Peterborough Blogs
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Remembrance Day, Kawartha County Wines, ServiceOntario and Meals on Wheels
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Today is Remembrance Day, when we recognize the sacrifices of those who served our country with honour in our armed forces.
Let’s also take a moment to recognize the hard work of our local legions and the volunteers who run them. They have organized more than a dozen Remembrance Day ceremonies across the area over the last week. They work throughout the year to help build stronger communities by hosting events and providing community space, supporting veterans and their families, and recognizing the legacy of those who served. Support your local Legion as they continue their work year-round.
Spice up your dance moves on Nov. 22 as Kawartha Country Wines and FriendLillySHOP.com team up to host a salsa night in support of Community Care.
Drop by Kawartha Country Wines at 2452 County Rd 36 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and take part in a 45-minute salsa lesson, enjoy a glass of cider or wine with a dessert wine sample and door prizes. Contact Kawartha Country Wines to get your tickets.
Community Care Peterborough is celebrating 60 years of the Meals on Wheels program.
What began in 1964 with just seven meals provided by Civic Hospital and delivered by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Peterborough has grown into a vital service that now provides over 50,000 meals annually to seniors and adults with physical challenges across the city and county of Peterborough. They will be marking the anniversary with a number of events and initiatives, including the Meals to Go program and a special 60 Stories for 60 Years series. Visit commcareptbo.org for more information.
We want to extend a big thank you to Deb Lowcock, who recently retired from ServiceOntario in Lakefield after 34 years!
Deb is the longtime supervisor for the Lakefield office, serving the community with a great attitude and customer service. She will be missed by the team at ServiceOntario, the Chamber and Lakefield community.
If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Flavour, Business Excellence Awards, Ontario Chamber and Mayor's Breakfast
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Flavour Fashion is celebrating 25 years in business at 383 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough.
Mike and Shelby Watt have built their store into a local retail icon, serving the streetwear, sneakers, and skate scene since 1999. They not only carry top brands in the market, but also their own Ptbo Northern Originals lineup of locally banded clothing and accessories. Drop by their George Street location or visit flavourfashion.ca to see their online store and order from the comfort of your home.
A big congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Business Excellence Awards hosted by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
With more than two dozen recipients, we don’t have room to recognize everyone here, but highlights include Rosalea Terry and Heidi Popov as the Businesswomen of the year in the entrepreneur and organization categories. Phillip Jolicoeur is the 2024 Business Citizen of the year. This year’s 4-Under-40 are Dr. Taylor Bonner, Joe Curry, Hillary Flood, and Dylan Radcliffe. Check out the full list of well-deserving recipients and finalists from this year’s awards ceremony at pkexcellence.ca.
If you own or run a business, we want your input.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has launched its ninth annual Business Confidence Survey. Your insights and perspective will be used to guide political and business leaders across the province. The key is having enough local responses to be able to generate accurate local data for people like myself to use to advocate for the needs of local businesses. Please take five minutes to fill out the survey at occ.ca.
Do you want to learn about what Peterborough is doing to build a stronger business community?
The Chamber is hosting its annual Mayor’s Breakfast on Nov. 21 at Peterborough Golf and Country Club starting at 7:30 a.m. There will be a moderated discussion with Mayor Jeff Leal followed by a question and answer secession focused on local business issues. Get your tickets at pkchamber.ca.
If you want to have your business featured on the Business Beat or know of a business doing something new and interested, shoot an email to joel@pkchamber.ca.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring JA-NEO, Kawartha Montessori, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and Peterborough Chamber
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Nominations are open for Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame.
It’s an opportunity to recognize businesses from across Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes who have helped shape our local economy and inspired others through their achievements. Recipients are people who embody a legacy of excellence, displaying unwavering commitment, leadership, and innovation throughout their careers. Visit ja-neo.org to nominate a deserving business in our community. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 29.
Kawartha Montessori School is hosting an open house at their beautiful location at 2247 Burnham Line in Otonabee South Monaghan on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon.
This is a good opportunity to check out the school if you’re considering Montessori for your child or just curious about their unique learning environment. You will have an opportunity to explore their classrooms and facilities, meet their dedicated teachers, learn about Montessori curriculum and find out how they nurture independent, confident and lifelong learners.
Get an early start on your gift buying and support Peterborough Symphony Orchestra at the same time by bidding on their auction items.
The online auction launched earlier in October and will continue to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2. Starting at 6:30 p.m. that evening, bidding will continue in person at the PSO concert at Showplace and conclude at the post-concert reception in the Cogeco Studio. One of Canada’s foremost piano virtuosos, David Jalbert will be joining the orchestra that evening. Visit thepso.org for more information.
Want to be part of the conversation on the direction of tourism in Peterborough County?
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Peterborough County to hold a series of Tourism Talks at various locations. These roundtable discussions are meant to engage local businesses that are involved in, rely on, and otherwise impacted by tourism in the County. We want to get a better understanding of the needs of local businesses and what we can do to create a stronger, thriving local tourism sector for many years to come.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Maple Light, Cancer Takedown, Peterborough County and Sarah Budd
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
A Peterborough company has launched Canada’s first hard maple seltzer.
Maple Light founders were inspired to create the refreshing cocktail while boiling down sap in their sugar shack. Seeing an opportunity, they official launched Maple Light this summer. It’s a drink that is lightly and naturally sweetened with a hint of real maple syrup balanced with subtle citrus notes. The drink is now available at select bars, restaurants, and golf courses and is expected to launch in grocery and convenience stores this fall. You can order it at drinkmaplelight.ca
It's time for the third annual Cancer Takedown fundraiser on Nov. 7 from 7 to 10 p.m at Market Hall.
It’s a night of song, story, and solidarity featuring the comedic genius of Linda Kash and Megan Murphy and music from Melissa Payne, Kate Suhr, The Weber Brothers, and more. All proceeds go to cancer care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Tickets are available at tickets.markethall.org.
Thanksgiving may be behind us but our farming community is still very much at work harvesting their crops that feed our communities.
Peterborough County and the local OPP want to remind the rest of us to slow down and be aware that there are large, slow-moving vehicles on roads. The vehicles may not be fast enough to keep up with traffic, but our farmers are on a tight timeline to get the harvest in. Don’t expect them to pull over on the shoulder. Make sure you have a clear path and that the operator knows you’re behind them before passing. It’s the safe and respectful thing to do and the OPP are reinforcing that with careless driving fines for impatient drivers.
We at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce bid farewell to Sarah Budd, our President and CEO for the last two years.
Sarah brought extensive experience from the non-profit world, having served for 15 years as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha Region. She leaves the Chamber a stronger voice for businesses across the region. She will take that passion and energy for the business community to her new role as the manager of Community Development in the County’s new economic development department.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Right to Heal, Mallard Heating and Air, Grady's Feet Essentials and Halloween in the Booro
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
A Right to Heal is teaming up with local business 100 Acre Brewing Company, hosting Friendsgiving on Oct. 20 from 2 to 6 pm.
This free admission event includes live music, local vendors, corn hole boards, prizes, a food truck and of course, local craft beer. Located on a beautiful rural lot, 100 Acres Brewing is a great place to enjoy some fall colours. Drop by 390 Ashburnham Dr. on Oct. 20 to raise some money for a great local cause and have a good family-friendly time.
With colder weather rolling in, it might be a good time to connect with a new local business: Mallard Heating and Air.
They do installation, maintenance, and repairs of furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and fireplaces. Your climate comfort is a priority for Mallard Heating and Air, offering HVAC services that are designed to save you time and money with top-notch heating and air conditioning solutions. They service customers across Peterborough City, County, and Kawartha Lakes. Visit mallardhvac.ca for more information and to book an appointment.
In 1984 Ken Grady Sr. founded Grady’s Orthopedic Service from his home.
A year later, he opened the first Grady’s Shoes storefront in downtown Peterborough. Ken’s son Tony, along with his wife Kelli, bought the store in 1997. Together, they’ve created a legacy of 40 years as the go-to destination for quality comfort footwear. They opened their own storefront at 231 King St. back in 2018, initially as storage, office space, and a pickup location, officially relocating there in 2022. Congratulations Ken, Tony, and Kelli on your incredible legacy, both through your business and as leaders in our community.
It's time for Halloween in the Booro.
Head downtown Peterborough on Oct. 26 from 5 to 8 pm as the streets come alive with frightful fun and sweet surprises. This family-friendly event is organized by the DBIA and is designed to not only bring the community together but also to shine a spotlight on the local businesses that make downtown Peterborough a special and unique destination. There are nearly 30 local businesses joining in the fun, which includes trick or treating, a scavenger hunt for kids, and late-night shopping. Get more information at theboro.ca.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Lakefield and District Lions Club, Prince of Wales, Peterborough County and Dietrich Homes
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Lakefield and District Lions Club have kicked off a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to support the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation, Kawartha Food Share and Community Care Peterborough.
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation supports investments in equipment and technology to bring lifesaving services to the region. Kawartha Food Share assists more than 12,000 men, women and children every month in our community. Community Care programs support more than 6,000 seniors and adults in our community with disabilities, helping to keep them healthy and safe in their own homes. Get your tickets at lakefieldlions5050.ca. The raffle runs until Nov. 15.
Leon’s Furniture in Peterborough has partnered with The Rotary Club of Peterborough to help Prince of Wales Public School breakfast program with new appliances.
The Rotary Club and friends have been providing nutritious breakfasts to students for nearly 30 years at the school, but the appliances were having issues. A call from Rotarian Catherine Hanrahan to Tom Reburn at Leon’s lead to a donation of a new suite of appliances to keep the breakfasts coming.
Peterborough County has unveiled its new economic development leadership team.
The team includes Rhonda Keenan, formerly of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development as the new General Manager of Economic Development. Sarah Budd is departing from the Chamber of Commerce to be the County’s Manager of Community Development. The two join Tracie Bertrand, General Manager of Tourism and Communications. The team’s efforts will focus on fostering collaboration across the region, ensuring that local businesses have the resources they need to thrive, and attracting new opportunities to the area.
Dietrich Homes have won the Award of Distinction for Production Build Home, two storeys up to 2,500 sq ft from the Ontario Home Builders Association.
Ontario’s top homebuilders were recognized at a ceremony at Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls in late September. The Production Built Home Award celebrates architectural design, use of space, and unique craftsmanship. Congratulations to the team at Dietrich Homes!
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Lakefield Youth Unlimited, Community Futures Peterborough, Kids Against Hunger and Peterborough and The Kawarthas Home Builders Association
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Lakefield Youth Unlimited is celebrating 21 years of supporting youth, children, and families in the community.
To mark the occasion, they’re holding their biggest fundraising dinner yet on Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakefield Royal Canadian Legion. At the dinner, you will hear inspiring stories about youth and their families in Lakefield. The dinner is 100 per cent free. Donations will get a charitable tax receipt.
A big congratulations to some local businesses on completing the 2024 ScaleUp program.
This initiative is a collaboration between Community Futures Peterborough and Scotiabank to equip local business leaders with the strategic insights and tools necessary to accelerate growth. It’s designed to address the evolving needs of regional entrepreneurs with the strategic tools required to make key decisions about how their business can scale up, including expanding their workforce, establishing additional locations, or diversifying their customer base. Graduates of the program are:
Tracy Cosburn, Kyoto Coffee
Alicia Doris, Living Local Marketplace
Jacob Rodenburg, Camp Kawartha
Debra Ragbar, Kawartha Spice Company
Clint Clarke, Barking Pixel Design Co.
Sean Flanagan, Flanagan and Sun
