Local Tech Company Launches Virtual Reality Platform For Users To Explore Global, Historical & Archaeological Sites

Peterborough-based tech company AVROD have officially launched their virtual reality (VR) platform for users to explore global, historical and archaeological sites for free on Viveport, Steam, and SideQuest platforms.

The platform is dedicated to digitizing and sharing the world's archaeological and cultural heritage sites for study and exploration, and is pivoting as a Covid-19 solution to add remote travel and tourism.

AVROD founder Jeremy Brooks using the platform

Users all over the world are now able to virtually travel to 40 real-world, photorealistic locations within the United States, France, Mexico, England, Portugal, Australia, Egypt, Spain, Canada, Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Japan, India, Belize, Mongolia and Guatemala.

Users can access different locations by using a headset and their preferred platform to experience and interact with the world around them. In addition to Steam, Viveport, and SideQuest, it will be launching soon on the Oculus Store and for Oculus Quest VR headsets.

Jeremy Brooks started AVROD with the help of the Innovation Cluster and its Virtual and Augmented Reality Zone while an archaeology student at Trent University, and his timing couldn’t be more right for a platform like this.

According to Globe Newswire, the augmented and virtual reality market is expected to see an overwhelming growth of over $2 billion dollars by 2027. The current pandemic supports this growth, as industries start to turn virtual. Museums and other tourist attractions now offer virtual tours, and companies continue to look for ways to give customers an out-of-home experience.  

Brooks and AVROD’s Lead Developer, Manan Patel, have been working hard to bring AVROD to life.

 “Our team of students and young professionals, many of whom are from the Peterborough and Kawarthas area, have achieved incredible milestones to launch Canadian-built AVROD globally—including completely developing and launching AVROD remotely during the lockdown,” says Brooks.  

“We are expecting a global demand for our platform as people look to travel, explore, learn, and collaborate remotely and safely,” he adds. “As the company grows, we will be looking to create new jobs, starting here in Peterborough.”

“The launch for AVROD is perfectly positioned as we deal with the global pandemic and a significant worldwide reduction in travel,” says Michael Skinner, CEO of the Innovation Cluster.

“While people are asked to stay indoors, AVROD can provide an alternative experience for people who want to continue to experience the world with this at-home immersive experience. As virtual reality becomes more and more accessible, AVROD is very well aligned to benefit from the endless possibilities of this industry.” 

 

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A Painted Paddle Installation Is Launching In Downtown Peterborough

The Downtown Vibrancy Project will be launching a new outdoor public art exhibit to celebrate community connection during lockdown with its February 1st Painted Paddle debut—a series of paddle art installations in Peterborough’s central entertainment and shopping district. 

During the month of February, locals will be able to safely tour the Painted Paddle art exhibit by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown, as part of a new art crawl experience.

Places providing window space for the art installation include: Peterborough & the Kawartha Tourism’s Visitor Centre, Le Petit Bar, St Veronus, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, Sam's Deli, Black Honey Bakery, Cork and Bean, B!KE, Watson and Lou, Cottage Toys, By The Bridge, GreenUp Store, Night Kitchen, DBIA Office, Meta4 Gallery, Avant Garden, Sustain, Bluestreak Records, and Peterborough Social Services.

Kelleigh Hartnett, a retired Police Officer, painting the Peterborough Police Service’s paddle for the Painted Paddle project. (Photo courtesy DBIA)

Each paddle will be as unique as the artist, generating a distinctive visual story of our community’s history, and its connection to the common paddle.

Notable featured paddle artists and organizations contributing art for the Painted Paddle include: Mayor Therrien, Hiawatha First Nation, Wiigwaas Hiawatha Store, Peterborough Police Service, DBIA, GreenUP, Trent Gzowski College, Trent Veg Garden, Peterborough Pollinators, Princess Gardens Retirement Residence, Empress Gardens Retirement Residence, St Anne's School, VegFest, B!KE, City Councillors Zippel and Akapo, Art School mother and daughter team, Eileen and Kendron, local Anishinaabe artist Kyler, and local artist Tiphaine Lenaik. 

The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 5th. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from Febrary 19th at 8 pm to March 4th at 8 pm ahead of the First Friday event on March 5th, with proceeds going towards the One City Employment Program. For the virtual auction, click here.

To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations here.

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106 Year Old Elizabeth Campbell First To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine In Peterborough

Fairhaven Long-Term Care Home (LTCH) was the first facility to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the Peterborough region.

Elizabeth Campbell, aged 106, a resident at Fairhaven LTCH, received the first dose on Tuesday afternoon (January 26th) from Lori Rowsell, Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner at Fairhaven.

“This is an exciting day for Peterborough,” says Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Rosana Salvaterra. “Immunizing long-term care home residents with the COVID- 19 vaccine is the first step to seeing our vulnerable populations protected against COVID-19.”

Lori Rowsell administering Moderna vaccine to Elizabeth Campbell (photo courtesy Peterborough Public health)

The Ministry of Health prioritized LTCHs as the first setting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario. All public health units are required to vaccinate LTCH residents with their first dose by February 5th.

Depending on vaccine supply coming into the region, Peterborough Public Health will be vaccinating the entire population of LTCH residents (approximately 1,100 individuals) in the coming two weeks.

The Peterborough Interagency COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Team is working to determine the next population in Peterborough to receive the vaccine. This will depend on a number of criteria including provincial guidelines, COVID-19 risk for each population, and supply of the vaccine locally.

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Family Owned Peterborough Microgreens Launches Online Marketplace

Peterborough Microgreens, a family-owned, sustainable urban farm in the west end of Peterborough that have been providing premium quality microgreens year-round for the area since December 2020. , have officially launched an online store supplying their microgreens products.

Stephanie Hendren, creator of Peterborough Microgreens, was one of the ten women that took part in the first cohort of the Innovation Cluster’s Women Breaking Barriers program. The business uses vertical farming to achieve mass plant growth within a small space. The business is working towards becoming a carbon negative farm by using green power and implementing sustainable business practices, and is one of the only microgreen providers in Ontario to use compostable packaging.

Photo of Stephanie Hendren courtesy Innovation Cluster

“Microgreens can sit on your window sill and are easy to harvest at home," says Hendren. "As the pandemic continues on, more people are looking for healthy lifestyle habits. I hope our customers can adopt these habits now and continue on following the pandemic.”

Hendren has been growing microgreens on her kitchen window sill for years after being introduced to them by her professional chef sister. She runs Peterborough Microgreens with her partner Daniel Etmanski, who specializes in building climate controlled grow rooms for indoor farming.

Photo courtesy Innovation Cluster

“Stephanie is the perfect example of a strong founder who created a new and sustainable business opportunity during COVID-19,” says Rosalea Terry, leader of the WBB Program, Marketing Manager and Senior Innovation Specialist. “The targeted Women Breaking Barriers program was able to help her accelerate the business in just six months, from idea to launch.”

“I am excited to provide the Peterborough community with a healthy and delicious product that is good for them, good for the community, and good for the planet,” adds Hendren.

As the long winter season continues, Peterborough Microgreens aims to make healthy eating accessible. Five varieties of live microgreens are now available for order, including pea shoots, broccoli, mustard, clover, and a radish mix, with free delivery offered within Peterborough.

To order, visit their website at peterboroughmicrogreens.com/. 

 

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Peterborough Region Just Received Its First Supply of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are pleased to share that the first local supply of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been received.

The supply was delivered to PRHC on Monday morning (January 25th) and administration of the vaccine to long-term care home (LTCH) residents is set to begin on Tuesday (January 26). In alignment with provincial strategy, PRHC and PPH will work together to support the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The first 500 doses of the vaccine are to be administered to long-term care home residents.

Photo courtesy PRHC

in this community. LTCHs and Retirement Homes deemed high-risk have been prioritized in the province as the population with highest risk for COVID-19 related complications. It is for this reason that LTCHs will be the first to receive the vaccine in Peterborough. There are no high-risk retirement homes in Peterborough.

Logistical planning for phase 1 of the vaccine rollout began in late December 2020. PPH and PRHC in collaboration with various other community groups are continuing this planning to expand immunization as supply allows. Communication on further expansion of COVID-19 immunization in Peterborough will be released as plans become finalized, according to Peterborough Public Health.

Learn more about Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program and the rollout of the vaccine locally by visiting peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring NanoNation Canada, Diane Couse & 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…

NanoNation Canada is a new company that recently introduced a 2-step anti-pathogen process that promises 98% Covid-19 and a host of other resistant bacteria, molds and algae. The product is food grade, non-toxic, Health-Canada approved, and effective for up to 90 days between treatments. Steve Daynes is the COO of NanoNation, which is 100% indigenous owned. For details, visit nanonationcanada.com.

Diane Couse, Food Sensitivity Coach and Culinary Nutrition Expert, has taken advantage of the pandemic to obtain certification from the Academy of Culinary Nutrition as a Culinary Nutrition Expert. Diane is offering 11 workshops this year, and starting Cooking Party Workshops where friends and family or co-workers can gather via Zoom and cook and enjoy a delicious meal. Diane also offers a meal planning service for caregivers, or caregiver companies who are dealing with clients or family members with food sensitivities. foodsensitivitycoach.ca

Unmanned is a Peterborough based drone and videography company. Co-founders Felipe Gutierrez and Kyle Christie offer everything from fully produced and edited commercials to aerial footage. Whether it’s for film or television, real estate, construction, or advertising, Unmanned can tell your story through well-thought-out and carefully produced content. For details, visit theunmannedav.com.

Dave Westbye is bringing more than 20 years experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber to launch his own company. Everyone's "gotta guy" they call for various services. Well Dave wants to be your "guy" when you have a plumbing project or problem. Call (705) 761-7013 or email gottaguyplumbing@gmail.com.

Dave Westbye

“Like” StoosNews page on Facebook here!

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Peterborough Shoppers Drug Marts Raise $17,000 For YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

Earlier this fall, the community joined together with local Shoppers Drug Marts and their store teams for a highly successful fundraiser here in Peterborough.

Donations to the 2020 LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health raised $17,288 in support of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, with an additional donation of $1,734.58 raised through their Cosmetic Campaign.

For 2020, the program chose to support women’s shelters that are helping to protect women from domestic violence due to the increases in violence against women as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some regions have reported a 20 to 30 percent increase in rates of gender-based violence since the start of the pandemic.

The 19th annual campaign is national in scope, yet locally based, with customers and employees donating directly to women’s shelters in their community to ensure that resources and programming are available to meet the needs of women across the country.

“We are deeply moved by this incredibly compassionate achievement, made possible through the combined support of our community and the entire Peterborough Shoppers Drug Mart team!” says YWCA’s Ria Nicholson. “Your generosity fuels YWCA intervention programs that make it possible for women and children to safely escape violence and rebuild their lives. Thank you for helping to ensure that strong, reliable support continues to be available throughout the pandemic!”

The LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart fall fundraising program to grow women’s health is an annual four-week campaign and is one of the leading partnership programs of the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart platform—the Company’s commitment to improving the health of all Canadian women in body, mind and spirit.

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Local Schools To Reopen January 25th With Enhanced Public Health Measures

Publicly-funded elementary and secondary schools in Peterborough City and County will be permitted to resume in-person learning on January 25th.

After reviewing the most recent COVID-19 data and on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is one of the seven public health units given the green light to allow students return on Monday.

This means that most schools in the following schools boards will resume in-person learning:

• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (Peterborough City and County, Northumberland County, Hastings County only)

• Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (Peterborough City and County, Northumberland County and Kawartha Lakes only)

• Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (Peterborough City and County only)

In a media release by Peterborough Public Health, Dr. Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health, explains that local COVID-19 rates in children haven’t risen as much as in other areas to warrant keeping area schools closed.

“In our community, the testing positivity rate is relatively low at 1.1%,” she says. “We are closely following our numbers and monitoring the trends. If the situation in our region changes, we will take appropriate action.”

For local students and staff currently exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, Dr. Salvaterra strongly encourages them to get tested now so they have their test results before school resumes on January 25th. Even though schools will reopen for in-person learning, staff and students must stay home if they have symptoms and while waiting for test results.

Dr. Salvaterra also notes that the provincial shutdown with enhanced measures as well as the stay at home order remains in effect for all of Ontario until at least February 11th, which means no socialization or gatherings before or after school even with cohorts.

With this reopening, the province requires schools to add additional public health measures, such as masking in younger grades and enhanced screening requirements to ensure students can safely return to school and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

For an entire, detailed breakdown of the enhanced measures being put in place, click here.

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Peterborough Petes To Send PGHA Player Payton Rogers To Lake Placid For Toronto Six’s Inaugural Season

Congrats to Payton Rogers who has been selected to represent the Peterborough Petes as a cardboard cutout in the stands of the Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, New York for the Toronto Six’s inaugural season with National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL).

Nominations for the Petes “Hardest Working Minor Hockey Player” opened on Tuesday, January 12th and closed on Tuesday, January 19th at 5 p.m. Over the week, kids of all ages across a variety of teams were nominated for their perseverance and dedication to improve their hockey skills at home. When the call for submissions closed, one winner was randomly selected and it was Payton Rogers of the Peterborough Ice Kats tier 1 program with the Peterborough Girls Hockey Association.

Photo graphic courtesy Peterborough petes

“Payton loves hockey and is often found watching hockey or practicing in her driveway with her brother,” says nominator John Gillis. “Payton is committed and works very hard. She demonstrated everything that the Petes were looking for when creating this campaign as she continues her passion and dedication to hockey throughout the struggle of the pandemic.”

Payton’s cardboard cutout will join the likes of Nicole Baxter of the National Women Soccer League Sky Blue, Sue Bird from the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association and shortstop for the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays, Bo Bichette.

The Toronto Six are the sixth National Women’s Hockey League team to be granted a franchise. They join the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whales, Metropolitan Riveters and the Minnesota Whitecaps. 

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Peterborough Petes Collect Over 500 Pairs Of Socks For Local Organizations

The Peterborough Petes “SOCK-it to Covid-19” campaign successfully raised 539 pairs of socks, 36 pairs of gloves, 21 toques, and $420 in financial donations. Donations will be allocated between the YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Kawartha Foodshare, YWCA, Heads Up for Inclusion and SOCKS Peterborough.

Led by General Manager Mike Oke, Head Coach Rob Wilson, Associate Coach Andrew Verner, Assistant Coaches Derrick Walser and Patrick O’Connor, Video Coach Noah Bucholtz and Strength Coaches, Josh Gillam and Broedie Bikhof, this 20 day initiative that began on Saturday, December 5th and closed on Thursday, December 24th saw incredible support and engagement from the Peterborough community. 

Photo courtesy Peterborough Petes

During the 20 day campaign, fans made donations at a variety of partner locations, including the Petes Store at the Memorial Centre, Petes Pop-Up Store at Lansdowne Place Mall, Hybrid Fitness, and at the Head Up for Inclusion office located in the Peterborough Chamber Building. 

“Peterborough’s generous community spirit was exhibited throughout the ‘SOCK-it to COVID-19’ campaign,” says Mike Oke. “Our annual Teddy Bear Toss game has always been a huge success and it was incredible to see that sort of energy transferred towards this new initiative.”

There is an ongoing need for socks and given the current circumstances, these shelters and groups are seeing an increased demand. Donated socks will be distributed to the partner shelters, and financial donations will be used to purchase winter items, like socks, gloves, mitts, and scarves.

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