on ensuring a smooth and steady transition and supporting the organization to continue moving forward with confidence.”

Under Dr. Mikula’s leadership, PRHC launched a five-year strategic plan, one of Canada’s first nursing strategies, a workplace well-being framework, and its first equity and reconciliation strategy, including the addition of an Indigenous navigator role at the hospital.

During Dr. Mikula’s time as president and CEO, the regional hospital also opened its Reactivation Care Centre, introduced implantable cardioverter defibrillator procedures through its cardiac program, developed a custom data analytics platform, and established a formal partnership with Trent University to support research.

PRHC was also named one of Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes in 2025 and 2026, designated as an age-friendly health system by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and received Accreditation with Exemplary Standing for the third consecutive time in 10 years.

“While we have continued to experience a number of systemic challenges over the years, I’m incredibly proud of the work our people have done to set this organization apart as a leader in transformation, adaptation and innovation among our hospital peers,” Dr. Mikula said. “I look forward to celebrating the amazing things this team will continue to achieve in the months and years ahead.”

Dr. Mikula’s move to Sinai Health marks her return to Toronto’s so-called “hospital row,” one of the largest and most advanced biomedical and healthcare innovation clusters in North America.

After obtaining her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery from McGill University, she completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Toronto, during which she trained at Mount Sinai Hospital and earned a Master of Science degree at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.

PRHC’s board of directors said it will work with Dr. Mikula and the hospital’s leadership team over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.

The number of large household items to be collected by the City of Peterborough in June has increased by over 2,000 per cent from the normal monthly average following a recent decision by city council to waive the usual collection fee for this year as part of the city’s new Clean Streets Peterborough program.

According to a media release from the city on Thursday (June 18), city residents have registered more than 2,150 items for collection for the June pickup, compared to the monthly average of 98 items in 2025. Registration for the June pickup closed on Tuesday.

“We’re pleased to see so many residents taking advantage of the free large item pickup program,” said councillors Don Vassiliadis and Keith Riel, co-chairs of municipal operations, in a joint statement. “The strong participation demonstrates that providing free collection of large items makes it easier for residents to properly dispose of large household items. The response highlights the positive impact this new service is already having through the Clean Streets Peterborough initiative.”

This is the first free large item pickup since the city formally launched the Clean Streets Peterborough program following council’s approval of the initiative on June 1.

Combining waste management changes, public education, enforcement, and community outreach, the program aims to tackle illegal dumping, overflowing public bins, improper waste set-outs, and garbage accumulation in parks and public spaces across the city.

The program’s measures include eliminating the city’s large article collection fee of $60 for the first item and $30 for each additional item for the remainder of 2026, doubling residential garbage bag limit from four bags every two weeks to eight bags every two weeks until the end of 2027, and reducing the cost for replacing a green bin from $88.49 to $35.40.

While the collection of registered items is scheduled to begin on Monday (June 22), the collection is expected to take at least two weeks to complete due to the high number of items.

Residents should only place registered large items at the curb if the city has provided them with a confirmed booking, and should leave them at the curb until they have been collected. There is no need to report a missed pickup during the scheduled collection week, as crews will continue working through all registered pickups until collection is complete.

The city’s public works department will collect the items in three separate streams: bulky items (such as couches, chairs, tables, and desks), metal items (such as barbecues, appliances, and stoves), and mattresses and box springs.

There are three remaining large item pickups this year, on the weeks of July 27, August 24, and September 28.

Items to be collected must be registered in advance with the city by the Tuesday prior to the collection week.

To book a future pickup, view a list of accepted items, or learn more about the program, visit peterborough.ca/pickup, call 705-742-7777, or go to Service Peterborough at City Hall.

The Peterborough & District Pathway of Fame has announced the seven inductees of the 2026 Pathway of Fame, who will join more than 400 other area residents inducted over the past three decades.

Inductees in the community builder category are family physician Dr. Kim Curtin, volunteers Keith Dalton and Elaine Orgill, and Paralympian Alec Denys, with the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s Marion Griffin in the dramatic arts category, performer Wayne Robinson in the entertainment category, and auctioneer Rob Rusland in the community Samaritan category.

A public induction ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough. The event is free and open to the general public as well as to families, friends, supporters of the inductees, and past inductees.

Below are the short bios of each of the 2025 inductees, as provided by the Pathway of Fame.

Dr. Kim Curtin (Community Builder)

In response to a 2008 request from Queen’s University, Dr. Kim Curtin developed a two-year Family Medicine Residency Program in Peterborough that today stands as a model of success, with more than 60 per cent of its graduates practising family medicine in Peterborough city and county, most of those contributing to healthcare at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre and still others very instrumental in the provision of services to the community’s most vulnerable.

Keith Dalton and Elaine Orgill (Community Builders)

Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) owes much of its success to the strongly beating social hearts of Keith Dalton and Elaine Orgill, their contributions ranging from Elaine’s work in organizing fundraising events to Keith’s service as a member of PATH’s Land Acquisition Group and as a project manager. Their path to community service also encompasses the arts, as evidenced by Keith and Elaine’s numerous contributions to both set construction and overall production support on behalf of the Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Alec Denys (Community Builder)

A five-time Paralympian in archery and a world record holder, Alec Denys’ resilience and determination following a devastating spinal cord injury saw him dedicate his life wholly to the benefit of others, as evidenced by his many years as a peer mentor and support leader with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, and leadership roles with the Douro-Dummer Seniors Club and the Active Together Program facilitated by Peterborough’s Council for Persons with Disabilities.

Marion Griffin (Dramatic Arts)

President and chair of the Peterborough Theatre Guild for six years, Marion Griffin’s contributions to the community theatre troupe over five decades range from set painting and stage managing to producing and directing. An accomplished pianist and organist, Griffin sings with and conducts four community choirs and, since retiring 10 years ago, has still found the time to tutor students.

Wayne Robinson (Entertainment)

Singer, actor, producer, arranger … Wayne Robinson’s contributions to Peterborough’s cultural landscape number many, with the success of several Peterborough Theatre Guild musicals traced to his involvement both onstage and off. Over six years, he sang a number of songs in each of the popular Spring Tonic shows at Showplace, performed with the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, has headlined a number of benefits, and is today active with the Peterborough Singers.

Rob Rusland (Community Samaritan)

Building on the legacy of his father who founded Rusland’s Auctions in 1972, Rob Rusland’s has voluntarily conducted thousands of fundraising charity auctions, with the list of grateful beneficiaries near endless and the proceeds in the millions of dollars. In addition, his volunteer work has elicited a number of awards, including Rotary recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow and the Schofield Award of Community Distinction from the United Way.

The Peterborough & District Pathway of Fame is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1997 to honour community citizens and individuals in the arts and humanities, with stone markers placed into the Pathway of Fame at Del Crary Park for each inductee.

Inductees are chosen from a list of nominations submitted from the community at large each year by a confidential selection committee tasked with reviewing nominations, followed by recommendations to the Pathway of Fame. A new selection committee is appointed each year.

For more information, including a list of all past inductees, visit ptbopathwayoffame.ca.