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Concerned parents in Peterborough launch grassroots advocacy group to ‘protect public services’

Our Future Peterborough has been raising awareness and spreading a petition to fight against the staffing cuts being made at the Peterborough Public Library. The new grassroots organization was founded by three local parents in the interest of protecting public services in the city, especially for families with children. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)

Three local parents have launched Our Future Peterborough, a grassroots advocacy group to “protect the public services and community infrastructure of Peterborough.”

“We’re seeing a climate where things, particularly things around kids and families, are getting underfunded and cut,” says co-founder Laurel Harris. “We realized that as we build up this infrastructure, we build up these connections, and we bring it all together, this could be a really useful response to not only one issue, but any future threats to public service and to resources for family and kids that we might see happening in our community.”

Harris, along with Hilary Evans and Sheetal Rawal, formed Our Future Peterborough after learning about the staffing reorganization at the Peterborough Public Library that was approved by Peterborough city council as part of the city’s 2025 budget.

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During budget deliberations, councillors approved the elimination of two positions at the library and the reclassification of some positions to lower-rated positions, saving the city $120,000.

Library management subsequently determined it would lay off three of the library’s four full-time unionized librarians, including the children’s librarian. Two new positions (an outreach coordinator and a programming assistant position) would be created, resulting in a net reduction of one position.

Harris explains that while the parents have been “paying attention” to various concerns and threats to public service, the restructuring of the library — and in particular, the elimination of the children’s librarian — was the “spark” that led to the founding of Our Future Peterborough.

“Of course they’re going to have reduced programming,” Harris says. “You can’t expect to cut the number of people who are offering and designing these programs, particularly with these levels of expertise, without that.”

In its first initiative as a grassroots organization, Our Future Peterborough joined the May 15, 2025 rally outside the Peterborough Public Library to protest the facility's recently publicized restructuring and staffing cuts. The cuts will see three librarians, including the children's librarian, laid off to save $120,000 from the city's annual budget. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)
In its first initiative as a grassroots organization, Our Future Peterborough joined the May 15, 2025 rally outside the Peterborough Public Library to protest the facility’s recently publicized restructuring and staffing cuts. The cuts will see three librarians, including the children’s librarian, laid off to save $120,000 from the city’s annual budget. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)

For Harris, the potential cuts to the programs are personal as that’s where she and her home-schooled six-year-old son connect with other families. The Homeschool Hangout monthly program connects children through games, arts and crafts, activities, and special guest speakers, and, according to Harris, the last one she attended had about 35 participants.

“It’s such a vital social space — it’s a space where we’ve been able to connect with other kids, and with other families,” she says. “I certainly have so many deeply valued memories of being in the library as a kid and being in this magical creative space where I discovered all these new ideas and these new things in my mind felt expanded. The idea of closing in on that or taking that away from kids feels outrageous. It feels too far.”

Before officially establishing Our Future Peterborough, the founders launched an online petition calling to stop the cuts, which, at the time of this writing, has just over 2,200 signatures.

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Launched on April 16, the petition demands “that City Council, the Peterborough Public Library CEO, and the Peterborough Public Library Board reverse the planned layoffs and stop the elimination of the Children’s Librarian role.”

“We really strongly believe that a city that is invested in and cares about its future and thinks about its future is one that is going to be cognizant of investing in and prioritizing programs for children,” says Harris.

“More and more, we just see that’s not happening and that these things are getting cut — and they’re getting cut quietly and without public consultation, which is certainly the case here. We also see that in the context of a broader political moment where we have to ask, especially as parents, how collectively do we care about our future?”

A sidewalk message about the importance of public libraries during a May 15, 2025 rally outside the Peterborough Public Library to protest the facility's recently publicized restructuring and staffing cuts. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)
A sidewalk message about the importance of public libraries during a May 15, 2025 rally outside the Peterborough Public Library to protest the facility’s recently publicized restructuring and staffing cuts. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)

Expanding on the “broader political moment,” Harris points south of the border where the Trump administration is cutting funding to libraries and museums, which she says symbolizes the “intentional dumbing down of the public.”

“Putting books into the hands of kids is such an important thing, especially in this moment where the digital stuff takes over so much,” she says. “Not that that’s a bad thing, but we need to have it balanced with books where they can see their identity reflected back at them, where they can have access to these stories, or they can learn things like critical thinking.”

“It sounds maybe a bit overstated, but it feels like a revolutionary act sometimes to put books in the hand of kids. It feels like pushing back. It feels like we’re resisting.”

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Our Future Peterborough was at the May 15 rally outside of the library and, Harris says, will support more protests and events with rally organizer Marjorie McDonald and with CUPE 1833, which represents the librarians.

Harris says the aim is to collect a group of children’s authors and people who support open libraries to “see if that can put a little extra pressure on council.”

“There’s such a real, immediate effect, and this is not a nebulous political issue,” she says. “This is going to affect so many people day-to-day in a very real way. I get the sense sometimes that people who don’t really access the library or use these programs don’t understand how important they are to a lot of people, and so we’re sending that message home — particularly to the decision makers.”

One of Our Future Peterborough's flyers taped to a light pole in front of Peterborough City Hall. Fighting against the restructuring and job elimination at the Peterborough Public Library is the "spark" that encouraged three Peterborough parents to form the grassroots organization committed to protecting the city's public services for children and families. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)
One of Our Future Peterborough’s flyers taped to a light pole in front of Peterborough City Hall. Fighting against the restructuring and job elimination at the Peterborough Public Library is the “spark” that encouraged three Peterborough parents to form the grassroots organization committed to protecting the city’s public services for children and families. (Photo courtesy of Our Future Peterborough)

During the city’s draft 2025 budget process, all city departments were asked to provide options to reduce operating expenses to lower a potential property tax increase. Management at the Peterborough Public Library provided the options of reducing operating hours by four hours per week for $70,000 in savings (noting that this option would likely result in layoffs of unionized staff and fewer shifts for part-time staff) or eliminating two positions for $120,000 in savings.

Though council’s public deliberations on reducing library staffing were made from November to February, when council approved the 2025 budget, other proposed reductions — including a proposed 25 per cent cut to all city-funded arts and community organizations — received all the attention.

Harris notes there was no public outreach or consultation about the proposed cuts to the library and their impact before city council made its decision.

“The public are stakeholders in this,” she says. “We’re the ones going to feel the effects of it, so that’s really what we’re demanding now: a formal public consultation on this, some kind of public meeting so the public’s stake in this can be expressed and heard by council.”

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While fighting the library staff restructuring is the first battle, Harris says this is only the beginning of Our Future Peterborough, as the organization will be working towards the betterment of the future for families and children in other areas like childcare.

“We also just want to have this infrastructure ready and available to just launch,” she says. “As part of our mandate, families and children are our main focus and families and children rely on lots of different public services in our city.”

For more information about Our Future Peterborough, visit ourfutureptbo.org.

Sold-out fundraising run founded by Peterborough ER doctor with rare bile duct cancer raises more than nine times its goal

Peterborough Regional Health Centre emergency physician Dr. Terry May (centre) and his wife Chris Ferguson (far left) and their children participating in a five-kilometre run in December 2024. (Photo courtesy of the May Family)

An inaugural fundraising run founded by a Peterborough hospital emergency room physician with a rare form of bile duct cancer has sold out with 400 participants and has raised well over $90,000 — more than nine times its initial fundraising goal — in support of research into cholangiocarcinoma.

Dr. Terry May, who was initially diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma in the summer of 2024, is currently receiving chemotherapy at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

In response to his diagnosis, Dr. May has founded a five-kilometre run called “Dr. May’s Vile Bile 5K” to help improve access to testing for others, in addition to raising money for research.

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With his run only days away on Sunday (June 1) at Lakefield’s Isabel Morris Park, the physician says he has been blown away by the support from the community.

“We are grateful and deeply touched by how the community has come together to support this event,” May told kawarthaNOW. “We never dreamed that so many would sign up to participate and that donations would reach the level that they have.”

May and his supporters aimed to raise $10,000 for the cause, but exceeded that goal by more than eight times, raising almost $94,000 to date. The run has sold out and now has 400 participants and more than 60 volunteers.

All money raised will be donated to the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative (C3) via the Canadian Cancer Society. The donations will be used to support a number of C3 research programs and help patients access molecular testing.

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“We are excited for Sunday to see friends, family, colleagues and community joined together enjoying the day,” said Dr. May. “Hopefully we can raise awareness for this rare cancer and support C3 in bringing hope to others living with cholangiocarcinoma.”

Dr. May will be running with bib 1 and his wife, Chris Ferguson, will be running with bib 2.

Dr. May’s health concerns began in early 2024, when he knew “something wasn’t quite right,” a media release noted. An avid runner who had completed marathons, an ultramarathon, and an Ironman Canada triathlon, he was experiencing a newfound fatigue during his regular runs. It was the first indicator that something was wrong.

He received the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in August 2024. Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare but deadly form of cancer affecting the bile duct, which often goes unnoticed in patients until it is at an advanced state.

Dr. Terry May after his Ironman Canada triathlon in 2010. (Photo courtesy of the May Family)
Dr. Terry May after his Ironman Canada triathlon in 2010. (Photo courtesy of the May Family)

“Running has always been an important part of Dr. May’s life, helping maintain his physical and mental health,” reads the media release. “It only seemed fitting that he would organize a run/walk in his hometown of Lakefield to bring awareness to cholangiocarcinoma and to raise funds for research on this rare form of cancer.”

Dr. May started the run with his wife and his friend Todd Harris, who is serving as the race director.

“I know I am very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing and caring colleagues, friends, and, of course, family who have made this difficult journey as easy as it possibly could be,” shared Dr. May in a statement. “I have such gratitude for the support we have received for this race. It has been overwhelming.”

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Biliary tract cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, affect less than 1,000 Canadians annually. They are diagnosed late, with less than 25 per cent of patients being progression-free at 12 months on first-line therapy.

“There is hope in emerging targeted therapies for second-line treatment, which have encouraging results in clinical studies,” said Dr. Leonard Angka, C3 program manager in the release. “Unfortunately, access to these therapies, and to the molecular testing to inform their use, remains limited in Canada.”

C3 is a network of more than 150 physicians/researchers and 200-plus patient members across Canada, formed “to grow hope for this rare and devastating cancer.” C3’s mission is to improve care through access to innovative therapies and research opportunities.

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While the event is at capacity, community members can still make a donation to support cholangiocarcinoma research at raceroster.com/events/2025/102892/dr-mays-vile-bile-5k.

According to race director Todd Harris, Dr. May “has never been one for the spotlight, but finding a way to turn his diagnosis into an opportunity to help the C3 mission makes sense to all that know him, and the amazing response to this new event speaks to his place in the heart of our community.”

The run is sponsored by Agile Bear, OG7GES, Rebekah LittleJohn Photography, Sisabakwat Beading, and Nish Tees.

Cause for applause: accreditation is a seal of approval for the work of Five Counties Children’s Centre

Five Counties Children's Centre clinical services director Darlene Callan and executive assistant Brandi Williamson-Meletiou display the three-year accreditation plaque from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). In 1985, Five Counties was the very first children's treatment centre in Ontario to be accredited by the independent non-profit accreditor of health and human resources, and it has maintained its accreditation ever since. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)

“It’s incredible to feel the passion of everyone. You are an amazing organization.”

On its own, this remark is very flattering for Five Counties Children’s Centre. But coming as it did from one of the surveyors on the closing day of our accreditation process last November, it’s extra meaningful.

That’s because the accreditation review of Five Counties being done by three accreditors with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) was done entirely virtually over two days last fall. The accreditor who made the comment about the passion at Five Counties picked up on this, even though she was sitting at her home in Maine during the review process!

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It appears the positive vibes that flow from our Centre are evident even half a continent away.

Earlier this year, Five Counties learned that it had successfully earned another three-year accreditation through CARF. Accreditation — a sort of “seal of approval” for our families — is not given lightly and follows a rigorous review process.

CARF’s mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services at the organizations it accredits.

An independent, non-profit accreditor of health and human resources founded in 1966, CARF does this through a consultative review process and continuous improvement approach, ensuring an organization being reviewed is laser focused on enhancing the lives of the people it serves.

As part of its accreditation process with Five Counties, accreditors with the the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) reviewed the centre's policies and procedures, interviewed staff and volunteers, spoke to clients and parents, conversed with community partners, and posed questions for the board of directors. Five Counties had a 99.3 per cent compliance rate with CARF's 2,150 standards. (Graphic: Five Counties Children's Centre)
As part of its accreditation process with Five Counties, accreditors with the the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) reviewed the centre’s policies and procedures, interviewed staff and volunteers, spoke to clients and parents, conversed with community partners, and posed questions for the board of directors. Five Counties had a 99.3 per cent compliance rate with CARF’s 2,150 standards. (Graphic: Five Counties Children’s Centre)

As part of its accreditation process with Five Counties, CARF accreditors reviewed the centre’s policies and procedures, interviewed staff and volunteers, spoke to clients and parents, conversed with our community partners, and posed questions for our board of directors.

Along with that, CARF also has approximately 2,150 standards upon which it rates an organization going through accreditation.

Five Counties began preparing for the CARF accreditation months before. And while it’s lots of work, accreditation is valuable in seeing how Five Counties measures up. In this case, we scored a resounding 99.3 per cent compliance rate with CARF’s standards, only being cited to improve upon in about a dozen or so minor areas.

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We’re not perfect. We can always improve. And that’s why Five Counties chooses to go through the intensive accreditation process with an independent third party every three years.

Accreditation is not required, but it does show that Five Counties is committed to continually improve what we do and how we serve families. In fact, Five Counties was the very first children’s treatment centre in Ontario to be accredited! That was back in 1985, and we’ve maintained accreditation ever since.

CARF accreditation recognizes Five Counties for excellence in service delivery, client satisfaction, innovative programs, and community involvement. While the CARF accreditation plaque hanging on the wall in our centre site may not look like much, there is a lot behind it.

Accreditation is an endorsement that what Five Counties does to serve and support families continues to meet high standards. Our kids and families deserve no less!

Rotary Club of Peterborough awards $11,000 to five local environmental innovators

The 2025 winners of the Rotary Club of Peterborough's Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) awards celebrate at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre on May 26, 2025: Norm Lamothe of Woodleigh Farms, Hayley Goodchild of Peterborough GreenUp, Steve Paul of Second Nature Studio, Anna Lee and Elliott Groen of Kawartha Land Trust with Justin Sutton of the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (on behalf of Kieran Andrews of Wild Rock Outfitters), and Eduard Yonathan of SanoStrategy Corporation. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)

For the third year in a row, the Rotary Club of Peterborough is rewarding environmental innovators with financial support for local projects through the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF).

During its regular meeting on Monday afternoon (May 26) at McDonnel Street Activity Centre, Rotary announced it is awarding a total of $11,000 to five innovative local environmental projects that range from transforming unrecyclable waste plastic into new items to testing new wind turbine technology.

Rotary launched REIF in late 2022 with a goal to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and remediation by supporting new environmental initiatives in the Peterborough area.

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Since then, the fund has awarded more than $30,000 for projects in the areas of biodiversity, water and wastewater technologies, climate change, sustainable living, pollution, waster disposal, and more.

Applications for REIF funds are judged based on how they might impact the local climate and environment, how innovative the project is compared to existing solutions, the practicality of the project, expected benefits, and how the funds would be used.

This year, three projects were awarded $3,000 each for their innovative approach and high potential for impact, and two projects received runner-up awards of $1,000 each in recognition of innovation, strong community roots, and environmental promise.

Eduard Yonathan of SanoStrategy Corporation with information about his company's wind turbine design, which is constructed out of sustainable materials and has a minimal environment footprint and wild-life friendly operation. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)
Eduard Yonathan of SanoStrategy Corporation with information about his company’s wind turbine design, which is constructed out of sustainable materials and has a minimal environment footprint and wild-life friendly operation. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)

Wild Rock Outfitters and Kawartha Land Trust received $3,000 for their Native Plant Horticulture for Invasive Species Control project, which will target invasive dog-strangling vine and aim to establish native plant alternatives with horticultural or agricultural uses to restore local ecosystems and support monarch butterfly habitats.

Kawartha Land Trust is one of the beneficiaries of the ComPassion Project, initiated by Wild Rock Outfitters co-founder Kieran Andrews with support from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.

Woodleigh Farms in Cavan received $3,000 for its Catching Carbon project, in which waste wood is transformed into carbon-sequestering biochar, which can be used to improve soil quality and reduce the need for fertilizer.

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SanoStrategy Corporation received $3,000 for its Clean Energy Generation project, which will test the company’s new wind turbine technology with the goal of providing clean, efficient, and accessible wind energy to farmers and remote communities.

GreenUP received $1,000 for its Taproots for Tomorrow project, which will create air prune bed prototypes — a raised planting bed with a mesh bottom that is elevated off the ground — to grow native trees and shrubs with long taproots, such as hickories and pawpaws.

Clean Up Peterborough founder Steve Paul received $1,000 for his Second Nature Studio project, a grassroots microfacility that would conduct research and development to transform local polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene plastic waste, which is generally not recycled, into creative durable goods while also offering sustainability education and community empowerment. The REIF grant will be used to purchase the project’s first plastic shredder.

Clean Up Peterborough founder Steve Paul's Second Nature Studio intends to transform #2 and #5 plastics, which usually aren't recycled, into functional community-made products. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)
Clean Up Peterborough founder Steve Paul’s Second Nature Studio intends to transform #2 and #5 plastics, which usually aren’t recycled, into functional community-made products. (Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Peterborough)

As it dismantles homeless encampment, City of Peterborough opens temporary shelter in Morrow Building

Home to the Peterborough Farmers' Market every Saturday, the Morrow Building is located at the south end of the Peterborough Memorial Centre off Lansdowne Street West. (Photo: Google Maps)

The City of Peterborough has once again opened a temporary homeless shelter in the Morrow Building as it conducts evictions at homeless encampments.

On Tuesday (May 27), the city announced a temporary 30-bed shelter for people experiencing homelessness would be open nightly from 9:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m at the Morrow Building, located at the south end of the Peterborough Memorial Centre off Lansdowne Street West, from Monday until Friday.

“It will supplement the traditional shelter network that includes 40 beds for men at Brock Mission, 12 beds for women at Cameron House, 30 beds for youth and families at YES emergency shelter, as well as the homelessness services program that includes an overnight drop-in program for 45 people at Trinity Community Centre,” the city states in a media release.

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This is not the first time the city has used the Morrow Building as a temporary shelter, having done so previously in July 2024 and most recently this past March. On both previous occasions, the use of the temporary shelter coincided with evictions at homeless encampments across Peterborough.

The Peterborough Examiner is reporting that, on Tuesday morning, the city began dismantling a homeless encampment with more than a dozen tents in a park next to Rubidge and McDonnel streets. According to the report, residents of the encampment received eviction notices on Monday afternoon.

“People experiencing homelessness who contact emergency shelters or social services to access shelter beds may be referred to the temporary shelter if beds are not available in the regular shelter network,” the city’s media release states.

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kawarthaNOW reached out by email to councillors Keith Riel and Alex Bierk, co-chairs of the city’s homelessness portfolio, as well as councillor and deputy mayor Joy Lachica

Councillor Riel replied that councillors were not informed of the evictions until after the fact.

“We need to find solutions not evictions,” he added.

Councillor Bierk said “Councillor Riel and I have been left out of strategizing around these enforcement-driven actions,” before commenting on the encampment itself.

“What I saw today at the encampment was that there were piles and piles of people’s belongings, pushed to the boundary of the park and everyone was just congregating there — those piles remain this evening.”

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Councillor Bierk also expressed skepticism about whether clearing encampments while offering a temporary shelter for displaced residents is an effective solution.

“My assumption is that once the temporary shelter is closed, people will eventually start setting up in the park again, and this whole song and dance effort will not amount to much — either to make the situation better for those that are unhoused, or for those living near the encampment.”

For her part, councillor and deputy mayor Lachica said she was in meetings throughout the day, and only became aware of the situation through the media and the city’s media release about opening the temporary shelter.

“With this continuous 30-bed shortage, there is need for the city to provide supplemental shelter and support services based on the Housing First model which we endorsed as a council, and which informed the Wolfe Street project,” she said.

“Our social infrastructure is as dynamic as our physical infrastructure. It’s our responsibility to address both, for whole community safety and wellbeing.”

 

The original version of this story has been updated with comments from the city councillors.

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook grows Canadian-made plays, local talent, and regional tourism

On the outdoor barnyard stage of the picturesque Winslow Farm in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, Millbrook's 4th Line Theatre develops and stages original Canadian plays, written by and about Canadians, that chronicle and explore the region's cultural heritage. Attracting more than 17,000 people each summer, the not-for-profit outdoor theatre company has a $4 million impact on the local economy each season, working with more than 50 local businesses, food purveyors, and partners. (Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre)

While agriculture plays a crucial role in Peterborough County’s economy, the Winslow Farm has grown a different type of crop for more than three decades — one that draws more than 17,000 people each summer to the picturesque Millbrook farm.

Now in its 33rd season, 4th Line Theatre has been bringing Canadian history to life on its outdoor stage since 1992.

Under the artistic direction of founder Robert Winslow until 2014, when his long-time collaborator Kim Blackwell took on the role, the not-for-profit organization presents original Canadian plays, written by and about Canadians, that chronicle and explore the region’s cultural heritage. All of this is done on the outdoor barnyard stage of the rustic fifth-generation family farm in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, one of eight townships in Peterborough County.

4th Line Theatre stages two epic historical plays each summer, often telling little-known stories of the people who settled, lived, and worked in Peterborough County’s rural small towns. In 2025, the theatre company will present two world premieres in July and August written by local playwrights. Robert Winslow and Ian McLachlan’s The Housekeeper follows a mysterious woman with progressive views who arrives in Millbrook in 1955 and becomes the housekeeper of a widowed farmer, and Megan Murphy’s Wild Irish Geese depicts the 1825 journey of thousands of Irish settlers to the Peterborough region.

Each summer, 4th Line Theatre employs around 40 people and offers volunteer opportunities to more than 100 local residents. Throughout the year, the company also serves as an incubator for the theatre industry by offering its Emerging Voices Program to help youth explore a career in the arts and its New Play Development Program to help playwrights develop new theatrical projects, as well as administering the Ontario Arts Council’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators program that provides grants for new works.

Kim Blackwell (left) is the award-winning artistic director of 4th Line Theatre, a not-for-profit outdoor theatre company that stages original Canadian plays on a barnyard stage on a Millbrook farm owned by Robert Winslow (right), who founded 4th Line Theatre in 1992 and has written or co-written 18 plays and also starred in and directed many productions. (Photos courtesy of 4th Line Theatre)
Kim Blackwell (left) is the award-winning artistic director of 4th Line Theatre, a not-for-profit outdoor theatre company that stages original Canadian plays on a barnyard stage on a Millbrook farm owned by Robert Winslow (right), who founded 4th Line Theatre in 1992 and has written or co-written 18 plays and also starred in and directed many productions. (Photos courtesy of 4th Line Theatre)

But it’s not just Canadian talent that is grown on the Winslow Farm, as the theatre company has an economic impact of approximately $4 million each season. 4th Line Theatre works with partnering businesses to offer packages of accommodations, entertainment, and hospitality to patrons coming from out of town for extended stays in The Kawarthas.

Audiences can get a taste of these offerings while attending a production at the Winslow Farm, as 4th Line Theatre sources from local purveyors to provide food and beverage options at the farm, like charcuterie snack boxes courtesy of Peterborough’s Elegant Edged Catering. Other food vendors include Millbrook’s Weenie Land and Vadney’s Island Spot and Peterborough’s The Good Baker. The venue exclusively serves beer from Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. and cider from Baltimore’s Rice Lake Hard Cider.

A list of dining options available at the Winslow Farm, along with dining and take-out options in Millbrook and the surrounding area (including Millbrook Mercantile, Mitchel’s Cake & Chocolate Co., Moody’s Bar & Grill, The Peddler, Springville Tap & Grill, Doo Doo’s Bakery, and more) is available at www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca/local-dining-and-take-out.

These are only some of the more than 50 local businesses and organizations that 4th Line Theatre partners with to make such a vital cultural and economic impact in Peterborough County. Included in that number are long-standing sponsorship support from local businesses including Nexicom, EXIT Realty Liftlock, Grady’s Feet Essentials, Miskin Law, and many more.

Over several years, 4th Line Theatre has also developed a close relationship with Peterborough’s Trent University, gaining discounted billeting access at the Catharine Parr Traill College. Showing the love back, the theatre company was a partner in the establishment of the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College in downtown Peterborough, demonstrating 4th Line Theatre’s steadfast contribution to arts and culture in Peterborough County at large.

For more information, visit www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca or follow 4th Line Theatre on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.

Peterborough County logo.

As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.

Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.

For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.

Lakefield Animal Welfare Society to host ‘Doggie Dash’ fundraiser on June 7

The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) is inviting animal lovers to join the "Doggie Dash," a community dog walk through Lakefield on June 7, 2025 to raise essential funds for the non-profit shelter. Participants can sign up to raise money as an individual or in teams, join the 1.5 or 2.5 kilometre walk, and enjoy a lively post-walk social at Selwyn's Isabel Morris Park, which will include local vendos, pet-friendly shopping, and live music from singer-songwriter Sean Hully. (Photo courtesy of LAWS)

On Saturday, June 7, you can take your dog on a leisurely walk, get your steps in, listen to good music, and have a chance to win some great prizes — all while supporting vulnerable animals in the community.

The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) will be hosting its second annual “Doggie Dash,” a community dog walk at Isabel Morris Park in Selwyn that will raise essential operational funds for the shelter.

Participants will have the option of joining the 1.5 or 2.5 kilometre walk around the town, beginning at 1 p.m., with registration opening at 12 p.m. The walk will be followed by a social in the park featuring live music, local food and retail vendors, and lots of prizes.

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“Last year was great and this year it’s going to be even better,” says Lyndsay Lisson-De Ell, director of operations at LAWS. “We’re really looking forward to more vendors, more food trucks, more participants, and just getting the community out and celebrating the amazing work that people do here.”

With just a handful of paid staff, LAWS has relied on the kindness of the community to run the small non-profit organization for more than 30 years. The no-kill shelter has capacity for about 50 cats and seven dogs and works with experienced volunteers to foster the pets until the shelter can find homes for even the difficult-to-place animals without government funding.

“(The community) funds everything from food, vaccines, spay/neuter, community education programs — because we’ve been in schools this year talking about responsible, respectful pet ownership — and supplies for our fosters,” Lisson-De Ell says. “Everything that the animals needs while in our care comes from community donations, so this event funds everything that happens for these guys for the rest of the year.”

Lyndsay Lisson-De Ell was appointed the director of operations at the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) in November 2024 after holding several roles at LAWS, including adoption and shelter coordinator and volunteer coordinator, over the previous two years. With an increase in animals being surrendered due to rising living costs, Lisson-De Ell says the shelter is often at capacity and has a waitlist. (Photo courtesy of LAWS)
Lyndsay Lisson-De Ell was appointed the director of operations at the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS) in November 2024 after holding several roles at LAWS, including adoption and shelter coordinator and volunteer coordinator, over the previous two years. With an increase in animals being surrendered due to rising living costs, Lisson-De Ell says the shelter is often at capacity and has a waitlist. (Photo courtesy of LAWS)

First held in 2024, the Doggie Dash is one of the largest fundraisers the shelter hosts and it has become even more crucial with the recent increase of animals being surrendered. Lisson-De Ell says LAWS is frequently at capacity.

“I think because of the pandemic and because of the economic climate right now, it’s tough out there for people,” she explains. “Veterinary care is tough and it’s hard to access for a lot of folks for various reasons and food is expensive too. We are seeing a huge rise in animals being surrendered due to people being unhoused or under housed, so we are almost always full, and we almost always have a waitlist.”

She adds that the rising living costs also affect the amount of donations, both financial and food, LAWS has received in recent years.

“We do our best,” she says. “We don’t take in animals we don’t have space for so we can only function within the space that we have, but there’s a relentless demand for our services.”

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With fewer community members being able to support their own pets, there has been an increase in interest and participation from volunteers fosters, which helps the shelter take in more animals.

“It’s a great way for people to spend time with animals when maybe they can’t take on an animal long term,” she says. “We provide food and supplies for all our fosters, so they just have to give their love, their homes, and their care, which is just the most important thing, and we provide the rest.”

Given the rising demand of services, LAWS is aiming to raise $15,000 — nearly double the $8,000 raised last year — through this year’s Doggie Dash.

The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS), a small non-profit and no-kill shelter that is run strictly on donations, memberships, and adoption fees, is aiming to raise $15,000 through the Doggie Dash fundraising event, which will have animal lovers walking through Lakefield on June 7, 2025. The funds will support the shelter's veterinary and food costs and provide supplies to the volunteer fosters who care for the animals at a time when pets are continuing to be surrendered at an increasing rate. (Photo courtesy of LAWS)
The Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (LAWS), a small non-profit and no-kill shelter that is run strictly on donations, memberships, and adoption fees, is aiming to raise $15,000 through the Doggie Dash fundraising event, which will have animal lovers walking through Lakefield on June 7, 2025. The funds will support the shelter’s veterinary and food costs and provide supplies to the volunteer fosters who care for the animals at a time when pets are continuing to be surrendered at an increasing rate. (Photo courtesy of LAWS)

Participants can sign up to walk and raise funds individually or they can sign up as a team with co-workers, friends, or family. To join the walk, each participant must raise a minimum of $100.

Lisson-De Ell is encouraging friendly competition between teams, and notes that participants do not need to have a dog with them to participate.

“It’s a great way to get community together,” she says. “Lakefield is such an amazing community, and I think we get forgotten about sometimes. So it’s nice to get the community walking through local businesses (and) draw attention to what Lakefield has to offer. People bringing their dogs and being able to have an animal-human friendly event is the best.”

After the walks through Lakefield, participants can return to the park where there will be live music from Peterborough vocalist, guitarist, and woodwind player Sean Hully. They will also be able to get tasty treats — for both humans and furry companions — and shop from vendors including Ghost Taco, The Vine, The Doggery, Costco, Dog E Den, Precious Paws Pet Services, and many more.

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Between a silent auction, registration prizes, and prizes for teams who raise the most money, there will be no shortage of opportunities for great gifts including Blue Jays tickets, golf passes, and gift cards or other prizes from Asta Hairstyling School, Jesse’s Tap and Grill, 100 Acre Brewing Company, The Grape and Wedge, Pizza Alloro, Primrose Cottage Kawartha, Penny and Pip, and many more.

“It’s a really great way for community to all come together for an amazing cause, so we’re really looking forward to just seeing everyone there and enjoying an amazing afternoon celebrating animals,” Lisson-De Ell says. “I can’t imagine a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than hanging out, eating good food, and being with my dog.”

To register for or donate to the Doggie Dash, visit www.lakefieldanimalwelfare.org/doggiedash.

City of Peterborough decides to host a traditional Canada Day parade after all

A float in the Canada Day parade in Peterborough in 2010. (Photo: Peterborough Canada Day Parade / Facebook)

There will be a Canada Day parade in the City of Peterborough after all this year.

On May 14, the city had announced the traditional parade would be replaced by a “community procession” departing from City Hall at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 and proceeding to Millennium Park for a full afternoon of family-friendly festivities.

“The community procession is an inclusive and informal walk open to individuals, families, and local organizations who wish to walk, bike, or roll from City Hall to the park together,” a media release stated. “Please note that this is not a traditional parade and no motorized vehicles or large floats are permitted.”

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On Monday (May 26), the city issued a media release stating that it “heard the feedback over the last week on the plans for this year’s parade and has updated the plans to once again include vehicles in the parade.”

While people are still invited to “Roll, Stroll and Celebrate” by joining the parade, floats on motorized vehicles will exit the parade at Water Street.

Parade participants who are walking, cycling, or rolling will then continue on to Millennium Park for a full afternoon of music, performances, food, cultural activities, and family programming from noon until 6 p.m., with a fireworks display over Little Lake following the city-sponsored Peterborough Musicfest concert featuring retro rock tribute band Neon Nostalgic at 8 p.m. in Del Crary Park.

Parade participants, including floats, need to register by the end of day on Sunday, June 8 by choosing the Performer/Participant form at peterborough.ca/canadaday. The previous deadline of May 30 has been extended.

‘Murdoch Mysteries’ returning to shoot in downtown Cobourg on May 26 to 27

A scene for the 18th season of "Murdoch Mysteries" being filmed at 181 Perry Street in Cobourg on September 11, 2024. The production company is returning to Cobourg on May 26 and 27, 2025 to film scenes for the 19th season of the popular mystery drama series. (Photo: Experience Cobourg / Facebook)

Shaftesbury, the production company for Murdoch Mysteries, is back in downtown Cobourg on Monday and Tuesday (May 26 and 27) to film scenes for the 19th season of the popular mystery drama series.

Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson as William Murdoch, a police detective working in Toronto in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series is based on characters from the Detective Murdoch novels by British-Canadian writer Maureen Jennings and has a devoted international fan base.

Cobourg has been a popular location for filming of scenes for previous seasons of Murdoch Mysteries, especially Victoria Hall, which was built in the mid-19th century.

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Earlier in May, scenes were filmed over four days at a private residence in Grafton, and a special episode will be filmed in Ottawa in July.

In Cobourg, filming will take place from around 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday outside of Prep Food Company at 7 King Street West and the entrance to the First Street alleyway.

For the entire day on Tuesday, filming will take place at various locations in Cobourg: the south side of King Street West near Brocanier’s Menswear and The Grubby Barber Shop, the north and south sides of King Street East (including from Nessie’s British Shop to MacCoubrey Funeral Home Ltd. and for several hours on the porch at James W. Gordon Insurance), and at 142 King Street East.

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Production vehicles will be parked in a section of the Second Street Lot and the Albert Street Lot, and horses and wagons will be parked on Second Street.

Cobourg police will be working directly with the production company to ensure safety and to provide intermittent traffic control. There will be no full road closures during the filming.

Season 19 of Murdoch Mysteries is scheduled to air this fall.

Innovation Cluster launches new program to help skilled tradespeople transition from employees to business owners

Recognizing skilled trades are currently among the most in-demand jobs in Ontario, the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is offering a new program to help skills tradespeople transition from employees to business owners.

Called BuildUP, the business accelerator program is specifically designed to help workers in the skilled trades — welders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and more — who want to become their own boss.

Provided at no cost to accepted participants, BuildUP’s eight-week cohort program aims to equip journeypersons, upper-year apprentices, and experienced tradespeople in Ontario with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to launch and manage a business.

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“The Innovation Cluster’s BuildUP program is directly targeted at helping skilled tradespeople fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations and succeed,” Innovation Cluster board vice-chair Christine Crandell told kawarthaNOW. “Their success translates into economic growth and more jobs within the region.”

For the first year of the program, the Innovation Cluster is offering two cohorts of 20 participants each in the summer and fall, with the first cohort beginning on Tuesday, June 24. Applications for the first cohort are due by Monday, June 15.

Led by industry experts and successful trades business owners, the program’s curriculum covers setting up a business, tax basics, finding financing, customer service and reputation management, and hiring. Participants will meet once a week for two hours in the evening, both hybrid and in person at the Innovation Cluster’s offices in downtown Peterborough.

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“The Innovation Cluster’s BuildUP program will provide much needed support for skilled tradespeople in Peterborough,” said Rebecca Schillemat, executive officer of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association, in a media release. “While many tradespeople excel in their craft, they often lack the foundational knowledge needed to launch and sustain a successful business.”

To support BuildUP participants with one-on-one mentorship, Innovation Cluster has expanded its Experts in Residence program to include Trades Experts in Residence: Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty (real estate development), Grant Conrad of WorkforceWins (human resources health and safety), Craig Mortlock of Mortlock Construction (general contracting), Hayden Mumford of Sparkies Electric (transitioning to owner from employee), and Madeleine Hurrell (small business financing and cash flow).

Upon completing the BuildUP program, participants will receive a certificate and a digital badge and will be prepared to launch their business and start serving customers.

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According to Crandell, the impetus for creating the BuildUP program came from the portion of the Innovation Cluster’s charter to monitor emerging trends.

“Where those trends fall within the Innovation Cluster’s wheelhouse of competencies, we determine how the organization can address the trends to the benefit and growth of the region,” she said.

“Skilled trades are some of the most in-demand jobs in Ontario. The growing rate at which skilled tradespeople are retiring contributes to a labour shortage. The Innovation Cluster sees firsthand the negative impacts of the growing labour shortage — namely, clients unable to find or build out suitable commercial space and the inability to find local housing for their employees and families.”

The initial response to the BuildUP program has been very positive, Crandell added.

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Designed for commercial and residential trades, the program follows a proven format that the Innovation Cluster uses for its other business accelerator programs, such as the LevelUP program designed for entrepreneurs with a minimum viable product who are ready to enter the market and scale.

BuildUP is an Employment Ontario program funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

For more information and to apply, visit innovationcluster.ca/buildup.

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