Wimpy's Diner... You Rock!

Sam & Bonnie, Owners of Wimpy’s Diner Peterborough

Each month, PTBOCanada will award someone that is making a difference locally that you nominate. This month, Chad Buchner from Small Change PTBO gave a glowing shoutout to Sam, Bonnie and Tas Shamsuz—the owners of Wimpy’s Diner (1080 Lansdowne Street West).

Here’s what Chad had to say about them…

“These people have supported this community for the past two years by serving people free Thanksgiving meals for those who need a small change. Recently, we served over 350 meals and this family welcomed everyone into their restaurant just like it was their home.

Being the Vice President of Small Change Peterborough, I have come to see many amazing people in our community with big hearts but these people do not get the credit they truly deserve.”

— Chad Buchner

Know of an unsung hero who has made a difference here in Peterborough? Nominate them for a “You Rock” award and they might receive a handmade token of their awesomeness!

—post and photo by Evan Holt

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Watch: Peterborough Chamber CEO Stuart Harrison On Growing Up In A Town Of 35 People, Leadership, Collaboration, Community & More

On Episode 30 of “PTBOCanada”, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce CEO Stuart Harrison talks to us about growing up in a town of 35 people in Leipzig, Saskatoon where his parents ran a hotel/pub, and where Stu lived above the pub.

The town of Leipzig where Stuart Harrison grew up

We also cover what brought Stu to Peterborough four decades ago, what being CEO of the Peterborough Chamber (he is celebrating 15 years there) has meant to him, the impact of his Business Beat column, where we’re at now as a community, and how a recent health scare with something called Transient global amnesia gave him even greater perspective on life.

Stu Harrison on “PTBOCanada” show

Watch the interview with Stu below…

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Downtown Soap Shop Simple Not Reopening After Fire

PHOTO COURTESY SIMPLE

Simple (370 George Street North) has been closed since a fire hit the building on November 17th, 2017. Their neighbour Natas who were also affected have since reopened, then opened a new location at 382 George Street called Cork & Bean.

Simple had opened a temporary location at the Peterborough Square but have decided not to re-open.

PHOTO Of TEMPORARY PETERBOROUGH SQUARE LOCATION COURTESY DBIA

Owner Alex Fitzgerald posted the following note to customers on their Facebook page…

“Happy Fall, everyone!
I’ve had a much longer hiatus than I’d originally planned, but I hope everyone had as great a summer as I did.
I’ve had some interesting opportunities come up during my downtime and I think I’d like to take advantage of them rather than reopen the shop. It was a hard decision to make, but I’m going to make a huge left turn and become… a travel consultant.
I’m as surprised as anyone, it sort of manifested itself. I had some stress-related health issues this summer, so it’s been a good time to rethink my lifestyle. I’ve always known that travel is important (there’s no one that tries harder to get out of the snow). Now I’m sure that wellness travel is a great way to continue the same thing I’ve been doing for a couple of decades – helping people get better, healthier, practical choices. But now with margaritas 😊
I will miss the shop though. I’ve been very lucky to work downtown my entire life. I can’t think of another environment where you get to be a part of so much community involvement. It’s always been inspiring to be around so many exceptional businesses that put their product over profit and genuinely care about their customers.
Everything’s always ultimately about people. I’d like to think we provided a good product, but it was actually you guys that made our shop a welcoming place that was great to work in every day. Inclusive, unpretentious, authentic… everything that I was proud of in the shop came directly from and was enabled by our awesome customers. You made a great space, thank you. (While I’m thinking about it, I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank you for almost 2 decades of enduring my awesomely horrific soundtracks.)
It has been my absolute pleasure serving you.
High Five”

— Alex

—post by Evan Holt

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3rd Annual Electric City Hackathon Taking Place At Trent University

Ingenuity will be the name of the game as more than 300 creative students from across Canada descend on Peterborough for Trent University’s 3rd Annual Electric City Hackathon event.

The Innovation Cluster will again sponsor the event, along with over a dozen tech supporters. It takes place between November 2th to 4th.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

Electric City Hacks is a 37-hour student run event in the Trent Student Centre in Trent University’s Symons campus. This Hackathon will challenge student innovators to create innovative products with software and hardware, solving problems for communities.

“Electric City Hacks is a great opportunity for students and hackers of all skill levels and experience to come together to learn and invent products that solve issues within communities,” says Nicholas Barnes, president of the Trent Computer Science Society. “It promotes innovation, creativity and cooperation in a welcoming and inclusive environment, allowing participants to network with tech companies and one another.”

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

All post secondary and high school students interested in the development, innovation and progression of technology are encouraged to join. It will also be a fantastic networking opportunity as many representative scouts will be on hand to scout student talent in the tech industry.

“We are extremely excited to support the 3rd Annual Electric City Hacks,” says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster. “This hackathon will be a great opportunity for students to expose talent, grow, recruit and bring new innovative companies to Peterborough.”

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

The hackathon will offer workshops, games, prizes and other activities to give hackers a break from their projects throughout the event.

To register for the event, click here.

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Watch: Peterborough Symphony Orchestra Michael Newnham Music Director Interviewed On PTBOCanada Show

On Episode 29 of “PTBOCanada”, we sit down with Michael Newnham, who has been the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra Music Director & Conductor for 18 years.

Michael Newnham

Michael—also the Founding Conductor of the Kawartha Youth Orchestra—has lived and conducted around the world but talks about why he chose to make Peterborough his permanent home.

In this wide ranging interview, he speaks about his passion for music, community and life…

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Transformed Trent Bata Library Opens

The transformed “Library of the Future”—Trent University’s iconic Bata library—opened on Monday (October 29th) and it features a combination of the familiar and the stunningly new, with amazing views.

“With an emphasis on the original Ron Thom architecture and more open views to take in campus vistas, there is oodles of student space,” says the Trent University Alumni Association in a Facebook post.

Photo via Trent University Alumni Association Facebook Page

Folks on Twitter are raving about it…

The @BataLibrary renovations are spectacular. As a man who took out the garbage at Bata during the 4 years of my undergrad degree, it is truly amazing to see every corner of the building transformed to fit the needs of students and the @TrentUniversity community. I'm a fan.

— Spenny (@spennyanderson) October 29, 2018

Crying because of how much I love our new library. Thank you @TrentUniversity ❤️

— Sarah S (@sarah_sollitt) October 29, 2018

Bata Library 2.0 includes a makers’ space with a 3D printer and other high tech gadgetry.

Photo via Trent University Alumni Association Facebook page

Make sure to sign the welcome board there as well…

Photo via Trent University Alumni Association Facebook page

This is a soft opening as some areas of the Bata building still require finishing touches. An official Bata Library Grand Opening Celebration event will take place November 16th, with more details to come on that from Trent U.

Here are some more pics of the new space…

Photo via @trentuniversity

Photo via @trentuniversity

Photo via @BataLibrary

Photo via Trent University Facebook page

Photo via Trent University Facebook page

Photo via Trent University Facebook page

Photo via Trent Univesity Facebook page

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Fleming Fire Combat Team Takes FireFit Nationals By Storm

Congrats to the Fleming Fire Combat Team, which took the Canadian 2018 National FireFit Championships in Calgary by storm. They brought home a National bronze medal in the co-ed relay and a silver medal in the co-ed X3 division.

The team has gained much momentum since its inception in 2014, and over the last three years brought home National medals competing against the fastest and fittest firefighters from across Canada.  

Photo courtesy Fleming College

Seven national qualifying students and two coaches travelled to Calgary to compete against the best at the Canadian National FireFit Championships, which was televised by TSN. This year, the team upped their game by not only competing against other schools but also competing in the Open category as a way to be considered equals in the sport.

The 2018 Fleming Fire Combat Team was comprised of two volunteer coaches: full-time firefighter Shawna Coulter and 2015 team Alumni Trevor Russell. The team included Kendal Freshwater, Gaelen Palleske, Drew Goble, Kaylea Brunatti, Eric Fregonas, Mak Hope and Logan Cornelius. (Team member Janell Stonehouse was unable to attend this year’s competition.)

“I am very proud of the team’s outstanding effort and dedication,” says Shawna Coulter. “It is a huge commitment for these young people and often a juggling act between academic, work and training schedules. The team took on the challenge with enthusiasm. Their drive and genuine love for the sport is demonstrated at every practice and at every competition.”

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Fleming College Gives Back To Community, Cleans Up Shoreline At Del Crary Park

Fleming College teamed up with World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) to host the 2nd Annual Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up at Del Crary Park on Saturday, October 13th.

Together with more than 50 volunteers including Fleming students, staff and members of the community, the initiative made the following impact…

-> Cleaned up over 108 kg of trash, an increase of 194% from 2017
-> Picked up 3,502 cigarette butts
-> Picked up 376 pieces of small plastic
-> Cleaned up 1.2 km of shoreline

Photo of shorelne cleanup courtesy Fleming College

The Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up is a national conservation program that provides Canadians the opportunity to take action in their communities wherever water meets land, one bit of trash at a time.

The Shoreline Cleanup is now recognized as one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada, and it is great Fleming College is participating in this initiative.

Pollution is a growing concern—especially when it collects in our local parks where it can directly affect wildlife populations. According to WWF, Canada’s Living Planet Report, pollution including plastic waste and micro plastics are one of six leading causes to wildlife decline.

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