Local Digital Startup BiosphereGPS Launches Mobile App To Help Users Explore Southern Ontario’s Environments

Peterborough-based startup BiosphereGPS has launched a mobile app of the same name that encourages users to get away from the daily grind of urban environments and explore the ecosystems around them. The Beta version of the app has officially launched on the App Store.

Entrepreneur Jordan Ahee founded BiosphereGPS in 2018 after years of focusing on the environmental sector. After graduating from Trent University’s Environmental & Life Sciences Program, he worked at the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority as an Environmental Technician, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as an Invasive Species Specialist, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the Science and Research Branch as a Spatial Ecologist.

Jordan Ahee at Peterborough’s Innovation Cluster

The app’s mapping feature shows the distribution of 10 different environment types across Southern Ontario, including Agriculture, Broadleaf, Coniferous, Mixedwood, Shrubland, Grassland, Barren, Urban, Wetland and Water. BiosphereGPS provides a complete view of the landscapes users plan to visit, to help them pick ideal places to explore.

“We spend hours every day staring at our smartphones, swiping through feeds designed to keep us hooked—BiosphereGPS is headed in the opposite direction,” says Ahee.

“I think smartphones can have a huge positive influence on people’s lives,” he adds. “This is a Beta version that we will build on in the coming months. For example, we are currently updating the app so it handles dark mode.”

Not only does the app encourage users to explore nature with maps, it also provides interactive features. Users can take photos in their environment to be rewarded with a series of outdoor exploration awards, from bronze, to silver and gold rankings. The app can be used as a way to reduce stress, increase energy and improve moods.

Ahee joined the Innovation Cluster in 2018 to build the mobile app, working out of the Cluster’s downtown incubator as a full-time digital client. “We are seeking seed stage investment, which will help to develop a pipeline of new features and expand into new markets across North America,” says the entrepreneur of where he wants to take it.

Get the app here, and start exploring with it in nature!

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Peterborough Humane Society Honours Veterans And Animals With New Commemorative Remembrance Day Pins

With Remembrance Day around the corner, Peterborough Humane Society and Ontario SPCA are pleased to announced they once again have commemorative pins available for sale.

They have issued two new commemorative pins to honour the wartime contributions of Canada’s veterans and the animals who stood bravely by their side. $1 from each pin sold is donated to the Royal Canadian Legion to support local veterans.

The Animals in War commemorative pins were launched by the Ontario SPCA in 2017, and a new design has been unveiled each year since its inception.

This year, two new unique pins have been launched. In honour of women in Canada’s military and the animals who have served by their side, a new limited edition commemorative pin is now available. A second pin featuring a dog represents the sacrifice of all animals who served in war. The new designs join the inaugural first edition pin showcasing a horse, which is still available.

“We will always remember the bravery of Canada’s veterans and the animals who stood courageously by their side,” says Shawn Morey, Executive Director, Peterborough Humane Society.

A variety of animals have served in wartime: Mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages, and dogs served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers.

The Animals In War pins are available at the Peterborough Humane Society, located at 385 Lansdowne Street East.

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Musician Maxwell McWilliams Playing Show At Market Hall To Raise Funds For PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

Peterborough-based country musician Maxwell McWilliams is headlining a fundraising concert on Saturday, February 29th, 2020 at Market Hall, with proceeds going directly to PRHC Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit.

Maxwell McWilliams

“Mental Health is a cause that is close to my heart,” says Maxwell, a Grade 12 student at Lakefield College School who has been performing in the area for several years.

“Mental Health is a topic that is becoming more accepted to talk about, but we’ve got a long way to go,” adds Maxwell, founder of The Maxwell McWilliams Music Administration for Mental Health Awareness. “My mission is to improve the lives of youth suffering from mental illness”.

Tickets for this all ages event go on sale November 1st. Tickets are $20 each, and are available starting Friday, November 1st through Market Hall. There are also a few Table Sponsorships remaining as well for the show. For further information, email Maxwell here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Fully Promoted, Doo Doo's Bakery & More!

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…

Signarama Peterborough recently launched a new sister franchise called Fully Promoted. Owner Morgan Smith says the addition of Fully Promoted allows his staff to offer complete branded product and marketing solutions, including everything from corporate apparel and promotional products, to storefront signage, to the pens in your office, and everything in between. Everything is in one location at 774 Rye Street in Peterborough.

Taking the drama out of cleaning, Drama Clean is Charity Stow’s new business. Offering Residential cleaning, deep cleaning for ovens or windows, plus event services for weddings, special events, or preparing to sell your home. For clean you can count on, find Charity Stow at dramaclean.ca.

Congratulations to Lucky Strike Bait Works on their recent 90th anniversary celebration. Frank Edgar started making fishing lures out of old broom handles in 1929. The company is now fourth generation family-owned with 17 employees. luckystrikebaitworks.com

Congratulations to Diane Rogers from Doo Doo’s Bakery in Baileboro. Diane recently took home top honours at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for her famous butter tarts. Taking 1st place in both the Traditional and Special Ingredient categories, the legend of Doo Doo’s continues to grow. Doodoos.ca

Diane Rogers

Nominations are now open for the 5th Annual Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame. The deadline for submissions is November 28th, with the induction ceremony to be held May 28th, 2020. Visit jacanada.org/plm for info.

”Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Daylight Saving Time Ends November 3rd

It’s that time of year as Fall back happens on November 3rd—a sure sign of winter.

Remember to turn your clocks back an hour—not forward or you'll be two hours ahead of the rest of us and your life will be confusing.

And don't forget to change your smoke alarm batteries as well!

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$12,631.85 Raised At 9th Annual Bras Around The Building

Pure Country 105, Energy 99.7 and Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre have wrapped up the 9th Annual “Bras Around the Building” Campaign for this year.

For the last four weeks, residents of Peterborough and the Kawarthas have been donating their gently used bras, and many took up collections from family, friends and workplaces for the campaign. More than 6,000 bras were collected from this awesome community.

With the generous contribution of $1 per bra from Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre, along with other monetary donations from local businesses and individuals, the 2019 Bras Around the Building Campaign raised $12,631.85. Funds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

The bras will hang on the Pure Country 105/Energy 99.7 building at 59 George St. N. in Peterborough until Monday, October 28th as a symbol of support for women battling breast cancer, to honour survivors and to remember those who have lost their battle.

The public are encouraged to stop by and take pictures over the weekend.

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The Peterborough Petes Are Now Ranked No. 9 In Canadian Hockey League

Your Peterborough Petes are on a roll. Earlier this week, goalie Hunter Jones was named OHL Player of the Week for the first time in his career, and after three straight victories they have now cracked the Top 10 in the CHL standings at No. 9.

The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.

The Petes sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings with a 9-3 record, their most recent victory being a 2-1 win over the No. 2 ranked Oshawa Generals in Oshawa on Sunday. They also have the most points in the OHL right now.

The Petes take the ice Thursday night (October 24th) against the Sarnia Sting at the PMC, and host Mississauga Steelheads Saturday night.

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Millbrook Gets A Starring Role In New Film Let It Snow Out On Netflix November 8th

The beautiful town of Millbrook, the backdrop for many film productions, is now on display in the new Netflix romantic comedy Let It Snow out November 8th.

Based on the best-selling young adult novel of the same name, the plot revolves around a snowstorm that hits a small town on Christmas Eve, where a group of high school seniors finds their friendships and love lives unexpectedly colliding. Many of the scenes were filmed in Millbrook during production earlier this year.

Watch the official trailer here…

When a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, a group of high school seniors finds their friendships and love lives unexpectedly colliding. Watch Let It Snow, Only on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80201542 SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/29qBUt7 About Netflix: Netflix is the world's leading internet entertainment service with over 158 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages.

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Eco-Care Project Wins FastStart Peterborough's Pitch It Competition

In the 5th Annual Pitch It! competition held at the VentureNorth Building on October 22nd hosted by FastStart Peterborough, 13 student groups from Trent University and Fleming College competed for the prizes.

In this Dragon’s Den-style pitch competition, the winners are…

ECO-CARE PROJECT - 1st place, $350 (Shane Willis & Tanner)

What They Do: Providing lawn care services in an eco-friendly way through reducing traditional gas engines and using electrical technologies.

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PAPER PLANTER PROJECT - 2nd place, $150 (Joao Broges, Oanh Ho & Vanessa Mathieu)

What They Do: Compostable planting containers as educational modules to teach children through experiential learning about gardening, growing their own food, sustainability and patience.

Winners of Pitch It! Competiion

The judges included Rhonda Keenan, President and CEO, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development; Yves LaFortune, Executive Director, Peterborough Region Angel Network; and John Gillis, President and CEO, Innovation Cluster - Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Pitch It! competitors

“This annual event is a great opportunity for any local aspiring entrepreneur attending Trent or Fleming to get out of their comfort zone and practice pitching a business idea,” says Braden Clark, Innovation Specialist at the Innovation Cluster.

Many participants from previous Pitch It! competitions have applied to enter the Innovation Cluster incubator and FastStart programming. 

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Petes Goalie Hunter Jones Named OHL Player of the Week For First Time In Career

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Minnesota Wild prospect Hunter Jones of the Peterborough Petes is the OHL “On the Run” Player of the Week with a 3-0 record, 1.67 goals-against average and .943 save percentage.

Jones earns the award for the first time in his OHL career after backstopping the Petes to a perfect 3-0 record. On Sunday (October 20th), he stopped 28 of 29 in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the CHL's top-ranked Oshawa Generals, earning his 40th career OHL win in the process.

Picture via Hunter Jones on Twitter

A 19-year-old native of Brantford, Ont., Jones is off to a 9-1-0-0 start in the 2019-20 season, posting a league-leading 2.41 goals-against average along with a .919 save percentage and one shutout.

Jones—who is honouring the late legendary broadcaster Gary Dalliday on his goalie mask—owns a career 40-34-2-2 record over 82 career OHL regular season contests, posting a 3.54 goals-against average and .896 save percentage with four shutouts. Originally Peterborough's fifth round pick in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Jones was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft.

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