Monday, August 25, 2025
Keep It In The Kawarthas
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kawarthaNOW.com's Keep It In The Kawarthas® is a choose local campaign that helps connect consumers with locally owned businesses in the greater Kawarthas area. kawarthaNOW.com is a locally owned independent media publisher. We choose and support locally owned businesses first.

Located on the Preddy family farm in the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan in Peterborough County, Escape Maze is an entertainment facility that offers indoor and outdoor escape rooms and mazes, laser tag, haunts, camping, and disc golf. The family-owned business supports the local economy by designing attractions for local businesses and including them in some of their activities. In return, many local businesses participate in activities and host team-building exercises at Escape Maze. (Photo courtesy of Escape Maze)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Escape Maze encourages group fun while supporting local businesses

Megan Gallant -
The family-run farm in Otonabee-South Monaghan offers a range of adventures and activities including escape rooms and mazes, haunts, laser tag, disc golf, and more.
Based in Apsley in the Township of North Kawartha in Peterborough County, HitcHinge is a self-supporting, self-contained dock coupler designed and patented by Andy Assinck after he spent years struggling to install and remove docks on his own. Owned and operated by Andy and his wife Rita Marie Assinck, HitcHinge sells its made-in-Canada products to local dock builders and retailers as well as hardware stores and distributors across the Kawarthas. (Photo courtesy of HitcHinge)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: HitcHinge in Apsley connects local businesses with innovative dock coupler

Megan Gallant -
The North Kawartha Township business owned by Andy Assinck and Rita Marie Assinck sources materials from local and Canadian suppliers.
Taking in the expansive view of the Indian River from the scenic lookout trail at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Campground is just one of many outdoor adventures you can enjoy when road tripping through the Township of Douro-Dummer in Peterborough County. (Photo: Otonabee Conservation)

Road Tripping in The Kawarthas: Caves, canoeing, and cottages in Douro-Dummer

Megan Gallant -
Located in Peterborough County, the Township of Douro-Dummer offers a blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm in The Kawarthas.
Founded in 2024 by Susan Williamson, Women's Adventures in Golf is a Peterborough-based volunteer group dedicated to making a welcoming space for women to learn and play golf in a noncompetitive environment while raising funds for local charities. The group is inviting both new and experienced female golfers of all skill levels to participate in the final two events of the 2025 season: "Jettsetter" taking place at Heron Landing Golf Club in Peterborough on Sunday, August 24 and "Mystery at the Club" at Katchiwano Golf Club on Sunday, September 14. (Photo courtesy of Women's Adventures in Golf)

Know Your Locals: Women’s Adventures in Golf in Peterborough supports women and the community

Megan Gallant -
Founder Susan Williamson is encouraging women to register for the volunteer group's final noncompetitive games of the season on August 24 and September 14.
At their seasonal Keene barbeque joint Muddy's Pit BBQ, Neil and Julie Lorenzen have supported the local economy for 16 years by sourcing locally grown meats, vegetables, and beverages, and by inviting local musicians to perform during their weekly live music series. In return, several local businesses support Muddy's by selling their homemade barbeque sauce. (Photo courtesy of Muddy's Pit BBQ)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Muddy’s Pit BBQ in Keene has been smoking local meat for 16 years

Megan Gallant -
Along with supporting the local economy, the barbeque joint in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township hosts local musicians every week.
The three-piece Lineas sofa and club chairs from Vancouver-based and family-owned Ratana are among the outdoor furniture that will be on sale up to 75 per cent off during Shop The Lake's Warehouse Clearance Sale. Running from August 8 to 10, 2025, the largest sale of the Peterborough retailer's season includes outdoor furniture and umbrellas as well and boutique décor like candles, barware, tableware, cushions, and more. (Photo: Shop The Lake)

Know Your Locals: Get up to 75% off outdoor furniture and décor at Shop The Lake’s Warehouse Clearance Sale from August 8-10

Megan Gallant -
The Peterborough patio furniture store will have sale prices on boutique décor and high-quality furniture brands including Ratana, Gensun, and Cabana Coast.
In 2020, Katie Maitland expanded operations at the family farm her parents purchased in 1987 in the Township of Douro-Dummer and created Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, a unique agritourism destination in Peterborough County. The farm has continued to partner with several local businesses to offer unique experiential offerings which now include walking, dining, stargazing, and doing an escape maze — all featuring loveable alpacas. (Photo courtesy of Wanderlight Alpaca Experience)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Wanderlight Alpaca Experience offers unique agritourism experiences

Megan Gallant -
From stargazing to an escape maze, there are many ways to enjoy time with the alpacas at the Township of Douro-Dummer farm.
A statue of a buck (male deer) welcomes visitors to Buckhorn, the heart of The Kawarthas, located in the southwest corner of the Municipality of Trent Lakes along Trent-Severn Waterway. The buck statue is located in the parking lot leading to Lock 31, one of the busiest locks on the waterway and a must-see attraction for the entire family when taking a road trip through Trent Lakes. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)

Road Tripping in The Kawarthas: Wines, Wellness, and Wandering in Trent Lakes

Megan Gallant -
Located in the northwest corner of Peterborough County, Trent Lakes offers rejuvenation and adventure for the whole family in The Kawarthas.
Beyond the Buckhorn-branded clothing and merchandise available at her home décor and gift store Style Your Nest in Buckhorn, owner Jamie Stephenson supports the local and Canadian economy by stocking products from local makers and Canadian brands, or acquiring products sourced through Canadian distributors. The seasonal retail location with a 24/7 online store also invests a portion of pottery sales back into the community every month by donating it to various local charities and organizations. (Photo: Stef Pollari Studios)

The Local Advantage in Peterborough County: Style Your Nest in Buckhorn helps decorate your home with Canadian-made home decor

Megan Gallant -
Jamie Stephenson's home decor and gift store in the Municipality of Trent Lakes supports local makers and donates a portion of sales to local charities.
Millbrook artist and educator Saira Knowles has launched a new e-commerce business, The Painted Gift, where she has curated 16 collections of unique greeting cards she has designed and hand-painted. Available as prints or original watercolours, the cards feature whimsical, colourful designs of animals, florals, landscapes, and even sourdough bread. Each card comes with an attached ribbon and cardboard easel so it can be easily displayed as a work of art. (Photo courtesy of The Painted Gift)

Know Your Locals: Give a ‘card that lives forever’ with original artwork from The Painted Gift

Megan Gallant -
Millbrook artist Saira Knowles hand-paints colourful, whimsical greeting cards with an attached ribbon and cardboard easel for easy display,
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