Canadian playwright Kate Hennig's historical drama "The Last Wife" is about Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII of England in the 16th century. Peterborough icon Linda Kash will perform as Parr in New Stages Theatre Company's staged reading of the play at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on February 3, 2019. Peterborough actor Samuelle Weatherdon and Gemini award-winning actor Toronto actor Michael Riley are also among the cast. (Public domain)
On Sunday, February 3rd, New Stages Theatre Company presents its first Page on Stage performance of 2019 with a staged reading of Canadian playwright Kate Hennig’s historical drama The Last Wife at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.
New Stages Theatre Company presents The Last Wife
When: Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St. E, Peterborough) How much: $25 general admission ($15 students/arts workers/unwaged)
Written by Kate Hennig. A staged reading featuring Linda Kash as Katherine Parr, Michael Riley as Henry VIII, Samuelle Weatherdon as Bess (the young Elizabeth I), and more. Tickets available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.
A departure from New Stages’ usual contemporary pieces, often dealing with topical and sometimes sensitive subject matter, The Last Wife takes the audience to 16th-century England and centres around Katherine Parr, the last of the six wives of King Henry VIII, and her relationship with Henry’s daughters Mary and Elizabeth.
A story of intrigue and politics, The Last Wife deals with one woman’s battle for the rights of women in a society dominated by male patriarchy and includes Linda Kash as Katherine Parr, Michael Riley as King Henry VIII, and Samuelle Weatherdon as the young Elizabeth I.
“I love this period of history,” says New Stages artistic director Randy Read.
“But what I find most interesting about the play is how resonant it is today in terms of what women were dealing with. It is not very different from what women are dealing with today in terms of establishing themselves.”
Premiering in 2015 at the Stratford Festival, The Last Wife is the first in a trilogy of plays by Kate Hennig. The second play, The Virgin Trial, made its debut at Stratford in 2017 and the final play, titled Mother’s Daughter, is scheduled to make its debut at Stratford later this spring.
The Last Wife enjoyed a completely sold-out and extended run at Stratford, followed by a U.S. premiere at TimeLine Theatre in Chicago, and was later remounted at Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre.
Peterborough icon Linda Kash will perform as Katherine Parr in New Stages Theatre Company’s staged reading of Canadian playwright Kate Hennig’s historical drama “The Last Wife” at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on February 3, 2019. (Publicity photo)
The Last Wife revolves around Katherine Parr (1512-1548), the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII of England. She became notable for her campaign to not only have his daughters Mary and Elizabeth educated, but to also give them their succession to the throne despite the fact that Henry already had a male heir in his youngest child Edward.
“When Katherine Parr married King Henry, Edward was somewhere between eight or ten years old, Elizabeth was fourteen, and Mary was in her early twenties,” Randy explains.
“Katherine, who was a really smart woman, wanted to be sure that the girls were educated. Henry, as well as the rest of society, was not prepared to educate those girls because of women’s status in those days. Historically, Henry didn’t care much about the girls, because he had the son he always wanted when Edward was born.”
“The Last Wife” is the first of a trilogy of historical plays written by Stratford-based playwright Kate Hennig. The third play in the trilogy will be opening at the Stratford Festival later this spring. (Publicity photo)
Randy points out that Edward was a sickly child, but his father didn’t want to see it.
In the end, although Henry’s son was crowned Edward VI of England at the age of nine, Edward’s reign ended six years later when he died at the age of 15 from a terminal illness — when he was succeeded by his half-sister Mary, who became Mary I (also known as Mary Tudor), and five years later by Elizabeth, who became Elizabeth I (also known at The Virgin Queen).
“What Katherine Parr did was force Henry to give his daughters legal entitlement to the throne — first Mary and then Elizabeth. If Henry had not done that, then the girls would have gone elsewhere. Of course Elizabeth became, arguably, the greatest monarch in British history. But she would have not been ready for it, without what Katherine Parr did for her.”
The Last Wife is a departure from the traditional New Stages’ shows that have never delved into historical or costume dramas. However, despite being set in the 16th century, The Last Wife has been written as a contemporary piece for a modern audience.
“We think of ourselves as a contemporary theatre,” Randy says. “While this is a historical piece, it is done in contemporary dialogue. That’s very deliberate on the playwright’s part because she wants the audience to access to these characters.”
Randy emphasizes that audience members don’t need to know the history to enjoy the play.
“Most people do know Henry the VIII and Elizabeth I, and they are the big players. But what’s interesting is how the people around them were responsible for what happened for their success as well.”
Gemini award-winning actor Michael Riley speaking in 2015 at the Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television on how to become a successful actor. Riley will be performing at King Henry VIII in New Stages Theatre Company’s staged reading of Canadian playwright Kate Hennig’s historical drama “The Last Wife” at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on February 3, 2019. (Photo: Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Television)
Not only does The Last Wife bring Katherine Parr’s story to the forefront, it also creates very human portraits of historical figures who are so faded in time that sometimes it is easy to forget they were more than just storybook characters. The Last Wife allows these characters to live again in surprising and complex ways.
“In this play everyone is human,” Randy tells. “You get to see a young Elizabeth at fourteen with no idea of what will come ahead for her, and to have somebody protecting her and preparing her without knowing that that is what she is doing.
“We also delve into Mary’s feelings. Her parents seemed happy until Catherine of Aragon couldn’t bear Henry a son, so he just cast her aside. As the daughter, are you supposed to forget about that and move forward? You can’t. So there is animosity between her and Henry, but because he is the king and has power she has to walk a very fine line.”
Peterborough actor Samuelle Weatherdon will be performing as Bess (the young Elizabeth I) in New Stages Theatre Company’s staged reading of Canadian playwright Kate Hennig’s historical drama “The Last Wife” at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on February 3, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Samuelle Weatherdon)
Although Randy is still finalizing the majority of the cast at this writing, like many of his Page on Stage readings, he’s assembling a powerhouse cast of both local favourites and performers from the biggest stages in Ontario.
Confirmed for the role of Katherine Parr is local theatrical icon Linda Kash. A close collaborator with Randy in both his dramatic productions and other Page on Stage readings, Linda — with her own sense of strength and wisdom — is a perfect fit for Katherine Parr.
In the role of young Elizabeth is local performer Samuelle “Sam” Weatherdon making her Page on Stage debut. A familiar face in the Peterborough theatrical community through her appearances at 4th Line Theatre, The Theatre On King, and Planet 12 Productions, at age 13 Sam has become one of the most recognized and respected young actresses in Peterborough. The Last Wife is her return to New Stages following her performance as Rebecca Gibbs in Randy’s production of Our Town in 2017.
In the role of Henry VIII, New Stages welcomes back six-time Gemini award-winning actor Michael Riley. A familiar face on Canadian television, Michael is best known to audiences for his role as Brett Parker from Power Play, Elliott Sacks on This is Wonderland, and Dr. Tom on Being Erica.
New Stages’ Page on Stage presentations are consistently amongst the most powerful and thought-provoking evenings of theatre in the Kawarthas. The material Randy chooses is always smart and the packed audience always engaged and appreciative.
With no costumes or sets, staged readings are a very different way to watch theatre, but serve as a way to allow local audiences to see top talent perform in shows that might otherwise not get produced in Peterborough.
The Last Wife will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 3rd at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. General admission tickets are $25 ($15 for students, art workers, and the under waged) and are available in person at the Market Hall Box Office or by phone at 705-749-1146 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) or online anytime at markethall.org.
Rene Russo and Jake Gyllenhaal star in "Velvet Buzzsaw", a mind-bending thriller set in the contemporary art world scene of Los Angeles where big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce. The Netflix-produced film premieres on Netflix Canada on February 1, 2019. (Photo: Netflix Canada)
There are only 28 days in February, so that may explain why most of the new content on Netflix Canada in February consists of films and series produced by Netflix. Or maybe the streaming service is hoping to justify its recent price increase.
Regardless, if you’re looking for something that’s not produced by Netflix, you’ll have to settle for some older movies — most notably the final four Harry Potter films. The only recent film coming to Netflix Canada in February is Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, the critically acclaimed documentary on Fred Rogers.
New Netflix films premiering in February include Dear Ex and Velvet Buzzsaw (Feb. 1), El árbol de la sangre and High Flying Bird (Feb. 8), The Breaker Upperers and Yucatan (Feb. 15), The Drug King (Feb. 21), and Firebrand, Paddleton, Paris Is Us (Paris est à nous), and The Photographer of Mauthausen (Feb. 22).
VIDEO: “Velvet Buzzsaw” Trailer
New Netflix original series include: Free Rein: Valentine’s Day, Nightflyers, Russian Doll, and Siempre bruja (Feb. 1); Romance is a Bonus Book (streaming every Saturday starting Feb. 2); Nailed It! México, ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke, and Unauthorized Living (Feb. 8); Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan Cuisine (Feb. 11); Dating Around and Dirty John (Feb. 14); Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy and The Umbrella Academy (Feb. 15); and GO! Vive a tu manera (Feb. 22).
Returning series include: season two of Bordertown (Feb. 2); season eight of Shameless (Feb. 5); season three of One Day at a Time and season two The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants (Feb. 8); season two of The Break (Feb. 9); volume two of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (every Sunday starting Feb. 10); season two of The Dragon Prince (Feb. 15); season two of Gomorrah (Feb. 21); volume six of Chef’s Table, season two of Rebellion, season two of Suburra, and season two of The Big Family Cooking Showdow (all on Feb. 22); season three of Van Helsing (Feb. 25); and season three of PAW Patrol (Feb. 28).
Comedy specials include Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner (Feb. 5), Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History (Feb. 8), and Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho (Feb 14).
VIDEO: New to Netflix Canada in February
The only recent movie premiering on Netflix Canada in February is the Fred Rogers’ documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Feb. 1).
New older movies coming to the streaming platform include the Back to the Future franchise, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the final four Harry Potter films, Schindler’s List, Shrek, The Lego Batman Movie, and U-571 (all on Feb. 1), the Jaws franchise and The 40-Year-Old Vigin (Feb. 6), and The Departed and The Town (Feb. 15), and Kong: Skull Island (Feb. 20).
Here’s the complete list of everything coming to Netflix Canada in February, along with what’s leaving.
Friday, February 1st
Back to the Future
Back to the Future Part II
Back to the Future Part III
Dear Ex (Netflix Film) – When Sanlian’s ex-husband passes away, she discovers he has altered his insurance policy, cutting out their son in favor of a stranger named Jay. Outraged, Sanlian decides that she and her son will confront Jay, but Jay proves equal to her scheme. However, when her son unexpectedly moves in with Jay, she is forced to reassess her relationship with them both.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Free Rein: Valentine’s Day (Netflix Original) – Zoe and the gang plan a girls only Galantine’s adventure. But when they set out to find the mysterious Maid’s Stone it soon becomes clear they’re not the only ones on the trail. As they race against Pin and Marcus, Holloway, and a not-to-be-trusted Mia, the girls’ friendships are tested to the limits. And, with the end of the quest in sight, Zoe wonders if some things might be better left buried …
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Horrible Bosses
Nightflyers (Netflix Original) – With humankind’s future at stake, a group of scientists and a powerful telepath venture into the void aboard a spaceship full of secrets.
Nocturnal Animals
Russian Doll (Netflix Original) – Russian Doll follows a young woman named Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) on her journey as the guest of honor at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York City.
Schindler’s List
Shrek
Siempre bruja (Netflix Original) – Siempre bruja follows 18 year old Carmen, a Colombian slave and witch from the 17th century who, in a desperate attempt to save her loved one, travels in time to present day Cartagena. Navigating the waters of this exciting new world, Carmen will soon discover that once a witch, always a witch.
Snow White & the Huntsman
The Lego Batman Movie
The Road to El Dorado
U-571
Velvet Buzzsaw (Netflix Film) – Velvet Buzzsaw is a satirical thriller set in the contemporary art world scene of Los Angeles where big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Saturday, February 2nd
Bordertown: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – Past and present collide in dizzying ways for Kari Sorjonen and his colleague Lena as they investigate murders and other crimes with links to Russia.
Romance is a Bonus Book (Netflix Original, streaming every Saturday) – A gifted writer who’s the youngest editor-in-chief ever at his publishing company gets enmeshed in the life of a former copywriter desperate for a job.
Sunday, February 3rd
Sing
Tuesday, February 5
Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner (Netflix Original) – 23 years after his last stand-up special, comedian, screenwriter, and Emmy Award-winning actor Ray Romano debuts his first Netflix comedy special, Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner. Performing two sets on the same night – one at Manhattan’s Comedy Cellar and the second at the Village Underground, literally around the corner – Romano advises on choosing friends, surviving marriage, and knowing the difference between being old and not being young. The comedy special will launch globally on Netflix February 5th.
Shameless: Season 8
Wednesday, February 6th
Battleship
Jaws
Jaws 2
Jaws 3
Jaws: The Revenge
Leap Year
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Friday, February 8th
Nailed It! México (Netflix Original) – The fun, fondant and hilarious cake fails head to Mexico, where very amateur bakers compete to re-create elaborate sweet treats for a cash prize.
El árbol de la sangre (Netflix Film) – Marc (Álvaro Cervantes) and Rebeca (Úrsula Corberó) are a young couple who goes to an old farmhouse belonging to Marc’s family. There, they write the shared story of their roots, creating a large family tree that harbors 25 years of love, heartbreak, sex, madness, jealousy and infidelity… and under which lies a deep mystery that marked their lives. Over their days at the farmhouse, each one will reveal secrets from their past to the other, putting their own love story in danger.
High Flying Bird (Netflix Film) – In the midst of a pro basketball lockout, sports agent Ray Burke (André Holland) finds himself caught in the face-off between the league and the players. His career is on the line, but Ray is playing for higher stakes. With only 72 hours to pull off a daring plan, he outmaneuvers all the power-players as he uncovers a loophole that could change the game forever. The outcome raises questions of who owns the game – and who ought to. Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) from a script by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), HIGH FLYING BIRD features an acclaimed ensemble cast that includes Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, Sonja Sohn, Zachary Quinto, Kyle MacLachlan and Bill Duke, plus appearances from NBA athletes Reggie Jackson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell.
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History (Netflix Original) – In this 1+ hour comedic special, Kevin Hart plays himself while discussing the fascinating contributions of lesser known individuals from Black history through the lens of various educational reenactments.
One Day at a Time: Season 3 (Netflix Original) – Penelope studies to become a nurse practitioner, Elena and Syd grow closer, Alex gets punished, Lydia tackles a bucket list, and Schneider falls in love.
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke (Netflix Original) – REMASTERED: A long form documentary series of high profile, in-depth stories about music’s impact on society, as told by critically acclaimed directors, with each episode revealing surprising insight beyond the expected or commonly known. SAM COOKE: Sam Cooke was the most influential black musician of the Civil Rights Movement and advocated for the rights of black musicians, frustrating the white establishment. An investigation into the circumstances and controversy surrounding his shooting death include theories that he had been robbed and “trick-rolled’ by a woman, later revealed to be a prostitute. But many believe in a larger societal set up; namely that he was targeted by music industry moguls with links to the mob who all wanted him dead for emerging as a totem for black musicians’ rights.
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – George and Harold have to keep their grades up to go to summer camp. But it’s a tall order with Melvin — and a cyborg Melvin — running the school!
Unauthorized Living (Netflix Original) – An influential Galician drug cartel leader must seek out his successor while keeping his degenerative disease a secret.
Saturday, February 9th
The Break: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – Yoann Peeters finds himself tangled in another disturbing murder case when his former psychiatrist asks for help proving a patient’s innocence.
Sunday, February 10th
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj: Volume 2 (Netflix Original, streaming every Sunday) – Hasan Minhaj’s informative and innovative comedy show returns with more deep dives into global politics and culture.
Monday, February 11th
Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan Cuisine (Netflix Original) – Delve into the delectably diverse world of Chinese cuisine and discover its regional variations and unique histories.
Thursday, February 14th
Dating Around (Netflix Original) – Every episode, one single goes on five first dates filled with flirty banter, awkward exchanges and moments of true connection. Who will get a second date? Netflix’s first original dating show takes an honest and compelling look at the real world of dating.
Dirty John (Netflix Original) – Anthology series’ first season tells the story of how a romance with the charismatic John Meehan spiraled into secrets, denial, manipulation and, ultimately, survival – with horrific consequences for an entire family.
Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho (Netflix Original) – Comedian, actor and former physician Ken Jeong returns to his stand-up roots for his first-ever Netflix comedy special, Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho. Filmed at the Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena, California, where Jeong first got his start in comedy, You Complete Me, Ho reflects on how Jeong went from being a doctor to a comedy superstar and opens up about how his wife’s courageous battle with breast cancer led to him starring in one of the biggest comedy franchises of all time, The Hangover. The special is directed and executive produced by Jon M. Chu, who also directed Jeong in the groundbreaking box office phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians. Den of Thieves produced the special with Executive Producers Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan Prager, Jared Morell, Jordan Barrow, and Brett Carducci.
Friday, February 15th
Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy (Netflix Original) – Legendary comedy writer and director Larry Charles travels the world in search of humor in the most unusual, unexpected and dangerous places.
The Breaker Upperers (Netflix Film) – Two women run a business breaking up couples for cash but when one develops a conscience their friendship unravels.
The Departed
The Dragon Prince: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – Rayla and the princes hurry toward Xadia with their precious cargo. But Claudia and Soren are close behind — and determined to stop them.
The Town
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix Original) – Reunited by their father’s death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets — and a looming threat to humanity.
Yucatan (Netflix Film) – Competing con artists attempt to creatively and ruthlessly swindle a fatherly lottery winner while on a lively cruise from Spain to Mexico.
Wednesday, February 20th
Kong: Skull Island
Thursday, February 21st
Gomorrah: Season 2
The Drug King (Netflix Film)
Friday, February 22nd
Chef’s Table: Volume 6 (Netflix Original) – A renowned Italian butcher, an Indian chef in London and two stars of Southern U.S. cuisine share their culinary journeys.
Firebrand (Netflix Film) – A contemporary story about relationships and the highs and lows people deal with in their lives
GO! Vive a tu manera (Netflix Original) – Fiercely talented Mia receives a scholarship to a prestigious dance academy, where she soon clashes with the owner’s fashionable and popular daughter.
Paddleton (Netflix Film) – An unlikely bromance between two misfit neighbors becomes an unexpectedly emotional journey when the younger man is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Paris Is Us (Paris est à nous) (Netflix Film) – Dreams and reality collide as a young woman navigates a tumultuous relationship amid rising social tensions, protests and tragedies in Paris.
Rebellion: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – As the conflict between the British government and the revolutionary Dáil rages, personal connections cloud allegiances for participants on both sides.
Suburra: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – As the fight for land, money and power intensifies, young upstarts Aureliano, Spadino and Lele conspire to seize control of Rome’s criminal underworld.
The Big Family Cooking Showdown: Season 2 (Netflix Original) – The competition continues as 16 more foodie families put their cooking skills to the test to impress new judges Angellica Bell and Tommy Banks.
The Photographer of Mauthausen (Netflix Film) – Imprisoned at the concentration camp of Mauthausen during WWII, Catalan photographer Francesc Boix struggles to survive while saving other people and hiding film negatives that will later help incriminate Nazis.
Monday, February 25th
Van Helsing: Season 3 (Netflix Original) – Vanessa and Scarlet embark on a search for the four Elders whose totems can raise the Dark One, while the new threat of vampire daywalkers grows.
Tuesday, February 26th
Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments: Season 3B (Netflix Original) – The saga of Clary Fray and her adventures with angels, demons, vampires and werewolves wraps up in a surprising, thrilling series conclusion.
The Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) wants residents in the City and County of Peterborough who don’t have a local family doctor to know there’s a new local wait list available.
There are currently around 6,500 residents who either don’t have a local health care provider, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or whose family doctor is located outside of the Peterborough area.
Around five months ago, PFHT created a new process to connect these residents to local health care providers. However, so far the number of people on this local list doesn’t add up to the number of residents needing a local doctor, so PFHT is concerned people may be confusing this local list with the provincial “Health Care Connect” wait list.
To get placed on the local wait list, complete the online form at www.peterboroughfht.com/need-a-doctor. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can call the Peterborough Virtual Care Clinic at 705-536-0882 (for residents of the City of Peterborough) or the PFHT Clinic at 705-651-4866 (for residents of the County of Peterborough).
PFHT uses the local wait list to connect residents without a local family doctor to new family doctors once they join the community. The list also helps PFHT to recruit new family doctors who are interested in receiving a roster of patients.
“For years we’ve strived to recruit new physicians to our great community, yet we continue to have thousands of people without a family doctor,” says PFHT executive director Lori Richey. “When taking a step back to see the bigger picture, we noticed a pattern. Many new doctors prefer taking over a retiring doctor’s practice. If new doctors are looking for an established roster of patients, then we will give it to them.”
Those who are on the local wait list for a new family doctor and who require care will be able to access the Peterborough Virtual Care Clinic and PFHT Clinic. The clinics will provide patients with comprehensive care and create a medical record to give to their new family doctor once connected.
PRHT is also encouraging people who feel they may not need a family doctor because they’re healthy to get on the local wait list.
“You never know what your future holds for your health,” Richey says. “It’s best to have your medical home in place, should anything happen.”
Patients who are now temporarily connected to the Peterborough Virtual Care Clinic and PFHT Clinic are also able to attend the many PFHTs programs, services, and workshops such as Mindfulness, Craving Change, and much more.
Catia Skinner, chair of the 2019 Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition steering committee, announcing the details of the Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition in the lobby at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough on January 22, 2019. Unlike previous years, this year's competition will include a cash-only prize of $8,000 for each of the two winners, and $1,000 for four runners-up. The application deadline for the 2019 competition is February 26th. (Photo: Paula Kehoe)
When one puts his or her best foot forward, it’s an indication he or she is embarking on a journey, or undertaking a task, with purpose and enthusiasm.
For a ninth year, the Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition will celebrate those who have done just and now want to take their business venture to the next level.
On Tuesday (January 22) in the lobby of VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough, details of the annual competition for cash prizes were revealed by Catia Skinner, chair of the Bears’ Lair steering committee.
2019 Bears’ Lair Key Dates
Orientation Session – Tuesday, January 29, 5 p.m., at VentureNorth
Application Deadline – Tuesday, February 26, 11:59 p.m.
Semi-Finalists Announced – Tuesday, March 12
Semi-Finalists Showcased – Tuesday, March 26 at The Venue
The Final Pitch – Tuesday, April 30 at The Venue
She also formally announced the opening of the application process that will lead to six finalists pitching their business, and their vision and plan for its growth, before a panel of judges on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at The Venue.
“It’s a great way to highlight our entrepreneurial focus and that Peterborough and the Kawarthas is a great place to start a business and to grow a business,” said Skinner, the owner and of Mega Experience marketing agency who has been on the committee for three years but is serving as its chair for the first time.
“I moved from Brazil to Peterborough because of a job opportunity. After working for several years, I really felt I had the opportunity start a business and become an entrepreneur. Peterborough offers all the resources and all the support you need. We have amazing community partners and organizations offering mentorship and financial support — all the resources you need.”
Applications for the Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition are available online at www.bearslairptbo.ca and are due Tuesday, February 26th by 11:59 p.m.
For those on the fence about applying, an orientation session planned for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29th at VentureNorth will provide more information.
As the first step in the application process, each applicant is required to post a photograph to the Bears’ Lair Facebook page that represents their business. Also required is a business plan, due February 26th, that outlines the next steps for the business.
VIDEO: 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition
To be eligible for the competition, entrepreneurs must have a registered business — incorporated, sole proprietor, or partnership — with annual sales under $200,000 and be able to undertake the ‘pitched’ work within the next 12 months.
Startup or pre-sales businesses must exhibit a meaningful investment of time, equipment, money or research and development while existing businesses must show a significant move towards a new product, service or market, or the commercialization of intellectual property.
On Tuesday, March 12th, the competition’s semi-finalists will be announced, each of whom will be showcased at a public event on Tuesday, March 26th at The Venue.
That’s the precursor to the big event that will see the finalists judged in two category streams: Goods and Services (for businesses creating and selling products or delivering a type of service) and Innovation (for businesses focused on technology, innovation and ideas, such as a new program or process). Each presentation will be scored based on innovation, commercialization, diversification, business plan quality, and the benefits to the local economy.
Up for grabs, besides the ultimate in bragging rights, is a total cash pay-out of $20,000, with each of the winners in the two category streams receiving $8,000 with the runners-up receiving $1,000 each. This is a departure from past competitions which saw gifts-in-kind make up part of the prize package.
“It (cash) is really what they need at this stage of their business … we really encourage sponsorship because that’s how we’re going to raise the money,” said Skinner, noting those interested in sponsoring can contact her at catia@megaexperience.ca or 705-243-6989.
Rhonda Keenan, president and CEO of presenting sponsor Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, says another benefit of the Bears’ Lair compeitition is that it introduces new entrepreneurs to the business support and funding available in the community from local organizations, including the other presenting sponsors Community Futures Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster, and the Peterborough Region Angel Network. (Photo: Paula Kehoe)
Presenting sponsors the 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition are Community Futures Peterborough, Innovation Cluster, Peterborough Region Angel Network, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, and Mega Experience. In addition, kawarthaNOW.com is the media sponsor.
“Similarly how people say it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to build entrepreneurs,” said Rhonda Keenan, president and CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.
“What is so nice about this competition that we’re able to not only highlight our new up-and-coming entrepreneurs but we also introduce them to all the support systems that are available, whether it’s access to training or understanding how to get fundable. Our competitive advantage is we are able to do that in a small community. It is the envy of other communities.”
For more information on the 2019 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition and to get started on your application, visit www.bearslairptbo.ca.
The annual ReFrame Film Festival wouldn't happen without the passion and dedication of volunteers like Mbongeni "Mbo" Mtetwa. Not only is Mbo the vice-chair of ReFrame's Board, but he has also volunteered on the Collective for four years and worked as a festival coordinator for a year. He has been a projectionist for the festival at Market Hall for his entire five years with the festival. This year's festival runs from January 24 to 27, 2019 in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
Volunteers are at the heart of ReFrame, the documentary film festival that wouldn’t have started without them. With the opening night launch of the 15th anniversary festival just days away, ReFrame volunteers — both experienced and green — gathered at Showplace this past Sunday (January 20) to get ready for the big weekend.
Ferne Cristall has been there since the beginning, as a volunteer on the Collective and the Programming Committee. She took a moment to reflect on how the festival has changed over the past 15 years.
“It started very small, with no funding and no structure — as an idea,” she recalls. “A few crazy people wanted to bring films to town and we started doing that through another festival, the Travelling World Community Festival.”
Since 2005, ReFrame has been lighting up the darkest time of year with the best social justice documentaries from across Canada and around the world. ReFrame’s goal is to foster meaningful connections between audiences, filmmakers and artists, community partners, and neighbours.
Initially supported by the Kawartha World Issues Centre, ReFrame became independent over time, developed its structures, developed the board and committees — all while planning operations with no staff. Eventually funding came through and they were able to hire one main person. Krista English, who was a founder, led the organization as executive director for 14 years.
A few of the volunteers at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough at the 2016 ReFrame Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
Now ReFrame employs three people, though not on permanent or full-time basis — yet. Amy Siegel was hired back in the summer of 2018 as the festival’s first Creative Director, alongside new Festival Director Jay Adam, who came on bpard during the festival last year.
This year, featuring over 70 films at three venues, with dozens of partners and sponsors, the running of the festival still depends on a dedicated team of volunteers. Collective and board members work year-round to ensure the festival runs smoothly. It takes months for Collective members and the Programming Committee to view and carefully select films, while board members raise funds and secure resources to ensure the future of the organization.
“I just want to say thank you to all of you who show up year after year and to those of you who work year-round,” board chair Julia Harrison said to the crowd gathered in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace on Sunday. “It’s also nice to see some new faces this year.”
Julie Otto is one of those new faces, volunteering at ReFrame for the first time this year. She has just moved back to Peterborough after working and living in the U.S. for 35 years. A documentary filmmaker herself, she saw the ReFrame flags on Water Street and reached out to get involved.
“It’s a good cause and I’m here to volunteer and meet people,” Julie says.
Her passion is documentary film and she’s really looking forward to “just to seeing everything! Every genre. Film and video bring things alive in a way that pictures can’t. It can move people and memory and emotion. I have a love of documentary films.”
VIDEO: Festival Volunteers — ReFrame 2019
Hoots and hollers filled the room on Sunday as volunteer coordinators Andrea Monos and Kathleen Shea Gehmair took to the podium to welcome the crowd to the 15th year of the festival. A short by Lester Alfonso played, showing every title to come with inspirational messages from ReFrame supporters and volunteers and the day’s orientation began.
Volunteers learned about their tasks, including:
ushering crowds in and out of theatres before and after every film
ensuring pass holders have first entry to the theatres before any rush seats are sold
helping audience members exchange their online receipts for their festival passes at Showplace
rotating shifts down to the fantastic food court in the lounge at Showplace
directing donors with their envelopes to lobby drop boxes
encouraging participation in audience surveys for critical feedback
helping sell raffle tickets that ensure financial footing for next year
and the list goes on.
“Now this is really amazing,” says Ferne, “so many volunteers and so many different kinds.”
For her and for Collective and Board members, “we become location managers — to troubleshoot and oversee what needs to be done and where everybody has to be.”
Volunteer organizers are hosting filmmakers, introducing films, running question and answer periods, directing audiences to panel discussions and events out in the community, and assisting sponsors to introduce films.
“A few crazy people wanted to bring films to town …” Ferne Cristall has been a volunteer with ReFrame Film Festival since the festival began 15 years ago. (Photo: Lester Alfonso)
For Ferne, getting to meet filmmakers and dig into films is what it’s all about. ReFrame captures the energy of people learning new things from talking to each other, hearing from panellists — everyone with the desire to improve the world.
“ReFrame is also a special model because of its sponsors and how they create community involvement,” she says. “Even if they don’t work on ReFrame, they feel like they are a part of it. They are a part of it.”
Ferne is looking forward to the screening of The Rest I Make Up. She said that it’s about a Cuban theatre person in New York who is learning to cope with dementia, working with a young filmmaker.
“It really gets you to think of the awareness of people who are learning to deal with dementia.”
Julie Otto is volunteering at ReFrame for the first time this year, while Tes Nasca began volunteering for ReFrame four years ago. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
Volunteer Tes Nasca took a moment to describe the VR (virtual reality) project Biidaaban: First Light that this year’s festival brings to festival pass holders.
“It’s a nine-minute, virtual reality experience of a futuristic Toronto where the lands have been reclaimed,” Tes explains. “It’s an example of Indigenous futurism.”
Nasca has been volunteering for ReFrame on the Collective and Programming Committee for four years, but has been coming to the festival for eight or nine years since arriving in town.
“It’s a really great way to bring people together at this cold time of year to learn and share and celebrate.”
Tes also recommends the film Gospel of Eureka, one that was a bit of a surprise this year. It’s a joyful film about a Bible Belt town in the U.S. that embraces both religious and drag pageantry.
ReFrame volunteer Tes Nasca recommends the documentary “Gospel of Eureka”, a joyful film about a Bible Belt town in the U.S. that embraces both religious and drag pageantry. (Photo: Wishbone Films)
Mbongeni Mtetwa (Mbo) is the vice-chair of the Board of Directors, but he also volunteered on the collective for four years and worked as a festival coordinator for a year. He has been a projectionist for the festival at Market Hall for his entire five years with the festival.
“I like it when people who sit in front of me recognize me and say ‘hey, you’re still here! Good to see you’re still here Mbo.’ You know where to find me because I’m always the projectionist at Market Hall.”
“I’ve tried not to look at the schedule this year,” Mbo says, because he’ll see all of the films at Market Hall. He’s looking forward to Youth Unstoppable on opening night because he will get to be with everybody.
“It’s always exciting to see youth come together,” he says. “People can grow up and become jaded; it’s nice when youth just do things because they haven’t grown up to be told that they can’t yet. I try to live my life this way.”
ReFrame volunteer coordinators Andrea Monos and Kathleen Shea Gehmair at last year’s ReFrame Film Festival. (Photo courtesy of ReFrame)
Volunteer coordinators Kathleen and Andrea say it’s a great group this year.
“Just the fact that some of them have been here every year and they keep coming back,” Kathleen says. “Though there are a lot of new faces this year, which is exciting.”
Being programmers as well, Kathleen and Andrea have seen all the films and a few titles come up that stand out for them.
“Minding the Gap, Biggest Little Farm, Water Warriors — The Cleaners is fantastic,” says Andrea, who also noted that it’s great to see more shorts in the program this year.
Kathleen volunteers often at other film festivals.
“ReFrame is a great atmosphere because people who love documentary film LOVE documentary film,” she says. “It’s a passion. It’s intimate at ReFrame.”
“New people are always surprised at how many people are here,” Andrea adds. “Theatres are full and restaurants are packed and that’s something at this time of year. ReFrame just brings people who are directly from this community together with filmmakers who come from around the world to see this amazing festival.”
ReFrame volunteer coordinator Andrea Monos recommends “The Cleaners”, a documentary about ‘digital janitors’: outsourced workers in Manila employed by social media companies who decide whether photos and videos that have been shared online should be allowed to stay there. (Photo: Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion)
Jan. 23 ticket sales update
Ticket sales at Watson & Lou, Happenstance Books and Yarn, and The Pastry Peddler have now closed. Sales will continue online and at GreenUP until Thursday morning, at which point any tickets remaining will be available for purchase in the lobby of Showplace.
Thursday opening night tickets and festival passes are available online at reframe.tickit.ca.
They can also be purchased in person (cash only) in Peterborough at the GreenUP Store (378 Aylmer St. N., 705-745-3238) and Watson & Lou (383 Water St., 705-775-7568), in Lakefield at Happenstance Books & Yarns (44 Queen St., 705-652-7535) and in Millbrook at Pastry Peddler (17 King St. E., 705-932-7333).
Although the extreme cold will break later today with temperatures slowly rising, Environment Canada has now issued a new special weather statement for the entire Kawarthas region.
Snow is expected tonight (January 22) and freezing rain on Wednesday (January 23), followed by a brief thaw with strong winds and rain and temperatures rising above freezing.
A Colorado low will track northeast across Lake Huron and Georgian Bay on Wednesday, bringing a dramatic change in weather with it.
A band of snow will move through the regions tonight with most areas getting accumulating snow. Snow amounts will range from 10 to 15 cm except 2 to 5 cm over areas near Lake Ontario.
The snow will change over to rain later Wednesday with the passage of a warm front. Risk of freezing rain is also possible during the transition.
By Thursday night, colder temperatures will return with periods of snow likely on every day up to and including the weekend.
Environment Canada is closely monitoring this situation. Freezing rain warnings may be required as this event draws closer.
One of the Jack Russell/Chihuahua puppies available for adoption from the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay. (Photo: Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes / Facebook)
The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay has nine Jack Russell/Chihuahua puppies looking for their forever homes.
Update – January 22, 2019
There are only two puppies of the original nine left for adoption! However, there are still many adult dogs who need their forever homes too.
Actually, there are now eight puppies available — one already found its forever home within hours of the society posting a video on its Facebook page earlier today (January 21).
According to the Facebook post, the society has 32 dogs (now 31) that were rescued from a home that had 58 puppies and adult dogs. All the rescued dogs were skinny and malnourished.
VIDEO: Puppies available for adoption at Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes
The dogs include Jack Russells, Chihuahuas, Terriers, and Boxer mixes ranging in sizes and ages.
“These poor sweethearts will need a lot of love and patience,” the society writes on its Facebook page. “They are all people friendly, but can be a bit food aggressive with other dogs.”
The adoption fee is $400 for a puppy, and $325 for an adult dog. The adoption fee includes spaying/neutering, micro-chipping, and vaccinations.
If you are interested in adopting one of the dogs, call 705-878-4618 and ask to speak to Animal Care, or visit the shelter at 107 McLaughlin Road in Lindsay in person.
The shelter is open from 12 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 12 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 to 3 p.m. on Sundays. The shelter is open on Wednesdays by appointment only.
For more information about the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, visit hskl.ca.
CEO Bolis Ibrahim of Argentum Electronics pitches at Venture13 in Cobourg as part of the Northumberland CFDC's 2018 N100 Evolution technology startup competition. Argentum Electronics, which develops cloud-managed smart power solutions using Power over Ethernet, has won the competition and secured an investment of $250,000 it will use to bring its products to market. (Supplied photo)
This week’s round-up of regional business news includes Argentum Electronics winning a $250,000 investment from Northumberland CFDC’s N100 Evolution technology startup competition, the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre at Trent University bringing leadership guru Drew Dudley to Peterborough’s Market Hall for a free talk, former Lindsay Chamber general manager Amy Terrill being named named the executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes, Catalina Motta’s new vintage store opening in downtown Peterborough, the announcement of the inductees for Junior Achievement’s 2019 Business Hall of Fame, and the return of the Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition.
Every week, our managing editor collects business-related news and events from across the Kawarthas. If you’d like us to promote your business news or event in businessNOW, please email business@kawarthanow.com.
Also featured this week is the announcement of Martin Yuill as the executive director of Cleantech Commons at Trent University, the Innovation Cluster supporting 86 startups in 2018 and generating $15 million for the regional economy since 2013, City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham being elected as chair of the 2019 Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, Ben vanVeen being sworn in as the chair of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 board, and Peterborough life and wellness coach Pamela Van Nest raising funds for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
New regional business events added this week include the Innovation Cluster’s intellectual property workshop for startups on January 25th, the Peterborough Chamber’s Power Hour with local elected officials on February 12th, and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s annual general meeting on February 13th.
Bolis Ibrahim, co-founder of Argentum Electronics, at the Clean Energy Zone in Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Energy. (Photo: Ryerson University)
Last Tuesday (January 15), Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) announced Argentum Electronics as the winner of its 2018 N100 Evolution technology startup competition, securing an investment of $250,000.
The company, co-founded by Ryerson electrical engineering student Bolis Ibrahim, develops cloud-managed smart power solutions using PoE (Power over Ethernet) controllers. PoE passes electric power as well as data over ethernet cables, allowing a single cable to provide both a data connection and electric power to IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones.
“Winning the N100 competition is a game changer for us,” says CEO Bolis Ibrahim. ‘With this capital injection we will be able to get our Smart Power over Ethernet Controller product line ready for manufacturing and market entry. Ultimately this will put our company in a highly investable position. We are grateful for all of the support we’ve received from Northumberland CFDC, the N100 Power Panel, and our mentors in this journey.”
The multi-stage N100 competition began in July 2018 at Venture13 in Cobourg, with 44 startups competing at the outset.
Prior to winning N100 Evolution, Argentum Electronics had already won the Norman Esch Engineering and Innovation Award, the Ontario Centres of Excellence David McFadden Energy Entrepreneur Challenge, the RECODE Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, and the Global Student Entrepreneur Award. Most recently, the company took home a gold medal in Korea Electric Power Corporation digital transformation conference last October.
Launched in 2013, N100 Evolution is an open invitational technology startup competition at Venture13. N100 startups compete for a $250,000 convertible note from Northumberland CFDC through a series of challenges from the pitch competition to business planning and board room presentations, with entrepreneurial development and support along the way from the Power Panel, advisors and partners.
N100 is a biennial competition which will be held again in 2020. For more information, visit n100.ca/.
Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre bringing leadership guru Drew Dudley to Peterborough’s Market Hall
Speaker and author Drew Dudley, whose TED talk on “everyday leadership” has been viewed more than five million times, will be giving a free talk at the Market Hall on February 28, 2019. (Publicity photo)
The Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre (ESIC), a meeting hub in Trent University’s Bata Library that fosters the development of entrepreneurship culture at the university, is bringing leadership guru Drew Dudley to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough for a free talk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28th.
The announcement was made at an open house for ESIC hosted by Trent University and the Innovation Cluster last Wednesday (January 16). The open house featured speakers representing those involved in the development of ESIC, including John Knight (Manager, Corporate Research Partnerships, Trent University), Michael Skinner (President & CEO at Innovation Cluster), and Scott Mancini (Vice President Commercial, RBC).
The Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre at Trent University. (Photo courtesy of Innovation Cluster)
Originally from Peterborough, Drew Dudley is the founder of Day One Leadership, which helps organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity, including McDonald’s, Dreamworks Animation, JP Morgan Chase, and more than 75 colleges and universities.
Dudley is known for coining the term “Lollipop Moment” — everyday acts of generosity and leadership that make someone’s life or job better. His September 2010 talk at TEDx Toronto on the concept and how it applies to leadership has been viewed online at least five million times and was voted “one of the 15 most inspirational TED talks of all time”.
VIDEO: “Everyday Leadership” by Drew Dudley
Dudley’s first book, This is Day One: A Practical Guide to Leadership That Matters, is an international bestseller. It “challenges the traditional image of a leader and creates a simple approach to employing leadership skills, starting at day one, that anyone can follow.”
Amy Terrill named executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes
Amy Terrill is the new executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes effective February 15, 2019. (Supplied photo)
Amy Terrill, former general manager of the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce and CHEX Television producer and anchor, has been named the new executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes.
Terrill was most recently the executive vice-president at Music Canada, an association in Toronto that promotes the interests of the Canadian music community. She joined Music Canada in 2010 as vice-president of public affairs, and was promoted to executive vice president in 2016.
The Kawartha Lakes resident is replacing Scott Robertson, who is retiring on February 15th after nearly 30 years in the position.
Terrill has an honours BA in political studies from Queen’s University, as well as in German and European studies from the University of Salzburg in Austria.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes is an incredibly important organization, and it will be a privilege to work with the amazing team to improve the lives of children, youth and families,” Terrill says in a media release.
“I am positively thrilled to be able to bring the experience in advocacy and non-profit management I’ve gained over the last few years, and to work collaboratively with our partners in order that more young people can reach their full potential.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes is a registered non-profit charitable organization the works to serve and strengthen children, youth, and families in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough. For more information, visit www.bgckl.com.
Catalina Motta is opening a new vintage store in downtown Peterborough
Catalina Motta with Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor in September 2016, after Keelor purchased some vintage furniture from Motta’s temporary store on Water Street. A little more than a year after closing Catalina’s, her combination hair salon, vintage store, and licensed live performance space on Hunter Street West, Motta is launching a new vintage market and art studio space on Water Street called House Of Commons Vintage Market on February 1, 2019. (Photo: Megan Walker)
Catalina Motta, former owner of Catalina’s on Hunter Street West in downtown Peterborough, is opening a new vintage store on February 1st.
House Of Commons Vintage Market is located at 388 Water Street, which was vacated when Mike’s Tattoo & Piercings moved to its new location on George Street.
Motta’s new shop will feature used furniture, a vintage market, handmade goods, and an art studio space.
She will be hosting an opening party for House Of Commons from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 1st, coinciding with the First Friday Art Crawl.
Inductees announced for Junior Achievement’s 2019 Business Hall of Fame
The 2019 Business Hall of Fame inductees were introduced at Venture North on Wednesday, January 16th by Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakefield Muskoka (JA-PLM). They are, front from left, Michaela Konopaski (representing her father Michael Konopaski of Inclusive Advisory), Dr. Ramesh Makhija of R and R Laboratories, and Janet McLeod of East City Flower Shop; second row, from left, Dana Empey and Scott Stewart of Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel, Dave Smith of DNS Realty, and John Gillis of Measuremax; and back row, from left, Scott Stuart of Kawartha TV and Stereo (representing his father Glenn), Shelby Watt of Flavour Fashion, Providence, and S.O.S (inducted with with Mike Watt, not pictured), Scott Wood of Ashburnham Ale House, and Robert Winslow of 4th Line Theatre. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
Junior Achievement of Peterborough Lakeland Muskoka has announced the 2019 inductees for its Business Hall of Fame.
Scott Stewart and Dana Empey of Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel
Glenn Stuart of Kawartha TV and Stereo
Mike and Shelby Watt of Flavour Fashion, Providence and S.O.S.
Robert Winslow of 4th Line Theatre
Scott Wood of Ashburnham Ale House
The inductees will be formally inducted in a ceremony taking place on May 23, 2019 at The Venue in downtown Peterborough.
Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition returning for 2019
Percheron Plastic Inc. (which produces FireStraw fire starters) and virtual and augmented reality start-up Kavtek accepting their cash prize of $6,500 each at the final pitch event of the 2018 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition, held on April 18, 2018 at The Venue in downtown Peterborough. Along with the cash prize, the winners receive in-kind prizes, all donated by the 2018 Bears’ Lair sponsors. (Photo courtesy of Scott Howard)
Peterborough’s Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition is returning in 2019.
Bears’ Lair is an annual competition for up-and-coming entrepreneurs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Six finalists are selected from among applicants to pitch their business to a panel of judges and the local community for a chance to win cash and in-kind prizes.
The official launch event takes place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22nd in the lobby of VentureNorth (270 George St. N, Peterborough), where organizers will share details of the 2019 competition including key dates and prizes.
Percheron Plastic Inc. (which produces FireStraw fire starters) and virtual and augmented reality start-up Kavtek were the winners of the 2018 competition.
Presenting sponsors of the 2019 competition are Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas, Peterborough Region Angel Network, and Mega Experience.
Stay tuned to kawarthaNOW.com for more details about the 2019 competition.
Martin Yuill announced as executive director of Cleantech Commons at Trent University
Martin Yuill, currently director of bioscience business incubator Emergence in Charlottetown PEI, has been appointed as executive director of green technology research and innovation Cleantech Commons at Trent University in Peterborough. Yuill is a past president and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster, where he was responsible for launching tech incubator The Cube at Trent University’s DNA building. (Photo: Emergence)
Martin Yuill, a past president and CEO of the Innovation Cluster, is returning to Peterborough to head Cleantech Commons at Trent University.
Jointly funded by Trent University and the City of Peterborough and formerly known as the Trent Research and Innovation Park, Cleantech Commons is to be built on an 85-acre industrial zone on Trent lands. Potential tenants will include clean tech, green, and other environmentally related businesses.
Yuill has been living in Charlottetown, where he is the director of bioscience business incubator Emergence and director of incubation services at PEI BioAlliance, an industry-led development organization.
He will begin in the position on March 1, 2019.
Innovation Cluster supported 86 startups in 2018 and has generated $15 million for regional economy
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and The Kawarthas, a not-for-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs establishing and growing technology-driven businesses, had a 2018 target to support five startups and create 10 jobs. By the end of the year, the Innovation Cluster supported 86 startups and helped create 171 jobs for the local economy. Pictured is digital startup client Jeremy Brooks testing AVROD, a virtual reality online database he created at the Innovation Cluster to assist in archaeological research. (Photo courtesy of Sean Bruce)
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas has announced it has exceeded its original 2013 target of $1 million in regional economic impact by 15 times at the end of 2018, having generated $15 million for regional economy to date.
In addition, the not-for-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of their technology-driven companies far exceeded its 2018 target to support five startups and create 10 jobs. By the end of 2018, the Innovation Cluster was supporting 86 startups and helped to create 171 jobs for the local economy.
“Our funders set our targets in 2013 to have a regional economic impact of one million dollars, so we far exceeded that in 2018,” says Michael Skinner, CEO of the Innovation Cluster, a not-for-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of their technology-driven companies.
The Innovation Cluster focuses the sectors of digital technology, clean technology, agriculture technology, and health care technology. Over 50 per cent of the organization’s clients are in the digital sector, which includes mobile apps, virtual reality, augmented reality, and game development. Almost have of the startups the Innovation Cluster supported in 2018 were launched by young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29.
For more information and to become a client of the Innovation Cluster, visit innovationcluster.ca.
City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham elected Chair of 2019 Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus
Jennifer Murphy and Andy Letham are the Vice-Chair and Chair of the 2019 Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus. (Supplied photo)
City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham has been elected Chair of the 2019 Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC). Jennifer Murphy, Warden of the County of Renfrew and Mayor of the Township of Bonnechere Valley, has been elected Vice-Chair.
EOWC supports and advocates on behalf of 750,000 residents across rural Eastern Ontario, covering an area of 45,000 square kilometres from Cobourg to the Quebec border, and includes 13 upper-tier and single-tier municipalities as well as 90 local municipalities.
In 2018, EOWC’s priority will be to improve infrastructure and connectivity and growing the regional economy, including by working with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network on its $213-million business case to the federal government, the provincial government, and the private sector to close the many cellular network gaps and to boost mobile broadband service across Eastern Ontario.
EOWC also plans to address other issues with the Ontario government in 2019, including maintaining the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), particularly for rural and northern municipalities, and working with the government on reducing red tape and regulatory burdens.
Ben vanVeen sworn in as chair of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce 2019 board
Ben vanVeen of Team vanRahan Century 21, the chair of the 2019 board of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, is congratulated by Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien. (Photo: Peterborugh Chamber)
Last Tuesday (January 15), Ben vanVeen of Team vanRahan Century 21 was sworn in as the chair of the 2019 board of directors of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
As chair, vanVeen’s focus will be to encourage each member to champion the Chamber by encouraging other local business owners to become members.
“While the Chamber is an integral part of the business community, its strength is derived directly from the membership,” vanVeen says.
Dawn Hennessey, Business Development Bank of Canada, was also sworn in as vice-chair of the board.
Other members of the board executive are treasurer Joe Grant (LLF Lawyers LLP), secretary Stuart Harrison (Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce), director-at-large Allison Seiderer (Living Well Home Medical Equipment), director-at-Large Gwyneth James (Cody & James CPAs), and past chair Jim Hill (James F. Hill, Financial Management Services).
Peterborough life and wellness coach Pamela Van Nest raising funds for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton
Life and wellness coach Pamela Van Nest will be donating her $100 fee to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton during February. (Photo courtesy of Pamela Van Nest)
For the second year, Peterborough life and wellness coach Pamela Van Nest is using her business to raise funds for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
For each coaching session held during the month of February, Van Nest will donate her $100 fee directly to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. Her goal through “Coach it Forward” is to coach enough women to raise $2,000 for the organization.
Van Nest is a certified coach through the International Coach Federation, the world’s largest organization of professionally trained coaches. She coaches clients both one-on-one and in workshops and retreats. She covers topics such as self-care, self-compassion, inner self-talk, and how to use our inner contradictions to approach challenges.
For more information or to book a session, visit her website at www.pvncoaching.com or call 705-917-0461. All proceeds from one-on-one sessions or groups wishing to arrange a day for a retreat this February will be included in her ‘Coach it Forward’ fundraiser.
Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland hosts Facebook ad seminar in Cobourg on January 22
Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland is hosting “Understanding Facebook Ad Types” from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22nd in the boardroom at its offices at 600 William Street in Cobourg, K9A 3A5).
In this advanced seminar, Marquis Murray of Media Crate will break down the different Facebook ad types available, what they’re used for, and how you can use them to better market your business online, gain leads, and increase traffic to your website through strategic targeting.
The cost is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members.
Nomination deadline for Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on January 23
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations from its membership for four full-terms (two years) on its Board of Directors until Wednesday, January 23rd.
Nominees must be a member in good standing, nominated by a member in good standing, and be an authorized representative of a business operating within the Town of Cobourg, the Township of Hamilton or Alnwick/Haldimand.
Directors will be elected or appointed by the membership at the Chamber’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, January 29th.
Northumberland CFDC hosts fireside chat on sustainability at Venture13 in Cobourg on January 24
The Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting a fireside chat on the importance of sustainability in business and community from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 24th in the Innovation Commons Lecture Hall at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Northam Industrial Park, Cobourg).
The event will include a moderated panel discussion featuring representatives from Sustainable Cobourg, Headwaters Farm, Local Food for Local Good, and more, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Innovation Cluster hosts power breakfast meeting on digital technology in Peterborough on January 25
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas is hosting “Power Breakfast: Digital Technology, An Innovative Future” from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 25th at the Holiday Inn Peterborough – Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough).
Over a hot breakfast you will hear from organizations that support entrepreneurs, including Michael Gatschene of the Business Development Bank of Canada, Catherine Lovrics of intellectual property law firm Bereskin & Parr, as well as Innovation Cluster client David Winter of Canuck Play.
Innovation Cluster presents intellectual property workshop for startups on January 25 in Peterborough
The Innovation Cluster’s next “Hands-ON” workshop on the topic of intellectual property (IP) for startups takes place form 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, January 25th at the VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Hosted by Tony Orsi and Catherine Lovrics of Bereskin & Parr LLP, the workshop will cover several IP topics, including: how you can use trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs, and IP agreements; common clearance and compliance issues and red flags; tips for your terms of use and privacy policies; and about marketing and advertising pitfalls.
Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual general meeting in Cobourg on January 29
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29th at Woodlawn Inn (420 Division Street, Cobourg, K9A 3R9).
All members in good standing are invited to attend the meeting and hear an overview of the Chamber’s activities for the past year, including the presentation of the Chamber’s audited year-end financial report. The 2019 executive will be introduced and elections will be held to fill the available seats on the Board of Directors.
The annual “Chair’s Dinner”, a four-course meal with wines, will be held immediately after the meeting.
January 31 deadline for employers to participate in Agilec spring hiring fair in Peterborough
Agilec is presenting a multi-employer spring hiring fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
Numerous employers looking to hire part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions will be in attendance.
Any employer who would like to participate should contact Arlayna Curtin at Agilec before January 31st.
Curtin can be reached at 705-740-2577 ext. 5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca
Peterborough Chamber PBX at Peterborough Business Hub on February 5
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5th at Peterborough Business Hub (398 McDonnel St., Peterborough).
The PBX networking event is a great opportunity for the business community, employers, consumers, and community agencies to make valuable connections.
Peterborough Chamber presents Power Hour with local elected officials on February 12
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting its annual “Power Hour” featuring Peterborough’s elected officials from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough).
The Power Hour is a lively interactive dinner and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien.
Peterborough City and County councillors, along with the Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County of Peterborough and First Nations leaders, will be invited to join individual tables.
The event will be recorded for broadcast on Cogeco’s YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.
Tickets are $65 per person or $450 for a table of seven for Chamber members, and $75 per person or $525 for a table of seven for non-members.
Kawartha Chamber annual general meeting in Lakefield on February 13
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is holding its annual general meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13th at The Village Inn (39 Queen St., Lakefield).
The meeting will feature highlights from 2018 and the election of the 2019 board of directors. The 2017-18 annual report will be circulated to members before the meeting.
Nomination deadline for Haliburton Chamber’s Business & Community Achievement Awards on February 14
Nominations are being accepted for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s 13th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards until Thursday, February 14th.
There are awards in 11 categories: Business Achievement, New Business, Customer First Business, Customer First Employee, Tourism & Hospitality, Innovation & Creativity, Skilled Trades & Industry, Young Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Not-For-Profit of the Year, and Highlander of the Year.
Catalina Motta with Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor in September 2016, after Keelor purchased some vintage furniture from Motta's temporary store on Water Street. A little more than a year after closing Catalina's, her combination hair salon, vintage store, and licensed live performance space on Hunter Street West, Motta is launching a new vintage market and art studio space on Water Street called House Of Commons Vintage Market on February 1, 2019. (Photo: Megan Walker)
Apparently, entrepreneurship is in Catalina Motta’s blood.
After taking a year off from business ownership, the former owner of Catalina’s on Hunter Street West is opening a new store in downtown Peterborough.
House Of Commons Vintage Market will open on Friday, February 1st at 388 Water Street, the location previously occupied by Mike’s Tattoo & Piercings (which recently moved to 345 George Street North, the former location of The Nutty Chocolatier).
The House of Commons will offer used furniture, a vintage market, handmade goods, and an art studio space.
Renovations are currently underway at 388 Water Street, the location previously occupied by Mike’s Tattoo & Piercings, where Catalina Motta’s new business House Of Commons Vintage Market is located. (Photo courtesy of Catalina Motta)
Motta closed her previous business on Hunter Street West, Catalina’s, at the end of 2017. A combination hair salon, vintage store, and intimate live performance space with a licensed bar, it was known for hosting art exhibits, poetry readings, film, and performances by local musicians, as well as being a safe place for social events for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Her newest business will provide “a delight for the senses and a sense for the common good,” Motta tells kawarthaNOW.
“My 20-plus years in business in Peterborough has been a journey of trial and error,” she says. “My mainstay has been my career as a professional hair stylist. Having this anchor has allowed me to explore and try out some of my many interests including vintage scavenging, curating cultural happenings, and creating magical spaces for the delight of many.”
Motta will be hosting an opening party for House Of Commons from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 1st, coinciding with the First Friday Art Crawl.
In 1998, Motta opened her first hair salon on George Street after moving to Peterborough from Vancouver. She later relocated the business to Hunter Street West where she also sold vintage clothing. In 2013, she received a liquor licence and renamed the business Barbeside Salon (and later Catalina’s).
In 2015, she moved the hair salon to 391 Water Street and then sold it a couple of months later, when it became Union Studio — where Motta continued to work as a hair stylist while operating her Hunter Street business.
In 2016, she opened a temporary second location called Catalina’s On Water, located at 383 Water Street, where she sold vintage furniture, fashion, and home decor from the Hunter Street location so she could expand the space available there for live events. Her customers included Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, who had also previously purchased vintage items from her Hunter Street location.
By the end of 2017, Motta decided to close Catalina’s on Hunter Street due to the demands of running the business while also still working as a stylist at Union Studio.
Less than a year later, Motta has decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge once again.
“Owning a business is an exhilarating experience and one I can’t get enough of obviously,” she laughs. “It pushes my creative use of resources, and the mental and physical discipline required to deal with whatever comes my way keeps me illuminated and entertained.”
Creators and original performers Jefferson Turner and Daniel Clarkson in "Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff". The family-friendly hit parody of the Harry Potter book series, in which two actors recap the plot of all seven books and 360 characters in 70 minutes, comes to Peterborough for two performances at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on March 11 and 12, 2019. (Photo: Potted Productions / Starvox Entertainment)
Horcrux. Hufflepuff. Muggle. Quidditch. Squib.
Starvox Entertainment presents Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff
When: Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7 p.m. Where: Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough) How much: $56 adults, $45 children 12 and under, $65 VIP (first three rows)
Suitable for children 6 and older. Tickets are available in person at the Showplace box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at www.showplace.org. Note: the production employs haze, strobe lights, and loud noises.
If you’ve been living in a cave since 1997, you might not recognize these words from Harry Potter, the series of seven fantasy novels by British writer J.K. Rowling that chronicles the lives of young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
But even if you don’t know the difference between a horcrux and a hufflepuff, you’ll still be entertained by the comic mayhem of Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff.
The hit family-friendly show comes to Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough for two performances at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 11th and Tuesday, March 12th.
Suitable for children ages six and older, the production is performed in Monty Python-esque style by two actors who recap the plots of all seven Harry Potter books and perform as 360 characters — with one actor as Harry Potter and the other as all the remaining characters — in 70 minutes (without an intermission).
Original performer Jefferson Turner as Harry Potter in “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff”. Turner and Daniel Clarkson originally created the show in 2005 to entertain Harry Potter fans lining up to purchase the sixth book in the series. (Photo: Potted Productions / Starvox Entertainment)
It’s a fast-paced show featuring madcap improv, multiple costume changes, brilliant songs, dance numbers, ridiculous props, Hogwarts magic, and a live fire-breathing dragon. The performers even supervise the audience in a game of Quidditch (without the flying broomsticks).
While Potter fans both young and old will get the most out of the show, it will still be a hilarious evening out even if you’ve never read a single one of the books or seen one of the eight films based on the books (and, as a side benefit, you’ll receive a crash course in Potterdom). Children will be delighted by the Harry Potter references and parents will appreciate the in-jokes aimed at adults.
Potted Potter was originally created in the U.K. back in 2005 by former Children’s BBC hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, who performed a 15-minute street show summarizing the first five Potter books for fans who were waiting in line for the midnight release of the sixth book.
VIDEO: Scenes from “Potted Potter” with Jefferson Turner & Daniel Clarkson
The street show proved to be so popular that it began touring the U.K. the following year, expanded into an hour-long performance recapping all seven books. In 2012, Potted Potter made its North American premiere in Toronto and then opened off-Broadway in New York City, returning again to Canada multiple times over the next six years.
Potted Potter has played to sold-out houses in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, and across North America, receiving rave reviews from the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Guardian, and many more.
“Even if you don’t know your wand from a hole in the ground, I guarantee you’ll go positively potty over Potted Potter,” wrote theatre critic Richard Ouzounian in The Toronto Star following the show’s 2012 Toronto debut. “Muggle or master wizard, you’re going to love this show.”
In the family-friendly “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff”, two performers act out 360 characters from the seven Harry Potter books, with one actor performing as Harry Potter and the other all the remaining characters. Pictured are the show’s creators and original performers Jefferson Turner and Daniel Clarkson. (Photo: Potted Productions / Starvox Entertainment)
Presented by Potted Productions and Starvox Entertainment, the current North American tour of Potted Potter starts James Percy as Harry Potter and Jesse Briton performing all the other characters from the books.
Tickets are $56 for adults and youth and $45 for children 12 and under, with VIP seats in the first three rows costing $75 (those sitting in the VIP seats will have an opportunity to participate in the show). Tickets are available now in person at the Showplace box office (290 George St. N., Peterborough), by phone at 705-742-7469, or online at www.showplace.org.
Note: the production employs haze, strobe lights, and loud noises.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
