Lifestyles 55 2022 June

June 2022

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

FAST DENTURES

How will you celebrate?

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Illuminating the upcoming RWB season

Celebrating Winnipeg green spaces

What makes a great city?

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Reacting to the needs of Indigenous children with a new approach to healing in a concrete step toward reconciliation

Summertime safety in the city

Stefano Grande

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ecognizing the value of Indigenous healing practices and making them available for Indigenous patients where requested was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 22: “We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.”

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is deeply committed to taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation and responding to the TRC calls to action.

Summertime in Winnipeg.

James Ham

Janessa and family.

The legacy of residential schools profoundly affects Indigenous peoples in all spaces, including healthcare. As a key aspect of colonialism until as recently as the late 1990s, residential schools

created generational poverty and tragic social injustices, leading to disproportionately poor health outcomes that continue to this day. u 17 ‘New approach to healing’

Winnipeg rocks the arts world!

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ean Giguere, former chair and chair emeritus of the RWB, was in Ottawa recently to attend the Governor General’s performing arts awards. Jean is a member of the Order of Canada.

She was thrilled to learn that another Winnipegger was awarded the Ray Hnatyshyn award for volunteerism. She is Michelle Smith from St. Boniface, a huge fundraiser especially for the Theatre Cercle Moliere, Canada’s oldest theatre company.

“That makes four of us from Manitoba,” said Jean. “Gail

Michelle Smith. Photo courtesy of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.

Asper, Bill Loewen, Michelle, and me. Thomson Highway was a laureate this year.”

Local arts mavins Susan Glass and Arni Thorsteinson, who is helping the International Peace garden with its fundraising initiative, are very involved. “As Peter Herrndorf said,” continued Jean, “Winnipeg and Manitoba rule!

And that is as it should be.”

Peter Herrndorf is the former president of the National Arts Centre and a University of Manitoba alumnus. All the good people come from Winnipeg!

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innipeg is a pretty fantastic place to be during the summer months. If you are like me, you love doing the hometown tourist thing, visiting some of our lovely restaurants, supporting local artisans and vendors at a favourite farmers market or attending one of the many festivals that draw the crowds. There is so much to see and do.

It’s easy to get swept up in the celebrations and community spirit.

We truly hope you enjoy yourself, especially after the limitations of COVID restrictions. But, we want to do so with your safety and security in mind.

The best advice we can offer to anyone out on the town is to be aware of your surroundings. It takes but a moment for a great outing to become an excellent opportunity for would-be thieves to spoil the vibe and ruin your adventure.

We ask that you consider these tips when out and about: • Stay alert. Be aware. Enjoy yourself, but please know where you are and be mindful of those around you. Not everyone and everything is a threat but trust your instincts. If you feel unsafe in a situation or place, leave immediately.

• Put away distractions. Don’t display valuable items such as phones, headphones, laptops or even that book you can’t seem to put down. There have been too many instances where someone has been oblivious to what is happening around u 4 ‘Summer safety’

Celebrate the Year of the Garden all year long with Canada’s Local Gardener by subscribing today!

Check us out at localgardener.net Official English Language Magazine

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June 2022

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Follow us online at: whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55 Twitter: @Lifestyles55 PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Ian Leatt ian.leatt@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Hon. Bill Blaikie, Dorothy Dobbie, Hon. Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Michael Gibbens, Stefano Grande, Diane Grey, Hon. Scott Johnson, James Ham, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, Gary Moir, Marty Morantz, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Connie Newman, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Sanja Rossi, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Elly Spencer, Rhiannon Watkins, 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.

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American Express, MasterCard, Visa and 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.

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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.

June 2022

Climate change: when are we going to start talking about the costs and other implication of abandoning fossil fuels?

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et us set aside for the moment the issue of whether or not climate change is an existential threat to humankind.

A good portion of the world believes it is and is bent on reducing the threat by limiting carbon emissions.

However, they are ignoring some realities that must be contemplated before shutting down fossil fueled energy.

First is this notion that we can achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2030, just a little better than seven years from now. Even the most fervid proponents have basically conceded that this will not happen and have reset the target (again) this time for 2050.

Why is this necessary? Well, here are a couple of hard cold facts: 1. The methods in play to reduce emissions are illusory. The Canadian strategy of using to carbon taxes to reduce emissions will have virtually no impact on reducing fossil fuel consumption.

This is clear from the effect of the current price of gasoline. People Dorothy Dobbie are still driving because, in this world and how it is structured, they must, and they want to. A 50 per cent increase in the price of gasoline has not substantially curbed usage – it has just made everything far more expensive. An example is the impact on heating with what used to be relatively inexpensive natural gas. Today, federal tax on heating our homes is close to 25 per cent of the total bill.

2. Even if you want to, you can’t stop heating homes. But the high cost of fuel currently has a negative monetary impact on those trying to find alternative methods, because costs are frontend loaded, inefficient and don’t completely replace fossil fuel needs anyway.

3. If you to get “off the grid”, which is almost impossible, and opt for solar (only possible where you have huge amounts of land to accommodate the panels needed) or wind (again, only useful for rural dwellers), these two methods provide only sporadic power. Storing the energy created at peak times is incredibly expensive and resource hungry. We just cannot produce enough nor do we have efficient-enough batteries to accommodate that storage. There is currently a raft of ideas about energy storage that have not been proven and are often so inefficient that the cost of creating them cannot be recovered. One study* estimates that electrifying the U.S. economy without hydrocarbon-based generation, including the cost of battery backup for 31 days at 2020 demand would require storage costing $77 trillion, almost four times the current U.S. GDP. 4. Even with hydroelectricity, transmission costs based on the current generation system are prohibitive and inefficient. Many more dams would need to be built close to consumption to meet demand, something that takes decades and huge amounts of money.

5. Most alternative methods of producing energy are much less efficient than fossil fuels. You name them: wind, solar, hydrogen, nuclear, heat pumps, biofuel: none of these methods can hold

Climate change? Global warming?

Is carbon the culprit?

Let’s examine the logic behind the narrative that carbon dioxide is the culprit in the global warming crisis we are told to expect.

I won’t attempt to argue the premises upon which this surmise is based, but I will point to the fact that without carbon dioxide, plants cannot live. And without plants, we cannot live. And that in the past, the earth’s atmosphere has hosted multiple more times the amount of carbon currently in the air, producing a very green earth. As a gardener, I must point out that the more carbon dioxide in the air, the faster and bigger plants grow, because they need this as fuel to photosynthesize. And the faster and bigger they grow, the more carbon dioxide they need.

Finally, is the climate changing? Maybe. We have seen interesting cycles in the past and it is not all about what happens on earth, because, like it or not, we are part of a larger universe which has its impact on us. The past few years have seen a marked decrease in solar flares, something that has influenced our climate in the past, as we near the end of one solar cycle (11 years) and enter another. The current increased activity in aurora borealis is apparently linked to solar storm activity when solar flares strike earth’s magnetic field and causes energy release in the form of lights, according to Science Alert.

“A paper recently published in the journal Earth and Space Science links terminator events, or the end of a cycle on the sun, with the flip of a switch between El Niño and La Niña. The solar magnetic cycle, which is mirrored by fluctuations in the number of sunspots on the solar disk, is made up of roughly 22-year periods. Each span features two maxima and minima each of sunspot frequency and coverage — one of each magnetic polarity lasting roughly 11 years.” – The Washington Post.

So, are we talking climate or weather? Or are we talking at all?

– dd a candle to the simple efficiency of using what the sun and the plants and time have created for us.

6. Finally, the Chinese are increasing emissions faster than the First World can mitigate theirs. This, despite massive vehicle electrification. “Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 (the last year before the Covid recession) were 20 megatonnes lower than the increase in China’s emission between 2019 and 2021 (during the pandemic when things were shut down).”** So, what is the best course of action? If the people who make the rules on this planet are bent on changing our energy sources, they need to set a more realistic timeline – say 50 to 80 years from now – and to critically examine all their flawed premises.

We must face how we would power all the proposed electrical vehicles if we replace fossil fuels as quickly as we are told we need to. However, proponents of energy change are reluctant to discuss these realities publicly because the public would be up in arms. But if we do not face the facts squarely, we are in for some turbulent times ahead. *Quote Sources: * Robert Lyman, Canadian economist and policy advisor in the Canadian government. **Parker Gallant a Canadian banking analyst specializing in the energy sector.

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The Premier is willing to think outside the box to fix what is broken in Manitoba Dorothy Dobbie

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he first thing the premier said after “hello” this month was how wonderful it was to attend Treaty Land Entitlement days and to celebrate with the Sikh community. These two events came immediately after an out-of-province meeting with the Western premiers.

Events such as these are a chance to see what has been happening to our province since Covid shut us down. We all see things with new eyes now and the Premier is awed by these experiences. “It’s so wonderful to attend events such as these,” she says, in terms of her growing connection with communities that she never had the chance to really get to know before.

I dragged her back to the hard, cold world of finance and opportunity. She pivoted quickly and just as enthusiastically. There were so many critical topics on the agenda at the Western Premier’s Conference but key among them were, once again, health and economic opportunity, particularly as it exists in the north.

“We talked of many things,” she explained about the premiers meeting, “but chief among these is how we fix the supply chain from a western point of view. How do we export our gas and potential hydrogen production as well as our agricultural products so that our First Nations will benefit with the rest of us? We have to explore all the options.”

She added that she has gained new confidence about Manitoba’s role in the future from these talks.

“We have so much potential,” she repeated. “And the other provinces see it. They envy us for our hydro energy and

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the minerals that are in demand right now. We have tourism and, of course, our coastal access offers tremendous possibilities.” She noted that our seaport can be active much more than four months a year with the right investment in facilities and in icebreakers to keep the port open for a longer season.

It is very encouraging to hear Premier Stefanson grasp the significance of these possibilities after so many years of negativity about our North. Right now her economic development committee is looking at all the options and the Premier is looking forward to attending the PDAC conference in Toronto in mid June. PDAC is the world’s largest mining and minerals conference. This is an important place to make connections and let the world know that “we are open for business” she says. “We are also examining and addressing the red tape and things like permit delays.

We know that investors need certainty and we will provide that.”

Having a fresh, young labour force is critical and another of Manitoba’s advantages. “Business today is recognizing the importance of First Nations. They are smart and bring fresh perspectives that are needed for development,”she said.

The premier is also encouraging Manitoba Hydro to be more proactive and creative. “Hydro is our greatest asset but we inherited some challenges from the previous government when it come to the finances.” she said. “How do we deal with the huge debt and the cost overruns without burdening the ratepayer?” She is not content to accept status quo thinking, something that must be refreshing to hear for many who have felt stifled in their jobs at Hydro for the

past number of years.

The other big topic on the Western premiers’ minds is the health system. The Premier wants the backlogs and the other problems solved. She is open to all ideas.

“When it comes to private delivery of health care, not all the other provinces are onside with that. I think we need to focus on what works for the patient to ensure they get the diagnostic and surgical procedures that they need. We cannot take an ideological approach to health care. We need to explore innovative ways to deliver these services in our provinces. Private delivery of services within a publicly funded system needs to be explored further to help alleviate the backlogs.”

“Manitoba has fallen far behind the other provinces.

Some are already using private services to deal with backlogs in diagnostics and surgery. Provinces such as B.C. have used these options to make their public system more robust.” She sees the value behind this open-mindedness to fix what is broken and she is determined to take whatever action is necessary to get the job done.

This ability by our premier to encourage outside-thebox ideas and solutions is music to the ears of this writer, because that is exactly what the province needs. She is a bundle of positive energy charging up the people around her, asking for their best and looking for the brightest to get the right answers!

Female leaders are not mirror images of their male counterparts. They are open and direct and fiercely pragmatic.

Premier Heather Stefanson is like a south wind: soft and warm but with tremendous power behind it. And like a south wind, she brings good things with her.

Summertime safety in the city Continued from page 1

them because they have their nose buried in their phone trusive, but they are loud when they are needed. But, they or their headphones blocking out all the sounds around only work when you use them. Many people are unsure about using them but we would rather them while they tune in to that favourite you use you alarm and not need it than to podcast. The escapism is undoubtedly keep it in your pocket until it is too late! nice, but when you block out your sur• Plan a route and stick to it. Whethroundings, you make it easier for a woulder you are 15, 55 or 75 let someone know be thief to sneak up, grab that device and where you are going and your plan for leave you high and dry. getting there. Should you get lost or go • Walk in groups of two or more. It’s missing, that gives us a better chance to great getting out on your own to explore find you. Familiarize yourself with the but travelling in a group makes you less area you are in and where you are going. of a target and can provide the ability to • If you do find yourself having make that 9-1-1 call should something unto walk alone, consider using a Safe toward happen. Two sets of eyes aware of WALK or Safe RIDE program. These what happening around you is also more Winnipeg Police supportive services are designed to safely effective than one!

Services Crime assist you to your destination. Organiza• Carry a personal alarm. What’s the Prevention Column tions such as the Downtown Community last thing someone trying to harm you Safety Program/ Downtown BIZ, West wants when carrying out a crime? AttenEnd BIZ, Exchange District BIZ as well tion. A simple personal alarm attached to your keys or bag can draw that attention to your circum- post-secondary education institutions (U of M, U of W, stance and cause the criminal to move away, so you have Red River Polytechnqiue) offer such services.

• Use populated paths when walking, jogging or time to get to safety. They are not large. They are not in-

Manitoba emblems

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he Province of Manitoba has a variety of different ficial floral emblem. It is the first flower to bloom on the emblems. An emblem is a symbol, object or set of prairies in the spring and has been known to pop up bewords that represents something else. When we talk fore the snow entirely melts away. What a happy sign that about emblems in Manitoba, we are talking about what spring has sprung- even if there still is snow on the ground.

The Manitoba Tartan. How many in our province represents this beautiful people know that our province has its own place. Recently, a new emblem was added special pattern of tartan that’s officially regto Manitoba’s official list, the polar bear! istered as the Manitoban tartan in Scotland?

The polar bear is a fitting emblem because This tartan is a dark green pattern with red, we are home to the polar bear capital of the blue, and a hint of gold. Each of these coworld, Churchill. We have a variety of other lours represent a piece of our history. The emblems that range from flowers to mottos red represents the Red River Settlement, the to dinosaurs! green represents the natural resources of the Manitoba Official Emblems: province, the blue represents Lord Selkirk, Coat of Arms. This is a familiar sight for the blue lines represent the Red and Assinimany Manitobans. The Coat of Arms looks boine rivers. The gold represents Manitoba’s like a shield with a bison covering the botagriculture. Finally, the dark green, the most tom half.

The Augmented Coat of Arms. This Hon. Myrna Driedger prominent colour on the tartan, represents Broadway the people of Manitoba – the diverse men emblem is more intricate than the regular and women who have come together to crecoat of arms. With a unicorn on either side Journal ate this province both past and present. of the Coat of Arms and a beaver under a The Great Grey Owl. The great grey owl crown.

The Flag of Manitoba. We’ve all seen it flying around became an emblem in 1987 and was chosen by naturalists our province. The Manitoba flag is the red ensign with the and school groups. This owl has an enormous wing-span at 1.3 meters. coat of arms.

The White Spruce. This tall tree is another familiar Gloriosus et libre. An emblem can be a motto, too. This motto is Latin for the term glorious and free, a phrase from sight to Manitobans. It is an emblem because of the importance that it has played as a resource throughout our our national anthem.

Prairie Crocus. This beautiful purple flower is our of- history.

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cycling. Stay in well-lit areas and always walk confidently.

If you think you are being followed, change direction and head for a populated area.

• Only carry what you need. Criminals associate purses and wallets with money and valuables. Do not carry a purse with a strap across you or wrapped around your wrist. Should you be approached for your belongings, please cooperate for your personal safety. Possessions can always be replaced.

• Be mindful of panhandlers. Should you encounter a panhandler, say no politely. Do not swear or be abusive.

If you want to help someone on the street, consider giving your money to a local registered charity.

Does that seem like a scary list? It shouldn’t be. We’ve offered here simple but effective ways to lessen your risk of being victimized.

We’ve earned a summer of sun, fun and community.

Help make it a safe and enjoyable one for all.

Should you ever be victimized, please know we are here to help. 9-1-1 is always your trusted lifeline to the emergency services you require.

James Ham is the Communications Coordinator for the Winnipeg Police Service.

Newdale Soil. Agriculture in Manitoba is renowned around the world for the high quality crops that are produced in our province. I want to thank all the farmers who work tirelessly to ensure that there is food on our tables. We are home to some of the best soil in the world.

Manitoba is home to over 1 million acres of Newdale Soil.

North American Plains Bison. Bison have played a large role in our history. Did you know that we have a bison safari right here in the City of Winnipeg? Check out Fort Whyte Alive for more information on how to get up close to the real life version of our mammal emblem.

Pickerel. Pickerel, also known as walleye, is important in Manitoba’s fishery community. Manitoba’s commercial pickerel industry is the second largest inland fishery in Canada.

Big Bluestem. Big Bluestem is a type of prairie tallgrass common in Manitoba. It can reach as all as a meter and a half and has a red and purple top.

Mosasaur. Morden Manitoba is home to Bruce the mosasaur, a fossilized marine reptile from the prehistoric era. This mosasaur is on display at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden.

••• Each of these emblems are representations of Manitoba and have been thoughtfully chosen to accurately reflect our province.

Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

June 2022

Get involved in planning your future Let Senior’s Minister Scott Johnson know what you want

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s the inaugural Minister of Seniors and LongTerm Care, I consider myself truly fortunate to have already had so many opportunities to engage with and listen to seniors in meaningful ways.

Manitoba Seniors are a priority for our government, which is why Premier Heather Stefanson established this department dedicated to advocating for seniors’ issues and improving the quality of life of all older Manitobans. Announced as a part of Budget 2022 to support that commitment, our government is investing nearly $20 million to develop a new plan for older Manitobans.

I was pleased to announce the launch of an extensive public and Hon. Scott Johnson stakeholder engagement Minister’s process to hear from Message Manitobans which will help guide this plan. Almost 5,000 people have already participated in the online part of the consultations on Manitoba’s public engagement platform, EngageMB, and I encourage older Manitobans, and those who support and work with them to do so as well.

Older Manitobans are among the fastest growing segments of our population. We heard that most Manitobans, given the choice, want to live independently in their own homes and communities, for as long as it is safe to do so.

Your voice will guide new ways to ensure older Manitobans can safely live in their own homes and communities for as long as they wish, to improve access to services and supports, to help Manitoba seniors maintain active and healthy lifestyles. We need your perspectives on how we can make this possible.

Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Scott Johnston announces the launch of an extensive public and stakeholder engagement process to hear from Manitobans and guide the plan for older Manitobans at the Charleswood 55 Plus Active Living Centre on April 28.

L to R: Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Scott Johnston; Connie Newman, executive director, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres; Sherry Mooney, chair, board of directors, Charleswood 55 Plus Active Living Centre; Obby Khan, MLA for Fort Whyte.

Where to register your ideas The first public survey is available at https://engagemb.ca/building-a-plan-for-older-manitobans.

I hope you will take some time to visit the site and share your thoughts on the experiences and hopes of older Manitobans. Over 10,000 Manitobans over the age of 65 have already signed up for updates, and I look forward to seeing this community grow.

Recognizing that not all seniors have access to online consultations or feel comfortable navigating the EngageMB platform, our government will also enlist the support of up to 50 community-based organizations with pre-established relationships to older Manitobans across the province. As part of the community engagement network, these organizations will host discussions, town halls, and consultations with their community members on an ongoing basis.

After two years of many challenges due to COVID-19, I am looking forward to developing this new

plan, to ensure the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of older Manitobans.

Your participation will help ensure a diverse, inclusive and informed consultation process that is integral to shaping and implementing the plan. Older Manitobans have spent their lives helping to build our great province by creating businesses, raising their families and serving in their communities. Their voices and the voices of their loved ones and caregivers are integral to the plan being developed for older Manitobans.

This consultation process needs you, people you love and support, people you work with and seniors living in every community. Participating in these engagement surveys will bring your voice into this important conversation, as, together, we look ahead to a plan that includes your voice, your ideas, and your commitment to the best life possible for older Manitobans.

Hon. Scott Johnston is the MLA for Assiniboia and the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care.

Saving the first NDP federal budget

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he Jan. 23, 2006, federal election brought SteIt was a difficult time politically speaking. Every secphen Harper to power as the head of a minority ond call to the constituency office was to the effect that government. His victory was not expected ini- if I voted to keep the Liberals in office, they would tially. The minority Liberal government never vote for me again. Every other call of Paul Martin had fallen in December was to the effect that if I didn’t support 2005, when the NDP withdrew its supthe Liberals, and the eventual result was a port. The expectation had been that the Tory government, they would never vote Liberals would be re-elected. The NDP for me again. Constituents want you to expected that the Liberals would be redo what your constituents tell you to do, elected with another minority but were but they often don’t realize that their felhoping for a significant increase in NDP low constituents are just as divided on an seats, such that the new minority Parliaissue as Parliament is. The other reality ment could be a stronger opportunity for is that a significant portion of the people NDP policies being adopted. who call to say that they will never vote No one could foretell that over the for you again, never actually voted for Christmas holidays the Liberal campaign you in the first place. It’s the people who would take a dive after a surprise midyou know did support you before that Hon. Bill Blaikie campaign revelation of an RCMP invescause the most political anxiety: the joy of Reminiscences tigation into a cabinet minister, and that At the end of the day, you have of a political life politics! the end result would be the election of to do what you think is best for the counStephen Harper as Prime Minister of a try and let the chips fall where they may. minority Parliament.

With the election of Harper there was a fear that he In the Liberal budget of February 2005, the NDP had would not honour the 2005 agreement and nix that negotiated with then Prime Minister Paul Martin 4.6 bil- portion of the $4.6 billion that hadn’t been spent yet, lion dollars in return for our support. The money came even though many plans were already in play. NDP from reductions in planned corporate tax cuts and was al- Leader Jack Layton asked me to meet with the new located to needs like housing and other social needs. The Prime Minister in his office across from the Hill, in the then Leader of the Official Opposition, Stephen Harper Langevin Block. I was accompanied by the new NDP was not pleased, and called it the first ever NDP budget. House Leader, Libby Davies, MP for Vancouver East.

Always nice to have a witness. As an aside, I remember being a bit shocked at how worn and a bit tawdry the place looked. No can accuse Canadian Prime Ministers of luxurious surroundings.

In fact, contrary to public opinion sometimes, Canadian politicians in general are treated to quite frugal conditions, compared to American politicians, for example. I remember going to a meeting of Canadian and American politicians in Memphis once. The Americans arrived in two jet aircraft, as Senators and Congressmen as a rule don’t fly together, each with their own physicians, military personnel, and other staff. Canadian MPs and Senators arrived together with minimal staff, all in one old propeller driven aircraft. But I digress.

Meanwhile, back at the PMO, after some conversational niceties, I explained to Prime Minister Harper our concern and suggested to him politely that sabotaging what we had accomplished in the 2005 budget would be starting off on the wrong foot with the NDP in the minority parliament dance that was about to begin. After some discussion, he agreed, and the money was eventually spent the way it was intended.

I had never been in the Prime Minister’s Office before, and was never there again, but I like to say that all the direct negotiations I ever had with Prime Ministers were successful!

Hon. Bill Blaikie was a Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2008, representing Elmwood-Transcona.

Filing your taxes is no easy task

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Marty Morantz

June 2022

ftentimes, it is confusing and downright difficult.

Many do not have access to or can’t afford the resources they need to file their taxes like computers, a printer, or money to pay expensive accountants or income tax offices.

I recognize that filing your taxes can be a frustrating process and that for many, there is nowhere to go.

That is why I was more than happy to offer a free income tax clinic for seniors and low-in-

come community members for the third year in a row.

The income threshold to qualify for the service was a maximum of $35,000.

From February to April, my office saw daily appointments with constituents to receive their tax information, then hand it off to professional tax preparers who volunteered to help constituents file their taxes.

In addition to their usual duties, my staff met up to 15 constituents a day to help them file their taxes. That was the busiest

I’ve ever seen my office!

After countless meetings and heaps of paperwork, I am pleased to announce that our free income tax clinic helped over 100 community members access over $130,000 in refunds!

While I am delighted with the success of my free income tax clinic, I can’t ignore the reality that life is getting more difficult and expensive.

Inflation is taking a bite out of everyone’s income but more so for those on fixed incomes like seniors.

Our community needs all the help it can get, and these funds will give those who participated in my free tax clinic the boost they need.

Even the smallest things like tax refunds can make all the difference.

Special thanks to our wonderful volunteers Herman, Elvis, and Bob for their hard work.

See you next year!

Marty Morantz is the MP for St. James Assinniboiea–Charleswood–Headingley. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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The art of negotiation (part 1, reason) The important question is always, why?

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Schools, in general, develop Child while stifling f I find one of my friends is in a physical fight with another man, and I hand my friend a knife Adult. Schools teach the art of war while ignoring which he uses to kill his opponent, Canadian the art of negotiation. War is a Child game while law will find me partially to blame for that man's rational negotiation is an Adult activity. Many leaddeath. I had supplied the weapon. Does this law ers are like Caesars and Napoleons, putting across extend to international fights? If two countries are that they are infallible gods. Andrew Jackson, the at war and I supply weapons to one of them, would childish military “hero”, was sometimes referred to as Saint Jackson, the defender of I be partially to blame for the death Whites. Rather than negotiate conciliand destruction those weapons cause? ation, Jackson killed a man in a duel, That depends on who wins the war. putting on a display of how macho he Historically, International Justice conwas. siders “Might to be Right”.

The United Nations originally had For thousands of years, we, as india mandate of negotiating peace and viduals, have been a trinity, commonly preventing war. However, the UN has described as Mind, Body, and Soul. a history of not negotiating, but givThe noted psychiatrist, Eric Berne, in ing out threats of violence and reperhis book, Games People Play, refers to cussions for not complying with their this trinity as Child, Adult, and Pardemands. ent. Parent does the worrying, trying The art of negotiation mandates, to look for everything that could go Adult must speak directly to Adult. wrong. Adultthinks rationally and Wayne Weedon There can be no childish rampages makes decisions based on logic. Child Food for like the ones which commonly occur is out to have fun with no considerThought in our House of Commons. ation for tomorrow and no regrets for 1. Each party must present, in writyesterday. If someone receives a large ing, what their demands and requests windfall, Parent worries about being robbed or spending the money foolishly. Adult will are.

2. Each party, in turn, must verbally answer try to be practical, suggesting investing the money or paying down a debt. Child wants to have fun, the most important question in any negotiation, possibly proposing a party with beer, chicken, and "Why". Why do you believe you deserve that? Why pizza. Some of your friends will advise you to hand do you think that is fair and just? They must justify the money over to them to be safely looked after. all of their requests, and while they are doing this, Remember, if you do not decide, that is a decision. nobody is allowed to interrupt.

3. The second party must wait until the first parChild is influenced by promises of pleasure, Adult by reason, and Parent through fear. Most people ty has defended all of their requests before they take have a well-developed Child and an under-devel- their turn to do the same.

4. Each party, again with no interruptions, taking oped Adult. Politicians appeal to Parent's fears and Child's self-centredness. Politicians have learned one of their opponent’s requests at a time, states how to manipulate Child and Parent through why they do not agree with their opponent.

5. Each party, again with no interruptions, gives promises of fun, and fear of things that may happen. Politicians usually ignore Adult, while offering rebuttals to all items. All through this, the quesbread to Parent to satisfy fears of going hungry, and tion “Why?” is always addressed. Why do you not circuses to Child, to satisfy desires for amusement. agree? Why do you view this as unreasonable?

6. Rebuttals go back and forth for as long as it takes to come to some form of agreement.

Such negotiations, if carried out in an adult fashion, always end up with some form of give-andtake arrangement, as each party realises the unreasonableness of some of their requests and demands, and that some of their opponent's requests are legitimate. Items, one at a time, fall off the table, and the two parties eventually realise that their differences are not that great.

The big question of the day is, how can we get adults voted into power, rather than children? How do we get leaders who are willing to be reasonable, and negotiate in good faith? One suggestion is that voters need to make decisions through rational thought. These decisions must come from their Adult, not their emotional Child, or their fearful Parent. That is food for thought.

Some books written by Wayne Douglas Weedon may be downloaded free of charge, in various formats, at https://archive.org.

Stories of hope: How changes forced on us by the Pandemic can help us change for the better

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The pivot of the healthcare system here is a lot of negativity about access to services since the pan- to provision of virtual care was a game demic. Media outlets appear to changer for many Manitobans includthrive on invoking fear by highlight- ing my family members. Cancercare services for example, were ing alarming statistics managed virtually and at and tragic outcomes. the new Cancercare CenThis must be working for tre in rural Manitoba them as they continue to which limited the need use this approach when for additional trips to reporting on items reWinnipeg. This access to lated to the pandemic. care closer to home made Is this what readers are the unexpected need to clamoring to devour in engage with Cancercare their daily intake of curMB much easier to manrent events and news? age. As access to surgery I like to believe that improved, a previously people also crave stories Nancy Cooke recommended cataract of hope. There are many surgery was completed individuals with stories From the successfully. of what is not working Centre As a support person for but there are also those my parents, I have expewho are silent on their stories of successful outcomes. These rienced increased engagement from are the stories that need to be shared the physicians who are treating them to provide a glimmer of hope next to through virtual and phone-based updates which have been easier for me to the steady stream of negativity.

I am going to share some of the participate in from Winnipeg. Cancerpositive experiences of my friends and care services were also extended to a close friend of mine. The fear and unfamily over the past few years.

Like most other Manitobans, I have certainty that come with a cancer diagfamily members and close friends who nosis is terrifying at any time. Receivwere managing chronic illness and ad- ing this news during a pandemic added dressing new health issues that arose an additional layer of fear. Despite this over the last two years. My parents heightened situation my friend was live in rural Manitoba and have his- successful in receiving prompt care torically had to travel to Winnipeg which involved immediate treatment for many aspects of their care. During and regular interaction virtually and in the pandemic, a few new health issues person with the healthcare team. The arose that required regular trips to the treatment and support continue today.

Another family member received urcity and visits to a specialist. These visits continued a regular basis, uninter- gent treatment related to the sudden emergence of a kidney stone which rupted by the pandemic.

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required responsive, timely management and follow up. Timely care resulted in access to laser surgery to remove the stone and prevent further damage. Care related to rapidly advancing early dementia was provided for another friend’s spouse. This did not come without persistent advocacy for the escalating situation but when the care was needed it was there and resulted in placement of the spouse in a care facility directly from respite.

In the summer of 2021, a homeless encampment established itself in the Old St Vital Business Improvement Zone. This presented our Biz board with some new challenges. There were reports of increased crime, vandalism, store fronts being smashed, and some businesses were looted. There was stolen power from local businesses and an accumulation of stolen goods from surrounding residential break ins. Safety for both the homeless individuals and the residents and businesses became front and centre as fires were being started as a source of heat and cooking. The board worked with Winnipeg police and Winnipeg Fire Paramedic services to address the ur-

gent issues, but it wasn’t until we connected with St. Boniface Street Links that there was a positive outcome. The team at Street Links connected with everyone to offer them housing and linkages to services in health, mental health, addictions, or employment services. Every individual was housed, and Street Links worked to restore the riverbank to its natural state.

None of these circumstances are easy for families to deal with. Every family has different challenges in terms of when and how to access care or supports. The stories I share did not happen without the emotional rollercoaster and feelings of being left out of the system or forgotten along the way. What they have in common is the best outcome that could be hoped for regardless of the pandemic. I share these stories to provide a more hopeful perspective about the state of our world.

Extreme examples exist and help to put emphasis on issues, they are not the only experience available to people. I understand and support advocates who are pushing for change and lessons to be understood from crisis situations. This constant negative narrative, however, takes away from the hard work of the dedicated front-line workers who have managed to ensure service delivery in extreme circumstances. I think it’s time for us to move towards understanding and collaboration to create solutions and prevent the failures from being repeated. This is the space where hope can grow.

You can reach Nancy Cooke to comment on this article at nancycooke11@gmail.com.

June 2022

Amherst Street, Winnipeg’s lane of heroes 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 am doing street profiles. This column features Amherst Street.

Gervais. Gervais went on to lose to Saskatchewan's Ernie Richardson. Between 1986 and 1991, Houck won four Strathcona Senior Men's Championships 1987, 1990, and 1991 led to Canadian Senior Men's Championship. In 1998 and 1999, Houck won the Manietween 1930 and 1942, Amherst Hall had a toba Credit Unions Masters.

Gordie Sparkes played second for the 1979 Barry brief but memorable existence.

The Reconstruction, Social Credit and Con- Fry Manitoba Championship team. Gord is a member of the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame, servative parties all held political meetand an honorary life member of the ings at 201 Amherst Street.

Deer Lodge Curling Club. Jeff Ryan as On April 4, 1936, Premier John Brackthe third on Kerry Burtnyk's team won en, Manitoba's longest serving premier, the 1995 Men's World Curling Chamopened a three-day arts and handicraft pionship. The 1995 team is in both the display at Amherst Hall. The show raised Manitoba and Curling Halls of Fame. funds for the Cenotaph at Bruce Park.

Ryan and Burtnyk won the 2001 ManiFarther up the street, an April 9, 1955, toba Championship. Ryan and Burtnyk a Winnipeg Free Press Story mentions a lost in the 2001 Brier Final to Alberta's new Kiwanis Wading Pool at the corner Randy Ferby. Jeff as an individual curler of Ness and Amherst. The park became is a 2021/22 inductee into the Manitoba known as Amherst Park. In 2019, AmCurling Hall of Fame. Sandy Campbell herst Park was renamed Kapyong Park.

Fred Morris Sparkes won the girls under 18 chamThe park remembers the sacrifices of the From the desk pionships at the 1971 Saskatoon Prairie Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry in the of a gadfly Regional Tennis Championship. Jack 1951 Korean War battle of Kapyong.

Thompson served as President of BasePeople who have lived part ball Manitoba and on the Board of Baseof their lives on Amherst In the 1913 Henderson Directory, Albert A. Mc- ball Canada. Jack became known as the voice of baseball in Manitoba.

Curdy was the first Amherst Street resident listed.

As the voice of baseball in Manitoba, Jack used his On the front page of the February 23, 1952, Winnipeg Free Press, Bobby Terhost, age two, son of Rich- own equipment for the PA announcer for Manitoba ard and Elspeth, is pictured holding a miniature Oscar. baseball games. The Manitoba Junior League BaseRichard had joined other toddlers in a Winnipeg film ball League awards the Jack Thompson Trophy to the test. Henry and Mollie Englehart (1964), and Harry Rookie of the Year. Also, Tom Thompson is in the and Jean Patteson (1968) are featured in the newspa- Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. Tom, as a baseball coach, won six provincial championships at the Banper archives on their 50th Wedding Anniversaries.

Several sports stars have lived on Amherst Street. tam, Midget, and Junior levels. Also, Tom has a long Norm Houck won championships as a both a skip career as a hockey executive. Tom, while working for and a third. Houck is in the Manitoba Curling Hall of the St. James Canadians, won the 1981 MJHL ManFame. In 1960, Norm's rink won the first ever Charles- ager of the year. Tom won the 1989 Stanley Cup as a wood Car Bonspiel. In the 1962 Brier, Norm Houck Scout with the Calgary Flames. The 1989 Flames were Manitoba Men's, Curling Champions finished eight the only visiting team to win a Stanley Cup champiand two and in a three-way for first. Houck was elimi- onship game during the long history of the Montreal nated in the first one game tie breaker by Alberta's Hec Forum.

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Allan Plesh and Doug Titterton played against each other in the first St. James Civic Centre Hockey Game. Jack Thompson worked the PA. Alf Palindat was an arena attendant during the early days of the St. James Civic Centre.

Other Amherst heroes During my political adventures, I was often joined

by Amherst Street residents Jim Jones and Don Smith. We often questioned city councillor Jae Eadie.

Eadie was at that time a former resident of Amherst Street.

Jack Bastable was the long-time owner of Parkview Solo grocery. Tom Killberry founded Killberry Industries which evolved into MacDon. Doug Nicholson worked for 45 years at the Winnipeg Free Press. Doug worked as a manager of the circulation department back in the days when many of us delivered papers after school. Peter Cowtun worked in the Cowtun Family Pharmacies at 1843 and 2059 Portage Avenue.

Annette Buchan, and Phyliss Youell worked at Canada Drugs. Ed Johner owned two Windsor Plywood franchises. His daughter, Melissa Johner, is currently involved in the management of the business.

Joan Thompson served as president of the Deer Lodge Community Club. Also, Joan was long time member of the Grace Hospital Nurses Alumni.

Several pastors of St. James Presbyterian Church including J. Keith McGown, James Bishop, Douglas Hill, and Samuel Hill lived on Amherst just behind the church.

In conclusion, I would like to mention a different developing story: The Descendents of Jon Vopni (1864 to 1956) is asking the city to reinstate Vopni as a Winnipeg street name. In August 2017, I wrote a Lifestyles 55 story about the unjust changing of Vopni Avenue to Park Lane.

Please share your thoughts on this issue with the Mayor, City Councillors, and the Candidates for 2022 City Elections. I can be contacted me at fredmorris@hotmail.com.

Fred Morris is a grandfather, sports fan and political activist.

Celebrating Winnipeg Parks and green spaces in the Year of the Garden 2022 Sharon Bain

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his is our third Covid-19 summer and it appears the dangers may be reduced from prior years but are still with us. I’m finding that lots of people still would prefer to meet outdoors. As I wrote this, I was sitting on a bench in Coleridge Park in the Westwood community. It’s a small strip of land with a few benches, lots of trees and runs alongside Assiniboine River. I’ve seen muskrat, ducks, fish jumping, geese flying overhead and people out for walks by themselves or with their dogs. I often come here for quiet times of reflection and to absorb the green energy it gives off.

This got me thinking about how grateful I am to the people who gifted or created these wonderful outdoor spaces. There are large cities trying to cool down their neighbourhoods by planting trees and re-introducing green spaces to their neighborhoods. Let’s not forget this and continue to value the gifts these spaces give us each day! There is such a terrible contrast between my evening tonight and the images of war-torn countries like the Ukraine whose neighbourhoods have been destroyed. They don’t even have the time to be green with envy or the energy to be concerned about green spaces.

These spaces didn’t just pop out of nowhere. I started wondering about the people who gifted land to the city or who sold their farms to developers who created new residential communities. Who were the planners and designers who created these spaces in Westwood? Why does my neighbourhood have lots of green spaces, yet there are parts of Winnipeg that have little or no green space? Don’t be green with envy. Take small steps to add green space to your home and your community.

Try out a different park in your neighborhood or within the city by search using https://parkmaps.winnipeg.ca/.

I started thinking about all the green spaces that were in my Westwood neighborhood. I feel blessed. I’ve lived in this neighbourhood over 30 years and experienced the green spaces as a child, a teenager, a young adult, a new parent and even as a grandparent. For the most part, I have taken the parks’ existence for granted.

An occasional thought about the young summer student employed by the City of Winnipeg cutting grass in the local park might have gone through my head at June 2022

Sharon wrote us about how important these small greenspaces have been to us during the pandemic!

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fter I wrote the article about the history of Best Street, I realized that the outdoor green spaces have been critical during the time of COVID-19 and form part of our community history. I don’t know what it’s been like for you but I’ve: • held a business meeting on a picnic table in a quiet park in East Kildonan • listened to a stressed out girlfriend on my backyard swing who was trying to figure out how to manage working from home while her kids were in school upstairs in her home, and • listened to family members talk around the fire pits in Assiniboine Park. best. Within a small radius of my home, the following are some of the green spaces that have added joy and memories to my life. Do you have memories associated with these same green spaces or those in your own neighborhood?

Bedson Park is surrounded on four sides by residential backyards. It is where I took my children to play on the swings, teeter-totter, slides and sandbox. It also had a small asphalt pad that allowed the kids to ride their two-wheelers without any traffic around. It was the place my 5-year-old daughter would escape to when I took my eyes off her. Luckily a friend could spot her in the park for me and I would drag her back home. Ironically the park my children played in was named after Samuel Lawrence Bedson who was appointed Warden of the Manitoba Penitentiary in 1871, then in 1876 Stony Mountain Warden.

Coleridge Park is where I would drive to on my bike or scooter to sit and take in the positive energy given off by the animals, grass, trees and river. There is also a nice Little Free Library (see https://littlefreelibrary.org/ ourmap/) nearby so I could also sit and read for free.

The occasional muskrat, fish or ducks would add to the experience, and I would walk away refreshed. This park is named after Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a poet and friend to Wordsworth, which by the way is also another street in my neighborhood named after a poet.

Benjaminson Park is a small strip of land going from Assiniboine Avenue to Assiniboine River. I used to take my fishing rod down there. Never caught anything but that was never my objective. The strip of land in the summer is densely covered by an old tree canopy. Even on a sunny day, it is dark down there but as you walk the short distance toward the river’s edge, the treetops recede, and the sun is shining and all you hear is nature’s music. It turns out there used to be a mink farm nearby and the owner, Mr. Skuli Benjaminson, donated the small park to the city. He built the first home in the area, cut trees to make a road to Portage Avenue, and arranged for power lines to be installed along Whittier Street (now known as Bedson St). As owner of the first automobile and telephone in the district, he provided transportation service and message service for his neighbours. The kind of neighbour we all want and should want to be.

Sansome Park is surrounded by local schools, the Kirkfield-Westwood Community Centre, the City of Winnipeg Westwood library and residential homes. It is a wide-open space, and you can watch your children playing baseball and soccer in the field during the summer. We made kites and went there to fly them in that great blustery Manitoba wind we all know and love. We even met a young East Indian family there and shared our love of kites with them. It turns out that in India they have large kite competitions and they really enjoyed flying our kite. The high school track is nearby and lots of other amenities in this large green space for children and adults. I have lots of memories here with my family going to school, playing on the play structure, a soccer game where 3 four-year-olds forgot about the game ball and just sat down to pick some dandelions that caught their eye, community club fairs and pancake breakfasts. I am grateful for these green spaces that I’ve been able to use by myself or with my family, neighbours, and prospective new friends. Yes, I’m green with energy, not envy! These are the spaces that have restored me before, during and after Covid is over.

Sharon A. Bain is a resident of St. James and an MBA, CPA/CMA. She was inspired by the Fred Morris series about S., James Streets. If you have a neighbourhood you would like to celebrate, contact Dorothy Dobbie at 204-9402716 or dorothy@pegasuspublications.net. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Vive la France, salmon en papillote

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ometimes my memory gets jogged, I am unsure why, but this memory flashed before me, and it simply had to be recreated.

If you have never experienced fish cooked in the style of ‘Papillote’, in parchment, then you really should. Adding a little, joie de vivre to your dinner table is always fun.

What you get from this is a simplistic way of cooking, a healthy meal that you will get enough of and want over and over again. Not to mention it does not have to Ian Leatt always be salmon. You could try cod, halibut, Foodies trout or any other fish.

It pays to be creative: never use root vegetables, unless you slice them thinly. Use peppers, tomatoes, green beans – all vegetables that cook quickly.

All will make this dish appealing. Its about your taste and style.

Here is what you will need: 2 pieces parchment paper, 18 x 15 inches 2 7 oz. pieces fresh skinless salmon 1 cup spaghetti grated carrot 1 medium onion thinly sliced 3 fresh crushed garlic cloves Pinch salt and pepper 3 green onions finely chopped Bunch of asparagus snapped to 5 inches 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind 2 slices fresh lemon Olive oil to brush parchment For the compound: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter Pinch salt and pepper 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 teaspoons freshly chopped dill 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley

Salmon en papillote.

The all important how to: For the compound all you need do is place all ingredients into a small bowl and mix together. Place inside a small a Ziploc bag, roll into a tight small packet. Place inside the freezer for use later.

Cut long side of the parchment in half, then pencil draw half a heart and cut around. Brush each piece of finished paper with olive oil.

In a bowl place the thinly sliced onions and spaghetti carrots, then blend together. Spread an equal amount of asparagus onto the centre of the parchment, then an equal amount of the onion and carrot mixture, ending with a piece of salmon. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Atop of the fish, add half the crushed garlic, a teaspoon of grated lemon rind and a tablespoon of sliced green onion. Remove the now frozen butter compound from the freezer, cut into four equal pieces then place two slices on each piece of fish.

Fold the parchment over and starting at the corner, slowly fold over and gathering and tightly crimping as you go until you reach the end. Once complete it should be air sealed, keeping all the goodness inside.

The finished papillote should then be placed on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven 450°F, once at the desired temperature place on the middle shelf of the over and cook between 8 to 10 minutes. You will know it is cooked when the parchment puffs up and browns slightly.

Remove from the stove and serve. Placing the now cooked fish on to a plate. Using scissors, cut a small star in the centre, be careful, steam can be very hot. Serve with new young potatoes and a nice glass of white wine.

Enjoy Tip: You may wish to have more lemons. Have a small plate of lemon wedges when serving just to give it that little je ne sais quoi.

Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.

Celebrate the Year of the Garden with

Enjoy digital editions of Canada’s Local Gardener magazine on your favourite mobile device!

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . . . .

Official English Language Magazine

You should consider having the following in place Will The preparation of a will may seem like a daunting task, however, it is essential to ensure that your property is disposed of according to your wishes upon your death. If you pass away without a valid will, the law states what is to happen to your estate.

Power of Attorney A power of attorney is a document which appoints an individual to handle your affairs in the event you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions. Nothing prevents you from continuing to make your own decisions while you are still competent.

A power of attorney is an extremely valuable document to have in place in case anything happens to you which affects your mental ability, such as a stroke, coma or dementia.

Health Care Directive (Living Will) A health care directive, commonly called a living will, is a document which appoints an individual to make decisions with regard to your health care only, while you are alive but unable to express your decisions yourself. This document is distinct from a power of attorney and deals only with health care decisions such as whether life sustaining treatments, such as CPR or blood transfusion, should be continued or withdrawn.

Standard Fees* Last Will and Testament Power of Attorney Health Care Directive * plus GST and PST - Rates are per person.

$225.00 $175.00 $ 75.00

Seniors $200.00 $150.00 $ 50.00

Home and hospital visits are also available $250.00* (includes both meetings) *plus GST and PST TACIUM VINCENT & ASSOCIATES 206 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2H 1J3 DAVID G. VINCENT (204) 989-4236 www.taciumvincent.com

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Simply download Canada’s Local Gardener app on your mobile device and you can access the digital editions of the magazine quickly and easily!

Read, relax, enjoy.

For more details go to localgardener.net • Connect with us June 2022

June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Wear purple on June 15th to show your support!

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orld Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is marked each year on June 15. Since 2006, communities throughout the country and around the world have honoured this day to raise the visibility of elder abuse by organizing events to share information and promote resources and services that can help increase the safety and well-being of older adults. Elder Abuse networks and orA & O: ganizations plan activiSupport Services for ties across the country to Older Adults mobilize community action and engage people in discussions on how to promote dignity and respect of older adults.

What is elder abuse?

Any action or inaction by a person in a relationship of trust, which jeopardizes the health, or well-being of an older person.

Forms of abuse: • Physical Abuse - acts that include violence or rough treatment, or the threat of violence • Sexual Abuse - sexual contact with an older adult

without that person’s consent • Emotional Abuse - any act that causes pain or distress through verbal or non-verbal acts • Financial Abuse - the illegal or inappropriate use of another person’s money or property • Neglect - the failure to meet the needs of an older adult who cannot meet their needs on their own A & O is proud to partner with Dr. Kerstin Roger (University of Manitoba), her team including partners from Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as other community agencies in the Prairie provinces to assist with a research study conducted on under reporting of abuse of community residing older adults living in the Prairie Provinces (funded by PrairieAction Foundation).

Through this partnership, the video Who should I tell? was created to help increase the awareness of elder abuse. This video has been translated into French, Tagalog, German and Punjabi. The focus is on “Who should I tell?” as a way to promote talking about the issue of elder abuse and disclosure by older adults,

family and friends. Tip sheets have been created for families, older adults and service providers. These tip sheets are available in three different languages.

For the opportunity to view and discuss the Who Should I Tell Videos, join us for a virtual presentation on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This presentation will highlight: • The Elder abuse video and tips sheets developed • How to recognize Elder Abuse • Types of abuse • Ways to respond to Elder Abuse • Prevention Strategies • Highlights of A & O programs and services to assist those experiencing Elder Abuse Please visit the A & O website for more information. A & O: Support Services for Older Adults provides elder abuse prevention services free of charge.

The agency has a confidential intake line for information and referral. Anyone can call (204) 956-6440 and speak to an intake worker for more information.

All calls are strictly confidential.

A & O: Support Services for Older Adults 200-207 Donald St. Winnipeg, MB R3C 1M5 Phone: 204-956-6440 Toll-free: 1-888-333-3121 aosupportservices.ca

Do you know about the Age Friendly initiative?

Connie Newman

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n addition to serving its 60+ member centres, MASC is also championing the Manitoba Age Friendly initiative in 90+ communities across the province.

The Age-Friendly Manitoba initiative is a comprehensive multifaceted approach that contributes to the health and well-being of its citizens.

Viewing community living through an Age-Friendly lens helps to improve quality of life for all and contributes to a respectful social environment.

Age-Friendly Manitoba encourages active aging to enhance quality of life as people age. It is built on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) healthy aging framework that assesses eight key dimensions of community life where opportunities are optimized for health, participation and security. An Age-Friendly

June 2022

approach benefits all its community members and allows them to lead a healthy active lifestyle, living where they wish to be.

What an Age Friendly Community does…

• Recognizes the diversity among older citizens • Encourages healthy, active aging • Supports the contributions of older community members • Promotes the participation of older members in all aspects of our community • Engages stakeholders in building age-friendly communities • Creates accessible, safe environments for older adults • Treats people of all ages with respect To learn more go to www.agefriendlymanitoba.com Manitoba Association of Senior Centres can be found at www.manitobaseniorcentres.com or contacted by Email at info@ manitobaseniorcentres.com

Age-Friendly communities support people to age safely, enjoy good health and to continue to participate fully in their community.

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Directory of Manitoba Association of Senior Centres Northern AREA Flin Flon Seniors 2 North Avenue, Flin Flon (204) 687-7301 Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall, 217 2nd Ave. SE, Cranberry Portage (204) 472-3031 Snow Lake Seniors 71 Balsam St., Snow Lake (204) 358-2151 The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Ave., The Pas (204) 623-3663 Thompson Seniors Resource Council 4 Nelson Rd., Thompson, MB (204) 677-0987 Interlake AREA Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre 17 North Colonization Rd., Gimli (204) 642-7909 www.gimlinewhorizons.com Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline St., Selkirk (204) 785-2092 www.gordonhoward.ca Grand Marais & District Seniors 36058 PTH 12, Grand Marais (204) 770-6124 Riverton Seniors Activity Centre 12 Main St., Riverton (204) 378-2800 South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall (204) 467-2582 www.si55plus.org

Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre 55 1st Ave. SE, Dauphin (204) 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com Gilbert Plains and District Community Resource Council Inc. PO Box 567, Gilbert Plains, MB (204) 548 4131 www.gpdcrc-newhorizons.wix.com/gpdcrc Grandview Seniors Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview (204) 546-2272 Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie (204) 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com Minnedosa Senior Citizens Assoc.

31 Main St. S., Minnedosa (204) 867-1956 Morden Activity Centre 306 N. Railway St., Morden (204) 822-3555 www.mordenseniors.ca Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson St., Neepawa (204) 476-5103 www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center Pilot Mound Fellowship Club 203 Broadway, Pilot Mound (204) 825-2436 Plumas Senior Citizens Club Inc. 102 White St., Plumas (204) 386-2029 Portage Service for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie (204) 239-6312

Eastman AREA

Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411

Beau-head Senior Centre 645 Park Ave., Beausejour (204) 268-2444

The Comfort Drop In Spot 31 Main St., Erickson (204) 636-7895

East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach (204) 756-6468 www.ebseniorscene.ca

Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway St., Treherne (204) 723-2559

East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road, Victoria Beach (204) 756-6471 www.ebseniorscene.ca Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach (204) 320-4600 www.patporteralc.com Central AREA Carman Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive, Carman (204) 745-2356 www.activelivingcentrecarman.ca Crystal City & District Friendship Club Inc. 117 Broadway St., Crystal City (204) 873-2091

Winkler & District Multipurpose Senior Centre 102 - 650 South Railway Ave., Winkler (204) 325-8964 www.winklerseniorcentre.com Brandon AREA Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op 311 Park Ave., East, Brandon (204) 571-2052 www.brandons4s.ca Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway, Killarney (204) 523-7115 Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon (204) 727-6641 www.prairieoasis.ca

Winnipeg AREA 20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 233-6079 A & O Support Services for Older Adults Inc. 200 - 207 Donald St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre - Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org 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

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Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com Headingley Seniors’ Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca Manitoba Korean 55+ Centre 900-150 River Ave., Winnipeg (204) 996-7003 www.ksam.ca Pembina Active Living 55+ 170 Fleetwood Rd., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.ca

Bleak House Centre 1637 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 338-4723 www.bleakhousecentre.com

Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg (204) 477-7510 www.radyjcc.com

Broadway Seniors Resource Centre 823 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg (204) 772-3533 www.bsrc.ca

Rainbow Resource Centre 170 Scott St., Winnipeg (204) 474-0212, Ext. 211 www.rainbowresourcecentre.org

Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Ave. W., Winnipeg (204) 632-8367

South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 117-1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca

Centro Caboto Centre 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 487-4597 www.cabotocentre.com Charleswood Senior Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 897-5263 www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org Creative Retirement MB 448 Burnell St., Winnipeg (204) 949-2569 www.creativeretirementmanitoba.ca Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 55+ 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 489-1925 Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com Dufferin Senior Citizens Inc. 377 Dufferin Avenue, Winnipeg (204) 986-2608 Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Ave., Winnipeg (204) 669-0750 www.eekactiv.com Fort Garry Seniors Resource Working Advisory Group 2nd Floor - 280 Smith Street, Winnipeg 204-792-1913 www.aosupportservices.ca/resources/seniorsresource-finders/

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Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca

Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4599 www.southdale.ca St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3 - 203 Duffield St., Winnipeg (204) 987-8850 www.stjamescentre.com St. Mary’s Rd. Seniors 613 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg (204) 257-0678 www.stmarysroad.ca Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 www.transconaseniors.ca Transcona Retired Citizens Org. 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 777-5576 Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (204) 291-9028 www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca

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June 2022

The high cost of living longer

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he population in Canada is ag- tion of the monthly salary plus an agreed ing. Seniors are Canada’s fastest amount of payment from the employer growing demographic. Almost are placed in funds that are invested by one in seven Canadians was a senior in professionals. When ready to retire those 2012. It is predicted that the number investment pools are used to pay a defined pension benefit to will increase to nearly one the employee thus ensurin four by 2030. Income ing income security as agsecurity is one of the major ing occurs. What is misschallenges for many older ing as we live longer than adults. Statistics Canada many of us expected, is inreports that the largest flation protection. Yes, ingrowing segment of the terest rates have been low, population is older adults but pensions are fixed at a aged 85 and up. Many level of the average wage single older adults, espeat the time of retirement cially women, qualify as which often is much lowlow income. Increases to er than the present wage. the Canada Pension Plan, Peggy Prendergast What happens to people Old Age Security program and Guaranteed Income Exploring Lifestyle who live beyond the expectations of the original Supplement are a step in 55 Possibilities plan when there is not an the right direction. The allowance for the cost of support shown to adults over 65 by the federal and provincial living as inflation takes away from the governments during the recent Covid- value of the actual retirement dollar?

In the quest for financial indepen19 Pandemic were very needed and apdence, which assumes income security, preciated by many older adults.

Defined benefits pensions are proven there are many suggestions for action to make retirement secure. They seem to offered in a recent book written mainly follow the concept of “paying yourself with women’s needs in mind, “Bank on first.” When you are young, as part of Yourself ” – Why every woman should an employment contract, a small por- plan financially to be single even if she’s

On Mother’s Day: introduced youth services project for Sri Lankan seniors

not, by Ardelle Harrison and Leslie McCormick. It basically speaks to the situation where living alone, (often not of your own choosing), means moving from shared incomes and responsibilities concerning money, to depending on a single income again. In the stereotypical kind of family living of the past, the financial arrangements were, that the overall knowledge of family finances were in the realm of the man of the family and the woman managed the monies allotted for the day by day living expenses of the family. Financial knowledge was a shared experience with the man providing the money. A quote from the book seems to describe the situation, especially for women: “Whether you have ever been single, think you always will be single or are in a situation where you could be single once again, everyone needs to plan financially for life on your own, to feel confident in your financial position, to ensure you have choices and options and to achieve not only financial security but true financial independence.” The single situation affects men too in often the same way. If money is a

tool to get what you want in life, having a plan is the way to create financial independence. Check out www.moneysmartmanitoba.ca.

Social isolation during the pandemic has taken its toll on the older adult, often inflicting sedentary living and thus lack of the benefits of physical interaction. Disconnect from social experiences is also connected with increased mental health concerns among older adults. The saving of dollars because of social distancing does not make up for the after-effects of isolation resulting in loneliness and often depression and the lack of interest in the financial aspect of living. Time is a resource that needs to be explored by and for older adults to provide: employment for some who are creative entertainers and for some who could be mentors of younger adults to assist in providing society with much needed expertise and skills for example. Older adults need to be respected for the resource they are to society and ways need to be explored and researched for the true potential to society of many older adults.

Rose Cottage at Thomson “In The Park”

Creating a timeless legacy.

CEMETERIES OFFER A SPECIAL CONNECTION to those who have come before us. A permanent resting place can be a beautiful and lasting way to remember a personal story for generations to come.

And whether you choose traditional burial or cremation, the cemetery space you select can be as unique as you are.

Deciding to purchase cemetery property in advance is an important step to securing your final arrangements.

There are many choices available to suit your individual preferences, family traditions or budget considerations.

Senaka Samarasinghe

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ri Lankan Student Association of University of Manitoba (SLSA UoM) and WhatsApp Cricket Group (these two groups named as youth) were invited for our Mother’s Day commemorative ceremony held on May 7, 2022 at Access Fort Garry, Plaza Dr, in Winnipeg. The ceremony was organized by Sri Lankan Seniors Manitoba (SLBC).

Two students represented SLSA U of M: namely Sandalee Goonatilleke and Methasara Bandara. Raveen Sumanasekara appeared for WhatsApp Group.

Senaka Samarasinghe President, SLSM, introduced three youth invitees and explained briefly the project objectives.

Seniors need to obtain services in the areas such as computer supports and services, gardening and rides for Doctor’s appointments. This type of services will be provided to seniors by youth on an agreed payment.

Youth, too, request support from seJune 2022

niors such as employment opportunities and other career development services.

For these facilities, seniors sevices will be rendered free-of-charge for the youth community. In short, this is a mutually beneficial, properly designed community services project. Daya Perera was identified as Project Coordinate on behalf of SLSM. To organize and conduct the Mother’s Day ceremony, Shrima Bastians, her husband (Peter) and her son and daughter helped with decorations, table arrangements and photo shoot. It ended up as a grand honouring event for mothers.

Due to the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the state-owned hospitals applied help from Sri Lankans living in other counties to purchase medicine and medical equipment. Therefore, Board of Directors of SLSM scheduled a fundraising for the largest hospital for children in Sri Lanka named as Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children, Colombo. Two weeks fundraising project too concluded with the end of Mother’s Day ceremony.

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11

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet illuminates your world RWB announces their new season line-up for 2022-2023

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anada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is gearing up to illuminate your world with an engaging series of story ballets for an exciting 83rd season.

Our artists are bringing fresh new takes on familiar favourites to the stage.

Whether it is a dark romantic story with enlightening truths and forbidden desires, a lush and dreamy quintessential classic or a free-spirited tale that brings out the child in all of us, our season of Illumination will reflect the scope of the human experience.

“Be it spoken, written, or performed, stories connect us with one another,” states André Lewis, the RWB’s Artistic Director & CEO. “Dance allows us to feel and live a story without words. Throughout history we have turned to dance as a way of expressing ourselves, of telling our stories and of connecting with each other. This year our season will take us on journeys through magical lands, where the power of beautifully-told stories will thrill and delight our audiences.”

The RWB’s 2022-23 season begins with the return of a treasured tradition that spans over four decades, Ballet in the Park, at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park. This free, family-friendly event has grown to be a staple in many Winnipeggers’ summers and showcases performances by the RWB Company, as well as the RWB School Professional and Recreational Division students. The Company will perform choreographer Agnes de Mille’s exuberant and amusing Rodeo, a show that portrays our universal desire to be loved – and our fear of rejection from those we love. The awkward, tomboyish Cowgirl vies for the attention of the Head Wrangler at The Burnt Ranch and discovers love where she least expects it. Ballet in the Park runs from July 27-29 and offers attendees the unique opportunity to watch world-class ballet under the prairie sky.

Our mainstage performances at the Centennial Concert Hall get underway on October 12th with The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood. Enslaved to the Commander of Gilead where human rights have been stripped away, the concubine Offred must navigate this dystopian society alongside her fearless friend Moira and illicit lover Nick. This speculative tale is illuminated through extraordinary

Alanna McAdie, Company artist, Swan Lake. All photographs by David Cooper.

Elizabeth Lamont, Company artist, The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood.

Liam Saito, Company artist, Peter Pan.

athleticism and theatricality.

The family favourite Nutcracker, a tale of adventure and enchantment that sparkles with charm and nostalgia during the holiday season, begins its seven-day run on December 21st. From a battle with the fiendish Mouse King to the opulent kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the costumes, choreography and characters in this distinctly Canadian production are bound to illuminate your eyes and heart.

March 8th marks the illuminating opening night of the exquisite Swan Lake with its iconic choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece score. Wicked sorcery from the Baron von Rothbart has trapped the Princess Odette in the form of a swan. The gallant Prince Siegfried offers a glimmer of hope, but deception threatens to unravel the lovers’ rescue when von Rothbart transforms his daughter Odile into Odette’s likeness to enthrall the Prince.

Audiences will be taken to new heights on May 3rd with our electrifying take on Peter Pan and the Escape to Neverland. The story follows Peter through daring adventures as he invites Wendy to care for his Lost Boys and defends his home against the pirate Captain Hook, with sassy fairy Tinker Bell as his sidekick.

High-flying action and incredible heart await you in this blockbuster event that illuminates our childlike wonder.

The season will conclude with performances by the RWB Aspirants and dancers of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division, all of whom play an integral part in the RWB story. Under the direction of School Director Stéphane Léonard, the School is the foundation upon which the RWB is built. We are immensely proud to present Spotlight (May 25 – 27, Royal Manitoba Theatre) and On The Edge (June 7 – 9, RWB Founders’ Studio) during our illuminating new season.

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet gratefully acknowledges the ongoing backing of our Funders – Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Sport, Culture & Heritage, Manitoba Arts Council and the Winnipeg Arts Council, as well as the generous support of patrons, sponsors and donors.

Check out rwb.org for tickets and more information.

Don’t miss out on the RWB’s 83rd season!

“Spring springs late” in Flin Flon but the Arts Season never ends

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pring springs late in these environs but we do spectable, nonetheless. The Junior Bombers lost in have temperatures on the plus side these days, the 7th game of the Championship round, but they though as we write this column, we are a bit still qualify to play in the Centennial Cup as that nacut off from the rest of the province with flood-dam- tional tournament is being held in Estevan, SK and aged bridges on Highway 10 North between Dau- that team qualifies automatically and they were the team who squeezed out the win against phin and Swan River making that road the Bombers. impassable. The only other road northBack with arts news, the second conward from Winnipeg is Highway 6 and cert of note was a very exciting one. it has water-covered areas but maybe The harmony trio known as ImrieAnpassable as we write. Just some of the naJones performed a concert of all joys of living “up here”. original material along with songstress The arts and culture scene is returning Emily Sparling, to a sold-out house at to an approximation of normal, howJohnny’s Social Club. The three womever. We won’t claim normalcy because en who make up ImrieAnnaJones are one doubts that we ever had it, being Kristin Imrie, a history teacher; Anna an arts-driven place and when were artHarrison, who teaches middle-school ists ever accused of being normal? The band; and Kim Jones, the high school pandemic also did some damage in that Elly Spencer band teacher. They have been singing regard, all over the world. But Flin The arts from together for six or seven years now and Flon is bouncing back with three major up here have become regular hits on Johnny’s concert events in the last month. stage, singing mainly cover versions of The Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra popular adult contemporary music. resumed its touring schedule and made Last year, when Covid-19 seemed to be abatthe trip to our town at the beginning of the month.

In pre-Covid times this would have been a sell-out ing a bit, they got an opportunity to participate in concert as we are very fond of the classical reper- a song-writing mentorship through Crankie Fest, toire. It was held in the large venue in town, the RH the brainchild of Leonard Podalek in Winnipeg. The Channing Auditorium and masks were not manda- Crankie Fest grant sent MJ Dandeneau northward tory. It still managed to attract over 150 patrons, to mentor the three women to solidify their songwhich is not as successful as the Flin Flon Junior writing skills. Though most of the work was accomBombers during their incredible playoff run, but re- plished through Zoom meetings (Covid wasn’t re12

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ally over) they persevered and wrote a song that was eventually performed via recording, at Crankie Fest in November 2021.

They continued their writing processes both individually and collectively and have now written and honed songs they can perform on stage. They shared the stage at the concert with Emily Sparling, another teacher in the French Immersion program, who also writes her own material in both official languages no less! It was a wonderful and special concert experience and proclaims loudly and at times gently, the breadth of talent our town possesses.

The third event of note was “The Big Reveal” show.

Flin Flon has a long and storied relationship with Broadway musicals, beginning with the Flin Flon Glee Club in the 1950s and culminating with the Flin Flon Community Choir’s productions over the last 20 or so years. Crystal Kolt is the producer of the musicals which traditionally happen every two years, in the ‘odd’ years. We have seen extravaganzas such as Les Miserables, Chicago and Mamma Mia over the past few cycles. The pandemic meant we could not have a musical production in 2021 so the reveal show was born, to announce the upcoming production, in May 2023. Many former performers delivered Broadway hits during the evening, ably backed by a rockin’ band led by Mark Kolt. The Dancing Queens were there along with Greased Lightnin’ and the nuns wondering How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria. Oh, the musical, you ask?

Mary Poppins!

June 2022

The men with the music

2022 marks the 100th anniversary of radio broadcasting in Manitoba. Over the course of the year, Lifestyles55 will be publishing a series of articles featuring a few of the highlights of local radio history.

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n a world filled with mobile devices, specialty entertainment channels and an endless supply of on-line music, it’s hard to imagine there was a time when some of the most influential voices in the music industry were radio disc jockeys.

For a youngster growing up in the early rock ‘n’ roll era, radio was king.

The arrival of the transistor radio had revolutionized listening, particularly among young people. “I don’t think I slept a lot as a teenager,” writes Randy Bachman in his biography Takin’ Care of Business. “I was always glued to the radio at night. I would be a zombie the Gary Moir next day at school but all the kids were like that.”

The power of early American disc jockeys like Alan Freed and Wolf Man Jack has been well documented. They could make or break a band simply based on what they decided to say and play on the air.

In the late 1950s, 60s and into the 70s, Winnipeg had more than its share of radio talent that helped launch the careers of numerous musicians, some of whom would become world renowned.

Among the earliest Winnipeg DJs was Peter Jackson who worked at CKY radio in the early 1960s.

His rich mellifluous tones were exactly what broadcasters of the day were looking for. He appeared regularly at high school sockhops and launched what was known as the Hi Fi Club for teenagers. For a brief period in the 1960s, Jackson hosted a program called Teen Dance Party on CJAY television, which would later become a local music trendsetter under host Bob Burns.

The power of the DJ was never greater than during this period. It was common for bands and DJs to

form some type of partnership…a win-win situation.

The musicians provided content while the disc jockeys offered up promotion and air play.

Winnipeg’s storied community club scene of the 1960s provided the setting. With high school sockhops or community club dances every weekend, there were numerous opportunities for the hundreds of bands that popped up in Winnipeg during the era.

A key to success for any event was to bring along a radio disc jockey.

“Over the course of three or four years I think I was out every Friday and Saturday as MC at the dances,” recalled CKRC disc jockey Doc Steen in a 1996 interview. “There was a lot of pot floating around. You could smell it a mile away, but I enjoyed it because of the kids. They were great. “ DJs such as Jimmy Darin, Boyd Kozak, Doc Steen, Daryl B, and Mal Farris were household names for most teenagers. In today’s world it is difficult to grasp just how popular the DJs were. In some instances, the disc jockeys were managing certain bands. Over the years, groups like Chad Allen and later the Guess Who were affiliated with several different broadcasters. “I signed more autographs, they made more money,” quipped former CKY disc jockey Dennis “Deno” Corrie.

The radio stations had another asset that was of

vital importance for bands trying to launch a musical career…a recording studio. While radio production facilities were limited to say the least, they were better than nothing. Former producer and disc jockey Harry Taylor would often tell of his experience in recording Neil Young and the Squires at CKRC studios in the old Free Press building on Carleton Street. “The band would come into that studio and I’d always try to be as diplomatic as possible. Neil and the Squires had just finished playing and Neil came in and asked ‘well what do you think?” I said ‘Neil, you’re a great guitar player but I don’t think you’ll make it as a singer.”

While the disc jockeys may not have always been the best judges of musical talent, there can be no doubt about the role they played advancing the careers of many a local musician.

For the disc jockeys, it was a moment in time that could never be duplicated. Former CKY DJ Dennis Corrie summed it up best. “The happiest time of my life as a broadcaster was the 60s… that was positively the best.”

Garry Moir has spent more than 50 years in the broadcasting industry. He has written extensively about local radio history, including a book titled On the Air: The Golden Age of Manitoba Radio. He currently produces the daily History Vault feature on CJNU radio.

Recording labels from Winnipeg Yeah, back then, we were rocking!

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n the heyday of Winnipeg’s thriving Randy Bachman and CKRC’s Harry 1960s rock ‘n’ roll scene, several lo- Taylor. The A side featured singer Mike cal record labels sprang up to capture Hanford with other lead singer Orthat excitement by signing and record- est Andrews on the flipside. The band ing local bands. Eagle Records, operat- would release two more Franklin singles. Popular Winnipeg ed by Charlie Ward from bands such as The MonThe Country Music Cengrels, Fifth, Expedition to tre on Selkirk Avenue, Earth (one of the rarest of released singles by The Franklin singles), BlakeShags, Shondels, The wood Castle, Chopping Quid, Satan & The DBlock, Electric Jug & Men and The Good FeelBlues Band, Love Cyrcle ing. The Deverons, feaand Good Fortune all returing a teenage Burton leased singles on Franklin Cummings, cut tracks for between 1967 and 1972.

Eagle Records that were Blakewood Castle’s 1970 not released at the time. single “Lynnie Lynnie”, Ray Levin’s management John Einarson written by ex-Deverons company, Trans ContiLocal Music guitarist Derek Blake, nental Productions’ TCP Spotlight produced by The Eterrecord label, released the nals’ Ron Paley at Century lone 45 by Winnipeg’s 21 studios and featuring Pink Plumm featuring the unmistakeable powerhouse voice of background singer by Sugar ‘n’ Spice’s Murphy sisters, became a regional hit in bass player Fred ‘BTO’ Turner.

The longest lasting of the local record Western Canada. The group would relabels was Franklin Records, owned and lease three more singles on Franklin, the operated by local impresario Frank Wie- last one, 1972’s “Scarecrow”, written ner of The Hungry I Agency, by the lat- and produced by Chad Allan (with Rob ter 1960s the biggest booking agency in Matheson getting a co-writing credit). the city. Having its stable of artists re- It included guitarist John Hannah (later of Streetheart) and future Harlequin leasing records was good for business.

Beginning in June 1967, with the bassist Ralph James.

The most successful Franklin Records debut release by Winnipeg supergroup The Gettysbyrg Address (boasting ex- artist was Sugar ‘n’ Spice. A merger of members from The Shondels, Syndi- two opposites, Fort Rouge rock band cate, and Deverons), Franklin was off The Griffins—bassist Larry Mahler, and running. The band’s debut single drummer Kenn Richard, lead guitarist “Love Is A Beautiful Thing”, originally Phil O’Connell plus two ex-Mongrels recorded by The Young Rascals, backed members, John McInnes on rhythm by a cover of Little Eva’s “Keep Your guitar and Geoff Marrin, vocals—and Hands Off My Baby” was produced by Crescentwood folk trio The Murphy June 2022

Frank Wiener owned and operated Franklin Records.

Sisters (Kathleen, age 17, Maureen, age 16 and Aileen, 15), the group released their debut Franklin single, “Not To Return” recorded in early 1968 in room 303 of the downtown Hart Building.

The song was penned and produced by Randy Bachman and notched up a Top

10 position on Winnipeg radio.

In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam War, Sugar ‘n’ Spice journeyed to Minneapolis to record “Cruel War” with lush orchestration provided by members of the Minneapolis Symphony arranged and conducted by CBC Winnipeg’s Bob McMullin. “The thing I remember most,” states Maureen Murphy, “is when Bob McMullin put the strings on the track. We had been doing that song for years and then I heard all the strings and an incredible cello solo. That was a highlight.” The timing was perfect for the anti-war song. A top 10 hit across English-speaking Canada, the group also recorded a francophone version.

The single was licensed in the States to White Whale Records, debuting on Billboard’s Hot 100 pop singles chart with a bullet heading upward. All looked rosy for an American hit until composer Peter Yarrow of folk music stars Peter, Paul & Mary stepped in, threatening legal action over the omission of his name in the writing credit (the song was erroneously assumed to be in the public domain). Rather than re-press a corrected single, White Whale simply withdrew the record. “Things just stopped going up,” says Aileen.

In 1970, Franklin Records released its one and only album, Winnipeg – Volume 1, a compilation of previously recorded tracks from the label’s stable of local artists. “The records were simply used to promote the bands and get radio airplay,” Wiener admitted years later.

“The label should have been my major thrust.” In 2008 Super Oldies Records released a 2-CD compilation of Franklin recordings. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

13

Winnipeg was a health services leader

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id you already know that… …one of the first examples of community health care, located in Winnipeg’s North End, founded by the Jewish community in 1926 to provide medical attention for immigrants, is Mount Carmel Clinic. One name particularly became synonymous with Mount Carmel – a determined young nurse, Anne Glaz, who was hired by the clinic in 1948, after the Second World War. She took a laboratory and X Ray technician course so she could work on increasing the services the clinic could offer. Her unique approach to the medical service was to offer as many patientneeds as possible under one roof: “total care for the total family”. Also, she insisted that all patients be treated equally, regardless Sanja Rossi of their ability to pay. Ann Manitoba especially excelled in working with pregnant teenagThrough Time ers. She wrote two books, Pregnant and Alone, and Teenage Mothers, Teenage Fathers.

Anne G. (married Ross) was a health advocate and nurse, who contributed greatly to the expansion of the clinic. She pursued the government for more funding and a new $3-million operation opened at 886 Main Street in 1982. In 1987, she was awarded the province’s highest honour for community service, the Royal Order of the Buffalo Hunt. …that the house of Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor Sir John and Lady Shultz on Beaconsfield Street in Winnipeg was the place where, on Feb. 6, 1909, the first Children’s Hospital was opened.

It was Mrs. Annie Bond, a former British Army nurse, who asked the Winnipeg Council of Women to provide a house for the care of sick children affected by the epidemics that were rampant among the poor in those days. The main reason for the outbreaks was crowded housing and poor sanitary conditions.

In 1911, a new hospital was built on Aberdeen Avenue and H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught and his daughter Princess Patricia attended its formal opening. This was a transition from home to modern building, from the hospital's social mission to real hospital care.

A new Children’s hospital was built on the Health Science Center site in 1956. …one of the founders of Winnipeg General Hospital was Dr. Edward Benson. He was born at Peterborough, ON on April 22, 843. Benson was also coroner for Winnipeg, medical officer for the Deaf and Dumb Institute,

Anne G. Ross.

The first Children’s Hospital.

and city jail surgeon for 25 years. During the US Civil War, he studied medicine in Louisville, Kentucky. He passed his final examinations in New York Bellevue hospital before he was 21 years old.

The Winnipeg General Hospital was founded in 1872 and had its first permanent building in 1875 (provincial letters of Incorporation were granted to the WGH on May 14, 1875). Among other founders were Andrew McDermot, the Ladies of the Province, and the community. A plot of land was donated by A.G.B. Bannatyne (McDermott’s son-in-law) and Andrew McDermot for construction of a hospital with a capacity of 20 beds. The capacity of this building didn’t meet the needs of the community, so Bannatyne and McDermot exchanged it for a larger place, on the south by McDermot Avenue and on the north by William Avenue, where the first hospital building was constructed between 1884 and 1885. The hospital continued to grow and expand by many buildings throughout the years. Training School for Nurses began operation on Nov. 15, 1887. It was the second nurses’ training program in Canada. In 1973, the WGH merged with two other facilities to create the Health Science Center, one of the largest hospitals in Canada. …one-hundred and forty of the nurses who served overseas during World War One were graduates of the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. Miss Alfreda Jean Attrill was the first Winnipeg nurse to enlist with the Canadian Army Medical Corps on Aug. 5, 1914.

It was just one day after the declaration of war, and she was the first to go overseas. She served in France, Salonika (Macedonia), England, Egypt and on the High Seas. In Aug., 1919, she returned to Canada and started to work in Winnipeg Department of Public Health where she remained until retirement. In 1924, she became Superintendent of the Fort Garry Division. She was appointed a Serving Sister of St. John from 1933 to 1936. Miss Attrill

Alfreda J. Attrill. HSC Archives, Photo courtesy Sanja Rossi.

became a commander sister in 1964.

Alfreda received several medals and decorations for her service. At the end of the war, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal for the service. The medal was presented to her by King George V at Buckingham Palace. In the year of 1966, she was proclaimed a Dame of Grace of the St. John Ambulance Association. One year later the Association named her a Dame of Justice, the highest honor that can be awarded to a woman by the St. John Ambulance Association. Queen Elizabeth II showed her respect for the work that Alfreda had done by visiting her in Deer Lodge Hospital where she was a patient. Alfreda Attrill passed away in Winnipeg on Oct. 14th, 1970, at the age of 93 and is buried in St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery.

Evolving forms of the hospitals in their early days largely depended on the notions of society that existed at the time and were related to the urban-industrial development in the city. An effort to turn hospitals into health institutions available to everyone in the community didn’t succeed, mainly because once charitable organizations, in the wake of commercialization and industrialization of health, were turned into business that not everyone could afford.

Also, it is important to mention that the building of the City Health Department, opened on March 1, 1916, adjacent to the Children’s Hospital, was specially constructed to serve as headquarters for a babies’ clinic. Two physicians attend the clinic to examine babies. The milk dispensary is fully equipped for preparing an assortment of infants’ food made by a professional dietitian according to the doctor's prescription. The great effort of medical professionalists to reduce mortality among infants ultimately succeeded. Mortality was cut from one death in three births to one in every thirteen and this is considered as one of the best records of public health work on the continent.

Larry Zolf – Journalist, writer, producer and host sparred verbally with feminist Germaine Greer afLarry Zolf (1934 - 2011) ter publication of her book, The Female Eunuch.

Journalist, writer, producer and host.

“It's piercing now to recollect that such a rare arry Zolf was born in Winnipeg on July 19, spirit has gone,” said writer and com1934. He was the son of Falek mentator Rex Murphy after Zolf ’s Zolf and Freda Rachel Zolf passing. He later worked with Zolf and was raised in a predominately on another news satire show. “It's Jewish-Polish neighbourhood in the difficult to be grim and foreboding city’s North End. He earned a BA (which was what most period docufrom the University of Winnipeg and mentaries were) and then light, zany went on to study both history and and blisteringly funny in the few law at the University of Toronto. spots that remained. But it was just He began his professional career such a juxtaposition Zolf was master with the CBC in 1962. Initially of – he could leap from idle absurdity working as a researcher, he ended up to high reflection in a flash. He had a filling a number of roles until 2007. high-powered, high-speed mind that He became a well-known personality raced through ideas and topics and as one of the creators and as a reguMemorable stories with ferocious energy. ... He lar contributor on the most popular Manitobans was funny, deliciously well informed public affairs program in Canada, on all political and media gossip, and This Hour has Seven Days. took from his own talk an almost In 1966, Zolf and a TV crew from the CBC went to the home of former Minister of secondary energy. You – we – went to find Larry Defense, Pierre Sévigny. Details of the Gerda Mun- to have an experience, not a conversation. But he singer sex scandal were front page material across wasn't showing off or demanding the spotlight. the country. She was an East German prostitute Larry was a one-of-a-kind talker; to some measure and alleged spy who confessed to having an affair this was what most marked him. I can't remember with Sévigny. Zolf sought a response from Sévigny other conversations such as those I had with Larry who proceeded to beat the journalist over the head from anyone else, or anything close to them.”

Writing in Saturday Night, journalist Robert Fulwith his cane. Zolf promptly returned the favour, ford called Zolf's style probably "the most eclectic kicking the politician in the shins.

Zolf won an Anik Award for a 1965 documen- and eccentric ever applied to a Canadian political tary on computers which was listed as one of the subject." A decade later, he penned a memoir, Just 100 best documentaries by the National Film Watch Me: Remembering Pierre Trudeau. In it, Board (1965). He covered racial integration in the Zolf claimed to be "the only mischief maker that American South, the 1970 October Crisis in Que- Trudeau approved of or respected."

During the early 1960s, while still at U of T, he bec, and, in another controversial televised episode,

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whatsupwinnipeg.ca

performed stand-up comedy routines in Yorkville nightclubs. Zolf's humour was legendary, and his sarcasm often bordered on shocking. He was also a film critic for Maclean's Magazine, a columnist for the National Post, a lecturer at Carleton University and the author of six books Some said Zolf ’s prominent proboscis gave him a nose for news. He died in Toronto, Ontario, Mar. 14, 2011, and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. He was 76.

Books: Larry Zolf: The nose knows ••• Jim Ingebrigtsen is a council member of the Manitoba Historical Society and submits the stories of Memorable Manitobans each month to Lifestyles 55. Visit MHS.mb.ca and discover more than 12,000 other notables in our archives.

June 2022

Don’t be blasé about the laws, eh?

Law of Mechanical Repair: After your hands be- are with someone you don’t want to be seen with. come coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch, Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someand you’ll have to pee. one that a machine won’t work, it will.

Law of Gravity: Any tool, nut, bolt, Law of Biomechanics: The severity screw, when dropped will roll to the of the itch is inversely proportional to least accessible corner. the reach.

Law of Probability: The probability Law of the Theatre and the Hockey of being watched is directly proportionArena: At any event, the people whose al to the stupidity of your act. seats are furthest from the aisle, always Law of Random Numbers: If you arrive last. They are the ones who will dial a wrong number, you never get a leave their seats several times to go for busy signal, someone will always answer. food, beer or the toilet and who leave Supermarket Law: As soon as you early before the end of the performance get in the shortest line, the cashier will or the game is over. The folks in the aisle have to call help. seats come early, never move once, have Variation Law: If you change lines long, gangly legs or big bellies and stay (or traffic lanes), the one you were in to the bitter end of the performance.

Jim Ingebrigtsen will always move faster than the one you The aisle people are also very surly folk.

Is It Just Me... moved to.

The Coffee Law: As soon as you sit Law of the Bath: When the body is down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss fully immersed in water, the telephone will ask you to do something which will will ring. last until the coffee is cold.

Law of Close Encounters: The law of meeting Murphy’s Law of Lockers: If there are only two someone you know increases dramatically when you people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

Law of Physical Surfaces: the chances of an openfaced jam sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly corelated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.

Brown’s Law of Physical Appearance: If the clothes fit, they’re ugly.

Oliver’s Law of Public Speaking: A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy: As soon as you find a product you really like, they will stop making it.

Doctors’ Law: If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor. By the time you get there, you’ll feel better. But, don’t make an appointment, and you’ll stay sick.

And finally, a few of: My Laws: A clean white shirt attracts the soup of the day. After cutting up a hot chili pepper, the need arises to rub an eye.

Jim was a writer-broadcaster, producer and performer on television and radio for 40 years. He is also a host on Lifestyles 55 Digital Radio. Find it at www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca

My own little piece of heaven, the garage

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• Stackable clear plastic bins he Garage, a place of sanctuary for • Clear jars for storing nails, screws, some, for others, a space left just for storage, knickknacks, and bric- and other small items.

• A cabinet that has a lock, used for a-brac. Getting the most out of the gachemicals, gasoline, poirage is what a lot of peosons. ple miss. Sometimes the Keep items off the floor biggest question is where as best you can. Open to start. The beginning is shelves are better than always the best, right? cabinets, they are less exPlan what you have in pensive and easier to acmind for the garage. Is it cess and install. Use small just storage for boxes and peg boards for hanging other hidden treasures or those ever-popular tools. do you want to park your Overhead space is readvehicle inside, or better ily available for storing yet, create a workshop for ladders and other such flat tools and hobbies? What products. There can be as about all of the above?

Brent Poole much as two feet of storHaving drafted a plan, set Home age across the expanse of aside time to complete the Improvements the garage ceiling. Be sure job in hand. to fully utilize this. If you I read somewhere reare moving forward with cently that organizing pros point out that only 30 per cent this, make a note of where the lights are of garages actually store our vehicles. I and that the garage door operation is not interfered with. know; a bit of a head turner, right?

A garage is not complete without a Let’s start with what is in the garage, probably a mix of gardening equipment, workbench. You can purchase these from camping gear, winter boots, toys, wood most hardware stores or better still make and so much more. Sort all the bits and one yourself. Over the years I have made pieces into three piles: keep, sell, or do- many, mostly using 2x4 and ¾-inch plynate! Set these aside in areas on your wood. It is always about what the bench is for. drive.

If you use your garage as I do then Do you have a garden shed? If so, place all your gardening tools inside, including there are a lot of valuable tools inside. the lawnmower. The must haves for any Check the locks on doors and windows.

Prevention is best. organized garage are:

What do you do with your garage?

The floor is always tricky to consider.

Some are a smooth concrete. Here in Manitoba, with our harsh winters, over time the concrete tends to become brittle, leading to holes from salt build-ups in our vehicle tires. A clear coat of epoxy or color helps preserve it. If you want a much more pleasing look, try a rubber base, easy to repair and it comes with a full warranty. It can also come in many colors. Best let the professionals install though.

In most garages the lighting can be poor, with single bulbs over each vehicle.

It you have a hobby and want to use the garage for this, have an electrician give you advice on the best lighting for your needs.

Always reverse into your garage, first for ease of exit, but once you get used

to it, you will find helps to load and unload your vehicle. Some tricks: tie a tennis ball to some string and hang down so you never go back too far damaging your vehicle. Use some old carpet and affix it to the wall where you open and close the door, never damaging your vehicle.

The garage is another room to your home. Keep it clean. Cat litter is always handy should you have any oil leaks or mess to clean up. Always have a dustpan and brush hanging. At least once a year, empty the garage floor and wash clean. A tidy garage is a happy garage.

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!”

In Winnipeg, the average price for a home is just over $400,000 as of march this year Rhiannon Watkins

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ince 2001, it has been reported that between 221,000 and 260,000 people have relocated to Canada each year and made the country their permanent home, which goes to show just how popular the Canadian lifestyle is. But where are the most indemand places to live in 2022?

New research carried out by property experts at SaveMax has revealed the Canadian regions and cities with the highest average property prices and those which have seen the biggest increase since 2021.

You can see the full research here: https://savemax.com/blogs/canadashottest-property-markets/ June 2022

The research also revealed the following: In March 2022, the average sold price for a property in British Columbia was $1,089,600, which was the highest in Canada and considerably more than Saskatchewan, where the average sold price was $289,600.

When focusing on cities, Toronto has the highest average sold price for a property. In March 2022, the average property sold for $1,299,894, which is much higher than in Winnipeg, where the average price was $401,047.

In March 2021 average property prices in London, ON were $634,799, compared to March 2022 where prices increased to $823,954, which is an annual per cent increase of 29.80% and the highest out of all the Canadian cities.

Rhiannon Watkins of Digitaloft, U.K.

Region

Average Sold Price March 2021 (CAD)

Average Sold Price March 2022 (CAD)

Annual Per cent Increase

1

Nova Scotia

$284,000

$390,200

37.4%

2

New Brunswick

$225,300

$300,900

33.6%

3

Prince Edward Island

$260,200

$328,500

26.2%

4

Ontario

$869,788

$1,052,920

21.1%

5

British Columbia

$946,090

$1,089,600

15.2%

6

Quebec

$435,116

$499,209

14.7%

7

Manitoba

$338,458

$380,707

12.5%

8

Newfoundland and Labrador

$288,800

$324,200

12.3%

9

Yukon

$497,187

$538,228

8.3%

10

Alberta

$441,226

$472,746

7.1%

11

Saskatchewan

$280,200

$289,600

3.4%

12

Northwest Territories

$438,580

$359,648

-18.0%

Rank

Regions where house prices are increasing the most whatsupwinnipeg.ca

15

Strong feet make healthy people

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alance and mobility issues affect bones, exacerbating balance problems.

The major cause of injuries in older many people as we age and can significantly impact quality of adults, falls can lead to reduced ability life. Fortunately, there are actions we can and a loss of independence. Globally, an estimated 646,000 people take to prevent problems, die from them each year and natural integrative ap(nearly 5,000 in Canada), proaches that can help rewith 37.3 million cases verse them. requiring medical attenI founded Aviva Natural tion for injuries – the Health Solutions over 20 most common including years ago as a vehicle to traumatic brain injury, hip share my integrative lifefractures, back, and shoulstyle approach to health der injuries. In Canada, and wellness. Based on falls are the most common incorporating well-recause of injury-related hossearched, proven healthpital admissions among promoting concepts into those aged 65 years or our daily lifestyle, my older. Fractures are comapproach strives for conNathan Zassman mon, as seniors often have stant improvement, alNatural Health porous and fragile bones ways moving towards atdue to osteoporosis. The taining high-energy long term health. Increasingly important surgeries and sedation required after an with age, when good decisions are made injury can also present additional trauma that can fit into our daily routine, im- and complicate recovery. Seniors often proved health can be attained without aren’t able to recover fully, overall health conscious effort and constant struggle. declines can follow, and associated care Through nutrition, exercise, moving needs increase significantly.

Muscle strength and proprioception our body, and challenging our mind, we can age more gracefully, lower our risk (sensing motion and joint position) of disease, and continue to be produc- are critical factors in our ability to balance. This allows for precise, controlled tive in our senior years.

Sleeping, sitting, and walking take up movements in the daily tasks of life and most of our day and are all major areas helping to avoid injury. When these sysof life that can be improved by integrat- tems are functioning properly, our involing health-promoting solutions. The untary reflexes work to maintain balance quality of our bed, bedding, and pillow and posture at all times and prevent falls.

Walking on hard, flat surfaces (eican dramatically affect sleep quality, as can avoiding exposure to blue light at ther barefoot or wearing conventional night. Active seating solutions, includ- shoes) restricts the movement of the ing adding an Exersit cushion to your feet, weakening muscles and tendons. chair, can prevent adaptive muscle short- When wearing traditional footwear, the ening which contributes to the back body compensates for the lack of work pain, posture problems, and muscle your feet are doing by putting stress on soreness caused by sitting on conven- the knees and making the hips work too tional static chairs all day. Balance and hard, activating the thigh muscles to gait can be improved by learning tai chi, step forward and put one foot in front and by wearing the right kind of shoes of the other. Over time, this unnatural that prevent and correct foot, knee, hip, interaction between your feet and hips weakens the foot and ankle muscles, and leg problems.

Balance is the ability to distribute and leads to muscular imbalances and your weight in a way that enables you poor posture. Traditional footwear is to stand and move without falling, and a major cause of plantar fasciitis (heel recover if you stumble. Complex co- spurs), varicose veins, inflammation of ordination between our eyes, muscles, the Achilles tendon, hallux rigidus (arbones, joints, and central nervous sys- throsis and crookedness of the big toe), tem is critical for maintaining healthy back and knee pain, neck tension, and balance and mobility. Problems with any headaches. of these factors (along with some mediIn the 1980s, Swiss engineer Karl cal conditions and prescription drugs) Müller discovered the health-enhancing can affect balance. Poor balance affects advantages of walking on the springy millions of adults, is the chief cause of clay ground of rice paddies when he bone-breaking falls, and can lead to inac- lived in Korea. His initial invention – tivity that further weakens muscles and MBT – a round-soled, unsteady shoe,

was contrary to the footwear industry’s basic principle of supporting, guiding, and absorbing. MBTs became a worldwide success, selling millions of pairs, inspiring dozens of copycats, and turning the shoe industry upside down.

Not content with the success of MBT, Müller wanted to continue to improve on his initial design and pursue creating a shoe that could perfectly replicate that rice paddy feeling when standing and walking on hard, flat surfaces. He sold his share in MBT and started from scratch with his ‘kybun’ concept.

Humans originally walked on soft or uneven ground, which strengthens the feet, resulting in a resilient physiology and strong spine. While flat surfaces are wonderful for driving a car, they contribute to a range of problems when walking or running. After years of research and development, Müller and his team succeed in imitating the feeling of walking barefoot in a rice paddy, but on hard, flat surfaces. The elastic springy kybun sole activates the foot muscles like no other shoe, strengthening the foot dynamically, absorbing shocks, and guiding the body into an upright posture.

A few years ago I sustained a serious injury at the gym, tearing the meniscus in both knees doing leg extensions, leaving me unable to walk. An MRI confirmed the damage, and the doctor indicated that my only solution was full knee replacement surgery for both knees. I was already familiar with MBT footwear and had been reading about Müller’s kybun shoes, including many testimonials from people with similar (and in some cases much worse) problems, so I decided to try a pair. After less than two weeks of wearing them, I was able to get around without pain.

After another month, I was able to walk upstairs. Within about six months, my knees felt even better than before the injury. I felt this was a great miracle for me, and it led me to learn a great deal more about the benefits of footwear featuring Müller’s mechano-therapy design. The technology in the kybun sole is not only effective for treating meniscus damage, it can also help ease acute or chronic knee pain caused by ligament damage by gradually building up the joint and stabilizing muscles. Kybun footwear is legendary for treating plantar fasciitis.

The range of health problems that can be improved with kybun shoes reaches far beyond relieving back, knee, foot, hip, and neck pain. Gait and balance

problems can be improved for those with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Users have reported kybun to be effective at reducing pain from herniated and slipped disks, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis. Other conditions that may be helped include vertigo, dizziness, numbness of the feet, and calf pain. Improvements in balance and strength can also be important for pregnant women.

While many people turn to drugs or supplements designed to reduce pain and improve circulation, I believe the most effective solution is to combine natural supplements with properly designed footwear, which improves circulation, acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, while strengthening the feet.

Shoes and supports that stabilize the foot (especially the orthotics commonly recommended by podiatrists and pedorthists), prevent the proper use of the feet, putting all the stress on the hips.

While there can be initial pain relief, those solutions are counterproductive over time. The long term effects of this unnatural stress on the hips contributes to a wide variety of health conditions, many of which may seem unrelated to the feet. The rapid rise of hip replacement surgeries (which have doubled in the last ten years), is due to wear and tear on the hip joints. Intense hip activity pulls the upper part of the body forward, which over time results in the typical hunched-over gait we see in the elderly.

Disproportionate hip activity contributes to shortened muscles, tension, and strain on the joints. A foot-oriented gait works to straighten posture, improve balance, reduce stress on the muscles and joints, and strengthen the foot muscles.

Working to incorporate positive changes into our diet and daily routine can produce health benefits over time with minimal effort. The shoes we wear can either contribute to health problems or work in our favour, helping to maintain balance and avoid gait problems as we age. Shifting emphasis from the hip muscles to the feet, and training the body to use the foot muscles properly may be the single most important change anyone can make for their long term health. Strengthening the feet with kybun shoes can ease pain, improve gait, boost circulation, and improve well-being. Changing my footwear helped me regain the joy of movement, and truly changed my life.

Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions.

Why prepay your funeral arrangements? It makes financial and emotional sense.

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aking your final wishes known by putting a plan together allows you to design a personal and meaningful final tribute. But only prearranging—or paying for your service in advance—can help take care of the actual expenses ahead of time. Supporting your funeral, cremation and cemetery plans with designated funding offers five main benefits.

First, preplanning helps ensure your wishes are honoured. Second, you Michael can help minimize family conflict. Every decision regarding your funeral will be deeply considered. They will desperately try to image what you wanted at this time and the opinions of family members may differ vastly. Third, it pro16

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

vides financial relief for your family. By prepaying for your final arrangements, you help to eliminate the burden of your family having to pay at the time of need. Fourth, funding your plan offers protection from inflation by allowing you to lock in today’s prices and regardless of what may change in life your funds cannot be touched by anyone, including the funeral provider, other than you or your Executor and ultimately provides peace of mind for you and your Gibbens family.

Here are four important things to keep in mind when pre paying for a funeral: 1. Choose a licensed funeral director that has a good reputation in the community.

2. Make sure you fund your plan through established and trustworthy company.

3. Make sure your plan is flexible enough to allow alterations.

Ask your funeral home to provide you with a clear, itemized list of prices for merchandise and services offered and chosen. In addition to items that may

seem obvious, like a casket or urn, and service details like flowers, music or mementos, there are some standard fees that may not be top of mind. Some of these may include the basic service fee, transportation of a loved one, embalming, use of facilities and staff, burial vault or cremation container. When planning a funeral or memorial service, make sure you are aware of all the costs.

The provider you choose should listen, address your concerns and work within your budget. Look for a provider that will help you plan every detail of a memorable tribute. And, offering various packages allows you to select arrangements at the right price and best value. By working with a Dignity Memorial® professional, you’ll get valuable information on all your funding options. When you prepay for your arrangements with us, you can have peace of mind in knowing that your funds are safe and secure.

June 2022

u

Reacting to the needs of Indigenous children with a new approach to healing in a concrete step toward reconciliation Continued from page 1

The Strawberry River mural by artist Peatr Thomas.

In Manitoba, Indigenous children are three to nous worldviews within the hospital and the projects five times more likely to be affected by diseases or Foundation donor’s support.

Dr. Melanie Morris, Canada’s first Indigenous conditions that need ongoing care, which often means they and their families visit HSC Winnipeg pediatric surgeon, and a member of the IAC, says, “Our medical service needs to create Children’s Hospital for years. Up to 60 space for Indigenous ways of healper cent of the kids served by the hosing, including the many practices that pital are from Indigenous communities support health and well-being found across Manitoba, Nunavut and Northamong Indigenous peoples.” ern Ontario. Kids like Janessa, who had As a result, the Foundation is raising to leave her home in Pukatawagan and funds to build the hospital’s first Inrelocate with her family to Winnipeg digenous Community Healing Space, for months as she underwent treatment which will be a place for kids and famifor kidney disease and ultimately a kidlies to feel safe, connect with each other, ney transplant. and nurture their whole self – physical, In 2018, we reached out to Indigemental, emotional and spiritual – while nous leaders to learn the best approach they are away from their home commufor engaging the Indigenous communiStefano Grande nities. When complete, this project, led ty and supporting reconciliation efforts, Healthy

by Dr. Morris, will mean a great deal to which led to recruiting the FoundaLiving thousands of kids like Janessa each year. tion’s first Indigenous Board member, And the newly dedicated Travis Price Rebecca Chartrand. Heather Berthelette, CEO of Tribal Councils Investment Group, Children’s Heart Centre features a stunning mural

by Ininew and Anishinaabe artist Peatr Thomas. has also since joined the board.

Rebecca helped form the Indigenous Advisory Called Strawberry River, the work weaves in teachCircle (IAC) to the Foundation, a group of leaders ings (did you know the strawberry represents the from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities heart in some Indigenous communities?) with “eyeacross Manitoba who generously share their wisdom spy” elements to engage kids in learning more. We and counsel, including the importance of Indige- are grateful to the IAC for their wisdom and sup-

port in helping to create culturally safe spaces in the hospital.

Foundation staff and board have participated in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, sessions on Jordan’s Principle, and the Indigenous Canada program offered by University of Alberta (it is excellent; I highly recommend it for all Canadians). We collaborated with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs earlier in the pandemic to create a special Spirit Bear-Dr. Goodbear mask that was distributed to kids in First Nations communities across Manitoba and via hospital clinics and Children’s Emergency.

More recently, the Foundation worked with the board, the IAC, and staff to create a land acknowledgment that uniquely and authentically represents our commitment to ReconciliACTION. This land acknowledgment is used to open Foundation events and meetings and is an ongoing reminder of our responsibility to serve all kids today and in the future.

There is still much to learn and even more to do.

Foundation staff and board are committed to this journey, as we walk together with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit on a path of reconciliation and healing.

To learn more, and to read the Foundation’s new land acknowledgment, visit Goodbear.ca/reconciliACTION. Stefano Grande is the president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

Support for Toba Centre from Kevin Klein He challenges you to donate and match his grant of $50K Kevin Klein

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am proud and excited to tell you about the TOBA Centre located in Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood.

The Toba Centre helps kids who have been hurt, who have been abused, and who have witnessed abuse.

As someone who also experienced childhood violence, I know how much these kids need a safe place to get help and heal.

I have dedicated much of my life to giving back to young people. For example, I taught Tae Kwon Do to a group of school kids at an after-school community program designed to keep kids away from gangs.

As a local hockey volunteer for more than 15 years, as a coach, and as a Referee and Chief. I worked with many youths that I watched grow into successful young adults.

Why do all this? Because I believe our young people deserve to feel safe, respected and protected.

So, when the Toba Centre asked for help, I quickly replied, “Tell me how.”

Our community needs leaders who will get to work on solutions. The incredible team at the TOBA Center, led by Christy Dzikowicz, has developed a solution that works! So, on behalf of my fellow residents, I am announcing a $50,000 grant June 2022

to support the Toba Centre “We Will Campaign.”

I’m also asking the people I serve in Charleswood, Tuxedo, Westwood, and Winnipeg to join me and say that you will help. It’s my challenge to raise an additional $50,000. That would equate to $1 for every resident in our ward.

Please only give the amount you can, and let’s support Toba Centre We Will Campaign.

For more details and to donate, visit tobacentre.ca.

Tax receipts are issued for all donations of $15 and over, provided you submitted your address or email address to the TOBA Centre.

Let’s make a Better Winnipeg for every one of every age.

Kevin Klein is the city councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood.

Join the conversation with Lifestyles 55 online!

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17

Focus Equities Inc. announced as the developer of the CentrePort Canada Rail Park

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n March 25, 2022, the Government of Manitoba and CentrePort Canada Inc. announced Focus Equities Inc. as the developer of the CentrePort Canada Rail Park. The CentrePort Canada Rail Park is a 665-acre industrial development, located within CentrePort Canada, North America’s largest trimodal inland port. This rail serviced industrial development is a unique real estate offering in the Canadian marketplace and is set to begin construction this summer.

The project harnesses the advantages of Manitoba’s central North American geographic location and plays a critical role in enhancing and growing ManiDiane Grey toba’s trade and investment The Spirit of attraction profile domestiWinnipeg cally, within North America and across the globe. The Rail Park will offer globallyconnected businesses with large-volume shipping needs and the ability to access, transfer, and transport goods between road and rail, with close access to Winnipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

“This development, strategically situated at the hub of international trading corridors, capitalizes on Manitoba’s historical strengths as a leader in trade and transportation and positions the province as a key player now and well into the future,” says David Filmon, Chair, CentrePort Canada Inc. Board of Directors and Chair, MLT Aikins LLP. In 2018, CentrePort Canada Inc., with the support of the Province of Manitoba, issued a Request for Proposal to attract a private developer for the Rail Park project.

Focus Equities Inc. was selected as the most experienced and qualified developer following that process.

Focus Equities Inc. is a Canadian corporation, providing development, investment and project finances in real estate and infrastructure. Founded over 50 years ago by a Canadian entrepreneur, Kenneth W. Mariash, Sr., Focus Equities Inc. and its associated companies have de-

Rail Park Slice - Main Image.

CPC Rail Park - Aerial.

veloped, purchased or sold millions of square feet of real estate and thousands of residential/condominium units in North America. Focus Equities Inc. is currently developing projects in North America valued at more than US $5 billion and has a long track record of successful innovative financial structures. Other notable projects include Aurum Energy Park in Edmonton; Bayview Place in Victoria; Deerfoot Meadows in Calgary; and, Meadows Mile in Calgary.

“With global supply-chain issues affecting the industry, there has never been greater demand in North America for a centralized logistics and shipping location for rail, truck and air than now,” says Ken Mariash, owner of Focus Equities Inc., a Canadian developer with vast buildto-suit experience with industrial and Fortune 500 companies, including IKEA, Walmart and Loblaws. “We are already in negotiations with global brands who are interested in choosing our Rail Park land for their transportation infrastructure needs. Focus Equities is honoured to be awarded the CentrePort Canada Rail Park project and

thanks the Province of Manitoba and CentrePort Canada Inc.” All inland ports have rail at the heart of their developments and the CentrePort Canada Rail Park is the linchpin in realizing the vision for a true trimodal inland port – and North America’s largest – right here in Manitoba. If approved by the U.S. regulator, the pending acquisition of Kansas City Southern by Canadian Pacific Railway will create North America’s first single-line railway to stretch across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. As this integrated rail corridor connecting Canada through the U.S. to Mexico comes to fruition, significant opportunities exist for CentrePort to continue to grow and offer solutions to companies that manage part of their supply chain by rail.

The timing and environment are ideal for the start of this large-scale development, and the CentrePort Canada Inc. team is excited to work Focus Equities Inc. as they break ground on the Rail Park to bring this project to life.

Diane Gray is the President & CEO of CentrePort Canada Inc.

What Makes a City a Great City?

T

he City of Winnipeg used the slogan “One Great ence as a central feature of our community.

Great cities have excellent transportation options for City” as its tagline for quite a number of years.

We like to think that is true, but I wonder what citizens and for visitors. Amsterdam’s excellent trams, trains, subway system, buses, and bike we think it means when we say that Winpaths have made for a city that is great to nipeg is one great city. Those of us who transport many people to enjoy the amelive in Winnipeg find it to be a wondernities of the community. They may have ful place to live and raise our families. We gone a bit wild on the one-way streets like the sense of community, the green and complete bans on vehicles in certain leafy trees that make our city lovely in the areas, but overall, their systems work summer, the parks, the schools, the arts, well. Public transportation is efficient, afthe museums, the sports teams, and even fordable and safe, even very late at night. the winter can have its charms. Do these Great cities also feel safe for visitors things make it a great city? and community members. The answer is An extra-long winter, followed by not a police officer on every street corner, spring flooding, many potholes, and but it seems to be important to have lots warmer weather that just did not seem to of street level activity, events and other want to appear at its usual time has made Trudy Schroeder people walking, enjoying parks, outdoor it a little difficult for many people to idenRandom cafes, and bike routes. The more abantify that Winnipeg is a great city.

Notes doned Winnipeg’s downtown becomes, I have spent the last three weeks in Amthe less attractive it is for all of us. When sterdam, and I can see why people consider it to be one of the great cities of the world. I sup- the Fringe Festival or the Jazz Festival take over our pose that there can be many cities that are great cities, Exchange District streets during the summer, everyone but those that go on to the list of the “greatest cities in feels safe in the area.

Public parks and public spaces that can be enjoyable in the world” seem to have several characteristics that make the summer and the winter are so important for a great them stand out from other communities.

Each city in the world has its own set of unique geo- city. Winnipeg’s wonderful trees play an important role graphical and historical characteristics. The great cities in our livable city during the summer. Protecting and seem to be able to embrace their history and geography enhancing the parks and the trees will make a difference in ways that improve the quality of life for their citizens for Winnipeg’s future success.

Art galleries and museums help to draw citizens and and draw visitors to enjoy that special experience. In Winnipeg we have a wonderful collection of early 20th visitors into a space that helps them consider history and century buildings that were built with fine materials and current events with imagination and joy in the experioptimism for the future. Winnipeg’s Exchange District ence. Last week I visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amis incredibly important to the future of our city, and ev- sterdam. The featured exhibition brought together the ery effort should be made to preserve and enhance this artist’s paintings featuring olive trees. Seeing all these distinctive area of the city. We need to do everything we paintings together of these trees that have provided suscan to preserve the buildings and enhance their use for tenance, shade, and character to communities for thoucurrent and future generations. We also can amplify the sands of years is a powerful experience. Art is good that important characteristics of our two great rivers as part way. It makes you think about our common human hisof our geographical distinction. The more we can en- tory in new ways.

Distinctive architecture is also helpful. In Amsterdam, hance our use of the rivers and the riverbanks in summer and in winter, the more we will benefit from their pres- the tall, narrow houses built beside the canals provide a 18

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Amsterdam Canal. Photograph by Nina Schroeder. timeless and readily identifiable quality to the city downtown. In preserving and protecting those buildings the community has done something very important for the livability of the city.

Great restaurants and markets also help to make a wonderful and vibrant city. On this level, I think Winnipeg is quite a remarkable and cosmopolitan community.

There are so many great and distinctive restaurants, and we have something important to share with visitors and community members alike. The variety and quality of dining experiences in Winnipeg is certainly something of which we can all be proud.

My three weeks in Amsterdam were different than most European trips I have taken in the past. I spent three weeks living in a neighborhood, shopping in the area markets, and visiting local sites rather than rushing from one great European cultural centre to the next.

This provides a different set of experiences, but also the opportunity to be so thankful for the home community we have here in Winnipeg. Winnipeg is a great city. We could do better at connecting the dots and deliberately enhancing many of our best assets, but it is a good starting point for greatness.

Trudy Schroeder provides project planning and management services to the community through Arts and Heritage Solutions.

June 2022

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