Alt-country rocker Jim Cuddy will be performing at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on October 24, 2019, joined by guitarist Colin Cripps and fiddler Anne Lindsay, to celebrate his fifth solo record, "Countryside Soul". (Photo: Heather Pollock)
Alt-country rocker Jim Cuddy will be performing at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on Thursday, October 24th.
Cuddy, who is best known for his 15 studio recordings with Blue Rodeo, released his fifth solo album, Countrywide Soul, earlier this year.
To celebrate the new record, Cuddy has announced six Ontario shows this fall, with the October 24th concert in Lindsay the only date in the Kawarthas.
Colin Cripps and Anne Lindsay, members of The Jim Cuddy Band, at Jim Cuddy’s barn in southern Ontario recording his fifth solo album “Countryside Soul”. The two musicians will be joining Cuddy at his concert at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay on October 24, 2019. (Photos: Anne Lindsay / Facebook)
He will be performing as The Jim Cuddy Trio along with guitarist Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy Band) and fiddler Anne Lindsay (Jim Cuddy Band, The Skydiggers, John McDermott).
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 29th at the Academy Theatre box office. For tickets, call 705-324-9111 or visit academytheatre.ca.
Countrywide Soul is described as a celebration of music and the musicians who join Cuddy on stage each night.
VIDEO: “Back Here Again” – Jim Cuddy
For the record, Cuddy re-worked a number of songs previously recorded for his solo career and with Blue Rodeo, along with two new songs and a couple of favourite cover songs.
Members of the Jim Cuddy Band (Cripps, Lindsay, Bazil Donovan, and Joel Anderson) gathered at Cuddy’s family farm in southern Ontario where they recorded the album on the top floor of his barn — keeping the sound as natural as possible to reflect the woody sound of the barn and to capture the energy of the band’s live performances.
“We are connected by what we create together,” Cuddy says of his band and his new record.
VIDEO: “Glorious Day” – Jim Cuddy
“That’s what I wanted to capture on this record,” he adds. “How much I enjoy listening to the band reveal their imagination and add their creativity to the songs was really the inspiration. So as much as this is a musicians’ record, it’s really an example — if you’re lucky — of what bands can create together.”
Among his accolades, Cuddy has received 15 Juno awards, The Order of Canada and, along with his bandmates in Blue Rodeo, has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received the Governor General Performing Arts Award, and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. general manager Mathew Renda and head brewer Russell Gibson at the brewery's new Bottle Shop, which officially opened on August 24, 2019 and sold out within hours. (Photo courtesy of Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.)
businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s business and organizational news includes Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. opening its new Bottle Shop and selling out in three hours, the Kawarthas’ first legal cannabis store may be coming, the launch of Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program in Kawarthas Northumberland, and the federal government announcing $823,000 of funding to support Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program.
Every week, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
Also featured this week are the Digital Main Street program expanding to Kawartha Lakes, Edwin Binney’s Community Garden harvesting and donating more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables, Firehouse Subs donating almost $9,000 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue, Flavour Fashion in downtown Peterborough noting its 20th anniversary, and PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary celebrating the 45th birthday of its namesake.
New regional business events added this week include the Lindsay Chamber hosting a breakfast networking meeting in Lindsay on August 28th, the Innovation Cluster hosting a therapy dogs workshop in Peterborough on August 28th, an open house for outgoing KLCFDC general manager Andrew Wallen in Lindsay on September 3rd, Agilec hosting a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11th, Enactus Fleming College presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11th, the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presenting networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12th, a diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26th, the Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10th, and the Kawartha Chamber’s Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10th.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. opens its new Bottle Shop and sells out in three hours
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. (4 May St., Fenelon Falls) officially opened its Bottle Shop last Saturday (August 24th) after receiving its retail shop license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
The Bottle Shop featured beer to go and kegs of Kawartha Sparkling Ale, East Coast IPA, Vienna Lager, Red Ale, and Farmhouse Saison — a Belgian-style pale ale that was an exclusive new release just for the opening.
“It’s been a long journey and the opening of our Bottle Shop is one step closer towards our grand vision for the Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.,” wrote the brewery on its Facebook page.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.’s new Bottle Shop was very popular, selling out its entire weekend supply of beer within three hours of opening on August 24, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Fenelon Falls Brewing Co).
The Bottle Shop proved to be very popular, with the brewery selling out of its entire weekend’s supply of beer within three hours of opening at 12 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
A restocked Bottle Shop will reopen on Wednesday (August 28) in time for the long weekend. Hours are 12 to 4 p.m.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. also operates a Merch Shop that is open from 12 to 4 p.m.
The Kawarthas may soon have its first legal cannabis store
Huge Shops Ontario Inc. has been selected to apply for a retail operator licence for a cannabis store at 566 Frank Hill Road in Fowlers Corner. Huge Shops is a Toronto-based cannabis retailer that has a strategic alliance with Chairman’s Brands, parent company of Coffee Time, and Cobourg-based cannabis grower FSD Pharma of Cobourg invested $14 million in Huge Shops to acquire at least 10 Coffee Time stores as recreational cannabis suppliers. (Photo: Google Maps)
Last Wednesday (August 21), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced the results of the province’s second cannabis store lottery, with a proposed store on the border of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County on the list.
Huge Shops Ontario is proposing a store to be located at 566 Frank Hill Road in Fowlers Corners, where a Coffee Time is currently located.
The Toronto-based cannabis retailer has a strategic alliance with Coffee Time’s parent company, Chairman’s Brands. Cannabis grower FSD Pharma of Cobourg invested $14 million in Huge Shops last year to acquire at least 10 Coffee Time stores as recreational cannabis suppliers.
Two other applicants in the Kawarthas are on the lottery wait list: Lloyd Tucker at 1434 Chemong Road Unit #1 in Selwyn Township, and Cirrolion Capital Inc. at 351 Kent Street West in Lindsay (across from Whitney Town Centre).
Canada’s first Waterway Trail Town program launches in Kawarthas Northumberland
Trent-Severn Trail Town program, Canada’s first waterway “trail town” program, was launched on August 22, 2019 at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford. Pictured from left to right: Cycle Forward founder and trail town consultant Amy Camp, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) Executive Director Brenda Wood, Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Last Thursday (August 22), the Trent-Severn Trail Town program was launched in Campbellford by Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8).
The program, which features the Trent-Severn Waterway as the “trail” linking together communities in the Kawarthas, has already been adopted by Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale. More communities are expected to sign on before spring 2020 as the program rolls out.
“This program will connect communities, foster pride of place, embrace visitors and elevate the region,” says Brenda Wood, the executive director of Kawarthas Northumberland/RTO8.
The Trent-Severn Trail Town program will encourage local businesses to promote communities not only along the trail corridor but within the region, encouraging tourists to stay longer, visit other places in the region, and to spend money in the region.
Wood also expects to see new businesses come into the area, or existing ones expand, to meet the increased demand in goods and services from more visitors.
The potential economic impact of the program for the Kawarthas area is significant; a similar program in the U.S. measured a $50 million US benefit in a single year as a result of increased trail user traffic.
Federal government announces $823,000 of funding to support Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program
For 45 women in Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland will be coordinating the Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator, a pilot program that will see the Ontario East Economic Development Commissiom receive up to $823,000 to launch, promote, deliver, and evaluate the program. (Photo: Northumberland County / Facebook)
Last Thursday (August 22), Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd announced $823,000 of funding in support of the Women’s Virtual Entrepreneurship Incubator Pilot Program, locally coordinated by the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland.
The pilot program, managed by the Ontario East Economic Development Commission in Kingston, will support 225 female entrepreneurs starting and growing their own businesses — including 45 women in Northumberland.
Each participant will be eligible for a $2,000 grant or loan as well as training and development opportunities.
The pilot program will focus specifically on Indigenous women, women in rural regions, and recent immigrants who are starting a business.
The funding is part of the federal government’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.
Digital Main Street program expands to Kawartha Lakes
Kawartha Lakes Economic Development and its partners have received a $40,000 grant from the Government of Ontario to fund a Digital Service Squad to help downtown small businesses throughout the municipality improve their online capabilities.
Kawartha Lakes received the grant as part of the Digital Main Street program, funded by the Ontario Government and delivered by the Ontario BIA Association to establish a Digital Service Squad to help main street small businesses enhance their use of digital tools and techniques to better evolve and grow.
The Digital Service Squad will consist of a trained specialist and team members who will visit small businesses in downtowns across the municipality at no cost to help them set up digital tools such as a Google Business Profile, conduct a digital-readiness assessment and assist the businesses in applying for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant. The Squad is anticipated to start visiting businesses in October 2019.
Other communities in the Kawarthas that already have set up a digital service squad include Peterborough and Port Hope.
Edwin Binney’s Community Garden harvests and donates more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables
Student volunteers Mallory, Nicole, and Jenn celebrate the achievement of growing and harvesting 1,046 pounds of fresh vegetables Edwin Binney’s Community Garden. (Photo courtesy of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes)
United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has announced more than 1,000 pounds of vegetables have been grown at Edwin Binney’s Community Garden in Lindsay and donated to the community.
Edwin Binney’s Community Garden comprises 30,000 square feet of Crayola Canada’s previously unused land that the United Way and Fleming College staff have developed into a fully operational community garden. The garden is maintained by staff from both United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes and Fleming College’s Sustainable Agriculture program, as well as several volunteers from Crayola Canada, Farm Credit Canada, and the community.
In two months since its grand opening, staff and volunteers have planted and maintained 30,000 square feet of land and 24 raised garden beds, set up an innovative and sustainable irrigation system, hosted educational workshops for children and youth, and 1,046 pounds of fresh vegetables to local agencies such as food banks, shelters, the Good Food Box, and kids’ programming agencies.
“We are only just getting started with the harvest and are putting out a call for more volunteers to help with our first annual fall harvest,” says Elly Millington, Projects and Communications Coordinator at United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “If you enjoy spending time outside and want to get your hands dirty while helping your community, we want to meet you.”
Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help Edwin Binney’s Community Garden can contact the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes at 705-878-5081 or complete the volunteer form at ckl-unitedway.ca/edwin-binney-community-garden/.
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Firehouse Subs is donating almost $9,000 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescuer
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada will be donating $8,972.20 to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue for the purchase of a fire hazard kitchen simulator.
The kitchen simulator is a tool that fire prevention inspectors use to promote kitchen safety during public education initiatives throughout the municipality. The simulator will help teach high-risk groups such as youth and seniors how to prevent cooking fires.
Firehouse Subs will present a cheque to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue on Tuesday (August 27) at Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service Station #1 (9 Cambridge St. N., Lindsay). Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham, along with representatives from Firehouse Subs, members of Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service, and others will be in attendance.
Flavour Fashion in downtown Peterborough has its 20th anniversary
August 23, 1999. This was the first day Flavour opened. Today it is 20 years old.
Well to be honest, Freedom opened. We…
Flavour Fashion (383 George St. N., Peterborough) turned 20 years old last Friday (August 23).
Owner Mike Watt originally opened the clothing store in 1999 as “Freedom”, but had to change the name after eight days in operation for legal reasons, according to a Facebook post.
“We started learning the first week we opened that running a small business takes patience, perseverance and a tonne of support from your friends and family,” he writes. “You learn to roll with the punches.”
The concept of the store, according to Watt, was “Bring cool things to a small town that normally would only be available in a big city.”
The concept proved successful, but not without a lot of hard work.
“We made good people our priority, our staff, our managers, our friends, our customers, our suppliers, the companies we work with all were either into what we were doing, or we were out,” Watt writes.
As for the future of Flavour, Watt notes he doesn’t really have a specific plan moving forward.
“We’re just going to keep doing what we do. Supporting our community, participating in trying to better our city, working to one day become an industry leader for independent retailers, supporting the local music and art scenes, being creative, continuing to develop new talent in our staff and most importantly trying to be good people everyday.”
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary celebrates the 45th birthday of its namesake
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary celebrated the 45th birthday of PrimRose the donkey on August 24, 2019. (Photo courtesy of PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary)
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary (296 Bowmanton Rd., Roseneath) held a public celebration of the 45th birthday of its namesake last Sunday (August 24th),
Along with being the sanctuary’s namesake, PrimRose the donkey was also the sanctuary’s first resident.
According to founder and operator Sheila Burns, PrimRose “used to pull a cart at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto and was then shifted around from farm to farm for about five years.” PrimRose has been at the sanctuary for the last 23 years.
VIDEO: PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, protection, and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, and unwanted donkeys, and provides the public with information about donkeys. The sanctuary also provides life-saving care and makes every effort to help animals recover from physical and mental abuse where needed, or provides a home in cases where owners are unable or unwilling to provide care.
A registered Canadian charity that relies entirely on donations to support the sanctuary, PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary is run by Burns and supported by around 25 volunteers. For more information and to donate, visit www.primrosedonkeysanctuary.com.
Lindsay Chamber hosts breakfast networking meeting in Lindsay on August 28
The Lindsay & District Chamber Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next M2M Breakfast Meet Up from 8 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28th at Smittys Family Restaurant (370 Kent St., Lindsay).
Bring your business cards and chat with other like-minded people while enjoying a breakfast you order from the Smitty’s menu.
No registration required and this is a free event (just pay for what you order).
Innovation Cluster hosts therapy dogs workshop in Peterborough on August 28
The Innovation Cluster’s next workshop for entrepreneurs to practice mindfulness takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28st on the ground floor boardroom of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
“Hands-ON: Pause for Paws – Therapy Dogs” features the East Central Therapy Dogs organization bringing in some of their dogs for entrepreneurs to play with. There will be three 20-minute sessions limited to three people per dog at a time, with each person permitted five minutes with a dog.
Open house for outgoing KLCFDC general manager Andrew Wallen in Lindsay on September 3
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation is hosting an open house for its outgoing general manager Andrew Wallen from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at Pie Eyed Monk Brewery (8 Cambridge St. S., Lindsay).
The event will celebrate Wallen’s contributions to the community and to wish him farewell.
Peterborough Chamber hosts PBX at Loomex Group in Peterborough on September 3
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at the Loomex Group (925 Airport Rd., Unit 550, Peterborough)
All are invited to attend the free networking event.
Lindsay Chamber and Ouellet Connection host Fall Golf Classic Tournament in Lindsay on September 5
The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce and Ouellet Connection Inc. are hosting their Fall Golf Classic Tournament from 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 5th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (282 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay).
Registration is at 12 p.m. with tee-off at 1 p.m.
The cost is $125 per person, which includes a BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, dinner, and a swag bag. There will be prizes for women’s and men’s closest and longest drive and most honest and winning team, with putting and chipping contests.
Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Coffee Connection networking event in Bobcaygeon on September 9
The Bobcaygeon and Area Chamber of Commerce’s next Chamber Coffee Connection networking event takes place from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday, September 9th at Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence (60 West St., Bobcaygeon).
Enjoy a coffee and get to know your fellow Chamber members. Non-members are welcome.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts The Breakfast Club in Dysart et al on September 10
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at Abbey Retreat Centre (1150 Garden Gate Dr., Dysart et al).
The guest speaker is John Purkis, senior associate with The Natural Step Canada, who will speak on the topic “Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Into Your Organization”. Purkis is a sustainability expert, facilitator, and systems change specialist who works with municipal governments and other organizations in Canada and around the world to implement sustainability into their operations and planning.
Substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting an employer education information session about substance abuse and addiction from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at the Peterborough Chamber Of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
The free information session will feature guest speaker Paul Schauber, the case management and intake program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peterborough location. He will be delivering a presentation that highlights best practices for employers to navigate the issue of substance abuse and addictions in the workplace.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
Agilec hosts a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11
Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
If you are an employer and would like to register, contact Arlayna Curtin at 705-740-2577 x5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca. The registration deadline is Friday, August 30th.
Enactus Fleming College presents entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11
Entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé.
Enactus Fleming College, a non-profit organization that encourages youth entrepreneurship in the community, is presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Fleming College (599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough).
L’Abbé, winner of 2003 CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal and 2008 Business Person of the Year by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, began his company Med-Eng in 1981 and since then has held over 80 per cent of the global share market within his industry. He will speak on the topic “How to Grow a Startup into a Multi-Million-Dollar Business.”
Fleming College’s VP of Academic Experience Tom Phillips will provide opening remarks, and there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a networking portion for attendees. Light refreshments will be provided.
Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presents networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12
The Lindsay & District Chamber Of Commerce is presenting a networking event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12th at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore (55 Angeline St. N., Lindsay).
Enjoy an afternoon of networking while you learn about Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore in Lindsay. Refreshments will be available.
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council, in partnership with the Lindsay DBIA and the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an information session on diversity and inclusion in the workplace from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26th at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
The free session will feature guest speaker Lindsay Kretschmer, executive director of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous social justice issues and well being, provincial and federal negotiations, program and training development, research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and capacity and partnership building.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10
The second annual Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Presented by Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, Destination Ontario, and Kawarthas Northumberland, the one-day high-level business growth conference is designed to educate, motivate, and promote collaboration.
Keynote speakers include Ron Tsang on the topic “Influential Communication for Entrepreneurs” and Andrew Patrico on the topic “How to Cost and Price Your Products and Services Profitably”.
The cost is $45+HST, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence and Social Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield).
There will be a silent and live auction, light hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a social hour for networking in Upper Hadden Hall before the presentation of the awards in the Bryan Jones Theatre.
This photo of a spectacular $2.7 million luxurious century-style estate at 124 Lily Lake Road in Selwyn was our most-viewed photo on Instagram in July. (Photo courtesy of The Galvin Team / RE/MAX Eastern Realty Inc.)
July 2019. I’m not going to talk about the heat or the mosquitos — I’m going to talk about our abundance of amazing Kawartha-area photos!
I’m late posting our top Insta photos from last month, but it’s been a busy summer for all us at kawarthaNOW. That’s why we had several top photos in July from our own editorial posts, and so we’ve increased our top posts this month to 12 from our typical nine to include more photos from talented local photographers. Enjoy!
Want to get on our top photographers list? All you need is an Insta account and to tag us using our hashtag #kawarthanow when posting your photo.
We share photos from across our readership area, which is the five-county area surrounding Peterborough which includes Peterborough, Northumberland, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Hastings (we sneak in the occasional Algonquin Park picture as well, particularly if it’s by a Kawartha photographer).
To see our daily shares of photos, follow us on Instagram @kawarthanow and check out our feed’s highlight reels for recaps of every month in 2019.
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#1. 124 Lily Lake Road by The Galvin Team RE/MAX @galvinteamremax
Posted July 9, 2019. 8,826 impressions, 223 likes
Our followers obviously love local real estate! Our top-viewed story for July was our editorial about this $2.7 million luxurious century-style estate at 124 Lily Lake Road in Selwyn.
Posted July 22, 2019. 8,515 impressions, 240 likes
Yes, our real estate editorials were popular in July: this top story was for our editorial about a $1.7 million estate at 3133 Peterborough County Road 36 in Buckhorn on the edge of Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park.
Posted July 16, 2019. 7,248 impressions, 345 likes
This photo by our writer Paul Rellinger accompanied our editorial story about @pedalboro unveiling Peterborough’s first party bike in downtown Peterborough.
#7. Picnic Island on Eels Lake by Jeannine Taylor @wired_woman
Posted July 21, 2019. 6.087 impressions, 211 likes
Okay, I admit it: I was surprised to see one of my own photos on this list. I don’t often post personal photos to our kawarthaNOW account. I’m going to give full credit on this one to Mother Nature and the natural beauty of Picnic Island on Eels Lake in North Kawartha.
#8. Old-growth tree by Ancient Forest Exploration and Research @ptbo_oldgrowth
Posted July 10, 2019. 6,068 impressions, 182 likes
This photo was featured in our editorial about the Ancient Forest Exploration & Research (AFER) group, a non-profit charitable scientific organization founded in 1992, which recently launched a new citizen science project to find, map, and document old-growth forests in Peterborough County.
Decorated and lit canoes and kayaks fill the two tubs of the Peterborough Lift Lock during the annual Lock & Paddlee event on August 24, 2019. The fourth annual event, presented by the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada (Parks Canada) in co-operation with The Canadian Canoe Museum, was held in the evening for the first time. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)
It was another successful Lock & Paddle event on Saturday (August 24) at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada.
For the first time this year, the annual event was held in the evening and featured a lighted paddlecraft parade, lighted night-time lockage, and free overnight camping.
The fourth annual event also included local vendors and live entertainment.
Trent-Severn Waterway posted a few photos of the event on social media, taken by photographer Justen Soule:
An aerial view of paddlers on the Trent Canal heading towards the Lock & Paddle event at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada on August 24, 2019. The fountain in Little Lake is pictured in the background. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)Paddlers on the Trent Canal heading towards the Lock & Paddle event at the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada on August 24, 2019. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)
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Paddlers in one of the tubs of the Peterborough Lift Lock being lifted almost 20 metres during the Lock & Paddle event on August 24, 2019. The event began at 5 p.m. and continued through the evening. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)Paddlers exit one of the tubs of the Peterborough Lift Lock during the Lock & Paddle evening event on August 24, 2019. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)Canoes and kayaks fill both tubs of the Peterborough Lift Lock during the Lock & Paddle event on August 24, 2019. (Photo: Justen Soule / Trent-Severn Waterway)
Two boats were involved in a night-time crash on August 24, 2019 in Young Bay, located on the far shore in this photo, which shows Crowes Landing at Stoney Lake. (Photo: Wikipedia)
Two 31-year-old men are dead following a serious night-time collision involving two boats on Stoney Lake on Saturday (August 24).
The accident happened at around 9:30 p.m. off Bedwell Drive in Young Bay in Upper Stoney Lake when two boats, each with three people on board, collided.
Witnesses were able to locate and transport five of the six boaters to shore. One of the boaters, a 31-year-old man from Mississauga, was missing.
After police and emergency crews arrived, they pronounced one of the boaters, a 31-year-old man, dead at the scene. He has since been identified as Kristian Brudek of Burlington.
The remaining four boaters were transported to hospital with injuries ranging from non-life threatening to serious.
OPP officers used marine units and a helicopter to try to locate the missing boater on Saturday night, but efforts were unsuccessful.
On Sunday (August 25) at around 6:50 p.m., the OPP’s underwater search and recovery unit located and recovered the body of the missing man. His name is not being released at this time pending family notifications.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
An inspector with Peterborough Public Health sampling water quality at a local beach. (Photo: Peterborough Public Health)
Every Friday during swimming season, we post The Beach Report™ — our weekly report of the results of water quality testing at 85 beaches in the Kawarthas — and update it throughout the week as conditions change.
As of August 29, 2019, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:
Bewdley Beach – Northumberland County
Below are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Note: this is the final weekly report of the 2019 swimming season, as water quality testing ceases at the end of August.
In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.
During the summer, local health units sample water at area beaches and test for bacteria such as E. coli to determine if the water quality at a beach is safe for public use. Popular beaches, like the beach at Roger’s Cove in Peterborough’s East City, are tested every business day while most other beaches are tested weekly. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Important note
The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.
You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.
While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.
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Peterborough City/County
City of Peterborough Beaches (sampled each business day)
Roger’s Cove (131 Maria St, Peterborough) – sample date 2019/08/28 – SAFE
Newcomer Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howy star as the titular daughter and mother in "Ginny & Georgia", a Netflix original young adult series that has drawn comparisons to the hit series "Gilmour Girls". Production crews and actors will be in Cobourg from August 26 to 28, 2019, when Cobourg will stand in for the picturesque New England town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts. (Photos: Netflix)
Everyone knows the hit Stephen King movie It was filmed in Port Hope, along with its sequel, It Chapter Two (coming to theatres on September 6th).
Now Cobourg is getting a little bit of the spotlight as well with filming of the new Netflix original series Ginny & Georgia taking place there from August 26th to 28th.
Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of the young adult show, described as a “mother-daughter coming of age” series that follows 15-year-old Ginny Miller as she resettles in the picturesque New England town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts, with her not-quite-mature 30-year-old mother Georgia.
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The series, which stars newcomer Antonia Gentry as Ginny and Brianne Howy (The Passage, The Exorcist) as Georgia, has already been labelled as a next-gen Gilmore Girls due to similarity of the premise with the popular comedy-drama series that ran from 2000 to 2007. However, there are some key differences: Ginny is biracial and she has a younger brother Austin, played by Diesel La Torraca (Lambs of God, Little Monsters).
Other regulars in the series include Jennifer Robertson (Schitt’s Creek) as Ellen, a working mom who lives across the street from the Millers with her teenage twins, bad boy Marcus (Felix Mallard) and cool girl Maxine (Sara Waisglass). Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights, Scorpion) plays the town’s focused and driven Mayor Paul Randolph, with Raymond Ablack (Narcos, Shadowhunters) as the owner of a local farm-to-table restaurant.
Ginny & Georgia is scheduled to debut on Netflix in 2020.
American flags will be flying from Victoria Hall in Cobourg when the Netflix series “Ginny & Georgia” is filmed in the town from August 26 to 28, 2019. Cobourg will stand in for the picturesque New England town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts.
For the Cobourg filming, production Company G2G Series Inc. will be bringing around 100 actors and 40 production trucks to various locations in the town. Downtown Cobourg will stand in for Wellsbury, Massachusetts, with American flags flying from Victoria Hall and American mailboxes placed on downtown sidewalks.
Along with the filming on downtown Cobourg streets, other shooting locations will include Victoria Park, Cobourg Lawn Bowling Club (177 Church Street), St. Peter’s Anglican Church (240 College Street), Audrey’s In Town Fashions (19 King Street West), and El Camino (74 King Street West).
Film production vehicles will arrive on Monday, August 26th and will park in assigned areas at the Memorial Arena parking lot and the Albert Street parking lot (which will be closed to the public until Wednesday, August 28th). Some parking meters will also be unavailable during the filming period.
Cobourg Police Services will be working directly with the production company to ensure safety and traffic control.
The Fraser Melvin Band (Jonathan Hyde, Alex Furlott, Fraser Melvin, Andrew Moljgun) bring their mixture of blues, roots, and R&B to the Black Horse in downtown Peterborough on Saturday, August 24th. (Publicity photo)
Every Thursday, we publish live music and performance events at pubs and clubs in Peterborough and The Kawarthas based on information that venues provide to us directly or post on their website or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, August 22 to Wednesday, August 28.
If you’re a pub or club owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, please email our Nightlife Editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com.
Friday, August 30 6-10pm - Bridgenorth Boys (patio)
Saturday, August 31 5-9pm - Donny Wood Band (patio)
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The Church-key Pub & Grindhouse
26 Bridge St. W., Campbellford
(705) 653-0001
Thursday, August 22
8pm - Open mic
Friday, August 23
5pm - The Bravos; 8pm - The Moonfruits
Saturday, August 24
8pm - Cale Crowe
Tuesday, August 27
8-11pm - Murota Monis Baer Jazz Trio
Wednesday, August 28
8pm - Whiskey Wednesday w/ Ken Tizzard
Coming Soon
Thursday, August 29 8pm - Open mic
Friday, August 30 5pm - David Papple; 8pm - Ron Nicholas
Saturday, August 31 8pm - I, The Mountain
Coach & Horses Pub
16 York St. S., Lindsay
(705) 328-0006
Thursdays
10pm - Open Mic w/ Gerald Vanhalteren
Fridays
9:30pm - Karaoke Night w/ DJ. Ross
Wednesdays
7-11pm - Live music
The Cow & Sow Eatery
38 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-5111
Friday, August 23
8pm - Roy and Chris
Saturday, August 24
9pm - Post Man Dan Band
Daisy's Dockside Patio at Bonnie View Inn
2713 Kashagawigamog Lake Rd., Haliburton
800-461-0347
Monday, August 26
5-8pm - Chris Smith
Wednesday, August 28
5-8pm - B&B Blues Band w/ Gord Barnes
Dominion Hotel
113 Main St., Minden
(705) 286-6954
Saturday, August 24
1pm - Saturday afternoon jazz w/ Chris Smith; 4pm - Pride Tea Dance
Sunday, August 25
12-3pm - Rhythm and Grace
Tuesday, August 27
5-8:30pm - Tiki Tuesday w/ Gary and the Rough Ideas
Coming Soon
Saturday, August 31 1pm - Saturday afternoon jazz w/ Chris Smith; 6:30-10pm - Gord Kidd and Friends
Dreams of Beans
138 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 742-2406
Thursday, August 22
8pm - Open mic hosted by Jacques Graveline
Friday, August 23
9pm - An evening of electronic music ft Cubed1 Productions, Hull, Reign Boi, and Jaysic
Ganarascals Restaurant
53 Walton St., Port Hope
905-885-1888
Coming Soon
Friday, September 6 7:30-10:30pm - Terry Wilkins ($15, email to reserve)
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Saturday, August 24
2pm & 10pm - Party of 4
Coming Soon
Saturday, August 31 2pm & 10pm - Broken Harmony
The Garnet
231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 874-0107
Thursday, August 22
9pm - Morning Show, Mary-Kate Edwards, and special guest ($10)
Friday, August 23
9pm - The Space Wizards, Black Knight Satellite, SCAM ($10 or PWYC)
Saturday, August 24
8pm - GelaX w/ Desire Lines, Silver Lining
Coming Soon
Friday, August 30 9pm - Juice Girls, Peachykine, Shirazi, Teleri ($8)
Saturday, August 31 9pm - Tree Museum, People You Meet Outside of Bars, Adam Ferris ($10 or PWYC)
Golden Wheel Restaurant
6725 Highway 7, Peterborough
(705) 749-6838
Coming Soon
Saturday, September 28 9pm - Them Crooked Craigs
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Gordon Best Theatre
216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 876-8884
Saturday, August 24
8:30pm - Dopewolf XII ft Pessimist Prime, Recos, DJs Chronokinesis, No Guilty Pleasures, Molly Millions, & more
Coming Soon
Saturday, August 31 9pm - Rogue Tenant, Nikki Fierce, Nick Procyshyn & The Bad Milk
Saturday, September 7 7pm - Marksman Entertainment presents "Going Green" ft Taylor Landry, The Back Row Society, DJ Taktikill, Champagne, Billy Marks, DJ Hooked on Cronic, Empress, Maceo, S-Ka Paid, 3llls, 420 Klick ($15)
Hot Belly Mama's
378 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 745-3544
Thursday, August 22
6-8pm - Live music
Coming Soon
Wednesday, September 23 7-10pm - Black Suit Devil
Junction Nightclub
253 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 743-0550
Friday, August 23
10pm - Y2K Flashback hosted by DJ Bill Porter (no cover)
Kawartha Coffee Co.
58 Bolton St., Bobcaygeon
(705) 738-1500
Friday, August 23
8pm - Karaoke w/ Kelly Burrows
Saturday, August 24
8pm - Kelly Burrows Trio
Tuesday, August 27
7-9pm - Open mic hosted by Nathan Truax
Lock 27 Tap and Grill
2824 River Ave., Youngs Point
705-652-6000
Coming Soon
Monday, September 2 2-6pm - J 'n R Acoustic Duo
Saturday, September 28 2-6pm - Closing Season Party ft Ryan/Williams
Marley's Bar & Grill
17 Fire Route 82 Catalina Bay, Buckhorn
(705) 868-2545
Friday, August 23
7-10pm - Tony Silvestri
Saturday, August 24
7-10pm - Live music (TBA)
Coming Soon
Friday, August 30 7-10pm - Kayla Howran
Saturday, August 31 7-10pm - Ace & The Kid
McGillicafey's Pub & Eatery
13 Bridge St.. N., Hastings
(705) 696-3600
Friday, August 23
8pm - DownBeat
McThirsty's Pint
166 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 743-2220
Thursdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Tony Silvestri and Greg Caven
Fridays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Saturdays
10pm - Live music with Brian Haddlesey
Sundays
8pm - Open stage hosted by Ryan Van Loon
Mondays
9:30pm - Trivia Night hosted by Cam Green
Wednesdays
9pm - Live music hosted by Kevin Foster
The Mill Restaurant and Pub
990 Ontario St., Cobourg
(905) 377-8177
Thursday, August 22
7pm - DownBeat
Murphy's Lockside Pub & Patio
3 May St., Fenelon Falls
(705) 887-1100
Tuesday, August 27
7-9pm - North Country Express (patio)
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Next Door
197 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(647) 270-9609
Coming Soon
Thursday, August 29 9pm - The Musician Next Door hosted by Kerry Jayne and Stephen Stamp w/ musical guest Lauryn Macfarlane
Oasis Bar & Grill
31 King St. E., Cobourg
(905) 372-6634
Sundays
5:30pm - PHLO
Pappas Billiards
407 George St. N., Peterborough
(705) 742-9010
Thursdays
7-10pm - Open Mic
Saturdays
1-3pm - Shipwrecked Saturdays w/ Jacques Graveline
Publican House Brewery
300 Charlotte St., Peterborough
(705) 874-5743
Friday, August 23
6-9pm - Cale Crowe
Saturday, August 24
6-9pm - Doug Horner
Sunday, August 25
3-6pm - Ace and The Kid
Coming Soon
Friday, August 30 6-9pm - Joe Bulger
Saturday, August 31 6-9pm - Rob Phillips
Sunday, September 1 3-6pm - Ace and The Kid
Puck' N Pint Sports Pub
871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough
(705) 741-1078
Friday, August 23
7:30pm - The Acoustically Hip
Red Dog Tavern
189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough
(705) 741-6400
Thursday, August 22
9pm - The Weber Brothers WE Thursdays Concert Series ft Matt Weidinger ($10)
Friday, August 23
9pm - MIA
Saturday, August 24
10pm - Benefit Concert for Otter Gas And Marine Peewee AA Petes ft Shawinigan Handshake
Tuesday, August 27
9pm - Open mic
Coming Soon
Thursday, August 29 9pm - The Weber Brothers WE Thursdays Concert Series ft Missy Knott ($10)
Saturday, September 14 6pm - PTBOStrong presents "For the Love of Community" in support of Warming Room Community Ministries (donations accepted at door, all proceeds go to Warming Room Community Ministries)
A map of the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, Canada's first waterway "trail town" program, was unveiled at a launch event on August 22, 2019 at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford. Pictured from left to right: Cycle Forward founder and trail town consultant Amy Camp, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) Executive Director Brenda Wood, Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
An ambitious initiative that will support small businesses while sustainably building tourism opportunities was launched Thursday (August 22) in Campbellford.
Details of Canada’s first Trail Town program, which features the Trent-Severn Waterway as its unifying centrepiece, were revealed at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) before a host of dignitaries representing various levels of government as well as project partners such as Parks Canada.
“This program will connect communities, foster pride of place, embrace visitors and elevate the region,” enthused Brenda Wood, the executive director of Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) that has taken a determined lead on the implementation of the program.
Along with Wood, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini (speaking on behalf of Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport Lisa MacLeod), Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, and Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe also spoke at the launch event.
With the historic Trent-Severn Waterway featured as a “trail” that links communities adjacent or near its 386-kilometre footprint from Simcoe County to Quinte West, the Trail Town program has, to date, seen nine communities go all in — Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk and Rosedale. According to Wood, more communities are expected to sign on before spring 2020 as the program rolls out.
As of the official launch on August 22, 2019, nine communities in Kawarthas Northumberland region have signed on to the Trent-Severn Trail Town program. (Map courtesy of RTO8)
Based on a similar program well established in the United States, the Trail Town program has revitalized communities by growing and enhancing outdoor tourism opportunities, and by extension, benefiting businesses in those communities. The common thread that binds is the trail linking those communities.
The Kawarthas Northumberland Trail Town program’s centrepiece is a water trail — the Trent-Severn Waterway — as opposed to the more common land trail model seen south of the border.
The process to develop a Trail Town program locally began in November 2016 when a workshop outlining the benefits derived from linking communities via a common trail was held at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. Among the speakers was Cycle Forward founder Amy Camp, one of the North America’s leading proponents of the U.S. version of the Trail Town program.
kawarthaNOW.com spoke with Wood about the Trent-Severn Trail Town program prior to the August 22nd launch.
“When we said we were going to implement a Trail Town program using the water, there was quite a bit of education required,” Wood notes. “We got feedback from some saying ‘The Trent-Severn Waterway is just for boaters!’ We needed to explain that a water trail isn’t just for people on the water like boaters and paddlers. It’s also for people who hike along it, cycle along it, fish along it, and those who drive up to it, get out, and just sit and enjoy the vistas.”
Camp and Wood, along with representatives of Kawartha Lakes Tourism, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism, and Northumberland County Tourism, subsequently ventured to Pittsburgh where Camp guided them along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), a 150-mile hike-bike rail trail system that winds south to Cumberland, Maryland.
“We saw a tremendous sense of pride of place in every community we went to,” reflects Wood. “Amy took us to accommodations — everything from hostels to restaurants — that were themed or served something geared to a trail user. An ice cream store had a GAP cone. There wasn’t anything special about it, but they measured success by how many GAP cones they sold that year. We also saw an amazing amount of public art along the trail.”
The Trent-Severn Waterway attracts more that boaters and paddlers. Cyclists and hikers also follow the water trail, and local attractions and businesses along the waterway also attract visitors. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Buoyed by that firsthand experience, and with Camp fully on board as a consultant, Wood led the development of a strategy aimed at garnering communities’ support for the trail town concept and starting the process to have communities in the Kawarthas Northumberland region designated as Trent-Severn Trail Towns — including providing resources and support for trail-friendly businesses in those communities.
“When we were at the Great Allegheny Passage, we noticed ‘trail friendly’ stickers in the windows of local businesses,” Wood recalls.
“For the Trent-Severn Trail Town program, we’re keeping it very simple. Staff at trail-friendly businesses need to be familiar with the waterway and provide friendly customer service.”
The Trent-Severn Trail Town program was developed in consultation with Cycle Forward founder Amy Camp, who helped launch the nationally recognized Trail Town program in the U.S. in 2007. Camp attended the official launch of the Trent-Severn Trail Town program on August 22, 2019 at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
“They need to be knowledgeable about other businesses along the waterway,” Wood adds. “For example, they should know where there are bike rentals, paddle craft rentals, fishing, and so on. Is there a spot where people can fill up water bottle? Are there accommodations nearby that provide secure storage for bikes? Are there any accommodations nearby that are pet friendly? Businesses should have trail-friendly information about both their town and the region.”
To date, some 19 businesses are on board but Wood expects that number to climb dramatically once the busy tourism season winds down.
According to Wood, the economic impact of a fully implemented Trail Town program is huge. She says in a single year (2012), the Great Allegheny Passage measured a $50 million US benefit as a result of trail user traffic.
Campbellford. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Hastings. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Lakefield. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Buckhorn. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Lindsay. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Currently, more than 5.9 million people annually visit the Kawarthas Northumberland region, with 40 per cent of that number visiting from July through September. A goal of the Trail Town program is to increase year-round visits via the development of unique visitor experiences — experiences that can be promoted nationally and abroad by both Destination Ontario and Destination Canada.
“Trail Towns bring people in,” says Wood. “The program promotes communities not only along the trail corridor but within the region. You’re encouraging tourists to stay longer, to go and check out other places in the area, and to spend their money in our region.”
“It also gives communities a chance to talk about their history and what the waterway means to them. For those communities that aren’t on the Trent-Severn Waterway, it’s a chance for them to step up their game by doing something to entice visitors.”
Bobcaygeon. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Fenelon Falls. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Coboconk. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)Rosedale. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
Wood is convinced that come next spring, businesses that have come on board will be doing concrete things to build upon their Trail Town connection.
“We’re looking at the small things that businesses can do, like a restaurant naming a burger ‘The Trent-Severn Burger’ or “The Trail Town Burger’. It’s a subtle change, but something they can measure in sales. We already have the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour. Some of our butter tart tour bakers in Trail Town communities are going to be implementing a Trail Town Tart.”
Wood also expects to see new businesses come into the area, or existing ones expand, to meet the increased demand in goods and services from more visitors.
Butter tarts at Kawartha Shortbread Company in Fenelon Falls. So far, 19 businesses in the nine participating communities have signed on as “trail-friendly” businesses. Some butter tart bakers in Trail Town communities are going to be implementing a Trail Town Tart to promote the program. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
“I’m hoping we’ll see services offered that weren’t offered before,” she says.
While the full benefits of the Trail Town program will take time to reveal themselves, Wood is encouraged by the response so far.
“My goal was to have three communities on board as Trail Towns,” she reflects. “To see that we already have nine is icing on the cake. And we expect to see even more joining over the next eight months.”
Trent-Severn Trail Town program, Canada’s first waterway “trail town” program, was launched on August 22, 2019 at Ranney Falls (Locks 11-12) in Campbellford. Pictured from left to right: Cycle Forward founder and trail town consultant Amy Camp, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, Kawarthas Northumberland/Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) Executive Director Brenda Wood, Parks Canada Associate Director for Ontario Waterways Dwight Blythe, and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini. (Photo courtesy of RTO8)
And Wood’s long-term objective for the Trent-Severn Trail Town program is even more ambitious: making Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough & the Kawarthas, and Northumberland County synonymous with the Trent-Severn Waterway.
“I’m working with three other regional tourism organizations, and the Trail Town program is expected to expand into their regions. Within the next two years, I hope to see it encompass the entire Trent-Severn Waterway.”
For more information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town program and the participating communities, visit TSWTrailTowns.ca. You can also follow Trent-Severn Trail Town @TSWTrailTowns on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Would you put this dirty peanut butter container in your blue box? If the answer is yes, you're being part of the problem and not the solution. One of the main reasons the blue box program is not as effective as it can be is because of contamination. It takes time and expense to remove unclean items from the recycling stream or, even worse, the presence of these items can contaminate other recyclable materials during processing, making them all un-recyclable. (Photo: GreenUP)
“That’s not recyclable, you know.”
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jackie Donaldson, GreenUP Board Member.
Is there someone you know who’s particularly keen when it comes to recycling? Who’s scolded you as you’ve tossed a perfectly recyclable pop bottle, peanut butter jar, or pizza box into the blue bin? You’ve been recycling since you were a child. You’re sure you know what to do and where things go. But do you?
If that pop bottle is partially full, if that peanut butter jar is goopy, or if that pizza box is slathered in grease and cheese bits from your meal the night before — they’re right to scold you.
It’s called “contamination” and it’s harming our recycling system.
Ontario’s blue box program is more than 35 years old. In fact, our province founded the blue box program that has since been replicated around the world. Starting in the Toronto neighbourhood of The Beaches, it was the grit and vision of a man named Jack McGinnis that launched the first-ever curbside recycling pickup program. What was once a very strange idea is now a reflex in many households across Ontario.
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But our blue box program — our provincial pride, our household habit — is struggling. Contamination is making it very expensive to operate, decreasing the value of our efforts and soiling opportunities.
When we put materials into our blue box that shouldn’t be there, they obviously have to be removed — which is costly and not always a simple process — or they contaminate the sellable materials. This is a no-no.
Countries like China, that up to now have taken our recyclables to manufacture into something new, have had enough. Our materials must now be much cleaner or they won’t take them. In other words, that goopy peanut butter jar is making a mess of our blue box program.
“Contamination takes on many forms,” says City of Peterborough waste diversion section manager Dave Douglas. “Besides dirty materials, there’s ‘wish-cycling.’ That’s the idea that if you put something into the blue box that shouldn’t be there — like stray bits of unnumbered plastic (look for that triangle recycling symbol on the bottom), light bulbs, wooden mandarin orange crates, or old electronics — our staff will be able to find a home for it.”
“It just doesn’t work that way. Instead, it costs taxpayers money for us to remove it and then cart it off for disposal. It would be much less costly if it wasn’t there in the first place.”
While the Government of Ontario is revamping the blue box program beginning in 2023 to make product manufacturers and retailers more responsible for the recyclable waste their packaging and products create, we’ll still need to ensure the recyclable packaging we put into our blue boxes is as clean as possible. (Photo: GreenUP)
We know it’s critical to keep recyclables out of the landfill. But while we’ve been under the impression that the blue box program works, it’s merely limping along and running into problems. Across the province, recycling rates haven’t changed much in 15 years. Currently, up to 30 per cent of what goes into the blue box has to be hauled off to a landfill because of contamination.
Last Thursday (August 15), the provincial government announced it was ready to take the blue box program to the next level. After more than three decades of municipally run blue box programs, the province is on the cusp of handing the management of them over to the original manufacturers and sellers of the products and packaging.
It’s a progressive move toward what’s called a “circular economy,” which is a concept in which there is no waste. Rather, the things we need are made from the materials we are finished with. If producers manage their waste, they can drive this concept forward. It’s a lofty but necessary goal.
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To you and me, there won’t be a noticeable difference. It will still look like our curbside recycling program. However, it’s likely the new managers won’t want to pay for our mess — so an uncontaminated blue box will be critical to a successful recycling future.
Thirty-five years ago, Ontario was the first in the world to develop the blue box program. Ontario residents now need to reinvigorate their interest. While the government is committed to ensuring our recycling program is maintained and even expanded, it’s time for each of us to recommit to recycling.
If we all make sure the materials we put into the blue box are clean and uncontaminated, and provide input during the provincial consultation process that’s expected to begin in the fall, we can ensure a smooth transition to a new, innovative, and more robust program — putting us back on the map as world leaders in recycling.
To be a part of the solution and ensure you are the recycling expert in your household, revisit the recycling pages on the City of Peterborough website or the County of Peterborough website regularly. Review them for new or removed recyclable materials, and only place items that are clean and recyclable into the blue box.
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