PTBOSpotlight: First Five Club

Welcome to PTBOSpotlight! Every Friday, this segment showcases a business or organization in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the people behind the organization and the work they do for our community.

This week, we are featuring First Five Club. It is owned and founded by Whitney Stoner.

Photo courtesy of Jordan Lyall Photography and First Five Club.

Located at 1-260 Milroy Dr., the First Five Club is a Montessori-inspired playplace and wellness studio designed for families with children up to the age of five.

Customers can drop in with an All-Day Play Pass, bundle visits with a discounted Multi-Pass or join one of our three membership tiers—Play Club, Explorer Club, and All Access Club—all packed with perks like unlimited play, guest passes, class access and exclusive discounts.

“Our space includes a main play area, a glowing sensory room and a cozy lactation and nap room. Every visit includes complimentary coffee, tea, snacks and WiFi—so parents can take a breath while their little ones explore,” explained Stoner. “We also run weekly classes in our studio like Music & Me, KangaDance and Nest & Stretch, plus free-for-member drop-in activities like Little Picassos and Sensory Lounge that run twice a week and are also open to the public.”

The Club is more than just a space to grow and learn for children.

“In addition to our regular play and classes, we host monthly special events and workshops for families looking for more education, support or just a little fun outside the day-to-day,” said Stoner. “We also host birthday parties, baby showers and have our studio available to local professionals to rent.”

Photo courtesy of Jordan Lyall Photography and First Five Club.

Founded in September 2023, the business emerged from the need for social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stoner became a mom in 2021, when restrictions were not yet fully lifted. She experienced firsthand the challenges of isolation and the struggle to find accessible resources for her family.

“I’m a mom to a spirited four-year-old, and like a lot of parents, I spent the early years of motherhood in the thick of the pandemic—pregnant, isolated, and desperate for connection,” explained Stoner. “First Five Club was born from that experience. I wanted to create a space where families felt seen, supported and surrounded by community. A space where kids could play freely and grownups could breathe for a minute.”

All photos courtesy of Jordan Lyall Photography and First Five Club.

The First Five Club offers a Montessori-inspired play area featuring calm aesthetics, open-ended toys and child-led materials that spark independence and curiosity according to Stoner.

“That means kids don’t just ‘stay busy’—they actually engage. They choose their own adventures, move at their own pace, and build confidence in a setting that feels both free and structured,” she explained. “Parents often tell us their kids leave calmer and more content—minus the few tantrums from those who don't wanna leave at all.”

To learn more about First Five Club, find it online:

Website: www.firstfiveclub.com
Instagram: @firstfiveclub
Facebook: First Five Club

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Ennismore Community Centre Receives Over $930,000 In Funding For Resurfacing From Ontario Government

The Ontario government is investing $931,750 to replace the floor at the Ennismore Community Centre, announced on Friday morning.

CSRIF is a key part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario workers, businesses and families by unleashing the economy and getting more shovels in the ground, with a historic $200 billion investment to build highways, hospitals, transit, schools and other critical infrastructure across the province. Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

The investment is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF). The initiative helps communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living across Ontario according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP

“This investment in the Ennismore Community Centre is absolutely fantastic news for families in Selwyn Township,” he said. “It's more than just replacing a 54-year-old ice surface; it's about securing the future of a vital community hub. This funding ensures that local sports teams, recreational skaters, and community groups will continue to have a modern, safe, and accessible facility for decades to come. Our government is proud to make these kinds of direct investments that strengthen our communities and support active, healthy living right here at home.”

The project will include replacing the 54-year-old, 180-foot by 80-foot concrete slab floor, refrigeration piping and ice rink chiller. The arena has hosted sporting groups, youth leagues, recreational skaters and community organizations since its construction.

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Kawartha Credit Union and Libro Announce Plans to Merge

The Boards of both Kawartha Credit Union and Libro Credit Union entered into discussions about a merger.

Photo courtesy of Kawartha Credit Union.

“The Boards of both credit unions believe this merger is in the best interests of Members/Owners, employees, communities and the credit union,” said Garrett Vanderwyst, Libro board chair. “By coming together, we can scale and be better prepared for the future, while at the same time maintain the benefits and advantages of a community-focused credit union.”

According to a press release, the credit unions are progressing well through the stages of the merger process. In August, a comprehensive application will be submitted to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and if approved, Members/Owners from both credit unions will participate in a democratic voting process, likely in the fall of 2025.

If approved, the new credit union would have approximately $11 billion in total assets under management, serving over 180,000 Members/Owners, across 57 locations in Ontario, offering a full range of personal and business banking, wealth management and insurance solutions.

“Both credit unions have a long history of helping Members/Owners achieve their financial goals. By coming together the merged credit union will focus on providing the products, services and advice our Members/Owners need, while continuing to invest in our local communities,” says Kawartha Board Chair, Allison Chenier.

Both companies state that the merger will provide the following benefits for customers:

• Better digital banking experiences – backed by the strength of a growing credit union with more to invest

• More in-person access through 57 locations across Ontario

• Access to deeper financial expertise and personalized advice for every stage of life and business

• A wider range of products and services across personal banking, business banking, wealth, and insurance

• Greater lending capacity and tailored support for business Members/Owners

• Enhanced agricultural banking support through dedicated specialists serving local farming communities

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Peterborough Man Arrested After Fleeing Police and Discarding Replica Firearm

A 35-year-old Peterborough man wanted on a warrant is facing several charges, including mischief and possession of an unauthorized weapon, after an incident on Thursday morning.

At roughly 9:30 a.m., a K9 officer on general patrol spotted the man riding a bicycle in the Aylmer Street and Murray Street area. The officer attempted to stop him but the cyclist ran, discarding an item as he fled.

Police Constable Wentworth and Police Service Dog Gryphon gave chase, caught up to the man in a nearby alley and took him into custody. Officers retrieved the discarded item which turned out to be a replica handgun. During a search of the man after his arrest, officers also seized three knives.

The suspect was arrested on the strength of the warrant (for Mischief under $5,000 and Fail to Comply with Probation Order) and further charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of Weapon

• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order

The accused is currently bound by a prohibition order with the following condition: to not possess any weapon or firearms as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada.

The accused is currently bound by a probation order with the following condition: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

The accused was held in custody and appeared in court on Thursday.

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Peterborough Lakers Finish Regular Season Home Finale With Win Over Brampton

The Lakers gave the home team what they wanted on Fan Appreciation and Little Lakers Night, as they finished their last home regular-season game with a 9-6 win over the Brampton Excelsiors at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of David Pickering and the Peterborough Lakers.

The Lakers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Holden Cattoni scored 88 seconds into the game to draw first blood. Brampton answered on the power play to tie the game at one. Peterborough scored two straight from Mike Robinson and Carter Page to make it a 3-1 game but Brampton got one more to end the period.

The Excelsiors took their first lead of the game, scoring the stanza’s first two goals. Page scored his second but was quickly met with another Excelsior goal. Peterborough regained the lead thanks to Cattoni’s second score and Thomas Hoggarth found the scoresheet to make it a 6-5 game after two.

“I caught the ball, a defenseman jumped at me. It kind of tied my hands up, the only option I had was around the back and I just tried to get it on net and I got lucky and it went through his legs, not much to it,” explained Hoggarth.

He scored a second straight goal to open the third and give a little breathing room for the Lakers. Braedon Saris extended the lead on a shorthanded goal to give Peterborough a three-goal cushion. Brampton scored ont he power play nearly halfway through the stanza but Hoggarth completed his hat trick to seal the win and send the Laker fans home happy.

“The building was loud and rocking. They were an electric factory,” said Nick Rose, Lakers goaltender. “It’s always fun to see our fans up close; some don’t recognize us without the gear on at times, but it’s awesome to be able to get them some autographs and get fired up for playoffs.”

The Lakers finish out the regular season in Port Hope against the Cobourg Kodiaks at the Jack Burger Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m.

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Local Community Builder's Podcast Hits 200th Episode Milestone

Local community builder Ken John Jones and his podcast, “Jonesy’s Corner Podcast” is celebrating a major milestone, filming and releasing his 200th episode.

Ken John Jones (left) with Pete Dalliday (right). Dalliday hosted Jones’s 100th milestone episode in the PTBOCanada studio on July 14, 2023. Photo by Martin House.

His video podcast features inspirational stories from guests from Peterborough and the surrounding area, raising awareness and highlighting their respective communities.

The 200th episode features Pete Dalliday, Peterborough Lakers director of community engagement, as the host, reflecting back on the podcast’s origins and highlights throughout its 200 episodes with Jones.

He started the podcast in the spring of 2022 with his first episode on April 25 of the same year. It is a way to help share community stories as the world was still reeling from the effects of COVID-19.

“The streets were quiet and people felt isolated from not seeing each other as often as they did once before,” explained Jones. “Thanks to Alternatives Community Program Services Peterborough, this was finding a way to stay connected virtually by using Zoom.”

His podcast has featured athletes, politicians, artists/musicians, organization executives and more. Guests who have appeared on his podcast include Taite Cattoni, Peterborough Lakers forward; Michelle Ferreri, former Peterborough-Kawartha MP; Mike Judson, former CHEX/Global News meteorologist; Katrina Squazzin, Sportsnet host and Irish Millie, musician (to name a few).

“She is known as a fiddle sensation who has played since a young age,” said Jones. “(She) has many connections to help bring out the best in others who’s new to the music scene. As the saying goes, you don’t need to be blood to be family and music is a powerful medicine that people use every day.”

Jones was born with developmental issues and has been through the Five Counties Children’s Centre and Toronto Sick Kids Hospital system. He does not let his condition hold him back from doing what he loves.

“The fun part of doing this podcast is a great way to learn skills in conversation,” said Jones. “(It) provides a safe space for people to share their story in an open, non-judgmental manner. If it weren’t for this podcast, I wouldn’t have been available to meet the individuals I have talked with and met.”

Jones’s podcasts can be found on his personal Facebook page or official Instagram handle.

Jones was presented with a Community Builder Certificate of Recognition by Ferreri in March 2022.

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Trent Athletics and Under Armour Engage In New Multi-Year Partnership

Trent University Athletics & Recreation has entered into a multi-year partnership with sports brand Under Armour, with the latter becoming the official exclusive supplier of apparel for the Trent Excalibur varsity teams.

Isabelle Pellerine, Fourth-Year Kinesiology Trent Student and Excalibur Volleyball player demonstrates a barbell row to showcase the newly-upgraded Fitness Centre at the Trent Athletics Centre. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Excalibur athletes will wear the apparel starting with the upcoming 2025-26 season, as Under Armour will start outfitting Excalibur teams with custom uniforms. 

As part of the partnership, Trent Athletics & Recreation will launch an Excalibur supporter online store to offere everyone to purchase Excalibur-branded Under Armour clothing and gear. The store will be launched later this month on the Excalibur website.

“Partnering with an innovative global leader like Under Armour reflects our commitment to excellence, a premium student-athlete experience and providing our Excalibur teams with high-performance apparel to help them succeed,” said Nathan McFadden, rent Athletics & Recreation director. “We’re excited to see our teams and supporters wearing Under Armour branded Excalibur gear and representing our program with pride.” 

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Lufthansa InTouch Shutting Its Doors In May of Next Year; Several Hundred Jobs Affected From Closure

Lufthansa InTouch is shutting down its Peterborough call centre in May of next year, affecting several hundred employees, announced on Wednesday.

Lufthansa InTouch opened its Peterborough facility in 2003. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at 1900 Fisher Dr, Lufthansa’s closure comes from “a decline in customer service volume as part of ongoing business transformation efforts.”

The company’s services include general reservations, miles and more, group sales, and ticketing, according to their website.

Lufthansa Group in Germany operates the call centre. They also own and operate Lufthansa Airlines and several other European airlines. It is one of six locations — and the only one in North America — alongside Berlin, Brno, Cape Town, Manila and Turkey.

Lufthansa says it will work with the affected employees to help them transition to the next step in their professional careers, according to Christina Semmel, manager of corporate communications (North America) at Lufthansa InTouch.

“LIT greatly appreciates the commitment and professionalism of the team in Peterborough, whose service has contributed significantly to customer satisfaction among Lufthansa Group airlines and is committed to supporting the affected employees during this transition phase, including through fair severance payments, an employee assistance program and professional support in finding new jobs,” she said.

The closure comes a month after Siemens had announced its consolidation operations in Concord on June 25, relocating approximately 160 manufacturing positions over the next two years.

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Four Fleming College Alumni Nominated For Premier’s Awards

Four Fleming College alumni have been selected as nominees for this year’s Premier’s Awards.

Michell Acorn (top left), Tracey Randall (top right), Cheryl Dowling (bottom left) and Dave Conroy (bottom right). Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Colleges Ontario administers the Premier’s Awards, the advocacy voice for Ontario’s 24 colleges and was founded in 1992. 

This annual celebration recognizes the significant social and economic contributions that college graduates make on a provincial and global scale according to Fleming

Colleges can nominate alumni in seven categories: Skilled Trades, Business, Community Services, Creative Arts and Design, Health Sciences, Recent Graduate, and Science, Technology and Engineering. 

The Fleming College nominees for 2025 are: 

Health Care and Community Well-being  
Michelle Acorn: Nursing (1987)  

Dr. Michelle Acorn, a proud Fleming College Nursing alumna, has charted an inspiring path in healthcare leadership. Currently serving as CEO of the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO), she champions over 5,400 Nurse Practitioners, nearly half of all NPs in Canada, advocating for improved access, integration, and innovation in Ontario’s healthcare system. Previously, Dr. Acorn made history as the first Chief Nurse of the International Council of Nurses, where she supported 138 national nursing associations and nearly 28 million nurses worldwide. Recognized as one of Canada’s top 25 women of influence and top 20 visionary CEOs, Dr. Acorn continues to blend policy leadership with hands-on clinical and teaching practice. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovation 
Cheryl Dowling: Counselling (2010) 

As the founder of The IVF Warrior, one of the world’s most recognized fertility platforms, Cheryl Dowling has built a globally trusted digital ecosystem that transforms how fertility care is accessed and understood. Her platform supports millions navigating infertility, IVF, and mental health with empathy, innovation, and evidence-based resources. 

An Emmy Award recipient and bestselling author (Unspoken), Cheryl is a trailblazer in digital health, leading advancement at the intersection of technology, science, and patient experience. Her work spans AI-informed tools, platform strategy, and tech-enabled solutions that improve outcomes, expand access, and modernize care systems. 

Through advocacy, storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration, Cheryl is redefining what’s possible in fertility care, ensuring no one faces this journey alone.  

Workforce and Skilled Trades Advancement 
Dave Conroy: Sustainable Building and Design (2009) 

Dave Conroy is a skilled trades leader and sustainable building advocate, a graduate of Fleming College’s Sustainable Building and Design program. In 2015, Dave co-founded The Little Building Company, leveraging the connections and hands-on expertise he gained during his time at Fleming. 

Now the sole owner, Dave has grown the company into a respected full-service general contractor based in the Township of Douro-Dummer. Deeply committed to sustainability and local economic development, Dave prioritizes sourcing materials and labour locally. From lumber and cedar to metal roofing and HVAC systems, nearly every aspect of the company’s builds supports small businesses and skilled tradespeople throughout the region. His team partners with trusted local trades, such as plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, strengthening the skilled trades ecosystem in the Kawarthas. 

Cultural and Creative Achievement 
Tracey Randall: Business Tourism & Transportation (1988) 

A graduate of Fleming College’s 1988 Tourism and Business program, Tracey Randall is now the Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest, Canada’s longest-running free outdoor concert series, entering its 38th season. Since taking the helm in 2012, she has transformed Musicfest into a cornerstone of Peterborough’s creative identity, drawing thousands each summer to Del Crary Park and generating over $4.5 million in annual economic impact for the local community. Her commitment to creating space for emerging artists, fostering local pride, and promoting arts accessibility reflects her deep belief in the power of music to connect and inspire communities. Tracey Randall’s leadership has left an indelible mark on Ontario’s cultural landscape. 

The Premier’s Award winners will be recognized at a gala event in Toronto on Nov. 24.

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Beavermead Park Beach to Host Drowning Prevention Event This Friday

A drowning prevention education event is taking place at Beavermead Park Beach this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to mark National Drowning Prevention Week.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

National Drowning Prevention Week runs from July 21 to July 26. City Hall will be lit up in blue to raise awareness about water safety and drowning prevention throughout the week.  

The event at Beavermead Park Beach features interactive displays, information on obtaining a Basic First Aid certificate, an opportunity to try on a lifejacket, prizes, games, and activities focusing on water safety, as well as a chance to meet Buddy the Lifeguard Dog Mascot. 

The event is run in partnership between the City of Peterborough, Trent University, Fleming College, Balsillie Family YMCA, Lifesaving Society Ontario Peterborough, the Ontario Provincial Police, Peterborough Fire Services, Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough County-City Paramedics and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. 

Other events will take place across the City throughout the week, including pop-up information booths at Fleming College, Trent University and the Balsillie Family YMCA.  

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