Watch: PTBOCanada Speaks With Entomo Farms Co-Founder Darren Goldin On How His Norwood Insect Farm Is Becoming Global Brand

On Episode 33 of PTBOCanada, we sit down with Entomo Farms Co-Founder Darren Goldin to talk about how his insect—yes insect—farm in Norwood, Ontario near Peterborough has become a global leader in the cultivation of cricket powder and insect protein, and how it might play a huge part in the future of food consumption and the sustainability of our planet.

Entomo Farms Co-Founder Darren Goldin

Entomo Farms has emerged as one of the largest cricket farms in the world, and produces insect protein as a viable and altruistic response to the global crises (food, water, natural resources) that is imminently upon us.

Watch the interview with Darren below…

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Check Out The Bicycle Museum Pop-Up Documenting City's Storied Cycling History

The public is invited to see a collection of a dozen historical photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s alongside a replica Penny Farthing bicycle at the Peterborough Public Library starting on December 3rd at noon. The free exhibit showcases Peterborough’s rich cycling history and will run until the New Year.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum and Archives

Peterborough was at the centre of the cycling craze in the 1890s and held the first ever Canadian Wheelmen’s Association provincial meet on July 1, 1898, where big wheel—or Penny Farthing—bikes raced around the track at Morrow Park to the delight of almost 7,000 onlookers.

Photo courtesy of Peggy Brownscombe

“Peterborough has a long tradition of cycling excellence and that tradition needs to be acknowledged—and it needs to continue,” says Tammy Thorne, the creator of TheBicycleMuseum.ca and the pop-up exhibits here in Peterborough, which first launched last month. 

“There’s so much heritage that needs to be preserved in Peterborough, and it’s not just buildings. There are many great stories from this city’s illustrious industrial past that need to be told, and cycling is just one part of that,” adds Thorne.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum and Archives

The images in this must-see collection are largely from the Peterborough Museum and Archives but part of the collection comes from Peggy Brownscombe, the daughter of the former owner of one of the city’s earliest bike shops, White’s Cycle and Sporting Goods. 

“Many of the images have stories behind them that are yet to be discovered,” says Thorne. “For example, we have this lovely photo of Alex Gibson with his high wheel bike and medals. He was a member of the Peterborough Cycling Club, even the treasurer for a time, and his father was likely a watchmaker.”

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum & Archives

“Cycling is a large part of the Peterborough community and has been for some time,” says Jennifer Jones, Peterborough Public Library CEO. “This pop-up exhibit gives us the opportunity to glimpse into the rich history of bicycles in our neighbourhoods. The Library is thrilled to be able to provide the space to bring some of that history to light."

There will be a book to sign at the library where you can add your bicycling history story and contact information. You can also email thebicyclemuseumptbo@gmail.com if you have information about this exhibit or historic bicycling artifacts you would like to share for a future exhibit. 

TheBicycleMuseum.ca will produce new exhibits in 2019 featuring CCM artifacts and bicycles, and another exhibit featuring service bicycles and stories.

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The Top 10 Win This Space Contestants Announced

The Top 10 Win This Space finalists have been selected for a chance to win a free downtown storefront for a year.

Judges and sponsors met Tuesday, November 27th at Providence at 131 Hunter Street West to go through all the application videos submitted. Contestants were asked to submit a 1 to 3 minute video pitch (watch them below) which the judges would use to help select the finalists.

Guests at Providence where the Top 10 finalists were announced

The 10 finalists will go through a series of workshops on building business plans, creating marketing plans and financial forecasting.

WHAT THE WINNER GETS

-> The winner will be announced March 5th at The Venue and will then choose which downtown space they would like to open in.

-> The prize package includes not only a free lease to a downtown storefront for a year, but also thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion.

-> This year’s grand prize is valued at more than $40,000.

Mr. Downtown Terry Guiel speaking at Providence at Win This Space event

The Win This Space competition is a Peterborough DBIA initiative in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Community Futures Peterborough and Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

“Every year there are so many interesting submissions for some really innovative businesses,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “It’s encouraging to see so much excitement from the next generation of entrepreneurs to open a business here in downtown Peterborough.”

THE 10 FINALISTS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER) ARE…

MINK MAGIC

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

KNOOK AND CRANNY

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

THE RABBIT HOLE

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

COZY HOME: DESIGNS BY LACEY

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

THE FOOD SHOP

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

STATEMENT HOUSE

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

SUSTAIN

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

SWEAT HAPPY WELLNESS

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

MOLOKO

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

STUDIO PINEO

Top 10 of Win This Space 2019

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Great Stocking Stuffer Idea: 2019 Peterborough Musicfest Diner's Cards Are Available Now

Peterborough Musicfest has announced the return of the very popular Musicfest Diner’s Cards.

This year, with 47 delicious restaurants (see poster below for participants) to enjoy for only $25, the 2019 Diner’s Cards allow the user to “buy one entrée, get the second half price.”

Back by popular demand just in time for Christmas—a great stocking stuffer idea that gives back free music to the community—you can buy three Diner’s Card booklets and get the 4th absolutely free.

Diner’s Cards can be purchased for $25 each at the customer service desk at Lansdowne Place; at City Hall in Peterborough; at the Kawarthas Tourism office on George Street; or online here.

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The Peterborough Police Service And Lansdowne Place Mall Team Up For 12th Annual Cop Shop

The Peterborough Police Service and Lansdowne Place Mall are excited for the 12th Annual Cop Shop, a cherished holiday tradition for officers, mall staff and local children.

Started in 2006 by Peterborough Police Constable Leanda LeVasseur, Cop Shop partners a Peterborough Police Service officer with a local child based on good school citizenship, volunteer or academic achievement. The schools select the children that participate in the program. 

2016 Cop Shop at Lansdowne Place Mall

HOW COP SHOP DAY WORKS

-> The children arrive at the mall in a limousine and are provided breakfast courtesy of Tim Hortons.

-> They are also generously provided with a $200 gift certificate from Lansdowne Place to spend on holiday shopping for family and friends.

-> The officer becomes the child’s personal shopper for the day and a bond is quickly formed. (All of the officers that participate in the program are volunteering during their off-duty time.)

-> Mall shops provide the kids with additional discounts and treats.

-> Purchases are wrapped and tagged by mall staff, and by volunteers from the community and the police service. Lunch caps off the event followed by a complimentary photo with Santa and their officer friend.

-> The students then enjoy a limousine ride back to their school courtesy of Welsh Limousine and Ulimate Limousine.  

2016 Cop Shop at Lansdowne Place Mall

This year’s Cop Shop takes place on Wednesday, December 5th. The children will be arriving at the mall at approximately 9:30 a.m. and the event takes place until about 1:30 p.m.

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Trent University Student Among 100 Rhodes Scholars Selected Worldwide

Trent University international student Joshua (Yee Aung) Low has been selected as a 2019 Oxford University Rhodes Scholar—the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship award in the world.

A 4th-year International Development Studies (IDS) and International Political Economy student, Low attributes part of his success as a recipient of the coveted scholarship to the personalized learning environment at Trent, the academic rigour of the IDS program, and the incredible support and mentorship from his professors and the Trent International team.

“At Trent, professors care about you both personally and intellectually,” says Low. “Studying International Development, I have loved the intellectual challenge and the tight-knit community of the program. Starting with Trent International as soon as I arrived from Malaysia and continuing through the last four years, my time at Trent has been very meaningful for me and full of many key experiences and cherished friendships.”

Joshua Low

Low has a strong interest in forced migration issues, human rights theory and practice, and citizenship theory that was fostered through his experiences at Trent.

“One of the first things that strikes one about Joshua is his genuine intellectual curiosity—this is about ideas, but also much more,” says Dr. Chris Beyers, professor of International Development Studies at Trent. “He continually seeks insight into how people think and act, in social, economic and political contexts, as well as in everyday life.”

Low applied for the esteemed Rhodes Scholarship in hopes of continuing his intellectual journey at the University of Oxford in the Refugee and Forced Migration Studies master’s program where he is looking forward to “living and loving the questions.” Trent International supported his application and helped fund his more than 20-hour journey back home to Malaysia where he completed his final interview before being named the successful applicant in November.

Low—who will graduate from Trent this spring—is the fifth Trent student to be named a Rhodes Scholar. Previous recipients include: Shelagh Scarth ‘74 (Canadian Studies and History), Jim Retallack ‘74 (History), Alison Van Rooy ’86 (Politics & International Development Studies), and Kai Alderson ‘90 (Philosophy).

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11 Slightly Obscure But Fun Sport Clubs To Try In Peterborough

Hockey, baseball or soccer not your thing? Just wanna try something new? Don’t you fret and don’t you frown, because Peterborough is full of other random options. Learn about these 11 local leagues/clubs you might not know even existed…

1. Peterborough Ultimate League: It’s kind of like football but with a frisbee… and way more running!
For more info: https://pultimate.ca/

2. Peterborough Axe Club: Chucking steel has never been so fun. They have leagues for everyone.
For more info: https://www.ptboaxe.com/

3. Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club: This is one of the oldest clubs in town, dating back to 1901.
For more info: https://www.peterboroughlawnbowlingclub.org/

4. Bocce Ball: Courts are located at King Edward Park. Start a club, and have at it.

5. LARPing (Live Action Rollplay): A medieval swords and sorcery sport that brings the battles you’ve seen in film and video games to real (padded) life.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peterboroughamtgard/

6. Ptbo Disc Golf Club: There are now two courses in town—Jackson’s Park and Riverview Disc Golf.
For more info: http://www.peterboroughdiscgolf.ca/

7. Pickleball: A hybrid sport between ping pong, badminton, and tennis! There are awesome courts at Knights of Columbus Park or play indoors at many local gyms.
For more info: https://twitter.com/pickleballptbo

8. PARD (Peterborough Area Roller Derby): Jam on in this full contact sport!
For more info: http://www.pard-rollerderby.com/

9. Underwater Hockey: There is great underwater hockey out at Trent University. Grab your snorkel and flippers and jump in the pool!

10. Peterborough Fencing Club: Strap on your gear and try this regal sport at the Peterborough Multisport Club, along with archery and longsword.
For more info: http://peterboroughmultisport.com/

11. Peterborough Table Hockey Club: One of your favourite childhood games is an actual league in town and it’s a ton of fun. For more info: http://www.tablehockeypeterborough.com/

—post by Aaron Elliott

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Parking In Peterborough Just Got Way Easier

The City of Peterborough is making metered/pay-and-display parking much more convenient with the launch of HotSpot’s pay-by-phone parking solution announced on Thursday (November 22nd).

Photo by Terry Guiel

DETAILS ON THE APP

HotSpot, a Canadian tech company, provides an affordable pay-for-membership mobile app that offers users convenient parking solutions including:

-> Notification when their paid time is close to expiring
-> The option to add more time up to the maximum for the space
-> The option to cancel their parking session early and be refunded for any unused time
-> Access to all metered/pay-and-display parking in Peterborough
-> Consistent service throughout the City of Peterborough and Trent University campuses.

“We are excited to bring this convenient option for Peterborough drivers,” says Mayor-Elect Diane Therrien. “Instead of digging for coins for the parking meter, they’ll now be able to use their smartphone to pay electronically.”

“We see many people who are shopping, getting a hair cut or eating a meal worry about a pending ticket, and those people being able to add a few more minutes with this app is going to be great for downtown businesses,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director, DBIA. “It’s great to see the city embrace this technology.”

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Doug Flutie Becomes Brand Ambassador For Peterborough-Based Canuck Play’s Maximum Football Title

Canuck Play, the local video game company that has gained international coverage for its one-of-a-kind football games, has announced that Doug Flutie has come on as an ambassador for their Maximum Football franchise.

Considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Flutie will be a brand ambassador for the only video game on the market that allows gamers to play with US College, Canadian, and U.S. professional styles of play. Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football will feature Doug as a playable character and include multiple new game play features.

“I’m basically a kid at heart who lives for playing sports in person or on the screen,” says Flutie. “This partnership gives me the chance to join the video game space and I’m looking forward to helping grow the Maximum Football brand. What drew me to Maximum Football was the innovative concept of including three different styles of football in the game.”

Canuck Play (a client of the Innovation Cluster) and partner Spear Interactive (an indie game publisher based in Hamilton) are excited to have Flutie come on board. “His accomplishments at all levels and styles of gridiron football are well known, and he is the obvious natural fit for our title,” says David Winter, President of Canuck Play.

Canuck Play has developed their games within Peterborough, launching their first title here in July 2017.

“This is a game changer for this game development company,” says Michael Skinner, President & CEO of the Innovation Cluster. “Doug Flutie embodies the Canuck Play brand and we are excited to see a local company bringing on such a prominent figure in their industry.”

Maximum Football 2018 is now available on PlayStation and Xbox digital download stores.

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Trent University’s Newly Launched Bata Library Has Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre

Trent University’s Bata Library had a grand opening on Friday (November 16th) to celebrate its renovated space. Community members, donors and partners including the Innovation Cluster were present to celebrate the launch.

The library is now a host of the Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre, a collaboration between the university, FastStart Peterborough and the Innovation Cluster.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

The Innovation centre, which is located at the main entrance of the Bata Library, will focus on supporting students aspiring to enter entrepreneurship right on campus. An Innovation Specialist from the Innovation Cluster will be on site every Friday, and over time skills training, workshops and other events will be implemented.

“Through this new centre, students at Trent University will be able to access an environment of entrepreneurship on campus, and have mentorship available to kick-off their initial business planning,” says Michael Skinner, President & CEO, Innovation Cluster.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

"The new Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre will allow Trent students to have access to community resources on campus that will both bring awareness to entrepreneurship opportunities as well as implement skills training,” adds John Knight, Manager, Research Partnerships, Trent University.

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