Stu Harrison to Retire From 'Business Beat' Column; Chamber of Commerce's Joel Wiebe To Take Over

After retiring from the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce as CEO in November of last year, Stu Harrison is also turning the reins over to his weekly Business Beat column.

File Photo.

The Business Beat column is featured every Monday morning on PTBOCanada.

The Chamber’s Joel Wiebe is taking over the column beginning in the second week of January. Harrison’s upcoming column is his last Business Beat, as the following Mondays are Christmas and New Year's Day.

He assures that Wiebe is using the same format so little will change.

The recently-retired Harrison served as the Chamber’s CEO for 20 years since joining as a volunteer. He vows to continue his philanthropic work such as the annual Easter Seals Telethon, for which he has volunteered for the past 45 years.

Sarah Budd assumed the role of the Chamber’s president and CEO after Harrison announced his retirement. She formerly served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough.

“Thanks for all of you support over the years, helping to strengthen our local business community,” said Harrison in an e-mail.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce's Stu Harrison Honoured In Retirement After Two Decades of Service

Halloween marked the final day of Stu Harrison’s tenure with the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO as he was honoured for over 20 years of service at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Friday.

Stu Harrison shares a moment with his five-year-old granddaughter Evan Welker during his retirement celebration. Harrison moved from Wilkie, Sask, (formerly known as Leipzig) to Peterborough in 1977. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 200 guests showed up to celebrate Harrison’s retirement and recognize his service to the community.

“To me, it's the same community since I moved here 45 years since I first moved here from Saskatchewan,” said Harrison “It's an amazing place full of amazing people and not matter what happens, we work it out and I know we'll keep doing that and if I can be a part of that, I will.”

Harrison began as a volunteer for the Chamber before assuming the role he is retiring from. He says spending two decades with them helped make a positive impact within the community.

“It's meaningful work,” explained Harrison. “You're in a position of influence and I never took that likely. To me, there was never a doubt that I was in the right place, it was a good fit for me and vice versa.”

Harrison says he is continuing his philanthropy work such as the annual Easter Seals Telethon, volunteering for the past 44 years. He will still write his weekly Stoosnews ‘Business Beat’ segment that is featured weekly on PTBOCanada. Harrison is going to relax and spend more time with his wife Signe during his retirement.

Sarah Budd is the new president and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. She formerly served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough.

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Provincial Charity Awards Peterborough Commerce President Prestigious Award

With over 43 years of service for Easter Seals Canada, Stu Harrison has been given the National Volunteer Award for Ontario on Wednesday.

PTBOCanada releases StoosNews and his Business Beat every week. File Photo.

The award celebrates outstanding volunteers from across Canada according to the press release. Harrison is one of eight recognized volunteers who has dedicated their time and skills to help make Canada a more inclusive society for people of all abilities.

Harrison is the president and CEO of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce who features his weekly Business Beat called StoosNews — which you can find here on PTBOCanada — has helped the Easter Seals Telethon since 1978.

The longtime dedication to the charity has been considered an honour on both sides says Harrison.

“While I really enjoy the committee work leading up to the annual Telethon,” he said. “I see my role as getting to know the families and telling their story in a way that they are comfortable with. The icing on the cake is watching the kids grow up and find their way in life.”

Harrison has been president of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce for over 16 years. File Photo.

The press release praises Harrison for his hard work, dedication and developing a real connection with all the kids who benefit from the charity.

“Stu is also very much loved by Easter Seals kids - their faces light up with huge smiles when they see that Stu is there! The kids and families also enjoy catching up with Stu as he is a familiar face each year,” according to the release. “Stu has watched many of the kids grow into amazing young adults. You can clearly see the connections and relationships that have been forged over the years and the mutual admiration on set each year.”

This year’s Easter Seals Telethon will be broadcasted live on June 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Statement House Vintage, Kitchens Depot Limited & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Sheila Patel started business on Charlotte Street as a seamstress 45 years ago, going full retail the following year. She moved Sheila’s to Lansdowne Place when the Mall opened in 1980, and then opened Sheila’s and Classic Lane on George street in her own building in 2006. Sheila’s husband DJ, and her kids Biren and Rita have been involved in the business as well, but it’s time to wind it all down. The store will close on December 24th, and there are lots of great bargains available until then. Go to sheilasandclassiclane.ca for more info. Congratulations to the Patel family on a great run!

Gary Williams and Keven Condon are bringing their 25 years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry to their new business. Kitchens Depot Limited is located at 810 Rye Street, and features a 1,000 square foot showroom and 400 square foot warehouse to showcase their extensive selection of kitchens and floors, and storage solutions—including take it home today products. Contractors and homeowners alike are welcome. Details at kitchensdepot.ca.

Kris Daji opened his new shoemaker business a year ago at 1524 Lansdowne Street, across from Holiday Ford. Kris has just opened his second Peterborough location in the former Nelson’s Shoe Repair at the corner of Lansdowne and Ashburnham, and yes Nelson’s Western Boots and Apparel is still downstairs in the same location. Kris offers custom shoes and orthotics, lifts and modifications, repairs and more. ptboshoemaker.com

Congratulations to Sandra Young on the opening of Statement House Vintage. It specializes in vintage new and gently used clothing, shoes, bags and accessories from the ‘50s to the ‘70s for men and women. Buy or rent, they also offer wardrobe consultations. Sandra has been in business since 2011 and becomes the 14th participant in the DBIA’s Win this Space competition to open a bricks and mortar store! Check it out at 378 Water Street, near Planet Bakery, or on Facebook at Statement House Vintage.

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StoosNews Spotlight: Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Kit Coffee, Taso's Restaurant And Pizzeria & More!

PTBOCanada is delighted to to be running StooNews columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…

Last year Swish Maintenance and their Charlotte Products division introduced a camera that can identify invisible pathogens. Called OptiSolve, the camera can reveal invisible contamination on surfaces. It might look clean, but is it really clean? It’s an amazing technology that can help your company or institution perform an audit and establish cleaning systems that can not only elevate your standards, but give you a competitive edge. Diane Richard of Diatom Consulting has been contracted by Swish to bring Optisolve to market. If you are in the healthcare, food, office, or hospitality sectors, check it out at diatomconsulting.ca or optisolve.net.

Lots of recent activity in Peterborough’s Downtown core with the opening of several new businesses, including Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria. A family owned Greek and Italian restaurant, you’ll find their Homemade Signature Pizza, Pasta, Gyro, Fresh Ground Burgers, an eight-layer lasagna and lots more. Daily Specials, Gluten-Free and Vegan options are also available. Located across from Showplace, you can find Taso’s on Facebook.

Taso’s 8-layer lasagna

Illume Room Cosmetic Teeth Whitening owner Emma Pineo was one of the DBIA's Win this Space Top 10 contestants. Her new shop is located at 414 George Street in the former Spill location. Emma offers laser teeth whitening, spray tanning and a complete retail product line as well. Call 705.768.5130 or go online at illumeroom.com.

Illume Room owner Emma Pineo

At Kit Coffee Espresso Bar & Bake shop at 144 Hunter Street, owner Helen McCarthy offers an espresso bar and bakeshop in a cozy, bright space, serving everything from traditional cafe eats and drinks to Vegan, gluten free, dairy free, plant based, and kid friendly options. Go to Kitcoffeeptbo.ca for more info.

Kit Coffee owner Helen McCarthy

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison: TrentWorks, Flying Colours, Wee Wok Express

 TRENT WORKS
Sofie Andreou is leveraging the talent of her Trent University students to create a new company called TrentWorks. Sofie will help students launch their careers in digital marketing by giving them experience in graphic design, logos, branding, websites, SEO, tech support and social media. Businesses will benefit from fresh new thinking from the cutting edge. To find out more about this great idea, visit Trentworks.com.

FLYING COLOURS
The investment in the Peterborough airport is starting to pay off, with the recent double announcement—the expansion of Flying Colours, and the creation of the Peterborough Aerospace Centre. Flying Colours continues its amazing flight path with the construction of a new 20,000 square foot addition and 15 – 25 new jobs in the interior, maintenance and engineering areas. This adds to the 200 employees at Flying Colours. Meanwhile the Seneca College School of Aviation & Flight Technology Building is nearing completion. Peterborough Economic Development is packaging all of this new activity and infrastructure including airport resident and regional aerospace businesses to demonstrate the strength of the sector in this region. It should help generate interest and increase investment inquiries. More details here.

 WEE WOK EXPRESS
Wee Wok Express is a new Chinese takeout restaurant at 337 George Street. Ron Kam and his family have renovated the former South Pacific location and are now offering pick-up and delivery of their signature dishes including Cantonese, Szechuan and Thai specialties. You find the full menu and details online at Weewok.ca.

 OVERSTOCK LIQUIDATION
Jay and Sheryl Over recently took over the former Jack and Jill Farms location at 3001 Lakefield Road to create Overstock Liquidation. Open every Friday and Saturday, Jay and Sheryl unload two new truckloads of merchandise each week. Everything from bedding, furniture and household, to beauty products, electronics, handbags, clothing, jewellery and watches.

To submit your new business to Stu's "The Business Beat", click here.

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

Karri Dalton-Hull has just launched Stunning Mobile Solutions, a full service Mobile Marketing agency that will help you create a mobile marketing solution. Stunning Mobile Solutions specializes in mobilizing your website so it's easy to see on a tablet or phone, developing business apps, SMS Marketing, and training/consulting services. The website is StunningMobileSolutions.com or call Karri at 705-656-2469.

360 Wellness Clinic is a new multidisciplinary clinic that opened recently at 311 George St N, Suite 203. Therapists Seana Collins Mander, Brooke Vlachos, Leanne Malcolm, and Darian Glaske offer Registered Massage Therapy, Reflexology, Esthetics, and Bowen therapy. There is an Open House on Wednesday, September 25th from 3 pm to 8 pm including door prizes, meet the therapists and a free yoga class at 5 pm!  Call 705-400-8454.

Burrow is a home boutique located at 188 Hunter St. W, Unit 7. Owner Megan Currie offers a selection of home decor items that range from small gifts to mid-sized furniture pieces, as well as lighting fixtures and decor for baby and kids. Open Tuesday through Sunday, you can visit the website at Burrowhome.ca.

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting ten to fifteen Eastern & Northern Ontario Federal MPs for a working breakfast to discuss topics of interest to the region. The breakfast is this Thursday (Sept 26th) from 7:30 to 9 am at the Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront. If you want your voice heard on issues such as the Trent Severn Waterway, you’ll find the details online at Peterboroughchamber.ca.

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

CHARM TREE TOYS
Maren Fine from Charm Tree Toys is launching 2 creative workshops for kids starting the week of September 16. Maren is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and the first workshop, called Makedo, will give kids ages 6 – 10 an opportunity to design, build and create structures using recyclable materials and Makedo tools.  The second workshop is called Write Me A Story, and gives children an opportunity to write and illustrate their own story with Eeboo art materials.  Both workshops are 4 weeks and cost just $50. You can register at Charm Tree Toys at 372 George Street North or online at Charmtree.ca.

DONNA LOCKHART
If you work with volunteers, you’ll know that 99% of them are great to work with. Donna Lockhart wants to help you deal with the 1% in a workshop on October 29th at the Lions Centre in East City. Called “Dealing with Difficult or Challenging Volunteers”, the half day workshop will deal with myths, hard truths, strategies and solutions, all of it based on cases submitted by workshop participants. Details are online at Rethinkgroup.ca or call Donna at 705-292-5331.

PETERBOROUGH REPTILE
Peterborough Reptile specializes in reptiles and education. Located across from Costco behind the building at 494 The Parkway, they sell live reptiles, terrariums food and decorations, and will soon be offering pond supplies and installation. They also offer educational programs in store and out. They manufacture their own substrates and décor and they support local and national reptile and amphibian charities and rescues including the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre. Go to Peterboroughreptile.ca for more info.
 
LORNE KELSEY
Congratulations to Lorne Kelsey in his new role as Business Development Lead at the GPAEDC. Lorne brings a strong business and tourism background to the job, which will focus on helping local business expand and attracting new business to the community.
 
CAROL BERTUZZI
The Women’s Business Network kicks off the Fall season this Wednesday with guest speaker Carole Bertuzzi Luciani on “Keeping Yourself Mood-ivated”. Details at Womensbusinessnetwork.net.
 
PROSPERITY TRADE SHOW
Don’t miss the Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Business Trade Show next Wednesday from Noon to 7 pm at the Morrow Building. New features this year include the Innovation Zone profiling a number of incubator companies from the Peterborough Innovation Cluster, plus the Networking Café and lots of door prizes including a netbook computer from MicroAge. Details at Peterboroughchamber.ca. 

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

TEAM FIDO DOG TRAINING
Cindy VanFrankfoort has started a dog training business called Team Fido Dog Training. She is offering positive, reward based training in your home for obedience training and behavior issues. Cindy has worked in veterinary hospitals for 24 years, and is the office manager at Peterborough Pet Hospital. She will also be offering beginner Flyball training in the fall. Cindy can also be contacted by email, teamfidodogtraining@gmail.com or phone 705-652-6758.
 
WOOF'UN DOG WALKING
Terrie-Elizabeth Zweep’s new business is called Woof'un Dog Walking. Terrie is a retired registered massage therapist, experienced in treating debilitated dogs. She is also a cat and dog rescue volunteer.  Services include daily walks, puppy visits, kitty visits and pet sitting in your home. Complete details are on the website at Woofundogwalking.com.

HARDY'S HOBBIES AND CRAFTS IN MADOC
Hardy’s Hobbies and Crafts in Madoc recently underwent a major renovation, doubling in size in order to expand their hobby department. Owner Cathy Hardy offers art supplies for acrylics, oils, water colours and all the accessories, plus the expanded hobby department specializes in models, paints, balsa wood and more. Plus the Fall class schedule starts soon and includes both in studio and online classes, Full details are online at Hardyshobbies.com or if you want to check out the new digs they’re at 93 Tannery Road in Madoc about 1 km North of Highway 7.
 
JACK IN THE BOX PARTY RENTALS
Jack in the Box Party Rentals has moved! Celebrating 24 years in business the new location is 322 McDonnel Street at the corner of Reid and McDonnel. Owner Kim Trimm offers the same great services which include rentals of tents, tables, chairs, dishes, linen, popcorn machines, wedding supplies and decorations, plus sales of plates, napkins, confetti, place cards, balloons and more. Plus it’s a Sears Catalogue outlet and a Ferguson Cleaners depot. Full details online at Jackintheboxpartyrentals.com.

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The Business Beat With Stu Harrison

THE EPICENTRE

The Epicentre is a Bridgenorth based spice company owned by Barry Mortin and Barbara McGee. They recently introduced 6 new spice blends, and have enlisted local coffee roasters Dreams of Beans to provide the product for their new Coffee/Chile Steak Rub. You can find Epicentre products at a number of local retailers including Firehouse Gourmet in Peterborough, Herma’s in Port Hope and The Market in Lakefield. Click here for more info.
 

SUGARCAINE CATERING

SugarCaine Catering is the clever name of Stacey Caine’s new company. Stacey is focused on providing meal plans for seniors based on their choices. A red seal chef with years of experience in health care, hospitality, and a love of seniors, Stacey will help you develop a menu, prepare it in your home, with your help if you like. Calling it “companion cooking”, your consultation is free and fees are based on a weekly fee plus cost of groceries. Contact SugarCaine Catering at 343-263-4374.
 

RURALLYNX NETWORK CABLING 

RuralLynx Network Cabling and Wireless Internet Services is Ray Abrams new business. With over 30 years of telecomm experience, Ray is offering structured cabling for large or small projects, fibre optic connectivity, telephone installation, and wireless tower technologies. Plus Ray is developing a rural high-speed network East of Peterborough and Hastings County. Details at Rurallynx.com.

LOCKSIDE TRADING COMPANY

Lockside Trading Company is introducing a new event called Art @ The Lock August 24th and 25th, featuring works by the Group of Seven and others. If you are a local artist interested in showing your work, contact Mike or Sue at Lockside.com.

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