The village’s cultural and Heritage Committee (formerly the Historical Society) had a busy 2025 and honestly they show no signs of slowing down for 2026.

Last year’s Peter Robinson 200 year anniversary celebrations included a number of major events. The Westwood-based Historical Centre was featured as a stop for one of the bus tours organized by the Nine Ships organizations that allowed the crowd to tour the facility. Recently one of those “bus tour participants” returned to the centre for “a more thorough look about.”

Author and historian Christy Roche made a return visit from his home in Cork, Ireland to the Peterborough area. His stay here included a full schedule of events including participating in the Peterborough St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He also personally chose to pay a return visit to the Asphodel Norwood Heritage Centre where he met with some of the committee members and other history enthusiasts. Roche generously donated a copy of his book “From Whence They Came: The Peter Robinson Settlers” to be added to the centre’s reference library.

The Asphodel Norwood Cultural and Heritage Committee will host its first Historical Gathering of the year on April 21 at the Norwood Town Hall. The committee is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Peterman, the author of “Sisters in Two Worlds.” He will speak about the lives and legacy of pioneer author and naturalist Catherine Parr Traill and her sister and fellow author Susanna Moodie. The presentation will start at 7 p.m. This is a free event, all are welcome, light refreshments will be provided. Come out and enjoy an evening of storytelling, history, and community.

A seedy Saturday at the library

The Asphodel Norwood Library in partnership with the Norwood & District Horticultural Society, Old Farm House Flowers, Belmont Farmstead and Heritage Blooms U Pick hosted their Seedy Saturday and Used Book Sale at the Norwood Branch on March 28. Advertised as a fun and inspiring event for gardeners of all ages, a steady stream of green thumbs and budding green thumbs crowded the library where they found helpful information on seed starting, a plethora of seeds to pick from at the community seed swap as well as a large variety of seeds, dahlia tubers, dried flowers and more available for purchase. There was also a used book sale in support of the library and its programming. Children also found plenty of hands-on activities to spark their curiosity and creativity.

This coming weekend being Easter, most churches will be marking one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar with special services. Norwood’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian (19 Flora St.) will host its Good Friday Service, April 3 at 9:30 a.m. and its Easter Sunday Service April 5 also at 9:30 a.m. followed by a time of Fellowship and Presbyterian hospitality.

The Norwood/Westwood United Church has several events planned including a Ukrainian Easter Egg decorating demonstration and workshop on Thursday evening April 2 at 7 p.m. in Norwood (at the lights); a combined Good Friday service, April 3 in Norwood at 11 a.m. and later in the evening a special choral service at Westwood (176 Centre Line) at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday Services include a combined sunrise service at 6:45 in Westwood, a 9:30 a.m. service also in Westwood and an 11 a.m. service and Sunday School at Norwood.        

The Norwood Pentecostal Church, 247 County Rd. 40, also has a few events scheduled including its Good Friday Service at 10 a.m.; a Community Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 beginning at 10 a.m. and its April 5 Easter Sunday Service and Children’s Ministries starting at 10 a.m.

Norwood’s St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 4186 Hwy. 7, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 10 Victoria St., Havelock, will also host mass several times over Holy Week, Friday, April 3, 10 a.m. in Havelock with Stations of the Cross and later at 3 p.m. in Norwood. On Saturday, April 4 in Norwood the Easter Vigil begins at 8 p.m. and on Easter Sunday mass is at 9 a.m. in Havelock and 10:30 a.m. in Norwood.

St. George’s Easter services

Next door in Hastings, St. Georges Anglican Church will also be hosting Easter Services. All are welcome to attend the Good Friday Service, April 3 at 10 a.m. and Easter Sunday Service, April 5 at 11 a.m. The guest speaker will be Bishop Riscylla Shaw. 

Agricultural Wall of Fame Nominations

The Peterborough Country Agricultural Wall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for 2026. Farm and rural leaders in Peterborough County who have made significant contributions to the agriculture and agri-food industry at the local, regional, provincial or national levels can be nominated by organizations or interested individuals. The deadline for submissions is May 1.

The 2026 Induction Ceremony will take place on Aug. 23 at Lang Pioneer Village Museum. Nomination forms are available on the website at ptboagwall.com or by contacting Carolyn Doris, committee chair at 705- 295-2755 or Joan Larmer, committee secretary 705-932-5242. Previous nominations may be resubmitted with additional information.

© Peterborough Examiner