Halifax roots-blues musician Brent "Buck" Tingley will be performing at the Ganaraska Hotel in Port Hope on Friday night with Juno-nominated Roxanne Potvin on bass and Tim-Jim "T-Bone" Baker on drums. (Photo: Paula Leroux Photography)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, October 30 to Wednesday, November 5.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, 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).
8-10pm - Andrew Queen & Not Dead Yet; 10pm - The Fabulous Tonemasters
Saturday, November 1
8-10pm - The Kissers: Make Out Sessions; 10pm - Diamond Dave & The Smoke Eaters
Sunday, November 2
3pm - Blues Jam
Wednesday, November 5
9pm - The Space Heaters
The John at Sadleir House
751 George St. N., Peterborough
705-742-3686
Friday, October 31
8pm - Haunted Sadleir House w/ Gnostic Front (garbageface), Olias, and Tapeworm's J Mummy ($15 in advance at Bluestreak Records or cash only at the door)
Saturday, November 1
8pm - Pulsar w/ Mourning Wood and After the Horizon ($15 in advance at Bluestreak Records or cash only at the door)
Kelly's Homelike Inn
205 3rd Street, Cobourg
905-372-3234
Friday, October 31
7:30pm - Halloween Karaoke
Saturday, November 1
4-8pm - Shaun Savoy and Friends
Mainstreet Bar & Grill
1939 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn
(705) 657-9094
Friday, October 31
7pm - Halloween Karaoke hosted by DJ Ross
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600
Thursday, October 30
7-11pm - Halloween Karaoke
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McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Friday, October 31
4-8pm - Cale Crowe
Sunday, November 2
8pm - Karaoke and open mic
Tuesday, November 4
8pm - Joanna & Danny Bronson
Wednesday, November 5
8pm - Kevin Foster
Moody's Bar & Grill
3 Tupper St., Millbrook
(705) 932-6663
Wednesday, November 5
8-10pm - Open Mic Night hosted by Cameron Von
The Muse Gallery & Cafe
23 Bridge St., Bancroft
613-332-1573
Friday, October 31
7-11pm - Halloween Open Mic Night
Olympia Restaurant
106 Kent St. W., Lindsay
705-328-1444
Friday, October 31
5-8:30pm - Live music TBA (reservations recommended)
Pig's Ear Tavern
144 Brock St., Peterborough
(705) 745-7255
Friday, October 31
8pm - My Fair Lady w/ Nothing Serious
Saturday, November 1
4-7pm - Little Fire Collective & Friends; 9pm - The Garage Cult w/ Weener, Michelle Möran, Tom Reader & Roalnd Hosier, Boogie Time Ramblers, Steve McNabb, Charlie Glasspool, and more ($5)
Tuesday, November 4
9pm - Open stage
Wednesday, November 5
9pm - Karaoinke
Rolling Grape Vineyard
260 County Rd 2, Bailieboro
705-991-5876
Thursday, October 30
5:30-8:30pm - Kevin Foster
Sunday, November 2
2-5pm - Johanna Fischer-Vanderleeuw
Royal Crown Pub & Grill
4 King St. E., Colborne
905-355-1900
Saturday, November 1
8pm - Halloween Party ft At The Ready (no cover)
Tap & Tonic Pub & Bistro - Campbellford
18-22 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 947-2333
Thursday, October 30
7-10pm - Kat Lovett
Tap & Tonic Pub & Bistro - Marmora
16 Forsyth St., Marmora
613-666-9767
Thursday, October 30
7-10pm - Matt Marcuz
The Venue
286 George Street North, Peterborough
(705) 876-0008
"Burger ambassadors" Jason Wilkins and Tiffany Arcari sink their teeth into burger creations from Double Dz's and Chemong Lodge (with Chemong Lodge's sous chef Sean Crooks giving the victory sign) during the launch of the United Way Peterborough & District's inaugural Ultimate Burger Battle community fundraiser on October 30, 2025 at the United Way office. During the month of November, eight participating restaurants will be creating a unique and creative burger in a friendly competition for the title of Ultimate Burger of the Year, with $2 from every burger sold being donated to the United Way. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Grab your napkins and let the battle of the burgers begin.
The United Way Peterborough & District kicked off its inaugural Ultimate Burger Battle community fundraiser during a media event at its office on Thursday morning (October 30), attended by representatives from participating restaurants along with “burger ambassadors” — community members who have volunteered to promote the fundraiser running throughout the month of November.
Each of the eight participating restaurants will be creating a unique and creative burger in a friendly competition for the title of Ultimate Burger of the Year, with $2 from every burger sold during November being donated to United Way Peterborough & District.
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While the Ultimate Burger Battle is making its debut in Peterborough, the event has already proven to be successful fundraiser for other United Way affiliates across Canada since United Way Thunder Bay launched the original event six years ago. Last year alone, more than 60,000 burgers were served across the country in support of the United Way.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring the first-ever United Way Ultimate Burger Battle to Peterborough and District,” said United Way Peterborough & District CEO Jim Russell. “This campaign is a fun way to celebrate the creativity of our local restaurants while uniting the community around a shared cause. We’re especially proud to see participation from restaurants across both the city and county, a reflection of the wide reach and generosity of our region. Every Ultimate Burger sold helps build a stronger, more caring community, and I think that’s something we can all sink our teeth into.”
The restaurants participating in the Ultimate Burger Battle are Agave by Imperial (376 George St. N., Peterborough), Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth), Dirty Burger (211 Hunter St. W., Peterborough), Double Dz’s Diner (2622 Maple Grove Rd., Peterborough), The Loon Lakefield (150 Queen St., Lakefield), Pizza Villa & Pasta House (846 Ward St., Bridgenorth), The Rink Tap & Grill (597 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough), and The Vine (165 Sherbrooke St., Peterborough).
At a media event on October 30, 2025, representives from the eight restaurants in the city and county of Peterborough that are participating in the United Way Peterborough & District’s inaugural Ultimate Burger Battle community fundraiser stand behind the eight “burger ambassadors” (Paul Rellinger, Laura Montague, Dan O’Toole, Neil Morton, Nour Mazloum, Pete Dalliday, Jason Wilkins, and Tiffany Arcari) who will be promoting the November event. Along with awards for the Ultimate Burger of the Year and Most Burgers Sold, the fundraiser will include the People’s Choice Awards, whose winners will be selected by community members voting online for their favourite burger. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
To support the month-long fundraiser, a group of eight local Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassadors will help spotlight the participating restaurants and their burgers by sharing experiences, reviews, and behind-the-scenes peeks on social media.
The burger ambassadors are Laura Montague of PTBO Eaters, Dan O’Toole of BetRivers, consultant and entrepreneur Neil Morton (who was chair of the United Way Peterborough & District 2017 campaign), Tiffany Arcari of The Tiffany Show, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) executive director Nour Mazloum, Pete Dalliday (former radio host and the TV voice of the Peterborough Lakers and Peterborough Petes), muralist and illustrator Jason Wilkins, and journalist Paul Rellinger (who is chair of the United Way Peterborough & District 2025 campaign).
“The Ultimate Burger Battle is a fantastic way to showcase the creativity and passion of our local restaurants,” says Mazloum. “It’s more than just a culinary challenge — it’s an opportunity to bring people together, celebrate local talent, and support a meaningful cause. I’m excited to see our community come out, enjoy some incredible food, and cheer on their favourite spots in the spirit of friendly competition.”
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“From the Adam Scott cafeteria to Zeke’s, I’ve done the A-to-Z of Peterborough burgers,” Dalliday adds. “The Burger Battle just gives me another excuse to keep the streak going, support local spots, and have some fun for a great cause.”
Along with awards for the Ultimate Burger of the Year and Most Burgers Sold, the fundraiser will include the People’s Choice Awards, whose winners will be selected by community members voting online for their favourite burger. Burger aficionados can also pick up the Ultimate Burger Battle Passport, with anyone who tries five or more burgers having the chance to become an Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassador for next year’s event.
Businesses and organizations can also support the fundraiser through the “Ultimate Burger Battle @ Work” team lunch initiative, where employees can order burgers together in support of United Way workplace campaigns.
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Proceeds from the Ultimate Burger Battle will go towards the United Way Peterborough & District’s $1.6-million 2025 campaign goal and support the United Way’s network of local agencies and initiatives working to address poverty and strengthen community well-being, from ensuring residents have access to food and housing to providing mental health services and programs for children, families, and seniors.
The Ultimate Burger Battle runs from November 1 to 30, with the Ultimate Burger of the Year, People’s Choice, and Most Burgers Sold winners to be announced in early December.
To learn more about the Ultimate Burger Battle, to find participating restaurants, and to vote for your favourite burger, visit uwpeterborough.ca.
Northumberland County's municipal building, which includes community service spaces, meeting rooms including council chambers, and administrative offices, is located at 555 Courthouse Road in Cobourg. (Photo: Northumberland County)
With the arrival of colder weather and no overnight space in Northumberland County for those without housing to escape the elements, county council has approved opening a temporary warming room in council chambers at the county’s headquarters at 555 Courthouse Road in Cobourg.
At a special virtual meeting on Tuesday afternoon (October 28), county council considered a staff report on four options for a winter warming room location and approved a resolution to open a temporary warming room in council chambers, which would operate seven nights a week from 8 p.m. to 8 p.m. from November 1 until March 31, 2026.
In June, county council had directed staff to close the warming room located on the lower level of the 310 Division Street homeless shelter, and to explore other locations for a warming room outside of Cobourg.
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That decision followed seven months of complaints from neighbouring residents and businesses after the low-barrier shelter, which is owned by Northumberland County and operated by Transition House, opened in December 2024.
Over the summer, county staff toured and considered eight possible warming room locations, six of which were outside of Cobourg (including three churches and three municipal sites) and two of which were within Cobourg (including two municipal sites owned by Northumberland County).
On October 8, council directed staff to explore the potential of a warming room at four of those locations: county headquarters at 555 Courthouse Road (either by using mobile construction trailers or in council chambers), the county building at 600 William Street (either by using mobile construction trailers or in the boardroom), the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre at 216 Purdy Road in Colborne, and Fenella Hall at 8071 County Road 45 in Roseneath.
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At its October 28 meeting, council reviewed a staff report describing the operational considerations, outcomes and impacts, and financial implications of each location, with council ultimately deciding on the council chambers option. The resolution passed by council also requested that Cobourg council either consider a blanket licence exemption under its emergency care establishment by-law for the location or issue a licence for the location.
During the meeting, council heard from three public delegations about the need for a new space. One delegate, Chance Brown, said there are approximately 75 people living rough, and others couch-surfing in Cobourg.
A second delegate, Shawn Senecal, who is the integrated director for the community mental health programs supporting both Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg and Campbellford Memorial Hospital in Campbellford, said having a warming room is of “critical importance” and an “essential service” for Northumberland County.
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The closing of 310 Division St. has created “a gap that increases the physical risk from injury due to cold and extreme heat and illnesses that already affect the mentally ill and those that present with those challenges,” Seneca said. “As the cold weather is approaching, I feel, as a community, we cannot let this gap in service continue.”
Delegate Maria Papaioaanoy said people who are homeless in Cobourg deserve the same dignity afforded to other residents of the community.
According to a media release from the county, while council authorized an opening date as early as November 1, “staff will require additional time to arrange staffing, equipment, and other necessary resources.”
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The county said it will also connect with Town of Cobourg staff regarding any requirements related to Cobourg’s emergency care establishment bylaw.
“Based on these factors, it is anticipated that a warming room could open within two to four weeks pending all necessary approvals, with a goal to open the doors as quickly as possible,” the release stated.
Once opened, the space will provide access to warmth, washrooms, and light refreshments overnight throughout the winter season.
“The warming room is a compassionate and practical response to an urgent community need,” said county warden Brian Ostrander in a statement. “This is one piece of a broader effort to ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe and dignified supports when they are most needed.”
Lakefield resident Guy Hanchet proudly displays his newly installed solar panels. Despite not having an ideal rooftop for solar, he expects to power about half of his annual electricity use from the system. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Clara Blakelock, Home Energy Program Manager, GreenUP.
While rooftop solar power has been a common sight in residential neighbourhoods in Peterborough for many years, battery backup systems that work with solar panels are also becoming increasingly popular.
When asked about batteries by a potential client, Generation Solar co-owner and vice-president JP Pawliw seeks first to understand the client’s motivation, while dispelling some common misconceptions.
“The first priority for a battery system should be backup power when the grid goes out,” says Pawliw. He explains, however, that batteries are not in fact a requirement for a grid-connected solar system.
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There are two basic ways that grid-connected residential solar systems can operate in Ontario. The first uses net-metering which allows homeowners to produce more solar energy than they use in the summer, then apply that credit in the winter when production is lower. This way, a home can achieve net zero — producing as much electricity as it uses.
Another model, currently being incentivized through the Home Renovation Savings Program, is known as load displacement. In this system, a homeowner uses the electricity produced by their own solar panels, though they do not receive credit for the excess energy produced.
If batteries are installed, however, the homeowner can charge them through their solar panels and use that power at night rather than buying from the grid. This is known as “solar shifting,” and can be combined with backup power. This program is a key driver of the uptake of batteries.
Generation Solar co-owner and vice-president JP Pawliw displays a battery in the office that is connected to a rooftop solar system. If weather permits, this battery can recharge using the panels, extending its life during power outages. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
Pawliw says that there are many factors to consider when choosing a battery backup system.
“Batteries can be designed to back up a partial load or the whole home load, but loads can be quite variable depending on what is in the home and the weather,” he says.
“We generally design them to last for one to three days when the grid is out, while they may last longer if they are able to recharge with the solar panels.”
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Generation Solar’s office is equipped with a solar and battery backup system that has been tested with extended power outages on two different occasions.
“After the May 2022 derecho storm, the weather was great and we had power at the office all week because the battery was able to recharge every day,” says Pawliw. “But in this year’s ice storm, the weather was terrible in the aftermath, so the battery only lasted for a day.”
Homeowners considering batteries also need to find an appropriate place for them, as the smallest batteries are around the size of a large suitcase. Most batteries must also be kept above freezing temperatures.
“The preferred place for a battery is in a garage or a separate building,” says Pawliw. “If they’re to be placed in a basement, they need to be in a dedicated, finished utility room with a self-closing door.”
Having backup power was a key driver of Lakefield resident Guy Hanchet’s decision to install his new solar system. Here he points to his backup panel, which is connected to several essential circuits in his home. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
Lakefield resident Guy Hanchet recently worked with Generation Solar to install rooftop solar panels with a battery backup system — a key selling feature having experienced extended power outages twice in the last three years.
“We have four circuits connected to the battery: the internet, the fridge, the microwave, and the TV,” says Hanchet.
While the battery is not large enough to power his electric heat pump in the event of an outage, he has an alternative heat source in his woodstove.
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Hanchet expects to produce about half of his annual electricity using solar, despite not having an ideal unobstructed south-facing roof face.
He sees this new system as a valuable upgrade to his home that increases resilience. The payback on the system comes through fixing his electricity costs over its lifetime (at least 30 years). For Hanchet, it’s not about direct financial payback.
“Lots of people buy motorcycles, premium packages for their cars, or even generators — none of which have any payback,” he says. “I wanted the solar panels for my home because it’s the right thing to do, and they bring me satisfaction.”
Generation Solar co-owner and vice-president JP Pawliw poses with a Tesla Powerwall, one of two backup batteries installed in their offices. This battery is not connected to a solar system but still provides backup power during outages. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)
GreenUP has several upcoming workshops on home energy related topics.
“Learn All about Heat Pumps!” takes place in person from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4 at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre, featuring Cory Rawn of 123 HVAC, and online from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, November 7, featuring Shane Switzer of Kawartha Eco Climate Control. One participant residing in Peterborough County will win a free EnerGuide assessment.
Peterborough landlords are invited to “Energy Efficient Rentals,” a workshop hosted by Better Homes Peterborough from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12 at the GreenUP office in downtown Peterborough.
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) executive director Devon Girard shakes hands with Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark during the announcement of the New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training (NEXT) program on October 29, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. The county provided $6,000 to support the design, development and delivery of the NEXT program. Also pictured from left to right are CFP board secretary and Selwyn Township deputy mayor Ron Black, Peterborough County economic development general manager Rhonda Keenan, and CFP board chair Wayne Harding. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
The inevitable question asked by anyone who faces the unexpected loss of their job is “What next?”
To that end, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is proposing that NEXT is an option well worth exploring.
An acronym for New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training, NEXT is a new initiative that gives displaced workers the knowledge and tools needed to go the self-employment route.
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On Wednesday (October 29) at Venture North in downtown Peterborough, CFP executive director Devon Girard revealed details of the program.
“NEXT will allow (displaced) workers to participate in in-depth training, delivered in-person, both in cohort sessions and one-on-one, about how they can learn to turn an idea or skill into a business,” explained Girard.
“Training will consist of ensuring these displaced workers receive expert advice in business planning, market research, financial readiness and cash flow, marketing and branding, and launch strategies. Every step of this entrepreneurial journey will be supported by our team to ensure participants graduate with a viable business plan and cashflow forecast, and, importantly, the confidence to move forward and continue growing after (graduation from) the program.”
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) executive director Devon Girard speaks during the announcement of the New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training (NEXT) program on October 29, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
The need for this program at this particular time is abundantly clear.
Back in June, Siemens Canada announced that it’s moving its Peterborough manufacturing operation to Concord, affecting some 160 jobs over the next two years. Just a month later, kawarthaNOW reported that Lufthansa In Touch will close its Fisher Drive call centre come spring 2006, with some 400 employees facing job loss.
Then, in August, Coca-Cola announced it would be discontinuing its frozen products line — a move that will see production line layoffs at its Minute Maid facility in Peterborough.
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“Our community has really been put to the test with recent announcements of plant closures and layoffs, but residents and businesses in Peterborough County and the City of Peterborough are resilient,” said Girard.
“We’ve weathered challenges like this before, and our workforce really is stronger because of it. It’s no different right now. We know the strength of people who live and work here. We look forward to playing a role in ensuring (through NEXT) that we keep as many families and workers as we can in our community while also creating new jobs.”
For employers with training dollars available to support displaced workers, the NEXT program returns those funds, dollar for dollar, back to the displaced worker upon program completion. CFP will also provide matching grant dollars of up to $1,000 per graduate to use those funds to start or grow their own business.
“Graduates will continue to receive all of the free supports we offer at Community Futures Peterborough, and through our Business Advisory Centre. This includes ongoing one-on-one advisory sessions, and access to programs and workshops specifically designed for entrepreneurs. They will also be pre-approved for a $5,000 micro-loan, and free six-month membership from the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.”
Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark speaks during the announcement of the New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training (NEXT) program on October 29, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
Peterborough County has provided $6,000 to support the design, development and delivery of the NEXT program. A similar request made to the City of Peterborough was denied.
“The city was approached by Community Futures Peterborough about a program to support some displaced workers affected by recent layoffs,” confirms a clarifying statement from the city sent to kawarthaNOW upon request.
“Community Futures Peterborough asked for a $6,000 contribution from the city, which it said would have supported up to six individuals through a pilot program (NEXT). The city is working with employers on a larger initiative to have a much broader reach and impact for affected workers. The city hopes to have an announcement (about that initiative) soon.”
“The City of Peterborough is proud to be a core financial supporter of Community Futures Peterborough, and the Business Advisory Centre, contributing $43,500 to its operations in 2025 with an agreement to continue supporting in future years. This includes supporting work around business inquiries and business planning, with a specific focus on those looking at entrepreneurship, which is what this announcement also reflects.”
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At the program announcement, County Warden Bonnie Clark said when the request for funding came in, “there was no hesitation” to ante up.
“We know the recent closures have deeply impacted many workers and families across all our communities,” said Warden Clark.
“The reality is many of the affected individuals are residents — our neighbours, our friends, and community members. What matters most is how we come together to support one another. That’s why the NEXT program is so important. It offers a path forward for those considering entrepreneurship as their next career.”
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) board chair Wayne Harding, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, CFP executive director Devon Girard, CFP board secretary Ron Black, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brenda Whitehead, and CFP board member Rod Wallace at the announcement of the New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training (NEXT) program on October 29, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Jeannine Taylor / kawarthaNOW)
CFP board chair Wayne Harding also spoke from the podium.
“It (NEXT) provides displaced workers with a path forward … a map to entrepreneurship which, as we know, drives small business and drives local economies,” said Harding.
“We’ve always been an organization committed to doing what’s right for the community, for having the drive and leadership to create programs like NEXT to ensure equal opportunities for workers in businesses of all sizes. We look forward to meeting the graduates, and seeing the new jobs and businesses that will be created.”
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Meanwhile, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Brenda Whitehead called NEXT “an incredible way to come together, and shine a light on fresh starts and bold ideas.”
“Every thriving business in our region started out with a leap of faith, or a lot of hope. Through NEXT, you (CFP) are going help local folks take those first brave steps, whether that means bringing a creative side hustle to life or maybe building the next great Peterborough success story.”
Interested employers are working directly with CFP to book dates to bring the NEXT program to workers.
CFP has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in loan dollars, supporting 1,300-plus small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,600 jobs in both the city and county
A not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), CFP began delivering the Small Business Enterprise Centre program, funded by the Province of Ontario, in 2024.
CFP’s Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the city and county of Peterborough. It provides a suite of business advisory services, from launch to exit, and currently advises hundreds of local business owners annually.
Police have not released any details about the condition of a child who was located in the Trent Canal in Peterborough early Wednesday afternoon (October 29).
At around 12:30 p.m., Peterborough police officers along with members of Peterborough Fire and Peterborough Paramedics responded to a call about a child in the water at the canal near Maria Street and Ashburnham Drive, north of Lock 20.
Two officers jumped into the canal, located the child, and got them out of the water. Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures before the child was taken to hospital.
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Police have also not released the age or gender of the child.
“There’s no indication of criminality,” reads a police media release. “Compassion and respect for privacy of all involved is requested.”
Police said they would not be releasing any further details at this time.
Founded by three local residents and veteran Camino pilgrims, the new Peterborough Chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims is making it easy for adventure-seekers to learn more about the Camino de Santiago, an extensive network of trails leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The non-denominational volunteer-run group provides mentorship and resources to help local travellers plan the lodging, packing or other guidelines for their adventures, whether they are going for religious, spiritual, sport, or other purposes. (Photo: Canadian Company of Pilgrims - Peterborough Chapter / Facebook)
“The Camino calls, I answer.”
So reads the penultimate stanza in a poem written by Arn, a university professor from Virginia who Peterborough resident John Morritt met in 2013 while walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain for the first of many times.
The poem begins by describing six pilgrims “under the stars” pondering and comparing their reasons for doing the exhaustive walk, from spiritual and religious motives to the desire for a “cheap vacation.” Those are just a few of the reasons why half a million people go on this challenging adventure of a lifetime every single year.
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Now, Morritt, alongside Cydnee Hosker and Lori McCrae, are making it easier for Peterborough explorers to answer the call of the Camino by forming the Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims.
With 18 chapters across Canada, the federal non-profit is a non-denominational volunteer association that has been supporting individuals interesting in the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain for more than 30 years.
“We’re a mentoring service working one-on-one with people who have an interest,” Morritt says. “It’s a learn-by-doing kind of thing. You learn a lot more by actually doing it than you do by watching YouTube videos.”
The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrim routes starting from Portugal, France, and across Europe that lead to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which is reputably the burial place of apostle St. James the Great. Pilgrims who walk the final 100 kilometres to the cathedral and meet other qualifications will receive a “compostela” to celebrate their achievement. (Photo courtesy of John Morritt)
The Camino de Santiago is an extensive network of routes that leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. The cathedral began construction in 1075 and is the reputed burial place of apostle St. James the Great.
There are a number of walking, cycling, or horseback routes leading from Spain, Portugal, and other European countries that range from 100 kilometres to nearly 800 kilometres in length across fields, forests, farmlands, mountains, and villages.
Anyone walking the routes is said to be a pilgrim, as they carry everything they need on their backs and stay at hostels and in lodges along the way. Those who walk at least the last 100 kilometres (or 200 kilometres for those on bicycle or horseback), and have earned other credentials, can get a “compostela” or certificate to celebrate their journey.
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For Morritt, though he didn’t end up walking the Camino until he was retired and his doctor suggested he get more exercise, the idea of going on the adventure had been brewing in his mind for decades. He did the nearly 800-kilometre route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, called the “Camino Francés” or The French Way — the most popular route — over a total of 41 days, including rest days.
“Because of the nature of it, your mind wanders — something happens and you start to wonder why things are the way they are,” says Morritt about the experience. “People are very helpful. They bid you ‘good morning’ and ‘buen Camino’, which is the Spanish way of saying ‘good way’ or ‘have a good trip’, and people help each other.”
The friendly faces and connections might be the cherry on top, but a lot of people do it because they want the challenge or are seeking adventure, in addition to those having spiritual or religious incentives.
Peterborough resident John Morritt, founder of The Wine Shoppe on Charlotte (now The Wine Shoppe on Park), first completed the nearly 800-kilometre Camino Frances in 2013 after retirement as a way to get some exercise and improve his health. Since then, he has returned to Europe nearly every year to complete an additional part of the Camino de Santiago or other pilgrimages and has recently helped launch the volunteer-run Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. (Photo courtesy of John Morritt)
“For many people, it’s mostly a bucket list thing,” Morritt says. “They don’t think much beyond why, other than it’s a challenge, it’s exotic, and it’s very inexpensive. There are other people who wonder what it’s all about and hope to find what it’s about for them, and they are hopeful that revelations will happen while they’re walking along. Everybody who’s sensitive can tell stories about things that happened that are just beyond coincidence.”
Nearly every year since 2013, Morritt has walked other Camino de Santiago routes — from Lisbon, from the Pyrenees mountains, and to Finisterre — as well as other major pilgrimage routes across Europe and the United Kingdom. Currently, he is doing the Camino Frances — though this time, he’s completing it over 68 days across four years.
As the founder and former owner of The Wine Shoppe on Charlotte (now The Wine Shoppe on Park), which is now run by his daughters, Morritt is well-known in the community and since 2013 has found many people are interested in learning more about the Camino.
This interest is how he became connected with Hosker and McCrae, who have both since taken on the challenge and have also seen interest from community members.
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With an official Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, Morritt hopes to provide more insight and resources to people than what he had prior to his first trip, which was limited to a forum group and a few guidebooks.
Now, other first-timers can connect directly with Morritt, Hosker, and McCrae to ask questions and access resources about what to pack and prepare, where to lodge, the best routes to take, and much more.
“Some people get themselves into difficulties,” Morritt warns, adding that people often overpack because they do the Camino as part of a bigger trip across Europe.
“They carry too much stuff, and they have no way of estimating how well they can carry it over the distances. At the end of day five, they’re one day behind, they’re not going to hit their flight on time, and then their feet get blisters because of the physical stress, and they have to take a taxi or bus ahead to catch up to their schedule.”
Cydnee Hosker, John Morritt, and Lori McCrae at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough. The trio are veteran pilgrims and the coordinators behind the Peterborough chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. One of 18 chapters across the country, the volunteer-run group supports and mentors people interested in completing the Camino de Santiago by providing advice and resources including what to pack, how to carry it, how to get there, and how to prepare mentally, physically, and logistically. (Photo courtesy of John Morritt)
Cost of mentorship to the Canadian Company of Pilgrims is $10 per year ($100 lifetime), though there is no additional cost for mentorship from the Peterborough chapter. The group also hosts regular meetings and occasional walks along trails in Peterborough.
“We all think of this as a purposeful activity,” Morritt says about the Camino de Santiago. “It’s not something to be taken lightly. You prepare for it, and you have a purpose for doing it.”
For more information, follow the Canadian Company of Pilgrims – Peterborough Chapter on Facebook or Instagram. You can also email Morritt at peterborough@santiago.ca.
The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope has revealed 11 shows in its 2026 season, including 10 Canadian shows, three musicals, and five world premieres. (Photo: kawarthaNOW collage of Capitol Theatre graphics)
When you have closely guarded news to share, you can drop some subtle hints to build suspense until the big reveal or, in one go, share the news loud from the rooftop. Anyone who knows Rob Kempson knows full well that subtle isn’t in his toolbox.
As artistic director of Port Hope’s storied Capitol Theatre since 2022, Kempson has joyfully demonstrated a flair for the dramatic, both on and off stage, that, while wholly predictable, is as infectious as it is over-the-top.
So it was on Tuesday night (October 28) that Kempson was, well, Kempson as he shared details of the theatre’s 2026 season “in an authentic way” before an appreciative audience of theatre supporters.
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Kempson revealed that the 2026 season, with the theme “Where Our Stories Begin,” features five world premieres and three musicals, with almost all of the shows of the made-in-Canada variety.
Ensemble productions coming to the Capitol’s mainstage next summer include the Broadway smash-hit musical Come From Away, the Tony Award-winning musical You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, the Canadian comedy Liars at a Funeral, and a Canadian adaptation of the classic thriller Gaslight. For its annual winter holiday musical, the Capitol will present the world premiere of RED!…a Big Bad Wolf Panto.
The more intimate Sculthorpe Theatre will feature the return of the Second Stage Series, which includes three world premieres: Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret, Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, and Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang.
The Capitol’s Music Lovers’ Series will feature three original concerts — Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert, Shipyard Kitchen Party’s Tom Thomson’s Wake, and the world premiere of I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook — with more to be announced throughout the year.
Details about each production in the 2026 season, including performance dates, are provided at the end of this story.
The Capitol Theatre’s managing director Erin Peirce and artistic director Rob Kempson at the historic Port Hope venue. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
“We’re a theatre because we want people to come together and have experiences together in the same room,” Kempson told kawarthaNOW before the season reveal.
“The initial impetus is about sharing what is coming up, selling subscriptions, and all the rest of it, but the more holistic part is we are a really active member of our community. We want to make sure that when we’re sharing what we think is really good news and involving our community in that.”
While most theatres typically share new season details via media releases or by updating their websites, that’s just too ho-hum for Kempson and his team. Instead, the Capitol Theatre’s new season reveal is an event in itself, with Kempson, a leader of both the ring and cheer variety, keeping the energy high between sneak peeks of what’s ahead.
“For us, launching a season feels like that celebration wants to similarly be something that is big and expressive and shows who we are,” he says.
When it’s suggested that he must have been bursting at the seams to share at least some details prior to the big reveal, Kempson says “I think I’ve gotten better at keeping a secret.”
“You know how news travels in a small town. It’s fast and it’s furious. If we want to have something to announce at our announcement, we have to be careful. That also means that when shifts and changes occur, as they inevitably will, we can be responsive without feeling like someone is going be disappointed because they heard XYZ and then that isn’t in there. So, it’s a multi-pronged approach to secret keeping.”
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Asked about the process that results in a year-long menu of 11 productions, Kempson said there are many elements involved in developing the season.
“The theme of the season, the sort of the overall feeling, emerges organically as we get shows booked,” he explained, adding “I don’t start with an idea and then create a list of perfect programming to go with that.”
“It really is a lot of factors. In some cases, it’s about artist availability. In some cases, it’s about rights availability for certain scripts. There were things I applied for this season that I was really hoping we would do that we didn’t get the rights to, but what that did was actually open a door to something else that I thought ‘Oh, maybe I’ll save that for 2027.'”
“We were really, really proud of 2025 and the way the schedule worked. So, we actually started 2026 with a structure we felt really good about. I knew that I wanted to find three shows for our Second Stage Series. I knew I wanted to find three shows for our music series. I knew I wanted four main stage shows, and probably two of them would be musicals, and probably one of those musicals would have a youth and family focus. And I knew I needed a panto. Having that structure to start with makes a big difference.”
This all said, Kempson emphasized he’s “not a person who believes that we should do something because we’ve always done it that way. We will continue to turn over every rock to see what’s underneath to make sure that we’re making the right choices for our community.”
Capitol Theatre favourite Tahirih Vejdani will perform the world premiere of “Born To Be Bad: The Villains of Broadway” at the historic Port Hope venue from June 30 to July 5, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
To be clear, Kempson’s title is artistic director, not artistic dictator. Bouncing ideas off his management team — including managing director Erin Peirce — and gathering their input is a huge part of the season-planning process.
“We represent a pretty wide demographic of people within that management team. The fact that we all have our own backgrounds and experiences and ages and genders and sexualities and you know, identities, that helps us know that we’re really truly serving as many people in our community as we can.”
“At the end of the day, is it my decision? Yes, it absolutely is, but theatre is the most collaborative art form for a reason. If I apply that principle to my planning process, I know I’m going end up with a season that’s more fulfilling.”
Asked what 2026 show jumps off the page for him, Kempson balked at singling out one favourite, likening such a choice to “picking a favourite child.” Instead, he focused on what he considers highlights of the season in a broader sense.
“When I started here, this theatre hadn’t had a Canadian play on stage in more than two decades. We now have 10 of 11 shows that are all Canadian, and five of them are world premieres. And two of those world premieres were developed in our creators’ unit — that alone feels like a huge achievement.”
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The two world premieres developed through the Capitol’s Creators’ Unit, which has been the home for new play development at the Capitol since 2023, are I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook, written and performed by Taylor Lovelace, and Farley Mowat’s memoir And No Birds Sang, adapted for the stage by Dave Carley.
Kempson singled out both creators for mention, calling Lovelace “a beloved performer” who “really dove into all the women in her life that have inspired her, and then uses the songs of Whitney to help tell that story. To be offer her the opportunity to share her story, through the music that she loves, feels really exciting to me.”
“The other side of that same coin is Dave Carley, one of the most prolific playwrights in Canada. Last year in our creators’ unit, he did a new adaptation of a Farley Mowat memoir. People in Port Hope love Farley Mowat for obvious reasons. And No Birds Sang would already be exciting because it’s created locally. But it’s also about a local person who has a great history in the region and it has been created by a guy who does a lot of work locally for us.”
Playwright Dave Carley has adapted Canadian writer and environmentalist Farley Mowat’s 1979 war memoir “And No Birds Sang” to the stage. Mowat, who spent his later years in Port Hope, passed away in 2014 at the age of 92. The play has its world premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope from August 14 to September 6, 2026. (Photos: Dave Carley / Fred Phipps)
Then there’s the Capitol’s staging of David Hein and Irene Sankoff’s Tony award-winning Canadian musical Come From Away, which Kempson is directing, based on true events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport.
“I’m not going to tell you who we have in the cast yet, but when you find that out in the new year you are going to absolutely lose your mind. So, there are more secrets to come. But yeah, if I had to pick two babies, it would be our new play work, our new development work, and Come From Away. But I could talk endlessly about all the shows in the season.”
In addition to the shows announced in the season reveal, the Capitol’s Cabaret and Kitchen Party programs will be offered throughout the year in the Sculthorpe Theatre, additional concerts will be featured on the mainstage, and the Capitol’s on-screen programming will continue to feature the popular Met Opera program.
Subscriptions for the 2026 season are now on sale, with general public tickets for individual shows available in early 2026. Visit capitoltheatre.com for more details.
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Capitol Theatre’s 2026 season
Mainstage Ensemble Productions
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
May 15 to 31, 2026
Book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner
Directed and choreographed by Rob Kempson
Music direction by Shane O’Regan
Based on the beloved comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this Tony award-winning musical comedy chronicles the adventure of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang.
Liars At A Funeral
June 12 to 28, 2026
By Sophia Fabiilli
Directed by Aaron Jan
When an estranged family gathers to mourn the passing of Mavis, the family matriarch, the funeral erupts into a more dysfunctional family reunion than any of them could have imagined. If everyone can keep it together, they might just break the intergenerational curse and make it out alive.
Come From Away
July 10 to August 2, 2026
Book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Rob Kempson
Music direction by Jeff Newberry
Choreographed by Genny Sermonia
This global sensation takes you into the centre of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town of Gander, Newfoundland that welcomed them during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Gaslight
August 21 to September 6, 2026
By Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson based on Patrick Hamilton’s play
Directed by Marie Farsi
Bella Manningham thinks she’s losing her mind. In the evenings, she hears strange sounds and the gas lights dim for no apparent reason. Is she losing her grip on reality, or is it being loosened for her?
RED!…A Big Bad Wolf Panto (world premiere)
November 20 to December 27, 2026
Written by Rebecca Northan
Directed by Aurora Browne
Musical arrangements by Jeff Newberry
The classic fairytale gets a panto treatment from the writer of 2023’s hit production Jack: A Beanstalk Panto. When Little Red Riding Hood leaves home with a basket of treats for her Granny, all she has to do is stick to the path and avoid talking to strangers, but there’s a groovy beat in the darkest part of the woods … and every young girl is up for adventure.
Second Stage Series (Sculthorpe Theatre)
Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret (world premiere)
June 4 to 7, 2026
Written and performed by Chris Tsujiuchi
For more than a decade, the enigmatic and multi-talented Chris Tsujiuchi has been creating and performing solo shows celebrated across the country. This year, exclusively for the Capitol Theatre, he’s created a brand-new show – one that celebrates the queer community with the anthems that define it.
Born To Be Bad: The Villains of Broadway (world premiere)
June 30 to July 5, 2026
Written and performed by Tahirih Vejdani
From the evildoers we adore to the scoundrels we love to hate, this new solo show from Capitol Theatre favourite Tahirih Vejdani (Little Shop of Horrors, Sleeping Beauty, Billboard in Concert) shares the best of being bad.
Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang (world premiere)
August 14 to September 6, 2026
Adapted by Dave Carley
Directed by Rob Kempson
Based on Farley Mowat’s acclaimed war memoir, this autobiographical account of his military service during World War II as a member of the Hastings Prince Edward (or, affectionately, Hasty P’s) Regiment. In this touching world premiere, Mowat transforms from a young man into a combat veteran, alongside the devastating losses that come with wartime.
Music Lovers’ Series
Capitol Theatre favourite Taylor Lovelace will pay tribute to one of the most defining artists of the 20th century in the world premiere of her musical celebration of women’s voices, “I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook,” from October 23 to 25, 2026 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
Heartbreak Hits: Billboard In Concert
February 6 to 8, 2026
Conceived by Jeff Newberry and Rob Kempson
Directed by Margot Greve
Capitol Theatre’s signature remix of your favourite tunes returns with a tribute to the songs about falling out of love.
Tom Thomson’s Wake
March 6 to 8, 2026
Created and performed by Shipyard Kitchen Company
Two years after renowned painter Tom Thomson’s mysterious death, his friend, his mentor and his lover gather to share their memories of Algonquin Park’s most famous resident. A great Canadian mystery told with East Coast-style tunes.
I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook (world premiere)
October 23 to 25, 2026
Written and performed by Taylor Lovelace
Music supervision by Jeff Newberry
Directed by Rob Kempson
Capitol Theatre favourite Taylor Lovelace (Waitress, Little Shop of Horrors, A Year with Frog & Toad, Billboard in Concert) pays tribute to one of the most defining artists of the 20th century in this musical celebration of women’s voices.
Located in southwestern Peterborough County and bordered by the historic Trent-Severn Waterway, Selwyn Township brings nature and community together with its scenic countryside and lakes, outdoor adventures, charming and hospitable small towns including Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, and Young's Point, and lively year-round festivals offering activities for the whole family. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Nestled in southwestern Peterborough County, Selwyn Township brings together nature and community with its rolling countryside and sparkling lakes and its charming small towns including Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, and Young’s Point.
Known for the hospitality of its friendly and welcoming residents, Selwyn Township offers ample outdoor adventure opportunities from trails and beaches to the Trent-Severn Waterway, delicious dining experiences, accommodation options for the entire family, and boutique shops that draws thousands of visitors to The Kawarthas all year long.
“Selwyn Township is where nature meets community, blending into experiences for people of all ages,” says Selwyn Mayor Sherry Senis. “Whether it’s the winding waterways, the charming villages, or the buzz around events like PolarFest, there’s a true sense of belonging. You can spend a fall afternoon walking one of the many trails with the leaves crunching underfoot or gather in February while neighbours dip into frigid waters for a good cause. Selwyn is a place that feels both grounded and alive, no matter the season.”
Launch from Lakefield
Located on Lakefield’s Queen Street, The Cheesy Fromage offers variety of both internationally acclaimed and locally sourced cheeses along with wines, chocolate, charcuteries, and house-made gelato. You can even order for takeout a customized cheese and charcuterie board complete with your preferred selections. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Kick off your adventure through Selwyn in the historic Village of Lakefield along the Otonabee River. Order a high-quality breakfast at The Nutty Bean Café, a neighbourhood favourite that uses locally sourced products and brews organic, fair-trade coffee which can be enjoyed in the country-chic dining room or on the “best verandah in town.”
Coffee in hand, it’s time to check out the many small businesses that make up the Queen Street strip — and maybe pick up a souvenir or two! Take a moment to appreciate Selwyn’s many talented at Ecco Art Gallery and Studios and Divine Craft, or get stocked up on books, gifts and home décor at Happenstance Books & Yarn and Stuff Store. Find the trendiest fashions at The Classy Closet by Sue and truly unique fashions from Tragically Hipp Fashion Gallery. Get summer ready by shopping quality swimwear at Sunblockers and water and cottage lifestyle products from Cottage Toys.
One of many sweet destinations in Selwyn Township, The Chocolate Rabbit in downtown Lakefield is a one-stop shop for all your chocolate dreams. Make sure you try the ever-popular Mudbugs, featuring chewy and crunchy caramel and almond centres covered with milk or dark chocolate and lightly sprinkled with sea salt. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
A local business that has built a tasty legacy in The Kawarthas, The Chocolate Rabbit is a one-stop shop for satisfying your sweet tooth, whether you like chocolate animals, fudge, truffles, cookies, or other treats (make sure to try their famous Mudbugs). To round out your gourmet snacks for the day, head to The Cheesy Fromage for a variety of cheese, wines, chocolates, and charcuteries, or Lakefield Bakery on Queen, where you’ll find croissants, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, butter tarts, and so much more all made by a trained chef.
Continue your shopping spree by heading north on Peterborough County Road 28 to Lockside Trading Company, a multi-award-winning home retail and design business in Young’s Point. With a focus on Canadian-made goods and brands, this store attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year. You can even get a specialty coffee or ice cream from Lockside’s new Steamer’s Café & Ice Cream Parlour.
Choose your Afternoon Adventure
Craftworks at the Barn in Selwyn Township offers handmade and crafted Mennonite furniture and the largest unique collection of giftware and home décor in The Kawarthas, with an Antiques Market located downstairs. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
With so much to do, there are many ways to spend an afternoon in Selwyn. As Mayor Senis says, “Selwyn offers the kind of escape that doesn’t feel far from home, but still gives folks the space to breathe in the fresh air.”
After leaving Young’s Point, head west on Peterborough County Road 20 towards Ennismore to kick off the afternoon with lunch at Jesse’s Tap & Grill, which has been serving up high-quality burgers, pastas, grilled meats, and pizzas for more than 25 years.
For more shopping, head into Craftworks at the Barn, located on Peterborough County Road 1, where you’ll find a collection of handmade and crafted Mennonite furniture and the largest unique collection of giftware and home décor in The Kawarthas. Downstairs, more than 40 vendors are set up in the Antiques Market, waiting for you to discover one-of-a-kind pieces that are retro, vintage, or just plain unusual.
McLean Berry Farm is a family farm in Selwyn Township that has been growing produce for more than 30 years and hosts seasonal events like pick-your-own strawberries in late spring and PumpkinFest in the fall. (Photo: McLean Berry Farm)
Or spend your day outdoors at McLean Berry Farm, where blueberries, strawberries, pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, and plenty more produce grows. From pick-your-own strawberries in the spring to PumpkinFest in the fall, there’s always something going on at this family farm.
During the warmer months, head to Selwyn Beach Conservation Area, a place known for its sandy beach and picturesque swimming. Visiting in the winter? Lace up your skates at the 400-metre Ontario Speed Skating Oval, which offers free public skates daily with skate rentals available on-site. Keep your eyes open for their popular annual candlelight skate early in the new year.
The Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield is a 400-metre track that offers free public skates and onsite skate rentals. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
No matter the season, Mayor Senis also suggests exploring Selwyn’s hiking trails.
“Selwyn trails offer something for everyone, whether it’s the Lakefield Trail where urban meets rural living, the Ennismore Waterfront Park Trail for the nature lover, or the Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield Trail for serenity,” she says.
“The trails weave through the heart of the township, along the Otonabee River, through forests and open space. In the spring, wildflowers peek through. In autumn, the trees put on a show of colour. Winter welcomes snowy backdrops. It’s a favourite for walkers, cyclists, families, and anyone looking to take a breath and reconnect with nature and themselves.”
Settle in for a relaxing evening in Selwyn
Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth offers a country gourmet menu highlighting seasonal ingredients with handcrafted dishes from classic recipes to authentic southern smoked barbeque. Sunday brunch has become a local mainstay, while other events, including rib nights and themed cuisine, are always on the calendar. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
After an adventurous afternoon exploring Selwyn Township, start your relaxing evening with a hearty meal at Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth. At the historic restaurant overlooking the water of Chemong Lake, you’ll find a gourmet menu of handcrafted dishes inspired by seasonal ingredients from classic recipes to famous southern smoked barbeque. If you’re sticking around a while, be sure to check out their famed Sunday brunch buffet or see what other events they have — rib nights and international nights are regularly on the calendar.
Finish the day with a refreshingly cool treat from Central Smith Ice Cream whose roots in The Kawarthas date back to 1896. Whether you prefer it in a cone, in a sundae, or in a milkshake, the local creamery boasts more than 61 deliciously creamy flavours to choose from.
If you’re not ready for the adventure to end, check in at The Village Inn in Lakefield, a country-style inn that blends the comforts of modern living with the charm of the historic homes of Lakefield. A year-round getaway, The Village Inn is family friendly — and inviting to pets — while also offering a cozy setting for romantic excursions.
For a more secluded escape, check in to The Forest Hill Lodge, an intimate cottage resort located on the shores of Lovesick Lake. Originally one of Ontario’s oldest fishing camps, The Forest Hill Lodge offers a range of amenities suitable for the whole family, from swimming, canoeing, and fishing on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
The Forest Hill Lodge is an intimate cottage resort on the shores of Lovesick Lake in Selwyn Township. What was originally one of Ontario’s oldest fishing camps is now a family-friendly resort boasting plenty of outdoor adventure form swimming and canoeing to fishing on the Trent-Severn Waterway. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Regardless of where you go, Mayor Senis says you won’t forget your road trip in Selwyn Township.
“A road trip through Selwyn is one of those drives you remember — rolling past stunning lakes and rivers, historic stone buildings, fields of pumpkins and apple orchards, and trails that seem to invite you into the forest,” she says.
“Stop for a walk, grab a bite at one of the incredible restaurants, and chat with the locals. Visitors will feel like they’ve stumbled onto something special with quaint villages and that small-town welcoming feel. Selwyn creates the unforgettable experiences by blending community and nature, and turning everyday moments into cherished memories.”
Plan a return visit to Selwyn to experience a local festival
Racing canoes down Queen Street in Lakefield is just one of the many family-friendly activities during PolarFest, an annual township-wide winter festival. The event also features ice carvings, hockey games, a polar plunge for charity, fireworks, the Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival, and more. (Photo: Selwyn Township)
Looking forward to another visit to Selwyn? Plan your trip around one of several annual festivals that make the township a destination in The Kawarthas no matter the season.
Selwyn Mayor Sherry Senis’s Must Do’s
Explore Selwyn’s hiking trails, including the Lakefield Trail, the Ennismore Waterfront Park Trail, and the Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield Trail.
Come to the annual PolarFest winter festival for outdoor fun, community spirit, and hot chocolate by the fire.
PolarFest is an exciting family-friendly tradition like no other. The annual winter festival offers something for everyone, from ice carvings, polar paddles, fireworks, charity hockey games, and for those truly brave — or crazy enough — the polar plunge that raises funds for local charities. A beloved part of the event is the Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival which sees a range of businesses getting innovative by crafting chocolate-themed concoctions that you won’t want to miss.
The Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival is a celebration that invites the community to come together for an afternoon of jazz music, vibrant artworks for sale, and local food and beverage vendors — all on the scenic shores of the Otonabee River.
You can explore Lakefield’s rich literary heritage at the Lakefield Literary Festival, a 30-year-old annual celebration that’s rooted in Lakefield’s literary heritage including famous Canadian writers Margaret Laurence, Catharine Parr Traill, and Susanna Moodie. Highlights of the festival include literary talks and discussions, author readings, and a free children’s tent.
Celebrate more of Selwyn’s heritage at the annual Ennismore Shamrock Festival. This long-standing tradition that celebrates the hamlet’s largely Irish history and heritage was first held in 1967 to mark Canada’s centennial year. The ever-popular family-friendly event features truck and tractor pulls, petting zoos, live music, bouncy castles, lawn games, delicious treats, and more.
Road Tripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
The Town of Cobourg is seeking public feedback about its proposed 10-year parks and recreation master plan. A drop-in community workshop will be held on October 30, 2025 at the Cobourg Community Centre and online engagement tools including a survey are available until November 10. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)
The Town of Cobourg is calling on residents and visitors who frequent Cobourg’s parks and trails and use the town’s recreation facilities to share their feedback and help shape the plans for those spaces over the next decade.
The town is inviting community members to help develop Cobourg’s park and recreation master plan, with a drop-in community workshop taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (October 30) at the Cobourg Community Centre at 750 D’Arcy Street.
There will be display panels focusing on different areas of the master plan, with town staff and consultants from Toronto-based landscape architecture and planning firm Thnc Design on hand. Attendees are welcome to bring their children, as there will be some games and Halloween activities.
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Town of Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland shared his thoughts with kawarthaNOW around the importance of both public input and the overall parks and recreation master plan.
“The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is an opportunity for everyone who enjoys Cobourg’s parks, trails, and facilities — residents and visitors alike — to share their experiences and ideas,” Cleveland said.
“Through this engagement, we aim to understand what’s working well, where we can improve, and what our community envisions for the future. We want to build awareness of the project and hear meaningful, informed feedback from all who use and value Cobourg’s recreation spaces.”
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Community feedback will be summarized and incorporated into the master plan. To help understand strengths and gaps, the feedback will be combined with geographic, technical, and demographic analyses to identify barriers, priorities, and potential linkages between neighbourhoods.
The new master plan will provide direction on Cobourg’s parks, recreation and sport facilities, open spaces, and service delivery through to 2036.
Through the town’s online community engagement platform at engagecobourg.ca/parksandrec, residents can also share their ideas and experiences through a variety of interactive tools, including a quick poll, visioner board, social map, and online survey. Registration is not required to participate, and all feedback is anonymous and confidential.
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Through the online survey, people can share feedback on topics such as the parks and recreational facilities they use, recreation programs and activities they like to attend, and opinions on the need for future recreation services in Cobourg.
In addition to the online survey, 300 randomly selected households will receive a call during the next few weeks from Oraclepoll Research to participate in a survey about the use and enjoyment of parks and recreation spaces in Cobourg.
The public engagement survey and additional feedback tools are open until Monday, November 10. Paper copies of the online survey are also available at the customer service desk in Victoria Hall in downtown Cobourg and at the reception desk at the Cobourg Community Centre.
For any questions about accessing the Engage Cobourg platform, email the Town of Cobourg at communications@cobourg.ca or call 905-372-4301.
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