Smoke billows out of the historic building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield on October 9, 2025. (Photo: Mike Quigg)
A devastating fire broke out in downtown Lakefield on Thursday (October 9), engulfing the building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street.
As of 5:30 p.m., nearby residents reported the building — which has apartments on the upper levels — has been “mostly gutted” and has suffered extensive water damage.
Emergency crews remain on the scene Thursday afternoon as heavy smoke continues to pour from the historic structure, which sits at the heart of the village’s main commercial block.
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According to witness reports, the fire began in the upper portion of the building before spreading into the hardware store below.
“The danger is, of course, because it’s such an old building,” said one local resident. “It’s progressed down into the Home Hardware itself, which would be absolutely devastating for the community.”
Flames were seen engulfing the structure shortly after noon. Thick dark smoke blanketed much of the downtown, with residents as far away as nearby streets reporting that they had to close their windows due to air quality.
Firefighters battle a blaze at the historic building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield on October 9, 2025. (Photo: Mike Quigg)
According to witness reports, everyone inside the building was able to get out safely — including a dog and a cat.
Selwyn Township firefighters are leading suppression efforts, with support from fire crews from the townships of Douro-Dummer, Cavan Monaghan, and Otonabee-South Monaghan, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and Peterborough Fire Services.
Police have closed all access to downtown Lakefield, and residents are being urged to stay clear of the area. Those who parked vehicles downtown will not be able to retrieve them until emergency crews reopen the area.
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Artist Emerance Baker, who owns the fine craft gallery Divine Craft at 15 Burnham Street with artist Christy Haldane, posted on Facebook about the fire.
“Christy and I are so deeply saddened about the fire that destroyed the Home Hardware building right across our gallery today,” Baker writes. “We saw our neighbours and friends lose their homes, business and jobs in this devastating fire today.”
“Our gallery suffered smoke damage and the power is turned off to our block for the near future. But it’s all so insignificant compared to the absolute destruction of our neighbouring business. I still can’t truly believe it. We had to leave knowing we have zero control over what’s going to happen next. We don’t know when we’ll be able to open again.”
Firefighters battle a blaze at the historic building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield on October 9, 2025. (Photos: Mike Quigg)
Kawartha Home Hardware is a longstanding local business and a cornerstone of Lakefield’s downtown. The timing of the fire — just before the Thanksgiving weekend — has left many residents shocked and saddened.
“This is really tragic for Lakefield,” one community member shared. “It’s one of those places everyone goes to — for supplies, advice, a chat. It’s hard to imagine downtown without it.”
Peterborough resident Neil Morton, whose father-in-law co-owns Kawartha Home Hardware, posted on Facebook that the store is the “epicenter” of Lakefield.
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“I have gotten to know the employees there over the years and they are great humans who care deeply about community and each other and customers,” Morton writes. “People go to that Home Hardware and others like it in small towns because of the exceptional customer service and smalltown stories (sunshine sketches) they get there. It’s an experience. If you know, you know.”
“A lot of tenants were displaced in the apartments above and the amazing (Home Hardware) employees, led by their manager/community guy/volunteer firefighter Garnet (Hinds), are in shock and wondering what’s next.”
“I hugged Garnet (standing there for hours on Main Street with his team) and first thing he says to me is deflecting to the care and empathy he has for his employees. That store is everything to him. It’s everything to that town, and the locals and cottagers who use it. It’s the lifeblood.”
Firefighters battle a blaze at the historic building housing Kawartha Home Hardware at 24 Queen Street in downtown Lakefield on October 9, 2025. (Photos: Mike Quigg)
On Thursday night, Selwyn Township issued a media release indicating that Queen Street from Albert Street to Reid Street is closed to all traffic. Water Street from Bridge Street to Concession Street is also closed to allow fire crews to draw water from the Otonabee River to right the fire.
“The Office of the Fire Marshall has been called, and it is expected that Queen Street may remain closed for several days,” reads the media release. “Until there is further information about the structural integrity of the building, there may be impacts to local businesses.”
Those businesses include the Lakefield IDA Pharmacy, which is attached to the north side of the building.
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Selwyn Township has advised residents that, due to the excessive amount of water being used to fight the fire, Lakefield residents may notice water discoloration and they should run their cold water for 15 to 20 minutes until the water runs clear.
As of Thursday night, firefighters remained on site, working to contain the blaze and prevent further spread to neighbouring buildings.
The full extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are not yet known.
This is a developing story and is being updated as more information becomes available.
Local musicians will perform a tribute to Toronto country-rock icons The Sadies on Friday night when Jethro's Bar + Stage in downtown Peterborough hosts the 3rd Annual Ptbo Salutes: The Sadies, with proceeds donated to charity in memory of founding member Dallas Good (front), who died from coronary illness in 2022 at the age of 48. (Photo: Ron Johnson)
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 9 to Wednesday, October 15.
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).
A scene from the 2019 documentary "Town of Widows" by Natasha Luckhardt and Rob Viscardis about the fight for justice by former General Electric workers and their widows in Peterborough who believe illnesses and cancer deaths in their community are linked to toxic exposure from the GE plant. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Peterborough city council’s recent decision to allow the partial demolition of the General Electric complex contravenes the Ontario Heritage Act, according to city councillor Joy Lachica.
Lachica is also expressing concerns that the notice of demolition was only brought to council’s attention almost a month after the city received it, and that framing the demolition plan as a heritage assessment does not consider environmental and public health impacts given the use and storage of hazardous chemicals at the complex over the past 130 years.
Meeting as general committee on Monday night (October 6), council considered a staff report that recommended hiring a consultant to conduct a peer review of a 154-page heritage impact assessment (HIA) report prepared by ERA Architects Inc. on behalf of GEPR Energy Canada Inc., a subsidiary of GE Vernova — an energy equipment manufacturing and services company that was formed from the merger and subsequent spin-off of General Electric’s energy businesses in 2024.
The General Electric factory complex began operations in 1891 as the Canadian Works of the Thomas Edison Company and later continued under General Electric. The site includes a complex of 33 buildings built between 1891 and 1981 and used for industrial manufacturing and ancillary purposes.
The entire complex is listed on the city’s heritage register under the Ontario Heritage Act, although it has not been designated.
GE Vernova is proposing demolishing and removing 25 buildings in the complex’s centre block that haven’t been used since 2018, which represent around 84,500 square metres (910,000 square feet) of the 104,000 square metre (1.1 million square feet) site.
GE Vernova has maintained office space for 60 employees in the site’s east block and leases several buildings in the west block to BWXT, which was originally part of GE Vernova’s nuclear energy division but has since became an independent company, and the HIA report recommends retaining eight buildings that are currently in use or have heritage value.
After a discussion on Monday night that lasted almost two hours, with much of the discussion about the environmental impact of the proposed demolition, council ultimately decided against the staff recommendation to hire a consultant to conduct a peer review of the HIA report, and then for staff to consult with the Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) when the peer review report is completed, and report back to council on the whether the property should be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Instead, council decided to accept the recommendations made in the HIA report for which buildings should receive heritage designation and allow demolition to proceed, and to take that decision to PACAC for review.
Responding to councillors who expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the demolition, city staff said the demolition would fall under the purview of the Ontario government and that the municipality has no authority to require any kind of environmental assessment prior to demolition since no change in land use was being requested.
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On Wednesday (October 8), Lachica told kawarthaNOW she attended a PACAC meeting the previous night as an observer — councillors are no longer allowed to officially participate in citizen committees — and PACAC “expressed their indignation about what happened on Monday night.”
kawarthaNOW has obtained a copy of a letter dated October 6 sent by PACAC chair Stewart Hamilton to council in which he outlined the requirement under the Ontario Heritage Act that council consult with its municipal heritage committee prior to making a decision to remove a property from the heritage register — which council effectively did by voting to allow the partial demolition to proceed.
“As committee chair, I’m requesting the entire matter regarding the GE Properties be sent by City Council to PACAC for a review,” Hamilton wrote.
According to Lachica, council can’t make a decision to delist a property from the heritage register prior to consulting with PACAC, calling it a “breach” of the Ontario Heritage Act.
“Apparently, according to city staff at the PACAC meeting last night (Tuesday), it was the direction of legal counsel at the City of Peterborough that it come to council first,” Lachica said.
“Council didn’t have any of this information about the plans of GE. For 30 days, only the mayor knew (about the notice of demolition) and the mayor did not share any of that with the rest of council. We laid eyes on it when the agenda came out for that Monday meeting.”
According to the meeting agenda, GEPR Energy Canada Inc. gave the city a 60-day notice of its intent to demolish part of the GE complex on September 8 — 29 days before the item was brought forward to council.
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Lachica told kawarthaNOW that the city’s commissioner of infrastructure, planning, and growth management Blair Nelson said the notice was being reviewed by the city’s building department during that time, “but it’s not the building department’s jurisdiction to look at that package — it’s for council to have 60 days to assess the situation.”
Under the Ontario Heritage Act, property owners must give municipal council a minimum of 60 days’ written notice before demolishing or removing a building on a property listed on the heritage register. This interim protection allows the council to consider if the property should be designated as a heritage property and prevents a demolition permit from being issued until the notice period is complete.
“The mayor did not convene with council in any way,” Lachica said. “We had a whole cycle of council pass, none of this was on the agenda, and the clock’s been ticking all that time.”
“For something of a national heritage significance and a local significance in terms of the legacy of the workers … that’s to me tragic, because we need to make a very significant decision about the future of that property, and this is our window to have GE be responsible and accountable for 130 years of things. That’s part of the heritage legacy as well as the workers’ legacy. The fact that the mayor kept this to himself is not appropriate in my mind.”
Lachica said that council’s decision has come to the attention of the labour movement, including the Ontario Federation of Labour, which is planning to take action.
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On Thursday (October 9), Lachica issued a media release that reflected some of her earlier comments to kawarthaNOW.
“The details of this plan were concealed by the mayor,” the release states. “There was no public consultation, and because of this vote, there may be no accountability for GE — after the company contaminated that land, polluted our community, and allowed their workers to be poisoned on the job.”
“Demolition will release unknown levels of contamination into the surrounding neighbourhoods, lets GE paper over the harm it caused injured workers, and paves the way for taxpayers to absorb the risk and cost of a massive, un-remediated brownfield.”
“This whole process has been a violation of public trust — putting the wellbeing and history of our community in the hands of a $230 billion corporation, and a provincial government who’s shown they’re either unwilling, or unable to hold companies like these accountable.”
“Residents have a right to know when a project across the street might threaten their health. Councillors have a right to know the details of time sensitive plans that will affect their constituents. And the community has a right to real consultation – before decisions are made, not after.”
VIDEO: “Town of Widows” trailer
“Council now has less than 30 days to stop the demolition going forward, by applying a heritage designation to the property. We are calling on the Mayor and those who supported GE’s plan to do the following:
1. Change their votes at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, October 14th.
2. Advocate for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.
3. Support an objective, independent heritage assessment of the whole GE property.
4. Work with us and the community to develop a real plan for cleaning up the property.”
The release also quotes Sue James, a former GE employee and injured workers activist.
“We’ve buried so many of our friends and co-workers, now this decision is threatening to bury our history,” James said.
Decisions made at general committee will be considered for approval at the next regular council meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday after the Thanksgiving long weekend.
To speak as a registered delegation at the meeting, people must register no later than 11 a.m. on the day of the meeting. To register, complete the online application at www.peterborough.ca/delegations, or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1820.
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Mayor Leal issued a statement on Friday (October 10) in response to Lachica’s media release, saying “The accusation that I have concealed anything to members of council is false and defamatory. To claim that I have concealed anything is ludicrous and patently, provably false.”
In his statement, he says he learned on September 5 that GE Vernova would be making an announcement the following week and “immediately notified all members of council.”
Leal states that, on September 8, GE Vernova announced their demolition plans by launching a website and mailing 4,500 letters to the neighbourhood on the same day.
He adds that he met with GE Vernova representatives at their request the following day, and spoke to the Peterborough Examiner about the meeting in an article published on September 15.
However, in his statement, the mayor does not address Lachica’s accusation that he was aware of the notice of demolition the city received from GE Vernova — on the same day the company announced their demolition plans and the day before the mayor met with company representatives — and chose not to bring it to council’s attention until the general committee meeting on October 6.
In a response to Leal’s statement, Lachica told kawarthaNOW that she has made it clear she became aware of the demolition plan by reading a copy of the neighborhood notice in tandem with a story in the Peterborough Examiner, and that her accusations about the mayor refer to subsequent events.
“The mayor did not communicate to council details of his meeting with GE, nor did he facilitate a provision of documents of intention or the ERA Heritage Impact Assessment,” she said.
This story has been updated to include details about Mayor Leal’s statement in response to councillor Lachica’s accusations, and Lachica’s response to the mayor’s statement.
Some of the 124 volunteers who participated in the inaugural Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup in Cobourg on September 28, 2025. The volunteers collected 1,200 pieces of plastic and other debris along the Cobourg shoreline of Lake Ontario. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)
More than 120 people recently rolled up their sleeves to tackle litter on the Cobourg shoreline of Lake Ontario, collecting 1,200 pieces of plastic and other debris.
The Town of Cobourg was one of six communities in Ontario that took part in the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup, hosted by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and funded by the Government of Ontario. The inaugural event took place on World Rivers Day, which occurs annually on September 28 and highlights the importance of healthy waterways.
“I was thrilled to see the Cobourg community once again come together for a great cause,” Town of Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland told kawarthaNOW. “We were hoping for at least 50 volunteers and ended up with 124 registered. I’m so grateful to the many community organizations who came out with such enthusiasm for this event.”
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Calling the shoreline “the heart of our community,” the mayor said residents enjoy the beach daily but with that privilege comes the responsibility to keep it clean.
The Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup aims to help combat the large amount of waste that annually pollutes shorelines and waters. Pollution in the Great Lakes has a negative effect on natural ecosystems, wildlife, and clean water that is needed across Canada.
In Cobourg, the cleanup crew met at the Cobourg marina building at 11 a.m. to sign-in, collect supplies, and have a coffee before getting to work.
More than 120 volunteers gathered at the Cobourg marina on September 28, 2025 to participate in the inaugural Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup, hosted by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and funded by the Government of Ontario. The cleanup efforts focused on Victoria Beach, Lucas Point Park, and the Waterfront Nature Park. (Photo: Town of Cobourg)
The town said it’s thankful for the many individuals and organizations who participated in this year’s cleanup, including Blue Dot Northumberland, the Ecology Garden, Northumberland Land Trust, A Greener Future, Willow Beach Field Naturalists, Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, Community Power Northumberland, EV Society Northumberland Chapter, Seniors for Climate Action Now, Stalwood Homes and the Green Party of Ontario.
New Amherst Homes was the event’s community sponsor.
Prior to the big day, Cleveland said he was “incredibly proud” that the Town of Cobourg was selected as a partner in the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup.
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Cobourg is one of the original members of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a multinational coalition of municipal and Indigenous government executives representing more than 350 communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region who are working to promote economic prosperity in those communities and protect fresh water for the benefit of current and future generations.
The initiative aims to advance the environmental, economic, and social health of the region by addressing issues impacting its residents.
“Continuing Cobourg’s active participation in the (initiative) remains a key priority,” noted Cleveland, who also serves as co-chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Economic Transformation for the initiative, in a media release.
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The Great Lakes contain almost 20 per cent of the world’s surface fresh water and sustain 4,000 species of plants and animals.
They are a source of drinking water for one in four Canadians, and home to one-third of Canada’s population.
An estimated 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year. Canadians living in the Great Lakes Basin throw away approximately 1.5-plus million tons of plastic waste each year, with up to seven per cent of that waste estimated to leak into the environment.
Safe routes to walk and roll to school are the goal when school zone speed limits are lowered. Only 50 per cent of people struck by a vehicle traveling at 50km/h will survive their injuries, whereas 90 per cent will survive being struck at 30 km/h. (Photo: Pete Rellinger)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Ashley Burnie Seeds, Active Transportation Program Coordinator, GreenUP.
October is “Walktober,” a month to celebrate the joys and simple pleasures of walking to school. To mark the occasion, Active School Travel Peterborough is highlighting how far the city has already come on the journey toward safer routes for kids and families to walk and roll to school, and looking ahead to what’s next.
In 2023, Peterborough city council approved a city-wide speed reduction in school zones, the implementation of community safety zones for 30 elementary and high schools, and enhanced traffic safety treatments for five schools — one in each ward — to pilot additional measures. At the time, some councillors expressed concern about lowering speed limits around schools centred on enforcement. Would motorists yield to new signs or treatments?
Two years later, city reports show that these measures and speed limit reductions have in fact reduced vehicle speeds by 6.5 km/h, but the average speed in 40 km/h zones remains 11.5 km/h over the limit.
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Ontario government to ban speed cameras
In September 2025, Ontario premier Doug Ford announced his government would introduce legislation in October that will ban the use of municipal automated speed enforcement cameras across the province.
Ford has since rejected a request in a letter from 22 mayors that automated speed cameras be allowed in school zones during school hours.
To support the Peterborough Police Service and ensure key locations see a reduction in overall traffic speed, in May of this year the City of Peterborough approved four automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras for a two-year pilot. The Peterborough Police Service expressed support for the use of ASE in the city, as resources are limited for continuous police presence in these areas.
Other communities in Ontario have documented success with similar programs. In Ottawa, prior to installing ASE in 2020, speed limit compliance in targeted zones was at only 16 per cent.
Within three months, compliance jumped to 57 per cent, and up to 81 per cent three years later. Even more compelling, excessive speeding (over the 85th percentile) in Ottawa has dropped to 0.4 per cent from 14 within that same time period.
These are results worth celebrating, as lower speeds increase safety by reducing collision severity and stopping distance. Statistically, only 50 per cent of people struck by a vehicle going 50 km/h will survive their injuries, while 90 per cent will survive being struck at 30 km/h. That 20 km/h can make a big difference in terms of survivability, and should be understood by all motorists.
Community safety zones are designated stretches of roadway where public safety is of great concern. This can include roadways near schools, seniors’ centres, daycares, hospitals, or parks. These zones mean increased penalties for not following the rules of road and are used as one tool to deter unsafe driving. (Photo: Ashley Burnie Seeds / GreenUP)
Speeding also impacts a driver’s ability to perceive hazards and account for unexpected events. In a school zone, drivers are more likely to encounter children running onto the street, cyclists swerving to avoid parked cars, or a range of other unexpected events. When such an event occurs, visibility is crucial, but another key factor is stopping distance.
The faster a motorist is travelling, the more distance they require to identify a hazard and then stop safely. Stopping distance for vehicles travelling at 30 km/h is approximately 35 metres (8 car lengths), versus 65 metres at 50 km/h (14 car lengths).
If the above statistics are widely known, and the public realizes how dangerous speeding is, one question remains: Why is it hard for many drivers to consistently slow down in these areas?
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One answer may be by design.
In the City of Peterborough, many schools are located on arterial roads, classified to carry high volumes of urban traffic, with limited access points and (often) higher speed limits, essentially engineered to have maximum movement of vehicles. Arterial roads have subtle elements that make speeding feel “comfortable” to the average motorist, such as long sight lines, wider lanes, and gentle curves.
These speed-friendly features can be improved upon by adding road treatments that mitigate driver “comfort,” such as bollards, transverse rumble strips, or enhanced road signs — but these are only a few tools in the box when it comes to crafting safer school zones for everyone.
Enhanced road safety treatments were installed at five local school sites featuring enhanced signage, bollards, road markings, and transverse rumble strips. St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School is one of the pilot sites, with several treatments installed along Otonabee Drive. (Photo: Ashley Burnie Seeds / GreenUP)
As Peterborough marks Walktober, it’s a good time to reflect on the progress made in making school zones safer, and to recognize the work still to come.
Whether walking, biking, rolling, or driving near a school, remember: every choice to slow down makes a difference. Slower streets save lives, reduce stress and help build healthier, more connected communities. Communities where children and families feel safe and confident on their daily journey to school.
Needles in the Hay in downtown Peterborough is hosting an exclusive trunk show event on October 25, 2025 in partnership with Guelph-based Waxwing Yarn Company. With two timeslots at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., the ticketed drop-in event will provide access to entirely Canadian-made yarns, as well as many colourwork and solid-colour project samples. Waxwing founder Christine LaFramboise will lead a talk on her reason for launching her business and the challenges posed by manufacturing small-scale in Canada. (Photo courtesy of Waxwing Yarn Company)
Just in time for cooler and cozy days made for knitting, Needles in the Hay in downtown Peterborough is hosting an exclusive trunk show full of Canadian-made yarn and lots of colourful inspiration. Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday, October 25 event, which is being held in partnership with Guelph-based Waxwing Yarn Company.
Owned by Deanna Guttman, Needles in the Hay is a boutique yarn and fibre arts supply shop and community for makers. With a focus on sustainable and ethically sourced products, the shop stocks curated collections of quality alpaca, cotton, luxurious cashmere, silk, linen and more in a myriad of colours, gauges and weights, as well as needles, hooks, and other accessories and supplies.
To develop community connections, Needles in the Hay also hosts experiences including workshops, classes, and special events in The Hayloft, a warm and welcoming space located above the shop. This creative space will be used for the trunk show, where guests will have the opportunity to purchase products from Waxwing Yarn Company and hear from founder Christine Laframboise.
A knitter who aims to reduce overconsumption and make purposeful purchases, Laframboise was inspired to launch her business in November 2024 because she was frustrated by project leftovers, given that yarn is typically sold in 100-gram formats. She wanted to not only offer smaller sizes but wanted to do so by creating products that are made entirely in Canada from sheep to skein.
Christine Laframboise founded Guelph-based Waxwing Yarn Company after feeling frustrated at the yarn waste she was collecting because yarn is typically sold in 100-gram formats. Her yarn is made entirely in Canada from sheep to skein, and comes in 20 different colours well-suited for colourwork projects in both the standard 100-gram format and a 25-gram format for knitters who want to limit the cost of their project. (Photo courtesy of Waxwing Yarn Company)
Waxwing Yarn has even previously worked with Pine Hollow Farms in Norwood to source a norbouillet fleece, which Laframboise blends with the base of her core products to create a collection of all natural shades from the farm. The collection sold out quickly, though Laframboise is hopeful to have more available in the coming months ahead of the holiday season.
During two ticketed timeslots at the exclusive trunk show, Laframboise will be talking about the inspiration behind launching her company, as well as sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of business operations, including talking about working with local farms and the challenges and limits posed by Canadian manufacturing.
Well-suited for colourwork projects with circular motifs in the yoke, Laframboise’s product is made with fleece from Topsy Farms, located on Amherst Island just outside of Kingston. The yarn will be available in 20 different colours in both the standard 100-gram format and a 25-gram format for those who want lots of colour accents while limiting the cost of their project. She will also be bringing a range of samples that provide guidance and inspiration, including colourwork sweaters and accessories like mittens and hats, as well as solid-colour vests, shawls, blankets, and more.
Tickets are available for the trunk show, with drop-in timeslots from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., and are priced at $15, which can be applied towards any purchase made at the show. To register for a timeslot and for more information on Needles in the Hay, visit needlesinthehay.ca. You can also follow Needles in the Hay on Instagram and Facebook.
Know Your Locals™ is a branded editorial feature about locally owned independent businesses and locally operated organizations, and supported by them. If your business or organization is interested in being featured in a future “Know Your Locals” branded editorial, contact Jeannine Taylor at 705-742-6404 or jt@kawarthanow.com or visit our Advertise with kawarthaNOW page.
Guests at the Lakeside Gala at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough on October 4, 2025 listen to a speech by the museum's executive director Carolyn Hyslop and curator Jeremy Ward in the museum's atrium during the inaugural event that raised $150,000 in support of the not-for-profit museum and its programming. (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum)
The inaugural Lakeside Gala at The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough has raised $150,000 in support of the not-for-profit museum and its programming.
With the theme “celebrating excellence in the making,” the sold-out event on Saturday night (October 4) featured live music, fine cuisine, storytelling, a live and silent auction, the launch of an Inuit kayak build, and more.
Live music included Reuven Grajner performing jazz on a grand piano, Janet McCue performing a water song, and Dave Mowat and the Curbside Shuffle performing old-school blues.
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Dining stations throughout the museum focused on locally grown ingredients and Canadian-inspired flavours, with dishes created by Michelin-trained chef Josh Keepfer of Kitchen Farmacy, Anishinaabe chef Shawn Adler of The Flying Chestnut Kitchen, Chef Adam Brown of Chemong Lodge, Chef Joshua Hendin from Treeline Catering, and pastry chef Miyeon Park of Mija Bakeshop.
During the live auction conducted by professional auctioneer Jim McCartney, guests had the opportunity to bid on a curated selection of unique Canadian products and experiences, such as a canoe trip with Black Feather Wilderness Adventures, a two-night stay at Killarney Mountain Lodge, and a 16-foot ruby red Prospector Canoe by Swift Canoes and Kayak.
The gala also served to launch the latest fourth and final builders this year in the museum’s Builders in Residence program: the Qajakkut Society, a non-profit organization based in Iqaluit, Nunavut that runs kayak-building workshops.
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In their month-long residency, senior members of the Qajakkut Society will build two south Baffin-style qajait (kayaks) and share their knowledge and paddling skills through lessons and programs. These qajait will also be used in the museum’s on-water program fleet.
Guests were able to meet the builders, hear their stories, and learn about their important work in revitalizing traditional practices.
“What an amazing night we all shared on Saturday,” says the museum’s executive director Carolyn Hyslop in a media release. “We are still feeling so proud to have celebrated the excellence of not only the museum, but our featured makers who we were so lucky to have join us and make our inaugural Lakeside Gala an incredible success.”
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Presented by Emily Creek Woodworking Inc. and Havelock Metal Co., whose work is featured in the construction of the museum, the Lakeside Gala raised $150,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and auction proceeds. An additional $50,000 was contributed in-kind by artists, makers, vendors, and businesses.
Proceeds from the gala will directly support the museum’s core mission and programming, including exhibitions, educational initiatives, and signature experiences.
The museum will be holding its next Lakeside Gala on October 3, 2026.
It's not too late to get your roof ready for winter with Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors. The company services Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and surrounding areas with roofing, siding, fascia, eavestrough, and soffit solutions year-round. Specializing in metal roofing, the company prioritizes honesty and integrity, works with local suppliers, and gives back to the community. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
Even though we’re now well into the fall, it’s not too late to get your roof ready for the winter. Even when the snow flies, Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors continues to deliver durable roofing, siding, and exterior solutions.
Based in Peterborough and also servicing Kawartha Lakes and beyond, Bullarco offers complete solutions for roofing, siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestrough. All of this, says president Chris Maguire, is done by a knowledgeable team under the promise of honesty and integrity.
“The most important part of your house is your roof — it protects your belongings, it protects you,” Maguire says. “That’s why I demand the best from our team. This is your household, and this is your investment, and it’s something that’s going to last a lifetime.”
Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors president of operations Ben Scott (left) and company president Chris Maguire (right), along with marketing manager Chad O’Rourke, bring together more than 25 years of experience and 400 projects in the roofing industry. Bullarco was launched in March 2025 to service Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and surrounding communities with roofing and exterior solutions through an honest, customer-first approach. Bullarco also gives back to the community by sponsoring local fundraising initiatives. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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In March, after 20 years working in the industry, Maguire connected with Ben Scott — now president of operations at Bullarco — with the goal of starting a business that was “transparent with the public” after seeing many customers getting overcharged on services and products by other companies in the industry.
“We are really all about the customer and making sure that we’re there for them from the start to the finish,” Maguire says. “Telling them anything that happens during the project, going over it at the end, and providing the warranty is just as important as the original meet. We’re here to support our customers straight through to the end.”
Combining more than 25 years of local experience and work on more than 400 roofs, Maguire and Scott are joined by marketing director Chad O’Rourke to round out the core team. With a total of 15 staff members, Maguire says having dedicated teams running the back end of operations is what makes Bullarco’s service stand out.
“Many people in our industry will do the sales, the bookkeeping, and get on the roof, but you can’t do it all and satisfy the customer,” says Maguire. “All our positions are very integral to the operation and nobody’s job is bigger than the other person’s.”
Along with roof replacements, Bullarco Roofing & Full Exterior services new builds like this home in Havelock, where the company installed a gloss black exposed-fastener metal roof this summer. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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A premium product Bullarco often promotes to customers is the standing seam metal roofing style with a concealed roofing fastener system, while the exposed-fastener style is another cost-effective solution that’s very popular in the region.
“We’re very proud that both products are purchased from Havelock Metals,” says Maguire. “We make sure that we adhere to all the requirements to ensure the warranty stays in place.”
Built to survive the Canadian winter, the material is 29-gauge high-tensile steel with a 40-year guarantee on its paint.
“A metal roof weighs less on the house than a full roof of shingles, which is not usually something people know,” says Maguire. “And there’s a myth that it makes too much noise when it rains, but that has nothing to do with the metal roof. You’ll get the same scenario with shingles, and 90 per cent of the time it’s because there’s not enough insulation in your attic.”
Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors installed an exposed-fastener metal roof for a home in Lakefield. Throughout the process of getting their roof installed or repaired, customers will be supported by the company’s leadership team from the first consultation until the final walk-through. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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In addition to keeping a home cooler by reflecting sunlight and offering more ventilation and air flow, metal roofing systems will reduce insurance costs because they are more durable and longer-lasting in comparison to shingled roofs.
“When the storms that we’ve been having run through, the metal roof is going to stay the way it is — but it’ll have shingles that were ripped from the house next door on it,” Maguire says. “I always make sure the customers are aware to let their insurance company know that they now have a metal roof.”
For those who prefer an eco-smart roofing solution, Bullarco also offers a popular Enviroshake instalment. Created with 95 per cent recycled rubber that comes from tires, Enviroshake delivers the aesthetic appeal of cedar shake roofing with the 40-year warranty of the metal systems.
Alongside many specialties like the standing seam roofing style on this Stoney Lake home, the team at Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors is certified in skylights and also can take on intricate and custom roofing projects. Members of the Bullarco team will get specialized training if a customer requests a project they do not already have experience with. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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Bullarco also does a lot of intricate, custom roofs as well as new builds, and is certified in skylights. Maguire says there’s nothing Bullarco won’t do, and the team is dedicated to continually learning.
“Anything that we feel we don’t have the expertise in, I make sure we have somebody on staff that goes and gets trained in that,” he says. “Our team has gone to get trained on these courses to make sure that everything’s being put together properly, just to give the customers that satisfaction and knowledge that they can trust in us.”
With their core team focusing on different aspects of the business, Bullarco promises customers will be supported every step of the way through the project.
To begin, Maguire will walk through the property to provide a quote, help the customer select colours and materials, offer updates on the product deliveries and when the team will be on site, and explain any obstacles. Upon completion, he will walk through the property with the customer to ensure they are satisfied.
The team at Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors installed a brand new exposed-fastener-style metal roof for Bob and Joyce Young on Pigeon Lake this summer. In his review of the project, Bob expressed his appreciation for the dedication and professionalism of Bullarco’s team and his gratitude for the detailed walk-through he received following the completion of the project. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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“I honestly develop a friendship with most of my clients,” Maguire says. “I like to sit down with them and provide an honest process to give them confidence to know they’re being looked after. I’ve grown up on honesty and integrity and I believe in both of those very much, and it’s the same thing I instill in my team and show back to the customers to make sure they are satisfied from start to finish.”
Pigeon Lake customer Bob Young, who had an exposed-fastener style metal roof installed by Bullarco, agreed with Maguire’s assessment in a recent testimonial.
“We appreciated the final walk around our property after the last screw was driven in, confirming we were satisfied with the results,” Young wrote. “All of the men who worked on our site were professional, polite, friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful to us and our home. I could easily tell from the conversations going on that they work as a team and were eager to do a proper job.”
Based in Peterborough and also servicing Kawartha Lakes and beyond, Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors offers complete solutions for roofing, siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestrough. According to president Chris Maguire, metal roofs reduce heat and better lock in air flow while lasting longer and being lighter in weight in comparison to shingled roofs. Due to its weather durability, metal roofs also lower insurance costs. (Photo courtesy of Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors)
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Beyond installing beautiful and durable roofs and exteriors for customers’ homes, Bullarco makes the community they live in a better place too by giving back.
Most recently, Bullarco was a hole sponsor for the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 2025 Fore the Kids Golf Tournament, where proceeds went to Five Counties Children’s Centre. The company has also sponsored the Race 4 Sawyer Grace golf tournament fundraiser for Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics.
“My grandfather was an international head of the Lions Club and giving back to the community is a value that I’ve been instilled with,” says Maguire. “If you’re doing something and you’re being successful, spreading that to somebody else is the proper way.”
For more information on Bullarco and their services, visit bullarco.ca. For updates on recent projects, follow Bullarco on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with Bullarco Roofing & Full Exteriors. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
The annual "Hike, Bike and Bark for Hospice" event on September 28, 2025 at Victoria Park in Cobourg raised $70,796 for the Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation. (Photo: Ed's House / Facebook)
Palliative care services for patients and families living in Northumberland County have received a big boost in funding as the numbers come in from a recent fundraiser for the county’s hospice centre.
Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation has announced its 2025 edition of “Hike, Bike and Bark for Hospice,” held September 28 at Victoria Park in Cobourg, raised $70,796 towards essential hospice services in Northumberland.
More than 220 participants and more than 60 dogs joined in the fun, walking, running, and biking two-kilometre, five-kilometre, or 10-kilometre routes around town “to honour loved ones and make a difference,” stated Community Care Northumberland (CCN), which operates Ed’s House.
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The event included music from deejay George Martin, a kids’ zone featuring games and activities provided by the Northumberland Child Development Centre, and hot dogs on the grill courtesy of the Lions Club of Cobourg.
“We are blown away by the support from our community,” said CCN CEO Trish Baird. “Every step, pedal, and donation helps us provide compassionate care to families during life’s most challenging moments. This event shows just how much our community cares.”
Money raised helps the care teams at Ed’s House provide essential services, including volunteer hospice support, In-Home Visiting Hospice, education, grief and bereavement counselling, and specialized end-of-life care in its 10-suite hospice residence in Cobourg. All services are offered at no charge to residents and their families.
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“This year’s Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice is a day that brings our community together to support Ed’s House, raises awareness, and celebrates the care and compassion our team provides every day,” Chelsea Rankin, communications specialist for CCN and Ed’s House, told kawarthaNOW prior to the event.
“It’s also an opportunity to share the personal stories of those whose lives have been touched by Ed’s House and to show our appreciation for the incredible work being done. Most importantly, we want everyone to have a great time, enjoy the outdoors, connect with others, and have some fun while supporting a truly meaningful cause.”
Leading up to the event, participants rallied online through the official fundraising page, creating personal and team profiles, tracking donations, and sharing event graphics on social media. This year’s top individual fundraiser was Selena Forsyth, who raised $10,650. The top team fundraiser was the HG for Hospice Team, which raised $7,325.
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The event included the chance to win prizes for registering. Prizes included a $1,600 “Moose Fatbike 1” from Century Cycle and raffle packages from All Creatures Great and Small, RiverLines Health & Well-Being Studio, and NAPA Auto Parts on William Street in Cobourg.
Family members Marilyn and Amber Smith shared a heartfelt tribute to their husband and father, Graham, honouring the one-year anniversary of his passing, while highlighting “the exceptional care he received at Ed’s House and the profound, lasting impact hospice services have had on their family.”
There was also a nail trim and dog wash fundraiser at Paulmac’s Pets in Cobourg. Community members brought their pets for dog washes and nail trims, raising an additional $1,505 for Ed’s House.
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Ed’s House foundation gave special thanks to Ashley Crews and the Ryan Huffman Real Estate Team for organizing the event, and to the Northumberland Breakers Volleyball Club and Paulmac’s staff who helped wash the dogs and make the fundraiser such a success.
The foundation also gave a shout-out to its sponsors, including North Star Sponsor Lynn Hardy, past Ed’s House foundation board chair, Stadtke Plumbing and Heating, Eagle.ca, Milly’s Market in Port Hope, Jan Rosamond/Robyn Mumford, RE/MAX Rouge Realty Ltd., Nestlé Purina PetCare, Schmidt Law Legal – Scott McCracken, Bin-it, Shoppers Drug Mart Port Hope, and the Steblaj family.
A hospice centre in Hamilton Township that opened in the fall of 2020, Ed’s House is a service of CCN and provides palliative support at no cost to hospice clients and their families. It also offers caregiver support, palliative outreach and education, health system navigation, and grief and bereavement support. For more information, visit edshouse.northumberlandhospice.ca.
For the second year in a row, Five Counties Children's Centre is offering an accessible trick-or-treating experience called "All-o-wwen" for clients and their families in Cobourg, Lindsay, and Peterborough. The children's treatment centre is also offering tips for community members who want to offer an inclusive Halloween experience at their own homes. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)
With Halloween around the corner, Five Counties Children’s Centre is bringing back its accessible “All-o-ween” events for a second year in Cobourg, Lindsay, and Peterborough.
Along with an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience, the events include food, kids’ crafts, and a storyteller sharing a fall festive tale. Kids coming to All-o-ween can dress up in costume, wear orange and black, or come just as they are.
The event is open to clients of Five Counties and their families — both those currently receiving treatment through the centre and those on a wait list for services.
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“We’re all in for All-o-ween to make the scariest night of the year an enjoyable evening for kids of all ages and abilities,” Hayley Hodges, Five Counties’ client and family experience lead, said in a media release.
She noted Five Counties received many positive comments from parents and families of the 250 children who attended the inaugural All-o-ween events last year in Peterborough, Lindsay and Cobourg.
“We want to build on that momentum and feedback to make All-o-ween in 2025 an even better night of fun for participants,” Hodges said
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All-o-ween events run from 4 to 7 p.m. at each of the centre’s main sites, including Tuesday, October 28 at 872 Dutton Road in Peterborough, Wednesday, October 29 at 800 Division Street in Cobourg, and Thursday, October 30 at Five Counties at 9 Russell Street East in Lindsay.
To attend All-o-ween, advance registration is required. Families can book a spot for each event at www.fivecounties.on.ca/alloween or by calling the centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215. Siblings of Five Counties kids are welcome to join the fun as well.
Hodges said All-o-ween fits nicely into the work done by Five Counties staff in supporting children and youth with physical, developmental, and communications needs.
“As a kid, Halloween is one of the best days of the year, so giving every child the opportunity to take part in an event like All-o-ween means fun for everyone.”
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To make Halloween inclusive and accessible for all children in the community, including those with special needs, Five Counties spokesperson Bill Eekhof shared a few tips with kawarthaNOW.
Set up a trick-or-treating station that is accessible and barrier-free for every child to enjoy
For homes with stairs, consider setting up an accessible treat station on the front lawn, driveway, or garage. If all else fails, be creative and use a vehicle’s trunk as a candy stop.
Clear the path for trick-or-treaters
Remove potential obstacles and ensure access to the treat station is wide open and well lit, especially for trick-or-treaters with mobility challenges. Consider parking vehicles on the street or in the garage to create even more space.
Decorate for Halloween with care
While scary and spooky decorations are appealing, they can be frightening for some trick-or-treaters. Bright flashing lights and loud or frightening noises can cause problems for children with sensory processing issues, autism, or epilepsy. Be thoughtful and tactful about decorating so more children can take part in trick-or-treating.
Communication counts
Some children may say “trick or treat” differently. Some may use sign language, assistive technology, speak slowly, or be non-verbal. Be respectful whatever the circumstances. A smile and wave can say so much.
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Seeing blue? That’s OK.
Blue pumpkins have been informally adopted by some families as a way to indicate children have unique ways of behaving and communicating. Adjust interactions as appropriate if a trick-or-treater is carrying a blue pumpkin.
Use some “show and tell” techniques to hand out treats
To accommodate children with visual or hearing problems, describe or hold up the treat before placing it in the bag so they are aware of what they are receiving.
Offer non-candy options
Consider having non-food treats on hand so all kids can enjoy the holiday.
A sign of the times
Those who want to make an even stronger statement can place a sign on their front lawn indicating the home is an accessible and inclusive trick-or-treating stop.
Treat Accessibility is a Toronto-based grassroots organization that offers additional tips to make trick-or-treating more accessible. It also offers people a trick-or-treating sign that can be printed out and posted on Halloween to indicate to kids and families that the home is accessible. For more information, visit www.treataccessibly.com.
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