Live! at the Barn — an online video performance series featuring Peterborough-area musicians produced by Andy Tough of RMS Events with his wife Linda at their Norwood barn — was one of 26 recipients celebrated at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards on Wednesday night (October 20).
During a livestreamed virtual awards ceremony emceed by local performer and filmmaker Megan Murphy, more than 50 businesses and people were profiled in more than 20 categories, with the recipients accepting their awards in pre-recorded videos.
Live! at the Barn received the Local Focus award, in recognition of their efforts to promote local musicians who were unable to perform in front of audiences during the pandemic. kawarthaNOW is a media sponsor of the series.
The other recipients included Kawartha Lakes Construction (Skilled Trades), Escape Maze Incorporated (Tourism), Jesse’s Tap & Grill (Hospitality), Jason McIntosh Auctions (Micro Business), Avant-Garden Shop (Retail), Pinchin Ltd. (Professional Services), Antoinette Bridal Boutique (Customer First), OptiSolve Ltd. (Innovation/Research & Development), The Little Building Company (Commercial Development or Renovation), Emily Mae’s Cookies (Entrepreneurial Spirit), Peterborough Public Health (Marketing & Promotion), Trent University’s Forensic Crime Scene Facility (Green Initiatives), Canadian Family Health Counselling (Health & Wellness), New Canadians Centre (Not-for-Profit), and Trent University (Employer of the Year).
Christine Teixeira of Accountability Financial was announced as the 2021 Businesswoman of the Year (Entrepreneur), with Julia Anderson of Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health announced as the 2021 Businesswoman of the Year (Organization).
The Business Citizen of the Year award went to Tom Minicola, the former owner of Tom’s Quick Check, Charlotte Pantry, Peterborough Public Advertising, and Jiffy Lube and the current owner of Brookdale Kwik Mart).
VIDEO: 2021 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards
The New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Rosie Salcido-Schmidt of Agave Designs and Faces by 2.
The previously announced recipients in three categories were also recognized at Wednesday night’s event, including the Traynor family of Traynor Farms (Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year), Jessica Dalliday, Faith Dickenson, Joon Kim, and Lyle Saunders (4-Under-40-Profiles), and Sarah Moore of Fleming College and Mohamad Ellabban of Trent University (Business Student Leadership Prizes).
Here is a complete list of all the finalists and recipients of the 18th annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards:
Skilled Trades (sponsored by Charlotte Products Ltd.)
- Cardinal Plumbing & Electric
- Goodwin Creations
- Kawartha Lakes Construction – Recipient
Tourism (sponsored by OLG)
- The Canadian Canoe Museum
- Escape Maze Incorporated – Recipient
- Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Hospitality (sponsored by Kawartha Credit Union)
- Black Honey desserts coffee catering
- Haven Brewing Company
- Jesse’s Tap & Grill – Recipient
Micro Business – Fewer Than 5 Employees (sponsored by Community Futures Peterborough)
- Accountability Financial
- CMD Technology Solutions Corp
- Jason McIntosh Auctions – Recipient
Retail (sponsored by RBC Royal Bank)
- Avant-Garden Shop – Recipient
- Watson & Lou
- Wild Rock
Professional Services (sponsored by Swish Maintenance Limited)
- Century 21 United Realty Inc.
- Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory
- Pinchin Ltd. – Recipient
Customer First (sponsored by TD Bank Group)
- Antoinette Bridal Boutique – Recipient
- Griffin’s Greenhouses
- Morello’s Your Independent Grocer
Local Focus (sponsored by Trent University)
- Lang Pioneer Village Museum
- Living Local
- RMS Events – LIVE! at the Barn – Recipient
Innovation/Research & Development (sponsored by Cleantech Commons & Innovation Cluster)
- Noblegen
- OptiSolve Ltd. – Recipient
- PKA SoftTouch Corp.
Commercial Development Or Renovation (sponsored by City Of Peterborough)
- Cambium
- Central Smith
- The Little Building Company – Recipient
Entrepreneurial Spirit (sponsored by Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory)
- acorn30
- Emily Mae’s Cookies – Recipient
- Social Kat Media
Marketing & Promotion (sponsored by Peterborough Examiner)
- acorn30
- Central Smith
- Peterborough Public Health – Recipient
Green Initiatives (sponsored by County Of Peterborough)
- Green Street
- Lockside Trading Company
- Trent University – Forensic Crime Scene Facility – Recipient
Health & Wellness (sponsored by Peterborough Regional Health Centre)
- Canadian Family Health Counselling – Recipient
- Euphoria Wellness Spa
- Peterborough Public Health
Not-For-Profit (sponsored by D.M. Wills Associates Ltd.)
- New Canadians Centre – Recipient
- Peterborough Humane Society
- YMCA of Central East Ontario
Employer Of The Year (sponsored by LLF Lawyers LLP)
- Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory
- Pinchin Ltd.
- Trent University – Recipient
Businesswoman Of The Year – Entrepreneur (sponsored by Women’s Business Network Of Peterborough)
- Brenda Ibey – Avant-Garden Shop
- Carlye Mongraw – Shaw Computer Systems Inc.
- Christine Teixeira – Accountability Financial – Recipient
Businesswoman Of The Year – Organization (sponsored by Women’s Business Network Of Peterborough)
- Julia Anderson – Canadian Partnership for Women & Children’s Health – Recipient
- Joëlle Favreau – YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Nourish Project
- Gail Moorhouse – Community Futures Peterborough
Peterborough County Farm Family Of The Year (sponsored by Peterborough County Federation Of Agriculture)
- The Traynor Family (Traynor Farms) – Recipients!
4-Under-40 Profiles In Memory Of Kathy Windrem (sponsored by BDO Canada LLP)
- Jessica Dalliday – Recipient
- Faith Dickinson – Recipient
- Joon Kim – Recipient
- Lyle Saunders – Recipient
Business Student Leadership Prizes (sponsored by Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development)
- Sarah Moore (Fleming College) – Recipient
- Mohamad Ellabban (Trent University) – Recipient
New Canadian Entrepreneur Of The Year (sponsored by Fleming College)
- Rosie Salcido-Schmidt (Agave Designs, Faces by 2) – Recipient
Business Citizen Of The Year (sponsored by Nexicom)
- Tom Minicola – Recipient
