PTBOCanada Featured Post: Your PC Candidate Scott Stewart

Scott Stewart

There is a lot of excitement in and around 356 Charlotte Street, the headquarters for Scott Stewart and his campaign team. Blue signs line the outside of the building while the inside is bustling with volunteers. The campaign buzz may be focused on the June 12th election and the weeks leading up to it, but there is a history behind Scott's choice to get into politics and his aim to represent Peterborough.

Born and raised on a hobby farm in the former Otonabee Township, Scott grew up in a close-knit family with his parents and two sisters. He graduated from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary, followed by Centennial College with a Diploma in Business Administration. Now married and the father of two post-secondary student children, Scott is currently the President of Carlson Wagonlit/G. Stewart Travel Services Ltd, the family business where he has served in various roles since 1986.

After graduating from college, he planned to head to the city and climb the corporate ladder through hard work and perseverance. He was full of ideas and youthful exuberance, and wanted to make a difference. But the big city corporate life proved less appealing and fulfilling than planned, so Scott decided to put that same exuberance and energy to working hard to make a difference in Peterborough.

Scott with his wife, Alyson, and their children, Sam and Alyssa

Growing up in a close family, Scott says he was always surrounded by politics with both his father and grandfather being involved locally before him. Regardless of his views, he says that everyone in the house was entitled to their own opinions and points of view, and could discuss them openly. After running for a political position at school when he was 18, Scott became increasingly interested in politics. Not wanting to be a career politician, however, it has taken Scott just over 30 years to finally put his name back in the ring.

A self-described adventurer, sportsman, and conservationist, Scott has kept himself as involved in the community as humanly possible over the past few decades. He has competed in Tough Mudder competitions, hiked the Grand Canyon, safely completed the running with the bulls in Spain, and even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, as a member of a team which was responsible for raising more than $100,000 for the PRHC Foundation’s Radiation Bunker Campaign.

Scott Stewart with his canvassing team

Watching his children struggle to find good job prospects in Peterborough and even Ontario, Scott says something has to change. That's why he believes in the PC plan to create 1 million jobs over the next 8 years. These jobs will be created by:

·      Balancing the budget within two years

·      Reducing the billions wasted each year on interest by starting to pay down our debt

·      Reducing the government payroll by 10%, returning the focus back to front-line service and away from top-heavy bureaucracy

·      An across-the-board wage freeze for every government employee, including MPPs, and ending gold-plated pensions for new hires

·      Leading by example by shrinking the size of the cabinet from 27 to 16 ministers

·      Opening government contracts to competition to get the best deal for taxpayers

·      Modernizing Ontario's apprenticeship rules to create 200,000 new jobs

·      Reducing taxes on employers by 30%, creating 120,000 jobs

·      Bringing our energy bills under control, helping employers create 40,000 new jobs

·      Implementing a GTA Transportation Plan, creating 96,000 new jobs

·      Reducing personal income tax, creating 47,000 jobs

Dedicated to creating a better Peterborough, Scott would like the support our community in the June 12th election.

ADVERTORIAL POST PRESENTED BY PTBOCANADA

For more info on Scott Stewart, contact:
Address: 356 Charlotte St., Peterborough
Phone: 705-743-6772; 705-874-2087
Email: info@scottstewartpc.ca
Website: Scottstewartpc.ca
Twitter: @ScottStewartPC
Facebook: ScottStewartPC

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: The Summer Company Program For Young Entrepreneurs

Attention aspiring young entrepreneurs, the Summer Company program is back. The Summer Company program is a youth entrepreneurship program offered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, & Employment. Peterborough Economic Development has been proudly administrating the program in the Peterborough region for over a decade.

The program provides students aged 15 to 29 with the opportunity to open and operate their own summer business. Students are provided with funding, business training, and mentorship throughout the summer.

With respect to funding, successful applicants receive up to $1,500 to start their summer businesses. They are also eligible for up to a $1,500 award upon completion of the program. The business training portion of the program is provided through a series of workshops throughout the summer. Past workshop topics include: mastering social media; marketing and sales; managing business risk; networking; and taxation. The workshops are facilitated by local business professionals who are experts in their respective fields.

Students are also assigned volunteer mentors from within the community to provide them with support and guidance as they run their summer businesses. The mentors are business owners and professionals who understand the unique stresses and challenges that accompany running a small business. Students are often matched with a mentor in a similar industry. For example, past pairings include: a fire spinner with a full-time magician; a boat cleaner with one of the top 100 boat dealers in North America; as well as a promotional videographer with a media and marketing specialist.

In addition to funding, business training, and mentorship, the Summer Company program offers students several other competitive advantages. Firstly, students participate in the annual Summer Company Program Celebration otherwise known as Media Day. Media Day is an opportunity for the students to interact with local media and dignitaries and to promote their businesses. Several media outlets, including CHEX, Peterborough This Week, and the Peterborough Examiner, are invited to cover the event. Secondly, an article on each student and his/her business is featured on the Peterborough Economic Development website. Thirdly, Summer Company students have the opportunity to connect with other program participants and alumni. The annual Summer Company Training Day brings together participants from several different regions for a day of learning and networking.

Several students have been recommended for the program thus far. For example, Christina Kylie of Stellar Pixels plans to provide website design, re-design, and update services to small businesses in the community. Christina has noticed that many business owners allow their websites to go dormant by failing to regularly update their web content and security.

Christina was initially interested in the program because she is considering entrepreneurship as a career path and she wanted to gain practical work experience. Christina’s business is well aligned with her educational objectives. She is currently attending Durham College for web design. Christina can be reached at (705) 313-5563, admin@stellarpixels.ca, or @StellarPxStudio.

Students interested in the program can apply online here.

As part of their applications, students must complete a business plan, start-up budget, and cash flow forecast. The deadline for applications is May 23rd, 2014. However, students are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as viable business plan are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer Company Coordinator Carrington Hickey is more than happy to answer any questions students may have and to walk students through the application process.

For more info on the program, contact Carrington Hickey, Summer Company Coordinator, at Peterborough Economic Development:
Phone: 705.743-0777, ext. 2124
Email chickey@gpaedc.on.ca
Website: PeterboroughCanada.com
Twitter: @PtboEcDev

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Brave New Words

You can take the boy out of the town, but you can’t take the town out of the boy.  That sounds as cliché as it gets. But doesn’t it almost always ring true? It has always been the case for Dylan DeMarsh in his many travels and returns to his hometown of Peterborough.

As the owner of Brave New Words, a new local Public Relations/Communications Agency, Dylan has a massive amount of experience gained across the country in various settings that have brought him to where he is now—back home. After graduating from university where he majored in Journalism, Dylan made his way to Toronto and then across the country to Vancouver before making his way back east and finally settling back here in his hometown. During the past 15 years or so, he worked for the Rick Hansen Foundation and also in a more local setting for PARN, constantly increasing his experience in the communication and fundraising fields. This experience has led him to where he is now: the owner of his own company.

Dylan DeMarsh

After years away, Dylan felt drawn back to Peterborough and saw a chance for a sort of flexibility he had never experienced before in working for himself in a town he loved. The vibrant sense of community he sees in Peterborough and the overall engagement of its residents made it easy for him to decide to venture out on his own to help build a town he wants to live in.

With Brave New Words, Dylan’s goal is to use the successful strategies and techniques he has developed throughout his career to aid local businesses in his specialty of Public Relations and Communications. Dylan knows that not all businesses and not-for-profit organizations are experts in every aspect of their day to day operations, nor do they have the time to concentrate on everything as much as they would like. This is when his services come in handy as an expert outside source!

Brave New Words comprehensive services include:

-        Strategic Communication Planning
-        Media Relations
-        Crisis Communication and Issues Management
-        Social Media Integration and Support
-        Media/Interview Training
-        Workshops and Training

Allowing an expert such as Dylan and Brave New Words to work with an organization can help alleviate daily pressures and grant more time and concentration to be put into other day to day activities by the business itself.

The benefits of Brave New Words services are immediate and something that can’t be ignored. They can help increase overall sales/sponsorships/donations, assist in growing your consumer base, and establish your brand and protect your reputation amongst many other things!

If your business is in need of a communications or public relations pick-me-up, Dylan invites you to contact Brave New Words and find out what they can do for you. Their efficient and cost effective package of services guarantee great value for your dollar that you’ll be happy you invested!

For more information on Brave New Words, contact:
Website: Bravenewwords.ca
Twitter: @BraveNewWordsPR
Phone: 7O5.772.724O
Email: dylan@BraveNewWords.ca

**If your business/organization is interested in a PTBOCanada Featured Post Advertorial, email sales@ptbocanada.com!

2014 Doors Open Peterborough Is This Saturday

Every year, Doors Open gives you the opportunity to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures. Doors Open Peterborough is this Saturday (May 3rd), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will give you the chance to visit...

• Auburn Generating Station (908 Water Street)
• Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Historical Pumper Truck (Del Crary Park)
• Kirkland Engineering (570 Water Street)
• Peterborough Airport (925 Airport Road)
• Peterborough Memorial Centre (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame (151 Lansdowne Street West)
• Peterborough Museum and Archives (300 Hunter Street East - Museum Drive)
• Confederation Square (501 George Street North)
• TV COGECO (1111 Goodfellow Road)

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Lansdowne West Is Preparing for A New Plaza

Lansdowne Street West has churned up some soil in preparation for a new plaza. At the corner of Spillsbury Drive and Lansdowne St. W., tucked just behind Discount Car and Truck Rentals, there is a new 2.5 acre commercial plaza site slated to go in. This area has been approved for businesses such as a bank, restaurant, salon or gym.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Social Worker Stephanie Moeser

Often, people move on from smaller towns to larger metropolises for work. Stephanie Moeser and her family did the exact opposite last summer when they uprooted and moved from Toronto up the 115 to Peterborough.

The draw of an active arts community, vibrant downtown atmosphere and natural environment provided all the incentive they needed to pack up and leave their comfort zone. The slower pace of life, and friendlier atmosphere that the Lift Lock City could provide for their children also helped in the decision.

Stephanie is a social worker with a particular focus on supporting teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. She worked previously at Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto for 13 years as a social worker and later as a supervisor.  She also managed a service for adults with a dual-diagnosis. Currently, she still remains an affiliate of the Redpath Centre in Toronto. 

More recently, Stephanie decided to take a leap of faith and work for herself. She is now a social worker in private practice here in Peterborough and couldn’t be happier with this decision.

Stephanie has expertise in providing clinical support to all those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. As part of her work, she supports families understanding of their child’s diagnosis and how it effects their child and family as a whole. She also provides counseling to couples where one or both spouses have an autism spectrum disorder through offering support and guidance navigating some of the complexities of intimate relationships.  

Stephanie works directly with teens and adults with Asperger Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, supporting them through many facets of their lives, including (but not limited to):

- understanding their diagnosis
- navigating the social environment
- emotional regulation and relationships
- supporting individuals who are experience mental health issues

Through her many years of work, Stephanie has always been amazed at the strength of the individuals she has met. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder have taught her to embrace thinking outside the box and have shown her how to look at situations in new and unique ways.  Through these interactions, Stephanie knows the importance of embracing difference and using our strengths and passions to reach our goals. 

In working with families, Stephanie has been awed by their strength, love and resilience.  Families fight for the best for all of their children, and at times do this while putting their own needs second. Stephanie has worked with families to help them find balance and support so all members can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Stephanie Moeser and what she is now offering our community, she can be reached at:

Email: stephanie@rediscovery.ca
Facebook: Rediscovery Counselling
Website:  RedpathCentre.ca
Twitter:  @re_discovery
Phone: 705.927.1318

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DBIA Featured Post: Apollo Grill

Downtown Peterborough has long been a haven of locally owned and operated restaurants.  In the downtown core, you will find something offered to please almost every palate. Coming back with a vengeance—and to everyone's delight!—are classic "burger joints."  They don't get any more classic than the Apollo Grill located at the corner of George Street North and Hunter Street (402 George St. N.).

Locally owned and operated by Dan Rennick and his wife Kerry, the Apollo Grill brings you an incredible burger experience within the warm confines of a 1940s diner located at one of the busiest intersections in Peterborough's downtown. This resurrection of the mouthwatering homestyle burger provides the perfect destination to everyone from young families, date nights, to evenings out with friends.

The new downtown Apollo Grill is actually the second location in our fair city, with the original located at 1840 Lansdowne Street West. The George and Hunter street location opened late last year, and was brought downtown due to the overwhelming success of the original location that opened July 2011 on Lansdowne. Dan and Kerry were actually approached by the building's landlords and asked if they would like to bring Apollo Grill downtown.

The Apollo Grill features fresh cut fries and a great selection of burgers made daily from ground steak. What is interesting is that instead of using basic frozen ground beef, Apollo Grill uses fresh steak that is ground in house each day. They also cut and blanche their own fries. To complete the experience, Apollo Grill offers hand-dipped shakes which are made from premium local Central Smith ice cream. Of course there are also onion rings, sweet potato fries, veggie burgers and delicious poutine offered at both locations. A few must tries include the Apollo burger, the Mushroom Swiss, and of course the famous Royal Burger, all offered as a single or double burger.

Dan and Kerry are extremely excited and proud of the opening of the Apollo Grill in Peterborough's downtown, and plan to continue expanding to other locations and cities.  Within only a few short months, the downtown Apollo Grill is already considered one of the best places to gather with friends, co-workers or family for a quality meal!

Dan and Kerry invite you to experience their newest location in downtown Peterborough and taste the difference local quality makes.

For more on Apollo Grill (402 George St. N.), go to:
Website: Apollogrill.ca
Facebook: Apollo Grill
Phone:
705.874.3444, Apollo Grill Downtown Location
705.775.4745, Apollo Grill Lansdowne Street West

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

DBIA Featured Post: Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF)

If you live in or around Peterborough and have a pulse, then surely you have dealt with some part of our cities great healthcare team at some time or another. Behind every great team is a great coach and management, which is exactly what the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) can be considered. Located at 150 King St, the foundation formerly known as the St. Joseph’s Care Foundation has been an integral part of our community for almost 30 years now.

In a nutshell, the foundation is a major fundraiser for healthcare equipment, education, research and innovative programs that help the community’s health care team give its patients the best treatment possible.

The foundation consists of a team of tireless workers, including Executive director Hannah Routly, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator Carol Lawless, Board Chair Laura Boden, and physician lead ambassador Dr. Don Harterre to name just a few. On top of these positions are a long list of tremendous volunteers who aid in improving the community based health care system that the GPHSF aims to put forth.

Along with its fundraising efforts, the GPHSF also works behind the scenes in our community in creating and fostering a team like atmosphere with every branch of healthcare. From nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and mental health clinicians, to medical secretaries, dieticians, and family physicians, they help combine the expertise of a team working together to provide you with the right care, when you need it, same day or at a time convenient to you.

This overall team effort has been helping to make things better in our community for years now and the GPHSF is actually the first foundation in Canada to support such a family health care team.

One of the GPHSF's major events held yearly is the Peterborough Speaker Series. This year's event, titled Fire Starters, is taking place on April 16th at Market Hall. Previously the GPHSF has also been a part of the Festival of Trees and the Freedom 55 Financial charity golf tournament.

A few of the initiatives and items that the GPHSF has been a major part in assisting with are the incredible Partners in Pregnancy clinic, which works with many women in our community going through various phases of pregnancy. They have also recently raised money to purchase ophthalmology equipment, 17 automated external defibrillators, 40 pulse oximeters, and 20 patient transport chairs that are all located across the city helping our healthcare team put forth the greatest care possible.

For more information on GPHSF, and to find out about volunteer opportunities, go to:
Website: Gphsf.ca
Twitter: @Gphsf
Facebook: Gphsf
Phone: 705.740.8074

For more on Downtown Peterborough and the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), click here.

—By Aaron Elliott

The Bears' Lair 2014 Finalists Announced!

The Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition finalists were announced last night (March 27th) at the Peterborough Chamber Young Professionals Group meeting, and again later at the Creative Cocktail. The Final Four are...

• Redpath - The first social network for those affected by mental health & addiction, owned by Peggy Shaughnessy.
• The Land Canadian Adventures - The Land offers 1 to 3 day trips all year long to some of Ontario's best natural areas. Owned by Bretton Clark and Briagh Hoskins-Hasbury
• Unlock Math - After years of teaching in public and private schools in the U.S. and Canada, Alesia Blackwood wants to reach more students than she could in person, to share her love of math and combat the math anxiety that so many have.
• Anywhere But Here - Unique clothing by Carley Stenson

Also pictured on the right hand side are Bears' Lair Co-chairs Amy Simpson, and Sofie Andreou.

Purchase your tickets here for the Bears' Lair finals on April 23rd at Market Hall.

[Related - PTBOCanada Featured Post: Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Hatch Ptbo

Many of us can work from anywhere nowadays, laptop and cellphone in hand. As with most freedoms, sometimes the flexibility of contemporary work can leave us craving structure and community. While working at home or in a coffee shop can be a delight, other times it is fraught with distractions. That was the experience of Janet Howse, winner of the 2013 Bear’s Lair and owner of The Work of Art, a start-up that markets adaptable art products for people with dementia and their caregivers.

Howse joined Hatch Ptbo, a new coworking space located in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church (120 Murray St.). “Being a small independent start-up can be a lonely business," she says. "I tried working at home but the pull of my domestic life and lack of human interaction impaired my focus. I came to Hatch in June of 2013 to try it out. I have been here nearly full time ever since. Being a one woman show, I have really benefitted from sharing resources and skills. The space is beautiful, full of light with soaring ceilings. I feel good every time I walk through the door.”

Inspired by the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, Hatch Ptbo is the grassroots creation of many local community builders. Opening its doors on May 31, 2013, Hatch Ptbo is an architectural beauty—a professional office filled with natural light, and a warm and welcoming space. Now a COIN social enterprise, it strives to be a dynamic entrepreneurial community which exists to promote creativity and innovation for the benefit of the community of Peterborough.

The office space is run on a membership basis with various options. Some members keep a permanent nine to five schedule, while others drop in on nights and weekends to enjoy a productive space. Office sizes also vary, with some members taking over entire rooms, and others simply using a desk and a chair; meeting rooms, lounge area, and kitchen are shared. All memberships include access to Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, kitchen, office equipment, and best of all, coworkers.

Current members include for-profit start-ups, small non-profit organizations, and freelancers who do everything from programming, graphic design, and cartography to book writing and organic farming inspections. Jo-Anne Green, Employment Development Officer, is the sole staff member running the Peterborough office of Kagita Mikam, an Aboriginal training and employment non-profit: “I really like the open concept space because I like the commotion of people around me and the chance to network and bounce ideas off others," she says. Previously, Green felt isolated in a rented basement office.

For home-based businesses, budding entrepreneurs starting out, or non-profits with short term projects but no more desk space, Hatch Ptbo is a smart option. Its flexible memberships are affordable and low commitment. Shared space is not just about economizing and maximizing space, but also about becoming part of an inspiring community that allows you to function at a higher level.

For more information on Hatch Ptbo (120 Murray St.), visit:
Website: Hatchptbo.ca
Facebook: HatchPtbo
Twitter: @hatchptbo
Email: info@hatchptbo.ca
Phone: 705.743.0238, ext. 203

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