PTBOSpotlight: Dante's Gourmet Burrito

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 Dante's Gourmet Burrito. It is owned by Eva’s Delight Inc.

Located at 195 Simcoe St. (across from the Peterborough Bus Terminal), Dante's Gourmet Burrito has served fresh Mexican cuisine including burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos and more.

“We offer a wide variety of freshly made protein options along with multiple tortilla choices, including high-protein and gluten-free options,” said Surendra Patle of Dante's Gourmet Burrito. “All our sauces are made in-house with no preservatives and we take pride in delivering healthy, flavorful meals to our customers.”

The business first opened in 2009 as one of Peterborough’s first burrito establishments.

“Over the years, it has grown to become one of the most popular and award-winning restaurants in the area, known for its quality, freshness and commitment to great taste.”

A Downtown Peterborough staple, Dante's Gourmet Burrito has been supporting the local economy and community.

“Dante’s works closely with local farmers and small businesses, sourcing fresh ingredients from local suppliers to prepare our food,” explained Patle. “We also show appreciation to our community by offering special discounts to public servants, frontline workers, senior citizens and students.”

Whether you are craving barbacoa, carnitas, pollo asado, chorizo, tofu or any other of their selections, Dante's Gourmet Burrito can customize your meal the way you want with everything made in-house.

“Our mission is to continue serving delicious, wholesome Mexican food while supporting the community that has supported us for so many years. At Dante’s, everything we make is crafted with care, freshness, and a passion for great food.”

To learn more about Dante's Gourmet Burrito, find it online:

Instagram: @dantes_gourmet_burrito
Facebook: Dante's Gourmet Burrito

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Burger Supremacy Runs In November For United Way's "Ultimate Burger Battle" Fundraiser

United Way Peterborough & District has kicked off its first-ever Ultimate Burger Battle where local restaurants and Burger Ambassadors gathered for a ‘First Bite’ preview of this delicious new fundraiser at its facility on Thursday morning.

The Ultimate Burger Battle has been tested to delicious success in other communities, with United Way Thunder Bay launching the original event six years ago. Since then, it has expanded into a national event organized by United Ways across Canada, serving more than 60,000 burgers nationwide last year alone. SCreenshot, Instagram.

The month-long Burger Battle is a new community fundraiser that was announced during United Way’s Campaign Launch in late September.

Eight local restaurants have crafted a burger to battle for the title of Peterborough and County’s Ultimate Burger of the Year. For every burger sold throughout November, two dollars will be donated to United Way Peterborough & District to support its programs and services. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring the first-ever United Way Ultimate Burger Battle to Peterborough and District,” said Jim Russell, CEO of United Way Peterborough & District. “This campaign is a fun way to celebrate the creativity of our local restaurants while uniting the community around a shared cause. We’re especially proud to see participation from restaurants across both the City and County, a reflection of the wide reach and generosity of our region. Every Ultimate Burger sold helps build a stronger, more caring community, and I think that’s something we can all sink our teeth into.” 

The Ultimate Burger Battle has showcases creations such as fish patties to burgers stacked high with pickled jalapeño peppers.

Restaurants joining Peterborough & District United Way’s inaugural Ultimate Burger Battle include: 

• The Dirty Burger Company

• Double Dz's Diner

• Agave by Imperial

• The Vine

• The Loon Lakefield

• The Chemong Lodge

• Pizza Villa & Pasta House

• The Rink Tap & Grill

During November, a team of local Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassadors are tasting their way across Peterborough and the County, sharing their experiences, reviews, and behind-the-scenes peeks on social media.

This will help spotlight participating restaurants and encourage the community to join the fun by trying new burgers and voting for their favourites. Community members can get involved by voting online at uwpeterborough.ca for their favourite burger to help decide the People’s Choice Awards.

The Burger Ambassadors taking a bite include:

• Laura Montague, PTBO Eaters

• Dan O’Toole, BetRivers

• Neil Morton, Consultant/ Entrepreneur, 2017 United Way Peterborough & District Campaign Chair

• Tiffany Arcari, The Tiffany Show

• Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA

• Pete Dalliday, TV Voice of the Lakers & Petes

• Jason Wilkins, Muralist/ Illustrator

• Paul Rellinger, Journalist, 2025 United Way Campaign Chair 

“The Ultimate Burger Battle is a fantastic way to showcase the creativity and passion of our local restaurants,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area executive director. “It’s more than just a culinary challenge; it’s an opportunity to bring people together, celebrate local talent, and support a meaningful cause. I’m excited to see our community come out, enjoy some incredible food, and cheer on their favourite spots in the spirit of friendly competition.” 

“From the Adam Scott Cafeteria to Zeke’s — I’ve done the A-to-Z of Peterborough burgers,” said Pete Dalliday, Peterborough Lakers director of community engagement. “The Burger Battle just gives me another excuse to keep the streak going, support local spots, and have some fun for a great cause.” 

The Ultimate Burger Battle Passport is available to help track burger adventures, and anyone who tries five or more burgers will have the chance to become an Ultimate Burger Battle Ambassador for 2026.

Workplaces can also get in on the fun through ‘Ultimate Burger Battle @ Work,’ a team lunch initiative that lets staff order burgers together in support of United Way workplace campaigns. 

Proceeds support United Way Peterborough & District’s network of local agencies and initiatives working to address poverty and strengthen community well-being. 

The Ultimate Burger of the Year, People’s Choice Winners and Most Burgers Sold will be crowned in early December.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City of Peterborough Releases OLG Gaming Revenue Spending

The City of Peterborough has released its funding recipients from revenue by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation as the host community for Shorelines Casino Peterborough.

Since the gaming site opened in October 2018, the City of Peterborough has received $16,524,145. File Photo.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation revenues totaled $2,717,827 for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Examples of how the funding was directed to benefit the community in 2025 include:

• $880,900 toward police equipment needs, including replacing vehicles 

• $500,000 for planting trees 

• $500,000 toward the City’s commitment of providing $4 million to the Canadian Canoe Museum’s capital campaign for its new facility 

• $473,000 for Fairhaven long-term care facility’s capital funding 

• $155,000 for improvements to parks 

• $89,100 for public art 

• $75,000 for sport tourism activities 

“Being a casino host community allows us to reinvest OLG revenue in areas where it will enhance the quality of life for residents and help our city grow. Thank you to the provincial government and OLG for being a strong partner through these significant investments in community infrastructure,” said Mayor Jeff Leal.

“OLG is proud to be a vital part of the City of Peterborough,” said Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Municipal Relations Manager. “For the last 50 years, since the organization’s start in 1975, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities.  From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in the City of Peterborough and all across our province to build stronger communities. We also appreciate the contribution of gaming employees at Shorelines Casino Peterborough who are making life in Peterborough that much better. When you play at an Ontario casino, you play for Ontario.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Police Lay Three Stunt Driving Charges Over Three Days

Officers with the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Unit laid three separate stunt driving charges in the past three days.

Photo courtesy of the Peterbororough Police Service.

Two drivers were recorded exceeding the speed limit by going 92 and 95 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Lily Lake Road and Dolman Street between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Both drivers were issued a 30-day driver’s license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

A third driver was issued a stunt driving charge on Friday just after 6:30 a.m. An officer with the Traffic Unit recorded the vehicle going 101 km/h in a 50km/h zone on Lansdowne Street, just east of River Road.

The driver was issued a 30-day driver’s license suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Petes Have No Answer to London Knights Offense In Home Loss

The Peterborough Petes could not handle London’s offensive fury and fell 6-1 to the Knights at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Thursday night.

The Petes are fourth in the East Division with a 6-7-1-1 record. Photo courtesy of Kenneth ANdersen and the Peterborough Petes.

The first period was all London Knights as they went up three goals to nothing thanks to Evan Van Gorp, Caleb Mitchell and Ben Wilmott. The Petes were outshot 25-14 in the first period.

Peterborough opened the scoring in the second period on the power play. Adam Levac was able to pounce on a failed covered puck from Knights goaltender Aleksei Medvedev and scored to cut into London’s lead, 3-1. Unfortunately for Peterborough, 2:16 later, London scored another two goals for a 5-1 lead after two frames The Petes outshot London 14-9 in the second period.

The third period had only one goal, scored by London’s Max Crete to give the Knights a 6-1 lead, and it was the final. Peterborough had eight more shots but failed to find the back of the net.

The Petes are back in action for their Special Olympics Big Ticket Game on Saturday when they host the Kingston Frontenacs.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Man Wins Over $50,000 In ONTARIO 49 Draw

Peterborough’s John Rowe has won the ONTARIO 49 second prize of $50,000 from the Sept. 27 draw, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of OLG.

He also won prizes of $1,000, $750 and $100 on his ONTARIO 49 selections, bringing his total winnings to $51,850.

Rowe said he has been playing the lottery with OLG every week for about 50 years.

“I found out I won at the store, and I was pretty calm,” he said. “It feels great to win,” John continued. “I’ll share this prize with my family, pay some bills, and get started on Christmas shopping.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Jackson Park Convenience on Parkhill Road West in Peterborough.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Fleming College Launches 'Fleming Ignites Magazine' To Highlight Its Community and Creative Impact

The first issue of Fleming Ignites Magazine has been released, Fleming College’s new publication dedicated to celebrating its people, achievements and stories of its institution.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Available in both print and digital formats, Fleming Ignites Magazine marks a new chapter in how the College shares its story, honouring its roots while embracing fresh and engaging ways to spotlight the energy, innovation, and community spirit that define Fleming according to Chris Jardine, Fleming associate vice president of marketing and advancement.

“This publication gives us the opportunity to share the Fleming story with purpose and clarity,” he said. “It honours where we’ve been while also shining a light on where we’re headed.”

The inaugural issue features a behind-the-scenes look at Fleming’s Apply Yourself Here campaign, a spotlight on applied learning at the Centre for Innovative Aquaculture Production and inspiring stories of student success and award-winning projects. The magazine also shows how the College is helping to meet workforce demands in healthcare and skilled trades. They’ll discover how alumni are making an impact in their fields, explore how faculty are leading research with real-world applications, and celebrate three generations of creativity at the Haliburton School of Art & Design.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Ticketmaster Becomes New Ticketing Software Partner For the City of Peterborough

The City of Peterborough has made Ticketmaster the new official ticketing software provider for its sports and entertainment venues, announced on Thursday.

File Photo.

Through Ticketmaster’s platform, fans will benefit from enhanced digital ticketing options, a user-friendly purchasing experience and greater convenience when accessing their favourite events according to Councillor Alex Bierk.

“By introducing a modern, reliable, and user-friendly ticketing system, we’re making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to enjoy the incredible sports, concerts and community events that take place in Peterborough,” he said. “This is an important step forward in supporting our city’s recreational and cultural goals while ensuring our venues continue to meet the needs of today’s audiences.” 

Key features include: 

• Mobile Ticketing: Easy access to tickets on smartphones for faster entry and reduced paper use. 

• Secure Ticket Transfers: Safe and simple options to transfer tickets to friends and family. 

• Streamlined Experience: A consistent platform for all ticketed events, making purchasing and attending more convenient.  

The City will begin a gradual transition to Ticketmaster as its new ticketing platform.

The upcoming Sarah McLachlan concert and the Peterborough Petes’ 2025/2026 regular season games are unaffected by the change.  

Events scheduled after Nov. 9 will be transferred over to the Ticketmaster platform. Those who have purchased tickets for events after November 9 will receive an email with updates on the changes.

The Peterborough Petes and the Peterborough Lakers will officially launch their 2026/2027 seasons on Ticketmaster.

“Ticketmaster will provide Peterborough Petes fans the ticketing platform used at major arenas around the world,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “This easy-to-use app will allow our Season Ticket Members easy access to their tickets, make it easier to transfer their tickets to friends and family and the ability to donate tickets to charities.”

“The Lakers board is very pleased that the city has gone this route,” Len Powers of the Peterborough Lakers. “We feel this will be more streamlined for our fans going forward, when they are purchasing season tickets and game day tickets.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Trent University Receives $359,000 Grant From TD Bank Group For University Green Network

Trent University has received over $359,000 from the TD Bank Group (TD) to support conservation and learning on the University Green Network (UGN), announced on Wednesday.

A student conducts research in a forested area part of the University Green Network at Trent University. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

The network is a large, interconnected 868-acre system on Trent’s Peterborough campus, including habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, Indigenous Knowledge integration, and experiential learning opportunities for students, according to Julie Davis, Trent's vice-president of external relations and development.

“Thanks to this latest funding from TD, we can take the next step in realizing the vision for the UGN – implementing the Ggwepnandizamin Systems-Level Plan,” she said. “The plan provides a structured approach to monitoring and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health across campus. This funding support will allow us to restore and enhance habitats, establish best practices in conservation, and create meaningful opportunities for students and the community to engage with the natural environment.”

This new grant builds on funding received from TD in 2022 to support multiple initiatives within the UGN, a system that includes diverse habitats, wildlife corridors, productive landscapes, and various green spaces that promote ecological function and biodiversity according to a press release. The UGN was first envisioned in the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan.

Earlier funding from TD facilitated the development of the Ggwepnandizamin Plan in collaboration with faculty, students, Michi Saagiig First Nations, and local organizations, including Camp Kawartha and Peterborough Green-Up.  The word Ggwepnandizamin means ‘together, putting our best effort forward towards something important’ in Anishinaabemowin. The name was provided by the Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council at Trent, who provided wisdom and guidance in developing the plan.

“Trent University's focus on enhancing biodiversity and embedding Indigenous Knowledge in environmental stewardship reflects a deep commitment to reconciliation and sustainability,” said Robyn Small, TD Bank Group senior manager, Philanthropy, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, TD is proud to continue supporting Trent University in advancing this important work that honours Indigenous knowledge and creates hands-on opportunities for students and community members to meaningfully connect with the environment.”

During the next three-year funding period, Trent says the will implement key actions from the Ggwepnandizamin Plan, including developing wildlife corridors and natural areas, such as pollinator gardens; creating Michi Saagiig cultural harvesting areas; reducing invasive species, such as phragmites; launching Indigenous storytelling initiatives; and expanding teaching and learning opportunities.

The grant will also fund a part-time ecological land planning coordinator to implement the plan, integrate ecological planning into campus projects, support environmental monitoring, facilitate Indigenous engagement and involve students and faculty.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Nominations Open For JA-Neo 2026 Business Hall of Fame

Nominations for JA Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) 2026 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) are open for both Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes, announced on Tuesday.

The 2025 inductees of Ja-Neo’s Business Hall of Fame. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

JA-NEO invites the public to submit their nominations to help recognize Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lake’s exceptional business leaders who have strengthened the economy and community through their accomplishments of vision, leadership, and commitment to excellence in business. 

“JA-NEO is looking to honour individuals who, through their careers, have made a positive and everlasting impact on the community and the local business landscape,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO President and C.E.O. “By recognizing and celebrating those who make an impact today, we are helping to inspire youth who will be our community’s leaders of tomorrow.” 

Nominations close on Nov. 28 at 3:00 p.m. Nomination forms are available online. Successful nominees will be announced at a formal announcement in January and will be officially inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame on May 7 for Kawartha Lakers and on May 26 for Peterborough.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.