Peterborough Police have arrested and charged six people in connection with a homicide at a home on Stewart Street in Peterborough.

One adult and two young offenders have been charged with first degree murder, and three adults have been charged with accessory after the fact.

On November 26, 2016 at around 1:30 a.m., police were called to 296 Stewart Street where they found a deceased male, who has since been identified as 42-year-old Terence (Terry) Pringle.

An autopsy was completed and police confirm the cause of death as blunt force trauma.

Over the past five days, members of the Criminal Investigations Unit conducted an extensive investigation of the crime. As a result of that investigation, six people have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Terry Pringle. Two of those arrested are young offenders.

Police are not commenting on the motive for the crime, but they have confirmed this is an isolated incident and that all those involved have some connection to the victim.

The following people have been arrested and charged:

• Samantha Elizabeth Hall, 25, of Stewart Street (Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, Accessory after the fact to murder)
• Christopher Mitchell Bolton, 29, of Bethune Street (Accessory after the fact to murder)
• Joseph Douglas Crawford, 28, of Dalhousie Street (Accessory after the fact to murder)
• Jordan Kelly Osborne, 24, of Aylmer Street (First degree murder, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence)
• 16-year-old Peterborough male (First degree murder)
• 15-year-old Peterborough male (First degree murder, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence)

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the name of a young person cannot be released. All accused were held in custody and are scheduled to attend court on November 30th.

While the police are not looking for any other suspects, they are still interested in speaking with anyone who may have information related to this investigation.

“Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

This past Monday, I did something I hadn’t done in years: I hosted a breakfast for seven local women. I invited them to meet me for breakfast at Elements (140 King Street, Peterborough) so that I could talk to them about a non-profit project I’ve become pretty passionate about in recent months. (I’ll have more to say about that in a moment, but first, more about the breakfast.)

On climbing out of the social media rabbit hole

I suppose I could have sent out a series of e-mails talking about the project. Or I could have shared my thoughts with my friends via Twitter, Facebook, or any number of other social media platforms. But this felt like the kind of conversation that needed to happen face-to-face — that would bring everyone together in the same place at the same time.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m hardly a Luddite when it comes to embracing technology (or, in this case, tapping into the power of social media). There are few people who love Twitter as much as I do, in fact. But here’s the thing: I’m also keenly aware of its limitations — how social media can give us the illusion of being connected when, in reality, we’re all just sitting in front of our computers on our own.

This breakfast was about climbing out of that social media rabbit hole, at least momentarily, and seizing the opportunity to share ideas face-to-face. I had almost forgotten how great it feels to watch people connecting the dots between one another’s ideas in real time, in real life. It’s a pretty powerful thing to witness and experience, after all.

What we were talking about

At this point you’re probably wondering what we were talking about: what topic could have possibly inspired seven women to want to stumble out of bed extra early on a Monday morning to head downtown to meet me for breakfast?

What we were talking about is an exciting project that is coming on stream early next year — a database project that will make it easier for conference organizers and members of the media to connect with expert sources who also happen to be women.

It’s called ExpertWomen.ca and its aim is both far-reaching and noble: to amplify women’s voices for “a more democratic and equitable world.”

This isn’t just a good thing for women. It’s good for all of us. As Informed Opinions (the non-profit organization that is spearheading the ExpertWomen.ca database project) notes on its website, “Organizations and countries making most effective use of women’s contribution are more competitive and experience a higher quality of life.”

Bottom line? It’s in everyone’s best interest to encourage women to lean in and speak up.

Now back to breakfast…

The conversation that happened over breakfast was even livelier than I had anticipated — and I had high hopes for this particular group of women.

The women around the table shared experiences, swapped resources, and began to brainstorm possibilities — including the idea of having Shari Graydon of Informed Opinions deliver one of her op-ed writing workshops for women here in Peterborough.

They also produced a steady stream of names of women who would want to know about the ExpertWomen.ca database, either because they should be listed in it, they might want to help spread the word about it, or they might wish to donate funds to keep it up and running once the initial Status of Women Canada grant funding winds down.

But here’s the best thing about the breakfast: this free-flowing exchange of ideas all took place over the course of about 90 minutes — and without everyone in the room being bogged down by hundreds of emails and/or social media posts before and after the fact.

So here’s to the power of face-to-face conversations: to more talking and less typing. I think we need to be doing more of that. How about you?

Welcome to my first Publisher’s Picks column! Our editorial plan with this column is to select the top quality, must-see, must-do, and don’t miss events in the Kawarthas. I will make every attempt to cover our full readership area — which is now five counties wide. (We’re excited to now have over 150,000 unique readers monthly, thank you for reading!)

As Linda Kash (Peterborough’s very own resident angel) often says when referring to the plethora of natural homegrown talent in our area, “there’s something in the water”. Whether it’s musical, visual arts or performing arts, I think she’s right. And the holiday season is a time when this is most evident — with concerts, fundraisers, theatre and arts events filling our calendars. It is also a time when the enormous generosity of our communities shines through.

So, let’s do this. Here are my top picks for this week and more. I’m including upcoming events over a few weeks in this first column — because these are often seasonal sellouts — and I’m here to let our readers know about the best of the best. So don’t delay to get your tickets for any of these events now.

Megan Murphy brings Murphy’s Law back to Peterborough December 3

I’m pretty excited about my top pick this week.

In the summer, local film director and 93.3 FM media maven Megan Murphy debuted her film Murphy’s Law to sold-out audiences in Peterborough and Cobourg. Murphy’s Law then won the prestigious “Best Documentary” award at the Fingal Film Festival 2016 in Swords, Ireland in September.

VIDEO: Murphy’s Law Trailer

This Saturday, December 3rd at 7 p.m. will see the return of Murphy’s Law to Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469). Meg will be at the screening and present for a Q&A after the film.

If you’re not familiar with the story, Megan retraces her father’s cycling trip across Ireland on his rejuvenated bicycle, based on a diary she found after he passed away. (I’m bringing my own Kleenex.) You can read a recap of the film by our columnist Sam Tweedle here and his in-depth interview with Meg last December.

Tickets are $16 and can be purchased online at www.showplace.org.

Discover your Christmas spirit with the entire family this weekend in Millbrook during “Christmas in the Village”

If you haven’t recently enjoyed shopping in Millbrook, or have yet to discover the charm of the village and its shops — this weekend is a great time to take the short drive to the “valley”.

Enjoy their newly renovated streetscape, free parking, and easy walks to everywhere during “Christmas in the Village” this Thursday to Sunday.

On Thursday evening, events kick off with an Old Tyme Christmas featuring horse drawn wagon rides, Community Care bake sale and silent auction, juggler and musical performances, carolling and crafts, gingerbread house display, farmers’ market, roast beef dinner at the Legion (for $12), photos with Santa, special meals at local restaurants, special events in local shops, and much, much more.

On Friday evening, enjoy skating with Santa and a Victorian Christmas program at St. Thomas Anglican Church. On Saturday, check out crafts, cider and hot chocolate at the library at 10:30 a.m., the Santa Claus parade at 1 p.m., with Santa visits after the parade, and remember Christmases past at Centennial Place with Rob Winslow of 4th Line Theatre at 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday evening, the Community Choir Christmas Concert at Millbrook Christian Assembly will wrap up the evening ($12 per person or $30 per family).

Here’s our article on the event.

Three Martinis & Friends Holiday Bash: unconventional festive fun on December 9

If you like the idea of local holiday music with lots of fun mixed in, then mark your calendar for next Friday, December 9th.

A fun and entertaining mix of comedy and music will take place at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-876-8884) featuring musical improv comedy group The Three Martinis. You make up the titles, they make up the songs.

The group features Dan Fewings, Rob Phillips, and phenom Jimmy Bowskill who is between tours with The Sheepdogs and Blue Rodeo. You never know what might happen when The Three Martinis take the stage — but I can guarantee you’ll be laughing.

The show will also feature Josh Fewings, Melissa Payne, Trevor Davis (of The Silver Hearts), and Alisha Embury. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Worth every penny for a fun night out.

For more information, see our story.

17th Annual “In From the Cold” Christmas Concert at The Market Hall on December 9 and 10

If you’re one of the regular patrons of this musical celebration of Christmas past and present, you know your seasonal spirit is guaranteed to be kindled by the many dozens of local performers involved in the annual “In From the Cold” Christmas concert at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-749-1146). There are two performances, on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th, both at 8 p.m.

kawarthaNOW.com is proud to be a long time-sponsor and we encourage all to attend to support the YES Shelter for Youth and Families. The concert features Celtic and contemporary carols and seasonal songs performed by Carried Away, The Convivio Chorus, Curtis Driedger, Michael Ketemer, and Tanah Haney.

All proceeds go to the YES Shelter for Youth and Families — the concert has raised over $100,000 over 17 years!

Tickets are $20 per person ($15 for students or children). For more information, see our story here.

NHL legend Bob Gainey joins the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra on December 10

Here’s a traditional Christmas concert with a Canadian twist. On Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m., NHL legend Bob Gainey will be joining the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra for “A Nutcracker Christmas” at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).

The symphony will perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s beloved and timeless Nutcracker, and Bob will narrate a musical version of Roch Carrier’s modern classic “The Hockey Sweater”. Bob will be wearing one of his jerseys, which will be signed and raffled off in support of the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra.

The concert will also include seasonal favourites and a carol sing, and the Kawartha Youth Orchestra will join in to help get everyone into the spirit of the season.

This performance is almost sold out, there are only a few single tickets left! Tickets are $30 ($10 for students) and are available online at www.showplace.org/pso-nutcracker.

Make sure to read out article about the concert here.

Foley Family and Friends presents the 12th Annual Cozy Christmas on December 11

It’s going to be a big weekend for community Christmas spirit. The talented Foley family and their many friends take to stage at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469) on Sunday, December 11th to raise funds for a village school in Liberia.

Talent abounds with the entire family! Expect everything family and everything Christmas with a variety of music from artists such as Bridget Foley and the Gospel Girls, 4 Front, Colleen (Foley) Anthony, Dan, Char and Amelia Foley, Al Black, the Basciano, Krauss and Vandermey families, Northern Soul, Soulshine, and more.

There’ll also be stories and trivia from the family historian, Hugh Foley.

Tickets are $15 per person ($10 for students under 16). For tickets, visit www.showplace.org/cozy-christmas.

Save the date! Royal Wood on Valentine’s Day at Showplace Performance Centre

On Tuesday, February 14th, Lakefield’s own Royal Wood is coming to Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-742-7469).

This is my advice this week to lovers and couples about what he/she really wants for Christmas. The best part is that this gift gives twice: give Royal Wood concert tickets for Christmas and they’ll thank you all over again on February 14th.

It’s a win-win and Royal Wood is both dreamy and talented! Royal is on tour to support Ghost Light, his new album released in 2016 and one of his best in many years.

Tickets are available now for $34.50 online at www.showplace.org/royalwood.

VIDEO: “Long Way Out” – Royal Wood

And if you want to be in the know about what’s coming up (and maybe win tickets!), you should subscribe to our VIP Enews which will arrive in your inbox every Wednesday morning — along with the most recent version of this column. Sign up for our VIP Enews here.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think by posting a comment below.

With the support of the community, new Canadians Mohammad and Randa Alftih have opened a new restaurant in downtown Peterborough.

OMG — Oasis Mediterranean Grill — at 460 George Street opens for business today (November 28), with an official grand opening set for Monday, December 5th.

For the Alftihs, this has been an unforgettable year. From their heart-breaking and harrowing decision to leave their Syrian home in Aleppo to the arrival in their new Peterborough home, their lives have changed in many ways.

Far away from their family and friends in Aleppo, this could have been a very lonely and isolating experience for the Alftihs. Yet through the support of their sponsorship group, Safe Haven for Refugees, and through the new friendships they have forged with neighbours and members of their faith community, the family has blossomed.

Now, almost a year later, the family has opened a new restaurant. With 20 years of expertise in running two successful businesses in Aleppo, Mohammad has many skills to bring to the table — not the least of which is his incredible spirit of entrepreneurship and the desire to give his family a good life in Peterborough.

Mohammad and Randa’s story is similar in many ways to the stories of other new arrivals. Their first year of getting settled in their new country is made possible through the sponsorship groups that have brought them. But the financial support will run out in the next few months for many, and finding employment in Peterborough, especially for new Canadians can be very tricky. Most of these families have spent their life savings just to get here, and they bring with them only what they can carry in suitcases.

For Mohammad and Randa, opening a small restaurant would have been impossible if it weren’t for the fact that, late last spring, long-time Peterborough resident Kenzu Abdella (a mathematics professor at Trent and the President of the Kawartha Muslim Association) offered to become a partner to make their dream of opening a business a reality.

Abdella hopes that their business partnership might serve as a model for the business community of Peterborough and for other recent arrivals. As a member of The Refugee Taskforce, Abdella is only too aware of the fact that sponsorship money will soon end.

“New Canadians bring the skills and experience to really enrich our city,” Abdella says. “The last thing they want is to become dependent on social services. They have a strong work ethic and a strong desire to give back to the community. But they can’t do it alone.”

The grand opening takes place at 460 George Street in downtown Peterborough on Monday, December 5th from 3 to 7 p.m. During the grand opening, the restaurant is offering patrons a 25% discount on food along with a free drink and dessert.

Menu – December 2016

Did you know that the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, which raises funds for equipment and technology at Peterborough’s hospital, has been recognized as a “High Performer” for 2014/15 by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy?

The international professional organization, whose 5,000 members represent more than 2,200 healthcare facilities across Canada and the United States, gave the designation to only 45 healthcare foundations this year.

“We’re extremely proud of this achievement because it speaks to the commitment of our team and our Board of Directors to the responsible stewardship of your donations,” says PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway.

The “High Performer” designation, which is based on factors like net fundraising returns, return on investment of donations, and the cost to raise money, confirms the significant impact the PRHC Foundation is able to have on patient care through donors’ gifts.

Here are three areas where community donations to the PRHC Foundation have had a real impact on patient care at the hospital this past year — and one area where the Foundation needs your support this holiday season.

Upgrades to the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Thanks to community donations, residents of Peterborough and the surrounding region have access to world-class cardiac care at PRHC. Specialists at the donor-funded Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory can not only diagnose coronary artery disease and treat it before it leads to a heart attack, but they can also provide emergency treatment that can stop a heart attack in its tracks.

Coronary artery disease is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of the artery that can block the flow of blood to the heart. Many people only find out they have the disease when they have a heart attack, which happens to somebody in Canada every seven minutes. Almost 16,000 Canadians die each year as a result of a heart attack — many before they even get to a hospital.

Interventional cardiologists at PRHC open a blocked artery by temporarily inserting and inflating a tiny balloon where the artery is clogged to help widen the artery. Called an angioplasty, it’s often combined with a cardiac stenting procedure, where a small wire mesh tube called a stent is permanently placed in the artery to keep it open and decrease its chance of narrowing again.

Because PRHC can perform angioplasties at the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory many lives have been saved, and thousands of people have been spared the inconvenience, discomfort, and expense of having to travel to Kingston or Toronto. So far in 2016 alone, PRHC’s Interventional Cardiologists have performed 1,880 angiograms and 804 cardiac stenting procedures — 180 of them while a heart attack was actually taking place.

PRHC’s two cardiac catheterization suites have been in nearly constant use since 2008; however, in the years since the suites were outfitted, technological innovations have revolutionized the industry.

To take the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory to the next level of patient care, cardiac specialists needed the support of the community to invest in new tools and technology which would not only make procedures safer and more efficient, but allow them to take on more complex, challenging cases — sparing even more patients the need to be transported to a large urban hospital.

Community donors stepped forward and funded a vital upgrade to the technology that powers the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, one that allows for a drastic reduction in the amount of radiation exposure for both patients and hospital staff.

“Through both hardware and software improvements to our cath labs, we’ve been able to dramatically cut down the radiation dose of every procedure by as much as 75 per cent,” says Dr. Warren Ball, Interventional Cardiologist and Head of Division, Cardiology. “Not only is this safer for our staff, it’s safer for patients, particularly when they’re undergoing a longer procedure or if they have to come back for a second procedure.”

Another upgrade resulted in a significant improvement in how PRHC’s interventional cardiologists view arteries and potential blockages during a procedure. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), commonly used by ophthalmologists in eye care, has been adopted by cardiologists as it provides exceptionally clear and high-resolution images of a cross section of tissue.

Essentially an “optical ultrasound,” OCT allows cardiologists to study the inside of coronary arteries in real time using light waves. The difference between images produced using the earlier procedure of dye and ultrasound and those produced by OCT can be described as the difference between fuzzy black and white television and high definition digital television.

“This newest technology allows for crystal clear images of the walls of the arteries,” Dr. Ball explains. “It’s another example of how PRHC wants to bring the best technologies to our whole community. The government doesn’t pay for these technology upgrades, but these are vital for us to deliver the best possible care to our region.”

New equipment for the Department of Surgical Services

Community donations to the PRHC Foundation have also funded a C-Arm unit for the Department of Surgical Services, making a real difference in the lives of patients requiring surgery.

The C-Arm is a mobile fluoroscopy unit — a type of X-ray machine — used during complex surgeries, often cancer related. The device provides high-resolution images in real time, allowing a surgeon to monitor progress at any point during the operation and immediately make any corrections that may be required.

Using a C-Arm enhances accuracy and increases efficiency, decreasing the length of procedures and improving patient outcomes.

“The new surgical C-Arm is a huge asset,” explains PRHC Urologist Dr. Jacob Hassan. “It’s allowing us to move from surgeries that require large and painful incisions to minimally invasive endoscopic day surgeries. This results in less pain, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays for the patient.”

Recruiting three new surgeons

A hospital’s ability to fund state-of-the-art equipment and technology through community donations is one way to attract and retain healthcare professionals.

“Many people don’t realize the government does not typically fund hospital equipment or technology,” says Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation President & CEO. “That’s why the most generous communities have the best hospitals.”

Three new specialists recently joined PRHC’s Surgical Department. Dr. Stephen Preston is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in hip and knee surgery. Dr. Jennifer Klok is a Plastic Surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction. Dr. Jacob Hassan is a Urologist with special training in minimally invasive surgery.

All three surgeons have said community and hospital support of their programs was an important factor in their decision to relocate to Peterborough and join the team at PRHC.

New mammography units needed for the Breast Assessment Centre

One of the reasons Dr. Rola Shaheen, Chief of Radiology and Medical Director of Diagnostic Imaging at PRHC, came to PRHC in 2015 was because of community support for the Breast Assessment Centre.

“I wanted to work at a hospital that cares so deeply about patients and has the support of such generous people,” Dr. Shaheen says.

When PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre opened eight years ago, community donations helped to fund the centre’s three existing digital mammography machines, which perform 8,000 mammograms every year and have saved many lives.

Early detection of breast cancer is critical. In fact, thanks to a combination of early detection and advanced treatment options, some studies tell us that the five-year survival rate for women with breast cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the breast can be as high as 98.5%.

VIDEO: Mother/grandmother & breast cancer survivor Michelle Thornton shares her story

However, the machines at the Breast Assessment Centre are now eight years old. Not only do they need to be replaced, but advances in breast-screening technology can improve patient care even more.

That’s why the PRHC Foundation is currently seeking community donations to their $1.9 million breast screening priority so the Breast Assessment Centre can acquire three new state-of-the-art mammography units capable of three-dimensional mammograms, also known as tomosynthesis or “tomo”.

“The purchase of three new mammography units and the introduction of three-dimensional technologies is the exciting next step,” Dr. Shaheen adds. “It will give me and my colleagues the ability to look at the breast from many angles to confidently determine if anything looks suspicious. It will reduce the need for call-backs, reducing anxiety in patients.”

“And, most importantly, it will help us detect tumours earlier and smaller in size. Imagine what this new technology will mean to the women in our community — maybe even someone in your family.”

This holiday season, consider making a generous gift that will make a real difference in the lives of patients. To make a donation, call 705-876-5000 or visit http://bit.ly/make-a-gift-to-prhcf.

All photos supplied by PRHC Foundation except where noted.