32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo Returns to Fleming College’s Frost Campus

Fleming College is hosting the 32nd Annual Kawartha Woodlot Expo in partnership with the Ontario Woodlot Association on April 5, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Faculty, staff and alumni within Fleming’s School of Environmental and Natural Resources Sciences have created engaging, hands-on workshops to help participants develop woodlot ownership, forest management, and tree identification skills. The Kawartha Woodlot Expo helps property owners and students better understand the big and small forests' role on private land and their environmental impact.

Registration is open to all with fees set at $40 per person.

Participants can attend two workshops (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), a silent auction, a chainsaw draw, raffle prizes, a roast beef lunch, coffee and snacks. Topics range from chainsaw basics and lumber scaling to tree identification, forest bathing, and more.

Workshop spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Specific workshops require personal protective equipment (PPE). Participants are encouraged to bring their own, but equipment will be provided if needed.

Registration can be done online.

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Put Your Skills On Display With Third Annual "Peterborough's Got Talent" In Support of Good Neighbours Care Centre

Those looking to showcase their skills can compete at the third annual Peterborough’s Got Talent at Market Hall on April 26.

The Care Centre services an average of 2,000 people per month of which 30 per cent are children. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Home & Health Care Services Inc.

The event is hosted by Kawartha Home & Health Care Services Inc. in support of Good Neighbours Care Centre. The latter is a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothes and personal care items at no cost to people in need in the Peterborough area.

Contestant auditions are being accepted until mid-next week. There will be 12 selected applicants to compete on the big stage on April 26. Donations or audition videos can be submitted to PtboGotTalent@gmail.com.

Tiffany Arcari, “The Tiffany Show,” is the master of ceremonies for the event. Dani Guppy, 100.5 FM Fresh Radio on-air personality; Jason Wilkins, artist; and Sarah Evans of Ball Real Estate are this year’s judges.

Tickets are $30 to attend the event.

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Road Closures In Effect For Sunday's 25th St. Patrick's Day Parade

Road closures, parking restrictions and Peterborough Transit detours will be in place during the St. Patrick’s Day parade starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade.

To allow for staging and procession of the parade, the following road closures will be in place starting at 12:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.:

• Dublin Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street 

• London Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street 

• McDonnel Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street 

• Murray Street between Aylmer Street and Water Street 

• George Street from Parkhill Road West (south side of intersection) to Brock Street 

The parade will travel south on George Street beginning at McDonnel Street. During the parade, a rolling road closure will be in place along George Street from Brock Street to McGill Street. All road closures are expected to be over by 4 p.m. 

‘No Parking’ signs will be posted in advance of the road closures.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to park in the following downtown locations: 

• King Street Parkade at 202 King St. 

• Simcoe Street parking garage at 190 Simcoe St.  

• Chambers Lot at 184 Hunter St. 

• Reid Lot at 350 Reid St. 

• Del Crary Lot at 100 George St. N. 

• Downie Lot at 336 Downie St. 

Parking in municipal lots and parking garages is free on weekends. 

Parking enforcement will start on Sunday morning once signage is in place. Parking contrary to posted signage during a road closure event may result in a $35 penalty notice and towing. Any vehicles not moved from the street in the parade staging area and route may be towed to the Eastgate Memorial Park parking lot, 2150 Ashburnham Dr., to make space for the float assembly and procession.

The following transit routes will have detours during the closure period: Route 2 Chemong, Route 4 Weller, Route 6 Sherbrooke, Route 7 Lansdowne, Route 9 Parkhill, Community Bus 22 (Blue) and Community Bus 23 (Red). 

Route 2 Chemong 

During the rolling road closure at 2 p.m.:

• Southbound from Terminal: route follows Simcoe Street to Aylmer Street to Romaine Street to Park Street to Braidwood Avenue to Lock Street. 

• Northbound from Lansdowne Street at Borden Avenue follows the regular route to Lock Street to Braidwood Avenue to Park Street to Romaine Street to Aylmer Street to Simcoe Street. 

Route 4 Weller 

During the rolling road closure, westbound will follow a regular route to the terminal only. Eastbound will travel to the bus stop at Simcoe at Water Streets. Customers will walk east to catch the bus at the Simcoe and Water streets stop. An extra driver will cover the east side of the route for the 2:23 p.m. trip

Route 6 Sherbrooke 

• Southbound from Trent from 12:30 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m. follows the regular route on George Street to Parkhill Road, west on Parkhill to Reid Street and follows Route 2 to the terminal.   

• Northbound from Terminal during the rolling road closure at 2 p.m. follows Route 2 to Reid Street at Parkhill Road, travelling east on Parkhill to Water Street where it resumes its regular route 

Route 7 Lansdowne 

During the rolling road closure at 2 p.m.:

• Westbound follows its regular route to Lock Street, left on Lock Street and taking Braidwood to Park Street to Lansdowne Street, where it returns to the regular route  

• Eastbound follows the regular route to Park Street, right on Park Street and taking Braidwood to Lock Street to Lansdowne Street, where it returns to the regular route 

Route 9 Parkhill 

From 12:30 p.m. to about 3:30 p.m. 

• Westbound from Trent: Regular route to George Street at Parkhill Road, continuing along Parkhill Road to the regular route  

• Eastbound from Fleming: Regular route to Parkhill at Reid, continuing along Parkhill Road to the regular route 

Route 22 Blue Community Bus

From 12:30 p.m. until about 3:30 p.m., Route 22 will follow the regular route to George at Parkhill, travel west on Parkhill Road to Reid Street, where it will follow Route 2 Chemong to the terminal.

Route 23 Red Community Bus

From 12:30 p.m. until about 3:30 p.m., Route 23 will travel eastbound on McDonnel Street to Reid Street, where it will follow Route 2 Chemong to the terminal. The 3 p.m. trip departing from the Transit terminal will detour along Aylmer Street to Romaine Street to Park Street, where it resumes its regular route. 

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Lansdowne Place Bringing March Break Family Fun With Free Activities

Lansdowne Place is making March Break fun with a slew of free activities for the family throughout the week, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Lansdowne Place.

The mall hosts a series of free events for kids of all ages that range from martial arts, meeting the Peterborough Petes, building workshops and more.

Schedule:

• Monday: Watch and Learn the Art of Judo with the Peterborough Hatashita Judo Club, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Tuesday: Enjoy Fitness and Move to the Music with Planet Fitness, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Wednesday: Meet the Players and Their Mascot and challenge someone to a ministicks game with the Peterborough Petes, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Thursday: Build Amazing Lego Creations with Creative Club, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Friday: Check Out The Eyrie Birds of Prey, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Home Depot will be on-site, hosting build-it workshops for kids aged five to 12 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These hands-on workshops will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day.

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Satisfy Your Green Thumb at Seedy Sunday at Peterborough Square March 9

The 20th anniversary of the annual swap and seed sale of Seedy Sunday hits Peterborough Square on March 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Urban Tomato.

The free-admission event will have a diverse range of locally grown heirloom vegetables, flower and herb seeds, vermicomposting supplies and bulbs available for perusing and purchase from local farms and vendors.

The locally-grown seeds are adapted to our unique climate and grown to thrive on your farms and gardens according to a press release.

Community groups will display information about their work and provide visitors opportunities to get involved with local food, farming, water and environmental programs and to answer questions about gardening, seed saving and growing this season.

Attendees can expand their gardens at the Seed Exchange Area to swap seeds with other growers, pick up some new and unique seed varieties and chat with other seed savers.

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Submissions For Sites For Doors Open Peterborough Being Accepted

The City of Peterborough is highlighting its heritage buildings and cultural landmarks during Doors Open Peterborough 2025 which is set to take place on Sept. 13.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Private and public buildings of cultural and historical interest are open for free viewing.

The event is in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust and funded by the Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee.

The Doors Open Peterborough Steering Committee is inviting the community to contribute in two ways:

• Submit a Site: Owners of heritage buildings and cultural landmarks not typically open to the public are encouraged to submit their properties for consideration in this year’s program. The submission deadline is April 30

• Join the Committee: The Doors Open Peterborough Steering Committee is looking for new members to join its team. The committee is responsible for organizing and executing the event. Applications for committee membership are due by Feb. 28

Applications to submit a site or join the committee can be found online.

For a hard copy of either application or more information, email heritage@peterborough.ca or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1488.

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Hometown PTBO: M. John Kennedy Playing Peter Robinson at the 25th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade On March 16

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with M. John Kennedy about playing Peter Robinson as Grand Marshall of the 25th Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 16, his upcoming roles with the New Stages Peterborough and 4th Line Theatre and Peterborough's popularity with the performing arts.

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Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation 2025 Butterfly Run Slated For April 27 at Millennium Park

The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation’s (GPHSF) 2025 edition of its Peterborough Butterfly Run 5K Run/Walk is returning to Millennium Park on April 27, announced on Wednesday.

Since 2018, 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers. Photo by David Tuan bui.

We are happy to welcome Ashley Hickson and Kori Zwarych as the new Co-chairs of the Peterborough Butterfly Run Executive Committee. 

Ashley and Kori have been involved for a number of years (you may have seen them cheering on the runners at the half way point each year) and had this to say about their new role

“After years of involvement on the backend of things, curating and distributing bereavement kits in the community, we are excited to have a more prominent role on the Executive Committee for the run itself this year,” said Ashley Hickson and Kori Zwarych, Butterfly Run co-chairs in a joint statement. “We are working on furthering initiatives with the money raised to help support families with their grief. We are looking forward to another successful event.”

“Since 2022, GPHSF has taken the lead role in organizing the Peterborough Butterfly Run, which has been a great privilege. It is both humbling and gratifying to see the impact that it has made,” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “We look forward to working with Ashley and Kori as they take on a more prominent role this year. We are excited to bring everyone together again on April 27 in Millennium Park.”

The following is the run’s schedule:

• 9 a.m.: Registration opens

• 10 a.m.: 1K Kids Fun Run

• 10:20 a.m.: 1K Memorial Walk starts

• 10:45 a.m.: Opening ceremonies

• 11 a.m. 5K chip-timed run/walk starts

The Memorial Walk will remain free as in previous years, with 1km Kids Fun Run registration at $5 and the 5K Run/Walk registration at $45 (plus applicable fees). 

All registrants receive include a medal and customizable race bib. All 5km Run/Walk participants who register before the April 4 deadline will also receive a race shirt and other items in their race kit.

Registration is available online or in person at Runner’s Life at 174 Charlotte St. Runner’s Life’s Dave Dame is this year’s race director.

Proceeds will provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County according to GPHSF. It will help establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. 

GPHSF also states that money raised at the race also keeps costs affordable for participants, continuing to offer the free 1km Memorial Walk/Run, providing memorial bibs to all runners to write a personalized name or message.

Donations to an individual or team can be made online.

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'Peter Robinson' Brought to Life As Grand Marshall For 25th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

To honour the 25th anniversary of the Peterborough St. Patrick's Day Parade, the event is getting a blast from the past as ‘Peter Robinson’ has been named the Grand Marshall for this year’s event, announced at The Venue on Friday afternoon.

Tim Burke, Parade organizer (left), M. John Kennedy, actor (Peter Robinson) (middle) and Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor (right) march down George Street as a taste of things to come for March 16. Kennedy is also running a workshop to audition for theatre schools and ‘Fireside Munsch’ for this year’s Brand New Stages Festival at The Theatre on King and Market Hall respectively. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Actor M. John Kennedy plays the part of Robinson for the parade and in 4th Line Theatre’s production of ‘Wild Irish Geese’ from July 29 to Aug. 30.

Robinson, a Canadian politician and colonial administrator, was known to supervise the emigration of impoverished Irish families to Upper Canada. This year marks the 200th anniversary of that event.

“Peter Robinson was an advocate for responsible government, along with Lord Baldwin in 1849, so my job as Mayor of Peterborough, you can really trace it back to Peter Robinson, responsible government and the whole concept of British parliamentary democracy from Great Britain,” said Jeff Leal, Peterborough Mayor.

This year hits two other milestones, including the 25th anniversary of the parade and the 175th anniversary of Peterborough's founding, including the Peterborough Police Force.

“It's such a delight to be able to be here and represent him in celebrating the 200th anniversary of Peterborough, a place I grew up, I have a deep connection with the community,” explained Kennedy. “It's thrilling not only to bring this character to 4th Line this summer with 'Wild Irish Geese' but also to be here for this wonderful St. Patrick's Day Parade.”

For the past two years, former sportscaster Dan O’Toole and Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson were named Grand Marshalls to their respective parades. This year, Tim Burke, parade organizer, opted to go with a revival of Peter Robinson after getting the idea from Mary Smith, Nine Ships vice-chair.

“Right off the bat, I went, 'Wow, what a great idea,’” explained Burke. “She knew a gentleman that plays the role and the connection with 4th Line Theatre is also amazing. As soon as she said it, a light bulb went off in my head.”

The parade is scheduled for March 16 at 2 p.m., with the route beginning on George Street at City Hall and ending at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

A flag-raising will occur at City Hall on March 10 at 11 1.m. to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.

Over 100 entries for the parade have been submitted and more are expected to join.

To register for the parade, visit their parade’s website and apply. For more information, contact Tim Burke at timburke77@yahoo.com.

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Lakefield Farmers’ Market's Season Extended to End of October; Vendor Applications Now Open

To give the community more opportunities to enjoy fresh, local food and market favourites, the Lakefield Farmers’ Market is extending its season until the end of October, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Lakefield Farmers’ Market.

Since 2009, the market has traditionally operated from Victoria Day until Thanksgiving. However, after welcoming over 12,000 visitors in 2024, a two-week season extension was introduced as a trial run.

The decision for the permanent season extension was made after a positive response from both vendors and customers, according to Stacey Sullivan, market manager.

“We are thrilled to offer a longer market season for our customers,” she explained. “There is a growing desire to shop local, and we are proud to provide even more opportunities for our community to connect with fresh, high-quality food and products.”

The 2025 season kicks off on May 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. behind the Lakeeld-Smith Community Centre and runs through Oct. 30.

Vendor applications for the 2025 season are open. Local growers, prepared food vendors, and artisans are invited to apply for full-season or daily (pop-up) spots. Applications close March 2.

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