In the United Way Peterborough & District's first-ever Ultimate Burger Battle fundraiser during November 2025, Agave By Imperial in Peterborough won the Top Ultimate Burger of the Year award for its "Cien Fuegos" burger, Double Dz's Diner in Peterborough won the Most Ultimate Burgers Sold award for its "The Big D" burger, and Pizza Villa & Pasta House in Bridgenorth won the People's Choice Ultimate Burger award for its "The United Way Burger." (Graphics: United Way Peterborough & District)
United Way Peterborough & District’s first-ever Ultimate Burger Battle has wrapped up with strong community participation, more than 1,000 burgers sold, just over $2,000 raised for local programs and services, and three local restaurants winning bragging rights for the year’s ultimate burger, most burgers sold, and the people’s choice award.
Held throughout November, the inaugural month-long fundraiser saw eight restaurants each create a one-of-a-kind “Ultimate Burger” while eight volunteer “Burger Ambassadors” encouraged residents across the city and county to purchase the burgers in support of the United Way’s 2025-26 community campaign.
By the end of the month, a total of 1,022 Ultimate Burgers had been sold, with $2 from every burger sold supporting the United Way’s work across its 20 partner agencies. The campaign raised $2,065 for initiatives that support individuals, families, and seniors with essential services.
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“This campaign exceeded every expectation,” says United Way CEO Jim Russell in a media release.
“The Ultimate Burger Battle brought together local creativity, friendly competition, and real community spirit. Every burger sold represents not just a great meal, but a direct investment in the well-being of people across Peterborough and the county.”
The eight restaurants that participated in the fundraiser were Agave by Imperial (376 George St. N., Peterborough), Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth), Dirty Burger (211 Hunter St. W., Peterborough), Double Dz’s Diner (2622 Maple Grove Rd., Peterborough), The Loon Lakefield (150 Queen St., Lakefield), Pizza Villa & Pasta House (846 Ward St., Bridgenorth), The Rink Tap & Grill (597 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough), and The Vine (165 Sherbrooke St., Peterborough).
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Agave By Imperial won the Top Ultimate Burger of the Year award for its “Cien Fuegos” burger, a double house-made beef chuck patty topped with spicy queso fundido, jalapeño and bacon jam, caramelized onion, and chili oil aioli. The award was based on evaluations by the United Way’s Burger Ambassadors, who scored each entry on presentation, taste, originality, toppings, and overall execution.
Double Dz’s Diner won the Most Ultimate Burgers Sold award, with customers purchasing 207 of its “The Big D” burger, a six-ounce ground chuck smash burger with lettuce, peameal bacon, gouda, onion rings, double-smoked bacon, whisky sauce, and peppercorn ranch aioli on a homemade bun.
Finally, Pizza Villa & Pasta House was awarded the People’s Choice Ultimate Burger award for its “The United Way Burger,” featuring a six-ounce beef patty, melted mozzarella on both buns, bacon, mushrooms, onions, hot peppers, BBQ sauce, and melted cheddar. The award was determined through online voting on the United Way’s website.
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At a wrap-up event on Monday morning (December 8), Agave by Imperial’s Chef Jennifer Gutierrez thanked the community for its enthusiasm, noting how meaningful it was to see residents support both local restaurants and the United Way through the friendly competition.
For its part, the United Way thanked its eight volunteer Burger Ambassadors — Laura Montague, Dan O’Toole, Neil Morton, Tiffany Arcari, Nour Mazloum, Pete Dalliday, Jason Wilkins, and Paul Rellinger — for dedicating their time throughout November to visit all eight participating restaurants and scoring each burger while promoting the fundraiser on social media and shining a spotlight on local businesses.
The event also benefited from significant media support, with kawarthaNOW and Corus Entertainment each providing $10,000 in in-kind coverage after a challenge issued by local media leader and campaign cabinet member Jeannine Taylor of kawarthaNOW.
In addition, thousands of residents engaged with participating restaurants throughout November, sharing recommendations and joining in the competition while learning more about United Way’s work.
According to Russell, the community is already hungry to see the Ultimate Burger Battle return next year.
“We’re already hearing from restaurants and residents asking when round two begins,” he says. “Based on the excitement and community pride we witnessed this year, we’d say the appetite is definitely there.”
Funds raised through the Ultimate Burger Battle will support United Way Peterborough & District’s 2024-25 community campaign, which aims to raise $1.6 million to strengthen the local social safety net. In addition to supporting programs delivered by its 20 partner agencies, the organization says campaign dollars help advance research and community planning to address long-term challenges facing the region.
Even The Grinch is volunteering during "Loonies on the Street" on December 12, 2025 just outside of Peterborough Square at the corner of George and Simcoe Streets in downtown Peterborough. The 25th annual fundraiser to help keep the shelves stocked at Kawartha Food Share aims to raise at least $100,000 that will help feed over 14,000 people each month in the Peterborough area. (Photo: Kawartha Food Share)
The annual “Loonies on the Street” fundraiser returns for its 25th year this Friday (December 12) from 7 to 10 a.m. just outside of Peterborough Square at the corner of George and Simcoe Streets in downtown Peterborough, aiming once again to raise $100,000 for Kawartha Food Share.
As FREQ 90.5 and OLDIES 96.7 broadcast the event live, a “bucket brigade” of volunteers will be collecting loose change up and down George Street, with volunteers from the Peterborough Lions Club doing the same on the Hunter Street Bridge.
Over the past 24 years, the event has brought in more than $2.2 million in monetary donations for Kawartha Food Share. As of the date of this story, $87,616 has already been raised for this year’s event.
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Those unable to donate during the event can visit the Kawartha Food Share warehouse at 665 Neal Drive before December 12 (anytime between 9 and 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday) to make a monetary donation, or donate online at canadahelps.org/en/pages/3-loonies-on-the-street/.
The annual Hunger Report from Feed Ontario released last Monday (December 1) found that food bank use in the province has increased for the ninth year in a row, with more than one million Ontarians using a food bank between April 2024 and March 2025 — an increase of 87 per cent since 2019-2020 — and making a record-breaking 8.7 million visits (a 13 per increase over the previous year and a 165 per cent increase since 2019-2020).
According to the report, 35 per cent of food bank users were new or first-time visitors and 23 per cent were employed, which is an increase of 84 per cent since 2019-2020. A third of users were children under the age of 18 and twice as many seniors were using food banks compared to 2019-2020.
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Kawartha Food Share is a central collection and distribution warehouse that partners with 37 member agency food banks, food cupboards, and other food action programs in the City and County of Peterborough.
More than 35 per cent of the 14,000 people Kawartha Food Share feeds every month are children, with the non-profit organization also providing nutritious snacks for 51 area school breakfast programs helping over 17,000 children get a healthy start to their school day.
Kawartha Food Share also provides outreach to those living with food insecurity by partnering with community meal programs, including those provided by Brock Mission, One City Peterborough, Salvation Army Peterborough, and more.
Those are cannot attend the ‘Loonies on the Street’ fundraiser on December 12, 2025 are encouraged to drop off monetary donations at the Kawartha Food Share warehouse or to donate online. (Graphic: Kawartha Food Share)
Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough first opened its doors on November 29, 2018. Opened and operated by brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart, over the past seven years the small business has more than doubled its board game collection, greatly expanded its food and drink menu, and welcomed thousands of visitors to connect and experience the nostalgia of playing board games. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)
For seven years, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough has been residents the type of fun you can’t get online — the evocative, youthful kind that comes from laughing with loved ones as you take their Monopoly money or steal their Longest Road card in Catan.
It’s the kind of fun owners and brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart spent having with their family throughout their childhood, and with friends as they grew up.
Though Connor became a certified Red Seal chef while studying in P.E.I. and Dylan worked in outdoor education, when they learned about board game cafés, they realized it would allow them to blend both their skillsets.
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“We were in these different worlds when we became aware of the board game café concept while visiting a board game café in Toronto,” says Dylan. “It was a cool thing that we could do together that combined our individual skills and expertise with a hobby and passion of ours and would allow us to come back home to Peterborough.”
Though November 29 marked seven years since Boardwalk Board Game Lounge first opened its doors, the brothers has already been in the business years before. In the early stages of conceptualization, they applied for the “Win This Space” competition organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) that offered entrepreneurs the chance to win a downtown storefront rent-free for a year.
Though they didn’t end up winning the competition, as a top 10 finalist, the brothers did participate in a series of workshops organized by the DBIA and other economic development organizations like Community Futures Peterborough and the now-defunct Peterborough & Kawarthas Economic Development.
With that momentum, Dylan and Connor began hosting pop-up board game nights at local bars, cafes, and community spaces while visiting as many board game cafés as they could.
Before opening up Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough on November 29, 2018, brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart participated in the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s “Win This Space” competition that offered entrepreneurs the chance to win a downtown storefront rent-free for a year. Though they did not win, as finalists they participated in business workshops which helped refine their plans and encouraged them to begin searching for the right space to launch their board game café. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)
“I have a book of all my notes from what I liked and didn’t like from all these different board game cafes that I visited, as we refined our ideas around how we could do the best version,” says Dylan. “One of the things that was important to us having grown up in Peterborough is we wanted our version of a board game café to be very Peterborough.”
When they opened Boardwalk Board Game Lounge at 261 George Street North in 2018, the Reinhart brothers had about 350 board games — largely made up of their own personal collections — though have now surpassed more than 700 games. Throughout 2024, the lounge saw 7,680 visitors stepping in to play and 3,405 games played.
“What’s been really cool and took us by surprise is that we see a little bit of everything,” Dylan says. “We have folks who come in and they’re specifically there in pursuit of a nostalgic childhood classics they remember — Guess Who and Sorry and Scrabble — and those they remember that they’ve grown up with.”
“We also have folks who are coming in specifically using the board game café to test drive different board games that they think they might want to play. Especially with the state of the world right now, it’s nice to have a bit more confidence in your purchase before you buy it and know that this is a game that you like, or your partner will play with you.”
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With thousands of new board games coming out every year, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge works hard to sift through to find ones that will fit the café vibe-ones that are not too long and complicated, are replayable, and are going to be enjoyed by customers. The staff love to recommend new games and help explain the rules to first timers.
“When people come in and say, ‘I love Catan but we play it a lot and I’m looking for something a bit different, what do you suggest?’ I can point them towards Ticket to Ride or Machi Koro or Rumble Nation,” says Dylan.
“It takes something that’s neat about Catan and that people like about Catan and takes it in a bit of a different direction and gives them a neat, cool adjacent but still a fresh experience.”
Since Boardwalk Board Game Lounge first opened its doors in downtown Peterborough on November 29, 2018, chef Connor Reinhar has served up a signature mac ‘n’ cheese and has continued to elevate the food and beverage menu, including adding a “cheese your own” adventure menu where customers can add hot dogs, bacon, pulled jackfruit, and more than 15 other toppings to their mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled cheese, nachos, and other dishes. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)
In addition to the growing offering of games, which include jumbo games that can be rented for special events, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge’s menu crafted by Connor has continued to evolve. The mac ‘n’ cheese and chocolate chip cookies have been mainstays on the menu since the day the board game café opened, though they have continued to be elevated over seven years.
Now with more flavours, including a rotating seasonal choice, each cookie one is baked to order. For the mac ‘n’ cheese, you can “cheese your own adventure” with toppings like bacon, jalapeno, hot dog, pulled chicken, jackfruit, and 15 other toppings. The same toppings are available for other comfort food menu items like the cheesy garlic fingers, grilled cheese, and nachos.
Adding to the familiar tastes, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge has expanded its craft brew options and also now serves up milkshakes made with Kawartha Dairy ice cream to maintain the local focus. The café additionally hosts special events like the Valentine’s Day Fancy Board Game Night where they get “a bit more fancy with our food, but still play on the scene of nostalgia and familiarity.”
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“Playing board games feels like the thing you do at the cottage and the thing you do lying on the floor of your grandma’s basement, and we wanted to bring some of that kind of nostalgia to the flavours and the kind of food we’ve done, while trying our best to kick up the quality of those things and using fresh ingredients,” Dylan says.
During the past seven years, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge not only managed to make it through pandemic-era lockdowns but expanded by investing in more board games, opening up a patio, and hosting an online game night.
Dylan adds they were also “incredibly well taken care of by our landlord” and other community organizations that were supporting small businesses and continue to do so post-pandemic.
“We are so lucky to be in a community like Peterborough, where there is such a strong supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem and organizations like Community Futures and the DBIA,” he says.
After seven years in business, Boardwalk Board Game Lounge in downtown Peterborough has more than 700 board games in stock and available to play, from nostalgia-inducing classics to some of the thousands of new games that are released each year. (Photo courtesy of Boardwalk Board Game Lounge)
When reflecting back on the last seven years and looking forward to the next seven, Dylan says one of his favourite things about owning a board game café has been being able to create experiences for people and make connections.
“It’s so rewarding to help connect people with fun and unique experiences that they might not otherwise find,” he says. “When we first opened, we wanted to give something to Peterborough that we would have really enjoyed when we were young, and it’s been incredibly rewarding seeing so many people come through our doors, come and play games with us, and getting to know those customers and having relationships and friendships with them.”
For more information about Boardwalk Board Game Lounge, visit www.boardwalkptbo.ca.
Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, four-time Olympic gold medallist, Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, family physician, and assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs, will deliver the keynote address at the StrikeUP Canada digital conference for women entrepreneurs on February 26, 2026. (Photo source: Speakers Spotlight)
A free one-day digital conference for Canadian women entrepreneurs is returning for its sixth year in 2026, with an opening keynote to be delivered by one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s hockey.
Founded in 2021 during the pandemic by Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), which became Nventure Business Development Corporation in 2024, StrikeUP Canada will once again welcome thousands of entrepreneurs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, just before International Women’s Month, with the theme “Rise to the Challenge.”
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser will deliver the conference’s keynote, entitled “The Champion’s Edge: Leading Through Adversity.”
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Wickenheiser, who is an inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and Canada’s Walk of Fame, as well as an Officer of the Order of Canada, was not only the country’s all-time leader in scoring at the Olympics but broke barriers by playing professionally in men’s leagues in Europe. Off the ice, Wickenheiser has championed gender equity in sport, completed a medical degree following her retirement from professional hockey in 2018, and now works as an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“She is such an inspiration for women across Canada,” StrikeUP team lead Heather Cannings told kawarthaNOW.
“We are very much looking forward to hearing her story of excellence, determination, and reinvention — qualities that resonate deeply with women entrepreneurs who are juggling busy lives and building businesses in uncertain times. Her keynote will set the tone for an empowering conference day.”
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Co-presented by The Scotiabank Women Initiative and Export Development Canada, the one-day digital conference will feature inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities enabled through AI-powered entrepreneurial matchmaking, live chat rooms, and themed networking rooms.
“We have a number of inspiring and trailblazing entrepreneurs who will be joining us, women leading across tech, finance, social impact, consumer goods and more,” said Cannings, who is also the emcee for the conference.
“They are each navigating growth and building inclusive teams. Their stories will help other women leaders feel seen, informed, and will equip attendees with new strategies to move forward. Their varied paths to success highlight that there is no single blueprint for women in business, and that is exactly what makes this community so powerful,” Cannings said.
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Topics to be covered during the conference include sales (pricing, packaging, and closing), the entrepreneurial mindset, growth strategies for women-owned businesses, diversification and export strategies for expansion, and using AI to simplify marketing and save time.
Conference registrants will be able to stream all mainstage programming live, choose workshops, interact with other attendees from across the country, and replay anything they may have missed after the event. Local live viewing parties will also be available, with locations to be announced.
“The most powerful outcomes of the StrikeUP conference are the connections that are built and the inspiration that attendees walk away with,” Cannings said.
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“The stories that bring us the most joy are when we hear that a partnership was sparked at the conference, or that a woman who was thinking of entrepreneurship took the leap and started her own business using the tools and strategy provided at StrikeUP,” Cannings explained.
“These success stories are what drive us. Our goal is to make meaningful, measurable impact across Canada’s women entrepreneurship ecosystem because when women move forward in business, communities and economies grow stronger with them.”
For more information about StrikeUP 2026, including the full agenda and a list of all speakers, and to register, visit strikeup.ca.
Over the past five years, StrikeUP Canada has engaged more than 22,000 women entrepreneurs nationwide through its programming.
A young porcupine that has been hanging around a section of the Rotary Greenway Trail in Peterborough's East City during the fall has been taken to Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw where it was discovered to have an upper respiratory infection and potentially pneumonia. Due to its size and young age, the porcupette will remain in the care of the refuge over the winter until it can be released in the spring. (Photo: Christine Jaros / Facebook)
A baby porcupine that was frequently seen wandering beside a section of trail in Peterborough’s East City earlier this fall is now in the care of a wildlife sanctuary.
That’s the word from Steve Paul, who posted an update on Thursday (December 4) that he received from the Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw, located just west of Kawartha Lakes in the Town of Georgina, about the baby porcupine — also called a porcupette.
While Paul is best known as the founder of Clean Up Peterborough (for which he was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Peterborough), he also has a reputation as a wildlife advocate, so when he noticed posts being made in the East City PTBO Neighbourhood Hub Facebook group about a porcupette being spotted in the daytime alongside the Rotary Greenway Trail between Hunter and Douro Streets, he took an interest.
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“As it happened over probably a two to three-week period and people were seeing it quite often, in the back of my mind I started to ask myself if there could be something wrong with it,” says Paul. “Is it a little bit too young (to be on its own)?”
As a volunteer for Trumpeter Swan Conservation Ontario for a number of years, Paul has helped bring injured or sick trumpeter swans to nearby animal hospitals, including one back in June. Through this work, he has learned that when it comes to trying to rescue wildlife, “you don’t want to get involved too early,” as that could be more harmful to the animal if it’s not actually in need.
In the case of porcupines, which are the second largest rodent species after the beaver, that can also be potentially hazardous for the rescuer given the animal’s natural defences — barbed quills that will easily detach and become embedded in a predator.
During the fall, residents of East City in Peterborough frequently reported seeing a porcupette on the ground along the Rotary Greenway Trail between Hunter and Douro streets. After consulting with Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw when she noticed the young porcupine sat in the same spot for two hours with laboured breathing, a concerned resident captured the rodent and took it to the refuge, where it was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. (Photo: Emily Higg / Facebook)
Paul adds, since young porcupines often wait on the ground while their mother is nearby foraging in trees, he decided to monitor the sightings.
“I tend to take a backseat approach because the last thing you want to do is use your human heart and go, ‘The world’s ending,'” says Paul. “That’s how people end up taking deer fawns (into rescues) when they should be leaving them alone.”
But upon seeing another concerned citizen make a post in the Facebook group on Sunday, November 23 asking if someone could help the porcupette, he decided to call Shades of Hope, which told him someone had already reported their concerns about the animal.
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Shades of Hope recommended to Paul that, based on the size of the porcupine, it should be captured and brought to the facility for examination. Paul told the refuge he planned to do so that Tuesday but then, late on Monday, Shades of Hope contacted him and advised somebody else had already captured the animal and brought it in.
That person was Jessie Rose Powell, who had posted that Monday afternoon in the Peterborough and Kawartha Wildlife Facebook group that she noticed the porcupine appeared to be sick, staying in the same spot for two hours with “laboured breathing and wheezing.” She also called Shades of Hope, described the animal’s condition, and they advised her to capture the porcupette and bring it in, which she did later that same afternoon.
“They’re one of the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres in our area,” says Paul about Shades of Hope. “They take over 7,000 intakes in a year, so they’re always busy. Anytime I show up there, there’s always someone calling about squirrels, raccoons — all these animals. It never stops.”
Among many species of injured or sick wildlife, Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge in Pefferlaw cares for porcupines of all ages. Once the porcupette rescued from East City in Peterborough recovers from its respiratory infection while in the care of Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge, it will be introduced to another porcupette while it spends the winter at the refuge. (Photo: Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge)
On Wednesday (December 3), Paul received an update from Shades of Hope about the status of the porcupette, which was discovered to have an upper respiratory infection and potentially pneumonia. Shades of Hope also said that the animal was too young to be on its own based on its age and size (porcupines leave their mothers when they are about five months old), and would spend the winter at the refuge.
“It makes you wonder if mom got killed by a car,” says Paul. “You’d never normally see them (in the daytime) — they’d only be out at night.”
Paul says Shades of Hope told him that, after the porcupette recovers from its infection, it will be introduced to another porcupette at the refuge. While porcupines are solitary in nature, they may den with other porcupines throughout the winter.
“When they’re keeping young ones over the winter, they (Shades of Hope) eventually try to bring them together, even just for company,” says Paul. “When they’re young, they can form bonds with each other, and (Shades of Hope founder) Gail (Lenters) did tell me that there is a possibility that these two may bond over the winter.”
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Paul says the plan is for the porcupine to be released back into the wild in the spring, and he hopes to be there for the occasion. In the meantime, he’ll continue to do what he can for local wildlife while also sharing stories like this to encourage others to see the inspiring work done by rescues like Shades of Hope.
Calling Shades of Hope a “wonderful organization,” Paul encourages people who encounter a wild animal that appears to need help to first reach out to Shades of Hope and ask questions.
“But you also know you can trust them with any animal and know they’re going to take care of a little baby porcupette that could need care for five or sixth months, and they’re never going to abandon it. It doesn’t matter how much it costs to take care of that animal, big or small, you know they’re going to be there.”
Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg has launched an emergency department wait-time dashboard as well as a self-arrival kiosk where patients can register themselves. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
A week after Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) launched a new online wait-time clock that lets patients know how long they may have to wait to see a doctor after arriving at the hospital’s emergency department, Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) has done the same.
On Wednesday (December 3), the Cobourg hospital launched its own emergency department (ED) wait-time dashboard, which is available online and in the ED, along with a self-arrival kiosk in the ED where patients have the option to register themselves.
The wait time dashboard was created and designed by an interdisciplinary team, including ED staff and physicians and volunteers, in partnership with peers at PRHC.
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Like PRHC’s online wait-time clock, the NHH wait-time dashboard provides a real-time estimate of the average wait time in the ED to see a doctor, the number of patients waiting to see a doctor, the number of patients waiting for an inpatient bed, and the number of patients currently in the ED.
It also provides a graph showing the typical wait times to see a doctor at different times of the day.
“The creation of the ED wait time dashboard is a key initiative that reflects our strategic commitment to accountable care and responds to the growing public interest in patient volumes across emergency departments in Ontario,” NHH president and CEO Susan Walsh told kawarthaNOW.
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“By providing real-time insights, we hope to empower community members who need to visit the emergency department to better prepare for their visit and, where possible, choose times that are less busy for non-urgent matters,” Walsh said.
“This tool is designed to alleviate uncertainty before patients step through the door, making the experience less stressful and more predictable. Most importantly, it demonstrates NHH’s dedication to accessible and transparent communication,” shed added.
“It’s a tangible step toward building trust and strengthening our relationship with the community we serve.”
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NHH notes the dashboard does not predict the entire length of stay for any one person in the ED, as this depends on the care required as well as any tests a patient may need. Patients in the ED are also always seen in order of medical priority rather than by arrival time, with those having more serious conditions always treated first. Wait times can also change quickly and unexpectedly due to new or more urgent emergencies, including sudden high-volume incidents
Patients who arrive in the ED can register themselves at the new self-arrival kiosk. Those who prefer not to self-register at the kiosk will continue to be supported by the hospital’s registration team and ED volunteers. All other outpatient visits will continue to register at the emergency department or central registration desks.
Peterborough police are investigating a homicide in downtown Peterborough on Saturday morning (December 6).
At around 6 a.m., officers were called to an apartment building near Brock and Aylmer streets where they found a severely injured 33-year-old man in an apartment.
Despite life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Police have provided no details about a suspect or suspects and whether anyone is in custody, but they say they believe it is an isolated incident.
There will be a police presence at the apartment building while the investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough police at 705-876-1122 ext 555, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at stopcrimehere.ca
Alicia Doris, owner of the award-winning Living Local Marketplace in Peterborough, has set up a Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn until December 22, 2025. The boutique shop's home for the holidays offers a wide range of products from Canadian artisans and small businesses while crafting a holiday experience that includes beautiful Christmas displays, hot cider and cookies while you shop, and gift wrapping services, with both customizable and ready-made gift boxes available, including for corporate gifting. (Photo: Amy Zand / Elmwood & Baker)
Peterborough’s Living Local Marketplace has a new home for the holidays that offers a one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping experience in The Kawarthas.
While the boutique shop owned by Alicia Doris has been in operation at Chemong and Milroy in Peterborough for more than four years, Living Local Marketplace has taken over Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn until December 22 to feature a holiday collection that’s bigger and better than ever before.
Living Local’s Christmas Marketplace is overflowing with everything from gourmet goods to holiday décor and seasonal scents, and it features the work of Canadian artisans and small businesses. From the moment you step into the Living Local Christmas Marketplace with your shopping list in hand until you walk out with a beautifully packaged gift, you’ll be immersed in the the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the holiday season.
Festive carols set the soundtrack as you browse the collection surrounding three beautifully decorated Christmas trees and an antique sleigh bursting with holiday treats and goodies. As you shop, you can enjoy complimentary locally made holiday treats, including hot cider from Algoma Orchards in Newcastle and candy cane shortbread cookies from The Shortbread Company in Cobourg.
Locally made offerings, from candles and bath products to sweet treats and homewares, will continue to be added to the curated collection every week. These include reorders from in-demand small businesses and local businesses that have never been previously in stock at the boutique.
You can enjoy holiday shopping at Living Local’s Christmas Marketplace at Horlings Garden Centre in Selwyn until December 22, 2025, with everything from holiday décor and seasonal candles and bath products to sweet treats and homewares. Alicia Doris’s award-winning business also continues to offer both ready-made boxes and customizable boxes for corporate gifting, which can be designed with the help of this year’s gift guide. (Photos courtesy of Living Local Marketplace)
Alicia began her award-winning business as a seasonal subscription box service, and you can build your own gift box when shopping at the Living Local Christmas Marketplace, with a wide selection of boxes and bags in a variety of sizes and shapes available. The helpful staff will even wrap your gifts for you with complimentary ribbon and gift tags. If you’re in a rush or doing some last-minute shopping, you can also purchase ready-made gifts.
Living Local Marketplace can also fill corporate gift orders, which can be entirely customizable and allow you to gift intentionally and impactfully, and $1 from every corporate gift over $35 will be donated to Hospice Peterborough and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation. For gifting inspiration, visit livinglocalmarketplace.ca/pages/corporate-gifts, email livinglocalmarketplace@gmail.com, or shop in-store at the Living Local Christmas Marketplace.
Located at Horlings Garden Centre at 3056 Lakefield Road, Living Local Marketplace’s home for the holidays is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Friday. For its final day on Monday, December 22, the shop will be open extended hours from 10 a.m until 8 p.m.
“The response to our holiday home has been incredibly positive and we’re so grateful,” Alicia says. “Thank you to Sam Turner and the team at Horlings Garden Centre for warmly welcoming us and for their generosity. We couldn’t feel more at home in Peterborough County.”
For more information and to shop online, visit livinglocalmarketplace.ca. Living Local Marketplace’s regular location at 1179 Chemong Road in Peterborough will reopen in January.
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Rick 'n' Gailie's Peterborough All-Star Band, featuring Rick and Gailie Young, is one of the 14 musical acts scheduled to perform on two stages at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on February 26, 2026 for "Peterborough Performs VI: Musicians United To End Homelessness" in support of the United Way Peterborough and District. (Photo courtesy of United Way).
What has become a signature United Way campaign event — a celebratory coming together of community and local musicians — is returning for a sixth time.
“Peterborough Performs VI: Musicians United To End Homelessness” will be held Thursday, February 26 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
From 7 to 11 p.m., 14 acts will entertain — six on the David Goyette Stage in the Erica Cherney Theatre, which will be emceed by Ella Bates, and eight in the more intimate Cogeco Lounge — with event proceeds going towards United Way-supported shelters and partner agencies on the front lines of homelessness relief.
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Making their Peterborough Performs debut are VanCamp, The Detention Club, Mark Beatty, and Maggie Sabyan with Mike MacCurdy, while The Hippie Chicks — which has performed as an acoustic trio at every past Peterborough Performs — returns as a full band called The Hippie Chicks and Company.
Also returning to Peterborough Performs VI are The Weber Brothers Band, Sarah Jayne Riley, Rick ‘n’ Gailie’s Peterborough All-Star Band (featuring Rick and Gailie Young), Tom Eastland, Georgia Rose, Alyssa Morrissey and Kyler Tapscott, Dan Hick, Lagan & Derelict (Phil Stephenson and Glen Caradus with Ron Kervin), and Jacques Graveline.
General admission tickets, which allow holders to seamlessly go between the main theatre and the lower-level lounge as they please, cost $50 each, but a two-tickets-for-$80 deal is back — a perfect Christmas gift for the music lovers on your shopping list.
Tickets are available now at www.showplace.org or by dropping by the Showplace box office at 290 George Street North in downtown Peterborough Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Musicians making their debut at Peterborough Performs VI at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on February 26, 2026 include (left to right, top and bottom) VanCamp and Caitlin O’Connor’s The Detention Club, with returning performers including Phil Stephenson and Glen Caradus with Ron Kervin (as Lagan & Derelict), and The Hippie Chicks trio with a full band called The Hippie Chicks and Company. (kawarthaNOW collage)
Financial sponsors remain a work in progress — to sponsor the event at any one of a number of levels, phone the United Way at 705-742-8839 — but, to date, they include Desjardins Insurance, Billyard Insurance Group, Shirley Turner – Exit Realty Liftlock, and Rellinger Writing Services. Returning as in-kind sponsors for a sixth year are kawarthaNOW, Long & McQuade, and We Design Group.
Also back is a virtual silent auction, sponsored by LLF Lawyers. Full details, and a listing of the auction items, will be released in February.
Since its inception in March 2020, Peterborough Performs has grown, both in popularity and in the amount raised for homelessness relief agencies and shelters. The inaugural event saw $23,669 raised for its benefactors, while Peterborough Performs V this past March brough in $36,375, bringing the total raised to date to $149,458.
It all started in late 2019 when then United Way campaign chair David Goyette met with Paul Rellinger to brainstorm his concept for a fundraiser featuring multiple musical acts performing simultaneously on two stages at Showplace. Tasked with pulling together the musical lineup, Rellinger did just that, securing commitments from a number of local music acts.
Since that first Peterborough Performs in March 2020, Rellinger has remained the event’s principal organizer, with continued support from United Way staff and volunteers. This year’s event has added significance for Rellinger, as he is chair of the United Way Peterborough and District’s 2025-26 campaign.
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United Way CEO Jim Russell says Peterborough Performs has grown into “a signature event,” both in terms of the annual campaign and its bringing together of community.
“It’s a really amazing bang-for-your-buck event,” says Russell. “Paul delights in saying, dollar for dollar, you’re getting more entertainment value than at any other event in in the community. I agree. I fantasize that it will be around 20 years from now. It’s got that kind of stature.”
“It not a stuffy gala where people are wearing tuxedos and eating roast beef. It’s pretty laid back and has a grassroots vibe. You can go upstairs or downstairs (at Showplace) and there’s music happening. That’s a really rich experience.”
Dan Hick will return to the stage at Showplace Performance Centre for Peterborough Performs VI on February 26, 2026, this time accompanied by singer and guitarist Lucy Ferrill. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
Musicians Ryan Weber, Sarah Jayne Riley, and Dan Hick exemplify the extraordinary giving spirit that the Peterborough music community is well known and respected for. Weber, with his brother Sam, has played at all Peterborough Performs since day one, and the 2026 event will mark a third return for both Riley and Hick.
“I had people come from Toronto and they told me they were blown away,” Hick recalls of Peterborough Performs V. “Not only by the talent, but also how this community pulls together in such a positive way in support of the musicians and, more importantly, those in need.”
“Being a part of this amazing concert gives me a huge sense of pride knowing that the performers, the United Way and, especially the concertgoers, have made a huge impact for positive change in our community,” says Hick, who will be joined this time around by singer and guitarist Lucy Ferrill. “Peterborough Performs is, by far, my favourite show of the year.”
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Weber, meanwhile, says supporting the cause is paramount for him, his brother, and their bandmates.
“Homelessness is an issue it seems just about everybody has an opinion on how to solve it, how to alleviate it,” he says. “The truth of the matter is, for all our opinions, we don’t yet know how to solve it, otherwise we would have done so by now. However, there is one thing I know we all agree on — it gets pretty darn cold in the winter. The thought of anybody out on the streets in a deep freeze is startling for anyone to contemplate.”
“Though we don’t know just how to solve it (homelessness) yet, a night like this raises awareness, discussion and, of course, funds to further good intentions, and to continue striving until we get to the solutions.”
VIDEO: “Wild as the Wild Dogs” – The Weber Brothers (Peterborough Performs III, 2023)
Meanwhile, Riley says “these types of events will be needed more and more” as long as “a society that celebrates and centres capitalism” is in place.
“As an artist, I’m considered a financially unstable person,” she notes. “Without a safety net and privileges, I would also most likely be in the same situation as some unhoused people. It really puts homelessness into perspective. It’s so easy to turn your head and look away, but everyone is somebody’s someone.”
“There is enough in the world for everyone to have everything. Capitalism hurts people who aren’t good at capitalism. Some people, like me, are meant to just worry about art and not divert their attention. That’s why I’m so passionate about this event. It makes a difference. Giving back is the only thing I can do at the moment. If my music can make a difference, I’m all for it.”
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For his part, Rellinger says Peterborough Performs remains what he and Goyette originally envisioned: “an opportunity to stand up and declare we can do better, and must, in terms of helping facilitate the safety and wellbeing of those in need.”
“There’s a tendency to think that’s there’s nothing we can do to reverse homelessness or ease the plight of those who are affected, for whatever reason,” he adds..
“Peterborough Performs offers a way we can all do something in the face of that frustration. By buying a ticket, 95 per cent of the cost goes exactly where it needs to go and has an immediate impact. The noise over why anyone finds themselves homeless is a conversation for another day. Finger pointing and stigmatization has no place at Peterborough Performs. Love of community does. That’s always a very good reason to come together.”
“I can’t say enough about the musicians who step up, year after year. Although we provide each with an honorarium, their gift of their time and talents exceeds anything we can do. I remain infinitely humbled by, and grateful for, their boundless giving spirit. It’s as inspiring as it gets.”
Watch kawarthaNOW for more details on Peterborough Performs VI as the event date draws nearer.
Tickets are available now for “Peterborough Performs VI: Musicians United To End Homelessness” at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on February 26, 2026, featuring 14 musical acts on two stages. Tickets are $50 each, or two for $80, with proceeds going towards United Way-supported shelters and partner agencies on the front lines of homelessness relief. (Poster: We Design Group)
kawarthaNOW is proud to be exclusive digital media sponsor for Peterborough Performs VI.
A homeless person during winter in Ottawa. (Photo: Andrew Lee/CBC)
With temperatures now falling well below freezing, the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton have once again partnered with A Place Called Home (APCH), the region’s emergency shelter provider located in Lindsay, to implement this winter’s Out of the Cold program.
Running until March 31, the program allows for increased shelter capacity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness when temperatures fall below –10°C or a significant winter weather event occurs.
APCH offers 30 beds at its Lindsay location those experiencing homelessness and has the ability to offer additional overflow shelter options and transportation for residents across Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County when travel is not feasible, ensuring that people have access to warmth and safety no matter where they are located in the region.
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“The shelter may be located in Lindsay, but these supports extend across the entire region and can be offered in different ways,” said Michelle Corley, human services manager of housing at the City of Kawartha Lakes. “Additionally, our outreach team will provide enhanced outreach support within Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County this winter to ensure people are connected to safe spaces as quickly as possible.”
Homelessness is an issue that extends across Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. According to the City of Kawartha Lakes, last winter’s Out of the Cold program served 83 people from Kawartha Lakes and 20 people from Haliburton County and, as of November 18 this year, 12 to 14 people are frequently staying outside in Kawartha Lakes and 10 people in Haliburton County are known to be staying in trailers or cabins.
“We will definitely be needing the extra beds, overflow, and extensions of the shelter to ensure that everyone has a warm place to sleep at night,” APCH executive director Angela Ricciuti told kawarthaNOW. “We are confident that we can help everyone that comes to our door in some way.”
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“APCH and (Kawartha Lakes) always work collaboratively, and even more so during this season so that we reach those experiencing homelessness in our community and use the expansion and adaptability of our services to address the need,” Ricciuti added. “Our shared goal is to bring people indoors, connect them to supports, and move toward housing stability. No one should face the cold alone.”
In addition to APCH in Lindsay, the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas offers 12 overnight shelter beds through its Community Integrated Care Hub, a low-barrier and trauma-informed space offering harm reduction supplies, housing support, nutritional support, and community programming for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, or any other challenges.
The hub’s permanent location at 22 Peel Street in Lindsay, where the 12 beds are located, is currently undergoing renovations to expand and enhance services and is expected to open in early 2026. The hub is temporarily located within the United Way of the Kawartha Lakes’ building at 50 Mary Street West in Lindsay while the renovations are being completed, and currently offers rest and warming spaces for those without shelter.
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Residents of Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County who need emergency shelter can call APCH at 705-328-0905 (toll-free at 1-866-520-2689). Outreach staff and transportation are available for people in Haliburton County who need help accessing shelter and services.
Community members who see someone staying outdoors in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County can email the homelessness street outreach team at streetoutreach@kawarthalakes.ca or complete the encampment reporting form on the City of Kawartha Lakes website.
To report an immediate risk or criminal activity, community members should call 9-1-1.
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