businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.

This week’s business and organizational news includes the merger of Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres of Stratford and G. Stewart Travel Services of Peterborough, Neo Rare Metals expanding operations at its Peterborough plant, the passing of long-time Lindsay businessman Dominic Fox, local entrepreneur Joanne Ilaqua and bestselling author Ann Douglas launching a virtual book club for moms, and Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation seeking an executive director.

Also featured this week are Tim Tatchell of Kawartha Lakes OPP announced as the 2019-20 campaign chair for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough KIA donating $5,000 to the YMCA of Central East Ontario’s Strong Kids Campaign, the expansion of Euphoria Caffé in downtown Peterborough, and Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough revamping its website and expanding online ordering options.

New regional business events added this week include the Innovation Cluster hosting a stress and burnout workshop in Peterborough on August 21st, Cleantech Commons hosting the inaugural New Frontiers Speaker Series in Peterborough on August 22nd with a talk about container housing, the Peterborough Chamber hosting its next PBX at Loomex Group in Peterborough on September 3rd, the Lindsay Chamber hosting its Fall Golf Classic Tournament in Lindsay on September 5th, the Bobcaygeon Chamber hosting its next Coffee Connection networking event in Bobcaygeon on September 9th, and a substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11th.

Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres of Stratford and G. Stewart Travel Services of Peterborough are merging

Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres Inc. of Stratford and G. Stewart Travel Services Ltd. of Peterborough, both under the Carlson Wagonlit Travel brand, are merging effective September 1, 2019.

Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres co-owners and VPs Barry (Sam) Blowes and Rob Blowes and G. Stewart Travel Services owner and president Scott Stewart and general manager Dana Empey made the announcement last Thursday (August 15).

Both businesses are family owned, with Blowes Travel and Cruise Centres in operation for over 70 years and G. Stewart Travel Services Ltd. in operation for over 45 years.

The new company name is Blowes & Stewart Travel Group Ltd.

“You can continue to expect the high standards of customer service, focus, and dedication you have come to expect from us,” says Sam Blowes. “Our incredible team across our Ontario network is here to continue to make dreams happen.”

The new corporation will have 11 brick and mortar retail offices, 34 home offices, a group tour division, a conference and events division, and a wholesale division, with more than 90 employees in total.

“Our travel advisors or dream makers are our greatest asset and by combining them, it gives us a strong, efficient team ready for our long-term strategy,” Empey says.

The integration of the two businesses as Blowes & Stewart Travel Group Ltd. will take place over the coming weeks and, according to the new company, will be seamless for customers and suppliers.

Neo Rare Metals expanding operations at its Peterborough plant

Toronto-based international company Neo Performance Materials is expanding its operations in Peterborough at 625 Neal Drive.

The company, which manufactures rare earth and rare metal-based functional materials, announced the expansion in its second quarter report on August 12, 2019.

Neo Rare Metals (NRM), a business segment of the company, has been operating two rare-earth-recovery production facilities in Peterborough and Utah, which it acquired in 2009 from Recapture Metals Limited.

With the closure of the Utah plant in June 2019, “a substantial portion of NRM Utah’s business will be transferred to the segment’s operation in Peterborough, Ontario, which already houses the balance of the gallium business”, the report states.

NRM produces, reclaims, refines and markets high-value niche metals and their compounds that include gallium, indium, rhenium, tantalum, and niobium. These products are used in a variety of end use applications ranging from wireless technologies, LED lighting and flat panel displays to turbine, solar, steel additives, and electronic applications, among others.

Neo Performance Materials expects to complete the transfer and closure activities in the first half of 2020, according to the report.

Long-time Lindsay businessman Dominic Fox passes away

Long-time Lindsay businessman Dominic “Dom” Fox passed away at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay last Saturday (August 17).

The Lindsay native was best known as the owner and operator of the Canadian Tire franchise in Lindsay, which he opened in 1972 after operating one in Goderich in the 1960s. Fox’s son John took over operations of the store several years ago.

Fox was also an active volunteer in the Lindsay community, serving as president and director with the Rotary Club of Lindsay and as campaign chair and board member of the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

He also served as chair of the Ross Memorial Hospital board and as a member of the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation.

In 2017, he was awarded the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award by the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce.

Fox is survived by his wife Betty, his children Monica, John, and Greg, and by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitations take place at Celebrations (35 Lindsay St. N., Lindsay) from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21st and on Thursday August 22nd. Mass of Christian Burial takes place from St. Mary’s Catholic Church (40 Russell St. E., Lindsay) at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 23rd. Interment will take place at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Downeyville at a later date.

Local entrepreneur Joanne Ilaqua and bestselling author Ann Douglas team up to launch virtual book club for moms

Joanne Ilaqua, founder and president of Mamasoup Inc. and creator of the Mamasoup app, and Ann Douglas, bestselling parenting book author and weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio, are teaming up to co-host a free four-week virtual book club for other moms.

The virtual book club, which will focus on Douglas’ latest book Happy Parents Happy Kids, will launch with a Facebook Live event from 8 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 8th.

Following the live event, book club members will have the opportunity to participate in an intimate conversation in a private online discussion space hosted by Mamasoup over the following four weeks.

For more information and to sign up, visit tinyurl.com/mamasoupbookclub.

Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation seeking executive director

Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (KLCFDC) is seeking an executive director.

KLCFDC (189 Kent St. W., Suite 211, Lindsay) provides small business counselling, community economic development activities, grants and contribution programs, and investments in local businesses through its lending programs.

The executive director reports to a local volunteer board of directors and works with a professional staff of three.

The closing date for applications is September 14, 2019. For more information and to apply, visit www.localwork.ca/job/305904/executive-director/.

Tim Tatchell of Kawartha Lakes OPP is 2019-20 campaign chair for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes

The United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has announced that Inspector Tim Tatchell, Commander for the City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police, is the 2019-20 campaign chair.

“I am excited to take on the role of Campaign Chair and work with the staff at the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes during their 2019-2020 campaign,” Tatchell says.

“Having returned to the Kawartha Lakes in the past year as the Detachment Commander of your local OPP detachment, I look forward to meeting the different community members that actively support the United Way at the many workplace and community events throughout the upcoming year.”

A kick-off event for the 2019-20 campaign takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Smitty’s Restaurant (370 Kent St. W. #70, Lindsay). Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at the United Way office at 50 Mary Street West in Lindsay, or reserved by calling 705-878-5081 or emailing communityinvestment@ckl.unitedway.ca.

Peterborough KIA donates $5,000 to the YMCA of Central East Ontario’s Strong Kids Campaign

Last Thursday (August 15), Peterborough KIA owner Paul Seminara presented a cheque for $5,000 to the YMCA of Central East Ontario for its Strong Kids Campaign.

The funds were raised during July, when Peterborough KIA (238 Lansdowne S. E., Peterborough) pledged to donate $100 from every car sold during the month.

“I chose YMCA Strong Kids because I knew firsthand how important it is to have a place where kids can go and be active and maybe find a mentor,” Seminara says. “I went as a young boy and now my kids go to the YMCA for all the different activities they offer. Being able to participate in recreational activities is an important part of the childhood experience.”

The YMCA Strong Kids program removes barriers to participation for families who lack financial resources by providing the opportunity for their children to have life-changing experiences in a place where they feel they belong, where they can learn new skills, make new friends, build confidence, feel safe, where everyone is welcome and treated fairly.

The goal for the Strong Kids Campaign is $282,000. To donate, visit ymcaofceo.ca/how-you-can-give/.

Euphoria Caffé in downtown Peterborough expands

Euphoria Caffé, located just inside Euphoria Wellness Spa at 290 Water Street in downtown Peterborough, has expanded with additional seating.

The Italian-inspired cafe serves Starbucks beverages, fresh gelato, locally baked goods, and healthy snacks.

Euphoria Caffé is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough revamps its website and expands online ordering options

Wild Rock Outfitters (169 Charlotte St., Peterborough) has revamped its website and expanded online ordering options through a partnership with U.S.-based online-to-offline shopping platform Locally.

You can now visit www.wildrock.net to browse and purchase from more than 1,200 products. You can then stop in at the Wild Rock store to pick up your purchase.

The Wild Rock website is also now easier to navigate, provides more information about Wild Rock’s services, and offers an expanded selection of tips, advice, and stories in “The Journal” blog section.

Innovation Cluster hosts stress and burnout workshop in Peterborough on August 21

The Innovation Cluster’s next workshop for entrepreneurs to practice mindfulness takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21st on the ground floor boardroom of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough)

“Hands-ON: Managing Stress & Burnout” will be led by Ryan Smith from Legendary Coaching, who will talk you through managing stress and burnout as an entrepreneur.

The workshop is free, but you must reserve your spot at www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-maintaining-mindfulness-as-an-entrepreneur-20-burnout-workshop-tickets-64324807230.

Trent-Severn Trail Town program launches in Campbellford on August 22

Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RT08) will be launching Canada’s first waterway “Trail Town” program at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 22nd at Trent-Severn Waterway Locks 11-12 (15 Trent Dr., Campbellford).

The Trent-Severn Trail Town program celebrates the Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawarthas Northumberland region, while supporting small businesses along the waterway and sustainably building tourism. The program will connect communities, foster pride of place, embrace visitors, and elevate the region.

Participating communities to date are Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale.

Stay tuned for coverage by kawarthaNOW.com on launch day.

Comfort Keepers Peterborough hosts its grand opening in Peterborough on August 22

Comfort Keepers Peterborough will be hosting a grand opening from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 22nd at Peterborough Business Hub (398 McDonnel St., Peterborough).

Corey and Alyssa Rowe are the owners of the local franchise, which offers senior care, dementia/Alzheimer care, personal care and grooming, meal preparation, transportation services, palliative and end-of-life care, new mother services, brain injury support, post-surgery or car accident support, and more.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and light refreshments will be available.

For more information on Comfort Keepers Peterborough, visit www.comfortkeepers.ca/peterborough/.

Cleantech Commons hosts inaugural New Frontiers Speaker Series in Peterborough on August 22

Cleantech Commons, in partnership with Eco Innovations Inc., is hosting the inaugural New Frontiers Speaker Series talk from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 22nd at Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront (150 George St N., Peterborough).

Keith Dewey, the owner of British Columbia-based Zigloo Studio Inc., will speak on the topic “Container Housing: Thinking Inside the Box”.

The event is free and light refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/cleantech-commons-new-frontiers-speaker-series-tickets-69763826483.

Bancroft Chamber hosting Mineral Collecting Tours now until August 31

The Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting Mineral Collecting Tours now until Saturday, August 31st at various locations in Hastings County.

Registration is held at 9 a.m. at the Chamber office (51 Hastings St. N., Bancroft) on the day of each tour, with tours departing at 9:30 a.m. The tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with each tour lasting around five hours.

Participants are responsible for their own equipment (mandatory safety glasses and closed-in footwear and rockhounding equipment) and transportation. The cost is $17 for adults, $12 for youth aged 16 and under, or $50 for a family of up to five people. Additional fees are required for specific sites.

For a tour schedule and more information, visit www.bancroftdistrict.com/bancroft-nature-discovery-tours/.

Peterborough Chamber hosts PBX at Loomex Group in Peterborough on September 3

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd at the Loomex Group (925 Airport Rd., Unit 550, Peterborough)

All are invited to attend the free networking event.

For more information, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.

Lindsay Chamber and Ouellet Connection host Fall Golf Classic Tournament in Lindsay on September 5

The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce and Ouellet Connection Inc. are hosting their Fall Golf Classic Tournament from 12 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 5th at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club (282 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay).

Registration is at 12 p.m. with tee-off at 1 p.m.

The cost is $125 per person, which includes a BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf, golf cart, dinner, and a swag bag. There will be prizes for women’s and men’s closest and longest drive and most honest and winning team, with putting and chipping contests.

For more information and to register, visit lindsaychamber.com/event-3444786

Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Coffee Connection networking event in Bobcaygeon on September 9

The Bobcaygeon and Area Chamber of Commerce’s next Chamber Coffee Connection networking event takes place from 8 to 9 a.m. on Monday, September 9th at Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence (60 West St., Bobcaygeon).

Enjoy a coffee and get to know your fellow Chamber members. Non-members are welcome.

Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts The Breakfast Club in Dysart et al on September 10

The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at Abbey Retreat Centre (1150 Garden Gate Dr., Dysart et al).

The guest speaker is John Purkis, senior associate with The Natural Step Canada, who will speak on the topic “Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Into Your Organization”. Purkis is a sustainability expert, facilitator, and systems change specialist who works with municipal governments and other organizations in Canada and around the world to implement sustainability into their operations and planning.

The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07eghi9i7db8ca279d.

Substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11

The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting an employer education information session about substance abuse and addiction from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at the Peterborough Chamber Of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).

The free information session will feature guest speaker Paul Schauber, the case management and intake program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peterborough location. He will be delivering a presentation that highlights best practices for employers to navigate the issue of substance abuse and addictions in the workplace.

A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).

Register at seventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-substance-abuse-addiction-information-session-tickets-68468550277.

Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours in Apsley on September 19

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th in Apsley.

More details will be provided closer to the event date.

For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.