Donning hip waders and safety gear, staff from Engage Engineering collect garbage in and along the creek beside their downtown Peterborough office every spring, and plant native species along the banks of the creek. The efforts of the business are bringing wildlife back to the area. Pictured are Steven Dingman, Dominik Jedrzejewski, Logan Mattern, and Joshua Burke. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)
Every spring, staff at downtown Peterborough-based civil engineering firm Engage Engineering pull on hip waders and safety boots to remove as much waste and debris as they can from the creek beside their offices.
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Jackie Donaldson, Green Economy Peterborough Program Manager, GreenUP.
The waterway, which flows through the city core, tends to collect waste. Dylan Radcliffe, the firm’s senior water resources technician, says it’s hard not to notice, with the latest piece of riverside trash often discussed in the office.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, did you see the bike in the creek this morning?’ or ‘I wonder how those traffic cones ended up in there?'” Radcliffe says.
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A few years back, staff decided to do something about it. They set aside a morning to work together, have some fun, and care for the creek.
“We have a barbecue, and I make sure we get a big platter of cannoli,” says Radcliffe, who organizes the annual event. “Everybody loves it. We’ve got a crew on the barbecue, a crew that gets right down into the mud, while others do some planting. It’s a nice staff event where everyone has a role.”
Radcliffe says these efforts align with Engage Engineering’s work designing and supporting communities to be resilient through asset management, floodplain modelling, stormwater management, and community design.
Sogol Raeiszdeh and Dylan Radcliffe of Engage Engineering with bags of garbage collected from the creek beside their downtown Peterborough office. The company’s staff spend a morning every spring to conduct a clean-up of the creek. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)
The team also makes sure the cleanup is done safely.
“Before we get in the creek, everybody gets a bit of safety training and knows what needs to happen and how to be safety-aware,” Radcliffe says. “Like, if you’re planting, don’t jump on the shovel, and what the procedure is if you find something questionable.”
“We are careful. We use tongs and gloves and special containers when we need them.”
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In addition to cleaning up garbage, Engage Engineering staff plant native species from a local nursery along the banks of the creek. While the area has a lot of sun exposure and heat, over time, staff are learning what will thrive there. This caretaking has lured birds and other animals to the area.
“We have an iNaturalist account for our office where we track the wildlife we’ve seen,” says Radcliffe. “At this point, we have a pretty long-running list of wildlife sightings from our little section of creek. Even though we’re surrounded by concrete, they’re finding it.”
“We get muskrats in there and we’ve had a beaver. Lots of birds are drawn to the nice serviceberries that are thriving. And we get unexpected sightings, like cedar waxwings. We’ve even had herons. It doesn’t take much to create viable, healthy habitat.”
Staff from Engage Engineering gather on their office patio after their annual creek clean-up in 2025, when they removed 78 kilograms of garbage, including a discarded wood pallet, from the waterway. Both the city and county of Peterborough have initiatives to support workplace and citizen clean-up activities. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)
For other businesses looking to support their local wild spaces while enjoying time together, Radcliffe has one tip: just get started. Gather a few workmates, some coffee, a bag and gloves, and pick up a little garbage over lunch.
“It doesn’t have to be a big thing. But that’s how it becomes something.”
Radcliffe points out a resource offered by the City of Peterborough. The City Public Works team makes litter clean-up kits available through their website. Businesses can request kits and arrange after-event waste pick-up by filling out a form online.
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Peterborough County businesses can also get involved by adopting a local road section and committing to cleaning it twice a year. The county’s Adopt-A-Road program provides collection supplies, safety equipment, and guidelines. Collected litter can be disposed of free of charge at a designated county transfer station.
“We’re so appreciative to work in an office that’s right next to the creek,” Radcliffe says. “It’s a beautiful environment, a natural little oasis in the middle of downtown Peterborough.”
“The long and short of it is, we protect an area we value by ridding it of garbage, and we have a good time doing it. It’s a great thing to do.”
Engage Engineering is a member of GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) program, a network that supports local businesses in sustainable practices. Learn more and sign up for the GEP newsletter at www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.
Some of the 25 businesses and organizations that participated at Clean Up Peterborough's inaugural RE:Connect circular economy event on October 29, 2025 at the Morrow Building in Peterborough. The free family-friendly event returns on April 15, 2026 and will give attendees the opportunity to learn creative and practical ways to repair, reuse, and recycle materials to divert them from the landfill. The spring event also features three all-new sustainability initiatives: a clothing swap, a jigsaw puzzle swap, and an art contest. (Photos courtesy of Clean Up Peterborough)
Building on the success of October’s inaugural circular economy event, Clean Up Peterborough is bringing back RE:Connect for a spring edition — and this time, there are even more ways to get involved.
Taking place on Wednesday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Morrow Building in Peterborough, the free family-friendly event invites community members to connect with sustainability-focused organizations and businesses to learn creative and practical ways to reduce waste and keep products in use.
“My vision was always to connect community to circular economy thinking, where we’re diverting as much from the landfill as possible and potentially looking at waste as a resource,” says Clean Up Peterborough founder Steve Paul. “This is meant to be a community-inspired space where we all learn and grow with a community-powered mentality.”
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Steve says the success of the first event can be measured in the quality of the conversations heard around the room and how people showed up with an open mind.
“The participating vendors were able to have great conversations, whether with the people that stopped by from the public or by talking amongst themselves,” he says. “There was learning going on every minute. We’re looking to bring that back so we can continue to grow the effort within the community so that anyone that wants to learn about ways to get involved can have those conversations. Everyone has the capacity to learn at this event.”
During the event, Clean Up Peterborough will be collecting hard-to-recycle items including milk bags and tags, writing instruments, egg cartons, eyeglasses, household batteries, pop tabs, and ink cartridges. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the other 30-plus miscellaneous items, like Burt’s Bees and BabyBel packaging, that people can recycle themselves through the TerraCycle recycling program.
The RE:Create Circular Art Contest invites artists to create masterpieces exclusively out of upcycled, recycled, or reclaimed items. The submissions will be displayed during RE:Connect at the Morrow Building on April 15, 2026, and there will be Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice prizes awarded. (Poster: Clean Up Peterborough)
There will also be a range of vendors set up throughout the day including vintage sellers, upcyclers and makers, and local organizations that will be holding repair and reuse demonstrations.
“We’re trying to create staple things that will help educate and get more people interested,” says Steve. “It’s not just a matter of what one person can do — it’s about what the community can do together — so I’m literally providing floor space for people to share the magic of what they do in this area.”
For the spring edition, Clean Up Peterborough has added “creativity” to Re:Connect’s tagline, which now reads “Where community, creativity, and circular living meet.” This, Steve says, was done to encourage artists and creatives to consider how materials and waste can be repurposed into works of art.
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That’s why the event now includes the all-new RE:Create Circular Art Contest that invites artists to create masterpieces exclusively out of upcycled, recycled, or reclaimed items. The submissions will be displayed during RE:Connect, and there will be Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice prizes given out to each of the categories which include children (aged 12 and under), youth (aged 13-17), and adult (aged 18+).
The prizes are sponsored by the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Art School of Peterborough, Artspace Peterborough, Camp Kawartha, and Renegade Apparel.
“I’ve always wanted to tap into the arts community,” Steve says. “I’m super excited about it because we’re now going to get some younger students involved. There’s lots of creative energy out there, so I’m interested to see where this goes.”
The Great Peterborough Clothing Swap takes place during RE:Connect at the Morrow Building on April 15, 2026. People are invited to swap their clean and lightly used clothing for other clothing items of more use. All leftover clothing will be donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store. (Poster: Clean Up Peterborough)
RE:Connect will also be hosting The Great Peterborough Clothing Swap, inspired by the Halifax iteration. Providing motivation to do some spring cleaning, the initiative invites people to swap their clean and lightly used clothing for other clothing items of more use. All leftover clothing will be donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store.
“Textiles are one of the biggest items that get diverted to landfills, so this is designed to keep clothing in circulation and accessible to the entire community,” Steve says, noting it will also support low-income community members. “There are people who need clothing in our community, so we’re looking to make this as free and family friendly as possible so that people with needs for items are able to take part.”
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Puzzle lovers can also get stocked up this spring because RE:Connect will also be hosting Jigsaw Junction Puzzle Swap.
Steve says RE:Connect’s first-ever puzzle swap was inspired by a recent event that took place at the Avant-Garden Shop.
“Who doesn’t love jigsaw puzzles, so why not set up a space where people can bring puzzles in and take puzzles home?” he says. “This is a great way to exchange and share. You’ve already invested some money in your originals, but you can now equally swap and someone else can benefit from it.”
The Jigsaw Junction Puzzle Swap takes place during RE:Connect at the Morrow Building on April 15, 2026. People are invited bring in jigsaw puzzles they’ve already mastered and swap themfor others. Even if you don’t have a jigsaw puzzle to contribute, you can still take one home. (Poster: Clean Up Peterborough)
With the same demonstrations and impactful conversations from the first event, paired with the new swaps and art contest, Steve says he hopes the event will not only educate people but provide some fun along the way.
“There’s something for everyone,” he says. “We hope with the couple of changes and new additions we’re making this year, that will make an even bigger impact and learning opportunity.”
An Alto team member points to a map of the possible corridor between Ottawa and Toronto during an open house on the proposed high-speed rail network held at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre in Peterborough on February 26, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)
Alto is extending its initial online public consultation period on the proposed high-speed rail network between Québec City and Toronto by almost another month, and offering two additional virtual consultation sessions.
On Wednesday (March 11), the Crown corporation announced the online consultation period — originally set from January 15 to March 29 — is being extended until Monday, April 24. The decision was made “due to a high level of participation and sustained public interest,” according to a media release from Alto.
There will also be two additional virtual sessions held from 7 to 8:45 p.m. on March 23 (in English) and March 26 (in French), following what was originally to be the final virtual session on March 17 (in French).
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“Public consultation is a valuable opportunity for dialogue with the population, grounded in transparency and active listening,” states Pierre Yves Boivin, Alto’s chief officer of communications and public affairs, in the release.
“The success of the current process demonstrates how important the Alto project is to citizens. Every question and every comment help inform our analyses and better integrate the project into local communities. We encourage the public to continue making their voices heard by visiting our online consultation platform and taking part in our upcoming virtual sessions on March 17, 23, and 26.”
Alto’s online consultation platform at www.altotrain.ca/en/public-consultation allows the public to review all available information about the project, explore the study corridor map and submit comments, complete an online questionnaire, and submit a brief or written submission.
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According to Alto, the online consultation platform has so far seen 184,339 unique visits, 14,774 completed questionnaires, and 10,420 comments submitted on the corridor map.
In addition to online consultation, Alto has held 26 in-person open houses across Québec and Ontario with a total attendance of 9,194 participants to date — including 815 people who attended the Peterborough open house on February 26 — and 10 bilingual virtual meetings in French and English with 1,299 participants to date.
Also has also held 35 roundtables with stakeholders and numerous meetings with elected officials along the corridor.
Alto says the feedback from public consultations will help “guide decisions and better illustrate the realities of the communities served, which all contributes to the goal of maximizing the project’s benefits.” Additional rounds of public consultation will be held in the coming months, particularly on the more detailed study corridor for the first segment planned between Montréal and Ottawa.
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The largest public infrastructure project in Canada in recent history, Alto’s high-speed rail project will see trains reaching 300 km/h or more on an electrified rail network spanning around 1,000 kilometres between Toronto and Quebec City, with stops including Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières.
Despite its touted benefits of driving economic growth by slashing travel times (including to 40 minutes between Peterborough and Toronto), enhancing connectivity, and creating job opportunities for all communities along the corridor, the project has already faced pushback early in the consultation process.
Some of the concerns raised include the location of Alto stops and train stations, how potential routes could affect property owners, agricultural lands, rural communities, and the environment, land acquisition and expropriation, and the estimated project cost of between $60 billion and $90 billion.
Circus, physical theatre, and visual artist Nicole Malbeuf is one of 17 Peterborough-area artists who have received a grant from Electric City Culture Council through the 2025 grants for individual artists program. Malbeuf is working on a children's story/art book adaptation of her 2021 live circus-theatre performance piece "A Hen Called Freedom" (pictured), a draft of which she will read from accompanied by projected images from the live show during Public Energy's "Rough Cuts #2" on March 13, 2026 at The Theatre On King in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Public Energy Performing Arts)
Peterborough’s Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has announced 17 local artists have been awarded a total of $35,250 through the 2025 grants for individual artists program, which is jointly funded by the not-for-profit organization and the City of Peterborough and is designed and administered by EC3.
This is the fourth year of the program, which in its first three years has awarded over $162,000 in funding to 72 local artists, leading to new artistic events and projects across the city and county of Peterborough and supporting dozens more artists and organizations in the process.
“We are particularly grateful to the City of Peterborough for their $25,000 support of this vital program in 2025, and to all of our funders for their ground-breaking contributions to the development of local talent and works of art,” said EC3 executive director Su Ditta in a media release.
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“These investments in the efforts of our very talented and hardworking artists means more artists can realize their visions, contribute to our cultural, economic, community and social well-being, and make Peterborough a more vital and exciting place to live for all of us,” Ditta added. “New books, poetry, concerts, plays, exhibitions, albums, and performances of all kinds will touch our hearts, minds, and imaginations.”
The grants for individual artists program has two components: mini development grants of up to $1,500 and project creation, production, and presentation grants of up to $3,500.
The mini development grants support the research, development, and workshopping of original new works, as well as professional training and mentorship opportunities to advance artist practice. The project creation, production, and presentation grants support specific projects for individual professional artists, including costs such as artist fees, production materials, venue rentals, technical equipment, costumes, printing, and more.
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Professional artists working in every discipline, genre, and medium were eligible, including those who work in multi-disciplinary or community-based arts practice, in both traditional or contemporary forms.
The program’s open call for applications in late June resulted in 50 applications from artists by the August 19 deadline, with 45 eligible applications requesting a total of more than $108,000. A five-member peer assessment jury evaluated the applications and awarded grants to 17 artists, including $12,750 in grants for nine artists in the first component and $22,500 in grants for eight artists in the second component.
Below is a list of all the artists who received grants in each component of the program, along with a brief description of their projects.
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Mini Development Grants for Individual Professional Artists
Tia Cavanagh – Indian Jones vs. The Vatican. Research and creation of an alter ego persona – “Indian Jones”, an Indigenized concept inspired by Indiana Jones, for a planned future performance piece about the theft of cultural artifacts.
Marta Chudolinska – Babcia: a papercut graphic novel. Artist fees to continue writing, drawing, and making papercut art for a graphic novel and to present a public artists talk about the artist’s process.
Michael C. Duguay – Here I Go Into The Wobbly Yonder. Support for a period of research and experimentation focused on the intersection of music and “processional” art in the contexts of composition, performance, and documentation.
Laurie D. Graham – What Elements. Completion of a draft of a poetic nonfiction manuscript exploring what “land and home” could mean for the settler subject.
Nicole Malbeuf – Drafting Art/Children’s Book: A Hen Called Freedom. Writing/editing, book design planning, and researching self-publishing for art book/children’s book hybrid, based on an original circus arts performance.
Kasonde Mutale – Black Radical Existentialism: an exploration. Research, creation, and artist fee for visual and written storytelling exploring Black radical existentialism through African traditional art, revitalizing Black identity, dignity, and pride.
Kate Story – Strangeness on Earth (working title). Paying sensitivity readers, youth readers, and an artist fee for work on a new young adult historical fantasy novel set in 1817 Newfoundland and Orkney.
Lynda Todd – Migration #3: Land, Air & Sea. Purchasing materials to complete a series of tactile portraits of polar bears, penguins, and whales accompanied by braille descriptions, inviting all to experience their journeys.
Gillian Turnham – Indelible Architecture: From The Rubble; Ruined Not. Researching visual records of destroyed Islamic heritage sites in the Eastern Mediterranean, to inform a series of traditional miniature paintings memorializing architecture lost in conflict.
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Project Production and Development Grants for Individual Artists
Brad Brackenridge – Pinocchio. Creation of an original, family-friendly adaptation of Pinocchio involving puppetry, dance, and mask for a short run of workshop performances at the Market Hall.
Brooklin Holbrough – “Art-Work” (Working title).. Artist fees towards a zine that aims to demystify art and illustration as a career path for emerging creatives.
Thamer Linklater – The Place I Called Home. Editorial costs (including copy and content editing) and graphic design to submit manuscript for publishing, either traditionally or self-published.
Kayla Mahomed – Kay Silver Debut Album Recording. Recording an album of original material with diverse influences in the pop-rock tradition with local collaborators in the Peterborough region.
Ell Parker – Heartbreakers | Dream Makers Volume 3: Servin’ [C*ntry]. Artist fees and venue costs to mount a multidisciplinary country-themed drag concert at Sadleir House. Featuring local artists, drag queens, and projectionists, the event seeks to deconstruct the heteronormative ideologies of country music, and provide a fun and inclusive space for queer individuals.
Benj Rowland – new peasant marching band. Artist fees and production costs for a marching band offering lively, themed performances at community events to engage audiences and celebrate local culture.
Esther Vincent – Are We Sleeping?, A one-act play. Artist fees, venue rental, and actor fees to present a staged reading of a one-act script about a family facing dementia.
Ziysah von Bieberstein – Before the Tymbals Sound. Editorial and artist fees to prepare manuscript for submission to traditional publishers.
Environment Canada has issued multiple weather warnings for freezing rain and rainfall in the Kawarthas region starting Tuesday night (March 10) and lasting through Wednesday.
“Orange” warnings for freezing rain are in effect for Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands. An orange warning is for severe weather likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts, with major widespread impacts that may last for a few days.
“Yellow” warnings for rainfall are in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, with yellow warnings for freezing rain also in effect for northern Peterborough County and northern Kawartha Lakes. A yellow warning is for hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts, with moderate and localized impacts for the short term.
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A series of low pressure systems will lead to significant freezing rain and rainfall across parts of southern Ontario, with precipitation beginning Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and lasting through Wednesday or Wednesday night.
Temperatures will hover near the freezing mark and may result in northern parts of the region receiving only freezing rain, while parts of the region further south will transition from freezing rain to rainfall and the southernmost parts of the region will only receive rain.
Some areas across eastern Ontario closer to the St. Lawrence River may rise above the freezing mark Wednesday afternoon, which would lessen the amount of ice build up in these areas.
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In Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands, there may be a prolonged period of freezing rain — possibly up to 24 hours for some areas — with ice accretion of 10 to 20 mm. Prolonged utility outages and significant damage to property, including some buildings and trees, are likely due to the weight of ice.
In northern Peterborough County and northern Kawarthas Lakes, a period of freezing rain lasting several hours may result in ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm before changing over to rain, with rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm possible. Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. Local utility outages are possible.
In southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected, with locally higher amounts possible in areas that receive thunderstorms. As the saturated or frozen ground will have little ability to absorb this rainfall, water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas.
The 2018 St. Patrick's Day 5k Run and Walk, organized by Runner's Life, taking place on George Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Runner's Life)
Peterborough’s Dave Dame is no doubt breathing a huge sigh of relief after city council voted to authorize a temporary road closure permit for the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk this Sunday (March 15) in the downtown core.
At the beginning of city council’s meeting on Monday night, councillor Alex Bierk put forward a motion to suspend council rules to allow Dame, owner of Runner’s Life in downtown Peterborough and the event organizer, to delegate to council for an item not on the meeting agenda.
“I got an email from a constituent at 5:15 on the way here with a very time-sensitive request that I’m going to move under new business, short and sweet,” Bierk said. “But the constituent Dave Dame is here tonight and he’s willing to come speak to us as a delegate. Because it wasn’t on the agenda, he didn’t get a chance to sign up.”
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After council voted to suspend the rules, Mayor Jeff Leal advised Bierk that he would be having a meeting on the issue in his office on Tuesday morning.
As Dame explained to council during his delegation, the issue is that the city clerk’s office emailed him last Friday to advise that a city permit was denied for the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk, where participants run or walk up and down George Street between Lansdowne and McDonnell streets before the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The decision was made despite the event having been held over the previous 12 years and only days before the event is scheduled to take place.
According to Dame, city clerk John Kennedy’s email raised four safety-related issues with the event: that full road closures would be required for the event instead of rolling road closures as requested, that the lead police cruiser could not safely do a U-turn on George Street, that using the parking lot at the Spaghetti House at the corner of George and Lansdowne as a gathering place for runners at the start of the race would be unsafe, and that running events should only be held on trails or parks instead of roads.
Dame noted he had a February 3 meeting about the event with city staff — which included the clerk’s office, parade officials, traffic staff, public works, and the police — “and no problems were cited.”
Runner’s Life owner Dave Dame, who organizes the St. Patrick’s Day 5k Run and Walk, addressing Peterborough city council on March 9, 2026 about the last-minute decision of city staff to deny a permit for the annual fundraising event. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Peterborough video)
On the basis of the meeting, Dame said he proceeded to organize the event, investing thousands of dollars of his own money and hundreds of hours of his time and his staff’s time, “only to be told last minute it wouldn’t be permitted.”
“I wasn’t consulted, I wasn’t given a phone call, I wasn’t having a meeting to address any of the concerns — just cancelled,” Dame said.
In addressing the safety concerns, Dame pointed out that rolling road closures — where police officers control the east-west flow of traffic at intersections on George Street — are the standard for running events around the world, including marathons in Toronto, New York, and Boston.
Dame said he didn’t understand the concern about the police cruiser being unable to do a U-turn as plenty of space would be available, and he said he was willing to forgo the use of the Spaghetti House parking lot as a gathering place for runners. As for the idea of not having running events on city roads, Dame named a number of “world-class cities” that use city roads for marathons.
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On the urgency of dealing with the issue at city council, Dame said it “wasn’t created by me.”
“I did everything I was supposed to do in a timely manner,” he said. “I got my permit (application) in on time. I attended the meeting. No problems were levied at that time, and now I’m being threatened with cancelling of my event one week from the event. You can imagine how awful this would be for my finances, my reputation, not to mention just to have a city that has these kind of events.”
Noting that George Street would be closed to traffic for the subsequent parade, Dame said it would be “the safest place in Peterborough to run and walk” and that “risk is infinitesimally small” for an event that has been run for 12 years.
“If this event gets cancelled, I don’t know what that says to anyone else trying to organize an event. Do business with the City of Peterborough, and they could pull the plug.”
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After Dame’s delegation, Mayor Leal told Dame there would be a “full examination and discussion” about the issues.
In response to a question from councillor Matt Crowley about whether city staff advised Dame during his February 3 meeting that things would have to be done differently this year, Dame said “Everyone walked out of that meeting pretty jovial, pretty excited about the event, no concerns whatsoever,” adding that the safety issues were discussed at the meeting and “no one had a problem with it,” including the police.
Councillor Keith Riel asked city clerk John Kennedy why the decision to deny the permit was made. Kennedy said that, following the February 3 meeting, “technical staff did do a deeper review of that matter and they had cited the safety conditions that were addressed here,” leading to a decision not to approve the event.
In response to a comment from councillor Joy Lachica, Dame noted the event supports a different charity every year, with this year’s event supporting Right to Heal Peterborough.
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At the end of the meeting, councillor Bierk put forward a motion for council to override the city clerk’s decision. Because the motion did not first go through general committee due to urgency, a two-thirds vote would be required for it to pass.
During a debate on the motion, councillor Gary Baldwin questioned the need to pass such a motion in advance of Mayor Leal’s meeting on the issue, and also later expressed concerns about overriding the delegated authority of city staff without councillors being privy to the details behind the decision.
The city’s commissioner of legislative services David Potts told council that, if they wish to override the city staff recommendation and issue a temporary road closure permit, the motion should have specific wording including the details of the event and the name of the permittee.
After further debate and consultation with the city clerk, council decided on the following wording for the motion:
“That Council hereby authorizes a temporary road closure permit to be issued to Dave Dame of Runners Life for the purpose of a 5K run and walk event on March 15, 2026, on George Street between Lansdowne Street and McDonnel Street to be held immediately prior to the start of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”
Council approved the motion 9-1, with only councillor Baldwin voting against it. Councillor Lesley Parnell was absent from the meeting.
Indy, a rare Sulawesi forest turtle, was hatched at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough on February 9, 2026. Indy is the fifth of the critically endangered freshwater turtle species to be bred at the zoo. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)
For the fifth time, the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough has successfully bred one of the rarest freshwater turtle species in the world.
On February 9, another critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle was hatched at the zoo.
Named Indy, the hatchling is the fifth Sulawesi forest turtle bred at the zoo. In 2014, hatchlings Blinky and Skippy were among the first Sulawesi forest turtles successfully bred in Canada.
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“The hatchling is currently under observation by our animal care team,” says Matt Dixon, the zoo’s operational support manager of animal care, in a media release.
“This is another exciting and meaningful step forward for this critically endangered species. Each successful hatch strengthens the population and builds valuable knowledge that supports conservation efforts. The zoo continues to be the only zoo in Canada working with this species and is one of only a few zoos globally to successfully reproduce it.”
Native to the island of Sulawesi off the southeast coast of Indonesia, Sulawesi forest turtles live in cool mountain streams in the forests on the northern side of the island, the only place the turtles are found in the wild.
Indy, a rare Sulawesi forest turtle, was hatched at the Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough on February 9, 2026. Successful breeding in captivity requires mimicking their natural habitat and providing ample space, as the shy reptiles can be aggressive and are best kept individually. (Photo: Riverview Park and Zoo)
Sulawesi forest turtles are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, largely due to significant threats from habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade.
One of the most mysterious and least-studied turtle species globally, Sulawesi forest turtles are mainly elusive in the wild, with limited observations and knowledge of their life history.
While juvenile turtles primarily live in aquatic environments, adults split their time between the dense forest canopy during daylight hours and the streams during the night.
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Sulawesi forest turtles are challenging to breed in captivity as they typically lay only one or two eggs per clutch a few times a year. Successful breeding requires mimicking their natural habitat and providing ample space, as the shy reptiles can be aggressive and are best kept individually (they interact briefly with one another only for mating).
In 2017, Riverview Park and Zoo received the Colonel G. C. Dailley Conservation Award from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, a national award that recognizes excellence in species propagation and conservation achievement.
“The zoo continues to collaborate with accredited zoological partners to support the long-term sustainability of the species through coordinated breeding programs and conservation initiatives that contribute to global wildlife preservation efforts,” reads the media release.
Elmhirst's Resort on the north shore of Rice Lake in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan prides itself on its farm-to-table dining experiences featuring fresh locally sourced ingredients including meat, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on the resort's 240-acre property. To help source other local ingredients, Elmhirst's Resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program supported by Peterborough County, which connects local buyers with local food producers. (Photo courtesy of Elmhirst's Resort)
Over five generations of operating its resort on the north shore of Rice Lake, the Elmhirst family has learned that the guests who come to experience lakeside living in cottage country also want a taste of The Kawarthas. That’s why Elmhirst’s Resort proudly supports local farming though agricultural programming led by Peterborough County.
The family’s connection to the land in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan dates back more than 200 years. Today, Elmhirst’s Resort is a year-round retreat featuring 30 waterfront cottages, two restaurants, conference facilities, 10 kilometres of walking trails, a wine cellar, a spa, and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Elmhirst’s Resort is renowned for its farm-to-table dining experiences at both the upscale Hearthside Dining Room and the more casual Wild Blue Yonder Pub & Patio. Seasonal dishes are crafted from fresh locally sourced ingredients — including premium beef, duck, turkey, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on the resort’s 240-acre property. For other ingredients on the menu, Elmhirst’s Resort sources from as close to home as possible.
That’s why the resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by connecting farmers with buyers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Now in its final stage, the program helps buyers source local products through the establishment of the Green Circle Food Hub.
With a cornerstone commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, Elmhirst’s Resort on the north shore of Rice Lake in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan serves its guests beef, duck, turkey, eggs, and seasonal vegetables farmed on its 240-acre property and sources other menu ingredients from nearby producers whenever possible. That’s why the resort will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which aims to increase the capacity for local food distribution by connecting buyers with producers in Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. (Photo courtesy of Elmhirst’s Resort)
“Everything lasts quite a bit longer when it comes from a local farm and not a distribution centre,” says Henry Elmhirst, managing director and the fifth generation of the family to run the resort. “Our guests respond really well to it. It gives them a sense of really knowing where the food is coming from. We also showcase and talk about these brands in the dining room when we can.”
Elmhirst’s Resort also participates in the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh initiative, a program delivered by Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes that provides a brand identity for local products, a network for members to share and access resources, and an online database for buyers to find local producers.
The resort’s support of local agriculture is part of its cornerstone commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, which has led to Elmhirst’s Resort achieving platinum certification under the Greenstep Sustainable Tourism program.
Programs like Kawartha Local Food Wholesale foster this vision, Henry says, because buying local not only provides fresher ingredients and supports local farmers, but also reduces the environmental impact of transporting food products over long distances.
“It’s an incredible program and I think this is the direction that we really need agriculture to go,” says Henry. “It’s the correct direction and it’s hard to ask for a better interface for it. Being supported by your local government is a big thing.”
Elmhirst’s Resort is located at 1045 Settlers Line just east of Keene. For more information and to book a stay, visit elmhirst.ca.
The Local Advantage in Peterborough County is a branded editorial feature series celebrating the farmers, food producers, food retailers, and agri-tourism businesses that make The Kawarthas thrive, created in partnership with Peterborough County’s Economic Development & Tourism Division.
Agriculture is a key economic driver and a point of pride for Peterborough County, with local farms producing a wide variety of high-quality goods, from traditional crops and livestock to organic and specialty products, reflecting the strength and diversity of this vital sector. With a growing focus on sustainability, local food systems, agri-innovation, and agri-tourism, agriculture offers strong potential for growth and diversification.
The Local Advantage with Peterborough County series spotlights the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale initiatives, which aim to strengthen connections from farm to table across our region.
For more information about economic development and tourism in Peterborough County, visit www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev and The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
A windrow — the heavy ridge of snow pushed across the end of a driveway by passing plows — can be difficult to clear because it is densely packed and often mixed with ice and road treatment materials such as salt and sand, making it far heavier and harder to shovel, particularly for seniors and people with limited mobility. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW)
The City of Peterborough is inviting community feedback on a proposed pilot program to assist seniors with clearing the end of their driveways after city snow plowing.
At city council’s January 26 general committee meeting, Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal proposed a motion for city staff to investigate options for a seniors snow clearing program that could include assistance with removing windrows — the ridge of snow left behind after city snow plows clear the roadway.
The mayor’s motion, which councillors unanimously supported both at general committee and at the February 2 council meeting, also asked city staff to conduct community engagement including a public survey.
“For many older adults and people with disabilities, the windrow can be heavy and difficult to remove — especially after repeated snow events,” the city’s website states.
“A windrow removal program is a service designed to help eligible residents by clearing the windrow portion at the end of the driveway after city plows have passed. The goal is to support safety, accessibility, and aging at home, especially for residents who may not have reliable help for winter snow clearing.”
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The proposed pilot program, which would operate during the 2026-2027 winter season if approved, would focus on windrow clearing only — not full driveway clearing — and would be intended for eligible seniors and people with disabilities. The program would consider a user fee to help offset costs and would operate as a limited-capacity pilot to test the service and learn what works best for the community.
Following the feedback period, city staff will review survey results to develop detailed program options, including proposed eligibility criteria, service scope and limitations, fee structure, participant capacity, and service standards (including response timing after plowing).
City staff would present the findings of the pilot program and recommended program details to council for consideration. If approved, registration is anticipated to open in fall 2026. Following the completion of the pilot program in the 2026-2027 winter season, the city would share results with the public and consider adjustments or expansion as part of a spring 2027 report to council.
encoreNOW for March 9, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) "Frozen: The Broadway Musical" at Peterborough's Showplace, St. Patrick's Day Kitchen Party at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, "Screwball Comedy" at Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at Peterborough Memorial Centre, "It's Too Late To Stop Now - The Music of Van Morrison" at Cobourg's Victoria Hall, and The Great Canadian Fiddle Show at Peterborough's Market Hall. (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 the Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s staging of Frozen: The Broadway Musical at Peterborough’s Showplace, Camp Kawartha’s hosting of a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Party, a staged reading of Screwball Comedy by the Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at the Peterborough Memorial Centre, a tribute to Van Morrison’s music at Cobourg’s Victoria Hall, and The Great Canadian Fiddle Show at Peterborough’s Market Hall.
The Anne Shirley Theatre Company takes on Disney’s “Frozen”
Cast members of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company’s production of “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” running at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough from March 13 to 21, 2026. (Photo: Anne Shirley Theatre Company / Facebook)
What started on a wing and a prayer back in 2001 is still very much with us in the form of the Anne Shirley Theatre Company.
The Trent University student-run theatre troupe staged Anne of Green Gables for its inaugural presentation during the 2002-2003 school year, having borrowed the name of the central figure of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic story for its company name.
Funded via a student-contributed levy, the Anne Shirley Theatre Company hasn’t missed a beat since, as it’s stayed true to its day-one mandate of empowering company members to do what they love to do in a safe, inclusive space.
On Friday (March 13) at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough, the company’s 23rd season will continue with the opening of Frozen: The Broadway Musical for a seven-show run.
Adapted from Disney’s Oscar-winning film, the Tony Award-nominated musical follows two royal sisters as they discover that true love can thaw the coldest of hearts. With the help of a 14-piece orchestra, the musical’s iconic songs, such as “Let It Go,” “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” and “In Summer,” will get their due along with numbers written specifically for the stage version.
Directed by Brayden Ellis and choreographed by Ellis and Robyn Hawthrone, the musical direction is in the very capable hands of Justin Hiscox, whose impressive resumé includes his considerable contributions to numerous 4th Line Theatre summer productions.
Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on March 13 and 14 and 20 and 21, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 14, 15, and 21. Tickets cost $40, $35 for seniors, and $30 for students/children at www.showplace.org.
Of note, all ticket sale profits go directly back to the company to help finance future productions, of which there will no doubt be many.
St. Patrick to be paid musical homage at Camp Kawartha kitchen party
Banish Misfortune performing with Karina Bates during a Robbie Burns concert at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre on February 8, 2026. The Celtic trio and Bates will return to the venue to perform authentic Irish folk and traditional music along with The Skelligs on Sunday, March 15. (Photo courtesy of John Hoffman)
Well, whack me over the head with a shillelagh — there really is such a thing as an alcohol-free St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Who knew?
On Sunday (March 15) at Camp Kawartha Environment Centre at 2505 Pioneer Road, nary a green beer will be in sight as a number of local musicians come together to pay homage to Ireland’s patron saint in advance of the annual day set aside for the masses to do likewise.
Billed as a family-friendly event, the St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Party will feature Irish songs, jigs, reels, waltzes and airs performed in an intimate and wholly informal setting by Banish Misfortune (harpist Tanah Haney, cellist Jessica Lindeman, and fiddler John Hoffman) joined by singer and percussionist Karina Bates, and The Skelligs (flautist Martha Cooper and fiddler Ken Brown along with Hoffman, Haney, and Lindeman).
As a venue for this type of thing, the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre saw a trial run just last month when Hoffman, Haney, and Lindeman came together for the first time as a trio for a musical celebration that paid homage to Scottish poet Robbie Burns.
Admission to the 2 p.m. event — it really promises to be an event — is by donation at the door. Do be generous. Having talked to Hoffman many times, I know full well how much time and effort he and his musical colleagues put into sourcing selections and performing them very well.
The cast of the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s staged reading of Norm Foster’s “Screwball Comedy” on March 15, 2026. (Graphic: Peterborough Theatre Guild / Facebook)
As a subgenre of romantic comedy, screwball comedy’s formula of combining fast-paced witty dialogue with farcical situations typically involving a “battle of the sexes” enjoyed its heyday from 1934 to 1942. Among the big-name stars who thrived in that format were Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, and Fred MacMurray.
While 1934’s It Happened One Night is widely considered the first major defining example of screwball comedy, the genre is still getting its due decades later. Think 1981’s Arthur starring Dudley Moore or 1999’s Runaway Bride featuring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.
After famed Canadian playwright Norm Foster set his sights on screwball comedy, he subsequently penned a play that pays tribute to the tried-and-true Hollywood script format. In 2017, his aptly titled Screwball Comedy was first produced for the Norm Foster Theatre Festival in St. Catharines.
Now, as the fourth of five staged readings presented by the Peterborough Theatre Guild during its 2025-26 season, Foster’s take will be presented Sunday (March 15) at The Guild Hall on Rogers Street in Peterborough’s East City.
Set in 1938, the story introduces newly laid-off perfumier Mary Hayes who is trying to break into the male-dominated world of newspaper journalism. Editor-in-chief Bosco Godfrey sets a competition between his egotistical star reporter Jeff Kincaid and plucky Mary, assigning them to cover a society wedding. If Jeff writes the better story, he gets to keep his job. If Mary wins, she will replace the ace newshound.
Unlike a full-blown theatre production, a staged reading sees actors perform without full sets, costumes, or complex lighting. It’s a stripped-down version of a full production but typically no less entertaining.
Directed by Lisa Dixon and stage managed by Lyn Braun with assistance from Kym Hyde, the Peterborough Theatre Guild production stars Rebecca Birrell, Brian MacDonald, Pat Maitland, Dan Smith, Fin Taylor, Lindsay Unterlander, and Jack van Roosmalen.
Rock Orchestra by Candlelight fuses rock and classical music
VIDEO: “Zombie” by The Cranberries – Rock Orchestra by Candlelight (2024)
Back in 2020, producer Nathan Reed hit on what he thought was a very good concept: combine the live performance of rock music with the hauntingly beautiful energy, power, and grace of classical music.
Now, more than 400 shows and a half million audience members later, there’s no denying that The Rock Orchestra has been a huge success. From its base in England, the ensemble has performed around the globe, each show a unique audience journey that brings two very different music genres together for a truly unique concert experience.
Earlier this month, Rock Orchestra by Candlelight opened a very ambitious Canadian tour that will end April 4 in Edmonton. Sandwiched in the middle is a stop at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Tuesday, March 17.
In an ethereal candlelight setting that sets a haunting mood, 14 classical musicians will perform the music of Metallica, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Guns ‘n’ Roses, and many more mainstream metal and rock bands.
Tickets to the 8 p.m. concert range from $73.45 to $154.85 plus taxes and fees, and can be ordered at www.memorialcentre.ca, or drop by the Memorial Centre box office.
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Van Morrison’s iconic music paid tribute by a lifelong fan
VIDEO: “It’s Too Late To Stop Now – The Music of Van Morrison”
My first exposure to the huge talent that is Matt Weidinger came via “The Last Waltz: A Musical Celebration of The Band” held right here in Peterborough.
Weidinger sang Van Morrison’s hit song “Caravan” — something the legendary Northern Ireland-born singer and songwriter did as part of The Band’s iconic November 1976 farewell concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom. Weidinger’s performance was off the charts, delivering a show highlight with his incredible range and stage presence.
It seemed a no-brainer that Weidinger would expand that Last Waltz tribute to Morrison into a full-blown show. That’s exactly what he has done, building on his infatuation with Morrison’s music by creating a touring show that features top musicians.
On Friday, March 20 at Cobourg’s Concert Hall at Victoria Hall, “It’s Too Late To Stop Now: The Music of Van Morrison” will cover its namesake’s remarkable six decades-plus musical journey. Songs from every era of Morrison’s career will be featured, including, of course, that mainstay of too many cover bands to count, “Brown Eyed Girl.” The show itself is named after Morrison’s 1974 double live album.
Whether you’re a fan of Morrison’s music or not, Weidinger’s passion for his favourite artist is infectious, as it is rooted in his ability to do him justice. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. concert cost $50 at tickets.cobourg.ca.
All things fiddle and step dancing destined for Market Hall
VIDEO: The Great Canadian Fiddle Show Trailer (2013)
Oh, we Canadians do have an affinity for the sound of a fiddle.
One of my enduring childhood memories is waiting with my dad and brother for Hockey Night In Canada to start, after we squirmed our way through The Tommy Hunter Show. Dad loved the fiddle people. On reflection, that variety show set the stage for enjoying what was another Canadian tradition, but one with more brawn than music at its centre.
Traditional fiddle music and step dancing — the two go hand in hand — will be the centre of attention on Saturday, March 21 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough when The Great Canadian Fiddle Show takes to the stage, with Celina Marie Di Cecca front and centre.
The Hamilton native picked up the violin at age four, studied classical music thereafter, and attended her first fiddle camp at age 12. Exposed to the instrument’s toe-tapping rhythms, she fell in love with traditional Canadian Celtic music and, over the years since, has performed both classical and fiddle music across the country.
The Great Canadian Fiddle Show is Di Cecca’s brainchild. She not only originally produced it and performs, but she also directs the show’s cast of superb musicians and step dancers.
Show time is 7 p.m. with tickets priced at $44 and available at www.markethall.org.
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Encore
The Austin Carson Band is on the cusp of recording a new album but is looking for our help. To that end, what’s billed as “a hometown album fundraiser” will be held April 25 at the Gordon Best Theatre above The Only Café, featuring — you guessed it — The Austin Carson Band, with Unnerving as the opener. It’s a little ways off, but I’m mentioning it now because the show is halfway to a sellout and the venue isn’t all that large. If you’ve never caught the high-energy sound and stage presence the band brings to bear, it’s time to get on board.
The Peterborough Folk Festival has been recognized, but this time around it’s not for the music it annually brings to multiple Nicholls Oval stages in late summer. The festival recently received the 2026 Sustainability Award from Festivals and Events Ontario at its awards gala in Kitchener. Market Hall manager Chad Hogan, the festival’s treasurer, was on hand to receive the award which recognizes environmental leadership and sustainable practices. Festival executive director Rob Davis says environmental sustainability is an identified priority, noting “It’s one of the principles we live by.” The 37th edition of the Peterborough Folk Festival will be held August 13 to 16.
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