Boaters coming through Lock 32 in Bobcaygeon. (Photo: Parks Canada / Facebook)
Parks Canada has now announced the Trent-Severn Waterway will reopen for the 2021 navigation season at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 28th.
On Wednesday (May 19), Parks Canada had announced all lockage and overnight mooring and all camping (including oTENTiks, Ôasis, and the Rosedale cabin) in Ontario would remain closed to visitors until at least June 2, to align with the province’s stay-at-home order.
In pre-pandemic times, the waterway opened for navigation on the Friday of the Victoria Day weekend.
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Operation of the Peterborough Lift Lock will be available on a modified basis starting on May 28, with an anticipated return to full operation by the end of June.
To transit as many vessels per day as possible, lockages will be scheduled, allowing for one complete transfer up and down per day. Boaters will be asked to disembark their vessels while the transfer is underway.
“More details on the 2021 navigation season will be provided over the coming week,” Parks Canada states in a media release.
Parks Canada is strongly encouraging visitors to remain in their local area when undertaking outdoor recreation activities.
Sci-fi thriller "Awake", which stars Gina Rodriguez as a troubled ex-soldier who fights to save her family as society and her mind spiral into chaos after a global event wipes out all electronics and humanity's ability to sleep, was partly filmed in Peterborough in 2019. The Netflix film premieres on June 9, 2021. (Photo: Netflix)
Every month, kawarthaNOW is the only local media source to bring you a list of what’s coming to Netflix Canada.
With warm weather finally here and the stay-at-home order hopefully being lifted in June, chances are we’ll all want to spend a lot more time outside than inside watching our screens. But here are some highlights of what’s coming to Netflix in June, just in case you are stuck inside, want to binge something, or maybe just can’t sleep.
Speaking of insomnia, there’s one Netflix movie Peterborough-area residents will want to check out. The sci-fi thriller Awake stars Gina Rodriguez as a troubled ex-soldier who fights to save her family as society and her mind spiral into chaos after a global event wipes out all electronics and humanity’s ability to sleep.
Awake was filmed in 2019 in southern Ontario, including in Peterborough, Hamilton, and Toronto, so keep an eye out for local landmarks. Awake premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, June 9th.
VIDEO: “Awake” trailer
Other Netflix films include Fatherhood, starring Kevin Hart as a new father who is suddenly widowed (Jun. 18) and the romantic comedy Good on Paper, about a stand-up comic who believes she’s finally met the perfect guy (Jun. 23). For the kids, there’s part 1 and 2 of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie (Jun. 3).
If you don’t mind subtitles, there are a lot of foreign language films coming to Netflix in June, including the Spanish action thriller Xtreme (Jun. 4), about a retired hit man who, along with his sister and a troubled teen,takes revenge on his lethal stepbrother.
New Netflix series of note include Sweet Tooth (Jun. 4), a post-apocalyptic fairy tale based on the DC comic about a hybrid deer-boy and a wandering gruff loner who embark on an extraordinary adventure.
VIDEO: “Sweet Tooth” trailer
There’s also the Icelandic mystery series Katla (Jun. 17), created and directed by the Baltasar Kormákur (Trapped). The catastrophic eruption of subglacial volcano Katla turns a nearby community’s world upside down — especially when mysteries begin to emerge from the ice.
Other new series include the food show Fresh, Fried & Crispy (Jun. 9), The Rational Life (Jun. 18), The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals (Jun. 18), and Sex/Life (Jun. 25).
Returning Netflix series of note include part two of the popular French action series Lupin (Jun. 11) and season two of the dating series Too Hot to Handle (Jun. 23).
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Other returning series include season two of Summertime (Jun. 3), season two of Feel Good (Jun. 4), season two of Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce) (Jun. 11), season two of Black Summer (Jun. 17), and season four of Black Lightning (Jun. 29).
For documentary fans, Netflix presents Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet and Human: The World Within (both on Jun. 4), Kitty Love: An Homage to Cats (Jun. 5), Penguin Town (Jun. 16), Murder by the Coast (Jun. 23), Sisters on Track (Jun. 24), and Sophie: A Murder in West Cork (Jun. 30). There’s also the “fully interactive mindfulness experience” Unwind Your Mind (Jun. 15).
Theatrically released films include A.X.L., Air Force One, Hitch, The Mustang, The Town, and Season of the Witch (all on Jun. 1), The Best Man Holiday, Erin Brockovich, Mr Bean’s Holiday, Psycho (1960 original and 1998 remake), Van Helsing, and The Visit (all on Jun. 2), Late Night (Jun. 10), The Sun Is Also a Star (Jun. 14), Desperado (Jun. 15), The Hurricane Heist and Spider-Man: Far from Home (both on Jun. 16), Booksmart (Jun. 19), Long shot (Jun. 21), Blinded by the Light and The Kitchen (both on Jun. 22), The Secret Life of Pets 2 (Jun. 27), and Midsommar (Jun. 29).
VIDEO: New to Netflix Canada in June 2021
Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in June, along with what’s leaving.
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Coming in June (no release date specified)
Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens (Netflix film) – After his father’s passing, a teenager sets out for New York in search of his estranged mother and soon finds love and connection in unexpected places.
Jiva! (Netflix series) – A street dancer juggling a dead-end job, family duties and a rocky love life realizes her moves are her ticket out of her working-class Durban township.
Ray (Netflix series) – From a satire to a psychological thriller, four short stories from celebrated auteur and writer Satyajit Ray are adapted for the screen in this series.
Record of Ragnarok (Netlix anime) – As the gods weigh the fate of humanity, a lone valkyrie proposes a final battle pitting 13 gods against 13 mortal champions. Based on the manga.
So Not Worth It (Netflix series) – After coming to Korea for different purposes, students from all over the world live and learn together as residents of an international dormitory.
Tuesday, June 1
Super Monsters: Once Upon a Rhyme (Netflix family) – From Goldilocks to Hansel and Gretel, the Super Monsters reimagine classic fairy tales and favourite nursery rhymes with a musical, magical spin!
21 & Over
A.X.L.
Agatha Christie’s Crooked House
Air Force One
ALVINNN!!! And the Chipmunks: S1
ALVINNN!!! And the Chipmunks: S2
Black Holes | The Edge of All We Know
CoComelon: A Sunny Day for Play
Hitch
LEGO Ninjago: Season 2
LEGO Ninjago: Secrets of Forbidden Spinjitzu
The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie
The Mustang
Oculus
Season of the Witch
Seven Souls in the Skull Castle: Season Moon Jogen
Seven Souls in the Skull Castle: Season Moon Kagen
Thomas and Friends: Season 24
The Town
Wednesday, June 2
The Best Man Holiday
Carnaval (Netflix film) – After a breakup, an influencer takes her friends on a free trip to Bahia’s vibrant Carnival, where she learns life’s not just about social media likes.
Erin Brockovich
Mr Bean’s Holiday
Psycho (1960)
Psycho (1998)
Unfriended
Van Helsing
The Visit
Thursday, June 3
Alan Saldaña: Locked Up (Netflix comedy special) – Mexican comedian Alan Saldaña is back, poking gentle fun at himself and parcelling advice, especially about how to stay married and how to be parents.
Creator’s File: GOLD (Netflix series) – Comedian Ryuji Akiyama satirizes top “creators” in Japan with a deadpan, unerring eye for humour, with help from some surprising celebrity guest stars.
Dancing Queens (Netflix film) – The story centres around Dylan Pettersson (Molly Nutley), a 23-year-old girl from a small island in the Swedish archipelago with big dancing aspirations. When she’s talked into cleaning at the struggling drag club queens, the club’s star dancer and choreographer (Fredrik Quiñones) accidentally discovers Dylan’s talent. She desperately wants to be a part of the show, but she’s a girl — and it’s a drag show. However, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie: Part 1 / Part 2 (Netflix film) – When a dark power enshrouds the Earth after a total solar eclipse, the scattered Sailor Guardians must reunite to bring light back into the world.
Summertime: Season 2 (Netflix series) – It’s summer again and while many relationships have changed in the past year, these friends are realizing some attractions are impossible to resist.
Friday, June 4
Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet (Netflix documentary) – Breaking Boundaries follows the scientific journey of world-renowned scientist Professor Johan Rockström. It tells the story of the most important scientific discovery of our time – that humanity has pushed Earth beyond the boundaries that have kept our planet stable for 10,000 years, since the dawn of civilisation.
Feel Good: Season 2 (Netflix series) – As Mae tries to reconnect with George — and herself — after her relapse, she begins to realize she’ll have to face her past in order to move forward.
Human: The World Within (Netflix documentary) – Cutting-edge science and captivating personal stories collide in this illuminating docuseries about the incredible workings of the human body.
Sweet Tooth (Netflix series) – On a perilous adventure across a post-apocalyptic world, a lovable boy who’s half-human and half-deer searches for a new beginning with a gruff protector.
Trippin’ with the Kandasamys (Netflix film) – To rekindle their marriages, best friends-turned-in-laws Shanthi and Jennifer plan a couples’ getaway. But it comes with all kinds of surprises.
Xtreme (Netflix film) – In this fast-paced and action-packed thriller, a retired hit man — along with his sister and a troubled teen — takes revenge on his lethal stepbrother.
Saturday, June 5
Kitty Love: An Homage to Cats (Netflix documentary) – Documentary filmmakers capture the daily lives, routines and adventures of a group of Dutch cats — from the cute, to the curious.
Wednesday, June 9
Awake (Netflix film) – After a global event wipes out humanity’s ability to sleep, a troubled ex-soldier fights to save her family as society and her mind spiral into chaos.
Fresh, Fried & Crispy (Netflix series) – Passionate about food and ready for fun, critic Daym Drops drops in on America’s smokin’ hot spots for the best, freshest takes on fried food.
Tragic Jungle (Netflix film) – To escape an arranged marriage, a woman flees into the depths of the Mayan jungle, where untamed nature merges the human and the supernatural.
Thursday, June 10
Late Night
Locombianos (Netflix series) – Four of Colombia’s funniest and bawdiest comedians perform before a post-quarantine audience hungry for their stories.
Friday, June 11
Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce): Season 2 (Netflix series) – It’s another season of twists, turns, and troubles plaguing the seemingly happy marriages of three women who work on a radio show.
Lupin: Part 2 (Netflix series) – Pursued by Hubert and his henchmen, Assane scrambles to find Raoul and wins an unlikely new ally as he draws up a grand plan to reveal Hubert’s crimes.
Skater Girl (Netflix film) – In the inspiring feature film Skater Girl, a teen in rural India must fight against all odds to follow her dreams of becoming a skater and competing in the national championship.
Trese (Netflix anime) – Set in a Manila where mythical creatures of Philippine folklore hide amongst humans, Alexandra Trese goes head-to-head with a criminal underworld.
Wish Dragon (Netflix family) – Longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend, resourceful teen Din meets a charming wish-granting dragon who shows him the magic of possibilities.
Monday, June 14
Elite Short Stories (Netflix series) – Four new stories that take place during the summer before the start of the new year in Las Encinas.
The Sun Is Also a Star
Tuesday, June 15
Desperado
Power Rangers Dino Fury: Season 1
Rhyme Time Town: Season 2 (Netflix family) – Best friends Daisy and Cole are back for more musical fun and adventure with their nursery rhyme pals, solving problems with teamwork and creativity!
Unwind Your Mind (Netflix interactive experience) – On the heels of Headspace Guide to Meditation and Headspace Guide to Sleep comes Unwind Your Mind, a fully interactive mindfulness experience designed to be accessible anytime, anywhere. The familiar voices of Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe and Director of Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Eve Lewis Prieto, return to provide the viewer with three customizable paths: Meditation (a simple guided session), Relax (for a daily wind-down), or Sleep (to calm the mind and body before bed). Viewers can create a path based on their in-the-moment feelings and time constraints, and the Sleep journey can even end with a bedtime story. With its welcoming animation, and featuring the thoughtful communication style that’s made the Headspace app beloved by millions, Unwind Your Mind is an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to kick off or deepen their relationship with a meditation practice, or maybe just finally get a good night’s rest. Unwind Your Mind is the third instalment from Headspace and Vox Media Studios, following the series Headspace Guide to Meditation and Headspace Guide to Sleep which are now streaming.
Wednesday, June 16
The Hurricane Heist
Penguin Town (Netflix documentary) – In a picturesque South African town, an eclectic group of endangered penguins flock together to find mates, raise a family and mix with the locals.
Silver Skates (Netflix film) – On the frozen rivers and canals of St. Petersburg, a petty thief on skates warms the heart of an aristocrat’s daughter as forces try to keep them apart.
Spider-Man: Far from Home
Thursday, June 17
Black Summer: Season 2 (Netflix series) – Winter comes with cold-blooded new challenges during the zombie apocalypse as frantic scavengers and violent militias battle the dead and desperate.
The Gift: Season 3 (Netflix series) – Seeking to reach her daughter Aden, Atiye faces a wrenching dilemma as dark forces attempt to harness Aden’s cosmic powers to bring about destruction.
Hospital Playlist: Season 2 (Netflix series) – It’s another season of extraordinary days for the doctors and patients inside a hospital, where birth, death and everything in between coexist.
Katla (Netflix series) – In Iceland, after the subglacial volcano Katla has been erupting constantly for a whole year, Gríma is still looking for her missing sister who disappeared the day the eruption started. As her hope of ever finding her body is fading, the residents of the surrounding area start to have visits from unexpected guests. There might be something hidden under the glacier no one could ever have foreseen.
Friday, June 18
A Family (Netflix film) – Taken in by the yakuza at a young age, Kenji swears allegiance to his old-school boss, pledging to adhere to the family code amid ever-changing times.
Elite: Season 4 (Netflix series) – A strict principal and four new students arrive at Las Encinas, bringing an onslaught of romantic entanglements, intense rumors and a fresh mystery.
Fatherhood (Netflix film) – After the sudden death of his wife, a new father (Kevin Hart) takes on the toughest job in the world: parenthood. Based on a true story of loss and love.
Jagame Thandhiram (Netflix film) – When a clever, carefree gangster is recruited to help an overseas crime lord take down a rival, he is caught off guard by the moral dilemmas that follow.
The Rational Life (Netflix series) – Always one to choose reason over emotion, a woman struggles when she’s drawn to two very different men, while also navigating unfairness at work.
The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals (Netflix series) – On a budget, ready to splurge or just need someplace new? Three travellers visit short-term rentals around the globe and share tips for terrific stays.
Saturday, June 19
Booksmart
Nevertheless (Netflix series) – She doesn’t believe in love but still wants a relationship. He thinks relationships are a bother but wants to flirt. Can they both get what they want?
Monday, June 21
Long shot
Tuesday, June 22
Blinded by the Light
The Kitchen
Wednesday, June 23
Good on Paper (Netflix film) – After years of putting her career ahead of love, stand-up comic Andrea Singer has stumbled upon the perfect guy. On paper, he checks all the boxes but is he everything he appears to be?
The House of Flowers: The Movie (Netflix film) – The De La Mora siblings concoct a mischievous plan to break into their old family home to retrieve a hidden treasure of significant importance.
Murder by the Coast (Netflix documentary) – In 1999, teen Rocío Wanninkhof is murdered. Her mother’s ex-partner, Dolores Vázquez, is suspected. Did she do it? A second victim reveals the truth.
Too Hot to Handle: Season 2 (Netflix series) – The world’s hottest no-dating dating show is back with 10 sexy new singles. Anyone who dares to break the rules of no kissing, no heavy petting, and no self-gratification of any kind will see the $100,000 prize drop faster than our contestants’ libido in the least sexy vacation getaway of their lives.
Thursday, June 24
Godzilla Singular Point (Netflix anime) – Brought together by a mysterious song, a grad student and an engineer lead the fight against an unimaginable force that may spell doom for the world.
The Naked Director: Season 2 (Netflix series) – Now known as the pioneer of the adult video industry, Toru Muranishi aims for even loftier heights – his dream to broadcast porn via satellite, but his growing ego and ambitions may spell his downfall.
Sisters on Track (Netflix documentary) – An intimate portrait of girlhood following three determined sisters in Brooklyn as they race against all odds on a journey toward hope, belonging and a brighter future.
Friday, June 25
The A List: Season 2 (Netflix series) – A group of teens find their friendship and courage tested on a mysterious island where the dead never die.
Sex/Life (Netflix series) – Sex/Life is the story of a love triangle between a woman, her husband, and her past that takes a provocative new look at female identity and desire.
Saturday, June 26
Wonder Boy (Netflix documentary) – French fashion designer Olivier Roustein makes a remarkable ascent to artistic director of the Balmain brand, as captured in this documentary.
Sunday, June 27
The Secret Life of Pets 2
Monday, June 28
The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon’s Judgement (Netflix anime) – While Meliodas absorbs the Commandments so he can become the Demon King and save Elizabeth, Ban roams through purgatory to save his captain’s soul.
Tuesday, June 29
Black Lightning: Season 4 (Netflix series) – Wracked with guilt, Jefferson vows to leave his hero days behind. But new threats to Freeland — and metas — draw all the Pierces back into the fray.
Midsommar
StarBeam: Season 4 (Netflix family) – When villains come out to play, second grader Zoey transforms into StarBeam, a pint-sized superhero, to save the day.
Wednesday, June 30
America: The Motion Picture (Netflix film) – A chainsaw-wielding George Washington teams with beer-loving bro Sam Adams to take down the Brits in a tongue-in-cheek riff on the American Revolution.
Sophie: A Murder in West Cork (Netflix documentary) – This true crime series is based on the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a French woman found dead near her West Cork holiday home.
The Northey family has sold Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth to Adam Brown and his brother Addison, owner of Dr. J's BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Chemong Lodge / Facebook)
businessNOW™ is our round-up of business and organizational news from Peterborough and across the greater Kawarthas region.
In businessNOW, our managing editor collects news and events related to businesses and organizations from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
This week features Adam Brown and his brother Addison — owner of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough — buying Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth from the Northey family, gourmet candy store Flossophy opening in Peterborough’s East City, Tragically Dipped Donuts coming to Water Street in downtown Peterborough, Herod Financial Services in Peterborough and Lakefield donating $20,000 to local Canadian Mental Health Association, Lakeshore Designs in Selwyn expanding with a new décor store and café in Buckhorn, and Peterborough cannabis grower Canveda Inc. bringing their product to the Ontario Cannabis Store.
We also cover Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s launch of the region’s second annual Business Count survey, the opening of applications open for the summer intake of Starter Company Plus in the City and County of Peterborough, the opening of nominations for the 2021 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards, and Workforce Development Board’s May 19th webinar on the results of the recent EmployerOne survey.
Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews owner buys Chemong Lodge in Bridgenorth
Addison Brown opened Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough in 2014. (Photo: Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews
Chemong Lodge (765 Hunter St. Bridgenorth) is now under new ownership.
The Northey family, which purchased the lodge in 1962, has sold the restaurant and property to Adam Brown and his brother Addison, owner of Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews in downtown Peterborough.
Situated on three acres overlooking Chemong Lake, Chemong Lodge includes a 267-person licensed restaurant with bar, patio, and kitchen. It has been closed since last year due to the pandemic.
“There have been ups and downs over the years and lots of wonderful memories,” the Northeys write on the Chemong Lodge Facebook page. “We would like to truly thank each and every one of you for your business, friendship and support over these many years.”
“As well, we would like to thank all of our staff both past and present. We could not have done it without you. We wish everyone health and happiness. Please join us in welcoming Adam and the Brown family to Chemong Lodge.”
The Browns will be reopening Chemong Lodge on Friday (May 21) for the Victoria Day long weekend to serve takeout. For more information, visit www.chemonglodge.com.
Gourmet candy store Flossophy opening in Peterborough’s East City
Flossophy’s candy floss comes in a wide range of unique flavours. (Photo: Flossophy
Danielle McIver wants to be “the Willy Wonka of Peterborough” by opening a retail storefront in East City for her gourmet candy business Flossophy.
Flossophy will be located at 75 Hunter Street East, right beside the Tim Hortons, with an opening date planned in June.
The business is named after its featured product, the kind of cotton candy floss you’d buy at fairs and carnivals, which Flossophy offers in a wide range of unique flavours.
Flossophy will be located at 75 Hunter Street East in Peterborough’s East City. (Photo: Flossophy)
“We want to bring back this sweet sensation with a twist,” McIver writes on Floosphy’s Facebook page. “New ideas, new flavors, new #flossophy!”
McIver — who is the 2020/21 president of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough — launched her business last year and has been selling her goodies online.
Along with her modern take on cotton candy, McIver also plans to offer ice cream, candy, donuts, popcorn, and chocolate at the new store.
Tragically Dipped Donuts coming to Water Street in downtown Peterborough
Mike Frampton originally planned to sell his fresh handmade donuts, all-day breakfast, and locally roasted coffee from his food truck. Now he will be opening a retail location on Water Street in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Tragically Dipped Donuts)
Entrepreneur Mike Frampton will be opening a retail location on Water Street in downtown Peterborough for his business Tragically Dipped Donuts.
Frampton, who recently received a $5,000 microgrant through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre’s Starter Company Plus program, originally planned to sell his fresh handmade donuts, all-day breakfast, and locally roasted coffee from his food truck.
However, after experiencing challenges finding a location for his food truck, he decided to switch gears. He is now is leasing a retail location at 386 Water Street, the former location of social enterprise Catering Plus, located across the street from Needles in the Hay.
Tragically Dipped Donuts will be located at 386 Water Street, the former location of social enterprise Catering Plus, located across the street from Needles in the Hay. (Photo: Tragically Dipped Donuts)
“A diner has been a bucket list thing for me and I didn’t think it would happen,” Frampton writes on his Instagram. “This was a scary leap for me and I couldn’t be happier. Lots of work to do but I hope I’m able to turn what’s in my head into reality. Stay tuned! Also thank you to everyone who’s supported me and helped along my weird journey, can’t wait to make you donuts.”
Frampton is also working with Peterborough’s coffee roastery Rapids End on a Tragically Dipped “Donut Lovers Blend” that will be used exclusively in store after opening.
For updates on the store opening, follow Tragically Dipped Donuts on Instagram @tragicallydipped.
Herod Financial Services in Peterborough and Lakefield donates $20,000 to local Canadian Mental Health Association
Kevan and Roberta Herod present a cheque for $20,000 to Jack Veitch of Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge. (Facebook video screenshot)
Kevan and Roberta Herod, founders of Herod Financial Services in Peterborough and Lakefield, have donated $20,000 to the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge.
The donation will go toward the association’s ‘Journeying Together’ program, which provides education and support each year to around 250 caregivers and family members of individuals with a mental health concern.
“We know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health in our community and individuals with a pre-existing mental health concern are particularly vulnerable during this time,” says Jack Veitch, the association’s manager of community engagement and education.
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This is not the first time the Herods have supported the program.
“The Herods continue to be leaders in supporting caregiver mental health in our community and have championed our Journeying Together program since 2014,” Veitch says. “”They have been instrumental in the success of the program and have shown a passion for assisting caregivers. Without the support from the Herods, our Journeying Together program would simply not be possible.”
For more information about Herod Financial Services, visit herodfinancial.com.
Lakeshore Designs in Selwyn expanding with new décor store and café in Buckhorn
Lakeshore Designs’ Boathouse Boutique décor store and Bikini Beans Café will be located at 1929 Lakehurst Road in Buckhorn. (Photo: Lakeshore Designs)
Angela Jones, owner of home design company Lakeshow Designs (2968 Lakefield Road, Selwyn Township), is expanding with a second location in Buckhorn.
The Boathouse Boutique décor store will be located at 1929 Lakehurst Road at Lock 31 in Buckhorn and will also include the Bikini Beans Café, managed by Samantha Pillon.
They are currently looking to fill two full-time positions: a retail associate for Boathouse Boutique and a barista for Bikini Beans Café,
Canveda Inc.’s cannabis, homegrown in Peterborough, coming to Ontario Cannabis Store
Peterborough medical cannabis producer Canveda Inc. will be supplying a recreational cannabis brand called ‘Strain Rec’ to the Ontario Cannabis Store and, eventually, to local licensed cannabis stores. (Graphic: Canveda Inc.)
Peterborough’s Canveda Inc., a producer of medical cannabis licensed by Health Canada, will be supplying the Ontario Cannabis Store with a recreational cannabis brand called ‘Strain Rec’ in May.
The cannabis is locally grown and hand curated at Canveda’s facility at 760 Technology Drive in Peterborough.
“Customers can be assured of the highest quality, pesticide, and chemical free products,” reads a media release. “Each batch is tested by a Health Canada certified laboratory providing accurate THC, CBD, and terpene profiles.”
Canveda employs 25 people locally and has worked with Fleming College to develop an internship program with the college’s business school.
Canveda also plans to offer its products at local licensed cannabis stores.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development launch region’s second annual Business Count survey
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is launching the region’s second annual Business Count in May.
The voluntary survey collects information about the local economy, providing critical insight for employers, workforce development, and municipal planners. The survey will run from May through the end of August.
The Business Count team has already reached out to businesses in North Kawartha, with the remaining schedule including Trent Lakes (May 17 to 28), Douro-Dummer (May 31 to June 4), Asphodel-Norwood (June 7 to 11), Cavan Monaghan (June 14 to 25), Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (June 28 to July 9), Otonabee-South Monaghan (July 12 to 23), Selwyn (July 26 to August 6), and the City of Peterborough (August 9 to September 3).
Applications open for summer intake of Starter Company Plus in City and County of Peterborough
Hillary Manion of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosts a virtual session of the aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs participating in the winter 2021 intake of the Starter Company Plus program. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Applications are now open for the summer intake of Starter Company Plus in the City and County of Peterborough, a provincially funded entrepreneurial program administered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre. The program is designed to provide aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs with business training to help them launch or expand their small business.
The program will accept 12 applicants who will receive five weeks of virtual training and support to help them develop their business plans and business pitches. At the end of the program, the 12 participants will pitch their business to a panel of community judges, and the top six participants will be awarded microgrants of $5,000 each.
Applications for the summer intake close on Sunday, June 13th. For more information and to apply, visit peterboroughed.ca/starter.
For entrepreneurs not yet ready to apply, the program will also return in the fall, with applications opening September 1st and closing September 26th.
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Nominations open for 2021 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards
Nominations are now open for the annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards.
Categories include 4 Under 40 Profiles, Business Citizen of the Year, Businesswomen of the Year (Entrepreneur and Organization), Commercial Development or Renovation, Customer First, Employer of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Farm Family of the Year, Green Initiatives, Health and Wellness, Hospitality, Innovation / Research and Development, Local Focus, Marketing and Promotion, Micro Business, New Canadian Entrepreneur, Not-For-Profit, Professional Services, Retail, Skilled Trades, and Tourism.
The nomination deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23rd. If you submit nominations by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9th, you could win a $100 gift card for the Chamber member business of your choice.
Workforce Development Board hosting webinar of results of EmployerOne survey on May 19
The Workforce Development Board is hosting a free webinar from 10 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19th to share the results of its 2021 EmployerOne Survey.
The recent survey of local businesses by workforce development boards across Ontario was conducted to better understand labour market demand in each region of the province. The webinar will provide a high level overview of how local businesses responded to the survey and what workforce challenges have been identified for Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton.
For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/153712527307. If you can’t attend, stay tuned to kawarthaNOW. We will be publishing a story on the results of the survey.
For business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 1,616 new cases today — the lowest increase since March 23 when 1,571 cases were reported. However, Ontario has averaged one-third fewer tests than usual over each of the past 2 days.
Of Ontario’s 34 health units, 5 are reporting triple-digit increases. The seven-day average of daily cases has decreased to 2,287, and the proportion of active cases has declined for the 29th straight day.
Hospitalizations have increased significantly since yesterday, but yesterday’s number was likely underreported. The number of ICU patients has decreased but the number of patients on ventilators has increased. Ontario is reporting 17 deaths today, including 1 death in a long-term care home.
Ontario has now administered over 7.2 million doses of vaccine, with a record number of more than 9,300 people fully vaccinated yesterday. Of Ontario’s total population, almost 50% have received at least a single dose and 3% have received both doses.
In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 26 new cases to report (including 11 in Peterborough, 9 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Hastings Prince Edward, and 1 in Northumberland), with an additional 27 cases resolved. Active cases have increased in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes and have decreased elsewhere, with the net number of active cases across the region decreasing by 3 to 238.
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Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto (472), Peel (360), York (116), Hamilton (114), and Durham (102).
There are double-digit increases reported today in Waterloo (75), Halton (60), Ottawa (56), Niagara (47), Middlesex-London (39), Simcoe Muskoka (38), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (20), Brant (19), Windsor-Essex (14), and Hastings Prince Edward (13), with smaller increases in Eastern Ontario (9), Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (9), North Bay Parry Sound (8), Haldimand-Norfolk (8), Porcupine (7), Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (6), and Southwestern (6).
The remaining 12 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 4 health units (Thunder Bay, Algoma, Sudbury, and Leeds, Grenville & Lanark) reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s new cases, 64% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (688) among people ages 20-39 followed by 392 cases among people ages 40-59 and 349 cases among people 19 and under.
With 2,502 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.2% to at 93.5% — the 29th straight day the percentage of resolved cases has increased. The average positivity rate across Ontario has decreased by 0.3% to 7.6%, meaning that 76 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on May 17.
Ontario is reporting 17 new COVID-19 deaths today, including 1 new death in a long-term care home. Ontario has averaged 23 new daily deaths over the past week (no change from yesterday).
Hospitalizations have increased by 164 to 1,484, but the increase may in part be attributed to underreporting by more than 10% of hospitals over the past 2 days. The number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs has decreased by 15 to 764 but the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators has risen by 23 to 559.
A total of 22,915 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation increasing by 11,365 to 20,325. Ontario has only averaged around 24,000 daily tests over the past 2 days, well under the 39,000 seven-day daily average.
A total of 7,286,177 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 109,032 from yesterday, and 442,102 people have been fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, a record increase of 9,342 from yesterday.
The number of fully vaccinated people represents 3% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.06% from yesterday, with fully and partially vaccinated people representing 49.45% of the total population, an increase of 0.74% from yesterday. An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 26 new cases to report, including 11 in Peterborough, 9 in Kawartha Lakes, 5 in Hastings Prince Edward, and 1 in Northumberland. There are no new cases in Haliburton.
An outbreak at an unidentified workplace in Peterborough County was declared on May 17. An outbreak in Unit 5 and the kitchen at Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay was declared on May 17.
There are 2 new hospitalizations in Peterborough.
There are 34 new regional cases of variants of concern, including 23 in Peterborough, 6 in Kawartha Lakes, 3 in Northumberland, and 2 in Hastings Prince Edward.
An additional 27 cases have been resolved, including 11 in Hastings Prince Edward, 7 in Peterborough, 6 in Kawartha Lakes, 2 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton. An outbreak at the ICU of QHC Belleville General Hospital was declared resolved on May 18.
There are currently 238 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region, a decrease of 3 from yesterday, including 106 in Peterborough, 55 in Hastings Prince Edward (14 in Quinte West, 17 in Belleville, 2 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 5 in Prince Edward County, 16 in Central Hastings, and 1 in North Hastings), 39 in Kawartha Lakes, 31 in Northumberland, and 7 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,405 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,281 resolved with 18 deaths), 832 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (750 resolved with 56 deaths), 882 in Northumberland County (835 resolved with 16 deaths), 119 in Haliburton County (111 resolved with 1 death), and 1,071 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (1,006 resolved with 10 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on May 16.
The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 4 p.m. the previous day, as well as from systems in Toronto, Ottawa, and Middlesex-London at 2 p.m. the previous day. Data from local health units is more current and is usually reflected in the provincial data the following day. There may be discrepancies between the Ontario data reported today (which is from yesterday) and the local health unit data reported today (which is from today).
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 1,405 (increase of 10)* Total variants of concern cases: 593 (increase of 23) Active cases: 106 (increase of 3) Close contacts: 360 (increase of 45) Deaths: 18 (no change) Resolved: 1,281 (increase of 7) Hospitalizations (total to date): 63 (increase of 2)** ICU admissions (total to date): 13 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 51,550 (increase of 50) Total vaccine doses administered (residents and non-residents): 66,045 (increase of 5,618 as of May 14) Number of residents who have received first dose: 60,524 Number of residents fully vaccinated: 4,575 (increase of 154 as of May 14) Outbreaks: Unidentified congregate living facility #3 in Peterborough, Helping Hands Day Care in Peterborough County, Unidentified workplace #9 in Peterborough County, Unidentified workplace #10 in Peterborough County (increase of 1)***
*The health unit is reporting 11 new cases in the last 24 hours. The total case count has increased by 10 because 1 case has been removed from a previous day.
**As of May 18, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting 8 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (decrease of 3) and a total of 73 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).
***An outbreak at an unidentified workplace in Peterborough County was declared on May 17.
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
The health unit provides reports from Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 1,833, including 832 in Kawartha Lakes, 882 in Northumberland, and 119 in Haliburton (increase of 10, including 9 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Northumberland)* Total variants of concern cases: 531, including 216 in Kawartha Lakes, 282 in Northumberland, and 33 in Haliburton (increase of 9, including 6 in Kawartha Lakes and 3 in Northumberland) Active cases: 77, including 39 in Kawartha Lakes, 31 in Northumberland, and 7 in Haliburton (net increase of 1) Probable cases: 1 in Northumberland (decrease of 2 in Kawartha Lakes) Hospitalizations (total to date): 67, including 36 in Kawartha Lakes, 29 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (no change)** Deaths (including among probable cases): 73, including 56 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Resolved: 1,696, including 750 in Kawartha Lakes, 835 in Northumberland, and 111 in Haliburton (increase of 9, including 6 in Kawartha Lakes, 2 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton) Tests completed: 188,837 (increase of 973) Vaccine doses administered to residents: 85,785 (increase of 6,353 as of May 17) Number of residents fully vaccinated: 4,877 (increase of 415 as of May 17) Outbreaks: Staples and Swain Law Office in Lindsay, OPP Offender Transport Lindsay, Dairy Queen in Lindsay, Unit 5 and kitchen at Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay (increase of 1)***
*The health unit states that total counts and counts for individual counties may fluctuate from previously reported counts as cases are transferred to or from the health unit based on case investigation details and routine data cleaning.
**As of May 18, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 5 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (decrease of 1).
***An outbreak in Unit 5 and the kitchen at Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay was declared on May 17.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 1,071 (increase of 5) Confirmed variants of concern cases: 426 (increase of 2) Active cases: 55 (decrease of 7) Deaths: 10 (no change) Currently hospitalized: 14 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 6 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 5 (no change) Resolved: 1,006 (increase of 11) Tests completed: 139,856 (increase of 261) Vaccine doses administered: 74,800 (increase of 1,566) Number of people fully vaccinated: 6,026 (increase of 270) Outbreaks: Quinte 5 at QHC Belleville General Hospital, Unidentified child care facility in Belleville, Unidentified workplace in Belleville, Unidentified workplace in Central Hastings, Community outbreak in Hastings Highlands in North Hastings (decrease of 2)*
*An outbreak at the ICU of QHC Belleville General Hospital was declared resolved on May 18.
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 513,102 (increase of 1,616) COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) cases: 110,956 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 2,155); 681 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (increase of 2); 2,031 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 10) VOC R(t): 0.87 (decrease of 0.05 as May 8)* 7-day average of daily new cases: 2,287 (decrease of 65) Positivity rate: 7.6% (decrease of 0.3%) Resolved: 479,630 (increase of 2,502), 93.5% of all cases (increase of 0.2%) Hospitalizations: 1,484 (increase of 164)** Hospitalizations in ICU: 764 (decrease of 15) Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 559 (increase of 23) Deaths: 8,506 (increase of 17) 7-day average of daily new deaths: 23 (no change) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,940 (increase of 1) Total tests completed: 14,817,959 (increase of 22,915) Tests under investigation: 20,325 (increase of 11,365) Vaccination doses administered: 7,286,177 (increase of 109,032), 49.45% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.74%)*** People fully vaccinated (two doses): 442,102 (increase of 9,342), 3.00% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.06%)***
*R(t) is a virus’s effective reproduction number, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time (t) in a partially immunized population. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, R(t) needs to be less than 1.
**The increase in the number of hospitalizations may in part be attributed to underreporting by more than 10% of hospitals over the past 2 days.
***An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 17 – May 17, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 17 – May 17, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 17 – May 17, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 17 – May 17, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 17 – May 17, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra emphasizing the importance of physical distancing during a media briefing at Peterborough Public Health on March 23, 2020, just after the pandemic was declared. (Photo: Peterborough Public Health)
As provincial COVID-19 infection numbers continue to show improvement, the number of new cases in the Peterborough region is heading in the opposite direction — and at the worst possible time with the Victoria Day long weekend almost here.
During a Peterborough Public Health media briefing held Tuesday (May 18), medical officer of health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra said last week’s new case count of 91 — the second highest one-week total of the pandemic — included 40 new cases detected in people under age 29.
“We’ve examined the characteristics of our cases since April 1 and have found that the majority are among 20 to 29 year olds with indoor social gatherings and household spread playing a significant role in increasing the number of cases,” Dr. Salvaterra said.
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“They don’t have sick pay so they tend to go to work when they’re not feeling well, and many of them live together — sharing bathrooms and kitchens — so they’re in close contact in close quarters,” Dr. Salvaterra said.
“It’s a good thing that vaccination opened up today (Tuesday) for everyone 18 years of age and over. We definitely need to target those 20 to 29 year olds, especially those who are sharing their accommodations with others, to bring our case numbers down.”
As of yesterday at 4:30 p.m., the number of active cases in Peterborough city and county and Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations was reported as 103 — an increase of 14 since Friday. Meanwhile, the number of close contacts of positive cases being monitored by public health staff has also risen, now at 315, up 30 since late last week. There are currently four active outbreaks.
“We aren’t near to being a hotspot but we are near to being overwhelmed and that’s not good,” said Dr. Salvaterra.
“If you overwhelm public health and we aren’t able to get to the cases within 24 hours and we’re not able to isolate their close contacts right away, we will have more spread. We need to protect our public health capacity so we are able to respond same day to our cases.”
Dr. Salvaterra also reported another COVID-related death — the 18th death in the Peterborough region since the pandemic began. Similar to the three most recent previous deaths, the person who died had received their first dose of vaccine. However, Dr. Salvaterra noted the person had underlying health conditions who was exposed to the virus via a close contact.
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A good portion of Dr. Salvaterra’s remarks centred on the pending Victoria Day long weekend and the challenge that will present during a time when local infection numbers are on the rise.
“I’m very concerned about what appears to be a growing trend in socialization that will lead to even more cases,” said Dr. Salvaterra.
“Trailer parks and campgrounds are off limits. If you’re travelling to a secondary residence for essential maintenance, you must go alone and the trip should be less than 24 hours. This is not the season opener for the cottage. Longer stays at your seasonal residence are only permitted if you are relocating for the summer, and that should start with the first 14 days spent alone.”
“We’ve seen a spike in COVID-19 cases after every long weekend. Let’s make this a long weekend where we actually see cases go down instead of up.”
VIDEO: 2021 May Long Weekend
On the enforcement front, Peterborough County OPP Constable Joe Ayotte confirmed police will be extra watchful for illegal gatherings this coming weekend.
“We’ve created a detachment-level initiative in regards to Burleigh Falls,” Ayotte said, referring to the large gatherings there that were a significant issue last summer. “We will be beefing up patrols in that area. We’ve received complaints about camping on Crown land, so we’ve increased patrols of those areas.”
With some 7,000 doses of Pfizer arriving locally this week along with an increase in the regular Moderna allocation, Dr. Salvaterra said the goal remains to administer first doses to 65 per cent of local residents by May 31. That said, she urged those who are trying to book an appointment to be patient.
“Because of the size of the population that is now eligible, we can’t possibly meet that demand,” Dr. Salvaterra said. “We are loading up new appointments as we confirm the allocation of vaccine for clinics. We’re trying not to put up all the clinics at once, to give Peterborough residents more opportunity to find something closer to home.”
“They are free to travel to get the vaccine but, if they want to stay close to home, I advise there will be more appointments scheduled and posted. They will be able to book, but may be waiting a few weeks as we’re completely booked for the rest of the month and are now booking into June.”
Area residents are directed to phone the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900 to book their COVID vaccination appointments when they are in the age group that has become eligible. The line is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week. Eligible residents can also book their appointments online by visiting ontario.ca/bookvaccine.
In addition, eligible residents who are waiting for their first dose of vaccine can apply to be on a vaccine standby list. Residents who sign up may be called if doses are leftover at the end of a mass vaccination clinic run by Peterborough Public Health.
The purpose of the standby list is to avoid wasting vaccine doses. This list fills and then closes temporarily, reopening as additional applicants are needed. Residents are encouraged to check the standby application list at the Peterborough Public Health website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca regularly for openings.
Also commenting during Tuesday’s briefing were Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and Peterborough board of health chair and Selwyn mayor Andy Mitchell.
A recent anti-lockdown protest in front of Peterborough City Hall. (Photo: Tyler Berry / No More Lockdowns Peterborough Facebook group)
Police forces in the greater Kawarthas region issued a total of nine tickets on Saturday (May 15) under the Reopening Ontario Act.
In Peterborough, police issued three tickets in connection with an anti-lockdown protest at Confederation Square in downtown Peterborough on Saturday.
Peterborough police are also investigating an outdoor religious gathering at Nicholls Oval park that was held on Saturday. Hill City Baptist Church, led by pastor Alex Kloosterman, has been holding weekly services at the park. He was fined for organizing a service the previous Saturday.
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In Cobourg, police issued one ticket in connection with an anti-lockdown protest in front of Victoria Hall on Saturday. After police spoke with protestors and requested they disperse to comply with the stay-at-home order, one protestor who refused to comply was fined.
Cobourg police, along with city by-law officers, also spoke to organizers of the downtown farmers’ market to address the large number of people attending the market. No fines were issued.
In Port Hope, police issued tickets to four men on Saturday after they were discovered fishing along the Ganaraska River.
The four anglers were charged because they had travelled from the GTA to fish in Port Hope. In April, the municipality temporarily restricted access to all its lands bordering the Ganaraska River to discourage out-of-town anglers.
Each intake of the Starter Company Plus program, administered by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Ontario government, provides five weeks of business training to 12 entrepreneurs starting or running a business in the City or County of Peterborough. The program, delivered completely online this summer and fall, will see half of the participants each receive a $5,000 microgrant based on the strength of their business plans and business pitches to a panel of community judges. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Another 24 entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas will soon be equipped with the knowledge and skills for small business success when the Starter Company Plus program returns this summer and fall.
Applications for the summer intake of the popular program, offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC) with funding from the Ontario government, open on May 17 and close June 13. For entrepreneurs not ready to apply this summer, applications for the fall intake for the program will open on September 1 and close September 26.
As of May 2021, Starter Company Plus has supported 163 entrepreneurs since it was first offered in Peterborough & the Kawarthas in 2017, many of whom have launched a new business or expanded an existing one. (Infographic: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Not only will all the successful applicants to the program receive business training at no cost to them, but half of them will each receive a $5,000 microgrant based on the strength of their business plans and business pitches to a panel of community judges.
Anyone aged 18 and older not in school who is interested in either starting a new business with the City or County of Peterborough, or expanding an existing one that’s been operating for five years or less, is eligible to apply. The full eligibility criteria can been found at peterboroughed.ca/starter.
Since Starter Company Plus was first offered in Peterborough & the Kawarthas in spring 2017, 163 entrepreneurs have benefited from the program, resulting in the launch of 84 new businesses and the expansion of 49 existing ones.
Even more impressive is the $1.2 million in funding and financing subsequently secured by entrepreneurs who have participated in the program.
During each intake of Starter Company Plus, which runs for five weeks, 12 successful applicants will participate in virtual sessions covering a wide variety of topics including market research, digital marketing, small business financing, and hiring practices.
VIDEO – Starter Company Plus 2021: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development
“On the very first day we go around the room — the Zoom room — and everyone introduces themselves and tells everyone why they’re here and what their business idea is or, if the business is already open, what their business is,” explains Hillary Manion, the BAC Entrepreneurship Officer who leads the program.
“From there we start working on what we call their elevator pitch — what you tell people in 30 seconds when they ask what you do. From that first day of introducing themselves, they work up to a 10-minute video at the end of the five weeks. At the beginning a lot of people struggle to talk for 30 seconds but, by the end of the five weeks, most of them have a hard time keeping their video to 10 minutes.”
Hillary Manion of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosts a virtual session of the aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs participating in the winter 2021 intake of the Starter Company Plus program. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
As valuable as that business pitch is, the big takeaway is the development of a comprehensive business plan based on the Lean Model Canvas, a proven strategic management template used for developing new business models and documenting existing ones.
“A business plan is a road map,” Manion says. “It helps you set out all of the steps you need to take. It helps you set your goals, and it also helps identify the resources you need to reach those goals.”
“But it’s not something you write once at the beginning of the program and forget about. It’s something you need to review regularly, especially if you are a start-up. Your business is a living, breathing thing — it’s something that’s going to change.”
For the participants in each intake of Starter Company Plus, the strength of their business plan is also key for a potential financial reward at the end of the program that will help them launch or grow their business. After successfully completing the program, each entrepreneur will submit their final business plan and pitch their business to a panel of community judges for a chance to receive one of six $5,000 microgrants.
Katelin Turcotte, owner of home-based preventative foot care and education business Wilde Beauty, received a $5,000 mircogrant in December 2019 after participating in the Starter Company Plus program. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Katelin Turcotte is a graduate of Starter Company Plus who received one of those microgrants. In the late summer of 2019, she was opening Wilde Beauty, a home-based preventative foot care and education business that sees her monitor high-risk clients via regular foot care maintenance. She applied to Starter Company Plus and was accepted.
“I really didn’t know what I was getting into,” Turcotte admits. “I knew I was going to be with other people starting businesses and there was going to be lots of support but, as I dove deeper into it, I found it to be very useful. It made me feel a little more normal, like I wasn’t just having my own mini-panic attack about starting a new business.”
The business plan and pitch components of the program, adds Turcotte, were invaluable.
“The pitch part pushes your knowledge and reveals if you put the time in to figure everything out. Are you really passionate about it? Are you doing it because you really want to, or just because you want to make money?”
Like all businesses, Wilde Beauty has been adversely affected by the pandemic, forcing Turcotte to adjust her original business plan — something she knew how to do thanks to Starter Company Plus.
“During the first lockdown, I shifted everything to an online store and started doing virtual consultations,” says Turcotte, adding “There are a lot of feet out there that still need helping.”
To those who are considering applying for the upcoming Starter Company Plus intake, Turcotte’s advice is to “go for it” — pandemic or not.
“It’s easy to say ‘I’ll wait until things get better’ but really this is the perfect time to do it,” she says.
Six participants of the winter 2021 intake of Starter Company Plus each received a $5,000 microgrant to help launch or expand their businesses. Clockwise from top left: E. Tristan Pulham (pictured) and Tyler O’Conner of Elemental Tree Care, Lia Gomez Lowe of Full Bloom Health, Mike Frampton of Tragically Dipped Donuts, Sandy Spremo and Scott D. Bain of the K9 Clipper, Fenna Renee Green of Daily Development, and Christine Jaros of VerminiX Pest Control Company. (Photos courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
Like the entrepreneurs it helps, the BAC has also changed the way it offers its services because of the pandemic — pivoting the Starter Company Plus program from an in-person model to a completely online one. According to Manion, the shift to a virtual model has resulted in some clear benefits.
“It has given us an opportunity to expand the offering and expand the training,” she says, noting the upcoming intake will be the third one held virtually.
“We’re able to bring in guest speakers and experts in their field. Having Zoom calls is a little bit more flexible for everyone. In terms of the information we’re able to share, we’re able to cover a lot more topics. We talk a lot more about digital marketing now than we did a year-and-a-half ago.”
Manion adds that the program now also includes a stress management and wellness aspect, “because entrepreneurs often don’t take care of themselves as well as they probably could, especially in the beginning stages because they’re trying to handle everything on their own.’
The pandemic has also led to a new focus for Starter Company Plus participants: resiliency and flexibility in their business models.
“When our last intake graduated in November, we thought everyone was going to run out and start their businesses — and then we ran into another lockdown,” Manion recalls. “A lot of those businesses have had to fall back on their business plans and find ways to continue going forward.”
Noting that between 30 and 50 applications are reviewed for each intake, Manion says those not accepted into Starter Company Plus are invited and encouraged to benefit from the other support services offered by the BAC.
Hillary Manion, the Entrepreneurship Officer at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre who leads the Starter Company Plus program. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development)
“Our team reaches out to every applicant,” Manion explains. “We are more than happy to work one-on-one with anyone who applies for the program.”
“Whether you are accepted into Starter Company Plus or not, you can still become a client of the Business Advisory Centre. Our services are free and confidential. A lot of the topics we cover in Starter Company Plus are also available in our live online workshops or through e-learning.”
On a personal level, Manion admits to becoming “very emotional” when she reflects on how Starter Company Plus has been a springboard to small business success for participants.
“I’m like a proud mama bear at the end of the program, especially when I see those participants who struggled with their 30-second elevator pitch on the first day become so confident and well spoken when delivering their business pitch at the end of the program,” she says.
“I grew up in a small business. My parents were entrepreneurs. I know there are so many people out there who would be strong entrepreneurs but just need that help to get going. If I can be part of the team who gives them that start, that’s very satisfying.”
For more information on Starter Company Plus and to apply for upcoming intakes when applications open, visit peterboroughed.ca/starter.
This story was created in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.
Here’s an update on COVID-19 cases in Ontario as well as in the greater Kawarthas region.
Ontario is reporting 2,170 new cases today, with triple-digit increases in 5 of Ontario’s 34 health units. The seven-day average of daily cases has decreased to 2,352 and the proportion of active cases continues to decline for the 28th day in a row.
Hospitalizations have increased, and the number of hospitalizations may actually be higher as more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for today’s report. Both the number of ICU patients and the number of patients on ventilators have decreased. Ontario is reporting only 4 deaths today, well below the seven-day average of 23, with no new deaths in long-term care homes.
In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 47 new cases to report (including 15 in Hastings Prince Edward, 12 in Northumberland, 9 in Peterborough, 9 in Kawartha Lakes, and 2 in Haliburton), with an additional 48 cases resolved and the number of active cases across the region remaining unchanged at 241. See below for details from each health unit in the region.
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Most of the new cases reported today are in Toronto (566), Peel (556), York (215), Durham (120), and Hamilton (101).
There are double-digit increases reported today in Halton (91), Ottawa (90), Waterloo (75), Simcoe Muskoka (59), Niagara (59), Windsor-Essex (32), Middlesex-London (30), Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (21), Porcupine (20), Peterborough (20), Brant (17), Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (16), Southwestern (13), Lambton (11), Eastern Ontario (10), and Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (10), with smaller increases in Sudbury (7) and Renfrew (7).
The remaining 11 health units are reporting 5 or fewer new cases, with 3 health units (Thunder Bay, Algoma, and Timiskaming) reporting no new cases at all.
Of today’s new cases, 61% are among people 39 and younger, with the highest number of cases (878) among people ages 20-39 followed by 598 cases among people ages 40-59 and 434 cases among people 19 and under.
With 2,953 more cases resolved since yesterday, the percentage of resolved cases has increased by 0.2% to at 93.3% — the 28th straight day the percentage of resolved cases has increased. The average positivity rate across Ontario has increased by 1.1% to 7.9%, meaning that 78 out of every 1,000 tests performed were positive for COVID-19 on May 16.
Ontario is reporting 4 new COVID-19 deaths today, with no new deaths in long-term care homes. Ontario has averaged 23 new daily deaths over the past week, a decrease of 2 from yesterday.
Hospitalizations have increased by 28 to 1,320, but more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for today’s report so the actual number of hospitalizations may be higher. The number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs has decreased by 6 to 779 and the number of patients with COVID-19 on ventilators has fallen by 16 to 536.
A total of 24,498 tests were completed yesterday, with the backlog of tests under investigation decreasing by 3,599 to 8,960.
A total of 7,177,145 doses of vaccine have now been administered, an increase of 112,330 from yesterday, and 432,760 people have been fully vaccinated with both doses of vaccine, an increase of 3,124 from yesterday.
The number of fully vaccinated people represents 2.94% of Ontario’s population, an increase of 0.02% from yesterday, with fully and partially vaccinated people representing 48.71% of the total population, an increase of 0.76% from yesterday. An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.
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In the greater Kawarthas region, there are 47 new cases to report, including 15 in Hastings Prince Edward, 12 in Northumberland, 9 in Peterborough, 9 in Kawartha Lakes, and 2 in Haliburton.
There is 1 new hospitalization in Kawartha Lakes.
There are 39 new regional cases of variants of concern, including 12 in Peterborough, 10 in Kawartha Lakes, 8 in Hastings Prince Edward, 6 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton.
An additional 48 cases have been resolved, including 16 in Kawartha Lakes, 12 in Peterborough, 9 in Northumberland, 7 in Hastings Prince Edward, and 4 in Haliburton.
There are currently 241 active cases in the greater Kawarthas region (no net change from yesterday), including 103 in Peterborough, 62 in Hastings Prince Edward (15 in Quinte West, 21 in Belleville, 2 in Tyendinaga & Deseronto, 5 in Prince Edward County, 16 in Central Hastings, and 3 in North Hastings), 36 in Kawartha Lakes, 32 in Northumberland, and 8 in Haliburton.
Since the pandemic began in the greater Kawarthas region, there have been 1,395 confirmed positive cases in the Peterborough area (1,274 resolved with 18 deaths), 823 in the City of Kawartha Lakes (744 resolved with 56 deaths), 881 in Northumberland County (833 resolved with 16 deaths), 119 in Haliburton County (110 resolved with 1 death), and 1,067 in Hastings and Prince Edward counties (995 resolved with 10 deaths). The most recent death was reported in Peterborough on May 16.
The provincial data in this report is pulled from Ontario’s integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) at 4 p.m. the previous day, as well as from systems in Toronto, Ottawa, and Middlesex-London at 2 p.m. the previous day. Data from local health units is more current and is usually reflected in the provincial data the following day. There may be discrepancies between the Ontario data reported today (which is from yesterday) and the local health unit data reported today (which is from today).
Peterborough Public Health’s service area is the City and County of Peterborough and the Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.
The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 1,395 (increase of 8)* Total variants of concern cases: 570 (increase of 12) Active cases: 103 (decrease of 4) Close contacts: 315 (increase of 22) Deaths: 18 (no change) Resolved: 1,274 (increase of 12) Hospitalizations (total to date): 61 (no change)** ICU admissions (total to date): 13 (no change) Total tests completed: Over 51,500 (increase of 200) Total vaccine doses administered (residents and non-residents): 66,045 (increase of 5,618 as of May 14) Number of residents who have received first dose: 60,524 Number of residents fully vaccinated: 4,575 (increase of 154 as of May 14) Outbreaks: Unidentified congregate living facility #3 in Peterborough, Helping Hands Day Care in Peterborough County, Unidentified workplace #9 in Peterborough County (no change)
*The health unit is reporting 9 new cases in the last 24 hours. The total case count has increased by 8 because 1 case has been removed from a previous day.
**As of May 17, Peterborough Regional Health Centre is reporting 12 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change) and a total of 73 patients transferred from other areas as a result of a provincial directive (no change).
Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s service area is the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
The health unit provides reports from Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and statutory holidays. As the health unit does not issue a report on Sundays, these numbers are for both May 16 and 17.
Confirmed positive: 1,823, including 823 in Kawartha Lakes, 881 in Northumberland, and 119 in Haliburton (increase of 23, including 9 in Kawartha Lakes, 12 in Northumberland, and 2 in Haliburton)* Total variants of concern cases: 522, including 210 in Kawartha Lakes, 279 in Northumberland, and 33 in Haliburton (increase of 19, including 10 in Kawartha Lakes, 6 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton) Active cases: 76, including 36 in Kawartha Lakes, 32 in Northumberland, and 8 in Haliburton (net decrease of 5) Probable cases: 3, including 2 in Kawartha Lakes and 1 in Northumberland (decrease of 3 in Kawartha Lakes) Hospitalizations (total to date): 67, including 36 in Kawartha Lakes, 29 in Northumberland, and 3 in Haliburton (increase of 1 in Kawartha Lakes)** Deaths (including among probable cases): 73, including 56 in Kawartha Lakes, 16 in Northumberland, and 1 in Haliburton (no change) Resolved: 1,687, including 744 in Kawartha Lakes, 833 in Northumberland, and 110 in Haliburton (increase of 29, including 16 in Kawartha Lakes, 9 in Northumberland, and 4 in Haliburton) Tests completed: 184,448 Vaccine doses administered to residents: 85,785 (increase of 6,353 as of May 17) Number of residents fully vaccinated: 4,877 (increase of 415 as of May 17) Outbreaks: Staples and Swain Law Office in Lindsay, OPP Offender Transport Lindsay, Dairy Queen in Lindsay (no change)
*The health unit states that total counts and counts for individual counties may fluctuate from previously reported counts as cases are transferred to or from the health unit based on case investigation details and routine data cleaning.
**As of May 17, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay reports 6 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (no change).
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health’s service area is Hastings County (including Bancroft) and Prince Edward County.
The health unit provides daily reports, including on weekends, excluding statutory holidays.
Confirmed positive: 1,067 (increase of 15) Confirmed variants of concern cases: 424 (increase of 8) Active cases: 62 (increase of 9) Deaths: 10 (no change) Currently hospitalized: 14 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU: 6 (no change) Currently hospitalized and in ICU on ventilator: 5 (no change) Resolved: 995 (increase of 6) Tests completed: 139,595 (no change) Vaccine doses administered: 73,234 (no change) Number of people fully vaccinated: 5,756 (no change) Outbreaks: Quinte 5 at QHC Belleville General Hospital, ICU of QHC Belleville General Hospital, Unidentified child care facility in Belleville, Unidentified workplace in Belleville, Unidentified workplace in Central Hastings, Community outbreak in Hastings Highlands in North Hastings (no change)
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Province of Ontario
Confirmed positive: 511,486 (increase of 2,170) COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC) cases: 108,801 of B.1.1.7 UK variant (increase of 1,260); 679 of B.1.351 South Africa variant (increase of 2); 2,021 of P.1 Brazilian variant (increase of 38) VOC R(t): 0.87 (decrease of 0.05 as May 8)* 7-day average of daily new cases: 2,352 (decrease of 78) Positivity rate: 7.9% (increase of 1.1%) Resolved: 477,128 (increase of 2,953), 93.3% of all cases (increase of 0.2%) Hospitalizations: 1,320 (increase of 28)** Hospitalizations in ICU: 779 (decrease of 6) Hospitalizations in ICU on ventilator: 536 (decrease of 16) Deaths: 8,489 (increase of 4) 7-day average of daily new deaths: 23 (decrease of 2) Deaths of residents in long-term care homes: 3,939 (no change) Total tests completed: 14,795,044 (increase of 24,498) Tests under investigation: 8,960 (decrease of 3,599) Vaccination doses administered: 7,177,145 (increase of 112,330), 48.71% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.76%)*** People fully vaccinated (two doses): 432,760 (increase of 3,124), 2.94% of Ontario’s population (increase of 0.02%)***
*R(t) is a virus’s effective reproduction number, which is the average number of new infections caused by a single infected individual at a specific time (t) in a partially immunized population. To successfully eliminate a disease from a population, R(t) needs to be less than 1.
**The number of hospitalizations may actually be higher as more than 10% of hospitals did not submit data for today’s report.
***An estimated 70-90% of the population must be immunized to achieve herd immunity.
COVID-19 cases in Ontario from April 16 – May 16, 2021. The red line is the number of new cases reported daily, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of new cases. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 tests completed in Ontario from April 16 – May 16, 2021. The red line is the daily number of tests completed, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of tests completed. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Ontario from April 16 – May 16, 2021. The red line is the daily number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of hospitalizations, the purple line is the daily number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs, and the dotted orange line is a five-day rolling average of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 deaths in Ontario from April 16 – May 16, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily deaths, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily deaths. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Ontario from April 16 – May 16, 2021. The red line is the cumulative number of daily doses administered, and the dotted green line is a five-day rolling average of daily doses. (Graphic: kawarthaNOW.com)
Police are continuing their search for a 68-year-old Ajax resident who went missing on Mink Lake in Hastings Highlands on Sunday night (May 16).
Shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Bancroft OPP responded to a report of an unoccupied boat circling on Mink Lake, located around 30 kilometres north of Bancroft.
Bancroft OPP, including an OPP helicopter, and Hastings Highlands Fire Department conducted a search of the area but the person was not located.
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Police are continuing their search on Monday, joined by the OPP Underwater Search and Recover Team.
Last Wednesday (May 13), Haliburton Highlands OPP reported the death of a 63-year-old woman after a possible drowning in Loon Lake, about 12 kilometres southwest of the town of Haliburton in Haliburton County.
The original version of this story identified the missing Ajax resident as a woman. Police did not supply the gender of the missing person.
The Ontario government has announced it is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to those 18 years and older in 2021 as of Tuesday morning (May 18) — a week ahead of schedule.
As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, individuals aged 18 and over in 2021 across Ontario will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system at ontario.ca/bookvaccine and the call centre at at 1-833-943-3900.
Originally, those 30 years and older were going to become eligible the week of May 17, with those 18 years and older the following week.
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The government says it decided to expand eligibility earlier than planned because 2.2 million doses are scheduled to arrive this week, including doses originally scheduled for next week that are arriving early to accommodate the Victoria Day long weekend.
Youth who are currently 17 years old but turn 18 in 2021 will only be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, as it is the only COVID-19 vaccine Health Canada has authorized for use in those aged 12 to 17.
As the Pfizer vaccine may not be available at all mass immunization clinics, the provincial booking system will note which clinics are not offering vaccines for those who are 17 years old.
For youth 12 to 17 years of age, individual public health units may choose to also offer the Pfizer vaccine to them in pop-up and mobile clinics, as well as for walk-in appointments. This will include First Nations, Inuit and Métis clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine.
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The province also says it is continuing to work with public health units, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and boards of education to ensure all Ontario youth between 12 and 17 years of age will be eligible to book an appointment through the provincial booking system for their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine beginning the week of May 31.
Eligible family members of youth between 12 and 17 who have not yet received a vaccine will also be eligible to book an appointment.
More than 55 per cent of Ontario’s population aged 18 and over have now received at least one dose and more than 432,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including 96 per cent of long-term care residents.
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