New Non-Profit Organization Launches in Peterborough

Hearts 4 Joy, a non-profit organization servicing adults over 21 with intellectual exceptionalities, celebrated their official launch on Sunday.

Artists Carly, Derek, Jessica, Jory, Josh, Kacee, Karsen and Luke celebrate Hearts for Joy official launch with MPP Dave Smith on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Hearts 4 Joy.

Hearts 4 Joy is a volunteer-run group that meets three times a week in President Norma Christensen’s backyard to create hand-crafted items.

Christensen and a group of parents started this group to help their kids and others gain independence, build relationships and gain experience in a workplace setting. Profits from sales go to paying participants a wage and purchasing more supplies.

“The idea is to provide something that families with intellectually exceptional young adults can have something to aspire to or become interested in,” said Christensen. “They can develop some real working skills and that’s what we hope to grow in the future.”

The group is currently working on their fall and Christmas inventory.

“We try to use recycled or environmentally-friendly supplies,” said Christensen.

The group sells hand-painted journals, wine glasses and lanterns. Their seasonal items include decorative pumpkins for Halloween and gnomes and Santa plates for Christmas.

“This gives them the idea that they all can be so productive,” said Christensen. “We just need to find the thing they’re passionate about. It’s about providing them those opportunities so that they can learn and they make money while they do it.”

Christensen hopes that soon their organization can find a space to host their meetings and store their inventory so they can continue working even through the winter.

“I actually considered moving my furniture outside so we could work in my house,” said Christensen. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep it going.”

Hearts 4 Joy is having a pop-up sale at Avant-Garden shop on Sherbrooke Street, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

You can e-mail hearts4joyptbo@gmail.com for questions or more information.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Blossom Home Care, Wild Collective, Billyard Insurance and PRHC Foundation

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Janet Nicholls has been working with seniors in the health care field for almost thirty years. After completing her Personal Care Assistant Certificate this summer she recently launched her own home care services business. Blossom Home Care Services will provide in-home care in Peterborough and the surrounding area.

Services include companionship, meal prep, light housecleaning, assistance with activities of daily living, post-op assistance, medication reminders and more. blossomhomecare.ca or call/text 705-761-8332.

The Wild Collective Peterborough is a women's group-health program that was developed by a naturopathic doctor and run out of the Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine.

Facilitator and nutritionist Rebecca Kerrivan says the program includes 10 group sessions - discussing topics such as: hormonal health, sleep, stress, thyroid health, blood sugar, mental health and more. It includes boot camps with a relationship expert, and a mindset coach, and a strategy session with Rebecca.  Details at pcnm.ca

Local Peterburger Steve Nicholls recently launched Billyard Insurance Group. Steve offers home, auto, business, life and travel insurance. Billyard Insurance group, also known as BIG, has over 50 locations across Ontario.

Check out their new and innovative space at 1600 Lansdowne, Mon. to Fri. from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit thebig.ca/peterborough or on Instagram @thebig.peterborough.

The PRHC Foundation recently announced its own online 50/50 Lottery in support of world-class patient care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

The grand prize winner will be announced on October 28, plus there are bonus prizes, early-bird draws and more. Tickets start at $10 for ten tickets and are available online only at prhcfoundation5050.com

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring I Stop Defamation, The Marketing Guy, ClearlyThen Inc. and Habitat for Humanity

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

If you have ever experienced online bullying or defamation, there is a new service that you might be interested in. istopdefamation.com utilizes in-depth knowledge of online platforms and website building to help anyone recover from everything from a toxic breakup to an online bully. 

Reputational repair tools include having the content removed for violating platform policies, to starting a suppressive content campaign, such as creating new, specially coded content to help bury defamatory posts or messages. A full list of services and free advice is available at their official website.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­After 19 years of working in the marketing and communications world, local entrepreneur, Phillip Jolicoeur has branched off on his own as “The Marketing Guy”.

Jolicoeur is offering a one-stop shop for social media management, website and graphic design and copywriting - a marketing concierge to handle all your business marketing month to month. Call 289-251-7445 (PHIL) or follow him on social media @PJTHEMARKETINGGUY.

Jonathan Bennett recently announced the launch of a coaching practice under the banner, ClearlyThen Inc.

Recognized as the founder of Laridae, a successful training and strategic planning consulting group, Jonathan will now focus on coaching leaders of progressive businesses and organizations.

From group coaching, including Boards of Directors, to individual coaching, Jonathan promises reliable support to keep you at your creative and strategic best.

Congratulations to Susan Zambonin, the new CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region. Susan brings 19 years of award-winning experience within Canada’s Habitat community.

Congratulations also to Sarah Budd, who hands over the reins on October 4th after 15 years of stellar leadership and vision.

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Instructions Issued To Dining Establishments For Patron Information Collection

Peterborough Public Health has issued instructions to dining establishments on collecting diner information due to recent large-scale COVID-19 exposures in the community announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

These instructions, effective immediately, enhance the provincial requirements and are directed toward owners, operators and persons responsible for food premises with indoor and/or outdoor dining areas according to the press release.

Names, phone numbers, location of dining establishment and server name are the information dining establishments are urged to collect.

Collection of patron information is mandatory under O. Reg. 364/20: Rules for Areas at Step 3 and the Roadmap Exit Step.

As a result of recent large-scale exposures and insufficient patron contact records, Peterborough Public Health continues to follow a significant number of people who have been deemed high-risk contacts of a person with COVID-19. Two of the recent large exposures occurred at two different local food premises.

“Case management and contact tracing are essential components of our local COVID-19 response to prevent transmission and protect our community,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “These instructions, which ask operators to use the template that we have created for the collection of patron information, will help to ensure that sufficient and thorough details of exposure are provided to our office, which will allow for efficient and timely follow-up, when large-scale exposures occur. And I want to remind everyone choosing to dine out that you must provide accurate contact information to the operator. It won’t work if the data is wrong.”

Dr. Salvaterra noted that these instructions are an extension of a requirement that currently exists in the legislation governing Step Three of the current provincial restrictions.

The instructions aim to prescribe the exact information that restaurants should be collecting for patrons who remain onsite to dine. The instructions do not apply to food premises that require patrons to order and pay for their food, prior to sitting at a table such as cafeterias and fast food establishments.

Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health advised the community that the Instructions are mandatory and enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA).

“Public Health Inspectors are educating restaurant operators to ensure that they are aware of the importance of adequate record-keeping and to ensure that these Instructions are implemented within their establishments,” she said.

Ingram noted businesses are not the only ones that could face consequences for non-compliance.

“It’s important for the community to know that not only business owners and operators be charged but for failing to complement these instructions but customers themselves can be charged with obstruction under the Reopening Ontario Act,” she added.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cottage Toys, Living Local Marketplace, Custom Lit Designs and World Alzheimer's Month

PTBOCanada is delighted to be running StoosNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition… 

Congratulations to Donna and Andrew Rork of Cottage Toys as they have started the construction of their new retail location at the corner of Queen and Concession Streets in Lakefield.

Donna, who started the business more than 30 years ago, says the new building will provide the space they need, more parking and high visibility for their watersport equipment like kayaks and paddle boards, as well as their multiple clothing and swimwear lines.

Four Points Construction has been awarded the building project and is working towards a May 2022 opening.

Living Local Marketplace will be opening a storefront in Peterborough this month. Owner Alicia Doris has secured space at 1179 Chemong Rd., across from Portage Place, to add another dimension to her business.

Living Local provides gift boxes featuring artwork, bath and body, food and drink, and lifestyle products from artisans and small businesses in Peterborough & The Kawarthas.

You can subscribe to a seasonal box, build your own, and now stop into the shop. Watch for news on the opening soon at livinglocalbox.com or on social media.

Bennet Foster is setting up a manufacturing facility for his company Custom Lit Designs. Located at 2085 Whittington Dr., Unit 7B, the company utilizes a large variety of LED products and control systems to add dramatic elements to onyx stone.

They can retrofit an existing application or help you design something from scratch. There is an open house this Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. where you can tour the facility, view the samples and meet the maker. Just look for Custom Lit Designs on Eventbrite or check out customlitdesigns.com

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and Doctor Jenny Ingram is encouraging everyone to raise awareness by painting social media purple.

Pull out your purple pants, dresses, shirts, cowboy hats, pansies, whatever is at hand and put together a purple post, encouraging everyone to donate to the Alzheimer Society.

Dr. Ingram is the founder and medical director of the Kawartha Centre and a recognized expert in Redefining Healthy Aging.

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PTBOCanada Makes East City Their New Home With a Studio

It is home sweet home for PTBOCanada as they officially opened their new studio space and office in East City on Friday.

(left to right) David Bui (Editor), Kirtus Evoy (Owner), Angela O’Grady (Journalist) in PTBOCanadas new studio space. Photo by Pete Dalliday.

PTBOCanada owner Kirtus Evoy says the location is perfect for the new studio and is grateful to Ashburnham Realty for providing him with the space.

“We are super excited to bring a modern spin to local media and are looking forward to bringing a new dynamic of digital marketing and journalism to the area,” he said.

The Hunter Street building will provide office space for the journalists as well as a studio to host guests for interviews.

“I think this studio is going to open up a world of opportunities for PTBOCanada,” said David Bui, PTBOCanada editor. “ With the studio in East City, we’re going to be right in the heart of the city and really be integrated as part of the community.”

Love the new @Ptbo_Canada digs in East City. Their team is moving in there this week. Congrats to owner/publisher @EvoyKirtus & Editor @DavidTuanBui44 (pictured). pic.twitter.com/qm9N34OU9I

— Neil Morton (@neilmorton) September 7, 2021

The studio is decorated with a giant mural that celebrates Peterborough’s timeline by local artist Jason Wilkins of Art of Wilkins.

The paintings timeline features the Peterborough Petes, Centennial Fountain, the Lift Lock, Trent University, Fleming College, The Quaker Factory and The Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park.

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Retired Millbrook Couple Keeps Busy With Family-Run Charcuterie Business

Retirement has not slowed down Avril and Steve Greer of Millbrook as their charcuterie catering business Corks & Boards have kept them busy since November of last year.

Steve (left) and Avril Greer (right) showing off their homemade charcuterie boards and a sample of their array of foods that accompany them. Photo By David Tuan Bui

The business sells boxes of charcuterie boards full of ready-to-eat specialty meats, cheeses, chocolate, nuts, jellies, seasonal fruit and crackers to customers. Their products are ideal for parties, showers, sympathies, date nights or social gatherings.

The charcuterie is available for pickup or delivery in the Peterborough County or Durham region from their home-run business.

The couple moved to Millbrook in October last year after Avril and Steve retired as a daycare and an IT worker respectively.

The idea of Corks & Boards came from Avril’s sister since there were plenty of charcuterie businesses in the Niagara area where she lives. The couple wanted to keep busy in a new era of their lives.

"There's not a lot of that (charcuterie) around,” explained Avril. “We were looking, there are cupcakes and cookies but we're not bakers. We want to eat something where we're not making food, that we wanted to prepare food."

Avril (left) with daughter Ashley McGavock (right). Both daughters aid their parents in the social media of the business. Photo Courtesy of Corks & Boards.

While the business started out small, they quickly grew from word of mouth and some social media marketing and found themselves busy in a hurry.

"We thought we'd be selling to friends and family but it quickly got busy around Christmas time and realized we need to do not just Facebook and Instagram but we need to do a website."

The charcuterie comes in several sizes such as a sampler, spicy, gather or grand gathering. Every option aside from spicy has a “plus” option that includes wine jellies. Photo Courtesy of Corks & Boards.

All of their products used for the charcuterie are sourced as local as possible. Steve has the boards delivered to the business before he forms them then coats them with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax.

"I love giving them as gifts to people and love the look on people's faces when we surprise them at the door,” said Avril.

"We like to give people as much value for what they're getting,” said Steve. I think people see that and they appreciate it.“

All orders can be done online at their official website.

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New CEO Announced For Habitat for Humanity

A big change for the Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region as Susan Zambonin will become the new Chief Executive Officer beginning on Oct. 4 announced Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Habitat For Humanity.

Susan, the current chief operating officer with Habitat, has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for 18 years and has nine years combined executive leadership experience as CEO of Habitat PEI and Habitat Kingston.

“With Susan’s extensive leadership experience, construction knowledge and determination to build more affordable homes, we are confident that we can help more families across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region achieve affordable homeownership,” says Jill Bennett, board chair. “Susan has a proven commitment to Habitat’s core values, helping over 110 families into affordable homeownership through 66 builds in Canada and 4 Global Village builds."

She has won several awards including a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown; and from Habitat for Humanity Canada an International Outstanding Contribution Award, Mentorship Award, and the Award of Excellence for creating a volunteer training program. Susan has also done numerous volunteer work and is an avid Rotarian.

“We are confident that Susan’s many talents, depth of philanthropic experience with Habitat for Humanity and proven strategic and collaborative leadership approach will help us to increase our affordable homebuilding efforts throughout the Region including the City and County of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County,” expressed Bennett.

Susan will be taking over from Sarah Budd, who has led the organization for almost 15 years. The Board has thanked Budd for her contributions and commitment during her time as CEO.

Her leadership and vision were instrumental in managing the organization through the pandemic and moving the organization from a builder of single-family homes to a developer of multi-residential communities according to the press release.

Susan is coming on board as the organization embarks on an ambitious new strategic plan and is in the midst of the ongoing pandemic and increased need for affordable housing.

“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be Habitat’s new CEO and have a strategic leadership role in creating much-needed affordable housing in our communities,” says Zambonin. “This is an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for housing with my professional experience to continue to grow this respected organization. For over 18 years, I have been a leader in the fight for more affordable housing and I am very honoured to lead this great team in the Peterborough and Kawartha Region.”

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Local Soap Company Keeps Firefighters Clean and Places First at Clean Beauty Awards

SootSoap Supply Co., a company out of Port Hope, has won first place at the 2021 Clean Beauty Awards.

K.Dee Howards poses with SootSoap products. In the wake of COVID-19 SootSoap released a line of hand sanitizer to combat germs while keeping skin healthy. Photo courtesy of SootSoap Supply Co.

SootSoap Supply Co. was started by K.Dee Howard. It is a line of personal care products like body wash and shampoo designed for firefighters.

“I developed SootSoap for my husband initially, who is a firefighter in Brampton,” said Howard. “I discovered after he came home smelling like fire even after showering numerous times that it was contaminates and toxins causing the smell,” she said.

Howard did some research and found there was no products to help combat this. She also found that cancer is the number one cause of death in firefighters, and these toxins are the cause of it.

Her products are designed to absorb and discard of both the smell and the toxins that firefighters often come into contact while on duty.

SootSoap launched their first product line in 2019 and is now Howards full time job.

Since launching Howard has found that it’s not only firefighters that come into contact with toxins and hard-to-get-rid-of odors at work.

“Lot’s of people can benefit. People that experience environmental toxins, every day things like fuel and grease, kitchen smells, we even have customers that are pig farmers,” she said. “We’re finding more and more uses for our products.”

This year SootSoaps shampoo was the first place winner in the hair wash category of the Clean Beauty Awards.

The Clean beauty Awards recognize the best performing beauty and personal care products, manufactured without the use of known harmful chemicals, from across the globe.

“In a year and a half to go from a firefighter, industrial shampoo to a shampoo recognized by clean beauty influencers, it’s pretty amazing,” Howard said. “Being clean, all natural, and biodegradable is very important to me. Our core challenge is to get rid of toxins so the last thing I want to do is add in more chemicals.”

Photo courtesy of SootSoap Supply Co.

Howard says her aim with SootSoap is to create products that will solve a problem.

“Innovation comes from our customers saying ‘I don’t have a solutions to this particular challenge’,” said Howard. “My challenge is to find solutions that don’t exist currently.”

To view SootSoap’s full line of products click here.

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