The Influencers
Each fall, the Advocate gathers an impressive list of some of the top influencers in Kawartha Lakes in multiple categories. This feature highlights some of those people shaping our city in politics, business, arts and culture, sports, non-profits, food, and as community leaders. While clearly not exhaustive, these 18 individuals are a representative snapshot of people who are making significant changes and innovations, with clear community benefits.
Business
Sherry Peel – Sherry Peel, owner of Bigley Shoes in Bobcaygeon, has created an incredible business success story in Kawartha Lakes. After she and her husband, John, purchased Bigley from his parents in 1992, the growth has been startling. As Peel said in a recent Advocate interview, she has managed to grow the business “from a small local shop to a beloved destination for fashion enthusiasts throughout Ontario.” And it’s not just shoes any longer. It has gone from a single shop to a near block-long retail haven in Bobcaygeon, creating a true destination for GTA shoppers and beyond. This influencer says to embrace failure as a steppingstone, rather than a setback, and to stay resilient.
Corey Norman – Corey Norman is the new executive director of Launch Kawartha, bringing his experience in leadership and management to the forefront of local entrepreneurial development. Born and raised in Lindsay, he recently moved back with his family to assist entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders in building organizational capacity and expanding their capabilities. Norman has helped catalyze entrepreneurism in Kawartha Lakes by leveraging funding and advisory services from Launch’s office space on the third floor of ScotiaBank in Lindsay. Norman is also on the board of directors of the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, where he brings his passion for innovation and regional development to bear.
Brandy Watson – Brandy Watson’s motto, “make life beautiful, one adventure at a time,” perfectly captures her approach at Barn and Bunkie. The store offers a diverse selection — vintage treasures, dishcloths, pillows, and more — ensuring there’s something for everyone. With a special focus on Canadian-made goods, Watson showcases both national products and local brands, celebrating community and craftsmanship. Her commitment to quality and originality has made Barn and Bunkie a beloved destination in Fenelon Falls. Her entrepreneurial spirit shone through when she launched the White Cottage Café with her daughter River in 2022, adding a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike. Watson’s willingness to take risks is continuously rewarded by strong community support and appreciation, reflecting the positive impact she has made in the city.
Arts & Culture
Glenn Walker – Glenn Walker is the curator of Maryboro Lodge in Fenelon Falls. He’s one of the people who have helped make the museum into more than just learning about history – it’s now a community hub where many events happen. Walker, who has worked at the lodge since his time there as a summer student, views it as a place where people can go and have an experience. With only a few permanent exhibits, there’s always something new to view at the lodge. Walker also spends some of his time writing on historical aspects of Fenelon Falls. He is influential in Kawartha Lakes in his quest to make history come alive in an age of social media.
Erwin Stroobach – For more than 20 years, Erwin Stroobach and his wife Angelique have been building a notable music program at Cambridge Street United Church in Lindsay. Stroobach’s talents at the console of the church’s pipe organ can be heard each Sunday – but also during the biennial Phantom of the Organ event, which showcases the instrument’s unique sound for audiences well beyond the walls of CSUC. Under Stroobach’s direction, the church’s Voices of Victory choir has toured throughout central and eastern Canada, taken their talents to Manhattan, and introduced many local youth to beautiful choral music. In 2024, Stroobach’s choirs performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and the Noon Hour Concerts he organizes during Lent are much-anticipated events in the local arts scene.
Ray Marshall – Ray Marshall is a name synonymous with the arts community. Now a key member of the Kawartha Lakes Art Council, he is perhaps best known as the longtime general manager of the Academy Theatre from 1985-2006. Prior to those 21 consecutive years of service, he spent eight summers at the Kawartha Summer Theatre as a lighting and sound technician, among other roles. Mentored by the legendary Dennis Sweeting, Marshall strongly believes in the local arts council being involved in the community by supporting major projects, like the Windswept mural that was recently installed in downtown Lindsay, and bringing local artists together. He has always believed the arts community is beneficial both economically and philosophically. Beyond his deep background in theatre, Marshall is influential in the local arts scene writ large.
Sports
Jodie Collins – Elementary school teacher and coach Jodie Collins is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of sport in kids. Whether she’s guiding school teams, refining the strokes of Lindsay Lightning Bolts swimmers, or running drills with the Lindsay Wildcats basketball players, Collins brings encouragement and positivity to everything she does. Her genuine passion for sport and her drive to help young athletes reach their goals set her apart from the average coach. With kindness, patience, and unwavering commitment, she’s helping build a foundation of positive sport experiences for children across Kawartha Lakes and beyond. Following in the footsteps of her father — CFL player and three-time Grey Cup champion Doug Collins — Collins has embraced her role as an athlete, teacher, and coach, and our kids are all the better for it.
Pete Sanderson – Retired teacher and school administrator Pete Sanderson has spent almost all his adult life volunteering to make athletics available for all. Whether it be as a pioneering men’s and women’s softball and hardball coach for the better part of 25 years, a long-time member of the Lindsay Optimist Club and a key driving force behind their wildly successful spring soccer program, or as a volunteer member of the Kawartha Lakes Parks Advisory Committee (KLPAC), Sanderson puts in the hours so others can play. His long-time commitment to the KLPAC has helped improve the quality and quantity of athletic and recreational facilities in the city. In 2024, Sanderson was enshrined in the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame as both a coach and a builder.
Aaron Carruth – With a father and grandfather who coached in their communities, Aaron Carruth is hardwired to teach young athletes in Kawartha Lakes. The Langton Public School teacher finds time to coach soccer, volleyball, basketball, flag football, and track and field in his own school, has convened tournaments for several junior and senior sports, and once organized a full season of events for primary aged students. For 15 years, after his workday is done, he heads to Fenelon Falls Secondary School to coach the senior football team. His involvement extends beyond school sports, coaching hockey, helping rejuvenate the Kawartha Lakes Fury lacrosse organization (securing a gold medal at the provincial festival for a U9 team in the process), and with his wife Bronwyn, running two, week-long youth sports camps every summer.
Community Leaders
Ann Adare – This woman has been making her mark in Bobcaygeon for the past decade. Already a seasonal resident, she moved to the village in 2015 and has – in the words of the municipal motto – jumped into a variety of volunteer commitments that have beautified her adopted home community and raised awareness about its landscapes and landmarks. The number of committees and organizations with which Adare has been involved is remarkable: Bobcaygeon Communities in Bloom, Environmental Action Bobcaygeon, Impact 32, and the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Heritage Committee, among others. From spearheading the installation of kayak racks at Lock 32 to planting trees at the Bobcaygeon Beach Park and ensuring that EV drivers have a place to charge their vehicles, Adare is one to watch.
Jim Armstrong – This Fenelon Falls resident keeps himself busy in service of community causes. For instance, as president of the Kawartha Works Community Co-operative, he spearheads the umbrella organization that helps not-for-profit initiatives thrive, especially those with artistic, cultural, recreational, health, environmental, economic, and social improvement aims. The bike rentals in Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls, the Grove Theatre, and the Fenelon Falls downtown sculpture project all benefited from the co-op’s expertise. Most recently, the former chair of the North Kawartha Family Health Team was involved in coordinating the creation of a teenage drop-in centre after community members raised concerns there weren’t enough activities for youth in Fenelon Falls. His wife, Kathy, says Jim’s 20-years of volunteer service stems simply from a desire to make the community a better place to live.
Caitlin Patterson – To say Caitlin Patterson is a busy person might be an understatement. As chief operating officer of Ampere Canada, Patterson leads a team of 70. Ampere — with its southern office in Lindsay— works alongside rural, remote, and Indigenous communities and creates opportunities for learners of all ages to strengthen and cultivate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) skills. Patterson is also an entrepreneur and wellness advocate. Currently completing her PhD in Natural Medicine, she runs her private practice out of Muse Laser + Wellness Clinic in Lindsay, focussing on women’s health, specifically to support clients with addressing stress, hormone health and gut imbalances through science-backed natural medicine. Patterson grew up in Bethany and currently resides in Janetville with her family.
Food
Angie Kim – Although Lindsay has had a long tradition of Chinese restaurants, authentic Japanese and Korean fare was lacking in town until Angie Kim and Isaac Jeon opened Teriyaki Town in 2011. Surrounded by chain restaurants in the west end of Lindsay, it has for nearly 15 years been leaving a positive impression on diners who seek out something culturally unique for lunch or dinner. In a 2021 interview with the Advocate, Kim and Jeon spoke with pride about their commitment to serving dishes featuring “local produce, sustainable fish, and innovative ingredients.” This has clearly been arecipe for success, as the steady crowd of lunch and dinner guests at Teriyaki Town’s busy and inviting interior suggests.
Arptia Kermani – Along with her husband and son, Arpita Kermani has owned Judy’s Place — a local diner with long-time customers — since October 2022. In that time, they’ve established a loyal customer base by curating to them. Customers help to make the menu by letting Kermani know what they like, what they don’t, and what they want to see introduced. With a new menu printed every four months, she makes sure there’s something for everyone. But what really makes this unassuming diner special is that Kermani and her family are acutely aware of food insecurity. The restaurant regularly gives food to those in need and accepts donations to help them accomplish their goal of helping others. Whether it’s one person who shows up at their door or more than a dozen, this community-minded restaurant never says no.
Kim Locke – The Trent Lakes Cheese Company strives to bring the big city cheese market experience to Kawartha Lakes – and we think they succeed. Located in Bobcaygeon, Kim Locke imports cheeses from England, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, France and Spain, and says she has been overwhelmed by support from local residents. The company focus is on artisan cheeses produced in small batches with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Business began in 2018 with a booth at a local farmers’ market, and she has had a storefront since 2023. Saying her business thrives from June to December, the latest expansion of the business involves a cooled, mobile charcuterie cart that she brings to festivals, weddings and corporate events. This ensures their products aren’t sitting out, staying covered and fresh as possible, also allowing for maximum choice.
Non-profit Leader
Dr. Tashi Rabgey – Dr. Tashi Rabgey has – together with her sister Losang and their parents, Pencho and Tsering – been encouraging local residents to look beyond their cultural, geographical, and personal borders for years now through supporting the work of Machik. This is an organization that has made education a reality for many thousands of Tibetan children. Rabgey is a leading scholar on the relationship between China and Tibet and has worked as a research professor of International Affairs at George Washington University. With roots in Lindsay, Dr. Rabgey and her family have been a valuable link between the local and international scene, one so necessary to fostering understanding between people and cultures. Under the leadership of the Rabgey sisters, Machik continues to be a force for change in the world.
Kathy Ridout – Kathy Ridout is the new executive director of Kawartha Lakes Food Source. Having spent 15 years developing and fundraising in the non-profit and public sector, Ridout moved to Fenelon Falls in 2022 and jumped at the chance to work with Food Source. Last year, its member food banks were visited 16,569 times, serving 2,744 unique individuals—an increase of 245 individuals over 2023. The organization reports increased use coupled with less donations –part of a broader trend the new ED is well aware of. Food Source currently works with nine different food banks across the area, and under Ridout’s leadership, the organization is set to strengthen its impact and reach even more individuals, all the while lobbying for more government action to address the structural issues of hunger.
Kim Coulter – Kim Coulter is the communications specialist at the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation. With fundraising campaigns always on the go, she is a key figure in ensuring the hospital is securing the money and resources it requires to meet community needs. With a growing community and an aging population, mixed with changing technology, RMH launched the ‘We are the Ross’ campaign (led by Tim Shauf and the rest of the foundation team) to raise $25 million. With $21 million already raised for larger donations, it allowed the hospital to make critical acquisitions, such as the new MRI, the CT Scanner, and the clinical information system already in the hospital. Coulter and her colleagues are turning to the community for the last $4 million, a pivotal time in the hospital’s history.
Political
Dan Joyce – Since winning a hotly contested Ward 4 seat on council in 2022, business and marketing executive Dan Joyce has slowly, but surely, started to carve out a niche for himself as a councillor comfortable with big numbers and large projects. Joyce currently sits on the Kawartha Lakes Library Board, the bylaw committee, the drainage committee, the waste management advisory committee, the adhoc budget committee, the Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Social Services Board and the Haliburton Kawartha Peterborough Region District Health Unit Board. While not the most vocal of councillors, Joyce is developing a reputation for asking tough financial questions before big projects are approved. It’s clear he wants money spent on necessities only and that projects are serving the people of the city and Ward 4 well.
Cheri Davidson – For the last nine years, Cheri Davidson has been the public face of the City of Kawartha Lakes in her position as manager of communications, advertising and marketing. She and her associates are responsible for liaising with the Kawartha Lakes press corps, managing the city website, crafting social posts, and more. This year, Davidson and team did yeoman’s service following the late March ice storm that crippled huge swaths of the city. Despite the difficulties faced by dangerous weather and dodgy power availability, her department effectively got the message out to manage the chaos. With the unfortunate summer fires next testing the communications team, they were effective then, too, even while down one person. Everywhere Mayor Doug Elmslie was found, Davidson and her team were not far away.
Cathie Ritchie – City Clerk Cathie Ritchie is one of the most experienced individuals at the city who helps the municipality run efficiently. From her role sitting at the right hand of the mayor at council meetings, available for advice on the minutia of the Municipal Act, Ritchie was thrust into the limelight this year in her role as municipal election returning officer. With the resignation of Ward 5 councillor Eric Smeaton last November, the city needed to run a byelection. Ritchie and her department kicked into high gear and despite working around both a federal and provincial election, the voters in Ward Five had their say in early April, sending Mark Doble to city hall as a newly minted member. The election went off without a hitch, thanks to Ritchie’s veteran expertise and knowledge.
