A 76-year-old Lakefield man was seriously injured after his SUV pulled out into the path of an eastbound tractor trailer on Highway 7 just east of Peterborough on February 21, 2025. (Photo: Peterborough County OPP)
A 76-year-old Lakefield man was seriously injured in a collision on Highway 7 just east of Peterborough on Friday afternoon (February 21) that closed the highway for almost nine hours.
Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 7 between Keene Road and Burnham Line that happened at around 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
According to police, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) turned out from a business on the south side of Highway 7, attempting to cross over to the westbound lanes as an eastbound tractor trailer approached.
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The tractor trailer was unable to stop in time and collided with the driver’s side of the SUV, ejecting the driver from the vehicle.
Witnesses came to the aid of the driver until emergency crews arrived on scene.
UPDATE March 4, 2025 – Police advise that the 76-year-old driver of the SUV succumbed to his injuries in hospital on March 1.
The driver of the SUV, a 76-year-old man from Lakefield, was transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre before being transported by air ambulance to a trauma centre in Toronto due to the severity of his injuries.
Highway 7 was closed in both directions between Keene Road and Drummond Line for almost nine hours while police investigated and documented the scene.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has surveillance or dash camera footage of the collision, and has not spoken with police is asked to contact the Peterborough County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) sits on a bench in front of Pastry Peddler in downtown Millbrook in a scene from the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series "Reacher" streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
If you’ve been watching the third season of the popular Amazon Prime Video action-thriller series Reacher, keep an eye out in the third episode for scenes shot in downtown Millbrook — including a cameo appearance by Millbrook’s popular Pastry Peddler.
Based on the best-selling books by British author Lee Child, Alan Ritchson stars as the titular character Jack Reacher, a brawny yet astute former military policeman known only by his last name who becomes a drifter after leaving the army, using uses his expertise and physical strength and combat skills to solve crimes and right wrongs.
Millbrook is standing in for a town in Maine during the third episode of the third season, which is based on Child’s 2003 novel Persuader. The scenes were filmed on King Street in Millbrook last April.
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The seventh book in the series, Persuader finds Reacher working covertly with Susan Duff of the Drug Enforcement Administration to bring down Zachary Beck, a businessman who lives on the coast of Maine and is suspected of smuggling drugs under the pretext of trading in rugs, and to safely retrieve an undercover DEA agent who appears to have been discovered and kidnapped by Beck’s henchmen.
But Reacher’s primary motivation is more personal. He wants to exact revenge on Beck’s boss, a former military intelligence agent named Francis Xavier Quinn who Reacher thought he had killed 10 years earlier after Quinn brutally mutilated and murdered Dominique Kohl, a rising star in the military police under Reacher’s command.
Through an elaborate deception involving Beck’s son Richard, Reacher goes undercover to not only try to help find the missing agent but also to track down his villainous adversary.
Millbrook stands in for a small town in Maine in the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)Richard Beck (Johnny Berchtold) walks across King Street in downtown Millbrook in a scene from the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. Pictured in the background is Millbrook Home Hardware standing in for Ricky’s Hardware Store. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
In the third episode of the third season, entitled “Number 2 with a Bullet,” Millbrook is the real-life location of a fictional town in Maine where Reacher takes Richard (Johnny Berchtold).
The pair first visit the Time Warp Toys store (The Joneses Store in real life), where Richard buys a cap gun as a gift for his father. Later, while Reacher is otherwise engaged, Richard walks across the street as three men emerge from Ricky’s Hardware Store (Millbrook Home Hardware in real life). After the three men harass and assault Richard on account of his father, Reacher appears and steps in to dispatch the bullies.
Richard and Reacher then sit down on a bench in front of the real-life Pastry Peddler to have a five-minute conversation before leaving the town.
Pastry Peddler in downtown Millbrook makes a cameo appearance in the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)Richard Beck (Johnny Berchtold) and Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) sit on a bench in front of Pastry Peddler in downtown Millbrook in a scene in the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)Richard Beck (Johnny Berchtold) and Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) walk down King Street in downtown Millbrook in a scene from the third episode of the third season of the action-thriller series “Reacher” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. (kawarthaNOW screenshot)
The filming of the Reacher episode in Millbrook is only one example of the picturesque town’s popularity as a location in the film and television industry.
Films shot in Millbrook include 2003’s The Music Man starring Matthew Broderick, David Cronenberg’s 2005 film A History of Violence, and 2009’s Let It Snow, among others. Along with Reacher on Amazon Prime Video, scenes have been shot in Millbrook for the Netflix series Jupiter’s Legacy (2020) and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (2021), as well as for the Canadian TV series Murdoch Mysteries and Anne with an E.
The first three episodes of the third season of Reacher are now available on Amazon Prime Video, with additional episodes of the eight-episode series premiering weekly every Thursday until March 27.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is transforming its Lakefield ReStore into a boutique-style store specializing in antiques, vintage treasures, and one-of-a-kind specialty items, such as this antique settee sofa that recently sold for $195. The Lakefield ReStore is also now the only ReStore in the region open on Sundays. (Photo: Lakefield ReStore / Facebook)
When shoppers step into Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region’s (Habitat for Humanity PKR) Lakefield ReStore, they’ll hopefully be feeling some boutique vibes.
That’s the goal of a refresh for the ReStore at 3001 Lakefield Road in Selwyn Township, which opened last July. Habitat for Humanity PKR said it’s making the change to reflect the clientele base and the feel of the area in which it’s located.
“We’ve been wanting to try a boutique-style ReStore for a while now, and Lakefield felt like the perfect place to launch it,” Holly O’Connor, communications and marketing manager for Habitat for Humanity PKR, told kawarthaNOW.
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“It is a unique endeavour for sure,” O’Connor added. “We’re so lucky to receive donations of stunning antique furniture, unique décor, and even high-end brand-new items from generous local and national businesses.”
“While Habitat ReStores will always focus on affordability — keeping essential items our community needs affordable is something we always keep in mind — we have also wanted to create a space to highlight those one-of-a-kind pieces we receive that deserve a special showcase.”
Habitat for Humanity PKR also hopes the Lakefield store will now be “a go-to spot for our gorgeous, deconstructed kitchens.”
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There are many cottage owners in the area who take advantage of Habitat for Humanity PKR’s free kitchen removal service, “and now we have the perfect place to display and sell them too,” O’Connor said.
Habitat for Humanity PKR’s “professional ReStore deconstruction and salvage team” can be called to both cottages and homes to carefully and professionally dismantle major household items such as kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, bathroom fixtures, doors, windows, built-in shelving, and more at no cost to the owner.
With the switch to the boutique shop, the Lakefield ReStore is now also the only ReStore in the region open on Sundays, making it easier for weekend shoppers and cottage country visitors to stop in.
“This has always been highly requested and made so much sense with a boutique-style store,” O’Connor added.
The new hours for the store are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Susan Zambonin, Habitat for Humanity PKR’s CEO, shared a few thoughts about the endeavour in her February update on Habitat for Humanity PKR’s website.
“At Habitat for Humanity (PKR), our ReStores fuel our mission — offering an affordable place to shop, a sustainable way to donate, and a meaningful way to give back,” Zambonin said.
“Since opening our Lakefield ReStore last summer, we’ve seen firsthand how this community embraces sustainability, quality craftsmanship, and unique finds. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that our Lakefield ReStore is evolving into a boutique-style store, specializing in antiques, vintage treasures, and one-of-a-kind specialty items. This change allows us to bring something truly special to the area, offering a curated shopping experience that fits right into Lakefield’s charm.”
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Zambonin thanked the Lakefield community for its warm welcome to the area.
“Your support helps build affordable homes right here in our region. Every time you shop, donate, or volunteer, you’re making a real difference. We can’t wait to welcome you into the newly reimagined Lakefield ReStore Boutique.”
Habitat for Humanity PKR operates three ReStores located in Peterborough, Lindsay, and Lakefield. These non-profit stores sell new and gently used building materials, furniture, and home décor. Shopping, donating, and volunteering at ReStores supports affordable homeownership and sustainability by diverting items from landfills.
The organization says its ReStores diverted 331,730 items from landfill in 2023.
Northumberland-based spa and beauty supplier L'Moor is hosting two hands-on courses for estheticians and nail technicians at Venture13 in Cobourg on March 3, 2025. "Perfecting P+ Gel Polish" and "Mastering JimmyGel" fulfill the 300-level course requirement for the Light Elegance University Bachelor's Degree. (Photo courtesy of L'Moor)
Picking up where college-level courses leave off, Northumberland-based L’Moor is providing spa and esthetic business owners with a local training opportunity to support their team’s professional development.
Through two half-day certificate courses focused on delivering long-lasting and safe manicures, both new and experienced estheticians and nail technicians can stay skilled and up to date.
Founded by Bonnie Annis and William Roderick, L’Moor is a Canadian supplier of spa products and equipment coming up on 19 years in business. The company supports estheticians and spa owners through education and mentorship, focusing on safe, healthy, and sustainable products and practices. Through their national and provincial sponsorship of skilled trade competitions, ongoing classes, and weekly education series Esthies and Their Besties, they’ve fostered a supportive community where industry professionals can connect, share insights, and grow their businesses.
On Monday, March 3, L’Moor is hosting two back-to-back courses at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg) that include a combination of demonstrations, hands-on activities, one-on-one guidance, and a Q&A. Classes will be taught by Mackenzie Annis, esthetician and owner of Lilac Spa and Esthetics in Peterborough, who is one of only three certified Light Elegance (LE) Educators in Canada.
“It’s a huge deal to have this level of education locally,” says Bonnie. “Mackenzie is very good at educating and cares that students are successful.”
Mackenzie Annis, one of only three certified Light Elegance Educators in Canada, will be teaching the “Perfecting P+ Gel Polish” and “Mastering JimmyGel” classes at Venture13 in Cobourg on March 3, 2025. She is also owner of Lilac Spa and Esthetics in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of L’Moor)
Running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., “LE314: Perfecting P+ Gel Polish” is focused on using the award-winning line of gel polish, where participants will learn the P+ Gel Polish system, master FastFile Fill techniques, and perfect their nail preparation skills.
The “LE 313: Mastering JimmyGel” workshop will run directly after from 1 to 5 p.m. and will cover the skills required to create manicures and extensions using the versatility of JimmyGel, a soak-off builder gel with brush-bottle application. The course will also explore different options for adding LE Colour and Glitter Gels, as well as the proper maintenance of JimmyGel for fills and complete product removal.
Both classes will include demonstrations of safe application processes using the LE products, which are all vegan and HEMA-free. Participants of either class will leave with a certificate as proof of meeting the 300-level class qualification required for completion of the LE University Bachelor’s Degree.
While each class is available individually at a rate of $179, participants can save $59 and get lunch included when they sign up for both classes at a cost of $299.
Know Your Locals™ is a branded editorial feature about locally owned independent businesses and locally operated organizations, and supported by them. If your business or organization is interested in being featured in a future “Know Your Locals” branded editorial, contact Jeannine Taylor at 705-742-6404 or jt@kawarthanow.com or visit our Advertise with kawarthaNOW page.
Bancroft's A Place for the Arts is calling on local artists to help revitalize the mural on the west side of the 23 Bridge Street building. With the blessing of the original mural's artist, Arne Roosman, the revitalization will be done throughout July and August 2025 and will include overlaying a collage of natural scenes to fill out two giant dragonflies and a firefly in the mural's foreground. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)
Calling all professional and hobbyist painters in Bancroft and area: A Place for the Arts (APFTA) wants to know what you love most about the region. The artist-run cooperative is seeking community artists to help revitalize a mural on the side of their building with natural scenes that show off the best the town has to offer.
“What we’re trying to bring back is pre-colonial history and nature, because that’s what Bancroft is actually about and how it grew,” says APFTA communications and marketing manager Gayle Crosmaz.
The mural in question is located at 23 Bridge Street on the west side of the building, visible alongside the York River when entering downtown Bancroft. Painted by renowned and award-winning local artist Arne Roosman in 2014, the 44-foot-long mural depicts the history of Bancroft and area since the arrival of settlers.
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Roosman was born in Estonia in 1932 and studied art in Sweden before coming to Canada in 1957, where he worked as a lithographer, book designer, and artist. When he retired in 1988, he and his wife moved to the Bancroft area, where Roosman continued to work as a freelance artist. Now 92, Roosman lives in Coe Hill.
The vibrant colours of Roosman’s mural have chipped and faded away in recent years, prompting building owner Burke Chamberlin to reach out to APFTA to gather up the group of artists to show the mural some love by repainting it, with Roosman’s blessing.
“Everyone’s going to have a different style of painting, so there’s no way that we could actually reproduce what was there — I don’t even know what was all there — so I had to come up with a different plan on how we could make it different on purpose,” says Crosmaz.
In 2014, renowned local artist Arne Roosman painted an 11-panel, 44-foot mural on the western side of the building at 23 Bridge Street in Bancroft. With his permission, A Place for the Arts is calling on regional professional and hobbyist artists to help revitalize the mural throughout July and August. (Photo courtesy of A Place for the Arts)
Crosmaz, a visual artist whose work travels to 12 countries across the globe and a former muralist who has previously organized projects of a similar calibre, has outlined the proposed redesign which consists of overlaying two giant dragon flies and a firefly as a basis for a collage.
“It’ll be from a bug’s eye view if you were laying in the grass looking up at the mural,” Crosmaz explains. “Two-thirds of the mural is going to remain as a ghosting background because that is the past and then the foreground is nature coming back in full force.”
“Because (the current pieces are) faded with the sun, we’re going to revarnish the area that we’ve saved so that they will be protected, but it pushes it into the background, giving it a nice backdrop for the new mural that’s laid on top of it. So it’s a collage in the shapes of leaves, flowers, and bugs.”
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The design has been broken down into more than 100 segments for artists in the community to paint various scenes that either depict pre-colonial history or the natural aspects they love most about the region.
The leaves and grass area will have the scenes depicted in natural colours of greens, golds, and reds, while the dragonflies will be in cooler tones and the firefly will be in warmer tones to stand out in the foreground of the mural.
In the middle, the firefly will be reserved for Algonquin First Nations artists to create representations of Algonquin teachings through their Wàwàtesi (firefly) Cultural Discovery Project, an ongoing series of experiences that introduce Algonquin culture and art to those who live in the region.
Born in Estonia in 1932, Arne Roosman studied art in Sweden before coming to Canada in 1957, where he worked as a lithographer, book designer, and artist. When he retired in 1988, he and his wife moved to the Bancroft area, where Roosman continued to work as a freelance artist. Now 92, Roosman lives in Coe Hill. (Photo courtesy of Apsley Autumn Studio Tour)
Following the success of student art shows at APFTA, artists at the North Hastings High School have also been invited to paint segments of the new mural.
“Professionals, non-professionals, hobbyist — everyone can come,” Crosmaz says. “If you’re not confident, you can pick a small square, and if you’re real confident, you can pick a big one. It’s open to everybody.”
Throughout March, a “prototype” of the mural will be available in the Annex Gallery at APFTA for artists to assess and select the segment or segments they would like to work on.
“We have guidelines and when we take people’s names and contact information, they’ll indicate what they want to paint — whether it’s a black bear, an eagle’s nest, or whatever else they decide — so we get a good diversity of perspectives of the area and what they love about it,” Crosmaz says. “It’s going to be like a tourist guide.”
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With the cost of supplies having already been raised through donations and community sponsors, the painting will take place this summer throughout July and August.
Half of the mural’s 11 four-by-eight-foot panels will be worked on throughout July, while the remainder will be revitalized throughout August.
Artists will work indoors in the Annex Gallery, with the building’s barn doors opened to the street so pedestrians and passers-by can see the project taking form. Crosmaz is also hoping to recruit a cinematographer to film the project and potentially use the clips to create a documentary at the end of the summer.
A Place for the Arts has launched a new project to revitalize a 10-year-old mural at 23 Bridge Street in Bancroft. Painted by renowned local artist Arne Roosman, many portions of the mural are now faded and chipped. The project calls on local artists to revarnish the older areas while painting new scenes, with a focus on nature, on top. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)
Upon completion, there will be a plaque situated beside the mural with the names of sponsors and those who lent their time and talents for its rejuvenation.
“People can find their family member or friends and know where they painted their little scene,” says Crosmaz.
She plans to organize a celebratory party in September for the reveal and installation of the new mural.
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“It’s bringing attention to our little corner of Bancroft,” Crosmaz says.
“It’s such a through street — everybody’s coming off (Highway) 28 or 62 and going somewhere else — and a lot of people don’t even know that we even exist. We’re creating a long-term event that will bring people to the area, so they will come back.”
Painted in 2014 by renowned local artist Arne Roosman, the mural at the west side of the building at 23 Bridge Street in Bancroft depicts a timeline of post-colonial history in the region. The proposed design of the revitalization project will see two giant dragonflies and a firefly overlaid on top of the original design, which depicts Bancroft and area history over the past 200 years. (kawarthaNOW collages of photos courtesy of A Place for the Arts)
On February 12, 2025, Yamaha Financial Services presented Northumberland County with a $12,732.32 cheque for the Northumberland County Forest as part of the 2024 Stay Outdoors grant program. The funds will support the installation of fencing, gates, and signage to help protect environmentally sensitive areas as well as the planting of 160 native species to restore damaged ecosystems. (Photo: Northumberland County)
From planting 160 native species to installing fencing, gates, and signage to help protect environmentally sensitive areas, the Northumberland County Forest will receive a boost to its ecosystem this year thanks to a recent grant.
County staff and others gathered at the McDonald Trailhead in the Northumberland County Forest on February 12 with representatives from Yamaha Financial Services to accept a $12,732.32 cheque as part of the 2024 Stay Outdoors grant program.
The funding will support the installation of 121.92 metres of fencing, two gates, and 20 regulatory signs to protect environmentally sensitive areas in the county forest. These additions will help safeguard species such as the endangered mottled duskywing butterfly and monarch butterflies, noted the county in a media release.
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Additionally, the project will include planting 160 native species to restore damaged ecosystems. The county will also launch a campaign to promote environmental stewardship among trail users.
“It was wonderful to work with Yamaha on this,” Kate Campbell, Northumberland County’s director of communications and information technology, told kawarthaNOW.
She said the spring should lend itself for installing the fencing and the planting will occur in either the spring or fall, depending on supply and availability.
“We are grateful for this grant, which will support conservation efforts in the Northumberland County Forest,” said Todd Farrell, county natural heritage manager, in a statement. “Improvements made thanks to this investment will help ensure the long-term health of this natural asset.”
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Launched in 2022, the Yamaha Financial Services Stay Outdoors program provides funding to Canadian registered charities and not-for-profit organizations to support conservation efforts, protect environmentally sensitive areas from illegal or inadvertent off-highway vehicle use, improve access to natural spaces, and promote the responsible use of trails, roads, and waterways for motorized recreation.
“Northumberland County’s project is a great example of how responsible land use and motorsports can coexist,” said David Bezerra, president of Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation – Canada. “By prioritizing environmental stewardship, it reinforces Yamaha Financial Services’ mission to support sustainable outdoor recreation while protecting the natural spaces we all enjoy.”
The project will help protect the forest while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, the county added.
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Northumberland County Forest is intended to offer residents and visitors a place to appreciate plants and wildlife while preserving forest ecosystems and providing ecological benefits to Northumberland County.
The forest features over 118 kilometres of trails, including around 54 kilometres of single-track and double-track trails that are open for for ATVs and off-road motorcycles from May 16 to September 30.
The county’s forest services also manages annual timber harvesting in the forest, as well as invasive species, weed and forest conservation (tree) bylaw enforcement.
For more information about the county forest and its trail network, visit northumberland.ca/forest.
Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) board members look on as pianist Rob Phillips announces a donation of $50,000 from supporter Lynn Morris at the February 15, 2025 PMBA blues jam at The Social in downtown Peterborough. Morris died two days later after a lengthy battle with cancer. (Photo: Andy Carroll)
The Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) has received the largest donation in its history, but has done so with the heaviest of hearts.
Lynn Morris, a fervent and passionate supporter of Peterborough musicians who was a familiar face at live music events in the city, died last Monday (February 17) following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67.
Two days earlier, at the monthly PMBA blues jam fundraiser at The Social, headlining act Rob Phillips, cheque in hand, announced that Morris had gifted $50,000 to the association.
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To put that in perspective, the PMBA, which provides financial assistance to musicians in need, raised just more than $8,500 during the period from its January 2014 inception until August 2016.
Peterborough real estate agent Jo Pillon, a member of the PMBA’s founding board, says Morris was in palliative care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on the day her donation was announced. Pillon recorded the announcement at PMBA with her phone and shared it with Morris.
“She hearted it, so I know she saw it,” says Pillon. “The show was dedicated to Lynn. He (Phillips) brought up the cheque, donated it to us, and talked a little bit about the PMBA and what we do. I recorded the whole thing and sent it to Lynn.”
Lynn Morris with American blues guitarist and singer Junior Watson at the 2010 Beaches Jazzfest in Toronto. Morris was a longtime fan of blues music as well as a fervent supporter of Peterborough musicians. (Photo: Lynn Morris / Facebook)
“I spent two hours with her earlier on the day of the show,” adds Pillon. “We had a really good visit. I felt good about being able to say goodbye to her.”
“She was a fighter, for sure, but during her recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she fell at home and broke her hip. She was hospitalized again for hip surgery. She rallied from that and, even though it was difficult for her, she still came out to PMBA events, sometimes on her own.”
Morris asked Pillon to organize her celebration of life and she’s in the process of doing just that, with help from Al Black and Phillips. Details are still being worked out but it will held Sunday, April 13 at The Social and, yes, local musicians will be featured at the event.
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“She was adamant she didn’t want to have it while she was still with us,” says Pillon, adding “I’m honoured that she entrusted me with organizing her celebration of life.”
“About two months ago, I took Lynn to The Social to meet with (co-owner) Cole (Akey) and look at the menu. She picked out what she wanted. I expect a fair number of people will come out that day.”
As a lasting tribute to Morris, Pillon says an award presented annually by the PMBA to the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist will be renamed the Lynn Morris Memorial Award.
Lynn Morris, who passed away on February 17, 2025 at the age of 67 after a lengthy battle with cancer, pictured with her partner Al Kirkcaldy at Kitchener Bluesfest in an undated photo. Kirkcaldy also passed away from cancer in 2009. (Photo: Lynn Morris / Facebook)
Morris’ love of music, and those who perform it, was rooted in her relationship with the late Al Kirkcaldy. He produced and hosted Blue in the Face on Trent Radio for 15 years, and brought a number of top blues acts to Peterborough before he died of cancer in February 2009.
Binding Pillon’s more than 30 years of friendship with Morris was the fact that she too lost her partner prematurely, when singer and keyboardist Phil ‘Mr. Deluxe’ Marshall died suddenly in December 2013.
Wanting to keep alive Marshall’s tradition of helping musicians in need, she approached Don McBride, Norm Kastner, former Pig’s Ear Tavern owner John Punter, and Black to help her establish the PMBA. Debuting in January 2014, the monthly jam was initially held at the Pig’s Ear before moving, first to Dr. J’s BBQ and Brews, and most recently to The Social.
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Morris was also a regular patron of the weekly Sunday Blues Jam at Jethro’s on Hunter Street West. In November 2023, she was quoted in a feature article on the jam published by kawarthaNOW.
“It’s the calibre of the entertainment that brings me out,” she said, adding “You never know who’s going to show up.”
As for Pillon, she is sad that her friend is gone but knows Morris be there in spirit at her celebration of life.
“She was a strong personality — she knew what she wanted and she knew what she liked, and she wasn’t afraid to tell people. I’m going to miss her.”
The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) is accepting applications from Indigenous visual artists to have their work displayed during the 2025 festival running from June 19 to 22 at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Both Indigenous artists who may not have exhibited before or established artists who have new work to show are encouraged to apply. Pictured is a work by Nuin-Tara Wilson ᓄᐃᓐᑕᕋ Star Daughter Woman, a Cree artist residing in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. (Photo: Sadleir House / Instagram)
Organizers of the 2025 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) are expanding the festival’s canvas to include the work of visual artists.
NIFF has announced it is opening the fringe festival’s roster to submissions from Indigenous visual artists this year.
With its move from Trent University to the Peterborough Theatre Guild, NIFF — considered to be the only Indigenous fringe festival in the world — will have access to a space that is regularly used for art exhibits. Organizers recognized an opportunity to bring Indigenous visual art to NIFF in addition to the line-up of performing artists.
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“Our hope is that we will encourage Indigenous artists who may not have exhibited before, or who have new work to show, to apply,” NIFF’s general manager Lee Bolton told kawarthaNOW.
“As with all things fringe, the selection will be made by lottery, so everyone has an equal chance. We have room for a number of pieces of various sizes and any subject matter suitable for a general public, as long as they are in a format we can hang on a wall.”
Since 2021, NIFF has been bringing Indigenous performing artists to Peterborough. Now, Indigenous visual artists are also invited to apply to exhibit their work via the NIFF website at www.indigenousfringefest.ca.
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Selected artists will be invited to hang their work in the public areas of NIFF’s space at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Each artist may submit several pieces. Applications are now open and will close on March 31.
“Each year at NIFF we showcase Indigenous performance across all genres, and we also provide space for Indigenous vendors to highlight their creations,” NIFF artistic director Joeann Argue said in a media release.
“This year we are excited to expand our offerings to include visual artists, adding yet another layer of Indigenous artistry to the festival.”
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NIFF 2025 will feature four days of performances and activities from June 19 to 22 at the Guild’s location at 364 Rogers St. in Peterborough’s East City.
Additional, general information about NIFF is available on the festival’s website. A full schedule, including all special events, family activities and vendors, will be available in April. Ticket sales will start in May.
“There are so many amazing Indigenous visual artists, and adding their work to the amazing performances we get every year will give the people who come to NIFF a deeper and broader experience,” Bolton said about her hopes for the festival overall.
To encourage the exploration of creative expression, the Art Gallery of Peterborough offers educational arts programming for people of all ages and skill levels, all led by established educators and artists from within the local community. From the Art Start! program for young children to the portfolio development program for teens and the art camp for adults, there are many programs exploring a range of art practices scheduled in 2025. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
There is no limit to who can engage with the arts. Whether you’re young or old, experienced or a beginner, doing it professionally or just for fun, the Art Gallery of Peterborough has educational programming to inspire your creative pursuits.
Following the success of its 50th anniversary last year, the non-profit public art gallery has been adding new educational art programs that foster the exploration of creative expression for everyone while celebrating the arts in the Peterborough and Kawarthas region.
“Since the pandemic and the experience of being shut down and having to move online, a lot of these programs have been refreshed with our recommitment to showing how important and vital the visual arts culture is,” says Art Gallery of Peterborough director Celeste Scopelites. “We have a nice complement of programs that have evolved over the last couple of years.”
Each of the instructors for the educational programs offered by the Art Gallery of Peterborough are experienced artists and educators in the region. Coming from a range of different professional backgrounds and experience in different disciplines and mediums, they foster a supportive environment for beginner artists to learn and express themselves through art. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
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According to Scopelites, arts education has been an integral component of the gallery since it was founded.
“The experience of being with art in a gallery space is something that makes our programs truly unique,” she says.
Registration fees for each of the educational programs go towards the costs of running them, including purchasing supplies and paying the instructors, who are established educators and artists from within the local community.
“They are known within our communities and bring something special through their art practice,” says acting education programming coordinator Dorothea Hines. “They have a very special impact in their community because they focus on community engagement in development and appreciation through their art practices or through their art teaching practices.”
The Art Gallery of Peterborough’s new monthly Art Start! program encourages children ages 4 to 6 to learn to be creative and express themselves. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
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The Art Gallery of Peterborough is expanding this appreciation for the arts to young children with the all-new Art Start! program for children ages 4 to 6. A companion to the Saturday Art Club for children ages 7 to 11, the monthly program focuses on developing creativity and enthusiasm for art making from a young age.
“It introduces children to various techniques that they can do as they get older,” says Hines. “It’s one way to focus on creatively thinking outside of the box, but also to develop a strong sense of self in exploring their identity.”
The half-day “Fun with Shapes” Art Start! workshop on Saturday, February 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. will be led by printmaker and fibre artist Julia Szabo, who will help children explore basic shapes through drawing and cutting. The participants will create fun collages using different materials, developing their fine motor skills and creativity.
Other upcoming workshops will be on puppet making (March 29), sensory art (April 26), sea-themed art (May 31), and printmaking (June 28). The fee for each half-day workshop is $33 per child.
“The workshops encourage exploration using a creative spirit,” Scopelites explains. “Art can be an entry point into different areas like graphic arts and architecture, science, and ecology. Encouraging a comfort level with the different mediums when children are young helps feed into all these other avenues.”
During the Saturday Art Club, children aged 7 to 11 explore a range of arts and disciplines under the guidance of experienced local artists and educators. Upcoming projects include designing a mosaic, creating optical illusion art, learning to sculpt with clay, and capturing nature on canvas through landscape painting. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
For older children, upcoming Saturday Art Club workshops will explore mosaics (March 22), optical illusion art (April 19), clay sculptures (May 24), and landscape painting (June 21). As with the Art Start! program, the fee for each half-day workshop is $33 per child.
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is also continuing to offer its PA Day Program, featuring half-day workshops that explore a range of techniques and media for children ages 7 to 11. The next workshop is scheduled for Friday, March 7, when multi-disciplinary artist Alexandra Box will guide participants in using potatoes for relief printing and create patterns on paper and fabric.
“It’s a great example of how you can use just everyday materials that are more or less accessible, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it to develop it into a printing project,” says Hines.
Other PA Day Program workshops take place on April 11 and June 27. The fee for each half-day workshop is $33 per child.
In addition to hosting educational programming on PA days in alignment with the Ontario curriculum, the Art Gallery of Peterborough is hosting the March Break Camp from March 10 to 14, 2025. Throughout the week, children will explore a range of art practices under the guidance of artist and educator Lesley Givens, and the week will conclude with an exhibit of the completed projects. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
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For children who want to try it all, the Art Gallery of Peterborough is hosting its annual March Break Art Camp for children ages 7 to 11. Each afternoon from March 10 to 14, participants will learn about different artists and create artwork inspired by their artistic practices, styles, and techniques. The cost for the week is $165 per child.
This year’s March Break Art Camp will be led by Lesley Givens, a longtime teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board who specializes in both individual art making techniques and communal artmaking techniques. At the end of the week, the camp participants will display their work and invite their family and friends to see all that they have accomplished.
“There is a lot of one-on-one time, and we have volunteers and program assistants so there is support and, if you need a hand, someone will come and help,” Hines says about the intimate group size. “By the end of the week, they’re actually quite a tight-knit group.”
The March Break Art Camp will be led by Lesley Givens (left), a longtime teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board who specializes in both individual art making techniques and communal artmaking techniques. Ceramic and printmaking artist Alexandra Box (right) is one of the practising artists who will be leading the Portfolio Development for Teens program. (Photos courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
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For children ages 11 to 14 who are looking to get into a secondary school art program, the Art Gallery of Peterborough offers the Portfolio Development for Teens program. Running twice per year, the new four-week course will help participants develop skills and techniques that boost their creativity, while emphasizing the importance of experimentation and taking risks.
Course leaders for the spring session, which kicks off on Thursday, April 24, include ceramic and printmaking artist Alexandra Box, letterpress artist Jeffrey Macklin, and multidisciplinary artist Justine-Marie Williams. The program runs every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. until May 15, at a cost of $132 per participant.
“This is a program that’s led by practising artists who know about the application process and what a good portfolio looks like at the high school level and at a post-secondary level,” says Hines.
The opening reception for “Figuring Identity”, an exhibition of work from participants in the 2024 Youth Art Mentorship Program. The program is led by Dr. Spencer J. Harrison (back right), an educator with OCAD University whose paintings and installation-based artworks have been exhibited internationally. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
Senior high school students who are looking to prepare their applications for post-secondary arts programs can apply for the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s intensive Youth Art Mentorship Program.
Selected youth artists will receive training in visual arts and creative administration, developing valuable skills as professional artists that can also lead to related careers such as animation, industrial design, and architecture.
Under the mentorship of Dr. Spencer J. Harrison, an educator with OCAD University whose paintings and installation-based artworks have been exhibited internationally, and with assistance from professional jurors, participants will create work for a public exhibition at the gallery.
Applications for the Youth Art Mentorship Program typically open in November each year. There is no cost to apply.
The monthly Adult Art Camp offers adults the opportunity to explore their inner creative child in a fun, social, and supportive environment. (Photo courtesy of Art Gallery of Peterborough)
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Of course, young people can’t have all the creative fun, which is why the Art Gallery of Peterborough has launched the all-new monthly Adult Art Camp, which offers a casual and supportive environment on Thursday evenings where participants explore a new art form every month. No skills or previous experience are needed.
“It’s for adults who are not professional artists, but they want to develop technique, learn, and explore in a very relaxed, social way,” says Hines.
Upcoming workshops include eco printing (March 20), mixed media – collage and paint (April 17), sculpture – clay creations (May 22), and abstract watercolours (June 19). The cost for each workshop is $50, with materials and refreshments provided.
“People are enjoying being together with each other and it enhances and amplifies that learning experience when you see what your neighbour is doing at the next table,” Scopelites says. “We’ve received positive feedback about these art camps and we’re looking forward to continuing them.”
For more information about the educational programs and activities available at the Art Gallery of Peterborough and to register for upcoming workshops, visit agp.on.ca/learn/programs/.
This branded editorial was created in partnership with the Art Gallery of Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) was the beneficiary of a recent fundraiser that saw volunteers from the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) student fraternity camp out in the parking lot of the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough from February 7 to 9, 2025, raising over $2,700 for affordable housing efforts. (Photo: TKE Peterborough)
Peterborough post-secondary students who recently braved the elements of a Canadian winter and hunkered down outdoors for 48 hours have helped raise more than $2,700 in support of area affordable housing efforts.
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region (Habitat PKR) was the recipient of the proceeds from the 14th annual event that saw volunteers from the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) student fraternity camp out in the parking lot of the Venture North building in Peterborough from February 7 to 9.
Called “TKE in a Box,” the event involved male students from Peterborough’s Trent University and Fleming College spreading the word about the need for affordable housing and collecting money for Habitat PKR while they spent the two days outside in the city’s downtown core.
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“The TKE fundraiser was really fantastic,” Holly O’Connor, Habitat for Humanity PKR’s communications and marketing manager, told kawarthaNOW.
“It was definitely a chilly one for the volunteers, but that didn’t stop them at all. The community engagement was incredible — so many people took the time to stop by, ask questions, and learn more about Habitat’s mission.”
O’Connor popped by towards the end of the event and said, despite the freezing temperatures, the campers were still full of energy.
“It’s so inspiring to see young people stepping up for affordable housing, especially when they’re balancing school, work, and everything else. It really shows how much Trent and Fleming students see Peterborough as their home through the way they want to give back in meaningful ways,” O’Connor added.
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The endeavour raised a total of $2,786.75 for Habitat PKR.
“For the past 13 years, TKE in a Box has been a tradition for our fraternity, bringing us together with the community to raise both awareness and funds for local charities in Peterborough,” said TKE chapter president Benjamin Hofmann in a media release issued prior to the event.
“As the housing crisis continues to impact so many in Peterborough, it’s vital to support organizations like Habitat for Humanity PKR that provide affordable housing for families and individuals in need of stability.”
Over the years, TKE in a Box has supported various local organizations, including One City Peterborough and One Roof. This year marks the fourth consecutive year it has partnered with Habitat PKR.
Proceeds from the TKE in a Box fundraiser specifically support Habitat for Humanity PKR’s efforts to provide individuals and families with opportunities for affordable homeownership and housing across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region.
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One upcoming initiative includes a multi-unit condo project that could provide up to 41 affordable homeownership opportunities for local families and individuals, including seniors and single parents.
Habitat for Humanity PKR provides local families and individuals with a “hand-up” into affordable homeownership, with no down payment and geared-to-income mortgage payments.
The organization strives to help homeowners “achieve the stability, strength, and self-reliance they need to build better lives and are empowered to overcome the barriers that so often stand between their families and healthier, more financially stable futures,” according to its website.
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