This week’s round-up of regional business news includes Olympus Burger in Port Hope making a list of the top 10 best burgers in Canada, Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon hiring its first-ever general manager, nominations for the Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Awards of Excellence, Galarie Q moving to Millbrook, Huntsville eco-lifestyle retail store Sustain winning the grand prize of this year’s Win This Space Peterborough, and a new live music venue called Simcoe Ptbo opening in downtown Peterborough.
Also featured this week is the list of nominees for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s Business & Community Achievement Awards, Hospice Peterborough’s executive director Linda Sunderland retiring, the deadline to apply for ignite100 entrepreneurial competition on March 15th, the federal government providing $1 million in funding to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, and Ventra Group Company being fined $130,000 for a critical worker injury at its Peterborough plant.
New regional events added this week include the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hosting a community economic development workshop on March 12th in Douro-Dummer, the Peterborough Chamber hosting a seminar on building a leadership team on March 20th in Peterborough, the March 22nd nomination deadline for the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards, the March 22nd application deadline for the April trade show for heritage tradespeople and contractors in Peterborough, the Peterborough Chamber hosting its annual general meeting on March 26th in Peterborough, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism hosting the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium on April 11th in Keene.
Olympus Burger in Port Hope makes list of top 10 best burgers in Canada
Olympus Burger (55 Mill St. S., Port Hope) was recently named as having one of the best burgers in Canada by Big 7 Travel.
“Olympus Burger provides a world class burger experience,” Big 7 Travel writes in their “The 50 Best Burgers in Canada” story. “Bonus points for them having a secret menu where you’ll find some serious add ons to pimp out your meal. Consistently brilliant and never lets you down.”
The Port Hope burger restaurant was selected as the ninth out of 50 finalists selected from across Canada. Votes were cast in poll of Big 7 readers and by a panel of food experts.
In 2017, Canadian Living named Olympus Burger having the best burger in Canada.
Olympus Burger has also been nominated for three Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards. The 2019 awards will be presented on Saturday, April 27th at Dalewood Golf Club.
Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon hires its first-ever general manager
Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon has hired Monique Renaud as the theatre company’s first-ever general manager.
Renaud is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s Drama in Education and Community Program as well as the BFA Acting Program. She was previously the public relations manager at Playwrights Guild of Canada and before that worked as a producer for independent theatres in Toronto. Renaud also volunteers with the Canadian Arts Coalition as the co-chair of the communications committee, where she advocates for an increase in support for the arts and culture sector on a federal level.
Globus Theatre a not-for-profit charitable organization operated by artistic director Sarah Quick and artistic producer James Barrett that stages professional theatre at the Lakeview Arts Barn.
“The growth that the company has seen over the last few years has been phenomenal and we want to harness that growth and build upon it,” Quick says. “Having someone with Monique’s marketing and arts expertise will help us do just that as we embrace our move to charitable status and capitalize on the influx of new and returning patrons.”
Renaud began working in the new role on March 4th and is preparing for the new summer season.
“I have been a fan of Globus Theatre since my family purchased a cottage in the Kawartha Lakes five years ago,” Renaud says. “The connection that the theatre has with its audience is extraordinary and the vision that Sarah and James have to make professional theatre a part of the Bobcaygeon experience is truly inspiring. I am overjoyed with this new opportunity to work with Globus Theatre and become a part of the Kawartha community.”
For more information about Globus Theatre, visit lakeviewartsbarn.com.
Nominations open for Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Awards of Excellence
Nominations are now open for the Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Awards of Excellence.
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Employee Achievement, New Business Achievement, Not For Profit Achievement, Tourism Achievement, Business Achievement, Hospitality, Citizen of The Year, and Creative Arts Achievement.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 29th. To make a nomination, visit bobcaygeon.org/AOE-Nomination-Page/.
The awards celebration will takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon). Tickets are available for $55 per person, $440 for a table of eight, or $550 for a table of 10.
For tickets, visit bobcaygeon.org/event-3291241.
Galerie Q is moving to Millbrook
Galerie Q in Cavan is moving to 38 King Street West in Millbrook, right beside its sister gallery The Millbrook Gallery.
The new location, which is currently being renovated, will have more space for Galerie Q to exhibit its signature French Canadian artists, its collection of all-Canadian Royal Canadian Academy artists, and paintings by recognized local artists including Neil Broadfoot, Norman Brown, Peer Christensen, and Valerie Kent.
When it opens, Galerie Q in Millbrook will feature Quebec artists Pierre and Gilles Bedard, Christian Bergeron, Juan Cristobal, Ginet Leblond, Raynald Lerclerc, Yvon LeMieux, Kelly Paterson, Trevor McKinven, and Nathalie Voisine. There will be more events at the new location and more artists providing demonstrations.
Until the Millbrook location is ready, Galerie Q will remain open at its Cavan location on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment at 705-944-8888. For more information, visit www.galerie-q.com.
Huntsville eco-lifestyle retail store Sustain grand prize winner of Win This Space Peterborough
Sustain, an eco-lifestyle retail store in Huntsville owned and operated by Jonathan and Celine MacKay, has won Peterborough’s Win This Space 2019 entrepreneurial competition.
The MacKays win a grand prize package is valued at more than $40,000 and includes a free year’s lease of a downtown storefront.
Sustain Eco Store is a Huntsville-based business that promotes zero-waste living by selling eco-friendly and sustainable household and personal care products. The MacKays plan to expand their concept to Peterborough by opening their second location in downtown Peterborough this spring.
Downtown Peterborough has a new live music venue called Simcoe Ptbo
Simcoe Ptbo, a new live music venue located at Retro’s eSports Bar at 172 Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough, is now open.
A joint venture of Retro’s eSports Bar owner Andrew Warman, musician Chase Wilson, and Kristen Kerr, Simcoe Ptbo will host live music events with a focus on punk, metal, and hard-core rock.
Andrew Warman and his wife Michelle opened Retro’s eSports Bar in 2017, after renovating the second-floor space. Wilson and Kerr came up with the idea of a live music venue and Warman approached them about using the space for live music events.
Simcoe Ptbo will be open on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) and on select weekdays, and will be offering open mic nights every other Tuesday. As a division of Retro’s eSports, Simcoe Ptbo will also host select nights for e-sports.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce announces nominees for its Business & Community Achievement Awards
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce has announced the list of 71 nominees for its 13th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards Gala.
The chamber received 127 nominations or local businesses, organizations, and individuals across Haliburton County in the categories of Business Achievement, Customer First – Business, Customer First – Employee, Entrepreneur of the Year, Highlander of the Year, Innovation & Creativity, New Business, Not-for-Profit of the Year, Skilled Trades & Industry, Tourism & Hospitality, and Young Professional of the Year.
The award recipients will be announced at a gala on Saturday, March 30th at Pinestone Resort.
For a complete list of the 71 nominees, visit www.haliburtonchamber.com.
Hospice Peterborough executive director Linda Sunderland is retiring
Linda Sunderland, executive director of Hospice Peterborough, will be retiring at the end of June 2019.
Sunderland joined Hospice Peterborough in 1993 as a volunteer coordinator and assumed the role of executive director in 2005. Since that time, she has led the organization on its mission to develop a 10-bed hospice residence.
“It has been an incredible adventure these past 26 years,” Sunderland says. “Hospice clients, staff, volunteers and donors have taught me so much and allowed me the chance to fulfil this amazing collective vision. In this next chapter of my life, I am looking forward to spending more time focused on family, friends and relaxation.”
The board of Hospice Peterborough is currently recruiting a new executive director.
Deadline to apply for ignite100 entrepreneurial competition is March 15
The deadline to apply for the ignite100 entrepreneurial competition is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15th.
Launched earlier this year by Community Futures Peterborough (CFP), the competition’s grand prize is a repayable loan of $100,000.
The prize features no payments in the first year and no interest for the first three years (CFP will pay the interest for the first 36 months).
Eight semi-finalists will be selected by March 30th and will make their pitch to a panel at a live competition on May 2nd. Three finalists will then make a private presentation to the Board of Directors at CFP on June 18th, with the winner announced at the CFP’s annual general meeting on June 27th.
For more information and to apply, visit ignite100.ca.
Federal government provides $1 million in funding to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton exeuctive director Lynn Zimmer and Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Minister of International Development Maryam Monsef at the announcement of $1 million for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s “Homeward Bound in Peterborough” project on March 5, 2019. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)
Last Tuesday (March 5), Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Minister of International Development, announced $1 million in federal funding for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s “Homeward Bound in Peterborough” project.
The Homeward Bound model has been successful in several provinces helping women with children in vulnerable situations earn college diplomas, achieve self-sufficiency, and improve their safety and economic security. It will provide them with housing that fits within their income, mentoring and supports, and child care assistance while they complete post-secondary education in high-demand fields.
“We are very grateful for this federal support,” says YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Lynn Zimmer. “Along with our unique local partnership with Peterborough Housing Corporation, it will allow us to bring the Homeward Bound program, a proven approach to moving women-led families to economic security, to the women and children of Peterborough.”
In 2018, Monsef announced more than $50 million in funding for nearly 60 projects in communities across the country, including “Homeward Bound in Peterborough”, to support survivors of gender-based violence and their families.
“Over 21,000 women and children in Peterborough County count on the services of the YWCA every year,” Monsef says. “With this investment, we are funding women’s organizations like YWCA Peterborough Haliburton that provide essential services to support survivors and their families.”
Ventra Group Company fined $130,000 after critical worker injury at Peterborough plant
Nova Scotia company Ventra Group has been fined $130,000 after a worker was critically injured in September 2017 at its plant at 775 Technology Drive in Peterborough, which manufactures injection moulded plastic vehicle components.
The worker, an employee of a contractor hired by Ventra Group to provide industrial cleaning services, was working alone and cleaning the area around various injection moulding machines. The worker’s hair became caught in the machinery, resulting in a critical injury.
The company was fined after pleading guilty for failing as an employer to ensure that the measures and procedures prescribed by section 24 of Ontario Regulation 851 — the Industrial Establishments Regulation — were carried out in a workplace, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of The Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The regulation states that “where a machine or prime mover or transmission equipment has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any worker, the machine or prime mover or transmission equipment shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the moving part.”
The court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Peterborough Chamber hosts breakfast meeting with Rhonda Keenan in Peterborough on March 12
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce “Chamber AM” breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12th at Carousel Restaurant & Tavern (116 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
Rhonda Keenan, President and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, will speak on the topic “What’s next for Peterborough? An economic development update.”
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (when you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by the speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hosts community economic development workshop on March 12 in Douro-Dummer
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting “Community Economic Development 101 Workshop” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12th at the Douro-Dummer Community Centre (2893 Highway 28).
The free workshop is intended for municipal councillors and staff, business professionals, and community volunteers who want to learn the basics of community economic development and take away practical tools to help a municipality attract job and investment and tackle economic development barriers.
For more details or to register, call 1-877-424-1300 or email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
City of Kawartha Lakes Age Friendly Steering Committee hosting information sessions on age-friendly business in Lindsay on March 18
The Age Friendly Steering Committee of the City of Kawartha Lakes is hosting an information session on age-friendly business from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 18th at Between the Bread Eatery and Market (17 William St. S., Lindsay).
The session is free and open to all business owners and staff who are interested in learning how to make their business more age friendly. There will be a light breakfast during the presentation, and take-away resources will be available.
To register in advance, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/age-friendly-business-learning-event-tickets-56455976345. On-site registration will take place 15 minutes before the start time at each event.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Business Owners Sharing Solutions (B.O.S.S.) in Bridgenorth on March 20
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its first Business Owners Sharing Solutions (B.O.S.S.) of 2019 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20th at Bridgenorth Community Hall (836 Charles St. Bridgenorth).
The topic will be “Generating Sales with Social Media & Online Marketing” and will feature panellists Heather Watson of acorn30, Matt Stimpson of We Design Group, and Mallory Graham of Rosey’s Trading Post.
The session will be moderated by Madeleine Hurrell, Economic Development Officer at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre.
The cost is $15+HST for Chamber members, or $25+HST for non-members. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/register/10157.
Peterborough Chamber hosts seminar on building a leadership team on March 20 in Peterborough
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Lunch Box Learning session takes place from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20th in the chamber’s boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Dennis Geelen of Lindsay-based business consulting firm Zero In will present on the topic “Building a Cohesive Leadership Team”.
Lunch Box Learning is free to attend for Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Nomination deadline for Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards is March 22
The nomination deadline for the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Business Excellence Awards is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd.
Nominations are being accepted in the following nine categories: Excellence In Business (Retail-Based Business), Excellence In Business (Service-Based Business), Pride And Progress, Customer Experience Award (Service Business), Customer Experience Award (Retail Business), Community Impact, Non-Profit Organization, and the Chair’s Award.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony on April 27th in Hastings. For rules and regulations and an online nomination form, visit trenthillschamber.ca/business-awards/.
Application deadline for April trade show for heritage tradespeople and contractors in Peterborough is March 22
The application deadline to apply for the the second annual trade show for heritage tradespeople and contractors in Peterborough has been extended to Friday, March 22nd.
The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee is hosting the trade show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at St. James United Church (221 Romaine St., Peterborough). The goal of the trade show is to connect contractors and tradespeople with experience working on heritage buildings with owners of heritage properties in the City of Peterborough.
Tradespeople with relevant experience are encouraged to fill out an application form online at www.peterborough.ca or at the Heritage Preservation Office at 210 Wolfe Street.
A space at the event will cost $15. Tradespeople must be able to demonstrate that they have experience working with heritage buildings and that their work complies with the standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places in Canada.
Submit completed forms by email to heritage@peterborough.ca or return paper copies to the Heritage Preservation Office.
Peterborough Chamber hosts annual general meeting on March 26 in Peterborough
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 130th annual general meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough)
Guest speakers include Ashley Challinor, vice-president of policy with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Trevin Stratton, chief economist with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber members will be asked to approve the chamber’s audited financial statements and the actions of the chamber’s board for 2018.
The cost for the event, which includes lunch, is $30+HST for members and $40+HST for non-members. For mroe information and to register by March 19th, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours in Peterborough on March 26
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its first Business After Hours of 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26th at The Canadian Canoe Museum (910 Monaghan Rd, Peterborough).
The evening features networking, learning about some of the non-profit organizations in the area, and exploring The Canadian Canoe Museum. Non-profits with small displays at the event will include Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield, Camp Kawartha, Community Care, Cuddles for Cancer, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, Indian River Reptile Zoo, Peterborough Humane Society, and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation.
To register for the free event, visit a href=”http://business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/register/10128″ rel=”noopener” title=”Business After Hours Registration – kawarthachamber.ca” target=”_blank”>business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/register/10128.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in Peterborough on March 28
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is bringing together business owners from across Peterborough & the Kawarthas for the inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
This is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs looking to learn from industry thought leaders, network with like-minded professionals to develop partnerships and collaboration, and grow and improve their business. Keynote speakers are Nikki Pett on the topic “Relationship Marketing” and Darrell Keezer on the topic “Digital Disruption”, wiht special guest speaker George Anastasopoulos.
There will be an afternoon panel on customer service in the digital age features local business people include Katie Dempsey of Blind Ambition, Bob Gauvreau of Gauvreau & Associates, Mike Watt of Providence/S.O.S./Flavour Fashion, Scott Murison of Wild Rock, and Nicole Truman of Fox Law.
The conference registration also includes the opportunity to participate in the “Headshot Photo Booth”, where business owners can get a professional photo taken.
Early bird tickets are $40+HST until March 10th ($55 after) and include breakfast and lunch.
For the complete program and to register, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/2019-business-entrepreneurship-conference-tickets-54945307895.
This event is being presented with the support of Kawarthas Northumberland, Canada Business Ontario, and the Peterborough Region Angel Network.
Northumberland Chamber hosts 2018 Business Achievement Awards in Cobourg on March 29
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business Achievement Awards from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 29th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
The annual awards recognize excellence and honour high achievers in the local business community.
Tickets for the gala, which includes a multi-course dinner, are $90+HST. Purchase tickets by March 25th by phone at 905-372-5831 or online at nccofc.ca/events/register/1364
Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum on April 4 and 5
The Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum is taking place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th and Friday, April 5th at Stonehouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. Peterborough).
This two-day event is an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field of emergency management and safety planning and execution. The forum will cover incident management and mitigation, emergency planning and responses, public safety, business continuity planning, interoperability in times of crisis or serious event, and coordinated collaborative response.
There will be guest speakers from Orlando, Florida speaking on lessons learned from the Pulse Night Club shooting, Peterborough Police Chief Scott Gilbert speaking on the 2018 Toronto van incident, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the O.P.P. speaking on communications and the media in a crisis, Tom McKay (President of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners), and an expert panel on cyber security.
Early bird tickets are $75 until Friday, February 15th and $100 thereafter. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/peterborough-emergency-management-and-safety-forum-2019-tickets-53587643083.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism hosts second annual Rural Tourism Symposium on April 11 in Keene
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism is hosting the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 11th in the Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village Museum (104 Lang Rd., Keene).
This symposium for tourism industry professionals will include a keynote presentation from Lisa LaVecchia, president and CEO of Destination Ontario, as well as presentations by: Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario; Trevor Benson, director of food tourism innovation with Culinary Tourism Alliance; Jewel Cunningham, director of Ontario Waterways with Parks Canada; and David Robinson of Destination Canada.
There will also be a tourism town hall by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, one of a series presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and local industry partners.
The cost of $125, which includes a continental breakfast and a market-style lunch. For more information and to register, visit ruraltourism.biz.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
