Ennismore Arena Set to Reopen With Community Celebration and Free Public Skate

By Scott Arnold

The Ennismore Community Centre arena is set to officially reopen on Thursday, September 24th with an afternoon celebration and free public skate.

The Ennismore Community Centre Arena is set to reopen on September 24th, with the community invited to celebrate and take part in a free public skate.

The community is invited to the grand reopening celebration at the arena at 553 Ennis Road from 4:30 to 6pm.

Visitors can drop in during the celebration to enjoy refreshments, look through project photos, connect with neighbours and mark the return of the arena.

A free public skate will also take place from 5 to 6pm. Residents are encouraged to bring their skates and join others on the ice as the community celebrates the reopening.

The arena project was supported through the Province of Ontario’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) and Hydro One’s Community Investment Program.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Applefest Set to Bring Fall Fun and Flavours to Lang Pioneer Village

By Scott Arnold

Apples, live music, wagon rides and old-fashioned activities will fill Lang Pioneer Village Museum on Sunday, September 27th for the annual Applefest celebration.

Applefest takes place Sunday, September 27th from 10am to 4pm at Lang Pioneer Village Museum. (photo courtesy of lang pioneer village)

Running from 10am to 4pm, Applefest celebrates the fall harvest with a full day of demonstrations, activities, food and entertainment.

Visitors can see the Cider Mill in operation, take a horse and wagon ride with Highview Farm, and catch threshing and sheep-shearing demonstrations. There will also be demonstrations of natural dyeing, chair caning and woodworking by the Peterborough Artisan Centre Wood Turners and Kawartha Wood Turners Guild.

For families, the event includes apple tic-tac-toe, apple crafts, old-fashioned schoolyard games, and a children's area featuring story times and crafts with the Otonabee-South Monaghan Public Library.

There will be plenty to browse and taste as well, including fresh apples, apple cider and candy apples, along with freshly popped kettle corn and candy floss. The Bewdley Lions Club Food Truck will be serving barbecue, while Call Creations Catering & Events will also have food available for purchase.

The day will also feature traditional music from Lotus White on the Weaver Shop porch, antique clocks and timepieces from the Quinte Timekeepers, a Marie Dressler Foundation Vintage Film Festival display, and the Peterborough Agricultural Society Homecraft Show in the PCAHB.

Visitors are encouraged to bring cash, as there is no ATM on-site. Some food, activities and products have an additional cost.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Grady's Feet Essentials Continues Family Legacy With New Owners

A new chapter of Grady’s Feet Essentials has begun as Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh officially took over the business from Kelli and Tony Grady after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning.

(from left to right) Kelli Grady, Tony Grady, Mark Walsh and Theresa Thibadeau performing the ceremonial transfer of the key to the building. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The business remains with the Grady family, as Thibadeau is Tony’s cousin and Walsh is her husband. Thibadeau has worked at the store for the past 13 years, serving as manager for the last four.

“(I'm) definitely nervous but it's an excited nervous,” explained Thibadeau. “Tony has set me up for success and I'm looking forward to being able to prove that to him and to everyone else that this is going to be an amazing place to be whether you're working here or shopping here.”

“When my dad started this business in 1984, we could never have imagined the journey ahead,” said Tony. “Kelli and I are proud of what our family, staff and community helped build, and we could not be happier that Theresa and Mark are leading its next chapter. Theresa knows this business, our customers and what makes the Grady's experience special.”

In 1984, Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home, crafting custom orthotics for local customers. He opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough a year later.

Two years later, Tony started helping after school each day. He purchased the store with his wife, Kelli, in 1997 and rebranded it as Grady’s Feet Essentials. They opened a kiosk at Lansdowne Place Mall in 2000. This led to further expansion into an entire storefront on the mall’s upper level in 2005 and a major renovation with the help of a retail designer in 2011.

“Owning my own store has been a dream for a long time, and a lifetime of experience has brought me to this moment,” said Theresa. “Back in high school, I took an entrepreneurial class and I realized this could be kind of fun, exciting and very achievable. So when it started to talk about possibly having a succession plan, it was the first thing I was like, 'maybe this is for us.’”

Mark has 20 years of automotive-industry experience and a first-hand appreciation for Birkenstock repairs and Blundstone care services. He plans to help expand the store's safety-footwear selection and is training.

@ptbo_canada A new chapter of Grady’s Feet Essentials has begun as Theresa Thibadeau and Mark Walsh officially took over the business from Kelli and Tony Grady. #fyp #news #ptbocanada #journalism #peterborough ♬ Success Inspirational - StereojamMusic

Kelli and Tony’s final act as owners was a charitable contribution made through the business: a $5,000 donation to the Rotary Accessible Playground Project at Riverview Park & Zoo. They also made a personal contribution through the project's Buy a Brick campaign.

The Peterborough + Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and a representative of Peterborough-Kawartha MP Emma Harrison gave certificates in recognition of the Grady family’s contributions and milestones during the event.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Back Where It Started: Avon and Othmann Return to Peterborough to Hit the Ice With the Petes

By Scott Arnold

Two members of the 2023 OHL championship winning Petes were back at the Peterborough Memorial Centre Tuesday morning for a skate with their former team.

J.R. Avon, left, Brennan Othmann, right, and Petes Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Coach Patrick O’Connor catch up at the Peterborough Memorial Centre Tuesday morning. (photo via instagram at Petesohlhockey)

For J.R. Avon and Brennan Othmann, the road since helping the Peterborough Petes win the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2023 has taken them into professional hockey. But on Tuesday morning, they were back where a significant part of their careers took shape.

The pair returned to the Peterborough Memorial Centre for a practice with the Petes, reuniting with members of the coaching staff and organization that helped guide them to an OHL championship.

For Avon, the return had an added local connection. The Peterborough native played his minor hockey in the city before spending three seasons with the Petes. He appeared in 179 regular-season games, recording 63 goals and 77 assists for 140 points, before adding nine goals and seven assists in 27 playoff games during his Petes career.

The 2023 championship capped his time in Peterborough before he moved into the American Hockey League, spending two seasons with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and then last season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds after being traded there for his former championship teammate Tucker Robertson.

Othmann arrived in Peterborough early in the 2022-23 season and quickly became an important part of a championship team. He recorded 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 40 regular-season games with the Petes, then added eight goals and 17 assists in 23 playoff games as Peterborough captured the OHL title.

That same season, Othmann also represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, helping Canada win gold.

Since leaving the Petes, Othmann has continued to climb the professional ranks, splitting time between the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack before joining the Calgary Flames organization last season. He played two NHL games for Calgary, scoring once and adding an assist, while also appearing in 14 games with the Calgary Wranglers.

Avon and Othmann have moved on to the next stages of their careers, but Tuesday morning offered a reminder that some hockey relationships last well beyond the final game in a Petes jersey.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

4th Line Theatre Invites Local Seniors to Step Into the Spotlight

By Scott Arnold

A new program at 4th Line Theatre is giving local seniors a chance to explore acting, storytelling and performance in a relaxed, supportive setting.

4th Line Theatre is inviting local seniors aged 55 and older to take part in its new Seniors Theatre Program, beginning September 30th. (photo courtesy of 4th line theatre)

There’s no audition, no previous acting experience required and no pressure to commit to the entire program.

Instead, 4th Line Theatre is inviting people aged 55 and older to spend Wednesday mornings exploring what can happen when a group of people gets together to create, play and tell stories.

The new Seniors Theatre Program begins September 30th, with free weekly classes running from 9am to 11am.

Over the course of 20 weeks, participants will work with 4th Line Theatre founder Robert Winslow, Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell and guest instructors. The sessions will include improvisation, theatre games, storytelling and collaborative play, as well as movement, voice, singing, character creation and ensemble work.

Participants don't have to sign up for all 20 weeks, making the program an opportunity to try something new without having to make a long-term commitment.

The experience will eventually move from the classroom to the stage, with the program culminating in a final performance in March 2027. Friends and family will be encouraged to attend and celebrate the participants' achievements.

For Blackwell, however, the value of the program goes well beyond the final performance.

“In a rural community, opportunities for seniors to gather, create and feel meaningfully connected can make an enormous difference,” states Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “Seniors carry an extraordinary wealth of stories, knowledge and lived experience, and we want 4th Line to be a place where those stories are valued and where people continue to feel creative, connected and essential to their community.”

The program is supported by the Government of Ontario through the Seniors Community Grant Program, which helps local not-for-profit organizations deliver projects and resources aimed at helping older adults live independently, stay connected, avoid isolation and build stronger social connections.

4th Line Theatre is also emphasizing that the program is open to community members of all backgrounds.

For anyone interested in taking part, registration closes September 24th at 12pm.

To register or ask questions, contact Celine Gadoury at celine@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or 705-932-4505.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Hosting 2026 Season Ticket Member BBQ On Sept. 9

The Peterborough Petes are hosting its annual Season Ticket Member BBQ for 2026 on Sept. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre (PMC).

Roger giving a high-five to a young Petes fan as gates open for the BBQ. photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year’s BBQ will feature food catered by Chemong Lodge, refreshments and inflatables from Castle Kid. The event will also feature introductions to the 2026-27 Peterborough Petes roster, including a team autograph session, and speeches from coaches and management.

“We’re really excited to bring back our Season Ticket Member BBQ here at the PMC,” said Tyler Hall, Petes manager of ticket sales. “It’s always a great chance to kick off the season, connect with our fans, and get everyone excited for another year of Petes hockey. We can’t wait to welcome our Season Ticket Members back and get things rolling ahead of the home opener on the 17th.”

Only Season Ticket Members (including corporate partners and suite holders) are invited. No RSVP is required. Season Ticket Members are invited to bring along their family to enjoy the event and are asked to enter the BBQ through the main entrance of the PMC (north side).

The Petes have their first home preseason game this Thursday against the Sting. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The game is streamed on the Petes YouTube channel.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Back to School Means More Police in Peterborough City and County School Zones

By Scott Arnold

As students head back to class next week, drivers across Peterborough City and County can expect to see increased traffic enforcement around schools this fall.

Peterborough County OPP and Peterborough Police Service will increase traffic enforcement in school zones this fall as part of the 2026 Safe School Zone Campaign. (photo by Scott Arnold)

Peterborough County, the Ontario Provincial Police and Peterborough Police Service are joining forces for the 2026 Safe School Zone Campaign, reminding motorists that getting children to and from school safely is everyone's responsibility.

The OPP and PPS will increase their presence in and around school zones, monitoring for offences and issuing tickets when necessary.

For drivers, that means slowing down, staying focused and being prepared for more children, school buses, cyclists and pedestrians on the roads.

Motorists are reminded of a few important rules as the school year gets underway:

• Stop for school buses when their red overhead lights are flashing.

• Slow down in school zones and obey posted speed limits.

• Remember that speeding in a Community Safety Zone results in double the fine.

• Follow the directions of crossing guards, who have the authority to stop traffic at crosswalks.

• Do not proceed until a crossing guard has left the roadway.

• Give cyclists at least one metre of clearance when passing.

• On multi-lane undivided roads, drivers in both directions must stop for a school bus when its overhead red lights are flashing. This applies when there is no median or physical barrier separating opposing lanes.

• Plan ahead and leave extra time so there is less temptation to rush through school zones.

Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark said road safety is a shared responsibility as students return to classrooms.

“We encourage all motorists to slow down, stay focused, and be mindful of the children, families, and school buses travelling throughout our communities,” Clark said. “By planning ahead and exercising patience in school zones, we can create safer roads and support a positive start to the school year for everyone.”

Staff Sergeant Angie Kerr of the Peterborough County OPP said officers will be increasing their presence around schools to help raise awareness among drivers.

“By encouraging motorists to respect posted speed limits, drive distraction-free, and stay alert for crossing guards and students, we can all play a role in ensuring a safe and successful return to school for every child,” Kerr said.

Peterborough Police Service Chief Stuart Betts also encouraged motorists to be aware of the increased activity around local schools.

“We expect motorists to be aware that more young people will be on and adjacent to our roadways, and that reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures exist in many Community Safety Zones,” Betts said.

The campaign comes with some sobering reminders. According to the release, September is the most dangerous month for pedestrians in Canada for fatalities, based on Transport Canada data from 2017. CAA polling from 2019 also identified speeding, illegal parking or stopping, and distracted driving as the top three unsafe motorist behaviours observed in Canadian school zones.

The police services are urging drivers to take the extra time, pay attention and expect the unexpected as students return to the roads and sidewalks.

A little patience behind the wheel can make a big difference for children, families, crossing guards and school staff throughout Peterborough County.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Music on the Water Brings Live Performances to Peterborough and The Kawarthas

By Scott Arnold

A musical houseboat tour will bring free live performances to communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway this September.

Music on the Water brings live performances to communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway, with stops planned in Peterborough, Lakefield and Buckhorn this September. (photo via facebook @leboatvacations)

Music on the Water will make five stops in Peterborough, Lakefield and Buckhorn from September 11th to September 17th, featuring live performances by Kentucky, the musical project of Ontario singer-songwriter Jordan Holman.

The series is designed to showcase the connections and culture found throughout Peterborough and The Kawarthas, while bringing music directly to communities along the waterway.

The tour gets underway in Peterborough on Friday, September 11th at 5pm, when Kentucky performs at the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock, 353 Hunter St. E. The performance is supported by Peterborough Tourism, and audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

From there, the tour continues through Lakefield and Buckhorn, with performances taking place at a mix of local destinations and community gathering spots.

Here is the full schedule:

• Friday, September 11th at 5pm: Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock, 353 Hunter St. E., Peterborough

• Saturday, September 12th at 8pm: Canoe & Paddle Pub, 18 Bridge St., Lakefield

• Monday, September 14th at 5:30pm: Beachwood Resort, 3043 Beachwood Rd., Lakefield

• Tuesday, September 15th at 6pm: Tankhouse on Trent, 1926 Lakehurst Rd., Buckhorn

• Thursday, September 17th at 9am: Lakefield Farmers' Market, 20 Concession St., Lakefield

The series is presented by Le Boat, an international boating vacation company whose Trent-Severn Waterway operations are based at Horseshoe Bay Marina in Peterborough and The Kawarthas.

With performances spread across the waterway over the course of a week, Music on the Water offers a different way to experience some of the communities and destinations that make the region a popular place to visit.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Musicfest 50/50 Goes Year-Round Ahead of Milestone 40th Season

By Scott Arnold

Peterborough Musicfest is keeping its 50/50 going through the off-season, giving supporters another chance to win while helping bring free summer concerts back to Del Crary Park in 2027.

Peterborough Musicfest is keeping the excitement going with its 50/50 draw now running year-round, with proceeds helping support the festival’s free summer concert series. (photo courtesy of peterborough musicfest)

The festival has launched its first-ever off-season 50/50 draw following a successful summer that saw more than $120,000 in tickets sold.

During Musicfest's 39th season, 50/50 ticket sales reached $120,930, generating $60,465 in prize money for winning ticket holders.

That success has prompted Musicfest to introduce monthly off-season draws as it begins building toward its milestone 40th season in 2027.

“Our supporters made the 50/50 an incredible success this summer,” says Peterborough Musicfest Executive Director Tracey Randall. “Their enthusiasm helped us reach $120,930 in sales and award more than $60,000 to winners. We’re excited to keep that momentum going as we begin working toward a milestone 40th season.”

There is also some unfinished business from this summer.

Three winning 50/50 tickets have yet to be claimed from draws held during concerts featuring:

• July 15th: Tyler Joe Miller #100050036

• July 18th: Julian Taylor #70120011

• July 22nd: Matthew Good and His Band #80150049

Anyone who purchased tickets for those draws is encouraged to check their numbers.

The first off-season jackpot begins growing September 1st, with tickets available throughout the year.

For Musicfest, the 50/50 is more than just a chance to take home a prize. The festival's share of the proceeds helps support the free-admission summer concert series at the Fred Anderson Stage in Del Crary Park.

Musicfest brings nationally recognized artists and emerging performers to the waterfront each summer, drawing tens of thousands of music fans to Little Lake.

As a non-profit organization, the festival relies on fundraising, sponsorships, grants and community support to keep those concerts free and accessible.

With the 39th season now in the books, the year-round 50/50 gives Musicfest supporters a way to stay involved while the organization works toward its next big milestone.

Tickets for the first off-season draw are available at Musicfest5050.ca, where purchasers can also find complete ticket and draw information.

Scott Arnold is a Journalist and Content Creator at PTBOCanada Media Inc

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kawartha Gymnastics, S.O.S., Sherry Hill and 6ixty Wings

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Kawartha Gymnastics is expanding its reach with the launch of KG North, a new location in Bancroft.

The expansion will help ensure that children and families in Bancroft and the surrounding North Hastings community continue to have access to gymnastics programming close to home. The new location will also create opportunities through the connection between Kawartha Gymnastics’ Peterborough and Bancroft programs, supporting athletes and families across both communities. For more information, go to: http://www.kawarthagymnastics.ca/

A local Peterborough business is getting ready to celebrate a major milestone. S.O.S – Save Our Soles will mark its 20th anniversary on September 23, and the celebrations are already getting underway. Happy Birthday S.O.S.! For more information you can visit their website: www.shopsos.ca

Peterborough County has partnered with Sherry Hill of IntegrAlign, to offer a series of free, hands-on AI training sessions across the county.

The workshops are designed to help people build confidence using AI, with no technical background required. Five sessions will be offered at each stop, tailored to industries including construction and trades, small business, tourism and hospitality, health and wellness, and non-profits. The first session takes place September 16 in Keene, followed by stops in Bridgenorth, Millbrook and Norwood. For more information and to register, go to: https://events.ptbocounty.ca/ecdev

A new dining destination in Peterborough is officially celebrating its grand opening next month.

6ixty Wings, located at 110 Chandler Cres., will host its official Grand Opening on Sept. 25, beginning at 5 p.m. The locally operated restaurant has been serving the community since its soft opening six weeks ago and is now celebrating its official launch as part of the Peterborough business community. For more information, you can go to: https://6ixtywings.com/

Tickets are now available for the 2026 Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Cogeco. Taking place on Thursday, October 22, at Kawartha Downs, the evening will celebrate the outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and organizations that help strengthen the Peterborough and Kawarthas business community. For more information and tickets, go to: pkchamber.ca.

If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to brenda@pkchamber.ca.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.