The Ontario Cottage Country Region is rich with towns, cities, hamlets and communities that are filled with experiences and local treats that you might not know about. Around every twist and turn on our country roads residents and business owners are curating one-of-a-kind experiences for those wishing to embrace them. Parallel to none is our hiking, lakes, rivers and festivals. The Cottage Country region is filled with hidden gems, spectacular settings, and brimming with vibrant arts and cultural business communities. Enjoy the character of the Villages and as you travel through our region an ..read more

By Mike Fitzgerald We were driving along a stretch of the old 503 between the Kirkfield lift locks and Centennial Park Rd when a dark mass caught my eye. When we spun the jeep around to get a good look at what we thought might be a horse, it turned out to be a cow moose feeding on buds behind an old beat up corral. Twenty years ago, this would have more than likely made the local papers, but on this day neither of us were particularly surprised at all to see this moose. That’s because moose are becoming increasingly more common in the Kawartha lakes region. In fact, over the last ten years alo ..read more

R&J Machine have been in the business of building waterfront dreams for over 48 years! Family owned and operated since 1976 the team at R&J Machine is known for being an industry leader in manufacturing quality docks, boat lifts and marine railway systems. They also look after the fabrication of boathouse structures, permanent docks, and commercial marina systems. Every year we see the demand for waterfront storage changing – boat trends change, and families grow – from small bowriders and wakeboard boats to leisure and sport pontoon boats – meaning lift designs are also ..read more

There’s a new flower shop opening at 387 Water Street in downtown Peterborough called Sweet Fern Floral Studio. It opened officially on May 3. They are a full-service florist specializing in premium floral design. They do walk-in shopping as well as pickup and delivery in Peterborough and the surrounding area. Services include everyday florals, sympathy florals, wedding floral services, and event florals. Drop by the new shop in downtown Peterborough or go online to sweetfernfloralstudio.com to see what they have to offer and order your next arrangement. A big congratulations to the winners o ..read more

“Spring is far more than just the changing of the seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.”– Toni Sorenson April showers bring May flowers – or, in the case of this year – March Showers brought April flowers! May is the greening month, while beautiful early season blooms peak through the earth, the world is greening. Trees are unfurling new bright leaves, and fields and grass are growing skyward. It truly is a season of newness. And from May to June, we shift again – from what feels like a cool breeze on a spring day to excited children, ready to break free of school and adventure through the su ..read more

Handmade Heaven is on the move. May 2 will mark their last day at Lansdowne Place as they head to a new shop at Portage Place at 1154 Chemong Road, between Fabricland and the LCBO. They facilitate a connection between artisans and potential customers who seek bespoke, handmade items. The platform aims to promote creativity, preserve traditional craftsmanship, and bolster Canadian communities. Opening May 5, the new store is three times bigger and is expected to have room for 100 local makers. Owner Samuel Milne says in one year in Peterbrough the store has done so well that they have now opene ..read more

Debra Gallo has launched a new business called Authentic Love, where she does life coaching and Reiki. Private coaching is available at home or via Zoom and she offers guidance and support for personal growth, healing, and the development of tools within to achieve success and fulfillment. Reiki is available for home visits and promotes healing through energy to find balance. She works with people experiencing trauma, addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and both physical and mental illness. You can find her on Facebook or email 4.authentic.love@gmail.com. Thamer Linklater has launc ..read more

Every year in September, buildings and sites not normally open to the public welcome visitors as part of Doors Open Peterborough. It’s a great opportunity for community engagement and education about our built and cultural heritage. Doors Open began in France in 1984 and started in Peterborough in 2002. This annual celebration of heritage and culture has allowed us to see inside everything from the Peterborough Lift Lock, to hydro generating stations, to Victorian mansions and modern architectural gems such as Trent University. Doors Open Peterborough is always looking for new places that tell ..read more

Some horses get to stay at the same barn forever, but most do not.  Kcees Jedi Knight is one of the lucky few who was foaled at our farm, spent many months travelling across Canada and the United States at trainers, but always landed back at his home, Inukshuk Farm & Equestrian Centre. It is surprising that the majority of horses have multiple owners and homes during their lifetime.  That includes the re-homing statistics on Standardbred horses that indicate 20% are re-homed about three times and that does not include their original breeder/owner/trainers.   The troublesome ..read more

Maintaining a functional shoreline promotes the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.  Shorelines help to filter pollutants, protect against erosion, and provide habitat for fish and other forms of wildlife. That’s why it’s critical for landowners of waterfront property to manage this important resource. A shoreline is defined as the border of a lake, pond, river or stream with the land. This waterfront is highly dynamic as it responds to changes in water levels. A well-managed shoreline that incorporates native, non-invasive aquatic and riparian vegetation provides habitat f ..read more