Peterborough District Masons Donate $17,253.25 To YWCA Crossroads Shelter For Women And Children

Right Worshipful Brother Tom Mortlock, District Deputy Grand Master of Peterborough District, on behalf of the Masons of Peterborough District, presented a cheque in the amount of $17,253.25 to YWCA’s Ria Nicholson in support of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter for women and children.

“The leadership of caring men in our community who understand that responding to the impact of violence against women and their children is a responsibility we all share is especially important in these uncertain times,” says Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

Right Worshipful Brother Mortlock was accompanied by Brother Danny McLaughlin, District Fundraising Project Chairman (left) and Worshipful Brother Philip Lake, Peterborough District Secretary (right).

Mortlock, together with his family and the MortWalk Construction Team, have been actively involved in the YWCA’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraising event for many years, believing that support services for women and children fleeing abusive relationships are very much needed in our community.

“The essential service provided by the caring YWCA Family is a resource that the Masons of Peterborough District were very proud to support this year,” says Mortlock.

Members of the community who wish to add their support for YWCA crisis and support services are encouraged to visit the website or contact the office at 705-743-3526. 

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Rockin' Business Beat This Week Featuring Marwood Drums & 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…

Marwood Drums recently celebrated their Grand Opening. Owner Andrew Hunter (pictured below) is starting with snare drums made from a mix of birch and beech wood in a variety of finishes and colours, including custom colours. Inspired by, and named after his grandfather, Andrew developed his passion by working on his own drums. Available online at marwooddrums.ca.

Dapagee Industrial IOT Corp is a Kawartha Lakes startup with an innovative monitoring system. Recently partnering with Lakefront Utilities in Cobourg, their monitoring sensors are keeping an eye on municipal water pumps. Dapagee’s main products are four function wireless monitoring sensors that measure and transmit everything from ambient and surface temperature to vibration, humidity and oil debris, 24/7. Details are at dapagee.com.

Dennis Geelen is a Lindsay-based management and business consultant who has just published a new book called The Zero In Formula: The Definitive Guide to Building a Disruptive and Sustainable Business through Customer-Centric Innovation. Billed as a guide for building a disruptive and sustainable business built for long-term success, the Zero-In Formula mirrors Geelens’ consulting business, both in name and approach. For details look for Dennis Geelen on Linkedin.

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Leadercast series wraps up with Keynote speaker and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson. Working like a book club, you can view a 30 minute presentation by Magic Johnson anytime this weekend, and then join a live LeaderChat next Tuesday (September 22nd) at 3pm. Meanwhile, plans are shaping up for the Chamber’s annual Business Excellence Awards. Details on that event, the finalists, and Leadercast are at peterboroughchamber.ca.

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Driver Shortages Causing Bus Disruptions In Local Schools, Close To 40 Bus Routes Cancelled

According to a joint press release between PVNC, KPR and STSCO, Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO) says families should have back up transportation plans as close to 40 bus routes have been cancelled for Monday, September 14th servicing local public and Catholic schools.

STSCO has been informed that, due to an area bus driver shortage, First Student bus company will have to cancel 38 school bus routes for both morning and afternoon runs on Monday, September 14th. The cancelled routes are listed on STSCO.ca by school.

Some local bus companies continue to have difficulty hiring and retaining drivers during the pandemic, an issue that many transportation consortia across Ontario are facing. As a result, STSCO warns that bus route cancellations and delays may be a daily occurrence in the weeks ahead.

Any disruptions will be posted on a daily basis on the STSCO website to give parents and guardians as much advance notice as possible.

Families in both Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board are asked to monitor STSCO.ca in the mornings and evenings, sign-up for automatic notifications and follow @stsco_ca on Twitter for information on cancellations and delays.

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Peterborough’s Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Centre First In Province To Use Handheld Devices For Lab Automation

Peterborough’s drive-through COVID-19 testing centre is the first in the province to implement new handheld devices to digitize COVID-19 lab requisitions—an important step forward in improving the quality and performance of end-to-end testing for patients, care providers and labs.

Working with Ontario Health, Peterborough County/City Paramedics, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and the City of Peterborough have partnered to introduce handheld technology and barcoded labels for all COVID-19 tests done at the centre. Staff can now collect a patient’s information by scanning their health card and driver’s license, capturing everything required for a digital lab requisition. 

Photo courtesy PRHC

The drive-through testing centre implemented the handheld devices on Wednesday, September 2nd, and in the first five days of use, 1523 people were scanned.

The benefits of the handheld devices include: 

• More complete and higher-quality data when capturing patient information

• Faster processing and easier matching of the requisition to the test

• More legible requisitions, making it easier for laboratory staff to process each test

The testing clinic is now located at Northcrest Arena. Operating hours continue to be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

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Innovation Cluster Announces 10 Women Breaking Barriers Accelerator Program Participants

The Innovation Cluster has announced the 10 participants that will take part in Women Breaking Barriers, a six-month cohort acceleration program designed specifically for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and social innovation.

Chosen businesses range across STEM and social innovation including mobile applications, safety technology, community development, new and innovative products, agriculture innovation and more. 

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

TOP 10 FEMALE-LED COMPANIES THAT MAKE UP THE COHORT ARE:

• Amy Arthur, Founder of Claxon: A personal safety device that can be initiated without using your hands.

• Andrea Buckley Gilders, Founder of Community Equity Housing Partners: Collaboration opportunity to create affordable residential units for individuals and families.

• Danielle Greene, Co-Founder of Canadian Custom Genetics: Assist agri business’ in obtaining animal genetics for herd health, growth and prosperity.

• Ellen Edney, Founder of Mariposa Woolen Mill: Creating sustainable wool food packaging.

• Jennifer Andersen, Founder of Coupon Addict Inc.: Mobile app that streamlines grocery saving opportunities.

• Jessica Dalliday, Founder of Pilates On Demand: A membership website that offers live and on-demand exercise classes taught through video.

• Dr. Margaret Kalmeta, Founder of Rapid Nexus, Inc.: A wound healing platform with a rapid wound healing and infection control technology able to close open, diabetic wounds.

• Othalia Doe-Bruce, Founder of InnovFin Consulting Inc.: An online education platform teaching emerging technologies using emerging technologies such as blockchain.

• Robin Linton & Katherine Porter, Co-Founders of Undu Wearables Ltd.: A modern, wearable solution that leverages the age-old use of heat to combat pain caused by menstrual cramps.

• Stephanie Hendren, Founder of Peterborough Microgreens: Harvesting live organic microgreens year-round from sustainable urban farm.

The program is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation funding through its Seed stream. A total of $75,000 will go towards needs including hiring professionals, supplies and workshops and events.

“We were blown away by the interest in this program and the amount of applications we received,” says Rosalea Terry, lead of the Women Breaking Barriers program, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist with the Innovation Cluster. “The 10 female-led startups are sure to break barriers and make a dent in the Canadian startup ecosystem with their innovative solutions.”

Participants have every opportunity to accelerate their company during the program, which includes specific and advanced training sessions, weekly mentorship with advisors, peer-to-peer learning, community networking and more. 

The program ends with each participant guaranteed to pitch to the local Peterborough Region Angel Network, which currently has over 30 investors and has invested over $6 million dollars in companies over the years.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Lavender and Play, Cedarridge Dog Daycare & 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…  

Cedarridge Dog Daycare is Tamara Easto’s new business. Tamara offers a large fenced play yard, indoor rest areas, on-leash nature walks, knowledgeable staff, and hourly or daily rates with extended hours for shift workers. Located near the GO Bus/Commuter Parking lot where the 115 meets the 407, the hours are 7 – 7 Monday through Friday. If you want a tired, happy dog at the end of the day, check out Cedarridge Dog. Call 705-957-2261 for more info.

Brandon Bongard recently launched Triple B Electrical Services. Servicing Tweed, Belleville, the Kawarthas and surrounding area, Brandon provides both residential and commercial work, from small renovations, to new builds and everything in between. Brandon brings ten years’ experience to his business and would be happy to provide a quote on your next project... You’ll find Triple B Electrical on Facebook.  

Kawartha Curb Appeal is the result of owner Jen Gibson taking over 15 years of experience, with painting, home renovations and home improvements and turning it into her own business—improving home exteriors to improve your curb appeal. Whether it’s paint, construction, gardening, lighting, whatever your home needs, perhaps for resale or just because you want to fix it up. Just look for Kawartha Curb Appeal on Facebook.

Lavender and Play is the result of an amalgamation between two local businesses: Play Café and Rooted Lavender. Owners Sarah Susnar and Sonja Martin offer a boutique, classes in private yoga and meditation, private consultations and behaviorist work in mental health and ASD, and postpartum doula work. Sarah is an Early Childhood Educator as well as a trained birth and postpartum Doula. Sonja has multiple certifications from advanced yoga to applied behavior analysis, infant massage, mindfulness and more. Visit 1434 Chemong Road, or look for rootedlavender.ca or playcafepeterborough.com.

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Peterborough Woman On Her Love For The Beautiful Game & What Electric City FC Would Mean To Her

“I don’t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is the result of a love affair between the child and the ball.” —Roy Maurice Keane

My name is Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe (aka “Coach Liz” to all the kids that play for Cavan FC) and my love affair with the beautiful game started the moment I stepped onto the pitch.

My summers and winters were spent battling with my teammates in pursuit of trophies and league titles. We definitely didn’t win every title or trophy and it wasn’t always easy, trust me, tears were shed in the process. Have you ever lost in a shootout before? Not exactly my idea of a good time. Sports have taught me that success and failure are both acceptable outcomes, since we learn more when we fail. In fact, I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those moments.

Liz Shaughnessy in action (Photo by Jay Callaghan)

So of course when we signed our kids up at U4 to be the next Canadian superstars, I obviously wanted to be their coach. Eventually I had the opportunity to coach them in rep soccer at a soccer club that I instantly fell in love with, Cavan FC, a club that feels like a family.

While coaching, I can’t tell you how many times I just wanted to put my cleats on and go out on the pitch and finish the game and although I love coaching, I realized I really missed playing competitively. 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

I missed being apart of the moment and being able to change the outcome of the game as a player. The moments where time slows down and you and you’re teammates flow into space. Decisions are made and seconds change the outcome of those decisions.

Although I had fun with a beautiful team (you know who you are), recreational soccer just wasn’t enough anymore. I needed to see if I still had it.️ So after 17 years of recreational soccer I finally started playing competitively again (insert heart busting out of chest emoji). 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Cavan FC had a very successful men’s team and I thought it was time we had a woman’s team for the girls in our club to look up to. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing it was to finally play competitive soccer again. Travelling to other cities with my teammates representing Cavan FC and kicking butt was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed every single moment knowing that I don’t know how many more seasons I have left of competitive soccer.

Cavan FC women’s team finished our inaugural season in first place (if you’re not first you’re last!) and yes this old lady even won the golden boot. But my favourite thing that happened my first season as a player coach was that I once again fell in love with the beautiful game—this time on a whole new level.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

See each time you play it, you fall deeper in love with it. When you coach it, you fall in love with it. When you watch it (which I didn’t start doing until 2018 World Cup and now I’m obsessed), you fall in love with it. More recently, with #covid2020 random pickup soccer with amazing people from all over the world, you fall in love with it. They don’t call it the beautiful game for nothing.

Liz with her daughters

When I had the opportunity to talk with all the guys involved behind the scenes of the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) startup about their vision and what it meant for our area, I was so excited. Let me tell you why. 

The first person that told me about the League1 Ontario team was Neil Morton. Fun fact: I once got him a three month supply of Crest Whitestrips for making a joke about how white his teeth are on Twitter and tagging Crest in the tweet. But enough about Neil’s white teeth, we’re talking about footy! Anyone who knows Neil knows he’s extremely passionate about our community and he also loves the beautiful game. So if he’s excited about the potential that it has for our unique community, then that fires me up.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Then cue Keaton Robbins (the guy who peer pressured me to write this). You only have to speak to him once to understand how brilliant he is and to know he is a lifelong fan of the game! So after meeting with Keaton for lunch and understanding this is going to actually be a thing, I got even more excited.

Then I got on the phone with future ECFC head coach Adrian Cann and that’s when I knew this football club has all amazing people involved in it. Not for their own personal glory but to see the game grow and for their love of our community and the game. I instantly loved his passion not only for the game but for coaching and helping kids who want to do more then just play for their local club with his ability to connect you all around the world. Plus he’s a centre back, and you’ve got to be a smart hard working player to play that position at a professional level.

Adrian Cann in his Toronto FC days (Photo courtesy Adrian Cann)

Now it’s time to talk about why I’m so excited and what it means for our area! I am one of the technical trainers for all age groups in Cavan FC. If you get stuck chatting with me about footy, you will know my passion is long term player development. I love planting seeds of development, building their foundation, and helping them find their soccer personality knowing that in the process I’m helping them fall in love with the beautiful game.

So now while I’m coaching and planting seeds of development, I can now also plant seeds of an actual future in this sport. Which up until now to have a future in this sport, you had to leave our city. Now we will have a real local opportunity to allow kids to keep dreaming that they have a chance to do something with the sport they love. 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

League 1 Ontario is a stepping stone in a development system to being noticed beyond your own city. Look at Alphonso Davies making history at Bayern Munich as the first Canadian men's player to win a Champions League title. The world is taking notice that maybe Canada does know how to play.

He had some words of advice for anyone looking up to him and following to follow in his footsteps in these tweets…

Who would have guessed it a kid from Canada, Edmonton Alberta. Most people don’t even know where that. Where it snows I’m talking -40 weather, he’s now a champion league winner 😌💪🏾🙏🏾 #AD19⚡️

— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) August 24, 2020

This one for everyone who’s chasing a dream right now, take it from me don’t give up it may seem impossible now but just keep working on your kraft keep grinding 🙏🏾

— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) August 24, 2020

Did you know three prominent Canadian players were also vying for the Champions league trophy on the women’s side? Ashley Lawrence and Jordyn Huitema played for Paris Saint-Germain, and Kadeisha Buchanan who played for the champions, Lyon—making this Buchanan’s fourth consecutive champions league title. Pretty impressive and she played a full 90 minutes to boot.

Electric City Football Club isn’t just a great opportunity for soccer in our community. What gets me excited is the potential it brings for girls in our community. This will be the first sport that offers a semi-pro opportunity in the area for girls! How amazing is that?!

According to Gatorade's “Girls In Sports” study, girls are dropping out of sports at one and a half times the rate that boys do by age 14. By age 17, more than half of girls will quit playing sports altogether. Which is a shame because it’s important for girls to find something they’re awesome at, and that it’s okay for girls to kick boys’ butts! It’s easy to write that but the reality of it is it’s tough being taught to be a female athlete. 

Society demands compliance to the enforced gender order. When these gender norms are violated, it is common for labels to be given. In fact, I’ve had my sexuality questioned on more then than one occasion only because I’m a strong athlete. I grew up with both my parents playing sports and remember my mom telling me a story that after she hit a home run in baseball, one of the husbands on the other team yelled out “I bet she stands up to pee” inferring that only a man could be strong enough to to hit a home run.

I guess he never met my sister who after her softball games would come home with Dairy Queen in hand and we would ask, “How many home runs did you hit today Kate?” Strength, determination and competitiveness doesn’t have a gender. So please, if you’re reading this stop acting like woman can’t compete, we live for game night the same way as anyone else!

All of these things feed into a pressure female athletes face. If you stand out, you don’t necessarily get the same attention a male athlete gets. Some see muscular as manly instead of strong and beautiful. Theodore Rosevelt said “comparison is the thief of joy” and unfortunately today’s girls are bombarded with images of external beauty and not enough of those confident, strong athletic female role models who kick ass.

We shouldn’t be trying to be look like each other or comparing ourselves to others because we all have a unique gift. We are all built differently and we should learn to love and embrace ourselves because let’s be honest: every single one of us is insecure about something!

So if the number of girls participating in sports starts decreases in the teenage years, then so do the programs for the sport of their choice. Meaning they have to settle to play on a less competitive team because they still want to play or they have to leave the area to pursue their dreams of playing at a higher level.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Having a League1 Ontario opportunity for the girls of our area would be amazing because if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and League1 Ontario teams are made up of mixed ages, highlighting the strongest talent in the area. So I look forward to seeing the day when Electric City Football Club rolls out their women’s side!

But let’s remember one thing: Peterborough creating a Football Club doesn’t just happen over night. Look at Leeds United, for example: It only took them 16 years to get back in the Premier League and their fans have been there every step of the way! So join me from Day 1 one to support our local Football Club and be apart of watching what it will grow into.

Photo by Ontario Soccer League

And yes, I’ll be that crazy lady in the parking lot before the games tailgating and in the stands, with signs cheering for the home team!

—Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe

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Where Was Peterborough Located Millions Of Years Ago?

We know Peterborough was incorporated as a city in 1905 (she’s looking pretty good at 115), and we think that if we asked most Ontarians to point to where Peterborough would be on a map, they could tentatively point somewhere between Ottawa and Toronto.

If we were to ask you where the physical location of Peterborough 400 million years ago (hint… it was under water) or even 750 million years ago, you might not know where to look.

Check out the cool site The Dinosaur Database that has a slick animated map to help you find out how the very spot that we are standing on changes over time. Our planet has sure changed through history!

—by Evan Holt

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48th Easter Seals Telethon Takes Place Sunday, September 13th

The 2020 Easter Seals Telethon will look a little different (with all Covid-19 precautions in place), but the same mission is at hand organizers say.

Easter Seals families need help more now then ever, as kids have been kept from their normal programming and therapy, families have realized that their homes are ill equipped for mobility equipment, and accessibility in their homes is limited. Easter Seals has experienced an increase in funding requests for equipment and want to answer that call during the telethon, which takes place Sunday, September 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on YourTV and Global Peterborough.

Easter Seals ambassador, Ryerson Beardmore, on his 10th birthday accomplishing his “Covid goal” of being able to swing on his own for the first time ever! (Photo courtesy Easter Seals Telethon)

You can still count on seeing familiar faces and telethon celebrity hosts including Stu Harrison, Graham Hart, Teresa Kaszuba, Mike Melnik and Catherine Hanrahan. Also, Easter Seals is utilizing Zoom this year with Caley Bedore, where you will get to visit with plenty of Easter Seals Kids and their families.

In addition, Easter Seals is excited to introduce their returning 2020 Easter Seals Ambassador Ryerson Beardmore (pictured). He is excited to chat with people about his summer and join in celebrating a milestone with him for his 10th birthday!

The annual Easter Seals Telethon celebrates success stories, showcases Easter Seals kids and their families, recognizes donors and sponsors, and raises funds for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Supporters can donate online here and local residents are encouraged to select the Peterborough webpage.

For the past 97 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Thanks to its generous donors, Easter Seals continues to offer programs to enable kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. For more information or to donate, click here.

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Peterborough Continues To Put Itself On Aviation Map As Flying Colours Completes Trio Of Corporate Shuttles

Peterborough’s Flying Colours Corp. has redelivered a third modified Bombardier Challenger 850 to an undisclosed Fortune 500 company. The aircraft was originally completed from green by Flying Colours in an executive VIP layout and returned to Flying Colours for reconfiguration as a 19-passenger corporate shuttle this spring. 

The latest aircraft in the trio of corporate shuttles perfectly showcases the depth and breadth of Flying Colours Corp.’ spectrum of services. Sourcing of the aircraft originated at its Peterborough headquarters as three aircraft from around the globe were identified as potential candidates for the customer. Technicians were dispatched to evaluate the merits of each model, and on final selection Flying Colours worked as a liaison between the relevant parties—resulting in a successful pre-purchase inspection and sale.  

The vibrant paint work completed at the new Flying Colours Corp. paint shop in Peterborough (Photo courtesy Flying Colours)

The technical project including extensive maintenance work, avionics upgrades, and complete interior reconfiguration took place at Flying Colours’ St. Louis, Missouri facility, while the external paint application was completed at the recently opened state-of-the-art paint shop at Peterborough Aiport.

The seamless liaison between the two Flying Colours sites highlights the complementary natures of its North American facilities.

The interior now features corporate shuffle configuration for up to 19 passengers. (Photo courtesy Flying Colours.)

“Having completed the original green VIP completion back in 2011, it was interesting for our team to modify our own work to convert the aircraft into a hard-working corporate shuttle,” says Sean Gillespie, Executive VP of Flying Colours.

“The project provided a great showcase for our end-to-end service as there are not many organizations which can provide such an integrated offering,” he adds. “This is the third Challenger 850 conversion that we’ve made for this customer and it speaks volumes about our ability to innovate to meet the demanding expectations of our customers.”

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