Lifestyles 55 2023 12 December

December 2023

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

FAST

DENTURES

204-947-1807 A Christmas tradition continues

Indigenous art in the Legislature

7

Time to enjoy the winter wonderland!

10

Meet Anne Mulaire

The fashion industry in Manitoba is still leading the pack in trends and inspiration Dorothy Dobbie

15

Winnipeg is the third fastest-talking city in Canada

M

ost people think success happens overnight, but that night can take 18 long years. That’s how long ago Andréanne Dandeneau, the visionary CEO behind dynamic fashion brand Anne Mulaire, started to work on her dream. Today, Anne Mulaire is at the leading edge of two fashion trends, the interest in Metis and Indigenous artistry and sustainable practices.

“Creativity has been an integral part of my life since my early years,” she says. “I have always been fascinated by design and expressing myself through various artistic mediums. When I was 15, I was a contemporary dancer and began creating costumes for dance shows.” She went on to study design at the LaSalle College School of Fashion Design in Montréal. “My experience in learning how the body moves gave me an advantage in creating my first clothing line in 2005.”

The rich cultural tapestry of the Red River Metis Nation has significantly influenced her approach to fashion.

Drawing inspiration from her heritage, Andréanne has skillfully woven together traditional Indigenous artistry with contemporary design, creating a unique and captivating aesthetic that sets Anne Mulaire apart in the fashion industry.

Andréanne started in her business in her parent’s base-

According to a recent study, Edmonton is home to the fastest talkers in Canada!

T

Anne Mulaire. ment in St. Boniface, the community where she was born and raised as part of the Metis community to parents David and Huguette (Mulaire) Dandeneau. Her mother comes from the Red River Valley and her father comes from Penetanguishene, Treaty 61. One of Anne’s most influential ancestors is Catherine Mulaire, who was born u 7 ‘Anne Mulaire’

On October 7th, the world changed forever MP Marty Morantz

T

his November, I travelled to Jerusalem with my Conservative colleagues Melissa Lantsman and Michelle Rempel Garner along with others of different political stripes.

We went to Israel to bear witness to the aftermath of the horrific events of October 7th and to express our solidarity with the Israeli people. Israel is a country in shock and in mourning.

On October 7th, the world changed forever. We saw savagery on a level rarely if ever seen before.

Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and brutally murdered some 1,200 Israeli citizens including babies, children and the elderly and kidnapped over 200 u 9 ‘The world changed’

Marty speaks to members of his constituency shortly after retuning from Tel Aviv where he witnessed some of the horror.

NOW OPEN!

204.788.8020 | misericordiaterrace.ca

he team at Preply, a language learning platform, took a seed list of the ten most populated Canadian cities and delved into YouTube data to analyze speech rates.

It is interesting to note that Ottawa comes second when it comes to fast talkers!

• The average speech rate among Canadian cities is 175.6 words per minute.

• Winnipeg’s speech rate averages 189.35 words per minute, making it the third fastesttalking Canadian city.

• Edmonton, Alberta, boasts the fastest average speech rate at an impressive 210.54 words per minute.

• Toronto, on the other hand, has the slowest average speech rate at 149.14 words per minute.

• Alberta emerges as the fastest-talking Canadian province, with an average speech rate of 196 words per minute.

The 10 fastest-talking cities: 1. Edmonton 2. Ottawa 3. Winnipeg 4. Calgary 5. Hamilton 6. Montreal 7. Vancouver 8. Mississauga 9. Brampton 10. Toronto Sylvia Johnson, language expert at Preply, says, “The speech rate in different cities can vary for several reasons, and it’s influenced by a combination of linguistic, cultural, and environmental factors. Some cultures value rapid communication, while others may prioritize clarity and deliberation in speech.”

The Heart of Independent Assisted Living

Peace on Earth T

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . . . .

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.

he holiday race is on. Well, out the world can drift to those places it has been on for some time within our hearts. We are inundated now. Between decorating the yet again with heart-wrenching dehouse, decorating the International scriptions of children being killed in Peace Garden, making travel plans the Middle East. The holidays will and sprinkling in shopping, the hustle be anything but festive for innocent and bustle can be anything but peace- folks in Israel, Palestine and countless other areas — including our own ful. communities.

Perhaps While scouring the we can keep all of huHobby Lobby in Minot, manity in our minds for N.D., for deals on Christthis season and carry the mas decorations, I could hope of peace into the feel my patience waning hearts of the next genquickly. Fortunately, I erations. After all, as the was accompanied by my song says: family on this excursion.

“Every child must be Our twin boys — rosymade aware/ cheeked and starry-eyed Every child must be — reminded me over made to care/ and over that it really is Care enough for his felabout the children. Evlow man/ ery different version of Tim Chapman To give all the love that Santa or reindeer was he can.” met with cute oohs and ahhs that 3-year-olds quickly resume I am sure that I have used one of my when they awake the next morning. favorite lines in this very column — The cheery sights and smiling snow- Peace is a verb. It is an active endeavor men are all their “favorite” now. that requires hope and love to activate These moments are the ones that even in the dreariest moment. So contruly bring the peaceful feeling back sider meditating on it and even remix into the season. They are yet another the lyrics of this classic song with a simnecessary reminder to be grateful and ple affirmation following the first lyric. happy with an existence that seems “Peace on Earth can it be? YES so foreign to those less fortunate. EsCome they told me pa-rum-pum-pumpecially during this season, we know pum both neighbors and strangers around Years from now, perhaps we’ll see the world are struggling.

A newborn king to see pa-rum-pumAs I settled in that evening after a pum-pum long, dark drive back to the border.

See the day of glory My mind drifted ahead to that peaceOur finest gift we bring pa-rum-pumful feeling of lying on a couch by the pum-pum tree. This feeling brings a mixture of See the day, when men of goodwill imagery. There is the vision of utilizTo lay before the king pa-rum-puming my smaller stature to get a share pum-pum of the blankets as I joined my 13 sibLive in peace, live in peace again lings (11 older) on Christmas Eve as Rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pummom read “The Night Before Christpum mas”.

Peace on Earth There is the vision of a video I grew So to honour him pa-rum-pum-pumfond of later in life. In 1977, Bing pum Crosby filmed a remarkably comfortCan it be ing version of “Peace on Earth” with When we come.”

David Bowie. The earthy colors in ••• the room, the lampshades, the lowTim Chapman is the CEO at the Indefinition picture. Without a doubt, ternational Peace Garden on the border of I heard that song playing off mom's Manitoba and North Dakota. The Garden cassette stereo in my earliest years. is open year-round and grooming ski trails Any time I hear it now, I can briefly for the first time this winter. Rent one of drift to that warm feeling on Christ- our cabins and enjoy a winter weekend that only the forest of the Turtle Mountains can mas Eve. My hope is that all people through- provide.

Happy Holidays!

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 * plusGST GSTand andPST PST--Rates Ratesare areper perperson. person.

$275.00 $225.00 $225.00 $175.00 $125.00 $ 75.00

Seniors $250.00 $200.00 $200.00 $150.00 $100.00 $ 50.00

MLA for Assiniboia

MLA for St. Vital

jamie moses

nello altomare

nellie.kennedy@yourmanitoba.ca

jamie.moses@yourmanitoba.ca

nello.altomare@yourmanitoba.ca

nellie kennedy

MLA for Transcona

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

TYLER BLASHKO

Connect with Lifestyles 55 online at whatsupwinnipeg.ca or on facebook @Lifestyles55 2

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

MLA for Lagimodière tyler.blashko@yourmanitoba.ca

Jelynn dela cruz

MLA for Radisson

jim maloway

MLA for Elmwood

jelynn.delacruz@yourmanitoba.ca jim.maloway@yourmanitoba.ca

Jennifer chen

MLA for Fort Richmond jennifer.chen@yourmanitoba.ca

December 2023

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Follow us online at: whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55 PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net

World leaders should adjust their global CO2 emissions strategy

ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Shauna Dobbie shauna@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Gary Brown, Tim Chapman, Dorothy Dobbie, Shauna Dobbie, Rick Duerksen, Jon Einarson, Stefano Grande, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Myron Love, Jo Magnifico, Marty Morantz, Fred Morris, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Sherrie Versluis, Wayne Weedon, Robert Wrigley.

Canadian Publications mail product Sales agreement #40027604 Print ADVERTISING Gord Gage • 204-940-2701 gord.gage@pegasuspublications.net Digital ADVERTISING Caroline Fu • 204-940-2704 caroline@pegasuspublications.net SUBSCRIPTIONS If you would like to receive Lifestyles 55, we offer both monthly newspaper and online formats. To place your order, call 204-9402700. Subscriptions are $48.00 per year, plus tax. 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 Gord Gage at (204) 940-2701 or gord.gage@pegasuspublications. net. Also available digitally at whatsupwinnpeg/ lifestyles and on Facebook: Lifestyles55 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Call Dorothy Dobbie at (204) 940-2716 or email dorothy@pegasuspublications.net for more information and guidelines.

Any opinions expressed in columns by our contributors are their own opinions entirely and are not necessarily shared by Pegasus Publications Inc. All information presented by the contributors is the responsibility of the writers.

Lifestyles 55 is published monthly. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without seeking permission in writing from the publisher.

Copyright Pegasus Publications Inc.

C

arbon dioxide and other atmospheric emissions are a global emissions in their training, flying, shipping and global issue not a parochial one. What you produce military exercises. Yet militaries are exempt from emissions and send into the air doesn’t hang around where targets. We don’t know exactly what the current wars are contributing, although estimates are stagthey were emitted. So why is the world using gering. It is also predicted that rebuilding, a country-by-country approach to dealing once the war ends, will add vast amounts of with them?

CO2 to the atmosphere (the production of Taiwan, China and China’s administracement is number three on the pollution list tive districts of Hong Kong and Macau conworldwide). Oh, and by the way, everyday tribute a net balance of around 30 percent shipping and aviation contribute another 3.2 of global emissions, but they are also strugpercent. gling to produce enough power to keep their If the world’s leaders believe that CO2 economies going. Most of their power – 56 is destroying the climate, then first-world percent – comes from coal. Despite efforts countries must surely be obligated to deal to find and develop alternative sources of enwith the big picture and take a leadership ergy and reduce emissions, they are forced to role in helping fuel-deprived countries to continue to burn coal in the short term. This wean off coal and other dirty energies. is evidenced by the hazy and eye-stinging atCanada is a relatively clean energy country. mosphere citizens deal with most days.

We derive 60% of our electricity from hydro, The emissions contributions of the EU Dorothy Dobbie 11% from petroleum and 14.6% from nucle(9.8 percent), Russia (4.7 percent) and the ar plants. We are spending billions of dollars U.S. (15 percent) together account for about 28.5 percent. This, despite Herculean efforts to reduce their trying to curb our emissions through half-hearted efforts.

Instead, we should be making billions of dollars and helpcarbon footprints and their access to cleaner fuel.

Asia, on the other hand, is responsible for 53 percent of ing save millions of lives around the world by supplying global emissions. Why isn’t the world collectively looking cleaner energy to energy deprived countries.

The world’s leaders should be funding research on reducfor ways to get LNG to them as soon as possible while everyone works on a longer-term strategy? LNG produces ing emissions from concrete production, finding safer ways 40% less carbon than coal and 30% less than oil. It does to use nuclear energy and reduce nuclear waste, developing not emit soot, dust or particles that cause lung and eye ir- better ways to harness wind (manufacturing and maintainritation. Such a strategy would reduce international emis- ing the big windmills are heavy users of fossil fuels) and solar power, and so on. sions much sooner.

There is, as so often has been said, no short-term answer Canada produces only 1.6% of world carbon emissions but we continue to restrict the sale of clean fuel such as to energy transition. Despite optimistic goals, that are conLNG to the world. Why? Even if Canada were to stop us- tinually being reset, it will take the better part of this cening all fossil fuels tomorrow, it would not make one iota of tury to seriously reduce fossil fuel use. Taking an alternative difference to the world. Exporting cleaner fuel, however, look at how to deal with the transition would be a better strategy than crying that the sky is falling while you hope has the potential to improve the lives of millions!

There are many other areas that could be examined. It to hold it up with your finger.

This article was first published in the Hill Times. is estimated that militaries produce about 5.5 percent of

Win these gloves and keep your hands warm this winter thanks to the Wonderful World of Sheepskin and Lifestyles 55!

Visit Lifestyle 55’s Facebook page and answer the question on the contest post and find out how to enter.

Heather Stefanson MLA for Tuxedo 204.487.0013 tuxconst@mymts.net

December 2023

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

3

To prevent living a disastrous life, the best prophylactic is to know thyself

W

hile incarcerated in a German concentration and your behaviour. This is what Viktor Frankl tells us camp, the psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, came in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning. If we are not to realise, he, and he alone, had control of looking for it, we will never find Transactional Analysis. himself. Any control the guards had over him was just And, if we do not know it exists, how then will we be an illusion. When a guard pointed a gun, the decision looking for it?

Meininger writes about how our justice system proto obey or not to obey was Viktor Frankl’s. Frankl motes the fallacy that chose to treat the guard with respect we cannot control our as a fellow human being and, in return, thoughts, our emotions, the guard treated him with respect. By nor our actions. The keeping his Adult in charge, Frankl surtruth is, declaring we are vived long enough for the camp to be not responsible because liberated. our unconscious mind Frankl had discovered the principles took control of our feelof Transactional Analysis which are ings and actions is a sonothing new. They are known throughphisticated cop-out and a out the world, yet the average person loophole frequently used in Canada is not aware them. Gerald by lawyers. Psychiatrists Massey and Northrop Frye found such as Eric Berne and these principles in eight-thousandWayne Weedon Robert Goulding deyear-old literature. Benjamin Franklin Food for scribe how some lawyers mentioned them in his writings. They Thought will flip-flop on their are mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays opinions about a plea of and some popular literature such as insanity depending on if To Kill a Mockingbird, Huckleberry Finn, Leaven of Malice, The Wizard of Oz, and Elmer this lawyer is arguing for the prosecution or the defence.

David Russell Williams, a typical serial rapist and Gantry. These principles have always been there for everyone to see and read about. However, few libraries murderer, was a colonel in the Royal Canadian Air have books which describe what Transactional Analysis Force. He presented his respectable Adult during the is and how it works. The term Transactional Analysis daytime but let out his mischievous Child after the sun never appears in newspapers nor magazines. Why? For went down. He is not insane. He is an arrogant man one thing, Transactional Analysis is bad for business. If who thought he could get away with it, a true chapeople knew about it, possibly, they would change their meleon who fooled everyone. Transactional Analysis lives. They may not be so easily fooled and manipulat- teaches a person to not judge a book by its cover and ed, and they may not be such good consumers who buy how to spot a chameleon.

The truth is, every one of us has full control of our what they do not need with money they do not have.

Justin Meininger, in his book, Success Through own life. We are continually being told that the world Transactional Analysis, clearly states how you, and only makes me feel good, or bad, or sad, or angry or whatyou, are responsible for your thoughts, your emotions, ever. This, however, is not true. You, and only you, are

A tale of two streets This story will feature the residential part of Bradford Street and Nightingale Road. Why would I combine two streets at opposite ends of St. James? The Answer is BRIDGE POLITICS.

the heart of St. James between Harcourt Street and Thompson drive where there was a wide expanse of open land, but St. James had different ideas and developed Nightingale Road.”

In 1995, shortly after the debate over building a bridge into Charleswood at the end Moray Street 1960s St. James bridge politics. celebrated its Golden (50th) Anniversary, the longFinal score: St. James 1, Metro 1 s we entered the 1960s, Winnipeg was gov- promised Moray Street Bridge was finally built.

Enough of Bridge Politics. Let us look at some of erned by 14 separate municipal governments. the history of the residential street we In 1961, Metro Council was creatlost and the one we gained. ed and so began an 11-year run as another Remembering the 56 years of level of Government. residential part of Bradford Street Metro was supposed to assume some 1907-1963 of responsibilities and coordinate others Bradford Street is first mentioned in for the suburban municipal governments. the 1907 Henderson Directory. Harry However, the relationship between the Gardner, Joseph Race, Lars Larson, suburban governments and Metro often P.W. Convery, and John Clarke were resulted in very bitter political theatre. listed as carpenters. Amille Porter was This bitterness was evident in the dispute a painter. I was unable to verify the between Metro and the City of St. James occupations of Richard Lyde, George over where to build bridges over the AsHearndin, and S. Hanechakosel. siniboine River.

In 1928, Alex Sutherland lived and In December 1960, St. James approved Fred Morris operated the People Ice at 201 Bradthe construction of a bowling alley to From the desk ford. People Ice donated the Silver force the second span of the St. James of a gadfly Cup to the West End Hockey Loop.

Bridge farther east into the old City of In 1928, this Cup was won by the Winnipeg (the boundary then was just west of St. James Street). Metro wanted the bridge Sturgeon Creek Black Hawks.

In 1948, Ruby Tumber was the Queen of the Borright next to the then existing St. James Bridge, built in 1936. After Metro won this battle, the residential der Community Club. Margaret Sanderson won the part of Bradford Street ceased to exist. In the 1970s, top prize a bicycle in the girl’s section of the 1955 the business part of Bradford immediately north of Winnipeg White Cross Paper Rag Drive. Margaret Ness was renamed Century. Bradford currently exists collected 558 pounds of rags.

In 1951, William and Mabel Whitlock celebrated as a business only street between Sargent Avenue and their 50th Anniversary.

Saskatchewan Avenue.

The 1963 Henderson Directory listed Bradford Farther west, the early months of 1963 featured Round 2 of the bridge disputes between St. James Street homes for the final time. There were only two and Metro. Metro proposed using vacant land be- houses listed. Fred Sr., Maryanne, and son Fred Jr. tween Thompson Drive and Harcourt Street for an Tumber were listed as the residents of 233 Bradinner beltway which would have a bridge at the end ford Street. Fred Sr., a veteran of both World Wars, of Thompson Drive and serve as a link to Charles- worked for 20 years as a Commissionaire.

William and Kathleen Hampton were listed at 353 wood. By April 12, 1963, opposition from area residents and the St. James Council convinced Metro to Bradford. In 1964, William retired from the City’s Parks Board. back down.

Nightingale Road 1965 to …

On October 5, 1963, a notice in the Winnipeg TriIn the 1965 Henderson Directory, Norman and bune stated that the City of St. James was taking the necessary legal steps to allow the development of this Olive Chapman were the first Nightingale Road land. Nightingale Road was born. A February 23, residents listed. Both Chapmans were involved with 1967 Winnipeg Free Press Story summarized: “Met- transportation. Norman was a mechanic for Air Canro originally planned the inner perimeter through ada and Pearl was a clerk at Motor Coach.

A

4

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

responsible for your thoughts, your feelings, and your behaviour.

Meininger’s books have sold in the millions, but usually not to ordinary people like you and me. These books are purchased and read by salesmen, economists, advertising and marketing executives, evangelists, confidence men and women, politicians, and anyone else who wishes to know how to manipulate people into buying into what they have for sale. Through these books, they learn how to speak directly to the Child inside of you. The Child who lives in fear of anyone in authority, is easily bullied, and tries to get everyone to just have fun. Meininger’s books teach how you can put your Adult in charge of your Child so you can make rational decisions by using common sense. You can learn how to take charge of yourself and to set the direction of your life. You will no longer need someone else to tell you what to do.

What would happen if our justice system was revamped so that the prosecution and the defence, rather than playing a game of war, started co-operating to get to Truth? Defenders would no longer be looking for loopholes in the laws, and prosecutors would no longer be withholding vital evidence. Everyone would be held accountable for their actions and juries would be given all the available evidence. Court cases would not be so prolonged. There would be no more cop-outs, and everyone would be able to have timely justice. Isn’t this the way things are supposed to work?

Next month: Slavery Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author who writes a combination of fictional and factual stories, essays, and novels.

In 1969, Pearl McGonigal became the first woman elected to St. James Assiniboia Council. On October 6, 1971, Winnipeggers went to the polls in the first Unicity Election to elect a Mayor and the 50 councillors to replace Metro and 12 separate municipalities.

It seems a little bit ironic that two of the 50 elected Councilors, Pearl McGonigal and Eldon Ross were residents of Nightingale Road when the street had recently been created despite Metro. In 1981, Pearl McGonigal became Manitoba’s first female Lieutenant Governor. Pearl was awarded both the Order of Manitoba and the Order of Canada. The street in front of the Grace Hospital is named after her.

Eldon Ross served three terms as a hard-working, down to earth councillor for East St. James and Brooklands. An indoor swimming pool on Pacific Avenue is named after Eldon.

Joseph Marek, a lawyer, had an impressive and varied resume. Joseph was the President of the Canadian Polish Congress, a Board Member of the Holy Spirit Credit Union, and civilian aide to Lieutenant Governor John McKeag. In 1977, Joseph received the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal.

Douglas Bridge was the first principal of John Taylor Collegiate (1964-1981). Other stops during his education career included Gordon Bell, Linwood, St. James Collegiate, Westwood Collegiate, and Silver Heights Collegiate.

Bertha Bridge hosted the annual John Taylor Teachers Barbecue. Bertha and John were married for 61 years.

Greg Woodbury had several careers. Greg worked for 27 years with the RCMP, 11 years in the Security Department of Safeway, and seven years with the Manitoba’s Attorney Generals Department.

In 1969, Kim McGonigal and Jayne Steeves were part of a 10-member team who won a YMCA Dance Competition in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Also in 1969, Len and Gerry Benger displayed snow sculptures of deer that appeared to be real. In 1972, the Bengers had a mountain sheep sculptured on their lawn. It is time to bring back snow sculpturing competitions to St. James.

On June 19,1972, Dorothy Steeves held a unique reunion featuring eight pure bred collies and their canine parents. We conclude this story by nominating these 10 collies to the St. James Pet Hall of Fame.

Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.

December 2023

Are you a boy or Gender identity a girl or is it just a matter of generation G and choice?

Shauna Dobbie

By Dorothy Dobbie

W

hen my daughter Shauna was three, she overheard me talking to a friend about our dilemma over choosing her name. We didn’t know then, prebirth, whether it was a boy or a girl, so we settled on Sean/Shauna to make a quick pivot no matter what happened.

Shauna was a wise little thing and looked at my friend and I with a mixture of childish disdain and incredulity, finally piping up, “Why didn’t you just look at my bum!?”

Well, that was the old days. And apparently such simple conclusions can no longer be drawn according to the prevailing school of thought. Your genitalia apparently have little to do with the real case – at least in the minds of some modern theorists who feel it is a matter of how you “feel” or perceive yourself.

Now that sounds very egalitarian and sensitive, doesn’t it? But is it?

As a kid, my mother characterized my sister as a “tomboy” and me as . . .

I am not sure what – I was the bookish one. But my “tomboy” sister grew into a quintessential lady, very conscious of her female identity, whereas I was the one who liked going to wrestling matches and toting a 22 rifle along with my dad on a “hunting” trip (we never actually shot anything).

We not only change as we grow up, but our essential sense of identity can be coloured by the attitude of people around us. If we are constantly reminded that we can “choose” whether we are male or female, it is not hard to understand how this can be very confusing as we enter puberty, a time of total confusion for many.

I was one of those, not about my sexual identity – I had a solid grasp on that – but who I “was”. I recall long internal dialogues at 13 or 14 about who was the real me – the one I thought I knew or some emerging character who was leading my ideas in wider directions.

We don’t talk about these things, but I am pretty sure that with some probing a similar story could be found in most humans. Nor is this unexpected considering the hormonal storm taking place internally at that age.

Prepubescence is the period in a young person’s life when these sorts of questions emerge most forcefully.

Therefore, it is not hard to see why, given the current narrative, some kids end up thinking their gender was mistakenly assigned. Unfortunately, this is sometimes sadly interpreted by well-meaning but misdirected adults as a green light to action including the prescription of

puberty delaying drugs such as progesterone (it causes cancer). Worse, some kids have been counselled to have a medical alteration of their genitals, an irreversible procedure. “But we wait till they are 18,” protest the proponents. Huh! Kids today at 18 are still babies and there are documented cases of youngsters who have taken that step only to realize their mistake a few years later. Some end up taking their own lives.

So, what has all this to do with using so-called gender-neutral pronouns such as “they” when a child demands it? Sadly, it promotes the myth of gender “fluidity”, an expression of some extremists who have terminal gender confusion.

While, psychologically, someone can be convinced they are either male or female at will, in 98.3% of the cases that is not physically true. Yes, a small percentage – 1.7 per cent– are born with “intersex traits”, meaning they have reproductive organs, hormonal patterns and/or chromosomal patterns that do not fit the typical anatomy of male or female bodies. Even fewer have biologically identifiable sexual variations where chromosomal deviations do not match up with genitalia. These folks deserve every consideration. But this is a very small proportion of the population.

Gender dysphoria, genuine confusion over gender identity, is another matter.

It occurs a bit more frequently, the numbers depending on the reporter. Even at this, only 59,460 Canadians self-identified as “transgender” in 2022. Another 41,355 identified as “non-binary”. Even added together, these are pretty small potatoes.

This leads back to the essential question: should we respect the demand to honour pronouns claims?

If you feel you should, go ahead. I guess I would too if I thought not doing so would hurt another person’s feelings.

But as a parent, I would refer to my daughter’s wise counsel so very long ago and advise them to do exactly what she did.

Seriously, though, you could take the child to a specialist for clinical analysis of their biological reality and go on from there. If there are biological causes, they are often detected in teenagers.

And at the end of the day, this current trend will undoubtedly fade away in a few years. So, try not to get too annoyed by signatures ending in male or female pronouns.

ender identity is a topic my mom and I fight about whenever anyone happens to mention it around us. Well, she fights; I just purse my lips and refuse to say anything most of the time. Here is what I would say.

If someone tells you who they are, respond with kindness. If they ask you to use different pronouns, do your best.

Apologize if you misgender someone.

Try not to assign a gender to an individual if it isn’t necessary, and it is almost always unnecessary. But it is tricky when you aren’t used to it.

When I was growing up, it wasn’t something I thought of much. We laughed at All in the Family when Archie met and gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a woman who turned out to be a “transvestite” in 1975.

There was Klinger on MASH (who was only cross-dressing in an attempt to get discharged from the army) and Billy Crystal played Jodie on the show Soap. Sometime between then and having children, I heard of men with a predilection for wearing ladies’ underwear in the boudoir. Oh! And The Rocky Horror Picture Show. These are all comedies and that’s how anything was considered if it had to do with presenting differently from what your genitals at birth would suggest.

Things are different today: we have Kaitlyn Jenner and moviemakers the Wachowski sisters who’ve transitioned into women, and Elliot Page who is now a man. Orange is the New Black presented a touching transgender woman (played by a transgender performer). There are innumerable examples of transgender characters on TV and performers in the entertainment world.

I started to pay attention to the issues when my daughter told me a few years ago that I was “cisgender”. It means I’m not transgender; it means what most of us used to call “normal”. I’d never heard the term before that. Since then, both my daughters have introduced us to friends who go by various pronouns.

It turns out that transgenderism is growing in popularity. In the 2022 survey in Canada, people ages 55 and up are 0.12 percent transgender. Below 55, the number starts to go up slightly, 1/100 of a percent for each gender in every five-year age span, until you hit 30 to 39-year-olds, when it makes a jump to 0.17 percent, and then it starts to jump. By the time you get to 20 to 24-year-olds, the total number of transgender persons hits 0.43 percent of the population of Canada! That is almost 60,000 people!

How did that happen?

If you ask some people, it’s teachers

Dobbie vs Dobbie

who are making kids transgender. (If you ask teachers, they’ll tell you they can’t make kids do or be anything! As a parent, I concur.) The response from more conservative jurisdictions, like Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, has been to impose legislation around teachers and trans students using adopted pronouns and names. Parents of these students must be informed and must agree to teachers using these names and pronouns. And when these laws go against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? The provincial governments can just use the notwithstanding clause. It’s an outrage.

It may be that the more inclusive atmosphere at schools today has to do with the rise in the number of transgender people in the survey results, but it doesn’t follow from that that teachers are making kids transgender, or even making kids believe they are transgender. It could be that they are making it possible for kids to consider whether they might be better off as the opposite gender. And three or four times as many kids are coming to the conclusion that, yeah, that might be alright.

I imagine that gender identity could be as non-binary as sexuality. Think of the Kinsey Scale, where a person who is completely heterosexual is a 0 and a person who is completely homosexual is a 6. The numbers 1 through 5, of course, represent people who are in between: the guys in prison who become “gay for the stay”, for instance, would rate as number 1 or 2.

Maybe there are some absolutely cisgender people who would rate 0 and absolutely transgender people who would rate 6 on a similar scale. The 6-rating people are those who can’t bear to live as their gender at birth, or the .12 percent of older people in the Canadian survey. Those who rate a 5 or a 4 are more likely to say that they are transgender today than they were 40 years ago because they’re more likely to consider whether they might be, having grown up in the more inclusive environment being fostered in schools today. In the past, they would have just decided to accept that they weren’t really content with their gender—or maybe that they just weren’t content in general and had no idea why.

So now your children or grandchildren or their friends may be asking you to use different pronouns for them.

Maybe this trend won’t catch on any more than the spelling womyn, or maybe it will be like calling someone the chair of an organization instead of the chairman or chairwoman.

You may have a hard time using they and them when the individual you’re talking about is, to you, clearly a she and her. My suggestion is, do your best.

Why would you call someone a thing they don’t want to be called? The grammar we grew up with did not allow for using they in the singular, but the word you was once the plural form, with the singular being thou. Things change.

Try to get used to it.

Keep in touch with Lifestyles 55 online!

You are not alone.

We are here to help.

Today, more than 18,400 Manitobans have dementia.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, talk to your family doctor and contact the Alzheimer Society.

whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: @Lifestyles55 December 2023

Find out more at alzheimer.mb.ca or call 204-943-6622. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

5

This Christmas, DOUBLE your impact for kids like Ricky

F

or many the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but kids and families who need the HSC Children’s Hospital don’t get time off.

“That's the hardest thing for a parent, if you can't take their pain away.”

Ricky’s mom, Susana, says she would have traded places with her son in a heartbeat. Just before Christmas last year, what started as a bout of the flu turned into 164 days in hospital for Ricky. He needed surgery to survive, and the procedure changed his life.

Ricky was diagnosed Stefano Grande with meningococcal septicemia, meaning that Healthy bacteria had entered his Living bloodstream and multiplied, damaging his blood vessels. His toes, fingers and limbs began to turn black in many places, and doctors at HSC Children’s took him into surgery to remove any dead skin. But the infection had spread too quickly so they needed to amputate four of his fingers and his left leg below the knee. Without this surgery, things would have gotten much worse.

“It means the world… the way they treated us,” says Susana. “Children's Hospital, without them, he wouldn't be alive, so I'm so thankful it was there for us.”

Watch Ricky’s story at goodbear.ca/Ricky.

Ricky is just one of approximately 6,000 children who need surgical care at HSC Children’s Hospital each year. That’s many more procedures than our current surgical department was built for.

The Foundation has an ambitious goal to help re-

I hope

D

Ricky.

Here’s your chance to help the Children’s Hospital!

design the surgical department and purchase specialized child-sized surgical equipment as part of the Better Futures initiative. And thanks to supporters like you, we’re 90% of the way to our Better Futures goal of $75 million.

You can help reach the final 10% to transform child health and research in our province.

Donate before December 31, 2023, and thanks to the generosity of the K + P Talbot Community Fund and the Talbot Family Foundation, your gift will be matched. That means $5 becomes $10, $25 becomes $50 and $50 becomes $100.

“We would love to see the community step up,” says Ken Talbot, matching donor. “Whether you’re giving $5, $500, or $5,000 we need you and we’re here to match the money.”

We’re so grateful for the generosity of the Talbot Family and challenge you to make your special holi-

day donation at goodbear.ca today to DOUBLE your impact for kids like Ricky.

This year for the holidays, Ricky is home with his family, but he will continue to need support from HSC Children’s. There’s still a long way for him to go with physical therapy and the possibility of a prosthetic leg but Ricky has a positive attitude and says he’s learning to accept what’s happened to him and move forward.

“I want other kids who may be suffering with something like this to know they aren’t alone,” says Ricky.

Donate now at goodbear.ca #GiveBetterFutures for kids who need life-saving surgery.

From all of us at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, we’re wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season.

Stefano Grande is the president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

I had hoped that, by now, after over epending on my mood and the situation, The Shawshank Re- two years of sobriety, I might be free demption ranks as my fifth to from the bars of temptation that had imprisoned me, but from third favorite movie. My where I stand today, it still second favorite movie is looks like a jail to me. PerPlanes, Trains, and Auhaps Red was right. Pertomobiles but I couldn’t haps hope is a dangerous figure out a way to work thing. Perhaps I will drive some of the best scenes myself insane with my and memorable bits of hopeless hope. dialogue – the rental car counter scene? – into this I knew a day like this column. would come, and in a way, The premise of the I was prepared because it movie The Shawshank was, after all, mid-NovemRedemption, to me, anyber. I know that the Bible way, is hope. Two men says to welcome temptaRick Duerksen are imprisoned for life, tions and that I am promaccused of murder. Red ised that I will not face unReach is guilty of the crime and surmountable ones. I also Andy is innocent. Andy know that while Jesus did has hope, Red is full of deask if it was possible for spair. Andy says, “Hope is a good thing, his cup to be passed from Him, He had maybe the best of things, and no good previously turned the water into wine. thing ever dies.” Red says “Let me tell Maybe, like the words from a song by T. you something, my friend. Hope is a Graham Brown, I’d be praying “Could dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man You help me turn the wine back into wainsane.” ter”, except in this case, it wasn’t wine.

I hope for an early Spring, but as I I blame the dairy and the sugar cane write this, it isn’t even 8 pm. industry. I went to the store Saturday

morning to buy a grocery, and as I walked toward the back of the store, I had to pass an open cooler. An open cooler (for easier access?) full of the first cartons of this year’s eggnog. I found myself stopping and staring at them, thinking of things I had hoped to never think of again. I thought of my friend, Captain Morgan, and his gift to eggnog. Spiced rum. I thought how great it would be to once again spend the weekend with my friend. We had a lot of catching up to do, and I didn’t really have anything else planned for the weekend.

I had hoped that by now, after over two years of sobriety, I might be free from the bars of temptation that had imprisoned me, but from where I stand today, it still looks like a jail to me. I realized that I hadn’t been freed from the prison I had built for myself. I had only been granted parole. In the movie, The Shawshank Redemption, Andy isn’t released or granted parole. Andy escapes from his cell and finds his freedom. Red is granted parole, but even though he is outside of his cell, he still doesn’t feel like a free man. He only starts to feel free when he breaks his parole and heads down to Mexico to find his friend.

In the final scene of the movie, Red is walking along a beach, towards his friend Andy, the Pacific Ocean beside him. The camera pulls back, and you hear Red’s thoughts. “I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.” The scene opens and you can see the vastness of the Pacific, you can see the openness in contrast to the confines of the cell that had kept Red hopeless for so long. And you hear Red’s last thought. “I hope.”

I stood by the cooler of eggnog and thought of my friend, Captain Morgan.

I thought that I might have to spend the weekend fighting my friend. But that was okay. I didn’t really have anything else planned for the weekend. I hope he knows I plan on winning.

I hope for an early Spring, and as I write this, the rising sun is already halfway over the horizon.

I had hoped that by now, after over two years of sobriety, I might be free from the bars of temptation that had imprisoned me, and from where I stand today, I can see a lot more of the Pacific than I could see yesterday.

I hope.

Ugly November November is the meanest month.

It’s ugly, drab and grey.

The sun comes up and then goes down, There’s hardly any day.

The 11th day is bathed in tears.

We honour those who went To offer life for all of us Let’s make those lives well spent!

Men hide their faces in new beards.

“It’s for the cause,” they say.

Girls hide their legs in leggings.

Legs won’t come out till May!

Why can’t we sleep until its done And we greet cold December The Christmas month can be such fun!

Good riddance to November!

– Dorothy Dobbie

6

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

December 2023

u

Meet Anne Mulaire Continued from page 1

in 1843 in Ile de La-cross. She was the first rural Anishinaabe/Métis teacher in the Red River Settlement and an accomplished seamstress whose embroidery continues to inspire the designs of Anne Mulaire.

“Since the beginning of my company, I have collaborated with my dad, David, who is our Metis Elder at Anne Mulaire.

He is also the talented artist behind all the prints you see on our garments,” said Andréanne. “Initially, he hand-painted the garments, but as the number of orders grew, we realized that this was not sustainable. However, he still hand paints on some garments for fashion shows. These unique pieces hold a special place in my collection.”

As a passionate advocate for inclusivity and cultural preservation, Andréanne’s leadership goes beyond the confines of the fashion world. She is on a mission with Anne Mulaire to celebrate diversity, promote ethical fashion, and uplift the voices and talents of Indigenous artisans.

Through the brand’s initiatives, Andréanne is not merely designing clothing; she is crafting a narrative of empowerment and cultural resurgence.

A pioneer in the realm of conscious fashion, her commitment to sustainability is evident in Anne Mulaire’s practices, which focus on environmentally friendly materials and ethical sourcing.

“Growing up in my Metis heritage, I was immersed in a culture that revered nature and sustainability. My parents and grandparents were staunch advocates of living in harmony with Mother Earth. This instilled in me a deep-rooted connection to the land,” she explains. “I was raised

amidst the use of natural fabrics, learning from their teachings. This underscored the importance of sustainability and the art of living with only what one needs.”

This upbringing cultivated a profound love for the environment and fueled her passion for discovering new sustainable textiles. “As I became increasingly aware of the environmental impact and excessive waste within the fashion industry, my Metis heritage became a guiding force, propelling me to explore and champion fabrics that would embody both cultural reverence and ecological responsibility.”

To that end, Andréanne has explored different fabrics. One of the newest and most interesting is Tencel. “We work with several sustainable fabrics, including linen, bamboo, organic cotton, and the newest one, Tencel. Tencel is made from eucalyptus pulp and has a luxurious, silky feel. It is also environmentally friendly, with minimal water usage and low impact production processes compared to other fabrics like bamboo. We work with various knitters in Ontario and the USA who follow ethical practices to create our Tencel fabric.

This fabric is highly breathable, soft, and can even be transformed into a cashmerelike fabric for a cozy winter feel.”

One of Anne Mulaire’s flagship initiatives is the “Return to Nature” program, a holistic approach to reducing waste in the fashion industry from a circular perspective.

This initiative encompasses six innovative programs: Refresh (repairs), Resale, Revive (repurpose), Downcycle, Biocycle, and Fiber Lab (recycling).

The Refresh/Repairs program encourages customers to bring back their well-

loved Anne Mulaire pieces for refreshing and repairs to extend the lifespan of each garment.

Through Resale, the brand facilitates a second-hand marketplace for its creations, promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. They will use material rescued from old garments in the creation of new clothing.

The Revive/Repurpose program takes a creative approach to sustainability by encouraging customers to reimagine their old Anne Mulaire pieces. By providing ideas and resources for repurposing garments, this initiative transforms fashion into a form of self-expression and environmental responsibility. This is a great way to keep up with fashion trends by altering garments that have grown a little stale.

The Downcycle program focuses on responsibly managing textiles that have reached the end of their life cycle, ensuring that materials are repurposed in an environmentally friendly manner. In a groundbreaking move towards biodegradability, the Biocycle program explores innovative materials and processes that return garments to nature harmlessly — in order words, they explore how long it takes for a fabric to break down and return to a natural state.

Lastly, the Fiber Lab/Recycling program delves into cutting-edge recycling technologies, aiming to create a closedloop system where materials from old Anne Mulaire garments are transformed into new ones, minimizing the demand for virgin resources.

Through these six interconnected programs, the Return to Nature initiative sets

Can Andréanne fit you?

Anne Mulaire fashions are designed to dress real bodies and the size range reflects the reality of needs. Beginning with the brand name Hug me and offering a line of comfort clothing, Anne Mulaire has evolved with a line that is more structured but still comfortable.

Sizes range all the way from a tiny size xxs2 up to 6X (up to a 77-inch hip), and design can be subtly altered to suit your body type.

Anne Mulaire apart as a pioneer in sustainable fashion. Andréanne’s commitment to a circular approach not only addresses the environmental impact of the fashion industry but also encourages consumers to participate actively in the lifecycle of their clothing.

In conclusion, Andréanne Dandeneau’s journey from the basement to the forefront of the fashion industry is a story of resilience, creativity, and social responsibility. Her commitment to celebrating Indigenous culture, promoting ethical practices, and empowering communities sets a precedent for the fashion industry to follow.

Anne Mulaire is not just a brand but a testament to the transformative power of fashion when guided by a visionary leader with a deep sense of purpose.

Andréanne’s impact extends far beyond the garments she designs. She hopes to leave an indelible mark on the industry and help pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and culturally enriched future in fashion.

Contemporary Indigenous art in the Golden Boy Room

T

he Manitoba Government art collection includes diverse work from artists across the province. Highlighted are works of contemporary Indigenous art acquired by the Government of Manitoba.

The semi-permanent installation in the Golden Boy Room at the Manitoba Legislature is an opportunity to celebrate artistic achievement through a representative selection of significant works acquired by the Government of Manitoba over the last half century. While overall, the emphasis in collecting art has been on Manitoba artists making work in Manitoba; significant other works, such as the original felt wall hanging titled Happy Face (acquired in 1960) by Inuit artist, Marion Tuu'luq from Kamanituaq, show the influence that diverse art forms and artists have had on the visual culture of Manitoba.

An emphasis on collecting artwork by Métis, Indigenous, and Inuit artists remains a priority. The intention is not only to celebrate the talent of these artists, but to display the diversity of theme, media and technique for the appreciation by all Manitobans.

Jackson Beardy prints (L-R): Thunder Dancer, Metamorphosis and Thunderbird.

Artists Daphne Odjig and Jackson Beardy are key to the installation, as both were founders of the Professional Native Indian Artists Incorporated (PNIAI). The Government of Manitoba is proud to have purchased works by these prolific artists as early as 1968. Throughout their careers, these two artists advocated tirelessly for the rights of Indigenous people and for the importance of Indigenous art, paving the way for future creative voices. Odjig and

Beardy were also instrumental in developing the Woodland School of painting and throughout this installation, their legacy is tangible and can be seen in the harmonic, curvilinear, repeating forms of Courtship Dance and Time of Plenty by Len Fairchuk.

The Woodland school has many practitioners, variants and trajectories. Common are the use of primary colours, X-Ray vision, energy lines among natural and animal elements and themes of animals, na-

ture, oral history, and transformation.

Several emerging, mid-career and established artists are also included in the installation. From Carly Morrisseau's digital prints about cultural continuity, utilizing syllabics in Cree; KC Adam's digital composite of birch-bark biting in a star-quilt motif; Jackie Traverse's unabashed celebration of women, culture, and spirituality; to Linus Woods' large scale painting about rabbits and alien being. There is truly no one defining style.

It is an honour to showcase these prolific artworks in one location. By highlighting this multifaceted chronology of works from the 1960s through to the present, selected from the Government of Manitoba art collection, the hope is to encourage further learning about each artist and about Indigenous, Inuit, and Métis Art in Manitoba.

This installation was initiated by the Honourable Myrna Driedger, 41st Speaker of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

Visual Arts Department, Sport Culture and Heritage Government of Manitoba, 2023.

STAY ACTIVE • EXERCISE • SOCIALIZE

leisureGUIDE Programs for Older Active Adults winnipeg.ca/leisureonline December 2023

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

7

With tradition comes a gran’s good old family favourite

A

S the days grow colder, I recall the aromas of slow cooked stew and that hearty feeling one gets from the nourishing goodness of homecooked food. When I was young, Gran always had a crock pot in the oven slowly cooking the meat to tender, the gravy always needed lots of fresh crusty French bread to soak it all up.

Stewed meat is made from cuts of beef with lots of tough connective tissue, namely brisket, chuck and/or round. When you slow cook it in a liquid, the Ian Leatt connective tissue breaks down and becomes meltFoodies in-your-mouth tender.

Lots of marbling throughout the meat means huge amounts of flavor, plus it becomes meltingly tender when cooked for hours.

Browning the brisket in a skillet first leads to a delicious payoff in the end. Those browned bits in the pan are packed with rich, caramelized flavor – be sure to scrape them up once you add the beef broth.

Serve it on a Sunday, for a simple holiday meal, or any time you crave truly classic comfort food. The whole family will beg for it again and again.

I wanna hide…..

S

Here is what you will need: 4 lbs beef brisket Freshly crushed sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided.

1 small can tomato paste.

1 litre beef broth 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 thyme sprigs 6 rosemary sprigs 3 teaspoons garlic powder 1 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch wedges.

1.5 lbs baby red potatoes, halved if large 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces.

The all important how to: Season the brisket all over with of salt and pepper.

In a large skillet, place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium to high heat. Place the meat in the skillet and sear it until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a pre-heated slow cooker.

Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low.

Add the tomato paste, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened in color. Add the broth and cook, stirring constantly to loosen browned meat bits from the skillet and dissolve the tomato paste. Pour the beef broth mixture over the roast in the slow cooker. Add the Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary to the broth mixture.

In a large bowl, place the onion, potatoes, carrots, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and garlic powder toss together.

o you have found a plethora of event is also where you could get some geocaches and now want to ex- good advice from other Geocachers.

Now that you are ready to hide, let’s pand your fun with the sport by go over a few things. hiding one of your own.

Probably the first thing All Geocaches are owned you need is a good locaby Geocachers who have tion. Finding a place that put them out for others won’t be discovered by to enjoy. They should folMuggles (people that are low certain protocols and not aware of Geocaching) rules. or various animals, both Groundspeak (geocachwild and domestic may be ing.com) suggests that a bit of a challenge. My you need to have found a wife and I will comment variety of geocache types on a spot often and then and sizes hidden by diflook around and realize ferent geocache owners that it is too busy a locabefore hiding one of your Gary Brown tion. own to ensure that you Geocaching A hiding spot should have a good idea of what is not be on private property, needed to have a successmust be a minimum of ful geocache. An event is considered a geocache as well and before 161 metres from any other caches and in you throw an event you should attend a many cases you need to have permission few events to gain some experience. An to place a Geocache on some properties.

Pile the tossed vegetables on top of and around the brisket in the slow cooker.

Cover and bring to boil, then reduce to the medium setting and cook until tender, 8 hours. Serve the roast with the vegetables and a drizzle of gravy from the slow cooker.

(Browning the brisket in a skillet first leads to a delicious payoff in the end. Those browned bits in the pan are packed with rich, caramelized flavor – be sure to scrape them up once you add the beef broth. Bring to a boil, mix all that goodness together then pour over the brisket for more flavour.)

Ian Leatt is a trained chef from across the pond.

There are guidelines located at https:// www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines.

This location needs a spot to place the cache securely out of sight and protected from loss. This is also sometimes done with the use of a camouflaged container.

Once you have that great hiding spot you can decide what type of container to use. There are a lot of different types you can buy. Making one yourself is a great option and may bring out a skill you didn’t realize that you had.

Many people will use containers such as pill bottles or various containers that are common in a household such as Tupperware containers. At times it is a lot of fun going around to thrift stores looking for a unique container that fits the place you would like to place one. A good container needs to be waterproof and glass should not be used. A quote that I like to remember is “A cache container design is only limited by your own imagination”. Remember though; try not to use a container that contained food that you can’t clean the smell out of. Animals such as squirrels, raccoons and bears have a keen sense of smell.

Location, container, add a log sheet and anything else that you feel you would like to be in the container and you are ready to hide it. A short pen-

cil is a good idea, if there is room, but anything edible is not. Food attracts anything from mice to wasps to coyotes.

Place the container and then have it activated.

Don’t try to activate it and then place it. Within minutes of activation people are on the way to your cache and can get quite frustrated when it isn’t there yet.

You are not done yet. As a geocache owner you now have responsibilities. If there are problems with your geocache it is your job to ensure that they are taken care of. Most of the time it means that you have to visit the geocache, however you can make arrangements to have someone else do the work. You will still need to be the one that makes the proper maintenance entries into the Geocache page.

This is just a quick primer on hiding a geocache. There is a lot more that you will find is needed when you go to hide your creation, but it is not daunting and becomes fun after you do the first one or two.

I hope to find one of your Geocaches on the trail.

Gary Brown is the President of the Manitoba Geocaching Association (MBGA) and can be reached at MBGAexec@outlook.com.

The Perfect Gift for Tea Lovers We’ve made holiday shopping easy!

Save 15% on all teas, teaware, and gifts at ARTOFTEADEAL.COM/102 with code MB15.

Code MB15 valid on online orders placed until December 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM PST. Discount does not apply to gift cards, wholesale orders, or Tea of the Month Subscriptions. Code cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

8

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

December 2023

u

On October 7th, the world changed forever Continued from page 1

more. The brutality of these attacks was something communities is difficult to describe. Like many of you I am horrified to see the videos of people tearbeyond comprehension.

It’s important to recognize that the terrorist attacks ing down posters of those held hostage. What kind committed by Hamas represent the single worst at- of person tears down a poster of a kidnapped baby?

I know most Canadians are shocked tack on Jews since the Holocaust and at such public displays of hate, violence, Canada must continue to stand with our and antisemitism that we continue to see democratic ally Israel and the Jewish at demonstrations across the country, inpeople against the terrorism of Hamas. cluding the targeting of Jewish businessTheir despicable behaviour is nothing es and the shooting at Jewish schools. I, new, they have been designated as a along with many others have called for terrorist organization by Canada since the immediate release of all the hostages.

2002.

The hostages must be released without At a Kibbutz near Tel Aviv, I met with delay and without conditions.

Israeli citizens who told us their painful And so, on November 17th, I anstories of murder and kidnapping. One nounced the launch of #Projectman in his 40s told us that while he hid BringThemHome, a social media with his daughters in the safe room of campaign calling on all politicians and their home, one block over, Hamas terMP Marty Morantz Canadians to virtually “Adopt a Hosrorists murdered both his parents. Antage” to show our support for the hosother lady told us about her daughter being abducted and held captive and the anguish of tages and their families. not knowing her fate as each day passes. The stories For my part, I am virtually adopting Raz Katzare heart wrenching to listen to.

Asher, an Israeli-German, who is 4 years old. I have We also visited some of the communities that were updated my Facebook, “X”, and Instagram platforms attacked that fateful day and witnessed first-hand the to include a photo of Raz Katz-Asher, and a link to devastation in those communities. The first town we the website kidnappedfromisrael.com where you can visited was Sderot, a city of 36,000 people. In the see a full list of those still being held by Hamas. aftermath of the terrorist attacks only 3,000 remain.

At this time, it is critical that we be there for the The rest of the population has moved away to safer families of the kidnapped and your participation in areas of the country, uprooting their lives and their #ProjectBringThemHome can go long away to families. showing them that their loved ones have not been We also visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza where we wit- forgotten. One thing is sure, they can’t tear down a nessed firsthand the utter devastation committed by poster from your social media.

Hamas terrorists. So many civilians were brutally It is my hope that this campaign will raise the promurdered there. I will never forget the images of the file of the hostages so that the international commuburned and shot up homes where people were just liv- nity increases pressure on Hamas to release them. For ing their normal lives, then having those lives stolen those who wish to participate all you need to do is go by murderous terrorists. to https://www.kidnappedfromisrael.com and post a Israel is now on the front line fighting against ex- picture of the hostage or hostages you would like to tremist fundamentalist Islamism. If Israel loses this adopt on the masthead of your social media accounts war, the western world will suffer the consequences along with the hashtag, #ProjectBringThemHome as of ISIS style extremist movements that want nothing well as the link to that website. more than to bring an end to many of our most cherFor those who are still being held hostage by ished values. Unless Hamas’s power is broken, peace Hamas terrorists, we must do everything we can to will remain out of reach. bring them home safely.

With some 240 hostages still held captive at the Marty Morantz is MP for Charleswood-St. James-Astime of writing this, the anguish being felt in these siniboia-Headingley.

THE

PARKWAY Retirement Community

Make The Parkway Your New Home

MOVE IN TODAY Call us to learn more about our December move in promotions!

• Breakfast and Dinner Included • Transportation to Planned Outings and Appointments • Planned Recreation Programs • Light Weekly Housekeeping

Canada and the conflict in Gaza

M

any Canadians are surprised and confused about how to react to the conflict between Israel and Gaza, following the brutal surprise attack on Israeli civilians on October 7 by Hamas. Adding to the confusion are Canadian protests from Palestinian sympathizers who object to retaliation from Israel.

To understand why this polarization has become so strong, it is interesting to note the changing demographics of our country.

While most traditional Canadians have long supported the Jewish diaspora and may believe, as I did, that their numbers were commensurate with the contributions they have made to this country, in fact, their population is comparatively

small. According to the Internet, in 2021, only 335,000 Canadians identified as Jewish, 30,000 of them from Israel.

The Muslim population, on the other hand, has burgeoned.

In 2021, their population in Canada had grown to 1,775,715, approximately 50,000 of them from Palestine. And the vast majority of Muslims live in Ontario and Quebec: 942,990 in Ontario and 421,710 in Quebec, with the remainder (about 410,000) dispersed through the rest of the country.

Most of us have friends from both populations. While Israel has no choice but to retaliate and go after Hamas after the massacre of their families on October 7, it is

hard not to sympathize with the folks in Gaza, most of whom are not Hamas supporters.

Last month, on Remembrance Day, we paused to observe the human toll of such conflicts. It is heartbreaking to see those lessons ignored. It makes one wonder whether humans will ever learn to live in peace.

Here in our multicultural Canada, it is critical to promote understanding and sympathy among our citizens despite outbreaks elsewhere. But we must remember that Canada is neither Israel nor Palestine, it is Canada.

For the safety and security of all of us, we must strive to prevent the ugliness of antisemitism and Islamophobia from dividing us.

The 2024 Prairie Garden is ready to go

A

surprise visit from Prairie Garden Committee chair Ian Wise delivered a lovely copy of the 2024 Prairie Garden Annual. This year the focus is on “Year-Round Gardening”, meaning everything you ever wanted to know about raising houseplants. The issue covers the topic from micro greens to orchids, from overwintering succulents and cactus to creating a bottle garden. There is even a story, in the general section of the book, about how to grow watermelons on the prairies!

New editor Evelyn Lundeen and her guest editor Barb Shields have pulled together a very good collection of articles from December 2023

hands-on gardeners. You will recognize a number of familiar names but there are lots of new contributors, too. Excellent work from these two volunteers.

The Prairie Garden is a great primer for newbie gardeners who may have just retired and are wondering how to fill their time. There is really nothing as welcoming as a big Boston Fern in your living room or a healthy and happy spider plant in the office. If you pick up a copy of The Prairie Garden, you will be able to grow them both quite confidently!

The book is available at McNally Robinson as well as at most of your favourite garden centres. At $19.95, it’s a bargain.

• In-suite Washer and Dryer • Full Kitchen with Fridge, Microwave and Stove • Spacious Suites with Balconies • Heat, Hydro and Water Included

• Café Open Daily for Lunch • Exercise Room, Library, Billiards Room and Arts & Craft Room • Daily Garbage Pick Up and Security Check • Indoor Parking Available

Independent Living Suites with Services

www.theparkway.ca We are located at 85 & 95 Paget Street

(off of Sterling Lyon Parkway)

204-487-8500 whatsupwinnipeg.ca

9

Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker takes centre stage Watch children living the dream of performing on stage alongside the RWB’s Company artists!

T

he Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s homegrown, everpopular Nutcracker returns to the Centennial Concert Hall stage from December 21-30, 2023 to add splendid sparkle to everyone’s holiday season. Artists, musicians, stagehands, children, along with our walk-on role cast, come together once again to make each performance magical and memorable.

A uniquely Canadian spin on the beloved holiday story makes our Nutcracker a nostalgic treasure that charms audiences of all ages, year after year. Young Clara’s dreams come to life in spectacular fashion as her nutcracker transforms into a gallant soldier to defend her from the army of the Mouse King, with majestic Mounties battling the mischievous Mice. The duo journey through a shimmering winter wonderland filled with dancing snowflakes and adorable polar bears to the court of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Special guest artists joining the RWB for all performances!

As part of the storytelling magic, we’ve invited special guests to share the stage in Manitoba’s favourite holiday tradition this year. Making their debut with the RWB, we are thrilled to welcome the Asham Stompers to the stage! These dancers will perform the Red River jig showcasing their passion to re-capture and preserve the history of the Métis people through traditional dance. Also returning by popular demand are fan favourites, Rusalka, Canada’s premier Dance Ensemble who will perform their fiery and colourful presentation of Ukrainian dance. With over 100 dancers on stage, Nutcracker is one of the biggest “living the dream” spectacles of the season.

While Nutcracker opens an audience’s eyes to a charming tale, it opens the doors to students from the RWB School to live the dream of performing on stage alongside the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Company artists. Angels, polar bears, reindeer and party kids will be played by students from the Recreational Division, while young Clara, Julien and Dieter are portrayed by students from our Professional Division. “We’re a Company and a School at the same time, so adding in characters, such as reindeer and polar bear cubs, gives students the opportunity to dance in Nutcracker and experience what it’s like to be in a professional produc-

Alanna McAdie with RWB Recreational Division Students. Photo by David Cooper, C.M. tion,” stated Jaime Vargas, Ballet Master.

Patrons, guests and families will be wowed by the brilliant and beloved score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, led by Julian Pellicano, the RWB’s Music Director & Principal Conductor and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the wonder and whimsical choreography of Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon, as well as the stunning turn-of-the-century costumes and sets. The elaborate stage elements and breathtaking visual effects, including intricate lighting and glittering Canadian winter landscapes, will beautifully infuse energetic crescendos in the telling of the Clara and her nutcracker Prince story. And you don’t want to miss the hijinks of fan-favourite Filbert the Bear during the family party!

“The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker has be-

come a holiday tradition for many families,” said André Lewis, the RWB’s Artistic Director. “Nutcracker represents the culmination of nearly a year of hard work by everyone at the RWB. Winnipeg will be the last stop on our Nutcracker tour that includes performances in Ottawa, Vancouver, and Saskatoon.”

The RWB expresses its gratitude to Production Supporter – Richardson Foundation; Live Music Benefactor – The Asper Foundation; and Arts Partner – the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Nutcracker takes centre stage from December 21-30, 2023 at the Centennial Concert Hall. Get your preferred seats online now at rwb.org or call 204.956.0183 to buy tickets. Kids 12 and under pay only $25. Don’t miss out!

The real story behind the Sound of Music RMTC present the fictional version till December 23

T

he Sound of Music is a beloved classic about a stoic captain, his seven children and a spirited governess whose unconventional ways bring music back into their lives. In the background, political unrest begins to bubble. As the Nazi regime takes hold over Austria, the choice between their beloved country or their steadfast beliefs becomes clear. To maintain their morals, the captain leads his family, and new wife, over the mountains, leaving behind his homeland.

While this bittersweet story may seem like something fabricated for the stage, with its epic loves, iconic characters, and difficult decisions, it took its inspiration from the real Maria von Trapp who chronicled her and her family’s life story in the 1949 book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Her story differs quite significantly to that of her screen and stage counterpart’s.

Born Maria Kutschera in 1905, Maria truly was an aspiring nun when she first crossed paths with Captain Georg von Trapp. However, she met her future husband not as a governess for his seven children but to tutor only one of them.

Their relationship of employer/em10

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

ployee began in 1926 and took the large leap to husband and wife on November 26, 1927. Unlike the dramatized version of their story, the real Maria and George did not have a whirlwind romance. Quite the opposite even, as Maria divulged later in life that she “really and truly was not in love” though she said, “By and by, I learned to love him more than I have ever loved before or after.” She married him not for love but because the mother abbess of her Abbey advised her it was God’s will to do so.

Now a stepmother to seven children, Maria did help teach them music. While they were already musically inclined, she furthered their musical education by teaching them madrigals. They may not have been singing “Do-Re-Mi” as we know it in the movie, but they did perform a variety of folk songs and ballads as a family. At first, they sang at church but later caught the interest of Lotte Lehmann, a German concert singer who took an interest in them.

With her encouragement, the singing family entered and won a singing contest which jumpstarted their career as professional musicians. They took their show on the road, going to France,

Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany before returning home just as Hitler was beginning the Anschluss, also known as the annexation of Austria, in 1938.

The stage and film adaptation of this story condenses it down into a much shorter timeline, having Maria arrive to the captain’s residence in 1938, cutting down their relationship to a quick courtship and not a 12-year marriage.

After the annexation, the family got a brief taste of life under the Nazis, a regime which they detested. The captain refused to display the Nazi flag and denied a request for the family to sing on the radio in honour of Hitler’s birthday.

Like in the movie, the captain was opposed to the Nazi ideology and to becoming a member of their navy.

Having acted against the fascist government, the family knew they needed to flee. Not over the mountains of Austria, clutching their suitcases with a Nazi search party in close pursuit, but simply by train to Italy. They landed in the United States in 1939 where they toured their musical talents across the country and held a music camp on their Vermont farm in their off time.

Maria knew her story had to be shared, and others felt the same way resulting in the stage and film dramatizations of her life – with a few liberties. You can see the fictionalised Maria on stage along with the scrappy von Trapp children and the imperious Captain at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre from November 28 to December 23.

December 2023

The unmaking of a hero R

ecently, CBC television’s weekly investi- vening years I have interviewed her for newspaper gative program The Fifth Estate dropped articles on her CD releases.

Watching The Fifth Estate I was overcome with a a bombshell on Canadian culture when it provided irrefutable evidence that celebrated Cana- sense of betrayal. Not just to me personally but to dian Indigenous musician and social activist Buffy Canada and, more significantly, to Indigenous peoSainte-Marie was neither Canadian nor Indigenous. ples everywhere who regarded Buffy Sainte-Marie as a hero. For many years she was the Birth records, a family insurance pollone voice speaking out for Indigenous icy dating back to her youth, and a cultures and almost single-handedly marriage license revealed that Buffy, pushed the Canadian Academy of Reor Beverley as she was named, was cording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) to born in Massachusetts to a white create a long-overdue Indigenous (tifamily of Italian origin with the surtled Aboriginal) Music category at the name Santamaria. annual Juno Awards. She has received I had the pleasure of spending dozens of music awards including a reseveral days with Buffy in Vancoucent Polaris Music Prize, is a companver about 15 years ago as the writer ion to The Order of Canada, Academy for a BRAVO television documenAward recipient, and has been feted tary entitled Buffy Sainte-Marie: A worldwide for her pioneering work Multi-Media Life. She was extremeJohn Einarson connecting young Indigenous students ly gracious, generous, and open as Local Music in remote areas with their counterparts I asked questions about her life and Spotlight in urban centres across North America career. We met up several times afthrough her Cradleboard project. Her ter that and she was the epitome of groundbreaking appearances on Sesagrace and approachability. Her story of being born on the Piapot First Nation in Sas- me Street introduced a generation of young people katchewan and adopted as an infant by an American to North American Indigenous cultures.

In recent years, I have been privileged to meet family who raised her in rural Massachusetts was deeply ingrained in her narrative for more than 60 and write about many Indigenous musicians here in years. I had no reason to doubt the veracity of her Manitoba. To a person, they held Buffy up as a role story. After all, she was an icon of the highest mag- model and a hero.

The evidence presented on The Fifth Estate exnitude and beyond reproach and held in the highest posed Buffy as a fraud who engaged in a calculated esteem.

While we were in Vancouver conducting inter- deceit for decades. Personal letters were shown reviews for the documentary, Buffy briefly met my vealing she had threatened her brother with destroywife, Harriett. As we were passing through the ho- ing him both legally and publicly if he ever dared to tel foyer, I introduced Harriett to Buffy. The en- reveal the truth of her birth and race. Clearly, she counter couldn’t have been more than two or three burned her familial bridges long ago.

The reality is that Buffy’s life is a lie perpetrated minutes. Some six months later, my wife and I were walking down the backstage corridor of Winnipeg’s on the very people who loved, respected, and supCentennial Concert Hall following a performance ported her. There have been ample opportunities in

by Buffy. As we approached her, Buffy called out, her 60-year career to “come clean” on her falsehoods “Harriett, so nice to see you again!” It was a sincere but instead she continually modified her story, douwelcome and made us both feel special. That’s the bling down, obfuscating and waffling. Her defense kind of warmth and class Buffy exuded with every- has been to state that she does not know the details of her birth, presented for so many years is “my one.

When the documentary was previewed at the an- truth”. I find it disingenuous that Buffy cites “my nual Manito Ahbee celebrations at the Bell MTS truth” to deflect from what is clearly “the truth”.

I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the eviCentre, I was there seated with Buffy. In the inter-

Buffy Sainte-Marie and John Einarson. dence provided in The Fifth Estate episode. I do not subscribe to anti-CBC conspiracy theories.

What the episode presented shook me to my core.

I remain troubled by these revelations, especially in her treatment of her birth family. Whether or not she was adopted as an adult into an Indigenous Canadian family, as she claims, cannot obscure the facts of her non-Indigenous, non-Canadian birth.

That, to me, is unforgiveable and all her great works are now stained by dishonesty. I cannot excuse or ignore her deceit when measured against the good she has done. When I contemplate all the honours and awards bestowed on her over several decades based on false claims of being an Indigenous Canadian, it is heartbreaking to consider all those legitimate Indigenous Canadian artists who were passed over in the rush to celebrate a fake.

They are the true heroes and pioneers, not “Pretendians”.

I have loved Buffy Sainte-Marie’s music since first hearing her in 1964 and I have a deep appreciation of her many accomplishments and contributions to Indigenous peoples everywhere. But I can no longer respect her and that hurts more than you can ever understand.

A very groovy Christmas features music of the Mamas and Papas with guest vocalist Lizanne Lachance

A

s the holiday seasons ramps up, why not attend a concert featuring the music of the 60s and 70s by the Mamas and the Papas? Local singer Lizanne Lachance plus local folk rock band the Very Groovy Things will bring back memories with music that ruled the airwaves during that fertile era in pop music history.

The concert will be held on Sunday, December 10th at 7 p.m. at the Salle Antoine Gaborieau Theatre upstairs at the Franco Manitoban Centre, 340 Provencher Blvd. Tickets are available for $35 plus fees at Eventbrite. ca. Just search “Groovy Christmas” and you can purchase your online tickets in advance.

Lizanne is a mainstay of the local jazz scene in Winnipeg. She has appeared at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, and is a regular performer in the Mardi Jazz series to name just a few recent performances.

She will include a few holiday numbers

December 2023

The Very Groovy Things. in her show, and will be backed up

by Very Groovy Things pianist Rick Boughton, drummer Greg Gardner and bass player Kinzey Posen.

“I love playing the jazz club room at the CCFM,” says Lachance “Bill Quinn from the Groovies approached me about doing a show together with that band, and it sounded like a winner.” said Lizanne.

Lizanne Lachance.

The Very Groovy Things Band was formed in 2018 with some of Winnipeg’s finest singers and players. The singers include Quinn, tenor Dan Rochegood, soprano Olivia Maxfield and alto Jodie Borle. Borle had already developed a following as one of the city’s best jazz vocalists, but loved the idea of singing in a band doing 60s music.

Quinn and original guitar player Laurie

MacKenzie figured a band doing the music of the Mamas and Papas could capitalize on the trend of many groups covering classic rock acts playing in Winnipeg. The 10-piece folk rock band started small, playing house concerts and some special events.

The group will add some 60s Christmas tunes to the mix for this special show.

The group saw the potential for bigger venues when they sold out the Salle Pauline Boutal at CCFM in August and the Berney Theatre in March as part of the Music and Mavens series at the Rady Jewish Cultural Centre. Quinn figured a Mamas and Papas/Lizanne Lachance show would be something a baby boomer audience would enjoy.

Hope to see you there!

Bill Quinn and Greg Gardner are both broadcasters on Lifestyles 55 Radio. Check them out at https://whatsupwinnipeg.ca/ lifestyles-55-digital-radio/

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

11

Identifying new revenue streams to strengthen and build your charitable organization “People want to support a winning organization not a whining organization.”

I

People are far more persuasive when they are talking f you ask any person involved with a charitable organization what the organization struggles with most, about the dreams and aspirations they have for their orthe answer is almost always a need for additional fi- ganizations, than when they are complaining about challenges or unfairness that is holding them nancial support. It is theoretically possible back now. Some people may be able to pull for a charity to have more funds than they this approach off, but it is not something know what to do with, but I have yet to that I can recommend. encounter an organization like this. Over 3. Understand that people and fundthe years, I have raised a lot of money for ing organizations give more when they organizations I am working with as a volare able to give more. unteer or an employee. Fundraising is time The point I am trying to make is that doconsuming, sometimes quite disappointnors give larger gifts, or more gifts when ing, and very stressful for many people. they are best able to make those gifts.

However, if we care about our neighbours There may be a certain time of year, or a and our communities, we work together certain point in life when larger charitable to gather enough resources to provide the gifts are possible. When a family has sold a kinds of institutions, services, and probusiness, inherited wealth, had a financial grams that make our cities and towns the Trudy Schroeder windfall of some type, sold some property, places we love to call home.

Random or had a large bonus at work, they are in People sometimes think that I have been Notes a better position to give gifts. You cannot successful at raising funds for these causes know the exact timing of these moments, I care about because I know many people who are generous and charitable. Or they think that I so the best thing to do is to build a long-term relationmight have some special training or skill set that makes ship with your donors, and regularly meet with them and it possible for me to raise funds. When it comes to fund- provide them with information about your projects. When raising, I guess that many organizations would like to feel they can make gifts, they will let you know.

4. Have a variety of giving options for donors. that there is some magic formula that makes it possible for Some businesses will only provide support for organisome people to succeed at fundraising.

I hate to disappoint you, but I cannot say that I have a zations through sponsorships that help to promote their magic formula of any type for successful fundraising, but business interests in the community. Some businesses are I have some ideas that any organization could implement generous, but they can only provide goods or services in to increase the funds that they have available for a special kind. (Make sure you find ways to use those types of doproject or to grow and sustain the organizations they love. nations well, it can make a huge difference.). Some busiHere are the principles I have used to build up the fund- nesses and individuals will only support a fundraising gala initiative with the purchase of a table or a generous donaraising capacity in organizations.

1. Start with the funders and donors you know and tion to a live or silent auction.

5. Have regular giving programs for small, medium, ask for more money.

There may be many more wealthy people in your com- and large donors.

When people have decided that they appreciate a certain munity, or funding bodies or charitable foundations that you think could afford to solve all your problems with one charity, they are very often happy to make gifts on an aneasily written check. That can be the case occasionally, but nual basis. Make sure to have a well-timed, well-supported most of the time your best start is to reach out to all the campaign for each type of donor every year. Most givers people and institutions that provide funding for your or- will start with smaller gifts, and when they are financially ganization and ask them if they would be able to make able, they will make larger gifts. Do not underestimate the a larger gift. At the same time, it is also very important ability of people of seemingly moderate means to make to express appreciation for the funding that is currently very generous donations at certain points in life. Treat all given and ensure that they know that the funds they have of your donors well and remember to thank them reguprovided have been well and responsibly used, and that larly.

6. Have specialty programs that attract a certain type there have been some wonderful results from their generof donor ous support.

Many organizations have had considerable success with When you ask your current donors, foundations, and funding institutions for additional funding, always ensure running regular golf tournaments, charity runs, bike rides, that you have a reason for the request for additional fund- book sales, rummage sales, or annual raffles and draws. ing. Are you launching a new program, building a new fa- There are different types of donors who like to support in cility, planning a special project, celebrating an anniversary, the way that feels best for the donor. Make sure you have or creating a new work of art? This is the time to let the a variety of giving options for your potential donors. You can also raise funds by planning trips or cruises in which people who support you know about the project. each person’s fare includes a fundraising portion for the 2. Be Positive I have never found that negative fundraising has worked organization. The trip projects also provide a good way for me. People want to support a winning organization to develop relationships with potential donors, who also become friends in the process. not a whining organization.

7. Develop an endowment fund option for long time donors When an organization can build a large endowment fund, it gradually can reduce the stress of annual giving needs considerably, but this does take a long time to develop. With an endowment fund, only a set amount of income from the fund is available for operating funding for the charity on an annual basis, (often 4-5% of the value of the fund.) When endowments hold millions of dollars, the annual contribution can become substantial, and it does provide the organization with some funding stability. In most organizations it can be beneficial to establish a legacy giving program to encourage people to become members and leave a portion of their estate to the charity in their wills. There is much information available about these types of programs that provide good tax benefits to the estate and also support charities that an individual cared about during life.

8. Find ways to up-sell people when attending your events Add a special event, class, dinner, lecture, or cocktail party to an event that the donors are already attending and ensure that the ticket price does significantly more than cover your costs. This can be enjoyable and good for fundraising. If you have contacts in the business community that would sell you products at a commercial rate that you could sell at your events this can be a good ongoing source of funding. You can sell chocolates, cookies, flowers, cards, CDs, clothing products and many other items through your organization. This can become a very positive annual support for the organization.

9. Keep an eye out for special funding opportunities Occasionally there will be one time funding programs or grant opportunities. They don’t happen on a predictable basis, but they can make a big difference when they are available. These often tend to require new projects and innovative idea. Always try to have an innovative idea or two in your back pocket for moments like this. It can pay off handsomely.

10. You can also earn funds by starting ancillary businesses It is within the rights of charities to create businesses whose profits support the work of the charity. This can be through renting out space in your museum, concert hall, public garden, school, or nature preserve for wedding, conferences, business meetings, or training programs. It can be through renting event tents, providing catering services, dorm rooms for rent, photography, or communication services, or even ticket selling services.

As you can see, there are many ways to increase the resources in your organization. In large organizations, there are often teams of people working in each of these areas of fund raising. In smaller organizations a few people augmented by capable and willing volunteers can do wonders.

Fundraising can be a very enjoyable part of your work with an organization. Find an area that you find interesting and discover the joys of fundraising.

I wish you great success.

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

CentrePort’s Carly Edmundson appointed to head infrastructure advisory

T

he Manitoba government is creating a blue-ribbon infrastructure panel to offer advice on priorities for roads and highways it was announced Nov. 30 by Premier Wab Kinew and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor at the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) fall convention.

The blue-ribbon panel will be led by co-chairs Carly Edmundson, president and CEO of CentrePort Canada, and Scott Phillips, a councillor for the Rural Municipality of Sifton. Working with experts in the industry, these co-chairs will set the terms of reference for infrastructure projects in Manitoba.

The panel will head up the Manitoba government’s infrastructure strategy to create jobs, support economic growth and help municipalities grow, said the Premier.

This is a very good appointment and

12

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

Carly Edmundson.

Manitobans will be happy to see the focus on transportation and infrastructure that was set by the previous government maintained. Transportation has always been a critical element in the prosperity of this province, set as we are in the middle of the continent. Making sure

our key roads are rebuilt to international standards and able to handle heavy traffic is essential in moving forward on the path to prosperity.

Carly was named President and CEO of CentrePort last May replacing Diane Grey who left to take a position with the federal government. Carly was previously executive director of marketing and communications for CentrePort where she worked for six years. She left in 2019 to take on the position of senior vice-president with real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson.

A small-town girl with the smarts and work ethic of rural Manitoba, Carly is bringing fresh insights to CentrePort.

She will be a great asset to the brain trust of the new government.

Congratulations to Carly and her team at CentrePort. They will be keeping us posted on new developments on the campus.

December 2023

Erika Dias: Who showed the path to wisdom (Kalyana Mittata) Senaka Samarasinghe

E

rika Fraulien Jayawardena was born on 15-071933 in Palana, Weligama in Matara District.

She had four siblings Sybil, Berryl, Cyril and Artie. Erika was the third in the family. Her father was Diamond and mother was Dona. Erika completed her school education in Matara and joined University of Ceylon, Peradeniya in 1958. Her two cousin sisters namely Arundathie Ramawickrama Jayawardena and Achala Pandita Gunawardena joined her at the same university.

Her university batchmates called her Swan, because she walked gracefully like a swan. By that time, Hiran Deva Dias had completed his post graduate studies (PhD) in Cambridge University and worked as a faculty member of the same university. The newly build university located on the right bank of Mahaweli river positioned in a fantastic romantic location in Sri Lanka. Cambridge scholar Hiran met beautiful student Erika and they got married on 8-71959.

Agashan is the eldest son and his wife is Katherine two granddaughters namely Isabelle and Erika. Second son is Neshan and his wife is Tok. All of them are living in Sydney, Australia. In 2019, Hiran and Erika celebrated their happy 60th wedding anniversary.

I came to know Prof. Hiran D. Dias during the late 1960s when I was a graduate student in Univer-

sity of Ceylon, Colombo Campus as my geography etry and won international awards from Thailand, lecturer. He was a kind hearted and dediAustralia, and the US, including a Hon. cated teacher but strict disciplinarian.

Doctorate from the World Academy of Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka offered Arts and Culture in California, USA in a scholarship for me (1985) to Asian In1991. She wrote poetry for Queen Sirikit stitute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok do of Thailand on the celebration of her MSc in Human Settlements. As AIT al60th birthday in 1992.

In 1995, Prof Dias and Erika Akka relowed students to accompany their famturned after 17 years in Bangkok to setily members, I decided go to AIT with tled in Mirihana, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. my wife Chandani and daughter RowanErika Akka organised a monthly Circle thi. Three of us went to Chandani’s Loku of Dhamma Friends with 20 to 30 parAchchi (Grandaunt) Derbi Pandita Guticipants followed by a wonderful lunch. nawardena in Colombo 5. At that time, When I went to Sri Lanka, I too stayed she told us that her niece, Erika got mar- Erika Dias. with them for one month. Erika Akka ried to Hiran a faculty member in AIT and she gave us an introductory letter to her nephew maintained two types of household helpers such as live-in and visiting daily. Other than paying them a Hiran.

When three of us went to Bangkok, we came to fabulous salary, she helped them for day to day needs know that Erika Akka was very busy with her Bud- of their families.

Both of them selected a close temple for their merdhist meritorious work and kept company with an international group of friends. When Sri Lankan itorious deeds at Meditation Centre, Pagoda, NugeGovernment Servants visit Thailand for official mat- goda. At that time the Chief Monk of this temple ters most of them (mainly friends and Prof. Dias’s was Ven Aggamaha Pandita Davuldena Gnanissara students) always spent their last few days with the Thera (1915-2017). In the mid 1970s a young man Dias family in Bangkok while attending to domestic Rudy Hammelberg from Holland was ordained as matters such as shopping, visits to Buddhist temples Ven Olande Ananada as a student Monk under the and city tours. Thai husband and wife (Khun Uthai Chief Monk. The Dias family closely associated with and Kanchana) were helping Erika Akka by offering this temple and therefore both Prof Dias' and Erika services such as driving and cooking. In addition to Akka's funeral rights were led by Ven Olande Ananall that, Erika was a Consultant to UN-ESCAP in da Thera.

May her journey in Samsara be short and may she Bangkok between 1978-1987.

Erika Akka published more than ten books of po- realise the ultimate truth!

Schizophrenia

The following story is part a new feature, the serialization of our columnist Wayne Weedon’s fictional work, Schizophrenia. Wayne is a brilliant writer whose style consists of simple declarative statements that stick in your mind as he leads you through an intricate web of circumstances to reach the lesson he set out to teach.

Chapter 1: A Special Meeting To be continued next month Pregnant and deserted by her lover, a young girl moves in with her grandfather. When the baby boy is born, the grandfather agrees to look after him so his granddaughter can go to work. Despite the age difference, the relationship between the boy and his great-grandfather was more like two siblings than that of an adult and child. As this boy grew into a young man, he loved to look back and tell stories about his great-grandfather, whom he always called “Pops”.

I

told Pops about how all the grade-six students would have to attend a special meeting, “It’s going to be about the LGB something-something community.”

“What kind of community is that?”

“Well, as far as I can tell, it’s about how some people are born homosexual.”

“Hogwash!” exclaimed Pops, “How can one be born a homosexual? For one thing, there is no such thing as a homosexual. People may have sexual relationships with members of their own gender, but they choose to do so, not because they are born a certain way.”

“Well, Pops, there are people at my school who have a different opinion about this.”

“That’s fine, we may all have our opinions, but I guarantee, if you try to voice a different opinion, these people will not listen to you, they will ridicule you. These kinds of opinionated people believe only one thing, there are only two opinions in this world, their opinion, and the wrong opinion.”

“I am certain this guest lecturer will want to consider all sides of the coin. He is just giving us his opinion on this LGB something-something issue, and I can’t see why he wouldn’t ask for other opinions. He is supposed to be a conciliator.”

“What I would like to hear is, rather than people telling me how they were born as homosexuals, I would like them to tell me why they were born in the first place.”

I told Pops I didn’t understand what he was getting at, and he then asked me why I was born. I suggested it was because my parents had sex.

Pops explained, “We, every one of us, is born with a purpose in life, just like all living organisms. Nature’s purpose for all creatures is for them to perpetuate the

December 2023

species so their species does not die out. Everyone’s job is to live long enough to procreate and then to reproduce. Many species, such as salmon, die right after the sexual act because their job has been done, and they have completed Nature’s purpose for them.”

As Pops retrieved a book from his shelf he stated, “As far as being born a homosexual, I want you to read this one line.”

I read, There is no such thing as an alcoholic. I asked, “What’s being an alcoholic got to do with homosexuality?”

“It all boils down to the same thing, behaviour scientists have revealed this very clearly. This book was written by Doctor Eric Berne, a Canadian psychiatrist. This book, along with thousands of other books, reveals how we, the masses, are kept ignorant and immature, because it is good for business.”

“Could you explain yourself?”

Pops was quite happy to do so, “Have you ever wondered why television shows and commercials are so juvenile? The reason is these shows are talking to your Child. The reason for this is children do what feels good and if they don’t get what they want they may have a temper tantrum and make their parents’ life unpleasant enough so they will give in and let the child have the box of candy in a bowl, they call cereal, or the new toy which is being advertised on some cartoon show.”

I was perplexed, “What do you mean when you say they are talking to my Child?”

“Let me explain. Tell me, which person do you mostly talk to?”

“Well, that’s an easy one Pops, it’s you.”

This is when Pops surprised me, “You are wrong.

The person you mostly talk to is yourself. Think about it. Aren’t you always running things through your brain?”

“Well, I guess I am, but what has that got to do with homosexuality?”

“Do you ever think about sex?”

“Yes, I have, but I don’t know too much about it, and I keep these thoughts to myself.”

Pops smiled as he carried on, “Now we get to this idea about schizophrenia. People are diagnosed as schizophrenic if they hear voices, but, as Doctor Berne and other experts tell us, everyone hears voices.

These voices are the three personalities living in our brains who are always talking between themselves.”

“What do you mean, three personalities?”

“All of us have three personalities which behaviour scientists refer to as ego states. These ego states are, the Exteropsyche which is your Parent, the Neopsyche which is your Adult, and the Archaeopsyche which is your Child. Your Child is easily manipulated by emotions, especially fear, since children are naturally afraid of bigger people. To cope with this fear, children continually try to have fun and not worry about consequences. Your Adult is rational and scientific. Your Parent will often admonish your Child.

Your Parent is an opinionated worrywart who wants to be the boss. These three personalities are in continual conversation trying to get their point across.

A mature person always has their Adult monitoring what their Parent and Child are up to. The Adult should always be in charge. However, a good Adult always listens to what the Child and the Parent have to say because, if you do not acknowledge your Child and Parent, they will surprise you by popping up when you least expect it. And often this leads to disaster.”

I was confused, “This all sounds very complicated.”

“It really isn’t complicated at all once you begin to understand it. Let me give an example. Imagine a young man finding a fifty-dollar bill lying on the ground. His Parent, who is always worrying and very controlling, tells him to quickly grab it and stash it in his wallet so nobody would see it and try to steal it from him. His Adult who is rational and has common sense tells him to put it in the bank where it will earn some interest. His Child, who just wants to have fun, suggests buying a box of beer, some fried chicken, and having a party.”

“Is that the way it is, I have three people inside of me?”

“Sure, think about it. Listen to what’s going on in your brain when you are trying to decide what to do.

When you are with your friends, listen to what they are saying. After a while you will be able to tell which one of their personalities they are coming from when they voice their opinions or desires.”

“I’m going to really have to think about this one.”

“I’ll tell you what, you sleep on it, and we’ll carry on with this tomorrow.”

Next Month: Schizophrenia, Chapter 2: The Outcome Wayne Douglas Weedon is a Manitoba author who writes a combination of fictional and factual stories, essays, and novels. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

13

Auto dealer Jim Gauthier represents the best qualities of Manitoba’s leading auto dealers

sociation,” Manitoba’s longest serving auto dealer said Jim Gauthier im Gauthier exemplifies all the best qualities of Man- during an earlier interview. “There are a lot of people itoba’s car guys but also because – at 85 – he is the who give back to the community and are equally deserving.” last of his generation.

Jim noted that there is a very stringent vetting proAs with many of the people in the business, Jim is cess involved in the award. “You have a second-generation car guy (some, like to be nominated and then you have the Murrays and Rewuckis, are third gento provide letters of recommendation eration and even fourth generation) who from other charities that you have suptook over the family business then took ported.” that business to much greater heights.

The 2019 honoree was nominated by Like most Winnipeggers born before, the CNIB for his participation in the say, 1970. I was made aware of Jim years organization’s first national guide dog before I had the pleasure of first meetprogram which was launched in Wining him. Readers may remember the nipeg, Toronto, and Halifax in 2017. television commercials: media personalPreviously, all guide dogs for the visually Jim Gauthier. ity Laurie Mustard playing the role of a impaired in Canada had to be purchased customer in Jim’s Chev store, reverently in the States or from private kennels to support Seven Oaks Hospital, Holy Rosary Church, talking about “the Big Guy” although with long waiting lists and steep costs. the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, and Winviewers never actually saw Jim. Jim and his wife Joyce (who passed nipeg Harvest.

“The Big Guy” got his start in auto Myron Love away in 2013) always loved dogs. The What makes Jim the happiest is that the Gauthier sales almost 70 years ago when he worked philanthropist footed the entire bill of Auto Group is a family affair. Jim’s brother Jason and as a teenager at Russell Motors in Winnipeg. In 1959, Jim and his father Woody opened Kustom $50,000 for the training and care of the CNIB’s first his son Randy are part of the business – as are Jim’s Auto Sales in Transcona as a joint venture with Boulton guide dog (named Jocie, in memory of Joyce Gauthi- four grandchildren, Jayden, Kaylen, Tyson and Camryn.

Motors which later became a stand-alone Studebaker er) for Manitoba.

Jim cofounded the Dream Factory, the “Made in “I am blessed that I have four grandchildren who franchise. In 1967, he joined the sales team at Transcona Manitoba” version of the Children’s Wish Foundation. want to come into the business,” Jim says.

AMC, rising to the role of general manager. In 1972, he For my part, I can happily say that I have been truly bought Pan-Am Motors, selling it in 1977 while acquir- He is a generous donor to the Winnipeg Humane Soing Transcona Dodge which he owned until 1980. That ciety’s Joyce Gauthier Behaviour and Training Centre blessed to have known Jim Gauthier and all the other same year, he opened Jim Gauthier Chevrolet in north to support a dedicated space for the no-kill shelter to friendly people I have met along the way that make up Winnipeg. It quickly became one of the largest volume work with aggressive and neglected dog. He continues the auto industry in our province.

GM dealerships in Winnipeg.

Myron Love receives award I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim for close to 30 years. A little-known fact about him is that he likes to Murray (The Murray Auto Group), On the evening of November 3, Mysprinkle some Yiddish words and jokes in with his conMarietta Rewucki (former president ron Love was honoured with an Adversation when speaking to Jewish friends. He picked up of Eastern Chrysler, Gerald Boiteau vocate Award and induction into the some of the language while working for Harry Sucharov (formerly general manager and vice Manitoba Motor Dealers Association at Transcona Dodge. president Autohaus Volkswagen/ Hall of Fame for his 25-plus years of Also, over the years, Jim assembled an impressive colPorsche), Ashok Dilawri (Dilawri Auto covering the industry in his weekly lection of vintage automobiles which, up until a few Group) and Brian Lowes (Mercedescolumn for the Winnipeg Free Press years ago, were permanently on display in the lower level Benz Winnipeg).

Auto Section. He wants to express of his flagship Chevrolet store on McPhillips.

“What I have found most admirable his deep appreciation for the opporIn 1990, Jim relocated the Chevrolet store to its about the auto dealers I have known tunity to have been part of this induscurrent larger location. The Gauthier family of dealis that, despite their accumulated try which plays an essential role in erships now includes Gauthier Chrysler Dodge Jeep wealth, they remain down-to-earth the lives of most Canadians.

RAM (opened in 1998), Gauthier Cadillac Buick GMC and are strong advocates of giving (opened in 2001), and Jim Gauthier’s Waverley Chrysler “I have naturally many wondermember all the warm and welcomback to their communities, a phiDodge Jeep (opened in 2005). In 2019, he opened the ful memories from my time spent ing people I came to know – many losophy they have demonstrated brand new, state-of-the-art Jim Gauthier Autoplex Collireporting the comings and goings of them who became friends,” said through donations, sponsorships and sion Centre, Manitoba’s largest collision centre. in the industry – the annual social Myron. personally giving of their time,” he Over the years, I have interviewed Jim, not only in evenings and awards breakfasts and relation to the auto industry but also to highlight his conventions before them, dealership He said that among those who stand concluded. charitable giving. In 2019, the Manitoba chapter of the grand openings and new car launch- out have been Larry Vickar (the Vick- Lifestyles 55 is proud to congratulate Association of Fundraising Professions recognized Jim es, employee appreciation lunches ar Auto Group), Steve Chipman (the Myson on his achievements and his Gauthier as the Outstanding Philanthropist for that year. and many more – but I especially re- Birchwood Group), Dan and Doug award.

“It is a great honour to be recognized by the As-

J

Home schooling, old schooling

A

“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. “Just look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

1. My mother taught me TO AP11. My mother taught me about the PRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. WEATHER. “If you’re going to kill each other, do “This room of yours looks like a torit outside. I just finished cleaning.” nado went through it.”

2. My mother taught me RELI12. My mother taught me about GION. HYPOCRISY. “You better pray that will come out “If I told you once, I’ve told you a of the carpet.”

Jim Ingebrigtsen million times, don’t exaggerate!”

3. My father taught me about time 13. My father taught me the circle travel.

“If you don’t straighten up, I will of life. knock you into the middle of next week!”

“I brought you into this world, and I can take you 4. My father taught me LOGIC. out.”

“Because I said so, that’s why.”

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR 5. My mother taught me more logic.

MODIFICATION. “Stop acting like your father!”

“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, 15. My mother taught me about ENVY. you’re not going to the store with me.”

“There are millions of less fortunate children in 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. “Make sure you wear clean underwear in case this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.” you’re run over by a bus!”

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. 7. My father taught me IRONY. lot of people get a little nostalgic around the Christmas season. Naturally, we tend to look back on past years and remember those who are no longer with us. The times we grew up in were very different than they are now. Everything was different, including the way some of us were raised. Home schooling in the 40s, 50s and 60s was quite a bit different than it is now. In case they have slipped your mind, the following are some examples of our upbringing:

14

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

“Just wait until we get home.”

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. “You are going to get it from your father when you get home!”

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

19. My mother taught me ESP. “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

20. My father taught me HUMOR. “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

22. My mother taught me GENETICS. “You’re just like your father.”

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

24. My mother taught me WISDOM. “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.

25. My father taught me about JUSTICE. “One day, you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Jim was a writer-broadcaster and producer on television and radio for 40 years. Listen to his podcasts Radio Redux & Mid-Century Memories on Lifestyles55Radio.ca or www.whatsupwinnipeg.ca December 2023

Skiing in a winter wonderland Robert E. Wrigley

A

s I hustled across the parking lot to go skiing in Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Forest one afternoon, my boots made the most pleasant crunching sounds (like munching on toast) on the packed snow. Instead of the old-fashioned cable bindings of my first skis in the early 1970s, I now sported a convenient one-click toe binding, and off I went, shifting from leg to leg with long, smooth glides. It was a beautiful afternoon with a temperature of -8°C. The brilliant sunlight created countless sparkles of pure delight bouncing off delicate crystals which had settled on the top layer of snow.

This fresh white blanket, reflecting over 50 per cent of the solar radiation back into space, reminded me of marzipan icing on a wedding cake, punctured here and there with long, thin stalks of golden-yellow grass.

Everywhere I looked, snake-like cylinders of snow wound their way, back and forth, along sloping tree branches, and white caps perched like perfectly shaped bread buns on the top of every stump, all appearing like magic from last night’s gentle snowfall. I was surrounded by a cornucopia of snow sculptures clinging to each shrub and tree. It was so exhilarating to be immersed in Nature’s dazzling-white art gallery to enjoy to my heart’s content, and the admission was free!

I examined one particularly graceful snow sculpture at eye level, and dared touch it with my tongue, transforming the delicate crystals to liquid in an instant. What a story might these water molecules (consisting of bonded hydrogen and oxygen atoms) might tell about their recent journey, leaping from the surface of the mid-Pacific Ocean, climbing and swirling up into vapoury clouds high into the atmosphere, and then borne by easterly flowing winds over forests, mountains, and prairies, all the while destined to land at my particular spot. Although I could not see them, trillions of these frozen water molecules were leaping back into the air by the astonishing process of sublimation. These molecular migrants have been circulating among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere ever since they arrived on Earth, bound within countless asteroids, four billion years ago – a period known as the Late Heavy Bombardment.

As I glanced up into the tree canopy, the craggy spires of oaks and aspens reminded me of skeletons, having lost in the autumn their mantle of yellow leaves. I paused often to admire the bold patterns on the aspen trunks – pitch-black patches and streaks against the white-powdered bark. Numerous fine scratch marks revealed the past passage of a squirrel (red, gray, or northern flying squirrel), or an eastern chipmunk – the former three still active all winter, the latter species now hibernating deep below the frost line. Black circles on the trunks marked the former sites of branches that had long since died and tumbled to the ground, their demise the result of decreasing levels of light reaching them as the trees matured.

At the base of the oldest trees, yellow and gray lichens had gained a foothold amid crusty-black expansion cracks in the bark, simulating the splitting pants of a girth-gaining senior. I could see on some trunks perfectly aligned series of horizontal holes drilled long ago by a yellow-bellied sapsucker (called a ‘zapzucker’ by my young son) desirous of licking up sweet sap. During the warm season, these temporary sap flows also December 2023

Who can refrain from experiencing delight at entering a hoar-frosted forest?

Photo by R.Wrigley.

A white-tailed deer buck bedded down for the day. Photo by Larry de March.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker pauses to examine its handiwork in accessing tree sap.

Photo by Larry de March.

provided insects and squirrels with a source of energy.

I paused to admire the round, spiky, papery husks of wild cucumber strung like Christmas lights from a long vine clambering among the branches of a willow. The bright-red stems of redosier dogwood then caught my eye, always a treat to see piercing the white snow. White-tailed deer tracks were evident everywhere, crisscrossing the nature trails, yet I have seldom seen a deer here, and then mainly when they meander along the park’s surrounding roads.

They must bed down in secluded spots during the daytime. The only sounds I heard most of the time were the alternating swish-swish of my skis and the squeaks from the steel points the poles penetrating packed trail.

From a distance, a lone black-capped chickadee called, and I answered its greeting by whistling a high-pitched ‘dee-dee-dee.’ In seconds, the inquisitive little bird flew over in my direction.

As it flitted nervously from branch to branch only a metre or two away, its keen eyes scanning for food, I marvelled that such a tiny creature could survive our winters, when insects were securely hidden under frozen bark, and most seeds were covered by snow. This bird can remember rewarding sites in its home range to search for food and sleeping quarters in a tree hollow and can even enter a state of hypothermia overnight to save energy.

Then I heard the far-off triple croaking of a common raven, and I did my best imitation by exhaling air over my flapping tongue (which I had practiced with ravens on the tundra). Sure enough, 10 seconds later, the raven came over to investigate, and spotting the intrusive impersonator, it banked in a graceful arc and glided away. When I paused to catch my breath, with the deep silence surrounding me, it was difficult to fathom that in only a couple of months, tens of thousands of birds of dozens of species, having spent the winter from the southern United States

to South America, would arrive in these woods, with males singing incessantly to claim territories and to attract a mate.

I must have intruded onto the territory of a red squirrel, because it churred boldly, clearly annoyed, and then made itself scarce. I pulled some loose bark off a fallen log and uncovered two hibernating red and black click beetles, which during the warm seasons can flip high into the air like ‘tiddlywinks’ when disturbed by a predator. I thought of the many woods frogs I was passing by each huddled in a near-death frozen state, tucked into the leaf litter.

Farther down the trail I came across a 40-cm-high mound of earth and sticks with partially bare earth sides. The snow had fallen off, exposing the dark soil to the warming rays of the sun. It was the home of mound or thatching ants. Over two metres below the surface, the hibernating colony likely consisted of around 100 queens and 40,000 workers, all awaiting the warming temperatures of March to enable the ants to commence their designated chores.

Skiing on, I came across scattered pieces of fur and a string of intestine from an eastern cottontail rabbit.

Tracks in the snow revealed that a red fox had fed well last night. On rare occasions I have found where an ermine has pursued and devoured a mouse, perhaps lining its own nest with mouse fur. Then I found the delicate trail of a deer mouse on the surface. I could distinguish it from a southern red-backed vole by the long lengths of the hops and the obvious long tail mark in the snow.

The track always led to a plunge hole down into the lattice-like subnivean world amid the frozen leaf litter. An unused hole was usually edged in ice crystals, formed as water vapour from below froze on striking the cold air.

I wondered about the accumulation of carbon dioxide trapped at ground level. It is thought that mouse tunnels rising to the surface allow gaseous exchange to occur, for there remains con-

siderable activity of a host of animal life under the insulating cover of snow. In addition to mice, there are shrews, spiders, springtails, centipedes, lice, mites, roundworms, and other tiny life forms that continue to thrive in the leaf litter and soil, responding to the slight heat arising from deep underground.

When I come across a creek bed in a field, I can never resist being drawn down into its inviting valley, and not only because it provides an instant reprieve from a chilling wind. The creek banks are a wonderland of snow sculptures deposited by the wind. A broken grass or weed stem, twisting round and round in the wind, etches a perfect circle on the surface of the packed snow, just as occurs on a sand dune.

Later in the afternoon, I noticed that my shadow, which had leapt so energetically ahead of me at the start of the trail, now decided to follow me at a slow pace as I returned to the parking lot.

Anyone who skis in wild areas will have stories to tell about coming across wildlife. On one occasion, I was striding along, lost in thought, when there was a sudden explosion in front of my ski tips, which really startled me. I had come across a spruce grouse sleeping under the snow. Several times I have found the plunge hole and wing marks in the snow where a large owl (likely a great horned) thrust down its taloned legs in hopes of capturing a mouse.

While skiing in Riding Mountain National Park, my wife and I were enjoying the solitude of the boreal forest early one morning when I heard the unmistakable sounds of a bull moose thrashing its antlers against a shrub. I cautiously peered over a slight rise and observed the massive animal glaring back in my direction. That impressive rack convinced us immediately to intrude no further on his territory, especially while the rut may have still been underway.

On another occasion, as a friend and I were driving down the street that borders the Assiniboine Forest, on our way for a morning ski, we noticed two white-tailed deer bucks suddenly start bounding beside us, parallel to the road.

Seeing that they would not veer off into the adjacent field, we presumed they wanted to return to forest, so I slowed down to give them a chance to cross the road safely. Unfortunately, the road was icy, and as the first buck reached the pavement at considerable speed, its four legs spread out awkwardly, and it slid upright into the snowbank, managed to recover its balance, and then headed off into the woods. Its companion decided to follow, but its front legs swept out to one-sided- ay across the road, and it went down heavily on its side, striking its head rather hard on the pavement.

Its right antler snapped off at the base and went skidding along with the deer, which finally slammed into the bank.

I thought the animal might have suffered a severe injury, such as a broken leg or concussion, but it rose quickly and made its way into the forest. I felt some guilt for having caused the accident but hoped the deer had learned how to better react to traffic. Deer-vehicle collisions are sadly not uncommon on busy roads through forested areas.

With snow on the ground for four to five months in Manitoba, skiing is a wonderful way to enjoy bright sunny days outdoors. Even on frigid days with a windchill, trails winding through a forest provide shelter until one’s body warms up from the exercise. There is plenty to Investigate on each excursion revealed with a sense of curiosity and a little knowledge.

This article was first published in the newsletter of Nature Manitoba. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

15

16

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

December 2023