'Quest It' Mobile App Creator Takes Grand Prize In Innovation Cluster's 'Cubs' Lair' Entrepreneurial Competition

Hadi Jakmora’s mobile app ‘Quest It’ took home first place at the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas’s ‘Cubs' Lair’ entrepreneurial competition held at Erben on Thursday.

Winner Hadi Jakmora (middle left) with his grand prize after winning the Cubs’ Lair competition. Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster Peterborough.

Jakmore took home the grand prize of $3,000, for his app, designed for everyday task assistance, facilitating local services from snow removal to meal preparation.

Matt Anderson clinched second place and a $1,500 award for Chemong City Greens, an enterprise cultivating organic microgreens. Its nutrient-rich produce enhances meals year-round, enriching Peterborough's local food network.

Nicholas Landon secured third place and a $500 prize for Course Sync Inc., an innovative platform revolutionizing student academic management.

Other participants included:

• Zachary McCue of REPWR

• Ashley Bonner of Community Pin

• Yash Ramnani of Nectar

• Jayden Smith of Cub Storage Inc

Judges for the event were Marcelo Sarkis of Prima IP, Jade Calver of Calver Immigration Consulting Inc. and Jason Fiorotto, a seasoned B2B marketing strategist.

“The Innovation Cluster extends heartfelt congratulations to all Cubs' Lair 2023 participants for their remarkable creativity and dedication,” according to a press release statement. “We eagerly anticipate the future success of these entrepreneurs in Peterborough and beyond as they continue to shape the landscape of innovation.”

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Voice of Business: Supporting Stronger Indigenous Economic Outcomes

We need to do better when it comes to economic reconciliation.

Economic reconciliation is so much more than a moral imperative — the cost of inaction is holding us back culturally and economically.

There’s a new policy paper from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) called Sharing Prosperity: An Introduction to Building Relationships for Economic Reconciliation in Ontario. It’s an introductory resource as part of the Economic Reconciliation Initiative, a partnership between both organizations aimed at advancing economic reconciliation by building business capacity to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92.

It's key to appreciate that reports like this are a starting place. It provides some of the resources to build relationships and move us in the right direction. To get there, it helps give historical context, provides insights on Indigenous rights, highlights challenges facing Indigenous businesses, and provides meaningful opportunities for engagement.

The report describes an Indigenous economy that is both strong and growing with Indigenous businesses contributing nearly $50 billion annual to Canada’s GDP. There are more than 75,000 Indigenous-owned businesses and entrepreneurs in Canada.

Some of the key actions that businesses can take include:

• Advancing Indigenous cultural awareness and education by sharing territorial acknowledgements, distributing educational reconciliation resources to staff, providing Indigenous cultural competency training, and attending/participating in Indigenous events.

• Promoting equitable Indigenous employment and business opportunities by providing reduced rates/complimentary access to events, memberships, and training for Indigenous businesses/individuals, implementing inclusive Human Resource strategies to recruit and retain Indigenous candidates, auditing workplace policies and procedures to promote reconciliation, linking executive compensation to economic reconciliation performance metrics, and convening an Indigenous Advisory Committee.

• Engaging with Indigenous communities and supporting economic development by making Indigenous community investments, developing Indigenous partnership-building and engagement strategies, implementing Indigenous procurement policies, obtaining certification/accreditation in Indigenous relations, developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, and entering into revenue- or equity-sharing agreements with Indigenous businesses and/or communities.

Diversity, equity and inclusion as well as environmental, social and governance goals are becoming a bigger priority for many businesses and organizations. While connected to both of those approaches, economic reconciliation puts a focus on efforts to recognize the unique, inherent, ancestral, and customary responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples.

Reports like Sharing Prosperity help outline what businesses and organizations of all sizes can do to support stronger Indigenous economic outcomes.

As stated by the OCC Board of Directors: “It is critical to underscore that reconciliation is not about ‘checking a box’ but rather committing to a continual process of learning and action.”

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

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Keswick Woman Charged With Aiding Suicide of a 73-Year-Old Woman

After a six-month long investigation, a 76-year-old Keswick woman has been charged with aiding suicide to the death of a 73-year-old woman in May of last year.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

On Tuesday, officers with the Criminal Investigations Unit arrested Margaret Murphy in connection with the death. Police say the two women were known to each other. It was also learned that during the initial death investigation, the suspect provided false information to police.

Margaret Murphy of Keswick has been charged with:

• Aiding Suicide

• Obstruct Police

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16.

Call 9-8-8 if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress or worried about someone you know. Support is free and available 24/7 or for emergencies, 9-1-1.

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23rd Annual Loonies on the Street Fundraiser Hits Downtown Peterborough For Kawartha Food Share on Dec. 15

The 23rd Loonies on the Street Fundraiser in support of Kawartha Food Shareis hitting Downtown Peterborough on the corner of George St, and Simcoe St.on Dec. 15 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kawartha Food Share Helps feed more than 12,000 people a month – 35 per cent of whom are children – KFS also provides nutritious snacks for 51 area school breakfast programs helping over 17,000 children get a healthy start to their school day. Photo courtesy of Kawartha Food Share.

Their bucket brigade is collecting loose change on George Street while members of the Peterborough Lions Club are collecting on the Hunter Street Bridge. Online donations are also being accepted.

Kawartha Food Share is a central collection and distribution warehouse that partners with 37-member agency food banks, food cupboards and other food action programs in the City and County of Peterborough.

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City of Peterborough New Speed Limits and Community Safety Zones In School Areas

As part of National Safe Driving Week, The City of Peterborough has launched “Drive Slow Ptbo” to lower speed limits in Community Safety Zones in school areas, announced at Edmison Heights Public School on Tuesday afternoon.

An example of signs and the speed Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Speed limits have been reduced to 40 kph on major roads fronting schools and 30 kph on minor roads fronting schools and local roads leading to a school driveway. Local roads with walkway access to school property will receive a 40-kilometers-per-hour speed limit. Fines are doubled for traffic violations within a Community Safety Zone according to the Peterborough Police Service.

New speed limit and Community Safety Zone signs are being installed following Highway Traffic Act regulations at all 30 elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, five school areas — one in each ward — are pilot sites for road safety treatments to determine their effectiveness in slowing vehicular traffic and identify any operational or maintenance challenges associated with the treatments.

“This is just the pilot project and I think you have to take all that information you get and try to get out the wrinkles and apply it across the City of Peterborough,” said Councillor Keith Riel.

The treatments include pavement markings, delineators and vertical centerline treatments and electronic driver feedback signs.

These initial pilot areas are: 

• St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School

• Edmison Heights Public School

• École Catholique Monseigneur-Jamot

• St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School and Keith Wightman Public School

• Queen Mary Public School 

“School area safety is a priority for Council. We want our children to be safe,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reducing the speed limit on the roads around our schools will create a safer environment for children and families walking or cycling to school. Community Safety Zones in school areas will add another layer of safety, in addition to the City’s effective Crossing Guard program and school bus safety laws.”

The school area safety project comes from key infrastructure policy initiatives established through the Transportation Master Plan approved by Council in March 2022. This project implements several measures recommended in the Safe School Zones section, including education, engineering and enforcement measures, to improve safety in school areas. 

City Council approved reduced speed limits and Community Safety Zones for all City elementary and secondary school areas in the City of Peterborough at its meeting on June 26.

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Peterborough Petes Forward Owen Beck Named to Team Canada Selection Camp for 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship

Peterborough Petes forward Owen Beck has been named to Team Canada’s Selection Camp for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, announced by Hockey Canada on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Andersen Photography and the Peterborough Petes.

The second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens was the only player named to camp who was a part of Canada’s 2023 Gold Medal-winning team. He was a late addition to the roster and appeared in three games in the tournament, picking up one assist. The Port Hope forward won an OHL Championship with the Petes after joining the team at the trade deadline last season.

“We’re excited for Owen,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “He played very well for us last season and throughout our Championship run. He’s had a good start to the season this year with the Petes and we’re happy to see that get acknowledged by Hockey Canada.”

Beck was originally selected by the Mississauga Steelheads, 29th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He has played in 151 OHL games in his three-year career, scoring 60 goals and adding 82 assists for 142 points. In October last year, he was signed by the Montreal Canadiens to a three-year entry-level deal, making his NHL debut for the Canadiens on Jan. 28 against the Ottawa Senators.

The selection camp will take place at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville and will include practices and a pair of games against a team of U SPORTS all-stars on Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 13 at noon.

The Petes welcome the Brantford Bulldogs for Thursday's annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

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Several Downtown Businesses Open Late For Holiday Shoppers For Three Consecutive Thursdays

Thirty-five downtown shops will be open late on Thursdays until 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, 14 and 21, announced by the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) on Monday.

A shopper browses candles at Luminary Emporium on Hunter Street. Photo courtsey of the DBIA.

This late-night shopping initiative is a merchant-led program in coordination with the DBIA that aims to encourage more downtown shopping during the holidays.

“We know that it's not always easy to make it downtown during the day so a large collection of downtown businesses have again organized a late-night shopping experience to provide a wider opportunity to shop downtown and support local this holiday season,” said Anthony Lennan, Ptbo Food Shop owner. “There are so many amazing shops and restaurants downtown, and we appreciate everyone who makes a point of supporting local businesses during the holidays and whenever possible.”

Parking is free in downtown Peterborough after 6 p.m. and two-hour free holiday parking is in effect before then.

There are 35 participating businesses for late-night shopping:

• Tragically Dipped

• Statement House

• The Neighbourhood Vintage

• By the Books

• East City Knife Co.

• Needles in the Hay

• Plant Goals

• Ptbo Food Shop

• Metaphorhome

• The Capital

• Iceman Video Games

• Couture Candy

• Hi Ho Silver

• Cork & Bean

• Tiny Greens

• Minhs Chinese Grocery

• Chumleighs

• Boardwalk Game Lounge

• John Roberts Clothiers

• Milk + Tea shop

• Rieker by Cheslers

• Grey Guardian Games

• erben

• Gather Home Goods

• Cottage Toys

• Pammett’s Flower Shop

• The Toy Shop

• Ritual Apothecary

• Wild Rock

• Rawscoes Sports & Collectibles

• Cozy 

• Dan Joyce Clothing

• Fallen Giants Simcoe

• Sugar me Right

“It’s vital that we continue to incentivize and reward folks for supporting our downtown- especially during the busy holiday season. We are excited to be offering holiday shoppers the opportunity to collect extra stamps on our holiday shopping passports during the Late Night Shopping events,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA vibrancy manager. “There is nothing more charming than shopping for the holidays in our historic downtown in December. We hope that this initiative will draw folks into the urban core for a larger experience with friends and family. Many downtown restaurants already open in the evenings, so having a large collection of shops open later also provides people with the flexibility to combine dining and shopping while they are downtown.”

The DBIA has created a map has been created to locate the participating retailers.

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Peterborough Man Charged With Striking Another Man With Knife During Altercation

A 19-year-old Peterborough man is facing an assault charge after an incident on Monday evening.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At roughly 5:45 p.m., officers received a call about an altercation at a residence. A verbal dispute had escalated between two men and the victim was hit with a knife several times. The latter was taken to Peterborough Regional Health Centre to treat minor injuries. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The man was arrested and charged with the following:

• Assault with a weapon - Adult

The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 2.

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Fleming Phoenix Roundup: Dec. 4

The Fleming Phoenix cricket team were close to capturing a championship but lost in the finals to the Centennial Colts on Thursday.

The Fleming Phoenix logo was unveiled for the college on Sept. 8, replacing the Fleming Knight. After a community naming contest, Fleming has revealed the mascot’s name to be ‘Blaze.’ Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The Fleming Phoenix men’s cricket team participated in the Ontario Collegiate Recreation Extramural Fall Cricket tournament at Conestoga College.

They won three of their four matches to get to the finals but fell to the Centennial Colts. Helin Minesh Patel led the team with 76 runs and Aryan Panwar with six wickets.  

The Colts kept hounding Fleming as they defeated the Phoenix men’s basketball team 123-63 at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre (PSWC) on Friday.

The top scorers for the Phoenix included Miyake Ugbogbo with 26 points and Marcus Parnell and Tristan Paguirigan with seven points each.

The basketball team gets a long break and resumes the season on Jan. 10 when they welcome the Durham Lords at the PSWC. 

Neither of the Phoenix volleyball teams was able to finish the year with a win as they were defeated by the home team Colts on Saturday.

The men’s team lost 3-1. The Phoenix lost the first two sets 25-20 and 26-24, won the third set 25-22 but lost the fourth set 25-22. 

The women’s team lost all three sets to the Colts, 25-20, 25-14, and 25-19. 

The Phoenix volleyball teams are off until Jan. 13, when they welcome the Georgian Grizzlies to the PSWC. 

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Photos: The Chocolate Rabbit Makes Its Grand Opening of Third Location In East City

The Chocolate Rabbit has opened its third location in Peterborough with its grand opening in East City on Saturday.

Elaine Webster (left), Kristine Webster (middle) and Nichol Wagenblast (right) showcasing some of the chocolatier's featured items. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Several people and dignitaries including Peterborough-Kawartha MP Michelle Ferrari and Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Free samples, coupons (with purchase of times) and raffles for gift baskets were available at the event.

Customers could meet the Webster family who owns the business, who purchased the business from Lois and Larry MacEachern in August of 2021.

“We have been left speechless with the amount of turnout and support that the community has provided us today,” said Kristine Webster of The Chocolate Rabbit. “All in all, we had a wonderful experience and are so happy to have met and connected with each and every one of you.”

The other locations are in Lakefield and Bancroft and are also owned by the Webster family.

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