Innovation Cluster Announces Pitch IT! 2023 Winners and Cubs' Lair Competition Launch

Maysie Roberts from Trent University has walked away as the $1,000 prize winner of Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas’s Pitch IT! 2023 competition. They are also launching this year's Cubs' Lair Entrepreneurship Competition for Nov. 30.

All participants of the Pitch IT! compeition. Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster Peterborough.

Roberts won with her app concept, Uniquely Blossom. This women's health app would specialize in reproductive anomalies. It would not only offer the features of a standard women's health app but also provide tailored guidance and doctor bookings according to a press release.

Runner-up and a $500 prize went to Adithya Bala from Fleming College for his venture, EcoBites. This product line offers edible, flavoured straws and lids as eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.

The following were other participants:

• Whitney Stoner-Paget from Fleming College: First Five Club, focusing on innovative early childhood development

• Christina Bourgeois-Davis from Fleming College: Hand-In-Hand Childcare Solutions, aimed at streamlining childcare services

• Aruja Kulkarni from Trent University: Atomation.AI, a platform for automating routine tasks

• John Samuel Joseph Premanand from Trent University: FarmersCart, revolutionizing the way Toronto residents access farm-fresh produce through an online marketplace and pop-up stores

The Pitch IT! jusdges were as follows:

• Catia Skinner, CEO of Mega Experience Inc., a leading marketing solutions provider

• Barry Payne, Founder of Adirondack Technologies Furniture Inc., and inspiring Indigenous entrepreneur

• Andrew Ko - Business Development Manager at Futurpreneur Canada, a vital partner of the Innovation Cluster

The Cubs’ Lair, running from 6-8:30 p.m. at Erben Restaurant is featuring not just students but also regional entrepreneurs from the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes area.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be in the region of Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.

• Must have a passion for entrepreneurship.

• Must have an innovative business.

• Must have a business plan.

• Must be working in an active business (MVP preferred)

Top prizes include $3,000 for the first-place winner, $1,500 for the second, and $500 for the third, generously sponsored by Futurpreneur.

“This competition is a catalyst for untapped potential and passion,” Nonnie Dube, contest facilitator. Don't miss this unique opportunity to elevate your business idea, secure seed money, and gain pivotal mentorship.”

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Voice of Business: Small Businesses Lack Resources to Properly Address Mental Health In the Workplace

We know we need to take care of our mental health but what does that mean for small and medium-sized businesses?

There’s a new report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) that takes a deep dive into how smaller businesses are struggling to properly address mental health challenges within their team and as business owners. The report is called Mind the Gap: Addressing the Mental Health and Addictions “Echo Pandemic” in Ontario. The report outlines 21 recommendations for both businesses and governments to tackle mental health in the workplace.

It seems like an understatement to say the COVID-19 pandemic left a big impact on us. It impacted our businesses, communities, neighbourhoods, family connections, economy, cost of living, etc. There is hardly a facet of our lives that wasn’t impacted. Some of these have returned to normal, others will continue to have a lasting impact.

We have been talking about mental health long before the pandemic, but it took a growing problem and pushed it to the point of crisis. As stated in Mind the Gap: “The crisis disproportionately impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), frontline workers and underserved populations like Indigenous Peoples and northern, remote, and racialized communities.”

According to the report, 69 per cent of large businesses have a formal mental health strategy while only 33 per cent of small businesses have such a plan.

We no longer have the public health restrictions and the same anxiety about a spreading virus, but what we are left with is a mental health, “echo pandemic.” According to the OCC report: “In contrast to larger organizations, SMEs have limited capacity and resources to respond to the growing workplace impacts of the pandemic and have been placed at the forefront of the ensuing mental health crisis without adequate support.”

Mental Health is not just something for employees — many business owners are facing mental health challenges of their own. Some have watched their business that they have helped build for decades get decimated through the pandemic. They’ve taken on loans and the prospect of repaying them is becoming more daunting as the good times they hoped for haven’t materialized. Instead, they’re working more hours than ever as they struggle to hire while facing record inflation and more economic uncertainty. The life of an entrepreneur has always been one of stress and challenges, but the last few years have pushed this to a breaking point.

I encourage you to read through the recommendations in Mind the Gap. Without getting too much into the details, the suggestions for the business community include being strategic in how we invest in mental health in our workplace with progress that we can monitor and measure. We need a range of accessible mental health and addictions support programs for employees that reflect the diversity of our teams.

Our governments need to help make sure those mental health tools are available for businesses to tap into. It’s hard to refer people to services if the primary care sector doesn’t have the capacity to take it on. The report presents the need for additional supports to encourage more investment more in mental health including tax incentives and leveraging data to improve outcomes.

It’s time to move beyond talking about mental health and take strategic action that includes measurable goals toward a healthier workplace. It’s going to take action from both government and industry. We need to address the “echo pandemic” and mind the gap.

Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.

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Fleming Phoenix Roundup: Oct. 27-28

The Fleming Phoenix saw mixed results as their cross country, volleyball and basketball teams competed over the weekend.

The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Cross country runners Alexander Clarke and Jessica Lehman competed at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association provincial championship meet over the weekend. Lehman placed 44th in the women’s 6k event with a time of 30:58 while Clarke placed 60th in the men’s 8k event with a time of 32:47.

The men’s and women’s Phoenix volleyball teams were on the road, taking on the Canadore Panthers on Friday and the Georgian Grizzlies on Sunday.

The men split the weekend with a win on Friday, taking three of five sets from the Panthers by winning 25-23, 26-24 and then winning the fifth set 15-12.

On Saturday, the men lost all three sets to the Grizzlies, 25-20, 25-17, 25-20.

The women lost three sets to the Canadore Panthers on Friday, 25-13, 25-16, 25-15. The Grizzlies also captured all three sets against the Phoenix on Saturday, as the women fell 25-14, 25-21 and 25-16.

Both teams play Wednesday as against the Centennial Colts at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre. The women play at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m.

The Phoenix men’s basketball team fell 74-54 when they hosted the St. Lawrence Surge at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Saturday. Miyake Ugbogbo netted 15 points, Keandre Golaurb-Jackson with 10 and Paul-Ryan Molay and Marcus Parnell with seven points each for the Phoenix.

They travel to the Casa Loma Campus to face the George Brown Huskies at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Trent Excalibur Men's Lacrosse Begin Title Defense As They Host Baggataway Cup Beginning Friday

The 2023 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup runs through the defending-champion Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team they are defending their national championship title as the host team at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University beginning Friday to Sunday.

This year marks the third time Trent has hosted the event since the team’s inception into CUFLA in 2007. The Baggataway Cup was first hosted at Trent in 2012.  Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“We are thrilled to welcome student-athletes, fans and alumni for the second year in a row, to the 2023 Baggataway Cup Championship,” said Nathan McFadden, Trent Athletics director. “The weekend will be an opportunity to witness the spirit of competition as the best teams in the country vie for the coveted Baggataway Cup at Trent’s Justin Chiu Stadium.”

Last season was the school’s first men’s lacrosse Baggataway Cup Championship after an undefeated season. This year, the team finished tied with Carleton University for first place in the East Division with an 8-2 record but dropped to second due to tie-breakers.

“We've had a remarkable season here at Justin Chiu Stadium,” said Mark Farthing, head coach. “Having the opportunity to compete for the national championship is a testament to the team’s dedication and we are excited to pursue the cup again in front of the most passionate fanbase in CUFLA.” 

The first quarterfinal game of the Baggataway Cup is on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The second quarter-final game will begin at 7:30 p.m. while semi-finals will begin on Saturday against the winner of the first quarter-final at 1:30 p.m.

The second semi-final game starts at 4:30 p.m.  The Baggataway Cup final will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. immediately followed by an awards presentation.

The family-friendly event has feature food trucks and a concession stand (no alcohol will be served) and Baggataway Cup apparel for sale. Donia’s Donair food truck will be on site all weekend and BeaverTails will be available on Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. 

Day passes for the quarterfinal or semifinal games are $10 with tickets for Sunday’s gold medal game $15. Championship tournament passes are $30. Tickets and passes will be available for purchase at the gate and in person at the Trent Athletics Centre next week. Trent students, children under 12 and youth who wear their Trent Excalibur Summer Camp shirts can attend for free.  

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High Street Temporarily Closed For Traffic Calming Measures Construction

High Street — between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street — is closing to through traffic on Thursday and Friday for the installation of traffic calming infrastructure announced on Tuesday.

File Photo.

Local access will be maintained for residents within the affected area according to the City of Peterborough.

High Street was selected as one of the pilot areas to study traffic calming measures through the City’s Traffic Calming Policy development. It is being trialed as a one-way street with traffic permitted in the southbound direction between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street. A protected pedestrian pathway is also being installed between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street in the sections that do not have a sidewalk.

The policy is intended to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, as well as to reduce aggressive driving behaviour in local neighbourhoods to improve livability according to the City.

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Public Requested to Avoid Going to PRHC During Its Perimeter Lockdown Amid Bomb Threat

UPDATE: 2:13 p.m. 31/10/23 The bomb threat has been averted and the PRHC is back to normal.

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is requesting the public including patients and family members to delay visiting their facility as they are on a perimeter lockdown due to a bomb threat uttered late Tuesday morning.

File Photo.

At roughly 11:15 a.m., hospital received a bomb threat from an unknown individual. The hospital says they have no evidence to verify the threat but are taking it seriously.

A code black was immediately declared and Peterborough Police Service are on site with a perimeter lockdown. Patients are able to access the hospital only through the Emergency Department and are being screened prior to entry.

“We understand how frightening this news will be for all those impacted including their family, friends and loved ones,” said Michelene Ough, PRHC director of communicaions in a press release. “We will keep the hospital and broader community informed as more information becomes available.”

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Peterborough Police Have Provided Halloween Safety Tips For Trick-Or-Treating

Peterborough Police Service has provided safety tips for everyone as they go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Police have provided these safety tips:

• Carry a flashlight

• Wear a costume with reflective elements

• Go up one side of the street & then the other

• Tell your parents your route

• Stay on well lit paths; don't go through front yards

• Have an adult check your candy

• Do not go to a house where the front light is on

• Stay on the sidewalk

• Avoid constantly crossing the street

• If kids are with parents, do not let kids get go too far ahead

• Wear bright costumes or reflective colours

• Do not take shortcuts through other people’s backyards

• Trick-or-treat in small groups

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Fleming College Holding Naming Contest For New Mascot Unveiled In September

After introducing a new mascot in September, Fleming College is holding a contest to name their Phoenix mascot, announced on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Phoenix replaced the longtime Fleming Knight which served as the school’s mascot for the past 50 years. The new mascot embraces themes of strength, rebirth and perseverance that Fleming says represent their college community the best according to a press release. 

Participants can enter by liking Fleming’s post and typing suggested mascot name suggestion in the comments section.  

All entries are entered into a draw for a Fleming Phoenix Hoodie. 

The contest runs until Nov. 6.  

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