Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the southern Kawarthas region for Wednesday (July 16).
The special air quality statement is in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County.
Elevated levels of pollution are expected Wednesday afternoon and evening.
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Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) values are expected to reach moderate to high risk levels as a result of increasing ground-level ozone combining with residual smoke.
The special air quality statement is in addition to the ongoing heat warning for the region that has been in effect since last Friday. Daytime temperatures will peak on Wednesday at 33 degrees Celsius, with humidex values reaching 41 degrees Celsius.
A cooler airmass is expected to arrive Thursday morning and bring an end to the heat wave.
Samantha Perry cut the ribbon alongside her parents Mike and Linda Belsey at a ceremony on May 30, 2025 to celebrate the start of the first full season of Pondview Estates. In partnership with Perry's business Samantha Ann & Co., the elevated do-it-yourself wedding venue in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood makes it a priority to work with other local wedding vendors, who they also celebrate through social media promotion and by hosting an annual open house and vendor market. (Photo: Shannon FC Photography)
On the stunning grounds of Pondview Estates wedding venue, families and friends come together to celebrate the commitment of the ultimate partnership. But, beside the river and beneath the canopy of trees, the Norwood venue is also creating lasting partnerships within the local business community.
On a 110-acre property complete with farm fields, forest, a small river, and a charming brick farmhouse, the Italian-inspired Pondview Estates offers a picturesque spot to tie the knot in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood, one of eight townships in Peterborough County.
The Belsey family purchased the property 28 years ago and, after years spent rejuvenating it, has partnered with Samantha Ann & Co. to turn it into an elevated do-it-yourself wedding venue available from May through October.
Clients of Pondview Estates will get access to a coordinator for the day of the wedding through Samantha Ann & Co., but will have entire freedom on details like chairs, tables, and dishware. From giving referrals to offering affordable rentals on high-end décor to organizing day-of rentals, Pondview Estates and Samantha Ann & Co. are there every step of the way down the aisle.
“You’re very taken care of, but your wedding is absolutely unique to you and you can make it what you want,” says Samantha Perry, owner and operator of Pondview Estates and founder of Samantha Ann & Co.
With a majority of Pondview Estate’s clients being local to the region, the venue makes it a priority to work with local vendors. The spacious tent is maintained by Create Shade Tent Rentals in Warsaw, who also provide clients with a large selection of tables and chairs for rent in different designs and styles. Other local businesses regularly supported by the venue include Jesse’s Tap & Grill and TP Toilets in Ennismore, Katherine’s Flower Shop in Bridgenorth, Pasquino Productions in Kawartha Lakes, and Sweet Bee Floral, Personal Touch Catering, and Shannon FC Photography in Peterborough.
These are only a few of the local businesses that Pondview Estates works with to give clients the wedding of their dreams.
Clients of Pondview Estates will get access to a coordinator for the day of the wedding through Samantha Ann & Co., but will have entire freedom on the details for their special day. With a commitment to helping grow the wedding industry in Peterborough County, the venue works with other local businesses for its spacious tent, table and chair rentals, dishware, catering, décor, flowers, photography, and more. (Photo: Shannon FC Photography)
To promote Pondview Estates and spotlight their partnerships with local businesses, Samantha Ann & Co. also uses its growing social media presence — including nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram. After every wedding, all the participating vendors are listed and tagged for thousands of people to see, reshare, and learn about other local businesses.
“Sometimes when I see some of my favourite vendors post things, I’ll share it just for fun because I love what they’re doing and want others to see it,” says Perry. “With the strong role that social media has in marketing now, especially when it comes to service-based businesses, I really make sure that’s a top priority.”
With her goal of cultivating a community of local businesses working in the wedding space, Perry also hosts an annual open house and wedding vendor market, where vendors can participate free of charge and connect with clients and each other.
From food and beverage providers and photographers to hair and makeup artists and beyond, this year’s event saw 42 vendors and 200 guests participating — double the amount from last year’s inaugural event. In addition to the opportunity to promote their businesses to potential clients, vendors receive professional photos of their booths and of them interacting with guests that they can use, entirely free of charge.
Despite all that Pondview Estates is already doing to connect and promote the local business community in Peterborough County, Perry says it’s only the beginning.
“I’m so excited and honoured to be a part of the Peterborough wedding industry and just can’t wait to keep building it for everybody,” she says.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series about locally owned independent businesses in Peterborough County, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
As part of its response to the impact of U.S. tariffs, Peterborough County is showcasing the many unique businesses located in the county, both by sharing their stories of success and how they support both residents and other businesses in their communities.
Whether by shopping at local businesses, dining at local restaurants, staying at local accommodation, or enjoying local experiences, residents and visitors can enhance the economic resilience of Peterborough County during these challenging times and help establish a sustainable foundation for the future.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
Northumberland County is advancing several key infrastructure projects in summer 2025, including bridge replacements, road rehabilitation, intersection improvements, and affordable housing expansion. (Photo: Northumberland County)
It’s summer, and that means construction season is underway in Northumberland County. While infrastructure work may not be “glamorous,” Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander says it’s an essential investment in the county’s future.
Northumberland County is currently advancing several key projects, from bridge replacements and road rehabilitation and improvements to intersections to the expansion of affordable housing.
“These investments are about more than concrete and asphalt — they’re about building a community that works for everyone, now and into the future,” Ostrander told kawarthaNOW.
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“The instigation of these projects really stems from a long-standing recognition that we can’t afford to wait for perfect conditions to invest in our future,” the warden explained.
“While provincial and federal support is always welcome, and often essential for larger-scale initiatives, we’ve had to be proactive and strategic with the resources we do have. That means planning ahead, building strong partnerships with our local municipalities, and making tough decisions to prioritize the projects that will have the greatest long-term impact.”
The current construction activity signifies a commitment to building a stronger and more resilient community, the county noted in a media release.
“Each of these projects reflects our ongoing efforts to modernize and maintain critical infrastructure, support housing needs, and improve safety for all road users,” said Denise Marshall, Northumberland County’s director of public works. “We’re building with intention — creating the conditions for sustainable growth and enhanced quality of life across Northumberland.”
Ostrander said these projects represent years of planning, advocacy, and community input.
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The major projects underway are listed below.
Elgin Park Redevelopment in Cobourg
Phase two of the Elgin Park affordable housing development has been approved for occupancy, providing another 20 units of subsidized and market rental housing to support the broader goal of adding 900 new affordable housing units to the community between 2019 and 2029.
Trent River Crossing in Campbellford
This once-in-a-generation infrastructure project will deliver a vital second crossing over the Trent River, the county said. “Now approaching 100 per cent design completion, the project is expected to unlock economic growth and improve connectivity for Northumberland.” Property acquisition and utility relocation are underway.
County Road 64/Prince Edward Street in Brighton
Entering its second year, this multi-year reconstruction delivered in partnership with the Municipality of Brighton will strengthen core infrastructure, enhance accessibility, and support community growth, the county said. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.
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Welcome Intersection in Port Hope
Construction begins in July on improvements to the intersection of County Road 2, County Road 10, and County Road 74. “This project will improve safety at a complex intersection that studies have shown may contribute to driver confusion,” the county said.
Burnley Bridge Replacement in Cramahe Township
Originally built in 1950, the Burnley bridge on County Road 29 is being replaced to meet modern safety and transportation standards. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from July 11 through to November 2025, with local detours in place. “This essential project will maintain a vital north-south link for local residents,” the county said.
Other projects include culvert rehabilitation near Warkworth, retaining wall repairs in Baltimore, ongoing preventative bridge maintenance in Trent Hills, and preventative raod maintenance including 10 kilometres of micro-surfacing across County Roads 9, 22, and 74 in Hamilton and Alnwick/Haldimand, 15 kilometres of crack sealing in Hamilton, Alnwick/Haldimand, and Brighton, and 20 kilometres of surface treatment of various county roads.
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“This infrastructure might not always be the most visible or glamorous part of local government, but it’s the backbone of everything we do,” Ostrander said.
“Whether it’s getting to work safely, accessing housing, or supporting local businesses, this work touches every part of daily life. These investments are about more than concrete and asphalt — they’re about building a community that works for everyone, now and into the future.”
Residents can learn more about planned construction and roadwork by visiting northumberland.ca/roads, where an interactive map is also available to explore updates and locations of ongoing and upcoming work.
Christian Harvey of One City Peterborough during a community gathering for the ComPassion Project, created by Wild Rock Outfitters co-founder Kieran Andrews with support from the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, at Showplace Performance Centre on January 16, 2025. One City Peterborough was one of six local organizations that received funding from the ComPassion Project, which aims to support local organizations working on the front lines of environmental stewardship and social change. (Photo courtesy of Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough)
Less than two weeks after Peterborough city council voted against continuing to fund One City Peterborough to provide expanded services at Trinity Centre in 2026 for people experiencing homelessness, executive director Christian Harvey has left the non-profit organization.
One City Peterborough announced in a statement on Monday (July 14) that Harvey has “moved on” from the role after 13 years. The organization provided no details as to the reason for his departure.
“Christian’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping One City into the caring, innovative, and effective organization it is today,” One City stated.
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Tammy Kuehne, who has worked at One City Peterborough for 11 years, has been appointed as acting executive director and “will continue to work closely with senior leadership team members Auden Palmer and Michael Vanderherberg.”
The organization added that is does not “anticipate any major changes” resulting from the change in leadership.
“We remain grounded in the values that guide our work: belonging, dignity, trust, courage, and love,” One City stated. “The strength of our mission, our team, and our community relationships continues to carry us forward.”
As a deacon at St. John the Evangelist in Peterborough, Harvey was previously a youth worker and was instrumental in the establishment of the former Warming Room Community Ministries, which provided an overnight winter shelter at Murray Street Baptist Church.
“The shelter system as it currently exists is not able to meet everyone’s needs,” Harvey wrote in a blog post in 2015. “There are those who fall through the cracks, and it is exactly those people we want to serve. We believe everyone has a right to a warm, safe environment to sleep in, and we try our hardest to provide that to anyone, no matter how they come to us.”
The shelter closed in June 2019 after the organization failed to renew its lease with Murray Street Baptist Church, resulting in a tent encampment at Victoria Park. Later that year, Warming Room Community Ministries and Peterborough Reintegration Services merged to form One City Peterborough.
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During the pandemic, homeless encampments in the city continued to increase, most notably resulting in a large encampment at the Wolfe Street/Rehill Lot in 2022.
In October 2022, just prior to the municipal election, city staff advised the previous city council that a proposed $200,000 in city funding for a drop-in program at the former Trinity United Church on Reid Street could not proceed.
This was due to a “lame duck” provision of the Municipal Act that prevents city council or staff from making any expenditure over $50,000 during a municipal election campaign, prompting then-mayor Diane Therrien to call for a special council meeting to discuss options to address the homelessness issue over the winter.
In December 2022, following the municipal election, new city councillor Alex Bierk proposed the city support a proposal for an emergency winter response from a coalition of community organizations — including One City Peterborough — and for the city to provide a grant of $100,000 funded from the social services reserve. Bierk’s motion was defeated by a vote of 6-5.
Despite a lack of funding from the city, the coalition committed $200,000 for the operation of the drop-in program at the former Trinity United Church at 360 Reid Street, which was then owned by the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network.
“People who are unhoused deserve the dignity of being sheltered and included in our community,” Harvey said at the time. “Until that is possible, we want to ensure no one dies in the cold.”
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In September 2023, the City of Peterborough committed to provide One City Peterborough with $900,000 annually over three years as part of a service agreement for the operation of an overnight drop-in space and a year-round daytime drop-in centre at Trinity United Church, which opened as the Trinity Community Centre that November — the same time that the city finished constructing 50 modular homes on Wolfe Street to address the homeless encampment.
Fast forward to this past July, when city council voted against allocating an additional $269,280 to One City Peterborough to enhance the overnight drop-in program at Trinity Centre and an additional $244,800 to expand operating hours of the centre’s daytime program.
“I have some serious reservations about extending funding to One City as an organization,” councillor Kevin Duguay said at the general committee meeting. “The difficulty that I have throughout all of this is where some of this funding is going. I don’t believe in funding a bad operator — a bad apple.”
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Mayor Jeff Leal criticized One City’s staffing costs and expressed concerns about the number of Indigenous people who are clients of Trinity Centre, suggesting that the federal government should be providing funding. He also criticized the lack of information in the organization’s annual report about the success rate of One City’s programs.
Without additional funding from the city, the Trinity Centre’s overnight drop-in program will close as of March 31, 2026. The expanded operating hours for the centre’s daytime program will continue until the end of this year, after which it would drop from 10 hours to four hours until the city’s funding ends in September 2026.
“We are deeply concerned about the preventable harm this will cause,” One City stated after council’s vote. “Not only for the hundreds of people who rely on Trinity daily, but for the broader community, which will feel the immediate effects of reduced services.”
After voting against additional funding for One City Peterborough, council approved a motion for city staff to proceed with an request for proposals for low-barrier shelter beds for when the city’s contract with One City ends.
The lineup for the 36th annual Peterborough Folk Festival from August 14 to 17, 2025 includes headliners Joel Plaskett, Basia Bulat, Whitehorse, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boultilier, and Shub. (kawarthaNOW collage, with festival logo by Brooklin Stormie)
The Peterborough Folk Festival — Canada’s longest-running, free-admission annual folk festival — has officially announced the full lineup for its 36th edition, which runs from August 14 to 17 and includes a weekend in Nicholls Oval Park featuring three stages of live music from 28 performers, more than 45 artisan vendors, and a children’s village.
Headliners at this year’s festival include Basia Bulat, Joel Plaskett, Whitehorse, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boutilier, Shub, Bells Larsen, and Colin Linden. The festival also features 12 local performers, including The Silver Hearts, Benj Rowland, Jeanne Truax, Caitlin Currie, Tapes In Motion, Beau Dixon, and more.
The lineup for the festival, which is committed to full gender parity and strong diversity, features Indigenous artists, artists of colour, and artists from the LGBTQ+ communities.
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Montreal-based singer-songwriter Basia Bulat will kick off the festival on Thursday, August 14 with a ticketed concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. The three-time Polaris Music Prize finalist and five-time Juno nominee, whose distinctive voice and songwriting is influenced by R&B and soul music as well as classic folk, is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, performing on electric guitar, piano, autoharp, ukulele, bass, and charango.
Jeanne Truax, the Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist of the Year, will open for Bulat.
Assigned seating tickets for the concert are available for $58 at markethall.org.
Following a series of live music events on Friday, August 15 at various downtown Peterborough venues, including the Pig’s Ear Tavern, the free-admission weekend festival runs on Saturday and Sunday (August 16 and 17) on the hillside at Nicholls Oval Park on Armour Road south of Parkhill Road East.
VIDEO: “Infamous” – Basia Bulat
Featured performers on Saturday include Joel Plaskett, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boutilier, Shub, and Bells Larsen.
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett has been performing for over three decades, emerging from the East Coast indie rock scene with his band Thrush Hermit in the 1990s and later gaining widespread acclaim with The Joel Plaskett Emergency and his solo work. With his music spanning blues, folks, rock, country, and pop, Plaskett has picked up multiple nominations and awards from the Junos, the Polaris Music Prize, the East Coast Music Awards, Music Nova Scotia, and more.
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino combines blues, folk, country, and soul with gritty, heartfelt storytelling. The son of a Filipino father and a Québécois mother, he cut his musical teeth busking on the streets of Toronto before releasing four roots-driven studio albums, including 2024’s Our Time in the Sun, produced in collaboration with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.
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Born and raised in Nova Scotia as Kristin Kathleen Boutilier, Goldie Boutilie moved to Los Angeles at the age of 20 to pursue a music career. After releasing her first album in 2013 under the name of Kay, she moved to Paris and began DJing under the name Goldilox, releasing her second album under that name in 2018. In 2020, she changed her stage name to Goldie Boutilie, subsequently releasing three EPs between 2022 and 2024. Her blend of alt-country, pop, rock, and disco has earned her the praise of Zane Lowe and Elton John, and she has performed at iconic festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits.
Formerly known as DJ Shub, Shub has been at the forefront of a movement over the past decade that has reshaped the landscape of Indigenous electronic music. A former member of the Juno award-winning band A Tribe Called Red, Shub has spent years blending the rhythms of powwow music with modern beats, scratching, and bass-heavy production and is now emerging as a composer and storyteller. Hiawartha First Nation is sponsoring Shub’s appearance at the Peterborough Folk Festival, where he will be joined by powwow dancer Kelli Marshall of Hiawatha First Nation.
Raised by a family of artists and writers in Toronto, Montreal-based indie-folk singer-songwriter Bells Larsen was encouraged to shape his acumen as a storyteller into lyrics when he was given a guitar on his eighth birthday. A proud trans and queer artist, Larsen released his debut album, Good Grief, in 2022. For his sophomore album, 2025’s Blurring Time, Larsen recorded vocals both before and after starting testosterone for his transition, harmonizing his “high” and “low” voices to represent his past and present self. Longlisted for the Polaris Prize in 2025, Larsen was recently forced to cancel an upcoming U.S. tour this month due to the Trump administration’s new visa policy that directly targets trans people.
VIDEO: “Storm” – Jeremie Albino
Featured performers on Sunday include Whitehorse and Colin Linden.
Since forming Whitehorse in 2011, husband-and-wife musicians Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland have become known for blending gritty blues, folk noir, and cinematic rock as well as for their dynamic live performances. Their lush harmonies, layered loops, and inventive instrumentation that push the boundaries of traditional folk and roots genres have earned them critical acclaim and multiple Juno Award nominations.
Virtuoso blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Colin Linden is a Canadian music icon known for his deep knowledge of blues and Americana and for his distinctive slide guitar style and soulful vocals. As well as being a solo artist, Linden is a member of the acclaimed roots-rock band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings along with Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson. Beyond performing, Linden is a Grammy award-winning producer who has worked with artists like Bruce Cockburn and has contributed to major projects including the TV series Nashville and the soundrack for the Cohen brothers’ films O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Inside Llewyn Davis. He has been nominated for an astounding 25 Juno awards, winning nine.
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Also on Sunday, the Peterborough Folk Festival will welcome back the ever-popular Sharon, Lois & Bram Singalong featuring Sharon Hampson with her daughter Randi, who will perform beloved Sharon, Lois & Bram favourites like “ABCD Jig,” “Hey Dum Diddeley Dum,” “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain,” and, of course, “Skinnamarink.”
Other family-friendly programming at the festival include Songs of Scratch Garden, who make their live performance debut on Saturday, building on their wildly popular YouTube channel.
Along with the music, the Children’s Village will offer free activities, workshops, and performances from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including crafts, story time, face painting, interactive workshops, and a children’s parade each day.
VIDEO: “4 Cars” – Colin Linden
The performers at the Peterborough Folk Festival on Saturday are Joel Plaskett, Goldie Boutilier, Jeremie Albino, Bells Larsen, Shub,, My Son The Hurricane, Grievous Angels, Songs Of Scratch Garden, Sister Ray, Quinton Barnes, Doghouse Orchestra, The Silver Hearts, Benj Rowland, Jeanne Truax, Lancelot Knight, Swindlers, Caitlin Currie, and Tapes In Motion.
Sunday’s performers are Whitehorse, Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Colin Linden, Inn Echo, Beau Dixon, Sharon Lois and Bram Singalong with Sharon and Randi, Kay Silver, Babe Chorus, Fittonia, and the Jethro Blues Jam All-Stars.
In addition to the musical acts at Nicholls Oval Park, after-parties will be held each weekend evening with selected festival performers at venues in downtown Peterborough, including The Jet Airliners featuring Jeanne Truax at Jethro’s Bar + Stage and The Silver Hearts at Pig’s Ear Tavern.
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Although admission to the weekend festival is free, the Peterborough Folk Festival — which is a registered charity that is entirely run by volunteers — encourages donations to help offset a portion of the costs of running the festival.
A suggested donation of $25 (which is eligible for a tax receipt) can be made on-site during the festival or online at the festival’s website.
For more information about the 2025 Peterborough Folk Festival and to make a donation, visit www.peterboroughfolkfest.com.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sustaining partner of the Peterborough Folk Festival.
encoreNOW for July 14, 2025 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Murder at the Blue Moon Saloon" at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon, "Steel Magnolias" at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, the North of Nowhere country music festival at the Lindsay Fairgrounds, the Lakefield Literary Festival in Lakefield, "Phantom of the Opera in Concert" at Westben in Campbellford, and The Spades and The Weber Brothers at Peterborough Musicfest. (kawarthaNOW collage)
encoreNOW is a bi-weekly column by Paul Rellinger where he features upcoming music, theatre, film, and performing arts events and news from across the Kawarthas.
This week, Paul highlights Globus Theatre’s murder mystery whodunit Murder at the Blue Saloon, Steel Magnolias at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, country music heaven in Lindsay courtesy of North of Nowhere, the turning of a new page at the Lakefield Literary Festival, music from Phantom of the Opera at Westben, and The Spades joining forces with The Weber Brothers at Del Crary Park.
A puzzling murder mystery awaits resolution at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon
Audience members will be challenged to figure out which of six characters is a murderer in Globus Theatre’s “Murder at the Blue Moon Saloon,” a Western-theme murder mystery dinner experience written and directed by Globus artistic director Sarah Quick and running at Globus Theatre for nine performances from July 16 to July 26, 2025. The six characters will be played by (from left to right, top and bottom) Kerry Griffin, Jennine Profeta, Kevin Sepaul, Calvin Rea, Jack Copland, and Carly Poole. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)
When Sarah Quick and James Barrett founded Globus Theatre in 2003, the venture was a leap of faith. After all, bringing professional theatre to a rural setting was rarely done, the obvious local exception being Millbrook’s 4th Theatre that came to be 11 years earlier.
Undaunted, Quick and Barrett moved forward, with Globus Theatre becoming the company-in-residence at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon off Pigeon Lake Road. Now, 22 years on, that venue is the permanent home of Globus Theatre, the enviable result of a capital campaign launched two years ago. The future is bright indeed.
On Wednesday (July 16), Globus Theatre will lift the curtain on Murder at the Blue Saloon, the fourth production of its ambitious 10-play 2025 season.
Billed as “a Western-style, drink-slinging, boot-scootin’ murder mystery experience,” this is a dinner theatre event offering food for the soul as well as the tummy.
The setting is the Blue Moon Saloon, the most rootin’ tootin’ bar this side of the Mississippi River. All is good, until one buckaroo makes himself as welcome as rattlesnake at a square dance by committing murder. It becomes clear that a new sheriff in town is needed to solve the crime.
The six suspects entering the Blue Moon Saloon will be played by Globus Theatre favourites Kerry Griffin, Jennine Profeta, Kevin Sepaul, and Jack Copland, along with Carly Poole and Globus newcomer Calvin Rea.
If you’ve never taken in a murder mystery production, it’s a whole lot of fun and as interactive as you would expect as you put your sleuthing skills to the test.
The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. from July 16 to 19 and 23 to 26, with an added 12:30 p.m. matinee on July 19. Tickets for dinner and the show cost $100 plus fees and can be ordered plus tax and fees and be ordered online at www.globustheatre.com/shows-all/murder-at-the-blue-moon-saloon or by calling the box office at 705-738-2037 (toll free at 1-800-304-7897).
Strong Southern women unite at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre
The cast of “Steel Magnolias” at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. (Photo: Capitol Theatre)
It doesn’t hurt matters every now and then to post a widely familiar title on the theatre marquee, particularly when the production promoted remains a widely beloved play and movie.
Steel Magnolias opens Friday (July 18) at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre and, in doing so, offers as close to a guarantee of sold-out audiences as it gets.
Written by American playwright Robert Harling and based on his experience with his sister’s death in 1985, the comedy-drama revolves around the bond between a group of Southern women in northern Louisiana. The entire play, set in the late 1980s, takes place at an in-home beauty parlour where the women regularly gather.
Steel Magnolias premiered off-Broadway in March 1985, and 20 years later, made its Broadway debut at the Lyceum Theatre where it had a relatively short but successful run. But Harling’s story really came to prominence in November 1989 when the film version debuted.
Featuring a powerhouse cast of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Darryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts, it received mixed reviews. However, Roberts’ performance earned her a 1989 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and brought her a Golden Globe Award that same year in the same category. In addition, at the 1990 People’s Choice Awards, the film was named Favourite Dramatic Motion Picture.
While more than a few years have passed since its Broadway and movie theatre success, a good story is a good story, and this one still has some shine on it, featuring, as the title aptly suggests, “female characters as delicate as magnolias but tough as steel.”
Director Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster helms the Capitol Theatre production of Steel Magnolias, backed by an all-female cast and creative team. Raquel Duffy makes her Capitol Theatre debut as Truvy Jones, with Belinda Corpuz as Anelle Dupuy-Desoto, Carolyn Fe as Clairee Belcher, and Brenda Robins as Ouiser, with real-life mother-daughter pair Deborah Drakeford as M’Lynn Eatenton and Charlotte Dennis as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on July 18 and 19, July 24 to 26, and July 31 to August 2, with 2 p.m. matinees on July 20, July 29 to 31, and August 2 and 3. Tickets are $48 or $40 for those under 30 (a handful of seats are still available for the July 18 pay-what-you-can preview performance). Visit capitoltheatre.com to order tickets.
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Country music fans rejoice: North of Nowhere music festival returns to Lindsay
If I learned anything during my time sitting on the Peterborough Musicfest board, it’s that if you want to fill Del Crary Park with an unabashedly excited concert audience, get some twang in the mix.
Country music’s not my go-to, but I have nothing but respect for those who perform it, and those who flock in big numbers to hear it performed. As we witnessed in Havelock for years, country music fans bring a unique energy to bear, what with their oversized cowboy hats and fancy embroidered boots. It’s nothing short of a party.
With the Havelock Country Jamboree in the rear-view mirror — the pandemic took its toll, making the 2019 festival the last — local fans of the genre faced a void. What could possibly be on the horizon to take the edge off that disappointment?
The answer can be found Friday and Saturday (July 18 and 19) in the form of the North of Nowhere Music Festival. First held in Bancroft in 2023 and then in Lindsay last year, the country music smorgasbord returns to the latter, back at the Lindsay Fairgrounds.
The big names in the lineup include Kameron Marlowe, Muscadine Bloodline, Bryan Martin, and Morgan Evans, but there’s a host of other acts, including Peterborough’s Elyse Saunders, whose star continues its meteoric rise.
This isn’t your grandfather’s country music. It’s fun, catchy, and laced with a pop vibe. That alone should fill the parking lot and surrounding streets with more pickup trucks than you can count.
There’s a variety of options in terms of ticketing, from $79.99 plus tax and fee for a day pass to $115 for a general admission weekend pass to $199 for a VIP weekend pass, with RV and tent camping options available too. Whatever your fancy — that’s country talk — visit northofnowheremusicfestival.com to order what you need.
Lakefield Literary Festival turns a new page for a 30th year
Internationally acclaimed Canadian writer Jane Urquhart, whose latest novel is the Giller Prize longlisted “In Winter I Get Up at Night”, will be one of nine authors participating in the 2025 Lakefield Literary Festival. The festival takes place on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19 at the Bryan Jones Theatre at Lakefield College School, along with the popular children’s tent at Cenotaph Park. (Photo of Jane Urquhart by Nicholas Tinkl)
For something a little more sedate, but no less enthralling for the many who will attend, we turn our attention to the pretty village just north of Peterborough where, on Friday and Saturday (July 18 and 19), the beloved Lakefield Literary Festival returns.
First held in 1995 as a celebration of Margaret Laurence, who lived in Lakefield from 1974 until her death in 1987, the festival has since evolved into a celebration of the rich literary heritage of Lakefield and the surrounding area. Besides Laurance, Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna Moodie, and Isabella Valancy Crawford all lived and wrote in Lakefield.
Jane Urquhart jumps off the list of featured authors, and well she should. The Colborne resident has written eight internationally hailed novels, including her debut book, The Whirlpool, which remains the only Canadian novel to win France’s Prix du Meilleur livre etranger (Best Foreign Book Award). More success followed with Away and The Stone Carvers. Urquhart’s most recent book is In Winter I Get Up At Night.
But Urquhart’s appearance is just the tip of iceberg, with authors Jennifer Robson, Helen Humphreys, Martha Baillie, Adelle Purdham, Sheung-King a.k.a. Aaron Tang, Canisia Lubrin, Lana Button, and Nadia Hohn also appearing. In addition, there’s the always popular Children’s Tent in Cenotaph Park, and its related encouragement and fostering of a love for reading by young people.
All the author presentations and book signings will take place at Lakefield College School’s Bryan Jones Theatre over two days.
Admission to individual events is $30 (except for the July 19 5 p.m. Meet The Author Reception, which costs $50), with a $100 pass available for all the events except the reception, and a $135 all-access pass for all events including the reception.
Music from Phantom of the Opera get its due at Westben in Campbellford
The performers of “Phantom of the Opera In Concert” at Westben in Campbellford. (Photos: Westben)
What’s not to love about Westben in Campbellford?
With performances at The Barn on multiple nights this summer, there is truly something for everyone’s tastes, be that in the form of live music of various genres, comedy, and wholly immersive experiences that combine food, outdoor adventure, and wellness.
That said, why not feature a performance of the music from one of the most popular theatrical pieces in history? To that end, “Phantom of the Opera: In Concert” will be presented July 23 to 31 at Westben’s exceedingly pretty venue off County Road 30.
There’s a reason Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical was the longest-running show on Broadway, closing in 2023 after a remarkable 35 years. That reason can be found in the powerful score of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel.
Adapted in many forms over the years, including multiple film versions, the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and becomes obsessed with young soprano Christine Daaé still captivates with its themes of love, obsession, isolation, and the nature of beauty and deformity.
For the Westben production, Adam Fisher portrays The Phantom while Meher Pavri plays Daaé. Also in the mix are David Michael Moote, Kim Dafoe, Ian Simpson. and Lauren Lafayette Brooks. It’s the same lineup that brought Les Mis to Westben prior.
Showtime is 2 p.m. from July 23 to 25 and 29 to 31, with tickets priced at $58 for adults, $56 for seniors, $30 for people under 30, and $5 for those under 18. For tickets, visit www.westben.ca.
The Spades and The Weber Brothers join forces yet again at Peterborough Musicfest
VIDEO: The Spades perform at the Peterborough Folk Festival (2024)
When The Spades and The Weber Brothers combined their considerable talents to close out Peterborough Performs V in March at Showplace, someone got word of what ensued to the team at Peterborough Musicfest.
It was a remarkable, high-energy performance — one that saw James McKenty, Josh Robichaud, and Tommy Street of The Spades perfectly complement the talents of Ryan and Sam Weber, and vice versa.
Strange thing is, it almost wasn’t to be. Both acts were scheduled to perform separately until McKenty suggested that a two-headed roots-rock music monster would be more fitting as a grand finale. Oh boy, was he right. Their set was one for the ages. That’s not my opinion only. Talk to anyone who was there that night.
VIDEO: “Take the Backroads” – The Weber Brothers (2025)
On Saturday, July 26 at Del Crary Park, The Spades and The Weber Brothers — both huge players on the local music scene and abroad — will again stand elbow-to-elbow for a what promises to be another remarkable display of musicianship and stage energy.
Good on Musicfest for knowing a good thing when it hears of it and acting upon it, and for bringing local music to its stage.
Admission to the 8 p.m. concert is, as always, free, thanks in no small way to a host of generous sponsors, kawarthaNOW among them for years now.
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Encore
Allow me to join the long list of folks congratulating Jeanne Truax on her receiving the Emerging Artist of the Year Award from the Peterborough Folk Festival. The Dunsford-raised musician joins a long list of accomplished performers who have won that distinction, among them inaugural recipient Serena Ryder in 2001 and the aforementioned James McKenty the year after. Of note, Jeanne’s brother older brother Nathan was also honoured back in 2022. A regular performer at Jethro’s Bar + Stage and the Black Horse Pub, the 22-year-old rockabilly-roots artist released her debut single “I Know What You Like” in May. As part of her award, she’ll open for Basia Bulat on August 14 at the Peterborough Folk Festival’s kick-off concert. It’s clearly a good time to be Jeanne Truax.
Peterborough Musicfest doesn’t have the only free music offering in town. For years now, Riverview Park and Zoo has presented a summer lineup of live music at its gazebo. Admission to the zoo is free, and that clearly includes the Sunday 2 to 4 p.m. concerts. It’s a pretty setting awaiting you, your lawn chair and, depending on the weather, maybe a shade umbrella. The summer music staple started in late May, but it’s not too late to check it out, the remaining schedule being as follows: the Peterborough Concert Band on July 20, Wylie Harold and Radio Flyer on August 3, the Northern Spirit Big Band on August 17 and, closing things out on August 31, Knightshift.
Paddlers explore the majestic Burleigh Falls in the Township of North Kawartha. Taking a guided excursion with Lovesick Kayaking is only one of the outdoor adventures you can enjoy when road tripping in North Kawartha, located in the most northern reaches of Peterborough County. (Photo: Regional Tourism Organization 8)
In the most northern reaches of Peterborough County lies the Township of North Kawartha, where farmland and deciduous forests give way to the striking granite outcrops of the Canadian Shield, windswept pines, scenic rivers and lakes, and charming towns and villages.
From shopping and dining to reconnecting with nature, North Kawartha offers a road trip experience in The Kawarthas that invites you to slow down, take it all in, and rejuvenate your spirit. It’s not a stop along the way — North Kawartha is a destination all on its own.
Morning: Explore the charming village of Apsley
For a delicious lunch when road tripping in North Kawartha, stop in at The Grape and Wedge on Burleigh Street in Apsley for a decadent lunch of gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and salads made fresh to order, along with a selection of locally made products. (Photo: Kasandra Bateman)
Your road trip begins with a relaxing morning in the charming village of Apsley, located in the centre of North Kawartha just off Highway 28.
If you’re travelling from the south, stop in at Honey’s Diner on the way to Apsley for a hearty traditional breakfast. Located between Big Cedar and Woodview, the family restaurant is known for its hospitality and exceptional service.
Enjoy a latte or cappuccino and a wholesome sandwich or sweet treat at Calm N Ground, a popular Apsley cafe on Burleigh Street, the village’s main street.
From there, you can explore local businesses including Apsley Vintage & Gallery, which offers vintage fashions and works by talented local artists, and DJC Casual Clothing, where you’ll find curated collections of exclusive, cozy, cottage-chic, and fashion-forward styles.
DJC Casual Clothing on Burleigh Street in Apsley offers curated collections of exclusive, cozy, cottage-chic, and fashion-forward styles. (Photo: Kasandra Bateman)
Head north on Burleigh Street to The Grape and Wedge, where you can fill your picnic basket for the afternoon with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other specials made fresh to order. Don’t forget to stock up on some baked goods for the road!
Interested in dining al fresco? Stop in at Swiss Bear Café Bistro on Highway 28, known for its authentic house specialty schnitzel, loaded pierogies, and pies and tarts that are made on-site by a professional chef trained in Switzerland.
Before you begin your afternoon adventure, make sure to visit HERmanas on Highway 28, a boho-chic boutique offering timeless clothing, shoes, accessories, skincare products, and more. At this must-stop shop, you’ll find European brands alongside the latest collection of internationally acclaimed and ethically made swimwear from Bikinis by Bridget, an Apsley-based brand whose designs have been seen on runways around the world.
Afternoon: Choose your own outdoor adventure
A bustling historic marina on Chandos Lakes, Shantilly’s Place is owned and operated by Shantelle Bisson and her husband Yannick, the star of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Stop in for an ice cream cone, or visit Duke’s Chip Wagon or The Snack Shack for their famous subs, wraps, and wood-fired pizza. (Photo: Shantilly’s Place)
There are lots of ways to spend your summer afternoon enjoying the outdoors in North Kawartha.
Head north out of Apsley on Burleigh Street to reach the hidden gem of Chandos Beach, just off County Road 620. Located on the northern edge of Chandos Lake, the free public beach features a gently sloping shoreline ideal for families with children, along with change rooms, public washrooms, a swim raft, and a spacious picnic area. Swimming lessons are also available.
You can also take the scenic route around Chandos Lake to find Shantilly’s Place. Originally known as the historic West Bay Narrows Marina, the bustling marina is now owned and operated by Shantelle Bisson and her husband Yannick, the star of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Stop in for an ice cream cone, or visit Duke’s Chip Wagon or The Snack Shack for their famous subs, wraps, and wood-fired pizza.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park in the Township of North Kawartha protects the largest known concentration of ancient Indigenous petroglyphs (rock carvings) in Canada. The park’s visitor centre features displays about the petroglyphs and their spiritual significance to the Ojibway (Nishnaabe) people. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)
Head south out of Apsley on Highway 28 to Northey’s Bay Road, where winding turns will lead you to Petroglyphs Provincial Park. Open May through October, this sacred site is home to one of the largest known concentrations of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. The carvings depict a wide variety of human and animal forms that tell the story of lives of the Indigenous peoples of this region from over a thousand years ago. Experience the Learning Place Visitor Centre through a guided tour provided by members of Curve Lake First Nation.
From there, visit McGinnis Lake, one of Canada’s few meromictic lakes. The lake’s preserved ancient sediment make it a rare and protected waterbody, where the layers of the lake’s water don’t mix, creating a stunning turquoise colour. While swimming isn’t permitted, snapping a few Instagram-worthy photos is highly recommended!
Is being on the water your passion? Book a guided excursion with Lovesick Kayaking for a paddle around Stoney Lake and Lovesick Lake’s Wolf Island. Why not rent a kayak for a self-guided adventure on Eels Creek from Haultain to Northey’s Bay, where each bend along the waterway offers new landscape from impressive willows overhanging limestone banks to massive pines standing on granite shoreline.
Located in Petroglyphs Provincial Park in the Township of North Kawartha, McGinnis Lake is one of Canada’s few meromictic lakes. The layers of the lake’s water don’t mix, creating a stunning turquoise colour. (Photo: CCCP, CC BY-SA 2.5 CA, via Wikimedia Commons)
Flowing from Eels Lake in the north all the way to Stoney Lake in the south, Eels Creek is a favourite of North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte.
North Kawartha Mayor Carolyn Amyotte’s Must Do’s
Paddle the High Falls route from Haultain to Stoney Lake on Eels Creek.
Hike from Northey’s Bay Road to High Falls.
“It has historical, cultural, environmental, and recreational significance for residents and visitors alike,” she says. “Eels Creek offers many paddling opportunities, with the most popular being the High Falls route from Haultain to Stoney Lake. There is also a hiking trail from the Northey’s Bay Road parking area to High Falls. Eels Creek is one of the crown jewels of North Kawartha’s natural landscapes.”
Located on Eels Creek, High Falls is an Instagram-worthy destination of its own, with its cascading waters flowing from a narrow opening, surrounded by lush forest. It’s also a popular camping spot for Eels Creek paddlers.
Evening — End your day in majestic Burleigh Falls
The sun sets over the fast-flowing rapids at Burleigh Falls in the Township of North Kawartha. (Photo: Lovesick Kayaking)
Your North Kawartha road trip ends in Burleigh Falls, whose majestic fast-flowing rapids offer another Instagram moment. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after your journey and watch the sun set over The Kawarthas.
Enjoy a meal at Burleigh Falls Inn, located on the picturesque 11-acre Burleigh Island. Open year round and offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner accompanied by weekly entertainment, this historic inn has welcomed families and couples for more than a century.
Burleigh Falls Inn overlooks the channel between Lovesick Lake and Stoney Lake and is just steps away from Lock 28 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, which also features a popular boat launch. You can watch the lock in action from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday and on holidays (it closes an hour earlier on other days).
Located on the picturesque 11-acre Burleigh Island, Burleigh Falls Inn is open year round and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner accompanied by weekly entertainment as well as a variety of overnight accommodations. (Photo: Kasandra Bateman)
Need more time to explore North Kawartha? Burleigh Falls Inn offers a variety of accommodations suitable for families, a getaway with friends, or a spontaneous romantic escape.
You can also check in to Viamede Resort in Woodview, on the shores of Stoney Lake. Also open year-round, Viamede Resort offers classic cottage charm with fireside dining and farm-to-table tasting menus.
Wherever you choose to end your day in North Kawartha, you’ll almost certainly fall asleep to the hauntingly beautiful call of the loon.
“I invite everyone to come and explore North Kawartha-where connecting community, nature and spirit is our superpower,” says Mayor Amyotte. “In a world that refuses to slow down, a place that makes you hit pause is everything. With two provincial parks, a crown game preserve, and numerous lakes for cottaging, boating, and fishing, you don’t have to travel far to find that pause button. Connecting to what matters is intuitive in North Kawartha.”
Kawartha Nordic Ski Club is a popular attraction for outdoor enthusiasts during winter in North Kawartha. Located off Highway 28, Kawartha Nordic maintains 80 kilometres of trails for skiing, skating, and snowshoeing. (Photo: Kawartha Nordic)
As a four-season destination, there’s much more to see and do in North Kawartha throughout the year. Here are just a few ideas for your next road trip.
In early September, the three-day Creekside Music Festival takes place on the edge of Eels Creek in Apsley. Very popular with locals, the festival is a celebration of live music and food and a local vendor market. Only 700 tickets are available each year, so don’t wait to secure yours!
A few weeks after the festival, fall colours provide a breathtaking backdrop for the Apsley Autumn Studio Tour. Taking place the third weekend in September for over 30 years, the self-guided tour offers an opportunity to visit dozens of artist studios across North Kawartha, where you can watch artists at work, chat with them, and even add to your art collection.
When the snow falls, strap on your skis at Kawartha Nordic, where 80 kilometres of maintained trails for skiing, skating, and snowshoeing wind through the forest off Highway 28. Warm-up shelters along the way add to the cozy atmosphere.
Roadtripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
After being called by a person moving to Peterborough who said they were being asked by the mover they hired to pay more money or else the delivery would not be completed, police arrived on the scene and arrested and charged the Toronto driver of this truck with multiple offences including fraud. (Photo: Peterborough County OPP)
A Toronto man has been arrested and faces multiple charges connection with a moving scam.
On Sunday (July 13), Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call from a person moving to Peterborough who was in the process of being asked to pay more money by a mover they had hired.
The complainant advised police they had hired a mover who had quoted a low price to move them from Vaughan to Peterborough. The complainant was following the moving truck when it pulled over and the driver demanded more money before completing the delivery. The complainant told the mover they needed to contact their bank, but instead called the OPP.
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Peterborough County OPP officers arrived on the scene and blocked the moving truck from being able to drive off. Officers spoke with the driver who was arrested shortly after. After the moving truck was taken to to the complainant’s residence to be offloaded, the vehicle was impounded by police.
Police arrested and charged 40-year-old Brandon Daniels of Toronto with fraud under $5,000, failure to have an insurance card, failure to carry a commercial vehicle operator’s registration (CVOR) or lease, failure to accurately complete a daily inspection report, failure to ensure the daily inspection report is accurately completed, failure to surrender a permit for a motor vehicle, driving a motor vehicle with no currently validated commercial vehicle permit, operating an unsafe commercial vehicle, and driving a motor vehicle with cannabis readily available.
The accused man is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough on August 19.
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The Peterborough County OPP is reminding that these types of scams happen on a regular basis and can be avoided by following these simple tips. If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Do your research before agreeing to hire a contractor and read any fine print in any contracts. If you have concerns that it might be a scam, call your local police service.
The OPP urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious offers or suspicious contractor activity.
f you believe you have been targeted by a scam, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Brenda Whitehead, pictured in October 2024, has been appointed the new president and CEO of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce effective August 5, 2025. (Photo: Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce / Facebook)
Brenda Whitehead is the new president and CEO of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, effective Monday, August 5.
Whitehead has been CEO of the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce for the past seven-plus years. Among other positions, her prior experience includes a program manager role for community and economic development with the Municipality of Port Hope and director of economic and community development with the Township of Cavan Monaghan.
In addition to running her own consulting business, she is an active community volunteer, including serving on the board of directors for Junior Achievement and working on committees with the Workforce Development Board.
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“We are thrilled that Brenda is joining us as president and CEO,” says Susan Dunkley, chair of the board of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Peterborough-based business Suzi Homemaker, in a media release.
“She will be an excellent addition to our chamber and our community. She understands the needs in business, the challenges they face in our current climate, and she’s passionate about community building. With her background and vision, I’m looking forward to seeing the chamber continue to grow and flourish under her direction.”
The Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has been without a permanent president and CEO since Sarah Budd departed the role last October to join Peterborough County’s new economic development and tourism department. Budd had been the chamber’s president and CEO for over two years, taking over from long-time president and CEO Stuart Harrison, who retired after 20 years in the role.
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According to the media release, Whitehead’s focus will be on relationship building, strategic planning, and membership services, and she has a mandate to expand the advocacy and engagement of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber together with the local business community, local government, and decision makers.
“Peterborough’s business community and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber have a strong and well-known reputation,” Whitehead says. “I’m looking forward to taking what I know and working with the staff, board, and membership to facilitate its on-going growth and success. There is so much opportunity within the chamber and within Peterborough. I’m excited to get to work and continue to do the work I love to do.”
As for the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce, the organization says it will be announcing its leadership transition plan in the coming weeks.
Flames engulf the Arrowsmith School building at 366 Parkhill Avenue East in Peterborough in the early morning of July 14, 2025. (Photo: David Horwood)
The Arrowsmith School building in Peterborough was devastated by a fire early Monday morning (July 14). Local resident David Horwood provided kawarthaNOW with photos of the fire and the resulting damage.
At around 2:19 a.m., Douro-Dummer Fire Services (DDFS) received a call for a structure fire at 366 Parkhill Road East, just east of the City of Peterborough.
The first arriving crew observed fire had spread through the second storey of the structure, and flames were visible above the roof.
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Over 25 firefighters worked throughout the early hours of the morning to extinguish the initial fire, and into Monday afternoon fighting hotspots.
Peterborough County Ontario Provincial (OPP) closed Parkhill Road East between Leahy’s Lane and Kingsdale Drive while fire crews battled the blaze. A residence west of the structure was evacuated as a precaution, and the occupants were able to return to their home on Monday.
The Arrowsmith School building was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire and the dollar loss to the property have yet to be determined.
The Arrowsmith School building at 366 Parkhill Avenue East in Peterborough was extensively damaged by a fire in the early morning of July 14, 2025. (Photo: David Horwood)
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“DDFS crews responded quickly and worked hard to bring the fire under control, and as a result the fire did not spread to nearby structures,” DDFS deputy fire chief Derrick Huffman said in a media release. “We are grateful for the time and effort that our firefighters dedicate to preparing for events like this.”
The Arrowsmith School is a private school in Toronto for children in Grades 1 to 12 with learning disabilities. The original Arrowsmith School was founded in Toronto in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith Young, and a second location was opened in May 2005 in Peterborough.
The school closed its Peterborough location in June 2021.
This story has been updated with information from a media release from Douro-Dummer Fire Services.
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