Meet the writers who bring you the Advocate, Kawartha Lakes Weekly
Fireside Publishing House – the local publishing company behind The Lindsay Advocate magazine, Kawartha Lakes Weekly, and other publications – is hosting a local journalism fundraiser Wednesday Oct. 15 in Lindsay.
The 90-minute event features a panel discussion with five Fireside writers, including Publisher Roderick Benns, Lead Editorial Writer Nancy Payne, Reporter Robyn Best, Writer-at-Large Geoff Coleman, and Historian Ian McKechnie.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Laurie Dillon-Schalk, executive director of Kawartha Community Foundation. Community Foundations across the nation have taken an interest in the health of local journalism.
“A local newspaper is the most trusted source of news, according to a 2025 study by the Public Policy Forum,” says Benns.
In the same study, it showed that 78 per cent of people agreed that having a source of local news (like the Advocate and Kawartha Lakes Weekly) is important to them.
The publisher says he was pleased when Dillon-Schalk agreed to moderate the panel discussion.
“Our Community Foundation has been so active in our community,” says Benns. “It really has been such an asset.”
The Meet the Writers event will include food catered by the Olympia Restaurant for the $30 ticket price (plus tax and EventBrite fee). A cash bar will also be available.
After a 30-40 minute panel discussion the rest of the 90-minute event will be an opportunity to mingle with the writers, which will also include additional magazine and newspaper writers not on the panel.
“This is a great chance for people to interact with us and ask us anything they might be curious about,” says Rebekah McCracken, executive editor. “From giving us suggestions to commenting on their favourite features, we’d love to hear from you.”
Please join us at Launch Kawartha (the Scotiabank building at 165 Kent Street West, 3rd floor, Lindsay) on Wed. Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Seating is limited – reserve yours today by visiting our EventBrite page, or email Roderick Benns at for more information.
