Participants decked out in festive outfits for the 2022 "Jolly Jog" in support of Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS). The not-for-profit distribution centre that supplies food and personal care items to member organizations is warming up for its 15th annual "Jolly Jog" walk/run on November 16, 2024. (Photo: KLFS)
Lindsay residents can go for a “jolly jog” this fall and help take a bite out of hunger in the Kawartha Lakes.
Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS) is inviting community members to take part in its 15th annual fundraising walk/run on Saturday, November 16 to help put food on the shelves at its distribution centre, and, ultimately, on to residents’ tables.
KLFS is a not-for-profit distribution centre that supplies food and personal care items to member organizations that provide support to people in need. In a quest to fight food insecurity, KLFS operates from a centralized distribution centre, where it collects food from reclamation sources, buys food in bulk, sorts and stores food, promotes awareness of hunger and its impact, and co-ordinates fundraising. It provides food to member organizations on a monthly, fair share basis.
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“We’re aiming to raise $10,000 from the Jolly Jog, which will directly support our KLFS programs,” Brittni Wells, KLFS volunteer relations coordinator, told kawarthaNOW.
“Since we don’t receive public funding, we rely heavily on the generosity of our community to sustain our efforts. The best possible outcome of this event would be not only to meet our fundraising goal, but also to create a fun and engaging experience for our participants,” Wells said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our community spirit, and share some holiday cheer while helping fight hunger in our community.”
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KLFS invites community members to participate in the festive, family-friendly five-kilometre walk/run on a route around Lindsay. Participants can sign up as individuals or as a group with their friends, family members, or co-workers.
“The event is free, but we urge participants to donate upon sign-up and collect pledges in support of their run,” a media release noted.
“Donations and pledges are so important — they make up nearly the entire amount raised each year, and we’re hoping the 15th anniversary of this exciting fundraiser will be the best one yet.”
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After participants finish their walk/run route, they can partake in an afternoon with games, a chili lunch, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa Claus. KLFS will award best-dressed prizes to the most festive individual, group, and pet at the event. There will be a special prize for the most funds raised which will be awarded after the event.
“Not only is the Jolly Jog a fun holiday kick-off, it’s also a great way to give back, as an individual or even as a local business,” Wells said in a statement. “We’re still accepting Jolly Jog event sponsors, which could be a great strategy to help your business meet its goals and build an even bigger presence in the community.”
To learn more about our sponsorship tiers and how to get involved, reach out to KLFS.
Meanwhile, donations of $20 and above are eligible to receive a charitable tax receipt.
In other KLFS news, the organization recently wrapped up its door-to-door food drive. Collecting donations from the north side of Lindsay generated a total of 4,513 pounds of food. The south side of Lindsay donated 4,887 pounds.
“The success of our door-to-door food drive speaks volumes about the generosity and compassion of our community,” said Wells when asked about the community response to the drive.
“It shows that people are willing to come together to support their neighbours in need. We’re grateful for the overwhelming response, which reinforces our belief that when we work together, we can make a significant impact in the lives of those we serve.”
KLFS encompasses volunteers from across the City of Kawartha Lakes. The organization supports eight member food banks, six social service agencies, and 21 student breakfast programs.
Lindsay author Emma K.C. Couette's books are some of the many that will be available for purchase at the third annual Kawartha Lakes Book Festival, held in partnership between the Kawartha Lakes Writers and Kawartha Lakes Public Library. Running on October 26, 2024 at the Bobcaygeon and Lindsay branches, the event includes author presentations, readings and Q&As, as well as a writing workshop and the chance to connect with both local and visiting authors. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Writers / Facebook)
With the approach of the quiet season and the threat of frost in the air, it’s time to stock up your pile of “to-be-read” books for the winter — and what better to fill it with than books by local authors telling stories about the region?
On Saturday, October 26th, the Kawartha Lakes Writers are hosting the third annual Kawartha Lakes Book Festival in partnership with the public library, offering writers and readers the opportunity to connect with and learn from published writers in the region. Taking place at both the Bobcaygeon and Lindsay branches, the festival will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with book sales, author readings and Q&As, and a workshop for writers.
“It’s always great to see the readers interacting with writers and going from table to table checking out books,” says organizer Sara Walker-Howe. “That’s always been one of my favourite hobbies, so being able to give that experience to people is always fun to do.”
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A Lindsay-based nonfiction and urban fantasy writer, Walker-Howe is the founder of Kawartha Lakes Writers, a detailed online directory created in 2013 to celebrate and promote local writers and their publications.
“I thought this was something that I not only wanted to know for myself, but thought that other people might want to know,” she says. “I started the Kawartha Lakes Writers website as a way of keeping track of the writers that were out there, and helping to promote and get their name known, but also to record it for the community.”
While getting to know other writers in the region, Walker-Howe found there was a consensus that the area didn’t have enough local events wherein they could sell and talk to people about their books.
“I was getting tired of always travelling to outside areas to find these opportunities so I contacted the library about starting something up, and here we are in our third year.”
Many of the authors who will be presenting, reading, and selling books at the Kawartha Lakes Book Festival, taking place on October 26, 2024 at the Bobcaygeon and Lindsay branches of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library, reside in the region and even tell stories of the region through their publications. Such is the case for Sara Walker-Howe’s “Historical Citizens of Kawartha Lakes,” which offers 20 profiles of interesting people who originated in the region throughout history. The non-fiction book won the 2023 Kawartha Lakes Osprey Heritage Award for Publication and Research. (Photos courtesy of Sara Walker-Howe)
Largely from the Kawartha Lakes with a few from elsewhere in Ontario, the writers in attendance will range from kid-lit authors to writers of both non-fiction and fiction. While all will be selling books, many of the authors will additionally be offering presentations and readings of their work.
Walker-Howe herself will be at the Lindsay public library on October 26 selling copies of her non-fiction book Historic Citizens of Kawartha Lakes, which won the 2023 Kawartha Lakes Osprey Heritage Award for Publication and Research.
The book profiles 20 “fascinating” individuals who originated from the municipality, including the first female doctor to establish a practice in Lindsay, a woman from Verulam Township who became a spy and ran a trading post in Siberia during the Russian Revolution, and a Bobcaygeon man who swindled millions of dollars from people around the world in the 1920s.
“These are all people throughout history that I hadn’t heard of but when I came across their names and their stories, I felt that other people might want to hear about them, too,” says Walker-Howe.
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Similarly celebrating the region’s history, Reflections on Old Victoria County: In Tribute to R.B. Fleming, co-edited by Ian McKechnie and Tom Mohr, is a compilation of tales and anecdotes about the region in honour of the late local historian and writer.
The duo will be doing a presentation about their book at 11:15 a.m. on October 26 at the Bobcaygeon public library.
Other authors coming from outside Kawartha Lakes include Rhonda Gossen, a former Canadian diplomat and Canadian International Development Agency manager. Her recent release, The Twelfth of February: Canadian Aid for Gender Equality during the Rise of Violent Extremism in Pakistan, covers the world of Canadian diplomacy and aid work for women’s rights based on her experiences in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Gossen will be doing a presentation at the Bobcaygeon public library at noon.
Others presenting in Bobcaygeon include Colleen Subasic, J. Stephen Thompson, and Matt Kydd, while Cathy Walker will be in attendance selling her books.
One of the many books that will be for sale during the annual Kawartha Lakes Book Festival on October 26, 2024, “Reflections on Old Victoria County” is a compilation of stories and tales from the region in honour of late local historian and writer R.B. Fleming. Co-editors Ian McKechnie and Tom Mohr will be leading a reading and presentation about the book at 11:15 a.m. at the Bobcaygeon branch of the of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library. (Photos courtesy of Ian McKechnie)
Authors at the Lindsay branch will include Emma Couette, Sandy O’Shea, Chro Zand, Erica Richmond, Susan Wadds, and Gwen Tuinman, while Altaire Gural, S. A. McCormick, R. S. Prinzo, Lori Jean Rowsell, and Val Tobin will be selling their books.
“I very much believe that as writers, we’re not in competition with each other,” Walker-Howe says. “It’s definitely a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats situation, because at these sorts of events you can find readers that like the same kind of books.”
“It takes a long time to write books, so having other writers that readers can turn to while waiting for someone else to publish something is good too. I think networking with other writers is always a good thing.”
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For emerging or established writers looking to develop their craft, the festival is hosting a free “Write the Senses” workshop at 10:30 a.m. on October 26 in Bobcaygeon.
Led by the award-winning Colleen Subasic, who has had nine plays produced across Canada, the workshop will teach writers acting sense-memory techniques to help them write more engaging prose, regardless of the genre.
“She is tapping into her acting training to help inspire writers,” says Walker-Howe, adding that it’s a useful workshop for writers of all experience and skill-levels. “When I take a workshop, I go into it sometimes feeling like I might not need this, but I always come out having learned something or been reminded of something. Just getting a unique perspective on something is always good.”
Works by some of the authors who are participating in the the third annual Kawartha Lakes Book Festival on October 26, 2024 at the Bobcaygeon and Lindsay branches of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)
As the event heads into its third year, Walker-Howe notes that is has only continued to grow each year and build up a community of local writers, just as she intended with the founding of the Kawartha Lakes Writers.
“We’ve been lucky to branch out from being at one location to now being at two,” she acknowledges. “I always like hearing what people like to read, so it’s always a lot of fun.”
For more information on the Kawartha Lakes Book Festival and to sign up for Subasic’s workshop, visit kawarthalakeswriters.com.
When it comes to seasonal influenza, getting a flu shot now is your best defence to keep you healthy over the holiday season. It takes two weeks for a flu shot to become effective. (Photo: Government of Ontario)
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit is encouraging residents to keep themselves and others healthy during respiratory illness season by staying current with their vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shots.
“By doing so, we are ensuring our critical health care services are there for those who need them most,” says Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health and CEO for the HKPR District Health Unit.
In early October, flu shots will be available for the most vulnerable and high priority populations, including those hospitalized, health care workers, and residents in long-term care and retirement homes, other congregate settings, and people aged 65 and older. Free flu shots for the public will be available starting October 28 through participating local pharmacies and primary care teams.
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Also beginning in October, families with infants born in 2024 and high-risk children up to 24 months old will now have access to RSV immunization at health care providers through the publicly funded RSV prevention program. Pregnant women will also have the option to receive a single dose of an RSV vaccine that can provide protection for their infant from birth to six months of age.
The RSV prevention program has also been expanded this fall to include adults aged 60 years and older who meet also meet certain criteria, such as being residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes. More information on eligibility is available at ontario.ca/rsv.
The HKPR District Health Unit will be providing the COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines only to eligible children six months to five years of age starting in November. To book an appointment, call the health unit at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.
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RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness, particularly among infants, young children, and older adults, affecting the lungs and airways. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, a common chest infection that affects infants and toddlers. Immunization is available to help prevent serious outcomes, such as hospitalization, caused by the virus, information from the provincial health ministry states.
Symptoms of RSV are similar to those of the cold or flu. They include coughing, a runny nose, fever, wheezing, a decrease in appetite and energy, and irritability in children. Because these are common symptoms, it is easy to mistake RSV for other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu or COVID-19.
“While most RSV symptoms will go away in a few days, seek medical attention if you or your child have trouble breathing, are not drinking enough fluids, or are experiencing worsening symptoms,” the ministry recommends.
RSV is very contagious and spreads the same way as other respiratory viruses: by touching droplets containing the virus after someone coughs or sneezes, or by being less than two metres apart from someone with the infection who is coughing or sneezing
After exposure to the virus, it can take two to eight days before a person becomes sick. People are usually contagious for up to three to eight days. Children are often exposed to and infected with RSV outside the home, such as in school or child care centres, and can then transmit the virus to other members of the family.
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The HKPR District Health Unit offers the following suggestions to reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses during the holiday season.
Stay up to date with immunizations, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV (if eligible).
Skip the holiday party if you’re not feeling well and stay home while sick.
Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces and when recovering from illness. If recovering from illness, wear a mask for 10 days after the symptoms started.
Wash your hands often and clean high-touch surfaces frequently. If hosting or attending a holiday gathering, clean high-touch surfaces and encourage guests to wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
Ontario offers access to antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, through physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists, with virtual care options available through Health811.
Leisa Way and her Wayward Wind Band (left to right: Bruce Ley, Brant Garratt, Don Reid, Jack Gaughan, and Junior Riggan) will perform the hits of the late Gordon Lightfoot and share stories, facts, and anecdotes about the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter during "Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot," which runs at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon from October 15 to 19, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Leisa Way)
A month before what would have been Gordon Lightfoot’s 85th birthday, Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon is presenting a two-hour musical tribute to Canada’s greatest songwriter, with seven performances from October 15 to 19.
In Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot, singer Leisa Way and her Wayward Wind Band return to the stage at the Lakeview Arts Barn with a musical journey through the life and career of the folk-rock legend, who passed away last May at the age of 84.
You can expect to hear all of Lightfoot’s hits, including “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “For Lovin’ Me,” “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Ribbon of Darkness,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” and more, along with stories, facts, and anecdotes that honour the iconic singer-songwriter.
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Leisa Way is a favourite of Globus Theatre audiences, performing one of her shows at the Lakeview Arts Barn every year with the Wayward Wind Band. This year, she will be accompanied by an award-winning ensemble of Canadian musicians under the direction of pianist Bruce Ley, who composed the music for the 1984 Academy Award nominated short film The Painted Door, along with bassist Junior Riggan, drummer Don Reid, and up-and-coming guitarists Brant Garratt and Jack Gaughan — all of whom also contribute their vocals to the show.
“What makes this performance special is the storytelling and the great connection these musicians have to the music, and to their audience,” Way says in a media release. “They love the music, they love Gord, and they perform these tunes from the heart. Audiences naturally respond with standing ovations, and the best part is hearing the audience sing along to every song.”
Born in Orillia on November 17, 1938, Lightfoot gave his first public performance in grade four and later performed on local radio and in local operettas and music festivals. When he was 12, he performed for the first time at Toronto’s Massey Hall, a venue he would later return to more than 170 more times throughout his career. When he was 20, he moved to Los Angeles to study jazz music and, to support himself, wrote commercial jingles and sang on demo records. Returning to Toronto two years later, he became well known at Toronto folk music-oriented coffee houses and released his first two singles.
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Throughout his career, Lightfoot recorded 20 albums, received 17 Juno awards and five Grammy nominations, had 16 number one hits, 18 top ten hits, and 21 top 40 hits. His songs have been recorded by artists including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, Blue Rodeo, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Sarah McLachlan, Harry Belafonte, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Toby Keith, and more. In 2012, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the Governor’s General Award and the Companion to the Order of Canada Honour of Merit.
Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot runs from Tuesday, October 15th to Saturday, October 19th, with performances at 8 p.m. on October 15 and 17 to 19, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on October 16, 17, and 19. An optional dinner is available at 6 p.m. before the evening performances.
Tickets are $50 for the show only, or $100 for dinner and the show. For tickets, visit globustheatre.com or call the Globus Theatre box office at 705-738-2037 (toll free at 1-800-304-7897). Note: All dinners are now sold out, but you can contact the box office to be added to the waiting list. Tickets for the show only are still available.
One person was seriously injured in a three-vehicle collision early Saturday afternoon (October 12) on Highway 35 in Cameron, which is located 10 kilometres north of Lindsay.
At around 12:11 p.m., Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) along with fire and emergency medical services responded to the collision just north of Long Beach Road.
A pickup truck, SUV, and minivan were involved in the collision.
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Four occupants of the vehicles were transported to local hospitals, with one of the occupants then transported to air ambulance to a Toronto-area trauma centre.
Highway 35 was closed between Chambers Road and Long Beach Road for several hours while police documented the scene.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed or has video/dash camera footage of the collision and who has not spoken with police is asked to contact the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
As Thanksgiving is both a federal and provincial statutory holiday, all government offices and all liquor and beer stores are closed. Many municipal facilities and services are either closed or operating on reduced hours. Some grocery stores are open, except in Peterborough where all are closed. Most malls and big box stores are closed, while most drug stores are open.
For your convenience, we provide this list of holiday hours for 302 selected businesses, services, and organizations across the Kawarthas. This information comes from their websites and social media accounts, which may or may not be up to date, so please always call them first to confirm their hours (we’ve included phone numbers), especially where you see “call” or “call to confirm” (which means we couldn’t find or confirm holiday hours) or if you are travelling any distance.
If your business or organization is listed and the hours are incorrect, please let us know by using our content feedback form. We do not have the hours for restaurants in this list as there are far too many to include.
Bewdley Community Recycling Centre 7650 County Rd. 9, Hamilton 905-342-2514
CLOSED
Brighton Community Recycling Centre 1112 County Rd. 26, Brighton 613-475-1946
CLOSED
Canada Post Mail Delivery / Offices (Note: post offices operated by the private sector will be open according to the hours of service of the host business
No collection or delivery
City of Kawartha Lakes City Hall, Municipal Service Centres, and Administration Offices 26 Francis St., Lindsay 705-324-9411
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities, arenas, and pools Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Public Library Branches Various locations, City of Kawartha Lakes 705-324-9411 x1291
CLOSED
City of Kawartha Lakes Waste and Recycling Collection 26 Francis St., Lindsay 1-888-822-2225
Mon Oct 14 collection moves to Tue Oct 15, Oct 15 to 16, Oct 16 to 17, Oct 17 to 18
City of Peterborough Day Cares Peterborough 705-748-8830
CLOSED
City of Peterborough Garbage Pickup Peterborough 705-745-1386
No change
City of Peterborough Green Bin Pickup Peterborough 705-745-1386
No change
City of Peterborough Recycling Pickup Peterborough 1-888-597-1541
No change
City of Peterborough Social Services (for emergency shelter services call 705-926-0096) Closed, Peterborough 705-748-8830
CLOSED
City of Peterborough Yard Waste Pickup Peterborough 705-742-7777
No change
Cobourg Public Library 200 Ontario St., Cobourg 905-372-9271
Lindsay Human Services 322 Kent St. W., Lindsay 705-324-9870
CLOSED
Lindsay Library 90 Kent St. W., Lindsay 705-324-9411 x1291
CLOSED
Lindsay Ops Landfill 51 Wilson Rd., Lindsay 1-888-822-2225
CLOSED
Lindsay Transit / LIMO Specialized Transit 180 Kent St. W., Lindsay 705-324-9411
NO SERVICE
Municipality of Port Hope Municipal Offices 56 Queen St., Port Hope 905-885-4544
CLOSED
North Kawartha Municipal Office 280 Burleigh St., Apsley 705- 656-4445
CLOSED
North Kawartha Township Recycling Collection 340 McFadden Rd., Apsley 705-656-3619
No change
North Kawartha Township Waste Collection 340 McFadden Rd., Apsley 705-656-3619
No change
Northumberland County Administration Offices 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg 905-372-3329
CLOSED
Northumberland County Waste and Recycling Collection 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg 1-866-293-8379
Mon Oct 14 collection moves to Tue Oct 15, Oct 15 to 16, Oct 16 to 17, Oct 17 to 18
Northumberland Material Recovery Facility (no material drop-off by public, but blue boxes, green bins, backyard composters are available for purchase) 280 Edwardson Rd., Grafton 1-866-293-8379
CLOSED
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre 1400 Crawford Dr., Peterborough 705-742-2201
The Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice event held on September 29, 2024 in Cobourg raised $77,390 to support essential hospice services in Northumberland County through Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre. (Photo: Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation)
“Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice” has raised a howling $70,000-plus for hospice care and services in Northumberland County.
As a result of “unprecedented” community support, the annual fundraising event brought home $77,390 for Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre (Ed’s House).
The September 29 event attracted more than 220 participants and just under 50 dogs to Victoria Park in Cobourg. It featured two-kilometre, five-kilometre, and 10-kilometre walks and bike rides around the town, music from DJ George Martin, a kids’ area filled with activities, and hot dogs grilled by the Lions Club of Cobourg.
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“The success of the Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice event reflects the incredible support we have from our community,” said Trish Baird, CEO of Community Care Northumberland (CCN).
“We are deeply thankful for everyone who participated, volunteered, and donated. Your contributions help us provide essential services to those in need during some of life’s most difficult moments.”
Ed’s House foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support the operation of CCN’s hospice service programs, including the palliative care community team and the volunteer hospice visiting program. These services work alongside the 24/7 end-of-life care provided at Ed’s House.
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Chelsea Rankin, CCN’s communications specialist, told kawarthaNOW that, in addition to the high level of community involvement, another significant factor contributing to this year’s impressive outcome was the addition of new committee members “who brought fresh energy and new connections with organizations across Northumberland County.”
“Our committee did an amazing job, and we couldn’t have achieved this without their dedication and passion,” Rankin said.
“We also introduced some great new tools, particularly the website, which made for a more enjoyable and user-friendly experience. Participants could easily download social graphics to share and enjoy a bit of friendly competition with the leader boards. Plus, registering themselves and their teams was very straightforward.”
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Recently, Ed’s House underwent a significant expansion, increasing its capacity from six beds to 10 beds, aimed at providing compassionate care for additional people and families during challenging times. Due to the generosity of the community, all services are offered at no charge to clients and their families.
“The community support for Ed’s House and hospice services has been overwhelming,” said Joel Scott, director of donor relations and communications for CCN.
“To see the number of people that came together the way they did is heartwarming and reassuring of the belief Northumberland has in our care teams at hospice services.”
Further to Rankin’s comments, the momentum leading up to the event was significant, as participants created fundraising profiles on the new official website. This platform allowed teams to track donations, monitor their progress, and download social media graphics to promote the event.
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The Ed’s House foundation recognizes Matthew Elder as the top individual fundraiser, having raised a total of $6,185.
“We would also like to thank the Elder family team, the Elder Avengers, for raising $9,060 and earning the title of top team fundraiser.”
During the event, Matthew Elder’s mother, Tammy Elder, delivered “a heartfelt speech about the exceptional care” her son, Travis, received at Ed’s House this year, emphasizing the profound impact hospice services have had on their family.
Lead sponsors Cameco, Lynn Hardy, and Atelier on John, dedicated volunteers, committee members, and “everyone who contributed to making Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice a success” were also given a shout-out.
The Capitol Theatre revealed its 2025 season at the historic Port Hope performance venue on October 10, 2024 under the banner "A Place To Call Home." Subscriptions are now available for the season, which features four ensemble main stage productions, three original Canadian shows in the Sculthorpe Theatre, a holiday panto, and two concerts with more to come, with individual tickets going on sale in January. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW)
Faced with the choice of going big or going home, Capitol Theatre artistic director Rob Kempson chose the former to achieve the latter.
As a result, 2025 will see the historic Port Hope performance space stage its most ambitious line-up of productions to date under the banner “A Place To Call Home.”
On Thursday night (October 10) at the theatre, a packed house of very enthusiastic supporters was provided a sneak preview of what’s in store next year with the ever-exuberant Kempson acting as host.
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Kempson had plenty to highlight, with four main stage ensemble productions, three Second Stage presentations, two live music experiences, and the ever-popular Christmas holiday panto, planned for May through December.
The season reveal had a pep rally feel, with performances by the likes of Ennismore fiddle sensation Melissa Payne, Alderville First Nation singer and guitarist Cale Crowe, and Shaw Festival regular Kyle Golemba, along with screened video messages from a few directors,
That was by design, with series subscriptions going on sale immediately following the reveal.
The Capitol Theatre’s 2025 season kicks off with the Bad Hats Theatre’s award-winning musical “Alice in Wonderland” from May 16 to June 1. (Photo: Dahlia Katz)
Of note, the Second Stage Series will make its debut in the Capitol’s intimate Sculthorpe Theatre space, with three original shows planned.
“When we started out thinking about the (2025) season and I started floating some ideas with my staff, we wanted to make sure our Sculthorpe Theatre got its due,” said a still-bouncing Kempson after the launch.
“We’ve really been trying to get people to go up there and talk about the shows there. We needed to make a big splash. We needed to say ‘Here’s a whole subscription. You can come and see just these shows upstairs.'”
“That sort of launched this ball that, if we’re in times that are difficult, if we’re in times where people are in turmoil around the world, if we’re in times where our politics are so divisive, what better place to come together than a theatre? So, instead of shrinking, instead of trying to do things only thinking economically or what we can manage, we decided to think big.”
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Kempson added that’s been realized for 2025 in “a sustainable way.”
“Some of these shows have shorter runs in the hope that we can invite people to the theatre a number of times. With ambition comes the desire to see people again and again. Between Victoria Day and the weekend after Labour Day, you can come to the Capitol every single weekend and see something. That feels like the kind of place I want to work; the kind of place I know this community wants to have.”
On a more personal level, Kempson says he’s most excited over the opportunity to direct the hit musical Waitress.
“The story is really beautiful and heartfelt and also really funny. It’s a lot about pie. Who doesn’t like a musical about pie?”
Jessie Mueller as Jenna in the Broadway production of “Waitress”, a stage adaptation of Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 indie film of the same name. The Capitol Theatre’s production, directed by Rob Kempson, will run from June 13 to 25, 2025. (Photo: Joan Marcus)
Kempson is hopeful the variety of shows being offered for the 2025 season will entice everyone from the Port Hope community, and beyond, to come “home” to the Capitol.
“If folks have drifted away from theatre, as a lot have since the pandemic, our 2025 season will hopefully start those conversations that will bring them back. We hope that this season is strong and exciting enough that it opens a few eyes of those who haven’t been here in awhile. We’d love to have them back.”
According to Capitol Theatre managing director Erin Pierce, when all is said and done, live theatre productions offers a communal experience that remains unique.
“Sitting beside someone you don’t know, sharing an experience that could be extremely emotional or funny or whatever it is — that’s a very special thing,” she said. “That’s unique and I hope it never goes away.”
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As someone who worked in Toronto for many years, Pierce said it’s “glorious” to spend most of her week at the Capitol Theatre and, by extension, the Port Hope community.
“The fact that we have something like this is a blessing. We are proud to steward what has come before us. We’re also proud to take risks and create change; to give the building what it deserves which is a continuous flow of people, and doing the best we can to offer programming that makes that happen.”
Updates and ticket information are available at capitoltheatre.com. While single show tickets will be available early in 2025, subscription packages — including a mix-and-match option — are available now and provide a 15 per cent savings if purchased before December 15.
Below is the 2025 season line-up featuring four main stage productions, three Second Stage productions, and two concerts (more will be announced throughout the season), with the annual holiday panto capping off the season.
The Capitol Theatre’s 2025 season includes the Second Stage series, with three original Canadian shows performed in the Sculthorpe Theatre, including German-born queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant Izad Etemadi’s “Let Me Explain” from August 12 to 17. (Photo: Conan Stark)
Capitol Theatre 2025 Season
Main Stage
Alice in Wonderland
May 16 to June 1, 2025
Adapted by Fiona Saunder
Music by Landon Doak and Victor Pokinko
Dramaturgy by Matt Pilipiak
Directed by Sue Miner
Having broken Canadian box office records over the past two years, Bad Hats Theatre’s Dora Award-winning contemporary spin on a perennial favourite takes its audience down the rabbit hole with Alice — a girl with a lot of questions.
Waitress
June 13 to 25, 2025
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based on the film by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Rob Kempson
This hilarious story about finding your voice bring us Jenna, an expert pie maker seeking a way out of her small town and rocky marriage by entering a pie making competition. However, when she meets her new doctor, her plans become more complicated. Sugar, butter and flour simply won’t solve her conundrum.
Steel Magnolias
July 18 to August 3, 2025
Written by Robert Harling
Directed by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster
This classic play revolves around Truvy’s in-home beauty parlour and the women who frequent it. As they confront their own unique challenges, they rely on their friendships to get through life hardships related to health, family, religion and relationships.
Rez Gas
August 22 to September 7, 2025
Written by Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adam
Music supervision by Jeff Newberry
Directed by Herbie Barnes
A world premiere musical follows Destin after he moves away from his home reservation to pursue a music career. When he stumbles back into town after car trouble, he ends up at the Wide Wigwam, a diner at the centre of his community. There, he finds many of those he’s leaving behind, each who want to remind him of his history and his place in the community.
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Second Stage Series
Handsome But Charmless
June 3 to 8, 2025
Created and performed by Kyle Golemba
Music direction by Adam White
Titled after Kyle’s worst review, this one-man show chronicles his journey navigating life as an actor. Featuring Broadway music, hilarious stories, and reflections on the ups and downs of theatre life, it promises to be a toe-tapping good time that will tickle your funny bone.
The Newfoundland Songbook
July 3 to 13, 2025
Created and performed by the Shipyard Kitchen Party
From remote outports to vibrant St. John’s, this presentation of timeless sea shanties, triumphant ballads and foot-stomping sing-alongs will showcase Canada’s 10th province at its most legendary. You may not feel like a Newfoundlander when you arrive, you’ll feel like one when you leave.
Let Me Explain
August 12 to 17, 2025
Created and performed by Izad Etemadi
Directed by Matt White
Presented by Green Light Arts, this hilarious collection of songs, satire and personal stories centres around Etemadi, who has spent most of his life explaining himself to others — his ethnicity, his sexuality and the pronunciation of his name. The German-born queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant attempts to explain his entire existence in 60-some minutes
Concerts
Billboard In Concert: The Power of Women & 1986
March 8 and 9, September 27 and 28, 2025
Conceived by Jeff Newberry and Rob Kempson
A double dose of Capitol Theatre’s signature remix of hit Billboard songs from any given year, with The Power of Women featuring hits by Jann Arden, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Mariah Carey, Adele, Taylor Swift, Toni Braxton and many more, and 1986 highlighting the music of Lionel Ritchie, Patti LaBelle, Prince, Whitney Houston, Starship, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson and others.
How We Got To Jersey: A Tale of Two Frankies
October 24 to 26, 2025
Music direction and arrangements by Mark Camilleri
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear not but two Frankie Vallis in a revue that takes its audience behind the scenes of the smash Broadway hit Jersey Boys. Find out how two small-town Canadian kids — Adrian Marchuk and Jeff Madden — grew up to portray a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame superstar on stages around the world to an audience of millions.
Holiday Panto
Hansel & Gretel: The Sticky and Sweet Panto
November 21 to December 28, 2025
Written by Rob Kempson
Music arrangements by Jeff Newberry
Directed by Rob Kempson
Hansel and Gretel are siblings who are abandoned in a forest. Due to some rather unfortunate navigation, they fall into the hands of a nasty witch who lives in a gingerbread house. Featuring songs known and loved, hilarious characters and the silliest of stories, this sugar-laden panto is a twisted fairy tale for the holiday season.
Samantha Roan has been hired by Peterborough Public Health (PPH) as the health unit's first-ever Indigenous health manager. Roan has a master's degree in public health, specializing in policy and management with an interest in Indigenous health and Indigenous health equity, from the University of Alberta's School of Public Health. (Photo supplied by PPH)
In her new role at Peterborough Public Health (PPH), Samantha Roan says she hopes to help the health unit “build a more equitable, inclusive, and respectful future that holds space for the truth, where reconciliation is not an end goal but rather a win on the journey towards decolonization.”
Roan was recently hired by PPH as its first-ever Indigenous health manager.
Dr. Thomas Piggott, PPH CEO and medical officer of health, shared with kawarthaNOW his thoughts on the new position and his hopes for its impact on the community.
“It is a very exciting time for PPH to have Samantha join our team and help us shape this new role,” Dr. Piggott said. “PPH has committed, through our strategic plan, to allyship with Indigenous peoples. As part of that, the Indigenous Health Advisory Circle directed staff to investigate models of Indigenous engagement last year.”
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“Through this, we realized PPH had the opportunity to do things differently to unlearn colonized approaches and relearn a more Indigenous way of working,” he added. “This role really allows PPH to prioritize this work, rather than asking staff to do it off the side of their desk, and to provide leadership to support all our staff in becoming better allies to Indigenous people.”
Hallie Atter, director of health promotion, told kawarthaNOW the creation of Roan’s role was an evolution in the relationship PPH has established with both First Nations and the urban Indigenous communities in the local area, through its long history of working with them.
PPH is committed to the principles of truth and reconciliation and to acting upon the 2015 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, she noted. The health unit’s mandate through the Ontario Public Health Standards requires all boards of health to establish relationships with Indigenous partners.
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“Through the release our 2022-2025 strategic plan, PPH further committed to practising active allyship for Indigenous self-determination and health equity within the health and social system,” Atter said.
“As a result of this further commitment, the board of health for PPH dedicated resources to further build our relationships with Indigenous communities and continue to promote health equity. These resources led to the creation of this new Indigenous health manager position, as an opportunity to further our work around allyship and Indigenous self-determination.”
Her hope for Roan’s role is fostering meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities.
“Meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities is essential to addressing health inequities,” Atter explained. “Samantha has great experience with Indigenous engagement, and we look forward to her leadership to guide PPH’s reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization journey, both internally and as part of a larger public health sector.”
“This role allows for Indigenous engagement to be a sole focus and priority, as well as to provide leadership for other staff at PPH who are working with Indigenous communities and groups.”
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As for Roan, she said she is “thrilled” to be joining PPH and stepping into the new role.
“While colonization has often been taught as something historical, it is important to understand that this is ongoing and Indigenous peoples continue to face colonization’s impacts every single day,” Roan said.
“I think it is important to come to terms with the fact that so many of our systems, inclusive of public health, have been weaponized by colonial ideals and colonization, so I am excited that PPH has taken the one of the first steps in its reconciliation journey by creating this role.”
Roan said she is looking forward to working with community partners, as well as Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations — the two Indigenous communities within the health unit’s purview — and PPH staff.
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Atter said it’s important for Indigenous populations to be engaged, participate in, and have ownership of decision-making and priority-setting around public health issues.
Roan’s role will help ensure “that our approaches and programming reflect the diverse perspectives and needs of Indigenous communities with an end goal of protecting and promoting the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples,” Atter said.
“Through the creation of this role, we hope that we are better able to support Indigenous self-determination in all our work and ensure that we are continuously working towards the most active forms of allyship.”
Roan has a bachelor’s degree in American Indian/Native American Studies and a master’s degree in public health (specializing in policy and management with an interest in Indigenous health and Indigenous health equity), both from the University of Alberta, and is a Ph.D. student at Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies.
Ghostly Hounds, the haunting and soulful folk and old-time music project of B.C. singer-songwriter and banjo player Francesca Mirai, performs a late afternoon and early evening show on Saturday at the Black Horse in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Colin Smith)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, October 10 to Wednesday, October 16.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
6-8pm - Brittany Munns; 9pm - Front room - Karaoke; 9pm - Back room - Merceria, Plague Beach, Dead Silence ($10 or PWYC)
Saturday, October 12
Closed
Sunday, October 13
Closed
Monday, October 14
Closed
Tuesday, October 15
8pm - Karaoke w/ Ian Clement
Wednesday, October 16
8-11pm - Open mic
Ganaraska Brewing Company
33 Mill St., Port Hope
905-885-9029
Friday, October 11
7-9pm - Karaoke w/ Erin Billings
Saturday, October 12
7-9pm - Live music TBA
Sunday, October 13
2-5pm - Open mic
Ganaraska Hotel
30 Ontario St., Port Hope
(905) 885-9254
Friday, October 11
8pm - Keith Hallett ($20 cash at The Ganny or Zap Records)
Saturday, October 12
2-6pm - Hard Soda
Coming Soon
Friday, October 18 8pm - Wild T & The Spirit ($30 cash at The Ganny or Zap Records)
Friday, October 25 8pm - Halloween Costume Ball ft The House of Haunt w/ Stand Against Fear, Sarah Segal-Lazar, The McBans ($20 in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/938462646037)
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
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