Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs With a Business Idea Can Apply For Pitch It Competition

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FastStart invites students at Trent University and Fleming College to submit their innovative business ideas for the 5th Annual “Pitch It” competition, a competition for students that aspire to enter entrepreneurship to practice pitching. 

“Pitch It!” culminates on Tuesday, October 22nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch competition at the VentureNorth Building to a panel of industry judges. 

Photo of “Pitch It!” student courtesy Fast Start

This is a student’s chance to win cash, meet other like-minded individuals, and get help to bring their innovative ideas to the market. 

This event serves as an opportunity for young and aspiring entrepreneurs to push themselves into pitching a business idea and getting feedback from real professionals, and encourage putting those ideas into action.

Photo of “Pitch It!” student courtesy Fast Start

There will be a first place prize of $350, and a runner-up prize of $150.

Applications will close on October 11th at midnight. For more information about Pitch It! and to apply, click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat Featuring Heather Doughty, Peterborough Volkswagen 50th Anniversary, Love Local Biz Expo & More!

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

Heather Doughty is a well-known local photographer, specializing in weddings, boudoir, maternity, family, and product and event photography. And increasingly, Heather is known for her incredible INSPIRE: The Women's Portrait Project, a photographic celebration of amazing women who inspire, uplift and empower. Heather recently opened a beautiful new photography studio at 129 ½ Hunter Street, in the Commerce Building. For details on the studio, Heather, her work, or the INSPIRE project, visit heatherdoughtyphotography.com or find her on social media.

Inspire Project

Heather Doughty

Peterborough Volkswagen is celebrating its 50th anniversary in business this month! The business was started by Peter and Rita Eatson in 1969. Their son Michael is now the dealer principle and Michael and Heather’s son’s Eric and Graeme both work at the dealership as well. The dealership, located at 500 Towerhill Road, just off Chemong Road in the North end, will mark the occasion with an Octoberfest event on Saturday (October 5th). Called Volksfest, there will be live music, BBQ, vintage cars and more!

Peter and Rita (archive picture)

Another anniversary to mention – Bruce Maly Plumbing and Drain Service celebrates its 20th year in business! Visit brucemalyplumbing.com to check them out.

Grounds Masters Building & Property Services is Bryan Phillips’ new business. Bryan offers landscaping, home reno’s, decks, lawn care, tree removal and trimming, stone work, snow plowing, snow removal, sanding, salting, and walkways. Phone number is 705.772.3651.

And don’t miss the 19th annual Love Local Business Expo this Thursday from 11 - 6 at the Evinrude Centre. Eighty vendors, free admission, free parking, lots of door prizes including a notebook computer from MicroAge Peterborough. New this year is the Workforce Hub featuring the Workforce Development Board along with 8 local employment organizations, with local labour market information, skilled trade pathways, literacy and workplace services, local job and labour opportunities, and more. Be sure to check out the new Entrepreneur Showcase featuring start-ups from the Innovation Cluster, Community Futures and the Economic Development Corporation.

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Local Game Developer Canuck Play’s “Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019” Launches On PS4 & Xbox One

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Peterborough-based video game development startup Canuck Play has officially released its third title Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019. The game celebrates Canadian football, and is available on PS4 and Xbox One.

“The response for Maximum Football 2018 was phenomenal, and this title brings even more elements of Canadian Football to life, including having Doug Flutie as a character in the game,” says the President of the company David Winter. “Many players have expressed their enthusiasm to try it out and our team has been very excited for this moment to come.”

Photo courtesy Innovaton Cluster

This is another important step for the Peterborough-based company as both Xbox One and PS4 have significant market shares in North America, with PS4 holding a 57 percent market share and Xbox One at 27 percent in January 2019.

Maximum Football 2019 features multiple game options between Canadian, College, and US Pro football. Gamers will also have the ability to play full seasons, hone skills in practice mode, customize team and players, full post-play replay with free camera control, multiple player body styles and game weather that impacts game play.

As a client of the Innovation Cluster, David A. Winter has worked in its downtown incubator in Peterborough to make Canuck Play a reality, officially launching their first game installment Canadian Football 2017, followed by Maximum Football 2018.

"It is an incredible milestone for Canuck Play to have achieved their third certification for Xbox One and second for Playstation 4 with the release of Maximum Football 2019," says John Gillis, President and CEO of the Innovation Cluster. "David has worked tirelessly to bring this third installment to life, that has disrupted the sports genre of the gaming industry."

The public can purchase Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football 2019 directly from the Xbox One and PS4 platforms. 

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Fleming College Honours Rights Of Indigenous Peoples With Newly Passed Policy

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Fleming College recently passed a policy, approved by the College’s Board of Governors, that honours the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Titled Honouring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this is the first policy of its kind for the College and was officially launched on Wednesday, September 25th, as Fleming staff and students were joined by members of the Indigenous community to celebrate at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus.

Natural Semaa wrapped in Tobacco Ties by Ashley Safar, Indigenous Student Services, Kylie Fox-Peltier, Manager, Indigenous Student Services and Elizabeth Osawamick. (Photo courtesy Fleming College)

The event included a ceremonial hanging of tobacco ties with Fleming College President Maureen Adamson, members of Fleming’s Board of Governors, Elder Shirley Williams and Elizabeth Osawamick.

“Fleming must continue to carve a path to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and experience into our curriculum and do our part to educate all our staff and students,” says Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “We must play our integral role as a community college toward Truth and Reconciliation by ensuring all staff and students are part of the process.”

The new policy is intended to meet the requirements of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), as well as the CiCAN Indigenous Education Protocol. Fleming College believes in and promotes the rights of all First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis peoples. The College recognizes the unique histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

Hanging of Tobacco Ties signifies a renewed commitment and contract between Fleming College and the Indigenous Community (photo courtesy Fleming College)

“I am excited to see and hear that this is happening for Fleming College,” says Elder Shirley Williams, Fleming Indigenous Education Council. “Committing to an Indigenous rights policy ensures that the Anishinabeg‎ get their education as part of reconciliation. I am thankful for Fleming making this commitment with an eagle feather present, as this will symbolize the commitment of truth.”

The policy affirms the College’s commitment to equity and inclusion, and providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples and their ways of knowing. The policy will support the College community in the process of Truth and Reconciliation via education, training and acknowledgement, with the formation of an Honouring the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Committee (HRIPC).

It will also ensure that the College makes every reasonable effort to ensure Indigenous peoples, languages and ways of knowing are represented in all College operations and spaces.

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PRHC & Otonabee Conservation Partner To Plant Trees & Pollinator Garden In Mental Health Courtyard At Hospital

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Otonabee Conservation and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) planted four trees and a pollinator garden in the new Mental Health Courtyard at PRHC on Wednesday (September 25th) for National Tree Day. These features will provide opportunities for patients and staff to benefit from the proven positive effects of trees and proximity to nature.

The four tree species selected are representative of the four seasons. In fall, the Autumn Blaze Maple will feature prominent red foliage; the White Spruce will provide greenery all winter long; a Crabapple tree represents spring, when its blooms are fragrant and showy; and a Gingko tree is a hearty, drought-tolerant tree for summer.

Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation

“The health benefits of being close to nature are widely known,” says PRHC’s Christina Beatty. “There is a strong connection between seeing, hearing and experiencing nature, and reducing negative emotions. Many studies have shown that nature can help relieve stress, anxiety and depression. We are looking forward to bringing nature closer to our staff and patients at PRHC.”

In addition, a pollinator garden in the courtyard further enhances habitat and opportunities for patient engagement with nature. Native wildflower species including Bee Balm, Purple Coneflower and White Turtlehead will help attract butterflies, native bees and birds to the courtyard.

Photo courtesy Otonabee Conservation

The trees will provide habitat for wildlife as well, and complement the extensive naturalization projects previously undertaken by the hospital, in partnership with Otonabee Conservation.

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Otonabee Conservation Celebrates 60th Anniversary With Tree Plantings During National Forest Week

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This Fall, Otonabee Conservation is celebrating National Forest Week and their 60th Anniversary with tree plantings throughout their watershed.

Members of Council in each of the Otonabee Region Watershed Municipalities will join with Otonabee Conservation staff to plant a native species in commemoration of the long-standing relationship with the Conservation Authority and to celebrate National Forest Week.

Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors Chair, Andy Mitchell (left) shovels soil around a Northwood Red Maple tree, along with (left to right) Councillor Paula Warr, Deputy Mayor Lori Burtt, Mayor Roger Bonneau, and Councillor Barry Walsh, from Township of Asphodel-Norwood in Asphodel-Norwood. (photo courtesy otonabee conservation)

“Planting a tree is one single action that helps support a number of environmental outcomes,” says Dan Marinigh, Chief Administrative Officer at Otonabee Conservation, “Planting trees with our municipal partners is a way for us to leave a natural legacy for years to come, while highlighting the necessary work we do together to protect our watershed.”

Planting trees helps regulate temperatures and provides shelter to wildlife. Trees also filter the air we breathe, capture carbon dioxide mitigating climate change, and stabilize the ground preventing erosion and reducing stormwater runoff and flooding.

Asphodel-Norwood photo courtesy ontario conservation

Plantings will take place in each of the Municipalities, as follows…

-> September 24th, 1 p.m., Asphodel-Norwood | Norwood Millpond

-> September 24th, 5 p.m., Selwyn | Township Office

-> September 25th, 2 p.m., City Of Peterborough | Rogers Cove

-> September 26th, 10 a.m., Trent Hills | Hastings Marina

-> October 15th, 4 p.m., Douro-Dummer | Municipal Office

-> October 21st, 5:15 p.m., Otonabee-South Monaghan | Municipal Office

-> Date TBD, time Cavan Monaghan | Location

-> Date TBD, time City of Kawartha Lakes | Location

Visit otonabeeconservation.com for updates to dates, times and locations that are yet to be determined.

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Mayor Therrien Shuts Down Rumour Mill In Best Way About Her Body With Funny, Powerful Tweet

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People in public positions often have to deal with a lot of gossip and conjecture about them—oftentimes in regards to their body. Sometimes the only way to deal with that is to confront it head on. Take this case of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien as an example.

Mayor Therrien

On Monday (September 23rd), Mayor Therrien posted a tweet about her having to miss City Council due to illness.

She followed it up with this mic drop of a tweet hours later in regards to her pregnancy status (which, of course, is no one’s business but people make it such).

The responses were overwhelmingly positive in regards to her honesty in confronting the gossip head on…

“I’ve heard it through the grapevine about six times now,” Mayor Therrien tells PTBOCanada in regards to her rumour mill tweet. “So no not pregnant, just fat LOL.”

Oh, and she often bikes to work, too, for those that don’t see her car at City Hall and think she’s not working hard. But we’ll leave that up to her to say in another tweet ;)

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Enactus Fleming College Wins People’s Choice At World Project Expo In California

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Enactus Fleming College won the People’s Choice at the World Project Expo at the Enactus World Cup 2019 in San Jose, California.

The Fleming College team presented their Paper Planet Project, which focuses on diverting paper from landfill and recycling, and turning it into products that can later be sold. The Paper Planet Project is a social enterprise that is creating products that are biodegradable and inexpensive while reducing our environmental footprint.

Picture from World Project Expo courtesy Fleming College

“We are so proud of our team, who have invested time and passion into this project and it is an honour to be recognized on the world stage,” says Raymond Yip Choy, Lead Enactus faculty advisor, and professor, Business Studies at Fleming College. “This is validation that our project has value and the potential to grow and change our community.”

Enactus World Cup 2019 showcases entrepreneurial action and social innovation. Every year, a select group of 3,000 students, businesses and academic leaders from around the world gather at Enactus World Cup to showcase the entrepreneurial action and shared innovation that address the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals transforming lives and creating a better future.

To learn more about Enactus at Fleming, go here.

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The Peterborough Chamber’s Annual Power Hour Event Wins National Award

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The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce has won the “Canadian Chamber of Commerce Competition” at the Canadian Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, which was held in Saint John, New Brunswick this year.

Each year the competition is focused on a different aspect of the Chamber operation. This year, the competition was titled “Influence in Action - Advocacy through Events”, with an emphasis on events that create profile for the fundamental advocacy work of the Chamber Network. The Peterborough Chamber’s annual Power Hour event was chosen as the 1st Place Winner by some 300 delegates from across Canada.

Left to right: Stu Harrison and Sandra Dueck from Peterborough Chamber of Commerce with Dawn Hennessey, Vice Chair of the Peterborough Chamber Board

The Power Hour is an annual event bringing together the business community and our elected officials. Attendees hear from elected officials at all four levels of government: the MP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha, the Warden for the County of Peterborough, and the Mayor for the City of Peterborough. Also invited as guests are the elected councils for the City and County of Peterborough, First Nations Chiefs and the City and County CAOs.  

The event features a Q&A session, moderated by Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Policy Analyst, Sandra Dueck, with questions provided by the audience. The questions and the discussion further inform the advocacy direction for the Chamber moving forward.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and volunteers of the Chamber,” says President and CEO Stu Harrison of the award. “To have the opportunity to not only showcase our Chamber at the national level, but to be judged the best, is truly an honour.”


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Team 55 Announces Details For 7th Annual Friday Night Lights

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The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.) and Team 55 announced details for the 7th Annual Friday Night Lights event happening on October 4th at Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School.

Friday Night Lights is a Team 55 football event supporting suicide prevention through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. Funds raised through Friday Night Lights this year will once again go towards C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.’s Assertive Outreach Suicide Prevention (A.O.S.P.) program.

Team 55 Founder Dave Pogue at press conference

“When we took this on, we pledged $40,000 a year for two years,” says Dave Pogue, founder of Team 55, noting the total cost of the position is approximately double their pledge. “We’ve come on board to pledge another $40,000 for the fourth year. All the funds raised will go to this program.”

In addition to seeing some of the best high school football in the province, attendees can expect engaging opening ceremonies with special guest speaker, Richard Clune of the Toronto Marlies.

“The opening ceremonies are your chance to hear from our guest speaker and listen to impactful stories that will inspire you to support mental health in any way you can,” says Pogue. “We hope if any audience members are still reluctant to talk about mental health that this will encourage them to seek help.”

Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education for C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R.

A barbecue will also be running from 12 p.m. when games start until the end of the event. Team 55 merchandise will be for sale and everyone there will have the chance to chat with a representative from C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. about their programs and services and the A.O.S.P. program in particular. 

“We are so grateful for the support of Team 55 as well as all donors who make this program possible,” says Jack Veitch, Manager of Community Engagement and Education for C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. “Their dedication to mental health and suicide awareness has had an incredible impact on the lives of so many in our community,”

“That said, in order for this remarkable program to be truly sustainable, we cannot continue to rely on members of our community to raise or donate the funds. The A.O.S.P. program is changing lives throughout Haliburton, Kawartha, and Pine Ridge and we believe it could change lives across Ontario, should government funding be made available.”

THE DETAILS (Friday, October 4th)

-> 12 p.m. Games and Barbecue Begin
-> 6 p.m. Opening Ceremonies,
-> 7 p.m. Main Event Kick-off
-> Location: Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, 1009 Armour Rd., Peterborough

For more info, see Team 55 on Facebook.

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