A Superhero Kid Named Harrison Who Touched So Many Lives Is Now In Heaven

Peterborough's Harrison McKinnon lived a short life but had a huge impact on so many.

The little boy who we wrote about last year during his battle with lymphoma—he and his parents helped raise awareness about the vital need for blood donors—died on Saturday (June 17th) at the age of 2 years old after a brief and unexpected battle with infection.

Harrison

"Our hearts have shattered into a million pieces... after a brief and unexpected battle with an insidious and relentless infection, today we kissed and held our darling Harrison for the last time," his mom Shannon wrote in a Facebook post.

"On June 17, 2017, 2:15pm, at the age of 2 years, 9 months, our beautiful, sensitive, thoughtful, cuddly, funny and infinitely brave firstborn baby boy peacefully gave up his fight and left all his pain and suffering behind. We are left heartbroken that we will never know the amazing person he was destined to become, but so honoured and thankful that he chose us as his parents so we could know how full our hearts and lives could be. Because of him, we know a love we never guessed was possible before he became ours for his short time in this world. 'Mamoo' forever, Little Love"

Harrison pictured last year with his parents Barrett and Shannon

The powerful obituary for Harrison speaks of an "army of people"—family and friends and caregivers and community—that has been so supportive of Harrison and family during his battle, and praying for them. And that included the teams at PRHC in Peterborough and SickKids in Toronto.

"From the beginning of our fight the paediatric team at PRHC have been our number one champions and supporters - doing everything and anything in their power to help make our path a little bit easier to walk and whatever they could do to help make Harrison well... We would like to express our heartfelt and endless thanks to our exceptional medical team at Sick Kids, who treated us with amazing compassion and kindness, and more like family than patients."

Harrison with his baby brother, Jack

"Harrison fought cancer relentlessly for more than half his life, with a remarkably sunny disposition and with an incredible bravery and strength that left us in awe of him in his short time here with us," his parents write in the obit. "In the end, he beat the beast twice, but ultimately lost his fight to a fierce and opportunistic infection that was able to overcome his body as a result of side effects of treatments he received to help him win his battle with cancer."

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider making donations to The Children's Oncology Group Foundation—an organization that funded the trial of the drug that ultimately helped Harrison beat his disease—donating blood in his name, or registering with the stem cell donor registry to help save a life like Harrison's.

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Portrait Of Peterborough Artist Series Launches Showcasing 40 Local Artists

Peterborough photo artist Mike Taylor has launched an awesome "Peterborough Artists and Artisans Portrait Project" showcasing the tremendous talent in the arts community in Kawarthas.

Jeffrey Macklin, photo by Mike Taylor

Taylor is creating a portrait of 40 select creatives (some of those are featured in this post) as they work, and is hoping to exhibit the entire collection when it's completed at a gallery show (he has four portraits remaining to shoot).

Shannon Taylor, photo by Mike Taylor

"I started this project about 10 years ago, but it was pushed to the side as life got in the way," Taylor tells PTBOCanada of the series. "This past February, I decided that I was ready to pick it up again. So I started researching the local arts community, began sending out email letters and booked my first few portraits."

Megan Ward, photo by Mike Taylor

"The first to shoot was Rob Niezen in his home studio, and the most recent was Lakefield artist Marilyn Goslin," Taylor tells PTBOCanada of his series which is nearing completion.

Rob Niezen, photo by Mike Taylor

"Most of the time, an artist I approach will accept," Taylor says of the series. "I’ve been turned down only twice. A pretty good success ratio I think."

Victoria Wallace, photo by Mike Taylor

"In most cases, the day that I shoot the artist is the first time I meet them," Taylor says. "I go in cold, not knowing what sort of person or environment I will encounter. The challenges are many [he documents some of them here]—and I revel in them all."

John Climenhage, photo by Mike Taylor

"When I moved to Peterborough in 2002, it was very apparent to me this is a very richly artistic community, Taylor tells PTBOCanada. "Being a creative myself, I saw this series as an opportunity to build a body of work that could stretch my skills, while bringing more attention to these talented people. They deserve it. The city deserves it. I’m happy to be part of such a great group of people."

Kate hyde, photo by mike taylor

Recently Taylor started an additional page on the website where he writes about how a few of the portraits were accomplished. "Readers get insight into what is involved in the process, the challenges I deal with, along with what their artist-heros are like while at work," Taylor says.

Paul Nabuurs, photo by Mike Taylor

Taylor's hope is to assemble an exhibition that holds all 40 portraits in addition to a piece of art by each artist. "The idea is that visitors who come to see their favourite artist will be exposed to potentially 39 others that they weren’t familiar with—it’s a win-win scenario," he says.

Peer Christiansen, photo by mike taylor

View more of Mike Taylor's photographs from the series here.

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Mike Fisher's Stanley Cup Run Made Peterborough Proud

Peterborough's Mike Fisher had an incredible season with the Nashville Predators, captaining the team to within two games of winning the Stanley Cup.

Picture via Darling Insurance

The veteran not only inspired Smashville with his leadership, grit and poise on and off the ice, but Peterborough kids who look up to him...

Watch this video with a boy in Peterborough wearing his jersey... 

And students at Ridpath in Lakefield who cheered him on...

The staff and students at Ridpath PS in Lakefield say #GoFishGo @mikefisher1212 @PredsNHL @DarlingIns pic.twitter.com/kuhgmcSjDo

— Pete Dalliday (@petedalliday) June 8, 2017

And Mrs. Johnston's grade 3/4 class at R.F. Downey with their "Go Fish Go!" signs...

Mike Fisher showed youth if you dream big and work hard, anything can happen.

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This One Is For Dougie

Doug—aka "Dougie"—has been a staple in downtown Peterborough for many years, a kind and generous homeless man who has endeared himself to so many adults and children with his smile, kindness and gentle manners.

Which is why a Facebook post by Peterborough's Samuel Milne resonated with so many who know of and love Dougie. In the May 29th post, Milne said, "Yesterday I ran into some luck. So I thought I would pay it forward and give Doug some luck too. This guy is an absolute beauty and makes me smile everytime I see him I hope he enjoys his 50$."

This was the post that is getting hundreds of shares...

Milne tells PTBOCanada what prompted his kind gesture:

Samuel Milne

"My whole family grew up in Peterborough and for the last 14 years I have always seen Doug around town asking for change. I have just always wished I could do more for him and others in his situation. So I have been really thinking of ways to help out more and get others to do the same.

The day I gave Doug the money, I had received a large amount of money myself that I wasn't expecting and I was in the best mood ever. So when I saw Doug at the corner with a big smile on his face, I thought, I'm going to make Doug have an awesome day, too! I shared the picture on Facebook to maybe spark some more people to do the same type of things around Peterborough and help out the community!"

Read all the amazing comments on the post about Dougie on Milne's 21 Jump Streets post here.

Read more comments on our Facebook post.

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The Glorious Local Connection On Nashville's Run To Stanley Cup Finals

Unless you've been living under a rock lately—and we do know there are some really nice rocks in our area—you'll have heard by now that the Nashville Predators, Captained by Mike Fisher, are on their way to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.

Conference champs, baby. #Preds #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JDK8qpe6MH

— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) May 23, 2017

What you might not know is the other epic local connection to the Predators: WWE NXT Champ Bobby Roode—who lives in Peterborough when he's not on the road—and his Glorious Domination theme song have been rocking the Preds and their fans throughout the playoffs.

#Glorious Congrats @PredsNHL

— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) May 23, 2017

i just want to point out that the biggest sports game in the history of nashville ended with an NXT entrance song on repeat. #GLORIOUS

— J.R. Lind (@jrlind) May 23, 2017

How @PredsNHL fans walked into work this morning. @REALBobbyRoode #Glorious pic.twitter.com/c8jlJQgSwK

— The Waterboy Report (@waterboyreport) May 23, 2017

The #Glorious movement is legitimately sweeping the social media Nation in all of its gloriousness, and fans are taking notice outside of the pro wrestling world.

Seriously, search #Glorious and #Preds and you'll find just as many hockey references now as you'll find wrestling references, as hockey (and beyond) starts to adopt this great theme song and hashtag of Roode's.

It wasn't a dream. @PredsNHL #preds #StanleyCup #Glorious #WesternConferenceChamps #Smashville #StandWithUs #WTWFT #StanleyCupFinal pic.twitter.com/fUrmqDh3is

— reagan (@reaganmandile) May 23, 2017

Wow, what a ride. #Preds #believe #glorious pic.twitter.com/Jwv5zBNyhd

— Brad Lifsey (@B_Lifsey) May 23, 2017

Western Conference champs!! @PredsNHL #Glorious #wewantthecup #Preds pic.twitter.com/j8UgTXQVDK

— Christopher Lee (@webshownetwork) May 23, 2017

Nashville—aka "Smashville"—has become a hockey hotbed and if you're going to see a game live anywhere, it's pretty much unmatched in terms of atmosphere. Adding in anthem singers like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Kelly Clarkson bring the crowd to life—and Bobby Roode's theme song keeps the crowd on their feet!

@REALBobbyRoode @PredsNHL It was Glorious. Yes it was. #ANAvsNSH pic.twitter.com/U2JPpB6EYI

— Kenny F. Smith (@kennyfreakin) May 17, 2017

Even more meta-Peterborough, Dan O'Toole did this tweet a couple weeks ago...

Preds win and as Peterborough's @REALBobbyRoode song 'Glorious' is playing Ptbos Mike Fisher gets interviewed. Amazing. #onetweetaday2017

— Dan O'Toole (@tsnotoole) May 7, 2017

If the #Glorious ride continues and the Predators win The Cup, we may know a couple guys who might show up to the parade.

—By Aaron Elliott

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The Amazing Backstory On The Wheelchair Accessible Swings Being Installed At Riverview Park & Zoo

James and Jennifer Todd had a dream to have wheelchair accessible swings be installed at Riverview Park & Zoo's playground area, and that dream is now becoming a reality.

"We're hoping to have the swings installed and ready for use in about two weeks," the Zoo's Manager & Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. "The swings were completely paid for with funds raised by James and Jennifer, who spearheaded this project."

James Todd tells PTBOCanada how the couple came up with the idea to do this:

"Two years ago, we were planning a picnic at the zoo for us and some friends, and my wife realized that our one friend Jenn had a son in a wheelchair. We started asking ourselves what was really offered for him to enjoy there on the playground.

That is when we decided that Peterborough needed wheelchair swings. We phoned the zoo, and talked with the curator Jim about possibilities. That day, a GoFundMe campaign was started, and we figured we'd help with raising maybe $1,000 towards some new swings.

I received an email the next day from Ed Arnold from the Examiner and learned that the pro hockey alumni was donating $2,500 to the cause. Mr. Arnold's article on that Monday morning sparked another $1,000 anonymous donation and started the GoFoundMe getting a lot of attention, including the CBC in Toronto.

A collection at a Peterborough Lakers game generated a fair bit, as well as another anonymous donation of $2,500, and a major donation from the Fowlers Lions/Lioness weekly cruise night. We received donations from as far as New Jersey, and before we knew it, we were over $16,500! We had landscaping donated as well to remove a tree where the swings are being installed.

The zoo still has a cost for fencing, fixing asphalt and the ground covering, so any donations are still extremely appreciated, and can be arranged through the Zoo."
 

Todd tells PTBOCanada he knew it would be a challenge for these swings to be created, but is ecstatic with the results and how the community got behind this:

"We couldn't be happier at the work of the curator Jim, and the swing manufacturer for making this happen. We cannot wait to see people from all over use these swings.

In some cases, it will be the first time a child, teen, or an adult has ever been on a swing."

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Country Music Star Dean Brody Stopped By The Peterborough Humane Society... And (LOL) This Happened

Canadian Country music star Dean Brody was in Peterborough on Saturday performing at the Memorial Centre as part of his Beautiful Freakshow tour.

But Brody, a huge animal lover, also took some time out from his busy tour schedule to stop by the Peterborough Humane Society and visit with the dogs, cats, volunteers and staff.

Also, a cute and hilarious thing happened there that Brody posted about on his Facebook page, along with the below photo.

"We posed for a group shot and the kitten decided to have a poop—it was hysterical," the Humane Society's Susan Porter Dunkley tells PTBOCanada. "But Dean was a gentleman and he just smiled, caught it and then washed up. He is a class act for sure."

Congrats Dean, this will go down as one of the best poop catches ever caught on photograph!

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UPDATED: Police Need Your Help Finding Missing Person 88-Year-Old Allison "Al" Turner

UPDATED POST (April 17th) Sad news: Police say that on April 17th shortly after 1:00 pm, missing person Allison Turner, age 88, was located deceased at the end of Mervin Line. At this time, Mr. Turner's death does not appear suspicious, police say. This is now a coroner's investigation. No further details will be provided by police.

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ORIGINAL POST

The Peterborough Police Service is asking for the public's assistance in locating 88-year-old Allison 'Al' Turner. He was last seen leaving his residence in the area of Armour Rd and Parkhill Rd in Peterborough at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 16th.

Al left his residence driving his 2009 Toyota Corolla, brown in colour, with licence plate number BWPZ462.

Police are concerned for his well being, and believe he may be confused or in medical distress.

Al is described as:

Caucasion
Male
88 years old
6' tall
185lbs
dark rimmed glasses
clean shaven
salt and pepper coloured hair
hazel eyes
wearing dress pants
plaid shirt
brown leather jacket
black shoes

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Police Service at 705.876.1122.

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