It was a year ago tomorrow (August 16) that much-loved Peterborough dentist Dr. Judith Buys died following injuries she suffered during a tragic accident at a cottage.

Last night, Dr. Anna Jo and her husband Dr. Jay Chun — the new owners of Cornerstone Family Dentistry, the dental practice Judith founded — held a ceremony to honour her with the unveiling of a memorial bench.

Members of the Cornerstone team attended the dedication ceremony, as did Judith’s husband Dr. James McGorman and her son Connor McGorman, along with Connor’s fiancé Chelsea.

Cornerstone office manager Amanda Crowley spoke at the ceremony, recounting the humble beginnings of Cornerstone Family Dentistry.

After Judith and her husband Jim purchased “that little house on the bend” at 681 Reid Street in 1986, they renovated the old home to convert it into a dental practice. When the practice first opened, it only had four staff.

“Judith would love to tell us how back in those early days she even used to do her own reception desk work and book the patients back herself,” Amanda said.

In 1991, Judith expanded the clinic with a new addition. The practice had three dentists and more hygienists and support staff. In 2007, she again renovated the practice to include digital radiography and full computerization. Eventually, she rebranded the practice as Cornerstone Family Dentistry.

Amanda thanked Drs. Jo and Chun, who purchased the practice this past January, for installing the memorial bench and for their support of Cornerstone staff over the past year.

“I would like to thank Anna and Jay,” Amanda said, “not only for ensuring that our team will have a place that they can come and sit and reflect but for the kindness, empathy and compassion that you have shown to all of us these past eight months. You have both been patient and so sensitive to our needs, and I know that I speak for all of the team when I say that your willingness to pay tribute to Judith’s memory has meant the world to all of us.

“This last year has undoubtedly been difficult and hard. All of us miss Judith very much, but Judith was always more of a fan of a party than of sitting around wallowing. She would want us to be getting up each day and hitting that ground running. Plaster a smile on your face whether you felt like it or not and give the patients the best of yourself she’d tell us.”

Judith’s husband Dr. McGorman spoke to thank everyone, as did Drs. Jo and Chun. who said they were humbled and honoured be a part of the practice. Dr. Jo said she intends to work hard to ensure that the legacy of Dr. Buys’ memory lives on.

Other members of the Cornerstone team have also shared their memories in tribute to Dr. Buys.

“Today marks a year of the passing of a beautiful dynamic woman who had such a passion for her work and for life,” says Cornerstone treatment coordinator Becky Pigeon. “This last year has been a personal struggle for myself and anyone who has had the privilege to know her. We have been extremely blessed to have the ongoing comfort and support from each other at Cornerstone Family Dentistry, our patients, and the community.

“Judith was not just my employer, she was my mentor, my friend, and a mother figure to me. We had a very unique working relationship and a special bond as she did with all of her family and patients at Cornerstone Family Dentistry. Judith made sure all of her staff and patients knew how much she cared and appreciated them. She worked hard every day to provide the best care and was so proud of her team at Cornerstone Family Dentistry. She provided a warm and friendly atmosphere that was felt everyday by patients and staff. Judith had a huge impact on my life and everyone around her. Judith’s passing has taught us all to live in the moment and be thankful for the life we have been given.”

Cathy Wakeford is a hygienist at Cornerstone who worked with Judith for more than 28 years.

“Losing my long time boss and friend of 28-plus years was a shock and sadness that will linger with me forever,” Cathy says. “Judith shaped the hygienist that I am today and I will cherish this always. Our patients’ needs always came first, and our goal to create healthy and beautiful smiles was achieved through her vision and our wonderful dedicated staff.”

Cornerstone Family Dentistry will be closed on Wednesday, August 16th in recognition of the anniversary of Dr. Buys’ passing.

Local Ojibway artist Kris Nahrgang has created a 28-foot totem pole that will be installed at this year’s Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto.

The Unity Pole will be unveiled at the Heritage Court in the Enercare Centre at the CNE on Wednesday (August 16). It will be on display during the CNE from August 18th to September 4th and then will be permanently erected on the CNE grounds.

The pole is one of the CNE’s first commissions since the 1940s. It’s a major achievement for the artist, as 1.6 million guests visited the CNE in 2016.

“My task was to create a pole which spoke to uniting of all Canadians as we strive for a better existence for us all in this beautiful country,” he says. “It was a pleasure to work with the CNE as they allowed me the full freedom as the artist and creator of the pole to tell the story that I saw for its existence.”

Nahrgang lives in Big Cedar (north of Peterborough and near Petroglyphs Provincial Park) with his wife and daughters. He began carving in 1989, largely as therapy after his hands were nearly crippled from working in the auto body business for 16 years.

Since then, there has been a growing recognition of his work across Canada and the world. President George Bush, Nelson Mandela, and Justin Trudeau are some of the famous people who have Nahrgan’s work in their collections.

While he usually works with soapstone, Nahrgang also carves local cedar into custom totem poles and masks using traditional and modern motifs and styles. The Unity Pole is carved from a white cedar tree from the Peterborough area.

“I am normally a stone carver and it is very satisfying work for me,” he says. “The wood though takes on a whole new feeling as it starts from a living tree, and transforms into a story to be realized by its giving of itself for the world. As I work the tree I can feel its spirit, its changes, and its transformation. I am truly blessed with this gift.”

Nahrgang’s ornate poles are carved from white cedar and finished with paint in the woodland cultural style, with vibrant colours and distinct lines. This distinguishes them from the totem poles carved on the West Coast, which use more muted colours and are carved from red cedar.

“Totem poles are not entirely traditional to Anishnaabe people,” Nahrgang explains. “We did however erect clan poles to honour our lineage. My poles reflect that tradition incorporating traditional clan symbols and contemporary images.”

“Totem poles tell a story,” he adds. “Each symbol or totem on a pole represents a feeling, a person, an animal, a place, or a concept.”

The Unity Pole project was facilitated by Donna Child of Artworld Fine Art, who also operates The Toronto West Arts Collaborative, a not-for-profit organization that assists emerging and mid-career artists with marketing their work.

“Because of my work with the the CNE, I was asked for assistance with the totem project,” Child explains. “There are many wonderful totem artists in Canada, and several were presented to the CNE. But having worked with Kris on another project, I personally knew that he would be able to capture the story the CNE wanted to tell, in the manner they wanted it told. Kris is a storyteller and that is what totems reveal — a story. The Unity Pole is a story about bringing our country together as one.”

As well as his work as an artist, Nahrgang is an advocate for the rights of First Nations communities. He will be co-hosting a new television series with Sarain Fox on APTN in 2018. Reclaiming Our History & Harnessing Our Future is a documentary series about shifting the colonial narrative and celebrating the reclamation of indigenous knowledge and identity. Find out more at futurehistorytv.ca.

All photos courtesy of Kris Nahrgang.

An artist from Prince Edward County has been selected to complete the City of Peterborough’s latest mural project in downtown Peterborough.

Chrissy Poitras will paint a mural called “Floral Abstraction” on the wall of the building at 378 Aylmer Street in Peterborough, which houses both Artspace and Peterborough GreenUP. The mural will face the parking lot of the Greyhound Bus Terminal on Simcoe Street.

Poitras is a painter and printmaker, as well as co-owner of Spark Box Studio — an artist residency, print studio, and educational facility in Prince Edward County.

“The bright colour pallet and energetic floral cascade will liven the area and engage passers-by,” explains Poitras in her submission. “Bringing botanical elements into an urban part of the city will change the area’s atmosphere, as well as the relationship residents have with a building that used to blend into the background. The flowers featured will be based on the wildflowers and locally grown flowers of the area.”

Potrais’ mural submission was selected by a jury of seven people: artist Laura Madera, Linz Hunt (Artspace Board of Directors and Royal LePage Real Estate), Paul Bennett (Owner, Ashburnham Realty), Jon Lockyer (Artspace Director and Curator), Thomas Green (Member of City of Peterborough Public Art Committee), Dennis Carter-Edwards (Member of City of Peterborough Public Art Committee), and Erik Hanson (City of Peterborough Heritage Resources Coordinator). The jury’s selection was endorsed by the City of Peterborough’s Interim Public Art Committee, chaired by Bruce Stonehouse.

Poitras is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Art Studio program at the Queen’s University. Through Spark Box Studio, and as a former professor in the Art and Design Foundations Program at Loyalist College, Poitras has also organized, developed and run courses on a variety of studio arts and arts management topics.

The total budget for the project is $12,000, including $7,000 in artist fees, $4,000 for materials, and $1,000 for travel. The mural is expected to be completed is early October 2017.

The project is part of the ongoing public art program led by the City of Peterborough to create culturally enriched public spaces that foster a sense of place and an emotional attachment to Peterborough’s urban and natural environment. The Aylmer Street Mural Project is funded by the City of Peterborough’s Public Art Program. Artspace has been contracted by the City’s Arts Culture & Heritage Division to coordinate this initiative.

Man arrested after passing out at McDonald’s drive-thru

A 31-year-old Peterborough man was arrested for impaired driving after he passed out while waiting for his food at a local McDonald’s drive-thru.

During the early morning hours of Saturday, August 12th, police were called to the McDonald’s on Chemong Road in Peterborough. Staff reported that a vehicle ordered food at the drive-thru and proceeded to the pay window. While waiting for his order the accused fell asleep. Police arrived to find the vehicle still at the window and the driver still asleep.

As a result of the investigation, John Birkenhead, 31, of Herbert Street was arrested and charged with impaired driving and driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in blood.

The accused was later released and is to appear in court on September 7, 2017.

Man arrested in Peterborough pharmacy robbery

On Friday, August 11th, Peterborough police investigated an attempted robbery at the Mather and Bell Pharmacy on Park Street in Peterborough around noon.

A man allegedly walked into the store, claimed to have a gun, and demanded cash and narcotics. The store manager confronted the man who then fled the store. The store manager caught up with the man and grabbed his backpack.

Police officers along with the K-9 unit searched the area for the suspect. With the assistance of witnesses who were able to point the direction of travel of the suspect, the K-9 unit was able to successfully track down the suspect and arrest him.

Curt Douglas Pelley, 35, of no fixed address was arrested and charged with robbery with intent, disguise with intent, and failing to comply with a probation order.

Pelly was held in custody and appeared before Weekends and Statutory Holiday Court on Saturday, August 12th.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.stopcrimehere.ca.

Teen arrested after threatening father and damaging parents’ home

On Thurdsay, August 11th, police were called to a residence on St. Paul Street in Peterborough residence after reports of a male breaking windows and other property at the residence. Police attended the area and located the suspect near the residence.

During the investigation, police learned that an 18-year-old man had been kicked out of his parents’ residence a week prior to this incident. On August 11th in the late afternoon, the teenager sent threatening text messages to his father and then went to the residence while his father was away. At the residence, witnesses report seeing the accused break a window, patio tables, exterior lights, and some patio stones.

Police arrested the accused and charged him with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and mischief under $5,000.

The accused was held in custody and appeared before Weekends and Statutory Holiday Court on Saturday, August 12th. Police are not identifying the accused man to protect the identity of the victims.

Man arrested after hit and run at Peterborough gas station

On Friday, August 4th, police investigated a hit and run at the Pioneer Gas station on Lansdowne Street East in Peterborough. Police found a lone vehicle heavily damaged and sitting in the middle of the road, with the driver still inside.

Police learned that a truck had pulled out of the gas station and struck the vehicle. The suspect truck then fled the area. Traffic officers attended the gas station and were able to identify the vehicle via the surveillance video at the business. With public assistance and through further investigation, the driver of the truck was identified and a warrant issued for his arrest.

On Friday, August 11th, Jacob Darren Croan, 22, of Campbellford was arrested and charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident. The accused was held in custody and appeared before Weekends and Statutory Holiday Court on Saturday, August 12th.

Man arrested after threatening support worker

On Saturday, August 12th, police were called to a Talwood Drive apartment in Peterborough on the report of a threatening incident.

A worker had attended the apartment for a routine visit. When the worker did not comply with a request made by the client, the client blocked the exit to the apartment and told the worker that he was not leaving. The worker attempted to leave but the client became more agitated and threatened to stab the worker.

The worker was able to call 911. The client calmed down and left the apartment. Police met the client in the lobby of the apartment.

Steven Land, 34, of Talwood Drive was arrested and charged with forcible confinement and utter threats to cause death or bodily harm. The accused was released and will appear in court on September 7, 2017.

Woman arrested for breaking into retirement home rooms

On Wednesday, August 9th, police were called to a retirement home on Charlotte Street in Peterborough after a report of several break and enters into residents’ rooms.

With the help of video surveillance, police learned that the suspect entered the retirement home and went floor to floor checking rooms to see if they were unlocked. If unlocked, the suspect would enter the room for a short period of time and then leave.

After a lengthy investigation, police determined a quantity of cash and items had been stolen from a number of residents.

Police officers were able to identify the suspect via the surveillance video. On Saturday, August 12th members from the Active Crime Unit attended a Ware Street address to locate the suspect. Deanna Walsh, 36, of Ware Street was arrested and charged with two counts of break enter and commit, nine counts of break enter with intent, and fail to comply with probation order.

The accused was held in custody and appeared before Weekends and Statutory Holiday Court on Sunday, August 13th.

As of August 12, 2017, the following beaches have been posted as unsafe for swimming:

• Beavermead – Peterborough City/County
• Rogers Cove – Peterborough City/County
• Ennismore – Peterborough City/County
• Centennial Park West – Eldon Township Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
• Birch Point – Fenelon Falls Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
• Bond Street – Fenelon Falls Area – City of Kawartha Lakes
• Bewdley Beach – Port Hope/Cobourg Area – Northumberland County
• Port Hope Beach West – Port Hope/Cobourg Area – Northumberland County

Here are the complete results of water quality testing at beaches in Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County.

In the City of Peterborough, Peterborough Public Health Inspectors sample the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead every business day, and public beaches in the County of Peterborough are sampled at least once a week (except for Chandos Beach, Quarry Bay Beach, and White’s Beach which are sampled at least once in June, July, and August).

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides weekly testing results for beaches in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County. Testing is based on the most recent test results from the provincial lab in Peterborough for water samples taken from these beaches.

Important note

The following test results may not reflect current water quality conditions. Water samples can take one to three days to process and heavy rainfall, high winds or wave activity, large numbers of waterfowl near a beach, or large numbers of swimmers can rapidly change water quality.

You should always check current conditions before deciding to use a beach. You should also monitor other factors that might suggest a beach is unsafe to use, such as floating debris, oil, discoloured water, bad odours, and excessive weed growth.

While we strive to update this story with the current conditions, you should confirm the most recent test results by visiting the local health unit websites at Peterborough Public Health and Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. As noted above, the beaches at Rogers Cove and Beavermead are tested every business day so the results listed below may not be current.

Peterborough City/County

Backdam – SAFE

Beavermead – UNSAFE

Belmont Lake – SAFE

Buckhorn – SAFE

Chandos – SAFE

Crowe’s Line – SAFE

Curve Lake Henrys Gumming – SAFE

Curve Lake Lance Wood Park – SAFE

Douro – SAFE

Ennismore – UNSAFE

Hiawatha – SAFE

Jones Beach – SAFE

Kasshabog Lake – SAFE

Lakefield – SAFE

Norwood – SAFE

Quarry Bay – SAFE

Rogers Cove – UNSAFE

Sandy Beach – SAFE

Selwyn – SAFE

Squirrel Creek – SAFE

Warsaw Caves – SAFE

White’s Beach – SAFE

City of Kawartha Lakes

Bexley Township Area

Blanchard’s Road Beach – OPEN

Bobcaygeon Area

Beach Park – OPEN 

Riverview Beach Park  – OPEN

Eldon Township Area

Centennial Park West  – POSTED

Emily/Omemee Area

Omemee Beach – OPEN

Fenelon Falls Area

Birch Point – POSTED

Bond Street – POSTED

Sturgeon Point Beach – OPEN

Laxton Township Area

Head Lake – OPEN

Norland Bathing Area – OPEN

Mariposa Township Area

Valentia Beach (aka Sandbar Beach) – OPEN

Somerville Township Area

Burnt River Beach – Unavailable

Somerville – OPEN

Burnt River Four Mile Lake  – OPEN

Verulam Township Area

Centennial Beach  – OPEN 

Verulam Recreational Park – OPEN 

Haliburton County

Algonquin Highlands Area

Dorset Parkette – OPEN

Elvin Johnson Park (aka Stanhope Beach) – OPEN

Dysart et al Area

Eagle Lake Beach – OPEN

Haliburton Lake South Bay – OPEN

Sand Point (aka Indian Point) – OPEN

Pine Lake Beach – OPEN

Sandy Cove Beach – OPEN

Silver Lake (aka Kashawigamog Lake) – OPEN

Highlands East Area

Gooderham Beach – OPEN

Paudash Lake Beach – OPEN

Lake Wilbermere Beach – OPEN

Glamour Lake Beach –  OPEN 

Minden Hills Area

Bissett Beach – OPEN

Little Horseshoe Lake Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Lagoon Beach – OPEN

Minden Rotary Main Beach – OPEN

Twelve Mile Lake Beach – OPEN

Northumberland County

Brighton Area

Cedardale – OPEN

Little Lake – OPEN

Campbellford Area

Crowe Bay Fun Park –  OPEN

Hastings North – OPEN

Hastings South – OPEN

Seymour Conservation Area – OPEN

Port Hope/Cobourg Area

Bewdley Beach – POSTED

Harwood Beach – OPEN

Port Hope Beach East – OPEN

Port Hope Beach West – POSTED

Sandy Bay Park – OPEN

Victoria Beach (Cobourg) – OPEN

Wicklow Beach  – OPEN