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Kawartha Lakes

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

Millon Dollar Makeover Applications Open Soon! Did you know that the City has a grant program to support businesses, organizations and property owners in undertaking repairs and renovations to their commercial and heritage buildings?

2027 Project Intakes Intake 1 Applications Open: September 15 Application Deadline: October 31 Notice of Approval: January 10 Intake 2 Applications Open: January 12 Application Deadline: February 28 Notice of Approval: April 30

Our Million Dollar Makeover program has several grant streams to support different types of projects and properties across the City. There is a specific grant stream for heritage designated properties and it is the only stream that is open to residential properties. There are two intakes per year for applications. Learn more at: kawarthalakes.ca/makeover

Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

That’s a Wrap Kawartha Lakes’ That’s a Wrap Traffic Control Box (TCB) art program is a temporary public art initiative to wrap municipally owned traffic control boxes with local artist created imagery. Since 2022, 35 TCBs across communities of Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Argyle, Omemee and Lindsay have been wrapped. The goal of the program is three-fold: to connect our communities with eye-popping artwork that captures and displays the important and unique experiences of everyday life in Kawartha Lakes, promote the talented visual artists that call Kawartha Lakes home, and protect the city’s investment in municipal infrastructure. Wrapping municipal infrastructure like utility and traffic control boxes with vinyl artwork protects the physical asset by acting as a durable physical barrier against environmental and human made damage.

There are five key protective benefits: Anti-Graffiti Barrier Vandalism Deterrence Corrosion and Rust Prevention UV and Weather Protection Cost-Effective Maintenance That’s a Wrap themes have been Nature and the Outdoors, Arts and Entertainment, Agriculture and Rural Life. For 2026, the theme People of Kawartha Lakes was chosen to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the City of Kawartha Lakes. Economic Development has also widened the program’s reach through a new partnership with the city’s Parks & Recreation Division to wrap two electrical boxes located in the Old Mill Park and Victoria Park downtown Lindsay. To extend the reach of the program, the juried artwork is also included in the city’s yearly municipal waste calendar.Watch for delivery early December across the city. Thanks to our key partner, the Kawartha Arts Network, for their continued participation.

Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

New Online Resources Have you seen our new online resources for Arts, Culture and Heritage? We’re excited to annouce two new online resources where you can learn more about our local history and culture!

Archaeological Potential Mapping

Online Artifact Catalogue

In September 2025, the City adopted its new Archaeological Management Plan which helps guide how we protect and manage archaeological resources within the municipality. Kawartha Lakes has a rich Indigenous and non-Indigenous archaeological heritage and archaeological assessments are regularly undertaken in the City to identify archaeological sites and mitigate the impact of new development on them.

The City of Kawartha Lakes has launched its online artifact catalogue, providing residents, researchers, students, and history enthusiasts with greater access to the community's heritage collections.

To help identify when archaeological assessments need to be done, we have created an Archaeological Potential Map that shows areas of high archaeological potential across Kawartha Lakes. It is now publicly accessible through our Property and Planning Viewer on the City website. 3

Digitizing artifacts is an important step in preserving local history while making it more accessible to the public. Digital records help reduce the need to handle fragile objects, support education and research, and ensure that the stories connected to these artifacts can be discovered and shared by people around the world. Explore the artifact catalogue: https://l1nq.com/18kaei3 Check back regularly as more records are included and updated! Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

Join Us on September 13 for Doors Open 2026! Every other year, we celebrate the unique places and spaces that make Kawartha Lakes so special with Doors Open. We are excited to host Doors Open in 2026 to showcase spaces of civic engagement to celebrate the City’s 25th anniversary. Join us on September 13 from 10am to 4pm for this year’s event. More information about the event can be found on our website www.kawarthalakes.ca/doors open. Doors Open Kawartha Lakes is part of the Doors Open Ontario program, running from May to October each year, and showcasing communities and their hidden and special places across the province. More information on the provincial Doors Open program can be found at www.doorsopenontario.ca

We are launching our first ever Heritage Scavenger Hunt this fall to celebrate our 25th anniversary! How well do you know Kawartha Lakes’ historic buildings? Test your knowledge with this fun heritage contest which runs from Labour Day weekend to Thanksgiving. Pick up your clues at one of our Service Centres, at any of our Doors Open sites on September 13, or download a digital version on the City’s website.

Explore Our 2026 Sites

Academy Theatre 2 Lindsay Street South, Lindsay

Kawartha Lakes City Hall 26 Francis Street, Lindsay

Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives 50 Victoria Avenue North, Lindsay

Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

Lindsay Daily Post 15 William Street North, Lindsay

Lindsay Legends and Lore Self-guided walking tour 180 Kent Street W, Lindsay

Manilla Library 17025 Simcoe Street, Manilla

Oakwood Library 932 Highway 7, Oakwood

Oakwood United Church 949 Highway 7, Oakwood

Old Bethany Post Office 1480 Highway 7A, Bethany

Omemee Train Station 17 James Street N., Omemee

Omemee Legends and Lore 1 King Street West, Omemee

Woodville Town Hall 100A King Street, Woodville

Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

150 Years of Rocks, Brooms and Belonging Celebrating the Lindsay Curling Club! On winter days in the late 1800s, long before indoor arenas and carefully prepared ice, the people of Lindsay gathered on the frozen Scugog River to play curling, a sport introduced to Canada by Scottish settlers. What began as informal games among neighbours soon became a cherished winter tradition that united farmers, merchants, professionals, and labourers in friendly competition. In December 1876, ten local men formally established the Lindsay Curling Club, one of the community's oldest sporting organizations. Led by President John Watson, the founding members transformed a riverside pastime into a lasting institution. After its first season, the club purchased property on Russell Street, where members built a curling rink that also served the community as a public skating venue. As interest in the sport continued to grow, the club relocated in 1893 to a larger facility on Peel Street, the site it still occupies today. Originally built with four sheets of ice, the rink soon proved too small. By 1901, membership had reached 124, prompting the addition of two more sheets. That same year, The Evening Post described curling as "Lindsay's sport of sports," reflecting the community's remarkable enthusiasm for the game.

Throughout the early twentieth century, Lindsay earned a reputation as one of Ontario's premier curling communities. Local teams competed across the province, winning numerous trophies, including the prestigious Governor-General's Cup three consecutive years, and travelled to major events such as the Winnipeg Bonspiel. The club also became known for hosting successful bonspiels, including a memorable 1913 tournament that welcomed 100 teams from across Ontario. The club continued to evolve over the decades. Women became members in 1947 and quickly established thriving leagues, while fundraising efforts in the 1950s supported a new clubhouse and the installation of artificial ice. Renovations in the 1970s further expanded the facility, reinforcing its role as both a sporting venue and community gathering place. Today, nearly 150 years after those first games on the Scugog River, the Lindsay Curling Club remains a vibrant part of the community. With approximately 400 members, modern facilities, and leagues for all ages and skill levels, it continues the tradition of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and community that has defined the club since 1876. As the club celebrates its 150th anniversary, visitors are invited to learn more and participate in the celebrations through the Lindsay Curling Club. Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

Recipe Revival Kawartha Lakes has a rich history influenced by the region’s Indigenous heritage, immigration patterns, agricultural and industrial heritage. Around these themes, there are many unique and memorable food stories worth sharing. Using recipes from the City of Kawartha Lakes archives, as well as recipes submitted by the community, this program celebrates the exceptional heritage behind food and offers new tasty treats to try!

Do you have a recipe with a unique story to share? Kawartha Lakes invites all residents to participate in this delicious project! Share your recipe with us to be included in the Recipe Revival collection. We’d love to hear about your cherished recipes and the memories behind them! Submit your recipe, photograph and story connected to the recipe to: history@kawarthalakes.ca

Perfect Pineapple Sherbert Courtesy of Anne Patterson

Ingredients: 2 cups buttermilk 1 cup sugar 1 9 ounce can crushed pineapple 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 tablespoon unflavoured gelatin 2 tablespoons cold water 1 egg white, stiffly beaten Method: Combine buttermilk, sugar, pineapple, and vanilla. Soften gelatin in cold water, dissolved over hot water. Add to pineapple mixture. Beat egg white until stiff, then fold this in to mixture. Pour into appropriate pan size and freeze 2-3 hours, stirring once. Modern notes: Dissolve gelatin in microwave on low. For creamier texture you can blend in a mixer once the sherbet has frozen, and freeze again. The recipe doesn’t mention draining the canned pineapple, and the juice adds more flavour.

Vol. 6 September 2026

Connect to Arts, Culture and Heritage

www.kawarthalakes.ca

Workshops and Events How to Use OnLand This hands on workshop will get you started on how to use OnLand, the online land registry tool, to research historic properties. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Date: October 29, 2026 | 6pm to 8pm Location: Lindsay Public Library (190 Kent Street West, Lindsay) kawarthalakes.ca/achnews How to Research Your Historic House Are you interested in the history of your house but don’t know where to start? Join us for this introductory workshop on researching your historic house where we will introduce local and online resources. Date: November 24, 2026 | 5pm to 6:30pm Location: Fenelon Falls Public Library (19 Market Street, Fenelon Falls)

Art in the Halls continues through fall 2026! To help celebrate the City’s 25th anniversary, we’ve invited local arts groups and crafts guilds to create two-month long displays in the downstairs corridors of City Hall. Our theme for this year is “25 Years in the Making” to help recognize this important anniversary. September/October Kawartha Art Network

November/December Kawartha Weavers and Spinners Guild