Two Havelock families have lost everything in a house fire on Sunday (June 19).

The Bohnsack family and the Wight family both lost their homes, possessions, and pets in the fire in a duplex on George Street between William and Mill streets.

Single-parent Holly Bohnsack and her two young daughters Sterling and Lakely were not at home when the fire happened, but their pets were at home and perished. Lois and Steve Wight, the upstairs tenants, were at home at the time of the fire but got out safely.

“Right now my family needs to process and wrap our heads around what has happened,” Holly wrote on the Facebook page for her home-based sugar cookie business April and August, named after the birth months of her daughters. The first destroyed all her baking equipment and supplies.

“Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. I will issue refunds to anyone who I have booked in as I have no idea when I will be able to work again. We literally only have the clothes on our backs at the moment.”

Last August, kawarthaNOW profiled Holly’s business and the challenges she overcame during the pandemic.

A GoFundMe campaign for the Bohnsacks has been set up at gofundme.com/f/tragic-house-fire-help-holly-her-family.

A GoFundMe campaign for the Wights has been set up at gofundme.com/f/fire-takes-everything-help-lois-steve.

In addition, The Cottage clothing and gift store in Havelock is accepting clothing and financial donations for the families. For more information, visit facebook.com/thecottagehavelock.

VIDEO: Holly Bohnsack informs her clients of the fire

This story has been updated to provide information about the two families affected by the fire.

On June 27, Canadians celebrate Canadian Multiculturalism Day, honouring the diverse cultures that make up our home in Canada. Locally in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough, the New Canadians Centre supports over 1,000 clients, from over 100 countries, speaking more than 70 different languages. They each bring with them unique customs, music, dance, food, sports and stories that when put together paint a very beautiful multicultural mosaic of Canada.

Food has an undeniable power to bring people together — whether it’s sitting around a table to share a meal and conversation, learning new cooking styles, or discovering new flavours. With this in mind, the New Canadians Centre in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) invites you to ‘Taste the World at Home’ at the first-ever Canadian Multiculturalism Festival in Peterborough.

From June 20 to July 1, the community is encouraged to participate in the Multicultural Food Crawl by visiting featured downtown restaurants to experience the diverse culinary scene that resides in downtown Peterborough. While you’re at it, pick up a Multicultural Food Passport at participating vendors or at the New Canadians Centre office (221 Romaine St.) and for every $10 you spend, you’ll earn a stamp on your passport. Collect six stamps and you’ll be entered to win a $250 Boro gift card.

Take a stroll downtown on Free Sampling Day on Saturday, June 25th and visit the six featured vendors to try free samples of some of their best dishes from noon to 7 p.m. while supplies last (please see opening times for restaurants below). Locations for the food crawl include: Dirty Burger, Hanoi House, Milk + Tea Shop, Curry Mantra, Real Thai Cuisine, and Levantine Grill.

“Downtown Peterborough is a culinary hotspot for multicultural cuisine in the region,” says Hillary Flood, communications and marketing manager of the Peterborough DBIA. “We are so excited to be partnering with the New Canadians Centre for the Canadian Multiculturalism Festival to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contributions of our international cuisine and newcomer-owned restaurants and how they have shaped our culinary fabric downtown.”

Multicultural Food Crawl Participating Vendors

Dirty Burger

Dirty Burger brings a fresh take on Indian-American fusion to Peterborough’s downtown core. Their menu has everything from fresh and delicious burgers, to items influenced by Chef Om Patel’s Indian/Ugandan Heritage.

Dirty Burger will be offering up samples of their famous samosas, made with a spiced potato and vegetable filling and served up with a spicy mango chutney, on Saturday, June 25th.

Located at 211 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough, Dirty Burger is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Real Thai Cuisine

Real Thai Cuisine owners Sam and Tom want to present their patrons with an authentic Thai dining experience, specializing in Central Thailand cuisine. Their flavourful dishes use fresh ingredients and those imported from Thailand, with rich textures and aromatic qualities presented beautifully for an extraordinary dining experience. Thai cooking uses specific herbs such as lemongrass, kafir lime, galangal, Thai basil and mint.

On the sampling day, Real Thai Cuisine will be serving up samples of their famous crispy chicken wontons, fried to perfection, stuffed with chicken and served with Thai sweet chili sauce.

Located at 415 George Street North in downtown Peterborough, Real Thai Cuisine is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 3:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Hanoi House

Hanoi House offers traditional Vietnamese fare such as pho, vermicelli bowls and rice dishes. Owner Susan has created a place where she can share her passion for Vietnamese food with others. They are focused on quality ingredients with a diverse range of flavours, and include vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.

Hanoi House will be sampling mini versions of their banh mi sandwiches at their downtown location. Banh mi is a classic Vietnamese sandwich made with pickled vegetables, cilantro, cucumber, mayonnaise, pate, Vietnamese sausage and fish sauce.

Located at 213 Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough, Hanoi House is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Milk + Tea Shop

Bubble Tea, also known as Boba, Pearl Milk Tea, or BBT originated in Taiwan and has taken over the world. Milk + Tea Shop is Peterborough’s first dedicated bubble tea location. It is an iced tea but can be served hot, with tapioca pearls, fresh juice loaded with jelly, or as a beverage without pearls.

On June 25, Milk + Tea will be offering up samples of their traditional black milk tea as well as their matcha lemonade.

Located at 360 George Street near Charloote Street in downtown Peterborough, Milk + Tea is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Curry Mantra

Curry Mantra offers up traditional South Indian cuisine. All of their dishes are made from authentic ingredients, some specially imported from the Mangalore where they were first made by their ancestors. Everything is made fresh to order with vivid colour and a beautiful aromatic smell and flavour.

On the sampling day, you can try a delicious sample of their samosa stuffed with potatoes, veggies, and spices, and their veggie pakoras made with shredded potatoes and onions in a chickpea batter and deep fried until crispy.

Located inside Peterborough Square at 360 George Street in downtown Peterborough, Curry Mantra is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Levantine Grill

Taste Syrian delicacies right at home in Peterborough at the Levantine Grill, serving up a variety of Middle Eastern favourites in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu is vast with everything from classic chicken shawarma, to veggie bowls and traditional Mediterranean pies, kebabs, and a large variety of salads and appetizers including hummus and Baba Ghanouj.

On June 25, Levantine will be providing samples of their shawarma and falafel with an assortment of dips and appetizers including hummus, baba ghanouj, muhmmara, eggplant salad, olive salad, tabbouleh, and stuffed grape leaves.

Located at 356 Charlotte Street at Park Street North, Levantine Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

The New Canadians Centre Peterborough will be offering up a variety of activities and events as part of the first-ever Canadian Multiculturalism Festival, both in person and virtually, so people can participate based on their own comfort level.

Alongside the food crawl and sampling event, there will be a “Try It” series including Peruvian flower making, Taekwondo, Ethiopian cooking, Indian spices, and Zumba. There will be a film screening, a discussion panel, book reading, and activities for kids.

Learn more and register for these events at nccpeterborough.ca/multiculturalismfestival.

This story was created in partnership with New Canadians Centre Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.

Parks Canada will be temporarily closing an additional 18 locks along the Trent-Severn Waterway beginning Monday (June 20) due to high water levels and flows.

Lock 1 – Trenton through Lock 18 – Hastings will be closed, and inbound vessel traffic will be advised that entry at Lock 1 – Trenton will be closed until further notice.

The Murray Canal — an eight-kilometre canal linking Lake Ontario with the Bay of Quinte — will also be closed on Monday.

On Wednesday, Parks Canada announced Locks 19 – Scotts Mills and Locks 22 – Nassau through Lock 27 – Young’s Point would be closed to navigation as of Friday.

The only two locks that remain open between Lock 1 – Trenton and Lock 27 – Young’s Point are Lock 20 – Ashburnham and Lock 21 – Peterborough Lift Lock.

According to Parks Canada, over the past 20 days, the Trent-Severn’s watersheds have received significant amounts of precipitation, the equivalent of 100 to 200 per cent more than the normal amount expected for this time.

This partial closure will protect boater safety and help to prevent shoreline erosion and property damage experienced by local residents and businesses.

All boaters are strongly encouraged to lower their speeds and watch their wake. Residents and visitors should exercise extreme caution around and on the water.

Parks Canada says it will reopen individual lock stations in stages as soon as it safe to do so.

The City of Kawartha Lakes is getting a new family doctor this summer.

On Wednesday (June 15), the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative announced Dr. Luke Johnson will begin practising with the Kawartha North Family Health Team at their Fenelon Falls clinic starting in July.

Born in Canada, Dr. Johnson received his medical training in Australia. Since 2016, he has worked as a general practitioner on the Coffs Coast in New South Wales.

He received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Carleton University in 2009, his Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Wollongong in New South Wales in 2013, and his Fellowship Royal Australian College of General Practitioner’s (FRACGP) in 2018.

Dr. Johnson, along with his wife Claire and their two children, will be returning to Canada to settle in Fenelon Falls where their extended family has had a cottage for many years.

With the arrival of Dr. Johnson, the Kawartha North Family Health Team will be accepting additional patients. Those who wish to register as a patient with Dr. Johnson should visit the team’s website at knfht.ca. People who have previously received a registration form can email it to patients@knfht.ca.

The Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative is a non-profit and charitable organization whose mandate is to recruit and retain family doctors for the City of Kawartha Lakes. Recruitment and retention coordinator Cindy Snider worked with Marina Hodson, executive director of the Kawartha North Family Health Team, to recruit Dr. Johnson.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for strong winds across the greater Kawarthas region on Friday (June 17).

The special weather statement is in effect for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Haliburton, and Hasting counties.

Strong winds, with gusts up to 70 km/h, will begin near noon and end late Friday evening.

Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.

Gusty winds can damage soft shelters, tents and awnings at outdoor events.

Isolated power outages possible.

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for Hastings County and a severe thunderstorm watch for the rest of the greater Kawarthas region for Thursday afternoon into early evening (June 16).

Thunderstorms are expected to develop early Thursday afternoon with the potential for quick intensification as they progress eastward.

In Hastings County, a tornado or two will be possible in the afternoon before the threat transitions to primarily wind.

For the rest of the Kawarthas region (Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton), a tornado or two cannot be completely ruled out, but damaging winds and hail will be the primary threats.

For all areas, wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h are possible along with nickel to ping pong ball sized hail.

A tornado is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is recommended you take the following actions:

• Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.
• Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can.
• As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.

Peterborough philanthropists Patricia and David Morton have donated a 133-acre ecologically significant property to Kawartha Land Trust.

The Mortons donated the property to the non-government charitable organization, which is working to protect land in the Kawarthas, in December to ensure its protection from future logging or development.

The new Morton Nature Sanctuary, which is home to at least two species at risk, is densely forested with stands of sugar maple, mature hemlock, and old-growth red and white pines. Throughout the rolling landscape, exposed and fractured granite is visible, and the property’s deep valleys are home to vernal pools that support frogs and salamanders in the region. The property also features a 1.5-kilometre natural and undeveloped lakefront shoreline.

“I think it is especially important to protect our forest for the sake of its sequestering of carbon and tremendous environmental benefits,” said Dr. Patricia Morton, an emeritus professor at Trent University. “And especially for the sake of all of the wonderful habitat, wildlife, and ecosystems that it sustains.”

The Morton Nature Sanctuary is part of the “The Land Between” transitional landscape zone, and almost 60 per cent of the property falls within the Kawarthas Naturally Connected (KNC) natural heritage system.

To ensure the preservation of its sensitive habitats, Kawartha Land Trust is not disclosing the location of the Morton Nature Sanctuary and, at the request of the Mortons, the property will not be open to public access.

“Dr. Patricia Morton and David Morton, through their donation of the 133-acre Morton Nature Sanctuary, have ensured the preserved habitat for species at risk like the eastern ribbonsnake and eastern wood pewee,” said Kawartha Land Trust executive director John Kintare.

“We’re extremely thankful to the Mortons for taking action to secure critical habitat in our region to ensure it is protected for wildlife that might otherwise be lost if the land was developed.”

The Mortons originally discovered the property in the 1970s while paddling near their cottage and fell in love with it. They acquired the property from a real estate company that had originally been planning to develop it.

“I love that the Morton Nature Sanctuary provides habitat for bears and much wildlife, including lynx, deer, and also moose,” Dr. Morton said. “And I love that this property contains hidden, shallow little bays and many wetlands that are such rich habitat and, like the forest, comprise natural carbon sinks that are vital to curbing climate change.”

The property also features a small interior lake, constructed by beavers by damming a creek. The Mortons have called the lake “Walden’s Pond,” after 19th-century American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau, who spent over two years in a cabin he built near Walden Pond on a property owned by his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson, near Concord, Massachusetts. This resulted in Thoreau’s book Walden; or, Life in the Woods, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings.

“We’ve known of Kawartha Land Trust and have long appreciated its work in other areas of the Kawarthas,” she added of the couple’s decision to donate the property to the organization. “We have thus seen the trust that other large landholders place in it. We have also seen the planning and careful and caring protection it provides to the lands donated to it, and the diversity of these lands which in some cases are accessible to the public and in other cases, like ours, are not. We thus feel entirely able and very happy to entrust our beloved land to the protection of KLT.”

“We are not really losing the land by giving the property away,” Dr. Morton said. “Instead we are largely losing our worries about its future, by donating it to KLT as a nature sanctuary, to be forever protected and preserved, in perpetuity.”

Kawartha Land Trust now protects 27 properties comprising 4,800 acres, providing additional safe havens for wildlife in the Kawarthas and securing important ecological landscapes help combat climate change.

For more information about Kawartha Land Trust, visit kawarthalandtrust.org.