Jonathon Armstrong, GreenUP native plant nursery assistant, waters a young tree at Ecology Park. There are many tips for proper tree-watering during hot, dry weather, such as watering at the drip line at least two to three times a week. (Photo: Hayley Goodchild / GreenUP)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Susan Sauvé, Board Chair, GreenUP.
Trees are a natural air conditioner, shading homes, businesses, parks, and trails from the heat of the sun, helping to keep temperatures down during heat waves. In built-up areas like the City of Peterborough, trees counteract the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt surfaces absorb heat, making it hotter than natural areas.
Normally trees follow an organic cycle, whereby older trees die off and are replaced with young saplings. In natural areas, young trees come up on their own, while in built-up areas, they are usually planted.
Between the derecho three years ago, the ice storm earlier this year, and the emerald ash borer, a substantial number of mature trees have been lost in the Peterborough region in a very short period of time.
Advertisement - content continues below
The loss of mature trees is concerning and has not gone unnoticed. Tree planting is taking place on both public and private properties to replace these majestic beauties.
The City of Peterborough, for example, has an Urban Forest Strategic Plan and is working to replace each tree lost to the emerald ash borer. Ensuring that these young trees grow into mature trees is important for counteracting hot summers, one of the many benefits of trees.
This summer has been unusually hot and dry, creating problems for young trees. The average temperature in July was 21.3°C, compared to the normal of 19.7°C. Peterborough received just 10 millimetres of rain last month, according to data from the Trent University weather station. As of early August, no rainfall has been recorded.
Volunteers plant a tree along the Trans Canada Trail in GreenUP Ecology Park in June. On both public and private properties, tree planting has been taking place in an effort to restore heavily damaged local canopies. The hot, dry weather has put these young trees at risk. Caring for and watering them properly is key to their survival. (Photo: Yvonne Hollandy / GreenUP)
Young trees are especially vulnerable to the combined effects of heat and low precipitation. Their growth and survival depend on having enough water during periods of high temperatures.
With such a hot, dry summer unfolding, many trees and shrubs planted in the last three to five years are showing signs of heat stress such as wilting leaves, scorched leaf edges, and a sparse-looking canopy.
Most cities in Ontario do not water trees beyond the first year, but this summer is no average year in the Peterborough area. Young trees need water. A community of people willing and able to help could make a big difference to their survival rate.
Advertisement - content continues below
Whether watering young trees at home, or pitching in to help water trees in a boulevard, park, or apartment building, there are a few important tips to consider.
The goal of watering is to keep the soil moist without oversaturating or letting it get too dry. They need to be watered slowly to ensure the water penetrates deep into the soil.
A light rain is not enough to help young trees that are struggling, yet watering every day can suffocate root systems and create opportunities for rot and disease to develop. Be sure to water only two to three times per week in hot, dry weather.
Linden Crane pitches in by watering a vulnerable specimen on a local boulevard. Community members can help young trees survive by adopting one to help water. (Photo: Susan Sauvé / GreenUP)
Here is some further guidance on how to water trees and shrubs effectively.
Identify the root zone
The roots of a tree, especially the water-absorbing ones, are primarily in the top 60 cm (2 feet) of soil and extend beyond the drip line, the area under the tree’s canopy. Avoid watering directly at the trunk, as it can lead to root rot.
Choose a watering method
Bucket or watering can: water slowly using two to three buckets or watering cans per tree.
Soaker hose: Lay the hose in a circle around the tree, under the canopy drip line and turn it on for an hour.
Garden hose: Turn the hose to a slow trickle and move it around the drip line for an hour or more. The bigger the tree, the more water it needs.
Advertisement - content continues below
Consider mulching
Mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weed and grass growth. Many grasses survive by releasing chemicals from their roots which inhibit the growth of trees.
Apply an eight-centimetre (three inch) layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or bark) extending at least to the drip line, keeping it away from the trunk.
Other important notes
Water in the morning or evening to minimize evaporation.
Continue watering into the fall, especially newly planted trees, to help them prepare for winter.
Avoid synthetic fertilizers and manure around newly planted trees. Fertilizers rich in nitrogen will encourage top growth which could spell doom for trees which are stressed and need strong root systems first.
Students at Keith Wightman Public School worked with GreenUP last fall to rewild parts of the schoolyard to help provide shade, play areas, and learning opportunities. GreenUP is inviting community volunteers to help care for these vulnerable young plants and trees while students are away for the summer. (Photo: Laura Keresztesi / GreenUP)
To help a young tree survive this weather, consider adopting one for watering near home or work that is wilting, has lost leaves, or has scorched leaf edges.
GreenUP is inviting community volunteers to help care for young plants and trees recently installed in partnership with local schools.
The graduates of the Summer Company program administered by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) were celebrated at an event on August 13, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. The graduates (holding certificates) are, left to right, Bisma Razaque, Neha Mervin, Spencer Toth, and Lauren Connolly (absent are Haydon Meade and Teaghan Hartnett). Also pictured from left to right are Joel Porter on behalf of Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, BAC entrepreneurship officer Allison Adam, Peterborough DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum, BAC manager Rose Terry, City of Peterborough economic development director Darryl Julott, CFP executive director Devon Girard (hidden), Peterborough County economic development manager Rhonda Keenan, and Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce vice-president Joel Wiebe. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
While most young people ponder what they want to do in the years ahead, six have put themselves on a firm course for entrepreneurial success.
That’s well worth celebrating and, on Wednesday (August 13) at Venture North in downtown Peterborough, Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) did just that by heralding the graduates of its Summer Company program.
Providing the opportunity for students aged 15 to 29 to give their business idea legs, the program sees participants, guided by mentors, gain skills in a variety of disciplines such as problem solving, financial management, customer service and resilience.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
From a pool of 19 applicants, Spencer Toth, Neha Mervin, Haydon Meade, Bisma Razaque, Lauren Connolly, and Teaghan Harnett were accepted for the program, which also provided them with up to $3,000 in grant money to help launch their respective businesses.
“It was really helpful to get advice from people who have been through starting a business and made their business successful,” assessed Connolly, 18, who owns and operates Connolly Swim Academy.
“I’ve been lifeguarding and instructing for a few years now. I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to work for myself. I can make my own hours, and I can customize lessons so that kids are getting the most out of it as possible.”
“I’ve been running it all summer. I’ve got lots of clients and we’re building a good network.”
Summer Company program graduate Spencer Toth of Farm Hands in Cavan-Monaghan Township (holding certificate) with, from left to right, Business Advisory Centre entrepreneurship officer Allison Adam, Business Advisory Centre manager Rose Terry, and Joel Porter from the constituency office of Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith at a celebratory event on August 13, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Toth, 16, says his business, Farm Hands, provides area farmers with assistance in the form of helping hands “stacking hay bales, cleaning gutters, taking care of animals, moving tractor equipment … anything a farmer needs help with, we’ll go help them. There are a lot of farmers that need help but can’t find it.”
“I’ve got a couple of buddies working for me. I hope this gets big and more people work for me. Then I can get more clients.”
The Summer Company program, adds Toth, “was awesome. It taught me how to do marketing and about cash flow, stuff like that. Very helpful.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Mervin, meanwhile, is the owner of Sparks of Bollywood, a beginner-friendly Bollywood dance instruction provider. Meade’s business is Scrub Window Cleaning, Razaque owns and operate Shirt Spark, and Hartnett oversees West End Property Care.
As noted by CFP executive director Devon Girard, each program graduate has learned how to manage budgets, attract customers, deliver a high-quality product or service, and adapt to the unexpected challenges that the self-employed often have to face.
In her remarks prior to the graduates receiving their program completion certificates from Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, who was represented by constituency office assistant Joel Porter, Girard expressed hope that each is “feeling encouraged and feeling excited” as they embark on their respective entrepreneurial journeys.
Summer Company program graduate Neha Mervin of Sparks of Bollywood in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township (holding certificate) with, from left to right, Business Advisory Centre entrepreneurship officer Allison Adam, Business Advisory Centre manager Rose Terry, and Joel Porter from the constituency office of Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith at a celebratory event on August 13, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Girard later expressed her admiration of each of the young graduates.
“They’re way braver than I am — I don’t think I would have had the courage to do what they’ve done,” she told kawarthaNOW, adding “They took to absorbing every facet of the advice that was given.”
While the Summer Company program is not new — it was offered previously by the now defunct Peterborough and Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) — this cohort represents the first offered through CFP’s Business Advisory Centre (BAC), another service formerly provided by PKED that’s funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and also receives operational funding from the city and county of Peterborough.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
“There’s a record level of interest coming through our advisory centre, not only for programs like this but also for advisory consultations,” notes Girard.
“Our goal, on a fiscal year basis from April 1st to March 31st, was 180 consultations. That was based on historical data. Already, as of July 31st, we had conducted 216 in-depth, one-on-one business consultations.”
“We know our economy — regionally, provincially and nationally — is made on small businesses. That’s a fact. It’s over 90 per cent nationally. It’s important for all of us to recognize the importance of introducing the idea of entrepreneurship through programs like this and investment from the province.”
Community Futures Peterborough Devon Girard speaks during an event on August 13, 2025 at Venture North in downtown Peterborough celebrating the six young entrepreneurs who graduated from the Summer Company program. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
Taking in Wednesday’s gathering was a “very proud” Allison Adam, entrepreneurship officer with the BAC. She was tasked with administering the program on just her second day with CFP.
“They were quite shy at the start,” she notes of the participants.
“I’ve seen them grow their confidence. Starting a brand-new business, they had to go out door-to-door sometimes and do sales, and pick up customers and things like that. That was just a huge growth opportunity for them. It forced them to come out of their shell and gain a lot of confidence doing something new, and doing something on their own.”
The number of applications received for the program, says Adam, is telling.
“A lot of people are realizing that it’s possible to have entrepreneurship as a career option,” she said, noting this group’s success will serve spur on even more interest.
Asked if there’s a common denominator that links each graduate, Adam says each possessed “a spark. They each had an idea, which is really the first step of entrepreneurship, and the motivation to pursue that idea.”
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to help these students do something that I would have loved to do when I was that age. It’s very fulfilling to help them in the way that I wish I could have had help with when I was that age.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Also providing remarks at the event were BAC manager Rose Terry, City of Peterborough economic development director Darryl Julott, Peterborough County economic development manager Rhonda Keenan, Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce vice-president Joel Wiebe, and Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director Nour Mazloum.
Based on the continued interest in the Summer Company program, the plan now is to offer it again in 2026. Visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca for application details as they’re made available.
A not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) as part of the Community Futures Program, Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses in the city and county of Peterborough with flexible financing. It has invested more than $42 million in 1,300-plus small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,300 jobs in Peterborough.
Peterborough County-City Paramedics, Peterborough County, and the Otonabee-South Monaghan Fire Department have launched a public awareness campaign called "Love Your Number." The campaign reminds residents, especially those in rural and seasonal areas, to ensure their civic/9-1-1 address sign is clear and well-maintained so emergency responders can easily see it from the road. (Photo: Peterborough County)
“When seconds matter, visibility can make all the difference,” and that’s why Peterborough County is asking residents to ensure their 9-1-1 address sign is visible.
Peterborough County-City Paramedics, Peterborough County, and the Otonabee-South Monaghan Fire Department have launched a public awareness campaign called “Love Your Number,” which encourages property owners and residents — especially those in rural and seasonal areas — to ensure their 9-1-1 address sign is clear and well-maintained.
When emergencies happen, unobstructed, visible signs help first responders reach residents as quickly as possible, the county noted in a media release about the campaign.
Advertisement - content continues below
“We want everyone to understand the importance of Loving Your Number by keeping it clearly visible from both directions, illuminated when possible, and easy for drivers to spot,” Trish Bromfield, chief of Peterborough County-City Paramedics, told kawarthaNOW.
“This helps emergency crews locate you quickly when responding to a call. By better educating residents on how to be ready for an emergency at any time, we hope to empower the community to help first responders get to their doors without delay, because when seconds matter, visibility can make all the difference.”
The campaign reminds residents while emergencies are unexpected, being prepared for the possibility of an emergency can “save precious minutes.”
Advertisement - content continues below
“Peterborough County is proud to support this collaborative effort,” said Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark in a statement. “The simple step of maintaining a visible 9-1-1 address sign on your house or at the end of your driveway helps keep our communities safer and makes sure help gets to your door without delay.
“I encourage all residents to take a moment to periodically check their sign in all seasons,” Clark said.
The county and partners offer the information and tips below for preparedness.
Advertisement - content continues below
Understand the importance of your civic/9-1-1 address. It directs emergency responders when time matters most.
Whether on your house or posted at the end of your driveway, keep your sign visible from both directions on the roadway and follow local numbering by-laws.
In rural areas, trim around your civic address sign regularly. Clear any tall grass, brush, or overhanging tree branches and bushes that might block it from being visible in both directions.
In urbanized areas, keep your civic address sign illuminated and clear of decorations, plants, or other obstacles.
Make sure your driveway is clear and accessible year-round. Trim branches, clear snow, and ensure emergency vehicles can reach your home safely.
Prepare when responders are on their way by turning on outdoor lights, unlocking doors, putting pets away, and having a list of medications ready.
Advertisement - content continues below
The county said the reminder is particularly important for rural and seasonal residents, where long laneways, wooded lots, and seasonal cottages can make addresses harder to spot quickly.
“As Peterborough County and local municipalities prepare for Next Generation 9-1-1, we identified during field inspections last summer that some civic address signs — also known as 9-1-1 numbers, house numbers, or green blades — were difficult to see from the road,” Bromfield shared as the reason for the campaign.
“Residents who spoke with county field staff during these inspections appreciated the reminder about the importance of keeping their signage visible and clear,” the chief added. “Our goal with the Love Your Number campaign is to provide proactive, preventative public education rather than react to incidents after they occur.”
Residents can learn more about their civic address signs and tips to keep them visible by visiting the county’s website at www.ptbocounty.ca.
Crews during a briefing before heading out to fight fire OFR001 south of Kirkfield, which began on August 9, 2025 and has since grown to 33.5 hectares in size. There are currently are 63 staff at the site of the fire, including Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue staff and 26 staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources. (Photo courtesy of City of Kawartha Lakes)
One of the three wildland fires burning in the Kawarthas region, HAL018 in Hastings County, is now being held, with the remaining two fires — HAL019 east of Burnt River and OFR001 south of Kirkfield — still out of control but not spreading.
On Wednesday morning (August 13), the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) reported that HAL018 in Hastings County — located on Crown land in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake south of Coe Hill in Wollaston Township and east of Apsley in North Kawartha Township — is being held.
The “being held” status means that, with current committed resources, crews have taken sufficient suppression action so that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined control boundaries under prevailing or forecasted conditions.
Four crews are on the ground with air attack support as required to fight the fire, which remains at 12.8 hectares in size.
Advertisement - content continues below
During a virtual media briefing on Wednesday afternoon organized by the City of Kawartha Lakes, MNR fire information officer Evan Lizotte provided an update on the two fires in Kawartha Lakes.
Lizotte said there have been no significant changes since Tuesday. A small amount of rain that fell in the area overnight (around two millimetres) did not affect the fires, although it has helped bring the fire hazard down. However, Lizotte added, hot weather over the next few days is expected to increase the fire hazard again.
Fire HAL019, which is located east of Burnt River and south of Kinmount, remains at 27 hectares in size. While it is still out of control, it has been “tied in,” meaning that suppression efforts are in place to prevent it from spreading further.
Five crews continue to fight the fire, with operations on Tuesday focused on the ground. Lizotte said no air attack was required on Tuesday and is not expected to be needed on Wednesday.
A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
An aerial view from an MNR helicopter of a portion of the damage caused by fire OFR001 south of Kirkfield, which began on August 9, 2025 and has since grown to 33.5 hectares in size. (Photo courtesy of City of Kawartha Lakes)
Fire OFR001, located around six kilometres southwest of Kirkfield, is still out of control but remains at 33.5 hectares in size. Five Kawartha Lakes fire stations are dealing with the brush fire, with assistance from five crews from MNR. There are 63 staff at the site of the fire, including 26 MNR staff.
“That is proving to be a difficult fire, as they have flare-ups from time to time,” Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie said during the media briefing.
“They didn’t have an appreciable amount of rain, so it didn’t do a whole lot to quell the situation. There are apparently 22 attack lines out, and they’re doing an extensive mop-up operation behind the fire because of the flare-ups.”
Prospect Road remain closed from south of 1304 Prospect Road to north of 1375 Prospect Road while crews continue to fight the fire.
Advertisement - content continues below
Elmslie said the situation remain serious, but no evacuations are required and none are planned.
In response to a reporter’s question about how the firefighters are doing, Lizotte said MNR’s priority is to reduce the risk of heat exposure and dehydration. Cloud cover will assist with preventing heat exposure, and firefighters are encouraged to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.
After another reporter asked whether whether provincial support has been adequate, Elmslie said “at this point, I have no complaints,” noting MNR’s lead efforts on fire HAL019 and its assistance on fire OFR001.
The mayor added that Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton-Brock MPP Laurie Scott has been “has been front and centre” and that he talks with her “two, three times a day” to share information on the fires.
Advertisement - content continues below
A reporter asked about the impact of the fires on Kawartha Lakes residents.
Elmslie said fire HAL019 is in a very remote area and, other than some hunting camps and a few seasonal and permanent residents in the vicinity, it’s not a largely populated area.
“More concerning would be over in the Kirkfield area, which has more residents, and the other issue over there is livestock, and moving those livestock,” the mayor said. “But again, the situation is such that we don’t envision that we will have to do an evacuation of any kind but, if it becomes necessary, then we will deal with it as we have to.”
In response to a reporter’s question about how much rain would be required to make an impact on the fires, neither Elmslie nor Lizotte could provide a definitive answer. However, Lizotte said any rain would be welcomed and Elmslie said he would like to see “three days of soaking rain” for farmers whose crops are suffering.
Vinnie Alberto as Nolan, Dillan Meighan Chiblow (standing) as Leon, and John Wamsley as Destin in the original musical Rez Gas, co-written by Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe and Cobourg playwright and actor Genevieve Adam, which has its world premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope for 18 performances from August 22 to September 7, 2025. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
For some 15 years now, Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe has performed on stages throughout the Kawarthas and Northumberland, and has made quite an impression via his talent, his stage presence, and his storytelling-infused lyrics.
Now he has put those skills to use on the theatrical stage by co-writing the original musical Rez Gas, which has its world premiere at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope for 18 performances from August 22 to September 7.
Crowe’s involvement in the play has it roots in a performance he did at the Capitol back in 2021.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
“It happened to be the first night that their then-new artistic director Rob Kempson was working,” recounts Crowe.
“Fast forward a little bit. I moved back to Alderville after living in Cobourg during most of the pandemic. I received a call from him. He was interested in having me as part of the Capitol Theatre Creators’ Unit, a series of workshops where creatives come together with their unique individual projects and get feedback and advice. At the end of a year, it culminates in a reading or presentation for a public audience.”
“I thought ‘That’s great … what does it have to do with me?’ He approached me and said ‘I want you to create an Indigenous musical for us.’ I thought ‘Wow, if that isn’t the stupidest idea that anyone has ever had.’ I wasn’t convinced that was something I was capable of doing.”
“Rez Gas” co-playwrights Genevieve Adam and Cale Crowe. Crowe composed all of the music, Adam wrote a lot of the script, and the pair came up with characters and plot together. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
Now, with Rez Gas — co-written with Cobourg resident Genevieve Adam — set to premiere at the historic Queen Street venue in downtown Port Hope on Friday, August 22, Crowe has proved he was very capable indeed.
Billed as “a beautiful expression of Indigenous joy with a hip-hop infused, unforgettable score,” Rez Gas centres around the character of Destin who, after moving away from his home reservation to pursue a music career, finds himself back home as a result of unexpected car trouble.
There, at a diner called the Wide Wigwam, Destin reconnects with many of those he left behind — all of whom remind him of his history and his place in the community.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
It was Kempson who partnered Crowe with Genevieve Adam to write the musical. A graduate of the George Brown Theatre School in Toronto who holds a master of fine arts from the East15 Acting School in the U.K., Adam is an award-winning playwright and actor who is also part of Capitol Theatre Creators’ Unit.
“We just kind of clicked the first time we met,” Crowe says. “I bounced some ideas off of her. I sort of had all the dreamy, lofty, floaty ideas about what the show could be. She was able to run around behind me with the butterfly net, catching them and making them into something concrete. I composed all of the music and she wrote a lot of the script, and we came up with characters and plot together.”
“Rob and a lot of the other people that had a bit of an advance on this thing tend to describe it as Come From Away meets Corner Gas in terms of its plot, its tone, and its overall flavour. In my mind, those are incredibly large comparisons to make. I hope our show lives up to that.”
Capitol Theatre artistic director Rob Kempson asked Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe if he could create an Indigenous musical as part of the Capitol Theatre Creators’ Unit. Kempson paired Crowe up with award-winning Cobourg playwright and actor Genevieve Adam to write the musical. (Photo courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
If this experience has reaffirmed anything for Crowe, it’s that, as a performer, you never know who’s in the audience and where that exposure will lead.
“I play a lot of bars and country clubs — places where people might not necessarily be there for the music,” he says, adding “I’ve spent a lot of my career playing to the sides and backs of people’s heads.”
“You never know who you’re going to impress. I never thought that I would play that room (the Capitol Theatre), let alone that it would lead to something like this. It’s a huge lesson in the butterfly effect for me.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
During the creative process, Crowe admits to having some moments of self-doubt.
“As an artist and as a creative, if you don’t have moments of general apprehension about the thing you’re creating, you’re probably messing up in some way,” he reflects.
“When I agreed to do this project, I told Rob and I told Genevieve that I don’t want to come, in any way, from a place of what we describe as trauma porn. A lot of mainstream media surrounding Indigenous culture tends to have a lot to do with the residential school system, the ’60s Scoop, the Trail of Tears — these sorts of things.”
“Those things are incredibly important to talk about and make people aware of, but there is so much of it and for Indigenous people to have that be their sole representation on the world stage is exhausting. One of the things I prioritized was that this be a reflection of Indigenous joy and Indigenous humour.”
“It’s not just funny the entire way through. There are serious moments. There are undertones of things. But I didn’t that to be the in-your-face of the entire show. I wanted it to be reflective of reality from a modern perspective. We are people. We laugh, we cry, we get angry, we fall in love.”
Actor Jonathan Fisher during a rehearsal of “Rez Gas” by Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe and Cobourg playwright and actor Genevieve Adam. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
Helping Crowe in that aim is own upbringing in Alderville, which he describes as “a place in between places.”
“I love and have hated that over the course of my life,” he says. “When I first started playing music, I was not local to any particular scene in any particular town. That made it really hard to find my place. Growing up, and now having a family and moving back home to do so, it’s really nice to have this pocket of the world we can call our own.”
“Having moved home for the explicit purpose of starting a family and turning over a new chapter in my life, and forcing this sort of transitional period upon myself, is reflected in our show where a lot of the circumstances are forced upon the characters. It a matter of what we’re going to with the wind in the sails that we have, and where that can take us moving forward.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
As a songwriter, Crowe says writing music for a stage production fell well outside his comfort zone.
“The process and the mental flow to writing music for a show like this was entirely foreign to me,” he says. “It was very surprising to me, when I finally got into it, how quickly a lot of my face-value skills, in terms of rhyming and rhythm structure, that I’ve accrued over the years … descended into the work in a good way.”
“I had never written for multiple perspectives at the same time. Having been the sole writer of a lot of music, a lot of times I felt like I was talking to myself. I had to shift perspectives and figure out what people were going to say to each other.”
Actors Dillan Meighan-Chiblow, Emma Rudy, and Nicole Joy-Fraser during a rehearsal of “Rez Gas” by Alderville First Nation singer-songwriter Cale Crowe and Cobourg playwright and actor Genevieve Adam. (Photo: Sam Moffatt)
One appreciated constant, says Crowe, has been the enthusiastic support of both Adam and Kempson, along with the cast members.
“Hopefully I did a decent job. I like to think so. When did our first read-through of the script, the actors fell in love with the music right away, which was a huge relief to me. Any time something funny happened in the room and people laughed, I was like ‘Thank God … that’s funny to someone other than myself.”
Now, with opening night looming, Crowe “can’t wait to get started.”
“Having someone like Rob and Genevieve, who have huge credits to their names in this realm, support me and say I’m capable and I belong, is like ‘OK, I’m not by myself up there with my pants falling down in front of an audience.’ That’s very validating.”
“What I would like for people coming out of the show is to see themselves in these characters, whether they are from rez or otherwise. That they see moments for themselves to be self-reflective and be self-affirmative.”
Once the run of “Rez Gas” is completed, Cale Crowe will return to performing locally, including showcasing songs from his latest record, and is considering touring. (Photo via Cale Crowe website)
As for his career as a musician, Crowe’s most recent recording, titled Burn Blue, is available for listening at www.calecrowe.com, which is also home to tracks from his first two albums, Stars and Promises and Til I Let You Go, as well as performance videos.
Crowe is already making plans for what’s next in his career when Rez Gas completes its run.
“The priority is mapping out what next year looks like, mostly performing and showcasing songs from my latest record. I’ve toyed with the idea of touring. There will be a day, maybe a weekend, in September where I sit down and kind of map it all out.”
The cast of Rez Gas, directed by Herbie Barnes, features John Walmsley as Destin, Dillan Meighan-Chiblow as Leon, and Vinnie Alberto as Nolan as the trio of old friends at the centre of the action, along with Nicole Joy-Fraser as Lucy, Michelle Bardach as Aurora, Jonathan Fisher as Samuel/Penny/Wade, and Emma Rudy as Mackenzie.
Orchestrations and music supervision is by Jeff Newberry, with a band comprised of Kia Rose, Emry Tupper, and David Schotzko led by music director Sarah Richarson. Other members of the creative team include Jung-Hye Kim as set designer, Yolonda Skelton as costume designer, and Jareth Li as lighting designer with Monica Dotter as choreographer. Stage manager Kat Chin is assisted by Ada Aguilar, with Haneul Yi serving as copyist.
Rez Gas opens at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22 with a pay-what-you-can preview performance, with additional evening performances on August 23, 27 to 30, and September 3 to 6, and 2 p.m. matinee performances on August 24, 27, 30 and 31, and September 2 and 3 and 6 and 7.
Special performances include Indigenous Community Night on Friday, August 29 and a relaxed performance on Tuesday, September 2. There will be “Talk Back Thursdays” after the performances on August 28 and September 4, where you can participate in a question-and-answer session with the artists and find out more about the process of making live theatre.
Other than the preview performance, tickets are $48 ($40 for those 30 and under). Tickets are available at capitoltheatre.com or by calling the box office at 905-885-1071.
Based in Apsley in the Township of North Kawartha in Peterborough County, HitcHinge is a self-supporting, self-contained dock coupler designed and patented by Andy Assinck after he spent years struggling to install and remove docks on his own. Owned and operated by Andy and his wife Rita Marie Assinck, HitcHinge sells its made-in-Canada products to local dock builders and retailers as well as hardware stores and distributors across the Kawarthas. (Photo courtesy of HitcHinge)
Andy Assinck and Rita Marie Assinck have created a thriving business around an innovative product that streamlines the dock installation and removal process, but docks aren’t the only things being connected — HitcHinge is also connecting businesses in the local community.
Years ago, Andy was servicing cottages in the Township of North Kawartha, one of eight townships in Peterborough County, and after one particularly gruelling late November day of trying to remove docks and ramps by himself, he returned home with sore fingers and an idea to revolutionize the dock coupling system.
In 2016, he patented HitcHinge, a coupler with an ingenious design where every piece is self-contained — ultimately removing the risk of dropping a component into the lake during installation or removal. Self-supporting, the product harnesses the power of gravity — making it easier for a single person to connect a dock or ramp — and is nearly silent in comparison to the clanking, knocking, and squeaking that comes from using typical dock couplers.
Since then, Andy has continued to find innovative solutions to home and cottage life, having recently launched the HitcHinge Pro which, in addition to other advancements, can be used in salt water. The business also builds custom spin ladders to provide an accessible alternative to getting in and out of the water, as well as dock bubbler mounts.
HitcHinge sources much of the metals needed to build the products from Kawartha Metals Corporation in Peterborough and uses Extrudex out of Woodbridge as the main extruder. Other suppliers include Bolts Plus in Peterborough and Absolute Stainless in Mississauga.
In turn, HitcHinge supplies local dock builders and retailers including Kawartha Docks in Apsley, R&J Machine in Lakefield, Houston Marine Systems in Coboconk, and several Home Hardware and Timber Mart stores across The Kawarthas.
HitcHinge owners Andy Assinck and Rita Marie Assinck support the local economy by sourcing local materials in Peterborough County and by working with regional retailers and dock builders to distribute their innovative dock coupling system. Since patenting the product in 2016, they have continued to find and build new innovations for cottage life while also giving back to local community organizations. (Photo courtesy of HitcHinge)
Thanks to the wide range of suppliers and builders, several local and Ontario resorts and marinas are now equipped with HitcHinge products to provide a quiet experience for guests, including Anchorage Marina on Jack Lake in Apsley and Georgian Bay Marina in Parry Sound.
Between custom installing spin ladders and always coming up with new innovations (with more products coming to the market very soon), Andy and Rita still find the time to give back to the community. In the spring, when they heard users of the dock at L’Amable Lake south of Bancroft were frustrated with the noise it was causing, HitcHinge donated a dock coupler to the town.
The business also regularly gives to Community Care in Apsley and the local Lions Club, as well as Peterborough Wolverines Football.
“It helps supports sports programs, which I believe is huge for building and developing employees and encouraging people working together,” says Andy.
While HitcHinge has been planning to market and sell products in the U.S., with the economic uncertainty created by U.S. tariffs, Andy and Rita have decided for now to focus on the Canadian businesses they support by making it easy for their customers to find HitcHinge through local distributors.
To learn more about HitcHinge, visit hitchinge.ca.
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.
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.
One person was seriously injured in a head-on crash on Highway 28 north of Apsley late Monday afternoon (August 11).
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday, Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews responded to a call about a head-on collision on Highway 28 near Jeff Road between a red Jeep and a grey sport utility vehicle (SUV).
As a result of the collision, the driver of the grey SUV was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the red Jeep was transported by air ambulance to a Toronto-area trauma centre.
Advertisement - content continues below
Highway 28 was closed in both directions between Jeff Road and Haliday Road/Trotters Road in Apsley for around nine hours while emergency crews dealt with the collision and police documented the scene.
The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed or has video/dash camera footage of the collision, and who has not yet spoken with police, is asked to contact Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Evan Lizotte, a fire information officer with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), provided an update on wildland fires in the Kawarthas region during a virtual media briefing on August 12, 2025. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
Although three wildland fires are continuing to burn out of control in the Kawarthas region as of Tuesday (August 12) — including fire HAL018 in Hastings County and fires HAL019 and OFR001 in Kawartha Lakes — fire-fighting crews have been successful so far in preventing the fires from spreading.
That includes HAL019 east of Burnt River and south of Kinmount, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) during a virtual media briefing held by the City of Kawartha Lakes on Tuesday.
“The fire has been tied in, meaning that the suppression efforts intended to secure the fire’s perimeter have been secured,” said Evan Lizotte, a fire information officer with MNR’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES).
Advertisement - content continues below
Lizotte said the fire, which grew from five acres when it started on Saturday to 27 hectares by Sunday, is not yet under control. However, measures such as hose line, fire guard, or natural boundaries including shorelines and bodies of water are assisting “in preventing it from advancing further.”
MNR has assigned five ground crews to HAL019, supported by air attack as required.
A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
Advertisement - content continues below
As for fire HAL018 in Hastings County, located on Crown land in the Municipality of Marmora and Lake south of Coe Hill in Wollaston Township and east of Aspley in North Kawartha Township, MNR has three crews on the ground who are using various suppression tactics, supported by water bombers.
The fire, which also started on Saturday and has grown from 11 to 12.8 hectares in size, has been surrounded by hose lines by MNR crews, according to North Kawartha fire chief Jesse Lambe, who provided North Kawartha Township council with an update on the fire on Tuesday morning due to its proximity to the township.
Lambe said that, due to the hot conditions and lack of precipitation, fires are “burning deep” — meaning that they can spread through root systems and require a considerable amount of time to put them out.
In response to a question from Mayor Carolyn Amyotte, Chief Lambe said MNR has not accepted offers of assistance from fire crews in the townships of North Kawartha and Marmora and Lake. North Kawartha also offered the MNR use of its fire station and heli-pad for logistics in fighting HAL018, but MNR does not need them.
Advertisement - content continues below
A third fire around six kilometres southwest of Kirkfield in Kawartha Lakes, which MNR has labelled as OFR001 (for “outside of fire region,” referring to the MNR’s Haliburton fire management region), is a grass fire located just east of Prospect Road and north of Eldon Station Road. The fire began on Monday afternoon and grew from five to 33.5 hectares.
Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service requested the MNR’s assistance in fighting the fire, and MNR has assigned five ground crews supported by air attack, with five Kawartha Lakes fire stations also responding to the fire.
Prospect Road is closed from south of 1304 Prospect Road to north of 1375 Prospect Road while crews continue to fight OFR001.
Advertisement - content continues below
During Tuesday’s City of Kawartha Lakes media briefing, Lizotte also noted a safety issue with “media aircraft flying over and around the active wildland fires.” He reminded media that Canadian aviation regulations prohibit unauthorized aircraft from operating over or within five miles of a forest fire and at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet.
Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie echoed Lizotte’s comments, asking all residents and visitors, including the media, to stay away from fire areas.
“Even if you go up there, the fire is so deeply embedded in the forest that you wouldn’t be able to see anything, or get any good photo shots, because there’s nothing to see,” the mayor said. “You can’t even see smoke because the overhanging trees are keeping it more towards the ground.”
He reminded residents not to operate drones in the area of the fires, as it is both illegal to do so and a safety risk.
Mayor Elmslie added that a total fire ban is in effect for the entire municipality, and said “we will be policing that very stringently” and that there will be “zero tolerance for burning.” He asked any residents that see smoke to report it immediately to Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue Service at 705-324-2191.
He advised households to have an emergency kit easily accessible should evacuation becomes necessary.
“I stress at this time there is no evacuation order, and there is no thought at the moment of evacuation,” he said.
In response to a question from The Weather Network about the impact of debris from the spring ice storm on fire fighting efforts, Mayor Elmslie said the fallen trees and branches have made it more difficult.
“What I’m told by the fire fighters on site is that the forest is so thick and, with the debris on the ground, they can’t actively access it — it is very difficult for them,” he said.
A CBC reporter asked MNR whether a province-wide fire ban is being considered.
“We are not having conversations provincially or in either of the regions for a restricted fire zone at this time,” said Dayna Drouin, provincial coordinator of the information unit at AFFES, noting that a “lot of factors” are considered when implementing a restricted fire zone, including the province’s ability and resources to respond to fires.
“Right now we’re feeling confident that we have the resources available to respond to the current fires on the landscape as well as what’s potentially forecasted in the near future,” she said.
English Islands, an AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy by giving real-time feedback as students read aloud and tracking performance gains, is one of the 21 tech companies participating in the fall 2025 cohort of the Innovation Cluster's LevelUP business accelerator program for Ontario-based growth-stage companies in the hard and soft technology sectors whose products have reached the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and beyond. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of English Islands video)
An AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy and non-invasive cancer detection sensors for earlier diagnosis are but two of the innovations from tech companies accepted into the latest edition of the Innovation Cluster’s LevelUP business accelerator program.
On Monday (August 11), the Peterborough-based organization announced the roster of 21 tech companies taking part in the fall 2025 cohort of the program for startup businesses that are ready to scale.
“The most exciting thing about this cohort is the quality of the companies,” Innovation Cluster board vice-chair Christine Crandell told kawarthaNOW. “Equally interesting is that the majority of the companies are from across the region and the GTA, not just Peterborough and the Kawarthas. They heard about the accelerator program through word of mouth.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Free for all who are selected to participate, LevelUP is open to Ontario-based growth-stage companies in the hard and soft technology sectors whose products have reached the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and beyond.
LevelUP kicks off on Wednesday (August 13) with a 12-week intensive program with expert-led support in branding, revenue models, product development, customer acquisition, go-to-market strategy, and investment readiness.
It wraps up with a pitch competition on October 30 sponsored by Matrix Venture Studio, LaunchPath, Innovation Venture Farm Inc., and ANC, where eight finalists competing for a $10,000 cash prize will be judged by a panel of four experienced angel investors.
Advertisement - content continues below
“The momentum behind LevelUP continues to grow with each cohort,” said Innovation Cluster program lead Zahra Shafiei in a media release. “Each cohort brings together innovative thinkers who are ready to scale, and we’re eager to support their development through practical strategy, expert mentorship, and a strong peer network.
The 21 tech companies participating in the fall cohort of LevelUP, along with descriptions of their MVPs, are listed below.
Abroadin – AI-powered platform that streamlines international university applications, combining mentorship and automation for programs, applications, and visas.
Ad Suite AI – Digital marketing software for small businesses with free ad tools, AI campaign automation, and done-for-you execution.
Artitent Atelier Inc. – Community-driven platform for local and amateur artists to showcase and sell work, collaborate, and engage with studios and art events.
Beyond Role Plays – AI-powered soft skills training platform using lifelike simulations and real-time feedback for leadership development.
BiosphereAI – AI-powered biodiversity mapping tool using satellite, drone, and ecological data to locate species globally.
Cura Connect Inc. – Platform to find and transition to high-quality, private home care services.
DynaGaunt – Smart, wearable app that monitors wrist movements to detect early signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and provide prevention exercises.
elerGreen Industry Corporation – Patented electrolyzers converting waste and pollutants into valuable products using renewable electricity.
Enabled Talent – AI-powered inclusive hiring platform connecting businesses with skilled individuals with disabilities via anonymized profiles and accessibility tools.
English Islands – AI-powered reading platform that boosts literacy by giving real-time feedback as students read aloud and tracking performance gains.
Advertisement - content continues below
FN Nano Canada Inc. – Titanium oxide-based nanocoatings that purify air, protect surfaces, and reduce pollutants through a UV-activated process.
Grainguru Technologies Inc. – Autonomous AI and IoT robotic system for grain storage monitoring to prevent spoilage and boost farm profitability.
GreenFuel 2.0 – AI-powered system that converts organic waste into clean biofuel using smart sorting, fermentation monitoring, and machine learning.
Hadiware Inc. – AI-powered routing platform that optimizes delivery operations with real-time monitoring and advanced analytics.
Jessy Salomi – Social discovery app connecting immigrants, travellers, and locals through shared interests, group meetups, and exploration.
LulAI Inc. – Retail AI platform for deploying intelligent brand-controlled agents across channels to improve customer service, sales, and engagement.
Maplexcellence Inc. – SaaS energy and carbon management platform helping organizations cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
One-Tech Innovation – A biotechnology company developing highly sensitive, non-invasive cancer detection sensors for earlier diagnosis.
Platform Streamlining Estate Planning – Legal platform streamlining estate planning, corporate securities, and mutual funds with expert guidance.
Tokentir Inc. – Blockchain-powered marketplace enabling anyone to invest in tokenized U.S. real estate starting at $50, offering secure and transparent access.
17082606 Canada Corporation – AI search engine unifying web content, personal files, and business apps for accurate, transparent answers.
Advertisement - content continues below
The Innovation Cluster is a non-profit business accelerator supporting entrepreneurs in agriculture technology, clean technology, health and medical technology, nuclear technology, and digital information technology.
The organization offers co-working and meeting space in downtown Peterborough as a hub for business leaders to collaborate in person and also works virtually with entrepreneurs around the world.
For the second year in a row, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the Peterborough Field Naturalists to combine music and nature at Tecasy Ranch in Trent Hills in Peterborough County. On September 6, 2025, field guides will walk participants through an easy forested trail walk that will be interspersed with ensembles of music performances. Pictured are Jaye Marsh on flute and Jennifer Burford on violin during the inaugural event in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
The hills of Tecasy Ranch in Peterborough County will be alive with the sound of music on Saturday, September 6 when the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents its second annual Musical Nature Walk.
Held in partnership with the Peterborough Field Naturalists, the Musical Nature Walk invites families and individuals of all ages to join an easy trail walk to various ensemble performances while learning about the flora and fauna of the region.
With last year’s inaugural event selling out a week in advance, this year’s walk at the 550-acre forested property — located 40 minutes north of Peterborough between Buckhorn and Burleigh Falls — will see two start times at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
“It brought in people who were interested in interacting with classical music in such a different way and in a more casual event,” says PSO general manager Christie Goodwin of last year’s inaugural event. “The Tecasy Ranch is absolutely beautiful, and it combines an interest with nature and an interest in music, and I know guests particularly loved that each of the groups were playing different styles of music.”
At the start of the event, guests will be split off into smaller groups and paired with a Tecasy Ranch staff member and a field naturalist who will tell them about the natural world they are exploring. Along the way, there will be interspersed resting and listening segments where PSO musicians will perform ensemble compositions.
“Bird song is really the first music, so there’s always been music in nature,” says Goodwin. “Different composers have always been inspired by nature. Beethoven took long nature walks, and I know Sibelius was the same, and it inspired them to write music. I think there is a meditative quality to both the natural world and to music, and it just seems to me like a lovely pairing — like good food and wine.”
Between ensemble performances from members of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, guests on the Musical Nature Walk on September 6, 2025 will be guided down the trails of Tecasy Ranch by members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists. Participants will be able to ask questions and learn all about the flora and fauna that makes up the forested area. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
There will be six different musical stations throughout the event, including solo harpist Liane James who will be welcoming guests at the pavilion as they begin the walk.
Along the trail, Bryan Allen will be stationed playing the solo marimba, Victoria Yeh will be performing jazz-inspired compositions on the violin alongside principal bassist Fil Stasiak, principal violinist Jennifer Burford and principal cellist Zuzanna Chomicka-Newnham will be performing together, and principal violist Adriana Arcila Tascón and oboist Nancy Vanderslice will also perform as a duo.
As an extra special treat, audiences will see PSO maestro Michael Newnham away from his usual place at the conductor’s podium and instead performing trombone duets with David Archer.
“I think people loved seeing the instruments out of their regular context and even sonorously combined in different ways,” Goodwin says. “You aren’t always able to focus in on one particular sound (during an orchestral concert), so I think it allowed people to get right up close and ask some questions and hear some things in a different way.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
While the PSO has already received a request for at least one of the groups to play Bach, the musicians will mostly be choosing the compositions they will play and how they will play them.
“The musicians have quite a bit of artistic license, which is really neat to see, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with,” Goodwin says. “I’ve asked them all to go with their instincts on different styles of music, so we should have a real variety.”
This year, the event has a special ticket price including fees of $16.50 for children 12 and under to match the amount of family interest the walk garnered last year. General admission tickets for adults are priced at $70 including fees. The walk is not recommended for children under six.
Jane Cook (left) plays the French horn with Ruth Alton and David Archer on trombone for an audience during the inaugural Musical Nature Walk hosted by the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and the Peterborough Field Naturalists in 2024. David Archer will once again be performing during the 2025 walk on Saturday, September 6, when he will be joined by PSO maestro Michael Newnham, who is stepping away from the conductor’s podium to also perform on trombone. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
“It’s the perfect event for a family to come out to because you don’t have to sit and be quiet and attentive — you can interact in your own way,” says Goodwin. “It was really nice to see the kids’ amazement and interest and have them running and playing a little bit throughout.”
The trail is also family friendly, rated “easy” and suitable for “casual hikers.” However, there are some uphill and downhill sections and the terrain is uneven with rocks and tree roots, so suitable footwear and comfortable apparel are highly recommended and hiking poles are encouraged if needed. The event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices.
“The staff do such a beautiful job of keeping the trails trimmed and prepared for us,” says Goodwin.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Goodwin adds that the PSO is also grateful for the effort the staff at Tecasy Ranch put into making it a comfortable space for the performers and audience members by organizing wildflowers on the picnic tables and setting up tents and seating. Light refreshments will be available for purchase during the event.
“It’s just amazing the amount of work that Tecasy Ranch folks put into this for us,” Goodwin acknowledges.
Also new this year, businesses can sponsor some of the musical stations along the trail, where they will be able to access donor benefits like speaking to the audiences and engaging with the public. Interested sponsors can email Goodwin at admin@thepso.org.
While the Tecasy Ranch trails that will be used during the Musical Nature Walk on September 6, 2025 are all marked “easy” and suitable for casual hikers, there are some areas of elevation that are rocky or covered in roots. Guests are encouraged to bring proper footwear and walking sticks if required. The event is not suitable for people who use mobility devices. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra)
As with most of the PSO’s outreach events, the hope is that by going out into the community, the organization can inspire even more people to appreciate the sounds of the symphony orchestra and come to a concert.
“It helps overcome the myth that the symphony is so formal and so inaccessible, by being incredibly organic and accessible,” says Goodwin. “It lets us be out and part of the community and meet the community where they are. It’s really neat to hear the music with all the bird song and the wind rustling through the trees — it’s a completely different experience. I think it satisfies a lot of people’s curiosity.”
The PSO’s 2025-26 season of five concerts begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 1 at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough with a concert called “Bright Lights” that includes works by Rossini, Wijertane, and Mozart and features guest artist Shawn Mativetsky, who will join the PSO for the first time to perform on tabla. It will also be the first time the hand percussion instrument, used in Hindustani classical music, has been featured at a PSO concert.
Season subscriptions are available now at thepso.org/subscriptions, with single tickets for individual concerts available soon.
kawarthaNOW is proud to return as a media sponsor for the PSO’s 2025-26 season. Stay tuned to our website for an overview of the upcoming season and also stories about each of the concerts throughout the season.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
