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Kawartha Lakes’ Premier News Magazine • September 2026

LINDSAY

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LINDSAY

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(705) 340-5050

(705) 738-1752

65 Angeline St. N.

Mon-Fri 9AM - 5PM

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(705) 887-3030

(613) 332-1050

13 Francis St. W.

Mon & Fri 9AM - 5PM

192 Hastings St. N. Mon-Fri 9AM -3 4PM

Your Hospital, YOUR CARE CANCER CARE AT RMH

Ross Memorial Hospital plays a vital role in delivering high-quality cancer screening, diagnostic services, and cancer care. As part of the regional cancer system, the Ross is helping improve access to timely screening, diagnosis, and follow-up, allowing patients to receive the care they need while minimizing travel away from their families and support networks.

Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) and Mammography Comprehensive breast screening, diagnostics, and coordinated follow-up care.

High-Risk Breast MRI

Offered as part of a coordinated breast screening pathway to support earlier detection and personalized care for patients at elevated risk.

Ontario Lung Screening Program

RMH is a spoke site for the Central East Regional Cancer Program. Eligible participants undergo a low-dose CT scan, a quick and non-invasive imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to create detailed images of the lungs to screen for masses.

Cancer Surgery

RMH surgeons perform biopsies, breast, and bowel surgery to remove masses, as well as Gynecology, and Urologic cancer surgeries.

Endoscopy

Includes colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and cystoscopy procedures. Findings are used to guide personalized treatment plans, appropriate follow-up care,

and support ongoing surveillance for patients at risk of gastrointestinal cancers.

Surgical Pathology

After a biopsy or surgical procedure, tissue samples are examined by highly trained pathologists to determine whether disease is present and to help guide the next steps in a patient’s care.

Radiation Therapy Consultation

RMH provides on-site Radiation Oncology specialist consultations from the Central East Regional Cancer Program team.

Consultation and Therapeutic Care

RMH provides a range of specialized outpatient services that support cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care. They include Cervical Screening and Colposcopy.

Palliative Care and Symptom Management

A dedicated, specialized team who collaborate to create individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs and goals that respects personal choices and enhances quality of life at every stage. Learn more at rmh.org/programs-and-services/cancer-care

COMMUNITY TOWN HALL TOUR An in-depth look at available local Cancer Care and supportive services, along with updates on RMH Master Planning and major projects.

EVENTS RUN 6:00 TO 7:30 P.M. DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 P.M. Coboconk Community Centre Tuesday, October 20 9 Grandy Road, K0M 1K0

Pontypool Fenelon Falls Community Centre Community Centre Wednesday, October 21 Tuesday, October 27 254 John Street, L0A 1K0

27 Veterans Way, K0M 1N0

Lindsay Ross Memorial Hospital Wednesday, October 28 10 Angeline St. N, K9V 4M8

The Lindsay Town Hall will also be on Zoom. These free sessions are hosted by Veronica Nelson, RMH President and CEO, with presentations from partner organizations relevant to each community.

Contact publicrelations@rmh.org or 705-328-6246 for any questions.

SEPTEMBER 2026 VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 102

Contents On the Cover

Roderick Benns PUBLISHER

Rebekah McCracken EXECUTIVE EDITOR

100 stories from 100 issues Explore important stories of the last 100 issues of the Advocate in this trip down memory lane. 10

Views letters The City turns 25 6 Trevor Hutchinson

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Denise Waldron

WRITER-AT-LARGE

benns’ belief After 100 issues, it’s time for an Advocate refresh... in print and online. 9 sarah’s say An invitation to dance. 28

Mike Puffer

WRITER-AT-LARGE

Robyn Best REPORTER

the other side Thoughts on life after 40. 42 trevor’s take Unicorns and mayoral candidates. 44

Darren Hoiting

ADVERTISING SALES

Cara Baycroft

ADVERTISING SALES

Art Direction + Design: Web Developers: Colour and Code Kimberly Durrant Sarah Fournier Colour and Code Photographers: Sienna Frost Printed By: Cofax Printing

Cover Design: A compilation of our 100 issues. Read the story on page 10.

Please send editorial inquiries to Roderick Benns at roderick@lindsayadvocate.ca or 705-341-1496. Please send ad inquiries to Darren Hoiting at 705-991-3188 or darrenhoiting@outlook.com, or to Cara Baycroft at 905-431-4638 or cara.baycroft@gmail.com. lindsayadvocate.ca •

@lindsay.advocate

PRIVACY POLICY: The Lindsay Advocate is independently owned & operated. The opinions expressed herein are the views of the contributors & do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine. Photos, text & art work contained in The Lindsay Advocate are copyrighted & may not be published, broadcast or rewritten without the express permission of the Publisher. Liability for incorrectly displayed advertising is limited to publishing corrections or advertising credit for subsequent issues. The Publisher reserves the right to reject, revise, cancel, omit, discontinue or even decline to print advertising without reason or liability, & without notice. The Publisher has made every effort to ensure information contained herein was accurate at press time. The Publisher does not assume & hereby disclaims any liability to any party for damage, loss, or disruption caused by errors or omissions.

Features

Business Today Good medicine New MD Connected clinic coming to Lindsay this fall. 30 Gordon Yacht Harbour in Bobcaygeon expands Boaters can now dock their boats and enjoy a meal 31 business insights Local investments in innovation. 32 Lindsay Block Party returns Fashion show, live music and downtown takeover 32 SmartCentres expansion Lindsay identified as a key location for the retail chain. 33

Vital Signs: Local income gaps reveal a complex economic picture When it comes to income and poverty, Ontario’s D-minus amounts to a clear verdict: needs improvement. 35

Legally lethal You can buy an opioid in Kawartha Lakes tonight, with no prescription, no ID and no age verification. It is legal, it is called kratom, and most of us have never heard of it. 39

Regulars KL public library 46 crossword 47 just in time Housing crises are nothing new in our local history. 50 marketplace 52 cool tips for a hot planet Weather extremes are getting worse. 54 5

Letters to the editor Congratulations on the 25th Anniversary of city from former warden It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that I extend my best wishes to the residents of Kawartha Lakes as you celebrate your 25th anniversary. This occasion holds special meaning for me. As the warden of Victoria County in 1986, I had the distinct honour of serving during the county’s 125th anniversary celebrations. That milestone brought our communities together to celebrate our rich history, recognize the contributions of generations of residents, and reaffirm our commitment to the future of Victoria County. The creation of the City of Kawartha Lakes marked the beginning of a new chapter, built upon the strong foundation established by the people and communities of the former County of Victoria. While the name and municipal structure have changed, the values that have always defined this area — hard work, community spirit, neighbourly kindness, and pride in our heritage — remain as strong today as ever. As you celebrate 25 years as a city, I encourage everyone to reflect on the achievements of the past while looking forward with confidence and optimism. Please accept my sincere congratulations on this important milestone. May Kawartha Lakes continue to prosper and thrive for generations to come, while never forgetting the proud legacy of Victoria County that helped make it what it is today. — Don McCumber, Arcadia, Nova Scotia

Causation or probability Advocate columnist Ginny Colling correctly notes that the last IPCC report expressed increased confidence that human influence has contributed to more frequent or intense heat waves, heavy rainfall, some droughts, and wildfire weather. However, the IPCC does not conclude that greenhouse gases are the primary cause of all extreme weather. Human influence also includes land-use change, urbanization, deforestation, and aerosols, and attribution varies by event, region, and confidence level. Natural variability — El Niño, La Niña, ocean cycles, volcanic activity, and atmospheric circulation — stays an important driver of individual events. Furthermore, scientists distinguish between causing an event and increasing its probability or intensity. Colling’s inference that the nominal increases in insurance losses are mainly due to climate causes was an exaggeration. Inflation, rising property values, population growth, and development in vulnerable areas have also been principal factors. Smartphones, social media, and 24-hour news have amplified public support for the climate change crisis theory. Continuous coverage, dramatic footage, and algorithms favouring emotional content make extreme weather seem more frequent than it is. Improved monitoring has also boosted detection, making the trend seem larger. Repeated CCCT-supporting campaigns have spread the idea that rising greenhouse gases over the past century is the primary cause of catastrophic environmental events. However, individual extreme events result from a complex mix of natural variability, local conditions, and human influences. Digital media has strengthened belief, although science relies on longterm observation, not media coverage. — Gene Balfour, Fenelon Falls

Potty problems in Lindsay? Classics on Kent: On a hot and humid day, porta-potties were the best option? Flush toilets in the Kent Place Mall, armoury, library, engineering building or elsewhere were not available? This is something the city could improve upon rather than sending us all to Tim Horton’s when the portable washrooms became intolerable. — R. Bourke, Lindsay

The Advocate welcomes your letters. We do not publish anonymous letters unless it’s a matter of public importance and/or someone risks harm by writing us. We publish under strict guidelines & only if we can verify the person’s identity. Keep your letters to 200 words or less. Simply email roderick@lindsayadvocate.ca.

What’s on

studio tour Victoria County

Sept. 26-27 & Oct. 3-4

2026

Kawartha Lakes

vcstudiotour.com | vcstudiotour@msn.com

Support quality local journalism! The Advocate and Kawartha Lakes Weekly are your 100% local print media choices based in Kawartha Lakes. Visit our website and choose Support Us, or contact 705-341-1496 or roderick@ lindsayadvocate.ca. We thank the following people for their support:

Al Kingdon, Anne Melanson, April Scott, Audrey Burrows, Barb Taylor, Bill & Heather Peter, Bob & Carol Barkwell, Bruce & Debbie Peck, Cam Finley, Carol Bryans, Carol & Brian Kelsey, Catherine Hennings, Chris Yourkin, Christine Wilson, Colleen Newson, Cordula Winkelaar, D Ann Ostafichuk, Dale Urekar, David & Margaret Robertson, David Holloway, David MacMillan, Deborah Smith, Doreen Amos, Don Sangster, Drew Davison, Edith Wood, Edna Calhoun, Elaine Heyes, Elizabeth Anne Patterson, Elke Danziger, Ellen Roberts, Gail Motzok, Garth & Marian Mackay, George Meyer, Geri Graham, Glenda Morris, Grace King, Hannah Marnoch, Heather Muir, Hilary Grice, Jack Kyle, Jamie Anderson, Jane Walling, Janet Smith, Jean Wood, Jim Buchanan, Jim & Bonnie Hancock, Joan Shippel, Joanne Young, John & Elizabeth Gundy, John & Pauline Hunter, Joyce Dunning, Kevlyn Given, Laurie Jones, Lauren Drew, Lee Steeves, Leslie King, Linda Friend, Lorna Green, Lynda Palmer, Marci Stainton, Margaret Anthony, Maria Bennett, Marie Geelen, Marie-France Leclerc, Marnie Nelles, Mary Auld, Maureen Kalmykow, Maurice & Marie Jackson, Mehran Qaaboos, Mike & Cathy Puffer, Nanci Byer, Neil Campbell, Nelson Gingrich, Nora Steffler, Norman & Molly Feldman-Swan, Patricia Apac, Pamela Burtt, Paul Skipworth, Peter & Kathy Anderson, Peter & Sandra MacArthur, Ray & Lorna Smith, Richard Mason, Ron & Claudie Chartrand, Ross & Susan Beattie, Sandra Scott, Sandee & Stephan Willshaw, Sharon Tracy, Shirley Harnden, Sonya Vellenga, Susan Ferguson, Susan Stitt, Tegan Osmond, Vickie Schuett, Wanda Percival, Wayne & Cathy Alldred, William Steffler, Wayne & Wendy Brumwell, Zita Devan

our mission Fireside Publishing House is the premier print media company in Kawartha Lakes through its family of magazines and all-local weekly newspaper. We believe that community-based media can bring people together and change lives for the better through the power of storytelling, reflecting local culture, and creating informed and engaged citizens. Our commitment is to deliver high-quality and relevant content that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of our communities. We believe in the transformative power of local media to inspire, educate, and empower. 8

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• benns' belief

To be 100 By Roderick Benns Publisher

Summer still lives! Keep the grill going.

all local all canadian

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REACHING ONE HUNDRED ISSUES feels a wee bit magical. When we launched the Advocate nine years ago, we hoped Kawartha Lakes would embrace a publication that had a particular interest in social policy issues. What we didn’t expect was just how much our community would grow, change, and challenge us to keep evolving. And evolve we have.

A magazine refresh You’ve likely noticed some subtle changes in this magazine. Cleaner lines, more breathing room, a design that reflects our evolution. But the biggest changes aren’t only on the printed page. They’re online — two new websites, one for the Advocate and one for Kawartha Lakes Weekly, each with a distinct purpose, each part of a larger vision for local journalism.

What we didn’t expect was just how much our community would grow, change, and challenge us to keep evolving. And evolve we have. All-new Advocate Online Advocate Online was recently launched at lindsayadvocate.ca and has been completely refreshed. Spend a few minutes there and you’ll see just how much more we’re doing. Our columnists alone offer a cross-section of the conversations happening in our community. Jason Ward explores mental health with honesty and insight. New Advocate Online Editor Sue Allen brings her thoughtful “life after 40” perspective in The Other Side. Brittany Taylor’s Bridges to Understanding tackles Indigenous reconciliation with clarity and compassion. Geraldine Silva is now writing a column focused on newcomers to our area — an essential lens as Kawartha Lakes continues to welcome people from around the world.

And that’s just the columns. City news is more robust than ever. We’re covering more stories, more voices, more issues that matter, with deeper analytical pieces. I want to be clear with you – these offerings are not usually available in the print magazine. You must visit the website to read them. The truth is that we simply can’t fit everything into one magazine anymore. That’s why Advocate Online has become a weekly destination. If you’re not visiting, you’re missing out on a big part of what we do.

Kawartha Lakes Weekly – Subscriptions are coming Meanwhile, kawarthalakesweekly.ca now stands on its own as a website for immediate journalism, like breaking news, events, and expands upon our print newspaper. Speaking of the print newspaper…so many of you have asked about restoring home delivery to rural areas after PostMedia stopped distributing our paper. We listened, and the offer is coming soon! (Even the Advocate will also be available by subscription for those who prefer guaranteed delivery, something you’ve requested for a long time.) Now, I’d like to ask you something about this magazine. Pick up your pen — or dust off your typewriter, keyboard, tablet, or computer — and write to me. Tell me, in a sentence or three, what the magazine has meant to you over these past nine years. And what could we do better? Your reflections will help shape the next hundred issues. To be 100 editions in, we are truly humbled. We know you’ve given us your trust, and we are determined to keep earning it, week after week, story after story. Here’s to 100 more.

Follow Roderick on Instagram @roderickbenns

100 Stories from 100 Issues Compiled by Roderick Benns

hen the Advocate appeared in 2017, we wanted to be different. Our key focus was social issues and to focus on stories that primarily connected to community wellness. And in all honesty, we weren’t entirely sure it would be of enough interest to draw an audience. But you showed up. So did the small business community, to support us through their advertising. And so did three integral freelance writers in those very early days – Trevor Hutchinson, Nancy Payne, and Ian McKechnie. They would soon be joined by so many others. (And all of them continue to work with us.) I didn’t know then what the Advocate would become. We only knew that our community was full of voices worth hearing, histories worth preserving, and futures worth debating. In those early days, each issue felt like a small act of faith. There were other publications, but fortunately the Advocate quickly found its footing as a critical missing piece of the community’s desire for journalism. Maybe it’s because readers saw themselves in its pages and its online stories. Maybe it grew from simple trust, built one story, one conversation at a time. Since 2017, Kawartha Lakes has changed – and so have we. We’ve chronicled local triumphs and local tensions, celebrated the people who make this place vibrant, and confronted the challenges that shape rural life here. We’ve expanded our digital presence, launched new columns, deepened our reporting, and embraced the evolving ways our community reads, shares, and engages with journalism. Yet the heart of the Advocate has never shifted. It remains rooted in the belief that local journalism matters. We continue to believe that good journalism strengthens communities, sharpens public understanding, and reminds us that the stories closest to home are often the ones that most define us. Reaching our 100th issue is not a finish line. It’s a moment to pause, to look back at where we began, and to recognize the readers, contributors, and partners who carried us here. It’s also a moment to look forward — dare we say to the next hundred issues? There are so many conversations still waiting to be had. 10

Here then, is a single story snapshot, one from every single magazine* we have published in the past 100 issues. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane as much as we did in compiling it. *All magazines and all the following stories are available to read online at lindsayadvocate.ca

2018

Basic Income In our first edition, Roderick Benns profiled the Ontario Basic Income Pilot’s launch in Lindsay. The program could have led to an absolute transformation of Ontario’s social policy – a paradigm shift that could have dramatically reduced poverty. However, the pilot was cut short by the Ontario Conservatives under then-new Premier Doug Ford, instead of being allowed to operate for three years in three Ontario communities to gather data. Local community leaders like Mike Perry, then-Kawartha Lakes Police Chief John Hagarty, and Dr. Bert Lauwers all supported the program for its potential to improve health, reduce substance abuse, and foster hope. Basic income would have given individuals regular, unconditional payments to meet basic needs, regardless of employment. Unlike social assistance, the program would encourage able recipients to work by allowing them to keep more of what they earned.

Failure of Corporate Canada

Housing Roderick Benns looked at the deepening affordable housing crisis in the second issue, a topic of interest that has not diminished with time. With few new units built for renters and a steadily growing population, renters faced long waiting lists for accommodation. With only a small share of households renting and just a handful of listings available at any given time, competition is fierce and turnover is low. The result is a market where renters often spend a disproportionate share of their income on shelter.

Municipal election

“The Failure of Corporate Canada” argues that large Canadian corporations have steadily withdrawn from their responsibility to support communities, leaving towns and cities like Lindsay to cope with inequality, precarious work, and fraying public services largely on their own. Roderick Benns contrasts record corporate profits and generous executive compensation with plant closures, low-wage service jobs, and rising inequality, suggesting that Corporate Canada has prioritized shareholder returns over any meaningful social contract. He calls for a rebalancing in which businesses are expected to contribute tangibly to local wellbeing — through fair wages, community investment, and long-term commitments — instead of relying on underfunded governments and charities to pick up the pieces.

The 7th issue of The Lindsay Advocate spotlighted “Decision 2018” on the cover, profiling four mayoral candidates (Andy Letham, Gord James, Brian Junkin, Peter Weygang) ahead of the October 22 vote amid council reduction from 16 to eight wards. In the post-election story “Letham wins: City votes to stay the course,” Andy Letham secured re-election with 45 per cent of the vote, defeating next closest rival Gord James (39 per cent). The Advocate framed it as voters opting for continuity with Letham’s business-growth focus, despite a nasty campaign involving anonymous reports, Ontario Proud ads, and James’ post-election election process complaints.

Hospital merger

Food insecurity Food insecurity in Kawartha Lakes was a major issue in 2018 as our third issue hit the stands – and it’s worse today, both here and across the country. Contributing Editor Trevor Hutchinson painted a bleak community picture, with needs clearly driven by income constraints. With the root issue being a lack of money for hungry local citizens, advocates stress that charity-based models, while generous, lack dignity and systemic impact. Kawartha Lakes Food Source has long championed a basic income kind of model to make a real impact, or to at least make other benefits more generous. In 2017, KLFS fed 5,500 people. Recent data from last month’s feature on food insecurity by Mike Puffer shows the number of local residents served by member food banks of Kawartha Lakes Food Source to be 21,819.

Bullfighting Not every Advocate story is about social policy. Trevor Hutchinson’s feature in our fourth issue recounted how Lindsay improbably hosted what was billed as Canada’s first-ever bullfight in 1958, a flamboyant tourism stunt dreamed up to put the town on the map. He described the sheer chutzpah of local organizers who imported a Mexican bullfighter, rejigged the Lindsay Exhibition grounds, and staged a highly controversial spectacle that drew big crowds, national media attention, and plenty of critics.

Trevor Hutchinson warned that a proposed merger between Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Lindsay and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) would be a big mistake for the smaller RMH, risking service cuts, higher costs, and reduced local access to care. In our sixth issue, he cited research from the Ontario Health Coalition showing mergers rarely save money and often lead to lost surgeries, acute care, and obstetrics at community hospitals like RMH, forcing patients to travel to Peterborough. Despite Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) mandates and hospital spin about recruitment and a “bigger voice,” Hutchinson argued the process ignored evidence and community input, urging residents to fight back. Community rallies were held to fight the integration after the Advocate story broke. In a Nov. 16 follow-up story by Roderick Benns, the LHIN accepted a Ross Memorial and Peterborough Regional Health Centre decision to not proceed with amalgamating the two hospital sites. 11

Seniors in crisis in Kawartha Lakes This story by Roderick Benns reported that a growing number of cognitively impaired seniors in Kawartha Lakes were living in unsafe, unsupported conditions, prompting a coalition of frontline agencies to call on the mayor and MPP Laurie Scott for funding and coordinated services to fill major gaps in care. With rising police and hospital calls, and no local program (at the time) to proactively support vulnerable older adults, the group urged a strategy to prevent seniors from falling through the cracks. In the following year, an early community paramedicine trial began locally and in 2021 a full Community Paramedicine for LongNeed for Term Care program launched with tradespeople major provincial funding to play a big role in supporting local seniors. Writer Geoff Coleman profiled Madeline Carey, a then-25-year-old carpenter and owner of Mad’s Custom Carpentry in Lindsay, who was riding a wave of demand for skilled trades amid housing shortages and renovation booms in Kawartha Lakes. Starting as a high school co-op student at Fleming College, she built a thriving business through custom decks, sheds, and renovations, highlighting a critical carpenter shortage. Carey credited mentorship from journeyman carpenter Paul Beukeboom and called for more women apprentices in trades, urging youth to skip university debt for stable, hands-on careers. As the region’s construction pipeline heats up with new subdivisions and infrastructure eight years later, the demand for tradespeople has only risen.

2019

Pharmacare Canada’s fragmented drug-coverage system was the topic Trevor Hutchinson tackled in this Pharmacarefocused feature. It is a system that leaves millions — including thousands in Kawartha Lakes — unable to afford essential medications, leading to preventable illness and even death, and driving up overall healthcare costs. The feature shone a spotlight on how high drug prices, inconsistent provincial plans, and reliance on private insurance create inequity and inefficiency, while research and decades of commissions consistently show that a universal, singlepayer Pharmacare program would save billions and improve health outcomes. Since then, a first phase of a national plan is underway, with coverage for diabetes medications and contraceptives.

Supply management This feature championed Canada’s supply management system for dairy (and poultry/eggs), introduced in the 1960s to end overproduction gluts that left farmers like young Jim Callaghan unable to sell cream to Lindsay’s Silverwood’s Dairy. By matching production to domestic demand via quotas, it delivers stable, subsidy-free income—unlike U.S. farmers facing market crashes, $17B subsidies, rBST hormones (banned in Canada), undocumented labour, and milk dumping. This allows Kawartha Lakes operations like Maryland Farms (Callaghan) and Thursthill Farms (Jeff Thurston) to invest in robotics and family sustainability.

Unpaid work

New Police Chief chosen for Kawartha Lakes Police Service

A new year also saw a new police chief for Kawartha Lakes, with Chief Mark Mitchell profiled in The Lindsay Advocate. The story highlighted his evolution from a chance police applicant to a progressive, community-focused leader who saw social partnerships — not enforcement alone — as the key to effective policing. The article emphasized his belief that poverty, mental health, housing, and addictions are deeply intertwined with police calls, and that collaborative, early-intervention models are essential for real change. After Mitchell’s retirement, Chief Kirk Robertson took over.

Nancy Payne reflects on how society undervalues unpaid labour, drawing on memories of her mother’s relentless work on their family farm to argue that work done inside the home — and volunteer work that sustains communities — is every bit as essential as paid employment. She highlights how generations of women have built the social fabric of Kawartha Lakes through caregiving, community organizing, and grassroots initiatives, all without compensation, yet with profound impact. Payne called for greater recognition of this invisible labour, noting that homes, families, and communities function only because of the countless unpaid tasks people perform every day.

Contaminated brownfields Kawartha Lakes is dotted with former industrial sites, from mills, factories, and gas stations, where contaminated soil has stalled redevelopment for decades. Cleaning them up is costly and complex, often leaving landowners and municipalities in a stalemate. Local experts argue that stronger incentives, clearer regulations, and dedicated funding are needed to turn these properties into housing, parks, or commercial space. With provincial programs underused and remediation left largely to private owners, the feature makes the case that addressing brownfields is essential to both environmental health and community revitalization.

Central East Correctional Centre staff issues Corrections officers at the Central East Correctional Centre described a workplace defined by chronic understaffing, burnout, and safety risks. Guards reported being assaulted, denied adequate backup, and pressured to work excessive overtime, all while feeling unsupported by management and the province. Many say the jail’s culture left them feeling powerless to enforce rules or protect themselves, contributing to high turnover and low morale. The article paints a stark picture of a system stretched thin, where both staff and inmates are affected by the strain.

Public housing and drugs

At the time of this feature, residents in Kawartha Lakes public housing were increasingly dealing with discarded needles, drug use in shared spaces, and safety concerns that fell outside the mandate of housing staff. Tenants described feeling abandoned as overdoses, vandalism, and intimidation became more common. The city and then-HKPR Health Unit acknowledged the problem but pointed to limited resources, privacy rules, and the need for broader socialservice support. The article highlighted a growing tension: vulnerable tenants need stable housing, but others in the same buildings need protection from unsafe behaviour.

Health of our waterways

Underfunding education

Jamie Morris tackled a feature story on the health of our local waterways, checking in with experts from Kawartha Conservation and Fleming College. These interviewees said most lakes in Kawartha Lakes earn a C for overall health, with water quality and forest cover varying widely across the region. Human activity — especially shoreline alteration, nutrient runoff, invasive species, and climate change — remains the biggest threat. Still, coordinated efforts are underway, with watershed report cards, lake management plans, citizen-science monitoring, and restoration projects.

As students returned to class, educators across Kawartha Lakes warned that provincial cuts were eroding the quality of public education. Larger class sizes, fewer supports, and reduced funding for students with special needs are leaving teachers stretched and families worried. School boards face tough choices — trimming programs, delaying repairs, and relying more on fundraising — while trying to maintain stability for students. The article underscored a growing concern: the system is being asked to do more with less, and the long-term impact on learning and equity is becoming harder to ignore.

Population growth Kawartha Lakes is poised for significant population growth, driven by affordability, proximity to the GTA, and provincial planning targets. In a significant feature by Trevor Hutchinson that has kicked off years of discussion about local growth by Kawartha Lakes residents, city officials say growth is inevitable — and necessary — to sustain infrastructure, stabilize taxes, and attract jobs. The challenge is managing it well. This includes balancing intensification with greenfield development, to protecting farmland and waterways, and preparing for an aging population while still drawing young families.

Teen pregnancy rate As 2020 began, the Advocate tackled one of the most persistent rumours in the city – that Lindsay and area had the highest teen pregnancy rates in Ontario. Trevor Hutchinson tackled this urban legend with facts, not lore. Data from the HKPR Health Unit showed local rates are close to the provincial average and have been declining for years. Experts say outdated perceptions, small-town stigma, and misinterpreted statistics fueled the myth. The article stressed the importance of evidence-based decision making.

Farming meets the climate crisis

Loss of heritage buildings

This feature explored how farmers in Kawartha Lakes were confronting the accelerating climate crisis, balancing the pressures of food production with the need to reduce emissions and rebuild ecological resilience. It highlights the growing recognition among farmers that industrial agriculture has contributed to environmental degradation, and profiles local efforts, such as those supported by the National Farmers Union and ALUS, to restore soil health, plant trees, protect waterways, and adopt regenerative practices. Through personal stories and practical examples, the article shows how farmers were adapting their operations not only to mitigate climate impacts but also to strengthen the long-term sustainability of their land and livelihoods.

Kawartha Lakes continues to lose historic buildings to demolition, often because owners find it easier to tear down than restore. Heritage advocates argue that once these structures disappear, so does part of the community’s identity, including its architecture, stories, and sense of place. While the city has tools like designation and heritage registers, they’re used sparingly, and provincial changes have weakened protections. The article calls for stronger political will, better incentives, and a cultural shift that sees old buildings not as obstacles but as irreplaceable assets worth preserving.

Academy Theatre’s challenges In a hard news feature by Roderick Benns as 2019 came to a close, the Academy Theatre was grappling with internal conflict, stalled decision-making, and uncertainty about its future direction. Board turnover, communication breakdowns, and questions about governance left staff, volunteers, and community partners frustrated. While the theatre remains a cherished cultural anchor, the article highlighted a growing concern that without stronger leadership, clearer vision, and renewed collaboration, the organization risked losing momentum at a time when local arts groups needed stability most. Today, the Flato Academy Theatre has a rejuvenated board of directors, new staff leadership, and plans for more original theatre programming than it has had in many years.

2020 22

Postal banking As Canada Post then (and now) grappled with challenging deficits, its union offered an interesting solution to help keep the post office relevant – a return to postal banking. Canada once offered postal banking but corporate pressure from private banks helped end the service in 1968. With many rural communities now lacking local branches — and millions of Canadians underserved by traditional banks — the article argues it’s time to revive the model. Postal outlets already exist in nearly every community, making them ideal for affordable financial services, especially for low-income residents. Advocates say restoring postal banking would strengthen communities, reduce reliance on payday lenders, and help keep Canada Post relevant.

Economic development Since 2018, Kawartha Lakes’ economic development department had been staffed entirely by women, a team driving a modern, collaboration-focused approach to local growth. Led then (and now) by Rebecca Mustard, the department prioritizes supporting existing businesses, revitalizing downtowns, strengthening cultural and agricultural sectors, and fostering entrepreneurship. Their work reflects a broader shift in economic development to relationship-building and community-wide prosperity.

Finding nature during pandemic During the early months of the pandemic, many Kawartha Lakes residents found comfort in watching the birds outside their windows. With daily life slowed, people noticed species they’d long overlooked — cardinals, chickadees, orioles, and migrating warblers — and better noticed their feeding, nesting, and behaviours. Local naturalists say this renewed attention deepened appreciation for the region’s biodiversity and reminded people how much wildlife thrives close to home. The article celebrated a simple truth: even in difficult times, nature offers connection, curiosity, and calm.

FAMILY OWNED AND LOCALLY OPERATED

Reliable internet The long-running struggle for fast, reliable internet in rural Kawartha Lakes was tackled, where slow speeds and spotty service have held back businesses, students, and families. Local residents described the daily frustrations of buffering, dropped connections, and limited provider options, while municipal leaders argue that high-speed access is now essential infrastructure — no different from roads or electricity. The piece highlighted ongoing efforts to expand fibre and improve wireless coverage, but notes that progress is uneven and often delayed. Since then, improvements have been made, partly thanks to central Ontario lobbying through the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus.

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Supporting each other during the pandemic Like everyone else, the Advocate had no idea how long the pandemic would last. While we covered the day-today news about COVID on our news site, the Advocate typically focused on features – but we didn’t want to ignore what we all were experiencing together. This article by Nancy Payne reflected how the pandemic dismantled our desire for simple answers, replacing clear rules with shifting guidance and a constantly changing sense of risk. Early optimism that life might “pick up again over the summer” faded as people confronted the emotional weight of uncertainty, decision-fatigue, and the loss of routine. Yet amid the exhaustion, the piece highlights the resilience and compassion that emerged.

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Pandemic’s effect on small businesses

Hospice experiences during pandemic

Small businesses across Kawartha Lakes weathered the pandemic far better than early predictions suggested. While a few shops closed, most adapted quickly, launching online stores, shifting to curbside pickup, and reworking operations to stay afloat. Local BIA and chamber leaders credited targeted federal supports, community loyalty, and the sheer tenacity of business owners for helping them survive a year of uncertainty. The piece ends on a hopeful note that the crisis had deepened appreciation for local businesses and strengthened the case for supporting them long-term.

The pandemic had intensified the already difficult experiences of dying and grieving, with local hospice workers and funeral professionals noting that restrictions on visits, gatherings, and rituals have left families feeling isolated and emotionally unmoored. As 2020 closed, Nancy Payne talked with healthcare staff in a feature story on hospice services, illustrating the heartbreak of patients spending final moments without loved ones present, while grieving families struggled to find closure during COVID.

Anger at LifeLabs

Unionization equals better health

Community frustration boiled over in 2020 as long, uncomfortable wait times at Lindsay’s LifeLabs – the only community lab in Kawartha Lakes at the time — left residents standing outdoors for up to two hours, often without seating or shelter. Patients described unsafe conditions, poor communication, and no clear plan from the private, for-profit provider, while comparisons to faster hospital-based services elsewhere sharpened criticism. The story underscored a decade-old policy shift that moved community bloodwork out of hospitals and into private labs, leaving locals demanding accountability and better service.

Navigating identity: Local Black residents discuss experiences This feature by Kirk Winter gathered firstperson accounts from Black residents who grew up in Kawartha Lakes, revealing a spectrum of experiences ranging from overt racism and daily microaggressions to moments of genuine community warmth. Young people like Morgan and Olivia Reevie described early encounters with racist slurs, stereotyping, and feeling isolated in a predominantly white community, while older contributors reflect on both the kindness they encountered and the persistent barriers in school, dating, and the workplace. Together, their accounts offered a candid look at what it was like to navigate identity, personal safety, and belonging in a rural community just beginning to experience more visible diversity.

Research highlighted in this guestwritten piece shows that unionized workers experience better health outcomes, with studies linking collective bargaining to higher wages, safer workplaces, and reduced stress. Experts note that unions help secure benefits like paid sick days and predictable schedules, which contribute to overall wellbeing, while local labour advocates argue that stronger worker protections translate into healthier families and communities.

Living wages A living wage is defined as the minimum income required for a worker to meet their basic needs and afford a decent standard of living. Throughout the pandemic, several small businesses in Kawartha Lakes continued paying — and in some cases raising — a living wage, with owners saying fair compensation was essential to valuing staff amid heightened stress and workload. Country Cupboard in Fenelon Falls boosted wages as business surged, while other employers held firm on above‑living‑wage rates even as revenues tightened, reflecting a broader commitment to employee well‑being and the belief that stable, fairly paid workforces are vital to long‑term community resilience.

2021

Amalgamation

Two decades after the provincial decision to dissolve the former Victoria County and create the City of Kawartha Lakes, many rural residents remained frustrated. In this feature at the 20th anniversary of amalgamation, Kirk Winter interviewed local people who argued that amalgamation had increased taxes, reduced services, and eroded local identity. However, emergency services, roads, parks and recreation, and engineering became more coordinated and consistent across the municipality, with staff able to plan and deliver services on a city-wide basis rather than through 16 separate councils.

Living with food insecurity Does productivity equal worth?

This feature followed a local resident’s lived experience with poverty, illness, and food insecurity to illustrate how deeply residents rely on local food banks. It traces the rise of food bank use in Kawartha Lakes, the systemic factors driving hunger, and the evolution of Kawartha Lakes Food Source as a community response. The story underscores that, decades after food banks were created, the root causes of hunger remain firmly in place. It is a topic the Advocate turns to regularly, as this most basic human need continues to be an intractable challenge.

Funding arts and culture

Guest author Leah Barrett Werner explored how society’s fixation on productivity shapes our sense of worth, often punishing those who cannot work due to illness, disability, or circumstance. Drawing on stories from Lindsay residents involved in the basic income pilot, it shows how social policies reinforce stigma and material hardship and argues for valuing people beyond their economic output.

This feature examined the longstanding struggle of local arts and culture organizations to secure stable municipal support, tracing years of underfunding, volunteer-driven operations, and inconsistent city investment. It highlights recent progress — including the cultural master plan, new staffing, and growing recognition of culture’s economic and community value — while underscoring the sector’s ongoing need for sustainable operational funding and coordinated advocacy.

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Women’s unpaid labour This article by Nancy Payne, in a revisitation of how society has long depended on women’s unpaid labour — from caregiving to community volunteering — and questioned whether this reliance is sustainable as burnout rises and volunteer numbers decline. Local advocates noted that women disproportionately shoulder invisible work that keeps organizations and families functioning, and warn that without structural support and recognition, communities risk losing the very contributions they’ve taken for granted.

Tracing the Indigenous history of Kawartha Lakes This feature traced the deep history of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg, the original Indigenous people of Kawartha Lakes, and examined how treaties, land loss, residential schools, and environmental disruption attempted to erase their presence. It highlighted the enduring knowledge, land stewardship, and cultural teachings that sustained the Michi Saagiig for thousands of years, urging settlers today to learn this history and commit to genuine relationship and shared responsibility.

A mission economy This publisher’s column from Roderick Benns argued that market values alone can’t address society’s biggest challenges, from climate change to public health, because the market assigns worth only where profit exists. Drawing on thinkers like Mark Carney (a few years before he became prime minister) and Mariana Mazzucato, it calls for a “mission economy” in which governments, businesses, and citizens align around shared goals to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and purpose-driven form of capitalism. 17

Political polarization

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After a federal election, we talked with Conservative MP Jamie Schmale, Liberal candidate Judi Forbes, and People’s Party candidate Alison Davidson shortly after the 2021 federal election to reflect on the results in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. They discussed the growing rural-urban political divide, the hostility and polarization seen on the campaign trail, and what the rise of shifting conservative politics might mean for future elections in the riding.

Lack of diversity on council

lindsayadvocate.ca

This feature by Kirk Winter examined how municipal councils across Ontario — including Kawartha Lakes — remain overwhelmingly older, white, male, and financially secure, creating a deep disconnect between local governments and the diverse communities they serve. It outlines the structural barriers that prevent women, racialized residents, Indigenous people, younger adults, and lower-income candidates from running, and explores potential reforms.

Columnists online include:

Jason Ward

writing about mental health and occasional features;

Sue Allen

writes about life after 40 in 'The Other Side;'

Brittany Taylor

writes about Indigenous reconciliation;

Randy Neals

offers indepth analysis on municipal and business topics;

Roderick Benns

offers additional Benns' Belief columns.

And many more great new features! 18

City’s long-term financial plan This feature centred on the city having saved only a fraction of what its long-term financial plan required, leaving a massive capital shortfall and decades of infrastructure work compressed into the next 10 years. Senior staff outline options — including annual tax increases of at least three per cent plus a dedicated 1.5 per cent capital levy — while councillors debated whether the city must raise taxes, cut services, increase debt, or sell assets to avoid further deterioration of municipal infrastructure. The subsequent years would see council move forward with a combination of tax increases and levies to bring the city’s infrastructure needs back up to par.

Buying an EV Columnist Ginny Colling reflects on her shift to a fully electric vehicle, purchased using a small inheritance from her late mother. She described the dramatic savings, low maintenance, and environmental benefits she experienced. Colling acknowledges the higher upfront cost and limited charging infrastructure — especially in Kawartha Lakes — but argues that EVs are rapidly improving, increasingly practical, and an important part of reducing emissions and improving public health.

Self-employment in Kawartha Lakes This feature explored the growing number of residents turning to selfemployment — from tradespeople and artisans to consultants and homebased entrepreneurs — and the mix of freedom and financial uncertainty that comes with it. Through local voices, it illustrated why people choose to work for themselves, the challenges of inconsistent income and limited benefits, and the resilience required to build a livelihood outside traditional employment.

Future union strength will depend on new approaches

Advocate at 50 The Advocate at 50 was a milestone edition that celebrated the magazine’s 50th edition and evolution from a small, independent startup to a widely read community voice in Kawartha Lakes. The issue blended reflection and forward-looking optimism and revisited the Advocate’s founding mission of social good, local storytelling, and community advocacy. It also sought the ideas on how to improve our communities and then published those answers.

This feature argued that unions must evolve to remain effective, especially as younger workers face precarious employment, rising living costs, and declining trust in traditional institutions. It shone a spotlight on the need for more flexible organizing models, stronger community alliances, and a renewed focus on equity and inclusion if unions are to rebuild relevance and power in the decades ahead.

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Waiting for the bus This feature looked at the lack of transportation options to get in and out of Kawartha Lakes, including how this sometimes translates into being unable to access essential medical care. The article showed how isolation, missed appointments, and delayed treatment compound into a broader public-health crisis, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated transportation solutions in rural communities. At press time – four years later after this 2022 feature was published – nothing had changed.

Finding love in a small town National childcare plan great for women, society

Exploring the quirks and challenges of dating in a small community, where everyone knows everyone and privacy is scarce, this feature looked at love. Through local voices, it showed how friendships often become the foundation for lasting relationships, offering trust, shared history, and a gentler path into romance in a place where social circles overlap.

This column by Trevor Hutchinson argued that Canada’s $30-billion national childcare plan is both a social and economic breakthrough, enabling more mothers to participate in the workforce while boosting long-term GDP. Drawing on evidence from Quebec and international models, it showed how affordable, regulated childcare strengthens families, supports gender equality, and benefits the broader economy — and why Ontario’s participation is essential for parents who stand to save thousands of dollars per child.

The last crop: Balancing agriculture with development

Words to live by This feature was fundamentally a love letter to public libraries — the sayings, insights, and small truths discovered between their shelves, and the way libraries shape a community’s moral imagination. Through reflections on favourite quotations and the comfort of returning to them, the piece argued that libraries are more than book-lenders: they are repositories of shared wisdom, places where people find guidance, grounding, and a sense of belonging.

Nancy Payne examined the growing pressure on farmland in Kawartha Lakes as residential development continues to accelerate. Farmers, planners, and local officials describe a region where agriculture remains economically vital and culturally defining, yet increasingly squeezed by housing demand, rising land values, and competing visions for growth. The article explored how to protect productive farmland, support farm families, and maintain rural character while still accommodating population growth — a balancing act that continues to shape the future of both the local economy and the landscape itself.

This opinion column by Coun. Pat Warren argued that Ontario’s Bill 23 undermines both environmental protection and the very goal it claims to advance: affordable housing. She warns that the bill weakens conservation authorities, threatens wetlands and natural heritage, and shifts costs onto municipalities and taxpayers. Warren contends that true affordability cannot be achieved by sacrificing environmental safeguards or by downloading expenses to cities already struggling with infrastructure and housing pressures.

Restoring civility

This piece by Nancy Payne closed off 2022 and reflected on the rising incivility in public life, from politics to everyday interactions. It argued that rebuilding a culture of respect starts with small, personal choices. Drawing on local examples and broader social trends, it highlights how impatience, polarization, and online hostility spill into real-world behaviour, eroding community trust. The article ultimately calls for a return to empathy, curiosity, and neighbourliness as the foundation for healthier civic dialogue in Kawartha Lakes.

Sex trafficking This guest feature written by Bella Alderton and Mike Perry explained how sex trafficking in Ontario — including in communities like Kawartha Lakes — rarely resemble the sensationalized abduction scenarios people imagine. Instead, it often begins as what appears to be a normal romantic relationship, with traffickers using affection, attention, and trust-building to groom victims before isolating and exploiting them. Drawing on insights from local frontline workers, the article outlines common warning signs, the psychological manipulation involved, and why increased public awareness is essential to protecting vulnerable youth and adults.

Bill 23’s danger to environment

We need to talk about cats Tackling the growing problem of freeroaming cats in Kawartha Lakes — both owned and feral — this article showed how significant harm occurs to local wildlife when cats are free to roam. Drawing on research and local expertise, it explained how outdoor cats kill millions of animals each year, spread disease, and contribute to declining species populations. The article urged a cultural shift toward keeping cats indoors, supporting spayand-neuter programs, and treating the issue as a genuine environmental concern rather than a quirky neighbourhood nuisance.

Emergency readiness

This feature challenged residents of Kawartha Lakes to think realistically about how they would cope if a major emergency — a long power outage, severe storm, or supply-chain disruption — lasted not hours but days or weeks. Drawing on guidance from emergency-management experts, it outlined the essentials every household should have (food, water, heat, medications, communication tools), the common gaps people overlook, and why rural communities face unique vulnerabilities. The article ultimately argued that personal preparedness isn’t alarmist; it’s a practical responsibility that strengthens the whole community when disaster strikes.

Environment under threat Local environmental experts warn that Kawartha Lakes’ wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. More than 70 per cent of Ontario’s wetlands have already been lost since European settlement began, and recent provincial policy changes had weakened protections further by limiting conservation authorities’ oversight and altering how wetlands are evaluated. In the Kawartha Lakes region, hundreds of hectares have vanished in the past decade, largely due to development and agricultural expansion. Experts argued that wetlands provide irreplaceable ecological and economic value, from clean drinking water to wildlife habitat and flood mitigation.

Punching out

Ten years after the closure of The Lindsay Post

Like many small cities across Canada, this feature traced the rise and collapse of our once-mighty manufacturing sector, focusing on the closures of Viskase, Trent Rubber, and Fleetwood between 2000 and 2007. At their peak, these factories employed hundreds and formed the backbone of local economic life, from Viskase’s midcentury boom in cellulose casings, to Trent Rubber’s experiment in employee ownership, to Fleetwood’s prolific trailer production. Global market pressures, corporate restructuring, technological shifts, and the loss of rail infrastructure ultimately converged to shutter all three plants, eliminating more than 400 jobs and reshaping the town’s industrial identity.

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Being better humans In his monthly column, Trevor Hutchinson delivered a frank, urgent call for men to confront the realities of misogyny, gender-based violence, and systemic inequality. Drawing on national data showing persistently high rates of femicide and family violence against women and girls, he argues that progress will only come when men take responsibility for changing harmful behaviours, challenging toxic masculinity, and actively supporting gender equity. The column urges men to listen to women’s experiences, advocate for reproductive rights and pay equity, and model healthier, more compassionate forms of masculinity, framing this work as essential to building a safer, more just community. This theme would be echoed in 2026 during a popular panel discussion hosted by the Advocate called Empty Seats, discussing women’s experiences in public life.

This reflective feature by Nancy Payne looks back at the 2013 shutdown of The Lindsay Post, a newspaper that had served the community for more than a century. Once a competitive daily with deep local roots, the Post gradually thinned, reduced publication, and cycled through a series of corporate owners before finally closing amid collapsing advertising revenue, digital disruption, and shrinking staff. Former employees recall the rapid industry-wide shift: centralized printing, job losses, declining subscriptions, and the rise of social media that siphoned both readers and advertisers. A decade later, former staff reflect with sadness but also note the importance of new local journalism, such as the Advocate, to keep people connected.

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Working with nature for success This upbeat feature by writer Jamie Morris took the opportunity to highlight five innovative, homegrown environmental projects across Kawartha Lakes that demonstrate how working with nature can solve real problems. From a Fenelon Falls rain-garden that filters stormwater and supports pollinators, to the ambitious tallgrass prairie restoration at Ballyduff Trails, each initiative shows residents reclaiming and strengthening local ecosystems. Together, these stories present a rare burst of environmental optimism — proof that community-driven stewardship matters. 68 Lindsay Street North, a

year after reset

This story examined whether conditions have improved at Lindsay’s most controversial supportive-housing site nearly a year after the city and KLH Housing Corporation overhauled its service model. Emergency calls and police visits had dropped significantly since the 2022 “reset,” which introduced mandatory participation in transitional programs, stricter eligibility, enhanced security, and the eviction of tenants whose behaviour endangered others. City officials and police said the building was now more stable and better supported, though they acknowledge ongoing challenges tied to addiction, mentalhealth gaps, and the behaviour of guests.

Hugh Segal and basic income

Who cares when service clubs face shrinking memberships

This profile honours the late Senator Hugh Segal, one of Canada’s most influential and persistent champions of basic income. The piece traces his decades-long fight to replace punitive, inadequate social-assistance systems with a guaranteed, dignity-focused income floor for all Canadians. It highlights Segal’s rare crosspartisan credibility — an unapologetic Progressive Conservative who argued that poverty reduction was both morally necessary and fiscally smart. The article revisits his role in shaping Ontario’s 2017 Basic Income Pilot, which ultimately saw Lindsay chosen as one of three pilot sites for the program, before the government of Doug Ford abruptly halted it.

The article by writer Geoff Coleman explores why traditional service clubs across Kawartha Lakes are shrinking even as community need grows. Groups like the Lions and Kinsmen report fewer members — especially younger ones — and difficulty filling leadership roles, despite long histories of major local contributions. Time pressures, dualincome households, and changing social habits mean people prefer flexible, low-commitment models such as the “100 Women/100 Men” groups, which offer quick, direct impact. Yet the story shows that while financial giving remains strong, hands-on volunteer labour is harder to find, even though big community projects — from splash pads to toy drives — still depend on it.

City braces for extraordinary growth

CAO Ron Taylor says Kawartha Lakes is bracing for unprecedented expansion, with Lindsay expected to nearly double by 2031 and absorb most of the city’s 22,000 new homes by 2051. Growth is concentrated there because the town already has the hospital, college, transit, and servicing capacity to support it. The city is updating water and wastewater systems, roads, bridges, landfill planning, and recreation spaces to keep pace, while insisting that “growth pays for growth” through development charges. Local business owners see opportunity but worry about traffic, parking, housing affordability, and doctor shortages. The piece captures a community preparing for rapid change.

Erica Ehm on the importance of values and the charm of Kawartha Lakes This profile from the occasional “Lunch with Roderick Benns” series captures the warmth, idealism, and creative drive of former MuchMusic VJ Erica Ehm, who has quietly become part of the Kawartha Lakes community after buying a cottage on Pleasant Point. Over lunch, she reflects on the values that have guided her life, from her early days DJ’ing in Montreal, befriending a then-unknown U2 that was on tour, to her decade shaping Canadian music television, to her later success as a songwriter, TV host, entrepreneur, and founder of YMC. Ehm speaks candidly about empathy, courageous leadership, and surrounding herself with people who share her commitment to kindness.

No news is bad news This editorial confronts the accelerating collapse of local journalism in Ontario, triggered most recently by Metroland’s shutdown of 70 print community newspapers — including Kawartha Lakes This Week — and the loss of more than 600 jobs. It situated the crisis within a broader media landscape dominated by tech giants like Meta and Google, which then captured 80 per cent of Canada’s online advertising revenue and, in Meta’s case, block Canadian news entirely. It reflects on the community impact of losing yet another local outlet, coming just a decade after the closure of The Lindsay Post. In response, the Advocate outlines its own expanded commitment to local news. One year later, it would launch Kawartha Lakes Weekly in print and online, the only all-local print newspaper.

Barely getting by The Advocate returned to the subject of living wages as 2024 began, noting that a Kawartha Lakes’ official living wage was $20.60/ hour (now $22.20 in 2026) and how even that falls far short of what residents actually need to survive. Families with young children, gigeconomy workers, and tradespeople earning above that threshold all describe being squeezed by soaring rents, food prices, fuel costs, and childcare. Many rely on multiple jobs, undeclared work, or living with parents to stay afloat. Advocates argue higher wages reduce turnover and boost the local economy.

Academy Theatre needs ongoing municipal support This column by Roderick Benns argues that the Flato Academy Theatre — one of Kawartha Lakes’ most important cultural assets — needs stable, annual municipal funding rather than occasional one-off grants. Despite the city’s own data showing that every dollar invested in culture returns between $3.70 and $11.70 to the community, the Academy Midwife care receives no dedicated budget growing in line, even though nearly 90 per cent of Ontario community popularity theatres do. The piece argues that if the city promotes the Academy The article shows how demand for midwifery as a cultural jewel, it should also in Kawartha Lakes has surged as more women help sustain it. seek personalized, low-intervention birthing

Healing hands: Convincing new doctors to call this city home

options. The Kawartha Community Midwives clinic now serves hundreds of clients a year, offering continuity of care, longer appointments, home-birth options, and a relationship-based model many families say they can’t find in traditional hospital settings. Midwives emphasize safety, working closely with Ross Memorial Hospital and transferring care when needed, while clients highlight feeling heard, supported, and empowered. Despite growing interest, the profession faces long waitlists and limited provincial funding.

2024 70

Trevor Hutchinson wrote this feature about how local health leaders are trying to attract and keep doctors in Kawartha Lakes, especially by exposing U of T medical students to rural practice through a “Rural Medicine Experience Day” at Ross Memorial Hospital. The piece emphasized the scale of Ontario’s doctor shortage, the challenges rural communities face in recruiting physicians, and the case that rural medicine can offer both meaningful work and a better work-life balance.

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Building a stronger future for Tibet

There’s something about Downeyville

This feature by Ian McKechnie traces the deep, 50year relationship between Lindsay and its Tibetan community, centred on the Rabgey family and the long-running Machik Lindsay Dinner. After arriving as refugees in the 1970s, Pencho and Tsering Rabgey built new lives in Lindsay while raising daughters Losang and Tashi, who went on to become internationally recognized scholars. In 2002, the family helped establish the Chungba Primary School in rural Tibet, which grew into Machik, a global NGO supporting Tibetan education and community development. The Rabgeys reflect on Lindsay’s decades of solidarity and the belief that small, committed communities can drive meaningful change across the world.

A classic Advocate feature that blends personal stories with community, Geoff Coleman explores why tiny Downeyville — an Irish Catholic hamlet in Kawartha Lakes — punches far above its weight in community spirit. Anchored by St. Luke’s Catholic Church and its bustling hall, the village sustains an unusually strong culture of volunteering, multigenerational events, and neighbour-to-neighbour support. Residents trace this cohesion back to the original 1825 Irish settlers, whose shared hardships forged a tradition of cooperation that still defines the community. Longstanding families, deep roots, and a sense of extended kinship shape everything from fundraisers to jamborees to welcoming newcomers.

Local healthcare needs major fix

This guest column by Dr. Bert Lauwers argues that Kawartha Lakes needs a population-based master plan to deal with the family doctor shortage and improve access to primary care. Lauwers says the plan should create a sevendays-a-week clinic for unattached patients, reduce pressure on the emergency department, and include strategies to recruit and retain more physicians. He also linked the crisis to retirements, doctors leaving comprehensive family practice, rapid growth, and systemic problems such as paperwork and compensation that make family medicine less attractive. 23

Mortgage mayhem

Citizens are hungry

Calling out racism

This column by Trevor Hutchinson pointed out that despite strong community generosity, food insecurity in Kawartha Lakes is worsening. Kawartha Lakes Food Source expected nearly 3,000 more food-bank visits in this year—almost a 30 per cent increase — driven by high rents, inflation, climate impacts, labour shortages, and global instability. Hutchinson called for national action, including a food pricing code of conduct, stronger competition in the grocery sector, and investigations into price-fixing.

This column was a direct appeal by the publisher, Roderick Benns, to the community at large to choose to confront the rise in racist behaviour in Kawartha Lakes, especially the surge of online hostility aimed at the area’s growing Indian population. Drawing on his own memories of growing up in a largely homogeneous Lindsay of the 1970s and ’80s, the writer reflects on how casual intolerance once went unchallenged — and how some of those same attitudes now reappear behind the anonymity of message boards and social media.

Commuting realities

The wave of mortgage renewals in Canada was the topic of this feature, colliding with much higher interest rates, leaving many local borrowers worried about payment shocks – something still relevant in 2026. It used local examples to show how people are responding: some are renegotiating through brokers, some are shifting debt into their mortgage to lower overall monthly costs, and some are even considering renting instead of buying again.

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Writer Aliyah Mansur showcased three Kawartha Lakes residents whose long commutes to Toronto shape – or have shaped – their daily lives in different ways. High school teacher Dawn Legrow spends two to three hours each way from Reaboro, while Chris Schmidt relies on a self-driving car for his twice-weekly trips. Former commuter Robyn James reflects on the relief of having left the grind behind. All describe the rising financial burden — gas, Highway 407 tolls, weatherrelated hotel stays — along with worsening traffic and increasingly unpredictable weather that heighten stress and safety concerns.

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International Plowing Match comes to city The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo came to Kawartha Lakes in 2024, bringing in more than 50,000 visitors and generating millions of dollars in economic activity. The IPM highlighted the excellence and innovation of our local agricultural community. With captivating exhibits, hands-on educational workshops, and lively entertainment, there was something for everyone.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

This feature by Aliyah Mansur on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) from 2024 showed that cases were rising sharply in Kawartha Lakes by then, mirroring national trends. At Ross Memorial Hospital, cases more than doubled since 2021, reflecting a 30 per cent year-overyear increase as seen across Canada. The article explains how MAID works through two tracks: one for patients whose natural death is foreseeable, and another requiring a lengthy, three-month review period when death is not imminent.

2025

83 84 Celebrating women while undervaluing them

In the March edition in 2025, guest writer Erica Ehm’s column argues that while International Women’s Day is meant to celebrate women, it also exposes how deeply society continues to undervalue them. She points to the persistent gender pay gap and the unequal burden of domestic labour, which became especially stark Here comes the sun during the pandemic. Her friend, a senior Environmental columnist Ginny Colling government official and kicked at the darkness of January mother, is held up as an by writing about the rapid rise of example: expected to solar power. As the world’s cheapest manage a household and fastest-growing source of new and a high-pressure job electricity, global installations now add simultaneously, while the equivalent of a nuclear reactor every her male colleagues day. The column explored how local worked uninterrupted residents Jamie and Glenda Morris have thanks to the invisible benefited from solar power. Through labour of their wives. rooftop solar, supported by federal grants and loans, solar now offsets their annual electricity use.

The lost art of conversation Guest writer Richard Gauder reflected on the reality that real conversation is slipping away as digital communication becomes our default. Phones, social media, and algorithm-driven outrage reward speed and reaction, not depth, leaving people less patient, less empathetic, and more isolated. The pandemic accelerated the shift, shrinking our “third places” — cafés, clubs, churches, community spaces — where strangers once naturally mixed and talked. Gauder argues that recovering the art of conversation requires intention: seeking face-to-face interactions, listening with curiosity, paying attention to non-verbal cues, and reviving storytelling as a way to build understanding.

Small town, big dreams

Tariff war brings a new Canadian focus

This feature by historical writer Ian McKechnie explores the tension between Lindsay’s rapid growth and the small-town character residents cherish. Downtown landmarks like the Olympia and Kindred Coffee Bar still embody the intimacy and familiarity people associate with Lindsay — places where staff know your name and conversations spill across tables. But just minutes away, widened highways, new subdivisions, and bigbox development signal a community on the brink of major transformation.

In this local business story, area manufacturers discussed bracing for the Canada–U.S. tariff war, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff attacks that seem to change almost daily and Canada’s retaliation driving up costs and shaking longstanding cross-border relationships. Ideal Roofing and Lindsay Paper Box Company both expected at the time to shift more attention to Canadian markets. Government programs offer support, but business leaders say uncertainty remains the biggest threat.

89 90 Arctic security radar site

The generations This feature by Sarah Fournier gathered five Kawartha Lakes residents to reflect on how different eras shape values, communication, and expectations. The now-late Zarina Decambra (Silent Generation) recalled a childhood of strict obedience and little emotional expression and then found herself in a lively multigenerational home. Boomer Peter Sanderson remembers a freer, more communal Lindsay and worries that screens have replaced the unstructured play that once built resilience. Gen-Xer Jason Ward sees his cohort as the bridge between analogue and digital life, shaped by taverns, music scenes, and face-to-face connection. Millennial Sue Allen tries to give her kids the outdoor freedom she had while navigating the pressures of constant technology. Gen Z participant Sage Stapleton embraces digital life but admires older generations’ ease with direct, offline communication. Across the board, participants rejected stereotypes and instead pointed to the economic and cultural forces that shaped them.

Patriotism strong across Kawartha Lakes

The Advocate was the first to report on the federal government selecting Kawartha Lakes as one of two national transmit sites for Canada’s new Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system — a major milestone in the country’s $39-billion plan to modernize NORAD – despite local pushback from area residents. The Department of National Defence has acquired 163 hectares of land north of Bexley Township for the project, which will allow Canada to detect threats far beyond the range of traditional radar by bouncing signals off the ionosphere.

This feature captured the surging sense of pride across Canada including Kawartha Lakes, sparked by repeated dismissive comments from the U.S. president and intensified by the tariff war – something that continues to this day. Residents describe a collective “back-straightening” — a renewed desire to buy Canadian, fly the flag, and assert national identity. Lindsay business owner Steve Turner now stocks only Canadian team jerseys and avoids U.S. suppliers wherever possible, echoing a broader shift he sees among local entrepreneurs. Snowbirds returning from Florida report feeling a sharper political edge there, making Canada’s unity and patriotism feel newly energizing.

Choosing a child-free life This feature by Robyn Best explores the growing number of Canadians choosing not to have children — a shift reflected in falling fertility rates and new Statistics Canada data showing 34 per cent of people aged 15–49 have no plans for kids. Economic pressures, climate anxiety, and changing social norms all play a role, but the article focuses on the lived experiences behind the trend. All three couples interviewed describe the persistent stigma they face — from assumptions that they “couldn’t” have children to judgments that they’re selfish or will regret it. The article situates these experiences within broader demographic research showing that declining fertility is tied to urbanization, women’s education, and shifting values.

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In our current year of publication, we kicked off 2026 with a focus on newcomers to Kawartha Lakes, who often struggle to find work that matches their skills and to feel a sense of belonging in a largely rural, homogenous community. In this feature, the Advocate identified what has become a key issue for this city in the coming years – ensuring better settlement for recent newcomers. KLHIISA, a volunteer-run immigrant support group, helps newcomers with job searches, training, and community integration, and works directly with employers to match candidates and support them long-term. Many immigrants report isolation, but KLHIISA’s events and partnerships aim to build connection and confidence.

Vital Signs: The state of wellbeing in Kawartha Lakes The inaugural Vital Signs report from the Kawartha Community Foundation offered the clearest picture yet of how Kawartha Lakes is doing across 11 indicators of community health. Writer Sarah Fournier highlights three of the urgent pressure points in the report: high rates of preventable and treatable deaths, one of the oldest populations in Ontario, and a dramatic rise in immigration without matching local supports. Municipal leaders say the Vital Signs report will become a roadmap for aligning services, funding, and partnerships. Community groups see it as a tool for unity and smarter local giving.

New immigrants in Kawartha Lakes

Snizhanna Otych on fleeing Ukraine In this feature length interview with Roderick Benns, Snizhanna Otych reflects on fleeing Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, leaving behind her home, career, and the familiar foods and traditions that shaped her life. Now living in Lindsay with her husband and family, she spoke about the emotional toll of displacement — the fear of war, the pain of separation from loved ones, and the challenge of rebuilding in a new country. Cooking dishes from her home country help her stay connected to her identity, even as she adapts to Canadian life. Her story highlights both the resilience of Ukrainians forced to leave everything behind, and the ongoing trauma caused by Russia’s war.

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95 Celebrating Black History

In February of this year, Kawartha Lakes marked Black History Month with events that highlighted both local stories and broader contributions of Black Canadians. The celebrations emphasized education, community connection, and recognition of Black residents whose histories are often overlooked in rural areas. As this city’s Black population grows, speakers and organizers noted that learning about Black history helps build understanding and inclusion, especially in communities where diversity is growing.

How small gestures can help combat loneliness

This feature by writers Robyn Best and Ian McKechnie examines the growing loneliness crisis in Kawartha Lakes through the experiences of residents who’ve found themselves suddenly isolated. Local experts point to broader forces deepening the problem: social media replacing real interaction, shrinking community spaces, and the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic. Rev. Glenn Kukkola warns that online substitutes for connection can worsen loneliness, while Community Care’s Ryan Alexander highlights how simple supports — a meal delivery, a ride, a friendly visit — can restore a sense of belonging.

From wine glass to weed gummies The proliferation of cannabis retail outlets prompted the Advocate’s feature on alcohol vs. cannabis use. The article explores this shift in Kawartha Lakes, where some residents say gummies help them unwind without the after-effects of alcohol. Health experts note that while cannabis isn’t riskfree, regulated edibles offer a controlled alternative that some people find easier on their bodies and routines. The trend reflects a wider cultural move toward reducing alcohol consumption and experimenting with legal cannabis.

Unveiling the jail in plain sight In this hard-hitting guest feature by lawyer and guest writer Jason Ward, he explores how the Central East Correctional Centre faces overcrowding, staffing shortages, and a growing reliance on incarceration for people struggling with mental health, poverty, and addiction. His piece also raises questions about transparency and public awareness, noting that the jail shapes the Vital Signs: community socially and economically even as it Wellbeing remains largely hidden indicators from view. The Advocate kicks off a 12-part series by longtime former journalist Mike Puffer on the Vital Signs report – which writer Sarah Fournier first explored in October of 2025. This overview examines all 11 key indicators of community wellbeing in Kawartha Lakes, from housing and income to health, safety, education, and the environment. The findings show a mixed picture: strong community engagement and natural assets, but ongoing challenges in affordability, access to services, and economic stability. Overall, it offers a data-driven snapshot of how the community is doing — and where focused investment could make the biggest difference.

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100 Affordable, attainable homes For our 100th issue, we turned to a familiar and important topic – housing. Kawartha Lakes is experiencing rapid growth, but housing supply isn’t keeping pace. The Foundry, Lindsay’s new eight-storey, 110-unit building opening in 2027, reflects both demand and pressure. With only 17 per cent of local housing available as rental and three per cent subsidized, the gap is widening and buildings like this are needed. At the same time, Norsemen Haus is advancing a different solution — attainable homeownership. Their Scandinavian-inspired two-bedroom homes, priced around $356,000, aim to serve middleincome residents while offering flexible options such as additional dwellings on existing properties. Both projects highlight the urgency identified in the city’s 10-year housing strategy.

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Manosphere Last month, Robyn Best writes about the rise of the online “manosphere,” a sprawling network of influencers who turn male insecurity into a lucrative brand. Her piece traces how figures like Andrew Tate and his imitators package misogyny, rigid gender roles, and one‑way monogamy as self‑help — messaging that now reaches boys and young men in Kawartha Lakes as easily as anywhere else. Best shows how these narratives can shape attitudes about relationships, power, and masculinity, and why media literacy matters more than ever as we mark this milestone issue.

Whoops! Yes, that’s right. It’s actually our 102nd issue of the Advocate because of two numbering errors we made over the last nine years of producing the magazine. At least it’s clear we’re human beings and not AI. But celebrating our 100th just made the most sense. As always, thank you for reading! — Fireside Publishing House

sarah’s say •

With intention By Sarah Fournier Contributor

WHILE MY FRIEND BRAIDED her hair, we knew not to interrupt her. She was preparing to serve as lead female dancer at the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 49th Annual Competition Pow Wow, and she was praying as she braided. Watching her get ready, I began to understand something that would stay with me throughout my first pow wow: very little of what I was about to experience seemed to be without intention. Every piece of her regalia had meaning. There was meaning I could see, meaning that was explained to me, and undoubtedly much more that I was only beginning to appreciate. I grew up Highland dancing, so parts of the day felt strangely familiar while being entirely new. I know the nerves of performing and the significance of traditional dress. But here, I was outside my own traditions and very conscious of how much I didn’t know. And yet, I felt incredibly welcome. There was room to learn, ask questions, and at times, participate. My friend’s partner even made strawberry drink from scratch for us to bring along for the day – a delicious pow wow staple I didn’t know existed. When an announcement asked everyone to stand while the elder women danced, I stood. The same request wasn’t made during the men’s category, and I later asked about the distinction. It was explained to me that women, as life bearers, hold a particular place of respect within the community. I was moved by the power of standing together and seeing this honour expressed so collectively. 28

At other times, the invitation was more literal. When my friend brought me into an intertribal dance, I initially felt self-conscious, like an intruder in a space that wasn’t mine. But she stayed with me and showed me what to do, explaining the importance of keeping my steps with the beat of the drum. As we moved around the circle, I relaxed. I wasn’t expected to know. I was being given the opportunity to learn.

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The drums, singing, and dancing was remarkable. I found myself completely absorbed in the movement of the dancers and the regalia, each person expressing something distinctly individual while participating in traditions much larger than themselves.

When my friend brought me into an intertribal dance, I initially felt self-conscious, like an intruder in a space that wasn’t mine. But she stayed with me and showed me what to do, explaining the importance of keeping my steps with the beat of the drum. The beauty first caught my attention, but by the end of the day, I found myself thinking more about what existed beneath it: the preparation, the protocols, and the ways ancestry was honoured. This month, I’m hoping to take my children to the pow wow at Curve Lake First Nation. I’m grateful they’ll have an opportunity to experience Indigenous culture as something living and present in the communities around them. I hope they’ll ask questions, although there will be plenty I won’t know how to answer. Maybe that’s what I’m looking forward to most: experiencing it again and continuing to learn with them.

Find Sarah at colourandcode.ca

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GOOD MEDICINE NEW MD CONNECTED CLINIC COMING TO LINDSAY THIS FALL By Robyn Best

D Connected is opening a new location in Lindsay this fall. Launching in 2016, “our main focus was really on providing care to people in rural communities,” said Venky Weylagro, co-CEO of the company. If the name sounds familiar, MD Connected was providing telemedicine out of Rexall in the Lindsay Square Mall until the end of December. They had created a hybrid model where they had brick and mortar locations with experienced staff to triage and do consultations and then the patient would be connected with a doctor remotely. “We’ve pivoted away from virtual or telemedicine clinics, and we started operating family practices or more comprehensive centres,” Weylagro said. They currently have nine of these clinics, but in September that number will go up to 11. During their time in the mall, Weylagro realized that there is a large demand for doctors in the Lindsay area, so they didn’t renew their lease, and are preparing to open a new clinic at 76 William Street North this October. “There’s all these Ontarians who don’t have a doctor, or don’t have good access to care, and we want to close that gap,” Weylagro said. Once opened, the William Street clinic will have 10 exam rooms, five full-time doctors, and a couple of specialists that will be announced at a later time, once they know which specialists are in demand in the community. Weylagro, along with co-CEO Rakesh Mistry, have been able to set patients up in other area with psychiatrists in under a month, something he said would take much longer in other models of health care. 30

The new practice is expected to open on William Street in October, a temporary location will open this month in Kent Place Mall. Photo: Robyn Best.

Eventually, the clinic will also offer urgent care, for serious but non-emergency cases. The hope is to alleviate wait times at Ross Memorial Hospital and leave the waiting room there open for those with emergencies. Walk-in care will also be provided, even for those who have a family doctor. An on-site pharmacy will be available, allowing patients to pick up their prescriptions the same day as their appointment. On top of primary care physicians who can provide services including annual physicals, chronic disease management and prescription renewals, nurses are also on site. They’ll be able to provide support for immunizations, wound care, vital monitoring and care coordination.

The question of how to attract doctors to rural communities is one that’s been long asked. MD Connected is looking to solve this issue using a turnkey model. Traditionally, doctors work like a business owner, and aside from practicing medicine they also spend a substantial amount of time on tasks including paperwork, managing an office, and accounting. MD Connected takes care of those administrative tasks. “(Doctors) get to come in and they just get to focus on medicine. They don’t have to worry about marketing, administrative tasks or hiring,” Weylagro said. Weylagro has found this model to be well suited for rural areas. “There are some heavily populated communities where patients look at (having a doctor) more as something they’re supposed to get as opposed to a privilege,” he said. In their rural locations, he’s found residents to be welcoming to new clinics opening, and a sense of gratitude for making access to those clinics easy. The William Street location won’t be open until October, but with doctors already signed up, a temporary location will open in Kent Place Mall this September. For more information on how to sign up for a doctor and when doors will open go to mdconnected.ca. LA

The Yacht Club had its grand opening in August. Photo: Darren Hoiting.

GORDON YACHT HARBOUR EXPANDS WITH NEW YACHT CLUB RESTAURANT By Robyn Best

ordon Yacht Harbour recently had a grand opening for their new bar and restaurant The Yacht Club, located in Bobcaygeon. Located on the waterway, boaters can now dock their boats and enjoy a meal. The restaurant has been open for about a month, and with no advertising customers have been coming in through word of mouth. “We run at about 80 to 90 per cent locals as opposed to tourists,” said Carlo Allegri, who along with his wife Angel, took over the business in 2024. “It’s been pretty humbling, the community response we’ve had,” Carlo said. Since opening they’ve had a steady influx of customers.

Venky Weylagro is the co-CEO of MD Connected. Photo: Robyn Best.

Everything is made in-house and only fresh ingredients are used. While some have been asking if they plan to offer items like chicken wings, they’re adamant that no deep fryer will ever be installed. With boaters just feet away from the kitchen, they made the decision that they didn’t want the smell of deep fryers and oil to be what customers take away from their experience.

The couple wanted to bring all the things they liked from other dining experiences to The Yacht Harbour, including happy hour seven days a week, and frequent events. Currently they have live music on Sundays, trivia on Mondays, and Wednesdays alternate between karaoke and open-mic nights. “It’s pretty humbling to have a vision, create something, and have it come to life with people’s energy,” Carlo said.

“We run at about 80 to 90 per cent locals as opposed to tourists.” The space can also be used for business functions, with some employee appreciation events and presentations being hosted already. The couple are happy to be a place residents, tourists, and other businesses can visit. “It’s pretty cool that we’re, in many ways, able to give back to the community,” Carlo said. Currently the restaurant is seasonal, and weather permitting they plan to remain open until Oct. 31. LA

LINDSAY BLOCK PARTY RETURNS MARIPOSA DAIRY AND ARMADA TOOLWORKS INVEST IN INNOVATION By Rebecca Mustard

ON AUG. 17 THE HONOURABLE EVAN SOLOMON, minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, was in Lindsay to announce more than $7 million to support two Kawartha Lakes-based businesses: Mariposa Dairy Ltd. and Armada Toolworks Ltd.

This was a particularly memorable event. Mariposa Dairy and Armada Toolworks are two of the largest employers in Kawartha Lakes. They have both grown their businesses in Lindsay and sell their products well beyond our community. Both are known internationally as leaders in their industries. They are both also a reminder that growth rarely happens in isolation. Throughout the day, a consistent theme emerged; there is a network of people and organizations behind growth. Businesses rely on skilled employees, suppliers, support organizations, industry associations, governments, and funders, as they make decisions to invest and expand. In economic development, we often call this an “ecosystem.” The ecosystem in Kawartha Lakes is helping businesses grow. Mariposa Dairy and Armada Toolworks are investing in innovation to sustain and grow their businesses. We don’t always see what is happening inside businesses as we pass them on the road. These two businesses are a great reminder that Kawartha Lakes is home to a supportive ecosystem and businesses that are growing, investing in innovation, and shaping their industries. Innovation happens here. Rebecca Mustard is the manager of economic development for Kawartha Lakes.

FASHION SHOW, LIVE MUSIC AND DOWNTOWN TAKEOVER By Robyn Best

he Downtown Lindsay Block Party is back for its second year on Sept. 11-12.

The event was created last year as local business owners Kelly Patton, of Homethreads, and Jess Moynes, of Unwrapped, wanted a celebration that kept a small-town feeling to a rapidly growing community. On Friday Sept. 11 from 4-8 p.m. downtown Lindsay will be home to live music, late night shopping and food vendors. The highlight of the evening will be a fashion show from 6-7 p.m., where local retailers will showcase the latest fashion trends. Participating stores are Cathy Allan, Nisbett’s Clothiers, Brittany’s N Bros, Homethreads, Down To Earth Adventure Outfitters, and The Lingerie Loft. Tickets are available to purchase at Cathy Allan Ladieswear and Homethreads Boutique. Regular admission tickets are $5 and includes a seat along the red carpet, VIP admission is $25 and includes one free drink from the Lindsay Brewing Company, a seat in the VIP section and a swag bag. The following day, local vendors will be taking over downtown Lindsay from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with various tent sales happening, more live music and a kid’s zone. Patton said last year’s event was a success with more than 500 people in attendance. “There’ll be a ton of sales, and it’s just a great way to have the community come together,” she said. “It’s a great event and I think there’s lot for everybody to do.” The weekly farmers market will be running as normal on Saturday morning and Kent Street will be closed to traffic from Victoria Avenue to Lindsay Street. LA

LINDSAY NAMED KEY LOCATION IN SMARTCENTRES RETAIL EXPANSION By Randy Neals

wo major commercial developments along Highway 35 could reshape shopping, employment and the local economy in Lindsay, as years of speculation about Walmart and Home Depot begin to look increasingly substantial. SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust has identified Lindsay as one of three key locations in its national Retail Development Growth Program, alongside Kingston and Winnipeg. The company has also released a site plan for a 16.2-acre Lindsay development containing more than 200,000 square feet of commercial space. At the centre of the plan is a roughly 143,000-square-foot anchor building, surrounded by seven smaller commercial buildings and extensive parking.

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SmartCentres has not publicly identified the anchor tenant. However, its investor materials highlight Walmart as a major partner in its retail growth program and specifically note that Lindsay, a community of approximately 27,000 people, currently has no Walmart location. For residents who have heard Walmart rumours for more than two decades, the combination is difficult to overlook. Still, neither SmartCentres nor Walmart Canada has formally announced a Lindsay Walmart. Next door, the Craft Development lands at Colborne Street West include property registered to Home Depot. Land ownership does not guarantee a store will be built, and Home Depot has also not announced a Lindsay location.

Together, the developments could establish an entirely new retail district in northwest Lindsay, bringing hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial space and potentially hundreds of jobs to the corridor. A larger retail cluster could also help keep more consumer spending within Kawartha Lakes rather than seeing residents travel to Peterborough, Oshawa and other communities for retailers unavailable locally. Unlike previous rounds of speculation, change is now visible on the ground. Heavy equipment is working in the area, land is being graded and infrastructure is being prepared. Plans also include extending Sylvester Drive west to Highway 35 and creating a new signalized intersection. The developments coincide with Ministry of Transportation plans being studied for Highway 35, further transforming Lindsay’s northern entrance. For decades, the northwest development story centred on one question: Is Walmart coming? That question remains officially unanswered. But with SmartCentres placing Lindsay in its national growth program, Home Depot owning neighbouring land and construction activity underway, northwest Lindsay is clearly emerging as a new retail and commercial district. LA Read the full story on the all-new lindsayadvocate.ca

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Local income gaps reveal a complex economic picture Analyzing 11 major indicators of community wellbeing through Vital Signs By Mike Puffer Illustrations by Ruth Kelly-Koebel

obody likes to see a barely passing grade on a report card. When it comes to income and poverty, Ontario’s D-minus amounts to a clear verdict: needs improvement.

As for the community’s wealth and poverty levels, Kawartha Lakes incomes trail provincial averages but drawing conclusions as to why is complex. The recently published Vital Signs report attempts to In June, Food Banks Canada released Poverty come up with some of the reasons why Report Cards for every province and territo- there is a wide range of household inry, assigning each a letter grade for overall af- comes throughout the municipality. fordability. Ontario’s D-minus was worse than the national grade of D-plus but higher than Is it possible to concoct a profile of the New Brunswick’s F, the lowest score. Quebec average Kawartha Lakes citizen? Probatopped the report card with a C. bly not. Yet, recent analysis and studies of our community in attempts to accurately There is little consolation in knowing that On- and beneficially provide a snapshot of the tario — and our community — are not far out local population and highlight potential of step with the rest of the country. As the future opportunities, there are characAdvocate’s August report on food security in teristics that are consistent. Collectively, Kawartha Lakes highlighted, more than one in they create what officials and decision five local households experience food insecu- makers hope is a realistic scan of the currity. That figure is slightly below the provincial rent population and what to expect in the average of 25 per cent, but it still reflects a se- years ahead. rious local challenge. 35

The Vital Signs community report conducted by the Kawartha Community Foundation and Kawartha Works Community Co-operative is comprised of 11 major indicators of community wellbeing. Vital Signs information and data can be used as a tool for future strategic planning and decision-making by council, local service providers, businesses and organizations large and small. The study shows that family incomes for local residents under age 54 are as high, or higher, than Ontario averages, pointing to stronger earning potential among younger households. However, a gap emerges among older residents, whose incomes are much lower than those of their peers elsewhere. This disparity may partly reflect the community’s high rate of voluntary retirement. Kawartha Lakes has one of the largest senior populations in the province and has long been a retirement destination. Although rising costs — especially housing — are creating financial strain for many, the area continues to appeal to people looking to spend their retirement years here.

“If the average and median income level here is lower than Ontario overall, it’s partially because of the nature of employment opportunities here, and because of…our large retiree population,” says Jim Armstrong. He is founder and past president of the Community Co-operative and one of the researchers and writers of Vital Signs. The report’s statistical analysis shows that low-income rates in Kawartha Lakes, though found throughout the municipality, are predominately concentrated in the southwest and central parts of Lindsay. Other key indicators such as percentages of renters and members of the population with a high school diploma are higher than provincial levels, according to the city’s Human Services Department. Though not surprised by the income findings, Armstrong feels that things could improve in years ahead, as a “radiating circle” of younger generations looks to Kawartha Lakes for opportunities and affordable living. “I like to think that Kawartha Lakes is going to be seen as a positive place to live and work for people of any age,” he says.

The closer one looks at the local statistics, analysts could draw a conclusion that Kawartha Lakes’ situation isn’t extremely worse than the overall provincial picture at this time.

Another local official watching the trends and statistics is Rebecca Mustard, manager of economic development with the city. In 2024, the city conducted a “situational analysis” study as part of the Kawartha Lakes Economic Development Strategy. It gives a “statistical snapshot in time for a number of data points including demographics, labour force, business mix and economic output. It also dives into changes over time, trends occurring locally, and comparisons between Kawartha Lakes and Ontario,” Mustard says. “The situational analysis is similar to the Vital Signs report in that it provides a statistic. Ideally that statistic starts a conversation about the future you want to create,” Mustard explains.

In June, Food Banks Canada released Poverty Report Cards for every province and territory, assigning each a letter grade for overall affordability. Ontario’s D-minus was worse than the national grade of D-plus but higher than New Brunswick’s F, the lowest score. Quebec topped the report card with a C.

Data contained in the study of local incomes relies upon the most recent census of Canada, published after 2021. The current 2026 census, with findings to be completed in a year, may reveal a different overall picture as far as average and median household incomes in Kawartha Lakes are concerned.

The closer one looks at the local statistics, analysts could draw a conclusion that Kawartha Lakes’ situation isn’t extremely worse than the overall provincial picture at this time. Mustard agrees.

“The way we read the numbers and see them as positive or negative can often be based on our own context of what’s happening locally and what we want to see in the community.” A growing, vibrant economy is one of four priorities in council’s strategic plan. For the Economic Development department, its economic development strategy “strives to continue investing to create a thriving economy and cultural vibrancy.”

For the report, Mustard says interesting statistics emerged, including confirmation on the importance of the agriculture industry to the local economy; the importance of small business to the community; and while the participation rate of working age population is slightly lower than Ontario average, youth participation rates are higher. “The data suggested that there are opportunities to increase the number of jobs in the community, as there are about 50 per cent more workers in Kawartha Lakes across industries and occupations compared to available jobs within the city,” Mustard says. Armstrong also sees some shifting trends in the years ahead. “The intended direction is to increase our local population. It all needs more analysis, but that’s why Vital Signs is an ongoing process.”

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For the report, Mustard says interesting statistics emerged, including confirmation on the importance of the agriculture industry to the local economy; the importance of small business to the community. Hopes for improving conditions in the coming years are little solace for members of the local population experiencing the most severe economic challenges. Nicole Bryant, executive director of A Place Called Home shelter in Lindsay points out that individuals relying on Ontario Works benefits receive $780 a month in support. For such people, “It’s often a choice between a roof over their head or eating. How are people supposed to get by like that?” Bryant says. Vital Signs research also shows that despite lower incomes, local poverty levels appear to mirror the rest of Ontario, suggesting resilience to a degree, but also a “precarious balance.” Many local residents are struggling to achieve affordable and healthy living conditions in a challenging local economy. What does the current economic situation mean for them? That will be examined more closely next month with a look at the “Work and the Economy” indicator in Vital Signs. LA

Next month: an examination of Vital Signs’ Work and the Economy indicator.

Mike Puffer has lived and worked in Lindsay all of his adult life. Retired since 2022, he is heavily involved in the community as a volunteer with many local organizations, and enjoys golfing, biking, hiking and travelling with his wife Cathy.

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An opioid does not care why you took it. It only asks that you keep taking it.

Legally lethal THE OPIOID IN DISGUISE By Jason Ward

ou can buy an opioid in Kawartha Lakes tonight, with no prescription, no ID and no age verification. People reach for it the way they once reached for OxyContin: to dull pain, to quiet a black mood, to get off stronger drugs. It works the same switches in the brain as morphine and fentanyl. It is legal, it is called kratom (KRAY-tum) and most of us have never heard of it. In the United States, it has been found in more than 5,200 overdose deaths. The true toll runs higher. Here, it comes to our mailboxes and inconspicuously sits behind our counters. Yet almost no one is watching. This is not the opioid you have heard about for a decade. It came not from a poppy but in the mail, wearing an anodyne wellness label. At low doses it stimulates; at higher doses it acts like an opioid, true to its compounds. An opioid does not care why you took it. It only asks that you keep taking it. This is not a story of curious teenagers. Or reckless thrill seekers. In one survey, the average user was 40. Nine in 10 took it for pain, two-thirds for anxiety or depression, four in 10 to get off opioids. Neighbours with sore backs and sleepless nights,

sure that natural means safe and legal means watched. Neither is true. Soon the doses come every few hours, to hold off implacable withdrawal. One toxicologist put it plainly: kratom “does produce dependence and withdrawal, just like heroin or OxyContin or fentanyl.” In one study, a quarter of users met the criteria for a use disorder. Nobody plans an addiction. It arrives one reasonable dose at a time.

It works the same switches in the brain as morphine and fentanyl. It is legal, it is called kratom (KRAY-tum) and most of us have never heard of it. Kratom does not act alone. It pushes on the brain’s mood chemistry as well as its opioid switch, while jamming the liver enzymes that clear our antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills. Taken with those pills, in so many medicine cabinets, mine included, it can trigger a dangerous overload or stop the breath. The danger is not the powder alone. It is the powder colliding with medicine we trust. 39

24th It is also perfectly legal to hold. Health Canada has never approved kratom for anyone to swallow, warns of seizures, liver damage and dependence and has seized it from Ontario convenience stores. It is not scheduled, though, and sellers work the penumbra: the label reads, “not for human consumption,” and everyone knows better. Legal to hold is not safe to swallow. One Canadian site promises, “Lab-Tested Kratom Delivered Across Kawartha Lakes” in “a plain box with no product names.” I ordered some: a few clicks, a checkbox for age 18. Payment was the tell: no credit card, an e-transfer to a personal Gmail account under a name unrelated to kratom, told to keep the word “kratom” off it. A legal product does not ask you to hide its name from your bank. It sells in town too, subtly behind random counters.

Health Canada has never approved kratom for anyone to swallow, warns of seizures, liver damage and dependence and has seized it from Ontario convenience stores. Elsewhere, people are dying. Where the deaths were studied, examiners ruled kratom a cause of death in most of them. Poison-control calls are up more than twelvefold in a decade. Even that is an undercount. Kratom does not show up on a routine drug screen, few labs test for it and the CDC says its count understates the dead. The newest products are engineered. Concentrated tablets, far stronger than the leaf, now face a U.S. ban. Canada is not exempt: a kratom death is on the public record, use here rose significantly since 2023, and those tablets ship here, too.

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Health Canada has never approved kratom for anyone to swallow, warns of seizures, liver damage and dependence.

Let me be exact about what I do not know. No Kawartha Lakes death is on record as caused by kratom. That is thin comfort. No coroner here looks for a drug that never makes the news, and a blank ledger proves nothing. No one has tested to say how many of our overdoses it has quietly caused. We met the last crisis only after it took hold. This one is already on our shelves and in our mailboxes, and the ledger stays blank because no one keeps it. If you take kratom for pain, anxiety or depression, you deserve real treatment. There is a rapid-access addiction clinic at Ross Memorial in Lindsay: no referral needed, and OHIP pays. If you are a parent, a spouse, a friend, learn the word. My box arrived just as promised: plain cardboard, taped, nothing to say what is inside. Twenty-five grams, ready to use and cheap. Knowing what is inside is the one defence we have left.

Jason Ward writes and speaks about mental health and addiction across North America. A retired, certified specialist trial lawyer, check out his column in the all-new Advocate Online, which explores mental health in everyday community life.

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving weekend, come for a fun filled day of farm and food experiences across Kawartha Lakes!

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the other side •

What was I thinking? By Sue Allen Advocate Online Editor & Columnist

I RAN TO THE DOOR eagerly. My package had arrived!

“Sue, you ordered a size six?” she asked, genuinely confused.

I opened the door, scooped up the box, and rushed inside like a kid on Christmas morning. This wasn’t just any delivery — it was the outfit for my big 4-0 birthday party.

“Yeah, it said ‘form-fitting,’” I said in denial. The truth was I hadn’t been a size six in years. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

I tore into the box and pulled out the dress. It looked exactly like it did online: bright, bold, multicoloured, and unapologetically form-fitting.

She paused, then looked at me with a mix of honesty and kindness. “I think you were shopping for your 25-year-old self.” I exhaled. She wasn’t wrong.

I dug deeper into the box — there was more. A shoebox. I opened it slowly. Inside there was a pair of sleek black three-inch stilettos. They were stunning! Slightly dangerous but I loved them.

“Look,” she said as she placed her hands on my shoulders, “you still look great… for a 40-year-old woman. Think of it as celebrating your 15th annual 25th birthday! Now take those heels off before you fall and break a hip.”

My friend had come over to share in the excitement. So I grabbed everything and ran to the bathroom to try it all on.

We both burst out laughing. And just like that, the pressure lifted.

The dress slid on… eventually. It was a little snug but I squeezed myself into it. I leaned against the counter to strap on the heels. Then I stood up and immediately wobbled. Not a cute wobble. It was a “newborn giraffe taking its first steps” wobble. I clutched the wall like it was life support, taking slow, uncertain steps. That’s when it hit me — I hadn’t worn heels in years. Still, I soldiered on, gripping the wall as I made my way toward my friend. Her smile went limp. “Sooo… how do you like it?” she asked. Slowly, I turned toward the full-length mirror behind me. The truth was I was very uncomfortable and it was obvious. The dress wasn’t “snug,” it was suffocating. And the stilettos made me look like I was one step away from a medical emergency. My friend walked over and checked the tag. 42

We went to the mall and found a beautiful, bright, flowy dress. I paired it with comfortable wedges that didn’t require OHIP to walk in. That night, I got a lot of compliments. Not because I looked like I was 25 again — but because I looked confident, comfortable, and completely myself. Here’s the thing about aging: it’s not about trying to fit into who you used to be. It’s about finally understanding who you are — and dressing, walking, and living like it. No one is getting younger (unless you’re Benjamin Button – and if you don’t get that movie reference this column might not be for you). But with age comes something better: clarity, confidence, and the freedom to stop performing for a version of ourselves that no longer exists. Some things really do get better with age, like wine. And most likely, so will you.

Like this column? Starting next month, it appears online only at lindsayadvocate.ca

100 ISSUES.

COUNTLESS STORIES. Congratulations to The Lindsay Advocate on reaching 100 issues. Proud to be part of the local creative community that brings stories to life.

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trevor's take •

Unicorns and subdivisions By Trevor Hutchinson Contributing Editor

MY WIFE LOVES UNICORNS. Like a lot. Her recent 40-something birthday was unicorn-themed, with unicorn gifts and a unicorn piñata. As I sit and write this at my kitchen table, I cannot escape it. Turning my gaze outside doesn’t help: the sprinkler in the backyard is a freaking seven-foot-tall blow-up unicorn, which apparently has a name that I pretend to know. The phenomenon of adults liking unicorns is fairly widespread. Cultural commentators note that the interest can offer escapism, a celebration of individuality and a lighthearted break from a difficult world. Symbols of whimsy and colour now, the unicorn was historically thought of as an apex predator, a fierce and untameable beast capable of sudden and lethal violence. It goes without saying that I have no comment on my wife admiring something that can get real mad, real fast.

Take mayoral candidate Ron Ashmore, for example. In his 13 published campaign planks (or, as he frames them, “promises”), there are more than a few bits of magical fancy. Ashmore promises us that information from councillors and city staff “will be instant and available.”

Forget the complexities of municipal law and the need for due process. It’s “snap of the magic finger” time. Likewise, Ashmore says that he “will stop the closure of businesses in our municipality and will take steps to keep them here.” I’ve heard of the Strong Mayors Act, but this is a power that can overcome problems in international trade, economic cycles and capitalism itself. He also promises safer communities and will have zero tolerance for crime, which is nice.

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Magical thinking in politics speaks to the tendency of leaders, parties and voters to rely on simplistic slogans or wishful assumptions rather than facts to solve complex challenges. To be fair, Ashmore has proven himself to be strong on roads and there are parts of his campaign that are not magical thinking and show some innovative thinking. His main competitor, Charles McDonald, only lists “priorities” in his campaign literature and stays away from the fairy dust.

it o Vis ur

But Ashmore’s biggest bit of magical thinking is that eliminating development fees will help anything at all. New developments, especially as they stretch out geographically, require infrastructure. And either the developers (who will make a profit anyway) or we pay for it. And not just now, but down the line. There’s no indication that reducing these will affect anything but the developers’ bottom line. The only magic that will come out of such a simplistic approach to development, if implemented, will be a trick with water: every time a toilet flushes in a new development, the city will move one step closer to bankruptcy.

Reality!

te ebsi W

While it might drive me a little crazy and I may or may not live in fear that this mythical creature will return to its roots, the unicorn backdrop seems appropriate as I think about the upcoming municipal election and magical thinking. Magical thinking in politics speaks to the tendency of leaders, parties and voters to rely on simplistic slogans or wishful assumptions rather than facts to solve complex challenges.

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See what’s happening at Kawartha Lakes Public Library this September! BeTween and Teen Subscription Boxes Registration opens at 9:00am on Saturday, September 5; set your alarm they sell out FAST! Each box is packed with curated snacks, crafts, and more, plus personalized book recommendations. Visit our website to learn more.

Local Author Festival Wednesday, September 16 | 1:00pm to 6:00pm | Lindsay Branch Celebrate the incredible literary talent in our community! Meet local authors, browse their books, chat with writers, and purchase signed copies. Confirmed authors include Claire Stacy, Judi Barr, Vikki Bruce, Hugh Morshead, and Anne Dranitsaris, with more to be announced.

100 ISSUES 50 YEARS ONE COMMUNITY Congratulations to The Lindsay Advocate on 100 editions! For 100 issues, The Lindsay Advocate has celebrated the people, stories, businesses and organizations that make this community special. Kawartha Art Gallery is proud to be part of that story as it celebrates 50 years of connecting community through art. Here’s to the stories, art and chapters still to come.

Kawartha Lakes LoreTalks Friday, September 18 | 2:30pm to 3:30pm | Lindsay Branch Discover the stories, people, places, and events that have shaped Kawartha Lakes. Join us for an engaging look at our local history.

September Craft and Connect Create a cozy no-sew fabric pumpkin, perfect for fall decorating! Open to adults of all skill levels. Registration is required, and dates and times vary by branch. Check our website for the full list of event dates.

Free Financial Workshop Series Join financial professional Aamir Amla for free workshops at the Bobcaygeon Branch. Topics include Budgeting 101 (Sept. 10), Estate Planning (Sept. 17), Credit and Managing Debt (Sept. 24), and Building Savings and Wealth (Oct. 1). Workshops start at 5:30pm.

Stay Connected! Subscribe to our eNewsletters on our website for library news, programs, events, and more. Visit kawarthalakeslibrary.ca.

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by Joan Corrigan 1

By Joan Corrigan, Fun & Done Crosswords

21 23

30 36

46 51

54 57

38 42

44 47

53 56

DOWN 1. Greek god of Love 33. Former heavyweight boxer 2. Car taken back by the bank, Mike for short 35. Miner's rock 3. Flat and smooth 37. Footballer's scores: abbr. 4. Odd little knickknack 39. Blockbuster rental, for short 5. Afternoon drink holder 41. Cooking appliance 6. Correct answer 42. WWII British fighter plane 7. Prayer ending 43. Break, as a wild horse 8. Enter the phone number again 49. Deliver a hard blow 9. Removable shoe lining 50. Arm of a shirt 10. Icon used in text messages 52. Analyzes a sentence 11. Soiree grammatically 12. 'Smart ___' (wiseguy) 54. Less young 13. Student's furniture 56. Montreal subway system; 22. Point on celestial sphere grocery store chain opposite zenith 57. Shopping centre 24. Soft drink 58. Purple berry from palm trees 26. Spaghetti 59. Pocket bread 27. With the sound turned off 60. State as factual 28. Get up off the couch 62. Penniless 31. Discussion subject 63. Ye ___ Booke Shoppe 32. Sports stadium 64. Small pegs in golfer's pocket

• Crossword solutions on page 48 •

Vision

Mission

Inspire Thrive Connect

Values

Exploring and Learning in the City of Kawartha Lakes St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School St. Luke Catholic Elementary School St. Mary Catholic Elementary School St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

Kevin Mackenzie Board Chairperson Stephen O’Sullivan Chief Executive Officer Chief Education Officer

Congratulations to the Lindsay Advocate!

PVNC Catholic warmheartedly congratulates The Lindsay Advocate on reaching its 100th issue, celerating this meaningful milestone in local storytelling and community journalism across the City of Kawartha Lakes.

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Congratulations to The Lindsay Advocate on the 100th issue! Trillium Lakelands District School Board covers a large and diverse region in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country, providing programs in elementary, secondary, and adult education to over 17,000 students, and employs roughly 3,000 staff.

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Lindsay campus, and would be operating at full capacity by 1917. Under the leadership of Lt. Col. Sidney S. Weatherbie, the arsenal would in short order become the region’s biggest employer. Would Lindsay be ready for the sudden influx of workers? Lt. Col. Weatherbie didn’t think so. “I am somewhat surprised that no effort is being made in Lindsay, that is no concerted effort, to meet the demand that there is bound to be for houses,” Weatherbie stated in a Sept. 7, 1916, interview with the Watchman-Warder newspaper. “The hotels are filled and lodging houses cannot take whole families. What are we going to do?” Weatherbie cautioned that this was no small undertaking. “The plant is going to be a bigger institution than the people of Lindsay seem to realize, and as has been stated before we will be employing from 1,500 to 2,000 hands,” he said. “It is up to the people of Lindsay to get busy and erect some good dwelling houses.”

Lindsay’s housing crisis of 1916

ousing. It has become a major watchword for all levels of government as decision-makers try to address both population growth and poverty. Policies and programs are developed, advocates press leaders to do more, innovative solutions are suggested – and sometimes implemented. Housing crises are nothing new in the history of our community. The shortage of available housing for veterans returning to Lindsay following the Second World War prompted local authorities to build lookalike storey-and-a-half homes in collaboration with a crown corporation called Wartime Housing Ltd. (This topic has been covered in these pages previously; a more in-depth treatment of it can be found in “The Camerons of Churchill Crescent: Wartime Housing in Lindsay,” one of the stories included in Reflections on Old Victoria County, available at Kent Bookstore.) The postwar housing shortage was widespread, and squat abodes identical to those in Lindsay can still be found in Sault Ste Marie, Peterborough, and Oshawa, among other places. But 110 years ago, this autumn, Lindsay experienced another wartime-induced housing shortage. All but forgotten today, its legacy teaches important lessons about planning for growth and how communities can come together in the common cause of providing their neighbours with a roof over their heads. As war raged across the ocean in the summer of 1916, demand for armaments spurred the construction of munitions factories. Dominion Arsenals Ltd. set up shop in a sprawling complex northeast of what is today Fleming College’s 50

These two-storey houses at the southeast corner of Durham and Adelaide Streets trace their origins to a severe housing shortage affecting Lindsay in the autumn of 1916. Photo: Ian McKechnie.

A new sewer line was completed that autumn to service the arsenal, and local developers were soon enticing people to purchase lots just north of Mary Street in anticipation of building new subdivisions. Weatherbie was skeptical about the housing shortage being leveraged for the purposes of building personal capital and said as much in a letter to the local board of trade. “I would ask that one thing be not lost sight of, and that is the urgent necessity of the situation be not used for high profits,” he wrote later in September. “There is a good chance of making good money without injuring the fair name of Lindsay,” he continued, suggesting that the town’s reputation was at stake.

Lt. Col. Sidney S. Weatherbie (1876-1958) was a staunch advocate for more housing in Lindsay — particularly for those employed at the arsenal of which he served as superintendent. Neil Weatherbie collection.

Editorial commentary in the local press largely sided with Weatherbie on this question. “The man who buys up town lots and holds them for speculative purposes is not doing his duty at this juncture,” noted one firmly worded editorial dated Oct. 7, 1916. “Neither is the man of means (and we have a number of them) who refuses to co-operate with others, who are showing sufficient civic loyalty by helping to meet the demand for housing accommodation.” The housing crisis precipitated a labour shortage that in turn was delaying the completion of the arsenal – and Weatherbie made it clear to the Board of Trade that this was unacceptable. “I can’t ask men to come here when they have no place to live or bring their families to,” the exasperated superintendent declared. He was also concerned about ensuring that the 800 or so young women expected to work at the arsenal had respectable homes in which to live.

“The hotels are filled and lodging houses cannot take whole families. What are we going to do?” By the middle of October, a company calling itself Lindsay Builders Limited – composed of directors James Begg, John Carew, B.L. Mclean, T.H. Stinson, and P.J. White – committed itself to building 50 new houses to help alleviate the shortage. They joined several local contractors who were already “doing their bit” to address the problem. Among these were James Peel and his Lindsay Woodworkers Ltd., which promised to build up to a dozen new houses in the vicinity of Durham and Adelaide Streets. The John Carew Lumber Company committed itself to constructing five or six “up-to-date dwellings” using company labour. And L.V. O’Connor teamed up with John O’Reilly to build several houses in the east ward, including three in the vicinity of the old Methodist Church near St. Paul Street. (Like James Peel, they would also put up five houses at the corner of Durham and Adelaide.) Thanks to the tireless efforts of these local businessmen, the housing crisis of 1916 would soon be a thing of the past. Or would it? As with so much of history, what’s past is prologue. The echoes of Lt. Col. Weatherbie’s call to action 110 years ago can still be heard today. LA

The Mindful Move - with Nicole Naylor

Who Is Your Home Working For? We spend a lot of time asking whether a home is right for us. Is it the right size? The right location? Does it have enough bedrooms? Is there enough storage? But there's another question we don't ask nearly as often: Is your home actually working for you? Our homes are often chosen for a version of life that existed years ago. A growing family. A busy career. Weekends spent entertaining. A large yard that once brought joy. But life changes. Maybe the kids have grown and the extra bedrooms are rarely used. Maybe the yard has become more work than enjoyment. Maybe the location that once made perfect sense now feels too far from the people, activities, or amenities that have become important to you. None of these things mean there's something wrong with your home. It simply means your life has changed. A home should support the way you live now. It should make everyday life feel manageable, comfortable and enjoyable. That doesn't always mean moving. Sometimes the answer is changing how you use a space, making alterations, or simply letting go of certain expectations that you’ve always held for yourself and your home. After an honest look, you may realize that a different home might serve you better and that’s okay too. The important part is not the answer but to honestly ask yourself, who is my home working for? Mindful Takeaway: Your home should support the life you're living now, not the life you had years ago.

Downsizing tner in r a P d Your Dedicate Nicole Naylor REALTOR®

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Ian McKechnie is a freelance writer, local historian, and researcher who has compiled and edited three books.

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McKenzie’s offers all MIKE THE PAINTER For Rent -aspects 1 and 2 bed units Wanted Antiques of outdoor from $1,800 & up. Heat, maintenance • Interior painting hydro & water is included. Private Travel Planner in specialist local to the Adult building in Lindsay. Collector Car & Truck • interlock Kawartha Lakes Call 705-324-9381. Lindsay Furniture, signs, area jewellery, Appraisals “PERFECT POST HOLES” watches, coins,preparation china, • lift and re level Leave winter in&your wake • Careful MTO Appraisals Vehicle, military items, paintings, • fencing VIN/Ownership – & attention to detail records, books, old metal Great quality, pricing and • gutter CARE cleaning PlanCorrections. your escape now LAWN from start to finish toys, wood decoys, snow reliability Call Ron @ 705-878-2372. • lawncare shoes, & more. • paddles Walls, ceilings Lindsay Resident Please visit • snow removal Tailored journeys by land (including popcorn), RJVintageGarage.com. Burns’ Snow Removal & and sea. Private, Group, or trims, doors, Available - Lindsay & Area. BOOK FOR FALL Lawn Care Ltd. Grass Bob Carruthremoval 705-934-4333 Corporate Retreat. wallpaper cutting, fertilizing, trimming, 705-887-1672 Free estimates. • 5 star rated on organic topsoil & fall cleanFree estimates robert.altman@ Google and other up. Snow contracts traveledge.com platforms available. Commercial & We Buy Vintage... Stephen 647.927.1580 Residential insured. 647-966-8985 Burns’Fully Snow Removal & • Reliable service and Vinyl Records, Comics, Call David E. Burns Lawn Care Ltd. competitive pricing Jewellery, Glass, China, 705-324-8154 Silversea • Explora • Viking • • Fully insured Pottery, Toys, Sports & Better Bins Silversea Quark Grass cutting, fertilizing, Collectibles. We Make Reliable Moving* Solutions Four Seasons trimming, organic HouseMike Calls. Cash Paid. to • Accor • McKenzie’s offers all topsoil Robert & Penny. Marriott • Hilton IHG & Fall aspects ofclean-up. outdoor Snow take the Stress out* of 416-712-6024 705-324-2699. maintenance Packing. contracts available. mtait66@hotmail.com To advertise in the interlock howlingdog.rocks Plastic Moving Bins. We Advocate contact: lift and re level Deliver. Commercial & Residential fencing 705-879-2569 Darren at Fully insured. gutter cleaning betterbinrentals 705-991-3188 lawncare Classic & Vintage Cars & @outlook.com snow removal Call David E. WANTED ANTIQUES OR Trucks 705-934-4333 Call Mark 613-360-2699 Burns Cara at Free estimates. 705-324-8154 905-431-4638 Furniture; jewellery boxes, We Buy Vintage... costume, silver or gold jewellery; old watches; Vinyl Records, Comics, silver items; china; military Jewellery, Glass, China, Congratulations on 100 Issues! Fences, Gates, Railings items; silver & gold coins; Pottery, Toys, Sports & & Verandas books; records; old toys; Collectibles. We Make New wooden fenceetc. decoys, collectibles, Congratulations to The Lindsay House Calls. Cash Paid. installation Advocate on reaching this Wooden fence Robert & Penny. incredible milestone. repairs & staining 705-324-2699 Perfect post holes howlingdog.rocks Great quality, pricing & reliability Stephen 647-927-1580

WANTED

Bob Carruth 705-887-1672

(705) 324-2400 / Toll Free: (866) 688-9881 jamie.schmale@parl.gc.ca • www.jamieschmale.ca

OBITUARIES

NEW

RED BULL®

ENERGIZERS Cedarwood became central to Ross’ life, a gathering place for family and friends. He especially loved the annual Wood Harvest, when everyone came together to work hard, fill the basement with firewood, and prepare for another winter.

Ross Carr Beattie August 7, 1940 – August 6, 2026 It is with great sadness and immense gratitude for a life well lived that we share the passing of our beloved husband, Dad, Papa, Great-Papa, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend, Ross Carr Beattie. Born in Toronto to Isabel and Walter Beattie, Ross was the big brother of Ila Vaculik (Paul). Raised in The Beaches in Toronto, he developed a lifelong love of music, friendship, learning, and nature. Ross lost his father at just nine years old. Before his death, Walter left Ross a letter to be opened when he turned sixteen. In it were words of guidance for the life ahead, encouraging him to always be curious, pursue meaningful work, and make room for a life connected to nature. Ross carried that advice with him throughout his life and, in many ways, built his life around it. Ross earned a BSc and MBA from the University of Toronto and went on to build a successful career in business. Over the years, he became a respected businessman, mentor, and leader, affectionately known by many as “Mr. Ross.” He also participated in Toastmasters, reflecting his lifelong interest in communication, leadership, learning, and connecting with others. Some of Ross’ early friendships eventually led to the founding of the Tormon investment club. Perhaps more important than the business itself were the friendships behind it. Those relationships endured for decades, with the group remaining close, loyal, and supportive throughout Ross’ life. Early in his career, while working at Lehn & Fink, Ross met Susan Suddaby, who had recently arrived in Toronto from England. Together they built a life rooted in love and partnership, raising their three children in Etobicoke while creating Cedarwood, their family homestead near Bethany. They shared a love of travel, dancing, and family, and balanced work with weekends at Cedarwood, including many spent on the nearby ski slopes of Devil’s Elbow.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; his children Sarah (Shane), Craig (Leila), and Rachel (Jason); his grandchildren Emily, Grace, Olivia, Lauren, James, Mona, and Charles; and his great-granddaughter, Rylee. He is also survived by his sister, Ila Vaculik (Paul); niece Ainsley and nephew Ian; sister-inlaw Liz (Cliff); and nephews Neil (Crystal), Scott (Seonghye), and David (Diane), his cousin Margaret Howard, Anderson and Laird families and extended Beattie family in London, ON. In retirement, Ross continued to give his time to others, volunteering at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay and mentoring youth in the community. Helping, encouraging, teaching, and taking a genuine interest in people came naturally to him. Ross will be remembered for his kindness and leadership, his curiosity, his loyalty to lifelong friends, his love of music and dancing, and his deep appreciation for family and the natural world. He understood the value of meaningful work, but also the importance of stepping away from it to the woods, the ski hill, the dance floor, or simply a gathering of people he loved. Our family would also like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Victoria Manor in Lindsay. We are incredibly grateful for the kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness, and dignity you showed Ross throughout his time in your care. Knowing he was surrounded by people who cared for him with such tenderness brought great comfort to our family, particularly in his final days. Thank you for caring for Ross and for supporting our family along the way.

DRAGONBERRY & TROPICBERRY

333 Kent St W, Lindsay | 368 Angeline St S, Lindsay

MCD’S

Frost Photo Sienna Frost

“Surrounded by natural beauty & interesting people” - Sienna

In keeping with his wishes, Ross has donated his body to the School of Anatomy at University of Toronto. A celebration of Ross’ life will be held at a later date with close family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ross’ memory may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities. When you find yourself walking through a forest, pause among the trees and think of Ross. There are few places he would rather be. And in the words he so often used when saying goodbye to his grandkids: “Hasta la vista.”

www.frostphotos.ca (705) 341 7444 sfrostphoto@gmail.com

Sweating the big stuff WHEN IT’S COLD, I ADAPT and put on a coat, hat and gloves. In the heat, I want light clothing, look for shade or crank the air conditioning. We adjust to temperature changes. After all, this is Canada. We have seasons. These days, though, weather extremes are getting worse. Hot, dry, “fire weather” conditions saw Ontario’s worst wildfire season on record, before August hit. Those conditions were twice as likely as they would have been in a world without fossil fuel emissions, according to World Weather Attribution scientists. Put another way, we used to see these conditions less than once in 40 years. Now we can expect them as frequently as one in six. That means more emergency evacuations, more smoke, more health issues, and more costs. Prior to 2009 the Canadian Insurance industry paid about $400 million a year for extreme weather damage. Since 2009, the average has been almost $3 billion. A friend of mine recently put in an order for N95 masks and bought an air purifier to protect against smoke. We’ll need those items more and more. Floods and fires are our most costly unnatural disasters, according the Intact Centre for Climate Adaptation (ICCA) at the University of Waterloo. Remember the Jasper fire in 2024 ($1.3 billion) and Toronto area flooding the same year (almost $1 billion)? But extreme heat also costs us in many ways. This summer a road near Sarnia buckled in the heat. It can warp subway and rail lines too. Municipal governments everywhere are concerned about such costs. Estimates show that investing about $4 billion a year to adapt public infrastructure to excess heat and rainfall could save Canadian taxpayers $9 billion in repair costs. Sizzling heat has been called the “silent killer,” and not just because of heatstroke. It can increase the chance of heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks. This summer, heat killed more than 25,000 people in Europe. In Canada, we don’t accurately track such deaths, other than the 600-plus who perished in Vancouver during the heat dome of 2021. 54

The good news is that heat-related deaths are often preventable – at least in countries that can afford to provide air conditioning and cooling centres. Those are two of the adaptation measures we need. Planting more trees and preserving green spaces would also help. They cool the air, and absorb rain in a torrential downpour. Kawartha Lakes is currently updating its Healthy Environment Plan, looking at measures to help us adapt as well as bring down planet-warming emissions. We need to do both. In May, NDP Environment Critic Peter Tabuns introduced the Adapting to a Hotter Ontario Act, to be debated this fall. The ICCA offers us some affordable tips for keeping cool, including using drapes and cross ventilation. And remembering to check on vulnerable neighbours when extremes hit. The good news is that the climate models that accurately predicted global heating also show us that when we stop pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, global temperatures will stop rising. “As long as we keep burning fossil fuels, temperatures will increase globally. And that will mean that these fire weather conditions will get worse and worse and worse,” said Friederike Otto, World Weather Attribution founder at the U.K.’s Imperial College London. “There are hard limits to what we can adapt to.”

Ginny Colling was passionate about the environment before retiring from teaching college communications students. After retiring she trained with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project. She has presented to numerous groups about the climate crisis.

CRUISE HOLIDAYS PLUS - 20TH ANNIVERSARY

TRAVEL SHOW

SATURDAY

SEPT 19

10AM-4PM

TRAVELODGE HIGHWAY 7

EVERYONE

WELCOME FREE ADMISSION

Speak to the travel company representatives and/or sit in on their presentations.

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE 10:00 ADVENTURE CANADA 10:30 ROCKY MOUNTAINEER 11:00 SEABOURN 11:30 TBA 12:00 WINDSTAR 12:30 SILVERSEA 1:00 QUARK EXPEDITIONS 1:30 HOLLAND AMERICA 2:00 EMERALD/SCENIC CRUISES 2:30 ROYAL IRISH TOURS 3:00 GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS 3:30 TBA

LINDSAY

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS! DOOR PRIZES!

CANADIAN OWNED & OPERATED

CRUISE HOLIDAYS PLUS, 3 Commerce Place (Behind the Lindsay Mall) 705-324-3110 Email: lindsay@cruiseholidays.com www.lindsay.cruiseholidays.com TICO#50014864

Both seasoned travellers and travel newbies won’t want to miss Cruise Holidays Plus’ consumer Travel Showcase on Saturday September 19th at the Lindsay Travelodge (formerly the Admiral Inn) on Highway #7 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, open to the general public with free admission.

Representatives from a variety of travel companies will be making 20-minute presentations in a separate room throughout the day, in addition to being on hand to answer questions in their respective booths. In addition, although their representatives are not able to attend, there will be information booths for AMA Waterways, Azamara, Celebrity, Manulife Insurance, McCarthy’s Party, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess, Royal Caribbean, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines and Victory Cruise Line.

Cruise Holidays Plus’ owner Cheryl McDonald is excited that so many travel companies have agreed to come together locally to support the travel agency. The event kicks off the 20th anniversary of Cruise Holidays Plus which opened in September 2006. At that time, they were a cruise-only travel agency, but soon expanded their services to include all-inclusive resorts + motor coach tours + more. The agency has seen a lot of changes in the travel industry over the years, weathered some rough seas and unlike many other travel agencies, adapted, grown and is thriving thanks to their loyal clients.

The full staff of Cruise Holidays Plus will be on hand as well to answer questions – Cheryl McDonald, Vivian Warren, Lisa Whyte, Sue Whitford, Penny Hainer and Paula Timmons. For more information, please call the agency at (705) 324-3110. 55