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May 2021
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Stop battering cod!
Highlighting the International Peace Garden
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Spring check list for bird lovers
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A green corridor for downtown Winnipeg Dorothy Dobbie
The luminaries of Ferry Road’s past
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Small pockets of green such as this behind the library exist in a sea of concrete downtown.
hose of you who have been reading my rants over the past 15 years or so will recall that I have a passion for greening our city – especially downtown, focussing on how the keep the Forks from being overrun by the cement salesmen! So, I was thrilled to get a call from a fellow traveller in urban greening, Ralf Nielson of Colliers, who asked me if I would give some advice to the folks at Holy Trinity Church downtown. The Rev. Cathy Campbell and her successor, the Rev. Andrew Rampton, have a dream of extending their tiny green space by the church on Donald Street into a green corridor that would lead to the Forks. My ears perked up. I was eager to say yes, not just because of the word green but because that church was where My Mom and Dad were married so long ago, back in 1943, before he, at 18, was sent to war. And because it is also where my own eldest daughter got married. It is a lovely space with a parish that does much good for the community of the inner city. And now, three months after the call from Ralf, I am thrilled to be part of a committee that is trying to figure out how to make Rev. Cathy’s dream come true. u 6 ‘Green corridor’
Watch for our special coverage of the North in our June issue of Lifestyles 55
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atch for our special coverage of the North in our JUNE Lifestyles 55 The world is changing at the speed of light. Every day brings something new to wonder at and to make our lives easier and better. And Manitoba is ideally poised to take advantage of this, We have a treasure trove of riches in our North. Some of them might surprise people: We all expect great things to come from our minerals and hydro-electric energy sectors to help supply the new electric energy world, but there is so much more: people power, education, water, forestry, fisheries, tourism,
Flin Flon could get a new start. the arts, access to salt water – even agriculture and the cold weather! We will explore some of the advantages we have in Manitoba, zeroing in on a few exciting specifics: more gold and many rare minerals such as lithium and caesium that now have new meaning
in the world of computers, electric cars and battery technology. Add to that, Wildflower honey production, world class arts creation and leadership in hydro transmission technology. We will also look at what is holding us back to see if we can discover the key to unlocking all this potential. Five years ago, when this government was elected, they launched an initiative called Look North. Consultations were held, a report was written, an office was opened, people were hired. We will find out what kind of barriers they are facing as they try to move forward.
Ferry Road and Portage Avenue. Did you know that there is a riverside park at the end of Ferry Road? This is where the original ferry used to ply the river.
Fred Morris To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of St. James (starting just west of St. James Street to Sturgeon Road) breaking away from Assiniboia to form their own municipality, I have two Centennial projects. I am doing street profiles. This column features Ferry Road. I am also asking for public input in compiling a list of 100 Great St. James Citizens. Please send me between 1 and 100 nominations. I acknowledge that any list of 100 great St. James’s citizens will be far too short. The people on the list will not be ranked (1). Contact me at fredmorris@ hotmail.com or 207-1061 Sargent Avenue R3E 3M6.
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erry Road is named because the street connected with the Ferry that went across the Assiniboine River. It is a diverse street with business, residential, recreation and education. Prior to 1964, Ferry Road was a direct link from Portage Avenue to Airport Terminal. South of Portage The first St. James MLA, Edwin Bourke. (elected in 1870 and 1874) lived in a home near the south west corner of Ferry Road and Portage. In 1925, William Bourke, Edwin’s son, opened a 9-hole golf course on the south west corner of Ferry and Portage. During the 1930s, one of Canada’s first female golf professionals, Eve Rudd, worked at the course. During the early 1930s, the Municipality of St. James acquired the course. The course permanently closed in 1949. In September 1951, the partially finished St. u 4 ‘Ferry Street'
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MLA for Fort Whyte
Wayne EWASKO
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Sarah GUILLEMARD MLA for Fort Richmond
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Scott FIELDING
MLA for Kirkfield Park
Reg HELWER
cathycox@mymts.net
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mlalakeside@mymts.net
Josh GUENTER
info@cameronfriesen.ca
kelvin@kelvingoertzen.com
mlaaudreygordon@gmail.com
Josh.Guenter@leg.gov.mb.ca
brandoneastmla@shaw.ca
MLA for Steinbach
MLA for Southdale
Derek JOHNSON
Scott JOHNSTON
interlakegimlimla@gmail.com
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MLA for Interlake - Gimli
Shannon MARTIN
Brad MICHALESKI
Andrew MICKLEFIELD
Janice MORLEY-LECOMTE
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MLA for McPhillips
Doyle PIWNIUK
Blaine PEDERSEN
MLA for Turtle Mountain
MLA for Midland
info@doylepiwniuk.ca
midlandmla@outlook.com
Jon REYES
MLA for Waverley jon@jonreyes.ca
Rochelle SQUIRES
James TEISTMA
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james@jamesteitsma.ca
MLA for Riel
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MLA for Radisson
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MLA for Seine River
ron@ronschuler.com
Jeff WHARTON
rrnorthmla@mymts.net
Bob LAGASSÉ
MLA for Dawson Trail
ca.lagasse@outlook.com
Greg NESBITT
MLA for Riding Mountain
gregnesbittmla@mymts.ca
Andrew SMITH
Ron R. SCHULER
MLA for Springfield-Ritchot
MLA for Red River North
MLA for Borderline
MLA for Assiniboia
Alan LAGIMODIERE MLA for Selkirk
MLA for Lakeside
Audrey GORDON
MLA for Brandon East
reghelwer@wcgwave.ca
Ralph EICHLER
Kelvin GOERTZEN
Len ISLEIFSON
MLA for Brandon West
Cliff CULLEN
MLA for Spruce Woods
Cameron FRIESEN
MLA for Morden–Winkler
scott@scottfielding.ca
Cathy COX
MLA for Kildonan - River East
MLA for Lagimodiere
andrew@andrewsmithmla.ca
Dennis SMOOK
dennis@dennissmook.ca
Ian WISHART
Rick WOWCHUK
ptgemla@mymts.net
rick.wowchuk@leg.gov.mb.ca
MLA for Portage la Prairie
MLA for La Verendrye
MLA for Swan River
May 2021
ISSUES IN THE NEWS
Follow us online at: whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55 Twitter: @Lifestyles55 PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net EDITOR Emeritus Joan Cohen ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Ian Leatt ian.leatt@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Gerrie Beachall, Brian Campbell, Dorothy Dobbie, Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Brian Giesbrecht, Erin Girouard, Kasey Hacking, Anne Hawe, Peter Holle, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, Nicole Matiation, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Connie Newman, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Darlene Ronald, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Elly Spencer, Brenda Tonn, Sherrie Versluis, Wayne Weedon, Nathan Zassman. Canadian Publications mail product Sales agreement #40027604 ADVERTISING 1-888-680-2008 info@pegasuspublications.net SUBSCRIPTIONS If you would like to receive Lifestyles 55, we offer both monthly newspaper and online formats. To place your order, call 204-940-2700. Subscriptions are $48.00 per year, plus tax. American Express, MasterCard, Visa & cheque accepted. To view a back issue online visit lifestyles55.net Published monthly by: Pegasus Publications Inc. 138 Swan Lake Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 204-940-2700 whatsupwinnipeg.ca DISTRIBUTION Available at over 100 locations from Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden, Selkirk, Flin Flon and The Pas. If you would like bulk copies of this publication, contact Ian Leatt at (204) 940-2707 or ian.leatt@pegasuspublications. net. Also available digitally at whatsupwinnpeg/ lifestyles and on Facebook: Lifestyles55 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Call Dorothy Dobbie at (204) 940-2716 or email dorothy@pegasuspublications.net for more information and guidelines. Any opinions expressed in columns by our contributors are their own opinions entirely and are not necessarily shared by Pegasus Publications Inc. All information presented by the contributors is the responsibility of the writers. Lifestyles 55 is published monthly. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without seeking permission in writing from the publisher. Copyright Pegasus Publications Inc.
Looking forward to your help and support with the International Peace Garden as I take on the role as its president
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his month, after nine years on the Board of the International Peace Garden, I will become its president. During this time, I have seen the Garden develop under the stewardship of three executive directors, each, along with the Board, making incremental improvements and taking the Garden forward. This is an exciting time in the Garden’s development, and I am looking forward to helping it grow to the next level. It seems fitting that I end my public volunteer career three years from now with this wonderful challenge. I was in my twenties when I took on my first leadership role as the elected president of an organization called Winnipeg A. M., a group of Winnipeg boosters who met every Friday to extoll the virtues and glories of Winnipeg. It became a habit that expanded my activity to Canada as an MP and now back to Manitoba. I still relish every moment of Dorothy Dobbie being involved and, hopefully, making some small difference. But it is time to step back so I want to make this last commitment a blockbuster! Thanks to Premier Pallister and Governor Burgum, we at the Peace Garden are well on our way to realizing much of the promise of the Garden with their joint commitment of some $17 million towards its improvement. And thanks to our young executive director, Tim Chapman, the garden has been injected with new life and excitement – new life in that his wife of two years recently had twins who will grow up in this wonderful place – and excitement with an energetic crew of young managers. Although we loved the old crew, who had worked for us so long and so hard, it was time for the transition. So, what is happening? Well, firstly, the fabulous cactus and succulents collection is being given a bigger and more reliable home. This collection was just getting established when I came on the board, gifted to us by a former U.S. board member, Don Vitko, a nurseryman who had been collecting these specimens for many years. A couple of years ago, we inherited an addition from Winnipeg collector, Ernie Brown, also know locally as Dr. Cacti, when many new varieties were introduced to the collection. We now believe we have the largest variety of succulents in North America, and you will be able to see them more appropriately displayed in their new home. The collection is a major reason to keep the garden operating year-round. But there is more. A nature playground for children is also under construction. Many of the other buildings and structures are getting a face lift or a complete makeover. We are at last going to be able to house our seasonal staff in clean and modern accommodations. Our Café will be given a new design that woks efficiently. We will have storage space for the gift shop and workspaces for the greenhouse.
Still, this is just the beginning. We are about to embark on a major fundraising initiative that will allow us to complete the dream of building an international attraction that fulfills the destiny of the Turtle Mountain as a place where peace talks can continue the tradition of this location. Legend has it that when the indigenous tribes came across the Bering Straits on the isthmus connecting Asia and North America 10 to 15,000 years ago, some of them travelled east across the Arctic, finally turning south at Hudson Bay, following the waterways until they came to Turtle Mountain. Here, it is said, they dispersed into the tribes that would populate much of eastern North America. It is here, too, we are told, that people used to come for peace talks when competition for resources grew too heated. With all this legendary history in mind, it is serendipitous that when Ontario horticulturist, Dr. Henry J. Moore, who conceived the notion of a garden straddling the peaceful border between Canada and the United States, was looking for a location to house the Peace Garden back in 1928, and being one of the early air travellers, he should fly across this interesting hump in the middle of the prairie. He was inspired that this, the heart of the continent, was where the new garden should be rather than the originally chosen Niagara Falls area. With this ancient chain of events in mind, it is clear that the International Peace Garden should be a place where peace between nations can be celebrated. That was the dream of the board back in 1981, when they created a vision that has been only partially fulfilled; that the Garden be a location where people can come together from all over the world to explore methods of conflict resolution. That is the dream that I hope my board will embrace as we move forward. It includes a rebuilding of the iconic Peace Tower, removed some years ago due to weather erosion. It includes a retreat centre where private talks can be held in the sheltering hills of Turtles Mountain and its wild spaces. It includes, in my mind, an extension of the amazing airport that was built with such hope by the US Aeronautics Commission back in the 60s so that today’s private jets can land there in safety. It includes a return to participation by the local indigenous people (something we have already started) who will be part of the planning and participation going forward. And I hope it includes you. I would love to welcome you back as soon as the border opens. (Currently you can go into the garden with no barrier, but Canada Border Services demands that you self-isolate for 14 days when you leave). I want to show you what we are doing and enlist your help and support and enthusiasm in making this garden a wonderful monument to what good people can do when they come together in mutual respect and understanding. My thanks to my predecessors and leaders during my time on the IPG board: Doug Hevenor, executive director, who saw the development of the formal perennials garden until 2014 Dr. Ty Lanager, president, 2012 to 2015 Prof. Charlie Thomsen, president from 2015 to 2018 Garry Enns, interim executive director from 2015 to 2017 Marshall McCullough, president, 2018 to 2021 Tim Chapman, executive director 2018 and ongoing.
Don’t want to miss a single issue of Lifestyles 55? Call us at 940-2700 and ask Shelly, she will be only too pleased to help you purchase a subscription that will bring the paper right to your doorstep! Shelly can arrange for a small monthly charge to your credit card. Or you can start by filling out and mailing in this form to: Lifestyles 55 c/o Pegasus Publications at 138 Swan Lake Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 q $36.00, 12 issues q $72.00, 24 issues q Cheque q VISA q Amex q MasterCard Card No .................................................................................................................... Expiry ........................ Signature ................................................................................ Name ........................................................................................................................... Address ........................................................................................................................ City.....................................Prov............... Postal Code ........................... Telephone...................................... Fax.......................................... Connect with us online: whatsupwinnipeg.ca | Facebook: Lifestyles55 | Twitter: @Lifestyles55
May 2021
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The 150th Anniversary of the first sitting day of the Manitoba Legislature
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anitoba has a rich and vibrant chibald, who was appointed by the fedhistory. 2020 was the 150th an- eral government and essentially served in niversary of Manitoba becom- the role of premier. Among other mating a province, the 100th anniversary of ters, the speech introduced instructions the Manitoba Legislature for members to draft laws Building, and recently we covering the most basic celebrated yet another of government functions. milestone. March 15, Several specific bills were 2021, was the 150th anmentioned in the speech, niversary of the first sitting including a bill to establish day of the Manitoba Legisthe Supreme Court and lative Assembly. As SpeakCourts of General and Peter, I took the opportunity ty Sessions, and other bills to honour this occasion in laying the foundation for the Legislature. I’d like to municipal governments. share with you what I said Referring to the MLAs to my fellow MLAs. The as the gentlemen of the Hon. Myrna Driedger Legislative Assembly the following is my statement Broadway to the legislative assembly. first woman would not Journal ••• be elected to the LegislaSpeaker’s Statement ture for another 50 years I would like you to join the speech also instructed me in celebrating a special anniversary, members to take over responsibility for as today, March 15th, 2021, marks the the expenditures of the government from 150th anniversary of the first sitting day the federal ministers. In those early years, of this Manitoba Legislature. the ability of the Legislature to tax was The first Manitoba Legislature sat limited, and 90 per cent of provincial exfrom March 15th, 1871, to December penditures were covered by the federal 16th, 1874. During those sessions, 43 government. bills received royal assent, most of them It is fascinating to peruse the Estimates dealing with initial administrative and ju- of Expenditure for the year ending Dedicial matters for the new government. cember 31st, 1872. Members may be inThe first sitting day saw the elec- terested to know that the total budget for tion of the first Speaker, Joseph Royal, the Province of Manitoba that year was Esquire, who was immediately tasked $81,425. Line items in the budget inwith reading the first Speech from the cluded the following: $10,000 for roads Throne. This speech had been written by and bridges; $6,000 for public buildLieutenant-Governor Adams George Ar- ings; $7,000 for education; $2,000 for
immigration and agriculture; $500 for the Hospital of St. Boniface; $9,330 for the operation of the 24-member Legislative Assembly, including allowances for the Speaker, the Clerk and the Sergeant at Arms; $3,395 for the seven-member Legislative Council. From 1871 to 1873, the Assembly met in a modest log house in the Red River settlement owned by A.G.B. Bannatyne, near the current corner of Main Street and McDermot Avenue. The Assembly met on the main floor, while the upper chamber, the Legislative Council, met upstairs. The first sitting day occurred in that House, and we are fortunate to have in our presence an artifact which was also present on that sitting day and many others. This would be our first mace, which
members can see sitting on the Clerk’s table today. I have related to members previously that this mace was replaced by our current mace in 1884. Being so fortunate as to still have it safely in our possession, though, we bring it out for use in the House every year on Manitoba Day and other special occasions such as today. The 150-year-old artifact you see on the table today provides a vivid and visceral connection to that first sitting day 150 years ago. I encourage you to imagine it sitting on a rustic table in a small, smoky room filled with several dozen men attempting to conduct the business of that first sitting day. I find that thought compelling and fascinating, and I hope members can appreciate this moment for that reason. I felt it was important to mark this day in the House, and I ask you all to take a moment to reflect on the 150-year legacy of our Legislature. Our predecessors could scarcely have imagined what the future would hold in store for our province, nor could they have imagined the complex technological world in which we live. I would encourage members to reflect on the solemn responsibility we all share to serve our constituents – the same responsibility faced in 1871 – and recall that whatever heated debates we have here are part of a long legacy of service to the citizens of this province. Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
The luminaries of Ferry Road’s pasts
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Continued from page 1
James Collegiate opened. In September ple who have lived on Ferry Road south of 1954, the Annex, the first of several ad- Portage include Harvey Nerbas, a street car operator and political activditions to the Collegiate, ist; Manitoba Baseball Hall of opened. In 1993, the AnFamer Jack Thompson; and nex with a Ferry Road adformer St. James Assiniboia dress was renamed George School Board Trustee RoxWaters Middle School. The anne Delbridge. Bourkevale Community Portage to Ellice Club was formed in 1949. Many memorable parades Under the strong leadership have passed through the inof Bob Pyne, an H Hut airtersection of Portage and port building was transportFerry. They include the 1939 ed to the site at the end of Royal Visit, and the 1962 Ferry Road. Winnipeg Blue Bomber Grey On December 5, 1952, Fred Morris Cup victory parade. On AuSt. James Mayor Reg From the desk gust 23, 1963, a parade honWightman officially opened ouring Claudia McPherson the new clubhouse. In of a gadfly 1955, the St. James YMCA went down Ferry Road to opened. In 1961, an indoor swimming Portage. Claudia, aged 17, had just swum pool was added. St. Stephens Lutheran across the English Channel. Ferry Road has always been a gatherChurch rented the Y for services between 1955 and 1960. In 1993, the Y closed. The ing place for St. James. The Chris Killeen building was demolished and replaced by Grocery Store, Safeway, and currently Famthe Colorado Estates a 55 Plus Co-op. Peo- ily Foods have all been located at the north
west corner of Portage and Ferry. Ferry Road Grocery and now 7-11 have been located on the south west corner of Ness and Ferry. Coffee shops including in the Ding Dong Dell at 1863 Portage, the new Sam’s Lunch and Diner at Ferry and Ness, and the current Tim Hortons at Portage and Ferry, have been gathering places. Lloyd Berry a Canadian actor and director grew up on Ferry Road. His films included Jumanji, Aliens vs Predator, Requiem, and Scary Movie. In 2010, Llyod wrote the Ferry Roaders. The book describes growing up in the 1930s and 1940s on Ferry Road. Edna Berry and Lil Isbister were the Ferry Road matriarchs of the street. Leonard Shakespeare lived on Ferry Road as a young adult. He became a St. Boniface Police Officer and tragically died in the line of duty. A Windsor Park street is named in his memory. There have recently been some new infill houses constructed on Ferry Road just south of St. Matthews. Between St. Matthews and Ellice there is
a commercial component. Killberry Industries, an agricultural manufacturing business founded by Tom Killberry, once had a Ferry Road location. Killberry Industries has evolved into Mac Don. Perimeter Air which services Northern Manitoba is currently located at 626 Ferry. North of Ellice. There are some Ferry Road addresses north of Ellice. A couple of businesses with Ferry Road addresses are located off a side street at the end of Ferry Road. A small stretch of Ferry Road runs off Sargent. A way should be found to eliminate this confusion. Ferry Road should stop at Ellice. Ferry Road is a street full of history. 1. For example, I do not want to spur a debate about who is greater between Bill Hanks who was involved in public issues for decades as a newspaper person and Mayor or Claudia MacPherson who accomplished two nearly impossible swimming feats. Both are on my list. Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.
Highlights of the recent federal budget of interest to seniors
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ere are some of the measures promised in the recent federal budget that are supposed to make life better for seniors. Of concern is that they are largely bureaucratic in nature and do little to deliver personal power to an ageing society that is still active and struggling to make ends meet on the average federal pension. Yes, there are still thousands of seniors who rely on their monthly government stipend to live past retirement. This would include many individuals who worked all their lives at low-income job and paid faithfully into the CPP. All things added together, the average stipend is $15,654 per year. At the very most, you can receive somewhere around $1,500 a month, which would bring you to a maximum benefit of $18,000 a year, well below the poverty line. So, the budget announcements did little to relieve the very real living concerns of a 4
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great number of seniors. To deal with this, many move into subsidized retirement homes, where the government houses you and charges according to income. These are not the luxury accommodations you see on ads for senior living and often folks are forced to live two and three to a room. They lose their privacy and their dignity, even though they may still be of sound mind but perhaps require some daily physical assistance. For these people who could still live independently, end of life is a miserable prospect. When something such as a pandemic strikes, the consequences of loneliness, abuse and misery have been well documented over the past year. Added up all together the federal budget announcement totaled $367.4 million, plus a token one time “gift” of $500 to those over 75 and a 10 per cent increase in their
OAS payment. In real terms, that is an average of $94.54 per month, barely enough to cover the rental increases, let alone the exploding cost of food. So, you be the judge. How much of the following big numbers will help you get through your next few years? And how much of this will end up in the pockets of the civil servants hired to administer these funds? • $90 million over three years to support seniors aging in place through the “Age Well at Home” initiative. • $50 million over five years to design and deliver interventions that promote safe relationships, including elder abuse prevention. • An increase of OAS at age 75 by 10 per cent plus a $500 one-time payment. • $29.8 million over six years to improve access to palliative care.
• $100 million over three years to support people suffering mental trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic, including seniors. • $45 million over two years develop national mental health service standards. • $25 million over five years to create a National Framework for Diabetes. • $27.6 million over three years for my65+, a Group Tax-Free Savings. Account offered by the Service Employees International Union Healthcare to financially support front-line health care workers. • 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 42 weeks, for the Canada Recovery Caregiver Benefit. • Increase disaggregated data collection by government agencies which will help seniors and others be counted and “seen”. Once again. Seniors, who have created the wealth now so freely spent, are left out in the cold with only token comfort to turn to. May 2021
Are Canadians intrinsically racist? Only its Government thinks so
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anada has ALWAYS prided itself on being multicultural origins and have promoted a cultural one of the most open and least racist coun- mosaic, rather than a melting pot. In Canada we take tries in the world. This view may not have pride in our different backgrounds and always been true, particularly about our celebrate them for generations, unlike past immigration policies, which only the USA which has historically encourbecame colour neutral in the 1960s. aged everyone to simply become AmerBut since then, and ongoing today, the icans as soon as possible. majority of our immigrants have been Secondly, unlike the USA, we have what are referred to as people of colour made a point of banning racial infor(a highly pejorative term that, hopemation from most government forms. fully, will soon become unfashionable). You are not asked what race you are The recent absorption of so many on a driver’s license, birth certificate, newcomers of different backgrounds, school enrolment, marriage certificate, races, and religions is no small feat. No or even criminal record checks. For the other country in the world has brought most part, governments have been, in such high levels as a percentage of and remain, colour blind to your race. Peter Holle its population of different people in In the USA, they break most statistics Public such a short period of time. No other down according to race, noting every country has done this so successfully. small difference and outcomes. Policy Most countries in the world never even Our current Canadian government attempt this experiment. The addition wants to change that, starting with the of even small numbers of racially mixed newcomers premise that only white people can be racist. I am often results in massive waves of ghettoization, riots, not making this up. It comes directly from the Fedand unbridled racism. Think Brexit in the UK, riots eral Government’s most recent in-house training on and insurrection in the USA, burning refugee camps anti-racism where they say that prejudice by somein Greece, to name but a few recent examples. one of another race against a race is not racism, and In Canada, despite being way outside the norm that it is only considered racist if is from a white perin accepting so many different people in such large son. Hard to believe, but true. numbers, we have largely been successful in peaceAnyone who has travelled extensively has encounfully integrating these new populations and we tered severe racism in its ugliest forms. This is the should be proud of this accomplishment. kind that see Yazidi’s killed on mass by Islamic exWhat have we done right to make this happen? tremists, where India’s caste system prevents low First and foremost is that we have embraced our caste people from even talking to so-called elite
castes, or where Jews and Christians have been all but exterminated from most Middle Eastern countries. Why is this important? Unlike the period before Justin Trudeau, where immigrants were told that everyone is equal: men and women, black and white, rich and poor, the new message is that only white people can be racist as they hold all the power. The problem with this is that it is facilitating the racism and prejudice that so many left behind in their home countries and that we have historically tried to eliminate from their new life in Canada. Canadians have worked hard as a country over many decades to minimize newcomers from importing their own nation’s racial prejudices, only to find that in Justin Trudeau’s Canada, these prejudices are no longer considered racist and that only white people can be racist. They have come to Canada hoping to find a country of equality and freedom, but instead find an increasingly race-obsessed administration that is trotting out racists tropes and pitting everyone else against white people. This cannot work. This is wrong and it must stop. Canadians believe in equality and compassion. We do not believe in bashing one group against another. We need to call on all government officials, elected or otherwise, to resist this terrible movement in our country. We must relish our belief in equality and not let a few “woke” individuals try to take that away from us. If Canada does not believe in equality, then what else is there to believe in? Peter Holle is president of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
The impact of COVID-19 on the Human Rights of older persons Senator Pat Bovey’s speech to the United Nations on March 31, 2021
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anada’s Chief Public Health Officer stated the largest lesson learned during the first year of the pandemic is that “We failed our most vulnerable. The tragedy and massive lesson learned for everyone in Canada is that we were at every level not able to protect our seniors, particularly those in long term care homes. Even worse is that in the second wave we warned of the resurgence yet there was a repeat of the huge impact on that population.” These are blunt but such true words. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has said “Hope may be found in the care we give the vulnerable in a time of need.” We failed our seniors; we did not protect them in their time of need, and we were warned this could happen. Myriad reports, studies and papers presented over many years laid out the urgent need for us to make changes in our health care approach which would have prevented the direst effects of this pandemic. Covid-19 does not discriminate between those it infects, but it does affect the vulnerable in our populations to a much greater degree. On January 25th, 2020, the first confirmed presumptive case of Covid-19 occurred in Canada. On February 3rd, 2020, the first recorded case of Covid-19 was linked to community transmission. On March 7, 2020 the first Covid-19 outbreak occurred in a long-term care home in Canada. By mid-April Canada’s military had been tasked to assist in what had quickly turned into a national nightmare in Canada’s long-term care homes. The report they issued is scathing and presents a picture of neglect. It is not easy reading. The cost of the military intervention then was $53 million. A continuum of care would have cost so much less in dollars, deaths and mental health. May 2021
Indeed, a May 25th, 2020 OECD report indicated 81 per cent of known Covid-19 deaths in Canada occurred in long-term care homes. As of August 2020, the total number of deaths linked to Covid-19 across Canada was 9,000; 7,200 linked to long-term care. This morning, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported 69 per cent of Canadian COVID-19 deaths were in care homes; the international average being 41 per cent. Outbreaks in 2500 Canadian care homes resulted in 14,000 deaths by February 2021. Care homes had less medical care, fewer doctors’ visits and fewer hospital transfers than earlier years. The second wave increased infection in homes by 62 per cent. I have heard so many stories of the suffering residents of these homes have gone through during this pandemic. In one instance an entire group of friends who lived and spent time together in their home were gone within days of each other. My heart reaches out to those who lost a parent, grandparent, family member or friend without a last visit or a hug from their loved ones. Families are justifiably angry at the way we have treated our seniors. The isolation has been devastating, impacting those with and without COVID-19, and all generations. Those without family visits fared worse. Isolation bred fear and despair. People gave up and died. Many could not comprehend the COVID-19 circumstance. Families filled with fear and anguish suffered a real sense of loss. How important those hugs are! I also feel for those care workers who did their best to provide that care and comfort in the absence of family. Stories of front-line workers spending their own money on personal protective equipment, holding residents’ hands to provide some humanity in
their time of death remind us of the extreme mental and physical hardships they went through. I thank them for their dedication. We must embrace the painful lessons and truths learned regarding the human rights of our elder persons during this pandemic. We must fix the broken long-term care system. Canada must develop national standards on longterm care. We must increase trained staff. I hope we are moving in that direction. Canada’s chief public health officer advises: “Investment in community health and social services that support older adults to continue living independently at home could also prevent the emotional, social, physical and financial hardships associated with leaving home to live in long-term care residences.” Dr. Samir Sinha noted in today’s report: “It really tells us that there were things that we could have done to avoid a lot of deaths. … Countries that were better prepared … that had better funded systems … performed far better than Canada.” Canadian architect Rudy Friesen opined “We need a multipronged approach to caring for older adults. We need a system that is more humane, trustworthy, accountable, equitable, economical, integrated and resilient.” Now is the time! The household model, much more like a family situation of care home, is proving successful, with more consistent and better trained staff, single larger rooms giving greater personal space and of course smaller groups of people allowing better human connections, better ventilation and better infection control. In the wider context this is about society providing the respect and dignity our elder persons deserve. The pandemic highlighted the reality that elder persons suffer from isolation, food and economic insecurity, lack of
services, lack of participation in society and the mental health issues these worries produce. We must build better communities to address these concerns and encourage intergenerational approaches honouring the need to connect the marginalized and vulnerable. My own mother in her advanced dementia in her care home benefitted from family visits, those of my children’s friends, and from the regular visits of a local preschool and special visits with pets. We must also address the increasing incidence of elder abuse which occurred during this pandemic, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment and financial abuse. This must stop. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 people manning the phones at elder abuse lines have experienced a dramatic increase in calls, a sad testament to the need for more protection for our aged population. The hiring of elder persons’ advocates must expand. Now is the time for Canada to support the UN’s work for an International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, certainly given the pandemic, but not just limited to instances of pandemics. Experts have defined what a UN Convention on Older Persons would do. It would confront ageism, assist in policy making and accountability; it would educate, and empower the rights holders. It would honour the selfless lives of elder persons, their hard work, wisdom and compassion. We must support this international initiative. We must protect human rights based on compassion and empathy. Quality of life, not just longevity, is important. We must encourage the continuation of prior activities, exercise, engagement with music and colour, and conversation. “Human Rights do not have a best before date.” whatsupwinnipeg.ca
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Can revitalization of the Bay store learn from Vancouver’s Woodwards? Anne Hawe
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he Hudson Bay department store opened at Portage Avenue and Vaughan Street on November 18, 1926. Some 50,000 shoppers went through the three floors that were open after lining up for hours to get in. The upper floors were still not completely ready for customers. Department stores were seen as the epitome of style back then and were considered to provide a superior shopping experience. At a time when there was not a lot for women to do outside the home, they could leave their youngest Woodward’s. children at the Bay’s nursery and spend a few hours in the store getting their hair done, lunching with friends, listening to music, and, of course, shopping. How times change. Now the Bay sits empty and Portage Avenue is no longer a prime retail area. Like most of the grand department stores of its time, its size makes it hard to repurpose even though it is an architectural gem. Vancouver faced a similar problem in 1993 when the bankruptcy of Woodward’s Department Stores Ltd. forced the closure of the flagship Woodward’s store on East Cordova Street. The much-loved store, twice the size of the shuttered Hudson’s Bay, sat empty and neglected for almost ten years. At the edge of the Downtown Eastside, it was a very visible symbol of the downward slide of the area from bustling retail environment to the
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poorest postal code in Canada. An occupation by anti-homelessness protesters initiated the site’s redevelopment. That the project happened at all was due to the tireless efforts of many, especially long-time city councilor and community activist Jim Green (now deceased) who advocated strongly for the inclusion of social housing. An unlikely partnership of a luxury condo developer and a socially conscious architect took on the project. The community’s needs were front and centre during the design process as the duo were committed to building something special that would revitalize the impoverished area and bring more people into it. The innovative largescale mixed-use project captured the hearts of area residents and Vancouverites alike when its four interconnected buildings were completed in 2010. Luxury condos and subsidized housing co-exist in one of the towers a first for the city. The original timber framed part of the store dating from 1908 was preserved during the demolition as its iconic facade had been part of the fabric of life in the neighbourhood for decades. It would now house non-profits, government offices and a daycare. Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) School for Contemporary Arts campus anchors the development, drawing students from across the city. Its theatre, screening rooms, sound studio and galleries are a mecca for arts lovers. The 50-foot photo mural of the Gastown Riots of 1971 by artist Stan Douglas in the soaring glass topped
What’s next for our unoccupied downtown Bay building? atrium represents a new beginning. A basketball hoop atop a half court gets a lot of use in this huge public space leading to a large grocery store and a pharmacy that add more retail to the area. With as much imagination, the downtown Bay can also be creatively re-purposed into an iconic new space. It holds wonderful memories for older Winnipeggers who were loyal customers of the store for decades, and many others fondly remember eating at the Paddlewheel Restaurant. The majestic building is one of a kind in Winnipeg and is protected by the heritage designation it received in 2019 and the place it holds in people’s
hearts. It was the largest reinforced concrete building in Canada when it was built. It is supported by 151 concrete pillars driven 52 feet down to the bedrock, so it is structurally sound. As well, the provincial government has established a $25 million trust fund to pay for ongoing maintenance and the preservation of its listed historical features, so any buyer will not incur additional costs. It is hoped that the building will play a part in the revitalization of downtown. In the meantime, we can look forward to seeing exhibits in the large display windows on the main floors so even as it sits empty it will once again be enticing people downtown.
A green corridor for downtown Winnipeg Continued from page 1
To that end, there have been many consultations and investigations about who the neighbours are and how to bring them onside to realize the possibilities. That process continues. We will also be looking for allies at City hall, both elected and non-elected. Several weeks ago, committee member Klaus Lahr, former CEO of the Convention Centre, and I took a walking tour of the area, strolling down Graham and over to Main, across the street and down Waterfront until we came to the beautiful new Richardson Innovation centre and back up Lombard, crossing Main and passing the sparkling construct that will be 300 Main. Our return walk took us to True North Square and then to the open space across the street, where more building is talking place near the Convention Centre. We were looking for green spaces that could somehow be linked in the future. If you haven’t walked these streets for years, it is a revelation. You will see tiny pockets of beauty and potential beauty and you will see some ugly things, all man made. The ugliest was outside our newest Civic Building, the Police headquarters. This was not just a financial disaster but an aesthetic one as well. In its previous iteration as the Canada Post Building, efforts were made to keep the grounds somewhat attractive and clean. Today, it is anything but. Sadly, when we were there, some homeless folk had found 6
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The shining new building at 300 Main backs on a bleak parking lot (these can be greened), and cheap, ugly planters on the dirty plaza in front of the police station.
This is what you see when you exit Graham Ave., blank wall with no hint of where The Forks might be.
a home in the bus shelter and others were using the spaces to gather and socialize, reacting to the ugly space by treating it with the contempt it deserved. Across the street is a parking lot, a bleak and unsightly expanse of nothing creating a wide-open view of the construction of the new tower anchoring Winnipeg Square at 300
Main. Across the street at the corner of Smith and Main, there is a bright spot: the newly renovated Fortune Block. Turning south on Graham at Smith Street, you run into the library which harbours a hidden plaza with some weak plantings on its margins. The best thing about this space, which should be a leafy spot for downtown
readers, is a lovely lyre-shaped fountain on the Donald side. The “garden” is a concrete plaza, a heat sink with a pool, but not a place to linger. It is the same at True North Square, which offers a few raised beds in another sea of concrete. All along the route, here and there, trees struggle for life. Tiny strips of unpaved land border a few buildings where caring owners have done a bit of landscaping. There are no clues, let alone actual signs to direct visitors to The Forks, our current number one downtown tourist attraction. Granted, it is not all sad and ugly. There are little patches of green, and that is what our committee is banking on expanding. We are fortunate to have on the committee Ryan Pollard who is setting the example with his renovation of the 136-year-old Fortune Block on the corner of Graham and Main. And the St. Regis Hotel has been demolished to make way for some sort of “mixed use”. The lot currently stands empty so there is hope that the new developers will take the current world-wide interest in green space into consideration when redevelopment begins. I am letting you know so that you can help us. If you have ideas or just want to support the effort, let me know. I understand that so many of you never venture downtown, but that you don’t is a great loss to our city and to your potential enjoyment of it. May 2021
Mental Health Week occurs May 3-9, 2021 Erin Girouard
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ith Mental Health Week taking place this month, it is a good reminder for all of us to think about our mental wellness. Maintaining good mental health and well-being is important at every age, and older adults are no exception. As we enter our golden years, we want to ensure they are filled with health, social connection, vitality, and meaning. With aging may come several different challenges that can make older adults especially vulnerable to mental health concerns. As we age, we may begin to experience memory problems and cognitive decline. We may be coping with chronic pain and other long-term illnesses. As we enter a new season of life, we often need to adjust to significant life changes such as retirement and our children leaving home. We may also find ourselves coping with the loss of beloved family members and friends. As a result of these life changes, we may experience feelings of anxiety and stress. We also may experience loneliness and isolation. With the onset of COVID-19, we are even more at risk of loneliness and isolation because of social distancing and having less access to our usual support networks and community programs. The good news is there are steps we can take every day to help us embrace these life changes and begin our journey towards a better sense of wellbeing. So how do we get started? Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Mental Health Program has created a Thrive Over 55 tip sheet at WellBeingGuide.ca which lists five simple tips for taking care of your mind, body and spirit. Look for ways incorporate at least one of these tips into your daily routine to enhance your mental health and wellness. 1. Discover – Try out a new hobby or explore something new to learn more about. You can pick
Staying active mentally is as important as staying active physically. up a book on a topic you have always wanted to find out more about, try out a new healthy recipe, or look up tutorial videos online to learn a new hobby such as knitting or playing an instrument. 2. Get Up and Go – Being active is important to maintaining our physical and mental health. With the warmer months now upon us, there is no better time to get outside and go for a walk! The Government of Manitoba has also compiled a list of virtual exercises you can do at home at SafeAtHomeMB. ca. 3. Share Your Gifts – Look for ways to give back and help others in our community. Sharing your time and expertise with others can be rewarding and may give you a renewed sense of purpose. Check out the virtual or phone-based volunteer opportunities available through Volunteer Manitoba, or simply give a friend or neighbour a call to see how they are coping in the midst of the pandemic. 4. Reflect – Take a moment every day to reflect on a favourite memory or look through an old
photo album. Start a journal to write down some of your most treasured stories and memories. Sharing these stories with family and friends is also a great way to reminisce and reconnect over a special memory. 5. Gratitude – Being thankful helps us to stay positive and can even give our immune system a boost! Practice writing down three good things that happened in your day and three things you are grateful for, such as a friend or a pet. In recognition of the loneliness and isolation faced by many older adults, The Vic Foundation and Victoria Lifeline have developed a new program to combat senior isolation known as Send A Smile To A Senior. The program kicked off in December by delivering care packages with local goods and handmade cards to over 450 isolated seniors in our community. Our next Send A Smile To A Senior initiative, Calls For Comfort, is a partnership with Fort Richmond Collegiate where seniors who have registered through the Fort Garry Seniors Resource Council will participate in weekly half hour phone or virtual conversations over a four-week period. Taking care of our mental health is an important part of healthy aging. Look for opportunities every day to give your mental wellness a boost and to live your best life. Take the first step on your well-being journey today! If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, don’t hesitate to seek help from a trained mental health professional. You can also visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/bewell for a list of mental health resources compiled by the Government of Manitoba to help people cope during COVID-19. Erin Girouard is the Communications & Public Relations Manager at Victoria General Hospital Foundation. This article is meant to be informational in nature and should not replace the advice of a trained healthcare professional.
Fix your sinus problems naturally in 4 easy steps
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client visited me a few months lower incidence of ear infections. Xylitol tastes sweet and has been used ago complaining of persistent sinus problems (headaches and a as a sugar substitute for diabetics. It constantly stuffy nose). His issues were doesn't affect blood glucose or insulin not only keeping him up at night, but his levels, and has 40 per cent fewer calories than sugar. Discovdisrupted breathing made ered around 1890 by Euit difficult for his wife to ropean researchers, it was sleep as well. The techniused during World War cal name for this condiII during a sugar shorttion is rhinosinusitis, and age in Scandinavian counthe symptoms include sitries. After the war, dental nus headache, sore throat, professionals noticed that stuffy nose, fever, and – if patients who had been usthere's a bacterial infection ing xylitol instead of sugar present – a pus-like nasal had fewer cavities and betdischarge and facial pain. ter oral health. He had tried everything Since then there have his doctor recommended, been thousands of studies none of which led to any proving the many benefits improvement. He tried usNathan Zassman of xylitol, not just for siing a neti pot with a saltNatural Health nus problems, but also for water solution, and while preventing tooth decay. the saline did clean and dry out his nasal passages, he found Xylitol is found in many toothpastes and the stuffy nose and other symptoms tooth powders as it decreases the oral returned. To treat tough cases like this, bacteria that causes dental plaque and I've found great success with a four-step reduces the incidence of dental cavities. I prefer tooth powders, and use a small approach. amount of Good Gums and TheraNeem Step 1 – Xylitol Xylitol, a natural sugar found in many mixed together in the palm of my hand, fruits and vegetables, can be very effec- which easily adheres to a wet toothtive for treating chronic rhinosinusitis brush. Good Gums has a variety of inwhen combined with a saline solution. gredients that support oral and gingival A double-blind placebo-controlled study health, and TheraNeem Tooth & Gum at Stanford University found that treat- Powder combines the Ayurvedic healing ment with xylitol resulted in a “greater herb neem with xylitol and a probiotic improvement of symptoms of chronic strain known as BLIS K12 to help prerhinosinusitis as compared to saline ir- vent cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day with these tooth powders complerigation.” Xylitol soothes mucous membranes by ments the benefits of xylitol nasal irridrawing moisture to the skin's surface. gation, and also increases your levels of As xylitol is non-fermentable, bacteria healthy oral probiotics. can't use it to grow and produce harmful Step 2 – Blis K12 acids. This prevents bacteria from prolifDeveloped by John Tagg, Ph.D., a erating in the nasal passages and the mu- professor who has dedicated his life's cous membranes lining the inside of the work to microbiology research, BLIS mouth. The result is a dramatic reduc- K12 is a probiotic designed to be taken tion of sinus problems without the side as a lozenge or chewing gum. Regular effects of drugs. Studies have also found use of BLIS K12 colonizes the oral cavthat xylitol in mints or gum results in a ity with friendly bacteria (Streptococcus May 2021
salivarius), and crowds out pathogenic bacteria that can lead to tonsillitis, ear, nasal, and throat infections (including strep). Safe for infants and adults, BLIS K12 is the perfect complement to xylitol. Step 3 – Control Your Environment Humidity: Heating our homes makes the dry, seasonal air even worse for our eyes, nose, and mucous membranes, increasing our susceptibility to airborne pathogens. During the winter months, I recommend regular use of a portable steam or ultrasonic humidifier. Proper humidification can help boost immunity and speed up recovery from colds and flu. In addition, our windpipe's natural cleansing function is adversely affected by dry air, potentially contributing to infection and respiratory tract complaints. Managing humidity levels helps to alleviate dry air passages and nasal membranes, allowing for better rest, which aids in recovery. Air Quality: Exposure to airborne pathogens like viruses and bacteria increases the risk of infection, but dust mites, pollen, and mold spores can all be hazardous to our health. HEPA air purifiers have traditionally been the most popular solution, as HEPA filters effectively trap viruses (including coronaviruses) and many common allergy triggers. Step 4 – Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) The seeds from the remarkable Nigella sativa plant (and the oil derived from them) have been used to treat a wide variety of health issues dating back to 1550 BC. Known to help improve kidney, liver, and heart function, black seed oil is a natural antihistamine that can reduce sinus and lung inflammation and ease the symptoms associated with sinus infection including neck pain, headache, earache, toothache, and respiratory congestion. In one study, participants put black seed oil drops in their noses to treat mild, moderate, or severe
cases of allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever). After six weeks, over 90 per cent of those with symptoms including sneezing, itchy eyes, and stuffy nose, were either cured or showed a significant improvement. Only 30 per cent of those in the placebo group found a benefit. One of the most powerful natural healing products, studies have shown black seed oil to be effective for a range of other health concerns including weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and asthma. I recommend two teaspoons per day. For the client with chronic sinus issues, we reduced his exposure to pathogens with a suitable air purifier and humidifier. I recommended a pair of products from Xlear, suggested he take a BLIS K12 lozenge three times a day, brush his teeth twice daily with Good Gums and TheraNeem, and take two teaspoons of black seed oil each morning. Xlear Sinus Care nasal spray combines xylitol, salt, and grapefruit seed extract. Xlear Sinus Care Solution is a combined salt and xylitol formula in individual packets for use with a nasal irrigator or neti pot. About a week later the client called and said that his sinus symptoms had vanished in a few days and that he couldn't believe the difference. He's sleeping much better, and so is his wife. If the symptoms return, he uses the nasal spray for fast relief. He continues to brush his teeth with the two tooth powders, uses the Sinus Care Solution each morning and evening, takes black seed oil, and maintains good oral health by having a BLIS K12 lozenge twice a day. I've found that combining xylitol treatments with BLIS K12, black seed oil, and managing your indoor environment provides effective, long-lasting relief from bacterial infections and helps to ease sinus problems. Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions. whatsupwinnipeg.ca
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What side Cod really does not need works best to be battered all the time! for you?
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It’s easy to decide.
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hat side works best for you? When it comes to the exterior siding for your homes and outer buildings, we all have vastly different opinions. As well, all outer surfaces have multiple purposes. If you are currently considering altering or repairing exterior walls, here are a few helpful pointers. The most noticeable purpose for the siding of your home is the aesthetic appeal. The material you finally Brent Poole choose should be influenced Home by its architecImprovements tural style. Siding protects, providing a barrier against the weather and helping to insulate in the process. Some exterior finishes and materials work better in different climates. In Manitoba, we face extremes from weather that can ridiculously hot to very cold. Ultimately, the right exterior finish influencers your home’s resale value. So be sure to choose the right exterior, and your home’s curb appeal will skyrocket. It is particularly important to consider the different products and types of siding for your home. The options when it comes to house siding include: • Vinyl • Brick • Engineered wood. • Fiber-cement • Metal • Stone, both natural and fabricated • Stucco • Wood An important factor to take into consideration is the type of siding you require. Do you want traditional horizontal siding, or would vertical give you the look you are trying to achieve? Are you trying to create rustic charm, or would you consider something a little more ultra-modern like plastic siding or metal siding to give it a more contemporary feel and look? Understanding which product and siding is best for your home will ultimately depend on several over-riding factors, including budget and your personal preference. Some of the options aforementioned do require different levels of maintenance over others, this may also add to the deciding factor. When it comes down to it choosing what is best for you and your home is your decision. One thing you may want to consider is connecting with your contractor. Their advice will be immensely helpful. They have the experience to advise, repair and maintain your home to a healthy standing. Brent Poole is the owner operator of Handy Hands Construction, which he has run with his father Jim since 1997. A carpenter by trade, Brent enjoys all types of projects. “We’re not happy until you are happy!” 8
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hy do I love cod? Honestly, I prefer sea water fish to lake fish. To be fair, the saltwater fish has had a quite different life from the lazy freshwater one. The saltwater fish has had to live in a vast expanse of the ocean, surviving the fierceness of the sea, and swimming against the many currents making its muscle stronger. . . Or is this just me being fanciful? And we have to admit that for many, cod was the saving force during harder times years ago. I have heard it said that cod is only good wrapped in beer batter, a huge misconception, I feel! If you have never tried it cooked withIan Leatt out being deep fried in batFoodies ter, you have not really experienced the true taste and gloriousness of cod. The flesh when cooked perfectly, is loaded with large tender flakes, which have a wonderful body and texture about it. The flavour of oil and butter gives it a very earthy taste. Coupled with cream minted peas, this is a match made in heaven. I serve this dish often and I can promise you everyone delights in its taste along with its look and style. Ingredients: 1 packet frozen peas 1 lemon cut in quarters 250 ml whipping cream 2 cups fresh finely chopped garden mint Freshly ground sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper 2 filets fresh Atlantic cod 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil ¼ cup white wine Several sprigs fresh dill Several stems fresh chives Directions: Empty the contents of the peas into a large pot. Add all the mint and a good pinch of salt. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Leave to boil for eight minutes. Strain, then set aside.
Why hide your cod behind a wall of batter? In a large frying pan, pour in the olive oil and add the butter. Place on a medium heat. Cut cod fillets into equal sizes and add to the frying pan. Pour in a quarter cup of white wine, season with a pinch of salt and pepper on each piece of cod. Cook the cod on one side for three minutes then carefully flip over, trying not to break each piece as you do so. Add the cream and mash the peas not too fine, they need to have some form. Using a cookie cutter place on to a plate in the center and fill half way up with mashed peas. Push down gently so that when you remove the cutter you have a shape left. Try not to have any liquid or it will spoil the look. Place the now cooked pieces of cod on top of the peas on each plate. Garnish with some chives, fresh dill and a piece of lemon. (Squeeze the lemon over the fish when eating) Enjoy! This dish makes a light lunch or a great middle course, surprise your guests with your guile and skill in the kitchen, their reaction will be one of wonder, of that I have no fear. Editor’s note: Ian has served this to me. I promise you, it is really, really good! Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.
Hemasiri Perera
A true renunciant, though a layman Senaka Samarasinghe
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have met many different individuals. Among them, I met few with the extraordinary qualities of Mr. Hemasiri Perera. Mr. Hemasiri Perera was a practicing Buddhist and a student of Henegama Central College where Mr. Mylvaganam Subramaniam was his mathematics teacher (1955/56). Mr. Perera was the first student who entered University from this school. According to Mr. Subramaniam, Mr. Perera was a hustler, hard working and a well-dressed student. In 1964, he graduated from University of Peradeniya. During his university tenure he was an outstanding athlete and table tennis player. He was a versatile character with multidisciplinary knowledge, but he was following subjects related for a statistics degree. University batchmates called him as Stat Perera. Just after completing his degree Mr. Perera got an opportunity to work as an assistant lecturer at University of Vidyalankara. For a short time, he was an economic adviser to Lanka Steel Corporation. Until his retirement, he worked as Director of Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka and Coco-
nut Development Authority, Colombo. In the Sri Lankan coconut sector, he provided numerous consultations to the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) and several UN Agencies as well as quite a few countries on behalf of Government of Sri Lanka. He was the author for two Sinhala Books: Gami Andarayak (Rural Anecdote) and Udella, Ma Ana Thuru Bala Sitee (Mammoty, Waiting for Me). Seven books were published in English based on the coconut industry. These publications and his extensive knowledge earned hm the title as a walking encyclopedia. In time, Mr. Subramaniam and his
wife Prema immigrated to Winnipeg to spend their retirement life with their daughter, Nirosha. Mr. Perera was very popular among non-Sri Lanka Seniors as a member of Trinity United Church. He was also a talented dramatist and he demonstrated his acting talents at the annual Sri Lankan Association of Manitoba event held in April during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration. Sometimes he joined in singing folk songs. He helped us to bring our good old memories back home and expose our rich culture among Canadian communities. Mr. Perera joined Sri Lankan 55+ Seniors Group and was elected as a board member in 2018 and re-elected to the Board on June 21, 2020. Mr. Perera went back to Sri Lanka to attend few of his domestic matters and during this period he got sick. His second son, Priyantha, carefully looked after his loving father. (His eldest son Channa has worked in Singapore for more than three decades. He is closely associated with Ven. (Dr.) Omalpe Sobiha Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Bodhiraja Viharaya in Singapore.) When Mr. Perera was sick, Ven. Sobiha Thera visited to bless him. Further, Ven. Sobita Thera conducted a Pansukulaya (Buddhist funeral service) as well. May 2021
Let no one be alone this May Brenda Tonn
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hrough compelling research, I have learned that loneliness is a leading cause of death. First hand experience has showed me just how significantly being unwantedly isolated can affect your health – mentally and physically. Our “social connectedness” is a determinate of our health. This campaign started back in 2012 as a result of a restless night of sleep. Let No One Be Alone has always been promoted the first full week in May. It’s about connecting with people, especially those that are alone. Not only during the awareness week, this time is meant to serve as reminder to all, the importance of real connections and to nurture them all year long. We may not have medical degrees to find cures for diseases, but all of us have the capacity to care which is a key element in prevention. The current pandemic has really heightened the negative affects of unwelcomed isolation – we all must do our part and put human connections on our list of priorities.
By networking with fellow Resource Coordinators, Age Friendly Communities, and the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres and more, this week of awareness is aimed at reaching all four corners of our province and beyond! Thanks to many caring people, this grass-roots initiative has been celebrated in 50+ communities. Any and all people are encouraged to act. I believe that being connected is the most powerful, least costly, and most highly underrated ways to make positive changes in a life – your own and others! At a time where morale may be low, uncertainty is something we are living with daily, it’s always good to put energy into something positive. Remember, when so many things are being taken away, we are our keepers of optimism & kindness, and our ability to share it. Join the Let No One Be Alone face book page to share and learn more! Have you found an effective or unique way to stay connected? Please let me know! Brenda Tonn is a Consultant for Manitoba Association of Senior Centres.
Have a Safe and Happy Mother’s Day
Heather STEFANSON MLA for Tuxedo
tuxconst@mymts.net
May 2021
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Directory Northern AREA Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall, 217 2nd Ave. SE, Cranberry Portage 472-3031 Snow Lake Seniors 71 Balsam St., Snow Lake 358-2151 The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Ave., The Pas 623-3663 Interlake AREA Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre 17 North Colonization Rd., Gimli 642-7909 www.gimlinewhorizons.com Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline St., Selkirk 785-2092 www.gordonhoward.ca Grand Marais & District Seniors 90 Matilda Ave., Grand Marais 998-1509 Riverton & District Friendship Centre 24 Main St., Riverton 378-2800 South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall 467-2582 www.si55plus.org Eastman AREA Beau-head Senior Centre 645 Park Ave., Beausejour 268-2444 East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach 756-6468 www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road, Victoria Beach 756-6471 www.ebseniorscene.ca Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach 320-4600 www.patporteralc.com Central AREA Carmen Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive, Carmen 745-2356 www.carmanalc.com Comfort Drop In Centre 31 Main St., Erickson 636-7895 Crystal City Friendship Club 117 Broadway St., Crystal City 873-2091
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Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre 55 1st Ave. SE, Dauphin 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com Grandview Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview 546-2772 Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson St., Neepawa 476-5103 www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center Morden Activity Centre 306 N. Railway St., Morden 822-3555 www.mordenseniors.ca Minnedosa 50+ Centre 31 Main St. S., Minnedosa 867-1956
Winnipeg AREA 20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 227-7104 Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org A&O: Senior Centre Without Walls 200 - 280 Smith St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault St., Winnipeg (204) 416-1067 archwood55plusinc.weebly.com Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-9152 www.barbaramitchellfrc.ca
Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com Headingley Senior Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca Winakwa Active Seniors Club 980 Winakwa Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4418 www.winakwacc.ca Manitoba Korean Seniors c/o 388 Waverley St., Winnipeg (204) 837-3470 www.ksam.ca Pembina Active Living 50 Barnes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.com Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg (204) 480-7550 www.radyjcc.com
Pilot Mound Fellowship Club 203 Broadway, Pilot Mound
Bleak House Centre 1637 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 338-4723 www.bleakhousecentre.com
Plumas Seniors Club 102 White St., Plumas 386-2029
Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Ave. W., Winnipeg (204) 632-8367
Rainbow Resource Centre 170 Scott St., Winnipeg (204) 474-0212, Ext. 211 www.rainbowresourcecentre.org
Portage Services for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie 239-6312
Broadway Seniors Resource Centre 823 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg (204) 772-3533 www.bsrc.ca
South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca
Centro Caboto 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 896-1962
Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4599
Charleswood Senior Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 897-5263 www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org
St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3 - 203 Duffield St., Winnipeg (204) 987-8850 www.stjamescentre.com
Creative Retirement MB 448 Burnell St., Winnipeg (204) 949-2569 www.creativeretirementmanitoba.ca
St. Mary’s Rd. Seniors 613 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg (204) 257-0678 www.stmarysroad.ca
Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411 Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway St., Treherne 723-2559 Winkler Senior Centre 102 - 650 South Railway Ave., Winkler 325-8964 winkler55plus.com Brandon AREA Brandon Seniors for Seniors Coop 311 Park Ave., East, Brandon 571-2050 www.brandonsfors.ca Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon 727-6641 Age Friendly Committee of Council - Brandon 638 Princess Ave., Brandon 729-2259 Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway (204) 523-7115
Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 475-6011 Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Ave., Winnipeg (204) 669-0750 www.facebook.com/eekalc Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca
Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 Transcona Retired Citizens Centre 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 222-8473 Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (204) 291-9028 www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca
May 2021
A & O: Support Services for Older Adults celebrates 64 years of helping the community “Everything has changed but nothing has changed” ~ Mark Hamill
tem, connect the dots and provide comprehensive resources for people to age well? AGEISM! As a society we are terrified of ageing, yet we all have & O: Support Services for Older Adults ageing in common. Ageist attitudes although not celebrates 64 years of providing innova- intentional, are common and run rampant in our tive program and service delivery for older youth-obsessed culture. Has ageism played a role in hampering the political will to reManitobans on May 8, 2021. spond effectively to population ageA & O began as a study conducting? Do decision makers feel they ed by the Welfare Council of Greatare immune to the ageing process or er Winnipeg and financed by The are they simply ignoring it, perhaps Winnipeg Foundation. The report it isn’t on their radar? It is long overnamed Age and Opportunity was due to start recognizing the needs published in 1956, focusing on the of an ageing population, we all have issues of poverty, social isolation and the right to age well! poor health within the older adult Due to the pandemic, the agency’s population. The study concluded A & O: innovative programs and services two thirds of all older adults in the Support Services for have been called on to respond. region were living on marginal inOlder Adults Many of our programs have been in comes or worse. place well before Covid-19. The In response to this report, the first Age and Opportunity Bureau was established on pandemic has emphasized the need within the May 8, 1957. In 2012, Age & Opportunity re- public’s consciousness for specialized programs branded to A & O: Support Services for Older and services for older adults. This need was reAdults with a focus on three foundational pillars: quired pre- pandemic, during and will be required safety and security; social engagement; and coun- post Covid-19. Since A & O’s inception, the agency has been selling. The issues of poverty, social isolation and poor recognized as a national leader in the development health identified in the report published in 1956 of forward-thinking programs and services for the continue to be issues faced by many older Man- aging population. Many of the agency’s programs itobans today. Why does it feel like ground hog are the first of their kind in Canada, and have since day? There is no shortage of research to support been widely adapted across the country. The agenthe need for innovative programs and services re- cy is dedicated to continuing to pave an innovaquired to support an aging population. There are tive path for older adult social services in order to many committed organizations doing their best support older Manitobans in aging well today, and with very little capacity to support older adults. many years to follow. For more information, visit www.aosupportservices. Why has there been such little movement, why does it continue to be difficult to navigate the sys- ca.
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ADVANCING HEALTHCARE
Transforming care of older adults through community
Income security Peggy Prendergast
we realize the value of the education we received to start us on this career path and the value of “lifelong learning.” Why not assist and encourage those people s a member of the Retired Teachers Associa- closest to us that need our assistance and encouragetion of Manitoba (RTAM), I believe that I ment to follow their dreams and passion to become have a secure income. There are over 10,000 who they are meant to be as we did through learning RTAM members that support the well-being of the and valuing the learning we received. To this end the RTAM Endowment Fund, housed retirees in this association. As part of a contract that was signed when we became teachers and members at the Winnipeg Foundation, is an example of the of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS), we ac- commitment retired teachers have to the education of the younger members of their cepted paying into a Defined Benefit families. RTAM is leaving a growing Pension plan governed by the Teachers Legacy of Learning. The criteria for Pension Act (TPA) that is legislated by earning one of these RTAM Student the province of Manitoba. This pension Awards is: scholarship, volunteering is a plan for our retirement income many in school and community and being years into our future. In 1989, under the sponsored by an RTAM relative. The leadership of George Strang, an MTS initial amount of the fund has grown staff officer who had helped steer the exponentially over the past seven TPP for active teachers for many years, years; the four annual awards have RTAM came formerly into being to proRetired Teachers doubled from, initially $500 each vide support and benefit programs for to $1000 each. Thirty four students RTAM members. Association of have benefitted from this monetary As retirees, RTAM’s main vision is the Manitoba resource that will keep on growing well-being of its members aged 55 and FOR GOOD, FOREVER. RTAM is on. RTAM just helped a member celebrate her 110th birthday.. The main portion or our now on a path to include a mentoring component to retirement income is pensions from the TPP, CPP and these awards. With the help of a Federal New HoOAS. As part of the plan for our retirement, as public rizons Seniors grant of $5000, RTAM is launching school teachers we paid our designated share into the the Student Success Portfolio Project to enhance the first two on the list. RTAM members have a basic fi- RTAM sponsors’ ability to provide added support and nancial plan, a commitment to education so, many of encouragement to the their young relative and their family during the student’s High School years. The us are “lifelong learners.” Income security is more than money. A plan for benefit of caring support from an older retired relative income in retirement is important, and what many and that relative’s belief in the student’s ability is an people are concerned about when they begin their re- encouragement for the young relative to apply for one tirement. Beginning “work” with the end in mind is of these awards and the many scholarships and bursaa good plan. Equally important, if not more impor- ries that are available in their Grade 12 year. Feelings tant, is the other resource at everyone’s disposal, time. of self-worth and ability in the student and a closer During their careers teachers spend time daily caring valued relationship for the RTAM member with their for and about the students they have the privilege to family are the anticipated results of this project. teach. The skills they hone over the years are often put Peggy Prendergast is president of Retired Teachers’ Asto use in retirement, caring for grandchildren, volun- sociation of Manitoba (RTAM). To contact RTAM call teering in their communities and learning new ways 1-204-889-3660, email info@rtam.mb.ca or go online to of caring for and about people of all ages. As we age www.rtam.mb.ca.
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May 2021
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11
Paying it forward: what Duff taught me
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hen I was a student in high tleman I had noticed in the classrooms school, my English teach- approached me with a smile and he said, ers suggested that I join the “Young lady, you are going to do great school debating team. Apparently this things in your life.” I was surprised and had something to do with my tenden- pleased, and I thanked him for attending cy to talk in class. For many reasons, I that day. As we walked to the parking found the process of researching topics lot, my teacher asked me whether I knew and then developing positions for and the identity of that man. I told her that against a resolution interesting and chal- I had no idea who he was. The teacher smiled, and she told me lenging. I can remember that he was the former debating hot topics of premier of Manitoba, the the day such as the right Honourable Duff Roblin. to smoke in restaurants, That moment became the possibility of opening an important moment in retail stores on Sunday, my life. What has been the addition of French transformative about it on Canadian consumer is not so much that this products, bilingualism in respected leader in our the civil service, immigracommunity gave me a tion policy, gun control, compliment at the end university tuition fees, of the day. The transforand women’s right to mative teaching was that equal pay for equal work. Trudy Schroeder a respected leader in our Eventually, I was selected Random community who had certo represent my school at Notes tainly heard many debates the provincial debating in his day, spent a day of finals. The topic was “Be it resolved that Quebec should separate his life listening to students share their from Canada.” My debating partner and ideas on national unity, and that he deI researched and prepared our positions liberately took time to give a message of and questions, and eventually we came encouragement and support to a young person who had no prior connection to to the date of the competition. Throughout the day of many debates, him. That short interaction caused me to an elderly gentleman was in many of the make a lifelong commitment to taking rooms in which my debates were taking the time to be a voice of encouragement place. He was attentive and responsive in the lives of young people I have met to the presentations of all the students. I along the way. Over the decades, I have encounassumed that he must be the grandfather of one of the other students involved in tered many wonderful people who have the competition. At the end of the day, opened doors for me, supported me, I was selected by the judges as one of trained and mentored me. I owe each of the province’s top debaters for the year, those people a debt of gratitude that I and I would join the team of students can never fully repay to them, but I can who would go on to represent Manitoba pay it forward. It has been my great joy at the national competition later that and privilege to welcome many young people into a work environment, or a spring. That was an exciting moment. As I left the building with my English musical experience, or a community teacher, Mrs. Ruth Vogt, the older gen- role. There is no greater pleasure for me
Amy Jackson.
Yasmine Frost.
as a manager than seeing people in my organization learn, grow, and flourish in their work and in their lives. I take such enjoyment in seeing their careers develop long after we no longer work together. For the past two years, I have participated as a volunteer mentor with a new program at the University of Manitoba. The program is a leadership development program that is run out of the James W. Burns Leadership Institute at the Asper School of Business. In the first year of the program, I met once a month with Amy Jackson, a student at the University College of the North. She lived in The Pas, Manitoba, and we had most of our meetings via Zoom long before it was required for all meetings. Amy is a talented young community leader and fiddle player with huge personal intelligence and great potential for the future. She finished her under-graduate degree last year, and she is currently enrolled in a Master’s Program in Indigenous Studies at U. of M. Amy Jackson is one of the gifted young leaders who will make a huge difference in Manitoba and Canada. This past year, I have been meeting with Jasmine Frost, who is a PhD student in the virology program at the U.
of M. Jasmine has many interests and thinks about a role that she may be able to play in communications around public health and the importance of special measures to keep people safe during a pandemic. That seems to be a career area that has a lot of importance for the future of the human race. She is also always looking for other ways to help in the community by bringing people together to encourage healthy living or to support local causes. She was the recipient of a major research grant this year, and she is currently finishing her PhD thesis. In both of these cases, I have learned so much from them about their stories and their concerns about the future. I have also learned a lot about myself in responding to their questions about the leadership journey. My participation in these programs is one of the tangible ways that I can say thank you to Duff Roblin and the many mentors I have had in my life. Thanks to their encouragement and help, I am in a position to say to a new generation of young people, “Congratulations, you are going to do great things in your life.” Trudy Schroeder is the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The Solo Sessions celebrate Manitoba talent Darlene Ronald, Manitoba Opera This month Manitoba Opera will be releasing a five-episode cinematic series celebrating the breadth of Manitoba’s musical talent. Over the series, a delectable chocolate box of musical treats from opera, musical theatre, art song, folk, and popular music will be interpreted by five exciting vocalists accompanied by talented musicians. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Deco Dawson and shot on the stage of the Centennial Concert Hall, each episode showcases a vocalist performing four selections on a customized set. Your senses will be stirred by their musical interpretations of old favourites and lesser known pieces including works by Mozart and Debussy, Noel Coward, Marvin Gaye, Danny Schur, Polenc, and Christopher Curtis. This is the first time that Manitoba Opera has collaborated with Deco Dawson. His 15 short films have garnered numerous awards worldwide including a two-time win of the Best Short Film Award from the Toronto International Film Festival for his films Keep a Modest Head and 12
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FILM(dzama). The New York Times described his latest work on Broadway as “jaw dropping.” As a versatile and accomplished vocalist/actress, Lisa Bell has had the opportunity to perform for audiences across Canada. She has performed in numerous professional film and theatrical productions and successfully sang her way to become a top 20 finalist on Canadian Idol. Recently, she received her first ACTRA nomination for best outstanding female performance in a feature film for her role in the movie debut of the musical Stand. This work will be in Lisa’s set in the series. Few vocalists are able cross genres at the highest level and maintain professional careers in both areas, but Lizzy Hoyt is one of them. Praised by Opera Canada for both her dramatic depth as a singing actress and for her keen comedic gifts, she is a classical mezzo-soprano performing in operas, concerts and recitals. She is also an internationally recognized songwriter, singer, and multiinstrumentalist in the genres of Celtic and folk. Award-winning tenor Aaron Hutton is a versatile performer with a resume ranging from Baroque to contemporary musical theatre. Having been recognized as “a golden tenor" (Opera
Photo caption: Lisa Bell performing a selection for Manitoba Opera’s video series The Solo Sessions accompanied by Carlin Lemon (piano), Julian Bradford (bass), and Rob Siwik (drums). Canada) and "a shining star displaying supreme confidence” (Winnipeg Free Press), he continues to make a name for himself across the prairies as a soughtafter crossover vocalist. James McLennan has performed on opera and concert stages across Canada in a career spanning two decades. He most recently appeared with Manitoba Opera as Little Bat in Susannah. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, his calendar included a return to Pacific Opera Victoria as Remendado in Carmen, a debut with Opera on the Avalon as
the Electrician in Powder Her Face and as Georgie in Ours, appearances with Manitoba Opera as the Beadle in Sweeney Todd and Spoletta in Tosca, and a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Stephanie Sy is an actor, aspiring director, and writer. Her career began on stage, predominantly in musical theatre and she has worked across Canada and the US. She has appeared in a number of movies and television shows for companies including Hallmark, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and the CBC. Locally she has worked on the stages of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage, and Prairie Theatre Centre. Episodes: 1. Lisa Bell with Carlin Lemon, piano, Julian Bradford, bass, and Rob Siwik, drums 2. Lizzy Hoyt and Lisa Rumpel, piano 3. Aaron Hutton and Lisa Rumpel, piano 4. James McLennan and Laura Loewen, piano 5. Stephanie Sy and Seanne Buenafe, piano Watch the series at your convenience. Video access tickets: $25/$30 plus GST for all five episodes. To purchase and for more information, go to mbopera.ca May 2021
Canadian films are accessible and wonderful entertainment – try some!
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round this time every year, the global film Earle Grey Award, which is “presented to a Canadiand television industry comes together to an actor or actress in recognition of their exceptional celebrate its achievements. Awards season is body of work in Canadian television.” normally the culmination of months of festival runs, These few only scratch the surface of the great and theatrical releases, but this past year the pan- Canadian productions and people nominated at this demic has changed the usual pattern of film releases. year’s awards. But this begs the question: Why is it Some filmmakers and studios have important to celebrate Canadian conchosen not to release projects, while tent? others have embraced the virtual fesCanadian awards recognize that tivals and other online screening opour stories sit among the best in the portunities that have emerged – you world. They show that Canada is full may have noticed that the Winnipeg of talented, creative and diverse stoFilm Group offers a “home cinema rytellers, while being home to hardexperience” as have some film festiworking, highly skilled professionals. vals such as the Winnipeg Aboriginal The Canadian Media Producers AsFilm festival (WAFF), Freeze Frame sociation (CMPA) publishes an annual International Film Festival for Kids, economic impact analysis of the Cathe Gimli Film Festival and the Indignadian media production industry. In enous Film Summit – fingers crossed 2019, Canada had a production volNicole Matiation that 2021 will allow for more in-perume of $9.3 billion and over 180,000 Movie son cinema experiences. full-time job equivalents. Of that $9.3 Making In the meantime, we can catch up billion, Manitoba, with a population on successes this past year through of just 1.4 million people, produced awards shows. You are likely familiar $253 million, or 3 per cent of Canada’s total prowith the Academy Awards and the Emmys, but did duction volume. Profile reports that over half of the you know that there is an awards show dedicated to productions made in Canada are foreign location Canadian content? The Academy of Canadian Cin- and service productions productions that are shot in ema and Television produces the Canadian Screen Canada and/or provide VFX services or projects that Awards (CSAs), previously known as the Gemini employ Canadian industry professionals, but that and Genie awards. are owned by foreign companies. This year, Burden of Truth, co-produced by Eagle Foreign location and service productions are an Vision, was nominated for Best TV Drama Series as important part of the Canadian media production well as Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress in a eco-system as they generate a high volume of jobs Drama Series. Frantic Films saw three productions and provide high visibility to Canadian talents bereceive nominations: Baroness von Sketch Show, hind and in front of the camera. Profile 2019 cites Still Standing and Backyard Builds. Local filmmaker the following projects that have either been shot in Theola Ross received a nomination for Best Short Canada or had their VFX work done in Canada: Documentary for êmîcêtôcêt: Many Bloodlines, and Midway, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Handmaid’s Manitoba producer Tina Keeper was chosen for the Tale, and Star Trek: Discovery. In Manitoba, we reg-
ularly shoot service productions for Hallmark and Lifetime as well as some larger budget features. There is growing concern among Canadian creators and producers that Canadian conceived, developed and produced films and television programs risk being squeezed out of their own market. Canadian investment and Canadian control of the stories we make remain important in a global market. It is through the investments of Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board of Canada, CBC/Radio-Canada, the Canada Media Fund and provincial agencies like Manitoba Film and Music that Canadians have built a world class industry media production industry. Organizations like On Screen Manitoba, the provincial media production industry association, along with other provincial and national industry associations advocate for Canadian ownership of Canadian stories through production incentives that work for Canadian-owned content and for foreign location and service productions. This work will be important as the current Bill C-10 to amend the Canadian Broadcasting Act makes its way through the parliamentary system this spring. For you the viewer, it is easy to support Canadian content – all you have to do is tune in! CBC offers many of its shows for free on its online streaming platforms, CBC Gem in English and tou.tv in French. Crave, Bell Media’s streaming platform, also offers Canadian content, including Edgar, the first French language scripted TV series filmed in Manitoba. Telefilm Canada recently launched a new Movie of the Week series, which offers one Canadian film every week to rent for $0.99 on the Apple TV app. So next time you are looking for a show or movie to watch, enjoy some great content look for one that’s Canadian. Nicole Matiation is the executive director of OnScreen Manitoba.
In Flin Flon, the show must go on!
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ne of the best things about living in Flin Flon, apart from the incredible natural beauty that surrounds us in every season (except perhaps these first three weeks of pseudo-spring, when the snow hasn’t quite gone and the remnants hold every messy stain, the roads and sidewalks are covered in the winter’s entire collection of dust and grit and there is not a green bud to be seen anywhere!) is witnessing the incredible resilience of the people in the face of almost any adversity. COVID-19 is still with us and will almost certainly get worse one more time before it gets better. The price of lumber for those building projects we thought we would get on Elly Spencer with now, since we STILL can’t travel, has gone North The arts from of 60. Many of us are still up here awaiting even our first jabs with the vaccine (not us thankfully, we actually bit the bullet and drove the 760 kms to Thompson MB and back). Despite all this, the arts and culture community just keeps on keeping on. The Blueberry Jam executive board members met on Zoom to discuss tentative plans for performances throughout the summer. These will be socially distanced, outdoor events with safety concerns at the centre of any planning, but they will be there, they will be frequent, and they will be fun. The Trout Festival board of directors also made contact with each other through email, to discuss their plans so we are almost sure to see a Fishing Derby and a Canada Day Parade with lovely prizes for the best floats as well as cooperation with the City of May 2021
Flin Flon is reinventing itself as the Arts Capital of the mid north! Flin Flon if their plans for a personal watercraft regatta solidify. The NorVA Centre has an awesome show currently, featuring the art of Avery Ascher and Frances Cooper of The Pas and plans to continue to present art exhibits throughout the spring and summer. They have protocols in place that limit the number of people allowed in the gallery at any given time but they also have developed remarkable online content to enable our creativity even though we are apart. The Pine Root Mural Festival project is setting up to deliver two new murals this summer. One is to be painted on the side wall of the Flin Flon Centennial Library during the summer, the content of which will be the result of a design competition. The second is being completed, as we speak, in the basement of the Community Hall. It has been painted on 4- by 8-foot sheets of plywood which will be hung together to form the picture. No word yet on exactly where it will be
hung so keep watching this space. The Flin Flon Arts Council is not to be left out of this beautiful mix. They have established a little gift shop on Main Street called the Uptown Emporium that sells Flin Flon crafts to the world. Their website on the Arts Council website states, “The Uptown Emporium was created to give a platform to local artisans and small business owners; specifically located in Northern Manitoba. Our mission is to support "shop local" by providing easy access to beautiful, handcrafted products, year round, while supporting vendors with our centralized approach”. You can buy an amazing array of goods from hand-made soaps to carved wooden birds, in person or online, for a very nominal shipping fee. See the goods available at uptownemporium54.com or call in your order at 204-687-4913 Ah, Flin Flon… Never stop amazing. whatsupwinnipeg.ca
13
Vinyl Tap cancelled by CBC
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ast month CBC radio announced that, after July 1, the long running Saturday evening music history show Vinyl Tap (replayed on Friday evenings), hosted by Winnipegger Randy Bachman, would no longer be on air. They had decided to cancel the popular show. For 16 years the veteran rock musician and Canadian music elder statesman regaled listeners with his own personal stories of life on the road with two of this country’s most successful bands, The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. It seemed as if there wasn’t anyone in the music busiJohn Einarson ness that Randy hadn’t rubbed shoulders with in Local Music his six-decade long career. Spotlight “This isn’t a show, a radio show,” stated Randy on learning of the show’s impending swansong, “This is a cultural event that goes on every weekend.” In 2005, after 20 years on the air hosting Finkleman’s 45s on CBC radio on Saturday evenings, Winnipegger Danny Finkleman announced he was pulling the plug. On hearing this, Randy Bachman went into overdrive with a campaign to take over Finkleman’s slot. “I figured ‘How tough can it be to play records for two hours and talk in between?’” noted Randy. “I do that all the time at home! I could play my own records and rather than tell my own stories, I’ll tell my stories about everybody else I’ve met: my Little Richard story, my Ringo story, my Brian Wilson story, my Elvis story. I even had a title based on Spinal Tap called Vinyl Tap with stories and music and I’ll have a different theme every week.” Randy sent letters with his pitch to the CBC. As former head of CBC English-language radio Jennifer McGuire remembers, “We’ve had celebrity hosts on CBC radio in the past but what really interested me about Randy was that he’s such a great storyteller and that more than anything was the big selling feature for me, the idea of the inside perspective and insider insights into the music and his personal stories and the fact that he could tell them in such an engaging way. That’s why the show has resonated so well. The style is personal and Randy’s own unique take. He is totally a natural on radio.” The show became an instant hit with listeners from one end of Canada to the other as well as into the United States and around the world via satellite, turning the veteran rocker into the poster boy for CBC Radio.
CBC listeners will miss his Saturday night shows. “People feel connected to me somehow because of Vinyl Tap,” stated Randy. “My Dad would be so proud that after 40 years of being a rock ‘n’ roll musician I finally had a real job.” Before taking to the airwaves, Randy needed to find his groove. “The demo I made comes on like ‘rock in your face’ and I’ve got a theme song that sounds like The Who and I’m talking like Wolfman Jack yelling ‘Yeah, baby!’ The CBC listened and responded, ‘Your stories are great but you need to calm down. This is the CBC.’ I remembered hearing Richard Scott as a kid in the afternoons on CKY radio in Winnipeg and he had this really low voice and he’d be addressing all the housewives in this hushed voice cooing, ‘Hello kitten. Let’s relax. Light up a cigarette. It’s just you and me alone’ kind of thing like he was having an affair with all these housewives. You could actually hear him lighting a cigarette. So, I made another demo that was more laid back, more like Richard Scott.” The CBC brass recommended that Randy record the shows in the evenings, “when I’m slowing down and in the after-dinner mood. And it actually changed my demeanour and style,” Randy reveals. The show was never conceived as a vehicle for guests. It was all Randy for two hours of music and reminisc-
ing. Former wife Denise McCann served a stint in charge of reading viewer mail but that was axed after a couple of seasons. Randy took the show on the road a few times recording his live concerts for the radio show. “Randy brought a whole new audience to CBC Radio,” stated Jennifer McGuire. “He’s great for CBC Radio but I think CBC Radio is good for him, too. CBC Radio is really connected in communities across the country and has a significant audience and so that is a constituency he’s getting to.” But times change. Despite a loyal audience who bombarded CBC with letters demanding Vinyl Tap remain on air, the show had fallen to number 16 in popularity where it once sat in the top 5. In an effort to court a new audience that one assumes is younger than the baby boomers who tuned in faithfully to Randy’s show each week, listeners await what will replace what had become a CBC weekend fixture. Randy has taken the news in stride but is not ready to throw in the towel. He’s pitching the show to other networks. His fans wait with bated breath. In the meantime, Randy plans a special show for July 1 and Vinyl Tap will live on in reruns for the summer months. “It’s been the most wonderful thing in my life to start the show and to have these fans,” says Randy.
Neurotics are quite normal
K
aren Horney, the world famous and they represent ways of coping with researcher and practitioner of the world despite these feelings. These psychiatry, noted that, in our compulsions aim primarily not at satisfaction, but at safety, bemodern society, neurotic cause of the anxiety lurking behaviour is so common behind them. Their forethat it is considered to be most cravings are for affecnormal. Often, neurotic tion, and for power. These people excuse their reluctwo cravings will often optance to change their bepose each other, increasing haviour by declaring that stress levels. She noted that they are just like everybody one of the difficulties in else. Until a person admits seeking professional help is to their inner conflicts, finding a knowledgeable, they will continue living empathetic, and honest in mental turmoil, suffermental therapist. There is ing from delusions, fears, Wayne Weedon a prevalence of dishonesty mental stress and often Food for in our society. Often truths hopelessness. are claimed to be false and Neurotics, seeing the Thought duplicity is commonplace. same attitude and behavCorporations and instiiour in others, will sometimes admit to having a pervasive dis- tutions spend great sums of money on satisfaction with life, that they often feel public relations and misleading advertistense or diffusely inhibited, have intan- ing. The psychiatrist, Eric Berne, published gible difficulties with the other sex, or with people in general. Sometimes they many books about neurotic games that admit to having a pessimistic view of people play. Countless people have been themselves and of life in general, but, greatly helped by these books. Doctor they attribute this to the state of the Berne’s books have also made excellent world and the prevalence of negativity in textbooks for salespeople and politicians our society. They see no justification for who wish to learn techniques for manipulating people through their emotions. any change in themselves. Regularly, we hear about people takDoctor Horney pointed out that compulsive obsessive disorders are specifi- ing advantage of their position of aucally neurotic; being born of feelings of thority to abuse others. Just before he isolation, helplessness, fear and hostility, died, Doctor Berne lamented, “I’ve 14
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spent my whole life teaching people how to achieve intimacy, and I’ve never been able to get any myself.” Doctor Berne did not practise what he preached. Despite lecturing against it, he had sexual relations with dozens of women, some of whom were his patients. Even after admitting his actions were illegal, immoral and unethical, he did not change his behaviour towards vulnerable women. He toyed with them, playing a game of tugof-war, first sweet and then sour, sympathetic and then tyrannical. In these types of games, nobody wins, both parties are losers, never experiencing any true intimacy and inner peace. Many people in positions of authority are just like Doctor Berne, taking advantage of their power. Dateline, Four Corners, 48 Hours and other television programs detail how respected priests, rabbis, pastors, school teachers, hockey coaches, politicians, and other leaders commonly abuse vulnerable adults and innocent children. In order to help the general population find a more rewarding and meaningful life, Doctor Horney published, Self-Analysis, a book which describes how anyone may analyse themselves to learn how their lives are easily con-
trolled by their emotions. Once they change their way of thinking and their behaviour, other people will no longer be able to control them. They will begin taking charge of themselves, choosing, working towards, and obtaining what they really want out of life. Once people are free from their inner bondages, they will be able to develop their best potential. A person must acknowledge how they are trying to fool themselves into thinking there is nothing wrong and to recognise how their compulsions determine the course of their lives by maintaining complete power over them. People will commonly state they have a good and loving disposition, rather than acknowledging they have a neurotic need for affection. People will often say that, by nature, they are more orderly and accurate than others, rather than admitting that they are in the grips of neurotic perfectionism. If a person does not understand themselves and learn to control themselves, someone else will control them. Through their emotions, neurotics are easily controlled by smart game-players. Wayne Weedon is an Indigenous Manitoba writer of novels and short stories. To sample his wonderful work go to Wattpad. com. May 2021
Take a walk down memory lane with Jim
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Remember when only girls had pony tails? The o You Remember… only people who had buns on their heads were ballet Time once again to trod that dusty old trail dancers. Playing in the bathtub until you looked like a called memory lane. It’s the path you travelled prune. Getting Lifebuoy Soap in your eyes. New pato get where you are today. Let’s take a sentimental jamas, clean sheets and “Now I lay me journey. Don’t worry, I’ll have you back down to sleep”. in a jiffy. Hey, remember Jiffy? Do you remember the day you learned Did you ever intentionally cut your the difference between playing by yourfinger and smear your blood with a self and playing with yourself? friend who did the same so the two of Remember when most every rooftop you would be friends for life? had a TV antenna and every television Did your dad drink buttermilk on a hot had a set of rabbit ears and the fine art summer day? Remember when all milk of adjusting them just before Hockey came in glass bottle? Remember what Night in Canada came on? Remember happened when the milk froze while sitthe voice of Foster Hewitt calling the ting on the front porch in winter? The game? cream rose to the top and pushed the lid Did you ever laugh so hard you … out and most of the cream as well. I mean did you ever know a kid who Jim Ingebrigtsen Candy apples, road apples, cow patlaughed so hard he actually peed his ties, nick knack patty whack and patty Is It Just Me... pants? I did. I mean … I knew a kid stackers. If there was a Veg-a-matic in who did. the kitchen, nod. Scary thunder storms and the sweet Collecting dimes for the March of Dimes and besmell of summer the next morning when the sun aling proud of a Red Cross pin placed proudly on your ways seemed to be waiting. Do you remember being sweater. lonely? Being afraid or being worried? Is there going Remember the day the report cards were handed to be a war? Is the world going to blow up? Am I goout? Remember the feeling of getting an ‘A’? I don’t. ing to get T.B.? Who’ll take care of me when my folks Remember getting an ‘E’? I do. Remember taking your die? Did you ever have to take care of a little brother time walking home and remember getting a … talkingor sister when you were barely old enough to take care to? of yourself? Did the bully down the street ever tell you
Memorabilia from days gone past. he was going to “take care of you”? “Sticks and stones might break my bones” … and sometimes … names did hurt you. Remember carving your initials in wet cement with a Popsicle stick? Marbles – aggies, alleys, crocks, cat’s eyes and “playin’ for keeps”. Why is four-square not yet and Olympic sport? Did you ever have a “Rocket Radio”? You attached the alligator clip to a radiator or the rotary dial on a telephone and then adjusted the nose cone up and down to tune in to one of the few radio stations. Well, that was a nice stroll down the road less travelled. I think a walk down memory lane is good exercise for the brain.
What not to wear? Escaping the tyranny of the fashion gurus Gerry Beachall
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remember watching the “What Not to Wear” fashion makeover show years ago. I was always amazed at how different clothing could seemingly transform the nonverbal messages you send to people about who you are. Whether they are conscious messages or simply a certain style of clothing for comfort or other reasons, the message was, your clothes tell people about you. The fabulous duo of fashion consultants would spend a week with the “lucky” contestant selected for the show. The week started with a review of the “need” for a makeover as defined by the participant. Stacy and her team would discuss the current clothing choices and how each item sent a specific message to both the wearer and the public. The theory was, that what you wear told people about how you perceived yourself, for the people on the show that was usually a negative. The marketing genius of this show is not lost on me. The premise and amazing makeovers were designed to drive shoppers to the nearest mall to trans-
form their closets and lives. I will openly admit that I fell for this approach more than once. I always prided myself on wearing clothes that were relatively in style, colour coordinated and tailored to the circumstance. Dressing for work was either business attire or business casual. Outings with friends was usually casual or cocktail depending on where we were headed. One rule I had was that sweats and workout gear were only for the gym, or the occasional unexpected trip to the grocery store. This way of thinking caused a great deal of anxiety. Would I make the wrong choice? What would others think about me and what I was wearing? Depending on the significance of the event, many hours would be spent in clothing store change rooms trying to ensure that I was making the right choice. Working from home off and on for the last year has completely disrupted my rules. My sweats and workout clothes have become the mainstay with dressier tops as needed for virtual meetings. Now I wonder if the years of adhering to “fashion rules” has prevented me from disconnecting my need to stay on top of
the latest fashion from my self-image. In the virtual world is it necessary to keep up with the latest fashions? Do my clothing choices still send a message to the other virtual participants? The years of anxiety driven shopping and outfit selection are no longer needed. Actually, it is quite freeing. In today’s climate of mental health awareness and acceptance of diversity, I have to wonder if What Not to Wear would need to change the message, now realizing that we should have been paying less attention to the clothing and more attention to the person in them. In the virtual meeting climate, words have become more important than ever. The new meeting place focuses almost entirely on your face and shoulders, virtual backgrounds have become the new fashion trend. When you are speaking everyone is focused on you. This is a powerful opportunity to be heard. There are more controls in place to prevent others from rudely interrupting or talking over you. No one can prejudge you based on the trendiness of your outfit. This could be a powerful revolution of how our society perceives fashion and self-image. If we disconnect those it would remove some
Don’t forget your curb appeal! Kasey Hacking
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s spring springs and the housing market kicks into high gear, your curb appeal can certainly make a difference in your home's value. I speak from experience, as I fumble for the keys with a stubborn lockbox, my clients are taking a pretty close look at your front steps, doors, entranceway, and landscaping. Your street presence can also influence value and while you can’t get the old car engine out of your neighbors front yard, you can put your best foot forward. 1. Clean up – make your doors and hardware as nice as possible. Even some new house numbers can give your landing a fresh look. Freshly painted doors, steps or a new doormat sends a welcoming message to your prospective buyers and some nice annuals or perennials hanging about gives a warm and natural effect. Window boxes with plants can be an economical way to warm your clients up for what's inside. 2. Grass – it’s spring and the grass has taken a beating in most cases. This year was quite mild so recovery time may be on your side, but you can boost it with the help of fertilizer and overseeding. If these words scare you, most lawn care companies have programs for 1 time weed and feed or May 2021
Just a little extra attention outside that home you are listing can make a big difference to a potential buyer. seasonal maintenance programs. Just a good rake may be enough but plan to cut often, especially before showings. That fresh cut grass is a subliminal buyer trigger. If you have pets make sure the yard is cleaned up and try to fix any brown spots. I have heard a little drywall or lime product washed in with a garden hose will restore those spots. Toss on some quick seed product, at least grass heals quickly! 3. Gutters and downspouts – You do not want rain pouring over the eavestrough when people are standing in the rain waiting for me to open up. Make sure your eaves are flowing and your downspouts are clean looking and extended well past the homes foundation. A high percentage
barriers for people who might otherwise have deemed themselves unworthy of an audience as decided by shows like “What Not to Wear”. The fashion industry has picked up on this shift. I see the evidence in my inbox as the emails I receive from various fashion retailers are now promoting “luxury leisure wear”, read fancy sweats. I am no longer getting emails about business suits or cocktail dresses. While I appreciate the opportunity to have society accept sweats as everyday clothing for the masses and to embrace the idea that people can make previously unconventional clothing choices, I am suspicious. Maybe this has all been orchestrated by the fashion industry so when our economy opens up, we will all run to the nearest clothing store to get back into structured, fashionable clothes we have all stopped wearing. Will we immediately return to anxiety driven shopping and dressing? Like the many other adaptations, we have undertaken to survive the pandemic, I hope we find a new way to listen to each other and to perceive each other where the emphasis is on the person and not the fashion statement.
of basement issues are caused by poor drainage and this will be a red flag to me and other astute agents looking for trouble spots. 4. Driveway – I don't like to spend too much money on driveway improvements on a listing, but having it swept and clean as possible is enough. If it's badly rutted or cracked everywhere, perhaps get a quote, but I don’t see the return on this investment very often. If your driveway drives moisture to your foundation that is a different story and it should probably be addressed whether you are moving or not. We can recommend contractors to lift one side of a slab but there could be other issues that may require replacement. You can go overboard on the curb appeal if you like with garden beds, interesting trees and bird feeders. These may make impressions but clean is king. Make sure your walkways are even and swept before showing and your plants are watered or at least not dying. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and it's not too expensive to start out on a positive note. Oh – by the way – wash the windows and sills. Sometimes it’s the little things that matter so don't let cobwebs stand between you and a great sale. Kasey Hacking is the daughter of George Hacking who is an award winning realtor at Century 21 Advanced Realty on The Hacking Home Team. whatsupwinnipeg.ca
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Spring check list for bird lovers S pring check list: Spring is a time of year filled with positive feelings and inspiration: the fresh smell of new growth, longer days to feel the warm rays of the sun, and of course, the singing of wild birds. Nothing inspires such a connection to nature as hearing those pleasant notes fill the air. There are many ways to invite a variety of wild birds right into your backyard, so here is a checklist to make sure you are all set! Birdhouses If you are setting up a birdhouse for the first time, you want to look into what bird you would like to attract and the proper placement of the house. There are not many birds here in Manitoba that use human provided houses but the most popular are Sherrie Versluis chickadees, wrens, bluebirds, and tree swallows. Feathered Every bird has a preference Friends for the size of the hole and the dimensions of the entire house. Bird houses should never have perches or ledges on the front as they just accommodate predators. Houses should have ventilation and drainage in the bottom. The house should also be able to be opened so that the old nest can be removed at the end of the season. Most species will not return to a house that has an old nest in it. Birdhouses should be placed at a minimum height of five feet and should be mounted at least 15 feet away from birdfeeders. Be sure to research the bird you want to attract to see if any other special measures should be taken. All houses should be up by the end of April. In the city area, be sure to avoid attracting house sparrows to birdhouses by making sure the hole size is no larger than one inch. House sparrows are very aggressive to other nesting birds in the area and will even break eggs or kill chicks. Birdbaths Birdbaths are a super enjoyable way to observe many
A “heritage” birdhouse at the home of Karen and Rene of Victoria Beach.
birds including species that are not attracted to birdfeeders. Baths do require a lot of maintenance to keep clean. Most people have to tend to them daily or every other day either because the bath is dirty or almost empty. The potential of breeding mosquitoes is impossible if you maintain your bath as they require stagnant water. Keeping the water fresh eliminates all issues with mosquitoes. For deep bowls consider putting a large rock in the centre or laying a branch across the bath to give security to smaller birds who may be nervous. There are hanging bird baths available that are large bottles with small dishes at the bottom and are especially good for small birds. Finches Attracting American goldfinches is a very popular pastime in summer. These adorable, bright yellow birds are sometimes referred to as wild canaries but are actually a wild finch. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they have a wonderful song. They are very easy to attract if you have the right feeder. There are so many inappropriate feeders available on the market today. Avoid gimmicks like feeders that make them hang upside down and look for a high quality polycarbonate tube feeder or, a stainless steel mesh feeder. These feeders will discourage house sparrows which are very aggressive to finches. Fill these feeders with nyjer seed and enjoy the sights! Hummingbird and Orioles Hummingbird and orioles are true favourites of mine. However, high maintenance is involved with these feeders. Each bird requires a specific feeder filled with a solution of four cups water to one cup of white sugar with NO colouring. These feeders must be changed at least once a week. Orioles also love grape jelly and oranges which are offered from specially designed feeders. There are many myths about attracting these two species, so talk to a specialist to get the best results and to make sure you are doing the right thing. Be sure to have all new feeders and houses up by the end of April to get the best results. Have a great spring everyone! Sherrie Versluis owns the Preferred Perch, Winnipeg’s number one bird store on St. Mary’s Road across from St. Vital Centre.
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PUZZLES
Crossword Across 1. U. of Tennessee athletes 5. Summed 10. Bookbinding tools 14. Start of a Thomas A. Harris, M.D. self-help title 15. “Play” button’s alternate function, often 16. Ballerina’s move 17. Means 19. Team from Tuscaloosa, for short 20. Load, as software 21. Cutting comments 22. Intensify 26. Set of doctrines 30. Athlete’s pick-me-up 34. What Old MacDonald had 35. Red gemstone 36. Simon and Garfunkel’s “I ___ Rock” 37. Pop star Carey 39. Gets a perfect score 42. He said “I pity the fool...” 43. Former soldier 47. Dexterous 48. Addis Ababa native 51. Propelled a raft 52. Deceive by trickery 54. Racetrack sound 57. Gets to 62. Relax 63. “Straight Up” singer 66. Military inst. 67. Urge ahead
68. ___ time flat 69. Half of Scooby-Doo’s breed 70. Engulfed in flame 71. Half of a door chime Down 1. “I conquered” in Latin 2. Arab sultanate 3. Cuts with garden shears 4. Three-handed game 5. Heaps 6. Dawdler 7. Road offense, for short 8. “C’___ la vie!” 9. “The Partridge Family” actress Susan 10. Setting of the New York Giants’ training camp 11. Ready-to-____ 12. Mary’s follower, in rhyme 13. Luxurious resorts 18. Grand ___ (Freeport’s island) 21. Beseech 23. Serengeti grazer 24. Israel’s lang. 25. “____ Little Tenderness” 26. Jean-Claude Van ___ 27. Work ___: painting 28. Courtyard in a monastery 29. Medical procedure, in brief 31. Spice rack choice 32. “... inch and they’ll take ___” 33. Appraised 38. Air filter type
Word search
40. Per ___ spending 41. Alter follower 44. Mark, as a ballot 45. Prankster’s bit 46. Asthma sufferer’s item 49. Wagner heroine 50. Bit of resistance 53. Dickens title opener 54. Jonathan Harker’s nemesis, familiarly
55. Cape of Portugal 56. “The Good Earth” role 58. Put in ____ (raise a paddle) 59. Driver’s license fig. 60. “Take My Breath Away” singer Terri ____ 61. Trudge through mud 63. Zadora of “Hairspray” 64. Bowling equipment mfr. 65. Classic A.P. rival
Sudoku
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Meet Genaro Guevarra His journey from the Philippines to geriatric nursing Brian Campbell
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ursing is in Genaro’s blood. There were a number of nurses on his mother’s side of the family, so, following the family tradition, Genaro decided to study nursing. He also had a great desire to work with and help people. This desire brought him to Winnipeg, where he began working with L’Arche Winnipeg. Genaro’s desire to work in Health Care was influenced by an event that happened on his seventh birthday. He was horsing around with his brother and ended up hitting his head on the banister of his bed, cutting his forehead. He remembers four or five people being needed to hold him down in order to stitch his forehead. The memory of the care and patience provided by the medical staff in dealing with a frightened, struggling child, has stayed with him to this day. Genaro obtained his Nursing Degree at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), a Jesuit-run University in the Philippines, when he was just 19, but never worked as a nurse in the Philippines. After his graduation from AdZU, Genaro joined the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines, a volunteer program, where he became a Community Organizer. He joined a group working with the Aetas, Filipino indigenous people, in the northern part of the Philippines. The Aeta people had been displaced during a volcanic eruption in the early 1990s. This was his first experience living away from home; and living with and helping these people in need had a tremendous impact on Genaro’s worldview and his understanding of the plight of
Genaro Guevarra disadvantaged and marginalized people in our society. Much of his desire to be a positive influence in the world came from his time with the Aeta people. In 1997, he got involved with L’Arche and, through L’Arche, came to Winnipeg a year later. He worked with L’Arche Winnipeg for over 10 years. During his time at L’Arche Winnipeg, Genaro created a pandemic response kit, which is still being used to protect the staff and clients during the Covid-19 pandemic. To upgrade his skills and get his certification to work in Canada, Genaro took the Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses at Red River College in 2009. From there, he began
Letters
Freedom of Expression
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want to commend you for the excellent article you wrote in the Lifestyles55 paper. I share your outrage at the blatant disregard for this young lawyer’s right to freely express her views. And yes, by the Manitoba Bar Association; unbelievable! I think your article should have been front-page news in the Winnipeg Free Press, but of course, most of us were, and continue to be, completely unaware of this travesty of justice. My great regret is that this young woman backed down. I wish she would have stood her ground. Anyway, thanks for exposing this evil;
I hope your article will find its way into the hearts and minds of countless Canadians and cause us to think seriously about what is happening in our country. Annemarie Wiebe Dear Annemarie: Thank you for this. I have received many phone calls about this story, all in agreement with your sentiments. As president of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians, I organized a Zoomcast panel on this incident featuring the Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, the Hon. Irwin Cotler and Lynn MacDonald. This all-party panel also agreed that the clampdown on our right to express reasonable opinions is going too far. Ultimately, this can have a negative effect on democracy. If you would like to hear their opinions, go to What’sUpWinnipeg.ca to hear the podcast and read the original story. Dorothy Dobbie
working as a nurse at Riverview Health Centre in 2011. Genaro takes pride in making a difference in the lives of the people with whom he works. In his work in geriatric nursing, he makes an effort to connect with, not only his patient, but the patient’s family, to show empathy and compassion, and to help the patient to age gracefully. His bottom line is to engage with families and make a positive impact in people’s lives. Genaro’s specialty is dementia and Alzheimer care, and he has made it his goal to learn as much as he can on how to treat patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia with care and compassion. His training, education and experience
has helped him to understand how to treat each patient as a person with individual needs. This knowledge helps him to give each patient the best possible care he can offer. Genaro’s motivation to create Morning Breeze HealthCare came from a deep desire to do more. As much as he loved the work he had been doing, he felt limited by the corporate bureaucracy. He wanted the freedom to put his own personal touch on the work he did. He felt that having to go through channels to get changes made stifled his creative input. A personal experience he had, watching the care his mother received while she was dying of cancer in the Philippines, gave him the desire to pass this type of care to others. He wanted to train a team of nurses and health care professionals to deliver the same type of care that he would want for his family. He wanted to transfer his passion to help others to his own team of health care workers. Genaro believes that, with the proper nursing care, giving health care a personal touch, people can continue to live a healthy, happy life in their homes much longer. He feels that, with the right support and appropriate delivery of services, people can continue to live safely in their own homes to a much later age. Genaro wants people to think of Morning Breeze HealthCare to be the go-to place to care for their families for generations to come. Ideally, he would like to, eventually, see Morning Breeze HealthCare delivering quality services to families across Canada. His dream is for Morning Breeze HealthCare to outlive him and continue caring for families far into the future.
We are back! Lifestyles 55 Radio will air the Gardener as its first show!
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tarting Sunday, May 2, at 8:00 a.m., Dorothy Dobbie will launch Winnipeg’s newest radio station, Lifestyles 55 Radio with inaugural guest Shea Doherty from Our Farm Greenhouses. Lifestyles 55 Radio (digital) will be Winnipeg’s first 24-hour Internet radio station, featuring some of your favourite broadcasters including our friends John Einarson and Jim Ingebrigtsen, and shows such as the Rec Room with Alex Regiec and John Panting. The summer months will see us working with podcasts as we
gear up for a full-time digital radio launch on Labour Day weekend. Go to whatsupwinnipeg.ca to tune in. You can listen anytime to your favourite hosts to the podcast versions as new shows are added every week while we build our programming. Lifestyles 55 Radio will carry a mix of music and talk, featuring the sounds of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, with the occasional reach beyond the decades. The talk will be entertaining, informative, and provocative. This will be radio for mind, soul, and spirit, focussed on fun and freedom of thought.
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May 2021
Get growing with us! Refresh your gardening skills with Canada’s Local Gardener Podcasts created for Canadian gardeners!
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May 2021
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19
lOOkiNG FOR A NeW hOMe?
ConvenienCe, Comfort and affordability are what make our properties stand out.
Active 55+ commuNities
Serving north-eaSt, South & South-eaSt Winnipeg FeAtured ProPerties ADAMAR MANOR
AppletON estAtes ii
Ruth GARDeNs
RENOVATED 1 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $1,195 RENOVATED 2 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $1,475
RENOVATED 1 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $1,125 LARGE 2 BEDROOMS STARTING AT $1,150
2 BEDROOM, 2 BAThROOM STARTING AT $1469 1 BEDROOM wITh A DEN STARTING AT $1645
110 AdAmAr rd
135 NiAkwA
1167 rothesAy street
For inFormation or to arrange a viewing, contact our Leasing agent at 204-940-3477 or by email at leasing@edisonproperties.ca
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whatsupwinnipeg.ca
May 2021