George Blake – Buddhist

Life After the Monastery

A doctor of clinical psychology, a professional performer and storyteller, a published author, and a former Buddhist Monk: these are just a few of the fascinating highlights from the life of George Blake. He specializes in stories from his African/Caribbean heritage and Jakata Tales (Buddhist legends) drawn from his studies and experiences as a former bhikkhu (Buddhist monk).

Bones – Tattoo Artist

The Boy Who Inked the Dragon Tattoo

A true Durham Region original, son of a rag-and-bone man and tea leaf reading woman, Bones is known for his artwork and amazing work ethic at Lost Anchor Tattoo in Oshawa. Bones has been part of several art clubs, committees, festivals, and exhibitions over the years. Now, working at Lost Anchor, he’s constantly striving to improve and continue to put art back into the community.

Geneviève Eliany – Homeopath, Nutritionist, Midwife

Natural Medicine, Natural Health

Geneviève Eliany (Trickey) completed her Heilkunst and Homeopathy education at the Hahnemann College for Heilkunst (HCH). The HCH is a federally registered institution based in Ottawa. She is a registered member of the National United Professional Association of Trained Homeopaths (NUPATH) and of the Canadian Society of Homeopaths.

Besides private practice, Geneviève worked with women living at the George Herman House in Toronto and volunteered at Yayasan Bumi Sehat, a birthing centre in Ubud, Bali (Indonesia) in 2005. The centre offers free or low-cost midwifery services where few are able to afford any sort of medical care.

Geneviève recently completed her L.L.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Amy England – Oshawa Regional Councillor

Your City and You: An Inside Look

Councillor Amy England was elected in the 2010 Municipal Election. She is currently the youngest representative on Oshawa City Council and is the Child and Youth Advocate of Durham Region. She sits on the City of Oshawa’s Community Services Committee and the Development Services Committee as well as being Vice-Chair of the Region of Durham Health and Social Services Committee. Councilor England graduated from the Durham College Journalism Program in 2008.

Deanna Hollister – Durham Region Police Officer

From Rideau Hall to the Streets of Durham

Trained in the Canadian military, Deanna Hollister was the first female infantry officer for the Governor General’s Foot Guards – the most senior militia infantry regiment in Canada. After a stint in the Canadian north, Deanna joined the Durham Regional Police force. Presently a training officer and Acting Sergeant, Deanna’s experience includes investigations of fatal collisions, sexual assaults, street robbery, radar, cell block administration, general patrol, and coaching trainees.

Peter Luckhardt – Farmer / Chip Truck Owner

Down on the Farm

A farmer all of his life, Peter Luckhardt knows all the ins and outs of dairy farming and life on the farm. Beginning in Owen Sound, Peter decided to leave his beloved family farm to start a new chapter in Tyrone. Although scary at first, Peter embraced his new job and became farm manager at Willsona Farms within a year, taking the farm from 100 cows to over 500! Find out more about small-town farming and what it’s like to run a chip truck on top of it all!

Linda Ouellet – Medium

Medium or Mentally Ill?

I haven’t always been a medium, but I have always heard voices. Throughout my childhood I assumed that if I could hear them, then so could everyone else. It wasn’t a big deal. Then I got to junior high and found out otherwise. It became my dirty little secret. Throughout much of my early adult life I secretly wondered if I was borderline schizophrenic, but a chance meeting with a psychic changed my life.

Shakir Ibn Yunus Pandor – Imam

Islam in the World Today

Imam Shakir Ibn Yunus Pandor was born in Toronto, Canada to parents who had migrated from India. He traveled to the UK in 1990 where he completed the memorization of the Qur’an and the rigorous 8 year Islamic Theology (Alim) program, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Islamic Theology. He returned to Toronto, where he spent 8 years as an Imam and school teacher in various Masaajid (Mosques) and Islamic schools before moving to Elizabethtown, Kentucky in 2008. He returned to Canada in 2011 and currently is the Imam at the Islamic Center of Oshawa. Imam Shakir is an active member of the Canadian Council of Muslim theologians, a non-profit organization that caters to the various needs of Canadian Muslims, which he also aided in starting in 2001. He is also in the advanced level program with CAPPE, a national organization that certifies Chaplains for hospitals. Imam Shakir enjoys playing sports, especially hockey.

Brianne Wilkins-Bester – Cancer Survivor

A Journey of Hope

Happily married and professionally accomplished, starting a family was her next goal – but it was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. While undergoing fertility treatments her doctors discovered the secret her body was hiding – ovarian cancer. After tucking away several viable embryos for safe keeping, she had a hysterectomy and began chemotherapy treatments. She met her treatments with a smile and a positive attitude and told her cancer to “buzz off”. Now happily in remission and willing to share her journey of hope, you won’t want to miss this truly inspirational story.