In Good Company with Wards Lawyers

In Good Company has always been about people - the ones who make Kawartha Lakes feel like a community, not just a city on a map. So it only makes sense that when we set out to celebrate Classics on Kent, we didn't point our mic at the cars. We pointed it at the people behind them. Every year, on the third Sunday of July, Lindsay's main street transforms into a rolling museum of antique vehicles -...

Adam Deschenes had to make a move – literally. And when he went looking for a new location for his Spectrum Fitness Centre, he admits his options were limited. His eventual choice – a former rental business on Lindsay’s Queen Street – initially raised eyebrows from some of his closest and most trusted supporters; they questioned whether the fitness/business entrepreneur was up to the challenge of...

Graham Snoddon didn’t have lofty ambitions, beyond buying his first car, when he started in the produce department of his local grocer. At 16, few of us do. But it wasn’t long before he started considering a big move, with bigger challenges and bigger rewards within the walls of Lindsay’s Valu-mart. Today, he and his wife (and business partner!) Hannah’s last name is synonymous with the downtown s...

It’s not uncommon for a family business to be helmed by someone from its third generation. But when all three children  – now young men – in that third generation choose to carry on that legacy, together, well, that’s something exceptional.  And Luke, Kyle and Jeff Richardson are fully invested in Pineneedle Farms near Pontypool. Each studied and developed their own unique skills when it comes to...

Officially, it’s called “Tradewind Toys and Gifts.” But, oh my. It really is so much more than that. Yes, there are the billions of board games and puzzles. But then there’s that intangible, yet all-encompassing quality that customers can’t help but leave with – a genuine, almost child-like, sense of giddy happiness. It’s a credit to the woman who has exuded that warmth and gentle enthusiasm since...

But it’s also Downeyville’s happy place. Heck, it’s a happy place for anyone who’s visited Brouwer Bake Shop, the beloved creation of Hannah and husband Rob Brouwer. But their story is about much more than just oh-so-delicious cakes, cookies, doughnuts and scones. (Oh, my. Those scones!). And let’s not forget the roasted coffee, deli sandwiches and pizza. It’s a tale of how the Brouwers – diehard...

Kim Murphy’s clients are quick to praise her skills as a stylist. But they’re equally admiring of her keen ability – and willingness – to lend a listening ear. It’s why the young stylist isn’t just a small business owner in Bobcaygeon – she’s an integral part of its community. In Good Company takes you inside Lavish Locks to meet Kim, some of her clients (and new friends!) as well as her part-time...

Being honest, we initially figured this’d be a nice little segment to add on to another episode. But Hemy Hockey’s story – and, specifically, the father-son team that own and operate it – was just so compelling and warm and thoughtful that we happily realized it deserved its own episode. We take you inside the skate sharpening shop at The Lindsay Recreation Complex to meet Randy and Cody Hyndman....

So, what’s that space in hockey between amateur and professional? Semi-Pro? Senior A? Officially, the Lindsay Barncats are the latter. But the team’s die-hard fans would argue their team is full-on professional, featuring seasoned players – who range in age from early 20 to mid 40s – still at it because beer league and shinny can’t cut it for them. (And like all players in the Northern Premier Hoc...

Chris Van Lierop and Tim Wisener didn’t just want to set up shop in Fenelon Falls. Fer sure, “Home by Tim and Chris” – the full-service architectural design firm they launched a few years ago  – is one of the bigger success stories of Fenelon’s business community. (And all of Kawartha Lakes!).  But when Chris and Tim chose Fenelon as their home – (Chris relocating from Newmarket, Tim making his ch...

There was little discussion when the team at Wards was choosing who to feature in the first episode of In Good Company - a show that celebrates our community and the people in it. We all knew who the perfect choice was.  For more than 40 years, Van Halteren’s Music Centre has been a big part of the business and cultural fabric of Kawartha Lakes. This is the story of the iconic store (Yup, iconic i...