Peterborough Blogs
Community Futures Peterborough and Launch Limited-Edition SOAR Series For Established Businesses Looking to Expand
/Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) and the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) have launched SOAR, a brand new, cohort program designed for established businesses that are ready to expand or scale their operations.
Photo courtesy of CFP.
“This is a direct response to the gaps we’ve consistently seen in our local businesses while operating the Business Advisory Centre for the past year,” said Rose Terry, BAC manager. “Existing businesses often hit a ceiling without access to tailored, expert support and guidance. We have been offering this in our one-on-one consultations, but the SOAR Series bridges that gap, offering high-impact, cohorted, practical training to help businesses in our region thrive and lead.”
With limited spots available each month, business owners can now apply to be accepted into individual cohorts. Successful applicants will gain access to expert-led workshops tailored to the challenges and opportunities that growing businesses face. The SOAR Series will equip participants with real-world next steps and strategic direction to stay competitive and expand in an evolving market.
The free series begins this September and runs for four months. It will provide successful applicants with access to in-depth, specialized programming delivered by external consultants and CF Peterborough staff according to CFP.
Each month in the Fall this year, SOAR will focus on a critical area of business development identified by the needs of businesses in our community.
“Community Futures continues to demonstrate that the best ways for businesses to succeed is to build relationships and leverage the experience and knowledge of others. Today’s announcement about the SOAR program is another example of building on that collaborative philosophy as a way to improve the business acumen of many of the entrepreneurs and job creators in our region,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.
Businesses may apply for as many months as they feel they require support in:
September – Marketing Mastery and Pitching for Growth
These four sessions will feature interactive workshops led by marketing, branding, and communication experts, including Rosalea Terry, Erika Eileen, and Kyle MacDonald, each bringing unique perspectives and toolkits to help entrepreneurs craft and communicate their story with impact.
October – Business Development and Sales
These sessions will be led by Jason Fiorotto, a highly successful marketing and sales leader with over 25 years of experience working with companies ranging from private equity-backed startups to Fortune 50 global brands. This cohort will focus on building the systems and strategies that drive consistent revenue growth. Business owners will learn how to identify and qualify leads, strengthen their sales conversations, and close deals with confidence. These sessions will also explore how to build a sustainable business development pipeline that supports long-term growth and scalability.
November – Cross-Border Expansion and E-Commerce
For companies looking to expand into new provinces or sell across international borders, these sessions will help to master the logistics, digital tools, and market entry strategies required for expansive growth. Business owners will also learn how to optimize their e-commerce presence, from choosing the right platforms to navigating shipping, compliance, and customer experience across borders.
December – Selling, Acquiring, and Succession Planning
These sessions will focus on covering the key aspects of transitioning a business, whether through sale, purchase, or succession. Led by business succession planning experts Michael Riseley and Nicole Truman, they will encompass all aspects of a business transition, including valuation, sale, acquisition, and succession. Businesses will learn how to transition in a tax-efficient manner and hear about various transition strategies applicable to a range of diverse businesses.
The SOAR Series is open to businesses located in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County, including Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation. The sessions will rotate across locations to ensure inclusive access for both urban and rural entrepreneurs.
“This is more than a business program, it’s an economic development catalyst,” said Devon Girard, CFP executive director. “The SOAR Series will empower our existing businesses to grow stronger roots locally while receiving expert, customized advice to help them meet their expansion goals. We are so excited to bring this program to our community and help our businesses soar.”
With a partnership with Scotiabank, the SOAR program is available free of charge to all successful applicants.
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Health Unit Encourages Eligible Families to Access Free or Low-Cost Dental Care
/As eligibility for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) expands, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) encourage families to explore the federal program for needed dental coverage, announced on Wednesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
PPH says familes should understand the changes to CDCP and the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program.
According to a press release, the CDCP is a federal government initiative aimed at making dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians. Applications are currently open for seniors aged 65 and older, children under 18, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate. As of last month, the program has expanded to include all eligible adults aged 18 to 64.
“Good oral health is fundamental to overall well-being, and programs like HSO and the CDCP play a critical role in making dental care accessible to qualifying children and youth,” said Anna Rusak, Health Promoter, with the HKPR District Health Unit. “And with an increasing number of dental providers asking patients to enroll in CDCP, we want to make sure families are aware and prepared. We are here to help them through the application process.”
The CDCP is now open to all ages and families with an adjusted family net income of $90,000 or less who have no private dental insurance and have filed their taxes. These families are invited to submit one application for their household. This program helps cover the cost of dental care, including regular check-ups, cleanings and treatments.
Families who qualify for CDCP will receive a package from Sun Life, the company managing the program. This package will include a member card, program details, and the start date for benefits to be activated. PPH advises waiting until this start date to book any dental appointments.
PPH says when making an appointment and before starting any treatment always:
Confirm that the dentist accepts CDCP clients
Check your benefit start date and any costs you may need to pay
Ask if there are any extra fees beyond what CDCP covers and if so, request an estimate or the specific amount that will be owed
PPH advises that families should never pay the full cost upfront, as Sun Life will not reimburse them directly.
Families can apply for the CDCP online or get help from the Health Unit.
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Two People Charged With Fraud and Theft After Allowing Items to be Taken Without Full Payment
/Two Peterborough residents are facing charges after a local business reported multiple incidents involving a former employee.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Through investigation, officers with the Community F.I.R.S.T. Unit learned of 12 incidents between April and June 2025 involving the person, who was an employee at the time and a relative. In the incidents, the employee would not charge the full amount for items or would allow the items to leave without payment. The business lost almost $1,350.
Officers arrested and charged the following:
A 74-year-old Peterborough man with:
Fraud Under $5,000 x8
Theft Under $5,000 x3
A 68-year-old Peterborough woman with:
Fraud Under $5,000 x5
Theft Under $5,000 x3
Both accused were released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2.
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Peterborough NHL Draftee Commits to Michigan State
/Less than a month after being drafted to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL 2025 Entry Level Draft, Peterborough’s Porter Martone is leaving the Ontario Hockey League and committing to Michigan State University, announced on Monday.
Notable Michigan State Alumni to play in the NHL include Ryan Miller, Rod Brind'Amour, Torey Krug and Mason Appleton. Photo by Jordan Cooper.
Martone was drafted by the Flyers sixth overall last month.
In November, the NCAA Division I Council voted to amend its rules, permitting players who have skated in the CHL to participate in college hockey. Martone will join the Michigan State Spartans, who had a 26-7-4 record this past season. The team plays out of Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Mi.
He spent most of his OHL career with the Mississauga/Brampton Steelheads and had a brief stint with the Sarnia Sting, playing 29 games during the 2022-23 season.
He finished this season with 37 goals and 61 assists in 57 games while captaining the Steelheads. He also captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF U18 World Championship last year in Finland.
The Peterborough forward was a member of the Petes U15 AAA team, scoring six goals and 15 assists in 36 games.
Porter is the son of his father and former NHL player Mike Martone. The latter was known for scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 1996 OHL Championship against the Guelph Storm.
Selwyn Township Places Immediate Ban on Burning Brush
/Effective immediately, the Selwyn Township Fire Department is enforcing a strict prohibition on burning brush, announced on Tuesday.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
According to Selwyn Townshop, the decision comes amidst sustained drought conditions and above-average temperatures.
“Conditions are very dry and we want to protect our residents, their properties and our volunteer firefighters,” made in a press release statement.
What the ban covers:
Brush burning, including piles of branches, logs, yard debris, and similar vegetation, is strictly prohibited until further notice.
Existing burn permits are immediately revoked.
The ban does not extend to certified gas or propane fire pits, barbecues, or small recreational campfires located more than 20 ft. from structures—but even these should be used with extreme caution and direct adult supervision.
This ban remains in effect until conditions improve. Fire officials will reassess the situation daily and announce any changes.
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Willow Yoga Studio Launches Adaptive Yoga Program for Children with Special Needs
/Willow Yoga Studio has launched a first-of-its-kind adaptive yoga pilot program designed specifically for children with special needs.
Demeester in front of her business at 1600 Lansdowne St. W. The Willow Studio was a 2025 recipient of the Starter Company Plus Program through Community Futures Peterborough. Photo courtesy of Willow Yoga Studio.
The program is in partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC).
Angela Demeester, Willow Yoga Studio owner, is a mother to a child with a disability. According to a press release, she recognized a significant gap in programming available to children with diverse needs. Demeester approached FCCC with the program.
“We're excited to announce our partnership with Five Counties Children’s Centre to offer Adaptive Yoga classes for children with special needs this summer at Willow,” said Demeeester. “This offering reflects the very heart of our studio—yoga that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in connection.”
The adaptive yoga program offers studio space for children to connect socially, build friendships, improve physical fitness, and experience calmness. The first session occurred last Wednesday witha second one on Aug. 6. It is open to FCCC clients receiving therapeutic recreation services.
“We are so thrilled to work with Angela on this adaptive yoga program that benefits children of all abilities,” said Caitlin Gilmer, FCCC recreation therapist. “Our role as therapists is to help children experience and enjoy recreational activities, and this adaptive yoga program is one way to break down those barriers.”
“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to be part of a community, to move their bodies, and to feel included,” said Demeeester. “As both a yoga teacher and a parent of a child with a disability, I understand how meaningful it is to have programs that see and support the whole child.”
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Riverview Park & Zoo Train Closing Early Due to Pumphouse Rehabilitation Work
/The Riverview Park and Zoo’s miniature train is operating until Aug. 4, as it will close for the season to accommodate rehabilitation work on the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam.
File Photo.
The Dam will undergo construction work to address concrete deterioration and improve its infrastructure to further its long-term functionality. Construction work is expected to begin this summer.
The Miniature Train Ride crosses the dam as part of its route around the Zoo area. The train cannot safely cross the dam while it is under construction.
The train operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Miniature Train Ride will reopen to visitors during the long weekend in May 2026.
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Peterborough Man Arrested For Exposing Himself at Jackson Park
/A 41-year-old Peterborough man is facing charges after several calls to police about a man exposing himself in Jackson Park.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
At roughly 7 p.m., officers arrived at the park and began searching the area. They located the man lying near the creek with his clothes beside him. The clothes matched the description given to the police.
The man was arrested and charged with:
Indecent Act- public place
Fail to Comply with Probation Order
Fail to Comply with Prohibition Regarding Children
The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, to stay away from Jackson Park in Peterborough.
The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition: to not be at a public park or other areas where people under 16 can be reasonably expected to be.
The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
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Photos: Gob Takes Centre Stage With Their Punk Rock Antics at Peterborough Musicfest
/The Vancouver punk rock stylings of Gob hit the Musicfest stage to rock out with the Peterborough crowd at Del Crary Park on Saturday night.
The band consists of Tom Thacker (vocals and lead guitar), Theo Goutzinakis (rhythm guitar and vocals), Gabe Mantle (drummer) and Steven Fairweather (bassist).
@ptbo_canada Tom Thacker) (left) and Theo Goutzinakis (right) of Gob rock out at Peterborough Musicfest before a huge crowd at Del Crary Park. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #ptbomusicfest ♬ Punk rock for sports, battles, OPs(1407616) - Cheng Lee
